Meadow & Forest District

This native plant, like its garden counterpart, bee-balm (Monarda didyma), has tubular shaped fragrant flowers, ranging from pinkish purple to pale lilac, that are a favorite of hummingbirds and bees as well as a wide variety of butterflies. It is also grown for its showy flowers and for mint tea made from its aromatic leaves. It grow 2-4 feet tall in full sun or part shade and well-drained soils. In winter, the round, honeycomb heads of bergamot pods are one of the longest lasting seedpods in the Meadow.

Rudbeckia hirta is an annual or short-lived perennial that has an upright habit and can grow up to three feet tall. It grows naturally in fields, meadows, home gardens and along roadsides in ordinary, well-drained soil and full sun.  Like other plants in the aster family, gloriosa daisy's flowers have dark brown centers comprised of many disc florets and yellow-orange "petals" which are ray florets.  These cheerful flowers bloom the entire summer while providing nectar to bees, butterflies and other insects. Later in the year, birds will enjoy its seeds.

Another native milkweed featured in the Meadow is the fragrant swamp milkweed. Like the other milkweeds, it is a favorite food source for monarch butterfly larva and has seeds that are attached to silky fibers that act like parachutes when released from their pods.  But unlike the others, this species does well in moist to wet sites and can even tolerate heavy clay soil.

Scutellaria incana, commonly known as hoary skullcap, is a native perennial found in open woodlands and prairies of the central and eastern United States. It features upright spikes of soft blue to violet flowers that bloom in mid-to-late summer, providing important nectar for bees and other pollinators. It's named “skullcap” because the shape of its small, helmet-like flowers resemble a close-fitting cap. The plant's gray-green, slightly hairy leaves help it tolerate dry conditions, making it a resilient choice for native plant gardens. With its quiet beauty and ecological value, Scutellaria incana is a great addition to low-maintenance landscapes. Deer-resistant

Culver’s Root, is a tall, graceful native perennial prized for its elegant spires of tiny white to pale lavender flowers that bloom in midsummer. These slender, candelabra-like flower spikes rise above whorled leaves on sturdy stems, adding vertical interest to meadows, prairies, and pollinator gardens. It is a magnet for a wide range of pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, moths, and wasps, and is especially valuable for specialist pollinators. Look for a variety of cultivars on display in other areas of the gardens.