42 Drought Tolerant Perennials

42 Drought Tolerant Perennials

Why use drought tolerant perennials? There are several reasons why to incorporate them in the garden. To mention a few: plants considered drought tolerant have key characteristics that help them survive moderate to severe drought; planning a drought tolerant garden will conserve one of our most valuable resources – water; and believe it or not you will have a garden jammed pack with lots of color and action. Several of the plants listed serve more than one purpose in the garden than just being drought tolerant. For example: some plants will deter deer and rabbits; attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden; herbs for cooking; and lastly used in fresh-cut or dried floral arrangements. And, when you started planning this project of drought tolerant perennials you were thinking dull, drab garden. Right?

Introducing drought tolerant gardening that will have lots of color and action. When planning your garden for drought consider a few things such as light, drainage, soil conditions, and watering. Full sun is the best for all the perennials listed below. The general rule of thumb is an area is considered full sun when the area receives 5 or more hours a day of sunlight. Drainage is essential; when planning the garden do not plant in an area where water collects after rainy weather because the plants will not tolerate wet feet or soggy conditions. Drought tolerant plants do better in soils that are not rich in compost. Save these areas for the plants that liked to be pampered. Even though the plant is considered to have drought tolerance the plant needs to be established in the ground and this usually takes a few months to several months for a plant to be established. Below are a few of the plants listed as drought tolerant perennials. I chose these varieties because the plants are more than drought tolerant; the plants will provide color, attract wildlife and will serve as more than one purpose in the garden.

Achillea millefolium - Common Yarrow

Achillea millefolium – Yarrow: has lacy, fern-like foliage with flat, round blossoms in a range of colors, white, yellow, red, peach, and pink that bloom from summer to fall. Zones: 3-9. Height from 18-36 inches. Spacing: 10-12 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Yarrows tolerate poor soil and can be used in borders, mass plantings, and rock gardens. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden and can be used in fresh or dried arrangements. Periodically deadhead faded flowers.

Agastache spp. – Hummingbird Mint: is a relative of the mints and blooms summer through fall. Zones: 3-9. Height: 24 to 36 inches. Spacing: 18-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. The scented, mint like foliage is used in cooking and potpourri.

Agastache foeniculum - Anise Hyssop

Allium spp. – Flowering Onion: blooms from early spring through the fall. Foliage has a mild onion scent that keeps deer and rabbits away from the garden. Zones: 3-9. Height: 12-36 inches. Spacing: 4-6 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Borders, mass plantings, rock gardens.

Amsonia ciliata – Amsonia: Sky blue flowers in late spring. Beautiful shades of gold fall foliage. Plant in groupings for the best show. Zones: 4-9. Height: 18-24 inches. Spacing: 16-18 inches. Deer resistant plant. Attracts butterflies and bees to the garden. Uses: rock gardens, borders, and containers.

Anthemis tinctoria – Marguerite Daisy: provides several weeks of daisy-like flowers in the summer. Deer and rabbit resistant plant. Zones: 3-8. Height: 24-30 inches. Spacing: 24 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Beds, borders, and cut flowers.

Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ – Silver Sage: Fragrant, lacy, silver foliage provides contrast to ornamental grasses, flowers, and foliage. The foliage is used in fresh or dried arrangements, fresh herbal wreaths, and drying for potpourris. Deer and rabbit resistant plant. Zones: 5-9. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 3-4 feet apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Beds and borders.

Asclepias tuberosa – Butterfly Milkweed: Deer resistant plant. Attract butterflies to your garden. This plant is a nectar and larval food plant to the Monarch butterfly.

Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly Weed

Zones: 3-9. Height: 18-24 inches. Spacing: 1-2 feet apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Butterfly gardens and borders.
Baptisia spp. - False Indigo, Wild Indigo, Baptisia: Zones: 4-9. Height: 26-36 inches, but some species can reach to 4 feet. Spacing: 12-36 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Borders, cut flower, dried flower, drought tolerant, attracts butterflies.

Callirhoe involucrata – Poppy Mallow, Wine Cups: Attractive lacy foliage with purple flowers with a white eye that makes an excellent ground cover for large areas. Zones: 4-9. Height: 12 inches. Spacing 24-36 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Ground cover, border fronts, cascading over retaining walls, spiller for containers.

Centranthus ruber – Jupiter’s Beard: Excellent fresh cut flower with fragrant foliage. Butterfly attractant, deer and rabbit resistant plant. Companion plant to other perennials in the garden: Lamb’s ear, Artemisia, and Baptisia. Trim spent flower heads to extend blooming. Zones: 4-9. Height: 24-30 inches. Spacing: 24-30 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Specimen, borders, small group plantings.

