Regions

Regions

 

NW        NP             MW          NE

Northwest                   Northern Prairie           Midwest                        Northeast

 

SW           SP                   SE

Southwest                     Southern Prairie                          Southeast

NorthWestern

Symphyotrichum ascendens Western Aster

 

Echinacea angustifolia Narrow leaf Purple Coneflower   

Narrow Leaf Purple Coneflower

plants.usda.gov/…y/pubs/ecan2_003_php.jpg  

Echinacea angustifolia Narrow Leaf Purple Coneflower  is native to western United States.

Four species of Echinacea Coneflower

The prolific Echinacea Coneflower can be found in every region according to the University of Illinois, land grant university extension services at Illinois extension.”

Wherever you live in the continental United States, there is a coneflower for you. Wildflower gardens include coneflowers to attract pollinators and wildlife.

 

Artemisia tridentata Great Basin Sage

 

This silvery and yellow plant is an icon and symbol of the West.  Great Basin Sage is an important plant in western rangelands wildlife and forage for large animals and small.  Large mammals such as elk, deer and bighorn sheep as well as 100 bird species, including sage grouse, survive on Great Basin Sage. Great Basin Sage has crude protein nutrients.

Reptiles and rabbits are supported by this valuable plant for food and safe cover. The Great Basin Sage has a growth habit of two feet up to 13 feet. It is a beautiful familiar sight along roadsides throughout the West.  Great Basin Sage is truly a symbol of a Western landscape flower.

 Symphyotrichum lanceolatum  Panicled Aster or White Panicled Aster

 

 Symphyotrichum lanceolatum   White Panicled Aster or Panicled Aster  is the only Aster found in all of the Continental United States. Panicled Aster is a “natural” choice for all Wildflower gardens.  Panicled Aster is a dainty white wildflower.  Adds a “fresh as a daisy” meadow in wildflower gardens.

See USDA map of green of Panicled Aster in all continental United States.

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SYLA6#

NP   Northern Prairie

 Achillea millefolium  White Yarrow

White Yarrow is a good example of an umbel shape of flower. Honey bees love this flat, large surface of many blooms.   White Yarrow may look like a large landing field of white blooms to a bee or butterfly.  White Yarrow is a native perennial wildflower.

 

 

Beautiful Closeup Flower Link  NW opens to title

Asclepias speciosa Showy Milkweed

USDA recommends Showy Milkweed as a great choice for butterfly gardens, borders, meadows, or native plant landscaping.  Because of its toughness, Showy Milkweed grows in disturbed or poor soils. Showy Milkweed is a restoration plant for environmental projects.  Milkweed is toxic taken internally.  Animals tend to avoid Milkweed if other forage crops are available.  Plant large sets of Showy Milkweed to attract Monarch Butterflies. Showy Milkweed is a very important to Monarch life cycle feedings.

Escholzia californica California Poppy

The California Poppy can withstand freezes.  California Poppy tolerates heat, drought, varying amounts of sun and water, if there is not competition with other plants in its habitat.  A bright orange cup shape, the California Poppy grows in sun in home gardens and needs some watering.  It is low growing, five inches to two feet.  It does not do well in pooled water conditions.  California Poppy is the official state flower of California

MW   Midwest

Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Milkweed

Milkweeds grows beside roads and open meadows through the United States.

Butterflyweed or Butterfly milkweed is a gorgeous deep orange milkweed.  Butterflyweed grows on sandy and loamy soils. This red/orange milkweed grows in rocky limestone soils.  You can easily spot this bright Butterflyweed in a field.  One of my favorite flowers. Beautiful in home gardens.

Chemicals from the milkweed plant make the monarch caterpillar distasteful to most predators. Monarch butterflies depend on milkweeds. This is the only type of plant on which the eggs are laid and the larvae will feed and mature into a chrysalis. Eggs are laid on the underside of young healthy leaves.

 Helenium autumnale Sneezeweed 

Sneezeweed

Helenium autumnale  Sneezeweed is a sunny yellow flower for Fall blooming. Sneezeweed extends a sunny summer day feeling on cool brisk days.  It grows low to the ground.  Often called Sneezeweed because it was used to cure sneezes, not cause sneezes.

