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Ohio's native plants brighten any garden
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Planting a garden? Considering adding some of Ohio's native perennials, vibrant colorful plants that bloom from spring through fall.
The perennials are not just wildflowers; they adorn gardens and attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. And deer are uninterested in them.
Why plantnativespecies?
- Good for wildlife, such as birds and butterflies
- Cost less and saves time due to lower maintenance requirements
- Save water becausenatives are best suited for an Ohio climate. No need for fertilizers or pesticides
- Control erosion and filter storm water
Following is a partial list of native plants.The Ohio Department of Natural Resourcesprovides an extensive list. More information is available at the Native Plant Society of Northeast Ohio, the Ohio Landscape Associationandplantnative.org.
Deer resistance was compiled from a list of landscape plantsrated according to their resistance to deer damagewas complied by landscape professionals Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension personnel and Master Gardeners in Northern N.J.
The interest innativegardening is increasing, so check with your local nursery to determine what's available and which plants are best suited to your landscape needs.
-- Karen Farkas, cleveland.com
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Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Bee Balmflowers are brilliant additions to late-summer herb gardens and flower borders, according to garden.org. Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other nectar-seeking creatures covet the tubular flowers on the plant's rounded flower heads.
Sun: Full to partial
Soil moisture: Average
Height: three to four feet
Deer resistant:Yes
Comments:Edible leaves - the leaves and flowers can be made into tea. Drought tolerant and mildew resistant.
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Liz West, Creative Commons (2.0 Generic)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susan is an easy-to-grow perennial featuring golden, daisy-like flowers with black centers. It is a native wildflower that typically occurs in open woods, prairies, fields, and roadsides.
Sun: Full
Soil moisture: Average to dry
Height:Two to three feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments: Blooms throughout the summer. Tolerates heat, drought and a wide range of soils except poorly-drained wet ones. Attracts birds, butterflies, bees and beneficial insects.
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Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis)
Blue False Indigo:Blue spikes of pea-shaped flowers bloomin late spring and early summer. It was used by early American colonists as a dye plant.
Sun: Full to partial
Soil moisture: Average
Height: three to five feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects. Isdrought tolerant.
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Aaron Carlson, Creative Commons (ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Blue Flag (Iris versicolor)
Blue Flag Iris:Deep green foliage and striking blue-violet flowers appear in late spring to early summer. Native plants are found along the edges of swamps, wet meadows or stream banks. They are very hardy perennial plants that survive in a home garden with minimal care.
Sun: Partial to shade
Soil moisture: Wet
Height:Two to three feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and birds
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Frank Mayfield, Creative Commons (ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)
Blue Vervian:The tall thin spikes grow in moist soil and is good along a pond edge. Itblooms from midsummer to early autumn.
Sun: Full
Soil moisture: Average to moist
Height: Four to six feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:Blue vervain is a traditional medicinal herb, with the roots, leaves or flowers used to treat conditions. In the garden, blue vervain plants attract butterflies, bumblebees and other pollinators. The seeds are a source of nutrients for songbirds.
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Frank Mayfield, Creative Commons (ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Butteryfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly Weed:As the name indicates, this plant attracts many varieties of butterflies, especially monarchs. Bright orange flower clusters bloom in mid- to late-summer.
Sun: Full
Soil moisture: Average to dry
Height:Two to three feet
Deer Resistant: Yes
Comments:This is a drought-tolerant plant. The plant is a milkweed and at he end of blooming the flowersare followed by green pods that open to release silky "parachutes" to drift away on autumn winds.
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rockerBOO, Creative Commons (ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Cardinal Flower:Tall spikes of brilliant red, trumpet-shaped flowers. Cardinal flowers bloom during summer and sometimes into fall.The bright color and the sweet nectar attract many species of hummingbirds. They also attract butterflies.
Sun: Full to partial
Soil moisture:Average
Height: Three to four feet
Deer resistant: Moderate
Comments:Named for the vivid red color of a Roman Catholic cardinal's robe, they grow best in morning sun and afternoon shade.
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Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Columbine: It blooms in a variety of colors during spring. Thedark green foliage turns maroon colored in the fall.The bell-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds.
