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Leavenworth Fish Hatchery Pollinator Garden

A gazebo in a garden.

The Pollinator Garden at the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery was established in 2016 to create a safe pollinator and monarch butterfly habitat for educating students and the public. All the plants within the garden were chosen to provide nectar to pollinators, including over 200 milkweed plants and numerous plants native to Washington state.

Our Chelan-Douglas County Master Gardener Program has a partnership with the fish hatchery to help maintain the garden and interpretation. You can usually find Master Gardeners working here Tuesday mornings during the gardening season. Stop by to talk to them about pollinators and the plants that attract them, such as those listed below. Visit the garden in front of the main hatchery building at 12790 Fish Hatchery Road in Leavenworth, WA.

Learn more about the history of the pollinator partnership with the hatchery: https://www.fws.gov/story/pollinator-partnerships.

Plants in the Garden listed by Scientific Name in Alphabetical Order

SEARCH TIP: If you know the common name of the plant you’re looking for, type: CTRL F on your keyboard, type in the name or word in the search field, and it will take you to the word on this page if it can be found here.

Achillea millefolium / Common Yarrow

flower and buds of common yarrow plant

Common name Common Yarrow
Scientific name Achillea millefolium
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color White with flat top or dome shape
Flower season May thru July
Plant size 2-3’ H x 2-3’ W
Hardiness Zones 3-9
Light preference Full sun
Pollinators Butterflies
Winterizing instructions Let flower stems overwinter to provide bird seed, insect cover and to promote self-seeding.  Clean debris in spring before new growth if needed, otherwise leave as mulch and insect nesting sites. 
Additional comments Native to temperate regions of North America as well as Europe and Asia.  Frost and drought tolerant.

 

Alnus incana / Mountain Alder

leaves of mountain alder shrub

Common name Mountain Alder
Scientific name Alnus incana
Plant type Tree
Flower color Non-descript yellow-orange, white and pink red on catkins
Flower season March to May
Plant size 20 to 35’ H x 15 to 35’ W
Hardiness Zones 2 – 7
Light preference Full sun to partial shade
Pollinators Most likely wind
Winterizing instructions Remove dead, diseased and dying branches.  Remove branches that will touch the ground with snowfall if in a snowy area.  Protect young trees.  Use non-diseased branches for insect cover in the garden.
Additional comments Prefers moist places, low-to-mid elevationsNitrogen fixer; not drought tolerant – prefers moist soils. 

 

Aquilegia chrysantha /  Golden Columbine

flowering golden columbine plant

Common name Golden Columbine
Scientific name Aquilegia chrysantha
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color Yellow
Flower season Late spring 
Plant size 2-3’ H x 1-2’ W
Hardiness Zones 3-8
Light preference Full sun to part shade
Pollinators Butterflies, bumblebees
Winterizing instructions Let flower stems overwinter to provide bird seed, insect cover and to promote self-seedingClean debris in spring before new growth if needed, otherwise leave as mulch and insect nesting sites.
Additional comments Deadhead to prolong blooms. 

 

Aquilegia desertorum /  Desert Columbine

red flowers of desert columbine plant

Common name Desert Columbine
Scientific name Aquilegia desertorum
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color Orange red with yellow center
Flower season Summer
Plant size 1.5’ H x 1.3’ W
Hardiness Zone 5-8 
Light preference Full sun to partial shade
Pollinators Hummingbirds and bees
Winterizing instructions Let flower stems overwinter to provide bird seed, insect cover and to promote self-seeding.  Clean debris in spring before new growth if needed, otherwise leave as mulch and insect nesting sites. 
Additional comments Native to Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.  Deadhead to prolong blooms.

 

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Kinnickinnick

bushy plant with small shiny leaves

Common name Kinnickinnick
Scientific name Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Plant type Evergreen groundcover with green, small shiny leaves
Flower color White or pink
Flower season Spring
Plant size 0.5’ H x 3-6’ W
Hardiness Zones 2-7
Light preference Full sun
Pollinators Hummingbirds, butterflies, bees
Winterizing instructions Water if needed and temperatures above 40F.  
Additional comments Also known as Bearberry.  Good erosion control. Grows in arctic conditions.

 

Artemisia campestris var. wormskioldii / Northern Wormwood

Plant with silvery green stems.

