Wildflowers

Rain garden plant - likes wet places. Also called rattlebox because of the square shaped fruit that rattles when dried.

The leaves curl when you touch them, but be careful, it will poke back (hence the name).

Great texture for the garden. Stays more compact in full sun conditions. May be cut back after blooming or groomed into a short hedge. Prefers moist sites but also grows in rocky sites.

Very interesting flowers ranging in color from white to purple; an early source of pollen for bees (mostly bumblebees). The plant disappears in summer, but will return again the following spring. Can be difficult to establish.

Remove spent blooms to extend the blooming season. Colony-forming.

Similar to C. lanceolata, but leaves not as dense and flowers a bit smaller. Good in a hot, dry area. Deadhead for persistent blooms.

A study in KC showed that Solidago is one of the plant genera in our area that attracts the largest number of different bee species. This is a great option for a goldenrod with its showier flowers.

A nice choice for a shorter aster and it can tolerate a decent amount of shade. Supports lots of insects.

A shorter aster, but a bit spindly. 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.

A cute little pea flower. Better massed together to make a statement. Great wildlife benefits for bees, butterflies, birds, and mammels.

May be aggressive. Smells amazing and the bees love it. A study in KC showed that Pycnanthemum is one of the plant genera in our area that attracts the largest number of different bee species.

An annual that readily self-seeds in disturbed soils. Host of common buckeye butterfly. Hemiparasitic: this plant feeds of the roots of other plants and therefore should be planted among other species.

Annual from southern MO glades. Likes it dry and sunny. Hosts Bordered Patch and Dainty Sulphur butterflies and attracts other butterflies.

Beautiful, short structure and colorful leaves make this plant a great choice for formal garden borders.