Tag Archives: Flowers for Pollinators

October Flowers for Pollinators

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Fall flowers for pollinators:

Thunbergia ‘Black-eyed Susan vine’
Cosmos
Gaura ‘Wandflower’ & Fall Mums
Salvia elegans ‘Pineapple Sage’

Salvia Microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ & Yellow Coreopsis
Pineapple Sage Flower
Aster amellus: Michaelmas-daisy

October Color

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In the Garden: October 22

Purple Ash Tree
Marigolds
Red Geraniums
Petunias, Lobelia, Clematis
Pineapple Sage, Pink Mums
Wild mushroom

Photos by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Member

Annual Flower: Apricotta Cosmos 

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Apricotta Cosmos 

  • Annual Flower: 85 days.
  • Flower color: pink lemonade; abundant large blooms.
  • Plant in Full Sun
  • Sprouts in 7-14 Days
  • Plant Height: 3.5 foot
  • Ideal Temperature: 65-85 Degrees F
  • Plant Spacing: 10”
  • NOT Frost Hardy
  • Attracts a variety of pollinators
  • Uses: Cut flowers, Pollinator garden, Color spots in the garden

Growing Tips: Sow in place in mid-spring. Plants require full sun, fairly warm temps, moderate moisture. Removing spent blooms prolongs the blooming season. Appicotta Cosmos is the winner of the Fleuroselect Novelty Award for its unusual color and sturdy stems.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds https://www.rareseeds.com/cosmos-apricotta

Firewise Plant: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

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Plant Name:  Gaillardia varieties
Common name:  Blanket Flower
Plant Type:  Perennial
Plant Height:  8” – 36”
Plant Width:  12” – 24”
Bloom Time:  June – September
Flower Color:  Red, Gold, Burgundy
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Well-Drained
Water Needs: Low
Fire Resistant:  YES; Zone 1-8, Plant 30’+ from House.
Attributes: Drought Tolerant; Deer Resistant; Attracts Birds & Butterflies; Other Pollinators.
Uses:  Good Cut Flower; Container Plant; Borders; Butterfly Gardens;
Note: Deadhead for Continuous Bloom; Keep Some Seed Heads for Birds; Cutting Back Clumps in Late Summer Increases Chance of Winter Survival; Divide Clumps Every 2 – 3 Years in Spring or Early Fall for Plant Vigor; Susceptible to Powdery Mildew, Leafspot, & Leafhoppers.
Native to: Western North America
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  3 – 10

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member/Master Gardener

Photo credit: Lazaregagnidze, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Firewise Plant: Heuchera sanguinea 

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Plant Name: Heuchera sanguinea  

Common name:  Coralbells

Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial

Plant Height: 12” – 20”

Plant Width:  12” – 15”

Bloom Time: June – September

Flower Color:  Red, White, Pink; Foliage Dark Green, Maroon, Reddish, or Gold.

Exposure: Light Shade

Soil Requirements: Humusy, Rich, Organic, Well-Drained Soil.

Water Needs: Moist

Fire Resistant:  YES

Attributes: Attractive Foliage in Dark Green, Maroon, Reddish, or Gold; Attracts Hummingbirds; Nectar Source for Bees; Deer Resistant.

Uses: Rock Gardens; Borders; Containers; Edger along Walkways.

Note:  Divide Clumps every 3 – 4 years in spring; Remove Faded Flowers to Encourage More Blooms.

Native to: New Mexico/Arizona to Mexico

Oregon Native:  NO

 USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8

Photo from:

Annie’s Annuals & Perennials https://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/view/?id=5153