Bee Plants

From spring to fall a near continuous display of the 2-3" wide bright sunny yellow trumpets are held against a foil of deep green glossy foliage. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The Yellow Mandevilla, Pentalinon luteum or Urechites lutea, is a vigorous twining, naturally evergreen, tropical vine native to southern Florida, the Caribbean, and Honduras. It is vigorous enough to cover a small arbor or medium-sized trellis but is mannerly enough to be maintained on a smaller 3-4' high support where it can be enjoyed as container plant for a sunny patio. Provide the Yellow Mandevilla with a fertile, average moist, average to well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny site for maximum flowering and vigor. Item# 12385

Unusual for the Florida Flame Azalea! Whorls of deep rich rosy pink to near red, pointed, tubular buds open to display the large light to medium pink, lightly fragrant, butterfly pollinated flowers that are produced in early spring atop the still bare stems. The Yellow River Pink Florida Flame Azalea, Rhododendron austrinum typically produces flowers in shades of yellow and orange and so this is quite uncommon for this species, was discovered by Ron Miller along the banks of the Yellow River in Alabama. As is typical for the native deciduous Azaleas, this is a naturally upright to vase shaped growing plant that rounds out somewhat at maturity and the foliage and new growth begin to emerge about the time the flowering season ends. As with other Azaleas and Rhododendrons, the Yellow River Pink Azalea will need a well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter with average moisture and will benefit greatly from an organic mulch, such as pine straw, to help maintain more even moisture levels during the growing season. They can be grown in full sun under good conditions but may benefit from midday or afternoon shade to filtered shade, especially in drier conditions. Images courtesy of Ron Miller, all rights reserved. Item#12743

Bright orange, 1" wide upward facing daisies are produced from spring to fall atop wispy wiry stems and are held above the deep green, fuzzy foliage attracting a variety of smaller pollinators including bees and butterflies. Zemmenia, Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispida, is a low growing naturally mounding, drought resistant, Texas tough, small native shrub-like perennial that is a mainstay of pollinator gardens from central Texas to the Rio Grande Valley as well as along the southwestern border and into Mexico. It seems to flower best and have the tidiest habit in full sun but can tolerate some shade but it may be at the expense of flowers. Zexmenia generally prefers a well-drained sandy or rocky soil but is adaptable to good garden soils as long as the plants have good to excellent drainage. It also makes a forgiving container plant but again provide sharp drainage. The butterfly in the image is a Western Pygmy Blue. Item# 13085