Summerwine Ninebark and Other Plant Varieties
Summerwine Ninebark
- Upright, dense deciduous shrub with dark purple foliage and white flowers
- Plant in full sun to light shade; foliage color and flowering are best in full sun
- Plant in average garden soil that is well-drained
- Height: 4-6 feet
- Width: 4-6 feet
- Hardy in USDA zones (2) 3-7 (8)
Zone 2: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost to prevent winter heaving; avoid contact with salt; may be marginally hardy in this zone without adequate snow cover.
Zone 3: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost to prevent winter heaving; avoid contact with salt.
Zones 4-5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost to prevent winter heaving; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall.
Zones 7-8: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; plants may struggle in warmer areas of this zone.
Tropicana Cannas
- Herbaceous perennial with bold foliage of green and orange/yellow stripes with orange flowers
- Plant in rich soil with even moisture
- Plant in full sun; remove dead foliage back to ground after frost
- Height: 5-6 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet, spreading
- Annual or tender in USDA zones 2-6
- Hardy in USDA zones (7) 8-10
Zones 2-6: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; water regularly in dry spells during growing season; cut back to ground and remove before first hard frost; store in frost-free location over winter.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; water regularly in dry spells during growing season; cut back to ground and apply extra mulch after first frost; commonly seen surviving the winter in this zone.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; water regularly in dry spells during growing season; cut back to ground and apply mulch after first frost.
Zones 9-10: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; water regularly in dry spells during growing season; cut back to ground and apply mulch in late fall.
Dwarf Indian Hawthorn
- Compact evergreen shrub with pink or white flowers in spring, blue fruit in summer
- Plant in rich garden soil that is moist, but well drained; drought tolerant
- Plant in full sun to light shade
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Width: 3-5 feet
- Hardy in USDA zones 7-9 (10)
Zones 7-10: Plant in fall; plant in full sun to light shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells, especially in winter.
Gold Mound Spiraea
- Deciduous shrub noted for its golden foliage and pink flowers in early summer
- Plant in full sun to partial shade
- Plant in rich, but well-drained soil
- Water regularly until established; fertilize in spring; prune 1/2 to 1/3 when dormant
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 3-4 feet
- Hardy in USDA zones 4-8
Zones 4-5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost to prevent winter heaving; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; gold foliage may fade and defoliate early in hot, dry weather.
Terra Cotta Yarrow
Gardener's Note of Interest: The generic name Achillea was chosen in honor of Achilles, the Greek hero of the Trojan War in Homer's Iliad, who used yarrow to treat his soldiers' war wounds.
- Spreading upright perennial with finely dissected foliage and brightly colored flowers in summer
- Plant in full sun; divide in spring every few years
- Plant in average to poor, well-drained soil
- Height: 18-24 inches
- Width: 18-24 inches, spreading
- Hardy in zones 3-9
Zones 3-5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in spring.
Zones 6-9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.
Homestead Purple Verbena
- Annual trailing verbena grown as a groundcover that blooms profusely all season with purple flowers.
- Plant in loose organic soil that is well-drained; makes an excellent container plant; attracts butterflies.
- Plant in full sun
- Height: 8-12 inches
- Width: 12-18 inches, spreading
- Grown as an annual in all zones
All Zones: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; water when dry; bring indoors for winter or discard plants after first killing frost.
Golden Shrimp Bush
- Tropical shrub with showy yellow terminal slender bracts
- Plant in loose organic soil that is well-drained
- Height:36-48 inches
- Width: 24-36 inches
- Annual in zones 2-8
- Hardy in USDA zones 9-11
Zones 2-8: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; water when dry; remove plants after killing frost; can be brought indoors prior to frost and grown as a houseplant.
Zones 9-11: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; water when dry; prune back by 1/2 in fall.
New Gold Lantana
- Tender perennial groundcover grown as an annual with bright yellow flowers all spring and summer
- Plant in full sun
- Plant in well-drained soil, tolerant of poor soil and drought
- Height: 16-18 inches
- Width: to 3 feet
- Hardy in USDA zones (7) 8-11
Gardener's Note: This plant is rarely perennial in zone 7b. Occasionally an extremely protected specimen will return.
Zones 2-6: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; bring container plants indoors before frost or discard dead plants after frost.
Zone 7: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; bring container plants indoor before frost or discard dead plants after frost; plants may survive a mild winter, but this is rare.
Zone 8: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; plants may not survive winter in zone 8a, but are somewhat reliably perennial in 8b.
Zones 9-11: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; pull back mulch and prune in spring.
