Tollerances: Clay Soil

African Marigold

Tagetes erecta

This upright yellow-flowering plant, with its distinctive odor, is a classic of the summer border.

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Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

All parts of this bold shrub are fragrant. It particularly deserves its name for the profusion of amethyst purple berries borne on its long branches.

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Bee Balm is a tall summer-blooming perennial with brilliant red flowers subtended by a whorl of showy, red-tinged, leafy bracts. The aromatic leaves can be used for tea, but are susceptible to mildew, so this plant needs good air circulation. A member of the mint family, bee balm spreads readily by rhizomes…

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Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida

A cottage garden favorite, black-eyed susan features masses of ferociously yellow flowers that attract butterflies. They are incredibly hardy and tolerate a wide variety of conditions, making them ideal for naturalizing.

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Blackhaw

Viburnum prunifolium

These large spring blooming shrubs with edible berries do best in natural areas where they can achieve their full size.

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Blue False Indigo

Baptisia australis

This unique plant features bright blue-purple flowers on tall green stalks followed by interesting black seedpods. It forms a deep taproot and does not transplant well, so be certain of its location before planting.

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Carolina Allspice

Calycanthus floridus

Give this shrub ample room to sprawl, as it tends to sucker when it's happy. The unusual chocolatey maroon flowers give off a spicy sweet fragrance which is echoed in cut twigs and leaves.

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Crimson Clover

Trifolium incarnatum

This clover is used primarily as a cover crop and fodder, but it is also a good nectar source for bees.

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Crocus 'Cloth of Gold'

Crocus angustifolius 'Cloth of Gold'

Crocuses cheerfully herald the coming spring with bright yellow flowers. They naturalize easily in gardens, offering clumps which grow larger year by year.

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Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

This small, spreading native tree offers a profusion of purplish-pink flowers lining the dark branches in April, followed by large heart-shaped leaves. The redbud evolved in the understory and wood edges of forests, where it is sheltered from intense sunlight, and is prettiest planted among dogwoods…

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French Marigold

Tagetes patula

French marigolds are iconic garden plants with distinctly fragrant leaves. The flowers are single, semi-double, double, or crested in shades of yellow, orange, or red, and can also be bi-colored. When planted in the vegetable garden, marigolds can repel certain pests, such as white flies on tomatoes…

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French Striped Marigold

Tagetes patula

This dazzling plant blooms in masses of yellow flowers with deep burgundy stripes and is the star of the fall garden.

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Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata

Garden phlox has long been a staple of the perennial border, providing height and bright blooms at the back of the bed. The pink flowers are fragrant and attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

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Globe Amaranth

Gomphrena globosa

This magenta gem is well suited to the front of the border. Its lush blooms are attractive to butterflies, and they hold their color well when cut for use in dried arrangements.

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Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

A woody, twining vine, honeysuckle needs some structure to support itself. It blooms nearly all summer and is attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. It is well-suited for arbors, pergolas, and fences.

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Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

This versatile hydrangea tolerates a wide variety of conditions and is ideal for borders or natural areas. It benefits from an annual pruning in late winter to prevent the heavy blooms from flopping.

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Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium maculatum

This tall plant is crowned with purple-pink flowers in the late summer. It is an American native and tolerates a wide variety of environmental conditions. Its height and bloom time can be controlled by by pruning it back by half when it reaches about two to three feet.

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Lilac

Syringa vulgaris

Large fragrant bouquets of purple flowers make this shrub the queen of spring in the northern garden.

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New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

The pink and purple flowers of asters add color and height to the late summer garden. Due to their spreading habit they will naturalize when planted in the garden. A mid-spring trim will delay bloom time and help keep them restrained.

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New York Ironweed

Vernonia noveboracensis

This towering perennial is crowned with clusters of brilliant purple flowers. The size can be kept in check by a mid-spring pruning.

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Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

This tall Virginia native has spires of bright pink flowers and can be seen growing along waterways and woodland trails. It makes an excellent addition the back of the border, but be prepared for some spreading. It does not earn its name by staying in one place, but due to the ability to manipulate…

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African Marigold

Tagetes erecta

Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

Bee Balm

Monarda didyma

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida

Blackhaw

Viburnum prunifolium

Blue False Indigo

Baptisia australis

Carolina Allspice

Calycanthus floridus

Crimson Clover

Trifolium incarnatum

Crocus 'Cloth of Gold'

Crocus angustifolius 'Cloth of Gold'

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

French Marigold

Tagetes patula

French Striped Marigold

Tagetes patula

Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata

Globe Amaranth

Gomphrena globosa

Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium maculatum

Lilac

Syringa vulgaris

New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

New York Ironweed

Vernonia noveboracensis

Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

Persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Siberian Iris

Iris sibirica

Sneezeweed

Helenium autumnale

Snowdrop

Galanthus nivalis

Spiderwort

Tradescantia virginiana

Strawberry Bush

Euonymus americanus

Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia

Tiger Daylily

Hemerocallis fulva

Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica

White Oak

Quercus alba

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Winterberry Holly

Ilex verticillata

Woodland Phlox

Phlox divaricata

Yellow Willow

Salix alba var. vitellina