Lists-don’t think all plants listed are suitable for your yard!!! The plants listed were chosen because they attract the birds, pollinators, butterflies or what ever that list was made to attract. DO YOUR RESEARCH use .edu .org .gov sites

Native plants-plants that were in the geographic area before the arrival of Europeans.Nonnatives contain fewer insect prey, which can result in increased starvation by nestlings relying on insect prey as food. This notion is supported by the finding that about 120 species of insects are found feeding on purple loosestrife in Europe, whereas only 12 were found in a study in southern Illinois. In 2000 a similar study, by Karen Burhardt, was conducted in suburban landscapes found that landscapes dominated by Asian ornamentals were correlated with a significant loss in breeding bird species and abundance. Chickadees This spring, if you live in North America, put up a chickadee nest box in your yard. If you are lucky, a pair of chickadees will move in and raise a family. While they are feeding their young, watch what the chickadees bring to the nest: mostly caterpillars. Both parents take turns feeding the chicks, enabling them to bring a caterpillar to the nest once every three minutes. And they do this from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. for each of the 16 to 18 days it takes the chicks to fledge. That's a total of 350 to 570 caterpillars every day, depending on how many chicks they have. So, an incredible 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars are required to make one clutch of chickadees. The caterpillars are collected from within 50 meters. Chickadees weight 1/3 of an ounce = 4 penniesUrban Forestry Toward an Ecosystem Services Research Agenda copywrite National Academy of Science Douglas Tallamy-Bringing Nature Home

US Fish and Wildlife Service says: Animals pollinate approximately 75 percent of the crop plants grown worldwide for food, fiber, beverages, condiments, spices, and medicines. It has been calculated that one out of every three to four mouthfuls of food we eat and beverages we drink is delivered to us by pollinators. EconomyPlants help: Biodiversity, prevent erosion, clean waterways and so much more

US Dept. of Agriculture says it best:Without pollinators, we don’t eat—it’s simple as that—and, at the moment, large numbers of pollinators are dying. With the world’s population projected to exceed 9 billion in just the next 30 years or so, that is not a good position for us to be in.

STUDY FINDS INSECTS MIGRATE EVEN MORE THAN BIRDS. Do your homework about neonictinoids. Neonicotinoids are a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicotine. In the 1980s Shell and in the 1990s Bayer started work on their development. The neonicotinoid family includes acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam. Pesticides themselves aren't necessarily a death sentence for bees—and debate rages over

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whether, when properly applied, these chemicals can be used safely among pollinators. But exposure to them seems to open the door to other killers. For example, bees exposed to sublethal doses of neonicotinoids—the type the EU is banning and that are used routinely in the U.S. on wheat, corn, soy, and cotton crops—become more easily infected by the gut parasite Nosema.Stay in the soil for years-Neonicotinoid pesticides can remain in the soil for years, and continue to be taken up by the plant (and the bees).Ortho is phasing out Neonicotinoids by 2020!

Monarch life timetable:

March /April - 1st generation are born - egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, adult butterfly, mate, lay eggs, die

May/ June - 2nd generation are born - egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, adult butterfly, mate, lay eggs, die

July/August - 3rd generation are born - egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, adult butterfly, mate, lay eggs, die

Sept/Oct - 4th generation are born - egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, adult butterfly, no mate, no lay eggs, no die, start migrating SOUTH, get there and hibernate

Eastern North American monarchs fly south using several flyways then merge into a single flyway in Central Texas. It is truly amazing that these monarchs know the way to the overwintering sites even though this migrating generation has never before been to Mexico

Western Monarchs living west of the Rocky Mountain range in North America overwinter in California along the Pacific coast near Santa Cruz and San Diego. Here microclimatic conditions are very similar to that in central Mexico. Monarchs roost in eucalyptus, Monterey pines, and Monterey cypresses in California.

February/March still 4th generation - wake up, mate, start migrating North and lay eggs on way, die

Generation 1 monarchs are the offspring of the monarchs who overwintered in Mexico. Each successive generation travels farther north. It will take 3-4 generations to reach the northern United States and Canada. They migrate because of cold weather.

Because all the migrating monarchs are concentrated in just a few locations during the winter, they are especially vulnerable to harsh weather and to human activities that disrupt or destroy their habitat. This can reduce the number of monarchs that leave the overwintering sites in the spring. Similarly, migrating and breeding monarch populations are vulnerable to harsh weather and to human activities that reduce

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milkweed and nectar sources. This can reduce the number of monarchs that reach overwintering sites.Every backyard can become an oasis for monarchs and other pollinators, even in cities. Schools, youth and community groups, businesses, and state and local governments can engage in planting native milkweed and protecting monarch habitat along roadsides, rights of way, and other public and private lands.

Using environmental cues, the monarchs know when it is time to travel south for the winter. Monarchs use a combination of air currents and thermals to travel long distances. Some fly as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home!Monarchs can travel between 50-100 miles a day; it can take up to two months to complete their journey. The farthest ranging monarch butterfly recorded traveled 265 miles in one day.

Monarchs weigh about ½ gram-a regular paper clip weighs 1 gramCan’t fly in rainFlap wings 300 to 720 times a minute

University of MinnesotaReplace lawn areas with native plants. Lawns aren't particularly effective at absorbing and retaining water, especially during heavy rains. This is a problem not only because more natural precipitation runs off them, but also because they may require a lot of irrigation, which in turn can create even more runoff. Native plants, such as shrubs and wildflowers, tend to develop more extensive root systems that take in and hold water much better than lawns. As an added bonus, they require less maintenance than a lawn does.All of this goes from a storm drain directly to a stream or river! 1. Garbage 2. Oil and grease 3. Gasoline 4. Sediment from construction sites and urban runoff 5. Metal flakes from rusting vehicles and brakes 6. Road salt 7. Lawn pesticides8. Agricultural herbicides 9. Heavy metals from roof shingles 10. Pet waste 11. Leaves12. Grass clippings 13. Bacteria 14. Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen15. Other chemicals 16. Illicit discharges such as paints, cleaning solution products and used motor oil.

Archived EPA Conference 2004 about native plants-over 200 research papers• Only one area of agreement!!!• A landscape’s visible characteristics are the basis for public perception. • Dense, messy plots are not acceptable• Native landscape designers can build in “cues to care” to gain public acceptance.

Structures such as fences, and sidewalks, indicate that a landscape is not neglected. Open water is perceived as desirable—as long as it doesn’t look dirty or smell bad. Picturesque curves and crisp edges and lines also have high appeal.

• Native landscapes are often designed for their environmental benefits, but they must also be designed for public perception in order to be sustainable over the long term.

• You are an ambassador-for better or worse

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Check the sun and shade in your yard every few years-first day of spring, summer, fall, and winter at 8:00, 12:00, and 4:00 Take soil samples uaex.edu for instructions—FREE!

There will be pluses and minuses for each plant- some you have to really want in your yard to justify the time and energy they take to maintain.

