HOME   GARDEN   PHOTOS   WEB LOG  Welcome to my garden! Featuring irises & native wildflowers of Ohio.  IRISES   WILDFLOWERS   COLLECTIONS   SOURCES

Aquilegia canadensis (Wild Eastern Columbine) - perennial Description: Requires semi-shade, has red & yellow flowers, grows 1 to 2 ft. My Source: Wild collected on my property in Liberty Township, Butler Co., OH. Comments: Other sources rate this as being easy to grow from seed, but my experiences rate it at moderate to difficult.

Aquilegia canadensis var. 'Corbett' (Golden Eastern Columbine) - perennial Description: A pure pale yellow, dwarf form of A. canadensis, intolerant of direct sun. My Source: Toadshade Wildflower Farm - Frenchtown, NJ. Comments: This is such a little gem! It thrives in shade but fizzles & dies in full sun.

Asarum canadense (Little Brown Jugs) - perennial Description: Requires shady conditions, groundcover, produces small greenish brown flowers. My Source: Wild collected on my property in Liberty Township, Butler Co., OH. Comments: This grows under mature pine trees in my yard.

Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) - perennial Description: Tall milkweed with balls of pink flower clusters, these grow 3~4 feet tall. My Source: Appeared in my garden in 2002, apparently local genotype. Comments: The flowers resemble the modern spherical Allium cultivars.

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed) - perennial Description: Extremely popular garden flower produces clusters of bright orange flowers irresistable to butterflies. My Source: Various sources. Comments: This is a larval host plant for some butterfly species.

Bidens coronata (Crowned Beggarticks) - biennial Description: Prefers sunny, moist conditions, produces yellow flowers, grows to 3 ft. My Source: Wild collected in Monroe, Butler Co., OH. Comments: I found them growing happily in a roadside ditch. They grow near my pond now.

Bidens frondosa (Devil's Beggarticks) - biennial Description: Prefers sunny, moist conditions, produces peculiar flowers with virtually no ray petals, grows to 3 ft. My Source: Wild collected on my property in Liberty Township, Butler Co., OH. Comments: I think my cats brought this into my yard from nearby woods (stuck to their fur).

Blephilia ciliata (Downy Wood Mint) - perennial Description: Prefers shady conditions, produces tiered flowers similar to Monarda but much smaller, grows to 1 ft. My Source: Wild collected in Indian Hill, Hamilton Co., OH. Comments: My plants produce white flowers rather than the usual deep pink for this species.

Camassia scilloides (Wild Hyacinth) - perennial Description: Prefers semi-shade, produces spikes of bluish white flowers up to 2 ft. tall. My Source: checking Comments: I haven't been able to collect seed from this yet, but I will keep trying.

Campsis radicans (Trumpet Creeper) - perennial Description: Vine that produces tubular red flowers popular with hummingbirds. My Source: checking Comments: I'm still waiting for my specimens to reach maturity & bloom.

Caulophyllum thalictroides (Blue Cohosh) - perennial Description: Woodland wildflower prefers semi-shade, produces brownish-yellow flowers followed by bright blue berries, grows to 2 ft. My Source: Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV. Comments: I grow this against my house where it has established a nice colony over time.

Chelone glabra (Turtlehead) - perennial Description: Wetland plant requires plenty of moisture and should ideally be grown in a pond. My Source: checking Comments: There are also white & pink bicolored versions of this species that I would love to obtain for my garden.

Coreopsis auriculata var. nana (Dwarf Mouse-eared Coreopsis) - perennial Description: Semi-shade, orange-yellow flowers, grows to 6 in. My Source: Trennoll Nursery - Trenton, OH, ex. wild collected seed near Maysville, KY by Dr. E. Lucy Braun. Comments: Forms a small rosette of leaves followed by comparably long stems.

Coreopsis tripteris (Tall Coreopsis) - perennial Description: Full sun, yellow flowers with black centers, grows up to 6 ft. My Source: Toadshade Wildflower Farm - Frenchtown, NJ. Comments: When crushed the leaves emit a pleasing anise-like scent.

Cynanchum laeve (Honeyvine) - perennial Description: Vining plant produces clusters of creamy white butterflyweed-like flowers, followed by butterflyweed-like seed pods. My Source: Appeared in my garden in 2004, apparently local genotype. Comments: This plant seems to prefer shady locations with not too much direct sun.

