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Stachys byzantina

Lamb’s Ear is grown for its fuzzy, soft, ornamental leaves. The non-descript flower is often removed by gardeners to enhance the appeal of the foliage. It prefers sandy, dry soil and full sun. Lamb’s Ear is susceptible to midsummer foliage decline in humid climates; pick off the browned leaves to stimulate new leaf growth. This hardy plant tolerates rabbit, deer, drought, Black Walnut, air pollution, and a range of undesirable conditions that deter many other plants from optimum growth. Use Lamb’s Ear along edges of walkways, in mixed borders to offer texture, or as a groundcover in a small area of your yard.

Sporobolus heterolepis

Prairie Dropseed is an ornamental grass with pink- and brown-tinted flowers blooming August-October. Prairie Dropseed provides nesting material and structure for native bees. It tolerates air pollution and Black Walnut, as well as a wide range of soils, including clay. Prairie Dropseed creates good groundcover for hot, dry areas, or use it as an accent plant around your yard.

Spodiopogon sibiricus

Flower stalks of Frost Grass rise above the bamboo-like foliage, blooming July-February. The flowers give a shimmering appearance when backlit by sunlight. The leaves turn a purplish-red in the fall. This plant needs moist, well-drained soil and enough sunlight to encourage erect growth. Frost Grass does not tolerate hot, dry areas; plant it in a protected site in your yard. Use it as an accent plant or plant in groups in borders.

Sorghastrum nutans

Indiangrass is a beautiful native grass with blue-green blades and tall golden to purplish-brown flowering plumes.

Solidago sempervirens

Seaside Goldenrod features dense, deep-yellow flowers, which bloom on terminal stalks, August-October. The thick, waxy leaves deter salt and sand penetration, making this plant a good choice for coastal gardens. Seaside Goldenrod provides a nectar source for native bees, honeybees, and butterflies. The dried seeds provide a food source for birds. It attracts beneficial predatory insects, which prey on garden pest insects in your yard. Use Seaside Goldenrod in borders, butterfly gardens, seaside gardens, and coastal landscapes.

Solidago nemoralis

Gray Goldenrod features showy, yellow flower clusters, which bloom on one side of hairy, leaved stalks, July-October. The nectar provides a food source for native bees, honeybees, and butterflies. Gray Goldenrod is a host plant for beneficial predatory insects, which prey on garden pest insects in your yard. The dried seeds provide a food source for birds in fall and winter. Use Gray Goldenrod in butterfly gardens and naturalized areas of your yard.

Solidago canadensis

Canada Goldenrod features yellow flowers, which bloom July-October, providing nectar to native bees, honeybees, and butterflies.

Solidago caesia

Wreath Goldenrod features small yellow flowers, which bloom August-September.

Sibbaldia tridentata

Shrubby Fivefingers is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial, which features small, white flowers blooming June-August. Patience is necessary with new plants, as seedlings take two years to flower. The green leaves turn red in the fall if planted in full sun. Shrubby Fivefingers prefers sandy, nutrient-poor soil. It is drought-tolerant, but dislikes excessive summer heat. Use Shrubby Fivefingers in rock gardens, around borders, or as a groundcover. This plant may be difficult to find commercially. Tell your local garden center or nursery about your interest in this species.

Sempervivum tectorum

Hens and Chicks is a mat-forming succulent with tightly-packed, rosette-shaped, evergreen leaves. Red-purple flowers bloom from upright stalks, June-July. After the parent plant flowers, it dies back, and the numerous offspring proliferate, filling in nooks and crannies in your rock garden or edge. Hens and Chicks provides winter interest, as it persists through cold temperatures. It tolerates poor soil and air pollution. Use Hens and Chicks in rock gardens, edges, containers, or as a small-area groundcover for your yard. Hens and Chicks provides best appeal when planted in a mass.