Blue Daze Evolvulus
- Trailing tender perennial grown as an annual for its profusion of blue flowers from spring until frost
- Plant in loose organic soil that is well-drained
- Plant in full sun; can be used as a groundcover or in containers
- Tolerates heat
- Height:8-12 inches
- Width: 24-36 inches
- Annual in zones 2-7
- Hardy in USDA zones 8-11
Zones 2-7: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; water when dry; remove plants after killing frost; can be brought indoors prior to frost and grown as a houseplant.
Zones 8-11: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; water when dry; prune back by 1/2 in fall.
Hummingbird Summersweet
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Height: about 3 ft.
- Spread: 2 to 3 feet
- Bloom time: Mid to late summer. Considered a prolific flower producer
- Bloom color: Creamy white
- Foliage: rich yellow in fall
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Water: Medium to wet
- Maintenance: Low, likes slightly acidic soil
- Hardy in USDA zones 4-9
Zones 4-5: Plant in early spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in spring to conserve moisture and again after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; prune only if needed in early spring.
Zone 6: Plant in early spring or early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in spring to conserve moisture and again after first hard frost; prune only if needed in early spring.
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in spring to conserve moisture and again after first hard frost; prune only if needed in early spring.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in spring to conserve moisture and again after frost; prune only if needed in early spring.
Zone 9: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in spring to conserve moisture and again in fall; prune only if needed in early spring.
Speedwell
- Deciduous mounding perennial with deep blue candle-shaped flowers in summer and fall
- Plant in full sun to partial shade
- Plant in rich, but well-drained soil
- Fertilize as new growth appears in spring
- Height: 15-18 inches
- Width: 12-15 inches
- Hardy in USDA zones (3)4-8
Zone 3: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in spring; plant may be marginally hardy in this zone.
Zone 4: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first hard frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.
Black-Eyed Susan
- Annual with 7-inch yellow or bronze daisy-like flowers with maroon-burgundy centers
- Plant in well-drained soil
- Plant in full sun
- Deadhead to promote continued blooming; may reseed
- Space generously to allow for good air circulation
- Height: 20-24 inches
- Width: 12-18 inches
- Annual in all zones (seems to die in fall no matter how warm)
Zones 2-8: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; collect seed in fall for planting the following spring; discard plants after killing frost.
Zones 9-11: Plant in spring or sow seeds in fall when ripe; discard plants in fall.
Bronze Fennel
- Upright perennial with finely dissected foliage and soft yellow flowers in summer
- Plant in full sun; divide in spring every few years
- Plant in average, well-drained soil
- Deadhead to prevent unwanted seedlings
- Height: 4-6 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Hardy in zones 4-9
Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in spring; plants may be marginally hardy in this zone.
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in spring.
Zones 6-9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.
Rue
- Upright perennial with dissected gray foliage and soft yellow flowers in summer
- Plant in full sun; divide in spring every few years
- Plant in average, well-drained soil
- Deadhead to prevent unwanted seedlings
- Height: 18-24 inches
- Width: 15-18 inches
- Hardy in zones 6-11
Zones 6-11: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.
Adonis Blue Butterfly Bush
Gardener's Note: All Buddleia davidii are on watch lists for invasiveness and can't be shipped to several western states.
- Deciduous shrub with gray-green foliage and dark blue spike flowers that attract butterflies
- Plant in rich, but well-drained soil; prune heavily in very early spring
- This variety reaches 4 to 5 feet in height and will spread 3 to 4 feet
- Water regularly until established; fertilize in spring
- Deadhead to reduce seedlings and prolong blooming
- Plant in full sun for best flowering
- Hardy in USDA zones 5-9
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; care for plant as herbaceous perennial and prune to the ground in early spring.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
Zones 7-9: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
Peacock Butterfly Bush
- Deciduous shrub with gray-green foliage and spikes of pinkish-purple flowers that attract butterflies
- Plant in rich, but well-drained soil; prune heavily in very early spring
- Water regularly until established; fertilize in spring
- Deadhead to reduce seedlings and prolong blooming
- Plant in full sun for best flowering
- Hardy in USDA zones 5-9
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; care for plant as herbaceous perennial and prune to the ground in early spring.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
Zones 7-9: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
Purple Emperor Butterfly Bush
- Deciduous shrub with gray-green foliage and medium to deep purple flowers that attract butterflies
- Plant in rich, but well-drained soil; prune heavily in very early spring
- Water regularly until established; fertilize in spring
- Deadhead to reduce seedlings and prolong blooming
- Plant in full sun for best flowering
- Hardy in USDA zones 5-9
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; care for plant as herbaceous perennial and prune to the ground in early spring.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
Zones 7-9: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
