|
“to protect and enhance Maine's soil and water resources by providing educational programs, conservation information and technical assistance to municipalities, schools, landowners and residents of Kennebec County." |
PERENNIAL HERBS & FLOWERSFor more information on any of these plants use this link: PLANTS DATABASEClick on Common Name for a picture of the plantAnise
Hyssop
(Agastache foeniculum)
Not related to Anise or Hyssop. Grows
to 3 feet with a 2 foot spread or less, if crowded.
Bushy, aromatic herb with long-blooming spikes of purple flowers
attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Anise-scented foliage and flowers used medicinally and in teas.
Spreads by self-seeding. Full
sun. Moist soil.
Zone 4 Artemesia
(Artemesia sp.)
Also known as Wormwood. Several
species and varieties available. Range
in height from 6 inches to 6 feet with 1 to 3 foot spreads.
All have silvery, delicate, fern-like, aromatic foliage that persists
into winter and can be used dried. Most
have inconspicuous flowers that blend with the foliage.
Sun to part-sun. Poor, dry soil. Tolerates
drought but not excess moisture or fertilizer. Zone 3 Aster
(Aster sp.)
Most are varieties of A. alpinus,
A. novae-angliae and A.
lateriflorus. Bushy plants with
either a mounded or open habit and colorful, daisy-like flowers.
Growth ranges from 6 inches to 6 feet.
Taller ones may require staking and therefore may not be appropriate for
naturalized buffer plantings. Flowers
come in all colors. Most bloom in
late summer but some bloom in spring also.
Full sun although some tolerate some shade.
Best in well-drained soil; some tolerate wet soil also. Some species are native.
Zone 3
Astilbe
(Astilbe sp.)
Many varieties available. Grow
1 to 4 feet with most in the 2 to 3 foot range.
Delicate, fern-like leaves and showy plumes of flower clusters in white,
pink, red and purple. Summer-blooming. Do best with occasional dividing. Sun to part-sun. Moist
to wet, rich soil. Not drought
tolerant and not tolerant of winter wetness.
Zone 4 Baptisia
(Baptisia sp.)
Two or three species available. Also
called False Indigo. Bushy plant
grows 3 to 4 feet with rich, bluish-green leaves and loose clusters of pea-like
flowers in white, yellow or blue in spring or summer.
Sun to part-sun. Best in
rich soil but tolerates poor, dry soil and wet soil.
Zone 3 Barren
Strawberry (Waldsteinia
sp.) Grows 6 to 8 inches and
spreads to form a nice ground cover. Strawberry-like,
semi-evergreen foliage. Yellow
flowers in late spring. Easy to
grow. Sun to shade. Well-drained soil. Zone
4 Barrenwort
(Epimedium sp.)
Grows 8 to 15 inches high as a compact, spreading ground cover.
Strong rhizomes help in erosion control.
Bright-green, compound leaves and white, yellow or red flowers in spring.
Yellow, bronze or red fall color. Part-sun
to shade. Rich, moist soil. Tolerates wet conditions.
Good ground cover; may be slow getting established.
Zone 3 Basket
of Gold
(Aurinia sp. or
Alyssum sp.) Also called
Perennial Alyssum. Grows 6 to 12
inches in a spreading mound. Semi-evergreen,
grayish-green foliage Masses of
brilliant yellow flowers in early spring to summer.
Rapid growth. Sun to
part-sun (blooms best in full sun). Well-drained
soil. Good in rocky areas.
Zone 3 Bee
Balm
(Monarda didyma)
Other species also cultivated. Grows
2 to 4 feet and spreads quickly. Lush,
aromatic foliage and interesting, showy clusters of white, pink, red or purple
flowers that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Sun to part-sun. Rich, moist
soil best. Tolerates wet soil.
Excellent for naturalizing. Zone
4 N Bellflower
(Campanula sp.)
Also called Harebell. Cultivated
from native and non-native species. Many
varieties are available but not all are appropriate for natural plantings. Ones to consider include varieties of C. carpatica, C.
glomerata, C. lactiflora, C. latifolia and C. poscharskyana.
They vary in height from low, spreading ground covers to 3 foot, bushy
plants. All are spreading if given
the right conditions. Attractive,
deep-green foliage and clear blue, white or lavender bell-shaped flowers,
sometimes in large clusters. Bloom
in summer. Sun to part-sun. Moist
well-drained soil. Some tolerate
drought and some wet soil. Zone
4 Bergenia
(Bergenia cordifolia)
Grows 12 to 18 inches. Vigorous,
spreading plants with large, bold, glossy, semi-evergreen leaves that turn from
green to burgundy in cold weather. Showy
spikes of white, pink or red flowers in early spring.
Sun to part-sun. Moist soil.
Tolerates wet soil. Good as
ground cover in damp, sunny or partly sunny areas.
