What Grows There :: Hugh Conlon, Horticulturalist, Garden Advisor, and Photographer

Buttonbush

Posted by Hugh on August 11th, 2026

Buttonbush (Cephalanthes occidentalis), aka honeybells, pond dogwood, and swampwood, is a highly prized native shrub. Yes, in small landscapes, buttonbush tend to grow big @ 6-12 feet tall and wide. Their fragrant white orbital blooms are uniquely out of this world. Botanical member of the Rubiaceae (USDA hardiness zones 5-9), flowers appear from spring to fall.

Buttonbush is a fast-growing hardy deciduous shrub. For best results plant buttonbush in moist humus-rich soils in full sun to partial shade. Nature has created this unusual out of this world white, spiky flowers with fragrant aroma. Buttonbush grows best in wetlands or near rivers and is often utilized for erosion prevention. The shrub requires full sun but may tolerate some shade.

Buttonbush needs consistently moist to wet, rich soils in standing water up to 3 feet. It is adaptable to various soil types, except for dry ones, and is tolerant of heat and soil compaction. Flowering is poor in the shade or in dry ground. It is multi-stemmed with a rounded to irregular crown and needs little pruning.

Seedling buttonbush is usually grown as a 6-12 feet tall and 8 feet wide shrub. Occasionally, you may see it trained into a 20 feet tall shrub. Small, fragrant, white, tubular flowers appear in June to September. Fruits turn reddish-brown in late summer and persist into winter. Buttonbush has exceptional wildlife benefits, attracts a variety of pollinators to gardens, along with waterfowl, songbirds and mammals. The foliage of buttonbush is toxic to humans. Browsing by deer is generally uncommon.

Buttonbush is available via on-line nurseries in spring and rarely sold at local garden centers. However, dwarf cultivars are entering the garden marketplace which should increase the shrub’s popularity.

Buttonbush growing at Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia PA

Buttonbush thrives in 6-8 hours of sun along with moist humus-rich soil. Plant buttonbush in soil that is neutral to slightly acidic pH of 6.8 to 7.2 and avoid alkaline soils. Feed with a slow-release fertilizer like Osmocote in spring.

New compact forms are great options for smaller gardens, rain gardens, and foundation beds where scale matters. ‘Sugar Shack’ buttonbush was selected as the 2023 North Carolina Wildflower of the Year and was awarded the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Gold Medal Shrub in 2024.

Current Popular Varieties:

‘Bailoptics’ a small variety only reaching about 6 feet high and wide.
‘Bieberich’ – grows up to 12-15 feet high and wide; pale pink or pinkish-white blooms rather than the usual white flowers; bronze leaf color in fall.
‘Sugar Shack’ – dwarf dense foliage shrub that grows up to 5 feet high and wide; burgundy fall foliage and red fruit in winter.
‘Sugar Shack 2.0 – compact 3-4 feet tall and wide its spherical white blooms, resulting round seeds (nutlets); fabulous fall color of both nutlets and foliage.

Gold And Silver Chrysanthemums

Posted by Hugh on August 3rd, 2026

Gold and Silver chrysanthemum (Ajania pacifica) is a shrubby herbaceous flowering perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae). This groundcover is native to central and eastern Asia. It is a mound-forming, rhizomatous perennial that is grown for its attractive variegated foliage from spring thru autumn. This groundcover is used seen more in Southeast gardens. Its dense foliage mounds up to 18-24 inches tall that spreads over time via rhizomes to 36 inches around.

Gold and Silver chrysanthemum thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Some afternoon shade is beneficial in hot summer beds. Plants may appreciate winter protection in where winter temps are colder (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). It grows well in all types of soil as long as drainage is good; it performs poorly in soggy ground. It appears to be soil pH insensitive and thrives in all types of soil. Feed with a slow-release fertilizer in spring. In mid-June, lightly shear back growth 1-2 inches to spur additional flower buds in fall.

This perennial ground cover reaches its full mature size in 2 -3 years and is easy to keep under management. Over several years it can span 3 feet wide. Pinch or shear back tall stems in June or July to maintain a dense, bushy growth. Irrigate during long dry spells but do not over-water. Propagation is easy via stem cuttings or by dividing the root ball in spring.

