Great for a woodland edge. Bulbous plant that dies back after seeding in summer but will come back the following spring. May not bloom the first few years. Bulbs traditionally eaten by Native Americans.
Wild plums often create dense thickets unless thinned. Thickets can provide shelter for birds and mammals. May have thorns. Fruit is edible but not as sweet as cultivated varieties.
A quick-growing ground cover that spreads indefinitely by runners. And yes, these are real, edible strawberries! Fruit is small, but very flavorful. May go dormant in summer heat. Supports lots of wildlife.
Dioecious vine (each plant only has male or female flowers). Climbs by twining around close objects. Rhizomatous roots may also creep along the ground. Thicker patches may provide shelter for nesting birds.
A shorter aster for your rain garden. Spreads through rhizomes, better suited for larger gardens. A study in KC showed that Symphyotrichum is one of the plant genera in our area that attracts the largest number of different bee species.
Seeds are great for birds. Divide every few years to reduce spread. A study in KC showed that Helianthus is one of the plant genera in our area that attracts the largest number of different bee species. Can get really tall and spread widely.
Excellent pollinator and bird plant. Plant with other aggressive plants or weed frequently. Hosts for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne nycteis) and Summer Azure butterfly (Celastrina neglecta). We love the elegant way the petals droop.