Meadow Beauty

Rhexia
A genus of perennials that are related to the much more popular tropical Tibouchina.

Rhexia mariana ( Maryland Meadow Beauty )
A fast spreading perennial, reaching up to 2 x 2 feet, that is native to moist sandy meadows and bogs in eastern North America ( from eastern Kansas to central Illinois to Michigan & Ontario to Nova Scotia; south to eastern Texas to south Florida ). It makes a very attractive landscape plant though rare.
The oblanceolate to elliptical leaves are up to 2.3 x 0.3 inches in size. The foliage turns to deep red during autumn.
The white to pale pink flowers, up to 1 inch across, are borne mid-summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full sun on very moist to wet soils.

* photo taken by Clarence A. Rechenthin @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photos taken on Aug 20 2016 @ Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, MD

* photo taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

Rhexia virginica ( Virginia Meadow Beauty )
An attractive perennial, reaching up to 2 x 3 feet in 3 years, eventually wider and up to 3.5 feet in height. It is native to eastern North America ( from eastern Iowa to central Wisconsin to central Michigan to Haliburton, Ontario to northern New York State to Nova Scotia; south to eastern Texas to northern Florida ). It is found locally on the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is endangered in Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Vermont and Ontario. It is most often found on sandy shores of lakes. It was locally common on the Ohio shore during the 1800s.
The oppositely-arranged, toothed, ovate or elliptical leaves, up to 2.5 inches in length, are mid-green. The foliage turns to deep red during autumn.
The 4-petalled, deep pink flowers, up to 1.5 inches wide, are borne mid-summer to early autumn. They are borne on terminal clusters.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 on moist boggy sites. It thrives especially on wet, sandy soil.

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photos taken on Aug 20 2016 @ Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, MD