Helenium autumnale Sneezeweed is native to all of the Continental United States.

Black Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta Black Eyed Susan

USDA photo of Rudbeckia hirta Black Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta  Black Eyed Susan has deep golden yellow petals and a velvety brown “eye” center. Rudbeckia hirta is a well recognized Aster.

• A field of Black Eyed Susans is like a sunny glitter of gold used for erosion control on hillsides and fields.
• Black Eyed Susans is a classic wildflower “anchor” for wildflower home gardens.
• It blooms late summer and continues up to frost in Fall. A hardy plant, Rudbeckia hirta grows in sun and dry soils.
• Once established, Black Eyed Susans reseed and perpetuate indefinitely as a stand of wildflowers.
• As a landscape plant in home gardens, Black Eyed Susans stay bright and long-lasting in Fall.

Symphyotrichum laeve  Smooth Blue Aster

Smooth Blue Aster is used for prairie and roadside vegetation.  Smooth Blue Aster is a popular native wildflower for butterfly pollinator gardens.  Smooth Blue is a light to Pale purple with yellow center. A favorite late blooming flower, Smooth Blue Aster grows in August up to frost.

Symphyotrichum cordifolium  Blue Wood Aster

Symphyotrichum cordifolium  Blue Wood Aster looks charming in wooded settings and tolerates sun and shade of trees.  Plant Blue Wood Aster near the edge where the sun meets the shade of trees or woodlands.

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum Panicled Aster

Panicled Aster is a dainty white aster that is a native perennial found in all states throughout continental U.S.  As you can see, this Aster wildflower is fresh as a daisy.

Coneflower for MW

photo

Add text.

 

NE   Northeast

Link photo to 6 or 7 NE flower

 Helenium Autumnale Sneezeweed

 

Helenium autumnale  Sneezeweed is a sunny yellow flower for Fall blooming. Sneezeweed extends a sunny summer day feeling on cool brisk days.  It grows low to the ground.  Often called Sneezeweed because it was used to cure sneezes, not cause sneezes.

Helenium autumnale Sneezeweed is native to all of the Continental United States.

Symphyotrichum novae-anglia  New England Aster

Symphyotrichum laeve Smooth Blue Aster is a mass of blue blooms and drought resistant.  Likes full sun and meadows.   Asters cover large areas and so plan for room to grow.  Full sun.

Symphyotrichum oblongolium  Aromatic Aster

 

Symphyotrichum oblongolium  Aromatic Aster – lovely aroma, the name says it all.  Crush the leaf to release the scent and smell the fragrance.  On a late summer day, stroll through a garden and follow your nose to the warm spicy scent of  blue Aromatic Aster. 

Rudbeckia hirta Black Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta Black Eyed Susan has deep golden yellow petals and velvety brown “eye” centers. Rudbeckia hirta is a well recognized Aster.

• A field of Black Eyed Susans is like a sunny shimmer of gold used for erosion control on hillsides.
• Black Eyed Susans is a classic “anchor” for wildflower home gardens.  It blooms late summer and continues up to frost in Fall. A hardy plant, Rudbeckia hirta likes sun and dry soils.
• Once established, Black Eyed Susans reseed and perpetuate indefinitely as a stand of wildflowers.
• As a landscape plant in home gardens, Black Eyed Susans stay bright and long-lasting.

USDA photo of Rudbeckia hirta Black Eyed Susan

 Symphyotrichum laeve Smooth Blue Aster

photo of Smooth Blue Aster

 

Symphyotrichum cordifolium  Blue Wood Aster looks good below trees and wooded settings or tolerates sun and shade.  Plant Blue Wood Aster near the edge where the sun meets the shade of  trees or wooded settings.

 

 Eurybia divaricata White Wood Aster

 

 

 

Eurybia divaricata, commonly known as the White Wood Aster, likes shade.  NE late blooming flower. This Aster grows in shade.  

