February Gardening Calendar 2026

 

February Gardening Calendar 2026

Spring is near when the Daffodils start blooming.

 

This winter has come in with a vengeance bringing snow to parts of the United States that usually will receive no snow at all. As I write, North Carolina received more snow last night and the state hadn’t finished cleaning up since the last storm. Gardening is the last thing on anybody’s mind right now. As the snow melts and the temperatures begin to rise we gardener’s can start focusing on our gardens. Successful gardening depends on the timing of when you plant and prune established and new plants. Here are a few suggestions to do in February when your weather permits.

Trees and Shrubs can be planted now. This is the best time to plant Nut Trees, Fruit Trees, Shade Trees, and shrubs. By applying a combination of Super Thrive and Recharge by Real Growers instead of a root stimulator will get your newly planted trees and shrubs established much faster. Prune Apple and Pear trees after bud break in February, wait until mid-March for Peach trees. Spray fruit and nut trees with a horticulture grade dormant oil before bud break. Remove stakes, trunk wraps, and guy wires from trees planted 18 months ago. 18-24 months is the average time you need to keep the guy wires. Pruning fig trees save the horizontal branches, they are the branches that produce fruit. Is your Burford Holly overgrown? Now is a good time to severely prune back. Burford Hollies can be prune back to 24 to 48 inches. Butterfly bushes can be pruned back by ½ the original height. You will be rewarded with bigger blooms this summer.

Annuals cool season annuals can be planted, pansy, violas, sweet alyssum, pinks, stocks, snapdragons. Cool season annuals will provide lots of color until end of May or June. These annuals can be planted in the soil or containers.

Perennials trim back all the brown. This month is a good time to divide all perennials, if necessary. Apply a fresh layer of mulch.

Roses Prune back rose bushes to about 18 to 24 inches. The best time to prune is between February 14 – 22^th. Rake any leaves still on the ground underneath your rose bushes and give a fresh layer of mulch. If you had any black spot last year it is very important to rake the leaves and throw the leaves away and give a fresh layer of mulch. For more information on roses and rose care Click Here.

Lawns apply a pre-emergent to your lawn to prevent dormant weed seeds from germinating during the growing season. Most pre-emergents last about 3 to 4 months. There are weed and feed fertilizers that will fertilize the lawn and prevent weed seeds from germinating.

Vegetables cool season veggies like lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, asparagus, elephant garlic, garlic, snow peas, spinach, and strawberries can still be planted. To get a head start on your spring garden start thinking about planting your spring vegetable garden from seeds now. Organically grown Lettuce image left. ©Cheryl Ann Meola 2012. Organically grown Tomatoes image below ©Cheryl Ann Meola 2012 

Ornamental Grasses can be pruned back to 12 inches. Liriope that looks a little be draggled can be trimmed back, too. Prune back before the grass comes out of dormancy.

Houseplants In the winter months houseplants usually don’t require as much water as in the spring and summer months indoors. The reason is that the houseplant do not receive as much sunlight because of shorter and more cloudy days associated with the winter months.  Water with a houseplant fertilizer one half strength and turn your plants a ¼ to a ½ turn every week. By doing this the plant does not grow towards the light. For more information on Houseplants and their care purchase my book sold on Hibiscus And More. https://www.hibiscusandmore.com/product/grow-fresh-air Purchase here on the link provided.

Need more gardening advice? Ask your Questions Here. Follow our BlogSpot for current sales, daily specials, and sound gardening advice. Simply click on Join This Site Link under Followers. Sign Up Is Free.

All photographs maybe purchased as fine art prints at HibiscusandMore.com  

Cheryl’s Fine Art Photography is on Merchandise Greeting Cards and more

Cheryl’s gardening books are featured below and may be purchased at www.hibiscusandmore.com

Butterfly Gardening Book

Houseplants - Grow Fresh Air Book

Landscape Gardening Book

Need floral and Botanical stock photography?

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Cheryl+Ann+Meola

https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/210785031/Cheryl

https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/CherylMeola

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.

July Gardening Calendar 2025

 

July Gardening Calendar

Extreme heat began earlier this year than previous years. In the past five years, each summer we currently break last year’s record.  Extreme temperatures were recorded around the world in June 2025 and we have two to three more months of the summer. June’s last two weeks have been extreme and temperatures have soared 10-20 degrees above average. The entire United States is experiencing higher than normal temperatures. 21 places hit triple-digits. Currently there are numerous states that are under extreme heat warnings. Arizona, Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington were under heat warnings last year. Temperatures have soared 10-20 degrees above average.

