Also called ‘Big Ears’ thanks to the huge leaves, twice the size of its little cousin. Woolly and velvety, silvery-white in color, the foliage has a strong clumping habit and makes for a great groundcover. More heat- and humidity-tolerant than the species. Sparingly produces blooms of purplish pink spikes.

Formerly called ‘Mesa Form’, this statuesque prairie dropseed comes to us from the breeding efforts at the Los Lunas Plant Materials Center in NM. Originally bred to be a wind barrier, this form has a commanding presence with its sturdy, upright habit, medium green, strap-like foliage and very showy flower spikes that appear in summer. A herbaceous alternative to expensive fencing, ‘Windbreaker’ is also a terrific native substitute for pampas grass.

Narrow fine textured blades create a tight upright habit that is slightly stiffer than the species and more compact. Silvery flowers are held above the foliage in fall and droop to the ground when fat with seeds. Flowers have a pleasant scent and the plant has a striking orange-red fall color.

This clump forming American Beauties grass is one of the signature North American native grasses and has a decidedly fine texture with very thin, deep green grass blades arching over to form a thick dense clump in the landscape. Prarie Dropseed is unique for its tremendous fall color as foliage turns golden as the weather cools with orange hues, and for its open panicled flower in shades of pink and brown that carries a striking coriander scent. Even more spectacular than this selection’s color and flowering is its attractiveness to native birds. Round, tiny seeds drop from mature flowers to the base of the plant giving this sun loving, dry soil tolerating plant its interesting name and providing a bountiful food source. Use this grass singly or in large groups to great effect in your garden and for bird watching!

Indian Pink is an excellent source of nectar for hummingbirds when it blooms in June. Plants form rounded mounds of glossy green foliage topped by orangeish-red, trumpet-shaped flowers tipped in yellow. When a large colony is in bloom, it is a spectacular sight.

Indian Pink is an excellent source of nectar for hummingbirds when it blooms in June. Plants form clumps with glossy green foliage topped by crimson red, trumpet-shaped flowers tipped in yellow. When a large colony is in bloom, it is a spectacular sight.

It’s hard to believe that a plant with such outstanding bloom and such tolerance of partial to full shade is so unknown, but that is just the dilemma faced by this American Beauties selection. Big, deep green foliage emerges in the spring and forms a tight, upright mound that tops off with stem-ending buds in late May. Spectacular, 2″ long, tubular flowers open in June showing a yellow interior that flares to a star at the end while the exterior is deep red, providing a unique, two-toned look that will light up your shade garden. Spigelia likes well-drained soil but is just at home in moist, organic soils and will provide a flower show each year that will be enhanced by colorful hummingbirds seeking nectar.

If you are looking for a remnant of the American Prairie, this widespread native was once the predominant component of that environment and is still a dominant species in many areas. Even better, it is a great performer in the home landscape with a tall, narrow form that is ideal for the back of any sunny garden area. You can’t beat its wide bluish-green foliage for a cooling summer effect and for its ability to show off plants growing in front of it. Stiff, upright stems rise out of the foliage in summer to hold aloft long, feathery seed stalks that really attract a crowd of hungry birds as the seed matures. Plant in groups for a great look that lasts throughout the season and beyond, even into the winter months with bronze foliage and deep brown spent seed

Indian Grass is a beautiful addition to any sunny landscape with its upright form and blue-green foliage. Flowering stems, topped with narrow, feathery panicles, rise well above the foliage clump in late summer. Excellent as an accent in gardens or as the “thrill” in mixed containers. Drought tolerant. Native to the U.S., and is virtually care-free. Provides great winter interest.

Spectacular in its ability to light up the late summer and fall garden, this plant has gotten a bad reputation from its relationship to the Goldenrod garden weed, but it deserves a feature spot in the American Beauties garden due to its explosive bloom and its magnetic attraction of birds and butterflies. Deep green foliage forms a tight, clean mound in the garden with multiple stems, each topped with 12-18″ long arching, spreading strings of flower buds by late July. Buds open in early to mid-August revealing incredible strings of bright yellow flowers that cover the plant and continue in color well into September. Loads of butterflies, especially Monarchs, make a bee line to this plant when in bloom, while a whole array of colorful birds find the seed from spent flowers an incredibly tasty treat. ‘Fireworks’ is easy to grow, tolerant of hot sun and dry soils, and provides a searing mass of color when planted in groups.