Echinacea purpurea, or Purple Coneflower, is a very hardy American native.  It can be found from Ohio to Iowa and south to Louisiana and Texas.  The stature of the plant is wonderfully recognizable in the landscape among other forbs even without its bloom as they can reach between 3-4’ in height with a spread of around 2’. Leaves are broadly lanceolate, coarsely toothed, with long petioles.  Once it does bloom, it is an absolute magnet for much needed butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.  The beautiful petals droop down from a center prickly cone that is the inspiration for its name; Echinos meaning hedgehog.  Highly desirable and a true garden treasure.

• Zone: 4-8
• Height: 3’-4’ x Spread: 2’
• Zone 4-8

'Alba' is a profuse bloomer that is under-utilized. White daisy-like flowers appear over a long period starting in early summer. An interesting characteristic of this variety is how the petals umbrella from the prominent, orange central cone. It is a long lasting cut flower and many growers use the cones in dried arrangements. Plants have no severe pest problems and reseed regularly. Provide full sun and adequate drainage. Shady locations and over fertilization can result in long, weak, leggy growth. Blooms sporadically from summer through frost.

• Height: 3’-4’ x Spread: 2’
• Full sun
• Zone 4-8

Purple coneflower BRIGHT STAR has large daisy-like blooms of bright rosy to lavender pink flowers which are borne from mid-summer to early fall. The large maroon cones are excellent for use in dried floral arrangements.

• Height: 3’-4’ x Spread: 2’
• Full sun
• Zone 4-8

“Magnus” is a distinctive, vigorous and large growing cone flower cultivar. The bright reddish-pink petals of its huge flowers are held flat as they radiate out from the cone, instead of curving backwards as is typical of most coneflowers. Give “Magnus” at least two growing seasons with regular watering in fertile soil to reach its full size.

• Height: 3’-4’ x Spread: 2’
• Full sun
• Zone 4-8

Introduced by the Jelitto, who gave us 'Magnus', Echinacea 'Rubinstern' is a slightly shorter plant with large flat topped flowers that are a deeper purple pink, almost ruby red, than most others. An easy to grow native plant with large, dark green leaves and a large, 3-4" flower with broad deep pink, ruby to purple petals that surround a brown/bronze cone. Plants are tough and heat and drought tolerant once established. Their roots have famous medicinal qualities, they make great, long lasting, cut flowers and attract numerous butterflies and small birds.

• Height: 3’-4’ x Spread: 2’
• Full sun
• Zone3-8

One of the few western United States natives comfortable in the east, the Umbrella Plant is best suited for wet places such as stream banks and bog gardens. In spring, its big flowers attract attention. Later on the show centers on its 1- to 2-foot-long leaves, which are shaped like shields.  Keep soil moist.

• Height: 1 ½” – 2’ x Spread: 1’ – 1 ½”
• Full sun
• Zone 6-9

Echinops bannaticus is an erect, clump-forming perennial globe thistle that typically grows to 4’ (less frequently to 6’) tall on stiff, sometimes branching stems. Spiny, deeply-dissected leaves (to 14” long) are rough green above and downy-white below. Globular, thistle-like, gray-blue flower heads (to 2” diameter) bloom at the stem tops in summer. ‘Blue Glow’ improves on the species by producing intense steel blue flower heads.

• Height: 2’- 4’ x Spread: 1’– 2’
• Full sun
• Zone 4-9

This epimedium (sometimes commonly called large-flowered or longspur epimedium) is one of the larger epimediums. It is a dense, rhizomatous, clump-forming perennial which typically grows 10-12" tall and is primarily used in shady or woodland areas. 'Alba' produces racemes of long-spurred, white flowers in spring well above the foliage. Compound, medium green leaves with spiny-toothed, oval leaflets (to 3" long) on wiry stems form attractive foliage mounds. New leaves in spring emerge beige with a red tinge, mature to green and turn red in fall. This is a unique small area ground cover or edger for shady areas. It is also effective in partially shaded areas of rock gardens. Epimediums grow well under trees, as path edgers and even walkways that are shaded.

• Height: 1’- 2’ x Spread: 1’– 2’
• Part sun – full shade
• Zone 5-9

This epimedium is a charming petite barrenwort. It is a dense, rhizomatous, clump-forming perennial which typically grows 8-10" tall and is primarily used in shady or woodland areas. 'Lilafee' produces racemes of long-spurred, lavender-violet flowers in spring well above the foliage. Compound, medium green leaves with spiny-toothed, oval leaflets (to 3" long) on wiry stems form attractive foliage mounds. New leaves in spring emerge beige with a red tinge, mature to green and turn red in fall. This is a unique small area ground cover or edger for shady areas. It is also effective in partially shaded areas of rock gardens. Epimediums grow well under trees, as path edgers and even walkways that are shaded.

