Southern Magnolia is a flowering, broadleaf, semi-evergreen (deciduous in colder climates) tree with a full, pyramidal shape. Its fragrant, large, creamy-white flowers bloom April-June, offering a stunning display. Southern Magnolia must be protected from winter winds, and is sensitive to frost. Plant it as a specimen, or as a shade tree in your yard or neighborhood park; select an appropriate place to ensure optimum growth. It is intolerant of urban conditions.
Sundial Lupine features blue, pea-like flowers on elongated stems that bloom April-July. Attractive, dark green, compound-palmate leaves orient themselves to the sun. This wildlife-friendly perennial is a valuable nectar and pollen source for hummingbirds and native bees. Its dried seeds are enjoyed by birds. Sundial Lupine is a host plant to butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus), Elf (Microtia elva), Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae), and Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius). Sundial Lupine is the only known host for larvae of the Karner Blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa sub. samuelis), which is nearly extinct over much of its range. Plant Sundial Lupine in perennial borders, meadows, edges of woodlands, and in sandy, naturalized areas of your yard that offer full sun. They are susceptible to powdery mildew.
The showy, white flowers of Sweet Alyssum provide spring blooms from April through June. There are many cultivars that offer a palate of colors to choose from. To encourage a second bloom, shear spent flowers from the first bloom. Blooms can be so profuse, they sometimes hide the foliage! For continued enjoyment later in the season, sow seeds in August for an additional fall bloom. Find a protected area in your yard for these fagrant beauties, as they are somewhat intolerant of heat and humidity. Part-shade is preferred, but they can tolerate full sun. Try using Sweet Alyssum in containers for your patio, at the edge of borders around your yard, on cascading walls, and in rock gardens. Sweet Alyssum is native to the Mediterranean, and is commonly associated with sandy beaches and coastal landscapes.
Sea Lavender’s loose and airy, blue-violet flowers resemble Baby’s Breath and bloom July-August. The flowers appear in clumping masses on wiry, nearly leafless stems. Use Sea Lavender in your perennial border, rock garden, seaside garden, or as fresh-cut or dried flowers in bouquets.
English Lavender has fragrant, gray-green foliage. Its lavender-blue to dark purple flowers bloom in the summer on long stems; they make excellent cut or dried flowers. Flowers and foliage are used to scent sachets and potpourris, and as a culinary herb. Use English Lavender in beds, borders, herb gardens, or rock gardens.
Lantana is a tough, long-blooming plant, which thrives in summer heat. Round clusters of multi-colored flowers bloom non-stop from July to frost. Lantana tolerates salt spray, making it a good choice for seaside gardens. Use Lantana as bedding plants or in containers. Its leaves have an unpleasant odor if crushed, so avoid planting in areas of the yard where people might step on it.
Eastern Red Cedar is a wildlife-friendly evergreen tree. This dioecious species (separate male and female trees) has a pyramidal shape when young. Female trees produce small, round, gray to light-blue berry-like cones consumed by many birds and small mammals. Its aromatic wood is used in furniture, fences, and building materials. Use it as a specimen, grouping, or screening plant; good for windbreaks and hedges.
Creeping Juniper is a low-growing evergreen groundcover with long, trailing branches and soft-textured leaves. It tolerates hot and dry conditions, air pollution, and salt spray. Use massed on slopes, as a foundation plant, or in rock gardens.