Adrienne - ONCE UPON A CONEFLOWER

Roses for the Landscape

In this article I discuss what I consider some of the best roses for suburban landscapes in zone 6 today. By which I mean primarily modern hybrid shrub roses, polyanthas and floribundas, those bred to withstand challenging conditions and cold winters as well as provide easy-care color. Roses often get a bad rap for all the fuss they can take, depending on the variety.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are cultivars that are much easier to grow than others.

As of May 2023: I replaced several Knockout roses listed here that were becoming diseased with different cultivars, Clair Matin and Celestial Night, this spring. Once they establish and start blooming I’ll post an update about how they’re doing.

At the end of the article I provide a summary profile chart.

Roses in full swing along with spirea and peonies

A Guide to Coneflowers (Echinacea)

*An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail sips from echinacea Glowing Dream* *in my garden*

Most people have heard of one of America’s best-loved native plants, if not by its common name coneflower, then by its genus and herbal remedy name, echinacea. Coneflowers are members of the Asteraceae genus, of which there are ten species along with daisies, sunflowers and asters. The name “echinacea” is derived from the Greek for sea urchin, which refers to their spiny, conical centers.

In this article, I explore echinacea’s considerable contribution to the perennial garden, followed by a plant summary and profile chart. As perhaps the most prolific and ubiquitous perennial in my garden, I’ve named this website after it as well. Can you tell I’m a fan?

Make Your Own Hummer Food

If you enjoy hummingbirds, you no doubt already have a hummingbird feeder or two. Did you know you can make your own sugar water for them? I’ve been making hummer food for years. It’s very easy and of course, cheaper. Besides, the red coloring in the commercial stuff is not good for the hummingbirds, and totally unnecessary. They will come without it.

I know they sell clear commercial solutions containing vitamins and minerals “for better egg laying”. But whenever I’ve tried it, the birds aren’t interested at all and it spoils. So I stick with homemade sugar water and trust the hummers will get enough nutrition from insects.

Here’s how to make your own.