Top Plant Picks July 2023 - Cheekwood
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Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed)

Bloom Time: June to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Host plant for the Monarch Butterfly and a nectar source for many pollinators

Tolerates: Drought and deer tolerant

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 3 to 9

Other: Milkweed is a very showy native wildflower that grows in a clump and produces clusters of bright orange flowers. They have a long bloom period from late spring throughout the summer.

Location: Howe Garden

Asclepias tuberosa

Actaea racemosa (Black Cohosh)

Bloom Time: June to July

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts bees, beetles, and butterflies.

Tolerates: Rabbit

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 3 to 8

Other: Black Cohosh typically grows four to six feet tall and has small, numerous creamy white fragrant flowers that appear in long fluffy spires. Its a great perennial to add architectural height to a shade garden.

Location: Herb Garden

Actaea racemosa

Liatris spicata (Dense Blazing Star)

Bloom Time: June to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts birds and butterflies

Tolerates: Tolerates drought and clay soils

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 3 to 8

Other: This plant’s showy fluffy, deep purple vertical flower spikes add a pop of color to any garden. It is easy to grow and low maintenance, and it is great as a fresh cut-flower or in dried arrangements.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Liatris spicata

Rudbeckia maxima (Giant Coneflower)

Bloom Time: June to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Attracts birds, especially gold finches, as well as butterflies

Tolerates: Drought and deer tolerant

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: This coneflower is desired for its huge powder-blue basal leaves and stalks of deep golden flowers that can grow up to six feet tall.

Location: Howe Garden

Rudebeckia maxima

Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ (Black and Blue Salvia)

Bloom Time: May to September

Sun Requirement: Part Sun to Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds and bees

Tolerates: Deer tolerant

Native to North America: No

Zones: 7 to 10

Other: This Salvia’s electric blue flowers contrast sharply with the black stems in the summer. It has an upright clumping habit and fragrant dark green leaves.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Salvia Black and Blue

Kniphofia ‘Poco Orange’ (Red Hot Poker)

Bloom Time: June to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees

Tolerates: Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry soil tolerant

Native to North America: No

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: This perennial boasts spikes of tubular, orange to apricot flowers. It is evergreen in mild winters.

Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden

Kniphofia Poco Orange

Oenothera lindheimeri (White Gaura)

Bloom Time: June to October

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies.

Tolerates: Heat and Humidity tolerant

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: This native clump-forming perennial produces white to pink flowers on arching stems. It is best planted in groups due to its tall wispy habit.

Location: Wills Perennial Garden

Oenothera lindheimeri

Monarda didyma (Bee Balm)

Bloom Time: June to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies

Tolerates: Tolerates deer, drought, clay and rocky soils

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: Bee Balm produces bright scarlet-red flowers on top of square stems. Leaves emit a minty fragrance when crushed.

Location: Herb Garden

Monarda didyma

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