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Go Green in the Garden with Low-Maintenance Plants

hluter
Explorer C

Just because you don’t have a green thumb doesn’t mean you can’t be green when it comes to gardening. You may be surprised how easy it is to grow a flourishing garden when you know which native plants thrive in your region. 

Native plants require less maintenance in general, which provide a number of benefits.  Conserving water is important, and many are drought-resistant.  Their low maintenance tendencies when it comes to water makes it even better for the Planet, your wallet, and conserving one of our natural resources.

Here are some brawny blooms that will make you think twice before you use the phrase “as fragile as a flower” again.

1. Broadleaf stonecrop

Sedum spathulifolium

Pacific Northwest

This perennial, also referred to as the Cape Blanco, grows best in California and Oregon. The Broadleaf stonecrop can thrive in virtually any soil, but does best in the sun or light shade. Its muted blue-green leaves make it a great neutral ground cover.

2. Blackfoot daisy

Melampodium leucanthum

Southwestern U.S.

The Blackfoot daisy is known as a slow grower but long bloomer—it blooms from early spring all the way through winter. It is tough enough to survive the harshest of droughts while keeping its dainty, honey-scented petals intact. The daisy-like  flower prefers average soil, but can thrive in even the rockiest of deserts.

3. Blanket flower

Gaillardia

Southern/Central U.S.

The Blanket flower is aptly named after the colors commonly found in Mexican blankets: clay red and golden yellow. Its bright colors and plentiful petals make it the perfect summer plant. The bloom can be short-lived if its soil is too moist, so keep it in the hot, sunnier climate of the South. Combine this with the Wild Blue aster (if you can find a Canyon Blue flower, I applaud you), and you could have yourself a SWA-themed garden!

4. Purple poppy-mallow

Callirhoe involucrata

Missouri

Also known as the “Winecup,” the Purple poppy-mallow can bloom from late spring into fall. Don’t let its pretty purple petals fool you—this flower is long-blooming and can withstand extreme drought. It spreads to about three feet and should be planted in well-drained soil.

5. Florida Golden aster

Chrysopsis floridana

Florida

As its bright yellow petals suggest, the Golden aster is native to sunny Florida. This flower flourishes in pine woods and can grow in the white sand of northern Florida’s beaches. There are many types of Golden aster that all thrive in the Southeastern U.S. Although this tough plant survives with very little water, it is currently endangered.

6. Wild Blue aster

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium

Eastern and Central U.S.

There are many types of asters in the U.S., but the Wild Blue aster blooms vivid lavender-blue petals. This flower does well in many climates, but flourishes in dry, sunny locations. It also tends to attract birds and butterflies.

7. New England aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

New England

The Wild Blue aster’s cousin, the New England aster, is another versatile bloom with a bright yellow center.  As its name suggests, this flower is typically found in the Northeastern United States. The New England aster is a rather prominent plant—it boasts an abundance of petals and can grow to six feet in height.

To find the perfect plant for you, take sunset.com’s plant-finder quiz here.  What are you planting in your garden?  Let us know by commenting below or by e-mailing green@wnco.comDING!  You are now free to be green!