Trees: Willow Oak: (Querus phellos) -- Thomas Jefferson's favorite tree. Small leaves decompose rapidly do not stop up city drains. Fast growing but long lived. Major wildlife life food source because of heavy acorn production- small acorns 80’ to 100’tallX 40 or more wide not picky about soil, but needs full sun and prefers moist loamy well drained soil ½” acorns

Red maple: (Acer rubrum) 30 to 90’ tall USDA “ wider soil range than any other North American tree.” Like full sun to part shade and well drained soil. Like medium to wet, fast growing. Has shallow flattened root system that can buckle driveways and sidewalks if planted too close.

Black gum or Black tupelo: (Nyssa sylvatica- Nymph of the woods) Beautiful fall color – first to turn red in the fall- pyramid shape – taller than wide- deep 50+ feet tall 20-30’ wide, great for suburban yards because not too wide, taproot do not dig from wild – Important food source for migrating birds. Male and female trees-females for berries.

Dogwood: (Cornus florida) – 15- 30’ tall 15 to 20’ wide red berries are poisonous to humans- USDA “soil improver because leaf litter decomposes more rapidly than most trees making its mineral constituents more readily available.” Disease called anthracnose. Understory, prefers some shade especially afternoon, 30 species of birds eat the fruits. Pioneers chewed the twigs to use as a toothbrush. There are other native Dogwoods in Arkansas

Redbud: (Cercis) The leaves are heart shaped and turn golden yellow in the fall. There is a white Redbud! Forest Pansy- has urple leaves in spring. Young leaves were eaten like cooked spinach by pioneers. Whole families would go gather high in Vitamin C. Part shade not long lived about 20 years- Rich moist well-drained soil. 20’T

Carolina Silverbell: (Halesia carolina(tetraptera] or diptera) 30’ tall 20’ wide Gold Medal Award winner in 1995 and was described as having absolutely everything going for it except fame. There is a pink and a variegated form. Sun to part shade,-bees

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love, needs acidic soil, moist but well drained, multi trunked

Fringe tree: (Chionanthus virgincus) 12 to 20’ tall and 12 to 20’ wide Old Mans Beard or Grancy graybeard- Moist well drained soil but very adaptable. The fall color is bright yellow. Will take full sun but likes part shade-multi trunked- male and females-females make little blue fruit if pollinated

American Smoke Tree: (Cotinus obovatus, syn. Rhus cotinoides)Full sun part shade, poor soil, no fertilizer for best fall color, spring bloom looks like a puff of smoke, gorgeous fall color-yellows to orangey red, will take very dry conditions after established. Males and female trees, 20-30’T and W

Extra trees:

Black Cherry: (Prunus serotina) 50+feet tall, wildlife loves, deer candy, tent caterpillar magnet too and they defoliate, very messy, sun to part shade, not picky about soil, average water, but drought tolerant after established. Wilted leaves, seeds, and twigs are poisonous if ingested, contains hydrogen cyanide so keep away from children.

Eastern Redcedar: (Juniperus virginiana) evergreen 50 species of birds use the tree for food. It is also an important winter habitat for birds. Early settlers planted a Red cedar on either side of their front door for good luck, government/windbreak hundreds planted after the dust bowl drought of the 1930’s. 40-50’ tall and 20 wide, any soil, after established very drought tolerant, prefers full sun, but will grow in part shade.

PawPaw: (Asimina triloba) need 2 to produce fruit, Lewis and Clark used them when their supplies washed away, Thomas Jefferson’s favorite fruit, tastes like cross between banana and mango, antioxidants same as cranberries Native Americans made a Pawpaw beer type drink, Paw Paw fruit has yellow-green skin and soft, orange flesh with a creamy, custard-like consistency and a delicious sweet flavor. Fruits are frequently eaten raw or used in ice creams or pies, although they can produce nausea in some people. Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, acidic, fertile soils. Will grow in deep shade but becomes leggy. 15-30’ tall and wide takes 4-5 years to bear fruit.

Tulip poplar or Yellow poplar: (Linirodendron tulipifera) 150’ tall deciduous –Crowley’s Ridge in Arkansas, Flowers used by hummingbirds and honeybees butterflies. Seeds are eaten by many songbirds Fast grower but fairly strong can not take drought, full sun, acidic soil, give plenty of room!

Magnolia trees: - Southern magnolia E (Magnolia grandiflora) "the glory of Southern gardens and the envy of those in the North." We think of it as suitable only for huge amounts of land and warm climates. EvergreenCultivar Little Gem--- 15' to 20' tall and blooms throughout the summer.

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4 other native magnolias in AR -they are deciduous Cucumber tree (M. acuminata) 6" greenish flowers that Rapid growth but long livedmature into 4" irregularly shaped "cucumbers" that are purplish red. The leaves turn yellow in the fall. A very tall tree that likes evenly moist soil. Bigleaf magnolia (M. macrophylla) the leaves are over 3' long with wonderfully smelling l' creamy white flowers. The leaves turn pale yellow in the fall. Instead of a banana tree try this-it gives a neat tropical look to your yard. A small tree in Arkansas that needs well-drained soil. Umbrella magnolia (M. tripetala) small tree in Arkansas that has large 2' leaves that are whorled or clustered at the ends of the twigs and large 10" flowers that smell bad! Sweetbay D or E (M. virginiana) varies ftom a shrub to a large tree. Leaves are small for a magnolia, about 7" and the flowers are about 4" white and fragrant. Greensboro Arboretum and the New York botanical Garden highly recommend it. It is disease free, grows in bogs and in ordinary garden soil, tolerates shade and has a wonderfully sweet lemony fagrance. After the spring flush of blooms, it blooms sporadically during the summer.

Sarvisberries: (Amelanchier candensis) This is the early blooming white flowered tree in Arkansas. 20 species of birds eat the fruit, 6’ to 30’ tall multistemmed, suckers at base, fruit is edible purple black sweet fruit the size of a small olive- seed taste like almonds- pioneers dried the fruit to use like raisins- used fresh fruit in pies and puddings- fruit high in iron- Used in church services or Sarvisis likes full sun tolerates part shade, moist well drained soil, likes mulch around its feet!

Shrubs:American Holly (Ilex opaca) Evergreen, moist, well drained, very good soil will help with growth. Likes full sun part shade buy not too much shade. Need male and female for berries. VERY SLOW GROWER but many cultivars so check and see what is available. 30-50’ tall and not as wide, most have natural pyramid shape-check cultivar.

Ninebark: Physocarpus opulifolius Michael Dirr “An American native much more common in European gardens than here. Adaptable to all conditions, probably even nuclear attacks and once established needs a bulldozer for removal” There are many cultivars of either purple or lime to golden foliage and different sizes. Common 10X10 Newest cultivar Little Devil 3X4 Mounding arching shrub, the name comes from the peeling bark-nine layers? Blooms on old wood cut to ground every 3-4 years, species really suckers, newer cultivars not as much. In Arkansas it really likes afternoon shade. Zone 8 is about the end of its comfort zone-help with some hade and extra water.Native Americans used branches for knitting needles. Birds love the seeds. Host plant for Columbia Silk Moth.

