Centaurea americana

Clump-forming herbaceous perennial with pea-like white and lilac flowers that appear from mid summer. The plant tolerates poor soil and partial shade, but will grow more vigorously in full sun.

Monarda is also known as Bergamot and this variety bears interesting fluffy rich scarlet flowers that appear in early summer and flower all the way into autumn. This plant is very aromatic and retains its scent when dried. May need dividing every three years to revive the plant.

This clump-forming perennial with grey-green leaves bears small nodding red flowers from early summer that turn into extraordinary feathery seedheads. The foliage turns red in autumn which add interest later in the season. Geum Triflorum grows well in dry, free-draining soil and is drought-tolerant once established.