HERBACEOUS NATIVE PERENNIALS TO GROW IN FULL SUN TO PARTIAL SUN FOR CALVERT COUNTY*

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1 HERBACEOUS NATIVE PERENNIALS TO GROW IN FULL SUN TO PARTIAL SUN FOR CALVERT COUNTY* *See Notes at the end. Agastache foeniculum - Giant Hyssop. Ht Full sun, tolerates drought and poor soil, even our heavy clay in Calvert County. Bright blue to lavendar spikes of blooms attract butterflies, pollinators and sometimes hummingbirds! Dead spikes may be pinched back to encourage new growth. Will bloom most of the summer, sometimes from late May until frost. Plants may die back after a year or two but usually self-seed to form a colony. Have never been bothered by deer. Allium cernuum Nodding Onion. Ht. 6 to 2. Full sun to light shade. Prefers moist soil but tolerates drought conditions. Slender stalks support nodding pink blooms in midsummer. Growing from a small bulb, this member of the Lily family reproduces slowly to cover a small area. Deer usually ignore them. Use at the front of the border. Amsonia spp. Amsonia are commonly called Bluestar and are native to the Midwest or Southeast. They grow in average soil and prefer abundant moisture; however they are drought tolerant. In the spring, pale blue flowers are held upright in clusters and last well as cut flowers, but be careful cutting them--the stems exude a milky sap that may be irritating to the skin. Have never been bothered by deer. The yellow blooms of Coreopsis verticillata and C. auriculata provide a pleasing color contrast. Rain Garden Amsonia ciliata Fringed Bluestar. Ht. 2-3, narrow green leaves are ½ wide by 2 long. In fall, they turn tan and leaves crinkle, providing fall and winter interest. A. hubrictii Hubricht s or Arkansas Bluestar. Flowers are not as showy as the other Bluestars, but this smaller plant is glorious in the fall when its fine foliage turn bright gold. Plant several together for a stunning effect. A. illustris Ozark Bluestar. This plant reaches 4 tall and almost that wide and can form a summertime hedge. Its narrow green leaves on stiff stalks support large heads of small blue flowers in the spring, followed by thin beanlike seed pods. Because of their weight, the stalks should be pruned back by one-third to one-half after blooming; however, leave a few with beans to mature and self sow. A. tabernaemontana Bluestar. Very similar to Ozark Bluestar with wider leaves and even heavier stalks.

2 Aquilegia canadensis Eastern or Wild Columbine. Ht Dry to moist soil in Part Shade to Full Sun. It prefers rich soil and will seed about but can be deadheaded to control its spread. Red and yellow bell-like blooms on tall stems in spring. HWV Aruncus dioicus Goat s Beard. Ht Moist to wet organic soil in sun to part shade. Needs more moisture in sun and does not like clay soil. Small clusters of white blooms appear in late June above fern-like leaves. Good accent plant for the back of the border. A. aethusifolius is a delightful dwarf version that is less than 1 high. ASCLEPIAS SPECIES: All species attract butterflies and beneficial insects and are host plants for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar. Each has different characteristics and growing conditions and all exude a milky sap when cut, hence, the name milkweed. Seldom bothered by deer. A. incarnata Swamp Milkweed. Ht Full sun to light shade in moist to wet soil or will grow in fresh or brackish water. Native to shorelines and swamps in Calvert County, this tall plant bears pinkish blooms in early summer. Can be used in a rain garden but should not be allowed to dry out. A. purpurascens Purple Milkweed. Ht Full sun, well-drained soil. Has deep red-violet blooms which attract butterflies and other pollinators. A. syriaca Common Milkweed. Ht Grows in thickets, fields and roadsides in full sun and dry soil. Pale purple blooms in summer are fragrant. A. tuberosa - Butterfly Milkweed. Ht Grows in full sun to light shade in dry to moist fields, roadsides and shale barrens. This common plant with its bright orange summer blooms has a deep taproot so shouldn t be moved once established. Seedlings can be transplanted. Baptisia australis Wild Blue Indigo. Ht. 3-5 in full sun or light shade, dry to moist soil. A member of the Pea family, Wild Blue Indigo is a bushy plant with lavender blooms that appear in late spring and form pea pods. Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects. Baptisia pendula White False Indigo is similar with white blooms. Baptisia tinctoria Yellow Wild Indigo. Ht. 1-3 in full sun to light shade in dry soil in open woods and clearings. Yellow blooms appear on stalks in mid to late summer. Grows wild in Calvert County. Bidens cernua Nodding Beggar-ticks. Ht. to 3 in full sun to light shade in dry to moist soils. This fall-blooming plant with yellow blooms grows wild along roadsides and in fields in moist areas. Spreads by seed and is also called sticktights because the dried seedpods stick to clothing. Host plant for caterpillar of Painted Lady Butterfly and provides nectar for butterflies. HWV 2

