Found by chance near a river in Tennessee, ‘Jeana’ is a testament to good luck. It’s a tall meadow Phlox that blooms in midsummer with heavy loads of nectar, judging by the swarms of butterflies that surround it. A stand of ‘Jeana’ also emits a fragrance with spicy undertones of clove. This happens to be one of the best looking summer Phloxes for the long haul. It displays excellent resistance to disease and humidity.

With the longest blooming season and the most saturated red, ‘Major Wheeler’ is the best of the native honeysuckle vines. Long tubular flowers attract hummingbirds for regular visits and the plant blooms freely throughout the summer. It works best when grown on a support.

Our favorite goldenrod was rescued by the North Carolina Botanical Garden in the 70s. Solidago grows naturally at the edge of woods, and ‘Fireworks’ is famous for its displays of golden yellow arcs growing about waist to chest high.

A native famously known as Butterfly Weed, this meadow perennial happens to make a good garden plant as well, especially in stands where the beneficials can swarm over its flat tops of orange. A deep taproot once established helps it weather dry spells.