I have 2 for you today; one to brighten the shade, and one getting ready to flower that will brighten the day of all those pollinators in your garden…and you, too!
-Brighten that Shade or partially Shaded Garden with Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ or commonly known as Golden Japanese Spikenard. Here is a very unique golden leafed perennial (brighter yellow in part sun) that produces white flowers on top followed by deep purple berries (not edible). Grows 3’x 3’ / perennial / sort of mounded shape / hardy zones 3-9 / likes evenly moist soils, but well drained – does not like drought situations / used for mass plantings, specimen, border plant, landscape plant, even grows in containers. Low maintenance, low deer browse. Highly recommended!
-Brighten your pollinator’s day (yours as well) with Liatris s. ‘Kobold’ or commonly known as Blazing Star, Gayfeather, and Button Snakeroot. This native perennial is a butterfly / pollinator magnet when in bloom!Flowers on multiple spikes (growing above the upright leafy foliage) of rounded fluffy like pinkish purple flower heads starting early summer thru the mid fall. The older the plant the more flower clumps each year. Borders, meadow plantings, specimen, containers, cutting gardens/ sun to part shade / zones 3-9 / cut flower / tolerates dry soils once established. (Other Liatris selections available as well.)