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
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia spp.
Asteraceae (aster family)
Fiery red-and-yellow daisies that bloom for months and pull in butterflies.
Bloom calendar
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Bright red and yellow daisy-like blooms make this plant stand out. It brings warmth and vibrancy to the garden, appealing strongly to the sense of sight and attracting butterflies.
Blanket flower is native to North America, especially the prairies and the Southeast, and thrives in hot, dry, sandy spots where little else blooms so long.
Quick facts
- Named for 18th-century French botanist Gaillard de Charentonneau.
- One of the longest-blooming perennials for dry soil.
How to grow it
- Full sun, sharp drainage.
- Deadhead to extend bloom.
- Short-lived; let some seed.
Read more
Guides that mention gaillardia (blanket flower)
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North American native
Fern
Polypodiopsida
Lush, cool green texture and fronds that invite touch. The sensory planter's shade and touch plant.
JanGrown for foliageDec
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