Scallop-edged, blue green 1.5 – 2-inch leaves are etched with ornate silver margins. Undersides are covered by a silvery down. A nice groundcover mum bears the clusters of tiny yellow buttoned flowers in late fall, perhaps the last chrysanthemum to bloom. Its long bloom period is from mid-October thru November, often with mid- 20’s temperatures that don’t faze it.

No significant disease or insect pests bother this mum. Wet damp soils in winter will lead to root and crown rot. Deer pay this mum relative much attention. This ground cover mum deserves to be planted more as a fall season extender.

One cultivar: ‘Pink Ice’ is another color choice with 3.5 to 4-inch-wide short pale pink petals and light-yellow centers.

Happy Summerific™ Hibiscus Week 2026

Posted by Hugh on July 27th, 2026

Hibiscus (‘Cookies and Cream’) – low compact grower (Walters Gardens (WG) photo)

Rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) is a truly versatile perennial. Hardy from Minnesota to Florida (USDA hardiness zones 4-9), rose mallow bears some of the largest flowers compared to most other perennials. Blooms of some cultivars measure a huge 7-9 inches across. In addition, dwarf compact growing types are being developed that make perfect fits in containers.

Summerific® Hibiscus from Walters Gardens, Inc. produce varieties that bloom up and down the stems, not just at the top. Flowers last three times longer and produce 3 times the number of buds.

Hibiscus ‘Cherry Choco Latta’ – (WG Photo)

Four Growing Tips:

First – give clumps room to grow. Tall varieties grow 4-6 feet tall and wide and dwarf varieties are planted at least 3 feet apart. Do not crowd them next to other perennials for space.

Second – water, water and more water is key to successfully growing rose mallow. Plant on a site that is nearby a hose or sprinklers. Whether your soil consists of clay, sand or something in between, do not let the plant wilt and dry out. You’ll know it is not getting enough water if it becomes scraggly looking and drops its lower leaves and flower buds.

Third – plant them where the sun shines the most, if not, all day long. Rose mallow loves hot, humid, sunny weather, and foliage and flower colors look best in full sun. You’ll have more flowers too. If your garden spot is in partial shade (less than 4 hours of sun), expect fewer flowers; varieties with purple foliage will appear more greenish.

Fourth – Mark the garden spot where you planted them. Use a weather-proof 4-season marker. Why: rose mallows are late rising perennials. When other garden perennials are showing signs of life in early spring, rose mallows are still fast asleep. Shoots emerge often in early to mid-May, grow rapidly, and start blooming in July and August, depending on variety and garden zone.

In spring, before you see the new foliage appears, prune or lop off the old woody stems to the ground. New spring growth emerges from the stubble of last year’s plant.

In spring apply a balanced slow-release plant food such as Osmocote™ around the plant base to nourish it for several weeks. Water-soluble plant fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro® or Miracid® in early summer just as its flower buds are beginning to form to help the plant have energy to produce lots of flowers.

Final tip is to label the cultivar, save the label as new varieties appear at garden centers every year. Expect that your garden collection will grow. Disease and pest problems are minimal. Be watchful for hibiscus sawflies and Japanese beetles. Deer may nibble on new shoots, but once established, deer browsing becomes less of a concern.

Recent Releases In the Summerific® Hibiscus series:

‘Holy Grail’ – 8-9-inch-deep red flowers; bright green center calyces; compact 4.0 to 4.5 feet tall and 4.5 to 5.0 feet wide with near black foliage.

‘Cherry Choco Latta’ – 8–9-inch-wide white flowers with deep pink veining & large red eye; compact 3.5 x 3.5 feet tall and wide; dark olive-green foliage.

‘Cookies and Cream’ – 6-7-inch-wide pure white flowers (incl. eye); compact 2.5 -3.0 feet tall to 3.5 – 4.0 feet wide with matte black foliage.

‘Garnet Globes’ – 7-inch-wide dark garnet red flowers; compact 3 feet tall and wide with dark olive-green foliage.

‘Evening Rose’ – 8-inch-wide puckered magenta flowers with green calyces; near black foliage.

Dwarf Vitex Cultivars

Posted by Hugh on July 22nd, 2026

‘Shoal Creek’ vitex in container at Atlanta Botanical Garden

Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) is an 8–10-20-foot deciduous shrub or tree form. Branching habit is dense and vase-shaped (upright). Without question, ‘Shoal Creek’ is a very popular Vitex variety that measures around 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide (USDA hardiness zone 6 – 8). So… so many varieties that grow large and should not be planted in small gardens. Read further!

