Bee Plants

Dainty, nectar-rich, late winter to midspring, greenish white flowers are followed by sweet, clear orange, 3/8" diameter berries with a flavor reminiscent of cantaloupe ripen in fall. Like all of our native Hackberry species, the Spiny Hackberry, Celtis pallida or C. ehrenbergiana, is an important host plant for the Hackberry butterflies (American Snout, Cuban Snout, Empress Leilia, Dusky Emperor, Tawny Emperor, Hackberry Emperor, etc...) as well as the Red-Bordered Metalmark. The ripe fruit are devoured by a variety of birds and other wildlife. Human nibblers should be aware that the fruit does contain a large pit. The Spiny or Desert Hackberry develops into a large shrub or small tree that seems to prefer average moist soils but as the name implies it is quite drought tolerant once well-established. Item# 10682

Whorls of curving, tubular, yellow to cream flowers, commonly with purple dots, are held above the whorls of colorful bracts ranging from cream, to pink, to purple tones are produced in late spring and summer with the colorful bracts providing interest often into fall. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and occasional hummingbirds. Spotted Horsemint, Monarda punctata, is a clump forming, native perennial with lemony to oregano scented, narrow foliage. It is found throughout much of the central and eastern US and as far west as New Mexico and is commonly found on dryish, well-drained, and often poor, sandy soils. Spotted Horsemint makes an easy and reliable addition to naturalistic settings like roadsides, prairies, and meadows. Readily reseeds on exposed soils. Deer and rabbit resistant. Prefers a full sun site in well-drained soils.

Masses of 2-¹/₂ to 3" wide semi-double rose pink flowers seemingly cover up the plants in February-March and are centered by a boss of yellow stamens atop white filaments. Spring Awakening Camellia, a hybrid developed and introduced by Dr. Clifford Parks of Camellia Forest Nursery in 1990, is a moderately vigorous, large growing evergreen shrub with an upright, somewhat loose and open habit initially that will likely become denser and rounded with age as is typical of most Camellias.  Provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and a deep organic mulch. Images courtesy of CamToo Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13009

For several weeks in mid to late spring, the mounds of large, apple-green, heart-shaped, quilted foliage with maroon veining is topped by a multitude of up to 10" high conical spike-like clusters, or racemes, that are adorned in pink round buds that open to display the fragrant dainty white flowers that attract a variety of smaller pollinators. In fall and winter, its foliage takes on fall colors in shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple. Spring Symphony Foam Flower or Tiarella, a hybrid selection, is a stoloniferous, ^†semi-evergreen, perennial groundcover perfectly suited to shaded gardens and landscapes. They can tolerate more sun in areas with cool summer climates but will still likely prefer to be in the shade during the heat of the day. Tiarellas prefer a moist soil with ample organic matter and average or better drainage and are resistant to be being browsed by deer and rabbits. In his introduction to the genus Tiarella, Dr. Allen Armitage in his Herbaceous Perennial Plants, 4th Edition states that he "puts these plants on the A list for shady areas." and in regards to the cultivar Spring Symphony he states "Even though there has been an explosion of newer cultivars, this is still the one I recommend to my daughters." Spring Symphony Tiarella has also been selected as an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. Images courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc., www.terranovanurseries.com, all rights reserved. Item# 13327

Lavender trumpets with white throats may be produced throughout the growing season, or nearly year round in mild winter climates, in spike-like clusters and nicely complement the creamy white to soft buttery yellow and green variegated, rounded foliage. The Ganges Primrose is a naturally evergreen (in frost-free climates), groundcover-like, mounding and spreading, shrub-like perennial. Use as a non-aggressive groundcover in the garden or filler in containers. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Caterpillar host: White Peacock and Malachite. Item# 11049

The rounded clusters of flowers open a bright golden yellow and mature through bright pumpkin orange and finally into deep red tones all the while attracting a wide variety of pollinators with their nectar reward from spring until fall. Star Landing Lantana was selected for its low mounding habit, excellent flower power, vigor and reliable zone 7B cold hardiness. Use it as a groundcover in the garden and landscape for traffic stopping color throughout the growing season as well as for low-maintenance container specimens. When planted alone it is reported to produce almost no seed. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in an average moist, average to well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12886

A rare striped Sasanqua! This is a heavily flowering plant that produces loads of medium-sized, single to semi-double, white flowers that are randomly striped and often heavily edged with starkly contrasting deep rose red and are centered by a boss of nicely contrasting yellow stamens. Flowering occurs in early to midseason, October to January, attracting bees with ample pollen. Stars 'N Stripes Sasanqua Camellia has a moderate rate of growth with an upright to spreading, densely branching habit and matures into a medium-sized, evergreen shrub. The dark green, medium-textured, glossy foliage acts as a wonderful foil to its fall flowers and is sure to be a conversation piece. Sure to make a neat choice for a hedge, specimen, or accent in the garden and landscape as well as for container culture. The Sasanqua Camellias are much more tolerant of growing conditions than standard Japonica Camellias and can tolerate less than perfect soils and full sun to light shade conditions. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13243

