Easy to grow old fashioned favorite brought to America by early colonists. Grow at the back of the flower border or along fences—tough, sturdy, with large, showy flowers in magenta, lilac, pink, cream, and purple. Loved by pollinators – will tolerate poor soil.
Flowers
A beautiful, low-maintenance, long-lived perennial. The bright purple-pink flowers with large cone centers provide an abundance of nectar for bees and butterflies. Echinacea is a native wildflower and a beneficial medicinal herb that helps to boost the immune system.
Spires of Lupins in shades of blue and bluish-purple are a welcome sign in spring. Lupins are an important source of nectar for pollinators. The flowers will bloom all summer and return to delight with another stunning display the following year. Prefers sandy soil and will grow in North American regions Zones: 3-9. Lupins prefer full sun but will grow in light partial shade. Will withstand a certain amount of drought. Beneficial for butterflies.
Host plant to Swallowtail butterflies! An evergreen (in the South) cold-hardy perennial herb with fragrant lacy bluish-green foliage bearing small yellow flowers in summer. It is heat and drought tolerant and suitable for dry, sunny areas. Rue will grow 1-3 feet at maturity and is ideal for short hedges or borders. Rue will deter cats and is a natural insect repellant. Good companion plant for Raspberries, Roses, Alpine Strawberries, and Fig.
Attractive Daisy-like flowers with a spicy scent growing 18-24 inches high. A perennial that can be difficult to get started but, once established, can live for many years. The flowers are cultivated commercially as a natural pesticide, and Pyrethrum is the safest pesticide, especially around food.