Yarrow is a genus of flowering plants in the aster family (Asteraceae) and are native to North America. These plants can grow from 1-4 feet with a similar spread or more. They are generally drought tolerant and prefer full sun in well-drained soils and tolerate poor soil.  Do not overfertilize or water. Wet soils will cause rot rot. In warmer climates, they may be evergreen. They spread by seeds and rhysomes and some can be aggressive. Propagate by division.

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Most yarrows have flat-topped blooms in the summer and come in yellow, white, pink, orange or red. Deadheading will encourage more blooms to appear, aid in a neater appearance and reduce the number of seeds. They generally have attractive feathery aromatic leaves.

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These plants can be used at the front of the border, in a cutting garden, a pollinator garden, as a ground cover and used dried.

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More info: https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ACHIL

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 **This plant has low severity poison characteristics.

Swamp Milkweed is a native wildflower found in bogs, marshes and other wet sites. It grows 2-4 feet high and the 5-inch seed pods persist into winter.  Although it naturally grows along ponds, streams, swamps and bogs, this plant will do well in low lying areas of the garden that retain moisture. It is tolerant of clay soils and will grow in full sun to partial shade. It is pollinated by bees and is a host plant for the monarch butterfly. Use in a native/pollinator garden.

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More info: https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ASIN

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This is a native, clump-forming, upright grass in the Poaceae (grass) family.  This easy to grow ornamental grass reaches a height between 2 to 5 feet and width of 1 to 2 feet.

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The distinctive flat nodding seed heads that resemble oats emerge green in spring, turn tan in summer and then purplish in fall. They sway gracefully in the slightest breeze. The bamboo-like leaves often turn yellow-gold in fall if given enough sun.  This plant is a larval host plant for butterflies as well as a food source for small mammals and birds.

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It is easily grown in moist to wet well-drained soils in part sun to part shade. It is fairly tolerant of shade, especially for an ornamental grass.  

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Use in naturalized areas, along streams or edges of water gardens.  Watch its placement especially in smaller gardens as may spread aggressively by rhizomes and seeds.

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More info: https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/CHLA5/images

Wild geranium is a woodland perennial flower in the Geraniaceae family that will naturalize in optimum growing conditions. This plant is found naturally in base-rich, mesic forests. The preference is for light shade to partial sunlight, moist to slightly dry conditions, and rich loamy soil with abundant organic matter. This plant also tolerates full sunlight if given sufficient moisture. It is easy to grow in cultivation and is one of the showiest of the native Cranesbills. During the hottest part of summer the foliage may decline and yellow. Shear back to reshape.

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The attractive deeply lobed leaves are topped by saucer-shaped flowers that are pink to lilac in spring. Use in mass as a ground cover, in woodland settings or native and pollinator gardens. This plant is clump-forming. There are cultivars of this plant with white flowers and dark leaves.

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More info: https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/GEMA

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** This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.

Cardinal flower is a herbaceous perennial in the Campanulaceae (bellflower) family that may grow 4 to 5 feet tall. The common name is in reference to the red robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals.

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It is easily grown in rich, medium to wet soil in full sun to part shade. The soil should never be allowed to dry out, and It will tolerate brief flooding. Although it will tolerate full sun in northern climates, it appreciates partial afternoon shade in hot summer climates of the lower Midwest and South. Root mulch should be applied in cold winter climates to protect the root system and to prevent root heaving. Mulch will also help retain soil moisture.  If desired, this plant can be grown in a 1 gallon or larger container using rich, moist potting soil.  

This plant is effective in moist areas of woodland/shade gardens, wet meadows, or along streams or ponds. Also water gardens and rain gardens. It also adds late summer bloom and height to borders as long as the soil is kept uniformly moist.  It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies making it a welcome addition to a pollinator garden.

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More info: https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/LOCA2

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Bee balm is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. This plant prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun but will tolerate some shade. Bee balm can reach a height of 4 feet and will spread rapidly by underground stolons. Blossoms attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, and the leaves have a minty aroma when crushed.

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Bee balm provides color and contrast for the perennial border, cottage garden, specimen planting, native and pollinator garden, meadow, naturalized planting, and along ponds or streams. It is used in herbal medicine, and its flowers are edible.

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More info: https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/MODI

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