North American native
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Shaggy scarlet flowers that hummingbirds cannot resist, on a fragrant plant you can make tea from.
JanBlooms Jul–AugDec
North American native
Fern
Polypodiopsida
Lush, cool green texture and fronds that invite touch. The sensory planter's shade and touch plant.
Bloom calendar
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Ferns add lush green texture and movement. Their delicate fronds invite touch, making them perfect for the sense of touch. They bring a cool, shaded feeling and a natural forest look to the planter.
Ferns do not flower, so they are not a nectar source, but native ferns such as lady fern, Christmas fern, and hay-scented fern provide cover for ground beetles, spiders, and salamanders that keep garden pests in check.
Quick facts
- Ferns reproduce by spores, not seeds.
- Many Long Island ferns are native, including Christmas fern and cinnamon fern.
How to grow it
- Shade to part shade.
- Keep evenly moist.
- Mulch with leaves.
Read more
Guides that mention fern
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North American native
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia spp.
Fiery red-and-yellow daisies that bloom for months and pull in butterflies.
JanBlooms Jun–OctDec
North American native
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum / Hylotelephium spp.
Thick, smooth succulent leaves and late-season flower clusters that bees and butterflies crowd onto in fall.
JanBlooms Aug–OctDec