Archives

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Common Buttonbush’s fragrant, white, spherical-shaped flowers resemble pin cushions. The flowers bloom in June, followed by round, button-like fruits enclosing small nutlets, which persist into winter. The flowers provide a nectar source for native bees and butterflies. Buttonbush is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Titan sphinx (Aellopos titan) and Hydrangea sphinx (Darapsa versicolor). It prefers moist to wet conditions, and can tolerate flooding. The plants can be pruned or cut to the ground in early spring. Use Buttonbush in shrub borders, woodland gardens, rain gardens, and other moist areas of the yard, or plant along edges of ponds and other water features.

Carex stricta

Tussock Sedge is a clump-forming, wildlife-friendly sedge adapted to grow in or near water. It has grass-like leaves and reddish-brown flowers, which bloom on spikes, May-June. It spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form colonies. As the old leaves die, they build up around the living plant, making a “tussock” or little hill. The tussocks trap water, helping other aquatic plants to establish. Tussock Sedge provides habitat for wildlife, including frogs, toads, salamanders, ducks, herons, rails, snipes and sparrows. Birds use its leaves and stems to build nests and also feed on its seeds. Tussock Sedge is a host for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Eyed Brown (Satyrodes eurydice), Mulberry Wing (Poanes massasoit), and Black Dash (Euphyes conspicua). Use it in moist to wet areas of the yard and in areas affected by seasonal flooding. Plant it in rain gardens or along edges of ponds or water gardens. It can also be used as an accent plant.

Carex pensylvanica

Pennsylvania Sedge is a low-growing, semi-evergreen perennial sedge, which grows well in shade. The bright-green, arching, grass-like leaves grow in soft clumps. This plant spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form a nice groundcover.

Capsicum annuum

Ornamental Pepper is an annual vegetable commonly planted in ornamental gardens for its vibrant, colorful fruits. Plants are available with fruits in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Keep the plants well-watered, and avoid disturbing the roots when cultivating. Mulching is recommended. For a splash of color and edible fruits, plant it in beds, borders, or any sunny garden area. It is also good as a container plant, and can be brought indoors to overwinter in a sunny location.

Callirhoe involucrata

Purple Poppy Mallow is a lovely, drought-tolerant perennial with a long bloom period. The attractive, deeply lobed foliage forms a dense mat, which chokes out weeds. Its cup-shaped, magenta flowers start blooming in the spring and continue through the summer and well into the fall. This perennial is a nectar source for bees and a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). It grows well in hot, sunny, dry locations. Purple Poppy Mallow is a versatile plant, which fits into both formal and wildflower gardens. Use it in sunny borders and beds, rock gardens, meadows, hanging baskets, or as a cascading plant over walls. Excellent groundcover for covering slopes and steep banks.

Callicarpa americana

American Beautyberry is a deciduous shrub with graceful, arching branches and spectacular fruits. Light lavender to pink flowers bloom June-August, followed by showy, bright purple, berry-like fruits, which encircle the stems. The fruits, which remain until early winter, are a source of food for many species of birds. American Beautyberry is a good shrub to plant under trees. Use massed in the back of a shrub border or in a woodland garden.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora

Feather Reed Grass is a low-maintenance ornamental grass. The feathery, purple-tinged flowers bloom May-June, followed by golden-brown seed heads that last until winter. Feathery Reed Grass is good both fresh-cut and dried for floral arrangements. It has a narrow, upright growing habit, which makes it a good plant for tight spaces. Use as an accent, or plant in masses. It mixes well with shrubs and flowering perennials, and can be used in rain gardens and other low, moist areas of the yard.

Betula lenta

Sweet Birch is a large deciduous tree with reddish-brown to reddish-black bark. The cherry-like bark is smooth on young trees and scaly on mature ones. The catkins (elongated, drooping clusters of tiny flowers without petals) appear just before the leaves emerge. The leaves turn golden-yellow in the fall. The seeds are a food source for a variety of birds. Sweet Birch is a host tree for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillar), including Green Comma (Polygonia faunus). Crushed twigs have a wintergreen-like odor. Birch oil from this tree was once used to flavor candy and medicine, and the sap was used to make birch beer. This tree does well in areas where the soil is shaded, cool, and moist. Trees planted in full sun should be mulched and watered during periods of drought. Give this tree plenty of room to grow! Use Sweet Birch as a canopy tree in woodland gardens, or as a shade tree in moist areas of a large yard or park.

Begonia cultivars

Begonia is a long-blooming annual, which comes in a variety of flower colors, including white, pink, red, and bicolor. The compact plants have attractive, waxy, green to bronze leaves and fleshy stems. The flowers bloom from May to frost. Begonia performs best in sun-dappled shade with consistent moisture. This plant is most attractive when massed in beds or borders. It can also be used in container plantings.

Baccharis halimifolia

Migrating butterflies and other pollinators nectar on the late summer blooming flowers, and birds eat the seeds.