Roots on the Route

Penstemon tenuis, Gulfcoast Penstemon, is another fantastic plant for first time native gardeners. I think it makes a great border at the front of a bed and looks particularly striking as a mass planting. I also use it as a filler in small empty spots in my garden when everything else feels too large for the space. I'll have lots to seeds to share in the fall so definitely make sure this one is on your list to get!

I love how as soon as Chamaecrista fasciculata, partridge pea, starts blooming the fat bumblebees show up. Yes, fat bumblebee is the scientific name...just kidding, I haven't gotten around to learning who all the pollinators are. So for now, it's fat bumblebee.

I have a few of these growing right now in pots and if I manage to keep them alive, I'll have some to share for a fall give away for anyone who could use some late season color. Some may caution against growing partridge pea in a small garden, but bah humbug to that! Last year I removed the seed pods before they busted open (thanks to the native plant friend who suggested that!) and I only ended up with 4 volunteers. Worst case if you end up with a few extras, they are easy to pull up. Be sure to keep a few seeds for yourself as this plant is an annual.

When this heat sets in and it seems like you'll never feel a cool breeze against your face again, our late summer and fall bloomers remind us that cooler temperatures are right around the corner. Veronia (I forget which species) or Ironweed is telling you to hang in there.

I have several Rivina humilis (Pigeonberry) plants that have all bloomed and fruited at different times, yet somehow I managed to not get a single photo of their cute little red fruit! This one is close to being ripe so I guess I could have waited, but I wanted to share how I unexpectedly collected seeds from the ones that finished fruiting already. The more you observe your own plants, the more you're going to learn! I won't have enough seeds to share this year, but I might try to grow these over the winter and could have a few plants to give away next year.

Salvia coccinea is an excellent choice for new native gardeners who are still figuring out the conditions of their yard and what to plant where. This works in sun or shade and tolerates dry spells along with the heavy downpours. It has a long-lasting bloom season and if you prune it every so often, it will branch out producing even more flowers. And if that's not enough to convince you, hummingbirds like it too! I personally like to use it in the shadier parts of my yard to add pops up color against all of the greenery.

Gaillardia pulchella, Blanket flower, is an annual plant so either let the plant reseed on its own or collect a few to plant yourself for next year. Watch the video to learn how.

A friend of the Route had some Echnicaea purpurea (purple coneflower) ready for harvesting and kindly let me collect some to share with you all. Watch this video learn how to collect them yourself.