Gardens of The Blue Ridge

Wildflowers For Sun to Semi-Sun

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                               Achillea millefolium Yarrow

A very tough plant that will tolerate drought conditions and average soils. Will spread quite readily making it a good choice for holding soils on banks or other well-drained areas. The white flowers resemble those of Queen Anne's Lace and last throughout the summer.

Sun to Semi, Average Soil, Summer, 1-3 ft Tall, Zones 2-9

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Acorus calamus   Sweet Flag

A hardy aquatic plant that will grow in the water and spreads well once established. Has Iris like foliage with an inconspicuous greenish yellow flower in the summer. Root and leaves are aromatic when crushed.

Sun , Wet Soil, Summer, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-10

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Aquilegia caerulea    BlueColumbine                                                                                      

This Columbine has a long bloom period, lasting from spring to summer. Has a blue flower with a white center, reaches a height of 2-3 ft. Likes sun with well-drained soil, will tolerate some light shade, good for a rock garden.                                                  

Sun to Semi-Shade. Dry Soil, Spring, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-10

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                                                Aquilegia canadensis  American Columbine                                                               

The most common Columbine in our area. Has a reddish orange flower with a yellow center. Blooms spring and summer. Will reach a height of 2-3 ft. As with other Columbines it must have a well-drained soil and will tolerate sun to semi-shade. This will also reseed very freely. A very pretty plant makes a nice addition to any flower bed.                                                                      

Sun to Semi-Shade, Dry Soil, Spring, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-10. 

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Aquilegia chrysantha  Canary Yellow Columbine                                                               

Slightly fragrant yellow flowers slightly larger than the American Columbine. Must have  well-drained soil with some sun to bloom well. The solid yellow flower is very attractive, adding a soft touch of yellow to your garden.                                             

Sun to Semi-Shade, Dry Soil, Spring 1-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-9

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Asclepias incarnata    Swamp Milkweed       

This Asclepias likes wet soil and full sun. Has deep pink to rose flowers in the summer. Probably one of the best-known plants in the milkweed family. Mixes well with Joe Pye Weed and Ironweed.

Sun, Moist to Wet Soil, Summer, 2-4 ft Tall, Zones 5-9

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Asclepias syriaca – Common Milkweed       

This is the common Milkweed you see large stands in fields throughout the southeast. Give this species plenty of room as it spreads very quickly. As with all the other Milkweeds this is a great Butterfly attractor. It will grow in either moist or dry soils, very hardy.

Sun/Semi, moist to Dry Soil, 2-4 Ft Tall, Spread 12-18”, Zones 3-9

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Asclepias tuberosa    Butterfly Weed                                                                                                  

As the name suggests this flower attracts the Butterflies with its bright orange flower during the summer months. It will tolerate drought conditions; therefore it is great for that hot sunny dry spot in your garden. It will become a large clump after several years. It is best not to disturb the long taproot once the plant gets established

Sun, Dry Soil, Summer, 1-2 ft Tall, Zones 3-10.

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Aster laevis      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

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Aster novae-angliae   New England 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. One of the best native asters.

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

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Aster ptarmicoides – Upland Aster

This Aster offers quite a striking show with many cream centered white blossoms on each plant. It will grow in the poorest sand, gravel or rocky soil and is very tolerant of dry conditions.  Its long blooming period from July to frost makes it a desirable and showy plant for your hot sunny area. 

Sun, Dry/Poor, Summer/Fall, White, 12-24 in. Tall, Zones 5-8

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Baptisia australis     Blue Indigo

A large showy plant with blue flowers in the spring. Give it some sun for blooms, will tolerate some shade. This showy plant is great for the back of the garden. Has a large seedpod in the summer, which is also attractive. Makes a small shrub type looking plant

Sun to Semi-Sun, Average Soil, Spring, 3-4 ft Tall, Zones 3-9

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Baptisia leucantha    White Indigo

This white flowering Baptisia is very similar to the blue, gets large and is quite showy. Does perhaps bloom a little later than the blue Baptisia.

Sun to Semi-Sun, Average Soil, Spring to Summer, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 5-8

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Baptisia tinctoria   Yellow Indigo

A yellow variety of Baptisia that blooms in the summer. Also forms a small shrub looking plant covered with small yellow flowers. A very hardy plant that will tolerate dry soils and full sun.

Sun, Average Soil, Summer, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-10

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Belamcanda chinensis   Blackberry Lily

Need a plant for that hot dry spot in the full sun? This is a good choice. Has beautiful orange flowers covered with maroon spots, which turn into black berries in the fall. The foliage is also attractive, somewhat resembling that of an Iris.

Sun, Average Soil, Summer, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 5-10

LIMITED SUPPLY FOR 2008

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Campanula rotundifolia    Scotch Bluebell

Has clusters of bright blue bell shaped flowers on a compact 12-inch plant that will spread and make an attractive groundcover. This is a good selection for a rock garden.

Sun, Average Soil, Summer, 6-12 in Tall, Zones 3-9

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Chrysanthemum leucanthemum   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