Plants in family asteraceae
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.
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.
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.
Rudbeckia speciosa
Rudbeckia speciosa is a taller version of R. fulgida 'Goldsturm', reaching up to 5 feet in height. It is suitable for blending into garden borders, providing a striking vertical element with its bright yellow flowers that attract butterflies.
Farfugium japonicum
Farfugium japonicum is a rhizomatous evergreen perennial native to Japan, known for its large, glossy, round leaves and daisy-like yellow flowers. This plant thrives in moist, well-drained conditions and is often used in shade gardens for its attractive foliage. Variegated cultivars, such as 'Aureomaculatum,' are particularly prized for their ability to brighten shaded areas. The plant is hardy in coastal or mild areas and requires protection from cold winds. Its unique appearance and adaptability make it a popular choice for both garden planting and containers.
Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherokee Sunset'
Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherokee Sunset' is a first-year-blooming perennial with vibrant colors ranging from burnt orange to warm red. It features 3-5 inch double or semi-double blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and birds. This plant is deer resistant and thrives in USDA zones 9-10.
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.
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.
Tagetes tenuifolia
Tagetes tenuifolia, commonly known as rock-garden marigolds, are bushy annuals with lacy, scented foliage and edible lemon and tangerine blossoms. These marigolds grow up to 12 inches tall and are known for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects. They are drought-tolerant and deer and rabbit resistant, making them a hardy choice for sunny, well-draining garden spots.
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 verticillata 'Moonbeam'
Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' is an award-winning perennial with creamy yellow blooms that last all summer. It has light, wispy foliage and attracts pollinators like butterflies and bees. This plant is deer resistant, drought tolerant, and thrives in full sun, making it a hardy choice for various garden settings.
Rudbeckia subtomentosa
Rudbeckia subtomentosa, commonly known as the sweet coneflower, is a striking herbaceous perennial native to the US Midwest. It can grow up to 4 feet tall and is known for its vibrant yellow, daisy-like flowers with brown centers that bloom from late summer to fall. This plant thrives in full sun and is a favorite in rain gardens and butterfly gardens due to its ability to attract pollinators. Its robust nature makes it a great choice for sunny borders and naturalized areas.
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.
Kleinia stapeliiformis
Kleinia stapeliiformis, native to South Africa, is an upright succulent with fleshy blue-green, pencil-like stems that trail when mature. It produces bright reddish-orange flowers in summer and thrives in bright sun to partial shade. This drought-tolerant plant requires a well-draining, chunky potting mixture and moderate watering during the growing season, with a dry period in winter. It can withstand temperatures from 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for various climates. Its unique appearance and resilience make it an interesting addition to succulent collections.
Vernonia lindheimeri
Vernonia lindheimeri is a robust perennial native to North America, particularly found in Texas and Coahuila, Mexico. It grows up to 3 feet high with narrow linear leaves that are white-woolly beneath. This plant produces striking purple flower heads in summer, attracting butterflies and adding elegance to gardens. Vernonia lindheimeri thrives in open, calcareous areas and is a great choice for sun perennials and rain 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 '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.
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.
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.
Cosmos sulphureus 'Diablo'
Cosmos sulphureus 'Diablo' is a vibrant flowering plant known for its bold orange blossoms that bloom from midsummer until the first frost. This drought-tolerant plant is practically care-free and provides essential pollen and nectar for bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. It is also valued for its ability to produce cut flowers, making it a versatile addition to gardens. 'Diablo' was recognized as a 1974 All-America Selections winner, highlighting its exceptional garden performance. Its tall stems and bright flowers make it a standout in any landscape.
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.
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.
Echinacea purpurea
Echinacea purpurea, native to the eastern U.S., is a long-lived perennial known for its pinkish-purple petals and dark brown cone. It blooms throughout summer, attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees. The seeds are a food source for birds in fall and winter, and the plant is drought-tolerant once established.
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.
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.
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.
Tagetes patula 'Red Metamorph'
Tagetes patula 'Red Metamorph' is a fascinating marigold variety that changes flower color with temperature, displaying deep burgundy in cooler weather and yellow splashes in warmer conditions. This plant grows 2 to 3 feet tall and is known for its prolific blooming. It is edible, with a strong flavor, and attracts beneficial insects, making it a valuable addition to any garden focused on biodiversity.