Annuals & Perennials Attractive to Butterflies

 

Annuals & Perennials

Attractive to Butterflies

 

Annuals-for use in containers or beds

Annuals will tend to have more blooms than perennials, but only last one season.

Ageratum

Cosmos

Hypericum

Lantana

Nicotiana

Marigold

Mexican Sunflower

Pentas

Petunia

Verbena

Zinnia

Dill

Fennel ‘Bronze’

Parsley

Perennials-for use in containers or beds

Perennials can be moved from containers into beds at the end of season where they may continue to grow year after year.

Allium

Amsonia

Asclepias tuberosa

Asclepias incarnata

Black-Eyed Susan/Rudbeckia

Butterfly Bush –dwarf varieties

Calamintha/Nepeta

Campanula

Chives

Coreopsis

Daisy

Dianthus

Gaillardia

Heuchera/Coral Bells

Heliopsis helianthoides

Lavender

Liatris

Ligularia ‘Bottle Rocket’

Little Bluestem -grass

Lobelia

Monarda

Phlox

Prairie Dropseed -grass

Purple Coneflower

Russian Sage

Salvia

Scabiosa

Veronica

 

Noxious Weeds

Most weeds can be controlled by pulling or hoeing when just emerging.  A very few are so persistent and have such extensive rhizomes that chemical control is required to get rid of them.*  It's best to avoid herbicide and insecticide use when possible, but these products may be applied with care to tackle a specific problem when you think it's necessary.

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide used to kill these three weed types.  It is widely available as Roundup.  All chemicals should be applied according to product guidelines.

The 3 weeds to look for:

Canadian Thistle



Canadian Thistle

Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)  Because of the plants' extensive rhizomes, three to four applications may be needed.  Remove flowers and don't let this plant set seed as it is highly viable and carried easily by summer breezes.

Quackgrass

Quackgrass



Quackgrass (Elymus repens)  In a new planting area, eliminate this weed with one to two applications of glyphosate.  In established gardens, keep removing rhizomes as consistently as you can...even digging them out of perennial roots.

Field Bindweed

Field Bindweed

 



Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)  With its long growing season, twining stems up to 18' in length and creeping rhizomes, this spreading vine can consume any garden.  It is often introduced into gardens in the root ball of field-grown trees or shrubs.  In my experience, one spray application gets rid of this weed.



*My primary source for this post is The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden by Roy Diblik.  The next post will be 'Other weeds you should know' also inspired by and sourced from Roy's book.

Noted plantsman and designer Roy Diblik has spent more than 30 years studying, growing, and enjoying plants. Roy's recent work includes a planting of the new Oceanarium at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and a garden for the modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is best known as the plantsman behind Piet Oudolf's midwestern garden designs, including the Lurie Garden at Millennium Park in Chicago.

'Chicago Hardy' Fig -end of season report

The plant grew nicely this summer with no insect or disease problems to a height of about 27".  The fruit appeared in late July/early August but only one made it through the season.  All the others were very fragile and dropped early. My hope is that the plant's energy went to root growth and leaf support instead of the fruit.  I headed out to take a photo of the prized fig, there just a few hours ago.  It was gone and not on the ground anywhere.  I really think a squirrel took it.  They take bites out of our tomatoes for the water and their southern relatives regularly ran off with just ripe peaches in our Tennessee yard.

The plant is loaded with buds now, but I'll cut it back to the ground for winter.  It will be hard to do but necessary for its survival.  With a layer of mulch and blanket of burlap, it will be protected and insulated during cold months ahead.  I expect it to see healthy growth next year and maybe even a few ripe figs by end of summer!

How tall will my lawn grow if I stop mowing?

 

Answer:  About 18" and then the grass becomes too heavy to stand upright.  I don't know if the tall grass was what encouraged a coyote to linger in our yard, but an hour with the weedeater and my experiment was over.

Allium Giganteum

Plant bulbs in the fall for a dramatic spring display.  Leaves will disappear after blooms fade allowing room for summer perennials.

Fig 'Chicago Hardy'

This is my recent purchase from the Morton Arboretum plant sale.  I never thought I could have a fig tree in Glen Ellyn, but now it seems possible.  This variety is called 'Chicago Hardy' and will grow to 6' annually as long as winter protection is provided.  I didn't site it in a particularly warm microclimate as instructed but will be sure to mulch and wrap in burlap this winter.

I'll post updates as the fig grows.  It's about 16" tall now and very healthy.

My favorite places to shop for plants!

Hinsdale Nurseries  7200 South Madison Street, Willowbrook IL 60527  www.hinsdalenurseries.com
Here you can find container plants, perennials (helpful categories on plant signs indicate best conditions for planting perennials -sun, shade, wet & dry conditions), excellent quality shrubs and trees.  I love the way trees are spaced out so there's room to walk through them to make selections.  They will even plant the tree for you.

Planter's Palette  28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield IL  60190 
www.planterspalette.com
This nursery grows much of their own material.  You will find an incredible variety of plants and a staff that can help you in your gardening quest.  I'll be purchasing my herbs and vegetables here.

Lurvey Landscape Supply  2550 East Dempster Street, Des Plaines Il 60016  www.lurveys.com
My favorite place for stone...it's not all about the plants:-)  Their plant display is wonderful with great signage too.  It's a great place to learn about what's available for your project.

The Growing Place   25 Plank Rd, Naperville, IL 60563 
www.thegrowingplace.com
A favorite of many clients.  I like to shop for metal trellis and plant supports here.  Take a list if you are plant shopping:) This place is full of temptation.