ONLINE Plant Sale Store
100% of the sale proceeds goes directly to our education & habitat restoration programs.
Plants are in 3.5 inch pots and have all been grown in our greenhouse!
Have questions? Contact Jan at [email protected] or 314-725-8314 X102
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Butterflies and hummingbirds will flock to your garden to feast on the sweet nectar of this easy-to-grow, heirloom perennial. Often called swamp milkweed, this species grows best in moist or wet soils, such as near a pond or stream, but the loosely-clumped plants also grow well in a garden with regular watering. Decorative seed pods are beautiful in dried arrangements.
Height: 4.00 to 5.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Description: White, pink, mauve
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Attracts: Butterflies
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Lobelia cardinalis, commonly called cardinal flower is a Missouri native perennial which typically grows in moist locations along streams, sloughs, springs, swamps and in low wooded areas. A somewhat short-lived, clump-forming perennial which features erect, terminal spikes (racemes) of large, cardinal red flowers on unbranched, alternate-leafed stalks rising typically to a height of 2-3' (infrequently to 4'). Late summer bloom period. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, but not cardinals.
Effective in moist areas of woodland/shade gardens, wet meadows or along streams or ponds. Water gardens. Rain garden. Also adds late summer bloom and height to borders as long as soils are kept uniformly moist.
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: Scarlet red, white or rose
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Suggested Use: Rain Garden
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Right on cue during the dog days of August, Black-Eyed Susans illuminate flower gardens and open fields everywhere like bright rays of sunshine. If any plant could be the poster child of late summer it would be this one. The brightly colored flowers in cheery shades of lemon-yellow, orange, and gold bloom for weeks with minimal care. They also attract a continuous procession of pollinators, bringing even more color and vibrancy to the summer garden.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Bloom period: Plants have a long bloom period even without deadheading, typically flourishing from late July until the first frost. Some cultivars, such as ‘Early Bird Gold’, have extended bloom times and will begin flowering in mid to late spring.
Height: 10 inches to 3 ft.
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novaeangliae)
Only a few left!
This tall perennial aster produces hundreds of large violet purple to deep purple flowers with yellow centers in Sept. and Oct. The flowers are a favorite nectar source for migrating monarch butterflies. Praying mantises like to catch butterflies on them!
Height: 30 to 60 inches
Spread: 24 to 48 inches
Sun Exposure Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Typical Landscape Use: Use in the back of the garden for late season color and to attract butterflies. Grows well in native plant gardens or in damp prairies.
Establishment and Care Instructions
They grow best in fertile soil with constant moisture. Pinch garden plants back three or four times before Aug. 15th to keep them more compact.
Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera)
Covered with lavender blooms in late summer, Rough Blazing Star is shorter than other Liatris species and perfect for medium or dry well-drained soils. Butterflies are likely visitors, along with hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Ideal for dry perennial borders, rock gardens or low-growing dry meadows, it combines beautifully with Butterflyweed, Dotted Mint, Showy Goldenrod, Sky Blue Aster and Little Bluestem. This drought tolerant Liatris likes well-drained dry to medium soils, or sandy and rocky situations. Avoid planting it in moist areas, or locations where the soil remains consistently wet during winter.
The species name "aspera" is Latin for "rough," which refers to the short stiff hairs on the central stem and the narrow basal leaves, which are very rough. Another distinguishing feature of Rough Blazing Star is the slightly zigzag stem. Other common names include Button Snakeroot and Rough Gayfeather.
Soil Type: Loam, Sand
Soil Moisture: Dry, Medium
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Height: 2' - 3'
Bloom Color: Lavender, Pink, Purple
Bloom Time: Aug, Sep
Spacing: 6" - 1'
Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
The shy yellow blooms of Oenothera biennis tend to open at dusk and close in the heat of the day, earning it the name "Evening Primrose". The foliage is is short the first year, and then tall flower stems emerge to bloom from June to September the second year.
A short-lived perennial (or biennial) that self-sows freely, making it great for naturalizing in the landscape. Its seeds are highly attractive to birds.
Thrives in full sun to part shade and moist, well-draining soil, although it is very tolerate of drought and dry, hot soil. Height at Maturity: 48 to 60 inches
Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia)
Wingstem is named for the leaf tissue fanning out from the length of the stem. Blooming in the heat of summer and throughout the fall season, this tall prairie plant features domed clusters of perky yellow flowerheads whose spiny florets are often compared to pin cushions. The petals are also a bright yellow, flaring down and outwards from the center.
It prefers a site with part sun to mottled shade, and although a slightly wetter situation is better, this plant will tolerate some variance in moisture levels. Spreading readily by seed and rhizomes, Wingstem can quickly colonize in the right conditions; because of this, it is considered aggressive and may not be suitable for small landscape plantings.
Once marketed to beekeepers as the "Golden Honey Plant" for good reason. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation recognizes Verbesina alternifolia as having special value to pollinators because it supports a great diversity of bees and wasps. It is also a host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly, Summer Azure butterfly, and Gold Moth.
Eastern Blazing Star (Liatris scariosa)
Eastern Blazing Star can grow in drier conditions than prairie blazing star and tolerates quite a bit more shade (another common name is Savanna Blazing Star). It is a stout-stemmed blazing star that stands up well even when there is only one stem. The large flower heads are a deep rose-purple in bud as well as in bloom. Monarchs and other butterflies as well as hummingbirds will visit the flowers.
Uses: butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, cut flowers
Bloom time: August & September
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Space: 12 to 16 inches
Light: Full sun to light shade
Sweet Thai Basil
Thai basil is a popular herb in Southeast Asian cuisine and is a flavorful garnish served with Vietnamese pho (a savory broth of noodles and meat). It holds its flavor and texture better after cooking than other basil varieties and adds a kick to salads when sliced and eaten fresh. Sweet Thai's dark purple flowers and intoxicating scent make it a beautiful addition to the flower garden. A terrific container variety.
Snapdragon Mix
Long, strong stems are covered with large, closely placed flowers in a full color range to form gracefully tapered, towering spikes. Splendid for the tall border and cutting. GARDEN HINTS: Remove faded spikes to lengthen the display. Cultivate or mulch to control weeds. Full Sun. 36"
- Snapdragons bloom best in well-drained, moist soil, in cool late-spring or early-summer temperatures. They can tolerate light shade but bloom much better in full sun.
- Snapdragons tend to stop producing flowers when hot weather arrives, but they will usually re-bloom when the weather cools off in late summer if you cut back the spent flower stalks.