Plant Gallery

Native spring wildflower which occurs in rocky woods, slopes, ledges and open areas throughout the State. Features drooping, bell-like, 1-2", red and yellow flowers (red sepals, yellow-limbed petals, 5 distinctive red spurs and a mass of bushy yellow stamens). Delicate, biternate foliage is somewhat suggestive of meadow rue (Thalictrum). 

A beautiful native that remains attractive throughout the summer as long as soils are kept moist. However, we typically recommend succession planting nearby in case of drought. They WILL come back the next year, don't worry! Flowers are quite attractive to hummingbirds.

Clusters of small purple flowers floating on long, airy stems tempting passing butterflies to stop for a sip is just one reason to consider adding Verbena bonariensis, also called tall verbena or purpletop verbena, to your garden. 

Purpletop verbena is an upright, clump-forming plant with wiry, widely branched stems. It reaches a height of 3 to 6 feet and spreads 1 to 3 feet. Unlike many other tall herbaceous plants it is unlikely to tip over. The stiff stems and branches are square and rough. The deep green, lance-shaped serrated leaves form a mounded rosette at the base of the plant, with few on the stems. 

This hardy, upright selection sports light green leaves and pink to deep rose flowers which age to a beautiful bronze that remain through winter.

Tall, upright sedums form substantial clumps of foliage which can be substituted for shrubs in the landscape. Their stout, sturdy stems support the massive flower heads which develop in summer and burst into bloom in fall. Butterflies LOVE these!

If left standing, they provide winter interest and food for birds.
They are the perfect choice for late fall into winter feeding when most flowers have long gone. 

Bee balm is a native American plant not only known for its attract scarlet flowers that bloom in summertime but also its fragrant foliage. Slender, tubular flowers are produced in 2- to 3-inch-wide flower heads in June and July.  Flower colors include white, pink, red, lavender, and purple. The grow between 2-4' depending on variety. 

In the garden, its most frequent visitors are hummingbirds, bees,and  butterflies because they have the long tongues required to reach the tubular flowers’ nectar. Bumblebees and a few other insects are too big to get into some of the smaller tubular flowers of some bee balms, so the insects practice something called “nectar robbing.” The insects punch a tiny hole at the base of the flower to acce

Beside attracting pollinators, the seed heads will attract birds in the fall and winter.

The New England aster is a standout fall flower! The plants feature erect stems that can grow several feet tall. The stems have fine hairs, or bristles with many lance-shaped leaves. 

Pollinators LOVE this plant, and it is an EXCELLENT choice for late fall feeding. 

In the late summer to early fall, the profuse daisy-like blooms appear. The flowers are typically 1.5-inch in diameter in a pinkish-purple color with yellow-orange centers. 

White Wood Aster

Though having various sizes, flowering times and growing needs, we put these three together for their interchangeability in a garden.

Purple Coneflower.

All of these three choices are great for pollinators, and have LONG flowering seasons. They also make AMAZING cut flowers.

Rudbeckia "Goldstrum".

In addition, all also last long after fall, adding structure and food for birds as they turn from flowers into seed heads.

Shasta Daisy.

This is an Eastern Redbud. Native to Connecticut and one of my favorite trees! Maximum height is 20' or so, but are EASILY pruned to keep at any size. Rosy pink flowers appear in April. Reddish-purple leaves change to dark green, then to yellow. Forms a spreading, graceful crown. 

This is Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry. Another CT native! This can be a medium to large shrub or small tree with pruning. We love them for its copper-red fall foliage, and fragrant white flowers in the spring. Amelanchier produces delicious fruit in the summer called Juneberries that are vital to wildlife and bird gardens. Whip up a jar of jam or bake a pie with its edible berries.

Witch hazel is a fall-blooming, deciduous shrub or small tree that is native to woodlands, forest margins and stream banks in eastern North America. Stem-hugging clusters of fragrant bright yellow flowers, each with four crinkly, ribbon-shaped petals, appear along the branches from October to December, usually after leaf drop but sometimes at the time of fall color. Fertilized flowers will form fr

Shown here with it's bright red berries that birds love in winter, Ilex verticillata or "winterberry" is an Eastern North American native that REALLY pops in winter. During the growing season it has dark green leaves that often turn maroon in fall. Easily pruned, it can be kept at a small size or grow into a 10-15' tall shrub or hedge, or used as a feature plant.

Pink Muhly Grass is native to the eastern United States.
Not only a beautiful ornamental grass, but it's also low-maintenance.  In the spring and summer, the slender, long shoots of grass are green in color. As the fall approaches, the plant produces soft, fuzzy flowers in pink or pinkish-red hues which are often compared to the appearance of cotton candy. As winter grows near, the flowers lose t

Oakleaf hydrangea is a deciduous, rounded shrub with a mounding form from the ground up.  Strong, sturdy stems hold large clusters of flowers above foliage that is generally dark green on top and whitish green beneath.  The stems are an attractive cinnamon or tan color with bark that peels in thin flakes. Pollinators love their flowers as well. A great alternative to the typical non-native hydrang