• Height: +/-1’ x Spread: 1’– 2’
• Part sun – full shade
• Zone 5-9

Rubrum is a robust Epimedum with dense, clump-forming foliage that grows 10”-12” tall. 
This is a unique small area ground cover or edger for shady areas. It is also effective in partially shaded areas of rock gardens. Epimediums grow well under trees, as path edgers and even walkways that are shaded.  Three quarter-inch crimson and creamy yellow flowers with upward curving spurs blossom in late March.  It has heart-shaped leaves that are accented beautifully with flushed red when leaves are young, turning red and bronze in autumn. In between the leaves are shiny and green. Leaves remain throughout winter

• Height: +/-1’ x Spread: 1’– 2’
• Part sun – full shade
• Zone 5-9

One of the most darling yet sturdy Epimediums.  Flowers range from a soft butter yellow to almost “glowy” highlighter yellow and command attention when planted in mass in the shade.  It is a hybrid of two Eurasian species, E grandiflorum and E. pinnatum colchicum.  The display of foliage evolves over the season from bright green delicate leaves, speckled in ruby red and chocolate brown then turning more brilliant as autumn progresses. Soft yellow blooms top wire-thin stems in spring. Needs a shady spot for easy care; in sunnier locations, provide plenty of water

• Height: +/-1’ x Spread: 1’– 2’
• Part sun – full shade
• Zone 5-9

This is a petite Epimedium but strong grower.  It blooms a bit later in spring than other epimediums in absolutely pure white, short-spurred little flowers.  They rise daintily just above a low mound of foliage. This is a tidy epimedium, not overwhelming to choice small bulbs and perennials within an integrated bed.  True to its parentage, this Epimedium will slowly but surely grow in the dry, shady places where most other plants would quickly wither away.

• Height: 6”-10” x Spread: 1’-1 ½’
• Part sun – full shade
• Zone 5-9

‘Roseum’ is lovely 6" groundcover to grow in the woodland garden, or shady border. Pretty, lavender-pink flowers dance above the foliage in springtime.  This is a unique small area ground cover or edger for shady areas. It is also effective in partially shaded areas of rock gardens. Epimediums grow well under trees, as path edgers and even walkways that are shaded.

• Height: 6”-10” x Spread: 1’-1 ½’
• Part sun – full shade
• Zone 5-9

Alpine Sea Holly, largest flowering, showy form, gun-metal blue flowers in a soft feathery ruffled foliage.  It thrives in dry, hot sites but prefers deep soil.  It is often used in perennials borders are prized as a specimen for its amazing botanical architecture.  It is an excellent cut flower for drying.  It attracts both bees and butterflies.

• Height: 18”-24"x Spread: 8”-10”
• Full sun
• Zone 5-9

This is a rarely-sited native perennial plant that appears naturally in varied habitats ranging anywhere from moist to slightly dry black soil prairies, clay prairies, sand prairies, thickets, typical savannas, sandy savannas, and limestone glades. It has a stout central stem that is unbranched, except near the flower head. The alternate leaves tend to occur near the base of the plant, although a few smaller leaves occur along the upper portion of the stem. These leaves are long and strap-like, rather stiff in texture, and up to 2½' long and 2½" across. They are narrowly lanceolate, often curve downward, and have parallel venation. There are widely scattered, but stiff, teeth along the margins. The entire plant is bluish or greyish green and hairless.  Interesting fact, this is a very odd member of the Carrot family that resembles a yucca.

• Height: 2’-5’ – Spread: 2’
• Full sun
• Zone 5-9

The fuzzy blue flowers of this hardy ageratum-like sit handsomely above attractive red stems in late summer and early fall.  It is easy to grow and it naturalizes readily.  It works well as a filler or groundcover planting.  It has brilliant blue flowers that make a unique and long-lasting cut flower.  In warmer zones and loose soils, plan for quite a bit of spreading. Mistflower is adapted to most soil types, but is especially suited to heavy textured and to highly organic soils. Natural stands are found on moist to wet sites, such as low woods, wet meadows, and ditches. It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade.

