Plant Species

Nanho Blue Butterfly Bush

Deciduous shrub with gray-green foliage and violet-blue flowers that attract butterflies
Smaller and more compact than other varieties of Buddleia

Plant in rich, but well-drained soil; prune heavily in very early spring
Water regularly until established; fertilize in spring
Deadhead to reduce seedlings and prolong blooming
Plant in full sun for best flowering
Height: 4-5 feet
Width: 4-5 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 5-9:
Zone 5–Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; care for plant as herbaceous perennial and prune to the ground in early spring.
Zone 6–Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
Zone 7–Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
Zone 8–Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
Zone 9–Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.

Spider Flower

Tall annuals with spider-like foliage and blossoms also resembling cat’s whiskers
Stems have tiny sharp thorns

Plant in rich, moist, but-well drained soil
Plant in full sun
Heat and drought tolerant
Plants reseed; deadhead to control self-sowing; may need staking
Height: 36-48 inches
Width: 18-24 inches
Annual in all zones:
All zones: Plant seeds or plants in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; water until established; collect seed in late summer or fall.

Autumn Fern

Deciduous to evergreen fern with new bronze colored foliage that changes to green

Plant in moist to wet soil rich in organic matter
Plant in partial to full shade; cut back old fronds in spring
Height: 18-24 inches
Width: to 18 inches
Hardy in USDA zones 5-9:
Zone 5–Plant in spring to avoid winter heaving; plant in partial to full shade; mulch after planting and again before first frost; avoid contact with salt; water during dry periods; deciduous to semi-evergreen in this zone; remove dead foliage after frost; divide in spring every few years.
Zone 6–Plant in spring; plant in partial to full shade; mulch after planting and again before first frost; water during dry periods; deciduous to semi-evergreen in this zone; remove dead foliage after frost; divide in spring every few years.
Zone 7–Plant in spring or early fall; plant in partial to full shade; mulch after planting and again before first frost; water during dry periods; semi-evergreen to evergreen in this zone; remove dead foliage in fall; divide in spring every few years.
Zone 8–Plant in spring or early fall; plant in partial to full shade; mulch after planting and again in fall; water during dry periods; evergreen in this zone; remove dead foliage in fall or spring; divide in spring every few years.
Zone 9–Plant in spring or early fall; plant in partial to full shade; mulch after planting and again in fall; water during dry periods; evergreen in this zone; remove dead foliage in fall or spring; divide in spring every few years.

Super Elfin Red Impatiens

Herbaceous annuals grown for their profuse blooms in a variety of colors

Plant in partial to full shade
Plant in rich, moist but well-drained soil
Water regularly; fertilize regularly during growing season
May re-seed to produce plants the following spring
Height: 1-2 feet
Width: to 2 feet
Annual zones 2-9(10)
Tender or perennial in zones 10-11:
Zones 2-7–Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in partial to medium shade; mulch to conserve moisture and warmth in colder zones; remove after first frost.
Zones 8-9–Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in partial to full shade; mulch to conserve moisture; remove after first frost.
Zones 10-11–Plant in spring; plant in medium to full shade; mulch to conserve moisture; can be removed in fall or cut back 1/2; may survive winter in these zones.

Blackie Sweet Potato Vine

Vigorous trailing annual vine with dark purple to almost black bold foliage

Plant in moist, but well-drained soil; water when dry
Tolerates heat
Plant in full sun
Height: 6 inches
Width: to 48 inches or more
Annual in USDA zones 2-9
Hardy in USDA zones 10-11:
Zones 2-9–Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; fertilize with water-based fertilizer twice monthly during growing season; cut back foliage and dig tubers for indoors before frost or discard plants after killing frost.
Zones 10-11–Plant in spring; mulch in fall; prune away old foliage in early spring; fertilize twice monthly during spring and summer.

Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine

Vigorous trailing vine with chartreuse heart-shaped foliage

Usually grown as an annual in all zones
Plant in moist, but well-drained soil; water when dry
Tolerates heat
Plant in full sun
Height: 6 inches
Length: to 48 inches or more
Annual in USDA zones 2-9
Hardy in USDA zones 10-11:
Zones 2-9–Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; fertilize with water-based fertilizer twice monthly during growing season; cut back foliage and dig tubers for indoors before frost or discard plants after killing frost.
Zones 10-11–Plant in spring; mulch in fall; prune away old foliage in early spring; fertilize twice monthly during spring and summer.

