Plants in family asteraceae
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.
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.
Rudbeckia hirta
Rudbeckia hirta, commonly known as Black-eyed Susan, is a North American native wildflower with radiant yellow, daisy-like flowers featuring dark brown centers. It blooms from mid-summer to early fall, attracting butterflies and providing seeds for birds in winter. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and adapts to various soil types.
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.
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.
Lactuca sativa 'Red Sails'
Lactuca sativa 'Red Sails' is a heat-tolerant lettuce variety that matures quickly, ready for harvest in just 2-3 weeks. It grows to a full head in a little over 6 weeks and is noted for its high vitamin A and C content compared to store-bought lettuce. This makes it a nutritious and fast-growing option for home gardeners.
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.
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.
Xerochrysum bracteatum
Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the strawflower, is an annual or perennial herb with papery bracts resembling petals. It thrives in heat, tolerates drought, and is popular in cut flower arrangements.
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.
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.
Silphium laciniatum
Silphium laciniatum is a taprooted perennial herb native to North America, known for its deeply cut foliage that orients north/south to avoid midday sun. It features large flower heads with sunflower-like blooms and is cultivated in gardens for its unique appearance.
Marshallia obovata
Marshallia obovata is a perennial plant endemic to the southeast United States, known for its evergreen rosette of long narrow green leaves. It produces 2-foot tall spikes of fluffy white flowers in early May to June. This plant thrives in moist, well-drained roadsides and fields and was selected as the 2009 NC Wildflower of the Year. Marshallia obovata adds a delicate touch to native plant gardens.
Senecio herreianus
Senecio herreianus, a creeping succulent, is characterized by its bead-like leaves that taper to a point. It prefers partial shade or bright indirect light and requires dry soil between waterings. This plant belongs to the Asteraceae family.
Santolina chamaecyparissus
Santolina chamaecyparissus, also known as cotton lavender, is an evergreen shrub with aromatic, silver-grey foliage and small yellow flowers that bloom in summer. Native to the Mediterranean, it grows up to 20 inches tall and wide, thriving in dry, poor soils with good drainage. This plant is often used for its fragrant leaves and as a tonic or fumigant.
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 vitalis
Senecio vitalis, also known as Narrowleaf Chalksticks, is a succulent with skinny blue leaves. It produces small white flowers in late spring and early summer and can grow up to 4 feet tall. This plant thrives in full sun or bright indoor light and is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for coastal conditions. It is non-toxic and can be propagated by cuttings.
Marshallia caespitosa
Marshallia caespitosa, commonly known as puffballs, is a perennial native to prairies from Missouri to Texas. It blooms from late May to early June, producing white to pink-tinged flowers on 18-inch spikes. This easy-to-grow plant thrives in rocky limestone outcrops and is known for its drought tolerance. It forms small green basal winter rosettes and is a charming addition to rock 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.
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.
Coreopsis grandiflora 'Double Sunburst'
Coreopsis grandiflora 'Double Sunburst' is a vibrant perennial known for its semi-double and double yellow blooms that last from summer until fall frost. This plant thrives in full sun and is well-suited for wildflower or pollinator gardens due to its ability to attract beneficial insects. It grows well in heat, humidity, and poor or dry soils, making it a resilient choice for various garden conditions. The long-lasting flowers add a splash of color to any landscape.
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.
Tithonia rotundifolia
Tithonia rotundifolia, also known as the Mexican sunflower, is a heat-loving plant with 3-inch orange flowers. It is tolerant of infertile soil, drought, and neglect, and its petals and buds are edible.
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.
Tagetes lemmonii
Tagetes lemmonii, native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, is a hardy shrub that can grow up to 8 feet tall. It is known for its fragrant foliage and small orange and yellow flowers that bloom from fall into spring. This drought-tolerant plant can withstand light frosts and is suitable for sunny locations.
Othonna triplinervia
Othonna triplinervia is a thick, evergreen shrublet native to South Africa, known for its fleshy stems and obovate leaves. It grows in crevices on east-facing aspects of quartzitic sandstone soil, thriving in areas with winter and summer rainfall. The plant's leaves are 3-nerved and netted-veined, adding a unique texture to its appearance. It is well-suited for cultivation in regions with mild winters and minimal frost.
Centaurea cyanus
Centaurea cyanus, commonly known as cornflower, is an annual plant with snowy white, frilly blooms that emit a light honey fragrance. Native to Europe, it is now naturalized in North America and parts of Australia. The plant is deer resistant and attracts pollinators with its large blooms, which can reach up to 2.5 inches in diameter. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and its flowers are edible and used in herbal medicine.