Zone 4 Bird’s
Foot Trefoil
(Lotus corniculatus)
Grows 18 to 24 inches. A
common wildflower in the Midwest. Useful
as erosion control and quick cover on road banks and other disturbed areas. Bright-green foliage and brilliant yellow, pea-like flowers
in spring and summer. Full sun.
Tolerates a wide variety of soils (not sandy).
Some drought tolerance. Zone
3 Black-eyed
Susan
(Rudbeckia sp.)
Also called Yellow Coneflower. Several
species and varieties; some native, some not; some short-lived and others
long-lived and spreading. Some are
invasive. Grows 1 to 4 feet with lush, green foliage and large, yellow to
orange, daisy-like flowers with dark centers.
Blooms summer to fall. Rapid
growth. Easy to grow. Sun to part-sun. Moist
soil. Zone 3 N Blazing
Star
(Liatris sp.)
Several species cultivated. Also
called Gay Feather. Grow 2 to 4
feet in clumps with stiff, grass-like foliage and tall flower spikes in summer.
Flowers available in white, pink or purple.
Good in natural areas. Sun
to part-sun. Best in well-drained soil.
Sandy soil okay. Some
tolerate wet. Most are native to
the Midwest and have become established in New England.
Zone 3 Bleeding
Heart
(Dicentra sp.)
Grows 1 to 3 feet and can spread to clumps 3 to 4 feet across.
Dwarf and non-spreading varieties are available.
Graceful, arching stems with fern-like leaves and arching sprays of
heart-shaped flowers in white, pink or red in late spring.
Part-sun. Tolerates full sun
in cool areas. Moist, well-drained
soil. Good near woodlands.
Zone 4 Blue
Star Flower
(Amsonia tabernaemontana)
Also called Willow Amsonia. Grows
2 to 3 feet with willow-like, gray-green leaves and clusters of sky-blue,
star-shaped flowers in late spring. Foliage
turns yellow in fall. Nice,
low-maintenance plant for natural settings.
Does best in part-sun and cool, moist soil.
Tolerates full sun and drier soils but is not as vigorous.
Native to the Midwest. Zone
3 Blueberry
(Vaccinium angustifolium)
Also called Lowbush Blueberry. Grows
to 1 foot and spreads by suckering. Small,
glossy leaves turn bright-red in fall. Small,
white flowers, followed by edible, blue fruit in mid to late summer.
Sun to part-sun. Well-drained, acid soil.
A sturdy, adaptable ground cover. Good
for birds and small mammals. Zone
3 N Boltonia
(Boltonia asteroides)
Grows 2 to 4 feet. An
informal, vigorous, spreading, aster-like plant with blue-green foliage and
profuse, small, white to pink, daisy-like flowers in late summer to fall.
Easy to grow. Good for
natural areas. Full sun best. Moist soil. Tolerates
wet. Zone 4 Boneset
(Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Grows 3 to 5 feet. Vigorous,
spreading, coarse-leaved plants with showy clusters of white flowers in summer
and fall. Naturally occurs in
moist, open areas. Sun to part-sun.
Moist to wet soil. Good in natural plantings.
Zone 3 N Bugbane
(Cimicifuga sp.)
Also called Snakeroot or Black Cohosh.
Tall, slender, woodland plants, growing 3 to 7 feet tall, with
deep-green, fern-like foliage and 1 to 2 foot, arching stalks of fragrant, white
to purple flowers in late summer to fall. Part-sun
to shade. Rich, moist soil. Tolerates
wet soil. Good in a wild garden.
Zone 3 Bugleweed
(Ajuga sp.)
Several species and varieties. A
low, dense, fast-growing ground cover reaching a height of 6 to 9 inches. Ajuga reptans
spreads the most while others are more mounded in habit. Lush, lustrous foliage ranges from dark-green to
bronze-purple with some variegated forms. Full
sun enhances foliage variations. Short
spikes of flowers bloom late spring to early summer in shades of white, pink,
blue and purple. Sun to shade.
Any well-drained soil. Zone
3 Bugloss
(Brunnera macrophylla)
Grows 12 to 18 inches. Fast-growing
woodland plant with large, heart-shaped leaves, and small clusters of
Forget-Me-Not-like flowers in spring. Sun
to shade. Moist to almost wet soil.
Good in woods and along pond or stream edges.
Zone 3 Bunchberry
(Cornus canadensis)
A naturally-occurring woodland ground cover that is now available at some
nurseries. Grows to 6 inches and
spreads underground. Has four
leaves and white ‘dogwood’ type flowers in early summer, followed by
clusters of red berries. Needs
undisturbed areas to become established. Shade.
Cool, moist, acid soil. Zone
3 N Butterfly
Weed
(Asclepias tuberosa)
Grows 2 to 3 feet. Vigorous,
upright plants with narrow, green leaves and showy, bright-orange flowers in
summer that attract butterflies. Full
sun. Sandy, well-drained soil best.
