Showy Goldenrod earns its name in late summer and fall when its upright, three-to-five-foot stems break into dense, arching plumes of brilliant golden yellow that electrify the back of the sunny border. A Great Lakes native, it provides one of the most reliable and generous bursts of late-season color available to the Midwest garden, supporting dozens of butterfly and bird species as they prepare for migration. Unlike some goldenrods that spread aggressively, this one stays in a well-mannered, upright clump that’s trustworthy enough for mass plantings or naturalistic border work. It thrives in average, well-drained soil in full sun and asks for almost nothing once established. The warm yellow fall foliage extends the seasonal show well after the flowers have finished, and the seed heads provide food for birds into winter. A bold, native choice for anyone who wants a late-season display that truly takes care of itself.

Also called Prairie Alumroot. Airy spikes of green to cream bells rise from a compact, dense mound of cupped, ruffled green foliage, great versatility; give some afternoon shade in hot southern areas; drought tolerant

Prairie Blazing Star has masses of beautiful spikes of violet flowers rising above the foliage from mid summer to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its grassy leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Rebecca Violet is a sweet, spring-blooming native that brings soft color to shaded spots and woodland edges right when the garden is most ready for it. Native to the woodlands of eastern North America, it settles easily into partial shade with regular moisture and spreads gradually to form a tidy groundcover of heart-shaped leaves. Soft purple flowers open in spring and are beloved by early-season butterflies, including the larvae of several fritillary species that depend on violets as a host plant. Compact and clump-forming, it tucks neatly into borders, along shaded paths, or among taller woodland companions like hostas and ferns. Deer and rabbits generally leave violets alone, and it asks for very little maintenance once it’s settled in. It’s a quietly lovely plant that earns a cherished place in any naturalistic or shade garden.

Sneezeweed has masses of beautiful yellow daisy flowers with gold eyes at the ends of the stems from late summer to mid fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its pointy leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

New Jersey Tea features showy clusters of fragrant white flowers at the ends of the branches from mid spring to early summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has attractive green foliage with grayish green undersides. The glossy pointy leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall color. It produces red capsules in mid summer, which fade to dark brown over time. The buttery yellow stems are very effective and add winter interest.

Golden Alexanders is one of spring’s most welcome native perennials—a cheerful burst of flat-topped, bright yellow flower clusters that lights up partial shade at a time when the garden is still waking up. Native to the woodland edges and moist meadows of the eastern United States, it grows reliably in part sun with average moisture, forming neat, upright clumps reaching about two feet tall. It serves as a host plant for the Black Swallowtail butterfly and draws a parade of early-emerging pollinators just when they need the foraging most. In fall, the foliage turns warm golden-yellow before winter, extending its season of interest well past the initial spring display. Deer and rabbits tend to pass it by, and it handles the challenging soil conditions near black walnut trees without complaint. Tuck it into a woodland edge, naturalized border, or rain garden where its early, bright color can be fully appreciated.

Woodland Phlox is smothered in stunning lightly-scented lavender star-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from mid to late spring. Its narrow leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

False Sunflower has masses of beautiful gold daisy flowers at the ends of the stems from early summer to mid fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its serrated oval leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Smooth Aster has masses of beautiful lavender daisy flowers with yellow eyes at the ends of the stems from late summer to late fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its narrow leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season.

No those aren't sunflowers, those are Compass Plants! A true icon of the prairies, these lovely plants are an incredible addition to your landscape. It is quite a sight to see pollinators flit from flower to flower while birds, like Goldfinches, will perch upon the strong stems pecking for insects or seeds.

Common Brown-Eyed Susan is a beloved Great Lakes native wildflower with cheerful golden-yellow blooms surrounding a distinctive dark, velvety brown center. Growing 24 to 36 inches, it produces flowers abundantly from summer well into fall, long after many perennials have finished their show. The compact, daisy-like blooms appear in impressive numbers, creating a mass of color that butterflies find irresistible. As a native plant, it provides valuable seed for goldfinches and other birds as the season winds down. Deer and rabbit resistant, extremely cold hardy, and wonderfully easy to grow in any sunny well-drained spot.

Graceful and delicate, this hay-scented fern features lacy, arching fronds that reach full maturity by June. Watch the foliage transform to soft yellow tones as fall arrives. Crush the fronds to release the distinctive hay-like fragrance that makes this fern truly special. Creates a welcoming habitat for birds and bees while adding texture and movement to shaded garden spaces.

The Swamp Rose Mallow is a native shrubby perennial with numerous sturdy stems arising from a single crown. The large, heart-shaped leaves are grayish-green above and hairy-white below. Its boasts showy, five-petaled, creamy-white flowers have a conspicuous band of red or burgundy at their bases. This striking species attracts hummingbirds, making it a gorgeous addition to a native garden.

Royal Fern is an herbaceous perennial with a shapely form and gracefully arching foliage. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

Creeping Jacob's Ladder has masses of beautiful panicles of sky blue star-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from mid spring to early summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its ferny pinnately compound leaves remain green in color throughout the season. The burgundy stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Prairie Coneflower brings a warm, sun-drenched energy to the summer border—its clear yellow petals radiating from prominent dark cones that rise on upright stems through the heat of midsummer and on into fall. Illinois native and thoroughly at home in Midwest gardens, it thrives in full sun and lean, well-drained soil with very little supplemental water once established. Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds work the blooms from the moment they open, and as the seed heads dry and persist into autumn, goldfinches and other songbirds flock to them. Two to three feet tall, it mixes beautifully with ornamental grasses and blue-flowered companions like salvia and amsonia, where the warm yellow makes every neighbor look better. It shrugs off deer and rabbits and tolerates even sites near black walnut trees without complaint. Mass it in a sunny border or naturalized planting for a display that rewards the garden for months on end.

Shooting Star features dainty nodding pink recurved flowers with yellow eyes at the ends of the stems in mid spring. Its pointy leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season.