Summer Solstice/National Pollinator Week

As many of you know, this year is turning out to be one of our busiest and best yet – we are expanding our inventory, increasing our production, and evolving to our fullest potential. Amongst our ever-growing list of plant material, the early summer-bloomers are beginning to make their presences known. This week, we’re going to take you across the Nursery, through an assortment of plants known for tolerating drought and inhabiting dry soil environments, each providing a different ornamental or ecological value to the landscape. What’s more fitting for welcoming the summer than plants that are ready for the heat and sun?

Echinacea paradoxa

As its name implies, Echinacea paradoxa is, indeed, a paradox amongst other purple coneflowers: despite its common name, this Ozark-native species produces yellow flowers, the only species within the Echinacea genus which does so. Attractive to bees, butterflies, and a host of other pollinating insects, the delightfully fragrant blooms brighten up the naturalized or meadow garden and make an excellent cut flower. During the growing season, the larval stage of Wavy-lined Emerald moths (Synchlora aerata) rely on Echinacea paradoxa as a host plant, undergoing two or more reproductive cycles each year. Similar to other members of the Echinacea genus, American goldfinches and various other bird species will visit the seedheads, which are an excellent source of nutrients, throughout fall and winter. Thus, it is recommended that deadheading is postponed until after the seeds have been consumed or dispersed if one wishes to cultivate an ecologically-minded garden space.

Thymus pseudolanuginosus

In the opposite realm of heights, our low-growing, prostrate groundcover, Thymus pseudolanuginosus, also known as woolly thyme, is a fast-spreading, highly adversity tolerant evergreen perennial in the mint family. Unlike its culinary cousins, woolly thyme is non-fragrant, and can be used in areas where light foot traffic may be a consideration due to its ability to handle some minor trampling. The presence of essential oils within the plant tend to deter deer, and are known to give this species antioxidant properties which have recently been confirmed in a study of phenolic compounds and flavonoid production in several Thymus species (Alfonso et al., 2017). This particular species of thyme can be used in green roof plantings due to its affinity for full sun and ability to tolerate drought conditions.

Sedum x ‘Lime Zinger’

Another highly drought tolerant, full sun selection that can be used for green roof and waterwise or xeriscape plantings is one of our many Sedum crops, Sedum x ‘Lime Zinger’ – a low maintenance, easy-growing succulent perennial sporting blue-green foliage with reddish-pinkish tips. An introduction as part of the SUNSPARKLER® series by Chris Hansen, ‘Lime Zinger’ was chosen for its adaptable, fast-growing habit and weed-suppressing abilities that make it a wonderful option groundcover option for well-draining sites.

Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’

Another member of the Sedum genus, Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’ is a very fast-growing groundcover with blue-green, needle-like foliage that remains evergreen in warmer zones through the winter. Star-shaped, bright yellow flowers contrast beautifully against the foliage between June and July, with the central flower opening first and the surrounding flowers following suit. Like ‘Lime Zinger’, ‘Blue Spruce’ is a fantastic option for sunny, dry sites with well-draining soil, and can be used in green roof or rock garden plantings.

Leontopodium alpinium ‘Blossom of Snow’

A brand-new addition to Pleasant Run Nursery, this wonderful little dry-tolerant perennial produces unique, fuzzy, star-like flowers that have quite a long and storied past. Edelweiss flowers, besides their claim to fame in the cinematic classic The Sound of Music, were believed to symbolize loyalty and dedication when given to a loved one. This has resulted in the tragic and untimely deaths of hopeful suitors who have found themselves climbing the Swiss Alps in search of these mythical little blooms. Edelweiss has been memorialized in prose, poetry, art, cinema, and utilized in cosmetic, magical, and traditional herbalism practices, assuming a wide array of purposes in the human realm. Today, it is considered to be a protected plant in Switzerland, and was one of the first plants to assume protected status in Europe after eager tourists and travelers overharvested the species in the late 1800’s.

Ironically, although the image of the Edelweiss flower is strongly associated with Switzerland and the mountainous regions there, the origination of the species is said to have migrated from high altitude areas of Siberia and the Himalayas. The specialized organs of Edelweiss flowers are designed for extreme conditions, with its fuzzy floral structures providing UV-resistance, and underground stems that offer additional protection from evapotranspiration as well as high winds, which are important adaptations for the plant in its native region, where sun, wind, and drought are continual contenders.

 

Afonso, A., Pereira, O., Neto, R., Silva, A., & Cardoso, S. (2017). Health-promoting effects of thymus herba-barona, thymus pseudolanuginosus, and thymus Caespititius decoctions. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(9), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18091879

Kindscher, K. (2016). A species by species overview of Echinacea. Echinacea, 55–80. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18156-1_6

Mahr, S. (n.d.). Yellow Coneflower, <em>echinacea paradoxa</em>. Wisconsin Horticulture. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/yellow-coneflower-echinacea-paradoxa/

Mt. Cuba Center. (2021, January 20). Echinacea paradoxa var. Paradoxa. Mt. Cuba Center. https://mtcubacenter.org/trials/echinacea-mid-atlantic-region/echinacea-paradoxa-var-paradoxa/

NC State Extension. (n.d.). Echinacea paradoxa. Echinacea paradoxa (Bushe’s Coneflower, Ozark Coneflower, Yellow Coneflower) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/echinacea-paradoxa/

NC State Extension. (n.d.-b). Thymus pseudolanuginosus. Thymus pseudolanuginosus (Wooly Thyme) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/thymus-pseudolanuginosus/

North Creek Nurseries. (n.d.). Sedum reflexum “Blue Spruce.” Sedum reflexum “Blue Spruce” stonecrop from North Creek Nurseries. https://www.northcreeknurseries.com/plantName/Sedum-reflexum-Blue-Spruce

Pennacchio, M., Jefferson, L. V., & Havens, K. (2014). Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter. Missouri Department of Conservation. Retrieved June 21, 2023, from https://education.mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/downloads/mnawinter14.pdf#page=14.

Perennial Resource. (n.d.). Sedum “lime zinger” PP24632: Perennial resource. Sedum “Lime Zinger” PP24632 | Perennial Resource. http://www.perennialresource.com/variety.php?ID=SEDLZ

PFAF. (n.d.). Thymus pseudolanuginosus - Ronn. Pfaf Plant Search. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Thymus%2Bpseudolanuginosus

Pluess, J. D. (2020, April 8). The mystical and Mythical Edelweiss. House of Switzerland. https://www.houseofswitzerland.org/swissstories/history/mystical-and-mythical-edelweiss

RHS. (n.d.). Leontopodium nivale subsp. alpinum blossom of snow (&s;berghman&s;): Edelweiss [blossom of snow] alpine rockery/RHS gardening. Leontopodium nivale subsp. alpinum Blossom of Snow (&s;Berghman&s;) | edelweiss [Blossom of Snow] Alpine Rockery/RHS Gardening. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/362478/i-leontopodium-nivale-i-subsp-i-alpinum-i-font-face-times-new-roman-blossom-of-snow-font-berghman/details

Staff Writer. (2022, January 6). Wavy-lined emerald moth. Insect Identification. https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification=Wavy-Lined-Emerald-Moth

Suttons. (2021, April 27). The magic of edelweiss. Suttons Gardening Grow How. https://hub.suttons.co.uk/blog/perennials/the-magic-of-edelweiss

See all our Perennials