Tolerates dry, infertile soil. Zone
4 Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Grows 2 to 4 feet. Vigorous plants with rich, green foliage and tall spikes of scarlet flowers in summer. May need dividing to maintain vigor; self-seeds. May need winter protection in Zone 3; check when purchasing. Sun to part-sun. Best in part-sun. Rich, moist, well-drained soil. Tolerates wet conditions. Good in naturalized areas and near water. Zone 3 N Chameleon
Plant
(Houttuynia cordata)
Grows 6 to 9 inches. Vigorous,
spreading plant with heart-shaped leaves variegated in green, red, yellow and
pink. Small, white flowers in spring.
Easy to grow; can be invasive. Good
ground cover for wet areas. Sun to
shade. Moist to wet soil.
Zone 3 Chinese
Lantern
(Physalis alkekengi or franchetii)
Grows to 2 feet and spreads. Dark-green,
coarse leaves and small, creamy-white flowers in summer. Ornamental, papery,
golden-orange seedpods are used in dry arrangements. Easy to grow but very aggressive. Sun to part-sun. Moist
soil. Zone 3 Comfrey
(Symphytum officinale)
Grows 1 to 2 feet. Vigorous,
coarse, hairy, branching plant forms clumps.
Large leaves at base of plant; smaller as they go up.
Loose, branching clusters of white, pink, purple to blue flowers all
summer. Good in natural settings.
Part-sun. Moist to wet soil.
Zone 4 Coneflower
(Echinacea angustifolia &
purpurea) Several varieties
with different flower colors are available.
Grows 2 to 4 feet. Sturdy plant with dark-green leaves and large, daisy-like
flowers with raised centers. Colors
range from deep-pink to white to
yellow. Easy to grow. Full sun. Moist,
well-drained soil, especially in winter. Tolerates
heat, drought and wind. Native to
the Midwest. Zone
3 Cornflower
(Centaurea sp.)
Also called Perennial Bachelor’s Buttons.
Varieties available in several heights and colors.
Grow 18 inches to 4 feet and bloom anywhere from late spring to late
summer. Large, spreading plant with
lush, green foliage and large, fringed flowers.
Full sun. Best in
well-drained, alkaline soil. Good
for large areas where it can spread. Zone
3 Cranesbill
(Geranium sp.)
Many species and varieties. Attractive,
full, mounded plant growing 6 inches to 2 feet and spreading. Geranium-shaped leaves occur in different sizes, depending on
variety, and most have attractive red color in fall. Numerous bright flowers held above the foliage in shades of
white, pink, red, purple and blue. Most
bloom all summer. Easy to grow.
Sun to part-sun. Moist, well-drained soil.
Some varieties are tolerant of more moisture, or dry soil, or shade.
Many make good ground covers. Check
with nursery for your specific needs. Zones 3 to 5 Creeping
Jenny
(Lysimachia nummularia)
Also called Moneywort and Creeping Charlie.
Rapidly spreading ground cover mounding 4 to 8 inches high.
Smooth, rounded, bright-green leaves and numerous, fragrant,
bright-yellow flowers throughout summer. Sun
to part-sun. Moist to wet soil.
Tolerates some shade. Good
in moist woodlands and pond and stream edges.
Zone 3 N Creeping
Phlox
(Phlox stolonifera)
Grows to 8 inches. Low, spreading plant forms dense ground cover.
Profuse, fragrant, early spring flowers in shades of white, blue and
pink. Part-sun to shade.
Moist, well-drained soil. Good
in woodland settings and semi-shaded areas.
Zone 3
Crown
Vetch
(Coronilla varia)
Grows to 2 feet and spreads vigorously.
Tangled, sprawling vines with small, pea-like foliage and masses of white
to pink clusters of flowers that bloom all summer.
Good for erosion control on banks and in large areas.
Very aggressive. Sun to
part-sun. Well-drained soil.
Tolerates poor, dry soil. Zone
3 Culver’s
Root
(Veronicastrum
virginicum) Grows 3 to 7 feet
with handsome whorls of slender
leaves and long spikes of tiny, white to pink to blue, tube-like flowers in late
summer. May be slow to establish.
Good for moist meadows and woods. Sun
to part-sun. Moist soil. Zone
3 N Cushion
Spurge
(Euphorbia epithymoides)
Grows 12 to 18 inches. Long-lived,
spreading clumps form a dense mound. Dark-green
leaves are somewhat fleshy and turn red in fall.
Covered with bright-yellow flowers in spring and summer.
(Milky sap from stems can cause irritation in sensitive people.)
Easy to grow. No
maintenance. Full sun.
Any well-drained soil. Tolerates
dry soil. Zone 3 Daisy
(Chrysanthemum X superbum & C.
rubellum) Many species and
varieties of daisies are available but these (Shasta Daisy and Hybrid Red
Chrysanthemum) are best suited to the natural planting.
