These plants are easy to grow, produce colorful flowers, and are beloved by pollinators
Many of our favorite ornamental blossom originated from the vast prairies of the Great Plains . violet coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea , Zones 3–9 ) , lanceleaf tickweed ( Coreopsis lanceolata , Zones 4–9 ) , and butterfly weed ( Asclepias tuberosa , Zones 3–9 ) are just a few of the magnificent prairie natives now institute commonly in garden centers . Whether you want to support aboriginal pollinator or are just looking for something showy , attempt planting one of these stunning perennial from the southerly prairies in your garden .
Giant coneflower is a statement plant that towers over other perennials
For me , it was love at first sight when I encountered my first giant coneflower ( Rudbeckia maxima , Zones 4–9 ) . With bluff , puritanic - unripened leaf and towering flower chaff , this oversize genus Rudbeckia take attention . When the plant is in full prime , lucky - sensationalistic bloom zoom above 6 - human foot - improbable fore . Although the flowers are beautiful , I ’m every bit struck by the huge , glaucous foliage . Each leaf can reach up to 2 feet long and almost half as wide .
As the name “ coneflower ” suggest , the blooms comprise of electron beam petals smother a dark brownish cone . Plants bloom from June through July , but do n’t reduce the spent flower heads — goldfinches love to nybble on the seeded player . Giant coneflower lives up to its name , reaching a fledged height of 5 to 7 foot and spread 3 to 4 infantry wide . industrial plant in full sun and dry to medium soil .
Flowering spurge delights with masses of tiny flowers
Sometimes name prairie baby ’s breath for its clouds of blanched blooms , flowering spurge ( Euphorbia corollata , Zones 3–9 ) is covered with small , five - petaled prime from mid to late summer . Plant it at the edge of your vegetable garden to pull a diversity of aboriginal bees , prime flies , and other good insects for pollination and pest control . It also make a corking add-on to wildlife gardens , where the seeds are enjoyed by quail , doves , neat prairie chickens , and horned pipit .
Interplant blossoming spurge among other summer - bloom perennials where its blooms can play with different efflorescence color . When it is not in heyday , its quiet dismal - green foliage adds texture to the garden . Leaves are arranged in scroll along the stems that , like other Euphorbia , contain a milky sap that can irritate skin . aboriginal to siccative prairies and roadsides , unfolding spurge thrives in full sun and dispirited moisture . works make 2 to 2½ feet tall and 18 inches wide and tolerate most soil types .
Rough blazing star will have butterflies flocking to your garden
A favorite for butterfly garden , approximative blaze star ( Liatris aspera , Zones 3–8 ) provides a rich rootage of ambrosia for many of our favorite butterfly species , including tiger swallowtails , clouded S , gray hairstreak , painted noblewoman , and red admirals . plant bloom from August through October , produce 100 of tiny purple - pink flowers that look like circular clitoris and line buddy-buddy stems that mount 2 to 3 foot magniloquent . These sporty blooms make howling cut peak , as the florets run to open all at once . The plebeian name “ rough blaze star ” refers to the leaf , which has a course grain . Leaves are very minute , spear - shaped , and grow at the works foot in modest clumps that are 1 to 1½ feet wide . Give rough blazing star plenty of sunshine and ironic , well - drained soil .
‘Dark Towers’ penstemon’s pink flowers are almost as pretty as its dusky purple foliage
genus Penstemon ( Penstemonspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–10 ) , also called beardtongues , are among the most underutilized aboriginal plants , with species maturate in the natural state from the American prairies to the Mountain West . There are many spectacular species available , so why do I advocate a hybrid ? Because ‘ dour towboat ’ penstemon ( P.‘Dark Towers ’ , Zones 3–8 ) combine the best of its parental lineage : stunning Burgundy wine leafage , scores of pink blooms , and a tolerance for Henry Clay ground .
Penstemons produce tubular blooms thatattract a diversity of aboriginal beesas well as honeybees , butterfly , and hummingbirds . Flowers are grow in loose heads atop sturdy stems . Cut back spend flowers to prolong blooming from May to June . flora in full Lord’s Day , in dry to average soils .
aboriginal plant life are well adapted to our climate , making them well-heeled to care for . In fact , many will fall through over if throw too much water or fertilizer . Keep things lean for these mythical prairie indigen and bask months of glorious blooms .
For more on plants native to the Southern Plains , tick out :
— Kim Toscano is a horticulturalist base in Stillwater , Oklahoma . She previously hostedOklahoma Gardening , a weekly PBS television system program produced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service .
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Flowering spurge blooms with a profusion of wispy, lacey white flowers.Photo: Michelle Gervais
Giant coneflower is the perfect plant to add some diversity to the sightlines of your garden.Photo: Kim Toscano
When in bloom, flowering spurge’s constellation of small white flowers seems to completely cover the foliage.Photo: Kim Toscano
Rough blazing star’s thick, tall stems covered in fuzzy flowers might flop over if planted in soil that’s too rich.Photo: Kim Toscano
‘Dark Towers’ penstemon has light pink to magenta flowers that bring out the red and purple tones of the foliage.Photo: courtesy of TERRA NOVA®Nurseries, Inc.
