Featured Plants : butterflies

Chickasaw Plum Ornamental Tree

barb-nhn — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The Chickasaw Plum is an ornamental tree with beautiful 5-petaled white flowers that appear along the stems in March, before the foliage emerges. This flowering tree is one of the first trees to bloom in spring; the flowers are a popular nectar source for butterflies. Its best blooming period is usually in the early spring, with fruit and seed production starting in mid-summer.

The flowers are followed by small, cherry-like, edible, red to yellow plums which ripen in mid summer. Although the plums may be eaten raw, they are somewhat tart and acidic, and are perhaps best used in preserves and jellies.

At maturity, the Chickasaw Plum will reach a height of 15-20 feet. This rapid growing tree requires full sun to partial sun and is drought tolerant. The toothed, narrow, bright green leaves (1-3" long) appear on branches and twigs that are an attractive reddish-brown and sometimes have thorny lateral branchlets. It is an excellent source of food and shelter for wildlife and produces plums in mid-July to September, depending on the area of the country that it is grown.

Azalea White Mollis Hybrid Has Large Clusters of White Flowers!

patti-nhn — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:30:00 GMT

If you are a fan of Azaleas, you will want to try this Hybrid White Mollis Azalea. The flowers call out to those who walk by, they just have to come closer to get a better look. The funnel-shaped blooms and clean white petals make this Azalea bush burst with beauty from spring into early summer. Its fall color adds more interest. Being hybridized, it is hardy in colder regions from zone 5 to the warmer regions of zone 8. With their funnel shaped blooms, they can attract hummingbirds and butterflies as well as other birds.

Growing conditions for this Azalea require full sun, too much shade will reduce blooming the next year. Soil should be acidic and well-drained otherwise they could get too dry midsummer and that will also affect next year's growth. It is a slow grower but your patience will be well rewarded. It will grow 4 to 6 feet tall and spread from 3 to 4 feet wide. This is a relatively trouble free plant and low maintenance. Azaleas look great planted alone, especially in a bare spot where you need some pizazz. They can also be planted as a hedge or border plant, wherever you want showy flowers.

Red Mollis Hybrid Azaleas Are Lush And Hardy

patti-nhn — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:28:00 GMT

This Red Mollis Hybrid Azalea is hybridized to be hardy in the colder climates. This shrub has funnel shaped blooms that attract attention with their reddish-orange blooms in spring to early summer. The flowers grow in large clusters and the flowers are 2 to 3 inches in size. There are large trusses that hold the many flowers that fill this shrub giving it quite a beautiful appearance. Red Mollis is known for its fall color as well. With its rounded shape and height of 4 to 6 feet and a 3 to 4 foot spread, it is a wonderful specimen in any landscape.

As with most Azaleas, full sun is required. Moist well-drained acidic soil is needed. The hardiness of the shrub makes it almost completely free of any problems. The foliage is green and it is deciduous meaning it will lose its leaves in the late fall/early wintertime. It does well in zones 5 to 8 and is a slow grower but well worth the wait! These shrubs add a lot of color to your landscape and can be planted individually or in groups. Shrubs are often used by birds for protection and cover as well as butterflies and hummingbirds may be attracted to the flowers.

Lanai Magenta Verbena Are Non-Stop With Their Bright Flowers

patti-nhn — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:32:00 GMT

The Lanai Magenta Verbena is in a class of its own with their bright magenta color. They grow in clumps so will fill in nicely in your garden. They will be quite showy with their flowers being long lasting and that will grow abundantly. Their mature height will be from 6 to 12 inches and they will spread from 20 to 24 inches. They are a low maintenance plant and need full sun to partial shade. They are very hardy from zones 3 to 11. In zones 3 to 8 they are an annual only and in zones 9 to 11, they can be a perennial.

You will want to be sure not to overwater, 1 inch of water a week, slow soaking should be enough. If it looks dry, go ahead and water again, slow soaking about an inch down in the soil is the best. Once they are established, you can feed them, but only once a year and watered only when dry. This trailing verbena is truly a knockout in your garden and grown with yellow and blue flowers, it can't be beat!

Try Lanai Lavender Star Verbena For Attractiveness As Well As Color!

patti-nhn — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:21:00 GMT

The Lanai Lavender Star Verbena is unusual with it's lavender petals with white strips along the edges and a yellow center. It is a great plant to attract butterflies. It grows in clumps and blooms from spring into fall. It is a trailing plant that can grow from 6 to 12 inches tall and 20-24 inches wide. Their growth rate is moderate and they do require full sun to partial shade. They are very hardy from zone 3 to zone 11. In zones 3 to 8 it would be an annual, in zones 9 to 11 it can be a perennial.

