Add these easy-growing native plants to your garden for lots of low-maintenance color through the seasons.
Wild Anemone
This easily grown, easy-to-love plant thrives in moist soils rich in organic matter.
Its large white flowers are a highlight of the spring border.
Credit: Janet Mesic Mackie
A vigorous groundcover, it can happily fill in a large space within a growing season.
The stunning, slipper-shaped, yellow flowers are sure to attract attention.
Note: While long-lived, yellow lady’s slipper can be very slow to get established.
Credit: Rob Cardillo
It’s a good-sized plant that has a nice presence in the middle of the border.
Like many native plants, merrybells look best in mass plantings.
Foamflower
Foamflower is a perfect groundcover to meander between clumps of established hostas or ferns.
Credit: David Orndorf
Related to coral bells, foamflower sports showy white flowers in late spring and early summer.
Many fine selections are available, including ‘Jeepers Creepers,’ ‘Spring Symphony,’ and ‘Sea Foam.’
Pair it with Canadian wild ginger, anemone, and coral bells for woodland magic.
Credit: Eric Roth
The plant will slowly form beautiful clumps over time.
Several varieties are available and form fast-spreading (but nonaggressive) clumps within a few seasons.
Newer selections add to the beauty with attractively variegated foliage.
Credit: Ginny Weiler
The tall plants open in blue, star-shaped flowers in spring.
They’re loved by migrating butterflies.
Added bonus: These pest-free plants also have attractive yellow fall color.
Credit: Lynn Karlin
In late May, peek under the leaves for a glimpse of the hidden burgundy flowers.
Name:Asarum canadense
Zones:4-6
Swamp Milkweed
Milkweeds are butterfly favorites and this one is no exception.
Despite its common name, swamp milkweed doesn’t mind average garden conditions.
Credit: W. Garrett Scholes
Showy pink flowers appear in mid-summer and attract monarch butterflies.
White, pink, or blue blooms adorn tall stems in summer.
It pairs beautifully with cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) and great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica).
Credit: Matthew Benson
Credit: Matthew Benson
Credit: Alice O’Brien
Credit: Julie Sprott
Credit: Rob Cardillo
Credit: Rob Cardillo
Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit: Lynn Karlin
