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

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

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

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

Manfreda virginica

Also called American Agave, this plant has a basal rosette of flat, fleshy leaves. The flowers, both interesting and fragrant, are borne on tall slender stems. An excellent drought-tolerant plant for a dry sunny spot or rock garden. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Dry to Average
Height: 3 to 6 feet
Blooms: July-October
Flowers: Yellowish-Green

Helianthus mollis

A showy true sunflower which serves as a larval host to over 70 Lepidoptera (moths & butterflies). The foliage is "ashy" or grayish. The seed heads are a favorite of local birds in autumn. Best placed where it is free to spread or grown in pots. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: Yellow

Tradescantia ohiensis

Clump forming plant with interesting bluish-green foliage & bright blue-purple flowers. Spreads vigorously under ideal conditions.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: to 3 feet
Blooms: May to July
Flowers: Pinkish-Purple to Bluish-Purple

Equisetum hyemale

Belonging to a family of primitive vascular plants, this plant does not flower but forms cone-like heads that bear spores. Evergreen stems provide very interesting visual texture in all seasons. Be forewarned that containment in a large pot is highly recommended for home use of this plant. It can spread aggressively by rhizomes, even bypassing pavement underground to colonize new areas.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average to Wet
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Blooms: None

Rudbeckia fulgida

A pleasing clump forming plant bearing bright & bold yellow-orange blooms that last for weeks. Great as a cut flower, for use in rain gardens & massing to create a border. Remove spent flowers to prolong bloom time. Spreads by rhizomes. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full sun
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Soil: Average to Dry
Blooms: June to October
Flowers: yellow-orange

Iris cristata

Typically 6 inches or less in height, this spring-blooming iris spreads to form a lovely ground cover in a shaded portion of the garden. Deer resistant. Provenance: Kentucky.

Light: Intermediate
Soil: Average
Height: 3 to 8 inches
Blooms: April
Flowers: blue to pale blue with yellow crest

Pycnanthemum muticum

Also called Short-toothed Mountain Mint. In mid to late summer flowers are subtended by gray-silver bracts & are lovely en masse. Foliage is minty aromatic. Vigorous grower. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full sun to Part shade
Soil: Average
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Blooms: July to September
Flowers: White & pink