Common name Northern Wormwood
Scientific name Artemisia campestris var. wormskioldii 
Plant type Perennial; sometimes biennial
Flower color Yellow; white 
Flower season June – August 
Plant size 4” -12” width and height
Hardiness Zones 6a-8a
Light preference Full sun 
Pollinators Many in this genus are wind-pollinated
Winterizing instructions Don’t hard prune in late fall; mulch if you like; make sure drainage is good since soggy soils cause root rot.
Additional comments Endangered in Washington state (WANHP) 

 

Asclepias speciosa / Showy Milkweed 

light pink flower with green leaves

Common name Showy Milkweed 
Scientific name Asclepias speciosa
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color Pinkish white to pinkish purple 
Flower season Spring
Plant size 1-3’ H x 1-1.5’ W
Hardiness 3a-9b
Light preference Full sun
Pollinators Butterflies, hummingbirds, honeybees
Winterizing instructions Let the pithy stems overwinter.  In spring before bees begin activity, trim stems to a variety of 6-24” to provide nesting habitat for pollinators.  The tops can be left in a sheltered place for additional habitat. 
Additional comments Leaves are the food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars).

 

Carex hoodii / Hood’s Sedge

Common name Hood’s Sedge
Scientific name Carex hoodii
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color Flowers with reddish scales and light
edges arranged in 1-2 cm long
dense clusters of spikelets
Flower season Late Spring to mid Summer
Plant size 12-30” H
Hardiness Zones 3-9
Light preference Full sun to part shade
Pollinators Butterflies and Moths
Winterizing instructions Allow foliage and seed stems to
overwinter to provide habitat. If
desired, remove debris in early
spring.
Additional comments Native to western North America
from California to Alaska. Found in
mesic to moderately dry meadows
and forest edges.

 

Erigeron speciosus / Aspen Daisy

light purple flower with yellow center, green stems

Common name Aspen Daisy 
Scientific name Erigeron speciosus
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color White, lavender, or blue florets surrounding a yellow center
Flower season Summer
Plant size 1-2’ H x 1-2’ W
Hardiness Zones 4-7
Light preference Full sun
Pollinators Butterflies and bees
Winterizing instructions Trim back upright stems, but prune or divide rosettes in spring as needed.
Additional comments Sometimes known as Fleabane.  Prefers clay soil and moist meadows.  Drought tolerant.  Cold hardy.

 

Eriogonum elatum / Tall Buckwheat 

 

Common name Tall Buckwheat, Tall Wooley Buckwheat, Rush buckwheat
Scientific name Eriogonum elatum 
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color Open cluster of white to pink flowers
Flower season JuneAugust
Plant size 1.54’ H x 1.5’ W
Hardiness Zones 4-8
Light preference Full sun to part shade
Pollinators Bees, butterflies, and moths. Important host and food plant for many pollinators. 
Winterizing instructions Let flower stems overwinter to provide bird seed, insect cover and to promote self-seeding.  Clean debris in spring before new growth if needed, otherwise leave as mulch and insect nesting sites. 
Additional comments Occurs east of the Cascade Range in Washington.

 

Eriogonum jamesii / James’ Buckwheat

Yellow flower clusters on lime green stems

Common name James’ Buckwheat
Scientific name Eriogonum jamesii 
Plant type Perennial
Flower color Bright yellow
Flower season Mid-Summer
Plant size 2-6” H x 0.5-2” W
Hardiness Zones 4-8
Light preference Full sun
Pollinators Native bees
Winterizing instructions Trim back upright stems in spring if needed. 
Additional comments Native to Southwestern United States

 

Eriogonum strictum / Strict Buckwheat

whiteish-green leaves, small bushy plants

Common name Strict Buckwheat
Scientific name Eriogonum strictum
Plant type Perennial
Flower color White/cream to pinkish or yellow
Flower season Late Spring – Summer
Plant size Woody stems to 4”, flowering stems to 12”, 4-12” width
Hardiness Zone 5 (-15 degrees)
Light preference Sun
Pollinators Native bees, honeybees, butterflies, moths
Winterizing instructions Leave leaves and stalks for winter habitat and insulation for pupating insects.  In spring before bees begin activity, trim stems to a variety of 6-24” to provide nesting habitat for pollinators.  The tops can be left in a sheltered place for additional habitat.
Additional comments Native to all western US states and British Columbia.

