Tag Archives: Pollinator Plants

Today in the Garden

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PURPLE TOAD LILLY

Tricyrtis hirta, the toad lily is a Japanese species of hardy perennial in the lily family.   Tricyrtis hirta is found growing on shaded rocky cliffs and stream banks in central and southern Japan.

Its unique showy flowers bloom in late August through September, and produces multiple clusters of flowers.  Flowers are small, lily-like flowers about 1 inch long with six showy tepals.  It’s easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in part to full shade.  The plant is 15-24 inches high and wide.  Bees loved it!

USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8.

Submitted by: Carlotta Lucas

 

 

Drumstick Allium

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Plant Name:  Allium sphaerocephalonAllium_Drumstick
Common name:  Persian Onion or Drumstick Allium
Plant type:  Bulb
Height:  20-24 inches
Bloom Time:  May-June
Flower Color:  Reddish-Purple
Exposure:  Full Sun- Part Sun
Soil Requirements: Well-drained fertile sandy soil
Water Needs:  Average
Attributes:   Colorful Fragrant Flowers, Interesting egg-shaped flower,  Attracts Pollinators, Easy to grow, Deer resistant , Squirrel & Rabbit resistant.
Uses:  Cut flower, Dried Flower,  Perennial Garden, Mass plantings, Garden Interest
USDA Hardiness Zone:  5-8

Dreaming of Spring

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New Annuals  for 2018
from  Proven Winner

Golden Butterfly™ Marguerite Daisy Argyranthemum – https://goo.gl/wQpsCMargyranthemum_golden_butterfly_tag
Plant Type:  Annual
Flowers: Golden yellow
Exposure: Sun to Part sun.
Height: 18-36 “
Attributes:  Blooms continuously  into late fall,  Self-cleaning, Heat tolerant.
Uses:  landscape, Containers, Mass plantings.
USDA Zones:  10a-11b

Lady Godiva™ Orange Calendula – https://goo.gl/4koUjU
Plant Type:  Annualcalendula_lady_godiva_orange_tag_
Flowers:  Orange with darker centers
Exposure: Sun to Part sun.
Height: 10-16 “
Attributes:  Large cut flowers, Blooms until a hard frost,  No deadheading,  Heat tolerant.
Uses:  Containers, flower gardens, Cut flower garden.
USDA Zones:  7a-11b

Hippo™ Red Polka Dot Plant – https://goo.gl/h1JqLi
Plant Type:  Annualhypoestes_hippo_red_tag
Flowers:  none-  grown for foliage
Exposure:  Morning  Sun, Afternoon shade.
Height: 16-22 “
Attributes:  Interesting foliage.
Uses:  Landscape, Containers, Mass plantings, Filler plant.
USDA Zones:  10a-11b

Dahlightful® Tupelo Honey Dahlia – https://goo.gl/UmCqey
Plant Type:  Annualdahlightful_tupelo_honey_tag
Flowers:  Yellow flowers with amber tones.  Semi-double.
Exposure: Morning sun, afternoon shade.  Heat tolerate but does not like hot afternoon sun.
Height:  24 – 30” tall,
Attributes: Does not form tubers (*see note) . Blooms early & continuously into late fall. Chocolate foliage. Resistant to powdery mildew.
Notes: *Breed to not form tubers, but it can form tubers. Dig tubers and store in the fall like other Dahlias.
Uses:  Attracts Butterflies , Containers,  Flower garden,  Specimen plant.
USDA Zones:  8a-11b

Rockin’™ Deep Purple Salvia – https://goo.gl/7cpchr
Plant Type:  Annualsalvia_rockin_deep_purple_tag
Flowers:  Purple & Black
Exposure: Sun to Partial Sun
Height:  30 – 40”
Attributes:  Excellent plant for pollinators. Deer Resistant.  Heat tolerant.
Uses: Containers,  Flower garden, Border plant, Mass Plantings.
USDA Zones:  10a-11b

 

Watch a Proven Winner new 2018 annuals introduction video at Garden Answers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2oRyDfTqkw

Photos by: Proven Winner

Winterberry Holly

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Plant Name: Ilex verticillatawinterberry_Ilex verticillata
Common Name: Winterberry Holly
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Height: 3-12 ft – depending on varieties  
Spread:  Same information as height
Bloom Time:  Early  summer
Flower Color:  White, or cream  – small
Exposure:  Full sun to partial shade
Soil Requirements: Rich organic acidic soil, but grows in average garden soil.
Water Needs:  Moist boggy areas
Native to: Eastern North America
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9

Attributes: Vibrant Red Winter Berries, Important food source for American Robins, Winter Interest.

Uses:  Wetland habitats, Native gardens, Bird habitat, Rain garden, Firewise garden, Wildlife gardens, Cutting garden, Containers dwarf varieties, Floral arrangements.

Note:  Plants are dioecious meaning male or female.  A male plant is needed for female plants to produce berries.  Plant a male shrub within 50 feet of female plants. One male plant can pollinate 6-10  female plants, but note blooming time must match when female’s bloom.  Slow growers.  Shrubs can sucker out into a dense thicket when planted in wet boggy areas.

A few varieties are listed below:

            Berry Heavy:  6-8 ft  (female)
            Berry Nice:   6-8 ft     (female)
            Sparkleberry:  5-8 ft  (female)
            Southern Gentleman: 12 ft  (male)
            Apollo: 6-10 ft (male)
            Raritan Chief:  7 ft T X 12 ft W (male)
            Jim Dandy:  6-10 ft  (male)

Dwarf varieties:

            Afterglow:  3-6 ft  (female)
            Little Goblin: 3-5 ft (female)
            Little Goblin Guy: 3-5 ft (male)
            Red Sprite:  3-5 ft  (female)
            Berry Poppins:  3-4 ft (female)
Mr. Poppins: 3-4 ft  (male)

by: Carlotta Lucas

Horticulture Report: Gaillardia aristata

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Gaillardia_Gallo_Peach

Plant Name: Gaillardia aristata
Common Name: Gallo Peach Blanket Flower
Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 12-16 inches
Spread:   12-16 inches
Bloom Time:  Spring to late summer  
Flower Color:  Yellow with peachy gold blush, Yellow-orange center.
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Best in poor sandy soil,  does not like clay soil.  
Water Needs: Water well until established, then water occasionally  
Attributes:   Showy prolific flowers, Long bloomer, Drought tolerant once established, Deer resistant, Attracts Butterflies, Interesting globe seed pods 
Note:   Clip spent flowers to encourage repeat blooms. Cut back in late summer to encourage second blooming in the fall. Divide every 2-3 years.
Uses: Cut flowers, Borders, Perennial garden, Pollinator garden, Native garden, Butterfly Gardens. 
Native to: Patented plant
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-10