From the first crocuses to emerge through the spring’s melting snow, through summer’s warmth and fall’s chill, flowers satisfy our need for beauty (while feeding our allies, the pollinators!).
Cerinthe major var. purpurescens Open pollinated. Annual. Features coin-shaped grey-green foliage and profuse blue shrimp-like bracts with purple flowers. Beloved by bumblebees. 12-30" tall.
Eucalyptus cinerea Open pollinated. Perennial to Zone 8. Charming silvery blue-green 2" leaves make a fabulous bouquet filler that dries nicely and freshens the room with fragrant oils. 2–3' tall.
Clarkia amoena (90 days) Open pollinated. 3" “satin flowers” blooms in red, pink, salmon, lavender and white, and with a bright red patch in the heart of the four petals. Best for cutting.
Hibiscus moscheutos Open pollinated. Perennial, Zones 5-9. 6-8" saucer-shaped flowers in a mix of pinks, red and white, with contrasting red eyes where a contrast is to be had.
Persicaria tinctoria Open pollinated. Japanese indigo preferred by dyers in Maine. A tender annual, indigo thrives in fertile soil and likes heat and humidity.
Talinum paniculatum (95 days) Open pollinated. Petite pink flowers on thin stems mature into airy glistening bronze-to-burgundy sprays of teensy seedpods. Annual.
Coix lacryma-jobi (100 days) Open pollinated. Sets pendulous sprays of globular pearly purple-grey seeds, which may be strung as beads for necklaces. Spiky 2–3' stalks good for planters or as filler in dried fall arrangements.
Orlaya grandiflora (65-70 days) Open pollinated. 2-3' with ferny foliage and sturdy stems, dainty delicacy resembling lace-cap hydrangea, with the central florets of a flat-topped cluster surrounded by a ring of larger flowers.
Rubia tinctorum Open pollinated. Ancient and excellent source of red dye. Harvest roots after three years and grind to yield a wash- and light-fast red dye par excellence. 4' plants.
Pennisetum glaucum (120 days) Open pollinated. Ornamental grass with deep-purple foliage and large purple seed spikes. Popular in arrangements. 4-5' tall.
Pennisetum glaucum (120 days) Open pollinated. Ornamental grass with deep-purple foliage and large purple seed spikes. Popular in arrangements. 3-5' tall.
Tagetes tenuifolia (68 days) Open pollinated. Bears tiny abundant “gems” in shades of crimson, burnt orange and yellow. Excellent for containers and companion planting. Edible flowers. 12–15" tall.
Ageratina altissima Open pollinated. Flat-topped fuzzy clusters of small pure white disk flowers bloom August through October, attracting multiple species of bees, moths and butterflies.
Saponaria officinalis Open pollinated. Not a dye plant; saponin-rich roots and leaves used to gently wash wool. Sweetly clove-scented pink perennial attracts pollinators. 3' plant.
Limonium sinuatum (115 days) Open pollinated. Mix includes lavender, rose, purple, white, yellow. Especially suited for dried arrangements, also good in fresh. 2-2½' tall.
Artemisia annua (120 days) Open pollinated. The scent of the Common Ground Fair. Light green leaves valued for wreaths, flower crowns and other dried arrangements. Grows up to 5'.
Triticum durum Open pollinated. Too beautiful to eat! Used for wheat weaving and flower arrangements. Four rows with blue-grey husks and long black awns. Sow in April, reap in Sept.