Both are vigorous and spreading. Both
do best in full sun and rich, moist soil. C. rubellum is compact and branching, grows 2 to 3 feet and has
masses of large, fragrant, pink to red, daisy-like flowers in late summer. Tolerates
some shade. Hardy to Zone
5. Shasta Daisy is available in
several varieties. Most grow 2 to 3
feet (‘Little Princess’ grows to only 12 inches) with deep-green foliage and
large, white, daisy-like flowers. Prefer
well-drained soil. Zone
4 Daylily
(Hemerocallis sp.)
Many, many varieties available. Heights
vary from 15 inches to 4 feet. Long,
narrow, lily-like leaves form large clumps. Large, fragrant, lily-like flowers
in many shades of white, yellow,
orange, pink and red. Bloom for
long periods during the summer. Hardy
and easy to grow. Good for
naturalizing. Sun to part-sun. Moist, well-drained soil.
Heat and drought tolerant. Also
tolerates wet soil. Zone
3 Evening
Primrose (Oenothera
sp.) Also called Sundrops. Several
species available. Spreading,
somewhat shrubby plants, growing 6 inches to 2 feet.
Smaller varieties can be useful as ground covers.
Profuse, bright-yellow (some white to pink) flowers throughout summer.
Sun to part-sun. Well-drained
soil (some do best in poor, sandy, dry soil).
Zones 4 to 5
N False
Lupine
(Thermopsis caroliniana &
lanceolata) Grows 2 to 4 feet
and resembles a sprawling lupine. Attractive,
blue-green foliage and tall spikes of yellow flowers in summer.
Easy to grow and long-lived. Good
in natural plantings. Sun to
part-sun. Moist soil.
Tolerates drought. Zone
3 False
Sunflower (Heliopsis
scabra) Grows to 3 feet. A showy, informal plant with golden sunflower-like flowers in
summer. Easy to grow.
Good in natural plantings. Sun
to part-sun. Moist soil. Tolerates
some drought and poor soil. Zone
3 Fleabane
(Erigeron speciosus)
Varieties are cultivated from native species.
Grows 2 to 3 feet. A sturdy
plant good for natural plantings. Clusters
of large, pink to purple, daisy-like flowers in summer.
Sun best. Tolerates some
part-sun. Sandy, well-drained, poor
soil. Zone 4 N Foamflower
(Tiarella sp.)
Forms clumps 6 to 12 inches high with low, broad leaves, either lobed or
heart-shaped. Leaves turn bronze in
fall. Some are slow-growing; others
rapid. Profuse airy, white to pink
flowers on long stalks in late spring to summer.
Part-sun to shade. Moist,
rich soil. Tolerates wet.
Low-maintenance ground cover for woodland areas.
Zone 4 N Forget-Me-Not
(Myosotis sp.)
Native and non-native species available.
A somewhat short-lived perennial but will self-seed and become
well-established if given the right conditions.
Form clumps 6 to 18 inches high with many, small, clear-blue flowers in
early spring to summer. Sun to
part-sun. Moist soil. Some
do well with more shade and moisture, Good
in woodland settings. Zone 3 (N) Germander
(Teucrium chamaedrys)
Standard and dwarf varieties are available.
The standard is shrubby and compact and grows 1 to 2 feet tall. The dwarf grows 6 to 10 inches tall and spreads to 3 feet,
making a good ground cover. Both
are aromatic and have shiny, green leaves and small, pinkish-purple flowers late
in summer. Full sun best but
tolerates some shade. Any
well-drained soil. Zone
5 Globeflower
(Trollius sp.)
Several species and varieties available.
Grows 1 to 3 feet with large, white to yellow to orange, buttercup-like
flowers on stems above the mounded leaves.
Bloom in spring or summer. Vigorous.
Sun to part-sun. Moist to
wet, cool soil. Do well in
semi-shaded, boggy areas and pond edges. Zone
3 Globe
Thistle
(Echinops ritro)
Grows 2 to 4 feet. Coarsely
divided leaves are whitish underneath. Large,
ball-shaped, steely-lavender-blue flower heads on long stems in late summer.
Easy to grow. Full sun. Dry
soil. Tolerates drought. Zone 3 Goat’s
Beard
(Aruncus sp.)
Shrub-like perennials, forming large clumps over time, but not invasive.
Both standard and dwarf species available. Standard grows to 5 feet with 2 to 3 foot compound leaves and
large, feathery, creamy-white plumes of flowers in summer.
Dwarf form grows to 12 inches with deeply cut leaves and creamy flowers.
Sun to part-sun. Moist soil.
Zone 4
N Goldenrod
(Solidago sp.)
Several varieties available. Grow
2 to 4 feet with varying forms and foliage.
Bright golden-yellow clusters or plumes of flowers in late summer and
fall. Vigorous plants; some can
become invasive. Good in natural
plantings. Good for butterflies and
bees. Do not cause hayfever.
