Is found growing in rocky/sandy soil and dry, open woods, gravel stream banks, thickets, prairies, bluffs, glades, roadsides, railroads. Tolerates droughts and floods. It naturalizes easily through self seeding but also propagates through rooting of its prostrate stems. The showy blooms grow on new wood, so cut back to the ground in the winter and it will come back next with vigor in the spring. 

An attractive, low maintenance shrub for wet, salty areas. A bushy-branched shrub, with narrowly lance-shaped leaves. Can be pruned and shaped regularly.

Showy flowers and drought tolerance, make this a desirable plant. Numerous short stems with a mound of flowers. Colors range from deep lavender, pinks, whites and blue, with a yellow central disk. It prefers acid soils in mixed woods of hickory, pine, and oak, but can grow in open habitats. 

Also known as Clasping Aster, it is found in meadows and open woods. Works well in woodland borders or cottage gardens.  Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil. It prefers full sun, but does tolerate some shade. 

As the common name suggests, this is one of the showiest of the many goldenrod species that occur throughout the United States. Pinch or cut off spent flowers to encourage additional bloom. 

As the name suggests, this native aster sports purple stems.  Also known as Swamp Aster, can be found in our swamp and wetter areas. It is easily grown in average, wet, well-drained soil in full sun, and easily self-seeds.  A favorite of many of our native bees.

Drought-tolerant, nitrogen-fixing, this plant is a high-value wildlife plant and is a host plant for butterflies, a forage plant, a nectar plant for pollinators and seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. 

American boneset, also called common boneset or American thoroughwort, is an easy growing, tall pollinator plant that loves moist, sunny areas.  It is easily identified by its opposite, stalkless leaves that are fused together across the stem, making them look like a single leaf that has been pierced by the stem.

Yarrow is an easy to grow garden plant.  It can be used in fresh or dried arrangements and has a pleasing fragrance. Yarrow was formerly used for medicinal purposes: to break a fever by increasing perspiration, to treat hemorrhaging and as a poultice for rashes. A tea used by Native Americans to cure stomach disorders was made by steeping the leaves.

A favorite of pollinators with huge, domed flower heads, Hollow Joe-pye Weed is a dramatic back-of-the-border garden plant. Found near freshwater pond edges, it prefers partial shade, and moist soil. Safe for pets.