In home gardens, plant near the edge of a tree shaded spot.  Grows well in open, dry woodlands.  It was classified recently as an Eurybia family and some botanists still classify as an Aster.  White Wood Aster grows in the wild in the Northeast. It is different than most Asters because it grows in shade. Reclassified as Eurybia family.  One of my favorite plants because it flowers near trees and woodlands.  Looks unexpected to see flowers in shade.  White Wood Aster grows well here in Pennsylvania, which is a predominantly forested state.

Stellar Symphyotrichums –  the Stars of the Fall Asters. 

 Asters thrive in clay soils.  These flowers grow in clay have to be hardy enough plants to establish strong roots in dense clay.   Many poor soils have clay close to A horizon because the top organic brown layer has been eroded from wind or water, exposing the clay B horizon.  Soil scientists say “keep it covered.”  This means keep a plant vegetative cover on soil to prevent soil erosion.   It takes longer to restore a poor soil than it is to maintain a good healthy soil.                   

Symphyotrichum laeve Smooth Blue Aster grows as a mass of blue blooms.  Meadows and roadsides are full of Smooth Blue Asters in September.   Great for a natural meadow look in home gardens.  See plenty of Pollinators. Prefers full sun, but tolerates some wet soils.      

Symphyotrichum cordifolium  Blue Wood Aster looks good below trees and wooded settings or tolerates sun and shade.  Plant Blue Wood Aster near the edge where the sun meets the shade of  trees or wooded settings.    

Symphyotrichum novae-anglia  New England Aster is another blue, tall and vigorous plant that goes well in the dry and back borders of home gardens.   In a naturalized look, New England Asters create a spectacular deep purple meadow in a wildflower garden.          

Symphyotrichum oblongolium  Aromatic Aster – lovely aroma, the name says it all.  Fun to crush this leaf in your hand and smell the wonderful fragrance.  On a late summer day, stroll through a garden and follow your nose to the warm spicy scent of  blue Aromatic Asters.              

Symphyotrichum ascendens  Western Aster is a native perennial, pale blue Aster with a yellow center. Western Aster grows to four feet.  The Western Aster blooms late July to October in Western states.

Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower 

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ECPU#

Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower is a popular flower in Eastern to Central region. This pink “star” Aster has a distinct “cone” head or “hedgehog” center.  The cone description Echinacea comes from the Greek word hedgehog, because of the raised spikes of the flower head.  Echinacea likes sun and dry soil. Echinacea is a native and cultivated flower.  Pairs well with Black Eyed Susans in gardens.

Golfinches love purple coneflowers for plucking the dried brown seeds in late August and September. Goldfinches “flock” to these coneflowers.

 

Purple coneflower and American Goldfinch. Copyright Photo: Will Stuart

 Symphyotrichum lanceolatum White Panicled Aster

 

Panicled Aster is a dainty white aster that is a native perennial found in all states throughout continental U.S.  As you can see, this Aster wildflower is fresh as a daisy.

SW Southwest

White Yarrow

The umbel shape of the is a good landing site for a tiny honey bee. A good way to remember umbel shape is like an open umbrella of white flowers.

Showy Milkweed

 

 

California Poppy

 

 

Great Basin Sage

 

 

Coneflower for SW

 

 

Aster for SW

SP Southern Prairie

 Achillea millefolium White Yarrow

 

 

Asclepias tuberosa Butterflyweed

 

 

Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower

 

 

Gaillardia pulchella Indian Blanketflower

 

 

Coreopsis tinctoria Plains Coreopsis

 

 

Symphyotrichum laeveSmooth Blue Aster

 

SE Southeast

White Yarrow

 

 

Butterflyweed

 

 

Sneezeweed

 

 

Black Eyed Susan

 

 

Smooth Blue Aster

 

 

Scarlet Sage?

 

 

Coneflower?

 

Guara lindheimeri  Whirling Butterflies

Stellar Symphyotrichums

Blakes great photos of closeups of Asters,

Symphyotrichum novae-anglia New England Aster

 

      

 

 

 

Symphyotrichum laeve Smooth Blue Aster is a mass of blue blooms and drought resistant.  Likes full sun and meadows.   Asters cover large areas and so plan for room to grow.  Full sun.  

