Melinda's Garden Moment Video
Melinda Myers
Nationally known gardening expert, TV/Radio host, author & columnist with over 30 years of horticulture experience and tons of gardening information to share! www.melindamyers.comMelinda's Garden Moment videos will help you create that beautiful landscape you’ve always wanted. Each week throughout the growing season, a new gardening video will be added right here, so be sure to stop back. You can also watch Melinda’s Garden Moments on your local network TV station affiliate.
Coneflowers, liatris, and black-eyed Susan are some of the natives we add to our gardens. But there are many more native beauties to consider.
Add vertical interest with minimal care with American larkspur (Delphinium exaltatum hardy in zones 4-8). This sturdy perennial does not need staking, withstands winds and blooms for several months. It has the beautiful blue of delphiniums without the fuss.
You and the butterflies will enjoy the bright white long-lasting blooms of wild quinine (Parthenium integrifolium hardy in Zones 3-8). It grows well in full sun and moist well-drained soil and is drought tolerant once established. And don’t forget to pick a few flowers for a bouquet.
Notice the yucca-like leaves and prickly flowers of this prairie native. The rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium hardy in Zones 4 to 8) attracts many native bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects to your garden. The plant was said to protect Chikasaw shamans from injury when handling rattlesnakes, thus the common name.
A bit more information: Take a walk through nearby nature centers and botanical gardens to find other native plants suited to your area. Make sure the plants you select will also tolerate the soil, moisture and sunlight in the existing growing condition.