giant ironweed
Vernonia gigantea
One of the tallest of the ironweeds, growing to as much as 10’ tall in … Continued
browsing: native perennials
Native plants have evolved over thousands of years alongside native wildlife and therefore offer the most useful habitat. Native plants feed bugs at every stage of life, and bugs are the very foundation for our entire food web.
Our prairie natives require less water, and are adapted to grow in our soil types and temperature extremes, so they do well without requiring extensive resources and chemicals. Native plants help in management of rainwater runoff and maintain healthy soil with their deep root systems.
Native vs Native Cultivar
Bowman’s root, Indian physic, fawn’s breath
Gillenia trifoliata
18-24″ tall globe-shaped mounds are covered in small white flowers with pretty contrasting reddish buds. … Continued
rose verbena
Glandularia {Verbena} canadensis
Brilliant pink flower clusters cover this low-growing wildflower all summer. Plants spread out to 15-18″ … Continued
Helen’s flowers, common sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
Clusters of daisy-like flowers 2″ in diameter have distinctive wedge-shaped, bright yellow rays dome-like yellow … Continued
downy sunflower, ashy sunflower
Helianthus mollis
Fine hairs cover the stems and leaves, giving this native perennial a gray-green color. A … Continued
Maximilian sunflower
Helianthus maximiliani
State flower of Kansas Clusters of bright yellow flowers in September atop 6-8′ stalks. An … Continued
oxeye daisy, false sunflower
Heliopsis helianthoides
Bright yellow daisies open in late summer thru fall on tall native plants. Tolerates some … Continued
Richardson’s alumroot, native coral bells
Heuchera richardsonii
Tall flowering stalks are hairy and extend up to 3′ above the basal leaves topped … Continued
‘Prairie Sunshine’ thrift-leaf perky Sue
Tetraneuris {Hymenoxys} scaposa 'Prairie Sunshine'
Bright yellow 1″ flowers on leafless stems have one of the longest blooming seasons of … Continued
dwarf crested iris
Iris cristata
Very dwarf plants grow only 6″ tall and produce blue flowers in early spring. Foliage … Continued
blue flag Iris
Iris versicolor
Grow in medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. This iris may … Continued
Jacob’s ladder
Polemonium reptans
Jacob’s ladder flourishes in bright shade with moist rich loamy soil. Plants tolerate sandy, acid … Continued