Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Abutilon theophrasti

Family: (Malvaceae)

(A) to 3′.  Velvet Leaf, China Jute.  A Native of southern Asia whose specific epithet commemorates the ancient Greek botanist-philosopher, Theophrastus.  Velvet Leaf has been grown in China since around 2000 BCE for its strong, jute-like fibre.  The alternately arranged leaves are light green, cordate, pubescent and up to eight inches long and wide.  A solitary flower about ¾-inch across emerges from the axils of the upper leaves. Each flower consists of five petals that are yellow to orange-yellow, five light green, pubescent sepals, and numerous stamens with golden yellow anthers that surround the pistil in a loose cluster. The flowers are followed by interesting fruit that is initially light green, but quickly turns brown or black with maturity. This fruit (schizocarp) is a circular cup-shaped disc of 9 to 15 carpels, each with a beak on the margin of the disc.  Blooms July to August.  Well-drained soil.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Eryngium planum

Family: (Apiaceae)

(P) to 4′. Flat Sea Holly. A native to eastern Europe with numerous, branching stems of small bluish thistles and spiky bracts. A rugged-looking plant with spiny-toothed, glossy green, basal foliage. Well-drained soil. Sun. 3 & 6 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Thalictrum minus

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 2.5′.  Europe.  This choice Meadow Rue has foliage very similar to Maidenhair Fern with sprays of light yellow, apetalous flowers.  Dainty yet tough.  Tolerates partial shade.  3 & T1 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Lobelia inflata

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(A) to 3′.  Indian Tobacco.  Another great native North American plant for the flower border!  Spikes of small fan-shaped light blue flowers with a bearded lower lip are followed by fat balloons filled with seeds.  Long blooming from summer to frost.  The alkaloid Lobeline, was used until recently to appease nicotine cravings.  Sun.  3 & 6A

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Limonium minutum

Family: (Plumbaginaceae)

(TP) to 6″.  Miniature Statice.  Southeastern France.  A small, tufted, woody species from the Mediterranean regions.  The red-tinged, slender leaves are obovate to spathulate, with recurved margins and form a dull green, cushion-like mass of rosettes.  Sprays of small, lavender, five-lobed, trumpet-shaped, “everlasting” flowers are held in bunches on wiry branched stems.  Endearing.  June.  This mini-gem turns a bright plum-purple in fall.  Sun.  3 & T2, cover and keep dark.

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Leucanthemella serotina

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 6′.  Southeast Europe.  A fancy name for a lovely white daisy, reaching a height of six feet.  A slow spreader, nice for the back of the border or a wild garden.  August through September.  Sun.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Horminum pyrenaicum

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 9″.  Dragon-mouth.  A native of the Pyrenees to the Tirol with bronzy, quilted and scalloped basal foliage resembling Ramonda.  Upright spikes of hooded, blue-violet flowers with fish-like mouths with purple and white interior striping.  A beauty.  Blooms early summer.  Well-drained soil.  Sun.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Echinacea purpurea

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 3.5′.  Purple Coneflower.  North America.  Large, warm rose-purple daisies with slightly reflexed petals blooming from July into September.  A beautiful native wildflower that is at home in the garden.  Well-drained soil.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Draba oligosperma

Family: (Brassicaceae)

(P) to 4”.  Rocky Mountains.  Tufted clumps of linear, grey-green, hairy foliage bearing racemes of yellow, four-petalled flowers.  Blooms late spring and early summer.  Easy.  Sun.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Campanula rotundifolia

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(P) to 18″.  Harebell.  A charming native wildflower throughout much of the northern hemisphere.  Graceful, branched stems with narrow, thread-like leaves arise from the basal rosette.  Many small, bright blue, pendulous, bell-shaped flowers abound from late spring to early summer.  Sun.  4 & T2