Spirea (Spirea tomentosa) 4X4 Slowly suckers, seeds persist so good winter food source for birds. Blooms on new wood, cut way back in Feb. deadhead for almost continual bloom, name came because the flowers reminded early settlers of church steeples. Pretty bright gold fall foliage. Called hardtack because of the tough stems,

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pretty exfoliating reddish bark. Not drought tolerant, sun or part shade. As I said, deadhead for more blooms.

Hardy hibiscus: The cut leafed ones don’t show insect damage as much, late to come out in spring-mark the spot. Dead head for much more bloom, cut by half when plant about a foot tall to make plants bushier. Columbus Botanical garden, “if you have a passion for the Caribbean or are a backyard wildlife enthusiast, this plant is for you, Hardy hibiscus.” Native Americans used the fiber from Hibiscus coccineus, also called Scarlet Rose mallow or “Star of Texas” for rope.

Turks Cap: (Malvaviscus arboreus) Turks Cap var. drummondii is in the Hibiscus family 4X4 Turks cap or Scotsman’s purse, vermillion red flowers from a tube, prefers some shade, full sun causes the leaves to be crinkled, rough, smaller, and darker. Tough dense deep roots, drought tolerant, red fruit is edible, called Mexican apple, pollinated by hummingbirds and is a great nectar plant.

Viburnum: many are native to North America, growing in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 9. Viburnums native to North America don’t possess the intense, spicy fragrance of their Asian cousins. However they do offer a fabulous fall display and abundant fruit clusters, popular with birds and wildlife. Most are tough enough for hostile urban environments and many are xeric or drought tolerant. As with all viburnums, they are bothered by few pest problems and possess good disease resistance. The only pruning required is for removing dead wood and to shape or maintain size. Prune after flowering.Arrow wood- Clemson - Arrowwood (V. dentatum): Arrowwood is native to Arkansas. It is variable in size, growing 6 to 15 feet tall and as wide. The dark green, 4-inch leaves turn yellow to reddish purple in fall. Cream-colored flowers in late spring are followed by blue to blue-black fruit. Cream-colored flowers of arrowwood viburnum More Arkansas native viburnums - lots of choices:

Beautyberry: (Callicarpa Americana) 6X6 max, bird magnet, beauty berry raisins, carpenal insect repellant, leaves have strong aroma when crushed, trim to ground in very early spring-blooms on new wood, will bloom and live in fairly dense shade, likes fertile soil, more sun = more water. Check the name--there is a Japanese one, Callicarpa japonica, that is frequently sold as Beautyberry and people think they are getting our native. The Japanese one was put in at Witt Stephens!

St Johnswort: Hypericum “Wort” means a plant used for food or medicine. Hypericum prolificum “Shrubby St Johswort” has a naturally rounded shape, has blue/green foliage, pretty all summer, sun but will wilt, likes part shade best part, drought tolerant after established, blooms on new wood-shape after bloom and cut really hard in Feb. Michael Dirr says it is a useful shrub in the landscape. All Hypericums are short lived. There are other choices besides prolificum, check them out, care is the

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same. 1-5T X 1-4’W

Lead plant: (Amorpha canescans) 3' shrub with orange and purple 6 inch spike raceme flowers in summer. The silvery gray foliage turns yellow in the fall. Enriches the soil with nitrogen. Full sun to part shade, water sparingly-dry to average, deer resistant trim when dormant, very deep roots hard to move. There are others.

Fragrant Sumac: (Rhus aromatic) full sun to part shade, 2 to 6 tall and 6 to 8 wide, leaves are fragrant and have attractive shape, average water, Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of wide range of soils except those that are poorly drained. Low maintenance with showy fruit on females. Shallow fiberous roots, good for erosion control. Flowers do not smell good and some people get rash from sap. Birds and bees love the plant-trim to shape in Feb. There is one called Low Gro used as a ground cove, and it can be cut with a weed eater to keep it about a foot tall-Feb.

Hydrangea: Wild hydrangea (Hydrangea aborescens) At first glance, the smooth Hydrangea looks very similar to a classic mop head Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) with white flowers.The good news about this Hydrangea is that it has almost none of the problems that haunt to classic Bigleaf Hydrangeas. They prefer partial shade, but can live in dense shade. The flower show may be a little reduced, but they still look great in a shade garden. Unlike the reblooming Bigleaf Hydrangeas, smooth Hydrangeas bloom on new branches every season, so you can trim smooth Hydrangeas dramatically each spring to promote new growth.  New blooms will open throughout the season and you can even trim off old blooms to promote new ones.Means water vessel, blooms new wood, cut back hard in early spring, lacecap white Annabellis a cultivar so in Invincible. All like part shade can make it in more sun if more water will also take pretty dense shade. 1-5 X 1-5’

Yaupon holly: (Ilex vomitoria) Evergreen Female have berries, tea from leaves incredibly high in caffeine— will make a person vomit, cultivated by NA for use in ceremonies, evergreen, easily shaped by trimming, suckers, adapts to many soils and will take part shade but likes full sun, there are lots of cultivars even dwarf and weeping. Some with yellow berries. 15-20’ tall but easily pruned to the height you want.

Wax Myrtle: (Myrica cerifer ) Evergreen, berries on female plants, scented foliage, natural insect repellant, planted around homes to get rid of insects, preferred for nesting birds, high energy berries for migrating birds, Myrtle Warbler, suckers LOTS, easily cut back hard to keep preferred height 20X20 can prune severely to manage, moist to average water, plants start best if given a little extra phosphorus. You can see them at Heifer and Witt Stephens. You can limb them up to make a tree form.

Azaleas: Rhododendron All Ark ones deciduous prinophyllum called Mountain: flowers clove frag, bloom before or same time as

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leaves emerge 4-8X4-8’ Rhododendron viscosum called White or Swamp: Tolerates more moisture, colonizes by root suckers, white/pink flowers musky or clove frag, blooms after leaves emerge. 3-5X3-5’ These are the two easiest in our gardens. Most of the others are pretty picky, but these are good.

Red Buckeye:-(Aesculus pavia) Blooms early, dies back early, looks bad in yard by late August, don’t plant in front, choose a location where growth of other plants around it allows it to be visibly showcased in the spring, yet more obscured in the fallwhen the flowers and leaves are gone. Resistant to most pests including deer, Aesculus pavia can develop leaf blotch. Overwatering of this species is usually the cause of leaf spot diseases, but likes moist soil. Seeds poisonous, pollinated by hummingbirds. In Arkansas hang out hummer feeders when these red buckeyes bloom. Glabra (Ohio)=tree parviflora (Bottlebrush)=colonies Can prune Buckeyes after blooming. 20X12’

Virginia sweetspire: – (Itea virginica) Cut to ground in winter to rejuvenate or prune after flowering Flowers very fragrant, bush natural vase weeping shape, does well in pots, cultivars are smaller, suckers but they can be removed spreads by underground runners, likes moist soil but fairly drought tolerant after established, good for mass plantings. Not picky about soil. Rabbits love it. 3-5’T

New Jersey Tea: (ceanothus americanus) gets 36 to 40 inches tall and has white blooms in late spring or early summer. The foliage turns greenish yellow. 1.The shrub earned its popular name when colonists used its leaves as a substitute for tea during the American Revolution. 2.It is also an important protein supply for hummingbirds. This extremely adaptable species can withstand inhospitable conditions because of massive, deep roots. It is quick to recover after fire. Full sun part shade, DOES NOT LIKE WET FEET but wants a good drink, needs well drained soil, difficult to move after established because of deep roots, sends out suckers sparingly-prune in Feb. Great plant!

