Lythrum salicaria
Native Alternatives: Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Swamp Verbena (Verbena hastata)
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Zinnia spp.
The Zinnia genus contains many species with flowers ranging in sizes and colors, including red, yellow, pink, orange, and purple. Zinnia is one of the easiest annuals to grow. Each brightly colored, daisy-like flower blooms on a single, erect stem. The flowers bloom from June to frost and attract many pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies. They also make excellent fresh-cut flowers. This annual will re-seed itself for next season. It is susceptible to powdery mildew; minimize overhead watering and wetting leaves to avoid this disease. Use Zinnia in mixed borders, beds, butterfly gardens, and for colorful accents around your yard. Smaller varieties can be used for edging and in containers.
Yucca gloriosa
Moundlily Yucca, or Spanish Dagger, is an evergreen shrub with a unique form similar to Yucca filamentosa. It features creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers, which bloom on an erect 5- to 8-foot panicle, July-August. The dried fruits persist atop the panicles. The leaves are thick and have sharp, dagger-like tips, hence its common name. Spanish Dagger is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Cofaqui Giant Skipper (Megathymus cofaqui) and Yucca Giant Skipper (Megathymus yuccae). Its drought- and salt-tolerance make it a good choice for coastal gardens. Plant it as a specimen, in groups, in borders, or for accents around your yard.
Waldsteinia fragarioides
Appalachian Barren Strawberry features small, yellow flowers, which bloom April-May. The flowers produce inedible fruits enjoyed for their ornamental qualities. Appalachian Barren Strawberry offers evergreen foliage, but can brown in very cold winters. It is intolerant of extreme heat and high humidity. It is best grown in cooler climates of northern New Jersey. Plant Appalachian Barren Strawberry as a groundcover in your yard.
Veronicastrum virginicum
Culver’s Root features tiny, multiple, white to pale-blue flowers, which bloom on erect spikes, June-August. The nectar is a valuable food source for native bees, honeybees, and butterflies. Culver’s Root prefers fertile, moist soil that does not dry out. Use Culver’s Root as a moist, woodland border or in your rain garden.
Wildlife Value: Butterflies and native bees, such as sweat bees, carpenter bees and bumble bees, will visit the flowers.
Veronica spicata
Speedwell features deep blue-purple flowers on tall spikes, which bloom June-August. Deadhead flowers to promote continuous blooms. Speedwell prefers constant moisture in well-drained soil, but it will tolerate drought once established. The genus Veronica contains many cultivars offering other colors and characteristics. Use it in rock gardens and borders around your yard.
Vernonia noveboracensis
New York Ironweed features purple flowers, which bloom on tall stalks, August-September. The flower nectar offers food to bees and butterflies, and the dried seeds offer food to birds. New York Ironweed can self-seed vigorously. Plant in a mass to use as a background plant in borders, meadows, and in moist naturalized areas of your yard.
Verbena hastata
Swamp Verbena features purplish-blue flowers, which bloom on tall spikes, a few at a time from bottom to top, June-September. The flowers are a nectar source for bees and butterflies. Swamp Verbena is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia). This plant prefers moist soil conditions. Use it in rain gardens, along water features, or in other moist areas of the yard. It can also be planted in borders and meadows.
Tiarella cordifolia
Heartleaf Foamflower features tiny, pink blossoms, which open into white flowers on airy, terminal clusters in May. It prefers organically rich, moist soil; the soil should not be allowed to dry out. This plant spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form colonies. Use Heartleaf Foamflower in your shade garden, rain garden, along edges of ponds, or as a groundcover.