 

Eriogonum umbellatum / Sulfur Buckwheat

bright yellow flower with green leaves.

Common name Sulfur Buckwheat
Scientific name Eriogonum umbellatum
Plant type Herbaceous perennial or subshrub
Flower color Clusters of bright yellow flowers on local subspecies. Some variants have red or orange coloration with yellow.
Flower season May-June, until September at higher elevations
Plant size Typically forms low, broad mats with individual clumps ranging from 4 “to 2’ (but up to 4’) tall and wide 
Hardiness Zones 48
Light preference Full sun to part shade 
Pollinators Bees, butterflies and moths.
Winterizing instructions Let flower stems overwinter to provide bird seed, insect cover and to promote self-seeding.  Clean debris in spring before new growth if needed, otherwise leave as mulch and insect nesting sites.
Additional comments On both sides of the Cascade Range in Washington. Important host and food plant for many pollinators.

 

Gaillardia aristata / Blanketflower

bright yellow flower with redish center

Common name Blanketflower
Scientific name Gaillardia aristata
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color Large (2-3″) compound flowers with orange-brown center and yellow rays.
Flower season May thru September
Plant size 1 -2’ H x 1-2’ W
Hardiness Zones 3-9
Light preference Full sun
Pollinators Bees, butterflies and moths
Winterizing instructions Mulch in cold climatesPlant will die back and go dormant.  Leave dead plant material for nesting.
Additional comments Occurs chiefly east of the Cascade Range in Washington. 

 

Gaillardia pulchella / Indian Blanket Flower

Red-range flower with yellow buds on green stems

Common name Indian Blanket Flower
Scientific name Gaillardia pulchella
Plant type Herbaceous perennial – self seeding
Flower color Red-orange or yellow.  Pinwheel, daisy like flowers
Flower season Summer
Plant size 1-2’ H x 0.5-1’ W
Hardiness Zones 2-11
Light preference Full sun with hot dry climate.
Pollinators Bees
Winterizing instructions Mulch in cold climates.  Plant will die back and go dormant.  Leave dead plant material for nesting.
Additional comments Deadhead to produce flowers to early fall.  Cold hardy.

 

Iliamna rivularis / Streambank Globemallow or Mountain Hollyhock

Large light green leaves on a tall stem

Common name Streambank Globemallow, Wild Hollyhock, Mountain Hollyhock
Scientific name Iliamna rivularis
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color pink, five petal flowers
Flower season June-Aug
Plant size 3-6H x 2-3’ W 
Hardiness Zones 3-8
Light preference Full sun, part shade
Pollinators Butterflies, bees
Winterizing instructions No special care needed.  Plants will die back and go dormant.
Additional comments Occurs east of the Cascade Range in Washington.   Early seral species that flowers profusely following wildfires.  Seeds remain viable for a few hundred years.  Needs a moist location. 

 

Koeleria macrantha / Praise Junegrass

Common name Praise Junegrass
Scientific name Koeleria macrantha
Plant type Herbaceous perennial bunchgrass
Flower color Flowers silvery green in spike-like
panicle 1-7” long. They turn tan by
mid summer.
Flower season May to June
Plant size 0.5-2’ H
Hardiness Zones 3-9
Light preference Full sun to part shade
Pollinators Seeds are a source of food for birds,
small mammals, grasshoppers and
leafhoppers.
Winterizing instructions Allow foliage and seed stems to
overwinter to provide habitat. If
desired, remove debris in early
spring.
Additional comments Widespread throughout North
America from Alaska to Mexico with
exceptions being the southeast and
New England states. Commonly
found in open areas on sandy or
rocky soils. Drought tolerant.

 

Lewisiopsis tweedyi / Tweedy’s bitterroot

Pinkish-yellow flowers with wide green leaves

Common name Tweedy’s Lewisia, Tweedy’s bitterroot, Tweedy’s pussypaws
Scientific name Lewisiopsis tweedyi
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color Apricot-pink, variable
Flower season May-July
Plant size 8-12” H x 6-12” W
Hardiness Zones 5-8
Light preference Part shade
Pollinators Bees, Syrphid (hover) flies
Winterizing instructions Protect from wet winter conditions.  Needs well drained soil.
Additional comments Occurs east of the Cascade Range in Washington in Kittitas, Chelan, and Okanogan counties.  Endemic to the local Wenatchee Mountains

 

Lomatium nudicaule / Barestem Biscuitroot

Skinny stem plant with long thin leaves and yellow flower.

