Bouteloua gracilis (Mosquito Grass )

Lilac pink-pastel bell-shaped clusters of flowers grow atop and seem to nod from strong stems with narrow grass-like leaves. The bulbs and leaves of the plant are edible.

Blooms in late spring/early summer
1-1.5 ft tall x 0.5-1 ft spread
HARDY to -30°F (-34.4°C)
Drought tolerant
Deer and rabbit resistant
Attracts bees and butterflies

Bright orange/yellow flowers bloom on top of tall hairy stems, and give way to seed pods. Leaves are speared and narrow. Despite it’s common name, this particular species of milkweed has no milky sap. Moderate growth rate.

Blooms mid summer to early fall
1-3 ft tall x 1-3 ft wide
HARDY to -40°F (-40°C)
Deer resistant
Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies
Drought resistant
Moderate salt tolerance

Sky blue daisy-like flowers with yellow centres grow in low mounds on foliage of rich blue-green. Moderate growth rate.

Blooms late summer to mid fall
1.5-2 ft tall x 1.5-2 ft wide
HARDY to -40°F (-40°C)
Fragrant
Deer and rabbit resistant
Attracts birds and butterflies
Drought tolerant
Tolerant to juglone
Moderate salt tolerance

Vivid daisy-like flowers sporting rosy purple petals that surround a red-orange cone bloom on top of strong stems. Rapid growth rate.

Use as cut or dried flowers. Be sure to keep some flowers in the garden over winter, as the blackened heads provide cold-season garden interest, as well as food for finches and other winter birds.

Blooms mid-spring to summer
2-4 ft tall x 1-2 ft spread
Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Deer and rabbit resistant
Drought tolerant

Bright yellow blooms, dark brown centres, dark green foliage, blooms midsummer to early fall, attracts butterflies, easy to grow, moderate growth rate, 1ft tall x 1.5-2ft wide, full sun to partial shade

Purple-brown flowers in the fall, fine textered blue blades that turn red-orange in the fall, 2 – 2.5 ft tall x 2 – 2.5 ft wide, full sun