The CDC recommends these precautions for anyone who is involved in outdoor work or activities during extreme heat weather. Drink plenty of water and don’t wait until you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks. Always where sunscreen and reapply as directed on label. Try to avoid working in mid-day heat and ask if the task can be rescheduled. Where loose fit clothing in light colors. Dri-fit is a brand of clothing that helps keep one cool during work or exercising. Where a large brimmed hat to help keep one cool. Try to go to air conditioning or shady location during breaks. Keep an eye on your co-workers and encourage them to take breaks to drink water and cool off. Summer gardening tasks to do in one’s landscape, if living in one of the states mentioned for extreme heat try to schedule in early morning hours or early evening.

Watermelon – Choosing a summer watermelon for ripeness is as simple as slapping or knocking on it. The good ripe one’s sound hollow, and the unripe one’s sound like solid wood.

Flowering annuals and perennials – Such as Salvia, Zinnia, Coneflower, and Petunia, remove faded flowers to encourage bushiness and more flower production. Plant sun and heat tolerant annuals. Tropicals are a good choice because the plants now how to beat the summer heat and tropicals will reward you with lots of blooms and color.

Dahlias – The last week in July trim your plants back by half of their height to produce fall blooms. Fertilize with a flowering plant food.

Pink and Blue Hydrangeas – Remove faded flower stems. Trim shorten droopy, flowerless stems by 1/3. New growth that occurs now through winter will produce next summer’s blooms.

Herbs – Now is a good time to trim back Basil, Mint, and Oregano by half to prevent flowering and seed production. This will produce tastier leaves to use later.

Summer Vegetables – The plants will stop flower production when just one ripe cucumber, squash, or okra are left on the plant. Pick your summer vegetables on a regular basis to prevent this.

Fall Vegetables – Plant peppers, corn, cucumbers, squash, bush beans, and fall tomatoes. For tomatoes use the small to medium sized varieties.

Houseplants, Patio Pots, and Hanging Baskets – Check plants that are spending the summer outdoors for insects. Use an insecticidal soap, if needed. Your houseplants can be fertilized by-weekly with a water-soluble plant food. For more information on Houseplants order Cheryl’s book Grow Fresh Air from her website Hibiscus and More.com

Trees and Shrubs – Newly Spring planted trees and shrubs should be watered 2 gallons of water per foot of plant height. Now is a good time to put a new3-4-inch layer of mulch by doing so the roots stay cooler and help conserve moisture. For more information on Landscape Gardening, you can order Cheryl’s book Southeast Style Gardening from her website Hibiscus and More.com.

Figs – Remove the tallest shoots in the middle first, then prune the rest of the fig lightly. The horizontal branches produce the best fruit.

New Turf – There is 6 to 7 weeks to start your project on laying or replacing turf grasses. The grass needs to be well-rooted before the cool weather starts, which is shortly after daylight savings time ends, which ends November 2, 2025. It usually takes 10-15 days to get the grass established.

The Monarchs need our help. For more information on Butterfly Gardening, Cheryl has written Gardening for the Butterflies available on her website Hibiscus and More.com

Hibiscus and More offers fine art prints of Cheryl Meola’s plant photography. Fine Art Prints. Fine Art Prints.

Cheryl Meola’s Plant Photography on Merchandise. The website features clothing, home décor, puzzles, and greeting cards to customize for any occasion. https://cherylann-meola.pixels.com

Floral & Foliage Stock Photography.  Stock Photography.

Botanical & Seasonal Stock Photography. Stock Photography.

Have a wonderful summer. Stay hydrated, keep cool, go to shade when you start feel weak.

February Gardening Calendar 2025

 

February Gardening Calendar 2025

Trees and Shrubs can be planted now. This is the best time to plant Nut Trees, Fruit Trees, Shade Trees, and shrubs. By applying a combination of Super Thrive and Recharge by Real Growers instead of a root stimulator will get your newly planted trees and shrubs established much faster. Prune Apple and Pear trees after bud break in February, wait until mid-March for Peach trees. Spray fruit and nut trees with a horticulture grade dormant oil before bud break. Remove stakes, trunk wraps, and guy wires from trees planted 18 months ago. 18-24 months is the average time you need to keep the guy wires. Prune when pruning fig trees save the horizontal branches, they are the branches that produce fruit. Is your Burford Holly overgrown? Now is a good time to severely prune back. Burford Hollies can be prune back to 12 to 18 inches. Butterfly bushes can be pruned back by ½ the original height. You will be rewarded with bigger blooms this summer.

