Sundrops is a cheerful native perennial known for its glowing yellow blooms, tidy low‑growing habit, and long summer flowering season. Unlike many spring‑blooming perennials that fade quickly, Sundrops keeps the color coming for weeks, opening fresh flowers in succession from late spring into midsummer.

Each blossom is a wide, cup‑shaped flower in clear, saturated yellow, often opening in the morning and staying open through the day, a trait that sets it apart from its evening‑blooming relatives. The flowers appear in loose clusters atop slender, reddish stems, held above narrow, lance‑shaped foliage that forms a neat mound. As the season progresses, the foliage and seed capsules often take on reddish tones, adding a second layer of color interest after the main bloom flush.

Sundrops thrives in full sun and well‑drained soil, and it’s notably drought‑tolerant once established, making it a reliable performer in hot, dry spots where other perennials struggle. It spreads gradually by rhizomes to form a dense patch, so it works well as a groundcover or edging plant, though it’s easy to divide and share when it outgrows its space. Its compact, spreading habit makes it a strong choice for border fronts, rock gardens, and sunny slopes.

As a member of the Onagraceae family, Sundrops is a valuable early‑to‑mid‑season nectar source, attracting native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators drawn to its bright, open blooms. Whether massed along a sunny border or tucked into a pollinator garden, Sundrops brings dependable color, resilience, and easy‑going charm to Arkansas landscapes.

Storm Cloud Bluestar is a standout native perennial prized for its spring star‑shaped blooms, dramatic emerging foliage, and dependable, season‑long presence in the garden. One of the earliest perennials to awaken each year, it sends up striking near‑black stems topped with deep green leaves, creating a bold contrast long before its soft blue flowers appear.

In mid‑ to late spring, clusters of pale, powder‑blue blossoms open in airy sprays, giving the plant a delicate, shimmering quality. Each flower is a narrow, five‑petaled star, and together they form a cloud‑like canopy that hovers above the dark stems. Even after blooming, the plant maintains a refined, vase‑shaped form, with willow‑like foliage that turns a warm golden yellow in fall, extending its ornamental value well beyond spring.

Storm Cloud Bluestar thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well‑drained soil, though it adapts well to average garden conditions once established. Its sturdy, upright habit resists flopping, and its deep root system makes it both long‑lived and low‑maintenance. This resilience, combined with its multi‑season interest, makes it an excellent choice for native plantings, pollinator gardens, and mixed perennial borders.

As a member of the Apocynaceae family, Amsonia tabernaemontanaoffers ecological benefits alongside its beauty. Its nectar‑rich flowers support early‑season pollinators, including butterflies and native bees, while its dense foliage provides structure and habitat within the garden. Whether planted in drifts or paired with grasses and summer‑blooming natives, Storm Cloud Bluestar brings elegance, durability, and a sense of quiet drama to Arkansas landscapes.

Iron Butterfly is an Arkansas native perennial celebrated for its fine, thread‑like foliage and vibrant late‑season purple blooms. Flowering from late summer into fall, it adds striking texture and color to the garden just when many plants begin to fade, drawing in butterflies, bees, and other late‑season pollinators.

The flowers appear in loose clusters of tiny, tubular florets, creating a soft, shimmering effect above the plant’s airy mound of foliage. Its feathery, bright‑green leaves form a graceful, fountain‑like shape that provides visual interest even when the plant is not in bloom.

Iron Butterfly thrives in full sun and prefers well‑drained soil, making it an excellent choice for native plantings, prairie‑style gardens, and low‑maintenance borders. It is highly drought tolerant once established and performs reliably in lean or rocky soils. Its compact, upright habit stays tidy and low‑maintenance throughout the growing season.

As a member of the Asteraceae family, Vernonia lettermannii offers both ecological value and ornamental appeal. Its nectar‑rich blooms provide an essential late‑season food source for migrating butterflies and other pollinators, while its resilient nature makes it a dependable, long‑lived native for Arkansas landscapes. Whether planted in drifts or woven among other natives, Iron Butterfly brings color, structure, and a strong sense of place to the garden.

Wild Bergamot Bee Balm is a native perennial celebrated for its soft, lavender blooms and its important role in supporting pollinators. Flowering from early to mid-summer, it brings a relaxed, natural beauty to the garden, with tufted blossoms that seem to dance above the foliage and attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds alike.

