Mistflower Newsletter
MISTFLOWER AND ALMOND VERBENA – TWO MUST HAVE PLANTS | |||||
Whenever I do my talks, it’s hard for me to not include two plants that all gardeners should have. They are White Gregg’s Mistflower and Almond Verbena. No other plants attract beneficial insects like these do. Here’s more information about these two easy-to-grow perennials. | |||||
Gregg's Mistflower Eupatorium wrightii (Ageratina wrightii), Blue form is Eupatorium or Conoclinium greggi. COMMON NAMES: Wright's Boneset, Wright Ageratina, Wright Eupatorium, Wright's Snakeroot, Asteraceae (Compositae) Height: 1 to 2 feet Width: 1 to 2 feet PLANT CHARACTERISTICS: Deciduous shrubby perennial. Lacy perennial with delicate lavender flowers from July to October. Does well in sun or light shade. Attracts butterflies. Spreads by rhizomes. Should be pruned to 3” after first hard frost. White mistflower is a low-growing, spreading shrub with intricate leafy branches that bear clusters of fragrant white flowers at their tips in September and October. BLOOM: late summer through fall. FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS: dry five-angled achenes. Almond Verbena (Aloysia virgata) Also called sweet almond verbena and is the most beneficial insect-attracting plant I have ever grown and the fragrance is wonderful. Height: 10’ - 15'. Spread: 8’ - 10'. NOTES: Native of Argentina, it has an upright habit with slightly weeping, sometimes ungainly branches. In mild winter areas, the mature plants reach 15 feet in height and 6 feet in width. At the branch tips are highly fragrant, delicate white flower spikes which sway gracefully at the slightest breeze, sending their aroma wafting over great distances. The buddleia-like flowers are produced in cycles from early spring through summer to fall. The wonderful flowers are a magnet to butterflies, bees, wasps and other nectar feeding pollinators. To discuss this newsletter or any other topic, tune in Sunday 8am - 11am central time to the Dirt Doctor Radio Show. The call-in phone number is 1-866-444-3478. Listen on the internet or click here to find a station in your area. Please share this newsletter with everyone in your address book and all your friends on Facebook and Twitter to help me spread the word on organics.
Naturally yours,
Click Here to View Past Newsletters
Enjoy new videos by joining the Organic Club of America
Forward this newsletter to family and friends and ask them Dirt Doctor, Inc. P.O. Box 140650 Dallas, TX 75214
|
Search Library Topics Search Newspaper Columns