Native plants tolerant, beneficial species

Native plants tolerant, beneficial species

I've given up on finicky plants like azaleas because the root systems are shallow and tend to succumb to the first dry spell.

Instead, I'm using more native plants that tolerate the up-and-down weather patterns that now seem to be the norm in Hampton Roads. I especially like species like Joe-pye weed, great rudbeckia, Virginia bluebells, wild geranium, Jacob's ladder, butterfly weed, ironweed, cardinal flower and green-headed coneflower.

These are excellent plants for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and other wildlife to your yard, according to museum horticulturists. All plants are nursery propagated and many are not yet available in the commercial nursery trade.

Here's a closer look at some plants:
Anemone virginiana, aka thimbleweed. This upright, multiple-stemmed perennial features white flowers with yellow thimble-shaped centers. It blooms May-July, grows 1-2 feet tall, likes full sun to partial shade and resists bunny nibbles.

Claytonia virginica, aka spring beauty. This early spring-blooming perennial bears clusters of pinkish white flowers with dark pink veins. It blooms March-May, grows 4-12 inches tall, and needs full sun to part shade.

Geranium maculatum, aka wild geranium. This perennial wildflower grows with showy pink-lavender flowers that occur in loose clusters on branches above pairs of five-lobed leaves. It blooms April-May, grows 1-2 feet tall and prefers full sun to part shade. It's perfect for woodland gardens.

Callirhoe involucrate, aka winecups. Magenta poppy-like flowers with white centers appear on trailing foliage. It blooms May-June, grows 6-12 inches tall and prefers full sun. It's a wonderful drought-tolerant addition to a rock garden.

Echinacea palida, aka pale coneflower. This perennial showcases large daisy-like flowers with slender, pale pink drooping petals that surround a domed orange center. It blooms June-July, grows 2-3 feet tall and likes full sun. It's deer resistant, and attracts gold finches.

Rudbeckia maxima, or great rudbeckia. This evergreen perennial with cabbage-like leaves produces large yellow daisy-like flowers with long brown centers. It blooms July-August, grows 5-7 feet tall and needs full sun. It's drought tolerant and bears seeds that attract gold finches.

10 planting tips

Use these Virginia Living Museum planting tips for most anything in your garden, including native perennials, trees and shrubs.

1. Dig a straight-sided, flat-bottomed hole larger than the pot size of the plant you are planting. Funnel-shaped holes drown plants.

2. Remove plant from pot and loosen roots to stimulate root growth and to prevent roots from growing in circles around the plant.

3. Amend soil with compost.

4. Place plant in hole and fill soil in around root ball.

5. Gently pack soil around root ball.

6. Make sure soil is level with original soil line of plant.

7. Fertilize lightly to minimize transplant shock.

8. Water thoroughly.

9. Mulch to help hold in moisture and minimize weeds.

10. Keep new plantings watered until roots are established.