Patriotic Plants

Summer is in full swing and it’s time for our most patriotic celebration of the year: Independence Day. Did you ever think about making a patriotic garden? We have a few suggestions for you.

RED

Tropical sage (Salvia coccinea): This short-lived perennial wildflower produces sweetly aromatic foliage and brilliant red flowers that are irresistible to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Jatropha (Jatropha integerrima): Evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy leaves and clusters of bright, star-shaped scarlet or vermilion flowers. Grows in full sun or part shade; drought tolerance high; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Red pentas (Pentas lanceolata): Dark green, lance-shaped, somewhat furry and deeply veined leaves with clusters of never-ending, five-pedaled flowers. Likes moderately fertile soil, partial shade, and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

WHITE

White Geiger (Cordia boissieri): The silvery green leaves have a velvety texture and the showy, white flowers appear year-round if enough rainfall or irrigation is available. Its olive-like, white fruits have a sweet flesh relished by birds and other wildlife. Grows 15 to 20 feet tall with a 10 to 15 foot spread; full to partial sun; water regularly after planting and during dry spells. Interesting tidbit: resistant to wind-storm damage.

White plumbago (Plumbago scandens): This is the plumbago species that’s native to Florida and likes to be in full sun to partial shade. A fast-growing evergreen (up to 4 feet), its white showy flowers bloom from spring through early winter. Dense and compact, it’s great for containers, or low, informal hedges. This native shrub is a nice nectar source for several butterflies.

Sweet almond bush (Aloysia virgate): One of the sweetest flowers you’ll come across, also known as the incense bush, it smells like almond or vanilla. This fast-growing non-native (from Argentina) will flower year-round. Grows best in full sun. Attracts pollinators such as butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

BLUE

Blue porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis): Native, low-growing, semi-woody shrub. The height ranges from 2 to 3 feet and leaves are 1 to 4½ inches. The blue-violet tubular flowers are on a long spike that can reach 3 feet and bloom all year. Great for a butterfly garden.

Blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata): Blue plumbago is an excellent evergreen shrub that provides color nearly year-round. Grows in partial shade to full sun. Drought-tolerant once established. Native to South Africa, it is popular here in Florida and California.

Blue daze (Evolvulus glomeratus): This beautiful groundcover produces profuse amounts of powder-blue flowers almost continuously. Grows in full sun and attains a height of about 12 inches maximum, but spreads twice that in a neat mound. Can tolerate a little shade and needs well-drained soil.

Linda Whitman is a senior planner and Sharon Vollmer is an urban forester for the city of Coconut Creek.

You May Also Like
LiS: Latinos in Sports Returns to Miami for F1 Weekend on May 2

This year’s program will recognize Emilio Estefan with the Latinos in Sports Pionero Award.

Read More
Toast the Ghost at Beetlejuice April 29-May 4

Guests can channel their inner ghoul with the Day-O in honor of Beetlejuice at the Adrienne Arsht Center.

Read More
Margaret Cho Delivers the Sass to The Parker May 16

Cho takes on everything from sex and race to politics and womanhood in her live show.

Read More
Join the Hot Moms, Cool Moms Mother’s Day Celebration at CURIO at Faena Bazaar

Shop your heart out for a good cause at CURIO at Faena Bazaar.

Read More
Other Posts
Raise the Roof on Cinco de Mayo at Rosa Sky

Eat, drink and be festive at Rosa Mayo’s rooftop celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

Read More
The Beach Boys Rocked the Stage at the Broward Center

The annual celebration raised funds for the Center’s education programs.

Read More
Putt for Purpose with NFL Hall of Famer and Miami Dolphins Great Dwight Stephenson

The Bonchick Memorial Golf Tournament is in support of Broward Children’s Center at The Club at Weston Hills on Monday, June 2.

Read More
Ocean Prime opening in Fort Lauderdale April 29

The restaurant will be led by General Manager Jason Brown and Executive Chef Charlie Tkacik.

Read More