Strawberry Bush: (Euonymous anericanus)- “Deer Ice Cream” fruits poisonous, powerful laxative, prone to scale, naturalizes slowly by suckers, 4-8’ tall, light shade, likes moist soil and plenty of water but after established requires less. Adjusts to soil but likes acidic. Prune Feb. Like I said, a deer magnet!

Extra Shrubs:Mock orange: (Philadelphus lewisii) fragrant- orangey, large white flowers.Frequently referred to as English Dogwood, Favored nesting shrub for birds. There is a shorter species, Hairy mock orange (Philadelphus hirsutus)

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that is only 3 to 6 feet tall. Indians used the leaves and flowers for shampoo- if rubbed together the leaves and flowers make a sweet scented froth that resembles soap. Adapts to soil, but likes a regular drink of water, loved by pollinators, yellow fall color, 6X6 but a cultivar found in Canada, Blizzard, is 4X4 and has more blooms. Prune after bloom, cut out old canes at ground level or cut to ground every 4th year.

Button Bush: (Cephalanthus occidentalis) 8-15’ but can be pruned too size. Blooms are rich in nectar so pollinators love it! Interesting fuzzy spaceship looking blooms, yellowish color in fall. Fertile rich moist soil, likes wet feet but will adjust to regular garden if given supplemental water. Likes full sun but will take some shade, can be pruned into a multi-stemmed tree or cut in Feb. to control height. It will slowly sucker. Red Chokeberry: (Aronia arbutifolia) 6-10’ white flower in spring red berries in fall, beautiful fall color, member rose family, suckers. Full sun part shade-best berries in full sun, acidic soil, not picky about moisturs, multi stemmed, fruits stay on tree in winter because birds don’t eat-too astringent-Chokeberry. Excellent plant for pollinators. Black Chokeberry: (Aronia melanocarpa) 3-8’ suckers, full sun part shade, tolerant of soil and moisture, prettier fall color than Red. Rest same as Red, can trim suckers on both. Both have good cultivars. Both easiest to grow and let naturalize.

Roses: Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) has single, there is a double form, dark pink blooms. The bush has a pretty arching shape and small hips, rose seeds, that birds devour. Climbing pasture rose (Rosa setigera) has singe or double flowers that bloom late in the spring. There are variations of the bloom colors on the plant as the flowers fade. There will be deep pink, pink, light pink, blush pink, and white blooms all at the same time! It has an excellent crop of small dark hips. There is a thornless one. These can take over but you can prune after flowering, you will lose hips. Do not let it get away from you.1.Early settlers thought of the rose bush more as a kitchen garden plant then an ornamental plant. 2.Rose seeds (hips) were a source of vitamin C, and rose vinegar was made to preserve meat. 3.Rose potpourri helped mask home and body odors. 4.The leaves and roots were used to make rose tea, 5.rose wine was a popular drink. 6.The Rosary gets its name because rose leaves were crushed and made into a paste used to form the Rosary beads. The first pruning method for roses was to burn them to the ground every few years. Prune after flowering but you will lose hips.

Spice Bush:(Lindera benzoin) Fragrant Leaf, Good Fall color, Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly host plant. Attracts birds, can be tricky to get started, moist soil.

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Broad, rounded habit which typically grows 6-12' (less frequently to 15') high in moist locations in bottomlands, woods, ravines, valleys and along streams. Clusters of tiny, aromatic, greenish-yellow flowers bloom along the branches in early spring before the foliage emerges. Dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants), with the male flowers being larger and showier than the female ones. Flowers of female plants give way to bright red drupes (to 1/2" long) which mature in fall and are attractive to birds. Female plants need a male pollinator in order to set fruit. Drupes are very attractive, but are largely hidden by the foliage until the leaves drop. Leaves yellow in autumn. Leaves are aromatic when crushed. The larva (caterpillar) of the spicebush swallowtail butterfly feeds on the leaves of this shrub. The caterpillars spend most of the day in rolled up leaf shelters, coming out to feed at night. A tea can be made from the aromatic leaves and twigs. The dried drupes have a strong pepper-like taste mellowing to fruity that would be interesting in a variety of baked items such as gingerbread. The drupes are harvested when fully ripe (red) and used immediately as a flavoring or dried for later use. Twigs, used medicinally. Grow in partial sun to light shade and wet to moderately dry soil. Plant a male and a female plant for berries. Prune in Feb. if needed.

Deciduous holly: (Ilex verticillata) 3-15’ depending on cultivar, well drained soil of average moisture, sun to part shade-not too picky about any of this, important food source for birds, especially blue birds -flowers early spring or summer and must have a male pollinator. Males need to be within 50’ of the female. One male can pollinate up to about 5 females, some say more, but you MUST HAVE the male and female blooming at the same time. Most places give the matchups so you know what to purchase.

FLOWERS Arkansas Bluestar:, (Amsonia hubrichtii) Arkansas Bluestar, found in Ouachita Mountains in AR, Cut by half after flowering, Really narrow Leaves, pretty fall color/gold. Trim to make sturdy stems so it does not need to be staked. 3X3, full sun to part shade-well drained soil-low maintenance plant. Likes good moist humsy soil but will adapt-too much shade or too rich soil makes it floppy. Ozark Bluestar (Amsonia illustris) Bluestar, cut by half after bloom-keeps from flopping open, Pretty fall color Care same care as hubrichtii. There are others.

