plantain leaf pussytoes, mouse ear
Antennaria plantaginifolia
Soft, gray foliage is arguably the best ornamental feature of this native perennial. Useful as … Continued
browsing: heirloom garden plants
Heirloom gardens were planted in a time when folks didn’t coddle plants. Some were grown for food and medicine while others were planted for enjoyment. Many were brought along with settlers from faraway lands, while others were found in the native landscape and moved closer to home.
Many of us remember plants from our grandmother’s gardens. The list below includes plants to recreate these charming vintage landscapes.
‘Rubra’ pussytoes
Antennaria dioica ‘Rubra’
Silver-white foliage carpet is topped with pink buds that resemble pussycat pads. Buds open to … Continued
snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus
These heirloom garden flowers flourish in cool spring growing conditions and can be kept going … Continued
columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Nodding yellow and red bi-color blooms in April through early June. Grows 12-24″ in height, … Continued
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
This tuberous perennial produces one or two leaves, each divided into three narrow leaflets. In … Continued
Dutchman’s pipe
Aristolochia macrophylla
An eastern American native deciduous, woody, climbing vine that grows rapidly to 20-30′. This heirloom … Continued
common milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Common milkweed produces dusty pink flower clusters in mid-summer atop large, glossy leaves that resemble … Continued
Sullivant’s milkweed
Asclepias sullivantii
Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun, plants may self-seed in … Continued
tall green milkweed
Asclepias hirtella
Plants grow up to 4′ and produce white flowers. This species prefers medium-wet to dry … Continued
butterfly weed, milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa
Perennial Plant Association 2017 Perennial Plant of the Year! Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) features showy … Continued
tatarian aster
Aster tataricus
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full to part sun. Can be divided … Continued
wild white indigo, prairie false indigo
Baptisia alba var. macrophylla / Baptisia lactea
A stately plant with white flowers in June followed by black pods that make fabulous … Continued