Annuals cool season annuals can be planted, pansy, violas, sweet alyssum, pinks, stocks, snapdragons. Cool season annuals will provide lots of color until end of May or June. These annuals can be planted in the soil or containers.

Perennials trim back all the brown. This month is a good time to divide all perennials, if necessary. Apply a fresh layer of mulch.

Roses Prune back rose bushes to about 18 to 24 inches. The best time to prune is between February 14 – 22^th. Rake any leaves still on the ground underneath your rose bushes and give a fresh layer of mulch. If you had any black spot last year it is very important to rake the leaves and throw away the leaves and give a fresh layer of mulch. For more information on roses and rose care Click Here.

Lawns apply a pre-emergent to your lawn to prevent dormant weed seeds from germinating during the growing season. Most pre-emergents last about 3 to 4 months.

Vegetables cool season veggies like lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, asparagus, elephant garlic, garlic, snow peas, spinach, and strawberries can still be planted. To get a head start on your spring garden start thinking about starting your spring vegetable garden from seeds now. Organically grown Lettuce image below left. ©Cheryl Ann Meola 2012. Organically grown Tomatoes image above left.  

Ornamental Grasses can be pruned back to 12 inches. Liriope that is looking a little be draggled can be trimmed back, too. Prune back before the grass comes out of dormancy.

Houseplants In the winter months houseplants usually don’t require as much water as in the spring and summer months indoors. The reason is that the houseplant do not receive as much sunlight because of shorter and more cloudy days associated with the winter months.  Water with a houseplant fertilizer one half strength and turn your plants a ¼ to a ½ turn every week. By doing this the plant does not grow towards the light. For more information on Houseplants and their care purchase my book sold on Hibiscus And More. https://www.hibiscusandmore.com/product/grow-fresh-air Purchase here on the link provided.

Need more gardening advice? Ask your Questions Here. Follow our BlogSpot for current sales, daily specials, and sound gardening advice. Simply click on Join This Site Link under Followers. Sign Up Is Free. 

All photographs maybe purchased as fine art prints at HibiscusandMore.com  

Cheryl’s Fine Art Photography is on Merchandise Greeting Cards and more

Cheryl’s gardening books are featured below and may be purchased at HibiscusAndMore.com

Butterfly Gardening Book

Houseplants- Grow Fresh Air Book

Landscape Gardening Book

Need floral and Botanical stock photography?

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Cheryl+Ann+Meola

https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/210785031/Cheryl

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.

86 Deer Resistant Plants

Deer Resistant Plants

As gardeners we would envision our garden as the prettiest on the street, but nature sometimes intervenes with bugs and deer. Deer have been a major nuisance this year to gardeners and these creatures can destroy a plant or plants overnight. Unfortunately, there is not a plant that is 100 percent deer proof, because if the deer are hungry enough they will eat just about any plant. Deer do not like foliage that is rough in texture, pubescent foliage, lemony or scented foliage. The plants listed below has one or all of the foliage characteristics, and to combat the deer, I would like to suggest using the plants listed below in beds and borders, but also use a deer repellent on your property line. Some of the plants listed have a * image, that means some deer sometimes have a little nibble. Plants listed with a spp. ending represents all varieties in that genus.

Anemones, Windflowers - Anemone spp. Type: Perennial corms. Zones: 4–9. Height: 4–36 inches depending on variety. Spacing: 6–12 inches apart depending on variety. Light: Full to partial shade. Uses: Cut flowers, containers, beds and borders, fragrant flowers.

Anise Hyssop - Agastache spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 5-9. Height: 12-36 inches. Spacing: 12-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Beds and borders, fragrant flowers, 

Agastache foeniculum - Anise Hyssop

attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden.









Aster – Aster spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-9. Height: 2-5 feet. Spacing: 15 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Beds and borders, mass plantings, cut flowers, attract butterflies.
Avens, Grecian Rose - Geum spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 5-7. Height: 10-24 inches. Spacing: 10-12 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Beds and borders, fresh cut flowers.