The Lavender Stars are low maintenance. They should be deadheaded to encourage new flowers. Once they are established, you can fertilize once a year and watered only when dry. One of the issues that can come up is giving too much food and too much water. These are wonderful, beautiful, unique plants that will give interest to your garden.

Enjoy This Beautiful Deep Pink Verbena On Your Lanai!

patti-nhn — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT

This Verbena-Lanai Deep Pink would look great hanging from baskets on your lanai, patio or balcony. It's deep pink flowers are attention getting. This Verbena is one of the best trailing Verbena's you can find. The flowers bloom early in the season from spring to fall. They will flower from the top of the plant down to the crown of the plant. It also attracts butterflies for extra color and enjoyment. They are low maintenance plants so you will not want to "over pamper" them by over watering or over feeding.

The Lanai Deep Pink grows in clumps and will mature from 6 to 12 inches tall and spread from 20 to 24 inches wide. It requires full sun to partial sun and has a moderate growth rate with its trailing form. The best care for them is to deadhead the flowers as needed, fertilize once a year once they are established and water only when the soil is dry. It has excellent resistance to powdery mildew. This Verbena is hardy from zone 3 to zone 11. In zones 3-8 it is an annual only and in zones 9-11, it can be a perennial.

This Daisy Has An Orange Symphony Of Color!

patti-nhn — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:22:00 GMT

The Orange Symphony Daisy is spectacular! It is one of the best of its kind and is in the Proven Winners Symphony series. The flowers are large and orange with a purple center. The foliage is deeply cut and the leaves are a dark green as well as aromatic when bruised. They are one of a kind. This would make a wonderful cut flower as well as used in pots, rock gardens or window boxes. If you enjoy butterflies or birds, this daisy will attract them. Some other benefits are that they are deer resistant and heat tolerant.

This Daisy will mature from 8 to 12 inches in height and 12 to 15 inches wide. They grow upright, require full sun and are moderate in their growth. They will bloom with a large number of flowers from spring to fall. Well drained soil is best and keep well watered in the summer. They are hardy from zone 3 to 11. In zones 9-11 they can be a perennial and zones 3-8 they would be an annual.

Bermuda Beach Supertunia Sounds Like A Breath Of Fresh Air

patti-nhn — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:44:00 GMT

The Petunia, Supertunia Bermuda Beach has free-flowering salmon/coral flowers. It does not spread as vigorously as most Supertunias. Its spread is 10 to 18 inches and mature height is 5 to 8 inches. They are easy to grow and almost maintenance free. They will attract hummingbirds and butterflies. They are also drought and heat tolerant. They bloom long into the season. Planted in containers, baskets, beds, balconies and along with other flowers as well, they will really provide some color for you in the garden or deck. It has also been voted one of the best Petunias for 2008.

Petunias are fast growers so you will want to make sure they are kept moist and fertilize often. This variety does not require deadheading. Supertunia's are a favorite for growers and gardeners. They will require full sun to partial shade to bloom their best. They are moderate to fast growers and are hardy from zones 3 to 11. They are an annual in zones 3 to 8 and can be a perennial in zones 9 to 11. Try this beautiful medium pink flower to show off in your garden.

Vanilla Butterfly Daisies Have Oomph!

patti-nhn — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:00:00 GMT

The Vanilla Butterfly Daisy has large flowers with a soft creamy white coloring and a yellow center. They will bloom all season long. It is heat tolerant and is a Proven Winner's plant. Daisies do well in the garden, window boxes, containers and even in rock gardens! If you like to attract butterflies and birds, these are a great choice. They are also deer tolerant.

Vanilla Butterfly Daisies can be used as cut flowers for beautiful arrangements. They do need a sunny spot, fertile well-drained soil and should be well-watered. As the flowers are spent you will want to deadhead and that will encourage new blooms. The dark green leaves also have an aromatic fragrance when they are bruised. They will grow from 12 to 18 inches tall and 15 to 18 inches wide. They grow upright and are moderate growers. Their hardiness is from zone 3 to zone 11. In zones 3-8 they are an annual and in zones 9 to 11, they can be a perennial.

Butterfly Red Penta, Unique And Hardy

patti-nhn — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:21:00 GMT

The Butterfly Red Penta is a wonderful plant. If you are looking for something unique and out of the ordinary, this would be a great choice. This plant grows tall at 12 to 22 inches in an upright form and will spread to 15 to 18 inches wide. Sometimes it is called a Egyptian Starflower. Its flowers are star shaped and up to 3 inches across. They are very popular for summer in containers and landscape planting. Butterflies, hummingbirds and bees are attracted to the bright red color.

The Butterfly Red Penta is very vigorous and can handle stressful conditions. Its performance in the garden is better than most of the other commercial varieties on the market at this time. They are widely adaptable to different soils and moisture. They are a moderate growing plants. They are hardy from zones 3 to 11. For some extra punch in your garden, this is a great choice. These would be great being grown in a red, white and blue flowered garden.