3 Boltonia asteroids Star Boltonia. Ht Sun to Part Sun, dry to wet soil. Blooms in late summer, white or pink. Attracts pollinators. A dwarf variety that grows to 1 in height performs well at the front of the border. Chelone glabra White Turtlehead. Grows wild in wet areas in sun to shade but prefers some sun. Can reach 5 tall. White flowers, which resemble the shape of a turtle s head, top heavy stalks with green leaves in late summer to fall. It forms large clumps and is excellent paired with Blue or Cardinal Lobelia. Host plant for the caterpillar of the Baltimore Checkerspot butterflies and provides shelter and nectar for pollinators. Rain Garden. HWV Chrysopsis mariana Maryland Golden Aster. Reaches 2 in height in sun to light shade and dry soil. Frequently grows along roadsides and in openings in the woods. Late summer yellow blooms provide nectar for migrating Monarch butterflies. It seeds about and is best in a meadow or informal bed. Conoclinium (Eupatorium) colestinum Mistflower, Wild Ageratum. Ht. 1-3, sun to shade, in dry to wet soil. This highly tolerant plant has underground runners that form a spaghetti-like root system that will hold sloping areas in the yard and is useful as a groundcover. Grows in sandy soils and damp thickets and can be aggressive in a formal bed. Violet blooms in late summer attract butterflies and beneficial insects and birds eat the seeds. Coreopsis auriculata Nana - Mouse-ear Coreopsis. Reaching no more than 6 high, this little plant has dark green, wide leaves (perhaps like Mouse ears) and sports 1 yellow flowers. Slowly forms clumps in average, well-drained soil and sun to part sun. Good edging plant and a delight in the garden. Coreopsis verticillata Threadleaf Coreopsis. Cheerful, small daisy-like flowers appear on slender stems with threadlike leaves in June and repeat bloom until October or frost. Ht It prefers moisture in full sun but is drought tolerant. Usually not bothered by deer. Echinacea purpurea Coneflower. Ht. to 4 in full sun to light shade and average soil, the pinkish petals surround a large brown cone filled with seeds which attract Goldfinches and other small birds. Good for naturalizing but deer love it! Very attractive to butterflies. EUTROCHIUM (EUPATORIUM) SPECIES: For height in Part Shade to Full Sun, the various species of Joe Pye Weed are stunning plants that range from 6 to 10 with adequate moisture. Huge pinkish bloom heads on top of thick stalks which may need 3