Azalea - Rhododendron spp. Type: Shrub. Zones: 4-9. Height: Varies from 2-20 feet

Azalea - Rhododendron sp.

depending on variety and cultivar. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light: Full sun to shade. Uses: Specimen shrub, hedge shrub, smaller varieties can be used in borders, nectar plant for butterflies.

Balloon Flower - Platycodon grandiflorus. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-9. Height: 6-36 inches depending on 

Balloon Flower - Platycodon grandiflorus

cultivar. Spacing: 8-12 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Border, rock garden, cut flower, containers.






Basil – Ocimum basilicum. Type: Annual. Zones: 2-11. Height: 1-2 feet. Spacing: 12-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Leaves are used in cooking,

Basil - Ocimum basilicum

pesto sauces, Italian dishes, butterfly nectar plant, mosquito repellant plant.

Bear’s Breeches - Acanthus spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 6-11. Height: 3-4 feet. Spacing: 2-4 feet apart. Light: Partial shade to shade. Uses: Specimen plant, cut flowers, dramatic foliage.

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

Bee Balm – Monarda didyma. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-9. Height: 2-4 feet, but can reach to 6 feet. Spacing: 18-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Bee Balms - Monardia spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-9. Height: 1-4 feet, but can reach to 6 feet. Spacing: 18-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Attract butterflies and hummingbirds, containers, beds and borders, cut flowers.

Big-leaf Periwinkle - Vinca major. Type: Ground cover. Zones: 5-9. Height: 12-18 inches. Spacing: 18 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Excellent ground cover for retaining walls or hillsides.

Black-eyed Susan – Rudbeckia spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-10. Height: 18-30 

Rudbeckia fulgida - Black-Eyed Susan

inches. Spacing: 12-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Beds and borders, containers, attract birds and butterflies.













Blanket Flower - Gaillardia spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 5-10. Height: 18-24 inches. Spacing: 18 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Borders, containers, cut flowers, attracts butterflies.  

Blanket Flower - Gaillardia X grandiflora

Bleeding Heart – Dicentra spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-9. Height: 24-36 inches. Spacing: 18-24 inches apart. Light: Partial shade to shade. Uses: Borders, containers, cut flowers.

Blue Mist Shrub, Bluebeard - Caryopteris spp. Type: Deciduous shrub. Zones: 5-9. Height: 24-36 inches. Spacing: 18-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Attracts butterflies, borders, fragrant flowers.

Butterfly Bush - Buddleia davidii. Type: Deciduous shrub. Zones: 5-10. Height: From 3-6 feet depending on variety. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Attracts

Buddleia davidii - Butterfly Bush

butterflies and hummingbirds, fragrant flowers, specimen shrub.

Butterfly Weed, Milkweed - Asclepias spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 5-11. Height: 24-36 inches. Spacing: 12-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Nectar and food plant for the Monarch butterfly, cut flowers, borders, wildflower gardens, containers.

Butterfly Weed - Asclepias tuberosa

Canna Lily – Canna X generalis. Type: Perennial. Zones: 7-11. Height: 4-6 feet.

Canna X generalis - Garden Canna

Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Plant in masses with bananas and gingers for a touch of the tropics, containers, cut flower, and wetlands or boggy areas.

Catmint – Nepeta X faassenii. Type: Perennial. Zones: 5-10. Height: 2-3 feet.

Catmint - Nepeta faassenii

Spacing: 12-18 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Butterfly nectar plant, front borders, your cat will love it.











Catmints/Catnips - Nepeta spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 5-10. Height: 12-36 inches. Spacing: 12-18  

Catnip - Nepeta cataria

inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Butterfly nectar plant, front borders, your cat will love it.

Clematis – Clematis spp. Type: Perennial vine. Zones: 4-9. Height: 6-10 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light: Full sun and keep the roots in the shade. Uses: Trellises, arbors, mailboxes.

Columbine – Aquilegia spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-9. Height: 12-36 inches. Spacing: 12-18 inches apart.

Columbine - Aquilegia cv. Cardinal

Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Woodland gardens, cut flowers, beds and borders, containers, butterfly and hummingbird attractants.

Common Periwinkle, Dwarf Periwinkle - Vinca minor. Type: Evergreen ground cover. Zones: 4-9. Height: 4-6 inches. Spacing: 8-12 inches apart. Light: Full sun to 

Dwarf Periwinkle - Vinca minor

shade. Uses: Ground cover for erosion control, hillsides, retaining walls, slopes.