Rounded clusters of star-shaped sky blue flowers adorn the ends of sturdy stems in spring. Starstruck Bluestar or Amsonia develops into a neat rounded mound of deep green foliage to about 20" high once flowering is complete. This is an easy and reliable clump forming perennial that is tolerant of wet, moist, to average moist sites and that will only get better with age. Bluestars are pest, disease, and deer resistant perennials that are considered to be somewhat drought resistant once well-established. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12110

An eye-catching yet elegant combination of large lemony-yellow falls are accented by lime-green veining and signals and are topped by contrasting bright white standards that are tipped in yellow and are accented by complimentary green and yellow veining which are then topped by lime-green style arms that are broadly tipped and edged in yellow. Start of Something Big Louisiana Iris is a small to medium-sized plant growing to about 30" high and it flowers very late in the season, typically May. It received an Honorable Mention from the American Iris Society in 2015. Louisiana Irises are easy and adaptable, rhizomatous perennials with fans of deep green sword-like foliage and seem as at home in standing water as they do in average moist garden soils. Remember that these plants do most of their growing in fall and winter and so this is when they should be fed and fall is also a great time to divide plants if desired. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 13346

Huge round clusters composed of extra large bell-shaped deep violet-blue flowers held on sturdy stems atop the narrow strap-like medium green foliage in late spring to early summer and potentially into fall on well-established clumps. Stevie's Wonder Lily of the Nile or Agapanthus is a vigorous, clump-forming perennial with a tropical look but this cultivar has proven to have excellent hardiness into zone 7. The flowering spikes are typically 2-3' high in areas that experience hardy winter freezes (zone 7-8) but they are reported to reach up to 6' high in zone 9 with reports that the flower clusters can reach near volleyball size! The flowers of Agapanthus attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Provide Stevie's Wonder Lily of the Nile a full to partly sunny site in a well-drained, average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Makes an easy and low-maintenance container plant where not hardy. May be fully winter deciduous. Item# 12467

6" wide rounded clusters of 1" wide deep blue-purple to dark purple trumpet shaped flowers are produced atop sturdy 3' high stalks in summer that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Though recent competition has increased when it comes to reliably cold hardy Agapanthus cultivars, Storm Cloud is still considered to be one of the most reliable, naturally winter dormant cultivars but it will benefit from a breathable mulch in any area that experiences freezing temperatures for extended periods. Somewhat drought resistant once well-established but generally prefers an average moist, fertile, well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny site. Deer and rabbit resistant and moderately salt tolerant. Makes an easy and low maintenance container plant where not hardy. Item# 1144

Dense rounded clusters of starry periwinkle blue flowers are produced in late spring to early summer atop the fine-textured deep green foliage that transforms to a deep golden yellow in fall. String Theory Blue Star, a hybrid of or selection of Amsonia hubrichtii, has all of the wonderful traits of Arkansas Blue Star but with a more refined compact habit. This is a clump-forming, long-lived, herbaceous native perennial with an almost formal habit at maturity reaching about 18-24"H x 30-36"W. It can be utilized as an informal hedge or backdrop and will look great paired with native grasses in fall. This Proven Winners© selection is tough and easy, low-maintenance, sunloving, heat tolerant, and deer and rabbit resistant. The flowers of the Blue Stars attract larger bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and hummingbird moths. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12891

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Dense, whorled, almost ball-like clusters are composed of deep cherry red, 2" long, tubular flowers perched atop 16-24" stems adorned in dark green foliage are produced beginning in late spring to early summer. The nectar rich flowers of Monarda attract hummingbirds, larger butterflies especially swallowtails, larger bees, and hummingbird moths. SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Beebalm, a Monarda hybrid developed from US native species, is a medium sized, upright, multi-stemmed, clump forming and slowly spreading, herbaceous perennial selected for its bright colors, midsized habit, and disease resistance. It is small enough for container culture but is sure to make a statement in a sunny cottage garden or landscape. Monarda are hardy perennials that generally prefer a moist to average moist, fertile soil, optimally in full sun with good air circulation. The seeds may also enjoyed by songbirds and smaller mammals. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, all rights reserved. Item# 13330

New for 2023! In mid to late summer the plants cover up in up to 6" wide, rounded to flattened clusters of lime-green buds that open to display hundreds of up to 1/2" wide white daisies with a contrasting yellow eye held on sturdy 18-24"H stems. The flowers attract a variety of smaller pollinators. Sugar Kisses is a hybrid goldenrod, or Solidago, developed by Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennials and selected for its unusual bicolor flowers and its more mannerly clump-forming habit. This herbaceous sunloving perennial is adaptable to soil types and is not likely to be bothered by deer and rabbits. Provide a full sun to mostly sunny site in an average to well-drained, average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Brent Horvath, Intrinsic Perennials, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13163

4-5" wide round clusters of deep purple to violet trumpet shaped flowers are held above the dark green mounds of strap-like foliage on short sturdy 18" high stems beginning in spring to early summer and continuing into early fall. Sugar Plum™ Lily of the Nile or Agapanthus is a newly introduced vigorous hybrid that is both dwarf and compact and is a rare repeat flowering purple flowered selection. Its compact stature makes this a perfect choice for colorful low-maintenance container specimens as well as adding a tropical feel to the garden and landscape. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and the plants are deer and rabbit resistant. Provide a full sun to part sun site in an average moist, fertile, well-draining soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of CND Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 12296

