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

Monarda didyma

Brilliant red flowers are a hit with hummingbirds. Foliage emits spicy odor when crushed. Striking as a cut flower. Not native to Kentucky but to neighboring states, both Ohio and Tennesse.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average to Wet
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Blooms: July-August
Flowers: Red

Passiflora incarnata

Flowers are unique & showy, complete with "frills." Larval host to the Variegated Fritillary (caterpillar pictured in slide show), Zebra Longwing, Red-banded Hairstreak, and Gulf Fritillary butterflies. Maypop spreads readily from underground roots. Consider a contained situation in the home garden for long term ease of care. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Height/Length: to over 10 feet
Soil: Average
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: Purple

Rosa carolina

Fragrant pink 2" wide flowers are followed by red hips in late summer. Best used in full sun & massed in a border. May sucker to form colonies. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Wet
Height: 3 to 6 feet
Blooms: May
Flowers: Pink

Collinsonia canadensis

Intriguing lemony-fragrant light yellow flowers up to 1/2 inch long in loose-terminal arrangements are an excellent source of late-season nectar for pollinators. Leaves emit a citronella-like odor when crushed. Herbal uses are reported. Spreads easily by rhizomes. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Intermediate
Soil: Average
Height: usually 2-3', up to 4'
Blooms: August to September
Flowers: Light Yellow

Aronia arbutifolia

Large multi-stem shrub with bountiful spring flowering followed by crimson berries that hang on into winter and brilliant red fall foliage. Best flowering in full sun. Excellent for hedges, borders, water's edge, or as a specimen. Suckers. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Medium
Height: 6 to 8 feet
Blooms: April

Opuntia humifusa

A native cactus found in glades and open woods. Semi-prostrate succulent pads form colonies when grown in well drained soil. Take care to avoid spines and tufts of bristles which easily attach to skin and cause discomfort. Flowers are yellow with a reddish inner ring. Kentucky source.

Light: Full Sun
Height: 6 to 12 inches
Soil: Dry, well-drained
Blooms: June to July

Humulus lupulus

This native plant is host to butterflies: Commas, Question Marks & Red Admirals. It is an herbaceous, perennial vine with interesting & attractive fruit. Male & female on separate plants. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full sun to Part Shade
Soil: Medium to Moist
Height: 10 to 20 feet
Blooms: September to October

Helianthus tuberosus

Often found along streams in nature, this is a tall and attractive plant that produces edible tubers. Can spread by rhizomes & seed. Cut back to control height. Kentucky source seed.

Light: Full sun to Part Shade
Soil: Medium
Height: 6 to 10 feet
Blooms: August to September

Phaseolus polystachyos

Also called Thicket bean, this is an herbaceous perennial vine that produces fruits useful for permaculture. Abundant bright pink pea flowers are produced for weeks. Multiple vines together can produce thick vertical coverage up to 8 feet.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Medium
Height: to 8 feet
Blooms: July to September

Sambucus canadensis

Elderberry is a good choice for use in a hedge row, border or when planted for wildlife. It has fragrant clusters of white flowers and later, loads of purple berries that draw birds in late summer & fall. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average to Wet
Height: 5 to 12 feet
Blooms: June-July
Flowers: White

Vitis rotundifolia

A deciduous grape vine that produces thick-skinned grapes up to 1" across that have been used for making juice, wine and jelly. This plant is dioecious, with separate male and female plants. Plants are grown from seed and gender is undetermined.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Medium
Height: to 90 feet
Blooms: early Summer