Sun: Partial to shade
Soil moisture: Average to dry
Height:One to two-and-a-half feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments: Columbines will readily multiply once established.
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Frank Mayfield, Creative Commons (ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Culver's Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
Culver's Root:White to pale lavender flowers bloom in early to mid-summer.The blooming period usually lasts about a month. It attracts butterflies and bees.
Sun: Full to partial
Soil moisture:Average to moist
Height: Four to seven feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:This tapered flower with soft spikes looks like elegant candelabra.
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Gayfeather, or Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
Gayfeather:The plant has upright blazing spikes bearing pinkish-purple tassels in July and August. Attracts butterflies, bees, moths and hummingbirds.
Sun: Full
Soil moisture: Average
Height:Two to five feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:Has an unusual flower shape, blazing star sends up erect spires of usually magenta, sometimes white flowers. Somewhat tolerant of poor soils, Tolerant of summer heat and humidity.
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Goldenrod (Solidago)
Goldenrod:Goldenrod is not a weed and is a great in the garden. It is tough, doesn't spread aggressively and its floral display comes in fall when other plants have passed their prime. Ohio goldenrodis great for a flower border.
Sun: Full
Soil moisture: Average
Height: Two to four feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:Goldenrod is not the cause of hay fever or other pollen allergies. The real culprit is ragweed, an inconspicuous plant that releases pollen while goldenrod is in bloom.
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Aaron Carlson, Creative Commons (ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Great Blue Lobelia:This plant blooms at the end of summer. It typically grows in moist to wet locations along streams, springs and swamps.
Sun: Full to partial
Soil moisture: Wet
Height:One to three feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bumblebees. Less common visitors include hummingbirds and large butterflies.
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Liz West, Creative Commons (2.0 Generic)
Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum)
Joe Pye Weed:The plant attracts butterflies with its huge, bright mauve-pink flower clusters atop deep wine red stems. It blooms from July to September. Each flower cluster typically has 5-7 florets. The flowers attract butterflies.
Sun: Full to partial
Soil moisture: Average
Height: Five to eight feet
Deer resistant:Yes
Comments: Many people consider Joe Pye weed as a weed and it is a substantial plant which needs space. When planted in groups it can provide spectacular flowering and architectural height.
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Andy Rogers, Creative Commons (ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Marsh Marigold:Theyellow buttercup-like blossoms spring up from April to June in moist woodlands and boggy areas.These plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Sun: Full
Soil moisture: Average
Height: One to two feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:Growing marsh marigold plants in moist woodlands and near ponds is simple and marsh marigold care is easy to nonexistent.
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F.D. Richards, Creative Commons (ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)
Obedient Plant:This plant with tubular flowers blooms from June to September. It attracts bees and hummingbirds.
Sun: Full
Moist: Average to moist
Height:Three to four feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:The plant requires little attention to produce tall, spiky flowers that resemble those of the snapdragon. It spreads rapidly.
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UFORA, Creative Commons (ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Ox-Eye Sunflower (Helianthus occidentalis)
Ox-Eye Sunflower:This is one of the shortest of the sunflowers. It blooms from mid-summer to fall. It attracts butterflies, songbirds and other migratory birds.
Sun: Full
Soil moisture: Average to dry
Height: Three to six feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:False sunflower care is minimal. Plant them and forget about maintenance, except for deadheading to encourage more blooms or to stop re-seeding.
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Smooth Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis)
Smooth Penstemon: The white or light-pink-tinted, tubular flowers on branching, hollow stalks bloom in early summer. They attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Sun: Full
Soil moisture: Average to dry
Height: Three to five feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:Penstemon is sometimes commonly called beard tongue because the sterile stamen has a tuft of small hairs.
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Joshua Mayer, Creative Commons (ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Swamp Milkweed: Considered one of the most beautiful of native perennials with clusters of upturned pink flowers that bloom in July and August. They attract butterflies, bees and other nectar-seekers.
Sun: Full
Soil moisture: Average to wet
Height: Four to five feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments: The leaves are a preferred food source for caterpillars of both the monarch and queen butterflies. The flowers are followed by seed pods which split open when ripe releasing silky-haired seeds easily carried by the wind.
