Perennials Native to Northwest Indiana
- Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), an erect, branching 2- to 4-foot wildlfower, grows in swamps, marshes and wet meadows across northwestern Indiana. It has narrow, lance-like green foliage. Its flat, branch-topping clusters of fragrant deep pink or purple-pink blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds from summer to mid-fall. Sweet flag's (Acorus calamus) up to 5-foot leaves and thick stalk of yellow-green florets are a common, summertime sight along northwestern Indiana's pond edges. Its bruised foliage emits a sweet fragrance. Its edible roots are an historical candy ingredient. Both perennials thrive in full sun to partial shade and moist or wet, acidic soil.
- Closed bottle gentian (Gentian andrewsii) is a wildflower at home in the sandy soils of northwestern Indiana's moist prairies. This 12- to -24-inch, greenish-purple leaved perennial has clusters of deep blue flowers from August to October. The unusual blooms look like buds even when completely open. This gentian likes well-drained, moist soil and partial shade. The oregano aroma of wild bergamot (Monarda fistula) fills Northwestern Indiana's prairies with aroma. The 2- to -4-foot perennial has multiple stems of shaggy, pink or lavender midsummer flowers. This native perennial attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Wild bergamot likes a sunny spot with dry to slightly moist soil.
- Spreading bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) stands 14 inches high in full bloom. Each plant has a single stem with a round, green leaf enclosing a single, yellow-stamened white bloom. The early spring flowers remain closed at night or in cloudy weather. Blue cohosh, up to 3 feet high, has multiple stems of compound foliage. Its purple spring leaves become green by summer. Its April and May, greenish-yellow to brown flowers give way bright blue, autumn berries. Blue cohosh's berries, leaves and roots contain toxin with potentially skin-irritating properties. Both native plants flourish in the shady, humus-rich, moist soil of northwestern Indiana's deciduous woods.
- American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) grows on Lake Michigan sand dunes in Indiana's three northwesternmost counties. Roots reaching 20 feet deep make it critical to dune erosion control. Its rhizomes grow vertically as well as horizontally, sending up new shoots of grass as the sand buries older ones. The 2- to -3-foot, narrow-leaved grass has yellow-green summer flowers. The perennial beach pea (Lathryus japonicus) grows on Lake Michigan beaches. This 1- to -2-foot vine has compound green leaves. It produces sweet pealike, lavender blooms between June and August. Its young pods and peas are edible. Beach pea likes full sun and moist or wet, sandy soil.
