This beautiful pine is adapted to dry, sandy, disturbed lands. It may take some time to establish, then grows rapidly on poor soils. The twigs, leaves and seeds are important wildlife food. Often appears dwarfed on exposed sites, and taller in more dense, protected forests. They are resilient, adapted to fire, and the cones are heat and fire dependent for opening and loosening seeds. Thick, rigid and sharp needles prevent deer browsing. 

Great Blue Lobelia is a great choice for shaded gardens. It may also be planted in full sun if the soil is kept moist. This wildflower prefers consistent moisture, and is a good choice for rain gardens. The beautiful blue flowers bloom from midsummer to early fall, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Toxic if eaten.

Also known as Cottongrass Bulrush or "Teddy-bear paws."  This is a densely-tufted, clumping rush that can be found in our wetlands.  Many brown, woolly bristles surround its nutlets giving a fuzzy appearance.  Good for moist gardens and alongside ponds.  Woolgrass is the host plant for the Dion Skipper butterfly and provides food for waterfowl.

One of the few St. John's-worts that have purple flowers, and one of our few native St. John's-worts.  Can be found in bogs, swamps, and wet meadows.  Good for wetter, shady garden areas.

This easy going shrub is semi-evergreen and its attractive leaves turn reddish during the fall. Its waxy yellow-green fruits are bird magnets and have been used traditionally to make candles.

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. 

Tall, upright stalks holding striking red blooms help Cardinal Flower stand out in a garden.  Its flower structure attracts hummingbirds.  Occurring naturally in wetlands, it prefers light shade to full sun and moist conditions. 

A highly ornamental bunchgrass with fine-textured foliage that forms dense mounds with slender blue-green stems. It becomes striking mahogany-red in the fall with white, shining seed tufts. Drought tolerant, it performs best in full sun.  Also, is a host plant to several butterfly species (skippers) including the common wood nymph.

Formerly known as Indiangrass, a beautiful warm-season grass with striking form and coloring. It has erect broad blue-green leaves and tall, plume-like, soft, golden-brown seed heads. This showy perennial’s fall color is deep orange to purple.

Heart-shaped leaves and an abundance of flowers make this a showy plant.  Typically found in dry open woods.