Plant picks for sunny locations
Going to the garden centre can be overwhelming. How can the novice gardener make the right choices? Over the last few weeks the Calgary Horticultural Society has provided information on the best plants for Calgary gardens. This week’s picks are for sunny locations.
‘ MAGNUS’ PURPLE CONEFLOWER — ECHINACEA PURPUREA ‘ MAGNUS’
It’s valued for cone- shaped seed heads, is a great cut flower and it attracts butterflies. Stands up to heat and drought. Magenta- pink blooms from mid- to late summer. Many gardeners find this plant to be deer and rabbit resistant.
Size: To 1.2 metres tall and 60 centimetres wide
Plant it with: perennial Geraniums, Rudbeckia ‘ Goldsturm,’ Russian sage, Turkestan burning bush.
‘ HUSKER RED’ PENSTEMON — PENSTEMON DIGITALIS ‘ HUSKER RED’
One of the easiest perennials you can grow, ‘ Husker Red’ penstemon bears purple- red foliage and white flowers all summer long. It’s native to areas of southeastern and central North America, so it stands up well to heat and humidity.
Size: 90 metres tall and 60 centimetres wide
Plant it with: Diabolo ninebark, May night salvia, Firewitch dianthus
RUSSIAN SAGE — PEROVSKIA ATRIPLICIFOLIA
A fine plant for the late- summer garden. Thrives in hot, dry spots and produces silvery foliage topped with clouds of lavender- blue flowers at the end of the season. The foliage is nicely scented, too, which also makes it unappetizing to deer and rabbits.
Size: 1.5 metres tall and 90 metres wide
Plant it with: Diabolo ninebark, May night salvia, Firewitch dianthus