Agastache

Hummingbird-mints are mostly North American natives that offer a full, colorful season of blooms that are a delight to both butterfly and hummingbird. They are all sun-lovers and are even tolerant of Arizona-hot temperatures. They are not particular as to soil pH but are sensitive to water logging, so perfect drainage is a must! Hardiness varies between varieties, so pay careful attention to the label. Fertilize in the spring when plant growth is most active. Deer do not like the taste of this group. Watch for aphids on these plants.

Coreopsis

Tickseeds are a great group of American natives heralding from the prairies of the Midwest to the Deep South. Terra Nova Nurseries offers a whole line of these everblooming plants in both annual and perennial forms. These flower-factories bloom from late spring to frost and include rock-garden dwarfs a few inches high (like C. 'Little Penny') to the tall C. 'Lightning Flash' which makes a golden background plant, 7' tall! Coreopsis all need sun and prefer leaner soils. Too much fertilizer or soils that are too rich can produce lanky, floppy growth and fewer flowers. Good drainage is essential for this group.

Echinacea

Coneflowers are American natives seen from the prairies of the Midwest to the Deep South and have recently exploded in popularity. Strong plants with rich, non-fading colors have become a Terra Nova Nurseries standard. All Echinacea prefer a sunny location and regular garden soil with reasonable drainage. A spring shot of fertilizer is usually enough to carry the plant through frost. If plants are small, it is best to cut the first flower (use as a cut-flower!) to develop a strong base and root system to assure winter survival. They are quite hardy plants and are usually killed by water logging and too much shade. Watch for aphids on these plants.

Helleborus

The Lenten roses we offer are both deer-resistant and gorgeous in the late winter. Hellebores prefer shade but really seem to appreciate morning sun if possible. We fertilize our plants in January, as roots are already growing at that time. Apply the fertilizer gingerly as they are not heavy feeders. They are happiest in woodland soil conditions, composty, well-drained soils (acid pH) and even watering. Waterlogged soils will kill them. Full sun will stunt a plant, but rarely kill it. Very few pests, sometimes aphids in the late spring can be a problem.

Heuchera

From the Rockies to the Gulf coast, few plants say "native" like the coral bells. Where are they happiest? In composty, well-drained soils with morning sun. We fertilize once in early spring as plants are flushing out. Some varieties are extremely sun-tolerant, while others (especially the metallic-leaved forms) are happier in more shade. It is best to dry plants out a bit between waterings as soggy, clay soils are the worst environment to grow in. In hot, humid areas of the US, use plants with Heuchera villosa in their breeding. This species is much more tolerant of hot, humid conditions. Moist, humid conditions at 45-50 degrees F can produce conditions favorable for Heuchera rust (orange pustules under the leaf). While rarely terminal, it is good to remove the affected leaves and spray with a copper-based fungicide for season-long control. Root and Vine Weevils can be problematic and larvae can be controlled with nematodes (Nemasys) applied in the fall and/or synthetic pyrethrin sprays in May to control the adults. Look for nibbled leaves.

Heucherella

Heucherellas are hybrids of native coral-bells and native foam-flowers from both coasts of the U.S. They like composty, well-drained soils with morning sun. We fertilize once in early spring as plants are flushing out. Some varieties are extremely sun-tolerant, while others are happier in more shade. It is best to dry plants out a bit between waterings as soggy, clay soils are the worst environment to grow in. Heucherella do well in hot, humid areas of the US. Our newest forms have Heuchera villosa in their breeding and have even more vigor. Moist, humid conditions at 45-50 degrees F can produce conditions favorable for Heuchera rust (orange pustules under the leaf). While rarely terminal, it is good to remove the affected leaves and spray with a copper-based fungicide for season-long control. Root and Vine Weevils can be problematic and larvae can be controlled with nematodes (Nemasys) applied in the fall and/or synthetic pyrethrin sprays in May to control the adults. Look for nibbled leaves.

Pulmonaria

The lungworts are amongst the first plants to flower in the spring, providing nectar for the first bees and hummingbirds. They are very distasteful to deer. Pulmonaria prefer well-drained soils (they will tolerate some clay, though) and morning sun. They can live their whole life happily in shade, but seem to be fuller and heavier blooming with the extra light. Fertilizer may be applied sparingly in the earliest spring. They do prefer even moisture and a light mulch is appreciated by the plant. Use varieties with more P. longifolia blood (these have the long leaves) in more southerly climates. Watch for aphids on these plants.

Tiarella

Foamflowers are shady characters found growing in the woodlands of the Pacific Northwest to the Gulf Coast. They are native plants, happiest in conditions that are composty and well-drained (acid pH) with even watering. Waterlogged soils will kill them. They are great performers in the deep south and in Texas. Varieties with a running habit make great groundcovers and the early spring blooms have a pleasant fragrance. A light mulch can be beneficial. Root and Vine Weevils can be problematic and larvae can be controlled with nematodes (Nemasys) applied in the fall and/or synthetic pyrethrin sprays in May to control the adults. Look for nibbled leaves.