Big bluestem grass (Andropogon gerardii) is a tall, native, perennial, warm season grass that is a dominant species in a large part of the Midwestern U.S. (zones 3-9). Its attractive foliage that changes color seasonally, its good architectural height, and its interesting flower/seed heads have caught the eye of plant breeders. ‘Blackhawks’ (PP27,949) was introduced […]
Archive for the ‘Attracting Butterflies’ Category
‘Blackhawks’ Grass – 2026 Perennial Pant Of The Year
Posted by Hugh on October 23rd, 2025
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Big bluestem 'Blackhawks', Deciduous, Drought tolerant, Erosion control, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on ‘Blackhawks’ Grass – 2026 Perennial Pant Of The YearSummer Planting Combinations At Biltmore
Posted by Hugh on August 30th, 2025
On a recent visit (8/27/25) to the fabulous Biltmore Estates* Walled Garden near the Greenhouse Conservatory were some wonderful colorful plant combinations: *Biltmore Estates in Asheville, North Carolina
Posted in Annuals, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Canna lily, Castor bean (Ricinus), Coleus, Cupheas, Flower Arranging, Globe amaranth (Gomphrena), Gourds (Ornamental), Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized Comments Off on Summer Planting Combinations At BiltmoreScarlet Rose Mallow
Posted by Hugh on August 16th, 2025
Swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus), aka scarlet rose mallow, is a hardy perennial plant that grows in swamps, marches and roadside ditches in the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). It can grow 6 to 8 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. The 5- to 6-inch-long palmate leaves are 3 – 7 lobes and have jagged […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Hibiscus (mallow) sawfly, Hibiscus coccineus, Hummingbird, Japanese beetle, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rust diseases, Soil drainage, Staking, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Scarlet Rose MallowChartreuse In Summer Shade – ‘Sun King’ Aralia
Posted by Hugh on July 28th, 2025
Plants with golden foliage can brighten up almost any drab garden patch. Sun King golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’), called Japanese spikenard and mountain asparagus, is no exception (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Under ideal conditions this thornless, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial starts out slowly to reach 3-5 feet tall and wide in its third summer. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Aralia 'Sun King', Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Chartreuse In Summer Shade – ‘Sun King’ AraliaNative Hypericums
Posted by Hugh on July 17th, 2025
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum spp.) is a genus of about 400 species of annuals, perennials or shrubs which are noted for producing showy bright yellow flowers with a central mass of bright yellow stamens. Hordes of bee species love hypericum flowers. In midsummer, this U.S. native produces yellow flowers with distinctive clusters of puffball of stamens […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering shrub, Ground cover, Japanese beetle, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, St. John's Wort (Hypericum), Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Native HypericumsFirecracker Plant (Cuphea)
Posted by Hugh on July 10th, 2025
Planting Cupheas should set off fireworks in your summer flower garden. Cupheas are dependable, low-maintenance flowers that easily cope with the heat and humidity of the South. They’re exceptionally long blooming, attract bees, wasps, butterflies and hummingbirds like magnets, and are versatile enough for container plantings or in-ground beds. (See list below). Currently, the most […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Cupheas, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower Arranging, Ground cover, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Thrips, White flies, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Firecracker Plant (Cuphea)Growing Tropical Hibiscus
Posted by Hugh on July 8th, 2025
Tropical Hibiscus(es) (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) are a non-hardy group from southeast Asia. They require temperatures above 50°F year-round (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9–12) and will likely be injured at temps below 35°F. They are evergreen cousins of the very hardy deciduous shrub group —Althea (H. syriacus) and herbaceous perennial favorites like Rose Mallow (H. moscheutos) and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Downy mildew, Evergreen, Heat Tolerance, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Hummingbird, Insect (Pest) Problems, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Scale, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Thrips, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, White flies, Wind protection, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Growing Tropical HibiscusVincas/Annual Periwinkle Thrive In Hot Summer Gardens
Posted by Hugh on May 26th, 2025
Annual vinca or periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), aka Madagascar vincas, is a summer flowering annual popular in Southern and Midwest gardens (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). Before setting out spring transplants, wait until soils have warmed up and all threats of frost have passed. The arrival of summer heat and humidity is when vincas bloom heaviest. Vincas […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Catharanthus (Vinca), Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Fruits poisonous, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Vincas/Annual Periwinkle Thrive In Hot Summer GardensWild Indigo (Hybrid Baptisias)
Posted by Hugh on May 19th, 2025
Wild indigo, false indigo, or Baptisia (Baptisia spp.) is a long-lived U.S. native perennial (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Plants are deeply tap-rooted and will reward you for many years of multi-seasonal beauty. They’re sometimes mistaken for Carolina lupine (Thermopsis caroliniana). Modern day cultivars are hybrids of 8 Baptisia species. Top four species are purple (B. australis), lavender […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Baptisia (wild indigo), Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flower arrangments, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Wild Indigo (Hybrid Baptisias)Princess Flower (Tibouchina)
Posted by Hugh on May 8th, 2025
Princess Flower, aka glory bush (Tibouchina urvilleana) and the lesser-known T. grandifolia are evergreen tropical shrubs and small trees native to Brazil (zones 9-11). In zone 8 plants often dieback to the ground in winter and come back if winter temps remain above freezing. In the U.S. tibouchinas are primarily treated as garden annuals in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Princess flower (Tibouchina), Princess Flower (Tibouchina), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection Comments Off on Princess Flower (Tibouchina)
