Tag: Low water needs

  • Plant Profile: Clasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis)

    Plant Profile: Clasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis)

    Clasping Milkweed gets its name from the way the leaves wrap around or “clasp” the stem. It is extremely drought tolerant and adapted to very dry sites, thanks to its thick waxy leaves that help preserve moisture. It is an uncommon milkweed that is even considered threatened in some states. Read more

  • Plant Profile: Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)

    Plant Profile: Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)

    Whorled milkweed has slender, delicate looking leaves that appear in whorls, giving this milkweed its name. It continues blooming relatively late into the fall compared to other milkweed species, making this an important food source for late migrating monarchs. It is drought tolerant and resistant to rabbits and deer. Read more

  • Plant Profile: Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)

    Plant Profile: Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)

    This native wildflower is a great option for beginners, as it is easy to grow from seed and easy to find for sale. Lanceleaf coreopsis supports 22 species of bees, and birds like to eat the seeds. It is perfect for creating a wildflower meadow, and it is very tolerant of most growing conditions. Read more

  • Plant Profile: New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

    Plant Profile: New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

    New Jersey Tea gets its name from the fact that its leaves were used as a tea substitute during the Revolutionary War. It is a tough, low-growing shrub that has a deep taproot, meaning it is highly resistant to drought and even recovers well after fire. Read more

  • Plant Profile: Green Hawthorn (Crataegus viridis)

    Plant Profile: Green Hawthorn (Crataegus viridis)

    Green Hawthorn is probably one of the most common hawthorns available on the market. It provides 4 seasons of interest, with white flowers in the Spring, red berries in the summer, bronze to red foliage in the fall, and bark that peels off in the winter to reveal orange inner bark. Read more

  • Plant Profile: Spurred Butterfly Pea (Centrosema virginianum)

    Plant Profile: Spurred Butterfly Pea (Centrosema virginianum)

    Do not confuse this butterfly pea with the non-native one used to make butterfly pea tea! Spurred Butterfly Pea is a native vine with pink or purple flowers, which has a long blooming season. Its easy to grow and care for, and a great choice for small yards or container gardens. Read more