Perennials with Native Roots

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Native Plants are more naturally suited to your local environment, soil conditions, and can support local pollinators and wildlife. Proven Winners Perennials with Native Roots are hybrids of Native Plants, with the goal of creating hardier, longer blooming, more disease resistant selections.

Plants with Native Roots help bridge the gap between the native environment and residential garden needs.

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What does it mean to say a Perennial has Native Roots?

North America is resplendent with native plants, with more beauty occurring just down the street than most homeowners realize. Proven Winners® Perennials includes a broad selection of plants with native roots. These are plants that may be single species hybrids, or crosses of multiple species that might not naturally interact in nature.

The goal of such hybrids is to preserve the beauty and benefits of the plant as they occur in nature and pair it with the superior performance necessary to thrive in the garden of today's homeowner.

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When to only plant Native Species

Native hybrids are not meant to replace native species. In restoration projects, naturalistic plantings, and in spaces where you are trying to establish a self-sustaining plant colony, the native species is often preferable.

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Benefits of Native Hybrids

The result of mixing species often brings the best of both worlds. That may be finding additional cold hardiness for a tender perennial, or adding heat and drought tolerance. Native hybrids are often selected for increased blooms which benefit pollinators, sturdier habits for better garden performance, and improved disease resistance.

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Dark green indicates a state or province where background species are commonly occurring. Light green indicates present but less common.

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Firefly Achillea

Taller Yarrow nature with beautiful habits and exceptional sturdiness. Long blooming selections capable of handling heat, drought, and heavier clay soils. Hybrid of native and non native species.

Height: 20-32” | Width: 28-38” | Zones: 3-8 | Exposure: Full Sun

Variety Pictured: Achillea 'Firefly Sunshine'

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MEANT TO BEE® Agastache

Large, full plants with substantial landscape presence and hardiness. A favorite of pollinators. Deer Resistant. Heat and drought tolerant native of the Southwest.

Height: 28-36” | Width: 28-36” | Zones: 5-9 | Exposure: Full Sun

Variety Pictured: Agastache MEANT TO BEE® 'Queen Nectarine'

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'Storm Cloud' Amsonia tabernaemontana

Near black stems emerge early in spring. Spring blooming perennial with clusters of periwinkle blue flowers. Deep root structure lends to heat and drought tolerance; long-lived once established.

Height: 24-30” | Width: 38-42” | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Storm Cloud'

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'String Theory' Amsonia

Threadleaf Bluestar with excellent garden texture. Clusters of blue flowers in late spring. Foliage turns golden orange in fall. Long-lived perennial. Resistant to deer and rabbit browsing.

Height: 18-22” | Width: 32-36” | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Amsonia 'String Theory'

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PRAIRIE WINDS® 'Blue Steel' Andropogon

Native Big Bluestem with striking steel-blue foliage and purple highlights. Upright, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance-adds bold color, texture, and winter interest to modern landscapes.

Height: 4½'” | Width: 2½' | Zones: 3-9 | Exposure: Full Sun

Variety Pictured: Andropogon PRAIRIE WINDS® 'Blue Steel'

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'Silver Lining' Artemisia

A highly durable perennial with a low, wide habit of silver foliage. Excellent as a filler in the landscape. Does not spread aggressively through underground runners like the species.

Height: 12-16” | Width: 32-36” | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full Sun

Variety Pictured: Artemisia 'Silver Lining'

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'Chantilly Lace' Aruncus

A part-shade loving perennial that produces beautiful sprays of lacy, cream-colored flowers. A similar look to Astilbe, but more drought tolerant. Hybrid of native and non native species.

Height: 30-32” | Width: 40-48” | Zones: 3-7 | Exposure: Full Sun - Full Shade

Variety Pictured: Aruncus 'Chantilly Lace'

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DECADENCE® Baptisia

Sizeable, long-lived perennials with deep root systems. Hard to move and hard to kill once established. Tolerates heavy clay soils. Tall flower spikes in late spring.

Height: 2½-4½' | Width: 2½-4' | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Baptisia DECADENCE® 'Lemon Meringue'

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DECADENCE® DELUXE Baptisia

DECADENCE® DELUXE Baptisia were bred and selected for their larger, more substantial landscape presence as well as vivid flower colors. Tolerates heat, drought, and heavy clay soils.