Beebalm:- (Monarda bradburiana) (Bradbury) 1’ to 2’/ mint family square stems, clump former doesn't take over the garden like many monardas. It doesn't get mildew...at least not in our hot, humid climate, and it's the earliest monarda to flower. Monarda bradburiana makes an 18" tall x 4' wide cushion of menthol scented foliage topped, starting in early May, with terminal, light pink spotted, gaillardia-like flowers that are a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds. Monarda bradburiana remains attractive with fascinating dried seed heads long after the flowers fade. Full sun part shade, average water. fistulosa (Wild bergamot) 2’ to 4’ full sun part shade, very fragrant, dry to medium moisture, but must have well drined soil, must have good air circulation because of powdery mildew-this one some what resistant, tends to self seed, dead head to prolong bloom, long summer bloom period. Monardas: Thymol- an antiseptic used today in

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mouthwash, mint family, can be thuggish, most spread by rhizomes, cut back after flowering to control mildew, if tall variety cut back by 1/2 before bloom to control flop,

Rudbeckia: Many plants meant good soil for pioneers, antibiotic and polysaccharides like Echinacea, Used for medical purposes, butterflies love, read plant labels, many heights, some annuals, some perennials Coneflower Rudbeckia maxima (Large or Cabbage), good. (Blackeyed Susan) Missouriensis 2’to3’ Sweet Coneflower colonizes/subtomentosa 3’to5” really good! Blooms last a long time. Need full sun to part shade, well drained soil that is not too rich. Fertilizer will make leafy weak plants, can side dress with compost, clumps don’t die out in center, don’t need frequent division, rabbits love, will get mildew but thinning will help control. Can control height by cutting to 4 inches when 6 and again later. Will bloom a little later. Bloom mid summer and deadheading will greatly prolong bloom time.

Butterfly Weed: (Asclepias???) The genus is diverse-sun or shade-wet or dry- A. tuberosa is the most familiar. It is the orange butterfly weed. 1.It is a Monarch butterfly magnet. 2.It does not transplant well because it has a taproot. A. exaltata likes light or dappled shade. It has white umbrels of flowers and later upright seed pods. A. incarnata is called Swamp milkweed but does not have to be in a swamp. It does well in a regular sunny border. It can be purple to white. There is a cultivar called Ice ballet that is for sure white and does well. A. purpascens or Purple Silkweed has glossy dark green foliage and rose purple flowers. It can also take dry shade. Do your research! Some like wet and some like dry. Some can be real thugs! Two best in our gardens are tuberosa and swamp-swamp does great in regular garden conditions. These are clumpers. One that will take over and you NEVER know where it is going to come up is syriaca. Rhizomes deep and very difficult to dig out, plus it gets 6 to7 feet tall. Wonderful if you have room. Rabbits love. Very fragrant.

Lobelia: – Cardinal Flower and Blue lobelia Leave stems uncut for winter, mound soil around stems Big Blue Lobelia (L. sphilitica) Does not require as much water, white form, NA used to treat syphilis, humming birds love both red and blue Cardinal Flower (Lobelias cardinalis) Trim back after flowering, red spikes of flowers, NA used as love potion, can be tricky to grow!!! Likes even moisture, learn to like where it comes up and lives. Water from air conditioner drain is good.

Coreopsis: A &P dry soil, name means bug-like. Used by pioneers to stuff their mattresses because they believed the plants kept the bedbugs away name Coreopsis means bug-like.-An infusion of the whole plant without the root was used by women desiring a female baby- 3.Annual and Perennial ones-all need dry soil –some can take over your garden.An annual is (C. tinctotia) which is easily grown from seed. It will usually reseed and has a long blooming time. (c. tripteris) is a giant and gets up to 9'. With continual monthly pruning it will bloom when only l' tall. No matter what you do, it will not bloom

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until late summer. It will self seed, but the plants are easily smothered by mulch or leaves. There are several perennial coreopsis. All coreopsis need to be deadheaded to keep blooming. C.grandiflora 'Gold fink'. Goldfink is a dwarf version and only gets 8" tall. Slugs love it and it needs daily deadheading to keep it blooming. It does best in hot dry conditions. C. lanceolota is floppy but works well in an informal border. Except for deadheading it is carefree. C. moonbeam is a cultivated variety with American parents. It is a TRUE WORKHORSE! It will bloom several months even without deadheading. It likes full sun and gets 18" to 24" high. It has pale yellow flowers and wispy foliage. Rabbits love it. C. palmata forms dense patches through rhirnzones. It was one of the main plants on the original prairies. It will grow in dry soil- even sand. C. verticillata or threadleaf has a long bloom period with golden yellow flowers. It has feathery foliage. If you have dry areas or difficult spots this plant will live there. If you give it good soil and water, it will take over your garden. Research before you buy.

Crossvine: Evergreen (Bignonia capreolata) this is not the same as Trumpet vine or Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans). In a normal garden where trumpet vine would get fertilizer and water it would make lots of foliage and few blooms. Crossvine is a high climbing evergreen plant that blooms in early spring with 2" red and yellow trumpet flowers. It can grow up a tree or trellis (big) or up a masonry wall on the sides of your house. Undamaging, unlike English Ivy or Trumpet Creeper. More flowers in full sun, likes a regular drink of water but after established is fairly drought tolerant. Hummingbirds pollinate it. If you slice a stem there is a cross inside.

Christmas Fern: (Polystichum acrositichoides)--- Clumping, evergreen, used for Christmas decorations by pioneers, food source for pioneers, plant rhizome at angle to avoid crown rot. The Christmas fern is a particularly accommodating garden plant. It is adapted to a wide range of conditions, from very dry to moist, and is hardy to Zone 3. The plant’s 1- to 2-foot fronds are dependably evergreen—hence the common name—but they lie flat on the ground through the winter. Few hardy ferns have more beautiful deep, glossy green foliage. Very adaptable, but likes full to part shade and fertile, humusy, well-drained soil. When thinking fern, ask: is it a runner or clumper!

Wild ginger: (Asarum) They are for dappled light and rich, good, acid soil. Heartleaf (A.arifolium) is evergreen. It does not make a good ground cover because it does not like to be crowded. It looks great in small patches. It is also attractive to slugs, but they do not bother it in dry shade areas. Asarum canadense is deciduous and is the easiest to grow. It gets 3" to 10" tall and makes an excellent ground cover. It has valentine shaped leaves and is ginger smelling. It spreads by rhizomes that our forefathers used as a substitute for ginger. Always been associated with childbirth and the common name is Birthwort. It was used as a tea to ease the aches and pains of pregnancy and was also used to treat coughs. The plant has been found to contain chemicals that are effective antibiotics. The plant "flower" is called little brown jug or pigs feet. It is so close to the ground it has to be pollinated by a crawling insect! Prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Easy to grow. Average water

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Indian Pink: (Spigelia marilandica) Roots are pink, will rebloom if cut back after blooming, red and yellow trumpet shaped flowers, likes shade, fertile soil, clumper of 1-2 feet across, rabbits love but one of best attractors for hummingbirds. Average moisture, fibrous roots. Can deadhead to control seedlings.

Iris: Dye-flowers make blue dye, roots make black dye, root used to soothe teething children, roots smell like violets used today in toothpaste, air fresheners and perfume Iris-cristata 3” to 6” average water in part shade to full shade-in full sun must have constant moisture. Moderately rich well drained soil, don’t like too much fertilizer and need to divide every 4 years. Copper (fulva) 3’tall flowers 3”across and flat, moist to wet soil likes sun to part shade, more water in full sun, colonizes by rhizomes so thin if spreads too far, cut old foliage in Feb when it looks ratty. This can be a chore. Blooms are open a short time.

