Gardens of The Blue Ridge Inc.

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

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

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. Not a east coast native but does very well across the U.S., it is a Rocky Mountain Native.                                                  

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

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.                                                                      

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. Long lasting blooms 4 to 8 weeks depending on weather conditions. Not native to eastern U.S. but does well all across the country, native to the Rocky Mountains and Southwest region.
                                             

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

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, Ironweed, Cardinal Flower and other wetland plants. One of the best flowers for attracting Butterflies. One of the host plant for the Monarch Butterfly.

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

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 attractant, and is also a host plant for the Monarch butterfly. Will tolerate either dry or moist soils very hardy plant.

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, even does well in hard red clay. It will become a large clump after several years, forming into a small shrub. It is best not to disturb the long taproot once the plant gets established. Another great host plant for the Monarch Butterfly. One of our best sellers so be patient we do run out of these from time to time.

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

 VERY LIMITED SUPPLY

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

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. Very drought tolerant, has a deep root system, and it is best to leave alone once established.

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

Baptisia australis     Blue Indigo

A large showy plant with blue flowers, almost purple,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. Drought tolerant with a large root system. Has attractive pea like foliage that will last throughout the season. One of our best sellers.

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

Baptisia tinctoria   Yellow Indigo

A yellow variety of Baptisia that blooms later than the other Baptisia's in the summer. This one is quite different that the other varieties in that the flowers appear scattered all over the plant as opposed to a spike of flowers. And the leaves are much smaller on this variety. A very hardy plant that will tolerate dry soils and full sun. Looks like a small shrub with very dense growth and blooms all over the plant.

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

Belamcanda chinensis   Blackberry Lily

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

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 ground cover. This is a good selection for a rock garden. has an unique look in that the foliage as the base of the plant has round leaves and then up the bloom stems it has very thin long leaves. More often than not the some of the bloom stems layover or drop down over and some remain somewhat upright. Has a long bloom period lasting 4 to 6 weeks depending on conditions.

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

Chamerion angustifolium      Fireweed

A tall grower reaching a height of 5-6 ft. with pinkish purple flowers, puts on quite a show in the summer months. Will grow in varied conditions, and will spread quite readily if left alone. Be sure to put this in a spot where it can spread and be free, spreads by underground runners. Seen in the wild where there have been recent fires, hence its common name. With all this said you would think that we would have ample supply. They are very difficult to grow from seed, sometime we have great success and other years we have none. We are doing more with root cuttings but these can also be difficult at times. Also they are very popular and as soon as we get some plants of salable size they are gone.

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

We are working on this one so check back.

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

Clematis virginiana    Virgins Bower

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

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. Very drought tolerant and will grow in very poor soils. Spreads quickly from seed.

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

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

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. Spreads quickly from seed works great in a pasture setting and let it spread.

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

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. Give it full to semi-sun and good rich soil.

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, and will do well in poor soils. Much different than the purpurea variety in that the petals are very narrow as are the leaves on the stem. It also can get quite tall over time, around 4 feet.

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

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, the petals are reflexed and narrow, a very unique looking bloom. Has a long tap root so it is best to leave it alone once estabilished. Very drought tolerant and it is great for attracting Butterflies.

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

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. One of our best flowers for attracting butterflies.

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

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. A very unique and different looking plant in every aspect from the foliage to the bloom and then with the seed pod.


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

Eupatoriadelphus fistulosus      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. Can reach heights of 8 to 12 feet under the perfect conditions and one clump can have a 3 to 5 foot spread.

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

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

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