Maine Natives

Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum) is a distinctive North American native plant. Broad leaves and large white umbels give this imposing biennial a strong presence in moist meadows and woodland edges. It matures at approximately 96 inches tall and flowers from late spring to early summer through early to mid summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in medium to medium-wet conditions, with loamy soil, clay soil or wet soil. Space plants 24–36 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Tall Sunflower (Helianthus giganteus) is a distinctive North American native plant. Clusters of yellow flowers crown tall purplish stems, creating late-season color and abundant food for pollinators and birds. It matures at approximately 96 inches tall and flowers from early to mid summer through mid to late summer through early to mid fall. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in medium to medium-wet conditions, with loamy soil, clay soil or sandy soil. Space plants 36–48 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Great Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea) is a distinctive North American native plant. Large greenish umbels rise on burgundy-tinged stems, giving moist borders and streamside plantings dramatic height. It matures at approximately 84 inches tall and flowers from mid to late spring through late spring to early summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in medium through wet conditions, with loamy soil, clay soil, wet soil or alkaline soil. Space plants 36–48 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Sundial Lupine (Lupinus perennis subsp. perennis) is a distinctive North American native plant. Purple-blue flower spikes rise above palmate foliage, and its deep taproot suits sandy, nutrient-poor sites. It matures at approximately 24 inches tall and flowers from mid to late spring through late spring to early summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in dry to dry-medium conditions, with sandy soil, dry soil or poor soil. Space plants 10–18 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) is a distinctive North American native plant. Branched stems carry an abundance of small yellow flowers with dark centers, and the short-lived plants readily reseed where conditions suit them. It matures at approximately 60 inches tall and flowers from mid to late summer through early to mid fall. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in dry-medium through medium-wet conditions, with loamy soil or sandy soil.

Early Figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata) is a native perennial valued for its nectar-rich red and green flowers. Upright plants reach about 5 feet tall and bloom from late spring through midsummer, attracting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects. This adaptable wildflower grows in full sun through shade and tolerates loamy or sandy soils across a broad moisture range. Seed requires 60 days of cold, moist stratification and light for germination.

Early Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) is a short-lived native perennial with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers from early summer into early fall. Upright clumps reach about 5 feet tall and support bees, butterflies, and seed-eating birds. Plants perform best in full sun and tolerate loam, clay, or sandy soils with medium moisture. Seed requires 30 days of cold, moist stratification before germination.

Wild Golden Glow (Rudbeckia laciniata) is a tall native perennial with bright yellow flowers that bloom from midsummer into fall. Plants reach about 7 feet and spread by rhizomes, making them well suited to moist naturalized gardens, woodland edges, and rain-garden plantings. The flowers support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, while mature seed heads provide food for birds. Seed requires 30 days of cold, moist stratification and should be surface sown.

Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) is a North American native perennial that sends up graceful spikes of white, bell-shaped flowers with a soft pink blush. The upright blooms brighten prairie gardens, rain gardens and naturalized borders from late spring into early summer. Plants establish into durable clumps that tolerate a range of soils when drainage is adequate. The nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) is a native perennial with upright spikes of brilliant blue flowers from late summer into fall. It thrives in moist soil in full sun to partial light and is well suited to rain gardens, pond edges, and wet meadows. The long-blooming flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Mature plants commonly reach 2 to 3 feet tall.

Allegheny Monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens) is a moisture-loving native perennial with violet-blue, snapdragon-like flowers. It thrives along pond margins, in wet meadows, and in rain gardens where soil stays consistently moist. The upright plants bloom through summer and provide nectar for bees and other pollinators. Mature flowering stems typically reach about 18 to 24 inches tall.

The Obedient Plant Physostegia is a sun-loving flowering plant that produces pink flowers that blooms late summer and into fall! This variety spreads very fast with a large underground root system.

North American Wildflower Blend combines annual and perennial favorites selected to perform across many regions of the United States. The varied species create a broad tapestry of familiar colors, with annuals providing quick blooms and perennials adding longer-term persistence. Local climate and soil conditions determine which flowers become most prominent, giving each planting its own regional character.

The Maine Blend combines annual and perennial wildflowers selected for ornamental planting in the northeastern United States. Its current component profile features Perennial Lupine, Scarlet Flax, Siberian Wallflower, and Cornflower. Maine’s short summers and cold winters call for a Northeast mixture combining fast annual color with hardy perennial potential. The mixture contains both native species and non-native flowers adapted to the region, creating varied colors, heights and bloom periods. Sow in a sunny, prepared, weed-free seedbed and keep the surface consistently moist while seedlings establish.

The Sideoats Grama is a warm-season bunchgrass grain variety that is easy to grow and native throughout much of North America. The ornamental and distinctive seed spikes hang from only one side of the stalk, and these make good fresh or dried cuttings. This grain prefers full sun and moderate to dry soils. The Sideoats Grama is recommended for meadow and prairie plantings, beds & borders, and as a component of forage mixes for livestock and wildlife.

The Big Bluestem is a warm season ornamental grass that actively grows during the summer when soil temperatures are warm but is beautiful all year round. This variety is a big plant, getting over six feet tall in most situations! In a landscape, the Big Bluestem can be used as an accent. This ornamental grass has a great fall color in the range of gold and pink.

The Fireweed Epilobium is a beautiful, brightly colored flower that is a great landscape variety for planting on hills and borders. This amazing variety produces bright pink flower spikes along this large landscape plant.

The Butterfly Asclepias is sun-loving, easy to grow and blooms brilliant, vibrant orange colored blooms that will attract may pollinators to the garden. This stunning variety and can reach 2' feet tall. Sow in early January for first year blooms.