The Ark Native Plants

Jerusalem Artichoke Helianthus tuberosus

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Helianthus+tuberosus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helianthus_tuberosus

Family: Asteraceae/Compositae (Asters & Composites)

A bright yellow ray flower of late summer, Jerusalem Artichoke is so named for its edible, potato-like tuber roots, and its native North American name, 'girasole'.

New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Family: Asteraceae/Compositae (Asters & Composites)

One of the last fall bloomers, New England Aster's deep purple and and bright yellow blooms attract the last busy bees and butterflies of the season.

Bee Balm Monarda didyma

Family: Lamiaceae (Mints)

Similar to Bergamot but for its colour, the scarlet Bee Balm does well in prairies and meadows, but can also tolerate more shade and more moist soil than Bergamot. A source of nectar for butterflies.

Rough Blazing Star Liatris aspera

http://www.grownative.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=4

Family: Asteracea/Compositae (Asters & Composites)

A beautiful purple meadow flower, which looks similar to bergamot and knapweed.

Tall Cinquefoil

Coneflowers and Goldenrods

Lance-leaved Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata

Family: Asteracea/Compositae (Asters & Composites)

Groups of yellow Lance-leaved Coreopsis blooms in early summer are a beautiful sight in naturalized gardens and meadows. They proliferate in moist or dry prairies. Because of this proliferation, they shouldn't be attempted in a garden without room for expansion.

New York Ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis

Family: Asteraceae/Compositae (Asters & Composites)

Another deep purple flower of late summer, New York Ironweed's height makes it stand out in moist or wet woods, ditches, and marshes.

Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca

Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbanes)

Though it is considered a weed in agriculture, Common Milkweed is an important food source for deer and Monarch butterfly caterpillars, who eat the foliage. The nectar produced by the beautiful and fragrant purple flowers is also a favourite food of many species of butterflies and other insects.

Nodding Wild Onion

Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca

Family: Rosaceae (Roses)

Wild Strawberry is a delicately-flowered, but fast-spreading groundcover. It can grow almost anywhere - from sunny sand to shaded woodlands; however, if you're interested in berries, it has a greater chance of fruiting in the sun.