Main Fountain Garden District

Silverleaf Sunflower, is a tall, striking perennial native to North America, named from the Greek words helios (sun) and anthos (flower) for its famous habit of turning its blooms to follow the sun throughout the day. Part of the diverse Helianthus genus, which includes over 70 species, it features silvery, woolly leaves and bright yellow flowers that bloom late into summer and early fall. Like other members of the aster family, these sunflowers attract numerous pollinators in the late-season garden. In our garden, they stand tall, adding vibrant color and ecological value throughout September alongside other late yellow bloomers like Rudbeckia, Coreopsis, Heliopsis, and Silphium.

Goldenrod has been called by some the single most important plant for North American pollinator biodiversity. It is considered a keystone species and is the host plant for approximately 104 species of butterflies and moths. Many bees are goldenrod specialists, meaning that about 42 species of bees will visit only goldenrod for a food source. Although abundantly important in its native range, it is considered an invasive species in introduced areas due to its ability to rapidly spread and thrive in a variety of conditions.

Coreopsis tripteris is an upright perennial with strongly branched stems and grows from rhizomes. It grows naturally in sandy loamy soils, boggy meadows, woodland edges, fields, and along streams. It prefers full sun to part shade with moist to average well-drained soil. It has nice lemon yellow flowers, and the fact that it is long lived and easy to grow make it an exceptional plant. Tall tickseed can be found growing natively in the southeastern and western portions of Pennsylvania.