Bee Balm

Bee Balm, also known as Monarda Didyma, Bergamot, and Oswego Tea, is a common native wildflower in North America, and one of my favorite perennials. Monarda is easy to care for, just plant young plants in sandy well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Bee Balm spreads easily by sending out rhyzomes, and can … Read more

Chicory for Naturalizing

Chicory (Cichorium Intybus) is a common find in ditches, fields, meadows, and along roadsides. The blooms are cornflower blue, and usually occur from July to early September, depending on the area. Chicory is an excellent plant for naturalizing, it is not overly invasive. It spreads by seed, making it an easy specimen to plant and … Read more

Purple Coneflowers

Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea Purpurea) are drought tolerant natives to the midwestern and southeastern United States. Coneflowers are great for naturalizing in borders, wildflower gardens, roadside prairies, and meadows. They self seed, or plants can be divided at the roots. The large showy blooms are great for flower arrangements. Purple Coneflowers also have many herbal uses. … Read more

Black-Eyed-Susans a Beautiful US Native

Black-Eyed-Susans are one of the most common easy to grow native plants in the United States. They are great for the gardener who is trying to naturalize an area, since they thrive on neglect, and hold tough against other invasive weeds and plants. As a caution to anyone who would like to try Black-Eyed-Susans in … Read more

Hostas

This is a Blue Angel Hosta in the front of my house. It has a beautiful blue cast to it, and is one of my favorites. Not sure what the hosta with the yellow tipped leaves is called, but both of them get huge by mid summer.