Purple coneflower (Echinacea spp.) makes a beautiful addition to the perennial garden. Purple coneflowers are beautiful as cut flowers brought into the house, attracting a variety of bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Blooming all summer in the full sun, the purple coneflower will grow up to 4’ and is hardy in zones 3–9.
Remove suckers from trees as they compete for water and nutrients.
Pansies can be purchased and planted outside now. Pinch off each flower as the spent petals curl. This will encourage additional flowers to bloom until it gets too hot. If you purchase heat-resistant varieties, they will bloom even longer. Visit plantsomethingma.org/about-us/need-help/ to find a local garden center today!
MCH specialist Samantha Quoos at The Bramble and Beech recommends Capsicum annuum “Black Pearl” as a multi-purpose plant in the garden. The black pearl pepper is one of her favorite annuals to use for the amazing black/purple foliage and unique fruit. This plant is very hardy, loves to grow in hot/sunny conditions and is low maintenance for an edible plant with some heat!
Plant Something Massachusetts is a project of Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, and was originally established in partnership with Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association.