Silene regia

Royal Catchfly

Family: Caryophyllaceae (Carnation Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  5-8

·        Height: 24-36 inches

·        Spread: 12-18 inches

·        Bloom Time: July to August

·        Bloom: small clusters of 5-petaled, scarlet red flowers

·        Light: full sun to part shade

·        Soil: average, well-drained; prefers sandy or gravelly soil

·        Moisture: dry to medium; drought tolerant

·        Use: part shade areas of wildflower gardens, native plant gardens, woodland gardens or cottage gardens; attracts hummingbirds

·        Care: low maintenance; may need to stake taller plants

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: central and southern United States

·        Notes: clump-forming perennial;  sticky calyx can trap or "catch" small insects

·        Supplier: Agrecol Native Nursery

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Pollinator Garden C070, Rain Garden J023

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Liatris pycnostachya

Prairie Blazing Star

Family: Asteraceae (Aster Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  3-9

·        Height: 2-5 feet

·        Spread: 1-2 feet

·        Bloom Time: July to August

·        Bloom: spike of tightly bunched lavender flowers

·        Light: full sun; too little sun can cause twisted growth

·        Soil: average, well-drained; tolerant of poor soils

·        Moisture: dry to medium

·        Use: perennial borders, cutting gardens, prairie gardens or naturalized areas; attracts butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and moths

·        Care: low maintenance

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: central and southeastern United States

·        Notes: Leaves are very narrow, crowded on the stem and become progressively smaller as they ascend the stem

·        Supplier: Prairie Nursery

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Demonstration Prairie I013; Pollinator Garden C085, Rain Garden J017

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Deschampsia cespitosa

Tufted hair grass

Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-9

·        Height: 2-3 feet

·        Spread: 1-2 feet

·        Bloom Time: June to July

·        Bloom: tones of gold, silver, purple and green

·        Light: part shade

·        Soil: average, well-drained

·        Moisture: medium

·        Use: ground cover; ornamental grass; attracts birds

·        Care: low maintenance; cut back foliage in late winter or early spring before new shoots appear

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: transcontinental

·        Notes: clump-forming, cool season grass; forms a low, dense tussock of very thin, arching, flat to inrolled, dark green grass blades; tolerates black walnut

·        Supplier: Agrecol Native Nursery

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Pollinator Garden C067

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Carex sprengelii

Long-beaked sedge

Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  3-5

·        Height: 1-3 feet

·        Spread: 2 feet

·        Bloom Time: May to June

·        Bloom: greenish-white or pale yellow spikelets are held above the leaves; pendulous green to brown seedheads follow

·        Light: full sun to part shade

·        Soil: average, well-drained

·        Moisture: prefers moist or wet soil

·        Use: ground cover or accent; rain garden; attracts songbirds

·        Care: low maintenance

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: native in Alaska and the southern Canadian provinces south to Delaware and west to Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.

·        Notes: numerous pendulant seedheads rise on long stems from the greenish-yellow clumps of narrow, glossy blades; deer resistant

·        Supplier: Agrecol Native Nursery

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Naturalistic Garden H124, Pollinator Garden C066, Rain Garden J004

       Content produced through:

       Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

       Questions?  

       Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program