Plants in family asteraceae
Liatris squarrosa
Liatris squarrosa, commonly known as the scaly blazingstar, is a native perennial to eastern and central North America. It thrives in dry or rocky areas and produces purple flowerheads in summer. This unique blazing star grows over 2 feet tall and prefers well-drained, alkaline soils.
Tagetes lucida
Tagetes lucida, also known as Mexican marigold, is a perennial herb with a tarragon-like scent and hints of anise. Native to Mexico and Central America, it grows 18-30 inches tall and produces clusters of small golden yellow flowers. This plant is used in culinary and medicinal applications, and its leaves can be smoked as an entheogen. It is drought-tolerant and easier to grow than French tarragon, making it a versatile herb for gardens.
Cichorium intybus
Cichorium intybus, commonly known as chicory, is a plant that thrives in cool weather, developing its best color during these conditions. It is excellent for overwintering in USDA zone 4 and warmer, with the ability to regrow if cut correctly. The plant has a distinctive, mildly bitter flavor that sweetens with frost, and this flavor can be mellowed by grilling or a quick pan flash. Chicory is known for its resilience and adaptability, making it a versatile addition to gardens.
Senecio articulatus
The Senecio articulatus, also known as the candle plant or sausage plant, is a unique succulent with segmented stems and tricolor leaves in shades of green, creamy-white, and pink-violet. It thrives in bright, sunny locations and requires minimal watering, making it ideal for dry conditions. This plant forms a sprawling clump that can reach up to 16 inches in height and over 12 inches in width. It is dormant during the summer and sprouts in the winter, producing small yellow-white flowers. Hardy in USDA Zones 9b to 11b, it prefers well-draining soil and can tolerate drought periods between waterings.
Lactuca sativa
Lactuca sativa is a deep-red, mini-romaine lettuce known for its compact size and ease of growth. It features uniform leaves and is resistant to several diseases, making it a reliable choice for gardeners. This lettuce is part of a mix that includes butterhead, leaf, and romaine varieties, offering a rich, buttery flavor and a tender green heart. It is heat tolerant, slow to bolt, and can be harvested young for baby greens. The plant grows to about 12 inches tall and is ideal for container gardening or as a decorative border in flower beds. Its bronze-red leaves and cold tolerance make it suitable for fall planting. This French heirloom, also known as Merveille de Quatre Saisons, has a history dating back to the 1800s and is appreciated for its succulent sweetness and crisp texture.
Coreopsis palmata
Coreopsis palmata is a perennial herb native to the Mississippi Valley, known for its bright yellow flowers that bloom in late spring. It grows up to 31 inches tall and is often found in woods, prairies, and rocky ridges. This plant is similar to Coreopsis verticillata but is taller and more branched, making it a striking addition to gardens.
Centaurea cyanus 'Blue Boy'
Centaurea cyanus 'Blue Boy' is a charming annual known for its sky-blue flowers that are both drought-tolerant and edible. This plant self-sows, ensuring a return of blooms each year. 'Blue Boy' is ideal for attracting pollinators and adding a splash of color to gardens, making it a delightful choice for borders and wildflower meadows.
Rudbeckia maxima
Rudbeckia maxima is an ornamental plant native to regions from Arkansas to Texas, known for its impressive height of up to eight feet. It features a deciduous basal rosette of waxy blue foliage and produces brown-centered, yellow daisies that attract finches and small birds. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in full sun and is low maintenance, making it a striking addition to gardens.
Vernonia fasciculata
Vernonia fasciculata, or ironweed, is a clumping perennial native to North America, growing 2-4 feet tall with unbranched stems and magenta flowers. It blooms from July to September and is winter hardy in USDA zones 4-9. This plant is adaptable to wet soils and is used in rain gardens and naturalized plantings.
Kleinia anteuphorbium
Kleinia anteuphorbium, commonly known as 'Swizzle Sticks,' is a succulent native to Morocco. It is drought-tolerant and requires ample light, thriving in porous, well-draining soil. This plant features yellow-colored round sausage flowers and prefers sandy soil, making it a unique choice for succulent enthusiasts. Its slow growth rate and unusual appearance add interest to any plant collection.
Senecio peregrinus 'String Of Dolphins'
Senecio peregrinus, commonly known as 'String of Dolphins', is a unique succulent with leaves resembling jumping dolphins. It thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers the soil to dry out between waterings. This plant enjoys regular misting and requires well-draining soil, making it a charming addition to any indoor plant collection.
Senecio ficoides 'Mount Everest'
Senecio ficoides 'Mount Everest' is a strong, upright grower that can reach 2 to 3 feet in one growing season. Hardy in USDA Zones 10-11, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires minimal watering. This plant is known for its resilience and adaptability, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens.
Aster tataricus
Aster tataricus, known as gaemichwi in Korean cuisine, is a tall perennial with purple flowers that bloom in early fall. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine and is known for its antibacterial properties. This plant is also consumed as a food crop.
