Fresh Cut Flowers at Home

Did you know there are health benefits to having fresh cut flowers in your home or office? Let’s explore the wonderful benefits of having fresh cut flowers in your garden, home, or office. The benefits are easily obtainable and can be created in your garden. There are a wide range of annuals, perennials, bulbs, tropicals, groundcovers, shrubs, and trees that can be used as fresh cut flowers and floral greens. A fresh cut flower garden does not necessarily mean only flowering plants; there are non-flowering trees, shrubs, and groundcovers make an excellent addition for fresh greens in your flower arrangement. There are several flowering shrubs and trees that can be used as fresh cut flowers indoors. Depending on your USDA planting zone you may be lucky enough to enjoy a year-round cutting garden. 

Strelitzia nicolai - White Bird of Paradise

Some of the plants that are suggested in the newsletter you may already have planted in your garden, and a cutting garden does not necessarily have to be in a specific area of your garden. Your cutting garden can be placed throughout your planting beds. A cutting garden can be desirable plants that meet the criteria of being a fresh cut flower, this is based on vaselife of the flower or floral green used. Vaselife is defined as to how long a flower or greenery retains its appearance in a vase.  Besides having a beautiful garden to look and enjoy, there are health benefits to having fresh cut flowers in the home or office. Numerous studies have shown an increase in positive emotional mood changes when fresh cut flowers and plants were present, and a range of age groups were involved in the studies from groups of people just entering the workforce to the elderly. All studies showed a positive emotional mood change to having fresh cut flowers and plants in their home or office. In one study conducted by Harvard Medical School, revealed “that people feel less depressed, have less anxiety and worry, and people feel more compassionate toward others when fresh cut flowers are present in the home.” In an eight-month study conducted by Texas A & M University research, Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts General Hospital “worker’s idea generation, creative performance and problem-solving skills improved substantially in workplace environments that included flowers and plants”. Another study conducted by Harvard Medical School to the benefits of having flowers in the home showed “Flowers feed compassion, Flowers chase away anxieties, worries and the blues away at home, and having flowers at home can carry-over to our mood at work”. In one study by Rutgers University the study demonstrated “when flowers are present, ease and decrease depression, inspire social networking and encourage companionship, and refresh recent memory as we age”. For more information about these studies, visit: www.aboutflowers.com. 

Rudbeckia sp.

You can have a fresh cut flower garden in a specific area, have a fresh cut container garden, or you may have a few of the flowers already growing in your garden. For people living in apartments, condos, or town homes you can have your fresh cut flower garden in containers that will entice everyone to your patio this summer and fall. Here is a list of flowers and greens that can be used for floral arrangements. A few are my favorites that are easy to grow in your garden and would make excellent fresh cut flower bouquets. Some of the plants listed can also be used as floral greenery.

Agapanthus africanus 'Queen Anne': Queen Anne Lily of the Nile; African Lily. Type: Ground cover, border, edger. Height: 2 – 2.5 feet. Spacing: 20” – 24” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi-shade. Flowering Season: Spring, summer, and fall. Vaselife: 6 – 12 days. Foliage and flowers can be used in arrangements. 

Agapanthus africanus 'Queen Anne'

Alpinia mutica: Small Shell Ginger. Type: Tropical Herbaceous perennial. Height: 5 – 6 feet. Spacing: 4 – 6 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi-shade. Flowering Season: Summer, fall, winter. Vaselife: 6 – 14 days. Foliage and flowers can be used in arrangements.

Small Shell Ginger

Alpinia purpurata: Red Ginger. Type: Tropical Herbaceous perennial. Height: 5 – 6 feet. Spacing: 4 – 6 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi-shade. Flowering Season: Summer, fall, winter. Vaselife: 6 – 14 days. Foliage and flowers can be used in arrangements. 

Red Ginger

Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata': Variegated Shell Ginger. Type: Tropical Herbaceous perennial. Height: 5 – 6 feet. Spacing: 4 – 6 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi-shade. Flowering Season: Summer, fall, winter. Vaselife: 6 – 14 days. Foliage and flowers can be used in arrangements. 

