Plants in family fabaceae
Phaseolus coccineus
Phaseolus coccineus, commonly known as the Scarlet Runner Bean, is a perennial vine notable for its vibrant red flowers and multicolored seeds. Originating from Central America, it has been cultivated since ancient times in regions like Mexico and Guatemala. The vine can grow over 10 feet tall, with pods reaching up to 10 inches long. While the young pods are edible and flavorful, mature pods can be shelled for beans. This plant is a member of the legume family and is known for attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees. It is also popular in British cuisine and has several cultivars, including 'Scarlet Runner' and 'Painted Lady'. However, it contains a toxic protein, phytohaemagglutinin, which requires proper preparation before consumption. The plant's starchy roots are traditionally consumed in Mesoamerica.
Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea
Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea is a Midwest native plant with blue-green, pea-like foliage and creamy yellow flowers. It grows up to 18 inches tall and 3 feet wide, making it a compact, deer-resistant addition to gardens.
Lespedeza thunbergii 'Little Volcano'
Lespedeza thunbergii 'Little Volcano' is a deciduous perennial from Japan's Ryukyu Islands, growing up to 7 feet tall and 15 feet wide. It features small, dark green leaves and bright red-purple flowers that bloom from mid-September to mid-October. This plant is known for attracting butterflies and is drought-tolerant.
Baptisia 'Lighthouse'
Baptisia 'Lighthouse' is a tall perennial reaching up to 6 feet, with 26-inch long stalks of pure white flowers that bloom around April 10. It is the earliest flowering of the baptisias, making it a standout in spring gardens.
Cercis canadensis 'Whitewater'
Cercis canadensis 'Whitewater' is a small ornamental tree with a weeping form and variegated leaves. It produces deep rose-purple flowers on bare branches in early spring, serving as an early nectar resource for butterflies. This tree is deer resistant and adaptable to full sun or partial shade, making it a versatile choice for gardens.
Lupinus 'Gallery Blue'
Lupinus 'Gallery Blue' is a perennial plant that produces striking spires of blue flowers in late spring, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. This deer-resistant plant prefers cool conditions and thrives in rich, organic, well-drained soil. It can grow in full sun to part shade, making it versatile for different garden settings. The plant's vibrant blooms and ability to attract pollinators make it a favorite among gardeners looking to add color and life to their landscapes.
Baptisia 'Royal Candles'
Baptisia 'Royal Candles' is a striking perennial known for its tall spikes of royal purple flowers that bloom in late April. This hybrid plant, a cross between Baptisia australis and Baptisia tinctoria, features dark purple stems and narrow, glaucous green leaves. It grows to about 30 inches tall and can spread up to 6 feet wide, making it a substantial addition to any garden. The plant is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. Its vibrant flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, adding life and movement to the landscape. As a native North American plant, it is well-suited to a variety of garden settings, including cottage and rain gardens. Baptisia 'Royal Candles' is also a great option for cut flowers, providing long-lasting blooms for indoor arrangements. Its adaptability to different soil types and conditions makes it a versatile choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of color to their outdoor spaces.
Baptisia 'Purple Reign'
Baptisia 'Purple Reign' is a striking perennial introduced in 2024, forming a clump 4 feet tall and 4.5 feet wide. It features dense spikes of rich purple flowers that bloom in late April. This plant is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and attracts butterflies, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings.
Baptisia 'White Gold'
Baptisia 'White Gold' is a North American native plant featuring striking golden foliage and creamy white flowers that bloom in early-to-mid May. This compact plant forms a clump about 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide, making it suitable for various garden styles. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, thriving in sunny locations with well-drained soil.
Cladrastis kentukea 'Perkins Pink'
Cladrastis kentukea 'Perkins Pink' is a tree known for its petite, pea-shaped pink flowers that bloom in spring. It features smooth, silver bark and green foliage that turns bright yellow in the fall. This tree prefers full sun and well-drained soil, making it a beautiful addition to any landscape.
Baptisia 'Carolina Moonlight'
Baptisia 'Carolina Moonlight' is a hybrid plant known for its blue-green foliage and 18-inch spikes of soft buttery-yellow flowers in late spring. This deer-resistant, long-lived plant thrives in sunny locations and is both heat-loving and drought-tolerant. It serves as a striking garden specimen, reaching 3 feet wide, and is ideal for attracting butterflies and other pollinators.
Cercis canadensis 'Pink Heartbreaker'
Cercis canadensis 'Pink Heartbreaker' is a weeping form of the Eastern Redbud, known for its brilliant spring blooms with lavender-pink buds. The leaves start red and mature to deep green, and the tree's striking branching system is visible in winter. It prefers full sun and is an improved variety with a unique growth habit, making it a standout ornamental tree.