Full sun. Moist,
well-drained soil. Tolerate dry
soil. Zone
3 N Heather
(Calluna sp.)
Check hardiness before using this one.
In an appropriate, protected spot, this can be a good ground cover.
Evergreen, spreading mound with tiny, sharp, needle-like leaves and lots
of tiny white to purple flowers in summer to fall. Full sun. Moist,
well-drained, peaty, acid soil. May
tolerate dry soil. May need winter
protection. Zone
4 Helen’s
Flower
(Helenium autumnale & bigelovii)
Also called Sneezeweed. Varieties
developed from native species. Adaptable,
sturdy and informal. Good in
natural plantings. Grows 3 to 5
feet in clumps with narrow leaves and numerous, showy, daisy-like flowers in
yellow to bronze. Blooms late
summer to fall. Full sun.
Moist soil. Tolerates wet
soils. Zone 3 (N) Horehound
(Marrubium vulgare)
A bushy, erect herb growing 1 to 2 feet high.
Vigorous and spreading. Crinkled,
wooly, highly aromatic, grayish-green leaves and small, white flowers close to
the stem. Not native but has become
naturalized in many areas. Full
sun. Any well-drained soil.
Does well in poor, dry, sandy soil.
Can be used as a tall ground cover.
Zone 3 Hosta
(Hosta sp.)
Also called Plaintain Lily. Many
species and varieties available. Grow
6 inches to 3 feet. Lush, leafy
plants slowly spreading in clumps. Foliage
comes in all shades of green with many variegated forms. Flowers are white to purple in clusters on very short or very
long stalks. Bloom in summer.
Easy to grow. Many uses, from hedges to ground covers to fillers under
trees and shrubs. Sun to shade; do
best in part-sun to shade. Moist
soil. Zone
3 Hyssop
(Hyssop officinalis)
Beautiful, semi-bushy, aromatic herb growing 2 to 3 feet with small,
shiny, dark-green leaves and long spikes of profuse, fragrant, tiny, blue
flowers late summer to fall. Attracts
bees and butterlies. Reseeds
vigorously. Sun to part-sun. Moist, well-drained soil.
Zone 3 Iris
(Iris sp.)
Several species and varieties available.
Grow 3 inches to 4 feet in height, depending on the variety.
Plants spread by rhizomes and have long, slender, sword-like leaves and
unique, showy flowers, ranging from white to yellow, pink, bronze, purple and
blue. Some are highly fragrant.
Flowers occur late spring to summer.
Sun to part-sun. Most prefer moist, well-drained soil and tolerate some
drought. Some require more
moisture. Look for easy-care
varieties. Some are native. Zones 3 to 5
(N) Jacob’s
Ladder
(Polemonium caeruleum & reptans)
Also called Greek Valerian. Grows
1 to 3 feet. P.
caeruleum
is larger and forms clumps while P.
reptans is smaller and spreads to form a ground cover.
Delicate, light-green, fern-like foliage and loose clusters of white,
blue or purple flowers in late spring to summer. Part-sun. Prefers
cool, moist soil, some wet. Good at
woodland edges. P. reptans is native to New England but probably not to Maine.
There are other species native to Maine.
Zone 3 (N) Jewelweed
(Impatiens capensis)
Also called Touch-Me-Not. This
is a native plant that may not be available at nurseries but can be spread by
seed and occurs naturally in moist to wet, shaded locations.
It grows 2 to 5 feet with light-green succulent stems and leaves like
cultivated Impatiens.
Spotted orange flowers hang on slender stems beneath the leaves.
Blooms in summer. Ripe
seedpods pop open when touched. Part-sun
to shade. Moist to wet soil. Zone 3
N Joe-Pye
Weed
(Eupatorium purpureum)
Grows 4 to 7 feet. Vigorous,
spreading into large clumps. A
large plant with large, coarse, vanilla-scented leaves and large, showy clusters
of dull pink to purple flowers in late summer and fall.
Sun to part-sun. Moist to
wet soil. Good in wet, natural
plantings. Zone
3 N Lady’s
Mantle
(Alchemilla mollis)
Other species and varieties are available but this one is probably best
for a natural planting. Grows 12 to
18 inches and forms large, mounded, spreading clumps.
Useful as a ground cover. Large,
rounded, semi-lobed, gray-green leaves and masses of small, bright, yellow,
star-shaped flowers that bloom in early summer. Sun to part-sun. Moist,
well-drained soil. Zone 3 Lamb’s
Ears
(Stachys byzantina & officianalis)
Also called Betony or Woundwort. Several
varieties with differing shades of foliage and flowers or no flowers.
Grows 8 to 20 inches depending, on variety. All have large, soft, velvety, gray, silver to green foliage.
Spread to form clumps or mats. Some
varieties make good ground covers. Some
are non-blooming, others have spikes of small pink to purple flowers.