 Variegated Shell Ginger

Anthurium 'Lady Jane': Lady Jane Anthurium. Type: Tropical Herbaceous perennial. Height: 1.5 feet. Spacing: 18 – 24 inches apart. Light Requirements: Semi-shade to shade. Flowering Season: All year. Vaselife: 14 – 28 days. Immerse flower head in water for 10 minutes. 

Lady Jane Anthurium

Antirrhinum majus: Snapdragon. Type: Annual. Height: 6 – 36 inches, depending on variety. Spacing: 8 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi-shade. Flowering Season: Fall to summer. Vaselife: 10 – 16 days. 

Snapdragon

Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers': Foxtail Fern; Myers Asparagus Fern. Type: Ground cover. Height: 2 feet. Spacing: 3 – 5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to shade. Flowering Season: Spring and summer. Vaselife: 6 – 14 days. 

Foxtail Fern

Leucanthemum X superbum: Shasta Daisy. Type: Perennial. Height: 8 – 30 inches, depending on variety. Spacing: 8 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi-shade. Flowering Season: Spring. Vaselife: 1 – 2 weeks. 

Shasta Daisy

Cyrtomium falcatum: Holly Fern. Type: Ground cover. Height: 2' - 3'. Spacing: 1' apart. Light Requirements: Shade to semi-shade; no afternoon sun. Flowering Season: N/A. Foliage can be used in arrangements. Vaselife: 7 – 10 days. 

Holly Fern

Dahlia hortensis 'Figaro Mix': Dahlia. Type: Annual. Height: 18 – 30 inches. Spacing: 8 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi-shade. Flowering Season: Spring, summer, and fall. Vaselife: 7 – 10 days. 

Dahlia

Davallia solida: False Leatherleaf Fern. Type: Ground cover. Height: 2.5 – 3 feet. Spacing: 3 – 5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Semi-shade to shade, no afternoon sun. Flowering Season N/A. Foliage can be used in arrangements. Vaselife: 7 – 15 days. 

False Leatherleaf Fern

Delphinium grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly': Chinese Delphinium. Type: Annual and perennial varieties. Height: 2 – 5 feet. Spacing: 12 – 24 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi-shade. Flowering Season: Spring and summer. Vaselife: 12 – 14 days. 

Chinese Delphinium

Dendrobium spp. Type: Tropical Herbaceous perennial. Height: 6 inches – 6 feet depending on variety. Spacing: 12 – 18 inches apart. Light Requirements: Semi-shade to shade, in tropical climates the orchids can be grown on tree trunks. Flowering Season: All year. Vaselife: 7 days. 

Dendrobium spp.

Gerbera jamesonii: Gerbera Daisy. Type: Perennial. Height: 1.5 – 2 feet. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi-shade. Flowering Season: Spring, summer, and fall. The crown needs to be above the soil. Vaselife: 4 – 14 days. 

Gerbera Daisy

Helianthus annuus: Sunflower. Type: Annual. Height: 2 – 12 feet depending on variety. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Flowering Season: Summer – fall. Vaselife: 6 – 12 days. 

Sunflower

Heliconia 'Butterfield': Heliconia. Type: Tropical Herbaceous perennial. Height: 4 – 5 feet. Spacing: 3 – 5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi-shade. Flowering Season: All year for tropical climates, spring, summer, and fall for all other areas. Vaselife: 7 – 14 days. 

Heliconia 'Butterfield'

Heliconia rostrata: Lobster Claw. Type: Tropical Herbaceous perennial. Height: 6 – 7 feet. Spacing: 3 – 5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi-shade. Flowering Season: All year for tropical climates, spring, summer, and fall for all other areas. Vaselife: 7 – 14 days. 

Lobster Claw Heliconia

Hydrangea macrophylla: Common Hydrangea. Type: Deciduous flowering shrub. Height: 4 – 6 feet. Spacing: 3 – 5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Semi-shade. Flowering Season: Spring. Vaselife: 7 days. 

Hydrangea

Iris spp.: Iris Hybrids. Type: Rhizome or bulb, which is planted in the fall. Height: 8 inches to 3 feet depending on variety. Spacing: 15 – 20 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi – shade. Flowering Season: Spring. Vaselife: 2 – 5 days. 