• Height: 2’-3’ x Spread: 2’-3’
• Part shade - full sun
• Zone 4-9

Joe Pye weed is a tall native perennial that occurs in low moist ground, wooded slopes, wet meadows and thickets and stream margins. It is an erect, clump-forming perennial which typically grows  up to 7’ tall and features coarsely-serrated, lance-shaped, dark green leaves in whorls on sturdy green stems with purplish leaf nodes. Tiny, vanilla-scented, dull pinkish-purple flowers in large domed, compound blooms occur in mid-summer to early fall. Flower clusters are very attractive to butterflies. The blooms give way to attractive seed heads which persist well into winter.  It is an impressive presence on wet prairie or savanna sites,

• Height: 5’-7’ x Spread: 2’- 4’
• Full sun to part shade
• Zone 5-9

Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium maculatum 'Bartered Bride', white flowers and sturdy stems create a lively, free-flowing feeling to any border or perennial garden. 'Bartered Bride' can also bring that prairie look as a cut flower in a bouquet. Native to Northeast USA.

• Height: 6’-8’ x Spread: 2’
• Full sun to part shade
• Zone 4-8

Native Eupatorium with great flat-topped heads up to a foot across composed of small white flowers.  It is small for a Eupatorium as it reaches only 3’ tall.  It is a clump-forming plant that appears from July through November with very thin 1-3" grass-like leaves are arranged in whorls up and along the stem with clusters of very small leaves.  The overall texture appears fine in the landscape.  It attracts butterflies and birds.  E. hyssopifolium is also drought resistant.

• Height: 1’-3’  x Spread: same
• Full sun to part shade
• Zone 4-8

Joe-Pye Weed, is native to the Eastern and Central United States. It is a coarse, clumping perennial with a whorled leaf arrangement. In nature, they will reach 4’-6’ by about 3’ wide. Grown in a container, they usually reach 2’-4’ tall. Planted in the landscape, they are a very showy tall border plant and are quite hardy.  In late July to early September, the plants are adorned with light purple flowers in terminal corymbs. Individual flowers may reach up to 8” across. The flowers are lightly scented and they are very showy.  Even at their statuesque height, they rarely need staking but benefit from being cut back to promote extended blooming period.

• Height: 4’-6’ x Spread: 3’
• Full sun to part shade
• Zone 5-9

This is a magnificent specimen plant from the Eupatorium family.  One of our favorites, in fact.  It is unique wine-red stems which tower other perennials at an obedient 6’ in some environments.  It does not need special attention but will thrive if cut back half way in early summer for shorter habit and then cut back to ground in late winter.  It has optimal performance where nights are cooler.  This cultivar of the eastern North American native is shorter and bushier than the parent species. From late summer into fall, its domes of dusky pink flowers attract butterflies and other insects. The seedheads persist well into winter. 'Gateway' makes an attractive presence in a border, meadow, or cottage garden. It does best in soil that does not dry out.  The blooms attract butterflies and are good cut flowers.

• Height: 4’-6’ x Spread: 3’
• Full sun to part shade
• Zone 5-9

This native American plant is commonly called Boneset because of its herbal history in the early settlement of the U.S.  The leaves of this Eupatorium were once used in bandages for broken bones. The   leaves, whether useful for that or not, are its most distinctive feature.  E. perfoliatum has wrinkled texture and pairs of leaves are united at the base.  The flower heads are white or on rare occasion, purple reach about ¼” across, in large, flat clusters July to October.

• Height: 2-4 feet x Spread: same
• Full sun to part shade
• Zone 5-9

Not a particularly handsome plant with a particularly gruesome history.  This species is very toxic if eaten in large quantity as it contains barium sulphate.  Cows which graze on the plant produce poisonous milk and this was the cause of death for a number of pioneers in this country.  Interestingly, in 1818, nine-year old Abraham Lincoln, lost his mother to what was penned “milk sickness”. Why it is still of interest in the American meadow or landscape is that, as a member of the Sunflower family, it particularly attractive flowers.  It is found natively on stream banks and meadow edges.

• Height: 2-4 feet x Spread: same
• Full sun to part shade
• Zone 5-9

This Eupatorium features broccoli-like small white fluffy flowers against shiny purple stems typically 3-5' tall. Sharp-toothed, lance-shaped to oblong chocolate colored leaves. An exclusive introduction of the Mt. Cuba Center of Greenville, Delaware. The species is commonly called white snakeroot is native to woodlands in the Eastern United States and is similar in habit to boneset  or Eupatorium perfoliatum. 

