An upright, weedy wildflower, found in sandy, dry, and disturbed areas.  Its stems are quite hairy, and produces small red flowers.  This easy-going species blooms from Summer to Fall.

Also known as Summersweet, Clethra is a common flowering bush found along the shores of our freshwater features (ponds, lakes, rivers) and wetter woodland edges.  Aptly named, its narrow clusters of blooms are quite fragrant during mid to late Summer, attracting copious bees and other pollinators.  These flowers grow into peppercorn-shaped seeds in late Summer.  A great addition to any rain garden and hedgerows.

Ironweed is a tall, deep-rooted, moisture-loving wildflower that can be found near streams and ponds.  It is great for the rear of your pollinator garden or rain garden.  Like many other natives, it can be pruned down before blooming for a shorter plant ('Chelsea chop').  Produces many purple flowers on its tall stalks.  In the Fall, Ironweed generates lots of seed which is a great food source for birds.  

Also known as Woodbine or Devil's Darning Needles, our native clematis is a fast-growing vine which produces many clusters of fragrant white flowers, even blooming in some shade!  Prefers moist soil but can grow in dry conditions as well.  Virgin's bower may spread aggressively but can be easily pruned.  While it is dioecious (male and female plants are separate) and both are needed for seeds, both sexes produce flowers.

Easy growing light purple flowers bloom later in the season providing pollen sources for many bees and other insects.  Smooth Aster will flourish in mediocre and poor quality, rocky soils.  Works well in garden borders and neglected areas.

This plant is prized for its long bloom season, and is good for naturalizing or in a rain garden. Has a minty aroma when crushed.  Can spread aggressively.

The leaves have a bluish cast in the summer, with finely-textured, pink-tinged, branched flower seed heads that hover over the foliage like a cloud. Leaves turn a bright yellow in the fall.

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. 

The preference is partial sun, dry conditions, and sandy, acid soil.  Hairy Bush Clover is a member of the Pea Family, and fixes nitrogen in the soil. 

Inhabits sand dunes, sandy road shoulders, dry fields, disturbed sites and wet meadows, with neutral soil pH. Tolerates urban pollution. The leaves change from light-green to dark-green to purple throughout the year. Grows in an attractive clump. Provides seed, nesting, and shelter for ground nesters and birds of prey.