Though salvia is a member of the sage family, it is a great choice for ornamental flower gardens. Plant salvia in groups of five to add beauty and color to container gardens on a deck or patio. It gives off a lovely fragrance when touched by a gentle breeze and is a perfect choice to include in a fragrant garden. The plants attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden and are considered a great plant for habitat gardens. Use in potpourri or in cut or dried flower arrangements.
Salvia is easy to grow and is disease free. These plants prefer full sun and thrive in well-drained soil of any type. Flower colors include blue, purple, red, rose, white and violet. Root divisions should be done in early spring. Harvest seeds or take cuttings before salvia blooms for best results.
Oriental Poppies
Oriental poppies are an annual that grows large, showy blooms in colors of orange, red and white. They have large ferny leaves and the seed pods propagate a great showing the following year. Bloom size varies from four to six inches across with a large, black center. The plant reaches heights of four feet. The flowers are bold on a large, graceful stem. Up to thirty blooms can appear on one plant. Oriental poppies thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant Oriental poppy sees in early spring or late fall; frost is needed for germination. They do not transplant well and if extra plants are desired it is best they are planted as seed.
Oriental poppies attract bees, birds, butterflies, ladybugs and other beneficial insects. Poppy seed can be used in baking and cooking and continues to be harvested for its healing and medicinal properties.
There are hundreds of flower and plant species that will bring a rainbow of color into your garden. Plant the ones suggested in this article to have a traditional garden. These plants are easy to grow and they will add life to your garden by attracting birds, beneficial insects and other creatures of nature.