The intense heat and erratic rainfall of this past summer was stressful for Takoma Park’s gardens—and gardeners.  However, some native perennials have emerged from these challenges to put on a bravura show this month.

These natives are noteworthy for their small but abundant white flowers. You may find one or more of them in your yard since they are also prolific volunteers.

White snakeroot, Ageratina altissima, seems to be everywhere right now, and no wonder.  It thrives in both sun and shade, and in rich soil or poor.  It’s drought-tolerant.  It has still another superpower:  it’s toxic to grazing animals, so deer avoid it.  (Abraham Lincoln’s mother died of “milk sickness” after drinking milk from cows that had eaten white snakeroot.)

White snakeroot spreads prolifically, by seed and rhizomes, so that it is easy to have a lot of it—perhaps too much.  However, its bright white flowers atop stems three to four feet tall are not only beautiful to us humans but attractive to pollinators.  One forgives white snakeroot’s exuberance when a monarch butterfly lands to feed on its nectar. 

Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is another fall bloomer. Less aggressive than snakeroot, it’s another likely volunteer in your garden. Takoma Park is well within its native range, which includes just about every county in the eastern half of the United States from Maine to northern Florida, and Minnesota to eastern Texas. It prefers sunny conditions and tolerates drought.

In September and October, clouds of small white or bluish-white petals surrounding centers of gold, red, and purple erupt from the plant. With its airy habit and modest two-foot height, it plays well with other fall bloomers.

Finally, late boneset, Eupatorium serotinum, this month is waving delicate lace-cap flower clusters from stalks four to five feet tall, and bees are reveling in its nectar. 

As fall progresses, late boneset’s leaves turn an attractive purple and the flowers retain their ornamental interest well into November as they go to seed. 

–Meg Voorhes

Photo credits: Meg Voorhes