Coreopsis spp. – Tickseed: Single or double flowers are excellent for fresh cut

Coreopsis grandiflora cv. Baby Sun - Coreopsis

arrangements. Attract numerous butterflies to the garden. Trim spent flower heads to extend blooming. Zones: 3-9. Height: 3 feet or shorter. Spacing: From 1-3 feet apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Borders, edger, or as a ground cover.

Dianthus X allwoodii cv. Old Spice - 

Old Spice Dianthus

Dianthus spp. - Dianthus, Pinks: Zones: 3-10. Height: From groundcovers under 4 inches to varieties up to 30 inches. Spacing: 8-15 inches apart. Light: Full sun to semi shade. Uses: Attracts butterflies, deer resistant plant, cut flowers, borders or edgers, groundcovers, fragrant flowers.

Echinacea purpurea – Coneflower: There are many varieties of coneflower available. They come in a variety of heights, colors, single or double flowers. Any variety you  

Echinacea purpurea cv. Magnus - Purple Coneflower

choose will be drought tolerant. Single or double flowers are excellent for fresh cut arrangements. Attract numerous butterflies to the garden. Trim spent flower heads to extend blooming. Zones: 4-9. Height: 28-36 inches. Spacing: 18-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden, perennial, wildflower, mixed or cottage gardens, mass plantings, companion plant to Rudbeckia – Black-eyed Susan.

Echinops spp. – Globe Thistle: One of the underused drought tolerant plants and the flowers are good to use in fresh or dried floral arrangements. Trim spent flower heads to extend blooming. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. Rabbit and deer are repelled by this plant in the garden, which is another plus to using this plant. Zones: 3-10. Height: 42-46 inches. Spacing: 18-24 inches. Light: Full sun. Uses: Borders, mixed flower gardens, companion plant to grasses.

Euphorbia epithymoides – Cushion Spurge: Bright yellow flowers in the spring and bronze foliage in the fall. Zones: 3-8. Height: 24 inches. Spacing: 18-24 inches. Light: Full sun to part-sun. Uses: Borders, container gardens, rock gardens, deters rabbit and deer away from the garden.

Gaillardia grandiflora – Blanket Flower: The flowers are good to use in fresh floral arrangements. Trim spent flower heads to extend blooming. The flowers attract 

Gaillardia X grandiflora cv. Goblin - Blanket Flower

butterflies to the garden. Rabbit and deer are repelled by this plant in the garden, which is another plus to using this plant. Zones: 3-10. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 1-2 feet. Light: Full sun. Uses: Borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens.

Gaura lindheimeri – Whirling Butterflies: The airy flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. Trim spent flower heads to extend blooming. Zones: 5-9. Height: 24-36 inches. Spacing: 24-36 inches. Light: Full sun. Uses: Borders, cutting and perennial gardens.

Geum triflorum – Prairie Smoke: Red to light pink flowers, but the real attraction to this plant is the airy, feathery seed heads. Zones: 3-8. Height: 12-15 inches. Spacing: 6-8 inches. Light: Full sun. Uses: Deer resistant, border, ground cover, or rock gardens.

Helianthus maximiliana – Maximilian’s Sunflower: Bright yellow flowers on tall stems will attract butterflies to the garden. Zones: 3-9. Height: 3-10 feet. Spacing: 36 inches. Light: Full sun. Uses: Show stopper to any garden. Place in the back of the garden. Accent, specimen, fresh cut flower gardens, wildlife gardens, and cottage gardens.

Heliosis helianthoides – Perennial Sunflower, False Sunflower: Bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators to the garden. Zones: 3-9. Height: 24-36 inches. Light: Full sun to semi-shade. Uses: Attracts butterflies and bees, borders, cut flowers, and deer resistant plant.

Hemerocallis spp. – Daylily: Daylilies are available in every color except blue. Zones: 3-10. Height: 12 inches to 4 feet depending on variety. Spacing: 6 to 48 inches

Hemerocallis cv. Stella de Ora - Day Lily

depending on variety. Light: Full sun. Uses: Beds, borders, and groundcover. Deadhead to achieve re-bloom.

Hymenoxys acaulis – Sundancer Daisy: Bright yellow 1-inch flowers. Zones: 4-9. Height: 12 inches. Spacing: 12-24 inches. Light: Full sun. Uses: Edger or borders. Flowers attract butterflies.

