Gardens of The Blue Ridge Inc.

Wildflowers For Sun to Semi-Sun

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Fragaria virginiana     Wild Scarlet Strawberry

The taste of these small wild strawberries is hard to beat. Will tolerate dry soils and sun. Has a white bloom in the spring with the fruit getting ripe in the summer. Also spreads nicely.

Sun, Average Dry Soils, Spring, 6-8 in. Tall, Zones 2-9

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Heliopsis helianthoides – False Sunflower

A beautiful plant that will naturalize quickly in moist or dry soils. Has golden yellow flowers in the summer and will bloom for 6 weeks or more which is along time for a native perennial. These beautiful flowers are atop a 4-6 foot stems and are a sure butterfly attractor, they also make great cut flowers.

Sun to Semi-sun, Average to Moist, Summer, 4-6 ft tall, Zones 4-6

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Hemerocallis fulva     Tawny Daylily

This is the good old common orange daylily. Will grow just about anywhere without any care. Blooms during the hot days of summer. Plant some and watch them make a beautiful mass of color in a few years.

Sun to Semi-Shade, Average Soil, Summer, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-9

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Heuchrea villosa    Hairy Alumroot

As the common name suggests, the leaves and stem are slightly hairy, and more sharply lobed than the American Alumroot. The bloom is white and quite showy in the summer. Good for a rock garden, the long slender root likes to grow in rock crevices.

Semi-shade to Sun, Average Soil, Summer, 12-18 in Tall, Zones 3-8

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Hieracium aurantiacum    Devil’s Paintbrush

A small growing flower, which is great for rock gardens. Has a brilliant red orange flower in the late spring. Will spread and make a carpet of flowers and foliage. A plant not often seen in the wild.

Sun, Average Soil, Spring, 1 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

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Houstonia serpyllifolia    Creeping Bluets

A very showy little plant that is great for rock gardens. Has numerous small blue flowers with  yellow eyes, flowers are about ¼ inch across. Low growing groundcover. Will do best in a moist, semi-shaded area.

Semi-shade, Rich Moist Soil, Spring to Summer, 3-5 in Tall, Zones 5-7

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Iris pseudacorus    Yellow Flag Iris

Great plant for a wet sunny spot. Has a bright yellow flower in the spring. This is a tall variety reaching heights of 4-5 feet in real wet areas. Will tolerate drier soils but will not get as tall.

Sun to Semi-Shade, Moist to Wet Soils, Spring, 3-4 ft Tall, Zones 5-8

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Iris Verna   Dwarf Iris

Very similar to the Iris cristata except the flowers are often dark blue to purple with a yellow throat. The foliage is more slender and will remain evergreen in warmer climates. Tends to clump more than spread.

Sun to Semi-shade, Average Soil, Spring, 4-8 in Tall, Zones 4-9

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Iris virginica      Blue Flag Iris

This is a tall blue iris blooming in the spring. The flowers are about 3 inches across. Also likes wet areas, will even take shallow water.

Sun, Moist to Wet Soils, Spring, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

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Leucanthemum vulgare   Oxeye Daisy                                                                 

This is the common daisy that will grow in just about any climate and in any soil. Makes a terrific show in the summer months and spreads quite nicely. Pick a spot so this can form into a mass of white flowers and make a real show in your garden. Looks great when mixed in with the Black-eyed Susan’s.                       

Sun, Average Dry Soil, Summer, 1-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-10

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Liatris aspera      Rough Blazing Star

A rare plant not often seen in the wild. Has lavender pink flowers in the late summer to fall. Not quite as tall as the other Liatris. This one likes sandy soils.

Sun, Sandy Soils, Summer, 18-30 in Tall, Zones 3-8

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Liatris pycnostachya     Cattail gayfeather

Has narrow grass like foliage at the base and up the stem. On top of the 3-4’ stem is a bright purple spike bloom, which is one of the best to attract butterflies.  Must have full sun to thrive.

Sun, Average Soil, Fall, 3-5 ft Tall, Zones 3-9

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Liatris scariosa    Large Button Snakeroot

The blooms on this Liatris are larger than on the other varieties. They are the same deep purple as the others and can get quite tall, up to 5 feet. Good for that dry sunny spot in your garden.