Height: 3½-4½' | Width: 3-4' | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Baptisia DECADENCE® DELUXE 'Pink Lemonade'

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'Noble Native' Carex laxiculmis

A variegated Woodland Sedge with creamy-striped, arching blue-green leaves. Ideal for shaded borders or paths, it's compact, deer resistant, low-maintenance, and adds elegant texture early in the season.

Height: 6-12” | Width: 12-18” | Zones: 5-9 | Exposure: Full to Part Shade

Variety Pictured: Carex laxiculmis 'Noble Native'

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'Shade Fanfare' Carex plantaginea

Variegated sedge with broad green leaves edged creamy white. Semi-evergreen, cold-hardy, and ideal for shade gardens, borders, or groundcover-adds refined texture and year-round interest.

Height: 8-12” | Width: 12-24” | Zones: 3-8 | Exposure: Full to Part Shade

Variety Pictured: Carex plantaginea 'Shade Fanfare'

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DESIGNER THREADS® Coreopsis verticillata

A low, rounded plant with needle-like foliage. Excellent for lining the front of the border and providing blooms all summer long. Improved mildew resistance.

Height: 16-20" | Width: 20-24" | Zones: 5-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Coreopsis verticillata DESIGNER THREADS® 'Golden Needles'

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COLOR CODED® Echinacea

Large flowers have horizontal, overlapping petals to maximize floral display. Excellent for sunny, dry areas. Long blooming to please pollinators and provide winter forage for birds.

Height: 20-26” | Width: 16-20” | Zones: 4-8 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Echinacea COLOR CODED® 'The Fuchsia is Bright'

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Summersong® Firefinch™ Echinacea

pollinator magnet in the summer, with decorative seedheads in fall. Excellent heat and drought tolerance. Tolerates a wide variety of soil and light conditions.

Height: 12-16” | Width: 16-18” | Zones: 4-8 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Echinacea Summersong® Firefinch™

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Athena Gold™ Heliopsis helianthoides

A very compact False Sunflower with sunny yellow flowers. Each flower is packed with petals, extending the life of individual blooms.

Height: 18-24” | Width: 16-20” | Zones: 3-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Heliopsis helianthoides Athena Gold™

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'Bit of Honey' Heliopsis helianthoides

Leaves appear white with deep green veining on a low, dense habit. This variety blooms in midsummer, lasting into early fall.

Height: 24-28” | Width: 26-30” | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Heliopsis helianthoides 'Bit of Honey'

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'Forged in Fire' Heliopsis helianthoides

Mid-size selection of False Sunflower notable for its dense, darkly colored habit and large burnt orange eyes on the flowers. Each flower is semi-double, with the additional petals prolonging the life of the flower while leaving the center open to visiting pollinators. Dark green foliage has excellent mildew resistance.

Height: 32-36” | Width: 32-36” | Zones: 3-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Heliopsis helianthoides 'Forged in Fire'

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'Touch of Blush' Heliopsis helianthoides

A well-branched habit bears numerous flowers in mid to late summer. Resistant to powdery mildew. Variegated foliage has a pink blush in cool temps.

Height: 18-20” | Width: 16-20” | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Heliopsis helianthoides 'Touch of Blush'

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'Tuscan Sun' Heliopsis helianthoides

This beautiful and carefree native cultivar offers a more compact habit and good disease resistance compared to other varieties of Heliopsis.

Height: 24-36” | Width: 20-24” | Zones: 3-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Heliopsis helianthoides 'Tuscan Sun'

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DOLCE® Heuchera

Mainly grown for their foliage color. DOLCE® are moderate size plants for use in containers and small spaces in the garden. Semi-evergreen foliage.

Height: 8-12” | Flower Height: 18-26” | Width: 16-24” | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full Sun - Full Shade

Variety Pictured: Heuchera DOLCE® 'Wildberry'

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DRESSED UP® Heuchera

Heuchera in the DRESSED UP® Series have heavily ruffled foliage and large habits. Semi-evergreen foliage provides year round interest.