Compact With Trumpet Shaped Pink flowers

patti-nhn — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:11:00 GMT

This Dipladenia Rio Pink annual is a compact plant that grows from 18 to 24 inches in height and spreads 12 to 14 inches wide. The flowers are 3 inches in size and will flower throughout the summer and likes hot, humid areas. They also are well-branched and has minimum vining. You will not need to stake or grow on a trellis. They do well planted in containers and as a combination planting and as a specimen plant.

The Dipladenia Rio Pink will generally not needs to be pinched or treated with growth regulators. If you like to attract butterflies or birds this would be a good choice. They do also attract bees. You will not want to let the plants dry out, they will need to be watched in between watering. It can be a perennial in zones 9 to 11 and in zones 3 to 8 it is an annual only. This is a plant that was bred for its controlled growth and improved branching. If you like pink flowers and a compact plant for your patio or garden, this would be a good one to try.

"Egyptian Starflower" Penta

patti-nhn — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:25:00 GMT

The Penta Butterfly Deep Pink annual is often called an Egyptian Starflower. This tall upright hot pink flower with white eyes has flowers that are up to 3 inches across and will grow up to 18 inches tall. They will spread out from 15 to 18 inches. This is a wonderful plant if you like to watch butterflies, hummingbirds and also bees. Pentas are great for use in containers and garden beds.

The Butterfly will grow in zones 3 to 11 doing well in northern and southern climates. It does need full sun and is somewhat drought tolerant. It has great plant vigor, can handle stressful growing conditions. The Butterfly shows better performance in the garden than many other commercial varieties on the market. It is widely adaptable to soil and moisture. Be the first on your block with this beautiful annual.

Enjoy A Symphony Of Color With A Lemon Symphony Daisy

patti-nhn — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:05:00 GMT

For a flower that looks like a symphony as they bob along with the wind this would be a great choice. Their lemon colored large flowers have blue-violet eyes which gives them an added distinction. The Lemon Symphony Daisy 'Osteospermum hybrid' is a Proven Winners Symphony Series. The flowers on this annual will produce large amount of flowers and from spring into fall. They are breathtaking in the garden as well as cut flowers in your home. They are also versatile as they can also be planted in rock gardens, window boxes, containers and pots.

This flower grows upright and matures to about 8 to 12 inches and spreads out from 8 to 10 inches. The Lemon Symphony is a fast grower. It does require full sun and being heat-tolerant they can handle the hot days of summer. Fertile, well drained soil is best and you will want to keep them well watered over the summer. They are deer resistant and attract butterflies, birds and bees. They are hardy from zones 3 to 11. In zones 3 to 9 they are annuals and zones 10 to 11 can be perennials. You can encourage more blooming by deadheading the old flowers. Another interesting fact is that the leaves are aromatic when crushed.

Deep Red And Compact! Try A Dipladenia!

patti-nhn — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:31:00 GMT

If you are fond of red, or just want to add some punch to your flower bed, this would be a great option. The Dipladenia 'Rio Deep Red' is glorious with its brilliant deep red flowers that will continue all summer long. They are hardy even into the most hot and humid of areas. Its flowers are trumpet shaped and are 3 inches in size. If you like to attract butterflies and birds this would do the trick, it will also attract bees so if that is an issue you will want to be aware.

The plant grows only 18 to 24 inches in height and will spread out to about 12 to 14 inches. It has an upright growth and is well branched. The Dipladenia will also look great in containers or hanging baskets. They can fill an empty spot and would complement or punch up the color of other plants around it.

The Dipladenia Rio Deep Red requires soil that is always moist and requires full to partial shade. It does not do well if the ground is allowed to dry out completely. It is an annual that will grow from zone 3 to zone 11. It is considered an annual in zones 3-8 and a perennial in zones 9-11.

Totally Tempted Cuphea Sounds Intruiging Doesn't It?

patti-nhn — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:41:00 GMT

The Totally Tempted Cuphea is a new plant. Be the first one on your block to try it out! Stunning with its bright crimson coloring, it will definitely attract attention. Maybe even a butterfly or two or even a hummingbird! This genus "Cuphea" will be popular in the warmer climates as it is tolerant of heat and drought. Sounds "green" doesn't it? In the warmer climates of zones 9 to 11 it can be a perennial but in the cooler climates of 3 to 8 it is an annual.

It loves sun and will bloom long past many other flowers. You don't have to deadhead for it to continue blooming. These are great in the garden with it's 10 to 12 inch height and it will spread about 12 to 18 inches wide. It can also be used in containers, hanging baskets and many other ways. I'm sure you can come up with some great ideas. Take a look around your house and in the garden and see where this knock out of a plant would work for you! Remember Cuphea as you are considering your planting this spring.