4 staking are magnets for butterflies in July through August. Ranked second after Butterfly Milkweed as a nectar plant! Pairs well with Coneflowers and Switchgrass. The genus is host to more than 3 dozen species of Lepidoptera. E. fistulosum- Joe Pye Weed, E. maculatum Spotted Joe Pye Weed, E. purpureum- Sweet Joe Pye Weed. Also E. purpureum Little Red, which grows to only 4-7 tall with slightly smaller flower heads. Rain Garden. HWV Eutrochium (Eupatorium) dubium Three-Nerved Joe Pye Weed. The shortest member of the genus also sports pinkish to purplish blooms with smaller bloom heads on stalks that grow no taller than 5 in similar conditions. Rain Garden. HWV Geranium maculatum Wild Geranium. Blooms in late spring with pink-lavender blooms above attractive mounding foliage. Can serve as a groundcover. Sun to Part Shade in Average to Moist soil with more moisture required in sun. Usually not bothered by deer. Helenium autumnale Sneezeweed. Yellow blooms appear from late July to the end of September atop 2-4 stems. Grows in full Sun to Shade. Prefers moist soil and doesn t do well in heavy clay. Grows wild in woods, swamps and along riverbanks. Attracts butterflies. Rain Garden. Helianthus angustifolius Swamp Sunflower. Like annual sunflowers, this plant can reach over 5 in height in full sun. It requires moist to wet acidic soil Heliopsis helianthoides - False Sunflower. Height 3-4. Sun/Pt.Shade. Dry to moist soils, grows in open fields. Yellow summer blooms attract butterflies, pollinators. Hibiscus moscheutos Marsh Mallow. Height is 3-6. The large summer blooms which can be pink or white with deep red-violet centers attract attention in marshes and along the edges of both fresh and saltwater creeks in Calvert County. They will grow in average to moist soil in the garden. Rain Garden. HWV Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower. A very popular native plant that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, Cardinal Flower blooms in mid to late summer atop 2-4 sturdy stalks. It grows wild in moist to wet areas in Calvert County but will grow in average to moist garden soil in Sun to Shade, although it blooms earlier with a bit of sun. Rain Garden. HWV Lobelia siphilitica Great Blue Lobelia. Similar requirements as the Cardinal Flower but will grow even taller and tolerates more Shade. It also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Rain Garden. HWV 4

5 Liatris spicata Blazing Star. Height 3-6, spacing 6-1. Sun/PtShade. Dry to moist soil. Pink blooms in August-September attract hummingbirds, butterflies, pollinators and Lady Bugs. Birds eat seeds. Mimulus ringens Allegheny Monkeyflower. Ht Sun/PtSun. Moist soil. Grows in swamps and wet areas in meadows. Pale blue flowers from June through October. Colonizes slowly. Rain Garden. Monarda (fistulosa) bradburiana Wild Bergamot. Height to 5 (average 3-4 ). Dry to moist soil in sun to part shade. Pink/ lavender flowers from June through fall. Attracts pollinators. Rain Garden Monarda didyma Bee Balm. Similar to Wild Bergamot but is available in more colors, including red. Is more susceptible to powdery mildew. Monarda punctata Horsemint. Ht. 6-3 in full sun, dry to average soil. Purplish blooms which encircle the stalk from June through October. More upright stems and very different bloom than that of Bee Balm and Bergamot make this an interesting addition to the garden. Attractive to butterflies and pollinators. OENOTHERA SPECIES: These species grow in full sun, are drought tolerant and spread about promiscuously. Plant them in a natural garden and enjoy their cheerful blooms beginning in June and lasting sometimes through the summer. All attract pollinators, including hummingbirds. HWV. O. biennis Common Evening Primrose, 1-2 tall, biennial, flowers open in the evening. O. fruticosa Narrowleaved Sundrops. 1-3 tall in full sun, dry to moist soil, begins blooming in September. O. perennis Sundrops may grow to 3 tall, in dry to moist soil, begins blooming in May. Opuntia humifusa Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. Height 1-2. Space Sun, dry-well-drained soil. Yellow blooms in May-June. Native to Eastern US except northern tier states. Packera aurea (Senecio aureus) Golden Groundsel. Sun to Shade. A wetland plant that will also grow in average soil, it spreads by runners and can be aggressive in the garden. It makes a good groundcover and bears deep yellow flowers in early to mid summer on 1-2 stalks. Rain Garden Penstemon spp. Beardtongue. Height 2-5. Sun/Pt Sun. Dry to moist soil. Drought tolerant. Basal rosettes provide groundcover and interest all summer. Spread to 5