Vitex blooms off and on through much of the summer –June thru late August. Its 12-18 inch long blue-violet flower spikes and leaves emit a pleasant, sweet fragrance. From personal observations, cold hardiness of some varieties is better than others. The May-June palmately compound foliage has a pleasant dusty bluish cast and summer foliage color is grayish green. Pointed finger-like leaflets are dusty on the surface with pubescent hairs. Its disease resistant foliage and butterfly/bee magnetism rates chaste tree in a class on its own. Foliage is highly deer resistant.

‘Blue Diddley’ – early summer bloomer; blemish-free foliage

Vitex prefers full sun but will tolerate part sun (with lower flower count). Plant in loose, well-drained soil and keep adequately watered during the first year. Vitex adapts to problem soils and demonstrates exceptional drought tolerance.

Following is a list of dwarf Vitex shrub forms:

Blue Diddley^®– Blue summer flowers on a compact plant (3-6′ high and wide).
Blue Puffball™ – 3- 6′ shrub; 4-5″ blue flower spikes.
Delta’s Blues™ – 8-10′ tall and wide shrub with glossy green foliage and rich blue green foliage.
Featherman^® – sterile flowers, compact grower (3-5′ tall x 2-3′ wide), ideal for containers. (z 5b-9).
‘Galactic Pink’ – 6-8′ high and wide shrub; pink flowers from June to October; dark green foliage.
‘Pink Sensation’ – 10′ high x 15′ wide with pink flowers in early summer.
Rock Steady^®– 4-12′ height x 4-6′ wide; light purple blooms.
‘Salina’s Pink’ – 15′ high and wide with pink flowers emerge in summer and fall.

Chaste tree is undergoing a renaissance of sorts with new cultivars coming to market at garden centers and e-commerce nurseries.

Chalkbark Maple

Posted by Hugh on July 16th, 2026

Chalkbark Maple (Acer leucoderme), formerly A. saccharum ssp. leucoderme), is classified as a subspecies of the Sugar Maple (USDA zones 5b – 8). Also called whitebark maple and chalk maple, it grows in full sun to light shade, 20-30 feet height and 15-25 feet wide. It is classified as a large shrub or small tree, with yellow flowers and small samara winged fruits. Many people take notice of its smooth, chalky-white bark (its Latin name, leucoderme, means “white skin”). Bark becomes ridged and blackish at the base as the tree ages.

Chalkbark maple is found growing in limited areas in the southeastern U.S., from South Carolina to Florida. It propagates easily from seed. Young seedlings grow off fast and slow down as plants age. As an understory tree, find it in moist, rocky soils on riverbanks, ravines, woods, and cliffs. It is grown as a shade tree and is highly shade and drought tolerant.

Chalkbark maple is more heat and drought tolerant than the northern Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum). It prefers drier upland sites and tolerates wide ranges of soil pH. Its inconspicuous yellowish green flowers in spring are visited by early spring pollinators. Samaras are reddish to tan, 1 – 1 ¼ inch long that start ripening in late summer.

October foliage and samara seeds at ETSU Campus Arboretum in Johnson City TN

Chalkbark maple is a good choice for planting on patios and decks. It is drought tolerant and can grow in dry, even alkaline, soil. Chalk maple has striking white bark, and in the fall its leaves range in color from yellow orange to dark red. Surprisingly underused, this small maple is well suited for residential sites.

This small maple is underutilized in U.S. gardens. A seedling tree develops into an attractive understory tree with chalky white-gray bark color as it ages. Trees are often multi-stemmed, usually 2-3 trunks. The tree is becoming more planted in the Midwest in areas with alkaline soil pH. Avoid planting on poorly drained sites.

Pale white bark of 25-year-old tree (*Acer leucoderme*)

Chalkbark maple offers some winter interest. It is drought and shade tolerant. It has no serious disease or insect problems. This native maple is a rare find in the U.S. garden centers. Look for it at online e-commerce nurseries.

