Native Perennials, Ferns, and Grasses

Sedum ternatum Three-leaved stonecrop	Solidago simplex subsp. randii var. racemosa Riverbank Goldenrod	Tiarella cordifolia Foamflower

Perennials A-E | Perennials F - L | Perennials M - R | Perennials S - Z |

Ferns | Grasses

Please note: we do not ship plants. We sell retail to the area only.

See notes on nativity at bottom of list.
indicates host plants for butterflies and moths found in PA

Perennials S - Z

Sanguinaria canadensis, Bloodroot | PA Native | moderate distribution

A beautiful native plant with pure white, 3" flowers in spring. For all appearances, flowers look like little water lilies! Bloom season is relatively short at 1-3 weeks, but well worth it. Notched foliage is also very attractive, but may go summer dormant in drought.

Culture: Plant in partial shade in average soil. Height: 6"-8"h x w.

Saxifraga virginiensis, Early Saxifrage | PA Native | moderate distribution

Culture:  Height: .

Sedum ternatum, Three-leaved Stonecrop | PA Native | moderate distribution

Yes, it's true - this sedum likes shade! Sedum's unique texture is usually a missing element in a shade garden, but no more. Tiny, star-shaped white flowers hover over the whorled foliage in May and June. Looks especially nice spilling over rocks or logs. Genus (Sedum) is a host plant for Common Buckeye and Variegated Fritillary butterflies.

Culture: Plant in shade to partial shade in moist soil. Height: 6"h x 8"w.

Silene caroliniana, Wild Pinks | PA Native | limited distribution

Wild pinks have pink blooms in the spring over low-growing, semi-evergreen foliage. During a cool spring, the bloom season can extend for 2 months. The cultivar 'Short and Sweet' has lots of clear pink flowers. This is a great native substitute for dianthus in the spring garden.

Culture: Plant in partial shade to full sun in average to dry soil. Tolerates a range of soil conditions once established. Height: 8"h x 20"w.

Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Blue-eyed grass | PA Native | wide distribution

Blue, star-shaped flowers wait for the sun to shine before opening up. Flowering is heaviest in late spring to early summer, but this plant will bloom lightly into the fall. The grassy, iris-like foliage provides a nice contrast to mounding plants in the garden. Very cute! Available: cultivar 'Lucerne', more floriferous and compact than the species.

Culture: Plant in full sun to partial shade in average to rich, well-drained soil. Height: 10"h x 12"w.

Smilacina racemosa, False Solomon's Seal | PA Native | wide distribution

False Solomon's Seal is similar in form to its namesake, but instead has clusters of white bottlebrush flowers at the ends of its arching stems. Clusters of red berries follow in summer. In fall, the foliage turns golden yellow, adding yet another season of interest to this lovely plant.

Culture: Plant in partial shade in average soil with organic matter. Tolerates drought once established. Height: 2'-3'h x w.

Solidago rugosa, Goldenrod | PA Native | wide distribution

Sprays of sulphur-yellow flowers burst out of this bushy perennial starting in late August. A show-stopping plant in the fall garden that attracts butterflies and passers-by alike! 'Fireworks' is an especially free-flowering cultivar of our native species.

Culture: Plant in full sun in average to moist, well-drained soil. Height: 3'-4'h x 2'w.

Solidago simplex subsp. randii var. racemosa, Riverbank Goldenrod | PA Native | v. limited distribution, only one site in Lancaster Co.

Here's a goldenrod you won't run into very often, as it is found in PA only along the banks of the Susquehanna River, growing in rock crevices. Mike Slater, who collected the seed in the wild, calls this "a very cute little native goldenrod". This is on the endangered species list in PA.

Culture: Plant in full sun in moist to average soil. Height: 1-2'h.

Solidago sphacealata,  |  |  distribution

Culture:  Height: .

Spigelia marilandica, Pink-root | US Native

A beautiful, but rarely-seen US native with red and yellow funnel-form flowers that attract hummingbirds like crazy! Blooms for several weeks, from late June through the end of July. Can be finicky, but thrives when it's in the right spot. A showstopper in bloom and very unique.

