Perennial Plant Sale
Perennials
Pot Size: 1 gallon
Gayfeather (aka Blazing Star), is a clump-forming perennial that typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall. In NC it is found in the coastal and Piedmont areas. The tall spikes of flowers bloom from the top down, are showy and attract pollinators. The foliage is grass-like and grows in clumps. Plant prefers average to moist, well-drained soils that range from acidic to neutral in pH. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and also tolerates summer heat and humidity. This particular species does better in moist soils than some other blazing stars. The plant has corms with shallow fibrous roots and can produce new colonies from its corms, though it most often propagates by seed. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back dead stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their own. Read more about best practices for stem-nesting bees in this NC Extension publication.
👉For more information visit NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Pot Size: 2 quart
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is an herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family that is native to Southeastern North Carolina and the central and eastern United States. It may grow 3 to 4 feet tall and produce pinkish-purple flowers that mature in early summer through mid-fall. This plant prefers well-drained, moist loam but is adaptable to various soil types. It is drought tolerant once established and can grow in full sun to partial shade. It is also deer, heat, humidity, and salt resistant.
Several pollinators are attracted to the flower, especially butterflies and native bees. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back dead stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their own.
Light Exposure: Full Sun – Partial Shade Mature Height: 3 – 4 ft.
Soil Moisture: Dry - Medium Mature Width: 1 - 2 ft.
For more information visit NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
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Photo Credit: Flowers (Wake County, NC) | Cathy Dewitt | CC BY 4.0
Pot Size: 1 quart
Coneflower ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ (Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’) prefers well-drained moist loams but is adaptable to various soil types. It is drought tolerant once established and can grow in full sun to partial shade. It is easily propagated by seed and will reseed itself in the garden. If reseeding is not wanted, deadheading will remove the seeds. It is a popular and long-blooming plant for use in the native garden, meadows, pollinator gardens and naturalized areas.
The award-winning 'Cheyenne Spirit' cultivar will provide a mix of flower colors. Not limited to one color, each plant can give you gold, orange, red, cream, purple and yellow flowers. It can be found growing in prairie habitats. It is a host plant for the silvery checkerspot butterfly larvae, Chloryne nycteis.
Light Exposure: Full Sun – Partial Shade Mature Height: 1 – 2.5 ft.
Soil Moisture: Dry - Medium Mature Width: 1 - 2 ft.
For more information visit NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
👉🛒 To purchase click here, on picture to the left, or the name of the flower above then click “Add to Cart”
Photo Credit: Flowers | Stefano | CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Pot Size: 1 quart
Threadleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’) thrives in poor, sandy or rocky soils with good drainage. The plant is tolerant of heat, humidity and drought. May be sheared in mid to late summer to promote a fall rebloom and to remove any sprawling or unkempt foliage. 'Zagreb' can spread in the garden by rhizomes and self-seeding, particularly in moist fertile soils. 'Zagreb' is more compact (to 1.5' tall) and features bright yellow, daisy-like flowers (1-2" diameter) with untoothed rays and darker yellow center disks. Suitable for borders.
For more information visit the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Plant Finder.
Pot Size: 1 quart
Blue Mistflower (aka Hardy Ageratum) is an herbaceous perennial native to the Eastern United States and is a member of the aster family (Asteraceae). It looks like the annual ageratum and because of that is sometimes called hardy ageratum. The plant prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, humus-rich soils that do not dry out. It grows 18 inches to 3 feet tall and wide. Taller plants may be cut back in spring to prevent flopping. It spreads by rhizomes and self-seeding. It flowers from late summer until frost, attracts pollinators and is moderately resistant to damage from deer. It does especially well around pond borders as long as spreading roots will not affect other plants.
Light Exposure: Full Sun – Partial Shade Mature Height: 18 in. – 3 ft.
Soil Moisture: Medium to Moist Mature Width: 18 in. – 3 ft.
For more information visit NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
👉🛒 To purchase click here, on picture to the left, or the name of the flower above then click “Add to Cart”
Photo Credit: Flat topped cluster of flowers | Kingdon | CC0
Pot Size: 2 quart
Butterfly weed is a tuberous-rooted, native, herbaceous perennial in the Apocynaceae, (dogbane) family. The species name, tuberosa, refers to the root. The plant is upright with showy yellow-orange flower clusters topping its upright stems. It typically grows in clumps 1 - 3 feet tall, and is found in dry, rocky open woods, glades, prairies, fields, and roadsides. The plant is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. It is drought tolerant, moderately salt tolerant, and does well in poor, dry soils. Also a food source for larvae of Monarch (Danaus plexippus)butterfly the as well as the Milkweed Tussock moth (Euchaetes Egle).
Light Exposure: Full Sun Mature Height: 1 – 2 ft.
