What's Up, Watershed? Beautify Your Yard with These Three Native Plants!

Now that summer is coming to an end and autumn is on the horizon, adding new plants to our yards is not on the minds of most people.  However, in terms of native perennial plants, fall is actually one of the best times to plant.

In this edition of “What’s Up, Watershed?” we’ll highlight three common native plants that can add beautiful flowers to your yard next growing season! Read to dig in? Let’s go!

Chris Bunn

Environmental Program Coordinator

Pennsylvania Resources Council

Fall is a great time to establish native perennial plants since conditions are ideal to promote the growth of a healthy root system. With a larger root system developed and more time to acclimate to your space, by spring these plants will grow bigger, stronger, and more capable of handling intense summer temperatures. Without further adieu, check out these three native plants you can add to your yard this autumn! Click on their titles for more in-depth information.

1. MILKWEED (asclepias)

Support monarch butterflies and watch their miraculous life cycle unfold in your yard!  Milkweed is the vital host plant for the monarch, which is currently at a high risk of extinction in the wild. Milkweed comes in several varieties, but two of the most popular are the vibrant orange-flowered “butterfly weed” (asclepias tuberosa) and the elegant purple-flowered “swamp milkweed” (asclepias incarnata). Light Exposure: Full Sun.

2. NODDING ONION (allium cernuum) 

This pom-pom-like perennial blooms in beautiful shades of cream, pale pink, and light lavender. A member of the same family as vegetable crops like onions, chives, and scallions, this plant is hardy and adaptable to a wide range of conditions. Nodding onion provides a great option to address issues with deer or other herbivores. Light Exposure: Full or Partial Sun

3. BLUE LOBELIA (lobelia siphilitica)

For a serene addition to your yard, consider this late-summer perennial with blue-indigo flower clusters. Blue lobelia will entice pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bumble bees. Blue can be a rare hue in the garden, so this plant is a real treat! It’s also another great option if you experience trouble with deer and other herbivores. Light Exposure: Shade to Part Sun.

Discover an abundance of native plant nurseries throughout Pennsylvania. To find a nursery near you, use this nifty map created by Homegrown National Park. If you prefer to shop online, consider purchasing from Izel. For inspiration and access to garden design templates for small yards, check out Native Plants for the Small Yard.

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Join us next month for an exploration of autumn tree planting! 

Photos shown above (top to bottom):  milkweed; nodding onion (courtesy of Blue Ridge Kitties); blue lobelia