Gardens of The Blue Ridge Inc.

Wildflowers For Sun to Semi-Sun

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Parthenocissus quinquefolia     Virginia Creeper

This is a climber, it will cling to walls or trees. Leaves are the attraction in this plant, they are divided into 5 parts, and turn a brilliant red in the fall. Often confused for Poison Ivy, except this plant has 5 leaves not 3.

Sun or Shade, Average Soil, Climber 25-75 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

Penstemon digitalis   White Beardtongue

A very pretty plant with a spike of white flowers in the summer. The foliage is also attractive, it has a tinge of red in the mostly basal leaves. Will tolerate wet soils. very hardy makes a nice showy clump very quick. The basal foliage will remain until almost early winter.

Sun to Semi-Shade, Average to Wet Soil, Summer, 3-5 ft Tall, Zones 3-9

Penstemon Smallii - Small's Penstemon

This is a real beauty. It has lavender flowers with a white throat that appear in late spring and last way into the summer months. A very hardy plant that will tolerate varied growing conditions. You can grow this in sun or light shade. It does best in dry poor soils. It has dark green foliage with a red tint to the leaves and the stem. It will grow to a height of 2 -3 feet, 2 feet is more common here at the nursery in our mountain climate.

Sun to Semi-shade, Dry Soil, Late Spring to Summer, 18-36" Tall, Zones 5-8

Phlox maculata   Sweet William Phlox

A native phlox that has pink to purple flowers in the summer. Will grow in sun to semi shade and will tolerate slightly moist soils. Does not get the mildew on the stems and leaves like the hybrid variety does.

Sun to Semi – Shade, Summer, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 4-8

Polemonium reptans   Jacob’s Ladder

A nice spring bloomer that has a mass of light blue flowers on a mound of light green foliage. Will take full sun in cooler climates. Soil should not become  dry. Foliage will start to appear in late winter, one of the first sun loving plants to bloom. Has a nice tight growth habit looking like a small shrub. Foliage will last all summer and is quite attractive.

Sun to Semi- Shade, Average Soil, Spring, 8-12 in Tall, Zones 4-9

Ranunculus repens      Creeping Buttercup

This is an excellent ground cover that will spread quickly. Has bright yellow flowers in spring with slightly variegated leaves. Do not put this in your flower garden as it will take over. It needs a large area to spread, good for holding soil on banks. Stays evergreen in most climates.

Shade to Sun, Moist Soil, Spring, 4-8 in Tall, Ground cover, Zones 3-10

 Ratibida pinnata    Gray Headed Coneflower

 A very tall plant, reaching a height of 4-5 feet, that loves dry soils. Has yellow ray flowers that droop down around the stalk, the central disk flower is gray brown in color. Does well in dry poor soils and does not mind the heat.

Sun, Average to Dry Soil, Summer, 4-5 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

Rudbeckia fulgida - Orange Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan

The flower on this Rudbeckia has more of an orange tint as opposed to the yellow of the hirta species. Grows in full sun and dry soil. One of the favorite wildflowers. Makes an excellent cut flower. Blooms beginning in the mid to late summer and last well into fall. Will spread and make a nice clump.

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

Rudbeckia maxima    Large Coneflower

A very interesting plant reaching heights of 5-7 feet tall. Has large basal leaves, with a tall almost leafless stem and a yellow coneflower on top. Needs dry soil and full sun, great for that hot sunny spot.

Sun, Dry to Average Soil, Summer, 5-7 ft Tall, Zones 5-9

Rudbeckia subtomentosa     Sweet Coneflower

Somewhat similar to the common Black-eyed Susan. This variety gets taller and it blooms about 2 weeks after the regular Black-eyed Susan. Makes a large clump after a few years. Lower leaves are hairy and divided into 3 parts. Excellent cut flower and attracts Butterflies.

Sun, Dry Soil, Summer to Fall, 3-6 ft Tall, Zones 5-9

Saxifraga michauxi     Rock Lettuce

This is an excellent plant for a rock garden as it has a small root system to plant in rock crevices. The foliage is very showy, green with burgundy underneath. Has numerous small white flowers that bloom all summer. This plant is most often see at high elevations in the Blue Ridge Mountains growing in very little soil in the crevice of a rock in full sun.