A flower power machine! SUNNY DAYS™ Lemon Coneflower produces wave after wave of large, dark lemon yellow, fragrant, upward facing flowers with frilly, nectar rich cones from summer into fall. This is a hardy clump forming perennial that will do best in fertile, well-drained, average moist soils in a full to mostly sunny site. The flower power and bright color lends this nativar to use as a container plant as well as in the garden and landscape. Leave seedheads for fall and winter songbirds to enjoy. Photos courtesy of TERRA NOVA® Nurseries, Inc. www.terranovanurseries.com, all rights reserved. Item# 13081

SUNNY DAYS™ Ruby Coneflower produces wave after wave of large, claret ruby red, fragrant, upward facing flowers with frilly, nectar rich cones from summer into fall. The double, anemone-like flowers hold their dark coloration with little fading and attract a variety of pollinators and garden beneficials. This is a hardy clump forming perennial that will do best in fertile, well-drained, average moist soils in a full to mostly sunny site. The flower power and bright color lends this nativar to use as a container plant as well as in the garden and landscape. Leave seedheads for fall and winter songbirds to enjoy. Photos courtesy of TERRA NOVA® Nurseries, Inc. www.terranovanurseries.com, all rights reserved. Item# 13082

Large dense burgundy to purple tinged flower spikes and calyxes contrast nicely with the sunny yellow pea-like flowers and are held above the rich foliage in spring. Sunny Morning Prairieblues™ Baptisia or False Indigo, is a Baptisia sphaerocarpa x B. alba hybrid developed by Dr. Jim Ault of the Chicago Botanic Gardens and Chicagoland Grows and that exhibits a strong resemblence its yellow flowered parent, B. sphaerocarpa, and begins flowering about a week to ten days early than the species and maintains a dense uniform habit throughout the growing season. It was selected as one of the top ten in the 2012-15 Baptisia Trials at Mount Cuba Center and is reported to produce as many as 250 flowering stems on mature plants! The Prairieblues™ Baptisias were selected not only for their unique colors but also for their extra large flower spikes, durability, and vigor. These are easy and low-maintenance, deer resistant, long-lived, taprooted perennials that produce more and more flowering spikes with each passing year. Considered a must for the cutflower garden as the spikes have an excellent vase life. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a soil with average or better drainage and moderate fertility. Images courtesy of Chicagoland Grows®, all rights reserved. Item# 12465

4-6" wide, primrose yellow petals surround a deep burgundy eye and emerge in clusters and at the leaf axils in the upper portions of the plant throughout the summer months. The Sunset or Sweet Hibiscus is normally a single stemmed upright growing tender perennial with deep green palmate foliage and much of the plant is covered in fine hairs and tiny prickles. The leaves, flowers, and roots of the Sweet Hibiscus are edible. Provide a full to mostly sunny location and a well-drained soil for the best results. It may be a short lived perennial to annual but is easily grown from saved seeds. Item# 11286

Large red berries cover the bare stems of this native deciduous shrub beginning in fall and lasting throughout much of winter and possibly into spring. Sunset Winterberry Holly develops into a medium-sized well branched shrub with a an upright to vase-shaped habit when young broadening with age. The textured deep green foliage may provide some yellow fall color prior to leaf fall if grown in full sun. Winterberry Hollies are easy to grow adaptable shrubs that produce clusters of small white flowers in spring that provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. Sunset Winterberry Holly is a female and so will need a male pollinator that flowers at the same time for maximum berry production. 'Southern Gentleman' and 'Apollo' are two males that are recommended. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a moist acidic soil. Item# 11888

Suwanne Blue-Eyed Grass produces a profusion of sky-blue, 3/4" wide miniature iris-like flowers for weeks in spring. A clump forming Iris-like native perennial, Suwanne is considered one of the best Blue-Eyed Grasses for gardens with its long flowering season and mannerly habit. Suitable for sun or light shade. Item# 10589

Sweetly fragrant spikes of tiny white flowers are produced from spring to fall on this little known but easy to grow and tough deciduous shrub. Its intensely fragrant flowers attract a host of pollinators and it is considered to be an especially good honey plant. Sweet Almond Verbena, a 2008 Florida Plant of the Year, is a vigorous and pest free, heat and sun loving loving large shrub to small tree. Plant it with Sweet Olive, Gardenia, and Banana Magnolia to have outdoor fragrance nearly year round in zones 8-9. Item# 11894

Large clusters of pure white lightly fragrant flowers shine brightly against a mound of deep green glossy foliage throughout the year under warm tropical conditions. Even if it wasn't fragrant it would easily be worthy of growing for its beautiful form, foliage, and exceptional flower power. This makes a wonderful hanging basket or container specimen for a covered patio or porch and is considered to be root hardy in zone 9 at least. Provide light shade or cool filtered sunlight (although it is reported to somewhat sun tolerant) in well-drained average moist, mildly acidic soils for optimum performance. Item# 11666