Award Winning Phlox ‘Jenna’

Posted by Hugh on July 9th, 2026

Phlox ‘Jeana’ and Eastern Swallowtail butterfly

‘Jeana’ phlox was found and named by Jeana Prewitt along the Harpeth River in Nashville, TN. ‘Jeana’ phlox is discovered by Jeana Prewitt along the Harpeth River in Nashville, TN. Jeana phlox grows vigorously to 4-5 feet in height and 2-3 feet in spread. Stems are sturdy and well-branched to support the sweetly scented 6-inch soft lavender-pink flowers atop. Each flower comprises 15 – 25 one-half inch wide florets, each one dotted with a darker pink center or eye. (USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8).

Tall garden phloxes (Phlox paniculata) offer structure and color in summer gardens and are floral bridge between early and later flowering phloxes. ‘Jeana’ is at home in traditional borders and meadows and, of course, a natural in pollinator gardens. Individual bloom trusses are significantly smaller (0.5 inches wide) compared to most garden phlox but are nonetheless eye-popping.

In garden phlox 3-year trial (2015 -2017) at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, DE, nectar-rich ‘Jeana’ attracted more butterflies, especially Eastern Tiger Swallowtails. Hummingbirds and other pollinators may also be plentiful.

Plant clumps should be divided every 3-5 years in spring. Deadheading promotes continued blooming and prevents self-seeding. Powdery mildew and spider mites may be foliar problems in hot or dry conditions. Thinning out clumps also improves air circulation which guards against mildew disease. Panicle phlox can cope with deer and rabbits.

The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) has selected ‘Jeana’ the 2024 Perennial Plant of the Year. This exceptional garden phlox is recognized for its impressive floral display, tall sturdy plant habit, and a top-notch pollinator plant.

America’s Happy 250th Tree- Franklinia

Posted by Hugh on July 2nd, 2026

Franklinia (Franklinia altamaha) is a uniquely different large shrub or small tree. Although rated hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5-8, I’ve never seen a landscape quality specimen in zone 5 and find that the tree performs best in zones 7. Success with growing franklinia hinges on purchasing a quality nursery plant, proper siting, and annual care, particularly in the first 2-3 years. Franklinia is primarily available from e-commerce nurseries and is best planted in late winter and early spring to get its rootsystem established before winter.

The species was first discovered growing in 1765 growing along the banks of the Altamaha River in southeastern Georgia by botanists John and William Bartram. The tree has been extinct in the wild since 1803. All franklinia trees are descendants from that original seedling propagated by the botanists in their Philadelphia, PA landscape, now designated Bartram’s Garden. Franklinia belongs to the tea (Theaceae) family and is closely related to Camellia, Stewartia and Gordonia (loblolly bay). The tree was named to honor Benjamin Franklin.

The tree’s most striking feature is the showy 2 – 3 inch pure white flowers with clusters of golden yellow stamens in the centers. The camellia-like flowers appear in late summer until frost. The blooms are sweetly-fragrant upclose. Narrow, oblong-obovate, glossy dark green 3-5 inch long leaves turn multi-shades of orange, red and purple thru the autumn season. Branching is upright and spreading to create an open airy. Ridged grey bark with prominent vertical white striations adds some winter interest.

It prefers moist, acidic, woodland-type soil with full sun exposure. It has been extinct in the wild for over 200 years after being observed growing along the Altamaha River valley in Georgia.

Franklinia grows best grown in organically rich, medium moist, well-drained soils in full sun (in North) to partial shade (in Southeast). Franklinia has a fibrous root system, preferring soil environs similar to azaleas and rhododendrons. To repeat, soil should be humus-rich, excellently drained, and moderately acidic (pH 5.0 – 6.2).

Fertilize in early spring with an acid-based soluble fertilizer such as Miracle Gro®, Miracid®, or Hollytone® according to package directions. Franklinia also favors an annual feeding of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) @ 1 Tablespoon per gallon of water per tree. Do not fertilize the tree after mid-July.

In general, Franklinia has a reputation for being difficult to grow. Proper tree site selection is most essential for tree survival. Do not plant where cotton has been grown as there is a soil pathogen that damages cotton may also affects Franklinia. Wilt and root rot are devastating problems. Sawflies also eat this tree. Also, soil moisture drainage may be a key factor. Planting in raised beds in areas with heavy clay. Soil root rot or wilt (Phytophthora) may also be serious problems. Franklin tree is deer resistant.

