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Antennaria neglecta – Field Pussy Toes

Availavle for shipping Mid May.

Description: This perennial herbaceous plant is up to 1′ tall, but more commonly ½’ or less. It consists of a rosette of basal leaves, which sometimes produces an inflorescence on a short stalk during the spring. The basal leaves are up to 2″ long and ½” across; they are oblanceolate, with smooth margins. There is a single prominent vein on the upper surface of each basal leaf, while the lower surface is white and hairy. There are small alternate leaves along the pubescent flowering stalk; they are narrowly lanceolate or linear.

The late spring flowers look like tiny cat’s feet, thus the name. A member of the Aster family, Prairie Pussytoes are found across much of the Midwest and Northeast. USDA Hardiness zones: 3-7.

Pussytoes usually are grown for their velvety leaves rather than the white to pale pink flower. Flowers will reach up to about a foot in height but the leaves grow at ground level. Spreading by rhizomes, Pussytoes provide a good ground cover for dry areas such as rock gardens. Parts of the plant are poisonous so deer and rabbits and other small animals won’t touch them.

A. neglecta and A. plantaginifolia can be difficult to differentiate between with their primary differences existing in their leaves. A. neglecta has narrower leaves with 1-2 prominent veins compared to the 3-5 prominent veins seen in the broader leaves of A. plantaginifolia.

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Asclepias exaltata – Poke Milkweed

Poke Milkweed is native to Michigan and can also be found throughout the eastern portion of the United States and Canada. It is most often found at the edges of forests and upland woods and is one of the few milkweeds that prosper in shaded conditions. Tall and elegant with drooping flowers that are white with pink accents and extremely fragrant, this milkweed is a popular nectar source in addition to being a host plant for the Monarch butterfly. This is a non-aggressive milkweed and once established, plants are known to survive for decades.

Available – May 2017

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Asclepias hirtella – Tall Green Milkweed

Asclepias hirtella Tall Green Milkweed is a Michigan native although it is considered threatened in the state. Tall Green Milkweed is found throughout the Tallgrass Prairie region in open areas, usually in prairies or remnants of prairies and throughout the midwest. Though not as well known as other varieties of milkweed, Tall Green Milkweed distinguishes itself with abundant clusters of green-white flowers that attract many butterflies and bees.

Other Common Names in use include Green Milkweed.

Available May 2017

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Asclepias incarnata – Ice Ballet Milkweed

‘Ice Ballet’ is an elegant, long-blooming, bright white cultivar of native Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) and features a compact habit and dark green foliage. Swamp milkweed occurs throughout most of the United States. It is a tall plant found in moist habitats such as wet meadows, floodplains, riverbanks, pond shores, stream banks, wet woods, swamps, and marshes, although it will also grow in drier areas such as prairies, fields, and roadsides. Asclepias incarnata needs full sun or partial shade to flourish. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies and bees as a nectar source. Swamp milkweed is also an important food source for the larval stage of Monarch butterflies. The plants are deer resistant and heat tolerant.

Available – May 2017

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Asclepias physocarpa – Hairy Balls Milkweed

Asclepias physocarpa (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) is a unique milkweed and favorite with Monarch Butterflies as a milkweed host. It is grown as an annual throughout the United States except in USDA Zones 8-10. This milkweed is commonly known as Hairy Balls,

Swan plant, Balloon plant, Oscar milkweed, and Family Jewels. Native to South Africa, Asclepias physocarpa has become a favorite with American gardeners in butterfly gardens.

All of our plants are grown without the use of harmful pesticides and are safe for developing larvae.

Grown in 4.5” square pot.

Available Mid-May 2017

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Asclepias verticillata – Whorled Milkweed

Asclepias verticillata

Asclepias verticillata Whorled Milkweed is a Michigan Native and one of the most broadly distributed of all milkweeds in the United States . It likes dry sandy, clayey or rocky soil in sun or part shade and can be found growing in a variety of environments from hill prairies to woodland openings. It is listed as rare or threatened in some of its northeastern range.

This petite milkweed blooms later in the year than most milkweed and is a common late season host plant for Monarch larvae. Flowers are white to greenish white and attract many insects including butterflies and bees. It is deer and rabbit-resistant. Also known as Horsetail Milkweed.

*Available late May.

Grown in 4.5″ square pot.

All of our plants are grown without the use of harmful pesticides and are safe for developing larvae.

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Ceanothus americanus – New Jersey Tea

Host Plant – Eastern Tailed Blue / Spring Azure / Summer Azure

A deciduous shrub that grows just 3′ tall, the dried leaves of New Jersey Tea make a flavorful tea that was popular during the Revolutionary War. This extremely adaptable species can withstand inhospitable conditions because of massive, deep roots.

The white flower poms are attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators.

New Jersey Tea is excellent as a shrub border and a is a fabulous addition for native plant gardens. It is also effective as a shrubby ground cover for hard-to-grow areas such as dry rocky slopes and banks. Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in sandy loams or rocky soils with good drainage. Thick, woody, red roots go deep and help plant withstand droughty conditions, but make established shrubs difficult to transplant.

Grown in one quart pot with approximately 6” of top growth.

Plants grown without harmful pesticides and are safe for butterfly gardens.

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Chelone glabra – White Turtlehead

Host Plant – Baltimore Checkerspot

Spikes of elegant white flowers top shiny green foliage in late summer and early fall. Grows best in moist meadows, stream banks, and swamps. Favorite breeding site for the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly.

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Echinacea PowWow White

Bouquets of white flowers with yellow cones bloom over compact foliage. This variety does not need vernalization to flower the first year. It is very hardy and makes a good potted plant.

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Phlox Fashionably Early Crystal

White globes of flowers with a faint purple eye float above leathery emerald green foliage about 2-3 weeks earlier than most summer phlox. An excellent hybrid of the paniculata types, this phlox begins blooming sooner and has far more mildew … Read More

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