Procession Flower: A Delicate Native Annual Worth Adding to Your Garden
If you’re looking for a charming native wildflower that brings subtle beauty to your garden while supporting local ecosystems, meet the procession flower (Polygala incarnata). This petite annual might not be the showiest plant in your garden, but its delicate pink blooms and important ecological role make it a worthy addition to any native plant enthusiast’s collection.
What is Procession Flower?
Procession flower is a native annual forb that belongs to the milkwort family. As an herbaceous plant without woody tissue, it completes its entire life cycle in one growing season, producing flowers, setting seed, and dying back before winter. Don’t let its delicate appearance fool you – this little plant has been thriving across North America for centuries.
You might also see this plant listed under its botanical synonym, Galypola incarnata, though Polygala incarnata remains the accepted scientific name.
Where Does Procession Flower Grow Naturally?
This adaptable native has quite an impressive range! Procession flower naturally occurs across much of eastern and central North America, including Canada and 27 U.S. states. You can find it growing wild from Ontario down to Florida and Texas, and from the Atlantic coast west to Kansas and Oklahoma.
The plant grows in states including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin, plus Ontario, Canada.
A Word About Rarity
Important note for gardeners: While procession flower has a broad native range, it’s become quite rare in some areas. In Arkansas, it has a rarity status of S1S2, and in New Jersey, it’s listed as endangered. If you live in these areas or anywhere the plant seems uncommon, please only plant procession flower if you can source seeds or plants responsibly from reputable native plant nurseries – never collect from wild populations.
Why Grow Procession Flower?
Aesthetic Appeal
Procession flower produces small but charming pink to rose-purple flowers arranged in terminal clusters called racemes. While individual blooms are tiny, they create a delicate, airy effect that adds texture and subtle color to garden spaces. The flowers typically appear from summer into fall, providing extended seasonal interest.
Pollinator and Wildlife Benefits
Like many native wildflowers, procession flower serves as an important food source for native pollinators. Small butterflies and other beneficial insects visit the blooms for nectar, while birds may feed on the seeds later in the season.
Low Maintenance
As a native annual, procession flower is naturally adapted to local conditions and requires minimal care once established. It’s particularly valuable for gardeners who want to reduce maintenance while supporting native ecosystems.
Growing Conditions and Care
USDA Hardiness Zones
Procession flower thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, making it suitable for most temperate North American gardens.
Preferred Growing Conditions
This adaptable plant prefers:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Well-drained, sandy soils
- Average to dry soil moisture
Wetland Tolerance
Procession flower shows interesting regional variations in its moisture preferences. In coastal areas, it can tolerate both wetland and upland conditions, while in most inland regions, it typically prefers drier, upland sites. This flexibility makes it suitable for various garden situations.
Planting and Care Tips
Since procession flower is an annual, you’ll need to replant it each year or allow it to self-seed:
- Direct seed in spring after the last frost
- Scatter seeds on prepared soil surface and lightly rake in
- Keep soil lightly moist until germination occurs
- Once established, the plant typically needs little additional water
- Allow some plants to go to seed if you want natural reseeding
Best Garden Settings
Procession flower works beautifully in:
- Native plant gardens
- Prairie and meadow restorations
- Wildflower gardens
- Natural landscaping projects
- Pollinator gardens
While it may not provide the bold impact of larger perennials, procession flower fills an important niche as a delicate texture plant that connects your garden to local natural communities.
The Bottom Line
Procession flower might not win any most dramatic garden plant awards, but it offers something more valuable: authentic native beauty that supports local ecosystems while requiring minimal care. If you’re building a native plant garden or want to add subtle seasonal interest to naturalized areas, this charming annual deserves consideration.
Just remember to source your plants or seeds responsibly, especially if you live in areas where the species has become rare. Your garden can become part of the conservation effort while you enjoy the quiet beauty of this lovely native wildflower.
