Gardens of The Blue Ridge Inc.

Wildflowers For Sun to Semi-Sun

Go To Home Page

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

FULL LEAF

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Aquilegia caerulea    Blue Columbine                                                                                      

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

STARTING TO GO DORMANT

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________                                     

                                                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. 

STARTING TO GO DORMANT

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

STARTING TO GO DORMANT

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Full Leaf

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________________________

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.

Full Leaf VERY LIMITED SUPPLY

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

FULL LEAF SOME BLOOMS

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

FULL LEAF

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

FULL LEAF STARTING TO GO DORMANT

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

FULL LEAF SOME BLOOMING

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

SOME BLOOMING

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

FULL LEAF

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cichorium intybus     Chicory                                               

This plant will tolerate drought very well, likes dry soils and hot sun. It will actually grow right in the gravel beside the road. Has blue flowers with fringed tips in the summer. The foliage is also attractive with clasping leaves and basal foliage similar to the dandelion.                                                                                                     

Sun, Average Dry Soil, Summer, 1-4 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

FULL LEAF

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Clematis virginiana    Virgins Bower

Unlike the hybrid Clematis with large blooms, these have an abundance of small white flowers in the late summer to fall. One of the more attractive features of this plant is the seeds which make a white fuzz all over the plant, and is showier than the blooms. Will spread quickly but can be controlled.

Sun to Semi-Shade, Any Soil, Summer to Fall, Vine, Zones 4-9

FULL LEAF

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Coreopsis lanceolata     Lance Leaf Coreopsis

Bright deep yellow flowers in the summer. Give this plant lots of sun and it will spread and make a terrific showing in the summer months. Has a long bloom period.

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

FULL LEAF SOME BLOOMING

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Coreopsis verticillata    Thread Leaf Coreopsis

This is the native plant of the popular Moonbeam Coreopsis. Has deep yellow flowers in the summer and reaches a height of 18-30 inches tall. They remain dormant until late spring. A very attractive plant with finely cut foliage.

Sun, Average Soil, Summer, 18-30 in Tall, Zones 3-10

FULL LEAF

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Daucus carota      Queen Anne's Lace

This plant is seen quite frequently across the U.S., has white flowers in the summer. The blooms are good to dry and use in flower arrangements. This plant is a biennial, which means it comes back from seed, so let the seedpod mature and drop before cutting them back so they can reseed themselves.

Sun, Dry Poor Soils, Summer, 3-4 ft Tall, Zones 3-9

FULL LEAF BLOOMING

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Delphinum exaltatum – Larkspur

This is a beauty with blue flowers in profusion in late Spring. It is tolerant of heat and humidity which is different from most Delphiniums. They make a gorgeous grouping when planted together.

Sun/Semi, Average Soil, Late Spring, 36” Tall, Spread 12-18", Zones 5-8

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Echinacea pallida     Pale Purple Coneflower

This coneflower is a light purple to pink color on a 2-4 ft tall stem. Blooms in the summer and likes a sunny dry spot. Has a taproot, which enables it to tolerate drought conditions very well.

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

FULL LEAF

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Echinacea paradoxa    Yellow Coneflower

Native to the Ozark Mountains but does very well in many locations. Give it a dry sunny spot and it will make a beautiful show in your garden. Has bright yellow flowers that bloom in the summer. Very drought tolerant and it is great for attracting Butterflies.

Sun, Dry Soil, Summer, 2-4 ft Tall, Zones 4-8

FULL LEAF

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Echinacea purpurea   Purple Coneflower

This is the best known coneflower and is hard to beat for its beautiful purple flowers in the summer.

Much sought after for its medicinal properties. Will tolerate some shade but does best in sunny dry areas.

This plant is a must for every wildflower garden.

Sun to Semi-Sun, Average Soil, Summer, 2-4 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

FULL LEAF BLOOMING

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Epilobium angustifolium      Fireweed

A tall grower reaching a height of 5-6 ft. with pinkish purple flowers. Will grow in varied conditions, and will spread quite readily if left alone. Seen in the wild where there have been recent fires, hence its common name. A very showy plant.

Sun to Semi-Shade, Average Soil, Summer to Fall, 5-6 ft Tall, Zones 3-9.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eryginum yuccifolium   Rattlesnake Master, Button Snakeroot

As suggested by the botanical name the foliage is basal and somewhat resembles that of a Yucca plant. The white flowers appear in the summer.

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

FULL LEAF

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eupatorium fistulosum      Joe Pye Weed

This plant is great for attracting Butterflies. Has maroon flowers on top of a stem with whorled leaves. With sun and moist soil it will make a nice size clump and is a great plant for the back of your sun garden. One of these will make a great show.

Sun, Moist Soil, Fall, 5-8 ft Tall, Zones 4-9.

FULL LEAF

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eupatorium perfoliatum     Boneset

This one likes wet soils and will get quite tall. Has white blooms in the summer. The lanceolate leaves are wrinkled looking and meet around the stem and the stem pierces a whole through them.

Sun to Semi-shade, Wet to Moist Soils, Summer, 3-5 ft Tall, Zones 3-8

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Click Here For More Wildflowers for Sun to Semi Sun