What would you have planted first?

15 years ago

Hi all!!! I'm a Coast Guard Mom, moving to Hertford, NC. I will be stationed there for 3 - 4 years. We are renting up there, but have permission to plant what we want. I've been stationed in places for 4 -5 years at a time, and if I had it all over again, some plants I would have planted first!!!!! Namely, phlox and bulbs in DC and my Plumeria trees in Miami. If you were to do it all over again, what plants would you have planted first? I love sweet and fragrant, butterflies and especially hummingbirds :)

BTW, I had hummers in Pembroke Pines (Miami) for 6 MONTHS!!!! They just loved my pink powder puff :)

Thanks!!!! Christy

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Comments (7)

dellare
15 years ago
As soon as I saw the question, I thought phlox. Rudbeckia and coneflower would be second and third. All are easy to grow and very rewarding. Love that they seed around.
christy2828
Original Author
15 years ago
I had a Phlox David, but it reverted to pink. I had one by my front door and it smelled so good! Which Phlox would you have picked?
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pfmastin
15 years ago
Welcome! I'd go with salvias (perennial and annual) for the hummers and Bright Lights cosmos and Buddleia for butterflies.
trianglejohn
15 years ago
I would also plant gardenias. Buy them as big as you can afford because they can sometimes be slow to grow. They can be tricky to get to bloom while in a pot but most of them have no trouble blooming once in the ground.

Last year all the butterfly action was focused on my zinnias, this year it is all about coneflowers (but not the double or mop top types).
christy2828
Original Author
15 years ago
This property is BARE!!!! He planted about 12 Dwarf Burning Bush in various locations around the house. They are all about 6" tall. There is not one flower or tree on the entire acre!!! Not much in the neighbors' yard's, either. I realize I am renting, and will not be able to retain what I plant, but I must leave my fingerprint!!! I'm looking at planting a sweet olive tree - Fruitlandii (I'm in 7b, 27944), some Phlox 'David', and some Lo and Behold Blue Chip Buddleia. I bought on clearance today some wave petunias, regular petunias, some lantana, dahlia's, stella d' oro and a hibiscus - a hardy one to this zone (Rose of Sharon? It's maroon in color). Any thoughts? Clearly I get good heavy sun - there is not ONE tree!!!! There is no shade - I would love a fast growing tree!!! Thanks :) Christy

Oh, and I love fragrant, butterflies, year round color (not from one plant, of course :) and Hummingbirds!!!
dottie_in_charlotte
15 years ago
Vitex,vitex,vitex. Fragrance and fast grower.

Hummers will like your hibiscus but they'll love you if you plant salvias and other tube shaped flowers that are long bloomers.
christy2828
Original Author
15 years ago
I put in two Black and Blue Salvia today! I'm considering a Pineapple Salvia, but the one I had in Maryland always bloomed after the hummers left. Also considering a hot lips salvia. I'll look at that Vitex!!!!