Penstemon digitalis

Smooth Penstemon

Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  3-8

·        Height: 36 inches

·        Spread: 18 inches

·        Bloom Time: June to July

·        Bloom: white/pink

·        Light: full sun

·        Soil: average, well-drained

·        Moisture: dry to medium; avoid wet soils

·        Use: naturalized areas, rain gardens, sunny borders; attracts birds and butterflies

·        Care: low maintenance

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: Eastern and Southeastern United States

·        Notes: elliptical, basal leaves

·        Supplier: Agrecol

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Rain Garden J012

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Vernonia fasciculata

Ironweed

Family: Asteraceae (Aster Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-9

·        Height: 30-48 inches

·        Spread: 18-36 inches

·        Bloom Time: July to September

·        Bloom: purple umbels

·        Light: full sun

·        Soil: average

·        Moisture: medium to wet; plants grow taller in moist soil

·        Use: cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, prairies, native plant gardens, rain gardens

·        Care: remove flower heads before seed develops to avoid any unwanted self-seeding; tends to hybridize with other native ironweeds

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: south-central Canada to central and eastern United States

·        Notes: upright perennial with narrow lance-shaped leaves

·        Supplier: Agrecol

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Heuchera Garden E278, Rain Garden J015

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Dianthus petraeus v. noeanus

Snowflake Dianthus

Family: Caryophyllaceae (Carnation Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  5a-9b

·        Height: 2-3 inches

·        Spread: 12 inches

·        Bloom Time: June to July

·        Bloom: intricate, frilly, fragrant white flowers

·        Light: full sun

·        Soil: rich, well-drained

·        Moisture: even moisture

·        Use: alpine and rock gardens

·        Care: low maintenance

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems; verticillium wilt resistant

·        Native to: species native to mountains of central Europe

·        Notes: dense, deep green, needle-leaved mound

·        Supplier: The Flower Factory

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Rock Garden C016

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Antennaria neglecta var. gaspensis

Pussytoes

Family: Asteraceae (Aster Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  3-7

·        Height: 1-2 inches

·        Spread: 6 inches

·        Bloom Time: May to June

·        Bloom: white tubular white flowers held in tight clusters

·        Light: full sun to part shade

·        Soil: average, well-drained

·        Moisture: dry to medium; drought tolerant

·        Use: alpine and rock gardens

·        Care: low maintenance

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: North America

·        Notes: silver foliage grows in dense mats around base of stem, with leaves overlapping

·        Supplier: The Flower Factory

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Rock Garden C038

       Content produced through:

       Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

       Questions?  

       Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program