Gardens of The Blue Ridge Inc.

Wildflowers For Sun to Semi-Sun

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Oenothera fruticosa – Sundrops

This plant is great for a hot dry spot, very drought tolerant. Has a beautiful yellow flower that appear in the late spring to early summer, reaches a height of 18 – 24 inches. Native to the US from Maine to Florida and west to Missouri. It is also deer resistant.

Sun, Dry, Summer, 18 – 24” Tall, Zones 4-9

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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

FULL GROWTH

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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

FULL LEAF ONLY FEW LEFT

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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

FULL LEAF BLOOMING

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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

FULL LEAF

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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 4-9

FULL GROWTH FINISHED BLOOMING FOR THE SEASON

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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

FULL GROWTH

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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

FULL LEAF

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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

FULL LEAF

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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

FULL LEAF

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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. 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.

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

FULL LEAF

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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

VERY LIMITED SUPPLY THIS YEAR - BLOOMING

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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

SOME BLOOMS

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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

FULL LEAF

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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

BLOOMING

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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

OUT

BAREROOT SPECIAL $3.25 each

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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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