Thread: Fruit & Vegetable Gardening If you could grow just three flowers what would they be?
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Old 07-29-2009, 01:47 PM
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Default Re: If you could grow just three flowers what would they be?

What a great ideas for a thread. I have lived in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin for the past 14 years, one place with sandy dry soil and now with richer moister soil. I transplanted flowers when we moved and the my three favorites that have done great in both locations are:

1. Bee Balm is my absoluste favorite (Red, and Purple are my favorite colors - it also comes in pink). It can be aggressive, so only plant it where you have planty of room for it to spread. I love that is attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. It almost never needs watering either, it is tough. In a month without rain at the old house I did have to water it once or twice. Easily starts from seed or divisions. Transplants well.

2. Coneflowers for the same reasons as Bee Balm except they are not aggressive and do not spread like Bee Balm where I live. The pink ones are my favorite. Easily starts from seed, transplants well. I have never had enough to divide. Pairs great with black eyed susans.

3. Anise Hyssop REALLY attracts bees, but also hummingbirds and butterflies. Plus in the fall, the seeds are a favorite of goldfinches, so don't trim off the brown flower spikes. It is a purple flower that pairs well with coneflowers and black eyed susans as here it blooms at the same time. The flower is not as impressive as others, but it pairs well with other flowers in the garden. I love it for what it attracts. It starts easily from seed, spreads from seed naturally in the garden. It transplants well. I don't think you can divide it, but the self seeding aspect makes it easy to dig up and give to others if you want to share. The foliage is pretty too. My mom has it coming up all over in her garden, so another great filler.
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