The flowers are arranged in airy clusters, each made up of delicate tubular petals that create a textured, almost whimsical appearance. Set against aromatic, gray-green foliage, the blooms add both color and movement to garden beds. When brushed or crushed, the leaves release a pleasant herbal fragrance, reflecting the plant’s long history of use in teas and traditional remedies.

Wild Bergamot thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil, making it a versatile choice for native plantings, pollinator gardens, and informal borders. It is notably drought tolerant once established and can adapt to a variety of soil conditions. Providing good air circulation helps maintain its health and encourages strong, vigorous growth throughout the season.

As a member of the Lamiaceae family, Monarda fistulosa offers both ecological value and ornamental appeal. Its nectar-rich blooms provide a vital food source for pollinators during the height of summer, while its easygoing nature makes it a reliable and rewarding addition to the garden. Whether planted in drifts or mixed among other natives, Wild Bergamot brings life, fragrance, and a sense of place to the landscape.

Cercis canadensis, commonly called eastern redbud, is a deciduous, often multi-trunked understory tree with a rounded crown that typically matures to 20-30’ tall with a slightly larger spread. It is particularly noted for its stunning pea-like rose-purple flowers which bloom profusely on bare branches in early spring (March-April) before the foliage emerges. This tree is native to eastern and central North America from Connecticut to New York to southern Ontario and the Great Lakes south to Western Texas and Florida. Flowers (to ½” wide) bloom in clusters of 4-10. Flowers are followed by flattened leguminous bean-like dry seedpods (to 2-4” long) that mature to brown in summer. Each pod has 6-12 seeds. Pods may remain on the tree into winter. Alternate, simple, cordate, broadly ovate to nearly orbicular, dull green to blue-green leaves (3-5” across) have a papery texture and are short pointed at the tip. Leaves turn pale yellow to greenish-yellow in fall. The flowers provide an early-season nectar source for hummingbirds. The seeds and flower buds are eaten by songbirds. Caterpillars and other insects which feed on redbuds are also a source of food for birds.

Eastern redbuds are easy to grow in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil and thrive in full sun to part shade, though part shade is often best in hot summer climates. They perform best in moderately fertile soil with regular, consistent moisture and should be planted in areas with good drainage, as they do not tolerate wet or poorly drained conditions. Because redbuds can be difficult to transplant once established, they are best planted while young and left undisturbed.

Helleborus, commonly known as Lenten Rose, is a long lived perennial treasured for its elegant blooms and remarkably early flowering season. Blooming in late winter to early spring, hellebores bring welcome color to the garden when few other plants are awake, offering nodding flowers in shades of white, blush, rose, plum and soft green.

The blooms rise just above glossy, leathery evergreen foliage that provides structure and texture year round. Each flower features layered petals and a subtle, sophisticated palette that pairs beautifully with spring bulbs and woodland companions. As the flowers mature, they often deepen in color, extending visual interest well beyond their initial bloom time.

Helleborus thrives in partial shade and rich, well drained soil, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders and foundation plantings. Once established, it is drought tolerant and relatively low maintenance. Removing old foliage in late winter allows new growth and flowers to shine, keeping plants looking fresh and refined.

As a member of the Ranunculaceae family, Helleborus offers both ornamental value and seasonal resilience. Its early blooms provide an important nectar source for emerging pollinators while delivering understated beauty during the quietest months of the garden year. Whether planted in clusters or woven through mixed perennial beds, hellebores offer dependable elegance and a graceful transition from winter into spring.

False Indigo, also known as Baptisia australis, is a stunning perennial plant that will add a touch of elegance to any garden. With its vibrant color and unique foliage, it is sure to be a standout feature in your outdoor space.

False Indigo is a hardy plant that can withstand a variety of weather conditions, making it a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners. Its tall, upright stems and lush green leaves create a beautiful backdrop for the vibrant flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are also a favorite among pollinators, attracting bees and butterflies to your yard.

Once established, it is drought tolerant and requires minimal watering. It is also resistant to pests and diseases, making it a hassle-free addition to your garden. 

Little Joe Pye Weed is a robust native perennial that brings height, structure and soft color to the garden while supporting a wide range of pollinators. Known for its upright growth habit and clusters of dusky pink to mauve blooms, this plant adds a natural, meadow inspired elegance to perennial borders and naturalized landscapes.

