Garden Flowers

Many of those stories are retold in gardens around the world when gardeners plant non-native species in their own homes and gardens.

The Torch Lily pictured above, for example, is a native plant of South Africa, and its popularity around the United States stems from both the eye-catching orange and yellow flower heads, and the bird attracting seeds contained therein.

They are considered spring bloomers, along with the traditional spring bulbs such as daffodils.

Brightly colored petunias, marigolds, cosmos, daylilies, hibiscus, campion, hollyhocks and coneflowers, among others, often find their way into sunny, summer gardens. Availale varities often means consumers now have a choice of mixing and matching garden flower colors.

The first image in the picture shows a Dianthus species, a popular garden flower in the Pink or Carnation family.

With the exception of Dianthus repens, the boreal carnation, all Dianthus species grown in the United States are introduced species, primarily from Europe, via Eurasia.

They come in a variety of colors, and grown in bunches they create a nice garden border or block. They are also suitable for spring, summer or fall gardens.

In some gardens, nothing says summer like the tall growing, colorful, large flowering hollyhock (Althea rosea), the second image in the picture on the right.

Members of the mallow family, they grow wild and in gardens across North America.

Like most mallows, the plant produces multiple flowers along a single thick spike. The petals have a world wide reputation for being edible.

The plant thrives when growing in soil rich with organic matter, full sun and a consistent water source.

Many of today's species are considered annuals, although some species have been known to grow for two season.

The visual appeal of the Pinecone Ginger (Zingiber zerumbet) plant, a native southeast Asian plant, explains its appeal as a popular tropical garden plant.

It grows as a long, thin stalk, that ends in a cone-shaped bract with small yellow flowers. Also called shampoo ginger, the cone contains a milky substance that is used as a shampoo ingredient.

Depending on the source, suitable USDA Hardiness Zones for the plant range from 8 - 11. As a tropical, it requires consistently moist soil.

While the simple and sturdy Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is native to the eastern United States, it's summer beauty translates into its being introduced into summer gardens across North America.

The plants are drought tolerant and can grow three feet tall in sunny, well drained soil.

With some simple care such as strategic removal of a few flower heads in bloom for indoor flower beauty, the plant will regenerate new blooms throughout the summer.

Many garden plants are started from seed and starter plants can often be purchased at local plant outlets. Seedlings should be spaced about a foot and one-half apart to allow the tall plant and its leaves room to grow.

The final flower image in the picture belongs to the Rose Campion (Lychnis coronarius), another very easy to grow garden perennial.

Native to Europe and North Africa, the plant was introduced to American during Colonial times, and it can now be found growing wild on both coasts.

It also grows in a variety of garden settings from low to high elevations, and depending on the species, produces dependable red or white flowers during the summer months.

As with all gardening endeavors, soil conditions and weather play key roles in flower selection. Consult with the local extension service or garden club to determine which flowers grow best in your area.

The links in the box point to articles covering popular non-native garden flowers, ranging from spring blooming flowers such as the Siberian Squill, to fall blooming flowers such as Dahlias. Please click on any link to read more.

© 2008-2012 Patricia A. Michaels