Virtues: Very drought tolerant. Large spring flowers. Attracts butterflies and moths.
Common name: Soapweed

Botanical name: Yucca glauca
Flowers: Multiple creamy white or slightly green bell-shaped flowers appear on tall (foot) stalks in late spring.
Foliage: Narrow, …

Spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa) is a low-growing, very drought-tolerant shrub with yellow flowers that turn pink with age.

Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) is a small- to medium-size ornamental grass that doesn’t spread aggressively.

Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) has grasslike leaves and dramatic spherical summer flowers. If you like alliums, you’ll like beargrass.

Missouri primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa) is a drought-resistant groundcover with brilliant yellow summer flowers.

Red maple (Acer rubrum) is an adaptable North American tree that has excellent fall foliage. Read tips for growing red maple.

Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a tough but pretty and colorful ornamental grass that’s native to much of the United States.

Lizard’s tail (Saururus cerruus) is a plant with nice foliage and quirky flowers that likes wet soil and can take sustained flooding.

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is a flowering shrub with early-spring flowers and scented leaves, for sun or for shade.

Sweetbay magnolia (Magnoila virginiana) is a lovely small tree with fragrant late-spring/summer flowers that attract pollinators.

Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) is a tough groundcover with edible fruit and beautiful fall color.