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Joshua Mayer, Creative Commons (ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Turtlehead:The white or blush pink snapdragon-like flowers bloom in late summer.The foliage is an important food and breeding source for butterflies. Also attracts hummingbirds.
Sun: Partial to shade
Soil moisture: Average
Height: One to three feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments: Can be foundalong stream banks, rivers, lakes and damp ground. The flowers are hardy and require minimal maintenance.
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Manuel, Creative Commons (2.0 Generic)
White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus)
White Wood Aster:The delicate, airy clouds of white wood aster bloom in late summer and early fall. Small, white, daisy-like flowerswith yellow centers fade to red flower atop dark green to black stems. It is attractive to butterflies.
Sun: Partial to shade
Soil moisture: Average to dry
Height: One to three feet
Deer resistant:Yes
Comments:This plant has theability to grow and flower in dry shade. Flowering and form are best, however, in partly shaded sites where plants have three hours or so of sun.
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Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild Bergamot:Lovely lavender flowers bloom July to September. The nectar of the flowers attracts bees, bee butterflies and hummingbirds.
Sun: Full to partial
Soil moisture: Average to dry
Height: Two to four feet
Deer resistant: Moderate
Comments:Native to most of North America, it often is cited for its historical medicinal applications among indigenous peoples. These include poultices for boils and lacerations, as well as tea infusions for headaches, indigestion and colds and flu.
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Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Wild Geranium:Blooms of pale pink, deep pink and lilac bloom from April through May. It attracts beneficial insects, songbirds, migratory birds and butterflies.
Sun: Full to partial
Soil moisture: Average
Height: One to two feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:Flowers give way to distinctive, beaked seed capsules which give rise to the common name of crane's bill.
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Joshua Mayer, Creative Commons (ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Wild Lupine (Lupinis perennis)
Wild Lupine:Fragrant, pea-like, blue to violet flowers bloom n late spring. It is the sole host plant for the Karner blue butterfly. Attracts other beneficial pollinators and hummingbirds. Birds and small mammals enjoy the seeds.
Sun: Full to partial
Soil moisture: Average to dry
Height: One to two feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:The seed pod is up to two inches long, hairy, shaped like a typical pea pod, and turns black when mature. Each pod contains two to several seeds.
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Wood Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)
Wood Poppy:This plantis known for its large, poppy-like, yellow flowers. It blooms in March and April. The stalks are leafy and the flowers are produced in clusters. Chipmunks feed on seeds.
Sun:Partial
Soil moisture: Average
Height: One to two feet
Deer resistant: Yes
Comments:Shortly afterward, the flowers are replaced by ovoid seed capsules about one inch long. Numerous seeds are released after each capsule splits apart. The flowers and leaves are edible and can be made into tea.
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FAQs
What kind of perennials do deer not like? ›
Daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies are common flowers with a toxicity that deer avoid. Deer also tend to turn their noses up at fragrant plants with strong scents. Herbs such as sages, ornamental salvias, and lavender, as well as flowers like peonies and bearded irises, are just “stinky” to deer.
What do deer not like to walk on? ›Deer don't like to walk on unstable surfaces. If they make a beeline for certain plants, place a sheet of welded-wire fencing on the ground in their pathway.
What smell does deer hate? ›Deer have a heightened sense of smell, which they use to effectively find food. You can take advantage of this trait and repel deer by using smells they dislike, such as marigolds, putrescent egg solids, mint, wolf urine, tansy, garlic, thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary, and lavender.
What garden plants will deer leave alone? ›- Bleeding hearts.
- Yarrow.
- Silver mound.
- Jack-in-the-pulpit.
- Aster.
- Astilbe.
- Barberry.
- Coneflowers.
Hemerocallis (Daylily)
One of the most common and most cultivated perennials, there are thousands of different varieties of daylilies coming in just about every size shade and color(except blue!)
Perennials come back every year. You only plant them once.
Is there a hydrangea that is deer resistant? ›Oakleaf hydrangeas and climbing hydrangeas in particular are not as appetizing to deer. We recommend planting these varieties if you live in an area with a dense deer population.
