Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Columbine is easy to grow and tolerates a wide range of conditions. Red and yellow 1"-2" lantern-shaped flowers are hummingbird magnets. Under favorable conditions Columbine spreads readily. Larval host plant for a cute little butterfly, the Columbine Duskywing. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: prefers Part Sun
Soil: Moist to Average
Height: 1-2 feet
Blooms: April-June
Flowers: Red with Yellow center
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
When looking for a milkweed plant for the home garden, Swamp Milkweed is usually the best fit. It is not stocky nor does it spread vigorously by rhizomes. The milkweeds are one of the best nectar plants to attract pollinators, especially the monarchs which rely on milkweed foliage in the caterpillar stage.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Moist to Average
Height: to 4 feet
Blooms: June-August
Flowers: Pink
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
This robust plant attracts and supports many pollinators. It spreads easily by rhizomes. Common habitats include dry fields and along roads, provided they are not sprayed with herbicide. Larval host for the Monarch butterfly. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 3 feet
Blooms: June-August
Flowers: Cream/Pink
Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa
Flame orange flowers are stunning in masses or drifts and attract pollinators galore. Interestingly, this plant does not exude the milky sap. Monarch butterfly host plant.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Dry to Average
Height: 2 feet
Blooms: June-August
Flowers: Orange
Whorled Milkweed
Asclepias verticillata
Dainty in appearance with "whorls" of thin leaves and elegant clusters of white flowers. This plant is ideal for that tough spot in dry soil and full sun. Spreads by rhizomes. Larval host to the Monarch butterfly. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Dry
Height: 2 feet
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: White
Blue Wild Indigo
Baptisia australis
Grown in full sun, forms gorgeous rounded form with blue-green pea-like leaves. Excellent for use in beds & borders and as a cut flower. Larval host plant for the Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly.
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average to moist
Height: to 4 feet
Blooms: May-July
Flowers: Purple
Pale Indian Plantain
Cacalia atriplicifolia, Arnoglossum atriplicifolium
Interesting large, fan-shaped leaves are white or "pale" on lower surface. Clusters of cream colored blooms are highly attractive to pollinators. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full to Part Sun
Soil: Average Moisture
Height: 3 to 6 feet
Blooms: July-August
Flower: White-Cream
Wild Senna
Cassia marilandica, Senna marilandica
Topped with dense clusters of yellow pea-like flowers in mid-summer, Wild Senna is low maintenance & deer and rabbit resistance. Although shrubby in habit and therefore also included under "woody" here, it is an herbaceous perennial, sprouting at ground level each spring. Pollinator host plant to Sleepy Orange, Orange-barred Sulfur, Cloudless Sulfur, Silver-spotted Skipper butterflies & the Black Witch moth with wingspan to 7". Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average Moisture
Height: 3-6 feet
Blooms: July-August
Flowers: Yellow
Tall Coreopsis
Coreopsis tripteris
Tallest Coreopsis topped with delicate flowers that provide food for Goldfinches if allowed to dry and remain into the fall. One larval host plant for the Common Tan Wave Moth and the interesting Wavy-lined Emerald Moth. Plant spreads readily under favorable conditions. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Wet to Dry
Height: 3 to 8 feet
Blooms: July-October
Flowers: Yellow
Mist Flower
Conoclinium coelestinum
Lovely accent plant for late-season color and nectar. Excellent for container gardening. For home use, containers or planting in a contained area is recommended as Mist Flower spreads easily. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Shade to Full Sun
Soil: Average to Moist
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Blooms: July-November
Flowers: Periwinkle
Lance-leaf Coreopsis
Coreopsis lanceolata
A tried and true plant for the home garden, Lance-leaf Coreopsis is a prolific bloomer and provides excellent cut flowers.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: to 2 feet
Blooms: May-July
Flowers: Yellow
Purple Prairie Clover
Dalea purpurea
Purple prairie clover has a deep taproot, making it a good choice for tough, full sun spots prone to drought. Bright, interesting flowers with a long lasting bloom time. Seed is high in protein, a good food source for mammals. A larval host plant for the Dogface Sulfur and Reakirt's Blue butterflies. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Blooms: June-August
Flowers: Purple
Pale Purple Coneflower
Echinacea pallida simulata
Also known as Glade Coneflower, this plant is elegant with thin reclining petals. It is under-utilized in the home garden and as a cut flower. Attracts bee and butterflies & provides seed for birds if flowering heads remain through winter. Larval host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly and Wavy-lined Emerald moth. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: to 3 feet
Blooms: June-July
Flowers: Pale Purple to Purple
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
A popular plant for good reason. Blooms attract pollinators in summer and their seed feeds birds in the cold months. Beautiful in a home or business planting and in a vase. One larval host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly and Wavy-lined Emerald moth. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Blooms: June-August
Flowers: Purple-Magenta
Wild Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
Wild or Virginia Strawberry has white flowers which provide early-season nectar. Decorative in a hanging pot and effective as a ground cover as it spreads readily by stolons. Having high ecological value, it provides early season nectar, pollen & serves as a larval host plant. Provenance: Kentucky.