Coneflower – Echinacea spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 2-10. Height: 24-36 inches. Spacing: 15-20 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Borders, 

Echinacea purpurea - Purple Coneflower

containers, cut flowers, attracts birds, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Coppertip, Falling Stars - Crocosmia spp. Type: Perennial bulb. Zones: 6-10. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 12-18 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Cut flowers, borders, attracts hummingbirds.

Coralbells – Heuchera spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-9. Height: up to 36 inches. Spacing: 12-18 inches apart. Light: Full sun to shade. Uses: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, containers, borders, drought and heat tolerant.

Daffodils – Narcissus spp. Type: Perennial bulb. Zones: 4-9. Height: 4-24 inches. 

Narcissus sp. - Daffodil

Spacing: 4-6 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: borders, naturalizing, forcing, cut flowers.





Dahlias – Dahlia spp. Type: Perennial

Dahlia - Dahlia hortensis

tubers. Zones: 7-10. Height: up to 6 feet. Spacing: 24 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Cut flowers, containers, mass plantings.

Daylily – Hemerocallis spp. Type: Deciduous perennial. 

Day Lily - Hemerocallis cv. Stella de Oro

Zones: 2-10. Height: To 36 inches. Spacing: 15-18 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Borders, erosion control, slopes, mass palntings.

Dianthus cv. Floral Lace Violet - Pinks

Dianthus, Pinks – Dianthus spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-10. Height: 14-18 inches. Spacing: 10-12 inches apart. Light: Full sun. 

Dianthus X allwoodii cv. Old Spice - 

Old Spice Dianthus

Uses: Attracts butterflies, cut flowers, borders, edgers, fragrant flowers.

Dill - Anethum graveolens. Type: Annual. Zones: All. Height: 18 – 36 inches. Space: 12 inches apart. Light: 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. Uses: Attracts butterflies and a larval food plant for butterflies. (Plant enough for you and the butterflies!).

Eucalyptus - Eucalyptus spp. Cadaga Tree - Eucalyptus torelliana. Type: Tree. Zones: 9-11. Height: To 80 feet. Spacing: 20-30 feet apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Attracts wildlife to the garden. Mindanao Gum Tree - Eucalyptus deglupta. Type: Tree. Zones: 9-11, has been reported to withstand temperatures in the low 20’s. Height: To 225 feet. Spacing: 30 feet apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Attracts wildlife to the garden. Red-Flowering Gum Tree - Eucalyptus ficifolia.  

Eucalyptus ficifolia - Red-Flowering Gum

Type: Tree. Zones: 8-10. Height: 25-30 feet. Spacing: 20-25 feet apart. Light: Full sun. 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. Silver Dollar Tree - Eucalyptus cinerea. Type: Tree. Zones: 8-11. Height: To 20 feet. Spacing: 25 feet apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Attracts wildlife to the garden, the foliage is used in fresh cut flower arrangements as greens, and dried floral arrangements.

Evening Primrose – Oenothera spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-9. Height: To 4 feet, depending on species. Spacing: 12-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Ground cover, flowers open in the evening.

False Indigo, Wild Indigo, Baptisia - Baptisia spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-9. Height: To 5 feet, depending on species. Spacing: 12-36 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Borders, cut flower, dried flower, drought tolerant, attracts butterflies.

False Spirea – Astilbe spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-9. Height: 18-24 inches. Spacing: 12-18 inches apart. Light: Partial shade to shade. Uses: Edger, foreground plant, cut flower, dried flower, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Floss Flower, Ageratum* - Ageratum houstonianum. Type: Annual. Zones: All except very cold areas.  Height: 6-12 inches. Spacing: 6-8 inches apart. Light: Full sun to 

Floss Flower - Ageratum houstonianum

partial shade. Uses: Butterfly nectar plant.










Flowering Onions - Allium spp. Type: Perennial bulb. Zones: 3-9. Height: 1-4 feet, depending on variety. Spacing: 2-5 inches apart, depending on variety.

Allium schoenoprasum - Chives

Light: Full sun. Uses: Accent, mixed border, drought tolerant, nectar plant for butterflies.

