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AUGUST
Please scroll down to see more plants that may be featured this month.
Hibiscus moscheutos - Swamp rose mallow
This native wildflower of the Hibiscus genus is known for opening plate-sized red, pink or white blooms late in the summer. Swamp rose mallow serves many ecological roles. Bumblebees pollinate the flowers, animals use the broad leaves as shelter and birds such as ducks and quail eat the seed. This herbaceous perennial, which reaches 4 to 5 feet, thrives in acidic, moist soil and, surprisingly, deer rarely eat the foliage. Not many gardeners are aware that there is a native Hibiscus – in fact, ours are showier and bigger than most tropical species that are bought in nurseries! The brightly colored blooms of this genus also are worn as an indication of unmarried status, especially in Tahiti. These breathtaking flowers stand out from the other wildflowers and grasses just off the Meadow Path.
Lobelia siphilitica - Great blue lobelia 
Great blue lobelia is a wildflower with a fascinating history of rekindling love and treating associated diseases. The root was once used as an aphrodisiac sprinkled in the food or bed of quarreling lovers. The specific epithet, siphilitica, also hints at its historical use as a cure for syphilis. A member of the bellflower family, great blue lobelia is a gorgeous plant with bright green foliage and spikes of sky blue flowers blooming from August through September. According to Jack Sanders in The Secrets of Wildflowers, lobelias may show an evolutionary link between simpler tube-like flowers and the complex composite flowers. In addition, the color blue is often considered by botanists to have a higher degree of evolutionary development. Great blue lobelia prefers somewhat wet areas and can grow 1 to 3 feet tall. This wildflower is endangered in Massachusetts, vulnerable in New York and extirpated in Maine. Watch for these bursts of blue along our Gentian Trail and around the Pond.
Pycnanthemum muticum - Short-toothed mountain-mint
Although its flowers are tiny, mountain-mint is one of the showiest eye-catchers in our meadow from July to September. Clusters of speckled lavender flowers top the silvery leaf bracts and attract a variety of beneficial insect pollinators, including butterflies, bees and predatory wasps. Rub a leaf from this plant and the strong mint fragrance and taste, the vibrant colors and the buzzing of pollinators will captivate all your senses. The botanical name for mountain-mint, Pycnanthemum, is derived from the Greek words pyknos, meaning dense, and anthos, meaning flower. Gardeners interested in planting mountain-mint should know that this 2- to 3-foot-tall plant is deer resistant due to its strong aroma, but also spreads somewhat vigorously. Mountain-mint is endangered or extirpated in many states on the East coast including New York, Kentucky, Michigan and Maine. Find patches of this mountain-mint along with three other Pycnanthemum species along our Meadow Path.
Verbena hastata - Blue vervain
Blue vervain is distinguished by its tall inflorescences, candelabras of blue-encircled “wands.” Historically, both Christians and pagans have used vervain as just that – wands for religious and mystical ceremonies. If left standing over winter, this plant makes an ecological contribution by providing seeds for songbirds to feed on. After they flower in the garden, perennials such as blue vervain and purple coneflower are sometimes thought to have served their purpose, so gardeners deadhead the flowers. But birds love to eat the seeds and the dried seed-heads can add an interesting texture to fall wreaths and flower arrangements. Blue vervain grows in moist meadows with full sun and will thrive in gardens under similar conditions. Blooms flourish from July to September and the plants can reach 2 to 6 feet in height. Plant it to add a vertical element to your design. Blue vervain can be found in abundance on our lower Meadow Path.
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