Page 52 - MNLGA Free State Winter 2023_WEB

Lobelia cardinalis.Black Truffle Flower Vernonia Novaboracensis New York Ironweed.

GROWING WITH EDUCATION (Continued) many native bees. Good air circulation is necessary because
which gives the flowers a fuzzy appearance. The bracts that the foliage is very susceptible to powdery mildew. There has
hold the flowers are light green with white tips. Each of the been research by Mt. Cuba to determine which plants have
small clusters gather together to form a flat-topped larger the most resistance to powdery mildew. The best cultivars
cluster that typically has up to 23 florets. These late blooming for powdery mildew though included M. Grand Marshall™
fragrant flowers attract many species of butterflies, bees, that has reddish purple flowers, M. ‘Judith’s Fancy Fuchsia’
tiny beneficial wasps, flies and beetles and their tiny seeds that has purple red flowers and M. ‘Raspberry Wine’ with
are enjoyed by swamp swallows. There are a number of purplish red flowers. ‘Claire Grace’ has deep lavender 3-inch-
moth caterpillars that feast on the foliage but leave enough wide flower that ranked highest for its profile floral display of
to allow the plants to bloom. The seeds have tiny hairs that 3 full weeks of blooms and good resistance and another top
allow them to float on the wind to spread. Plants can spread performer, ‘Dark Ponticum’ has a high rating for its growth
by seed but usually spread by underground rhizomes. There and beautiful deep purple flowers, but only rates fair for
is one cultivar, ‘Milk and Cookies’, that has reddish maroon powdery mildew resistance.
foliage with the same white fragrant flowers. All parts of the These herbaceous perennials not only withstand the
plant are considered poisonous, and touching the foliage can challenges of summers high heat and humidity, but also
cause dermatitis, which explains why deer are never interested contribute to a diverse and visually appealing landscape.
in feasting on Boneset. All of the boneset plants grow very tall Their ability to bloom until the first frost makes them valuable
and fit best in the back of borders or landscapes.
additions to create vibrant landscapes throughout the
Monarda fistulosa, or Wild Bergamot, thrives in full sun to season, especially in areas where deer are prevalent. A
partial shade and well drained soils. These plants are in the Photo credit: Ginny Rozenkranz
mint family, forming clumps to grow 2-4 feet tall and 2-3
feet wide. The gray green fragrant foliage has a toothed Ginny Rosenkranz
margin and pairs will clasp the square reddish stem in an Extension Educator, Commercial
opposite fashion. In July through September the lavender Horticulture, University of Maryland
flowers that are made up of fragrant tubular petals with 2 Extension, Dorchester, Somerset,
lips are tightly pack on a whorl of pink bracts which sit on Wicomico and Worchester County
the top of each square stem. Ruby throated hummingbirds 410 749-6141 x106
rosnkrnz@umd.edu
and many butterflies and moths feast on the nectar as do

52 WINTER 2023 • Free State News