Symphyotrichum cordifolium  Blue Wood Aster looks good below trees and wooded settings or tolerates sun and shade.  Plant near the edge of shade and sun, that is where tree shade meets sunlight on the ground.  

Symphyotrichum novae-anglia  New England Aster is another blue, tall and vigorous plant that goes well in the dry and back borders of home gardens.   In a naturalized growing, New England Asters create a spectacular purple meadow in a wildflower setting.          

Symphyotrichum oblongolium  Aromatic Aster – lovely aroma, the name says it all.  Crush the leaf in your hand and smell the fragrance.  On a late summer day, stroll through a garden and follow your nose to the warm spicy scent of  blue Aromatic Aster.      

Also, Asters thrive in clay soils.  Flowers that grow in clay do not need extra care such as rich organic topdressings like some annuals.    

Symphyotrichum ascendens  Western Aster is a native perennial, pale blue Aster with a yellow center. Western Aster grows to four feet.  The Western Aster blooms late July to October in Western states.

 

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SYAS3#

symphyotrichum ascendens Western Aster

 

 

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum, White Panicle Aster, is the only Aster found in all of the Continental United States.  This is a dainty white wildflower. 

 

 

Helenium autumnale  Sneezeweed 

        

Helenium autumnale  Sneezeweed is a sunny yellow flower for Fall blooming. Sneezeweed extends a sunny summer day feeling on cool brisk days.  It grows low to the ground.  Often called Sneezeweed because it was used to cure sneezes, not cause sneezes.

Helenium autumnale Sneezeweed is native to all of the Continental United States.

Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower is a popular flower in Eastern to Central region. This pink “star” Aster has a distinct “cone” head or “hedgehog” center.  The cone description Echinacea comes from the Greek word hedgehog, because of the raised spikes of the flower head.  Echinacea likes sun and dry soil. Echinacea is a native and cultivated flower.  Pairs well with Black Eyed Susans in gardens.

Golfinches love purple coneflowers for plucking the dried brown seeds in late August and September. Goldfinches “flock” to these coneflowers.

Purple coneflower and American Goldfinch. Copyright Photo: Will Stuart

Four species of Echinacea Coneflower

An amazing fact is the versatile Echinacea Coneflower is in every region according to the University of Illinois, land grant university extension services for Illinois extension.”  So wherever you live in the continental United States, there is a coneflower for you.

Echinacea angustifolia, Narrow-leaf Purple Coneflower, is native to western United States.

USDA photo of Echinacea angustifolia

Echinacea pallida, Pale Purple Coneflower, is from Central region.

Echinacea paradoxa, Yellow Coneflower, is native specifically to the Ozarks.

USDA also lists name known as Bush’s Purple Coneflower.  Maybe the paradox is the Bush’s Purple Coneflower is yellow and not purple.

Also, Echinacea paradoxa, Yellow Coneflower, is a coneflower and not to be confused with a Black Eyed Susan which is a Rudbeckia.

USDA Echinacea paradoxa, Yellow Coneflower

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ECPA2

 

 

Echinacea purpurea, Purple Coneflower, is native to Eastern and Central region.  The purple coneflower is another classic flower for wildflower home gardens.   

USDA Eastern Purple Coneflower

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ECPU#

Solidago rigida Stiff Goldenrod

USDA Solidago rigida Stiff Goldenrod

Solidago is also in the Asteracea family, which shows how many different flowers and  shapes are Asters. Solidago rigida Stiff Goldenrod is a fuzzy “gold” yellow flower that blooms in late season. Goldenrod does not cause allergies or hay fever. Goldenrod is often mistaken for ragweed. 

Eutrochium maculatum Spotted Joe Pye Weed

USDA photo of Eutrochium maculatum Spotted Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium maculatum Spotted Joe Pye Weed is not a weed.  Spotted Joe Pye Weed is an Aster.  It is a pink to light purple native plant that likes moist, but sunny soil.  Stem color ranges from green to light purple.  Spotted Joe Pye Weed grows two to four feet with a more compact habit than other larger Joe Pye Weed species.

