Native Plants Host Archives - Butterfly Gardens To Go

Amorpha canescens – Leadplant

Host Plant – Silver Spotted Skipper

This is a lovely, and very long lived shrub of the prairie. The deep purple flower spikes rise above the silver-gray foliage to create a striking bloom display in June. The very deep taproot allows this plant to be very drought tolerant. Butterflies are attracted.

Available May – Mid May

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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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Aristolochia macrophylla – Dutchman’s Pipe

Host Plant – Pipevine Swallowtail

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers rich, moist soil. Intolerant of dry soils. Cut back in late winter to control growth. Grows well from seed.

Noteworthy Characteristics

This deciduous, woody, climbing vine is an eastern American native which typically occurs in the wild in rich, moist woods and along streams. Can rapidly grow to 20-30′. An old-fashioned favorite that is grown for its large, heart-shaped, densely overlapping leaves (6-12″ long) which can quickly cover an arbor or trellis with attractive, glossy, deep green foliage. Commonly called Dutchman’s pipe because the unusual, 2″ long, yellowish-green flowers (each flaring at the calyx mouth to form 3 brownish-purple lobes) superficially resemble Dutch smoking pipes. Although the flowers make interesting conversation pieces, they are usually hidden by the dense foliage and are somewhat inconspicuous.

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Aristolochia serpentaria – Virginia Snakeroot

Virginia Snakeroot is one of several species of vines known as “pipevines.” This species grows up to 18 inches tall and has thin, heart-shaped leaves. The stems of the plant tend to zig-zag.

Aristolochia serpentaria is a host plant to the beautiful Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. It has a wide distribution throughout the United States and is a good shade ground cover for native gardens.

Grown in 4.5″ square pots.

All of our plants are grown without harmful pesticides.

Shipping begins Mid-May.

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Aristolochia tomentosa – Dutchman’s Pipe

Host Plant – Pipevine Swallowtail

Aristolochia tomentosa, commonly known as Wooly Pipevine, is a species of Dutchman’s pipe. It is a large, woody and twining vine native to the Midwest and Southeast. It can be found on stream banks, flood plains and bottomlands and is known to climb trees and shrubs, growing to a height of 20-30’ tall, making it an excellent choice for arbors, trellises and fences. The leaves of this species are quite large, heart-shaped and hairy. Aristolochia tomentosa is a larval plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. All plants are grown without pesticides and are safe for developing larvae. Ships in 4.5″ perennial pot.

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Artemisia stelleriana – Silver Brocade

Host Plant – American Lady

Wide 1″ felty silver foliage with a hint of green coloring. Artemisia Silver Brocade has uniquely shaped leaves of deeply divided, rounded lobes that provide interesting texture and design to your border. Softens and blends color transitions in the border. Outstanding next to white or blue flowers.

Features to Note:

Deer Resistant
OK in containers – see FAQ for overwintering
Scented Foliage
Hot Dry site tolerant
For a sunny spot

General Information:

Artemisia are prized for their aromatic silver leaves, excellent texture and vigorous growth. This perennial does not flower conspicuously but are used for their contrasting foliage. Also excellent in flower arrangements.

Plant Care:Fast growing. Can be cut back in spring to control size. Can be sheared during the summer if needed – new foliage will flush out quickly.

Available May – Mid May

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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 – Cinderella Milkweed

‘Cinderella’ is a cultivar of native Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) featuring pale pink, vanilla scented flower clusters. This 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. Swamp milkweed 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 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 incarnata – Swamp Milkweed

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. Swamp milkweed needs full sun or partial shade to flourish. Flowers are fragrant and very attractive to hummingbirds, 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. Also known as Rose Milkweed, Red Milkweed, and Marsh Milkweed.

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Asclepias perennis – Aquatic Milkweed

Aquatic Milkweed is a petite white milkweed suitable for wet soils. It survives in water and will grow in light-sandy and medium-loamy soils. Native to stream sides it is generally most common in lightly shaded woodlands near streams. This little milkweed is a great performer, being shade tolerant and flowering spring through autumn.

Available to ship mid-late June.

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