Becky Towe Garden Phlox

Deciduous perennial noted for its tall upright habit and profuse cherry red flowers with darker center

Plant in full sun to light shade
Plant in average to moist soil; divide in early spring every 3-4 years
Disease and pest resistant
Height: 36-48 inches
Width: 12-18 inches
Hardy in USDA zones 4-8:
Zone 4–Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 5–Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 6–Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 7–Plant in early spring; plant in full sun to light shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
Zone 8–Plant in early spring; plant in full sun to light shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.

Cranberry Bush Vibernum

Deciduous shrub with maple-like leaves, white flowers followed by edible red berries

Extremely cold-tolerant
Plant in full sun to partial shade
Plant in average to moist soil; adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions
Height: 4-5 feet
Width: 5-6 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 2(3)-7:
Zone 2–Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; may be marginally hardy in this zone.
Zone 3–Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 4–Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 5–Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 6–Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 7–Plant in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells; plants may languish in this warm zone.

Strawberry

Hardy trailing perennial grown for its edible red fruit

Plant in full sun
Plant in rich organic soil that is well-drained; plant on mounds in rows
Several varieties exist: June-bearing, Everbearing and Day-neutral
Remove parent plants at the end of each season
Height: 6-12 inches
Width: 12-24 inches, trailing
Hardy in USDA zones 3-9:
Zone 3–Plant in spring; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 4–Plant in spring; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 5–Plant in spring; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 6–Plant in spring; plant in full sun; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 7–Plant in early spring; plant in full sun; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
Zone 8–Plant in early spring; plant in full sun; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
Zone 9–Plant in early spring; plant in full sun; provide supplemental water during dry spells.

Northsky Blueberry

Dwarf deciduous shrub grown for its edible blue berries and has colorful fall foliage

Designed to grow in colder climates with heavy snowfall
Plant in full sun to light shade
Plant in rich organic soil that is well-drained and very acidic (pH 4.0-5.5)
Height: 2-4 feet
Width: 2-4 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 3-7:
Zone 3–Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 4–Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 5–Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 6–Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 7–Plant in fall; plant in full sun to light shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells; plants may languish in this warm zone.

Bulls Eye Scarlet Red Geraniums

Eighty percent of geraniums sold are red
Dark green foliage
Vigorous grower and produces lots of flowers

Great heat tolerance
They’re tender perennials in Zones 10 and 11. In other zones, they are used as annuals.
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks or month
Tolerant of heat and humidity
Cut back hard if it gets out of hand during the growing season

Dahlia hybrid

Dahlias are tuberous-rooted perennials grown from bulbs recognized for their flowers, which can range from dinner plate-size to a couple inches.

Dahlias bloom from midsummer to frost
Make excellent cut flowers
Attract hummingbirds
All zones–used an annual or overwintered
Care for dahlias:
Full sun to partial shade
Most gardeners start dahlias from tubers, which are set outside no more than two weeks past the frost date.
They can be overwintered and replanted in the spring.
Dahlias will rot in soil that is too wet

Laguna Dark Blue Lobelia

Compact mounding annual recognized for its dark blue flower

Trailing habit
Grows 3 to 6 inches high with a 10- to 12-inch spread
Known for heat and cold tolerance
All zones if used as an annual; a perennial in Zones 9-11
Care for Lobelia:
Full sun to partial shade
Adaptable moisture requirements
Fertilize every couple of weeks with a water soluble fertilizer

Sweet Pepper ‘Purple Beauty’

Recognized for its beautiful deep purple peppers that are unusual
Begin as emerald green, then ripen to deep purple and finally to red
Peppers grow sweeter in taste as they ripen

Grows 18 to 24 inches high and 24 to 36 inches wide
May be grown in containers
Care for Sweet Peppers:
Full sun
Water regularly; do not overwater
Feed with a fertilizer designed for vegetables
Mulch to manage weeds

Lucky Yellow Lantana

Low-growing, vining evergreen shrub with yellow flowers used as a groundcover
Plant in full sun; tolerates heat and drought

Plant in average to dry, well-drained soil
Height: 6-12 inches
Width: 3-4 feet
Hardy in USDA zones: 8b-10
Zones 2-8a–Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; pull up dead plants after first hard frost.
Zone 8b–Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall; do not prune back dead stems until early spring.
Zone 9–Plant in spring; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall; prune back dead stems in fall or early spring.
Zone 10–Plant in spring; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall; may continue flower throughout most of year; prune as needed.