Passionflower: (Passiflora incarnata) It is called Maypop and is a deciduous vine that can be very invasive even if you take off the Maypop fruits. The fruits are edible. Speedy grower that likes full sun to part shade. Has tendrils to help it climb and spread but spreads by suckers. Keep on a trellis and that helps with spread but does not stop it because it suckers. Do not over water. It is aggressive and difficult to control.It is the State Flower of Tennessee and is a symbol of faith and piety. It is called the flower of the five wounds by the Jesuits and the passion flower is believed to be the flower that grew on the cross in a vision seen by St. Francis of Assisi. High in Niacin, flowers cooked as a veg.

Pink Evening Primrose: (Oenothera speciosa) 6” to 2’ plant pretty pink flower that starts white and turns pink. Full sun dry to medium soil, drought tolerant, plants will spread aggressively by rhizomes and self seeding to form huge colonies. Get very ugly foliage as they age. Horribly aggressive and almost impossible to eradicate.

Poinsettia : (Euphorbia cyathopora). Annual It reseeds and is easy to keep going. It has wonderfully shaped leaves of a pretty green. It gets little patches of red on the leaf brackets. ES and NA used the sap to treat insect bites.1-3’ needs regular water, full sun, and good garden soil. Can be invasive because of reseeding but easy to pull. Trim plants as they grow, early, to make them bushy and full.

Echinacea: Purple Coneflower-(Echinacea purpurea)- Cut back by ½ to control growth, deadhead, can be thuggish with reseeding, famous for medicinal properties, Purpurea now been bred to many colors and is the most forgiving of the Echinaceas. Likes neutral soil, and regular water but are drought tolerant. Long blooming MUST deadhead, full sun to part shade, in part shade more likely to flop over. Has fibrous roots and not a taproot like most of the other Echinaceas. If you do not divide they will die out in the center. Pale pallida has drooping petals takes heat and humidity, taproot can not dig. Full sun best, deadhead and get another bloom, not picky about soil but likes well drained.

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Blanket flower: (Gaillardia) -Short-lived perennial, no heavy clay soils, Deadhead and it will bloom all summer, must have good drainage and SUN, winter wet feet kills it. Can reseed but plants are clump forming, in AR does best with afternoon shade, too much shade = floppy. Flowers best in poor soil

Rattlesnake Master: (Eryngium yuccifolium) Taproot, so you can not move it. Carrot family, name treatment for rattlesnake bite, chew root, host Swallowtail Butterfly . Spiny leaves can hurt, 4-6’tall, water average but needs well drained, can be very aggressive re-seeder so remove seed heads to control, too much fertilizer or shade will make plant need staking. After stalk blooms new plants come up from base, the old stalk can start to look bad, turns black so you can cut it off. Plant will make a clump just like Yucca. Remove some side babies to control if you want smaller plant.

Solomon Seal: (polygonatum biflorum) It likes shade and makes a pretty groundcover. Likes moisture, There is a variegated form. You can tell the age of the plant by counting the stem scars on the roots, one for each year. NA made pickles and flour from the roots and settlers thought you could keep spiders and snakes out of the house by placing leaves on the floor, Seal of the Blessed Virgin. Spreads by rhizomes but very slowly, if you want to limit your clump dig and divide in early spring or fall. Does not need deadheading, and will adjust to less water after established. Grows well at base of trees and is deer resistant. Likes rich acidic soil best. Columbine: (Aquiegia candensis) Sweet like candy to eat, cut after flowering, hummingbirds and bees, high quality nectar, part shade, dry shade because of taproot, leaf miners, can be invasive, remove new seedlings when young. Birds and bees love these plants. Plants like acidic soil and average water but will be more drought tolerant after established. Shear mid summer to limit mass seeding and to keep plants looking tidy because of leaf miners. Leaves will fill back in on short neat plants.

Blue False Indigo: (Baptisia australis) Yellow False Indigo: (Baptisia sphaerocarpa) -for all Baptisias- Extensive root system very difficult to move after established. Trim after flowering to keep from flopping but that sacrifices seed pods, interesting seed pods. A favorite of NA as medicine, you can root stems and cuttings. Baptisia means dye, there are blue, white, yellow, and cream colored Baptisias. All Baptisias like full sun but will live in part shade but will be “leggy” in too much shade. Need average water to look best but will be drought tolerant after established. Can live and bloom in one place for decades and make a nice specimen plant-except in early fall they start to look raged, especially if you did not cut them back earlier. They get black leaves and stems but you can cut those stems to about 6”from the ground.

Helianthus: 52 species so a large family. 2 are grown commercially as food crops-sunflowers and Jerusalem artichokes. Some are annuals and some are perennials. Read labels! Almost all can be cut in mid summer by a third to

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control height. I have cut early early and again mid summer, bloomed later but manageable. Helianthus augustifolia is a P with thin leaves and likes lots of water and is also known as swamp sunflower and thin leaved sunflower. It gets over 6 feet. Very aggressive has rhizomes but they are not deep-get them early. Cut by a 1/3 in mid summer and they branch more and don’t flop. Helianthus mollis is a P and likes very dry soil but will adjust to regular garden soil. It is known as Ashy or rough leaved sunflower and has fairly wide hairy leaves with pretty gray green color. Very aggressive but hardy, remove seed heads to help control, but it spreads by rhizomes. It gets 2-5 feet tall.

Honeysuckle: (Lonicera sempervirens) Native honeysuckle is generally evergreen and is not invasive like Japanese honeysuckle. Do Not Get Them Confused. There are two great native cultivars. Red is Major Wheeler-gets about 12 feet tall and does not climb. You have to twine it around a support or use it as a ground cover. Not fragrant-can be cut way back or trimmed lots to keep it the way you want it. Blooms on old and new wood so can trim about any time but real pruning best done after first flush of spring bloom. Like John Clayton. It needs some shade in our area and has an exceptionally long bloom time. Hummingbirds love it and birds eat the fruits. Lonicera sempervirens F sulphurea John Clayton 6 to 12’ basically the same as Mayor Wheeler-John Clayton found at a church in Glouchester County Virginia. Sun to part shade, does best in some shade here. Has little fragrance but is not a horrible invasive thug like Japanese. Hummers love it. Blooms on old and new wood so can trim about any time but real pruning best done after first flush of spring bloom. Likes acidic well drained soil and is drought tolerant but looks best with a regular drink of water. Deer resistant! Has red fruits in fall and keeps its leaves all year-most years. Take soft wood cuttings in late spring or summer. All this applies to Major Wheeler too. I have used the flowers as Christmas decorations-the yellow one blooms all year for me.