Sun to part-sun. Moist,
well-drained soil. Tolerates some
shade if soil is on the dry side. Zone
4 Lamiastrum
(Lamiastrum galeobdolon or
Galeobdolon luteum) Also called
Yellow Archangel and Golden
Deadnettle. Grows 1 to 2 feet high
and spreads. Striking silver
splashes on foliage and dense clusters of yellow flowers in spring.
Useful as a ground cover and for naturalizing in difficult shady areas.
Can be invasive. Part-sun to
shade. Any well-drained soil.
Zone 3 Lamium
(Lamium maculatum)
Also called Spotted Deadnettle. Several
varieties. Grows 4 to 12 inches.
Vigorous, spreading ground cover forms a leafy mat.
Can be invasive. Sturdy and
easy to grow. Variegated foliage
with clusters of small, snapdragon-like, white, pink or purple flowers in
spring. Part-sun to shade. Any well-drained soil. Tolerates
some drought. Good shady ground
cover. Zone
3 Lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia)
Grows 1 to 2 feet. A bushy,
evergreen perennial with narrow, gray-green, fragrant foliage and spikes of
fragrant, purple flowers in summer. Leaves
and flowers used for their fragrance. Full
sun. Moist, rich, well-drained
soil. Tolerates sandy soil.
Zone 5 Lemon
Balm
(Melissa officianalis)
Bushy herb grows 2 to 3 feet high and spreads by seed and underground. Deeply-veined, heart-shaped, shiny, light-green,
lemon-scented leaves and small, white flowers throughout summer. Used for teas and fragrances.
Easy to grow. Attracts
honeybees. Sun to part-sun. Rich, well-drained soil.
Zone 4 Ligularia
(Ligularia sp.)
Grows 3 to 5 feet with large, decorative, toothed or deeply cut leaves up
to 20 inches wide and loose clusters or tall spikes of yellow or orange
daisy-like flowers in summer. Large,
dramatic plants. In some, the
undersides of the leaves are bronze or purple and some have black or purple
stems. Need moist, cool locations.
Do well near bogs, streams and ponds.
Part-sun to shade. Rich,
moist soil. Tolerates wet soil.
Zone 4 Lily
(Lilium sp.)
Many species and varieties available.
Grow 2 to 4 feet tall. Look
for long-lived, easy-care (i.e., ones that do not need staking or need to be
divided regularly) varieties. Some
are spreading and can fill in areas nicely, coming up through grass and weeds.
Turk’s Cap Lily is good for naturalizing. Flowers are typical lily flowers in a wide variety of colors
and shapes. Many are fragrant.
Bloom summer to fall. Sun to
part-sun. Moist, well-drained soil.
Zones 3 to 5 Lily
of the Valley (Convallaria
majalis) Grows 6 to 12 inches
with 8 inch long, deep-green leaves and extremely fragrant, bell-shaped, white
flowers hanging along the stems. Blooms
in spring. Spreads underground to
form a ground cover in cool, moist, shaded areas.
Good in woodland settings. Part-sun
to shade. Moist soil.
Zone 3 Lily-turf
(Liriope spicata)
Rapidly-spreading, grass-like lily.
Grows 8 to 18 inches in mounds. Deep-green
foliage is evergreen and may need winter protection from ice. Clusters or spikes of light-purple flowers in summer,
followed by black berries. Easy
ground cover. Holds well on slopes.
Sun to shade. Tolerates a variety of soils; best if well-drained.
Tolerates poor soil and drought and wet soil.
Zone 4 Lungwort
(Pulmonaria sp.)
Several varieties available, varying in flower color and leaf
variegation. Grow 9 to 18 inches in
spreading clumps. A good ground cover in cool, moist areas.
Lush foliage is green and speckled with white or silver in most
varieties. Loose clusters of white,
pink, blue or purple flowers open in early spring with or before the foliage.
Part-sun. Moist to wet,
well-drained soil. Zone 3 Lupine
(Lupinus perennis)
Wild Lupine. Cultivated
hybrids are also available but not as long-lived unless very well established. Wild forms will reseed in natural settings.
Vigorous plants grow 1 to 2 feet (hybrids somewhat taller).
Form attractive mounds of interesting, palmately lobed leaves with tall,
upright spikes of blue, pink, red, white or yellow flowers.
True wild lupine usually occurs in blue but other colors have been
developed. Sun to part-sun.
Acid, well-drained soil best. Tolerates
poor, dry conditions once established. Zone 4 N Mallow
(Malva sp.)
Several species and varieties available.
Grows 2 to 4 feet. An
informal, free-flowering, somewhat shrubby plant.
Deeply lobed to feathery foliage and clusters of large white to pink
flowers throughout summer into fall. Good
for naturalizing; self-seeds readily and forms large patches.
Full sun. Dry, alkaline
soil. Tolerates drought. Not native but has become naturalized. Zone 4 Masterwort
(Astrantia major)
Several varieties available. Grows
18 inches to 3 feet tall and spreads quickly.
