Coreopsis tinctoria – Plains Coreopsis
A slender, 1-2 ft., annual with pinnately-compound foliage, small but abundant yellow flowers, maroon near the center. Flower heads occur on long stalks from the multi-branching stems.
Dracopis amplexicaulis – Clasping Coneflower
is a smooth-stemmed, annual coneflower, usually 2-3 ft. tall, with terminal, solitary flower heads. The leaves are oblong with heart-shaped, clasping bases. The yellow petals, with reddish-purple bases, are numerous and droop away from the dark, elongated, cone-shaped center.
Helianthus heterophyllus – Wetland Sunflower
is a perennial sometimes as much as 4 feet tall, spreading by means of underground rhizomes. Leaves and stems are hairless or almost hairless. One plant can produce 1-5 flower heads, each with 12–18 yellow ray florets surrounding as least 100 red or brown disc florets. The species grows in wet sandy soils at low elevations.
Monarda punctata – Spotted Bee Balm
is an aromatic, erect perennial ranging from only 6 in. to almost 3 ft. tall. Rosettes of yellowish, purple-spotted, tubular flowers occur in whorls, forming a dense, elongated spike at the end of the stem or from leaf axils. Each whorl is subtended by large, conspicuous, whitish, purple-tinged, leaf-like bracts.
Eurybia divaricata – White Wood Aster
typically grows in the wild in dry open woods. It grows in loose clumps with dark, sprawling, sometimes zigzag stems up to 2.5′ tall. Distinctive leaves are heart-shaped, stalked and coarsely toothed. Small but abundant flowers (to 1 inch across) have white rays and yellow to red center disks and appear in flat-topped, terminal clusters in late summer to early fall. Attractive to butterflies.
Tradescantia virginiana – Spiderwort
is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial which grows up to 3′ tall. Violet-blue to purple, three-petaled flowers (.75-1.5″ diameter) accented by contrasting yellow stamens open up, a few at a time, each for only one day, from terminal clusters (umbels) containing numerous flower buds. Flowers bloom in succession from late May into early July. Arching, iris-like, dark green leaves up to 1′ long and 1 inch wide are folded lengthwise forming a groove.
Oenothera biennis – Evening Primrose
in its first year, the plant forms a flat rosette of lance-shaped leaves that hug the ground, building energy reserves in its substantial taproot. During the second year, it sends up a tall flowering stem that can reach 2 to 8 feet in height, crowned with dozens of bright yellow blooms that open sequentially from bottom to top throughout the summer and early fall. This dramatic transformation from ground-hugging rosette to towering flower spike makes Evening Primrose one of the most architecturally striking plants in the North American flora.
Rudbeckia maxima – Giant Coneflower
has clumps of silvery-blue foliage that give rise to stately flower stalks. The flowers have intense yellow ray flowers that dangle from tall brown centers. It should be cut back to the base after blooming to keep tidy and be planted in mass for best effect in landscapes.
Eryngium yuccifolium – Rattlesnake Master
has smooth, rigid stems that bear thistle-like flower heads made up of small greenish-white florets mingled with pointed bracts. The individual, greenish-white flowers cluster into unique, globular heads. These occur on branch ends atop the 6 ft. plant. It can be an aggressive self-seeder.
Hibiscus coccineus – Texas Star
The palmately divided leaves of this 4-7+ ft. rose-mallow are palmately cut and shiny. The flowers are deep-scarlet and over 6 in. in width. A large plant with big, showy, crimson flowers in upper leaf axils.
This very showy species, typical of the mallow family, is sometimes cultivated. It is certainly one of the loveliest of our native flowers.
Liatris spicata – Dense Blazing Star
is an erect, slender perennial reaching a height of 2-6 ft. The linear, grass-like leaves are clumped toward the base of the plant, but extend up the stem to the showy flower cluster. A tall spike of rayless, rose-purple (sometimes white), closely set flower heads. The purple, tufted flower heads are arranged in a long, dense spike blooming from the top down.
LA Iris spp – Briarwood Yellow
Louisiana Irises occur as scattered populations across the state in freshwater marshes, swamps, wet prairies, and other wetlands. They bloom March – April in a variety of colors, depending on species.
Louisiana irises are an excellent choice for naturalized landscapes, but also can be grown in raised beds if provided water during dry conditions. Irises support native caterpillars and birds; Iris fulva produces nectar used by hummingbirds.