Lamium maculatum – Dead Nettle: Excellent ground cover with lovely blossoms starting late spring through summer. The silvery foliage combines nicely with the white or lavender flowers. Zones: 3-9. Height: 6-8 inches. Spacing: 12-18 inches. Light: Semi-shade to shade. Uses: Ground cover and combinations outdoor planters. The plant is excellent trailing down the side of containers when planted around the rim of the pot. Flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant plant.

Lantana camara – Lantana: Lantana plants come in a variety of heights, which can be used as groundcovers to shrubs. The plants provide non-stop color from spring to first frost.  Zones: 7-11, outside zone 7 the plant is treated as an annual. Height: 1-5 feet, depending on cultivar. Spacing: 24-48 inches, depending on cultivar. Light: Full sun. 

Lantana camara cv. Miss Huff - Lantana

Uses: Profuse bloomer until first frost. The low growing varieties can be used as seasonal color or evergreen groundcover, annual, flowering shrub, containers, hanging baskets, beach plantings. The bright flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Lavandula angustifolia – English Lavender: Wonderful fragrant lavender flowers and silver foliage. Zones: 5-9. Height: 18-36 inches. Spacing: 12-18 inches. Light: Full sun. Uses: Deer and rabbit resistant, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, fragrant flowers and foliage, flowers can be used fresh or dried, containers, border fronts, rock gardens, herb gardens, scented gardens. Deadhead after flowering.

Linum perenne – Blue Flax: Bright blue flowers cover the plant from late spring to fall. Zones: 3-9. Height: 18-30 inches. Spacing: 10-12 inches. Light: Full sun. Uses: Very showy flowers for beds and borders. Deer and rabbit resistant.

Monarda didyma – Bee Balm: Fragrant foliage and flowers will attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. The flower color are in shades of pink, red, lavender, and white. Zones: 3-9. Height: 18-36 inches. Spacing: 24-36 inches. Light: Full sun. Uses: Beds, borders, cut or dried flowers.

Monarda fistulosa – Wild Bergamot: Fragrant foliage and flowers will attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. The flower color are in shades of pink/lavender. Zones: 3-9. Height: 18-36 inches. Spacing: 24-36 inches. Light: Full sun. Uses: Beds, borders, cut or dried flowers.

Nepeta racemosa – Catmint: Fragrant flowers and foliage will attract butterflies to your garden. Zones: 4-9. Height: 18-36 inches depending on variety. Spacing: 18-24 inches depending on variety. Light: Full sun. Uses: Deer and rabbit resistant. Beds and borders. Groundcover.

Nepeta x faassenii – Catmint: Fragrant flowers and foliage will attract butterflies to

Nepeta faassenii - Catmint

your garden. Zones: 4-9. Height: 12-24 inches. Spacing: 12-24 inches. Light: Full sun. Uses: Deer and rabbit resistant. Beds and borders. Groundcover.

Oenothera spp. – Evening Primrose: Masses of flowers that open in the evening and close in the morning. A good groundcover to plant around outdoor entertainment areas, especially nighttime activities. Zones: 4-9. Height: 15 inches. Spacing: 18-24 inches. Light: Full sun. Uses: Groundcover for sunny areas.

Penstemon spp. – Beardtongue: Zones: 4-10. Height: 12-36 inches. Spacing: 18-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Mixed perennial garden, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.


Perovskia atriplicifolia – Russian Sage: Zones: 4-9. Height: 3-5 feet. Spacing: 24-36 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Containers, bed 

Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage

and borders, cut flowers, butterfly attractant.






Platycodon grandiflorus - Balloon Flower: Zones: 4-9. Height: 6-36 inches depending on cultivar. Spacing: 8-12 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Border, rock garden, cut flower, containers.

Platycodon grandiflorus - Balloon Flower

Rudbeckia fulgida – Black Eyed Susan: Zones: 3-10. Height: 18-30 inches. Spacing: 12-24 inches. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Beds and borders, containers, attract birds and butterflies.    

Rudbeckia fulgida - Black-Eyed Susan

Salvia spp. – Sages: Autumn Sage - Salvia greggii 'Maraschino'. Zones: 7-10.  Height: 3’ – 4’. Spacing: 18” – 24” apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses:

Salvia greggii cv. Maraschino - Autumn Sage

Butterfly and hummingbird attractant, accent, cut flower, herb and perennial garden.  Sage - Salvia officinalis. Height: 3 feet. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in stuffing and meat dishes.









Salvia rosmarinus – Rosemary: Zones: 6-10. Height: 4 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: The leaves are 

Salvia rosmarinus - Rosemary

used in lamb and fish dishes, butterfly nectar plant, and containers.







