​Native encore: Amsonia tabernaemontana (eastern bluestar)
In late spring, when many native pollinator plants have either just finished or are just thinking about blooming, amsonia is putting on a real show. Its starry, powder-blue flowers top fine-textured foliage, growing 2-3 feet tall.. Drought-tolerant once established, this deer-resistant favorite is attractive to many bees,moths and butterflies. For the best display, plant en masse in full sun. Once flowering is over, gardeners can trim off the top 6 inches or so to create a tidy mound, and wait for the second act– a stunning display of brilliant gold autumn foliage.

In the May garden, the classic combination of yellow and blue can bring to mind the striking colors of a Van Gogh painting. The contrast provided by a brilliant yellow cloud of golden ragwort, surrounded by blue and purple waves of Jacob’s ladder and woodland phlox, is every bit as dramatic as the bold strokes in his Starry Night landscape.
Golden ragwort, a perennial in the aster family, is valued for its ability to thrive in moist or dry conditions, in both full sun or light shade, and produce flowers from mid- to late spring. This adaptable plant naturalizes rapidly, the foliage providing an excellent semi-evergreen ground cover for those tricky areas.
A typical golden ragwort plant stands 1-2’ tall. While the basal leaves grow larger, an attractive purple stem grows from the center of the plant. The small, almost fern-like leaves on the central stalk are dramatically different from the heart-shaped basal leaves. These are typically purple on the underside, providing a glossy contrast to the bright spring green on top.
Multiple flower heads create an airy spray of golden yellow floating above the leaves. Golden ragwort functions as a host plant for the threatened northern metalmark butterfly, and the nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a wide variety of pollinators
A welcoming stand of golden ragwort can be found blooming on the edge of the SBG’s Woodland Garden. Add some golden ragwort to your palette of plants and you’ll be guaranteed a splash of spring color!
Photo: Center for Sustainable Environment, fandm.edu

​The ubiquitous hanging basket has seemingly become as much a part of Mother’s Day as breakfast in bed or a nice brunch out. Choices range from a single dramatic blaze of color to an artistically arranged ‘bouquet’ effect. But most have one thing in common–they feature hybrid petunias.
Petunias have been bred in a wide variety of stunning colors, and those colors, along with their tubular shape, can make them attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. However, hybrid petunias contain very little nectar and pollen–and pollinators who visit them usually leave wanting much more!
Instead, consider choosing plants that offer both beauty and rich supplies of food for pollinators. There are many to choose from. Using the popular “thriller–filler-spiller” formula, you might choose salvia (Salvia farinacea), pentas (Pentas spp) or snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) for your tall “thriller". Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima), bidens (Bidens laevis) or ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum) serve as excellent “fillers”. And lantana (Lantana camara), moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora) or even bee-loved herbs such as oregano or thyme provide dramatic “spiller” power, as well as plenty of pollen and nectar.
But if you really love those baskets of petunias, go ahead and indulge! Just be sure to plant plenty of nectar-rich blooms nearby. That way, you can enjoy both a lovely display and a host of satisfied pollinator customers. Happy Mother’s Day from the SBG!
Photo: Rebecca Niver, Unsplash