Common name Barestem Biscuitroot
Scientific name Lomatium nudicaule
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color Pale yellow 
Flower season April-June
Plant size 7”-36” tall
Hardiness Zones 6-8
Light preference Full sun although somewhat shade tolerant
Pollinators Native bees, syrphid flies and butterflies
Winterizing instructions Plant dies back with new growth emerging in the spring. Leave dead plant material for mulch and nesting. 
Additional comments From the Apiaceae (carrot) family, this was a Native food and medicinal source. It has a celery aroma and produces sunflower-like seeds. Waxy blue-green dissected leaves up to 1” wide and 3.5” long. 

 

Lupinus argenteus / Silvery Lupine

 

Common name Silvery Lupine
Scientific name Lupinus argenteus 
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color Purple
Flower season Early Summer
Plant size 1-3’ H x 1-2’ W
Hardiness Zones 6-10
Light preference Full Sun
Pollinators Birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, bees
Winterizing instructions Mulch. Cut back dead foliage in spring as needed.  Leave dead plant material for nesting. 
Additional comments Lupine can be toxic to livestock.

 

Lupinus polyphyllus / Big Leaf Lupine

tall purple flower with big green leaves

Common name Big Leaf Lupine
Scientific name Lupinus polyphyllus
Plant type Perennial forb
Flower color White pink to purplish blue
Flower season Late spring through summer
Plant size 3-5’ H x 1.5-3’ W
Hardiness Zone 3b 
Light preference Full sun to partial shade
Pollinators Native bees, bumble bees, hummingbirds
Winterizing instructions Mulch. Cut back dead foliage in spring.  Leave dead plant material for nesting.
Additional comments Also known as garden, meadow, or bog lupine.

 

Mahonia aquifolium / Tall Oregon Grape

A plant with yellow flowers and dark leaves.

Common name Tall Oregon Grape
Scientific name Mahonia aquifolium
Plant type Evergreen woody shrub
Flower color Yellow on stalks (bracteate racemes)
Flower season March to May 
Plant size 4’ to 6’; up to 8’H x 5’ W
Hardiness Zones 5 -9
Light preference Full sun to partial shade
Pollinators Bees, moths, butterflies and hummingbirds
Winterizing instructions Blue berries remain through the winter, providing food for birds and some mammals.
Additional comments Native to western North America from British Columbia to California, occurring on both sides of the Cascades.  Oregon State flower. 

 

Penstemon confertus / Yellow Penstemon

Tall green plant with light yellow flowers along a stem.

Common name Yellow Penstemon
Scientific name Penstemon confertus
Plant type Perennial
Flower color Yellow, upright stems
Flower season Mid-summer
Plant size 1-2’ H x 1-2’W
Hardiness Zones 4-9
Light preference Full sun
Pollinators Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds 
Winterizing instructions Prune old stems in spring as needed.  Leave dead plant material for nesting.
Additional comments Native to Northwest and western Canada

 

Penstemon fruticosus / Shrubby Penstemon

Purple pink flower on green leafy stem.

Common name Shrubby Penstemon
Scientific name Penstemon fruticosus
Plant type Semi-evergreen perennial
Flower color Lavender or blue-purple
Flower season May-August
Plant size 12” high by 36” wide
Hardiness Zones 4-9 
Light preference Sun and partial shade
Pollinators Bees, wasps and hummingbirds
Winterizing instructions Leave stems and flowers on for the winter, prune back in the spring. 
Additional comments Well-suited plant native to region east of the Cascade crest.  Low and compact form and drought tolerant. 

 

Penstemon palmeri / Palmer’s Penstemon 

Pink tube like flowers on tall stalky stems.

Common name Palmer’s Penstemon 
Scientific name Penstemon palmeri
Plant type Perennial
Flower color Light Pink-Light Purple
Flower season Late Spring-Summer
Plant size 4-6’ H x 2’ W 
Hardiness Zones 4-9
Light preference Full Sun
Pollinators Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Winterizing instructions Leave stems and flowers on for the winter, prune back in the spring. 