6 colonize and also spread by seed. Provide early source of nectar for insects and butterflies, attract Hummingbirds, and are seldom bothered by deer. P. digitalis- Foxglove Beardtongue. White blooms June August. Also a variety Husker Red has reddish leaves that add color to the garden. P. laevigatus Smooth or Eastern Beardtongue. Will tolerate shade, prefers moist soil. P. smallii Small s Beardtongue. Not quite as tall as the others and has lovely pale blue-violet tubular blooms in the spring. PHLOX SPECIES: There are many species of Phlox that grow in shade to sun and range from ground covers to 4 tall plants. P. divaricata Wild Blue Phlox. Considered a woodland plant, the one-foot high Wild Blue Phlox grows in full sun to partial shade. It likes well-drained soil and will naturalize to make a groundcover. Blue flowers in mid to late spring. P. maculata Meadow Phlox, Wild Sweet William. Can reach 3 in height in Sun or Shade, moist to wet soil. Pinkish flowers appear in May and throughout the summer. P. paniculata Summer Phlox makes a dramatic addition to the garden with magenta blossoms on 4 tall stems. Begins to bloom in mid summer and continues into fall. Attracts butterflies. Prefers sun and moist soil but will grow and bloom in some shade, is drought tolerant and not bothered by powdery mildew. Basal leaves may persist throughout the winter. P. subulata Moss Phlox. Groundcover. Sun, dry to average soil. Late spring blooms in white, pink or lavender attract butterflies. Physostegia virginiana Obedient Plant, False Dragonhead. Ht. 2-4 (taller with more sun), moist to dry soil, sun to part shade. Spreads easily so is best in informal beds or naturalized. Likes moisture but is drought tolerant. White blooms in mid-summer. Hummingbirds feed at it. HWV Rain Garden. Physostegia virginiana Vivid Vivid Obedient Plant. A bright magenta form with similar characteristics. Pycnanthemum Pilosum - Hairy Mountain Mint. Native member of the mint family that grows 2-3 in dry woods, thickets and fields in sun to shade. Tolerates drought and poor soil. Tall stems are topped by a set of light-colored leaf bracts with a pincushion center that bears the tiny white blossoms which pollinators and butterflies find irresistible. Easy to grow but beware: it is a member of the mint family and spreads accordingly. Plant it where it won t invade other parts of the garden and away from paths. Smaller, new leaves can be used for cooking, flavoring. 6

7 Rudbeckia fulgida Orange Coneflower, Perennial Black-eyed Susan. Grow in Sun to Part Shade with heights up to 3.5 in dry to moist soil. Blooms appear in June or July and continue into fall. Pretty paired with Cardinal lobelia. Rain Garden. HWV Rudbeckia hirta - Black-eyed Susan. Height Sun/PtShade. Dry to moist soil Yellow blooms in late summer attract butterflies, pollinators, and birds eat seeds. Host plant to dozens of species of Lepidoptera, including Pearl Crescent and Silver Checkerspot butterflies. Salvia lyrata Lyre-leaf Sage. Ht. 1-2 in full sun to part shade and dry to medium soil. Violet flowers appear in late spring on a single stalk growing from a basal rosette. The stalks dry and may be clipped before seeds spread, which they do randomly and profusely. The rosettes make a nice ground cover. Good plant for pollinators and butterflies. Not eaten by deer. Saururus cernuus Lizard s Tail. Ht. to 4 in full sun and wet soil. It prefers growing in fresh water swamps or marshes but will tolerate moist soil in the garden. The blooms, which are highly attractive to pollinators, open along curved panicles somewhat like a lizard s tail beginning in June. This plant spreads rapidly by rhizomes and by seed and is not recommended for planting in a bed with other plants, but is a wonderful plant where it has space to form a colony. Scutellaria incana Downy Skullcap. Ht. about 2 in sun to part sun, dry to wet soil. Blue-violet blooms in early summer are very attractive. Seed pods form small skullcaps. Also, S. integrifolia Skullcap Hyssop. A smaller plant that self sows readily and will grow in shade. Senna marilandica Maryland Wild Senna. Height Dry to moist soil in sun to part shade. This tall, spectacular plant with finely pinnate leaves has small yellow blooms July through August that attract small pollinators. Birds eat seed pods. Silene virginica Fire Pink. Height 1-3. Sun/Pt. Shade. Dry to well-drained moist soil. Bright pink blooms in early summer attract butterflies, pollinators. SOLIDAGO SPECIES - GOLDENROD: All Goldenrod have yellow blooms in the fall and grow wild in dry, poor soil and range in height from 1 to 5. As a species, they are host to over 100 species of Lepidoptera. They are accused of causing hay fever, but that role goes to Ragweed which begins blooming a bit earlier, although a few people are allergic to Goldenrod. Goldenrod species are host to 107 species of Lepidoptera. Here are a few of the most attractive that are native to our area. None seem to be particularly interesting to deer. 7

