Plants in family asteraceae
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.
Vernonia arkansana
Vernonia arkansana is a perennial plant native to the south-central United States, reaching heights of 4-6 feet. It blooms with large clusters of pink-purple flowers from August to September, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. The plant is avoided by herbivorous mammals due to its bitter foliage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tanacetum coccineum
Tanacetum coccineum is a perennial plant with long stems that attract pollinators. It is known for its potential to cause allergic contact dermatitis, making it a plant to handle with care.
Symphyotrichum elliottii
Symphyotrichum elliottii is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the southeastern United States, particularly the Atlantic coastal plain. Known for its pink to lavender ray florets and pale yellow to pink disk florets, this plant can grow up to 6.5 feet tall. It thrives in wetland areas and is classified as 'Apparently Secure' globally. The plant's large green basal leaves and tall spikes of pink-purple daisies attract Monarch butterflies, making it a valuable addition to wildlife gardens. Its ability to grow in typical dry garden soil adds to its versatility.
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.
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.
Tanacetum parthenium
Tanacetum parthenium, commonly known as feverfew, is a flowering plant in the daisy family with pungently-scented leaves and daisy-like flowers. It is a herbaceous perennial that can grow into a small bush up to 28 inches high. Native to Eurasia, it has spread worldwide and is hardy to USDA zone 5. Feverfew is used in traditional medicine and contains parthenolide, which is under research for potential cancer properties.
Cosmos bipinnatus
Cosmos bipinnatus, also known as garden cosmos or Mexican aster, is a medium-sized annual plant with showy, drought-tolerant flowers. It blooms in a range of colors including white, pink, and crimson, and is known for attracting butterflies. This plant is easy to grow, making it ideal for wildflower gardens and naturalized areas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Xerochrysum bracteatum 'King Size Silvery Rose'
Xerochrysum bracteatum 'King Size Silvery Rose' is a striking plant known for its silvery-rose colored flowers that maintain their freshness for an extended period. The well-branched plants can reach up to 36 inches in height, providing a bold presence in the garden. It blooms throughout the summer, adding a continuous splash of color.
Zinnia elegans 'Queeny Lime Orange'
Zinnia elegans 'Queeny Lime Orange' is a tall plant with an extraordinary color combination, attracting pollinators with its long-lasting blooms. Its edible flowers have earned it accolades, including the 2018 All-America Selections and Fleuroselect Gold Medal awards.
Helianthus atrorubens
Helianthus atrorubens, or purpledisc sunflower, is a native perennial of the southeastern United States. It grows up to 6.5 feet tall and produces yellow daisy-like flowers with purple centers. This sunflower blooms in late summer and fall, thriving in mixed woods and along roadsides.