Salvia rosmarinus 'Prostrates' - Prostrate Rosemary. Type: Perennial shrub or groundcover. Height: 12-18”. Spacing: 2 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: The leaves are used in lamb and fish dishes, butterfly nectar plant, trailing down retaining walls, and containers.  

Rosmarinus officinalis cv. Prostratus -  Prostrate Rosemary

Sedum spp.: Sedums, Stonecrops: Zones: 3-11. Height: 2-24 inches. Spacing: 4-18 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Containers, slopes, rock gardens, cracks and crevices, butterfly attractant.   

Sedum spectabile cv. Autumn Joy - Stonecrop

Stachys byzantine – Lamb’s Ear: Zones: 3-9. Height: 12-18 inches. Spacing: 10-18 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Borders, edger, containers, rock garden.

Stachys byzantina cv. Silver Carpet - Lamb's Ear

Thymus spp. – Thymes: Lemon Thyme – Thymus vulgaris cv. Argenteus. Height: 12 inches. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Light purple flowers in summer. Wonderful Lemon scent when leaves are crushed or walked upon. Additional 

Thymus vulgaris cv. Argenteus - Silver Thyme

Uses: All leaves have a distinct lemon flavor that can be used in cooking. Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds to the garden. Summer Thyme – Thymus vulgaris. Height: 6 – 12 inches. Spacing: 6 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Blooms lilac to purple flowers in summer. Additional Uses: All leaves are used in cooking. Attracts butterflies to the garden. All thyme plants can be used as an alternative ground cover.

Veronica spp. – Speedwell or Veronica: Zones: 4-9. Height: 4-12 inches. Spacing: 8-12 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Ground cover, borders, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

All photographs and digital images are ©Cheryl Ann Meola Photography 2020. All Rights Reserved. All photographs and digital images displayed in this article are for viewing purposes only and cannot be duplicated.

Growing Herbs in Containers

Growing Herbs in Containers

As a horticulturist, we have favorite endeavors such as growing plants especially herbs in colorful containers of all colors and shapes. Herbs make an excellent choice to decorate a sunny patio, deck, or balcony, and the flowers that are produced on herbs will provide twice the amount of fun to your growing area. The seeds and flowers will provide additional ingredients to recipes. Processing the seeds produced by herbs make additional ingredients to add to recipes. For example, when Cilantro goes to seed the seeds are called Coriander when crushed; and when Dill goes to seed the processed seeds are called Dill Weed. Most flowers produced by herbs are edible and are used in salads, garnishes, and cooking or can be used in dried floral arrangements. For example, add Mexican Marigold Mint flowers to salads and Lavender flowers can be dried and used in floral arrangements. Plants that are classified as Herbs are very diverse and have multiple uses around the home. Here are a few tips to get you started with growing Herbs in containers.

Deciding a Location: Choose an area that gets 5 - 6 hours of full sun; and if, you have an area that receives more than 6 hours of sunlight that’s all right, too.

Deciding a Container(s): Choose a container that is 6 inches or larger, some of the perennials can be grown in larger containers are Lemon Grass and Sweet Bay.

Deciding a Soil: There are several potting soils on the market and choosing one is a matter of your gardening preferences. Some of the choices are inorganic verses organic, with moisture control or without moisture control, with timed-release fertilizer or without fertilizer. Some potting soils are especially formulated for herbs and vegetables, which would make an excellent choice to use.

Deciding a Fertilizer: There are several fertilizers on the market and choosing one is a matter of your gardening preferences. Some of the choices are water soluble, granular, time-release, slow-release, organic, or inorganic. Choose a fertilizer that is formulated for herbs or vegetable plants. Most gardeners agree in using a combination of time-release fertilizer and a weekly or bi-weekly feeding of a water-soluble fertilizer of your choice.

Choosing an Insecticide: When growing herbs in containers, you may want to consider an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach method to control insects on your herbs and using an IPM approach involves a two-step method approach, inspection of the herbs, and what type of control method you are going to use. The first part would be scouting, observing, and inspecting your prized Herbs for insects or chew marks on the leaves. Constantly scouting and observing daily for any insect or worm that would start eating your prize Herbs, and when one was seen, you can simply dispose of the insect. However, sometimes these critters multiply overnight and when this happens it is advisable to spray with a Safer Soap or a Horticultural oil. Using Safer Soaps or Horticultural Oils on all the Herbs mentioned is an organic and an IPM approach to growing Herbs.

