A prolific producer of nectar, lobelia (Lobelia spp.) is a magnet for pollinators. Attracting hummingbirds, butterflies and honey bees, lobelia thrives in sun to part shade and will tolerate average to wet soil. Blooming either red or blue in the summer, lobelia will reach heights of up to 4’ tall and is hardy in zones 4-8.
If you didn’t get to it last fall, now is the perfect time to tune up power equipment used in the garden. Change the oil, replace spark plugs, tighten bolts, sharpen the blades on the lawn mower, replace dirty air filters and clean all debris from and near engine parts.
‘American Gold Rush’ black-eyed Susan is the 2023 perennial of the year! Click here to learn more.
MCH specialist Meredith at Seifert Designs recommends Tamarix ramoissima. Also known as Salt Cedar, this is an especially rare shrub/small tree in New England. The feathery pale blue foliage is soft to the touch and contrasts well with dainty fairy pink flowers that dance in the sea side winds. It is salt tolerant, likes poor sandy soils and is perfect for erosion control.
Plant Something Massachusetts is a project of Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, and was originally established in partnership with Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association.