Height: 10-14” | Flower Height: 18-30” | Width: 20-28” | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full Sun - Full Shade

Variety Pictured: Heuchera DRESSED UP® 'Evening Gown'

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PRIMO®

Members of this series were selected for their ability to grow to incredible size. Large plants with large leaves and flower scapes.

Height: 10-12” | Flower Height: 18-26” | Width: 24-32” | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full Sun - Full Shade

Variety Pictured: Heuchera PRIMO® 'Peachberry Ice'

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FUN AND GAMES® Heucherella

Hybrids of Heuchera and Tiarella. From Heuchera comes a variety of foliage colors and from Tiarella new leaf shapes and central patterns.

Height: 8-10” | Flower Height: 18-22” | Width: 16-24” | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Shade

Variety Pictured: Heucherella FUN AND GAMES® 'Eye Spy'

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SUMMERIFIC® Hibiscus

Massive 7-8” flowers appear beginning in midsummer, persisting to fall. Excellent as a focal point in rain gardens or areas with high moisture. Tolerates heavy clay soils.

Height: 3½-5½' | Width: 3-5' | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Hibiscus SUMMERIFIC® 'Berry Awesome'

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Leading Lady Monarda

Compared to the Pardon My M. didyma hybrids, these M. bradburiana hybrids are shorter and flower two weeks earlier. Excelllent deer and rabbit resistance.

Height: 10-14” | Width: 22-28” | Zones: 4-8 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Monarda 'Leading Lady Razzberry'

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Pardon My Monarda didyma

Moderate sized selections that are well-behaved in the garden. Bee Balm are a favorite of pollinators when they bloom in summer. Excellent deer and rabbit resistance.

Height: 14-18” | Width: 22-28” | Zones: 4-8 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Monarda didyma 'Pardon My Rose'

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UPSCALE® Monarda

A tall series excellent for landscape plantings and filling space in the middle of the border. A favorite of pollinators. Excellent deer, rabbit, and mildew resistance.

Height: 22-32” | Width: 24-36” | Zones: 4-8 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Monarda UPSCALE® 'Red Velvet'

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PRAIRIE WINDS® 'Candy Floss' Muhlenbergia capillaris

Early-blooming Pink Muhly Grass with deep rose-pink plumes. Fine-textured foliage adds airy movement and color; hardy, uniform, and ideal for modern landscapes.

Height: 3-3½' | Width: 3½-4' | Zones: 6-10 | Exposure: Full Sun

Variety Pictured: Muhlenbergia capillaris PRAIRIE WINDS® 'Candy Floss'

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PRAIRIE WINDS® Panicum virgatum

Heat and drought tolerant perennial grass present throughout much of North America. Seedheads appear in late summer. Variety of forms and foliage colors.

Height: 3-6' | Width: 1½-4' | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full Sun

Variety Pictured: Panicum virgatum PRAIRIE WINDS® 'Niagara Falls'

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BEJEWELED® Penstemon barbatus

A midsize series selected for dense habits, large flowers, and improved cold hardiness. Best in full sun and areas with good drainage.

Height: 14-20” | Width: 20-24” | Zones: 4-8 | Exposure: Full Sun

Variety Pictured: Penstemon barbatus BEJEWELED® 'Pink Pearls'

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'Midnight Masquerade' Penstemon

The perfect landscape perennial! Deep burgundy purple leaves look attractive all season long and form a tall, full and refined habit. Rich lavender purple flowers with pure white interiors top the foliage on dark stem.

Height: 36-40” | Width: 28-32” | Zones: 3-8 | Exposure: Full Sun

Variety Pictured: Penstemon 'Midnight Masquerade'

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'Cloudburst' Hybrid Phlox

Tall, billowy habit flowers nearly to the ground. The initial flush of flowers appears in early summer, with rebloom into fall.

Height: 28” | Width: 42” | Zones: 4-8 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Phlox 'Cloudburst'

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Opening Act Hybrid Phlox

Earlier to bloom than Tall Garden Phlox by 2-4 weeks with excellent rebloom. Slowly spreading stoloniferous habits.

Height: 18-26” | Width: 24-32” | Zones: 4-8 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Phlox 'Opening Act Pink-a-Dot'

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LUMINARY® Phlox paniculata

Tall, brightly-colored perennials. Selected for mildew resistance and rebloom, these varieties will give you more flowers and clean plants.