Watering: Of all the ingredients that have been mentioned for Herb Container gardening success, water, is the most important to a successful Herb Container garden. The soil for your Herbs will need to be consistently moist at all times, but not soggy wet and the water source should be city water or treated water. This is one of the reasons of last’s years Salmonella outbreaks on produce; the Herbs that were recalled received Salmonella during either the growing process or the production process. Due to all the current recalls of produce, more gardeners are starting to grow their own Herbs this year versus last year due to the recent outbreaks in store-bought produce. Just another reason to start growing your own Herbs, you supply the water, you supply the insecticide, and you know exactly what ingredients went into your Herbs. For states that are currently under water restrictions, you can water your food crops, personal food garden, or personal Herb garden without penalty. Wash all Herbs before eating or cooking, whether Home Grown or Store Bought.

Put on your gardening gloves and reap the rewards and benefits of an Herb Container garden. You will have tastier Herbs than store bought that you harvest on your own. As an Herb Container gardener you know the ingredients, and there is nothing more rewarding than tasting the “Herbs” of your labors.

Listed below are just a few favorite Herbs that can be grown in Containers and have done extremely well. Note: spacing requirements are for growing Herbs in the ground instead of containers.

Arugula - Eruca sativa. Type: Annual. Height: 12 – 18 inches. Spacing: 6 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Excellent companion plant for salad mixes. Arugula prefers cool temperatures and can be grown from seeds or plants in early spring or fall. Can harvest 21 days after planting. To extend the growing season keep flower buds pinched back.

Basil - Ocimum basilicum. Type: Annual. Height: 18 – 30 inches. Spacing: 12 – 18 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Blooms pink flowers in summer. Additional Uses: Leaves can be used fresh or dried in tomato dishes, pasta dishes, vegetables, and soups. A companion plant that repels aphids, mites, and tomato hornworms. There are several different cultivars of Basil some favorites are Lemon and Cinnamon Basil. Basil image right. © Cheryl Ann Meola 2012.

Catmint - Nepeta mussinii. Type: Perennial. Height: 12 – 18 inches. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Profuse lavender blooms on spiky stems. Good for containers and the perennial garden. Soft, crinkled, gray-green leaves on a compact, mounding plant. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar plant and your cats will love it. Catmint image left. © Cheryl Ann Meola 2012.

Catnip - Nepeta cataria. Type: Perennial. Height: 2 – 4 feet. Spacing: 12 – 18 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Vigorous, high-yielding plants. Cat-attracting perennial with gray-green leaves and white flowers. Additional uses: Butterfly nectar plant and your cats will love it.

Chives - Allium schoenoprasum. Type: Perennial. Height: 18 – 24 inches. Spacing: 4 – 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Chives have a mild onion flavor that is very pleasing and is easy to grow. Uses: Can be added to soups, salads, egg dishes, potatoes, fish dishes, or any dish that requires a mild onion flavor fresh or frozen. Additional Uses: Mosquito Repellent Plant or border/edger plant. Chives image left. © Cheryl Ann Meola.

Cilantro, Coriander - Coriandrum sativum. Type: Annual. Height: 12 – 18 inches. Spacing: 6 – 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in salsa, guacamole, sauces, and seafood. When Cilantro produces seeds the seed of Cilantro are called Coriander. Catnip image right © Cheryl Ann Meola 2012.

Citronella Grass - Cymbopogon nardus. ( (Cymbopogon flexuosus) (East Indian)). Type: Perennial, annual outside zone 9. Height: 5-6 feet. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar plant for butterflies, Mosquito repellent plant, leaves are used in cooking, in potpourris, sachets, and the oil from the plant is used in citronella candles.

Cutting Celery, Leaf Celery, Celery Leaf – Apium graveolens var. secalinum. Type: biennial. Height: 10 – 12 inches. Spacing: 10 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Excellent plant to grow in containers. Cutting Celery is an excellent substitute for traditional celery, but without all the growing hassle. Very easy to grow and taste just like traditional celery, and cutting celery can be used in every recipe that calls for traditional celery.

Dill – Anethum graveolens. Type: Annual. Height: 18 – 36 inches. Space: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Yellow blossoms in summer, seed heads can be harvested. The seeds can be crushed and used in cooking. The leaves can be used fresh in potato, tuna, and chicken salads; fresh chicken and fish dishes. Additional Uses: Attracts butterflies and a larval food plant for butterflies. (Plant enough for you and the butterflies!). Dill image right. © Cheryl Ann Meola 2012.

Epazote - Chenopodium ambrosioides . Type: Annual. Height: 3 – 4 feet. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in bean, soups, eggs or cheese dishes.

