Today we’re off to New York City with Virginia Sherry, a plant lover and founder of the nonprofit Native Plant Society of Staten Island.

Good morning! The native and nonnative plants in my garden are starting to bloom, and the bees are visiting. Here are some highlights.

Oeothera is a large genus. Some species, like this native (sundrops, Oenothera fruticosa, Zones 4–8), have flowers that open during the day and go by the common name of sundrops, while others open up in the evening and are called evening primroses.

Native to Europe, Bachelor’s button (Centaurea cyanus, annual) also goes by the common name of cornflower because it used to be a common weed in grain fields. Now it is grown on purpose for its beautiful flowers.

Mediterranean bells (Nectaroscordum siculum, Zones 4–8) has clusters of nodding flowers in early summer. A close relative of ornamental onions (and classified in the genus Allium by taxonomists), it has an oniony smell if you bruise the foliage, which makes it unappealing to deer, rabbits, and other pests.

Pink wood sorrel (Oxalis crassipes ‘Rosea’, Zones 6–10) is a little bulb that makes a nice clump of bright green leaves topped with bright pink flowers that can be produced all summer in the right conditions. In hot, dry summers it will go dormant and return in the fall or spring.

A clematis vine (Clematis hybrid, large-flowered group, Zones 4–11) with a huge purple flower.

An elegant columbine (Aquilegia hybrid, Zones 3–9) flower. These perennials tend to be short-lived in the garden but self-seed to perpetuate themselves.

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans, Zones 3–10) is often grown primarily for its attractive, ground-covering foliage, but the flowers are pretty nice as well.

The particularly intense glowing orange color of this rose (Rosa hybrid, Zones 5–10) suggests that it’s the classic variety ‘Tropicana’.

These are actually the flower buds of catmint (Nepeta racemosa, Zones 4–8), which are attractive on their own right even before the purple flowers emerge.

Daisy fleabane (Erigeron annuus, annual) is a durable native annual that grows and flowers happily in all sorts of difficult sites.

 

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to gpod@taunton.com along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

If you want to send photos in separate emails to the GPOD email box that is just fine.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

You don’t have to be a professional garden photographer – check out our garden photography tips!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.

Buy at Amazon

RAINPOINT Sprinkler Timer with Brass Swivel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

- Pure brass water inlet and metal thread can withstand up to 116psi.
- Built-in metal filter gaskets can prevent sediment and other larger particles
- Through the Sprinkler Timer program, you can set the start time, watering duration, and watering frequency

Buy at Amazon

Monarch Butterfly Rescue Wildflower Seeds 4 oz.

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

HIGH QUALITY SEEDS and EXPERT GUIDANCE: Experience the quality seed difference. We are committed to providing the highest quality, open-pollinated, non-GMO/non-GE seeds to our customers, guaranteed. A trusted source of high quality seeds since 1985. ATTRACT MORE MONARCHS: We know seeds and we know pollinators! Our expertly crafted botanical garden seed mixes contain a wide variety of both perennials and annuals that are specifically designed to attract pollinators. Attract more Monarchs and Butterflies in general. Gardener tested, pollinator approved! All Of Our Wildflower Varieties Are 100% Pure Seed, They come with complete planting instructions. Compare and see the quality value. This Wildflower Seed Mix will make the perfect gift for those gardeners in your life.

Buy at Amazon