Fountain Grasses – Pennisetum spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 6-11. Height: 1-5 feet, depending on variety. Spacing: 2-4 feet apart. Light: Full sun to partial  

Fountain Grass - Pennisetum setaceum

shade. Uses: Borders, edgers, specimen, containers.







Foxglove – Digitalis spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-8. Height: 36-48 inches. Spacing: 12-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Flowering perennial in back of the landscape bed.  

Yellow Foxglove - Digitalis grandiflora

Fritillaria – Fritillaria spp. Type: Bulb. Zones: 3-9. Height: 8-40 inches, depending on variety. Spacing: 10-12 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Mid spring bloomer for perennial gardens.

Geranium or Scented Geranium – Pelargonium spp. Type: Annual, perennial in zone 9 and 10. Zones: All. Height: 24-36 inches. Spacing: 12-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Teas, sachets, jellies, potpourris, vinegars, and desserts. 

Heartleaf Brunnera – Brunnera macrophylla. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-8. Height: 12-18 inches. Spacing: 12-18 inches apart. Light: Partial shade to shade. Uses: Beds, borders, ground cover, containers.

Holly Fern, Shield Fern, Sword Fern – Polystichum spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-10. Height: 12-36 inches, depending on variety. Spacing: 9-12 inches apart. Light: Partial shade to shade. Uses: Borders, erosion control, slopes.

Iris* - Iris spp. Type: Perennial bulb or rhizome, depending on variety. Zones: 3-9. Height: 18-48 inches, depending on variety. Spacing: 8-10 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Perennial beds and borders, cut flowers.

Joe Pye Weed – Eupatorium spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-10. Height: 4-6 feet. Spacing: 2-4 feet apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Containers, privacy, beds and borders, butterfly attractant, drought tolerant.

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

Lamb's Ear - Stachys byzantina 

cv. Silver Carpet

tolerant, rock garden.

Lantana – Lantana camara, L. montevidensis. Lantana - Lantana camara 'Miss Huff'. Type: Perennial. Zones: 7-11. Height: 4 – 5’. Spacing: 3 – 5’ apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Butterfly attractant, heat and drought tolerant. Trailing Lantana - Lantana montevidensis. Type: Perennial. Zones: 8-10. Height: 18 – 24”. Spacing: 3 – 4’ apart, can spread to 5’. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Butterfly attractant, heat and drought tolerant.

Lantana - Lantana camara cv. Miss Huff

Larkspur – Consolida spp. (A), Delphinium spp. (P). Type: Annual or perennial. Zones: All. Height: 12-36 inches. Spacing: 10-12 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Wild flower gardens, bed and borders, fresh cut flowers, dried flowers.   

Chinese Delphinium - Delphinium grandiflorum 

cv. Dwarf Blue Butterfly

Lavender – Lavandula spp. Lavandula angustifolia. Type: Perennial. Zones: 5-10. Height: 18-24”. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Nectar plant for butterflies and hummingbirds, flowers can be dried or fresh cut, in potpourris, and sachets, in containers.

Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-11. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: All leaves can be used in potpourris, flavor hot and iced teas, and used as a substitute for lemon peel in cooking. As a mosquito repellent toss a few stems on the grill to get rid of mosquitoes in the area.

Lenten Rose, Christmas Rose, Hellebore - Helleborus spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-9. Height: 14-24 inches. Spacing: 12-22 inches apart. Light: Partial shade to shade. Uses: Beds, cut flowers, companion plants with ferns, hostas, heucheras in mixed bed.

Lungwort - Pulmonaria spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-9. Height: 12-18 inches. Spacing: 12-18 inches apart. Light: Partial shade to shade. Uses: Beds and borders, ground cover, drought tolerant, companion plants with ferns, bleeding hearts, hostas.

Marigolds – Tagetes spp. Mexican Marigold Mint - Tagetes lucida. Type: Perennial. Zones: 8-10. Height: 24-30”. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade.

Mexican Marigold Mint - 

Tagetes lucida

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.

Mints – Mentha spp. Pennyroyal – Mentha pulegium. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-10. Height: 6 – 12 inches. Spacing: 12 – 24 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Purple flowers in late summer through fall. 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. Zones: 3-10. Height: 24-36”. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Leaves are used fresh in hot and iced teas, butterfly nectar and larval food plant. Spearmint – Mentha spicata. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-10. Height: 24-36”. Spacing: 36-48 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Leaves are used fresh in hot and iced teas, Butterfly Nectar and Larval Food Plant.