Solidago/Goldenrod: Some can be very aggressive. Some clumpers and some spread by rhizomes. 1-5 feet tall wet to dry many well behaved cultivars-some are dwarf. Sun to part shade, some will take lots of shade. Late summer and early fall bloomers when you need color and pollinators need the food. Can cut back in early spring to make shorter. Goldenrod is frequently blamed for hay fever but simply happens to have a showy flower that blooms about the same time. Goldenrod is entomophilous, i.e., insect-pollinated. Its pollen is heavy and sticky and cannot become airborne. Almost all benefit from cutting by half in spring, make a bushier shorter plant. Cut after flowering to control massive seeds and to look good because the plants are prone to foliar problems after flowering. The goldenrods that scored highest in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s evaluation included two low-growing garden hybrids, ‘Baby Sun’ and ‘Goldkind’; cultivated varieties of Rough Stemmed (S. rugosa ‘Fireworks’), False (S. sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’) and Broad-leaved Goldenrod (S. flexicaulis ‘Variegata’); and Stiff

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Goldenrod (S. rigida). But there are other great possibilities. Just make sure you match the goldenrod you buy with its native habitat. Ragweed: The seeds are an important winter food for many bird species. Ragweed plants are used as food by the larvae of a number of Lepidoptera. Ragweed is a plant of concern in the global warming issue, because tests have shown that higher levels of carbon dioxide will greatly increase pollen production. On dry windy days, the pollen will travel many kilometers.

Aster, Fragrant: (Symphyotrichum oblongifolius) No noticeable floral scent, foliage minty fragrant when crushed, favorite of migrating monarchs, spreads LOTS by rhizomes, purple flowers late bloom time, cut back by half in late spring. Many Asters are short lived but usually reseed, others get woody and need to be divided every few years. Some are resistant to mildew and disease. Range from sun to shade and moist to dry. Cut back the taller ones and they won’t flop. Most all benefit from early spring cutting, but tall ones can be cut by 1/3 in mid summer if a late bloomer. It keeps them from flopping from the weight of their blooms. Asters can be invasive! Cut seed heads.

EXTRAS:American Pokeweed: (Phytolacca Americana) drought tolerant but prefers moist well drained soil and enough water to keep the soil moist. Can get 8’ tall, generally is pest free, likes full sun to part shade. Sun turns the sugar in the berries to alcohol! Never eat the roots!  Never!  The toxins in Pokeweed, range from deadly to mild.  They are usually concentrated in the roots, berries and seeds and include an alkaloid (phytolaccine), a resin (phytolaccatoxin), and a saponin (phytolaccigenin). Their effects can range from embarrassing to very nasty, including diarrhea, vomiting, internal bleeding, rapid heartbeat, convulsions, and much more, up to and includingdeath.  Blanching in changes of water eliminates most of the toxins from young leaves and stems, but caution is called for.  Also, since the berries are a very tempting looking bright red, you might want to think twice about having this plant in places frequented by young children. Plant sap can cause dermatitis in people.

Prairie Blazingstar: (Liatris pycnostachya) In warm climates this gets too tall and bends around itself like a pretzel. 3-5’ tall, drought tolerant but prefers consistent moisture. Must have well drained soil-wet in winter will kill it. Prefers poor soil but will adjust to garden soil if it is well drained. Pollinators love it-and all Liatris, but so do rabbits. It is a favorite of Goldfinches too. Blooms open top to bottom of flower stalk. Not weedy or aggressive. Aster family, full sun, comes from a corm that will set side shoots to form a nice clump. Liatris punctate needs even dried conditions than pycnostachya. Punctate has a taproot so you can’t move it. The best one for us is (Liatris spicata) because it likes richer more moist soil like we have. It is also shorter and much easier to manage. For years it was on the Arkansas Native Plant List, but two years ago they decided it was not originally found in Arkansas. It is found on the Missouri/Arkansas border.

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Bush’s poppy mallow: (Callirhoe bushii) can be messy-sprawling stems, spreads rapidly, large purple flower Cut back after bloom or when plants get lanky, cut any time it won’t hurt the plant. Need well drained soil, and full sun to part shade. Is drought tolerant after established. Can suffer from humidity and look best in spring and fall. Taproot,1-3’ average water

Mistflower: (Conoclinium coelestinum) Skippers and Swallowtails like nectar, aggressive-has long rhizomes, no scent in flowers, but crushed leaves smell good. Bluish purple flowers, cut back by ½ in early summer to increase branching and flower production, cut after flowering to control massive amount of seeds. Grows up to 3’, short lived, blooms late summer, deer resistant, sun to part shade and average water but does not like to be dry. Bees and butterflies absolutely LOVE! Great food for late season migrating pollinators.

Bonset: (Eupatorium perfoliatum) 3-4’ upright plant, makes clumps, can spread by rhizomes. Full sun part shade, not picky about soil but needs constantly moist soil. Deer resistant, and good for erosion control, has fibrous roots. Cut back in early spring by half or third to make bushier, otherwise kind of a stalkish, and to control height. Deadhead prolongs bloom and controls all the many many seeds.

Spiderlily: (Western Marsh Hymenocallis liriosme) Amaryllis family, very fragrant white flowers, moist soil, this is a bulb and will form a nice clump. Does not like to dry out. 2’ tall and 2-3 flowers on each stem. Amaryillis family

False Aloe: (Manfreda viginica) Tropical looking, flower stalks 4’ to 5’, fragrant flowers, really neat addition to garden, sun to part shade, needs well drained soil, thick leathery leaves with a basal rosette where the stalk emerges. Pollinated by sphinx moths. You can see it in front of wall at Pleasant Ridge shopping center.

Phlox: Called butterfly flower because it is flat for landing and has long tube for sipping nectar, flowers fragrany, taproot, spreads by seeds, cut back early when about 6 inches, deadhead to prolong bloom, all can suffer from mildew. Smooth Marsh (Phlox glaberrima) 2’-4’ clump former but still spreads, shear after blooming to get another bloom and help avoid disease, moist soils preferred, afternoon shade in Arkansas, helps to thin plants to avoid powdery mildew. Downy/Prairie (Phlox pilosa) 1-2’colonizes aggressively, sun to part shade, cut back by half in early spring to make plants branch and be full. Read labels! Many more possibilities.

Mountain mint: (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium ) 2-3’ dry to average soil, blooms spring through summer. Clump formers so not as aggressive but still send out runners. Does not have as strong a scent as others. Sun part shade, butterflies and bumblebees love, shallow root system so not as hard to control. Mountain Mint: (Pycnanthemum muticum)- Snow on the Mountain common name, has pulegone an insect repellant and repels mosquitos, special interest to native

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bees, Bumble bees, and honey bees, cutback, even if you remove the flowers it spreads by rhizomes. Cutting encourages bushy growth. Has exceptional fragrance. Likes consistent moisture, sun to part shade. Can be aggressive, has shallow rhizomes so can be pulled easily. All Pycnanthemum mints have tangy and refreshing wonderful scent. All are deer resistant! There are many many choices.

Mexican Hat: (Ratibida columnifera)- Deer Resistant “Prairie cone flower” Aster family, drought tolerant, tea from leaves for stomach ache, boiled leaves to treat snakebites, looks like hat worn for fiestas, full sun, dry soil, wet feet = death! Reseeds but not a problem. 3’ tall, average water but soil MUST be well drained. ***prefers soil a little alkaline. We usually don’t have, we have acidic, but it will try to adapt.

