American Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana

Spreading/running perennial groundcover. Plant flowers white in early spring, March – May, and forms small, tasty strawberries (this is not the common yard weed!), from May-June. Early pollinators forage on the blossoms, and the fruits are sought after by many critters including humans. Plant grows in low light tonearly full sun. If you have a slope that needs groundcover this might be for you.

Aromatic Aster
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium

Perennial, flowering lavender-purple from September-November. Good late season nectar source. Plant gets 2-3’ tall and can be trimmed down from May-June to promote more flower buds. Needs 6 hours full sun.

Black-eyed Susan
“Goldsturm”
Rudbeckia fulgida

Showy orange blooms last from July – August. Attracts may butterflies and other pollinators. Host plant for many native butterfly larvae. 18”-30” tall and spreads to form large masses. Full to part sun. Moist to well-drained, but not dry soils.

Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis

Multi-trunked shrub 8-12’ tall/wide. Shrub features globe-shaped, nectar-rich, white flowers in June-July. Flowers are attractive to many species of pollinator. Seed heads are enjoyed by many overwintering birds. Plants are best grown in full sun in wetter conditions, and can withstand standing water for many days.

Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis

Plants send up whitish pink flower spikes to 30” in May-June. Bumble bees and hummingbirds regularly visit flowers. Hardy perennial.

Northern Blazing Star
Liatris scariosa

Full sun perennial, 3-5’ tall stems produce purple flowers in early fall. This plant is a monarch magnet! Many species of birds forage on the seeds in late fall.

Pow Wow Wild Berry
Echinacea ‘Pow Wow Berry’

Pow wow wildberry is an improved version of purple cone flower (Echinacea pupurea). It is shorter and more compact and the flowers are darker pinkish purple. The flowers are produced in abundance and the blooming season is longer that regular coneflower. Hardy perrenial. Blooms in the summer.

Height – 16’’-20” Spread – 16”- 20”

Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea

Echinacea Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea pupurea) is a dark, pinkish purple flower. They produce in abundance and the blooming season is longer than a regular coneflower. Hardy perrenial. Blooms in the summer.

Height – 16’’-20” Spread – 16”- 20”

Yellow Coneflower
Echinacea paradoxa

Perennial, flowers in late spring-early summer. Flower height 30-36”. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Many songbirds eat the seeds in the summer and fall. 6+ hours sun. Tolerates droughty, dry conditions once established.

Canna edilus (Achira)

• Will grow 5’-7’ tall
• Tropical perennial grown for its large, edible, and starchy rhizomes, which are boiled, baked, or processed into flour, similar to a turnip or potato.
• Thrives in full sun, moist soil, and is hardy in zones 7-12, offering a high-yielding, sustainable food source with vibrant red flowers and green foliage

Canna – ‘Canova Orange Bronze’

• Will grow 30”-48” tall
• Good for creating a tropical effect and container planting.
• Bronze leaves with orange flowers
• Plant in full sun. Can dig up and save rhizomes from year to year. Not winter hardy.

Canna – ‘Canova Yellow’

• Will grow 30”-48” tall
• Good for creating a tropical effect and container planting.
• Green leaves with bright yellow flowers
• Plant in full sun. Can dig up and save rhizomes from year to year. Not winter hardy.

Canna – ‘Purpurea’

• Will grow 6’-7’ tall
• Good for screening and creating a tropical effect.
• Purple-bronze leaf with orange-red flower
• Plant in full sun. Can dig up and save rhizomes from year to year. Not winter hardy.

Aloe Vera
Aloe barbadensis

Aloe is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. It is cultivated for commercial products, mainly as a topical treatment. The species is attractive for decorative purposes, and succeeds indoors as a potted plant.

Ginger
Zingiber officinale

Tropical root (rhizome) crop. Plant in partial shade avoiding afternoon sun, in well drained, fertile soil. Dig ginger before frost in October. Ginger is used medicinally and culinarily.

Sugar Cane
Saccharum officinarum

Sugar cane is a species of tall, perennial grass (in the genus Saccharum, tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar production. The plants are 6–20 ft tall with stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sucrose.

Turmeric
Curcuma longa

Tropical root (technically a rhizome) crop. Plant in partial shade avoiding afternoon sun, in well drained, fertile soil. Keep soil evenly moist throughout the growing season and fertilize every 4 weeks. Plant can get to 3’ tall. Rhizomes become harvestable when leaves start to yellow in late October. Harvest whole plant prior to first frost. Turmeric is used culinarily, medicinally, and as a dye.