Cercis canadensis 'Covey'
Cercis canadensis 'Covey' is a small, cascading accent tree with pink flowers in spring that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It has heart-shaped leaves and zig-zag stems, providing brilliant yellow fall color. This tree can be grown as a 5-foot high groundcover if unstaked or trained into a small tree with a sturdy trunk.
Caragana arborescens
Caragana arborescens, also known as Siberian peashrub, is a large, rounded shrub adapted to cold, dry, and exposed sites. It features showy yellow pea-like flowers in late May and has a dense root system ideal for erosion control. This deciduous plant is cold and drought tolerant, with low water requirements.
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Imperial'
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Imperial' is a thornless deciduous tree that provides light, refreshing shade. It is highly adaptable to various well-drained soils and has moderate to low moisture needs once established. This tree features ferny small leaves and brilliant yellow fall color, making it a beautiful and practical choice for landscapes.
Indigofera 'Little Pinkie'
Indigofera 'Little Pinkie' is a compact plant with semi-woody stems, reaching 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It features small upright spikes of cerise-pink flowers that bloom from spring through summer. This plant is drought tolerant and ideal for cottage gardens, fairy gardens, and rock gardens.
Vachellia edgeworthii
Vachellia edgeworthii, also known as Camel thorn or Giraffe thorn, is a drought-tolerant and frost-hardy tree native to southern Africa. It produces yellow flowers in late spring or early summer and can be cultivated as a bonsai. This tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
Lespedeza thunbergii 'Spilt Milk'
Lespedeza thunbergii 'Spilt Milk' is a Japanese selection with foliage speckled with creamy flecks and leaves that turn dark purple as they grow. It forms 6-foot tall by 8-foot wide deciduous clumps and produces clusters of lavender flowers in midsummer and late September, adding color to gardens.
Erythrostemon gilliesii
Erythrostemon gilliesii, commonly known as Desert Bird of Paradise, is a South American native with woody stems and lacy, grey-green leaves. It features bright yellow petals with red stamens and is highly drought-tolerant, requiring full sun for blooming.
Wisteria sinensis 'Cooke's Purple'
Wisteria sinensis 'Cooke's Purple' is a fast-growing vine or small tree known for its long racemes of lavender and purple blooms that last for five months. It has a golden fall color and blooms younger than other varieties. This plant thrives in full sun and is adaptable in USDA zones 5-9.
Thermopsis chinensis
Thermopsis chinensis, known as the Chinese bush pea, is an easy-to-grow plant with bright yellow flowers on 8-inch tall spikes. It blooms in early spring, adding a splash of color to gardens with its cheerful blossoms.
Baptisia 'Chrysalis'
Baptisia 'Chrysalis' is a plant introduced by Plant Delights/JLBG in 2020, known for its dark dusky purple new stalks that rise to 4 feet in height. It features 15-inch long flower stalks with violet flowers and is a hybrid of several Baptisia species. This plant is suitable for sun conditions and adds a touch of color to gardens.
Baptisia 'Cherry Pie'
Baptisia 'Cherry Pie' is a striking plant introduced in 2019, known for its cherry red flowers with a small yellow keel. This plant reaches a height of 32 inches and spreads up to 4 feet wide, making it a substantial addition to gardens. It is tolerant of both extended drought and standing water, making it a versatile choice for various landscapes. The plant's vibrant flowers and robust nature make it a favorite among gardeners seeking to add color and resilience to their gardens.
Baptisia 'Lavender Candles'
Baptisia 'Lavender Candles' is a robust perennial forming a 4-foot tall and wide clump. It features dusty pink buds that open to light lavender flowers, adding a soft touch to gardens. This plant is drought-tolerant and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Baptisia 'Flying Saucers'
Baptisia 'Flying Saucers' is a deciduous plant forming a clump 2 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It features small, saucer-shaped leaves and axillary yellow flowers that bloom in mid-May. This plant is drought tolerant and deer resistant, making it a resilient choice for gardens. 'Flying Saucers' is native to Georgia and adds a unique touch to native plant gardens.
Albizia julibrissin 'Chocolate Fountain'
Albizia julibrissin 'Chocolate Fountain' is a weeping form of the mimosa tree with deep burgundy foliage and showy summer blooms. Its fragrant cherry-cordial-pink flowers attract butterflies, and it thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. This tree's unique form and striking foliage make it a standout in any landscape.