What is a deer's favorite flower? ›These are the top 5, but deer will eat many other flowers: impatiens, rose mallow, lilyturf, crocus, snowdrops, cosmos, sunflower and gerbera are all very high up on their menu.
What is the 2022 perennial of the year? ›The Perennial Plant Association is pleased to announce the 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year®, Schizachyrium scoparium and cultivars.
What is the prettiest flower on earth? ›Rose. The rose is considered the most beautiful flower in the world, which is why it's called the “queen of the garden.” It's one of the most popular flowers worldwide, and it comes in different sizes and colors. Also, they're very common throughout the world.
What perennial stays green all year? ›
Evergreen Hollies (Ilex aquifolium)
You can grow a variety of holly trees for creating a hedge or can also use them as a barrier plant. If you are looking for plants that stay green in Winters, this is it!
Purple Saxifrage, the Hardiest Plant in the World
Yet it's common throughout the Arctic and grows further north than any other flowering plant.
Hunters may have noticed that the color white often provokes an immediate—and highly visible—response from deer, and a new study from two researchers in Wyoming suggests that deer may actually be afraid of the color.
What animal are deer most afraid of? ›Deer are afraid of predators like dogs and are likely to steer clear if they suspect one is nearby. Keep Fido outside more often or stake a silhouette of a dog in the yard. Even the decoy will frighten deer.
Does Dawn dish soap deter deer? ›Does Dawn dish soap keep deer away? Yes, Dawn dish soap can keep deer away. You can make a simple mixture using, 1-2 tbsp of dawn, 1 gallon of water and a sprayer. Deer are hard to control because they are attracted to vegetation that people commonly have in their yards.
Does Irish Spring soap keep deer away? ›Irish Spring soap repels mammal pests, such as mice, rabbit and deer. It does not repel insect pests.
Do coffee grounds keep deer away? ›Deer have a strong sense of smell, which means that the bitter smell of coffee grounds can be used to keep deer away from your property. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove that coffee grounds deter deer, but ground coffee does exude a bitter odor that deer tend to avoid.
Do wind chimes keep deer away? ›Because deer are so skittish, adding wind chimes or even the static from a radio can be enough to scare them away. Anything unfamiliar will throw them off and make them too nervous to come any closer. Adding plants that deer dislike can keep them from exploring other areas of your yard.
Are there any plants that deer don't like? ›Shade: Hellebores. Full sun: Herbaceous peonies. Vegetable: Rhubarb. Shrub: Skimmia.
What native plants repel deer? ›Here are some good deer resistant, native plants you can use: Trees: Redbud, River Birch and Sweetbay Magnolia. Shrubs: Red Twig Dogwood, Serviceberry, Spicebush, Winterberry (both male and female) and Witchhazel. Flowers: Bee Balm, Goldenrod, Orange Coneflower, Swamp Rose Mallow Hibiscus and Wild Ginger.
What plants do deer dislike? ›
- Chives.
- Daffodils.
- Lamb's ear.
- Bleeding heart.
- Marigolds.
- Russian sage.
- Bee balm.
- Oregano.
This occasion is in some places also called mel, Marathi for 'together', in recognition of the unique and synchronised way in which the Karvi flowers all bloom. And when they do, they change the lush green of the Sahyadris into the Neelgiris, the 'blue mountains', over seven years.
What is the easiest flowering bush to grow? ›Potentilla are likely the very easiest flowering shrub to grow, they literally thrive on neglect. Because they have been so widely planted they seem to be considered “too common”. There are many newer varieties available, but if you want the easiest to grow, stick with the highly reliable old fashioned originals.
What perennials bloom twice a year? ›- Ice plant.
- Yarrow.
- Echinacea.
- Rudbeckia.
- Gaillardia.
- Gaura.
- Pincushion flower.
- Salvia.
- 1.) 'Moonbeam' Tickseed. (Coreopsis verticillata) ...
- 3.) Russian Sage. (Perovskia atriplicifolia) ...
- 5.) Coneflowers. (Echinacea) ...
- 7.) 'Autumn Joy' Stonecrop. (Sedum) ...