Vernonia fasciculata Ironweed

 

Photo copyright by Minnesota Wildflowers

https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/prairie-ironweed

Vernonia fasciculata Ironweed lives in moist soil and part shade. It grows two to four feet.  Ironweed has an intense purple color and upright form.  Naturalize to form a purple blanket.  Ironweed is a striking plant where it grows. Ironweed is one of my favorite plants.  You can not miss it in a landscape.  

Rudbeckia hirta Black Eyed Susan

USDA photo of Rudbeckia hirta Black Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta Black Eyed Susan has deep golden yellow petals and velvety brown “eye” centers. Rudbeckia hirta is a well recognized Aster.

• A field of Black Eyed Susans is like a sunny shimmer of gold used for erosion control on hillsides.
• Black Eyed Susans is a classic “anchor” for wildflower home gardens.  It blooms late summer and continues up to frost in Fall. A hardy plant, Rudbeckia hirta likes sun and dry soils.
• Once established, Black Eyed Susans reseed and perpetuate indefinitely as a stand of wildflowers.
• As a landscape plant in home gardens, Black Eyed Susans stay bright and long-lasting.

Coreopsis tinctoria Plains Coreopsis

USDA photo of Coreopsis tinctoria Golden Tickseed

https://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=coti3_1h.jpg

Coreopsis tinctoria Plains Coreopsis, or Golden Tickseed, is used in gardens. As a native perennial, Plains Coreopsis or Golden Tickseed needs some fertilizer. Plains Coreopsis grows to four feet tall. Plains Coreopsis is a red/yellow flower that looks similar to Blanket Flowers. The difference is this Golden Tickseed needs moisture or grows in bottomland locations.  Plains Coreopsis needs extra care to grow in larger meadows.

Gaillardia aristata Blanket Flower

 

USDA Gaillardia aristata Blanket Flower

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=GAAR#

Gaillardia aristata Common Gaillardia Blanket Flower

• The adaptable Blanket Flower grows in a wide range of soils, loams, rocky to gravelly-sandy textures.
• A low profile plant, Blanket Flowers tolerate a soil pH range from slightly acidic to mildly alkaline.
• Blanket Flower is a bright red and yellow ornamental flower in gardens.  Blanket Flower is a fine rustic wildflower for low maintenance landscaping.  Prefers sunny, well-drained soils.

Western Region

Symphyotrichum ascendens  Western Aster

Symphyotrichum ascendens  Western Aster is a native perennial, a light blue Aster with a yellow center. Western Aster grows to four feet.  The Western Aster blooms late July to October in Western states.

Western region for late season native perennials vary because of topography and climate. Northwest and Southwest have dry Mediterranean-like winds, arid desert conditions and Northwest influence from the Pacific Ocean.

Salvia

Salvia is found in every state, but by different species.  Salvia greggii, autumn sage is found only in Texas and Arizona.

Salvia coccinea Scarlet Sage

Scarlet Sage is native in Southern states and Texas.  Scarlet Sage, a bright red sage, grows in Eastern regions during summer and blooms late into Fall in Southern regions.

Salvia is found in every state, but by different species.

Salvia greggii, autumn sage is found only in Texas and Arizona.

Guara lindheimeri Whirling Butterflies

 

photo

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=245599

Named the Whirling Butterflies, Guara lindheimeri continues to bloom into late Fall for the West.

The wind moves the delicate red stems of Whirling Butterflies in the slightest breeze.  The pale pink flowers seem to float in air. Guara attracts butterflies.  In Eastern regions, Guara lindheimeri blooms late August.

 

Create a symphony of lively buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies with  Symphyotrichums, Helenium autumnale, Solidago, Echinacea purpurea, Eutrochium maculatum, Vernonia fasciculata and Rudbeckia Hirta for Fall blooming season.       

References

Morgridge Institute for Research Blue Sky Science “Do Plants Produce Nectar Every Day?”

Bee Culture, the American Beekeeping magazine article: How Bees See and Why It Matters

Mother Nature Network the science of blue flowers

www.audubon.org/native-plants

“Bring more birds to your home with native plants.

thewildflowerprojectmn.org

Plants USDA.gov

University of Illinois Extension

University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension

University of California Davis Arboretum

BONAP net map