 

Penstemon richardsonii / Richardson’s Showy Penstemon

Purplish tube lower on long stems.

Common name Richardson’s Showy Penstemon, Cutleaf Penstemon
Scientific name Penstemon richardsonii 
Plant type Perennial forb
Flower color Pink, pinkish red, bluish
Flower season Summer – June to August
Plant size 1-3’ H x 0.5-2’ W 
Hardiness Zone 5A 
Light preference Sun
Pollinators Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds.  Caterpillar food source.
Winterizing instructions Leave stems and flowers on for the winter, prune back in the spring. 
Additional comments This penstemon blooms later than many others  

 

Phacelia hastata / Silverleaf Scorpionweed

Soft whitish green leaved plant.

Common name Silverleaf Scorpionweed
Scientific name Phacelia hastata
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color White, purple
Flower season May-July
Plant size 12”-24” high
Hardiness Zones 3-10
Light preference Full to part sun
Pollinators A wide range of bees, butterflies and wasps 
Winterizing instructions Leave fallen leaves for mulch and nesting sites. 
Additional comments Can grow at elevations up to 13,000.  Prefers rocky to sandy soil. Spreads by seed dispersal.  Numerous hairs on the plant contain an oil that may cause irritation and rashes.  

 

Philadelphus lewisii / Mock Orange

Shrub with green leaves and white flowers

Common name Mock Orange
Scientific name Philadelphus lewisii 
Plant type Shrub
Flower color White
Flower season Late Spring – Early Summer
Plant size 6′-7′ H x 4′-5′ W
Hardiness Zones 3-9 
Light preference Full sun
Pollinators Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds 
Winterizing instructions None needed, prune after blooming
Additional comments Very fragrant, pollinator attractor

 

Pinus ponderosa / Ponderosa Pine

Tall pine tree.

Common name Ponderosa Pine
Scientific name Pinus ponderosa 
Plant type Tree
Flower color Cones; female cones reddish purple at branch tips.
Flower season May to June
Plant size Up to 230’ H x 25 – 30’ W
Hardiness Zones 4 to 8
Light preference Full sun
Pollinators Most likely wind
Winterizing instructions Remove dead, diseased and dying branches.  Remove branches that will touch the ground with snowfall if in a snowy area.  Protect young trees.
Additional comments Dry to moist soils; can tolerate drought and wind; fire tolerant; cannot tolerate maritime exposure.

 

Ribes sanguineum / Red Flowering Currant

Pink flower clusters hanging on a branch with green ribbed leaves.

Common name Red Flowering Currant
Scientific name Ribes sanguineum
Plant type Deciduous shrub
Flower color Light to dark rose; rarely white
Flower season April-June
Plant size 3’-10’ high
Hardiness Zones 6-8 
Light preference Full sun to partial shade
Pollinators Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Winterizing instructions Add mulch, compost or composted manure before snowfall in cold areas.  Prune dead limbs and low-lying shoots.  Prune to shape after blooming. 
Additional comments Showy fragrant flowers make the red flowering currant an attractive plant in natural and domestic landscapes.  Fruit is tart and is used in jams, jellies, syrups and pies.  Regular winter pruning of older (4 years and older) and weaker stems will allow good light and air circulation leading to more production of fruit. 

 

Ribes aureum / Golden Currant 

Wide green leaves on a branch.

Common name Golden Currant 
Scientific name Ribes aureum
Plant type Deciduous shrub
Flower color Yellow
Flower season Spring
Plant size 3-8’ H x 2-6’ W
Hardiness Zones 4-8
Light preference Full sun
Pollinators Hummingbirds, butterflies 
Winterizing instructions Add mulch, compost or composted manure before snowfall in cold areas.  Prune dead limbs and low-lying shoots.  Prune to shape after blooming.
Additional comments Sweet, tart berries are great for jams.  Cold hardy plant.  Native to Canada & US

 

Ribes cereum / Wax Currant

Small shrub with green leaves and white tube flowers.