Culture: Best planted in shade, but with some direct morning or late afternoon sun; tolerates sun if soil is kept moist. Well-drained soil with organic matter. Height: 1'-2'h x w. More images: in the shade in a display garden at Longwood Gardens

Spiranthes odorata, Fragrant Ladies Tresses | PA Native | moderate distribution

A native, hardy orchid that thrives in southeastern PA! Stems of white, fragrant flowers spiral up from ground-hugging basal foliage in August or September. Spreads slowly to form beautiful colonies in shady or wooded sites with moist soil. Available: cultivar 'Chadd's Ford', very similar to species.

Culture: Plant in partial shade in moist, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Best planted by the end of July for initial establishment. Height: 1'-2'h (in bloom).

Stylophorum diphyllum, Celandine Poppy | US Native

This plant boasts clusters of showy yellow flowers with a velvety texture, against a backdrop of blue-green, attractively-lobed foliage. The main bloom season is late spring, but it often re-blooms sporadically throughout the season. Reseeds itself and naturalizes in ideal conditions.

Culture: Plant in partial shade in moist soil. May tolerate drier conditions, but foliage may go summer dormant in prolonged drought. Native to rich, deciduous woods. Height: 12-15"h x 12"w.

Thermopsis villosa, Carolina-lupine | US Native

Imagine a yellow lupine that actually lives and looks good in PA! Spikes of sulphur-yellow flowers on 6"-12" stalks shoot out of this plant in June, looking very much like lupines or false indigo (Baptisia). The compound blue-green leaves are attractive all season long. Deserves much greater usage! Genus (Thermopsis) is a host plant for Orange Sulphur and Wild Indigo Duskywing butterflies.

Culture: Plant in full sun in average soil. Cut back if plant declines after flowering. Does not transplant well - plant it where you want it for the long haul! Height: 3'-4'h x 2'w.

Tiarella cordifolia, Foam Flower | PA Native | moderate distribution through most of state, but limited in SE PA

This is a fine native plant for the woodland garden. Pretty, heart-shaped leaves turn reddish in fall, and are often evergreen. In May and June, white to pinkish bottlebrush flowers rise above the foliage, adding a graceful note to the garden. Some forms are clumping, others running.

Culture: Plant in partial shade in moist soil with organic matter. Will tolerate full shade, but flowering will be less. If foliage looks ratty in spring, cut back. Height: 8"h x 12"w. More images: filling in a woodland area at Chanticleer

Tradescantia virginiana, Spiderwort | PA Native | limited distribution

An old-fashioned favorite, spiderwort forms big clumps of strappy foliage topped with numerous purple-violet flowers from late May through mid-July. Each flower lasts only a day, but they are produced in abundance. This is a really unusual-looking perennial which adds interest to any garden.

Culture: Plant in partial shade in rich, organic soil which is moist, but well-draining. Foliage may decline after flowering; cut back for a new flush of growth. Height: 2'-3'h x w.

Trillium erectum, Wake-robin, Red trillium | PA Native | moderate distribution

A widespread trillium throughout much of the east coast, wake-robin usually has dark reddish-purple flowers, but the flower color is variable, and sometimes appears in shades of white or pink. A very fine perennial to include in a spring woodland shade garden.

Culture: Plant in partial to full shade in moist soil with organic matter. Prefers acidic soil. Found in moist, rocky, wooded slopes in the wild. Height: 12"-18"h x 12"w.

Trillium grandiflorum, Showy Trillium | PA Native | moderate distribution in E PA, limited in other parts of the state

Horticulturist David Culp calls this "the epitome of American wild flowers" - with good reason. This spectacular spring-blooming plant boasts large, 3" white flowers with green sepals, that fade to pink as they age. The 3" leaves are borne in 3's. Lovely in a woodland setting.

Culture: Plant in partial shade in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil with organic matter. Height: 18-24"h x w.

Verbena bonariensis, Verbena, Vervain | Native to South America

A tall plant that is very light and airy, topped with lavender flowers from June through frost. This is a see-through plant that adds movement and interest to the garden. A tender perennial that may not come through winter on its own roots, but if you let it re-seed, you'll have plants every year. We carry this plant because it is an excellent nectar source for butterflies.

Culture: Plant in full sun in any well-drained soil. Control height, if desired, and make a bushier plant by pinching back in spring. Height: 3'-5'h x 3'w.

