Would you like a beautiful low-growing wildflower for your woodland garden? Wood anemone is a spring-blooming perennial that will brighten a shaded plot with its delicate flowers. Join gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen as we introduce the wood anemone and everything you need to know to grow your own. More than one species of plant is known as the wood anemone. They are also sometimes called thimbleweed, windflower, or smell fox. Anemonoides quinquefolia, the American wood anemone, is a native wildflower found in eastern North American woodlands. Anemone nemorosa, the European wood anemone, is very similar in appearance but comes from Europe. Both are easy-to-grow members of the buttercup family (Ranunculeaceae). While there are wood anemones from different regions, they look fairly similar and share similar growing requirements. If you can provide their favored conditions, these vigorous plants are easy to grow and don’t require much extra effort. They are also hardy, deer-resistant, and don’t suffer from any notable pests or diseases. Wood anemones are low-growing, clump-forming perennials that make a beautiful addition to your shade garden. Allow them to naturalize for a gorgeous spring display but consider growing them with a variety of shade-loving neighbors to keep your shady garden plot green from spring through fall. Now, let’s dig right into the wonderful world of wood anemone flowers and learn how to grow them and help them thrive. Plant Natural History Wood anemones are woodland wildflowers. They inhabit moist hardwood forests, forest edges, thickets, and clearings. In their natural habitat, they form large colonies like a lush early spring carpet of green dotted with white flowers. They are often found interspersed with other spring woodland ephemeral wildflowers. There are several species of wood anemones from different regions. Anemonoides quinquefolia is native to central and eastern North America. Anemonoides oregana, also known as Oregon anemone, is native to the Pacific Northwest. Anemone occidentalis, also known as the western pasqueflower, is native to western North America. Anemone nemorosa is native to temperate regions of Europe and the Middle East. Characteristics Wood anemones are herbaceous perennials. They are also spring ephemeral flowers. Spring ephemerals are some of the first plants to emerge each year. They bloom early in the springtime and then go dormant again before summer’s end. Wood anemones start to develop leaves in late winter, typically before the surrounding trees are fully leafed out. The first warming days and rising ground temperatures trigger these plants to start growing. The leaves are deeply divided into three to five leaflets with coarsely toothed edges. The leaves are either solid dark green or edged with maroon, depending on the species or cultivar. Plants spread by vigorous root rhizomes to form attractive colonies on the forest floor. These are low-growing plants that make a good ground cover when allowed to spread for a while. As the weather warms into summer, however, the leaves die back into dormancy and remain dormant until the following winter and spring. Soon after the leaves emerge, wood anemones bloom with their delicate yet showy flowers. These flowers come in shades of white, pink, purple, and pale blue, depending on the species. The petals are simple and rounded, arranged in a radial pattern. Some species have as few as five petals, while others have considerably more. Cultivars with double flowers have many more petals, sometimes in varying sizes, arranged in multiple rows.

The name wallflower probably conjures up shy schoolkids, but wallflower plants have a lot of bold personality and wonderfully fragrant flowers. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss has the low down on caring for these pretty plants. What are Wallflowers? Wallflower is a tough little plant that can grow in harsh and unforgiving situations. Its common name stems from the plant’s ability to sprout up in surprising spots. It’s not uncommon to see this little flowering plant pop up between bricks or cracks in concrete. The Erysimum genus encompasses many species, including herbaceous perennials, annuals, and subshrubs. Some species are popular for growing in the garden, while most regard others as wildflowers. These plants are drought tolerant and low maintenance, and interestingly, they are related to broccoli! History Few plants rival wallflowers when it comes to garden plants that have been in cultivation for a long time. Records exist of this plant’s use in medicinal preparations as early as 70 AD. In terms of its ornamental use, this plant has been cultivated in gardens since medieval times at least, and likely much longer. English gardeners have grown this plant in their spaces since the 1500s. by the 1700s, they made their way into gardens in the United States. The plant’s ability to grow from walls and other difficult terrain may be a reason for its longstanding popularity. Their strong and pleasant fragrance made them a popular flower in nosegays. These small bouquets were historically held in one’s hand and used to shield the owner from offensive odors. They have a rich and storied history in folklore, symbolizing faith in adversity. Native Area These plants are