Soil Moisture: Dry to Medium Mature Width: 1 – 1.5 ft.
For more information visit NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
👉🛒 To purchase click here, on picture to the left, or the name of the flower above then click “Add to Cart”
Photo Credit: Whole Plant | Mary Keim | CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Pot Size: 2 quart
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is an herbaceous perennial in the Apocynaceae (dogbane) family that is native to Southeastern North Carolina and throughout the Eastern US. The attractive pink to rose-purple flowers mature in mid-spring and last into early fall. The seed pods split open to release seeds that float on the wind. Milkweed is an important food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars (Danaus plexippus), and the flowers are visited by many pollinators. It is resistant to browsing by deer.
Light Exposure: Full Sun Mature Height: 3 – 5 ft.
Soil Moisture: Medium - Moist Mature Width: 2 – 3 ft.
For more information visit NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
👉🛒 To purchase click here, on picture to the left, or the name of the flower above then click “Add to Cart”
Photo Credit: Flowers | Charlotte Glen | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Perennial Shrubs
Grasses
Pot Size: 2 gallon
Switch Grass ‘Heavy Metal’ (Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’) is a favorite switchgrass, well-loved for its dramatic, metallic blue foliage and for its strong upright habit that remains standing straight and tall. Pink-tinted, airy blooms appear in July, highlighting the color of its blue leaves. This blue switchgrass serves as a colorful backdrop to other grasses and perennials, looks stunning in masses, and provides a focal point when used as a specimen.
A cultivar of native Panicum virgatum, it is an easy choice for meadows and naturalized areas as it not picky about soil and is very drought tolerant. Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ does best in full sun; refrain from over fertilizing. Mass plant this grass in the back of a border or use as a screen. It is effective as an accent plant in a native or water garden or along a pond. This plant is resistant to deer grazing, drought, erosion, and air pollution. It is also slightly salt tolerant and withstands occasional flooding.
Light Exposure: Full Sun Mature Height: 4 - 5 ft.
Soil Moisture: Moderate to Dry Mature Width: 1 - 2 ft.
For more information visit NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
👉🛒 To purchase click here, on picture to the left, or the name of the flower above then click “Add to Cart”
Photo Credit: Full Form | Jim Robbins | CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Pot Size: 2 gallon
Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is one of the most exciting members of the grass world. Pink Muhly Grass is sought after for several reasons: spectacular pink plume color, drought tolerance and undemanding nature. Pink Muhly Grass grows in a mound with erect, blue-green foliage until September when spectacular, billowing pink seed heads form a cotton-candy crown. When planted in masses, the dramatic effect can take your breath away.
A North American native, pink muhly grass is an excellent landscape plant. Long-lived, with little to no insect or disease pests, and highly resistant to deer grazing, this ornamental grass is perfect for the low-maintenance garden. Muhly grass tolerates heat, humidity, drought, and poor soil and is highly salt tolerant.
Light Exposure: Full Sun Mature Height: 2 - 3 ft
Soil Moisture: Moist to Occasionally Dry Mature Width: 2ft 4 in - 3 ft
For more information visit NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
👉🛒 To purchase click here, on picture to the left, or the name of the flower above then click “Add to Cart”
Photo Credit: Muhlenbergia capillaris plant | John E. Branch, Jr. | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Pot Size: 2 gallon
White Cloud Muhly Grass is an exceptionally showy grass. An airy inflorescence colored creamy white, which dries to a light grey in early November. These grasses have dark green glossy leaves and are excellent winter interest plants. The cultivar White Cloud exhibits the same traits as the pink muhly grass except that it flowers white. This plant belongs in well-drained soils because it is very drought tolerant, also does well in sandy soils. Should be planted in mass to create a statement in the landscape, does well in edging and borders as well as centerpieces.
Light Exposure: Full Sun – Partial Shade Mature Height: 3 - 4 ft.
Soil Moisture: Moist to Occasionally Dry Mature Width: 2-3 ft.
For more information visit NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox or Clemson Plant Profiles
👉🛒 To purchase click here, on picture to the left, or the name of the flower above then click “Add to Cart”
Photo Credits: Clemson University Plant Profiles, Andrea Laine CC BY-NC 4.0, Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Pot Size: 2 quart
Eutrochium maculatum, commonly known as Joe Pye weed, is native to damp meadows, thickets and coastal areas in eastern North America. Plants typically grow 4-7 feet tall on branched, purple-speckled stems clad with serrate, lance-shaped, medium green leaves (to 8” long) that typically appear in whorls of 3-6. Spotted Joe Pye Weed displays clusters of purple blossoms through summer into fall. It prefers moist to wet soil and does best in sun to partial shade. This plant is resistant to damage by deer. It does best in average, medium to wet soils in full sun, but tolerates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates.
👉For more information visit NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox