A friend in town, who only recently became aware of this life changing blog, asked me for some plant recommendations. Oh shit. Typically I am not a fan of doling out plant advice because the pressure can become crippling.
If the recommended plant doesn’t survive, I’m scorned at the next basketball game.
If the suggested choice can’t be found at the local nursery, I’m no longer trusted and the kids aren’t invited to any more birthday parties.
But I’m putting it all on the line today.
Without fear.
I am that confident with the choices I’m about to offer up. The following perennials (staying away from grasses for now; he’ll have to buy me lunch first) are very specific to the conditions we have here in zone 6B New Jersey. Throw in deer and rabbits galore. Â And a high water table which leads to very poor draining soil.
So my local homey, here are the top 7 perennials that I can vouch for based on my personal experience. Each has thrived for at least 5 years running and all show no signs of slowing down.
Click on the hyperlink for each plant name for additional info where applicable.
You are welcome in advance.
#1 – Joe Pye Weed – close to 6 feet tall, blooms are long lasting, attracts numerous critters  and looks good all the way into the fall.
#2 – Amsonia – the deer have never touched it, great bluish blooms in spring followed by fine textured foliage all summer. But Fall is when it shines with unbelievable colors ranging from yellow to orange. Â Â
#3 – Astilbe – no critter has ever touched it, appreciates oodles of moisture, blooms in white and pink and red in late spring and the fern like foliage separates itself from others. Â Â
#4 – Bee Balm – the scent keeps the deer at bay, the bees flock to it and the blooms last all summer and even into fall. I personally love the taller options which make their presence known in the garden.
#5 – Purple Coneflower – yes they are everywhere but it is still an oldie but goodie. Multiplies like mad so there is a full supply year to year. Consistent blooms without a care in the world. Â Â
#6 – Lobelia – cherishes the waterlogged soil and provides late summer blooms.
#7 – Mountain Mint – not the showiest, but what a critter magnet. I could stand over these in bloom all day.
We’ll talk again in spring dude but start doing your homework now if you want to continue to hang with me.
Great post! I especially love mountain mint — flowers all summer with those luminous silvery bracts, incomparable insect magnet, and the fragrance of the foliage is intoxicating. Does very well in my dryish soil, too, and spreads fast. I grow Pycanthemum muticum, which has showier bracts and more substantial foliage than incanum.
Thanks Eric! I had always read that Mountain Mint only thrived in drier soil like you mentioned, but so far so good in my wet soil.
I love your photos through the seasons! I can attest that joe pye, amsonia, coneflower & bee balm are largely untouched by Virginia deer, at least the ones that roam my ‘hood. I gotta try astilbe – is it full sun like the others, or will it fry?
I have Astilbe in partial shade with protection from afternoon sun otherwise you’re right, it would fry.
Well I guess they can have a regional pallet as I have to spray the blooms of my Joe Pye & Purple Cone Flower. I could add to your list but for a wetter site (6b) I only have Turtle Heads and Spider-wort. They only eat the Creeping Jenny and Liriope at the end of a bad winter but those are so aggressive it actually keeps them looking fresh and I don’t have to sheer or prune. 🙂
Kim – I think I may just be lucky with Coneflower as I know it isn’t known to be truly deer resistant. I gave up on Spiderwort as it never held up for me. I am growing Turtle Head and this past year was the first it bloomed well for me. Only time will tell. Thanks for reaching out!
Zone 6b in SW Ontario: spiderwort—I am ripping it out b/c it borders on invasive. Another indestructible spreader is peach leaf bellflower— it is much easier to eradicate when it gets out of bounds. Carpathian and Serbian bellflowers all also well nigh impossible to kill in our clayey loam, and less likely to spread as prolifically.
Envious of your success with monarda.
These are definitely,alot of my favorite thing’s!! I love Wildflowers!! My deceased husband used to tell me,the reason I loved Wildflowers so much is,because,I myself am ,one…bitter sweet memories!!