Height: 30-36” | Width: 24-32” | Zones: 3-8 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Phlox paniculata LUMINARY® 'Opalescence'

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SPRING BLING® Hybrid Creeping Phlox

The most similar to Creeping Phlox with space-filling, mounded habits; adding larger flowers and an earlier bloom. Semi-evergreen foliage, blooms in early spring. Pictured:

Height: 4-8” | Width: 24-28” | Zones: (3)4-8 | Exposure: Full Sun

Variety Pictured: Phlox subulata SPRING BLING® 'Ruby Riot'

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Sprite Hybrid Spring Phlox

Later to bloom and more shade tolerant than other types of spring blooming Phlox. Spreads slowly.

Height: 6-8” | Width: 18-22” | Zones: 4-8 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Phlox 'Purple Sprite'

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'Heaven Scent' Polemonium

An intersection of fabulous foliage, flowers, and fragrance. Very cold tolerant, adaptable to a wide variety of soils and light levels. Deer resistant. Hybrid of native and non native species.

Height: 18-24” | Width: 15-18” | Zones: 3-7 | Exposure: Full Sun - Part Shade

Variety Pictured: Polemonium 'Heaven Scent'

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'Treasure Trove' Rudbeckia

Large golden yellow star-shaped flowers completely cover the habit with well-branched stems prolonging bloom. A robust clump of foliage with large leaves ensures longevity in the landscape. Heat and drought tolerant.

Height: 32-36” | Width: 36-42” | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Rudbeckia 'Treasure Trove'

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PRAIRIE WINDS® Schizachyrium scoparium

Silvery blue leaves create a vase-shaped habit. Foliage transitions to wine-purple at summer�™s end before turning deep red in fall. Cold tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant.

Height: 3-3½' | Width: 2' | Zones: 3-9 | Exposure: Full Sun

Variety Pictured: Schizachyrium scoparium PRAIRIE WINDS® 'Blue Paradise'

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'Apple Slices' & 'Orange Slices' Spigelia marilandica

This woodland perennial grows from sun to shade and is long-lived once established. Great for garden spaces with tricky light conditions. Spigelia will be more floriferous in full sun. Popular with pollinators.

Height: 16-20” | Width: 16-18” | Zones: 5b-9 | Exposure: Full Sun - Part Shade

Variety Pictured: Spigelia marilandica 'Apple Slices'

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TOTALLY STOKED™ Stokesia laevis

Members of this series are moderately sized with dense habits. Excellent heat and humidity tolerance. Tolerates clay soils. Favorite of pollinators. Deer and rabbit resistant.

Height: 24-26” | Width: 32-36” | Zones: 5-9 | Exposure: Full Sun

Variety Pictured: Stokesia laevis TOTALLY STOKED™ 'Riptide'

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'Cutting Edge' Tiarella

A woodland perennial with fantastic foliage and a profusion of spring blooms. A great pollinator plant for shady spaces. Vigorous and cold tolerant.

Height: 8-10” | Width: 16-18” | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full - Part Shade

Variety Pictured: Tiarella 'Cutting Edge'

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'Webmaster' & 'Web Designer' Tradescantia

Compact Spiderwort with lush foliage and huge blue blooms. Heat-tolerant and vibrant into fall - one of the longest-lasting varieties for bold garden color.

Height: 18-24” | Width: 18-24” | Zones: 3-9 | Exposure: Full Sun - Full Shade

Variety Pictured: Tradescantia 'Webmaster'

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'Prairie Princess' Vernonia

Vernonia are closely related to Asters with a fall display that will certainly turn heads. In late summer, clusters of long-lasting rosy purple flowers appear.

Height: 26-30” | Width: 30-36” | Zones: 4-9 | Exposure: Full Sun

Variety Pictured: Vernonia 'Prairie Princess'

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'Dragon Slayer' Yucca

A tough, durable perennial thrives in hot, dry spaces with little to no attention. Creamy white flowers in early summer. Evergreen, deer and rabbit resistant.

Height: 24” | Width: 30-36” | Zones: 5-10 | Exposure: Full - Part Sun

Variety Pictured: Yucca 'Dragon Slayer'