Native Plants for Summer Interest in the Midwest

Whorled Milkweed

Asclepiasverticillata

Zones:3–9

Size:1 to 2½ feet tall and 1 to 2 feet all-embracing

Conditions : Full sunlight to partial shade ; adaptable to a panoptic ambit of well - drained territory case

Native range : fundamental and easterly United States , southern Canada

bloom later into summertime than most other milkweeds , whorled milkweed put on a fl oral show that frequently retain unabated from June until September and attracts a wide compass of pollinators , admit monarchs . Creamy white umbels of lightly fragrant fl owers glow atop unbranched theme clad in whorls of needle - comparable leaves . Because this species is poisonous to livestock , it is considered a noxious green goddess in pasture areas ; in a garden context , it is left alone by both rabbit and deer . spread out by rhizomes and by seed , it is particularly durable in sandy , gravelly , well - drain soil .

Closed Bottle Gentian

Gentianaandrewsii

Zones:3–7

Size:1 to 2 foot tall and 1 to 1½ infantry panoptic

Conditions : Full sun to fond spook ; moist , robust soil

Native reach : northeast and primal North America

I ’m always smitten when I see the cylindric , deep downhearted fl owers of closed bottle gentian in late summer and early capitulation . Each nonbranching base of this amazing native industrial plant supports many fl owers that are nearly close at their tips and never sincerely undefended . This fl ower architecture challenge strong humblebee to hale their way into the bloom , see to it pollination . Requiring very little aid once established , this clump - forming , deer - resistant perennial is a neat addition to any wildfl ower garden with fertile , consistently dampish soil . reckon plant it alongside some supportive neighbors that will serve to keep the heavy fl ower stem erect and seeable .

Rocky Mountain Liatris

Liatrisligulistylis

Zones:3–8

Size:3 to 5 feet tall and 1 to 2 foot wide

Conditions : Full sunshine ; moist , well - drain soil

Native range : Central North America , westerly Canada

In my pollinator garden , Rocky Mountain genus Liatris is the ultimate nectar plant for monarchs during its four- to six - workweek June 21 bloom period . I like to use this hardy perennial for a strong erect front , scattering multiple groupings throughout a garden design . Consistent wet is ideal , although you will need to avoid dirt that is poorly run out or wet in winter . In rich filth this metal money may benefit pregnant height and demand some staking , but the extra effort is worth it when the tufted , thistle - alike flowers arrayed along the tall stems fetch in droves of monarchs and other pollinators . Pest and disease ohmic resistance are bonus .

Wild Petunia

Ruelliahumilis

Zones:4–8

Size:1 to 2 feet tall and wide

Whorled Milkweed

Photo: courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery

aboriginal range : Eastern and central United States

attract an regalia of pollinators , this intrepid workhorse blooms through the red-hot and driest part of the year , from June through August . With a habit that is summary , shaggy-haired , and more or less straggling , untamed petunia look terrific in small groupings or massed as a ground binding . Its five - lob , Melville Bell - shape , lavender to lilac flowers appear along hairy stem . hummingbird are heavy fans of this long-lived perennial , while cervid and coney are n’t overly concerned . There are no serious louse or disease problems , but watch out for seedling , which may protrude up several feet away from the parent plant . If you do n’t want these extra plants , just pull them up or relocate them .

Mark Dwyer manages the Edgerton Hospital Healing Garden in Edgerton , Wisconsin , operates Landscape Prescriptions by MD , and is a regional reporter for FineGardening.com .

Closed Bottle Gentian

Photo: courtesy of Mark Dwyer

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Rocky Mountain Liatris

Photo: Jack Coyier

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Wild Petunia

Photo: courtesy of Mark Dwyer

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