FrenchTarragon – Artemisia dracunculus ‘Sativa’. Type: Perennial. Height: 24 inches. Spacing: 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in eggs, poultry, salads, cheese, and fish.

Garlic Chives - Allium tuberosum. Type: Perennial. Height: 18 – 24 inches. Spacing: 6 – 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Garlic Chives have flat, thin leaves with a mild blend of garlic and onion. Uses: Can be added to soups, salads, egg dishes, potatoes, fish dishes, or any dish that requires a mild onion flavor fresh or frozen. Additional Uses: Mosquito Repellent Plant or border/edger plant. Garlic Chives image left. © Cheryl Ann Meola.

Greek Oregano - Origanum vulgare subsp. Hirtum. Type: Perennial. Height: 24 inches. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in Italian dishes, pizza, shellfish, egg dishes, beef, pork, and poultry dishes.

Italian Oregano – Origanum vulgare. Type: Perennial. Height: 24 inches. Spacing: 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in Italian dishes, pizza, shellfish, egg dishes, beef, pork, and poultry dishes.

Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia. Type: Perennial. Height: 18-24”. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar plant for butterflies, flowers can be dried, in potpourris, and sachets.

Lemon Grass - Cymbopogon citratus (West Indian). Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 12” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar plant for butterflies, Mosquito repellent plant, leaves are used in cooking, in potpourris, and sachets. Lemon Grass image right. © Cheryl Ann Meola 2012.

Lemon Thyme – Thymus x citriodorus. Type: Perennial. Height: 12 inches. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Light purple flowers in summer. Wonderful Lemon scent when leaves are crushed or walked upon. Additional Uses: All leaves have a distinct lemon flavor that can be used in cooking. Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds to the garden.

Lemon Verbena – Aloysia triphylla. Type: Perennial, treat as an annual outside zone 8. Height: To 4 feet. Spacing: 18-24” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The oil is used in perfumes; the leaves are used in flavoring teas and jellies.

Mexican Marigold Mint - Tagetes lucida. Type: Perennial. Height: 24-30”. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar and larval food plant, Mosquito repellent plant, fresh flowers are used in salads; leaves are used as a substitute for French tarragon. Mexican Marigold Mint image left. © Cheryl Ann Meola 2012.

Parsley - Petroselinum crispum. Type: Annual. Height: 12 – 18 inches. Spacing: 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in meat dishes, soups, and salads. Parsley image right. © Cheryl Ann Meola 2012.

Pennyroyal – Mentha pulegium. Type: Perennial. Height: 6 – 12 inches. Spacing: 12 – 24 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Purple flowers in late summer through fall. Additional Uses: A groundcover, nectar plant for butterflies, the leaves are used in the flavoring for fish dishes, and grows well in a hanging basket.

Peppermint - Mentha piperita. Type: Perennial. Height: 24-36”. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Leaves are used fresh in hot and iced teas, butterfly nectar and larval food plant.

Pineapple Sage – Salvia elegans. Type: Perennial. Height: 3 - 4 feet. Spacing: 3 – 4 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Blooms red flowers in spring, summer, and fall. The leaves when crushed smell and taste like fresh pineapple. Additional Uses: The fresh leaves can be used in drinks and salads. The leaves can be used in hot or cold drinks, and the flowers and leaves are used chopped in salads. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.

Prostrate Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus’. Type: Perennial shrub or groundcover. Height: 12-18”. Spacing: 2 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The leaves are used in lamb and fish dishes, butterfly nectar plant, Mosquito repellent plant, and drought tolerant plant. Prostrate Rosemary image left. © Cheryl Ann Meola 2012.

Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis. Type: Perennial shrub. Height: 4 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The leaves are used in lamb and fish dishes, drought tolerant plant, Mosquito repellent plant, and butterfly nectar plant. Rosemary image right. © Cheryl Ann Meola 2012.

Sage - Salvia officinalis. Type: Perennial. Height: 3 feet. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in stuffing and meat dishes.

Salad Burnet - Sanguisorba minor. Type: Perennial. Height: 12 inches. Spacing: 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves have a mild cucumber taste and are used in salads, vinegars, and cold drinks.

Spearmint – Mentha spicata. Type: Perennial. Height: 24-36”. Spacing: 36-48 inches. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Leaves are used fresh in hot and iced teas, Butterfly Nectar and Larval Food Plant.

