Gardens of The Blue Ridge

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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Phlox pilosa   Prairie Phlox

The flowers on this variety are a hot pink and will bloom throughout the summer. Plant in a dry sunny spot and this will perform nicely. Good for rock gardens.

Sun, Dry Soil, Summer, 1-2 ft Tall, Zones 3-9

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Physostegia virginiana    Obedient Plant

Planted in a sunny moist spot this plant will really spread. Has pink flowers that appear in the summer sometimes lasting until fall.

Sun, Moist Soil, Summer, 3-4 ft Tall, Zones 2-9

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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.

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

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Pulsatilla patens       Pasque Flower

Blooms early in the spring with cup shaped lavender flowers. Foliage is about 6 inches tall with the flower on an 18-inch stem. A very pretty and delicate looking plant, makes a real show in the early spring.

Sun, Average Soil, Spring, 6-18 in Tall, Zones 4-9

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Ranunculus repens      Creeping Buttercup

This is an excellent groundcover 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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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Rudbeckia hirta       Black-eyed Susan

This is the well-known plant you see growing in fields across the U.S.. It has yellow flowers with dark centers that bloom during the summer sometimes lasting until fall. Often treated as a biennial in which it continually will reseeds itself. Also makes a good cut flower.

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

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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

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Rudbeckia subtomentosa     Sweet Coneflower

Somewhat similar to the common Black-eyed Susan. This variety gets taller and tends to live longer. Lower leaves are hairy and divided into 3 parts.

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

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Sarracenia flava     Trumpet Picture Plant

This is a very interesting bog plant. Must be in water or at the edge. Has a yellow flower, the trumpets on this variety are about 2 feet tall. Must be brought inside in cold climates, this is a native to the coastal section of N.C.

Sun, Wet Boggy Soils, Summer, 1-2 ft Tall, Zones 7-9

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Sarracenia purpurea    Common Picture Plant

This is a smaller picture plant with red trumpets and red blooms. Also grows in a bog area in the full sun and needs winter protection.

Sun, Wet Boggy Soils, Summer, 6-12 in Tall, Zones 6-9

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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.

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

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Silene carolina     Wild Pink

An excellent choice for a rock garden. Stays low to the ground and has 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.

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

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Silene regina    Showy Catchfly

This relative of the Firepink is quite showy. It will perhaps take a sunnier drier spot than the virginica. The flowers are a little more orange-red, and bloom a little later. A good plant for rock gardens. As with the other Silenes this is a real eye catcher.

Sun, Dry Soil, Summer, 1-2 ft Tall, Zones 5-9

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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. Give it plenty of moisture and it will get 6-8 ft Tall.

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

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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.

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

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Thermopsis villosa        Aaron’s Rod, Carolina Bush Pea

This plant looks like a tall yellow Lupine. Has foliage like a Baptisia and blooms like a Lupine. Grows tall making it great for the back of your flower bed. Leave room for this one as it can have a 2-3’ spread.

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