Home + Garden Garden Garden Ideas & Inspiration 15 of the Best Plants for Creating a Meditation Garden At Home By Midwest Living editors Midwest Living editors Midwest Living's experienced editors create best-in-class travel, lifestyle, food, home and garden content you won't find anywhere else. We're loudly, proudly Midwestern, and we're passionate about helping our audience explore and create through award-winning storytelling. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 9, 2022 Trending Videos Photo: Bob Stefko You can meditate in any outdoor space—even your backyard. Learn more about plants that stimulate your senses through color, scent and texture. 01 of 16 Showy Milkweed Bob Stefko Native Americans used the fibers of Asclepias speciose to make ropes and nets; in the garden, it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. 02 of 16 Blood Grass Bob Stefko The flame-like red tips on this drought-tolerant grass (Imperata cylindrica) intensify in hue through the growing season. 03 of 16 Red Beebalm Bob Stefko Hummingbirds are drawn to these red-flowering natives (Monarda didyma), and their leaves offer a minty fragrance. 04 of 16 'Karl Foerster Reed Gras' Bob Stefko In a sensory garden, feathery grasses tempt visitors to touch and engage with the plants. 12 Fragrant Flowers That Bring Natural Aromatherapy to Outdoor Spaces 05 of 16 Blazing Star Bob Stefko This prairie native (Liatris spicata) brings vertical interest to a garden. Plus, its purple spikes draw bumblebees and butterflies. 06 of 16 Pale Purple Coneflower Bob Stefko Plant purple or yellow varieties of this prairie icon (Echinacea). The dainty pale purple coneflower (E. pallida) blooms in June while its deeper purple cousin (E. purpea) blooms in July. For yellow blooms, try gray-headed coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) and cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniate). 12 Top Midwest Perennial Flowers 07 of 16 Sunflowers Bob Stefko These taller flowers (Helianthus) create vertical interest at eye level. Try both annual and perennial varieties. 08 of 16 Swamp Milkweed Bob Stefko Pink clustered blooms draw a plethora of pollinators to this Monarch host plant (Asclepias incarnata). 09 of 16 Garden Phlox Bob Stefko These large purple flowering clusters (Phlox paniculata) attract butterflies and hummingbirds and offer a spicy vanilla-clove perfume. 10 of 16 Ohio Spiderwort Bob Stefko The blue-violet flower clusters (Tradescantia ohiensis) open in the morning and close by afternoon. 11 of 16 Sedum Bob Stefko These succulents, aka stonecrops, take heat well and add low-growing texture to rock gardens and borders. 15 Easy Midwest Groundcovers 12 of 16 Sea Holly Bob Stefko The silvery leaves and blue blooms of Eryngium stand out in perennial borders and add striking texture to arrangements. 13 of 16 Butterfly Weed Butterfly weed. Bob Stefko Asclepias tuberosa lures legions of monarchs and queen butterflies. 14 of 16 Little Bluestem Bob Stefko This textural blue-green grass (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation) turns a striking crimson in fall and is an important food source for wildlife. Want to Attract Pollinators to Your Garden? Here's What to Plant for Gorgeous Color (and Visitors) All Spring 15 of 16 Spike Speedwell Bob Stefko The deep blue-purple flowers of 'Royal Candles' attract both hummingbirds and butterflies. 16 of 16 Labyrinth mindfulness garden The labyrinth from above. Bob Stefko Heady herbs, dewy leaves and whirring bees wind through Annamarie Fernyak's meditation labyrinth in Ohio, created with the plants featured in this slideshow and others. How Your Garden Can Help You Achieve Ultimate Mindfulness Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit