Aromatic Aster

Aromatic Aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium   Description: Short, mounds of blue flowers bloom in September and October. These plants are highly drought tolerant and grow to 18” tall. Propagation: Easy from seeds or divisions Initial bloom (month and week): September W3 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: Blue Height: 18″ Spread: 20″ Family: Asteraceae Soil…

Barrens Stonecrop

Barrens Stonecrop Hylotelephium telephioides   Scientific Name: Hylotelephium telephioides Common Name: Barrens Stonecrop Description of facts and concepts: Soft pink flowers in late summer Seed or division information: Seeds or divisions Date of flower’s bloom (Month and week): October W1 Garden Name: Sunny Garden Color of Flower: Pink Height: 36″ Spread: 24″ Family: Stonecrop Soil…

Blue Wood Aster

Blue Wood Aster Symphyotrichum cordifolium   Description: Arching flower stems hold blue daisies at the edges of woods Propagation: Not easy from seed, easy from divisions of old plants Initial bloom (month and week): September W3 Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden Color of flower: Blue, white Height: 2-3′ Spread: 12″ Family: Asteraceae Soil type: Average Soil…

Boneset

Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum Description: White flat-topped flowers over deep green leaves that connect at the stem Propagation: Seeds or divisions Initial bloom (month and week): September W2 Garden name: Sunny Wetland Garden Color of flower: White Height: 3-4′ Spread: 24″ Family: Asteraceae Soil type: Woodland edge Soil moisture: Moist or wet Light: Full sun Zone: 4-8

Bottle Gentian

Bottle Gentian Gentiana andrewsii Description: Tight clusters of bottle-shaped flowers visited by bumble bees, which are strong enough to force their way into the closed flowers. Propagation: Divisions, cuttings, seeds Initial bloom (month and week): September W4 Garden name: Sunny Wetland Garden Color of flower: Blue Height: 1-2′ Spread: 12″ Family: Gentianaceae Soil type: Sand,…

Calico Aster

Calico Aster Symphyotrichum lateriflorum   Description: This aster has deep plum foliage with hundreds of small pink and white flowers in September and October. Growing 3’ tall, calico aster is hardy in moist to dry soils. Propagation: Easy from seeds or divisions Initial bloom (month and week): September W2 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of…

New England Aster

New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae Description: This native perennial is the host food plant for the Pearl Crescent butterfly. Growing up to 5’ tall, this plant enjoys moist, rich soils but can grow on dry sites as well. Its flowers range from purple to pink and blooms occur during late summer into fall. Propagation: Easy from…

Showy Stonecrop

Showy Stonecrop Hylotelephium spectabile   Description: Native to Europe, these large deep pink flowers on 2’ stems bloom in September. Its fleshy leaves conserve water making it hardy in dry soils. Propagation: Seeds or divisions in spring, and easily rooted as a cutting. Initial bloom (month and week): September W2 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color…

Smooth Blue Aster

Smooth Blue Aster Symphyotrichum laeve   Description: This plant’s large, cone-shaped clusters of single blue flowers bloom in September and October. Even at 4’ it needs no staking and grows in dry to moist soils in full sun. Propagation: Easy from seeds or divisions Initial bloom (month and week): September W3 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color…

Sneezeweed

Sneezeweed Helenium autumnale  Description: Bright yellow flowers attractive to bees and butterflies. Does not cause allergies. Propagation: Seeds or divisions Initial bloom (month and week): September W1 Garden name: Sunny Wetland Garden Color of flower: Yellow Height: 3-5′ Spread: 24″ Family: Asteraceae Soil type: Neutral prairie Soil moisture: Moist to wet Light: Full sun Zone:…

Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana   Description: The early winter flowers of this small tree astonish in the woodland. The commercial source of witch hazel, for aching muscles. Propagation: Cuttings in spring Initial bloom (month and week): October W4 Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden Color of flower: Yellow and red Height: 15-20′ Spread: 15-20′ Family: Hamamelidaceae Soil…