Main Fountain Garden District

Purple coneflower is native to the eastern and central United States and grows in rocky open woodlands, prairies, and thickets. A clump forming perennial, it has soft pink flowers that grow to a height of 3 to 4 feet, and blooms from mid June to August. Purple coneflower has become a very popular ornamental plant and many different cultivars and hybrids can be found in the trade. As with the other members of the aster family, it has many ecological benefits including attracting butterflies, birds and especially native bees. Look for other plantings of purple coneflower throughout the gardens!  

Another plant that benefits butterflies in the garden is dill.  Known as a culinary herb, dill is a host plant for swallowtail butterfly larvae and caterpillars.  Besides being a food source for humans and butterflies alike, it is a beautiful plant with feathery foliage and umbels of yellow flowers that can be seen now growing in our Ornamental Kitchen Garden.

Obedient plant, is a resilient perennial native to North America’s moist meadows and stream banks. It grows 2 to 4 feet tall, with square stems, lance-shaped leaves, and striking tubular flowers arranged in spikes, in shades of pink, purple, or white. Named for its unique characteristic, its flowers can be gently moved to stay “obedient” in different positions.  Physostegia blooms in late summer, providing vibrant color when many other plants fade. This species plays an important role in supporting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It thrives in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil. It’s a favorite for perennial borders, and naturalistic landscapes, offering both ornamental appeal and valuable ecological benefits.

Acanthus mollis, commonly known as bear’s breeches, is a bold, architectural perennial native to the Mediterranean region. It’s known for its large, glossy, deeply lobed leaves and tall flower spikes adorned with white and purple bracts that bloom in late spring to summer. The plant’s dramatic form has inspired design for centuries, it even served as the model for the leaf motifs on Corinthian columns in classical architecture. Acanthus mollis thrives in part shade with well-drained soil and is valued for adding a lush, sculptural quality to gardens.