Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Achillea filipendulina

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 4′.  Fern-leaf Yarrow.  Native to the Caucasus, Iran, and Afghanistan.  Deeply dissected, hairy, fern-like, aromatic (spicy) green leaves up to 10″ long are divided into many pairs of linear-lanceolate toothed segments and form an attractive basal clump of foliage. Tiny, long-lasting, bright golden flowers (yellow rays and yellow discs) appear in dense flattened plate-like compound corymbs up to 4″ across on stiff, erect stems rising above the foliage.  Blooms throughout the summer.  The genus name Achillea refers to Achilles, hero of the Trojan Wars in Greek mythology, who used the plant medicinally to stop bleeding and to heal the wounds of his soldiers.  Great flower both fresh-cut and dried.  Average, well-drained soil.  Sun.  4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Hibiscus moscheutos subsp. palustris White

Family: (Malvaceae)

(P) to 7′.  Swamp Rose Mallow.  Eastern US.  A lovely white version of the above with a dark pink centre.  Late summer bloomer.  1 & 2B, then 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Hibiscus moscheutos subsp. palustris Pink

Family: (Malvaceae)

(P) to 7′. Swamp Rose Mallow. Eastern US. It is hard to believe this robust, lush-foliaged plant with incredible saucer-sized, rose-pink, crepe-paper blooms is in fact a hardy native. Late to emerge in spring, but once they do, they grow quickly and so require a moist fertile soil to really thrive – the edge of a pond or marsh, rich in organic matter is ideal. Late summer bloomer. 1 & 2B, then 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Eupatorium hyssopifolium

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 3′.  Hyssop-leaf Thoroughwort.  A plant of sandy soils and coastal areas from New England to Florida.  Large, flat-topped inflorescences of white flowers up to one foot across.  Fine textured foliage of narrow, whorled, grey-green leaves.  Easy and a good late summer bloomer.  Well-drained soil.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Oenothera elata subsp. hirsutissima

Family: (Onagraceae)

(P) to 4′.  Hairy Evening Primrose.  Western North America.  From a basal rosette of leaves, reddish flowering stalks arch up and have grey-green, lance-like, hairy leaves with white veins. The unbranched inflorescence bear flowers that open from the bottom up. The beautiful two-to four-inch-wide fragrant, yellow flowers open about an hour before sunset and wither the next morning.  Each flower has four large, heart-shaped petals, four smaller sepals that appear fused in pairs, and a prominent X-shaped stigma that extends out beyond the petals and eight stamens. Pollinated particularly by Hawk or Sphinx Moths during the night. Sun.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Agastache nepetoides

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 5′.  Yellow Giant Hyssop.  South Canada to Southeast US.  Whorls of tiny, greenish-yellow flowers closely packed into five-inch terminal spikes appear on stiff, square stems. Toothed, arrowhead-shaped leaves are up to five inches long. Whilst the leaves lack the strong smell like other species in the mint family, the bitterness of its leaves make it deer resistant.  Tolerant of summer heat and humidity, this late summer bloomer is a favourite of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.  Grows best in rich, open woodlands. Sun/partial shade.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Tradescantia virginiana

Family: Commelinaceae

(P) to 3′.  Virginia Spiderwort, Spider Lily.  Eastern US.  This Spiderwort has three-petalled, blue-purple flowers with contrasting yellow stamens in terminal clusters above a pair of long, narrow, leaf-like bracts, each opening for only a day.  Clump-forming with multiple stems bearing narrow, pointed, olive green leaves.  A useful and robust perennial for native gardens, open woods and borders.  Blooms late sprint to mid-summer.  Sun to part shade.  Moist, well-drained soil.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Eupatorium fistulosum

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 8′.  Hollow-stemmed Joe Pye Weed.  A tall, striking addition to the late summer border.  Fluffy, rounded domes of pinkish mauve to soft purple flowers.  Leaves whorl in groups of six to seven around the unspotted, hollow stem.  A great butterfly plant.  Moist soil.  Sun/partial shade.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Penstemon hirsutus

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 2′.  Hairy Beard-Tongue.  A very hardy Penstemon that is native to eastern North America.  Lovely, dusky, pale purple flowers with white lobes add a subtle presence to the spring garden.  Leaves are lanceolate and acute.  Both leaves and stems are covered by very fine hairs.  Sun/partial shade. 3 & 6 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Helenium autumnale

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 5′.  Sneezeweed.  Eastern North America.  A plant of swamps and wet meadows.  The branching sprays of warm, golden yellow daisies have prominent yellow centres and distinctive, reflexed, notched petals.  The lance-shaped leaves are decurrent, extending down the stiff, branched stems, giving them a noticeable “winged” appearance.  The dried leaves were once used as snuff, hence the name.  Blooms late August through September.  Prefers moist or wet soil.  Sun.  3 & T2