Plants in family asteraceae
Echinacea angustifolia
Echinacea angustifolia is a North American native perennial known for its pink or purple flowers with orange centers. It blooms from late spring to mid-summer and is drought-resistant. This plant attracts butterflies and is valued for its medicinal properties.
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.
Lactuca sativa ssp. longifolia
Developed by the USDA and Clemson University around 1950, this nutritional lettuce grows 10 to 12 inches tall and can be harvested as baby greens in as little as 21 days. It resists tipburn and is tolerant of mosaic virus.
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.
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.
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.
Erigeron karvinskianus
Erigeron karvinskianus, a species of daisy-like flowering plant, is native to Mexico and parts of Central America. It spreads non-invasively to 6 feet wide in five years and grows to 10 inches tall, producing small white daisies that age to lavender. This drought-tolerant perennial is cultivated for its vigorous growth and daisy-like blooms.
Jacobaea maritima
Jacobaea maritima, commonly known as Dusty Miller, is valued for its beautiful contrast and texture in gardens. It is excellent for edging and moon gardens and attracts butterflies with its yellow flowers.
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.
Mikania ternata
Mikania ternata, commonly known as Plushvine, is a vining plant with dark green leaves that have red undersides and a velvet-like texture. It grows compact when young and prefers full sun to partial shade. This plant is part of the Asteraceae family and is known for its creeping growth habit.
Senecio rowleyanus
Senecio rowleyanus, commonly known as String of Pearls, is a creeping succulent vine native to the drier parts of southwest Africa. It features long trailing stems with round, pea-sized leaves that store water, making it highly drought-tolerant. This plant is ideal for hanging baskets, requiring bright indirect light and well-draining soil. Its unique appearance and air-purifying qualities make it a popular houseplant.
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.
Senecio crassissimus
Senecio crassissimus, also known as the Propeller Plant, is a succulent species endemic to Madagascar. It features blue-green leaves with purple borders that resemble airplane propellers. This plant grows up to 24 inches tall and produces daisy-like yellow flowers in mid-summer to early autumn. Senecio crassissimus is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun, making it ideal for xeriscaping. Its unique leaf shape and vibrant flowers make it a standout addition to any succulent collection.
Stokesia laevis
Stokesia laevis, native to the southeastern United States, is a monotypic genus in the daisy family known for its summer flowers in purple, blue, or white. This garden flower forms a 12-inch clump with light green foliage and unusual powder blue flowers in late spring. It is named after Jonathan Stokes, an English botanist and physician.
Coreopsis rosea
Coreopsis rosea is a North American native species with delicate pink flowers, distinct from the typical yellow Coreopsis. It forms a mat and intermingles with other perennials, thriving in wet areas like marsh edges. This plant features pink or white ray florets and bright or pale yellow disc florets.
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.
Berlandiera lyrata
Berlandiera lyrata, commonly known as the chocolate flower, is a US native perennial with a delightful chocolate fragrance. It blooms continuously through summer with yellow sunflower-like flowers and thrives in well-drained, dry soil. This plant is heat and drought-resistant, making it suitable for gardens in USDA zones 4 to 9.
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.
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.
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.
Gerbera 'Red Garden Jewels'
Gerbera 'Red Garden Jewels' is a southern perennial known for its pest and disease resistance. It can produce up to 100 flowers on 12- to 14-inch stems and prefers full sun to part shade. This plant grows well in rich garden soil with good drainage and tolerates a wide soil pH range.
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.
Callistephus chinensis 'China Aster Blend'
Callistephus chinensis, known as the China Aster Blend, is a single-flowered aster that blooms in midsummer. It showcases a vibrant color palette of red, pink, purple, and white, making it a striking addition to any garden. This plant is particularly attractive to pollinators and is valued for its long-lasting cut flowers.
Senecio radicans
Senecio radicans, commonly known as string-of-bananas, is a trailing succulent native to South Africa. Its leaves resemble small bananas and have a translucent line for light penetration. This plant is ideal for hanging baskets and thrives in partial sun, tolerating temperatures from 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It requires well-draining soil and dry periods between waterings, making it easy to care for and suitable for beginners.
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.