Tulbaghia, or society garlic, is an evergreen perennial with narrow green or green and white variegated leaves. Clusters of small lavender flowers top stems that are one to two feet tall. Provide regular water. Because of the garlicky odor of the leaves, deer tend to leave it alone.
Echinacea, or coneflower, is a tough plant that blooms for a long period in summer and autumn. Recent breeding has produced flowers of many colors and plants of varying heights. These plants are suitable for the garden or containers.
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…
The genus Chrysanthemum provides gardeners with some indispensable plants. Shasta daisy (C. maximum) is a wonderful summer blooming perennial that is available in tall or dwarf forms. Flowers can be single, double or somewhat shaggy. C. hosmariense is a great little plant, growing to about eight inches tall and two feet wide. It has finely…
Gaillardia is a great perennial for sunny spots. It flowers profusely, loves heat and needs only moderate water. Flower color ranges from yellow to orange and yellow to bicolor (as shown at left) to red. Bloom time lasts from early summer to frost.
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…
Coreopsis adds a lovely bit of color to the garden. These are tough plants that need little to moderate water and they seem to bloom almost endlessly, especially if deadheaded. They also tend to self-sow, so be prepared for either even more color or a bit of weeding.