Clusters of crimson, star-shaped florets atop 2’ stems bloom their heads off ALL summer into fall.
Size: 24-36”x 12” Care: Sun in well-drained alkaline soil, drought tolerant Native: Mediterranean Wildlife Value: attracts butterflies, bees and hover flies.
Centranthus is from the Greek meaning “spurred flower.” According to Culpepper, an English herbalist from the early 1600’s, this plant comforts the heart and stirs up lust. Parkinson, in 1629 describes it “of a fine red colour, very pleasant to behold.”
Asclepias curassavica Bloodflower or scarlet milkweed Z 9-11 Annual in colder areas
Small scarlet red and orange umbels all summer and early fall
Asclepias curassavica grows upright and tall with spiraling lance-shaped leaves. Blooming all summer and early fall. Showy flowers, in small scarlet red and orange umbels.
Size: 24-30” x 12-24” Care: sun to part shade in moist well-drained soil Native: South America Wildlife Value: Attracts Monarch butterflies
In gardens since 1750’s.
Onopordum acanthium Scotch thistle, Woolly thistle Biennial Z 5-9
Soft, majestic purple-magenta thistles on prickly silver foliage and stems.
Soft, majestic purple-magenta thistles on prickly silver foliage and stems.
Can not ship to: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Size: 4-6’ x 2” Care: full sun in moist, well-drained soil Native: Europe and western Asia Wildlife Value: Bees, butterflies and birds
Identified by Dioscorides in De Materia Medica for medicinal use around 70 A.D. Chosen as the symbol of Scotland by King James V. According to legend the Scotch thistle helped Scotland fend off a night-time Viking invasion by preventing a sneak attack. It caused the Vikings to scream in pain waking the Scots. Introduced to American gardens in late 1800’s.