With May’s prudence and benevolence, we are finally able to exhale as the warming temperatures mean we can soon begin to plant.  May, after all, means Mother’s Day, and Mother’s Day means flowers, so what better way to honor Mom than with native plants and flowers that are as unique and beautiful as she?  Think and shop outside the big box stores with some of these *readily available and amazing options:

Sand Coreopsis

Cheery, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with golden centers bloom on slender downy stems June – September.  Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 12-18″ tall and 12-18″ wide.  Works well as border plant or in native or cottage gardens.  Attracts butterflies and bees.

Purple Prairie Clover

Purple thimble-shaped flowers bloom atop sprays of stems July – August amongst delicate foliage.  Prefers full sun and dry soil.  Grows 24-36″ tall and 8-12″ wide.  Attracts butterflies, bees and other wildlife.

Common Boneset

Flat, white flower clusters bloom in mass August – September.  Prefers sun to partial shade and moist soil.  Grows 4-6′ tall and 3-4′ wide.  Attracts butterflies, pollinators, and other wildlife.

Cardinal Flower

Striking red, flowering spikes bloom July – September atop tall stems.  Prefers full sun to partial shade and moist soil.  Grows 3-4′ tall and 18-24″ wide.  Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife.  Deer resistant.

Wild Bergamot

Masses of fragrant, pale lavender flowers bloom July – September amongst aromatic foliage, sometimes used in teas.  Prefers full sun to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 3-4′ tall and 24-36″ wide.  Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.  Deer and rabbit resistant.

Wild Petunia

Pale purple flowers bloom amongst low-growing foliage May – October.  Prefers full sun to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 12-18″ tall and 18-24″ wide.  Attracts pollinators.  Deer resistant.

Let’s face it.  Moms deserve the best!  Reach out to Sweeney’s today to purchase any one of these plants and so many more (*while supplies last).  Skip the ordinary.  Skip the lines at the big box stores, and make this Mother’s Day special, memorable, and a little bit wild with these unique and beautiful natives.  We proudly serve the communities of Villa Park, Elmhurst, Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Wood Dale, Itasca, and more!

Sweeney’s:  A Plant Based Company


Plant of the Week

Sky Blue Aster

Masses of lovely, lavender-blue flowers bloom August – October amongst arrow-shaped leaves.  Prefers full sun to partial shade, and dry soil.  Grows 24-26″ tall and 18-24″ wide.  Attracts butterflies, pollinators, and other wildlife.  Deer resistant.  Drought and salt tolerant.

“Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,

Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,

Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

But only one mother the wide world over.”

-George Cooper

Well wishes,

Kim Sweeney