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Passionflower

Scientific Name: Passiflora incarnata

Family: Passifloraceae

Height: 15 ft.

Spread: 15 ft.

Bloom Time: July – August

Native Range: Mid Atlantic and Southeastern United States, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Nectar source for butterflies and bees. Larval host for the variegated fritillary butterfly

Human Value: Native Americans used the Passionflower for food and medicine. Captain John Smith reported that it was grown for its fruit near Jamestown. The fruit can be eaten raw, juiced, or boiled to make syrup. Young shoots and leaves were eaten as greens.

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Spiderwort, Ohio

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Scientific Name: Tradescantia ohiensis

Family: Tradescantia

Height: 2-3 ft.

Spread: 1.5-2 ft.

Bloom Time: June-July

Native Range: Eastern United States and Ontario, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Nectar source for insects especially long tongued bees like bumblebees. Mammals such as deer and rabbits eat foliage.

Human Value: Leaves, stems, and flowers are edible.

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Aster, Heart-leaf / Blue Wood

Scientific Name: Sympyotrichum cordifolium

Family: Asteraceae

Height: 2-5 ft

Spread: 1-2 ft

Bloom Time: September-October

Native Range: Eastern and Central United States, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Larval host for Pearl Cresent. Nectar plant for bees and butterflies.

Human Value:

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Aster, New England

Scientific Name: Sympyotrichum novae-angliae

Family: Asteraceae

Height: 3-6 ft

Spread: 2-4 ft

Bloom Time: September-October

Native Range: North America, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Larval host for Pearl Cresent and checker spot butterflies. Nectar plant for bees and butterflies.

Human Value: Medicinally used as a decoction to treat weeks skin and as a poultice for pain, fever, and diarrhea.

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Salvia

Scientific Name: Salvia sp.

Height: 2 ft.

Spread: 1.5-2 ft.

Bloom Time: May-August

Native Range: Europe and Asia

Ecological Value: Nectar plant

Human Value: Ornamental

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Coneflower, Cutleaf

Scientific Name: Rudbeckia laciniata

Height: 2-9 ft.

Spread: 1.5-3 ft.

Bloom Time: July – September

Ecological Value: Nectar source.

Human Value:

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Black Eyed Susan

Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta

Family: Asteraceae

Height: 2 – 3 ft

Spread: 1 -2 ft

Bloom Time: June – August

Native Range: Eastern and Central United States, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Nectar, seeds for birds.

Human Value:

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Foxglove Beardtongue

Scientific Name: Penstemon digitalis

Family:

Height: 3-5 ft

Spread: 1-2 ft

Bloom Time: May-June

Native Range: Eastern United States, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Early nectar source for hummingbirds and bumblebees.

Human Value: Once used as heart medicine.

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Scarlet Beebalm

Scientific Name: Monarda didyma

Family: Lamiaceae

Height: 2-4 ft

Spread: 3+ ft.

Bloom Time: June-August

Native Range: Eastern North America

Ecological Value: Nectar source for insects and hummingbirds.

Human Value: All above ground parts are edible. Flowers make an attractive garnish for salads. Leaves make a pleasant tea.

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Oriental Hybrid Lily

Scientific Name: Lillium hybrid

Family: Liliaceae

Height: 1-3 ft.

Spread: 0.75-2 ft

Bloom Time: June-July

Native Range: Asia, hybridized in gardens

Ecological Value: Nectar.

Human Value: Ornamental. All parts are poisonous.

According to Wikipedia: “These are based on hybrids within LiliumsectionArchelirion,[36][37] specifically Lilium auratum and Lilium speciosum, together with crossbreeds from several species native to Japan, including Lilium nobilissimumLilium rubellumLilium alexandrae, and Lilium japonicum.They are fragrant, and the flowers tend to be outward facing. Plants tend to be tall, and the flowers may be quite large. The whole group are sometimes referred to as “stargazers” because many of them appear to look upwards. (For the specific cultivar, see Lilium ‘Stargazer’.)” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium)