PA Natives
Below is a list of the PA natives that we will be selling at our upcoming Plant Sale. These native perennials make your garden beautiful while providing food and habitat for native insects and birds. Our natives are provided by Tait Farm and are offered in partnership with Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center. Native plants will be available for $7.50 each, or 3 for $20.
Through this collaboration, native plants will be available for purchase both during the Student Farm Club plant sale on Friday, April 26, 11-5pm in the Tyson Greenhouses Headhouse I-III on campus, and also at the Shaver’s Creek Native Plants sale on Saturday, April 27, 10am-5pm at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center.
Plants sourced from Tait Farm:
Aquilegia canadensis (E. Columbine)
Description: Eastern Columbine is a native herbaceous biennial in the Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae) family. It may grow 3 feet tall by 1.5 feet wide. The flower petals resemble an eagle’s claw. The red and yellow flowers mature in early spring and can last one month. These tubular flowers attract pollinators and hummingbirds. Once the flowers are gone the plant makes an attractive ground cover.
Planting Instructions: This plant prefers partial shade conditions but will tolerate more sun with adequate moisture. When the foliage deteriorates it can be cut to the ground.
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed)
Description: Swamp milkweed is an herbaceous perennial in the Dogbane (Apocynaceae) family. It grows up to 5 feet tall and about 2-3 feet wide. This plant attracts pollinators with its attractive pink flowers that are in bloom from mid-spring to early fall.
Planting Instructions: This plant prefers damp-wet soil and full sun to partial shade. Used as an accent or border plant.
Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed)
Description: Common milkweed is a deciduous, herbaceous perennial in the Dogbane (Apocynaceae) family. This plant can grow 3-5 feet tall. Fragrant flowers will last from about June through August. Common milkweed not only provides nectar for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators but is a larval host plant for Monarch butterflies.
Planting Instructions: This plant grows in full sun and prefers well-draining soil and can occasionally tolerate dry soil. It can take up some space in the garden. Its wild and rangy form is not ideal for planting in borders.
Eupatorium altissimum (Tall Boneset)
Description: Tall Boneset is a perennial Boneset that reaches around 3-4 feet tall. The stems are covered with white hairs and produce small, white flowers clustered at the ends of each stem. There is very little floral scent associated with this plant.
Planting Instructions: This plant will grow in many conditions but prefers full or partial sun. The soil should be well drained, and the plant is drought tolerant. Left unchecked this plant will spread through self-seeding.
Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset)
Description: Boneset is a large, herbaceous, clump-forming perennial shrub in the Aster (Asteraceae) family. It can grow 4-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. It has small white flowers that appear in late summer and fall, attracting pollinators and natural enemies.
Planting Instructions: It prefers full sun or part shade. The plant grows well in average to wet soils with a consistent water source
Eupatorium sessilifolium (Upland Boneset)
Description: Upland Boneset is a perennial herb in the family Asteraceae. It can grow up to 5 ft and typically blooms in late summer with small, white flowers. Native to New England, this plant will do well in a wide variety of growing conditions but always prefers a lot of water. It is an attractive plant for bees and butterflies.
Planting Instructions: This plant enjoys moist soil and is not very drought tolerant, and therefore may require watering. This will do best in full sun, though it can also survive well in partial shade.
Helenium autumnale (Common Sneezeweed)
Description: Common Sneezeweed is a perennial in the Aster (Asteraceae) family. This plant grows about 3-5 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. It has clusters of yellow, daisy-like flowers. Blooming occurs from August to October.
Planting Instructions: Needs moist to wet conditions and full sun. Cannot tolerate dry soil. It should be cut back in early summer to encourage branching and increase flowers (at least 6 weeks before normal flowering). Avoid over-fertilization.
Heuchera americana (American Coralbells)
Description: American Coralbells is a short plant best known for its unique leaves. The leaves are fuzzy and can turn into more of a purple color in the fall. This perennial produces leafless flower stalks that can rise 1-2 feet off the ground.
