Native shrub that likes wet feet, very valuable for late blooming period and high ecological values (attracts birds, various native bees, butterflies and moths).
Long blooming period and great tolerance to salinity.
Blooming Time: August to October Size: depends on the site and amount of nutrients – can breach 3-10′ tall and wide USDA Zones: 5 to 10Culture: full sun, very adaptable to a variety of soils, tolerates a wide range of soils from poor, shallow, rocky, clayey, dry or wet soils, brackish waters and salt-sprayed soils. Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils (around pH 7)Moisture Needs: average (medium) to wet Origin: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OK, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, often on disturbed soils, salt marshes, wet areas and shores and often on sandy, or gravelly soils
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yesAttracts Butterflies or Pollinators: offers nectar to bees, butterflies (including Monarchs), moths and other insectsAttracts Hummingbirds: occasionally yes, but attracts granivorous birdsPot Size: square 3.5″ x 4″ deep perennial pot Plant combinations: Rain gardens, erosion control, saline soil, coastal areas with exposures to salt and salinity, retention areas, banks, around ponds. Can see aggressively, if female plant is present.
Good companions can be Asclepias incarnata, Helianthus angustifolius and hybrids, Iris (I. sibirica, I. x lousiana, I. versicolor, I. ensata, I. pseudata, I. virginica), Lobelia, Lysimachia, Mimulus, Persicaria amplexicaulis, Phlox paniculata (with smaller flowers), Phlox paniculata and P. maculata, Physostegia, Sanquisorba, Thalictrum, Veronicastrum and grasses and sedges – Carex, Andropogon gerardii and cultivars, Calamagrostis, Chasmantium, Deschmapsia, Panicum, Pennisetum, Spartina.
Can be also used with mounding plants like Amsonia, Baptisia, Chelone, Hemerocallis (better with smaller flowers) or with lower growing or groundcovering plants (Alchemilla, hardy Geraniums,etc.)
Picture copyright: Macleay Grass Man, Commons Wikimedia