Sun, Average Soil, Summer, 6-12 in Tall, Zones 4-8

VERY LIMITED SUPPLY THIS YEAR

Silene carolina     Wild Pink

An excellent choice for a rock garden. Stays low to the ground and has hot pink flowers in the spring. All the foliage is at the base of the plant. The bloom really catches the eye. Give some winter protection in colder climates. Prefers to be on the dry side and will tolerate sandy soils. Looks more like a short Phlox than a Silene.

Sun, Dry to Average Soil, Spring, 6-10 in Tall, Zones 5-9

Silphium perfoliatum     Cup Plant

Has daisy type yellow flowers in the summer. The leaves are rough and form a cup shape around the square stem hence the common name Cup Plant. This plant will make a very large clump so give it some room, will reach heights of 8 feet or more and will have a spread of 3 to 5 feet. Very hardy and prefers moist soils but will also grow in drier locations, will not get quite as tall if the soil is dry. A large clump of this puts on quite a show during the summer months.

Semi-shade, Moist Soil, Summer, 6-8 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

Sisyrinchium angustifolium – Narrow Leaf Blue Eyed Grass

Although it is called a grass it is actually in the Iris family. Native to the eastern half of the US, ranging from Maine to Florida.  It has beautiful blue flowers with a yellow center that appear in the spring. The foliage is light and green as looks like grass. Spreads some by seed by and is considered a slow spreader. In colder climates it will reach a height of 8 to 14 inches, it has been observed up to 2 feet tall is some warmer areas. Will tolerate moist or dry soils and prefers a half a day of sun or more to thrive.

Sun to Semi, Moist or Dry Soil, Spring, 8 – 14” Tall, Zones 3-10

Solidago altissima    Goldenrod

This well know plant is a real show in the fall of the year with its bright yellow flowers. Will grow in poor dry soils. This plant does not contribute to allergies as once believed. Give it some room because it will spread quickly, not recommended for a small garden. These look great when mixed with late blooming New England Asters, the purple and yellow go great together.

Sun, Dry Soils, Fall, 5-6 ft Tall, Zones 3-10

Symphyotrichum laeve      Smooth Aster

A very attractive fall blooming aster, it has blue ray flowers with yellow disk flowers. Will tolerate about any soil and will spread somewhat making a real show of blue in the late summer to fall. The foliage is also attractive all through the growing season.

Sun-Semi-Shade, Average Soil, Summer – Fall, 2-4 ft Tall, Zones 5-9

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae   New England Aster

In our opinion this is one of if not the prettiest native Aster. This puts on a spectacular show in the fall of the year with various shades of purple flowers and a yellow center on top of a 3-5 ft stem. Give it at least a half day of sun or more and if you have an area that stays a little moist that would be perfect. Mix this with some Cardinal Flower and Golden Rod and have a fantastic show in the Fall. One of our best sellers and great for Butterflies.

Sun to Semi-Shade, Average to Moist Soil, Fall, 3-5 ft Tall, Zones 5-8

Symphyotrichum novae-belgii – New York Aster

A beautiful fall blooming aster that has blue to purple flowers atop of 3-4 foot stems. Each stem will have several flowers which are great for cutting. As with most Asters the butterflies love this variety. Needs full sun with moist to average soil in which it will make a nice large clump.

Full Sun, Moist Soil, Fall, 3-4 ft tall, Zones 4-8

Thermopsis villosa        Aaron’s Rod, Carolina Bush Pea

A very beautiful and unique looking plant. The bloom will remind you of a Lupine and the foliage is similar to a Baptisia but much larger. Blooms in the late spring to early summer with Yellow Flowers atop of 3-5 foot stems. Each plant will form into a large clump and spread by underground runners and by seed, so give it plenty of room. Will grow in varied conditions but dry to average soil and at least a half day of sun or more it will perform at its best. In the late summer and fall it has a seed pod that also is attractive.

Sun to Semi-shade, Average Dry Soil, Spring to Summer, 4-5’ Tall, Zones 3-8

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Typha latifolia - Common Cattail

A very hardy plant that does well in the water or very close to waters edge. Seen around and in ponds and streams. Grows best in full sun. Great plant for many wildlife. Give it room as it will spread once it gets established. Has long green leaves with the widely know brown hot dog shaped flower head. Depending on the moisture it can reach heights of 4-5 feet tall, or sometimes more in ideal conditions. A very important plant to our wetlands.

Sun, Wet to Shallow Water, 3-5' Tall, Zones 2-10

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