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.