Here Are Six Favorites to Brighten Your Garden
Agastache
Agastache or hyssop is an aromatic perennial 18” to 36” tall that is hardy in Zones 4 to 10. There are many types, and they vary in size and in color. Giant Hyssop, for example, tops 6 feet in height. The spikes of agastache bloom in a range of colors: white, pink, red, and blue. Agastache likes full sun and well-drained soil It is attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators, but not to deer and rabbits.
Blanket Flower Gaillardia
The easy-to-grow blanket flower is largely pest free and can survive heat and drought. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil and is hardy in Zones 3-10. Depending on the variety, blanket flowers grow in mounds from 8 inches to 3 feet in height. Flowers, which resemble daisies, may be red, yellow, or red and yellow combined, and they bloom from early summer to frost. Blanket flowers provide food for pollinators, and in the fall birds pick seeds from their spent flowers.
Catmint Nepeta x faassenii
Cat mint is an easy-to-grow, heavily blooming perennial that is hardy in Zones 3-8. Catmints grow 1-4 feet tall, like full sun and well-drained soil – but not overly fertile soil. They bloom heavily in early summer with flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white and gray-green foliage. Catmints are attractive to bees and butterflies.
Coneflower Echinacea
The coneflower is a Native American long-flowering perennial with daisylike flowers. It blooms from midsummer to fall with flowers of purple, pink, or the newer yellow, white-green, or orange. Coneflowers grow up to 4 ft. tall, and are hardy in Zones 3-9. The bright flowers attract butterflies and the seeds in dried flower heads attract goldfinches and other songbirds.
Lavender Lavandula
While known for its lovely scent and use in cosmetics, perfume and flavoring, lavender is a hardy perennial native to the Mediterranean region. It needs full sun, well-drained soil, and low to moderately-fertile soil. It is hardy in Zones 5-10 and grows in mounds with upright stems 3-4 feet high. Dwarf varieties are about 18” high. Lavender is a great plant to attract butterflies and bees. It is not attractive to deer. Its flowers come in shades of lavender to dark purple and in white.
Yarrow AchilleaCon
This easy-growing perennial provides long-lasting yellow flower clusters throughout the summer. Yarrow is drought resistant. It likes sun and well-drained soil. It does well in poor soil not enriched by organic matter. It is hardy in Zones 3-9 and grows up to 18” tall. It has fern-like foliage and is sometimes used as a groundcover when sheared.
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