As our journey in the garden progresses into summer, I will continue with even more perennials for pollinators, one last time. This is episode three after all, and everything seems to work best in the form of a trilogy, right? In hindsight perhaps I should have given these fancy names like “Episode 1 – The Garden Menace”, “Episode 2 – Attack of the Ladybugs”, and this time maybe “Episode 3 – Revenge of the Gardener.” I am sure George Lucas would not care… In all seriousness, as I have been explaining these past few weeks, the benefits of pollinator health and the power of perennials is of utmost importance to us all.
Everyone craves summer color and almost all gardeners would prefer their plants to return year after year. That is the simple power of a perennials, when sited and planted properly they are treasures that will mature into a sturdy specimens that bring years and years of enjoyment. This could certainly turn into a continuing list of the hundreds of cool perennials, both common and rare, but here are a few worthy candidates for growing in sunny garden locations with well-drained soil and we will discuss even more here and there over the coming summer months.
Helenium: These are known as “Sneezeweed”, but don’t let that scare you. As one who suffers from pollen allergies (nice choice of career, right?) and has this growing at home, these are not about sneezing at all, but rather about vibrant mid to late summer flower power. Flavors can be found in yellow, red, and orange tones, with most having a blend of the three colors, and in varying heights. Older varieties get a little bigger, say 3 to 4 feet, while many of the modern selections stay a little more compact in the 14 to 18 inches range. Flowers resemble little daisies with lovely brown, button centers. Bees absolutely adore these as I see a bazillion buzzing on my plants all summer long. Flowers will last for about 3 months, then dry and drop some seed for foragers in the fall.
Helianthus: Want true perennial sunflowers? These are larger specimen perennials for sunny gardens and include numerous choices that will come back year after year. I chose ‘Lemon Queen’ for my own garden years ago, and it is quite impressive to see this plant go from ground level up to 7 to 8 feet tall in one season. This one should be staked, or grown near a fence (like mine) so it can be supported with some simple cup hooks and sisal twine. Little 2-inch bright yellow sunflowers come in masses starting in July and bloom until fall. Give these lots of sun and air circulation, then sit back and watch the bees do their thing from mid-summer into fall. There are some other good ones out there like ‘Gold Lace’ and ‘Suncatcher’ as well.
Rudbeckia: Known more commonly as “Black Eyed Susan”, these classic prairie perennials are easy to grow, even in poor soils and are drought tolerant (once established). Bright golden yellow daisy-like flowers with dark centers attract both bees and butterflies during the summer. These also naturalize a bit and the plants will spread by roots, developing into nice swathes in the garden. Older varieties like ‘Goldstrum’ (which I have had for years) are just a little bit taller, growing to maybe 2-feet, while newer ones can be found that are shorter and even start blooming a little earlier. Seek out ‘Little Goldstar’, a nice shorter one that I have as well, or maybe ‘American Gold Rush’, a heavier blooming and more disease resistant variety introduced recently that was the Perennial Plant of the Year for 2023.
Zauschneria (a.k.a. Epilobium): These are fun hummingbird magnets that gardeners borrow from our friends down in California. As long as they are in full and well-drained soil, they are plenty hardy – it is not a temperature thing with these it is a wet winter thing, so no planting in clay. These spreaders will form a wonderful carpet of grayish foliage and short stems that weep a bit. Depending on the variety, they will adorn bright red, scarlet or orange trumpet flowers all summer into fall. Mine is planted right on a sunny slope next to a hot concrete driveway and it has loved this location for years. These are not super common, but worth searching for if you like hot colors and attracting hummingbirds.
Leucanthemum: These are known as “Shasta Daisies” - easy, very hardy and durable clumping classic perennials that offer cheery white or yellow flowers. These were hybridized in the late 19th century from a number of Daisy species and named for Mount Shasta, due to the original white flower options. They are popular with the butterflies and bees of course, and varieties can be found with either single or double flowers. I have never met a Shasta Daisy I did not care for, and the choices of good cultivars are seemingly endless. They can be found taller or shorter, and will continue to re-bloom most of the summer if deadheaded a bit. Some compact ones like ‘Shortstop', ‘Snowcap’, or ‘Madonna’ are shorter in height, and nice yellow tinged ones like ‘Real Goldcup’, ‘Lemon Puff’ or ‘Banana Cream’ are fun if white is not your thing.
I am sure you can tell by now, but I simply love perennials and could go on and on and on about all the wonderful options for PNW gardeners. Other plants that I enjoy in my own sunny gardens include Liatris (Gayfeather), Solidago (Goldenrod), Oenothera (Evening Primrose), Penstemon (Beardtongue), and Phlox (Garden Phlox). Be sure to investigate these perennials and explore all the wonderful cultivars out there for each. By visiting your local Garden Center now, you can see these beauties blooming in person and seek advice from a Certified Professional Horticulturist on which perennials will thrive in your specific garden locations. Horticulturists, like me, love to act as plant enablers, assisting gardeners find that one special plant to fill an open spot, or even helping them complete an entire pollinator friendly garden. Now, I am going to dig some holes… I think I may have just talked myself into squeezing a few more of these into my own garden!
