Native Pollinators Grown from Local Island Seeds

To: Bluedot Living

From: Polly Hill Arboretum

Subject: MV Wildtype: Native Pollinators Grown from Local Island Seeds

MV Wildtype is a branding mechanism that denotes plants from Island genotypes — only local genetics are used. Polly Hill Arboretum is the only resource for these plants. This is a guarantee that the species is what it says on the label, and that they come from seeds collected from wild, native plants. 

Here are some you could plant in your Island yard. And here's info on PHA's plant sale, along with a guide for local plant selection.

Common Name: Stiff Aster 

Ionactis linariifolia 

Type: Herbaceous perennial

Island native; native to the Vineyard sandplain

Zone: 4 to 9

Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet

Spread: 0.50 to 1.00 feet

Bloom Time: July

Bloom Description: Blue-violet to purple with yellow centers

Sun: Full sun

Water: Dry to medium

Maintenance: Low

Flower: Showy, good cut

Attracts: Butterflies

Tolerates: Drought; dry soil; shallow, rocky soil

Common Name: Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Type: Herbaceous perennial

Family: Apocynaceae

Island Native

Zone: 3 to 9

Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet

Spread: 0.75 to 1.00 feet

Bloom Time: June to August

Bloom Description: Pink, mauve

Sun: Full sun

Water: Dry to medium

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Naturalize

Flower: Showy, Fragrant

Attracts: Butterflies

Fruit: Showy

Tolerates: Deer; drought; erosion; dry soil; shallow, rocky soil

Common Name: Cardinal Flower 

Type: Herbaceous perennial

Family: Campanulaceae

Native Range: Americas

Zone: 3 to 9

Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet

Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet

Bloom Time: July to September

Bloom Description: Scarlet red, white or rose

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium to wet

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Naturalize, rain garden

Flower: Showy

Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies

Tolerate: Wet soils to moderately moist — good for rain gardens