Gooseneck loosestrife might be the perfect plant for your pollinator garden – here’s what to know
Tips on taking care of your gooseneck loosestrife
Pollinators come in many sizes and shapes, from beautiful butterflies to fuzzy bees, and even less loveable varieties like wasps and beetles. Pollinators play an important role in our ecosystem, letting fruit grow and seeds develop, and many gardeners enjoy having a pollinator garden to attract and support them.
There are many terrific options you can choose from when planning your pollinator garden, but gooseneck loosestrife is one you may not be familiar with. Aside from its delightfully goofy name, this flower is pretty and pollinators love it. Here’s what you need to know about growing it.
What is gooseneck loosestrife?
If your yard gets a lot of afternoon light, these are the afternoon sun plants for you
How to choose and grow plants that will thrive with afternoon sun
There are many challenges regarding the sun when it comes to gardening. There's too much, then there's too little. For example, some fruit trees thrive in shady backyards — except most trees do require full sunlight. This is why pruning is necessary. And then there are those conditions where too much sun can affect our plants.
Afternoon sun is challenging. Direct sunlight between midday and sunset is the most intense exposure. Although some plants are labeled for "full sun," extended exposure in that hot afternoon sun may be too much — not all these are suitable as afternoon sun plants. This is especially so if the sunlight is further intensified by a wall or fence that traps and reflects the sun’s heat during the day, then continues to radiate heat after sundown. These tough areas require tough plants.
Add heliotrope to your garden for stunning purple flowers all summer long
If you love the color purple for your garden, these flowers are the perfect addition
A spring flower garden bursting with colorful flowers and delightful smells is the dream for many gardeners, but so many flowers fade before summer even begins. If you want a flower with long-lasting blooms and an incredible smell, then heliotrope might just be the right choice for you. Heliotrope flowers are beautiful and easy to care for, so why not add them to your spring and summer flower gardens? Here is everything you need to know about planting and caring for heliotrope flowers.
What is heliotrope?
Heliotrope is an herb in the borage family. While it has relatives native to many different places, the most common garden variety, Heliotropium arborescens, is native to South America. It can grow as a perennial in warmer climates, but in the U.S., it typically grows as an annual. The flowers of this plant are a vibrant purple and they can be seen throughout spring and summer, with some cultivars even blooming into fall.
