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Yes, there is an extremely cold hardy hibiscus.
Sunset Western Garden Guide rates it down to Zone 2!!! It is a native of the eastern United States with the largest flowers of all hibiscus species. They bloom in July and August here. Feed and water regularly in the growing season. They will take full sun, but part shade is best. |
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Luna Red |
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They die back completely in the fall. Cut old stalks to the ground and do not forget they are there. New stalks emerge in April/May
Drawbacks- NOT deer or drought resistant.
Varieties range from anywhere from 2 ½ to 8 feet tall. Flower color can be white, light pink dark pink, and red. Most variety’s foliage is green, but others have a darker tint to them. |
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Luna Pink Swirl |
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Look for the shorter growing ‘Luna’ or ‘Disco’ series and the taller growing varieties like ‘Plum Crazy’ and ‘Fireball’. Flowers last only a day or so, but they are so spectacular I know you will want to try one for yourself. Yes, you could grow it in a container, but they fare much better in the ground. |
Plum Crazy |
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20% off regular price in July
1 gallon, 2 gallon and 5 gallon sizes!
July Specials
Plant of the Month
20% off regular price in July
1 gallon, 2 gallon and 5 gallon sizes!
Green-All Firmulch (the blue bag)- Buy 3- get 1 FREE!
A natural ground fir bark blended with 15% composted chicken manure. Adds important longlasting organic matter to the soil. Improves soil aeration and water penetration. Mix with native soil or use as mulch throughout the garden.
Bees, Hummingbirds, and Butterflies
Summer is here and one of our favorite things is watching the hummers and the butterflies flitting from flower to flower here at the Nursery. We also get bees, moths and (I know I have) a bat or two.
The colors, shapes and fragrances of the flowers have developed over time to attract pollinators. Bright colored flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees during in the day, while fragrance is the most important feature for attracting bats and moths. Different flowers attract different pollinators.
There is a lot of talk about the decline of honey bees but there are lots of other bees here at the Nursery, pollinating like crazy.
Bee attracting flowers now at Star Gardens
| Fruit trees |
Alyssum |
Asters |
Impatiens |
Penstemon |
Nasturtiums |
Bee Balm |
Daisies |
Coneflower |
Evening Primrose |
Goldenrod |
Sunflowers |
Hollyhocks |
Yarrow |
Coreopsis |
Oregano |
Thyme |
Catmint |
Lavender |
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Hummingbirds favor trumpet shaped flowers and I have read they can spot a red flower from an amazing distance. Vicky says she has a hanging basket of Red Wave petunia and they are all over it. Another favorite in her yard for hummingbirds are the Autumn Sages.
Hummingbird attracting flowers now at Star Gardens
| Penstemon |
Honeysuckle |
Autumn Sage |
Daylily |
Red Hot Pokers |
Cardinal Flower |
Phlox |
Alstroemeria |
Canna |
Digitalis- foxglove |
Columbine |
Bee Balm |
Heuchera |
Fushia |
Who does not love butterflies? Well they can do some damage in the caterpillar stage, but those who have insect attracting gardens, plant lots of the food material to attract butterflies to the garden. This year I found tons of Monarch butterfly larvae eating the poplar trees at one of my jobs. I know butterflies like to lay their eggs on penstemon, milkweed and lupine too, although I am a little ignorant on attracting that stage of butterfly development to the garden. We don’t encourage that on our plants at the Nursery J. It is something to consider for the home gardener, if you really want to encourage butterflies, you have to sacrifice some foliage during the caterpillar stage.
Butterfly attracting flowers now at Star Gardens
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Asters |
Milkweed |
Buddleja |
Rudbeckias |
Verbena |
Sedums |
Cosmos |
Coreopsis |
Zinnias |
Dianthus |
Marigolds |
Erigeron |
Oregano |
Phlox |
Salvia |
Agapanthus |
We have a butterfly and hummingbird attracting list at the Nursery that you are welcome to take home. Sunset Western Garden Guide has sections in the front of the newer additions as well.
Don’t forget the UC Extension Master Gardeners are at the Nursery from 10am to 1pm on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, with lots of great informational brochures, including one entitled, “Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden”. These are free for the taking!
Stay Cool ,
Tanya | 
