'Southern Charm' is an erect, clump-forming, short-lived perennial which can remain in the garden for many years by self-seeding. Forms a large basal rosette (to 2' wide) of woolly, ovate, silvery-green leaves from which rise multiple, erect, flowering stems (2-3' tall) bearing long terminal spikes of 5-lobed, nearly flat, 1 inch diameter flowers in soft pastel shades of lavender, buffy cream and rose with purple center stamens. 

Bursts of airy flowers support many varieties of butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. Smaller in stature and lighter in color than the straight species. Late season, nectar-rich blooms are welcomed by migrators before their travels. Self seeds readily, treat as an annual in the North. Be sure to let seeds drop to enjoy a new crop of beautiful plants to fill a border the next growing season. The clustered blooms of Verbena bonariensis Lollipop are a great addition to cut-flower bouquets. The airy swaying stems topped with lollipop-like spheres are lovely when planted en masse.

Verbena h. is a short lived perennial that will self sow when happy.  Common in wet meadows blue vervain holds tall blue spikes flowers.  Great for pond edges.

A Jim Ault hybrid of Native Ironweed from the Chicago Botanic Garden, Vernonia ‘Summer Surrender’ is a cross obetween Vernonia lettermannii and V. arkansana. A vigorous grower to 4′ and 6′ wide, it has a bushy mounding habit, and its clusters of purple late summer asters attracts a wide variety of bees, butterflies, and moths, as well as some songbirds. Deer resistant.

The foliage is olive green with a purple tinge on wine red stems and covered in deep purple flowers from early to mid-autumn.

An upright plant that present long light blue flower spikes. Big effect, little space. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

An upright presentation making a big display in a small space. Soft lavender flower spikes over deep green lustrous foliage. Long blooming compliment for the border. Attracts pollinators.

Thick, rosy purple flower wands are borne prolifically atop a rounded, low clump of deep green foliage. Try planting in combination containers or near the front of the border.

Veronicastrum virginicum, commonly called Culver's root, is a large, erect, Missouri native perennial which occurs in open woods, thickets and moist meadows and prairies throughout the State. Typically reaches 3-7' tall when in bloom. Resembles a large veronica, except its lance-shaped leaves are in whorls (3-7 leaves per whorl) on the stems rather than opposite. Dense, slender, 9" long spikes (racemes) of tiny, tube-like, white to pale blue flowers open from the top down in late spring to early summer atop strong, upright stems. Bloom can extend well into the summer. Smaller, branching, erect, lateral racemes give plant a candelabra-like effect when in full bloom. Root has been used medicinally as a cathartic.

 Resembles a large veronica, except its lance-shaped leaves are in whorls (3-7 leaves per whorl) on the stems rather than opposite. Dense, slender, 9" long spikes (racemes) of tiny, tube-like, white to pale blue flowers open from the top down in late spring to early summer atop strong, upright stems. Bloom can extend well into the summer. 

White-flowered version of the popular Vinca minor. Spreads by runners like Vinca minor but tends to be more dense and compact.

This plant needs well-drained soils and prefers sandy or gravelly soil with a somewhat acid pH in full sun but will tolerate part shade.  It doesn't spread by stolons but may reseed in ideal conditions. This viola may be more difficult to grow than most.

Easily identified by trailing stems and delicate lavender flowers, 'Silver Gem' forms a dense, tidy mat of attractive silver foliage. Flowers appear in March and persist into autumn. Our plant trials have proven 'Silver Gem' to be exceptionally drought tolerant and happiest in part to full shade.