Phlox produces bright, colorful flowers that make your garden look lively and fun. They bloom in the summer and attract butterflies, which help your other plants grow and stay healthy. Phlox can also be successfully grown in a container, making it a versatile option for patios or small spaces, as long as it has good …Read More Phlox
Aster plants are great for the garden because they have pretty, colorful flowers that bloom in late summer and fall, adding lots of brightness when other plants are done flowering. They also attract bees and butterflies, which help the garden stay healthy and full of life. Asters can grow successfully in containers; just ensure the …Read More Asters
Milkweed has colorful flowers that attract butterflies, especially monarchs. It’s also the host plant for monarch caterpillars, meaning they lay their eggs on it, and it’s easy to grow, making your garden a lively and buzzing place. You can also grow some types of milkweed in containers – swamp milkweed does particularly well. Recommended Thriving …Read More Milkweed
The ground cover Little brown jug thrives in dappled shade and produces jug-shaped flowers beneath its pretty, patterned leaves. The roots are aromatic, and smell similar to pepper or ginger. Prefers soil rich in decomposing leaves or similar organic matter.
Wild ginger is a low-growing groundcover with heart-shaped leaves. It is shade-tolerant, spreads slowly, and has fragrant, underground flowers. The roots are aromatic, and smell similar to pepper or ginger. Prefers soil rich in decomposing leaves or other organic mulch.
Netted chain fern is a deciduous fern that grows in woodland bogs and swamps but is happy in home garden soils. Spreading by underground rhizomes, it can form a sizable colony in a few years. Like Christmas fern, it can tolerate significant (morning) sun as long as its soil does not dry out. Unlike Christman …Read More Netted Chain Fern
Christmas fern is our most common evergreen fern with upright dark green fronds. Its leaflets look like Santa’s sleigh or a stocking, depending on who you ask. Christmas fern will tolerate more sun than many ferns but requires higher soil moisture in sunnier areas. Like all part-shade tolerant plants, it does best with morning sun …Read More Christmas Fern
Marginal wood fern is an evergreen, shade-loving fern with leathery gray-green fronds. It forms non-spreading clumps and last years’ foliage self-mulches as new brown, furry fiddleheads emerge. This makes for low-maintenance when spaced at 12-inches, forming dense swaths that allow few weeds. Prefers well drained, acidic soil with even moisture, but it is easily grown …Read More Marginal Wood Fern
Switchgrass adds height, color, and textures to the garden. When planted in mass, it can be an effective privacy screen. It provides erosion control, attracts wildlife, and is a great choice for rain gardens.
River oats is a striking ornamental grass with arching, seedheads that resemble sea oats. It is low-maintenance, attracts birds, and provides visual interest throughout the growing season. Note: River oats spread rapidly from seed and can take over small areas of the garden.