• Height: 3’-5 ‘x Spread: 2’-3’t
• Full sun - part shade
• Zone 4-8

E. ‘Excalibur’ is a clump-forming perennial that has particularly attractive foliage and long lasting flowers that are actually yellow bracts. It typically grows to 3’ tall. The red-tinted early spring foliage is easily identifiable in the perennial landscape. It has mature green leaves that have a light yellow central midrib.  The yellow flowers in corymbs appear in summer with long-lasting pale yellow bracts. The pink stems turn deeper red in autumn.  Very unique contribution to the full sun perennial bed.

• Height: 2’-3’  x Spread: 1.5’-2’
• Full sun – light shade 
• Zone 6-9

This variety has dark, glossy evergreen leaves arranged in tight rosettes and produces yellow-green bracts in mid-spring and early summer. This plant is useful as an effective ground cover, as it spreads by root runners. Its drought tolerance also lends this plant to xeriscaping.  This Euphorbia will also tolerate full shade and coastal conditions. Care should be exercised when locating this plant as its sap may cause an allergic reaction in some people.  Ecologically this plant will attract pollinating insects such as bees that will feed on its nectar. Spurge is one of the best for using as a groundcover in milder winter regions. Plants form an evergreen spreading mound of deep green, leathery leaves held on bronzy-red stems. Clusters of greenish-yellow bracts are showy in late spring. Good candidate for problem areas and may be trimmed immediately after blooming, if desired.

• Height: 2’-3’  x Spread: 1.5’-2’
• Sun-shade
• Zone 5-9

This is a highly desirable, purple variation of wood spurge goes through an interesting seasonal evolution of coloration. Its foliage starts out green in the Spring, then each sprig of new growth coming in with a wine-colored blossoms. In late March throughout April, it bursts into a profusion of lime green flower heads almost blotting out the foliage.  In Fall & Winter, the upper leaves and stems mature to a deep purple-ruby. The following Spring, the leaves become green again.  This particular wood spurge will give the best show in full sun in coastal areas with average to low water and well-drained soil. As it ages, the parent plant will self seed new plants to refresh itself.

• Height: 2’-3’  x Spread: 1.5’-2’
• Sun-shade
• Zone 5-9

An erect, rhizomatous perennial that grows a bit shorter than our other spurges.  It has the same oblong leaves with dusky leaves but these have a nice purple in the spring.  It does not wait for the fall to show off its colors.  It matures to a rich burgundy-purple and then a reddish tinge in autumn.  The stems are also purple.  The yellow showy bracts will appear in late spring and are usually lightly tinged with purple as well. The true flowers are yellowish-green and inconspicuous. Foliage provides interesting summer and fall accent. Milky sap can irritate skin and eyes and is mildly poisonous if ingested.  The more sun the deeper the foliage color. 

• Height: 1’x Spread: 1’
• Full sun - part shade
• Zone 5-9

Fleshy, blue-gray, evergreen leaves spiral up the trailing stems that bear bright yellow-green flower heads from mid-spring to summer. Great for dry sites.

• Height:  ¼ “ - ½ “ x Spread: ½” – 1 ½” 
• Full sun
• Zone 5-9

This is a European native Euphorbia that is also most attractive in the fall when the the foliage turns bright orange and yellow. In the spring it forms bright radiating green, willow-like leaves on delicately branching stems. Then, in spring to mid-summer it puts on quite a show of large, umbel-like, chartreusy-yellow flower bracts. True to its name “palustris” meaning swamp-loving, it thrives in moist conditions, but tolerates some dryness, too. Perfect for the edge of a woodland garden, where deer are prevalent as it not attractive to deer in the least.  Remember, Euphorbias have a milky sap that can be irritating to skin and eyes so use caution when cutting back.

• Height: 2’ - 3’ x Spread:  3’ to 4’
• Sun - part shade
• Zone 5-9

Cushion spurge is a mounding, clump-forming perennial which typically grows in a cushion-shape on erect, sturdy stems bearing oblong medium green leaves. Inconspicuous greenish brachts appear at the stem ends in spring.  Although the brachts are not showy, they are accented by long-lasting, bright sulphur-yellow bracts which are exceptionally showy.  Stems exude a toxic, milky sap when cut. Leaves turn red in fall. Synonymous with Euphorbia epithymoides

• Height: 1’- 1 ½ ‘ x Spread: 1’ – 1 ½’
• Full sun
• Zone 5-9