Perennial Blog

Big Bluestem, once dominant of the tallgrass priarie ecosystem, but also thrives in any other open sunny habitats (moist meadows, drier upland prairies, savannas, or roadsides). The adaptability may sit in its extensive deep root system, which can reach 8 to 10 feet on deep prairie soils 7.8–9.8 feet; but with some reports even deeper to 12-20 ft). Deep roots make this plant durable, heat and drought tolerant, and the shallower roots at the… Read more

Small’s Beartdtongue is one of the very showy native plants that deserves to be planted more. Can be common in some southeastern gardens, and unknow in others. ©US Perennials Here in Indiana, it is often excluded by the native plant enthusiasts primarily because it’s not native to our area, but only to these southeastern states - both Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama (where it’s still rare). Most likely it's also… Read more

Vigorous, tough, disease free, non-flopping, dense and really good ground covering, aromatic, completely deer and rabbit resistant, all summer flowering, heat and humidity tolerant and pollinator magnet! And even when not flowering still highly ornamental native perennial! Who wouldn't want that? Pycnathemum muticum with Monarda sp. in naturalistic garden, designed and maintained by ©Andrew Marrs Garden Design   But nothing is ideal… Read more