Siberian Iris

Liatris spicata: Blazing Star. Type: Perennial. Height: 24 inches. Spacing: 12 – 18 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Flowering Season: Summer and fall. Vaselife: 5 – 7 days.

Lilium spp.: Lilies. Type: Perennial bulb, which is planted in the fall, the plant can be purchased in the spring. Height: 2 – 4 feet. Spacing: 8 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi – shade. Flowering Season: Spring. Vaselife: 1 to 2 weeks. Lily pollen may stain anything it touches, so anthers need to be removed.

Liriope muscari 'Evergreen Giant': Evergreen Giant Lily Turf. Type: Ground cover. Spacing: 18 – 24 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to shade. Flowering Season: Spring and summer, the foliage is used as greenery. Vaselife: 7 days. 

Evergreen Giant Lily Turf

Narcissus spp.: Daffodils. Type: Bulb, which is planted in the fall. Height: 6 – 18 inches depending on the variety. Spacing: 6 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi – shade. Flowering Season: Late winter (February) to early spring. Vaselife: 4 – 8 days. Daffodils exude a slimy material that is toxic to other flowers. DO NOT hydrate, store, or arrange daffodils with other flowers. 

Daffodils

Phalaenopsis sp.: Moth Orchid. Type: Tropical Herbaceous perennial. Height: 6 inches – 6 feet depending on variety. Spacing: 12 – 18 inches apart. Light Requirements: Semi-shade to shade, in tropical climates the orchids can be grown on tree trunks. Flowering Season: All year. Vaselife: 7 days. 

Phalaenopsis

Rosa 'Black Magic': Hybrid Red Rose. Type: Deciduous flowering shrub. Height: 3 – 20 feet depending on variety. Spacing: 4 – 6 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi – shade, or at least 5 to 6 hours of full sun. Flowering Season: Most varieties will bloom spring, summer, and fall. Vaselife: 6 – 16 days. The hybrid tea rose called Memorial Day is a very good rose that is easy to care for. 

Schefflera arboricola: Dwarf Schefflera. Type: Shrub. Height: 8 – 10 feet. Spacing: 3 – 5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to shade. Flowering Season: N/A the plant is used as greenery. Vaselife: 7 days. 

Variegated Dwarf Schefflera

Dwarf Schefflera

Limonium sp.: Statice. Type: Annual. Height: 2 feet. Spacing: 8 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi – shade. Flowering Season: Late winter to summer, seeds are usually planted from September to December for late winter to summer blooms. Vaselife: 1 to 2 weeks. The flowers can be harvested and dried upside down.

Matthiola incana: Stock. Type: Annual. Height: 18 – 24 inches. Spacing: 8 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi – shade. Flowering Season: Fall, winter, and spring. Vaselife: 5 – 8 days. This plant is very fragrant and I have always loved the fragrance.

Strelitzia reginae: Bird of Paradise. Type: Tropical Herbaceous perennial. Height: 3 – 4 feet. Spacing: 3 – 5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi-shade. Flowering Season: Summer, fall, winter. Vaselife: 6 – 14 days. Foliage and flowers can be used in arrangements. 

Bird of Paradise

Tulipa spp.: Tulips. Type: Annual bulb in southern climates, perennial bulb in northern climates. Height: 8 – 24 inches. Spacing: Is determined by the Tulip variety chosen, and which climate zone you reside. Light Requirements: Full sun to semi – shade. Flowering Season: Spring, it is suggested to stagger your planting of Tulip bulbs every 7 to 14 days to give you continuous color during the spring. Vaselife: 3 – 6 days. For the southern climate areas, you need to chill your Tulip bulbs in the refrigerator for 12 weeks in the crisper section before planting, even if the grower has already chilled the bulbs in advance. Illustration: Right: Variegated Schefflera.

Woody Branches that are blooming: Pussy Willow, Bittersweet, Flowering Cherry, Flowering Crab, Forsythia, Redbud, and Spirea. Harvest the branches when the plant starts to show color or the bloom is starting open. Pussy Willow can be harvested after the blooms are fully open.

Woody Branches that are non-blooming: Curly Willow, Red Osier Dogwood, and Yellow Twig Dogwood. The branches can be harvested at any time.

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

 

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.