Stevia - Stevia rebaudiana. Type: Hardy Perennial in USDA zones 9 and 10. Height: 18 – 24 inches. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Stevia is a natural sweetener that is used as a sugar substitute that is calorie free. Leaves can be used fresh or dried in beverages, sauces, and salads. Do not plant outdoors until temperatures are above 45 degrees. Avoid afternoon summer sun in extreme southern areas during July and August. During these months it’s recommended to put the container in afternoon shade. Check for leafhoppers and whiteflies which may be a problem.

Summer Thyme – Thymus vulgaris. Type: Perennial. Height: 6 – 12 inches. Spacing: 6 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Blooms lilac to purple flowers in summer. Additional Uses: All leaves are used in cooking. Attracts butterflies to the garden. All thyme plants can be used as an alternative ground cover.

Sweet Bay Laurel – Laurus nobilis. Type: Perennial. Height: 12 – 15 feet. Growth rate slow and plants growing in containers will be somewhat shorter. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Blooms pale yellow flowers in spring. Leaves are used in Italian and fish dishes. Companion plants are Prostrate rosemary, Lavender, and Oregano.

Sweet Marjoram - Origanum majorana. Type: Perennial. Height: 12 to 18 inches. Spacing: 9 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in eggs, meats, rice, pastas, soups, vegetables.

Photography and digital images are ©Cheryl Ann Meola 2012. All Rights Reserved. All photographs and digital images displayed in this article are for viewing purposes only and cannot be duplicated ©Cheryl Ann Meola 2012. Texas Certified Nursery Professional #1282.

Mosquito Repellent Plants

Ageratum

As summer fast approaches, I would like to suggest plants that will repel mosquitoes in your landscape and how to use these plants to enjoy the outdoors during summer. In addition to the plants that repel mosquitoes I would like to suggest additional, eco-friendly ways to keep mosquitoes from your outdoor living spaces. The picture on the left is Ageratum.

Some areas of the southeast have had drought busting rainstorms and even 

Basil

with the tremendous amounts of rainfall, these areas are still considered to be under drought conditions. With the severe amounts of rainfall that comes into an area, and the warmer temperatures of the season that is a sure sign the pesky mosquito is not far behind. The picture on the right is Basil.

The plants that I am suggesting will repel mosquitoes from your outdoor living space. There are a few suggestions when planning to use the plants mentioned to enhance the natural repelling abilities:

v Use the plants in containers around your patio, deck, or outdoor living space such as patio tables and chairs.

v Use the plants in containers or planted in the ground by your front door and your back door.

v Lemon Grass is the #1 recommended plant to grow in the landscape and in containers to use around your patio, deck or outdoor living spaces to repel mosquitoes during the summer.

v Before having outdoor activities brush the Lemon Grass to release more of its fragrance.

v Lemon Grass can be used in cooking.

Here are a few suggestions recommended to do in addition to using the recommended plants:

v Fix all outdoor facets that drip.

v Drain your birdbath twice a week and refill your birdbath.

v Turn your empty outside pots and containers upside down to prevent the containers from collecting water.

v Drain your plant saucers that collect water once a week, mosquitos lay their eggs in stagnant water.

v To reduce numerous other flying insects, including mosquitoes, plant marigolds in containers or in the landscape.

Cadaga Tree

There are additional benefits to adding mosquito-repelling plants to your landscape. A few of the benefits are that the mixture of plants listed can be used in addition to repelling mosquitoes, but also used as herbs in cooking, the trees listed will attract additional wildlife such as birds to the garden to give natural predators of mosquitoes a safe heaven, the majority of the plants are nectar and larval food plants for butterflies in your area, and the Silver Dollar Tree can be used in your fresh cut flower arrangements as greens. The picture on the left is Cadaga Tree.

Ageratum or Floss Flower: Ageratum houstonianum. Type: Annual. Height: 6-12”. Spacing: 6-8” apart. Light Requirement: Full sun to partial

shade. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar plant.

Basil: Ocimum basilicum. Type: Annual. Height: 2 feet. Spacing: 18-24” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial 

Basil

shade. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar plant, the leaves are used in cooking.

Cadaga Tree: Eucalyptus torelliana. Type: Tree. Height: To 80 feet. Spacing: 20-30 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Additional Uses: Attracts wildlife to the garden.

Catmint: Nepeta faassenii. Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 12-18 “

Catmint

apart. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar plant, and your cats will love it. The picture on the right is Catmint.

Catnip: Nepeta cataria. Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 12-18 “ apart. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar plant, and your cats will love it.

Catnip

Citronella Grass: Cymbopogon nardus. Type: Perennial in USDA Zones 9 and 10, annual outside zone 9. Height: 5-6 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The oil from the plant is used in citronella candles. The picture on the left is Catnip.

