Celebrate your garden's all-stars
by
Douglas Hunt
Last week we asked you to share your invasive plant horror stories and, boy, did we strike a nerve. Gardeners everywhere are seemingly under siege from all manner of invader. As gardens in many parts of the country are approaching their most lush, let's focus on something more positive. Tell us what the plants are that you can't imagine your garden without, that season after season, year after year, prove their worth. For my Florida garden, three plants that fit that bill are African iris (Dietes iridioides), Salvia greggi "Lipstick" and Thryallis (Galphimia glauca). All take almost no maintenance other than occasional pruning, have long blooming seasons and have good structure for the times when they aren't. Please post pictures if possible, since common names of plants often vary from one region of the country to another, and do let us know what zone you garden in.
Thryallis (Galphimia glauca) provides an almost non-stop show of sunny yellow blooms.
African iris (Dietes iridioides) has flushes of bloom from early spring through late summer.
Salvia gregii "Lipstick" loves the sun, combines well with other perennials and is a great attractor of beneficial insects.
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3 of 41 comments
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I'm new to gardening,in fact its just been 10 months.Anyway will post pics of plants i can't imagine my garden without.
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Planted cucumbers this year for pickles for my honey. Need a proven bread an butter pickles recipe. The plant has gone crazy.2 plants 6ft. high 6x7 spread out.
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