native to at least three continents. Various species show up in Africa, Europe, and North America. They are potentially native as far south as Costa Rica. Their natural habitat is far-reaching. You will find wallflowers growing in sand dunes, alpine meadows, desert canyons, cliffsides, and prairies. Characteristics Wallflowers bloom in various colors from late spring to early summer. Erysimum is a member of the brassica family, which includes cabbage and broccoli, among others. There are species that fall into the categories of annual, perennial, and sub-shrub. Their stems are erect with a fine coating of hairs. The leaves are broader toward the base of the plant and become narrower near the top. The flowers grow in clusters at intervals along the stems. The four-petaled flowers typically appear in warm shades of yellow, red, and orange. They can also be blue, purple, or white, and they have a sweet and pleasant fragrance. The flowers bloom from late spring to early summer and are very attractive to pollinators. Where to Buy Wallflowers Wallflower plants are readily available at many nurseries and other plant retailers. They are hardy in Zones 3-10 and easy to care for, which makes them a very popular plant in a wide range of climates. You can also find a wide range of these plants at online retailers. Planting Determine planting time for your wallflower plants according to the type and climate. Growing from seed is the most common way with biennial varieties. Start your seeds 10-12 weeks ahead of your last frost date. Plant your seedlings in early fall for blooms the following spring. Perennial wallflowers can go in the ground any time of year. Spring is ideal as it gives them a full growing season to establish roots before winter. In warm climates, you can plant your seeds in the fall, leaving them uncovered as they need light to germinate. Space your plants 10-12 inches apart in the ground or six inches apart in pots. How to Grow These plants are easy to care for with just a few considerations. They need protection from strong winds, for one thing. They also need proper drainage and will not thrive in wet environments with soggy soil. Maintenance To keep your flowers blooming and plants looking full and happy, deadheading is a must. The more you deadhead, the more flowers your plants will produce. Fall is the time for major pruning. In warm climates, this plant can act as an evergreen. To prevent it from growing leggy and sparse, trim the entire plant back by half when it finishes flowering. In cool climates, where the foliage will die back, prune it to a few inches above the soil in the fall.

Desert zinnias are a wonderful species, and unlike their more popular cousin, they are perennials in many regions. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to learn about growing these drought-tolerant, low-maintenance flowers this summer. I am enormously fond of zinnias in all their forms. They are some of the most dependable, sturdy, and colorful plants in the garden. There are so many things to love about zinnias, from their flowers to their drought-tolerance and their exceptionally long bloom time. If you care for your zinnias properly, they will bring color to the garden all summer and into the fall. They also attract and feed beneficial insects with their nectar and pollen-rich flowers. You’re probably most accustomed to the species known as Zinnia elegans. These are the tall, bold, and bright annuals that many gardeners plant every summer. There are other great species to explore, though, and here we will discuss Zinnia acerosa, or desert zinnia. What Is It? Zinnia acerosa, which goes by the common name desert zinnia, is a delightfully drought- and heat-tolerant species of the much-loved Zinnia genus. This smaller, shrubbier species has a reputation for being low-maintenance, pest- and disease-resistant, and easy to care for. Characteristics Desert zinnias are low-growing, shrubby plants with a mounding, spreading habit. They reach a height between six and 12 inches tall and are one to two times as wide. They have small, grey-green leaves that are narrow but good at conserving water. The flowers are small and daisy-like, with cream-colored petals and yellow centers. As they age, the petals take on more yellow tones, finally maturing to a butter yellow. They bloom prolifically and for an extended period from spring through fall. In mild climates, desert zinnias are evergreen, retaining their foliage throughout the year. In the cooler reaches of its range, it acts as a perennial. You can also grow these as an annual in cooler climates that are outside their perennial range. Native Area Desert zinnias are native to the desert and grassland regions of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Texas, and parts of Northern Mexico. It tends to show up in arid, rocky landscapes, including deserts, and prefers areas with sandy, alkaline soil. Planting You can grow desert zinnias in the ground or in containers. The species is well-suited to both. If you have heavy, dense soil, growing them in containers or raised beds may be more effective for drainage reasons. Take into account their growth habit, which is characterized by a shrubby and low-growing nature. They have a wider spread, so make sure to give them room to stretch out.