Natural Natives

Low maintenance, attractive to songbirds and being affordable are just a few of the benefits a consumer can find in landscaping with native plants, according to plantnative.org. Here are five native plants for you to grow that could be good for garden centers to sell.

Lantana camara
The Bandana series from Syngenta Flowers comes in 10 colors and grows between 16 and 20 inches in height and width. Bandana does well in full sun landscape beds, patio containers and summer combination plantings, except for Trailing Gold, which trails more and is best for baskets, large patio containers and beds. Bandana is also heat-tolerant and attracts butterflies. Bandana Rose Improved was awarded Best New Variety at the Colorado State Annual Flower Trials in 2011.

For more: Syngenta Flowers, www.syngentaflowersinc.com

Baptisia hybrid
The new Decadence series from Proven Winners is a collection of four Baptisia hybrids – Lemon Meringue, Dutch Chocolate, Cherries Jubilee and Blueberry Sundae. The hybridized baptisias are shorter and more compact than native species, which works well for smaller gardens. Decadence grows between 30 and 36 inches in height and is hardy to Zones 4 to 9.

For more: Proven Winners, www.provenwinners.com

Rudbeckia hirta
A winner of the Fleuroselect Novelty Award, this heat-tolerant rudbeckia produces single flowers in red shades, giving it the name ‘Cherry Brandy.’ This variety from Thompson & Morgan can be placed in borders and beds, or used as a cut flower. Growing up to 20 inches tall, it flowers from June to the first frost.

For more: Thompson & Morgan, wwww.thompson-morgan.com

Double Echinacea
This coneflower from Darwin Perennials is hardy, well-branched and currently comes in Cranberry. Growing up to 26 inches in height and 22 in spread, the Double Scoop series has full, double flowers and clean foliage. It blooms from June to August, has a high flower count and a long bloom period.

For more: Darwin Perennials, www.darwinperennials.com

Geum
Awarded Plant of Distinction at the 2011 UGA Trial Gardens, Totally Tangerine from PlantHaven is floriferous and sterile, giving it a long bloom period. Producing warm, tangerine-colored flowers, it has deep green foliage and gets up to 30 inches when in full bloom. Attractive to butterflies and resistant to deer and rabbits, Totally Tangerine can be used for perennial borders, commercial landscapes or as a cut flower.

For more: PlantHaven, www.planthaven.com