10 Types of Wildflowers Every Home Gardener Should Know

10 Types of Types of Wildflowers Wildflowers Every Home Gardener Should Know Every Home Gardener Should Know

1. Dogtooth Violet ( Erythronium americanum ) 1. Dogtooth Violet ( Erythronium americanum ) Generally standing no taller than 8 inches, they produce ½-inch to 1-inch long yellow blooms with swept-back petals resembling lilliputian lilies. Generally standing no taller than 8 inches, they produce ½-inch to 1-inch long yellow blooms with swept-back petals resembling lilliputian lilies.

2. Dooryard Violet ( Viola sororia ) 2. Dooryard Violet ( Viola sororia ) One of the smallest wildflower types, growing to no more than 8 inches tall with heart-shaped leaves, this native violet unfortunately has no scent. One of the smallest wildflower types, growing to no more than 8 inches tall with heart-shaped leaves, this native violet unfortunately has no scent.

3. Fringed Gentian ( Gentianopsis crinita ) 3. Fringed Gentian ( Gentianopsis crinita ) From late summer to mid-autumn , it produces fringed four-petal blooms of a cerulean hue that makes a striking contrast to the warm colors of fall. From late summer to mid-autumn , it produces fringed four-petal blooms of a cerulean hue that makes a striking contrast to the warm colors of fall.

4. Ironweed ( Vernonia gigantea ) 4. Ironweed ( Vernonia gigantea ) This bee- and butterfly-attracting native’s lavender to dark purple blooms have an aster-like shagginess, appearing in flat clusters at the top of the plant in late summer or early fall. This bee- and butterfly-attracting native’s lavender to dark purple blooms have an aster-like shagginess, appearing in flat clusters at the top of the plant in late summer or early fall.

5. Joe Pye Weed ( Eutrochium purpureum ) 5. Joe Pye Weed ( Eutrochium purpureum ) The plant’s foliage smells of vanilla and the plant requires a moist location, preferably in sweet rather than acidic soil. The plant’s foliage smells of vanilla and the plant requires a moist location, preferably in sweet rather than acidic soil.

6. New England Aster ( Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ) 6. New England Aster ( Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ) This tall wildflower stands between 3 and 7 feet high with turpentine-scented fuzzy leaves and 2-inch purple blooms appearing in late summer and autumn. This tall wildflower stands between 3 and 7 feet high with turpentine-scented fuzzy leaves and 2-inch purple blooms appearing in late summer and autumn.

7. Oxeye Daisy ( Leucanthemum vulgare ) 7. Oxeye Daisy ( Leucanthemum vulgare ) One of the U.S.’s most popular wildflowers , the oxeye daisy actually isn’t native to this country but was introduced from Europe. It is invasive enough to be considered a weed by farmers who love it not. One of the U.S.’s most popular wildflowers , the oxeye daisy actually isn’t native to this country but was introduced from Europe. It is invasive enough to be considered a weed by farmers who love it not.

8. Prairie Gentian ( Eustoma grandiflorum ) 8. Prairie Gentian ( Eustoma grandiflorum ) Usually grown as an annual in gardens, it requires 5 or 6 months from seed to bloom and may revert to its biennial growth habit if conditions aren’t exactly right. Usually grown as an annual in gardens, it requires 5 or 6 months from seed to bloom and may revert to its biennial growth habit if conditions aren’t exactly right.

9. Wild Columbine ( Aquilegia canadensis ) 9. Wild Columbine ( Aquilegia canadensis ) Highly attractive to hummingbirds , it generally blooms in late spring to early summer at just the right time to feed those journeying to their summer homes. Highly attractive to hummingbirds , it generally blooms in late spring to early summer at just the right time to feed those journeying to their summer homes.

10. Yarrow ( Achillea millefolium ) 10. Yarrow ( Achillea millefolium ) Yarrow grows from 1 to 3 feet high throughout much of North America. It is both deer- and drought-resistant but can be “staunchly” resistant to being contained as well. Yarrow grows from 1 to 3 feet high throughout much of North America. It is both deer- and drought-resistant but can be “staunchly” resistant to being contained as well.

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