Tag Archives: Plants We Love

Actaea Racemosa Is an Exciting Shade Garden Plant

August 15, 2017 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: Actaea racemosa is a must-have shade-garden plant because it blooms in mid- to late summer, lighting up the shade with its dramatic spikes of white flowers. It also attracts butterflies and it is typically not bothered by deer and …

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Liatris Ligulistylis Supports Monarch Butterflies

August 8, 2017 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: Liatris ligulistylis, or meadow blazing star, is a perennial plant that blooms in late summer and autumn. Its bright purple flowers provide food for butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinating insects, so much so that it has earned the nickname “the …

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Hops: Not Just for Brewing Beer

August 4, 2017 | Patty Craft | 0

Growing hops isn’t just for beer making—although you could!—and they make a great addition to the edible garden or ornamental flower bed.

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Agastache Mango Tango Checks All the Boxes

August 1, 2017 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: Agastache Mango Tango has many things gardeners look for in a perennial for late summer: It blooms for a long time (midsummer to fall), it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, it tolerates drought and heat and it resists deer and …

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Gaura Karalee Petite Pink Is a Social Butterfly

July 25, 2017 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: Karalee Petite Pink gaura, or wand flower, is a social butterfly in the garden for a few reasons. Its pink flowers look like butterflies, for one thing. Another reason is its habit; with its low foliage and taller wands …

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Bush Honeysuckle Handles Dry Shade

July 18, 2017 | Meghan Shinn | 1

Virtues: Bush honeysuckle is a summer-blooming shrub that grows easily in dry, shaded areas such as underneath trees. Its summer flowers provide food for bumblebees and other pollinators.

Annual Vinca Valiant Takes Heat and Drought

July 10, 2017 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: The Valiant series of annual vinca won top praise in trial gardens last summer thanks to its ability to withstand heat and drought. Annual vinca blooms all summer with little upkeep. The gardeners at Kansas State University’s Prairie Star …

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Summer-blooming Shrubs: Expert Recommendations

July 4, 2017 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Spring-blooming shrubs get the early glory, but late bloomers are invaluable for summer interest. Here, two Horticulture contributors share their recommendations for summer-blooming shrubs:

Salvia and Hummingbirds: the Perfect Pair

June 20, 2017 | Meghan Shinn | 0

GUEST POST BY BRIAN BARTH With their long, slender beaks, hummingbirds are well equipped to feed from any flower with an elongated tubular shape, from honeysuckle to grevillea. However, there is ample evidence that their unique beak, as well as …

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Celosia Flowers to Attract Pollinators

June 12, 2017 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: ‘Asian Garden’ celosia is a long-blooming celosia that withstands heat and drought. It can be grown in a container or in the garden. Celosia flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Planted near a vegetable garden, it will help ensure …

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Main Street Coleus Add Color to Containers and Shade

June 6, 2017 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: Main Street coleus are a series of coleus varieties named for famous avenues. Every variety grows well in sun or shade and flowers late (allowing the leaves and habit to remain at their best). They also have the same …

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