Low Maintenance Plants
Bergamut
Monarda fistulosa, Zone 3-8, Full sun to part shade, red stems, green foliage and lavender flowers provide loads of color and attract pollinators, dry to moist soils
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii, Zone 3-8, Full sun, very tall grass, color changes with season, seed heads add color contrast and interest
Blackeyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta, Zone 3-8, Full sun to part shade, yellow daisied with dark centers, self sowing seeds will spread to open soil, adaptable in dry to moist soils
Bluebells, Virginia
Mertensia virginica, Zone 3-8, Part to full shade, early blooming pink buds turn to blue flowers, long lived forming large clumps with time, woodland native goes dormant by mid summer
Clover, Purple Prairie
Dalea purpurea, Zone 4-8, Full sun, purple and gold flowers on delicate foliage, heat and drought tolerant, dry to medium soils
Geranium, Wild
Geranium maculatum, Zone 3-8, Full sun to shade, early pinkish flowers on delicate foliage, medium to moist soils in sun or shade
Grama, Blue
Bouteloua gracilis, Zone 3-8, Full sun, short grass in distinct clumps, tight attractive seed heads, dry to medium soils
Gram, Side Oats
Bouteloua curtipendula, Zone 3-8, Full sun, bright purple orange flowers and bright green foliage, very attractive, dry to medium soils
Indiangrass
Sorghastrum nutans, Zone 3-8, Full sun, brown plumes with yellow anthers over clumps of upright metallic blue foliage, adaptable to many soil conditions
False Indigo, Blue
Baptisia australis, Zone 3-8, Full sun to part shade, blue-green leaves on strong stems, spikes of indigo blue flowers
Iris, Blue Flag
Iris versicolor, Zone 3-8, Full sun to part shade, patches of deep blue flowers, use on edges of water features, tolerate standing water, high moisture required
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium, Zone 3-8, Full sun, colors change with season, tolerates heat and drought, dry to medium well drained soils
Lobelia, Great Blue
Lobelia silphilitica, Zone 3-8, Full sun to part shade, brilliant true blue flowers, medium to wet soils, will tolerate brief periods of drought
Milkweed, Swamp
Asclepias incarnata, Zone 3-8, Full sun, erect clump forming with small fragrant pink flowers, attractive seed pods, thrive along ponds, streams and water features
Oak Sedge, Common
Carex pennsylvanica, Zone 3-8, Full sun to shade, bright green narrow arching grass with good shade tolerance, dry to medium soils
Onion, Nodding Pink
Allium cernuum, Zone 4-8, Full sun, nodding clusters of pink flowers, onion like scent, long lived, hardy, tolerate dry to moist soils
Phlox, Prairie
Phlox pilosa, Zone 4-8, Full sun, bright pink flowers spring to summer, dry to medium soils
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis, Zone 3-8, Full sun to part shade, mounds of arching fine foliage, neat clump with good fall color and edible seeds, tolerates many soils, even heavy clay with drainage
Rattlesnake Master
Eryngium yuccifolium, Zone 4-8, Full sun, yucca-like basal leaves, soft weak prickles, white flower heads on stout stems, medium to moist soils
Rough Blazingstar
Liatris aspera, Zone 4-8, Full sun, wands of lavender flowers grow in sandy to loamy dry soils, great for birds and pollinators
Vervain, Hoary
Verbena stricta, Zone 4-8, Full sun, spires of lavender blue flowers, very drought resistant, thrives in dry and well drains soils
Yarrow, Common
Achillea millefolium, Zone 3-8, Full sun, flattened dome shape with white flower heads on fern-like leaves
