(Fireweed)

Commonly known as fireweed in North America, this pretty wildflower bears tall spikes of bright rose flowers in summer and fall. It is native across much of the northerly regions of the northern hemisphere where it thrives in moist ditches, old fields, open woods and along forest and stream edges. It is commonly called "fireweed" because this true pioneer species responds well to fire and is one of the first plants to seed in and thrive after a fire. It spreads by both seed and wide-spreading rhizomes...

(Fireweed, White Fireweed)

White flowers don this vigorous fireweed cultivar from summer to fall. Commonly known as fireweed in North America, this pretty wildflower bears tall spikes of white flowers. Chamerion angustifolium is native across much of the northerly regions of the northern hemisphere where it thrives in moist ditches, old fields, open woods and along forest and stream edges. It is commonly called "fireweed" because this true pioneer species responds well to fire and is one of the first plants to seed...

(Indian Woodoats, Northern Sea Oats)

Northern sea oats is an upright growing ornamental grass native to the eastern United States and northern Mexico. Its gracefully, arching stems bear spikes in the late summer to early autumn that resemble flattened oat seedheads. The bamboo-like leaves turn a golden-tan in the winter and the seedheads remain on throughout most of the winter adding to the garden interest.

Plant northern sea oats in full sun in any fertile soil that is well-drained. It performs better with moist soil, but can...

(Northern Sea Oats)

Northern sea oats is an upright growing ornamental grass native to the eastern United States and northern Mexico. Its gracefully, arching stems bear spikes in the late summer to early autumn that resemble flattened oat seedheads. The bamboo-like leaves turn a golden-tan in the winter and the seedheads remain on throughout most of the winter adding to the garden interest.

Plant northern sea oats in full sun in any fertile soil that is well-drained. It performs better with moist soil, but can...

(Longleaf Woodoats, Southern Woodoats)

Longleaf woodoats is a clumping perennial grass that forms tufted flowers along tall, wiry stems. Native to the southeastern United States, it forms a fountain of upright, medium-green, narrow leaves. In summer, thin, tall stems arise from the clump, with sparse clusters of flower tufts, with tiny white flowers emerging from the green buds.

Longleaf woodoats will perform superbly in a fertile, moist garden soil that isn't overly alkaline in pH. It will grow well in full sun if summers are not...

(Alabama Lipfern, Lipfern)

Here's one of the amazing ferns that manages to grow on rock faces and crevices without lots of water or soil. The Alabama or smooth lipfern naturally inhabits rocky slopes and ledges -- usually limestone -- from the southern Appalachians and the Ozarks into north-central Mexico. They grow at higher elevations, protected from intense summertime heat.

Alabama lipfern produces upright, triangular-shaped fronds of medium to dark green. The tiny leaflets in the frond are flat, smooth and triangular...

(Lace Lipfern, Lipfern)

During a wilderness hike west of the Continental Divide in the American Pacific Northwest, you'll encounter a frilly, lacy-foliage fern growing on and among igneous rocks on slopes. The lace lipfern's narrow, upright fronds grow from a short, clumping rhizome. The native range extends from central California and Nevada northward to the border with British Columbia, Canada. High elevations protect this fern from excessive summertime heat and drought stresses.

The lace lipfern produces upright,...

(Hairy Lipfern)

Fine hairs cover the light green fronds of the hairy lipfern, delicate-looking deciduous, clumping fern. It is native to granite rocky slopes and ledges from the Catskill Mountains to central Missouri and southward to the Florida panhandle. It grows at higher inland elevations, protected from intense summertime sunlight from nearby trees, shrubs or sheltering rocks. It develops a short, slow-growing rhizome to form an attractive leafy clump.

Hairy lipfern produces upright, long, triangular-shaped...

(Lyon's Turtlehead, Pink Turtlehead)

Native to regions along the Appalachian Mountains, which extend from the southeastern to northeastern United States, Lyon’s turtlehead is an upright perennial grown for its stems topped with clusters of two-lipped, tubular, rose or purple-pink flowers. Wild populations can be found growing in rich, moist soils in open forests and along stream banks.

Deep green, opposite, lance-shaped leaves line the tall stems of this pleasing woodland native. In late summer and autumn the turtle head-like...

(Lyon's Turtlehead, Pink Turtlehead)

This vigorous cultivar of Lyon's turtlehead has particularly vibrant rose-pink flowers and attractive dark green leaves. Originating from regions along the Appalachian Mountains, which extend from the southeastern to northeastern United States, Lyon’s turtlehead is an upright perennial grown for its stems topped with clusters of two-lipped, tubular, rose-pink flowers. Wild populations can be found growing in rich, moist soils in open forests and along stream banks.

Deep green, opposite, lance-shaped...