Availability: small 1–2-year-old trees are often sold in limited quantities from online nurseries in late winter and early spring. Seeds may take two years to germinate.

Foliage and flowers (*Franklinia* *alatamaha*) at NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC

Discovering Native Swamp Titi Tree

Posted by Hugh on June 29th, 2026

Swamp Titi (*Cyrilla racemiflora*) -tree in bloom (photo by Dr. Dennis Werner)

Black Titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), aka Swamp cyrilla is an evergreen, semi-evergreen or tardily deciduous tree that is native to Southeastern U.S. and indigenous in coastal areas from Virginia south into Texas. (USDA hardiness zones 5-11). Young plants are shrubby but eventually develop into a small tree with contorted stems, smooth, cinnamon-colored young bark and flaky mature bark.

Generally, Cyrilla grows 10-15 feet tall with sprawling, spreading branches. Foliage is lustrous dark green, 1.5 – 4 inches long, evergreen or deciduous. It is best grown in a moist to wet well-drained sandy loam that is high in organic matter and in full sun to partial shade. The tree tolerates drier sites provided adequate moisture is available. Several cyrilla trees form thickets that provide cover for wildlife.

Showy white clusters of summer flowers and orange-red fall color make this a nice ornamental tree for the home landscape. Plus, the pollinators and birds will love you for planting it. Grow this native tree as a specimen in a native garden, along ponds, streams, bogs, or other wet sites. Fruits are yellow-brown ovoid, dry capsule, 1/12 inch long; capsules contain 1-5 seeds, although only 1-2 seeds may ripen. Capsules appear from September and October and persists into winter.

Cyrilla is not for the small yard. It starts out as very aggressive grower and can be tamed (or managed) to fit into a 25–30-feet space over time with corrective pruning. It shrubby when young but can be trained into a small tree with contorted stems, smooth, cinnamon-colored young bark and flaky mature bark.

Black Titi has no serious insect or disease problems.

Alternative Choices For Bradford Pears

Posted by Hugh on June 24th, 2026

Prairifire Crabapple (Malus x ‘Prairifire’)

A number of U.S. states have designated the Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) as an invasive tree species. This once popular small to medium-sized tree blooms in mid- to late-March. Introduced by the USDA in the 1960’s, following extensive 40+ year breeding trials, it became extremely popular across the country. Note that Callery pear is actually the cultivar ‘Bradford’ and several other varieties listed below.

Callery pears are native to East Asia, including China and Vietnam, and are a part of the Rose (Rosaceae) family. They were introduced into the nursery/garden center trade beginning in the 1960’s and highly promoted. On the plus side, callery pears are reliable spring bloomers, have few disease or insect problems, and are adaptable to a wide range of soil and environmental conditions.

As the tree’s popularly began to soar, numerous wild seedling trees escaped into the highways and byways across the country. Seeds from the fruits are spread by wildlife into woodlands. pastures, and neighborhoods. The chief concern is that non-native plants are self-sowing in the larger ecosystem. Eventually, callery pears are successfully competing and displacing the native flora and fauna. Another negative is the tree’s floral fragrance is highly unpleasant.

Carolina silverbell (*Halesia diptera*) in April Garden

Tree branching proved to be highly brittle. Limb breakage in ice and windstorms is bad and often requires removal of the tree. Specific cultivars with upright branching such as ‘Bradford’, ‘Capital’, ‘Whitespire’, and ‘Redspire’ are not a long-lived tree, rarely lasting more than 20-25 years. Wide-branching clones like ‘Aristocrat’ and ‘Chanticleer’ (‘Cleveland Select’ is the same) have a longer tree life expectancy.

Although Bradford pear flowers had been rated to be sterile, this wasn’t exactly accurate. Bradford pears are self-incompatible, meaning ‘Bradford’ pears are unable to pollinate other ‘Bradford’ pears flowers, but do pollinate other callery pear varieties. Birds or other animals eat these fruits and spread the seeds many miles. The chief concern is that non-native plants are successfully self-sowing in the larger ecosystem, competing and displacing the native flora and fauna.

Roadside planting in March in Bristol, TN

Alternatives To Callery Pear— Cornel cherry (Cornus mas), Japanese cornel (Cornus officinalis), Redbuds (Cercus spp.), Crabapples (Malus spp.), Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), Flowering Cherries (Prunus spp.), Carolina Silverbells (Halesia diptera), Snowbell (Styrax japonica), several magnolias (Magnolia spp.), and Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata).

