“As for marigolds, poppies, hollyhocks, and valorous sunflowers, we shall never have a garden without them, both for their own sake, and for the sake of old-fashioned folks, who used to love them.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher
I couldn’t agree more, wouldn’t you? A garden isn’t complete without cheery sunflowers and happy hollyhocks. Not only do they invoke nostalgia but these graceful and majestic beauties also seem bring a warmth and happiness to gardens…. and beneficials!
Our parkway is where we plant this “beneficial border” of assorted flowers. Just walk on the sidewalk in front our house and peer into the wildflower jumble and you will spot loads of little ladybugs and bees a -plenty.
What’s your favorite garden flower?
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
:: Resources ::
Flowers that Attract Beneficials
Comments(13)
Ginger says:
May 25, 2012 at 8:58 amFlowers of all sorts, especially, the old fashioned ones, bring me peace and joy. Of all my favorites, the forget-me-not is the sweetest. One summer as we traveled here and there, I pointed out flowers by their common names to our children. Soon little nine-year-old Katie would say, “Mommy, forget-me-not, forget-me-not, Mommy.” She died in a car/bike accident that fall. I see these sweet little ones and think of my sweet little one, who is waiting for me in heaven.
Bethany says:
May 25, 2012 at 8:22 pmWhat a sweet story and a sweet little girl, Ginger. I’m glad you have such precious memories of her.
Erica says:
May 25, 2012 at 9:27 amWhat plants do you have in your beneficial border?
elaine nieves says:
May 25, 2012 at 9:35 amI love old fashion flowers! Especially sweet peas, snapdragons, johnny-jump-ups, lavender and hollyhocks. Unfortunately, for hollyhocks you need more space than I have in my yard, but every time I pass one I think of cottage gardens. It’s wonderful that most flowers attract bees and butterflies. Please show more of your beautiful pictures of flowers that are beneficials.
Wendy says:
May 27, 2012 at 12:26 pmSweet peas are the great! I love any highly-fragranced flower. Walking around my neighborhood with all the jasmine still in bloom is so enjoyable. I’m trying to grow spicy black carnations (Dianthus Caryophyllus Grenadin) from seed right now.
Barbra says:
May 25, 2012 at 10:33 amI have just a small garden but I keep marigolds and borage to attract butterflies and bees.
Deb says:
May 26, 2012 at 4:54 amSnapdragons (love the beautiful forgetmenot, it means so much more to me after reading Ginger’s post)
Kelly says:
May 26, 2012 at 7:43 pmI live out on the prairie in Colorado and there are sunflowers growing wild at every turn. I just love them and my kids love playing in them – to them, it is like a wild jungle.
We grow our own as well and harvest the seeds for snacking, food and replanting. It’s a beautiful flower but one that is truly more than just a pretty face!
Morning Glory and Columbines are favorites of mine as well.
Nebraska Dave says:
May 27, 2012 at 5:23 amAnais, my favorite flower hands down would be the Black-eyed Susan, then Hollyhock, and then Purple Italian Asters. I don’t tend to cultivate flowers much so the flower gardens are mostly filled with Iris, Tulips, Daffodils, and Crocus. I do like the Spring colors from these flowers. It’s just a nice way to enjoy coming out of winter here in Nebraska. I haven’t thought about flowers much this year. Thanks for reminding me to ponder a little beauty in the garden.
Paula says:
May 27, 2012 at 2:27 pmThis year I have added extra flowers to my front yard Square Foot Gardens. I have my yearly sweet peas, which perfume the whole yard and which I share with passers-by who admire them. Cosmos, which my grandmother always grew for me to pick from her garden. Violas, nasturiums and calendulas to add color to salads. In addition, California poppies, snapdragons, salvia, morning glories, sunflowers, and petunias. I am also trying to sprout some seeds of gayfeather (liatris) and marigolds that I gathered from my grandmother’s garden in the winter last year after she died. I hope I can get them to grow and keep going for more generations to come…
Chris V says:
May 28, 2012 at 4:44 pmEchinacea, calendula and roses (carpet and climbing), morning glories and moonflowers inter-planted (one blooms in morning, one at night). Lil’ wild buns love to eat the underside of carpet roses and then take a nap under them. OG climbing roses against a shed give out quite a show and the little rosebuds and are great for garnishes, salads, cupcakes, etc. Squirrels love the rosehips and do pruning in the fall.
Great post. Love to see what everyone’s faves are!
Mrs.B says:
May 29, 2012 at 2:42 pmIn celebration of my 3rd year and 300th post, you and your dear readers are invited to enter my anniversary give-a-way. Please hurry, the drawing will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012.
Blessings,
Mrs.B
Florence says:
May 29, 2012 at 5:54 pmWe have a large bed of salvia that the bees and butterflies just love. Just today I watched a beautiful tiger swallowtail working the salvia. Lovely.