This beauty can be found growing in the majority of the United States. It is native to the eastern U.S. - as far east as Kansas and Illinois, down to New Mexico, and north to Wisconsin. It is also native to Ontario, Canada. It is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. Its vibrant pink or white flowers bloom in July through September and are about 1 inch in …
Solutions for Everyday Garden Problems
Find solutions to some of the everyday problems you have in your garden. From planting in shady areas to preventing pests from eating your plants, we have tips and ideas to help solve your garden problem.
Bear’s Foot or Hairy Leafcup
Native to the eastern United States, up to Michigan, and across to Texas and Kansas (see the distribution map), this perennial plant can be found in forest gaps, along the edges of fields and forests, in thickets, bottomlands, and grasslands. It can grow in full sun or part shade and tolerates a wide range of soil moisture conditions. Bear's …
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
You'll see beautiful, tall southern magnolias anywhere you go in my state. They are nearly ubiquitous in front of antebellum homes in the South, which is a testament to their popularity during that time in our history. I love the sweet, gentle lemon scent of the blooms and the large white petals. It's a bonus that the trees are evergreen, so …
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False Garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve)
I love the flowers of false garlic, which bloom in large numbers, but as the blooms fade, the grass-like leaves are quite abundant. I prefer not to have them in my flower beds, but I leave them blooming in the lawn and will not cut the grass until the blooms are done. It blooms in early spring in sunny locations with well-drained soil. It can …
Cutleaf Coneflower: Rudbeckia laciniata
Native to North America, this tall flowering perennial in the Asteraceae family makes a statement in my garden. Not only is it a prolific bloomer, but it also attracts all sorts of insects – bees, butterflies, and other insects. With a height of almost 6 feet, it towers around the base of the sycamore that I have it planted around. The leaves …
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Echinacea species – Flowering plants for bees, butterflies, and birds
Butterflies and bees love coneflowers in the genus Echinacea. You are probably familiar with purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), but many cultivars are now available in various colors: red, pink, white, orange, yellow, cream, green, and gold. There are even Echinacea flowers with double blooms. Natives vs Cultivars Echinacea is native …
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