I strongly urge the swift removal of wildling callery pear seedlings. Cut down and remove invasive trees and apply a stump herbicide such as glyphosate (formerly Roundup™) or triclopyr to prevent resprouting. Be cautious when using herbicides. Read the label.

Warning: if you intend to bush hog or cut down the trees; some of seedling trees may develop large thorns that can puncture tractor tires or cause injury.

Star Magnolia (*M. stellata*) blooming in mid-March in NE Tennessee

These Flowering Annuals Beat The Summer Heat

Posted by Hugh on June 15th, 2026

Many garden annuals shrivel up in the summer heat. Below is a listing of many floral beauties that Beat the Heat of Summer. They keep your garden alive with color all through the summer’s dog days and into fall. They’re tolerant of the high day and night temperatures as well as being moderately drought tolerant.

Regarding drought tolerance, plants need frequent watering when first planted. Depending on rainfall amounts where you garden, the first 6-8 weeks of watering (rainfall + irrigation) is highly important to build a sturdy summer drought tolerant plant. Genetics also plays an important part here. Select annuals that cope with summer drought. Secondarily having a backup irrigation system may be necessary if rainfall amounts fall significantly short of needed plant survival.

Lantana (Lantana camara) produces small tubular flowers in an array of colors, including yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, and even white that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. perennial in zones 7b-11. Love the Luscious™ and Bandana™ series; ‘New Gold’.

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) grows 1-6 feet tall in full sun and dry conditions. Choice of flower colors include orange, pink, red, purple, or white blooms; attract birds and butterflies.

Globe amaranth (Gomphrena) include pink, red, orange, purple and white flowering choices, along with narrow deep green leaves and a compact or upright growth habit. Attract butterflies and other insect pollinators. Love ‘Truffula’, ‘Fourth of July’, ‘Fireworks’, Gnome series.

Spider flower (Cleome spp.) grows 3-4 feet high with pink, purple, white, and lavender flowers that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and hummingbirds. For smaller gardens select dwarf sterile (seedless) ‘Senorita Rosalita’, ‘Senorita Blanca’, and Sparkler™ varieties.

Fan Flower (*Scaevola*) ‘Bombay Dark Blue’

Fanflower (Scaevola aemula) is an Australian native that is exceptionally heat and drought tolerant.; bears abundant blue, pink, white, or purple blooms with bright yellow-and-white centers that invite numerous pollinators into the summer and fall garden.

Mealycup sage (Salvia farinacea) grows 2-3 feet tall and is exceptionally heat tolerant annual, sometimes perennial. Cathedral™ or Sallyfun™ series offer deep blue, pale blue and white depending on the cultivar.

Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) is sun-loving and perform well in average to dry soils and cope with poor soils; preferred varieties – “Fiesta d’Sol’, ‘Torch’, and ‘Yellow Torch’.

Portulaca (P. grandiflora) low-growing, succulent leaves; vibrant pink, red, yellow, orange, white, or purple blooms open fully in bright sunlight; perform at their best in sandy, dry soil; excellent for containers.

Blanket flower (Gaillardia) Daisy-like flowers in red, gold, and orange; blooms from summer to frost; tolerates poor soil and full sun.

Evolvulus (Evolvulus glomeratus) demonstrates exceptional heat and drought tolerance bees and butterflies like to visit its sweet blue blooms leading varieties ‘Blue Daze’ and ‘Blue My Mind’.

Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) features fine, glossy, bright green foliage and tiny trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in shades of purple, lavender, pink, or white, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; compact growing plant suitable for small gardens, borders, rock gardens, and containers.

Tips for Growing Drought-Tolerant Sun Annuals

Water deeply at planting through the first 6-8 weeks to establish roots, then reduce frequency; shallow watering encourages shallow roots.
Soil: Well-drained soil is essential; organic (peat- or bark-based) gritty potting mixes work well for container planting.
Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming; some species self-seed for the next season.
Pot size is highly important. Drought-tolerant annuals in pots tend to dry out faster with limited soil (media) mass.
Mulch flower beds to reduce soil moisture loss from evaporation and excessive weed pressure.