Flora Along the Trail
- Asclepias tuberosa – Butterflyweed
Asclepias tuberosa – Butterflyweed Photos and Captions provided by Karen Cherry An herbaceous perennial that loves a hot dry site. It forms a clump growing two feet tall & wide. Bright orange flowers decorate the plant from June through August. Somewhat slow to start, although easy to grow, tuberous roots make it difficult to move… Read more: Asclepias tuberosa – Butterflyweed - Echinacea purpurea – Purple Coneflower
Photos and captions provided by Karen Cherry. A perennial plant up to 42″ tall with individual flowers about 2″-4″ across that terminate the upper stems. The daisy-like flower heads with purple/pink petals surround a large orange prickly cone, blooms 3-4 weeks in mid summer. Cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees, bee flies, Halictid bees, the flowers are… Read more: Echinacea purpurea – Purple Coneflower - Amsonia hubrichtii – Thread-Leaf Bluestar
Amsonia hubrichtii – Thread-Leaf Bluestar Photos and Captions provided by Karen Cherry An herbaceous perennial that forms bushy clumps up to three feet tall & wide. Terminal clusters of steel blue buds open to small light blue, star shaped, flowers in mid May. Amsonia hubrichtii prefers full sun & well drained medium moist soil. The… Read more: Amsonia hubrichtii – Thread-Leaf Bluestar - Penstemon digitalis – Foxglove Penstemon
Penstemon digitalis – Foxglove Penstemon Photos and Captions provided by Karen Cherry The Genus name comes from the Greek words penta meaning five and stemon meaning stamen in reference to each flower having five stamens (four are fertile and one is sterile). Penstemons are commonly called beardtongues because the unusual sterile stamen contained in each… Read more: Penstemon digitalis – Foxglove Penstemon - Trail Head Planting – 5/01/2025
Planting the Welcome Sign – Lincoln Prairie Trail Head in Pana IL 5-1-25 Written and contributed by Master Gardner and LPTC volunteer Karen Cherry A couple months ago I met with Lisa Bland, a longtime member of Pana Pride a great group of people dedicated to making their city “look good” and keeping it that… Read more: Trail Head Planting – 5/01/2025