Clove Tree: Syzygium aromaticum. Type: Tree. Height: 20-30 feet. Spacing: 25 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The flower buds are the spice of commerce, and attracts

Clove Tree

wildlife to the garden.

Horsemint or Lemon Beebalm: Monarda citriodora. Type: Perennial. Height: 12-30”. Spacing: 12-24” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The flowers can be used in fresh cut arrangements, nectar plant for butterflies and hummingbirds.

Lavender: Lavandula angustifolia. Type: Perennial. Height: 18-24”. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar plant for butterflies, flowers can be dried, in potpourris, and sachets.

Lemon Balm: Melissa officinalis. Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: All leaves can be used in potpourris, flavor hot and iced teas, and used as a substitute for lemon peel in cooking.

Lemon Grass: Cymbopogon citrates. Type: Perennial to USDA zone 8, treat as an annual elsewhere. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The leaves are used in cooking.  

Lemon Grass

Lemon Scented Geranium: Pelargonium crispum. Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 12” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar plant for butterflies, leaves are used in cooking, in potpourris, and sachets. The picture on the right is Clove Tree.

Lemon Verbena: Aloysia triphylla. Type: Perennial to USDA zone 8, treat as an annual elsewhere. Height: To 4 feet. Spacing: 18-24” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The oil is used in perfumes; the leaves are used in flavoring teas and jellies. The picture on the right is Lemon Grass.

Mexican Marigold Mint: Tagetes lucida. Type: Perennial. Height: 24-30”. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar and larval food plant, fresh flowers are used in salads, leaves are used as a substitute for French tarragon.  

Mexican Marigold Mint

Mindanao Gum Tree: Eucalyptus deglupta. Type: Tree. Height: To 225 feet. Spacing: 30 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Attracts wildlife to the garden, fragrant leaves and colorful bark.

Mindanao Gum Tree

Pitcher Plant - Nepenthes alata. Type: Herbaceous perennial. Zones: 10-11. Height: To 14 feet, usually grown in a hanging basket. Spacing: N/A. Light: Partial shade to shade. Uses: Will attract and capture all types of pesky insects from your garden. The plant is available at local garden centers in hanging baskets and can be placed in tree limbs or placed on patio plant stands. The plant uses the insects it captures as fertilizer.

Pitcher Plant

Prostrate Rosemary: Salvia rosmarinus 'Prostrates'. Type: Perennial shrub or groundcover. Height: 12-18”. Spacing: 2

feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The leaves are used in lamb and fish dishes,

butterfly nectar plant, drought tolerant plant.

Prostrate Rosemary

Red-Flowering Gum Tree: Eucalyptus ficifolia. Type: Tree. Height: 25-30 feet. Spacing: 20-25 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Additional Uses: After      establishment in the landscape the tree is very drought tolerant, the leaves are fragrant, attracts wildlife to the garden, very showy red flowers in spring and summer. 

Red-Flowering Gum Tree

Roman Wormwood: Artemisia pontica.
Type: Perennial. Height: 18-24”. Spacing: 12” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Additional Uses: Nectar and larval food plant for butterflies, drought tolerant plant, ground cover, beds, and containers.

Roman Wormwood

Rosemary: Salvia rosmarinus. Type: Perennial shrub. Height: 4 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full 

Rosemary

sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The leaves are used in lamb and fish dishes, drought tolerant plant, and butterfly nectar plant.

Silver Dollar Tree: Eucalyptus cinerea. Type: Tree. Height: To 20 feet. Spacing: 25 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Additional Uses: Attracts wildlife to the garden, the foliage is used in fresh cut flower arrangements as greens, and dried floral arrangements.

Silver Dollar Tree

Tansy: Tanacetum vulgare. Type: Perennial. Height: 3-4 feet. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to 

Tansy

partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar food plant for butterflies. The picture on the left is Prostrate Rosemary, and the picture on the right is Pitcher Plant.

Wormwood: Artemisia absinthium. Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 18-24” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar and larval food plant for butterflies, drought tolerant plant.

Wormwood: Artemisia 'Powis Castle'. Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 3 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar and larval food plant for butterflies, drought tolerant plant.

June is National Rose Month. Click on Hibiscus and More's Blogspot for more information on growing and caring for your roses.

All photographs and digital images are ©Cheryl Ann Meola 2009. All Rights Reserved.

©Cheryl Ann Meola 2009.

All photographs and digital images displayed in this article are for viewing purposes only and cannot be duplicated. Place your cursor over the picture for the plant name.