Dimorphotheca pluvialis
Dimorphotheca pluvialis, native to southern Africa, is a reliable bloomer with 3-4 inch flowers and silver-tinged foliage. It attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, thriving in poor soil and hot, dry conditions. This annual herb is known for its sun-following flowers and is naturalized in California.
Artemisia chamaemelifolia
Artemisia chamaemelifolia is a critically endangered species native to Europe and the Middle East. It features pinnatisect green leaves and yellow flowers, forming a mat of fragrant, airy foliage. This plant grows from a central stem and can spread up to 4 feet, thriving in grassy and stony landscapes at various elevations.
Eupatorium cannabinum
Eupatorium cannabinum, commonly known as hemp-agrimony, is a robust perennial native to Europe and parts of Asia. It features pink flowers that bloom in late summer and fall, attracting butterflies. The plant's foliage resembles cannabis leaves, and it thrives in moist, low-lying areas. Historically used in traditional medicine, it contains compounds with potential health risks.
Solidago stricta
Solidago stricta, a North American native, is a perennial that grows in sandy pine barrens and wet coastal plains. It blooms from August to November with bright yellow flowers and is known for attracting butterflies. This plant is also a host to the insect-induced gall Procecidochares polita.
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Candystripe'
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Candystripe' is a drought-tolerant annual known for its striking white petals with rosy edges surrounding a golden center. It readily reseeds, making it a persistent presence in gardens. This plant is easy to grow and attracts pollinators, adding both beauty and ecological value to garden spaces.
Coreopsis pulchra
Coreopsis pulchra, native to the southeastern United States, is a perennial wildflower with bright yellow flowers and a black eye. It blooms from June through September and is known for its upright, non-spreading form.
Rhodanthemum atlanticum
Rhodanthemum atlanticum is a perennial plant native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, ideal for rock gardens. It forms a slightly spreading patch with grey-green, bird-foot-like foliage and white, aster-like flowers from mid-April to mid-June. The plant thrives in gravelly soils and is known for its ability to seed around, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners.
Callistephus chinensis 'King Size Apricot'
Callistephus chinensis 'King Size Apricot' is a plant with tall, firm blooms in apricot tones. It is suitable for bouquets and garden aesthetics, adding a touch of elegance with its striking flower coloration.
Othonna capensis
Othonna capensis, also known as the Ruby Necklace, is a succulent with striking hues and cascading tendrils. Its leaves transition from ruby-red to deep emerald green, creating a vibrant display. This plant thrives in well-draining soil and requires ample sunlight, making it ideal for bright, indirect light conditions. Othonna capensis is drought-tolerant and needs infrequent watering, making it a low-maintenance choice for succulent enthusiasts.
Nipponanthemum nipponicum
Nipponanthemum nipponicum is a fall-flowering perennial that forms a 2-foot wide clump of glossy, dark green leaves. In early fall, the plant is covered with large, pure white shasta daisies, creating a striking display. It requires well-drained soil, particularly in winter, to thrive. This plant's ability to provide late-season blooms and its attractive foliage make it a valuable addition to perennial gardens.
Silphium terebinthinaceum
Silphium terebinthinaceum, a member of the Asteraceae family, is native to central and eastern North America. Known for its resinous sap with a sweet smell, it has been used in traditional medicine. This herbaceous perennial grows 3 to 10 feet tall and produces small yellow flowers in summer. Its large taproot allows it to survive drought and recover quickly after wildfires. It attracts native bees and hummingbirds, making it an important plant for pollinators.
Senecio ficoides
Senecio ficoides, commonly known as 'Blue Chalk Sticks,' is a trailing succulent from South Africa with an upright growth habit that begins to trail at about 12 inches tall. It features long, tubular blue leaves and is often used as ground cover or in mixed succulent planters. This plant is appreciated for its striking color and versatility in various garden settings.
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Apricotta'
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Apricotta' is a 2021 Fleuroselect Novelty Award winner, featuring apricot-pink blooms with yellow centers on sturdy, tall stems. Ideal for cutting, this plant attracts pollinators and is drought-tolerant, making it an easy-to-care-for addition to any garden.
Verbesina olsenii
Verbesina olsenii is a towering perennial that can reach up to 10 feet in height, notable for its thick, green, winged stems and large, mitten-shaped leaves. In late October, it produces clusters of bright yellow daisies with a unique tootsie-roll fragrance. This plant is native to Mexico and Texas and thrives in sunny environments, making it a striking addition to fall gardens. Its vibrant flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators, adding life to any garden space.
Gynura aurantiaca 'Purple Passion'
Gynura aurantiaca, known as Purple Passion, is a striking plant with velvety, purple leaves that trail elegantly. It is fast-growing and easy to care for, making it a popular choice for indoor gardens. The plant produces vibrant orange flowers in the summer, adding a splash of color to its lush foliage. It thrives in part shade and can tolerate a wide temperature range from 45 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Purple Passion prefers to dry slightly between waterings and can grow up to 8 inches tall while trailing up to 5 feet.