Golden Pacific juniper (J. conferta ‘Golden Pacific’, zones 6 to 9). It grows to a height of 1 foot and spreads 5 feet. Unlike many junipers it tolerates partial shade, adding a much-needed punch of color to a shadier corner of the garden. Additionally, it is probably the juniper with the softest foliage.
Blue Star juniper (J. squamata ‘Blue Star’, zones 4 to 8). Its billowy blue, highly textural foliage reminds me of a cumulus cloud. In the colder months its foliage takes on a red-orange cast, providing winter interest. And like Golden Pacific juniper, this conifer adapts well to partial shade. Since this slow-growing shrub reaches a mature size of 2 feet high and 3 feet wide, it is a perfect candidate for planting at the front of a mixed border. I
Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea) has unique bottlebrush blooms that pollinators love, and a stark gray autumn hue that this garden designer swoons over. Put it in front of prairie grasses, like sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) or prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), and you can really set it off.
Botanical name: Dalea purpurea Common name: Purple prairie clover USDA zones: 3 to 9 (find your zone) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 18 to 30 inches tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Long blooming; attracts bees and butterflies; tolerates full sun, drought and heavy clay soils When to plant: Spring through fall Seasonal interest: Blooms in late spring through summer
Planting notes. Plant purple prairie clover in full sun. Be thoughtful when choosing the location, because its deep taproot makes it difficult to move. The plant adapts well to most soils, including clay. Although it's fairly drought tolerant once established, it will benefit from supplemental water during extended dry periods
Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens Save Email Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) will provide nice, low drifts of persistent seed heads during winter. Sometimes it even still spits out a few flowers in autumn. Again, this might be something that will be shown off even more in front of grasses, especially if those grasses are backlit by the low winter sun.
Botanical name: Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ Common name: Bird’s nest spruce Origin: The species is native to Northern Europe, but Nidiformis is a garden variety. Where will it grow: Hardy to -50 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2 to 8; find your zone) Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Water requirement: Average (1 inch of water per week until well established) Mature size: Slow growing to 2 feet tall and 8 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Resists deer, rabbits, insects and disease; drought resistant once established
Bird’s nest spruce is sometimes confused with Globosa blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘Globosa’, zones 2 to 8). There are, however, several colorful variations of Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ available in the trade. Shown here is the beautiful chartreuse cultivar ‘Vermont Gold’. Its new growth is both bright and stunning.
Shrubby St. Johnswort (Hypericum Prolificum species and cultivars, Zones 4 to 8) Don’t let this shrub’s small size fool you. It grows only 1 to 4 feet high, but it packs a big punch, with bluish-green leaves all summer and bright-yellow blooms from late June through August. Why we love it: This shrub is relatively disease-free, and its fruit will make a gorgeous fall and winter accent for dried arrangements.
Features of your garden may already be luring native bees, but certain strategies are more likely to get your garden buzzing, from planting in color blocks and incorporating native plants to including other features, like a water source, to support bees. This field of cup-shaped California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) and Ceanothus has multiple elements of a bee-friendly garden, plus it looks great.
Rudbeckia, Tiger Eye Hybrid More blooms than we have ever seen on a single specimen. This first F1 hybrid Rudbeckia boasts more blooms than we have ever seen on a single specimen. Sturdy plants produce loads of branches, tightly lined with deep green leaves and topped with petal-packed 3" blossoms in rich golden yellow. A significant improvement over other Rudbeckias in susceptibility to powdery mildew means the non-stop show lasts even longer in the garden bed. Try a large drift for an unbelievable mass of pure color. Product Details LifeCycle: Perennial Uses: Borders Sun: Full Sun Height: 16-24 inches Spread: 12-14 inches Sowing Method: Indoor Sow Bloom Duration: 11 weeks
Thuja Occidentalis 'Bobozam'
Named for the blanket-stripe appearance of its ray flowers, blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) thrives in poor soils, dry conditions and bright sunshine. This Plains and prairie native also attracts pollinators and songbirds galore.
Bloodgood Japanese Maple. Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' 15 to 25 feet. Full sun to partial shade. Zones 5 to 8. Deep red leaves in spring and summer turns to scarlet red in fall
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