Miscanthus Grasses – Miscanthus spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-10. Height: 5-6 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Shrub, privacy hedge, specimen plant, cut or dried flowers.

Muhly Grasses - Muhlenbergia spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 6-9. Height: 3 feet. Spacing: 3 feet apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Bed and borders, containers.

Mums - Chrysanthemum spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 5-9. Height: 12-36 inches. Spacing: 12-18 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Containers, mass plantings, cut flowers.

Oregano – Origanum spp. Greek Oregano - Origanum vulgare subsp. Hirtum. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-11. Height: 24 inches. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Leaves are used in Italian dishes, pizza, shellfish, egg dishes, beef, pork, and poultry dishes. Italian Oregano – Origanum vulgare. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-11. Height: 24 inches. Spacing: 8 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Leaves are used in Italian dishes, pizza, shellfish, egg dishes, beef, pork, and poultry dishes. Sweet Marjoram - Origanum majorana. Type: Perennial. Zones: 9-11, treated as an annual outside zone 9. Height: 12 to 18 inches. Spacing: 9 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Leaves are used in eggs, meats, rice, pastas, soups, vegetables.

Peony – Paeonia spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-7. Height: 12-36 inches, depending on variety. Spacing: 18-36 inches apart. Light: Partial shade to shade. Uses: Back of the border bed, cut flowers.   

Paeonia sp. - Peony

Petunia – Petunia X hybrid 'Purple Wave'. Type: Annual. Zones: All except very cold areas.  Height: 4 – 6”. Spacing: For a thick coverage, 12 – 15” apart, 3’

Petunia - Petunia cv. Purple Wave

apart for regular coverage, plants will spread 3 – 5’. Light: Full sun. Uses: Butterfly attractant, heat and drought tolerant, border, edger, or in hanging baskets.










Phlox – Phlox spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-9. Height: 2-36 inches, depending on variety. Spacing: 12-18 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: bed and borders, ground cover, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.  

Phlox sp. - Creeping Phlox

Poppies – Papaver spp. Type: Annual. Zones: 2-11. Height: 1-4 feet. Spacing: 6-

Field Poppy - Papaver rhoeas

12 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Beds and borders, containers.



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

Prostrate Rosemary - Salvia rosmarinus cv. Prostratus

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.








Rosemary – Salvia rosmarinus. Type: Perennial shrub. Zones: 8-11. Height: 4 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: The leaves

Rosemary - Salvia rosmarinus

are used in lamb and fish dishes, drought tolerant plant, and butterfly nectar plant.



Russian Sage - Perovskia atriplicifolia. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-9. Height: 3-5 feet. Spacing: 24-36

Russian Sage - Perovskia atriplicifolia

inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Containers, bed and borders, cut flowers, butterfly attractant.










Salvia and Sages - Salvia spp. Autumn Sage - Salvia greggii 'Maraschino'. Type: Perennial. Zones: 7-10.  Height: 3’ – 4’. Spacing: 18” – 24” apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Butterfly and hummingbird attractant, accent, cut flower, herb and perennial garden.

Salvia greggii - Autumn Sage

Mexican Sage - Salvia leucantha. Type: Perennial. Zones: 8-10. Height: 2 – 4’. Spacing: 3 – 5’ apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Butterfly attractant, and drought tolerant. Pineapple Sage – Salvia elegans. Type: Perennial. Zones: 8-11.  Height: 3 - 4 feet. Spacing: 3 – 4 feet apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Blooms red flowers in spring, summer, and fall. The leaves when crushed smell and taste like fresh pineapple. 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. Sage - Salvia officinalis. Type: Perennial. Zones: 5-10. Height: 3 feet. Spacing: 12-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Leaves are used in stuffing, meat dishes, egg dishes, salads, soups, stews, and vegetables, accent in borders.

Sedge - Carex spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-9. Height: 6-36 inches, depending on variety. Spacing: 12-36 inches apart, depending on variety. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Beds and borders, containers.

Siberian Iris - Iris sibirica. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-9. Height: 12-36 inches. 

Siberian Iris - Iris sibirica

Spacing: 12-18 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Ponds, streams, or boggy areas, cut flowers.




Snapdragons - Antirrhinum majus. Type: Annual.

