There are so many colors and sizes of penstemon hybrids. Among the favorites are ‘Firebird’ (red), ‘Midnight’ (purple), ‘Garnet’ (fuchsia pink), ‘Thorn’ (white with a pink blush), ‘Apple Blossom’ (pink), ‘Bev Jensen’ (magenta) and ‘Raven’ (darkest purple). A very floriferous variety on a smaller plant is ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’. All these varieties take heat and cold and do best in full sun with average water.
Hemerocallis (daylily) have arching narrow leaves and lily-like flowers. They are tough plants and reasonably trouble free. A couple of favorites are ‘Stella D’Oro’, a dwarf golden yellow with a longer bloom period than most, and ‘Bitsy’, a repeat bloomer with bright yellow flowers on tall, dark stems about eighteen inches tall. Many flower colors are available including cream, orange,…
The genus of Euphorbia contains about 2000 species, all of which contain a milky sap that is caustic or poisonous. Needless to say, deer and gophers stay away from these very interesting, useful and attractive plants. Euphorbia pulcherrima is the poinsettia of Christmas. What we call the flowers are actually bracts that surround the very…
Nepeta, or catmint, is a very useful little plant. Most varieties get about a foot tall, but ‘Six Hills Giant’ can grow to three feet. Grey-green leaves and spikes of purple flowers are characteristic. Bees love Nepeta and deer tend to leave it alone. N. cataria is catnip, the herb of choice for many cats. …
Achillea (yarrow) Green or gray ferny foliage and lots of colors to choose from! White (‘Calistoga’), yellow (‘Sunbeam’ or ‘Moonshine’), crimson red (‘Red Beauty’) and orange red (‘Faust’ and ‘Terra Cotta’). They all endure the hot summers and cold winters. Water needs are low and bloom time long.
The two most popular varieties are ‘Butterfly Blue’ and ‘Pink Mist’. This perennial is possibly the longest blooming of all. Removing the spent flowers will encourage the plants to bloom even more and keeps them looking nice. Height is about one foot and the spread approximately eighteen to twenty-four inches. They prefer moderate to regular water.
Lantana ‘Miss Huff’ is hardy to ten degrees. Although it dies back in the winter, it returns with a vengeance in early summer and blooms until frost. This plant can reach six to seven feet in one season. It is very bright with yellow, orange and pink flowers that light up the garden for the entire summer. Deer don’t care…