Common name Wax Currant
Scientific name Ribes cereum
Plant type Deciduous shrub
Flower color Light pink to white 
Flower season Spring-Summer
Plant size 3-6’ H x 3-6’ W
Hardiness Zones 4-8
Light preference Full Sun
Pollinators Bees
Winterizing instructions Add mulch, compost or composted manure before snowfall in cold areas.  Prune dead limbs and low-lying shoots.  Prune to shape after blooming. 
Additional comments Unpalatable bright red berries.

 

Rosa nutkana / Nootka Rose 

Light green long skinny leaves.

Common name Nootka Rose 
Scientific name Rosa nutkana 
Plant type Long lived deciduous shrub
Flower color Light to dark pink
Flower season Spring/Summer (May to July)
Plant size 1-9’ H x 1-9’ W, forming thickets
Hardiness Zones 5 (-20 degrees)
Light preference Sun to partial sun
Pollinators Bees
Winterizing instructions Prune before plant breaks dormancy.  Cutting stems at various angles several inches from nodes to create nesting sites for small pollinators.
Additional comments Open faced flowers are more attractive to bees than double flowers

 

Salix scouleriana / Scouler’s Willow

A branch of waxy bright green leaves.

Common name Scouler’s Willow 
Scientific name Salix scouleriana
Plant type Tree
Flower color Tiny white and yellow on “pussy willow”  
Flower season March to June 
Plant size 6 to 35’ H x indeterminate W; can be multi-stemmed and be shrub-like, often sprout from basal root crown 
Hardiness Zones 6 to 9  
Light preference Prefers open areas; full sunlight but easily adapted. 
Pollinators Insects, especially bees. Blooms early, so important for emerging bees. 
Winterizing instructions Remove dead, diseased and dying branches.  Remove branches that will touch the ground with snowfall if in a snowy area.  Protect young trees. 
Additional comments Can be riparian or upland, although most likely upland.  Prune based on desired shape/aspect. If shrub, leave as is. If tree, trim/prune shoots, perhaps continuously.

 

Salvia pachyphylla / Giant Purple Sage

Pink and purple flowers growing from silvery green leaves.

Common name Giant Purple Sage
Scientific name Salvia pachyphylla
Plant type Herbaceous perineal
Flower color Purple
Flower season Summer
Plant size 3′ H x 2-3’ W
Hardiness Zone 5-9
Light preference Full sun
Pollinators Butterflies, hummingbirds 
Winterizing instructions Prune back and shape in the fall after the flowers are finished.
Additional comments Fragrant leaves; native to California

 

Spiraea splendens / Rosy Spiraea

Bright pink flower cluster with pointy green leaves.

Common name Rosy Spiraea
Scientific name Spiraea splendens
Plant type Perennial deciduous shrub
Flower color Pink to purple
Flower season June-September
Plant size 8”-36” tall
Hardiness To Zone 3 
Light preference Full sun to light shade
Pollinators Native bees; butterflies
Winterizing instructions This is a subalpine shrub with no special winterizing needs. Spent flowers remain present through the winter. See Additional Comments regarding pruning. 
Additional comments Native range for spirea splendens is from southern British Columbia to California. It is a hardy perennial that grows well in most conditions on the perimeter of moist meadows, along waterways, and on wooded or open rocky hillsides. Can exhibit aggressive growth pattern, spreading by seed and rhizomes. A member of the rose (Rosaceae) family it produces showy pink to purple shaded flowers that are usually wider than high. Somewhat deer resistant. Pruning for plants in the home garden is recommended in Spring as it is most likely to stimulate good growth. Pruning can be done in late-Autumn after flowers die back and leaves fall. However, consider leaving materials left on the plant and in the garden to provide overwinter refuge for beneficial insects.

 

Symphyotrichum foliaceum / Leafybract Aster

Light purple flower with yellow center in a garden.

Common name Leafybract Aster
Scientific name Symphyotrichum foliaceum
Plant type Herbaceous perennial
Flower color Rays are blue-lavender, compound disks are yellow
Flower season July-September
Plant size 8”-24” high
Hardiness To Zone 4 
Light preference Full sun
Pollinators Bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles
Winterizing instructions Allow to stand through winter to improve hardiness.  Mulch and water before ground freezes.  Cut spent blooms in the spring and use debris as nesting material or mulch. 
Additional comments Attracts a variety of butterflies and is especially important to late-season pollinators, such as monarch butterflies.