Light: Full to Part Sun
Soil: Average
Height: 4 to 7 inches
Blooms: April-June
Flowers: White
Narrow-leaved Sunflower
Helianthus angustifolius
The leaves are sparse and small, making the entire plant appear to be a bountiful bouquet. It has a long blooming period. If left standing, the dried seeds support many birds in winter. Under favorable conditions, this plant grows large and spreads readily. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Moist
Height: 3 to 6 feet
Blooms: July-August
Flowers: Yellow
Few-leaved Sunflower
Helianthus occidentalis
Most of the leaves are clustered in a basal rosette making the flowering stems look airy and perfect to trim and pop into a vase. Like other sunflowers seed heads left on drying fall stems will provide food for birds in winter. Visited by a multitude of pollinators and is one larval host for the Gorgone Checkerspot, Silvery Checkerspot and Painted Lady butterflies.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Dry to Average
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Blooms: August-September
Flowers: Yellow
Downy Wood Mint
Blephilia ciliata
Under-used in home gardens, Downy Wood Mint tolerates a wide range of conditions, is of short stature, provides early season color and fall foliage can present various shades of pink. Also known as Pagoda Plant, this is a wonderful nectar plant for bees. Deer resistant. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Light Shade
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 1-2 feet
Blooms: May-July
Flowers: Light Purple
Oxeye Sunflower
Heliopsis helianthoides
Beautiful orange-yellow flowers practically glow and will continue to bloom when spent flowers are removed. Variously called Oxeye Sunflower, Early Sunflower, Everlasting Sunflower, & False Sunflower.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Blooms: June-August
Flowers: Orange-Yellow
Southern Blue Flag Iris
Iris virginica
Plant with sword-like leaves and large blue-violet flowers (1-3 cm across) is also well-rooted to help prevent erosion in low areas. Best grown in consistently moist organic soils. Good candidate for a rain garden.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Moist-Wet
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Blooms: June
Flowers: Blue-Violet with Yellow
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Truly stunning carmine flowers borne on tall slender spikes which rise from a basal rosette of leaves. Ideal for use in hummingbird and rain gardens. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Moist-Wet
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: Red
Spotted Beebalm
Monarda punctata
Showy pagoda-like white to deep pink bracts form a ring below less conspicuous spotted yellow flowers. Low maintenance, long-lasting bloom period, though a 'weak perennial' but may self-seed. A pollinator favorite.
Light: Part to Full Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: Yellow, White-Pink Bracts
Rattlesnake Master
Eryngium yuccifolium
Rattlesnake Master is surprisingly a member of the Carrot Family. Spherical flower clusters add much interest to a garden or a bouquet. Larval host to an attractive moth, the Rattlesnake Master Borer. Drought-tolerant. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Dry to Average
Height: 4 to 5 feet
Blooms: June-September
Flowers: Green
Scarlet Beebalm
Monarda didyma
Brilliant red flowers are a hit with hummingbirds. Foliage emits spicy odor when crushed. Striking as a cut flower. **To the best of our knowledge, this plant is not naturally native to Kentucky.** It appears to be native to the northeast and Appalachia, both to Ohio & Tennessee, neighboring states.
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average to Wet
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Blooms: July-August
Flowers: Red
Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata
True to it's name, Garden Phlox does well in the home garden and in rain gardens. Best planted in full sun. It is an excellent source of nectar for hummingbirds.
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: Pink-Purple
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
White to pink tubular flowers fill the flowering stalk attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Makes a lasting cut flower. Spreads readily. Consider using in contained situation for home garden use.
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Blooms: August-October
Flowers: White to Pink
American Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum pilosum
Light and billowy in flower, providing a visually soft effect when planted in groups. This is a highly effective plant for attracting 'clouds' of pollinators. Brush past the plant to release a pleasing aroma. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: to 3 feet
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: White
Grey-headed Coneflower
Ratibida pinnata
A hardy prairie perennial with showy flowers that works well along a back border or in a meadow. Graceful flower petals recline below prominent central button. Excellent cut flower. Seed left to dry on plant feeds songbirds. A larval host for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly and Wavy-lined Emerald moth. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Blooms: June-August
Flowers: Yellow
Blue Sage
Salvia azurea
Pairs of true blue flowers arranged on thin flowering stalks catch the eye even from a distance. Foliage is nicely aromatic when crushed. May be trimmed back in late spring to desired height and shape. Attracts bees and butterflies & is deer resistant.
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Blooms: July-October
Flowers: Blue
Sweet Coneflower
Rudbeckia subtomentosa
In nature, Sweet Coneflower occurs along waterways and other moist, well-drained conditions making it a good option for a rain garden. Flowers are fragrant and do nicely in a vase and provide mid to late season nectar.
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Medium
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Blooms: July to October