Blooming from mid to late summer, Little Joe Pye Weed produces broad, domed flower clusters that rise above sturdy stems and lush green foliage. These nectar rich blooms are a magnet for butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects, making the plant a focal point during peak pollinator season. The foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season, providing a strong vertical presence even after flowering has finished.

Little Joe Pye Weed thrives in moist, well drained soils and prefers full sun to partial shade. Once established, it is relatively low maintenance and well suited for rain gardens, woodland edges and areas with consistent moisture. Its tolerance for wetter conditions makes it an excellent choice for sites where other perennials may struggle.

As a member of the Asteraceae family, Little Joe Pye Weed plays an important role in supporting local ecosystems by offering essential nectar resources and habitat for wildlife. Whether planted in masses, mixed perennial beds, or pollinator gardens, Little Joe Pye Weed delivers lasting beauty, ecological value and seasonal interest that enhances both cultivated and natural landscapes.

Our bird of the month is the most common visitor to Arkansas bird feeders. Its curious nature, cute appearance, and sweet song makes it a crowd favorite. When did you last see a Carolina Chickadee at your feeders? These 4-5” birds are year-round residents here in Arkansas, so there’s no rush to try to spot one this winter, although this tends to be an easy time to see them. Look for a bird with a black cap and bib, gray wings, and white belly. If you listen, you can hear their “chicka-dee-dee-dee” and whistled “see-dee, see-dee”. Their small, pointed beak is perfect for their mixed diet of insects, seeds, and fruit. Brave and social, they’re often one of the first birds to explore new sources of food, leading the way for other species such as titmice, nuthatches, woodpeckers, kinglets, and more. They’re also not very picky about habitat, leading them to be found both in deep woods as well as in neighborhoods.

They begin nesting in the early spring, and will find a nesting location in a tree cavity, often created by Downy Woodpeckers during the previous nesting season. To draw them in, make sure that they have nesting locations between 5-15’ high. Once they have chosen a suitable nesting location, they line the inside of the nest with soft materials such as fur, plant down, and lichen. They will lay 5-8 small eggs (white with speckles) in this nest, which hatch about 11-13 days after being laid. The hatchlings will stay in the nest for 16-19 days, after which they will take flight for the first time. According to Project Feederwatch, chickadees are the most commonly-reported birds in the state.

Carolina Chickadees love sunflower, safflower, peanuts, tree nuts, mealworms, fruit, and suet. Their natural diet is higher in insects during the summer months, but when insects get scarce in the winter they supplement their diet with their other favorites as well. A chickadee’s hippocampus (the part of the brain responsible for memory) is able to expand during the winter, to help it remember where it has hidden away seeds. If you would like to see more chickadees at the Botanical Garden’s bird-feeding station, make sure to donate to the “Feed a Bird” fund! To find out more about chickadees and other Arkansas birds, or to pick out your new favorite feeder, visit us at Wild Birds Unlimited, at one of our two locations (745 E Joyce Blvd in Fayetteville and 2011 Promenade Blvd in Rogers)! Enjoy the birds!

Muhly Grass is a striking ornamental perennial that brings graceful movement and airy texture to any landscape. Known for its fine, arching foliage and dramatic seasonal color, this warm-season grass is a standout choice for gardeners looking to add elegance and visual interest to their outdoor spaces.

The flowering period typically begins in late summer and extends into fall, when clouds of delicate, airy plumes rise above the foliage in shades that range from soft pink to shimmering white, depending on the variety. These billowy inflorescences catch the light beautifully and attract pollinators such as butterflies. Throughout the season, the slender green leaves provide a clean, refined texture, while the plant’s upright habit ensures it remains eye-catching even in windy conditions.

Muhly Grass thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun for optimal color and bloom production. This hardy ornamental grass is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal maintenance, making it an excellent option for gardeners of all experience levels. Its adaptability to a variety of soil types further enhances its versatility in different garden settings.

As a member of the Poaceae family, Muhly Grass not only offers aesthetic appeal but also contributes to local ecosystems by providing habitat and resources for pollinators and beneficial insects. Muhly Grass is an exceptional choice for mass plantings, borders, or as an architectural focal point in mixed perennial beds, where its soft plumes and refined texture create a dynamic, season-spanning display.