Snapdragon - Antirrhinum majus

Zones: All. Height: 6-36 inches depending on variety. Spacing: 8-12 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Cut flowers, beds and borders.









Solomon’s Seal – Polygonatum spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-9. Height: 24-48 inches. Spacing: 18-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Shady gardens.

Spider Flower - Cleome hassleriana. Type: Annual. Zones: 2-11. Height: 3-6 feet. Spacing: 12-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Beds, borders, large containers, attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds to the garden.

Spirea* - Spiraea spp. Type: Deciduous shrub. Zones: 4-9. Height: 12-36 inches. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Foundation planting, attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds.

St. John’s Wort - Hypericum spp. Type: Ground cover. Zones: 5-11. Height: 12-24 inches. Spacing: 24-36 inches apart. Light: Partial shade. Uses: Ground cover, mass plantings, edgers, borders.

Swamp Sunflower, Narrow-Leaf Sunflower - Helianthus angustifolius. Type: Perennial. Zones: 6-9. Height: To 6 feet. Spacing: 18-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Wildflower gardens, attracts native butterflies, mixed perennial beds.

Tansy - Tanacetum vulgare. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-9. Height: 3-4 feet. Spacing: 

Tansy - Tanacetum vulgare

12-18” apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Nectar food plant for butterflies, dried flower.


Thyme – Thymus spp. 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. 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. Type: Perennial. Height: 6 – 12 inches. Spacing: 6 – 12 inches apart.

Silver Thyme - Thymus vulgaris cv. Argenteus

Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Blooms lilac to purple flowers in summer. Uses: All leaves are used in cooking. Attracts butterflies to the garden. All thyme plants can be used as an alternative ground cover.




Tickseed - Coreopsis spp. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-10. Height: From 6 to 36 inches 

Coreopsis - Coreopsis grandiflora

depending on variety. Spacing: 9-14 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Dwarf variety can be used as borders or ground covers, beds and borders, attracts butterflies, cut flower.

Verbena – Glandularia canadensis ‘Homestead’ – Homestead Purple Verbena. Type: Perennial. Zones: 5-10. Height: 12 inches. Spacing: 3-4 feet apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Ground cover for hills, slopes, retaining walls, rock gardens, attracts butterflies.

Homestead Purple Verbena

Veronica, Speedwell – Veronica spp. Type: Perennial. 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, drought tolerant.







Vinca, Periwinkle - Catharanthus roseus. Type: Perennial/annual. Zones: 9-11, perennial, outside zone 9 treated as annual. Height: 24 inches. Spacing: 10-12

Periwinkle - Catharanthus roseus

inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Containers, bed, borders, butterfly attractant.

Whirling Butterflies - Gaura lindheimeri. Type: Perennial. Zones: 5-10. Height: 36 inches. Spacing: 18-20 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Containers, beds and borders, attracts butterflies, drought tolerant.






Wormwood – Artemisia spp. Roman Wormwood -

Wormwood - Artemisia pontica

Artemisia pontica. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-10. Height: 18-24 inches. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Nectar and larval food plant for butterflies, drought tolerant plant, floral arranging, bed and borders. 

Wormwood - Artemisia pontica

Wormwood - Artemisia absinthium. Type: Perennial. Zones: 4-9. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 18-24 inches apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Nectar and larval food plant for butterflies, drought tolerant plant. Wormwood - Artemisia 'Powis Castle'. Type: Perennial. Zones: 9-11. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 3 feet apart. Light: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Nectar and larval food plant for butterflies, drought tolerant plant, foliage used in fresh or dried arrangements.

Yarrow – Achillea millefolium, A. filipendulina. Type: Perennial. Zones: 3-9. Height:

Common Yarrow - Achillea millefolium

15-36 inches. Spacing: 12-15 inches apart. Light: Full sun. Uses: Cut or dried flowers, butterfly attractant, bed, borders.

Zinnias* - Zinnia spp. Type: Annual. Zones: All. Height: 12-18 inches. Spacing: 12-18 inches apart. 

Zinnia elegans - Zinnia

Light: Full sun. Uses: Beds, borders, cut flower, containers, butterfly attractant.

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Photography and digital images are ©Cheryl Ann Meola 2013. All Rights Reserved. All photographs and digital images displayed in this article are for viewing purposes only and cannot be duplicated. ©Cheryl Ann Meola 2013. Texas Certified Nursery Professional #1282.