Sun, Average Dry Soil, Late Summer  to Fall, 3-5 ft Tall, Zones 5-8

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Liatris spicata    Spike Gayfeather

Perhaps somewhat shorter and compact than the other varieties. Will tolerate a slightly moist sunny area. The small purple blooms are numerous and quite showy. A real butterfly attracter and also makes a great cut flower.

Sun, Slightly Moist Soil, Summer, 3-4 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

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Lilium canadense - Canada Lily    

One of natures beauties, we have been working on this one for a long time. These are quite rare and it quite a find if you see one. Sorry I do not have a picture yet. It is somewhat similar to the Turk's Cap Lily in growth and growing conditions. Prefers moist soil, sum to semi-shade, the soil should be rich. It reaches about 3 to 5 feet tall and has yellow flowers in the summer. Note the flower color can vary from yellow to orange to red. The flowers to not fully reflex like the Turk's Cap, these open about half way or so. It does have the whorled leaves up the stem as the Turk's Cap does. This is a must have for the garden.

Sun/Semi, Moist Rich, Summer, 3-5' Tall, Spread 12", Zones 3-8

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Lilium superbum    Turk’s Cap Lily

This is a tall lily often reaching 8 feet and can have 20 or more blooms. The blooms are orange with maroon spots, the petals curl back which allows the stamens and pistil to project out. A very pretty plant blooming in the summer. Prefers rich wet soil in a semi-shaded area. Plant the bulb 6-8 inches deep, this is where the ground is more consistently moist. This plant is a must for every garden.

Semi-shade to Sun, Moist Rich Soil, Summer, 5-8 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

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Linum perenne    Blue Perennial Flax

Has grass like leaves with clear blue flowers in the summer. Put this in a dry sunny spot and it will bloom all summer long.

Sun, Average Dry Soil, Summer, 1-3 ft Tall, Zones 5-8

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Lobelia cardinalis      Cardinal Flower

If you are looking to attract hummingbirds, this is the plant. It is a brilliant red color and they love it. It thrives best in wet soil, will tolerate slightly drier soils, but not too dry. The basal foliage will remain all winter, and should not be covered with leaves or mulch during the winter. A light cover of pine needles is alright, so the sun can get to the leaves.

Sun to Semi-shade, Moist to Wet Soils, Fall, 3-4ft Tall, Zones 3-10

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Lobelia siphilitica     Great Blue Lobelia

Similar to the above Cardinal Flower but has bluish purple flowers. Will grow in varied locations, moist and semi-shade areas being the ideal locations. They will tolerate drier soils.

Sun to Shade, Moist to Wet Soil, Fall, 3-4 ft Tall, Zones 3-10

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Lonicera sempervirens    Coral Honeysuckle

Easy to grow vine that has red and yellow flowers in the summer. This is great to attract hummingbirds. Not invasive like the common honeysuckle. Will remain evergreen in the south.

Sun to Semi-shade, Rich Soil, Summer, Vine, Zones 6-9

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Lupinus perennis         Wild Lupine

 A very attractive plant in the spring with its blue pea – like flowers. Does best in full sun but will tolerate some light shade. These clump up very nicely and should be spaced at least 20-24" apart.

Sun to Semi-shade, Average Soil, Spring, 1-2’ Tall, Zones 4-9

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Monarda didyma    Bee Balm, Oswego Tea, Horsemint

Has bright red flowers that really attract the hummingbirds in the fall. Likes wet soil and will grow in the shade. Does not get the mildew as the hybrid varieties do. Will spread nicely and give you some late fall red color in the shade.

Shade to Semi-Shade, Wet to Moist Rich Soil, Fall, 2-4 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

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Monarda fistulosa  Wild Bergamot

Grows to a height of about 4 feet. Has pink to lavender flowers in the summer, and the leaves are often tinged with the color of the flowers. Thrives in open shade or full sun with proper moisture.

Sun to Semi-shade, Moist Soil, Summer, 3-4 ft Tall, Zones 3-9

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