Fuchsias are one of the mainstays of the summer garden. They produce masses of delightful, pendant, bell-like flowers for months on end, from early June to the first severe frosts of autumn. Fuchsia usually grows in the form of shrub that can reach from 8 inches to more than 13 feet in height, depending on the variety. Fruit of fuchsia…
Although desert rose is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant, it can become long and leggy in time. Pruning will avoid this problem by creating a bushy, fuller-looking plant. Caring for desert rose plants requires a full sun location and well-drained soil. Properly mimicking their native regional conditions will garner plenty of rose-like blooms on an architectural marvel of a plant. The…
Cardinal flower is a brilliant scarlet-colored native wildflower that grows in marshes, stream banks and low woods. Its extremely showy blossoms can be recognized at considerable distance. Few native plants have flowers of such intense color as this common herbaceous perennial. The cardinal flower produces intense red blossoms at a time when many other perennials are declining in the summer heat. This…
The plants are often cultivated outdoors in western North America and in colder regions in greenhouses. Bottlebrushes grow into big shrubs or small trees. Bottlebrush plants get their name from the spikes of flowers that bloom at the ends of the stems, bearing a strong resemblance to a bottle brush. Grow them as shrubs or small trees that grow up to…
Gaillardia, also known as blanket flower, is an easy to grow, short-lived perennial with richly colored, daisy-like flowers. These plants have a long blooming season, from summer until fall. Blanket flowers are an interesting and colorful addition to the flower bed or garden, offering long lasting blooms if deadheaded, a necessary part of the care of blanket flowers. A member of…
Bergenia will grow a spike from 12 to 16 inches (30-41 cm.) tall, and the tiny, bell-shaped blooms will cover the spikes in pink, white or purple flowers. These flowers remain for a number of weeks, then begin to die off. Bergenia needs these leaves as food to survive through the winter, and many of them are evergreen. Bergenia is also…
Bee balm is a great addition to a pollinator garden. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees; and the seed heads will attract birds in the fall and winter. The bee balm flower has an open, daisy-like shape, with tubular petals in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. Bee balm plants are perennial, coming back year after year to…
The native species has pearly white flowers centered with steel-blue and encircled with a narrow, yellow band. The flowers are held well above the plant, which forms a compact mound. The leaves are handsome grayish-green that combines well with other colors in the garden. The African Daisy is a perennial with flowers that come in a variety of colors including red, gold,…
These flowers are a perfect fit for any home. They are available in numerous colors. They can be very versatile and have several uses. Hibiscus plants are known for their large, colorful flowers. These blossoms can make a decorative addition to a home or garden, but they also have medicinal uses. The flowers and leaves can be made into teas…