Echinacea laevigata (Smooth Coneflower) - perennial Description: Full sun, like Purple Coneflower but with smooth, branched stems, grows to 6 ft. My Source: Nearly Native Nursery (formerly Green Plant Market, Inc.) - Senoia, GA, ex. wild collected seed in northern Georgia. Comments: Although from Georgia, this has proven to be hardy in my Zone 6 garden.

Echinacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower) - perennial Description: Prefers full sun, has pale purple reflexed flowers, grows to 2 ft. My Source: checking Comments: Differs from E. simulata by having white pollen rather than yellow.

Echinacea paradoxa (Yellow Coneflower) - perennial Description: Full sun, like Purple Coneflower but with yellow flowers, grows to 3 ft. My Source: Elixir Farm - Brixey, MO. Comments: Provides a great color contrast when grown with other Echinacea species.

Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) - perennial Description: Prefers full sun, has reflexed purple flowers, grows to 2 ft. My Source: Shaker Trace Nursery - local genotype Comments: Attracts butterflies.

Echinacea tennesseensis (Tennessee Coneflower) - perennial Description: Prefers semi-shade, produces upfacing flowers, grows to 1 ft. My Source: checking Comments: Flowering stems are susceptible to chewing damage by a small beetle, especially early in the bloom season.

Geum canadense (White Avens) - perennial Description: Grows in full sun to semi-shade, with small white flowers, grows to 2 ft. My Source: Wild collected on my property in Liberty Township, Butler Co., OH. Comments: Seeds have hooks which attach to clothing or fur to aid in dispersal.

Helianthus giganteus (Swamp Sunflower) - perennial Description: Prefers moist conditions in full sun, grows to 8 ft. My Source: NEWFS Seed Exchange. Comments: Produces many small flowers on extremely tall branched stems.

Heliopsis helianthoides (dark stems) (False Sunflower) - perennial Description: Prefers full sun, average soil, grows to 4~5 feet. My Source: checking Comments: This particularly variety has very dark stems.

Hibiscus moscheutos (Swamp Rose-mallow) - perennial Description: Prefers moist conditions in full sun, grows to 6 ft. My Source: checking Comments: Sadly the flowers are often chewed by Japanese beetles.

Hiercium kalmii (Hawkweed) - perennial Description: Yellow flowers, resembles the common dandelion. My Source: checking Comments:

Hypoxis hirsuta (Yellow Star Grass) - perennial Description: Very low growing, grass-like, wildflower produces bright yellow flowers. My Source: Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV. Comments: I haven't been able to collect seed from this yet, but I will keep trying.

Impatiens capensis (Spotted Jewel-weed) - annual Description: Tubular orange flowers attract bees and hummingbirds, prefers moist soil in semi-shade. My Source: Wild collected in Liberty Township, Butler Co., OH. Comments: Grows easily from seed.

Impatiens pallida (Pale Spotted Jewel-weed) - annual Description: Tubular yellow flowers attract bees, prefers moist soil in semi-shade. My Source: Wild collected about 50 feet outside of Liberty Township, Butler Co., OH on Nickel Road. Comments: Grows easily from seed.

Ipomoea pandurata (Wild Potato-vine) - perennial Description: Vining plant produces large attractive white flowers with wine-purple centers. My Source: Wild collected in Liberty Township, Butler Co., OH. Comments: Tubers are edible and can be roasted like potatoes. Only available to local customers, due to Nicrophorus beetles. (See blog for details.)

Iris brevicaulis (Zig-zag Iris) - perennial Description: Wetland plant requires plenty of moisture and should ideally be grown in a pond. Produces blue flowers on zig-zag stems. My Source: Shaker Trace Nursery - local genotype Comments: By October all my iris seeds are donated to the SIGNA Seed Exchange.

Iris cristata (Dwarf Crested Iris) - perennial Description: This woodland gem produces lavender-blue flowers in springtime. My Source: Shaker Trace Nursery - local genotype Comments: By October all my iris seeds are donated to the SIGNA Seed Exchange.

Iris fulva (Copper Iris) - perennial Description: Wetland plant requires plenty of moisture and should ideally be grown in a pond. Produces copper, reddish-orange, or yellow flowers. My Source: Various sources. Comments: By October all my iris seeds are donated to the SIGNA Seed Exchange.