Wild petunia- (Ruellia pedunculata) (Stalked) Petunias have nectar guides for insects. Stalked can be a spreading problem, they come up randomly all over but are pretty, one source says you will be trying to give them away in three years. Full sun average water. The Mexican one that is popular now excels at invading wetlands and is classified as a category 1 invasive species in Florida. It displaces native plant communities and changes their structures and ecological functions. It will hybridize with natives.

Spiderwort: (Tradescantia hirsuticaulis) (Hairy) stem 1’ to 2’ not as vigorous as others, part shade, goes dormant in hot summer but is lush in winter. Clump former, dry poor soil but will take garden conditions. longipes (Wild Crocus) ground level, leaves die back after flowering ohiensis (Ohio) 2’ to 4’ cut back hard after flowering, plants will look very ragged if not cut. Full sun part shade, blooms long period of time during late spring and early summer. Opening first thing in the morning, the blooms are closed tight by early afternoon. By August, the plants have set seed and essentially disappeared, making room for summer blooming flowers. Get rid of this last foliage-messy. Spiderworts in general: Cutting the plants back once flowering has ceased can often promote a second bloom and will help prevent re-seeding. Cut the stems back about 8 to 12 inches from the ground. Since spiderwort is a vigorous grower, it’s probably a good idea to divide the plants in spring every three years or so. The main effort required to grow spiderwort will be the mid-season shearing. This prevents them from self-sowing and becoming weedy. Plus like I said, spiderwort declines considerably in the heat of summer, after flowering. Shearing the plants back by 1/3 or de-leafing to new growth will reinvigorate the plants and make them look a lot more presentable, for the rest of the season. Spiderwort plants will self-seed freely, sometimes to the point of becoming a nuisance. They are easy to pull out and an end of season shearing will cut back on the spread of seed.

Trumpet Creeper: (Campsis radicans) Be careful! 25-40’tallX10’wide. Huge maintenance plant. Use to naturalize. Average soil, average water, full sun for best flower production but will take some shade. Freely self seeds AND suckers profusely by long

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underground runners. The plant can choke out other plants. Climbing vine that climbs by aerial rootlets that can damage bricks and wood. Can cause skin rash from oils in leaves and sap. Some cultivars are less invasive.

Verbena, Rose: (Glandularia Canadensis) Stems root at nodes, cut back hard in summer, dead head regularly, short lived plant, purple flowers, good drainage a must, poor acidic rocky soil is preferred.

Letterman’s Ironweed: called Narrow leaf (Veronia lettermannii)-Found in AR on gravel bars, Quachita River, good for butterflies, bees and hummers, cut way back in fall, covered by purple flowers, compact 2-3’mildew can be a problem because the plants are so thick, divide and thin out every few years.

Missouri Ironweed: (Veronia missuria) great back of bed plant, butterfly magnet, 2-8’tall, tall stiff habit, damp soil but will adapt to average garden soil if not left to get too thirsty. Full sun to some shade-might flop in shade, fertile garden soil best. Cut back stems in late spring to control height and deadhead to control seeding. There are others.

Viola: (pedata), Bird’s Foot Violet- It is difficult to cultivate in typical garden environments because of an intolerance to rich, organic garden soils as well as excess moisture. Leave it and let it live. Viola (walteri) - 'Silver Gem' Walter's violet – prostrate blue violet not an aggressive violet. Spreads slowly by rhizomes and ground runners. 3” tall and very pretty, needs average moisture on a regular basis to spread, shade to part shade, and acidic very well drained soil. Violets are host plants for Diana fritillary. Horrible plant-Viola (soronia) Common Blue Violet

Quote by Allan M. Armitage: “Many gardeners are frightened of violets; some species are known to shed their seedsfar and wide quicklybecoming violet weeds. I would like to tell you the most of the bad guys come from other lands but thatis just not so. Our native , the dooryard violet, (Viola sororia) are aggressive. By nature they evolved to throw seeds and colonize.”

They are almost impossible to control or eradicate. Can be used as a ground cover but deteriorate in our heat.

Yucca: arkansana Smallest of Yucca group, Taproot, 6’-7’ flower stalk, “Indian cabbage” -bolied and ate flowers like cabbages, roots for fragrant shampoo. Plant in part shade! Must have very well drained soil. This Yucca is smaller and more delicate looking than the others. Pollinated by moths.

Wingstem: (Verbesina alternifolia) 4-8’ tall can be cut in half in mid spring to shorten, must deadhead after blooming to control massive amounts of seed. Can be invasive and is sometimes considered a noxious weed. Moist to well drained soil, thrives in consistently moist rich soil but will take drier conditions. Will not tolerate drought. Reseed easily-beware! Called Yellow Ironweed. The leaves are bitter and it is deer and

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rabbit resistant, but bees and butterflies love it. It can get away from you.

Golden Alexanders: (Zizia aurea) Meadow parsnip/ carrot family, taproot, Black Swallowtail Butterfly Host, important food source for beneficial insects, plant in full sun or part shade can take lots of water, the flowers last for a couple of weeks and the plant is a clumper. Not much care required, after blooming, it can be trimmed back if it looks ragged. There is also Heartleaf Alexander that takes less water and shade than Golden-otherwise similar (Zizia aperta)

Dutchman’s Pipevine (Aristolochia tomentosa ) Twinning vine, Host Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly, little bloom looks like Dutchman’s Pipe, gets large 30’ or more. Can be invasive! You can’t reach the seed capsules to remove. Plant in part shade and keep moist-at least average water, does not like to dry out. In Feb you can cut it way back, to the ground if you need to because it gets so tall. It has a taproot.

Suggestions:Be careful of plants that spread by rhizomes or stolons!Be careful of plants with huge seed production and seedlings that have strong roots at a very early age!Beware of plants that get too large unless you have the space, beware of plants that have to be staked!Remove a plant if it will not thrive for you, there are others that will!

Look for these terms: colonizes use in naturalized settings use in open woodland gardens use in wildflower gardens freely self-seeds Helianthus and Solidago – give extra thoughttaproot/can’t move after establishedRhizome = Is called creeping rootstalk, horizontal underground plant stem capable of producing the shoot and root systems of a new plant. Rhizomes are used to store starches and proteins and enable a plant to perennate (survive an annual unfavourable season) underground. In addition, those modified stems allow the parent plant to propagate vegetatively (asexually)Stolon = Also called a runner—is a slender stem that grows horizontally along the ground, giving rise to roots and aerial (vertical) branches at specialized points called nodes.Sucker = A part of the plant that grows from the root or lower stem to become a new plant.

Search by Latin name of plant- you will find more Use .org .gov .edu sites

Missouri Botanical Garden/missouribotanicalgarden.orgLady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center / wildflower.org when looking has

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NPINPine Ridge Gardens/pineridgegardens.com- download catalogUSDA Natural Resources Conservation Service/plants.usda.gov use this source to check to see if it an Arkansas native

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