Planting Instructions: This plant prefers a shaded area and does not require much water. It tolerates poor soil, drought, and lime. The plant prefers an acidic environment.
Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia)
Description: Great Blue Lobelia will add a touch of character to your landscape with its unique blue-purple flowers. An herbaceous perennial, the plant blooms from late summer to mid fall. It may grow around 3 feet tall. Enjoy visits from bees and hummingbirds throughout the summer season.
Planting Instructions: Great Blue Lobelia does best in partial to full sun and average to very wet soil. Occurring naturally in wet areas, this plant would thrive near ponds and riverbanks.
Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamont)
Description: Wild bergamot is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae family. Looks like Bee Balm. It is clump-forming and typically grows 2-4′ tall. This plant blooms from June to September and attracts lots of pollinators.
Planting Instructions: Enjoys full sun and can tolerate partial shade. This plant does not like overly wet soil. It is pretty drought tolerant but would like to be watered regularly. When planting, keep it about 1.5-2 feet away from other plants.
Oligoneuron rigida (Stiff goldenrod)
Description: A member of the Aster family, Stiff Goldenrod is an eye-catching native plant. Growing up to 5 feet tall, the plant blooms in July or August and lasts through October. Bees and butterflies will be sure to find their way to its golden flowers.
Planting Instructions: Stiff Goldenrod will be happy in full sun and moist soil. Established plants require little assistance.
Penstemon hirsutus (Hairy Beardtongue)
Description: Hairy Beardtongue is a perennial in the Plantaginaceae family. These plants grow about 1-2 feet tall. This plant has trumpet-shaped, lavender-colored flowers that bloom from about late May to late June. The flowers have hairy lower lips, giving it its name. These flowers attract pollinators and hummingbirds. In the fall the plants’ leaves turn a beautiful red.
Planting Instructions: If planting multiple, place about 1 foot apart. Enjoys medium-wet to dry soils and can live in a variety of sun conditions.
Pycnanthemum muticum (Clustered Mountain Mint)
Description: An herbaceous perennial belonging to the mint (Lamiaceae) family, enhance your yard or garden with this native’s fresh aroma. Hence its name, the plant often grows in clustered groups. Spreading can be contained by regular pruning or growing in pots. The plant may grow 1-3 feet tall. Pollinators will enjoy their small pinkish white flowers, and you may consider using its dark green leaves for herbal tea or cooking.
Planting Instructions: Clustered mountain mint will do well in bright shade, but even better in full sun. Moist to medium moisture soil is preferred.
Sedum ternatum (Woodland Stonecrop)
Description: Woodland Stonecrop is a perennial succulent that does well in a rocky environment. An established plant will continue to expand in the space it is planted. The plant sends up small, single flowers that are white and climb to about 4-8 inches tall.
Planting Instructions: This plant can grow well in many conditions, but prefers moist, thin, limey soil. Once established, the Woodland Stonecrop requires almost no maintenance and will spread out on its own. You can propagate using cuttings from your plant in a similar manner to propagating other succulents.
Solidago caesia (Bluestem Goldenrod)
Description: Bluestem Goldenrod is an herbaceous perennial wildflower in the Aster (Asteraceae) family. This plant grows about 3 feet tall. It has showy clusters of yellow flowers that bloom in late summer and hug greenish-purple stems. Attracts pollinators and songbirds.
Planting Instructions: It enjoys being in medium to wet soil in full sun to partial shade. It can occasionally be in dry soil.
Solidago uliginosa (Bog Goldenrod)
Description: Bog Goldenrod is an herbaceous perennial that produces tall stems with yellow flowers clustered at the top. The plant can reach 5 feet and will bloom in the fall months. It is a great choice for any pollinator garden and is resistant to deer.
Planting Instructions: This plant prefers a moist, well-drained soil. Once established, the goldenrod becomes more drought tolerant and will require less or no watering. You can plant this in full sun or partial shade.