Iris versicolor (Northern Blue Flag) - perennial Description: Wetland plant requires plenty of moisture and should ideally be grown in a pond. Produces purplish-blue flowers. My Source: Various sources. Comments: By October all my iris seeds are donated to the SIGNA Seed Exchange.

Iris virginica var. shrevei (Southern Blue Flag) - perennial Description: Wetland plant requires plenty of moisture and should ideally be grown in a pond. Produces blue to violet flowers. My Source: Shaker Trace Nursery - local genotype Comments: By October all my iris seeds are donated to the SIGNA Seed Exchange.

Ludwigia alternifolia (Seedbox) - perennial Description: Mine grows in full sun, average soil, up to 2 ft. tall. My Source: checking Comments: I didn't catch it in bloom, but I found lots of seed pods this fall. They are small boxes filled with seeds the size of dust.

Manfreda virginica (Eastern Agave) - perennial Description: Prefers full sun with dry soil, forms a basal rosette of leaves with a flower stalk that can exceed 6 ft. tall. My Source: NARGS - ex. W. Madison Co., AR Comments: The photo shown here is of the springtime growth of an adult plant.

Mimulus ringens (Monkeyflower) - perennial Description: Wetland plant requires plenty of moisture, grows up to 4 feet producing many large lavender flowers with yellow throats. My Source: Appeared in my pond in 2005, apparently local genotype. Comments: I have concluded this to be M. ringens rather than M. alatus due to the leaf shape.

Monarda bradburiana (Bradbury's Bee Balm) - perennial Description: Requires shade, produces pinkish-white flowers, grows to 1 ft. My Source: NEWFS Seed Exchange. Comments: Unlike other bee balms, this species does best in shade.

Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) - perennial Description: Prefers full sun, has many lavender flowers on branched stems, grows 2 to 4 ft. depending on amount of moisture received. My Source: Shaker Trace Nursery - local genotype Comments: This plant becomes susceptible to powdery mildew if stressed from lack of water.

Nelumbo lutea (American Lotus) - perennial Description: This aquatic plant must be grown in 1 to 3 ft. of water, produces large fragrant yellow flowers followed by very attractive ornamental seed pods. My Source: Easy Living Wildflowers - Willow Springs, MO. Comments: Due to their large size, only 8~10 seeds are provided per packet.

Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus) - perennial Description: Full sun, produces huge yellow & orange flowers, grows to 1 ft. My Source: checking Comments: Spikes and thorns make it difficult to perform weeding, but worth the trouble. It's a great addition to the garden.

Passiflora incarnata (Maypop Passionflower) - perennial Description: Vining plant produces beautiful lavender flowers followed by edible lemon-lime flavored fruits. My Source: Shaker Trace Nursery - local genotype Comments: Sets fruit more readily when genetically distinct plants are grown together.

Physostegia virginiana (Pink Obedient Plant) - perennial Description: Performs best in moist soils in full sun, producing white flowers on large spikes up to 4 ft. tall. My Source: Shaker Trace Nursery - local genotype Comments: After viewing it at Shaker Trace in 2005 I have added it to my wish list.

Physostegia virginiana (White Obedient Plant) - perennial Description: Performs best in moist soils in full sun, producing white flowers on large spikes up to 4 ft. tall. My Source: checking Comments: Has a reputation for being a thug, but is well behaved in my garden.

Rudbeckia laciniata (Cutleaf Coneflower) - perennial Description: Full sun to semi-shade, produces yellow flowers with reflexed petals, grows to 8 ft, has beautiful deeply cut foliage. My Source: checking Comments: This one fooled me. When I collected it in wild I thought it was Verbesina alternifolia.

Ruellia humilis (Hairy Wild Petunia) - perennial Description: Full sun to semi-shade, produces large lavender flowers on hairy plants that can grow to 1 ft. My Source: checking Comments: Tends to reseed in new places throughout my garden.

Ruellia strepens (Smooth Wild Petunia) - perennial Description: Full sun to semi-shade, produces large lavender flowers on smooth plants that can grow to 1 ft. My Source: Wild collected along S.R. 123 in Warren Co., OH near Middletown. Comments: The flowers only last for about one day.