Verbena hastata, Blue vervain | PA Native | moderate distribution

Description coming soon. More images: as a purple wash in a meadow of native grasses at Angelica Park in the city of Reading.

Vernonia glauca, Upland Ironweed | PA Native | v. limited distribution, SE PA only; protected in PA

A great native late-season bloomer with loose clusters of deep purple flowers atop tall, bushy plants in August and September. Very attractive to butterflies, and extremely adaptable to a range of conditions. Great for naturalizing in a sunny spot.

Culture: Plant in full sun in soil of average fertility that is moist, average, or dry. Can take extremely poor conditions if the soil is consistently moist. Height: 3-5'h x 2-3'w.

Vernonia noveboracensis, Ironweed | PA Native | limited distribution

Culture:  Height: .

Veronicastrum virginicum, Culver's-root | PA Native | limited distribution

Culver's root looks a bit like a very tall and elegant Veronica, with long spikes of candlebra-like flowers that open from the top down. The straight species has white flowers, but many cultivars are also now available in shades of pink and purple.

Culture: Plant in full sun to light shade in moist soil of average fertility. Tolerates some drought once established, but this takes many years. Height: 3-6'h x 3'w.

Viola pedata, Birdfoot violet | PA Native | limited distribution, SE PA only

Genus (Viola) is a host plant for Aphrodite Fritillary, Great Spangled Fritillary, and Variegated Fritillary butterflies.

Culture:  Height: .

Viola rostrata, Long-spurred Violet | PA Native | moderate distribution

A showy native violet with blue-purple flowers with a long spur, atop heart-shaped leaves. Friendly and diminutive, it adds texture to a spring woodland garden, and is lovely edging paths. Wild violets host 3 different species of frittilary butterflies, as well as the Giant Leopard Moth. Genus (Viola) is a host plant for Aphrodite Fritillary, Great Spangled Fritillary, and Variegated Fritillary butterflies.

Culture: Plant in partial shade in average to moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Height: 3-6"h x w.

Viola rotundifolia, Downy Yellow Violet | PA Native | moderate distribution

This native violet has yellow flowers with brown markings; flowers appear in early spring as the leaves are unfolding. Rounded leaves eventually sit flat upon the ground. A pretty addition to a woodland setting. Genus (Viola) is a host plant for Aphrodite Fritillary, Great Spangled Fritillary, and Variegated Fritillary butterflies.

Culture: Plant in partial shade in average to moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Height: 3-6"h x w.

Waldsteinia fragarioides, Barren Strawberry | PA Native | moderate distribution

A good, tough, all-purpose groundcover. Cheery yellow flowers in April and May, and semi-evergreen foliage that will turn bronze in colder weather. Moderately slow-growing.

Culture: Plant in full sun to partial shade in average, well-drained soil. Height: 4-6"h x 12"w.

Xanthorhiza simplicissima, Yellowroot | Possible PA Native: sources conflict; if PA native, v. limited distribution

A really beautiful, understated, taller groundcover with leaves that are similar to an Astilbe or Goatsbeard. The small brown to maroon flowers in the spring are interesting, but not significant. A graceful habit, extremely low care, and very hardy - you've got to try one!

Culture: Plant in light shade in average, well-drained soil. Also tolerates heavier soils and drought, once established. Height: 8-18"h x 24"w.

Perennials A-E | Perennials F - L | Perennials M - R | Perennials S - Z |

Ferns | Grasses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Native Plant notations: a notation of "PA Native" indicates the plant was known to be growing in PA at the time of European arrival; further, the plant's distribution in Pennsylvania is listed. For example, a plant with the notation of "PA Native - wide distribution", means that the plant is found wild in all or nearly all counties of PA, and is very common. On the other hand, a plant with the notation of "PA Native - limited distribution" is found wild in just some parts of Pennsylvania - you're not likely to run into it frequently.

We've also listed when a variety is a cultivar. A cultivar is a cultivated variety of a plant. Most cultivars start from a single plant that's selected from a wild population, because it has a mutation that is different in some interesting way from the plant's common characteristics - it may have a different color flower, shorter stature, etc., that may be more "garden-worthy" than the typical so-called "straight species". It is propagated in larger numbers than would naturally occur in the wild, specifically to sell to gardeners!