Catrina's Garden

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Aster New England – Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

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On March 1, 2021

In Perennials, Products

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, commonly called New England aster, is a native perennial which is most often found in moist prairies in the eastern half of the US.  It is hardy to zone 4 and heat tolerant to zone 8, and although it is large and needs some space it is not invasive and does fine in the garden.  It grows to 3 to 6 feet and spreads to 2 to 4 feet.  Plant more than one for a real show.  The size depends on the moisture provided and the strain that you have.  Pinching back in July will keep it shorter and delay flowering.  Daisy type flowers with purple rays and yellow centers that are about an inch wide, appear in in abundance in late August and September.  The plant likes full sun and is loved by bees and butterflies. Cut back to the ground in fall to avoid seedlings. The genus name comes from the Greek symph, meaning coming together, and trich, meaning hair; in possible reference to the flower anthers.

$8.00

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Iris Cristata – Dwarf Crested

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On December 15, 2019

In Iris, Products

This darling little iris is a native plant hardy in zone 3 to 9. Iris Cristata is commonly called Dwarf Crested Iris.

Iris Cristata

They are pale blue with gold crested falls and bloom in May here in Wisconsin. They are actually found more commonly further east and south but grow fine in other parts of the country.

They do fine in sun or dappled shade and are tolerant of both wet and dry soil. They will naturalize via shallow rhizomes, kind of like a strawberry. Not bothered by deer and rabbits.

The size of these iris can vary. Some hybrid varieties can be up to 8 inches tall or more. The type that we have here are quite small, about 4 inches, with one inch, blue violet flowers.

$5.00
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Liatris spicata – Blazing Star

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On November 19, 2016

In Perennials, Products

Liatris spicata is also known as Gayfeather, Blazing Star or Button Snakeroot

About two feet tall and hardy to zone 3, this native plant is easy, does not require watering, and is attractive to butterflies and pollinators.  Its violet flowering stalks are attractive in the summer garden featuring rounded fluffy blooms topping clumps of grassy foliage. The seed heads are also beautiful later in the season.  Just cut them if you don’t want seedlings or leave them for the birds if you don’t mind having more.

$6.00

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Cup Plant – Silphium perfoliatum

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On November 18, 2016

In Perennials, Products

cup-plant-stems1Cup Plant is a large native prairie plant that catches water at the base of its wide large leaves.  The height of its strong square stem depends on how much moisture it gets but average is 6 feet. Birds and insects enjoy the water, but those that drown are actually absorbed by the plant making it “carnivorous”.  In summer, yellow daisy like flowers are held high atop the stems and smaller clusters emerge at the leaf margin. This plant is great in the prairie or meadow. It can be used in the garden as a tall accent but be sure to give it the space that it will need and remove seed heads to prevent too many babies.

$5.00

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Baptisia Tinctoria

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On November 18, 2016

In Perennials, Products

baptesia-solar-flare1This native prairie plant is smaller than the better known blue indigo.  This is good for a landscape setting as the height is still over 2 feet with a 2 to 3 foot spread.  This plant is a member of the pea family with yellow pea like flowers.  The plant produces beneficial bacteria from its roots called rhizobia.  Baptisia blooms from late July through August and is hardy from zone 3 to 9.  The blue green foliage and black seed pods are also interesting.  This plant has been used as a dye plant and is attractive to butterflies.

$7.00

Iris Versicolor – Blue Flag

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On October 31, 2016

In Iris, Products

Iris versicolor with Hosta Elvis Lives and Golden Prayers

Iris versicolor with Hosta Elvis Lives and Golden Prayers

A very robust, native water iris which will also grow in the garden if given enough water. The sword-like leaves are topped by large, violet-blue flowers accented by whitish markings at the base of the sepals. Petals and sepals spread out flat making it an attractive place for feeding by hummingbirds. It can grow to 3 feet in the water but will be shorter in a garden situation.  They are hardy to zone two and can tolerate freezing in the ice with no problem. They like about six inches of water, but can tolerate deeper water for a short time.

$7.00

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Sea Holly – Eryngium planum

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On October 30, 2016

In Perennials, Products

Sea holly Eryhgium planum and Sedum sarmentosum graveyard moss

Sea holly Eryhgium planum and Sedum sarmentosum graveyard moss

Sea Holly although it behaves like a prairie plant is not native. It has however been in North America since the 1800’s.  I love it for its true blue color. This small thistle like plant has round umbels with bright steel blue flowers and blue-green bracts, on bright blue stems. The color, although quite bright blue also appears somewhat silvery; so this plant is wonderful in the moon garden and as a backdrop for white flowers. This is one of those plants that will live nearly anywhere, but it is best in full sun and sandy or poor soil and not too wet. If placed in shade or overly rich soil it tends to get bigger and flop over. In preferred conditions it stays about 2 feet tall, fuller and upright. This plant is very drought tolerant once established and is also ignored by deer. It is a super easy care free plant, just cut the taller stems from the basil leaves once a year. I usually do it very late in fall.  The plant dries really well and holds its color when dried. If using it for wreaths and arrangements wait until the stems and flowers develop their brightest color.

$7.00

Rudbeckia Triloba – Brown Eyed Susan

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On October 30, 2016

In Perennials, Products

Rudbeckia-Triloba

Rudbeckia-Triloba

This native plant is 3-4 feet tall and a branched form can make it equally as wide. The fuzzy, dark green, three lobed leaves make it deer resistant. It prefers moisture but will do fine in any condition including drought when established. The plant self-sows easily and flowers in the second year so don’t worry that they are considered a short lived perennial. These plants seem to “move around” in your garden. The first year it is a mound of basal foliage and the next year a mass of 1-2 inch bright yellow flowers with contrasting dark brown centers. They bloom from midsummer into hard frost. It plays well with native grasses and is a great cut flower.

$4.00

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Oxeye Sunflower – Heliopsis Helianthoides

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On October 30, 2016

In Perennials, Products

Oxeye Sunflower - Heliopsis helianthoides

Oxeye Sunflower – Heliopsis helianthoides

A 3 to 5 foot tall native perennial with an equally wide spread. It is great on a prairie or in a wild garden. In the border just be aware that you will need to give it space and consider removing the seed heads if you don’t want too many seedlings. The Branched stems have masses of sunflower-like heads. The petals as well as the cone-shaped center disk are yellow. The 2 inch flowers are nicer than “real” native sunflowers because the petals remain though out the summer and into fall where the sunflower petals fade as the seeds are produced. It tolerates both dry sandy soil and clay and needs little care other than to cut it back when it is done.  You can do this in spring if you like the branching skeleton for winter interest. This multipurpose butterfly magnet is great for arrangements and doubles as a bird feeder.

$4.00

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Asarum Canadense – Wild Ginger

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On October 30, 2016

In Perennials, Products

This nice little native woodland plant makes a wonderful ground cover for your garden, too. It does best in shaded areas that have moist acidic soils. Wild Ginger only gets about 6” tall and is deer resistant! The heart shaped leaves can be 6” but more often are 3” and the leaves and stems are fuzzy. It is nice with ephemerals as it will stay around when they fade. There is a little dark red to brown flower that is often not noticed as it hangs down below the leaves. It is an important plant for the Pipe vine swallowtail Butterfly. It is edible and has been used medicinally.

$6.00

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