Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Verbesina virginica

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 6′.  Frostweed, Virginia Crownbeard.  Southeastern US.  From a distance, the many loose, open corymbs of small flowers look like white “daisies.”  On closer inspection the flowers are comprised of up to five oblong and notched, pistillate ray florets and many white central disc florets with five prominent, exserted, purple anthers.  The pubescent, winged stems are interesting with their up to six-inch long, downy, alternate, oblong-lanceolate leaves with serrated margins.  Each stem has soft, fleshy green flanges running longitudinally down its length. When winter weather brings ice, the stems exude water that freezes into fascinating shapes, hence its common name.  Blooms late summer.  Often seen along roadsides and open places.  An important late season nectar plant for pollinators.  Well-drained soil.  Sun/partial shade.  4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Silene latifolia subsp. alba

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(P) to 2′. White Campion. Europe and W Asia. An elegant, full season bloomer for the wildflower garden or meadow. From a basal rosette of downy, grey-green leaves arise softly hairy, upright stems topped with cymes of mildly fragrant, soft white, five-petalled, notched flowers with inflated, purple-tinged calyces. Pollinating moths are attracted to the scented, white flowers in the evening. Campion is easy to grow in full sun and well-drained soil. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Senna marilandica (syn. Cassia marilandica)

Family: (Caesalpiniaceae)

(P) to 6′.  Southern Wild Senna.  Eastern North America.  Very similar to the above, the flowers of Senna marilandica have styles with short appressed hairs, while the flowers of Senna hebecarpa have styles with long spreading hairs.  Southern Wild Senna, because its range doesn’t extend as far north as a closely related species, Senna hebecarpa (Wild Senna). Blooms from July to September.  Well-drained soil.  Sun/partial shade.  1 & 3 & T3

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