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From: Lyndonville, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Container Gardens
Title: Container native plants for New York area
Answered by: Nan Hampton
Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine) , blooms February through July
Campanula rotundifolia (bluebell bellflower) blooms June through September
Dicentra cucullaria (dutchman's breeches) attractive foliage, blooms April and May
Gentiana puberulenta (downy gentian) blooms August through October
Hypoxis hirsuta (common goldstar) blooms May through June
Lupinus perennis (sundial lupine) blooms May and June
Maianthemum stellatum (starry false lily of the valley) attractive foliage, blooms May and June
Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox) blooms March through May
Phlox subulata (moss phlox) a low-growing plant that blooms March through June
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan) blooms June through October
Tiarella cordifolia (heartleaf foamflower) blooms April through July
Trillium undulatum (painted trillium) blooms April through June
Viola pedata (birdfoot violet) blooms March through June
Viola sororia (common blue violet) blooms March through May
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