- 9.) 'May Night' Salvia. (Salvia x sylvestris)
Chrysanthemums are one of the most common year-round flowers.
What flower blooms all spring and summer? ›Coneflower (Echinacea)—The plant has large blossoms with a long flowering time from summer to fall. Petunias—Colorful annual plants that grow in full sun and bloom continuously from spring until fall. Lavender—A small flowering shrub that blooms all summer and comes back every year.
Are there any perennials that bloom all year? ›Not many perennials have won over gardeners and nature lovers the way coneflowers have. Easy to grow and available in lots of colors and sizes, they're a delight year-round, with summer and fall flowers—in purple, orange, red, white and green—on 2- to 5-foot-tall stems, and seedpods for winter interest.
Is there a perennial that blooms all summer? ›Daylily – Perhaps the easiest of all summer perennials to grow, daylilies are true to their name. They have yellow, orange or reddish blooms that open in the morning and close tight at night. Daylilies will tolerate a bit of shade, but they really do need at least 6 hours of sun every day to thrive.
How do I make a colorful garden all year-round? ›To keep the colour going it's important you keep your plants well fed and watered, especially in hot, dry spells. Deadheading is ideal for plants that will repeat-flower, but it's not suitable for everything. Avoid deadheading plants that won't re-flower, such as astilbes, peonies, ligularias and baptisias.
What is the most vibrant flower? ›
Dahlia. The dahlia is one of the lushest and most vibrant flowers you'll find, available in a rainbow of colors ranging from pink and red to orange or white. Some dahlia petals even have stunning color gradients, like bright reds that gradually fade into soft whites or gorgeous purples that lighten from stem to tip.
What is the most popular perennial? ›Hemerocallis (Daylily)
One of the most common and most cultivated perennials, there are thousands of different varieties of daylilies coming in just about every size shade and color(except blue!)
Perennials come back every year. You only plant them once.
What should I plant for continuous blooming? ›- 1.) 'Moonbeam' Tickseed. (Coreopsis verticillata) ...
- 3.) Russian Sage. (Perovskia atriplicifolia) ...
- 5.) Coneflowers. (Echinacea) ...
- 7.) 'Autumn Joy' Stonecrop. (Sedum) ...
- 9.) 'May Night' Salvia. (Salvia x sylvestris)
This occasion is in some places also called mel, Marathi for 'together', in recognition of the unique and synchronised way in which the Karvi flowers all bloom. And when they do, they change the lush green of the Sahyadris into the Neelgiris, the 'blue mountains', over seven years.
What perennials bloom twice a year? ›- Ice plant.
- Yarrow.
- Echinacea.
- Rudbeckia.
- Gaillardia.
- Gaura.
- Pincushion flower.
- Salvia.
- 42 cheap garden ideas to smarten up your plot. ...
- Repurpose old wooden crates to make stylish shelves. ...
- Use old jars as mini planters. ...
- Try DIY terracotta candle holders. ...
- Create a cool, industrial-style aesthetic with oversized planters. ...
- Make an upcycled hanging planter. ...
- Guide the way with a cute garden sign. ...
- Glow up your shed.
- Hebe. (Image credit: Getty Images) ...
- Ceanothus. (Image credit: Alamy) ...
- Camellia. ...
- Aucuba. ...
- Fatsia japonica. ...
- Yew. ...
- Magnolia grandiflora. ...
- 8. Box.
Rose. The rose is considered the most beautiful flower in the world, which is why it's called the “queen of the garden.” It's one of the most popular flowers worldwide, and it comes in different sizes and colors. Also, they're very common throughout the world.
What is the strongest most resilient flower? ›Purple Saxifrage, the Hardiest Plant in the World
With its pretty purple flowers carpeting the tundra in spring, purple saxifrage looks a bit delicate. It certainly doesn't look like it could take much of a beating. Yet it's common throughout the Arctic and grows further north than any other flowering plant.
What is the most happiest flower? ›
The majestic sunflowers are said to bag the title of the happiest flowers on earth – and much can be attributed to their brilliant, yellow petals and tall green stems that remind us of the sweet summer sun. Like a pocketful of sunshine, sunflowers can bring warm feelings to our hearts.