Clusters of greenish-white to rose-pink to crimson-red flowers in summer
to fall. Easy to grow and reliable if given plenty of moisture. Part-sun to
shade. Moist, rich soil; high in organic matter.
Zone 4 Meadow
Rue
(Thalictrum sp.)
Several species and varieties, native and non-native.
Graceful plant with airy, fern-like foliage and loose clusters of
delicate flowers with a fluffy appearance in spring and summer.
Grows 3 to 5 feet. Forms
loose clumps. Foliage ranges from
light-green to bluish-green and flowers range from white to yellow to
light-purple. Good at edges of
woods and water. Sun to part-sun. Some varieties do best in part-sun. Rich, moist soil. Some
tolerate wet soil. Zones 3 to 5 (N) Meadowsweet
(Filipendula sp.)
Several species are available, differing in flower color and tolerance of
dry soil. Grow 2 to 6 feet. Easy
to grow, require little care as long as there is plenty of moisture.
Good in natural settings. Attractive,
divided leaves; some fern-like. Masses
of white, pink or red, fluffy
flower clusters in summer. Sun to
part-sun. Moist to wet soil. Does not like
acidic soil. Zone 4 Milkweed
(Asclepias incarnata)
Also called Swamp Milkweed. Vigorous,
upright plant with narrow foliage and fragrant, white or pink flowers that
attract butterflies. Grows 3 to 4
feet and blooms in summer. Easy to
grow. Interesting seedpods.
Spreads easily by seed. Good
for naturalizing wet areas. Full
sun. Dry to wet soil.
Zone 3
N Mint
(Mentha sp.)
Many species available. Spreading,
aromatic herbs with small white to pink to purple flowers.
Some species are invasive. Many
make good ground covers. Upright
plants grow 1 to 3 feet tall with branching stems and dark-green, deeply veined
leaves (Pennyroyal, M. pulegium, has
creeping stems). They flower in
summer, with tiny flowers either close to the stem or in spikes at the tips of
the stems. Many are native; many
are not. Sun to part-sun. Rich, moist, slightly acidic soil. Many are found naturally near water and in wet places.
Zones 3 to 5
(N) Moss
Phlox
(Phlox subulata)
Also called Moss Pink. Grows
4 to 9 inches high in a spreading mat or mound.
Makes a good ground cover in sunny, well-drained areas.
Short, needle-like leaves and masses of blue, white or pink flowers in
spring. Sun to part-sun.
Sandy, well-drained soil best. Native
west of Maine; naturalized here. Zone
3 (N) Obedient
Plant
(Physostegia virginiana)
Slender, upright plant grows 2 to 4 feet high and spreads rapidly.
Good in natural settings where it can spread but can be very aggressive.
A dwarf form is available which only grows to 18 inches.
Varieties that spread less vigorously also have been developed.
Narrow, coarse leaves and long spikes of showy, white, pink or purple
flowers in late summer. Sun to part-sun. Acidic,
moist soil. Tolerates wet soil.
Zone 3
N Oregano
(Origanum vulgare)
Grows to 18 inches in a spreading, trailing mat.
Small, highly aromatic leaves and clusters of tiny white to purple
flowers in summer. Plant parts used
as flavoring in cooking. Good
ground cover for small areas. Full
sun. Well-drained, non-acidic soil
best. Zone
3 Pachysandra
(Pachysandra terminalis)
Also called Japanese Spurge. Several
varieties available, differing in color of leaves and growth habit.
Grows 6 to 12 inches and spreads underground. Glossy, green leaves, some variegated and spikes of white
flowers in late spring. An
excellent ground cover for shaded areas. Part-sun
to shade. Moist, well-drained soil.
Best with high organic matter. Zone
4 Pearly
Everlasting (Anaphalis
margaritacea) Other cultivated
species are available. Slender
plant grows to 2 feet with narrow, gray-green, woolly leaves and masses of
small, white flowers in late summer. Flowers
used for drying. Native and
extremely drought tolerant. Full
sun. Moist to dry soil.
Zone 3
N Periwinkle
(Vinca minor)
Also called Myrtle. Several
varieties available with different flower colors and growth heights.
The standard species is the hardiest.
A trailing, spreading, evergreen plant growing to 10 inches high with
glossy, dark-green leaves and white, blue or lavender flowers in spring.
An excellent, hardy, long-lived ground cover that has become naturalized
in our area. Sun to shade.
Moist, well-drained soil. Does
not do well in drought. Zone 4 Phlox
(Phlox paniculata)
Also called Garden Phlox. There
are other species and varieties of Phlox that also would do well in natural
plantings (Wild Sweet William P. maculata
& Woodland Phlox P. divaricata).