8 S. caesia Wreath Goldenrod. An adaptable goldenrod that will grow in conditions from Sun to Shade in Dry to Moist soil. Height reaches about 3 and tiny yellow blooms form along the stem in late summer. S. nemoralis Gray Goldenrod. Height to 3. Dry soil in full sun to part shade. Yellow blooms in late summer attract pollinators and birds eat seeds. S. odora Anise Scented Goldenrod. Height 1-2. Spacing 1. Sun/Pt.Sun. Dry-Medium soil. Yellow blooms August-September. HWV S. rugosum Fireworks Wrinkle Leaf Goldenrod. Ht. 2-5, Sun/PtSun and dry to moist soil. Fireworks is a floriferous variety and a good choice for the garden, although it spreads easily. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae New England Aster. Height Sun/PtShade. Moist soil. Violet blooms in late summer provide nectar for butterflies. Symphyotrichum novi-belgi New York Aster. Height Sun/PtShade. Moist to wet soil. Blue-violet blooms in late summer attract butterflies, pollinators. Tradescantia virginiana Virginia Spiderwort. A common plant with interesting leaves and drooping buds that appear on 2-3 stalks in early summer. Flowers are usually blue-violet but there are many varieties available. Cut back after all the buds have opened. Adaptable, it prefers moist soil in Sun to Shade. Thalictrum pubescens (T. polygamun) Tall Meadow Rue. Likes moist to wet soil in Sun to Shade. This tall (to 8 under ideal conditions) plant has lovely, columbine-like leaves and white flowers that appear in early June. Rain Garden. Vernonia noveboracensis New York Ironweed. A tall native that grows in Sun to Part Shade, Ironweed likes moist to wet soil where it can reach 8 tall, but will grow in average soil where it will reach 4-5 in height. Red violet flowers appear in late summer and attract butterflies. Rain Garden. HWV Yucca filamentosa Adams Needle Cactus. Sun, dry soil. Leaves reach 4 tall, blooms are much taller. Creamy White flowers July to August attract butterflies, pollinators *Not all plants are native to Calvert County but are native to the Eastern United States. We have tried to choose plants that we know grow well in the soil and climate in Calvert County. Most of them are available locally; however, a few may have to be obtained from native plant growers by mail order. 8

9 HWV High Wildlife Value: Plants that attract butterflies and beneficial insects and/or provide food for birds and other creatures. Rain Garden means the plant can tolerate being wet or dry and is suitable for use in a rain garden. (Lepidoptera refers to the order of butterflies and moths which go through a caterpillar stage. It is in this stage that they eat voraciously but only specific plants, which are referred to as Host plants.) Source: Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and conservation Landscaping Chesapeake Bay Watershed, U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Equal Opportunity Programs 9