Division of Extension
Pachystachys lutea, Golden shrimp plant, is native to the tropics that can be grown as an annual or houseplant. Upright, bright yellow to orange inflorescences contrast nicely with glossy, dark green foliage. Learn more about growing it this article.
Rosemary is an aromatic culinary and medicinal herb easily grown in containers that can be moved indoors for the winter. To learn more about rosemary, read this article.
Hibiscus schizopetalus is a Hibiscus species that has very different, pendant flowers with elaborately dissected and recurved petals. It is a tender plant that cannot survive our winters but can be grown as a houseplant. To learn more about this species, read this article.
Blue fescue (Festuca glauca) is a low clumping ornamental grass with blue-green foliage. This cool season grass can be used as a specimen or in masses. This article provides more details on growing this attractive grass in the landscape.
Solomon’s seals are woodland plants with arching stems and small hanging attractive but relatively inconspicuous flowers. Learn more about the many plants of genus Polygonatum used as landscape foliage plants in this article.
Lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina) are a good addition to Midwestern gardens for their silvery foliage. One cultivar that stands out is ‘Big Ears’ for it’s extra large leaves. The leaves of this one aren’t quite as silver as many others, but it offers bold texture in a low mounding plant. To learn more about this big-leafed beauty, read this article…
Looking for a fall-bloomer other than mums or asters? The genus Chelone is a native perennial with the common name of turtlehead from the resemblance of the flowers to the shape of a turtle’s head with its mouth partly open. The various species all bloom in late summer to fall, for a spark of pink, red or white flowers on dark green plants. You can learn more about this genus in this article…
With billowy white or purple flowers, sweet alyssum is a good addition to annual flower beds or containers. This low-growing plant native to the Mediterranean makes a good ground cover and the sweetly fragrant flowers are attractive to many beneficial insects. Learn more about sweet alyssum in this article.
Autumn crocus is probably the best of fall bloomers with large, chalice-shaped flowers in pink or white. The foliage appears in spring and dies back in early summer, leaving the flowers to pop up on their own in the fall. To learn more about plant in this article.
Papyrus is a tropical perennial grown as an annual in the Midwest. It is right at home in shallow water gardens but can also be grown in containers or moist ground. Learn more about this interesting plant in this article.
Cardinal flower is an unmistakable brilliant red perennial for moist spots. This native perennial is found in moist open woods, streambanks and marshy areas and makes a great addition to the landscape. Learn more about this great plant with flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds in this article.
With its soft, silvery leaves, dusty miller is typically grown as an annual foliage plant. The color is an accent to the green of most other plant leaves and complements brightly colored flowers. Read much more in this article.