Grows 2 to 4 feet in large clumps. Large,
pyramid-shaped clusters of extremely fragrant flowers in many shades of white,
pink, lilac and red. Summer-blooming. Full sun. Moist,
rich soil. Has become naturalized
in our area. Zone 3 Plume
Poppy
(Macleaya cordata)
Large, handsome plants grow 5 to 10 feet tall.
Spreads rapidly in good conditions.
Large, rounded and lobed, gray-green leaves with silver undersides and
long, creamy, white plumes of feathery flowers in summer.
Easy to grow. Grow where
there is room to spread. Sun to
part-sun. Moist soil, well-drained
soil. Zone
3 Potentilla
(Potentilla sp.)
Also called Cinquefoil. Several
varieties and species; some spreading and some not.
Look for ones that make good ground covers.
Easy to grow. Grow from 3 to
18 inches, either erect or sprawling, depending on variety.
Three to five-lobed foliage may be semi-evergreen and is often woolly.
Bright flowers in spring or summer are red, apricot or yellow.
A good choice is P. tabernaemontani.
It forms a 6 to 9 inch high, spreading, evergreen mat with yellow spring
flowers. Sun to part-sun.
Tolerates a variety of soils. Light,
sandy soil best. Zone 5 Pussy-toes
(Antennaria dioica)
Low, 1 inch high, gray-green or silver basal leaves and 3 to 8 inch
flower stalks. Rapidly spreads to
form a mat. Clusters of small,
white or pink, fuzzy flowers on stalks in spring.
Makes a good ground cover in sunny, dry, poor areas where little else
will grow. Full sun.
Dry soil. Zone 3 (N) Sage
(Salvia sp.)
Several species and varieties available with different growth habits and
soil requirements. Look for ones
that do not require winter mulching or other special care.
Several are tolerant of heat and drought.
Grow from 1 to 4 feet depending on variety.
Dark-green, blue-green or gray-green, aromatic leaves and spikes of pink
to purple flowers in summer or fall. Form
slowly spreading clumps. Full sun.
Moist to dry, well-drained, acid soil best.
Some are drought tolerant. Zones
3 to 5 Sedum
(Sedum sp.)
Also called Stonecrop. Many
species and varieties available, differing in growth height and flower color.
Easy to grow; many spreading to form mounds or ground covers.
Grow from 2 to 24 inches with succulent leaves and profuse clusters of
white, pink, red or yellow flowers. Bloom
time varies from spring to summer with many having long bloom times lasting into
fall. Attract butterflies. Full
sun best but some tolerate part-sun. Most
prefer fertile, well-drained soil but many tolerate poor, dry soil and many
tolerate drought and heat. Good
ground covers for sunny, rocky or sandy areas.
Zone 3 Skullcap
(Scuttelaria sp.)
Several species; some native and some not.
Grows 1 to 2 feet and spreads. Slender
plant with bright-green leaves and numerous, small, deep-blue flowers sometimes
in spikes and sometimes close to the stem.
Bloom summer to fall. Part-sun.
Rich, moist to wet soil. Zone
4 Snow-in-Summer
(Cerastium tomentosum)
Grows 6 to 8 inches in spreading mounds.
Easy to grow; spreads quickly. Small,
silvery leaves and masses of small, white flowers in late spring and summer.
Full sun. Must have
well-drained soil. Some varieties
grow in pure sand. Zone
3 Snow-on-the-Mountain
(Aegopodium podagraria)
Also called Bishop’s Weed. A
leafy ground cover. Grows 8
to 18 inches high with variegated green and white leaves.
Spreads rapidly - very aggressive. Small,
white flowers in clusters on long stalks in early summer.
Grows well where nothing else will grow. Has become naturalized in some areas. Sun to shade. Wet
to dry, rich to poor soil. Zone 3 Solidaster
(Solidaster luteus)
A cross between aster and goldenrod.
Grows 18 to 30 inches. Large,
bushy plants with small, narrow leaves and masses of small, yellow, daisy-like
flowers in summer. Good for
naturalizing. Full sun.
Moist, well-drained soil. Zone
5 Solomon’s
Seal
(Polygonatum sp.) Three species
available, varying in height from 18 inches to 7 feet.
Some are native. Handsome
plants with lily-like leaves along an arching stem and white, bell-shaped
flowers hanging below leaves in late spring.
Some are fragrant. Excellent
in woodland settings. Spread
underground. Part-sun to shade. Moist, acid soil. Tolerates
wet. Shady, damp woods best.
Zone 3 Sunflower
Heliopsis (Heliopsis
helianthoides) Also called
False Sunflower and Oxeye. Several
varieties available. Grows 3 to 6
feet. Low-maintenance, hardy plants form clumps but do not spread.
Coarse, dark-green leaves and showy, yellow to gold, sunflower-like
flowers (2 to 3 inches across) summer to fall.
Good in natural plantings. Full
sun. Moist, well-drained soil best
but tolerates drought and poor soils. Native
to northern midwest. Zone
3 Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) This is a native plant that ma |
Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation
District