Sedum ternatum (Wild Stonecrop) - perennial Description: Low growing ground cover performs best in shade, grows just a few inches tall. My Source: Wild collected in Indian Hill, Warren Co., OH. Comments: I haven't been able to collect seed from this yet, but I will keep trying.

Silphium brachiatum (Cumberland Rosinweed) - perennial Description: Much lower growing and with smaller flowers than other Silphiums in my garden. My Source: Sunlight Gardens - Andersonville, TN. Comments: An all-around dainty version of its larger bully-ish cousins.

Silphium laciniatum (Compass-plant) - perennial Description: Prefers full sun, has many yellow flowers on branched stems, grows over 10 ft. My Source: checking Comments: Sorry, this is a waaay bad picture.

Silphium perfoliatum (Cup-plant) - perennial Description: Prefers full sun, has many yellow flowers on branched stems, grows over 10 ft. My Source: checking Comments: Goldfinches love the seeds in autumn. This plant re-seeds aggressively in my garden.

Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie Dock) - perennial Description: Prefers full sun, has many yellow flowers on branched stems, grows over 10 ft. My Source: checking Comments: Goldfinches love the seeds in autumn. This plant re-seeds aggressively in my garden.

Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Blue-eyed Grass) - perennial Description: Prefers full sun, grows in grass-like tufts producing many small blue flowers. My Source: Shaker Trace Nursery - local genotype Comments: By October all my iris seeds are donated to the SIGNA Seed Exchange.

Spiranthes cernua f. odorata var. "Chadd's Ford" (Slender Ladies' Tresses) - perennial Description: Prefers bog-like conditions and produces spiralling stems of small white flowers. My Source: Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV. Comments: This is a native terrestrial orchid. The original plants I bought in 2002 apparently died out in 2003 but then numerous seedlings appeared in their place in 2005.

Thermopsis caroliniana (Carolina Lupine) - perennial Description: Semi-shade, has yellow flowers, grows to 5 ft. tall. My Source: NEWFS Seed Exchange Comments: This is a fantastic trouble-free gorgeous garden perennial. It blooms in mid-June when few other perennials have started blooming yet.

Tiarella cordifolia (Heart-leafed Foamflower) - perennial Description: Semi-shade, produces spikes of airy white flowers, grows to 1 ft. tall. My Source: Shaker Trace Nursery - local genotype Comments: I haven't been able to collect seed from this yet, but I will keep trying.

Tradescantia ohioensis (Ohio Spiderwort) - perennial Description: Sun loving plant with grass like foliage produces bluish flowers on stems up to 2 ft. tall. My Source: Shaker Trace Nursery - local genotype Comments: Flower color can vary from white to blue to violet.

Verbena hastata (Blue Vervain) - perennial Description: Full sun to semi-shade, produces lavender flowers on candelabra-like inflorescenses. Plants can grow several feet tall. My Source: Appeared in my garden in 2003, apparently local genotype. Comments: Perfoms best in moist soil but will do fine in normal garden conditions.

Verbesina alternifolia (Wingstem) - perennial Description: Full sun, average soil, produces reflexed yellow flowers on plants up to 10 ft. tall. My Source: checking Comments: This is one of my favorite wildflowers.

Vernonia sp. (probably gigantea) (Ironweed) - perennial Description: Full sun, average soil, produces clusters of purple flowers on plants up to 7 ft. tall. My Source: Appeared in my garden in 2003, apparently local genotype. Comments: Blooms in autumn with the goldenrods for a spectacular mixed display.

Viola sororia (Common Blue Violet) - perennial Description: Performs best in semi-shade, has violet blue flowers, grows up to 8 inches tall. My Source: Wild collected on my property in Liberty Township, Butler Co., OH. Comments: Woolly-bear caterpillars eat the leaves of this plant in the autumn to help them hibernate through the winter.

Viola sororia (Freckled Blue Violet) - perennial Description: Performs best in semi-shade, has freckled violet blue and white flowers, grows up to 6 inches tall. My Source: Wild collected in Springboro, Warren Co., OH. Comments: Although it was wild collected it probably escaped from cultivation.

Viola sororia var. priceana (Confederate Violet) - perennial Description: Performs best in semi-shade, has white flowers with violet blue centers, grows up to 8 inches tall. My Source: Elk Mountain Nursery - Asheville, NC. Comments: Great companion with the regular Viola sororia.

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