How to Protect Your Plants from Pests

Wood Poppy

Wood Poppy has deeply lobed, blue-green foliage that forms an attractive ground cover that adds texture and interest to the landscape even when the plant is not blooming. It bursts into a profusion of cheerful yellow flowers with four petals in early spring, creating a picturesque display that enlivens the garden. These vibrant blooms contrast the fresh green leaves, creating a focal point in any garden design. The wood poppy is native to the eastern part of the United States and Ontario, Canada. However, it's endangered in Canada due to habitat loss. It's officially known as Stylophorum Diphyllum. Gardeners commonly refer to it as the yellowwood or celandine, and it's part of the Papaveraceae family. This wildflower is frequently found in forests, rivers, streams, and ravines. History buffs may be pleased to know that American Indians once used the yellow sap as a clothing dye. Prized Features of the Wood Poppy The Stylophorum Diphyllum is loved for its yellow to orange four-petaled flowers. It can reach heights of 18 inches, and the flowers can grow to two inches across. The leaves of this brilliantly-colored wildflower are green or gray-green, and they contain lobed leaves that can get up to six inches. Gardeners can expect this flower to bloom from March to May. The Stylophorum Diphyllum thrives in areas that mimic its natural habitat. This means it does well in shade gardens, native regions being rewilded, water features, available shade, and wooded areas. Gardeners can even plant it under and around tall shade trees and shrubs to help brighten the area. Wildlife Seen Around the Wood Poppy The seeds of Stylophorum Diphyllum primarily attract chipmunks. However, the pollen in the flowers has been known to attract various bees. Ideal Companion Plants For Wood Poppy The Stylophorum Diphyllum does well around other wildflowers, trees, shrubs, and ornamental grasses. Some ideal companion plants include bleeding hearts, foamflowers, wild ginger, hostas, columbines, and spiderworts. Gardeners can also pair it with ostrich ferns, Virginia bluebells, wild geraniums, and the woodland phlox. Gardeners can enjoy Wood Poppy anywhere in their yards. However, they may find it looks best under and around trees and shrubs and as part of a wildflower or native plant garden. It can also be planted alongside shaded paths to help define the walkway.

Blue Lobelia

Blue Lobelia has striking blue hues and an attractive shape; this perennial plant can elevate the aesthetics of any garden or outdoor space. It is an excellent addition to any landscape design, from attracting pollinators to providing visual appeal. Blue Lobelia is a fantastic choice when you crave flowers that swirl together showy blue blossoms with vibrant greenery in bright spikes. It's a striking, solidly built plant that delights people and pollinators. The Aesthetics of The Blue Lobelia Perennial Several large flowers spiral around the stout central stem in an extended cluster. They are positioned most heavily along the upper portion of the stem. The tubular flowers have five petals with edges that curl attractively. Two petals form an upper lip—three fuse together to create a lower lip that is more prominent. Blooms are typically about an inch long and may appear solid or striped. While the bold flowers are the show's stars, the vibrant green foliage shines in its supporting role. The thick, unbranching stem stands firm and tall, allowing the plant to quickly reach two to three feet. Plants reaching four feet in height are not uncommon. The stems are wrapped in alternating leaves with no stalks in varying shapes. Some are shaped like a lance and finely toothed. These can measure up to five inches in length. Others are elliptical and can be between two and six inches long. Blue lobelia are primarily found in shades of blue or purple. However, plants with white flowers are also available. In addition, crosses with cardinal flowers may result in plants that produce pink blooms. Blue Lobelias Blooming Season This wildflower generally unfurls its blooms in midsummer or later and continues the show until fall. In many regions, you can enjoy the flowers from July through October. Blue Lobelia Has Exotic Flower Blue Lobelia are unique flowers that put on a fantastic show, so they're an excellent choice when you want something big, bold, and beautiful. They attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and pollinators. They flourish along ponds and water features, are favorites in borders, thrive in rain gardens, and delight when paired with plants like ferns, heuchera, or cardinal flowers.

Painted Trillium

Painted Trillium is a woodland wildflower with showy, white, or pinkish petals adorned with maroon or red streaks at the base. It is typically found in moist, forested areas and prized for its striking appearance. They are delicate and enchanting wildflowers that offer a range of benefits when thoughtfully integrated into landscaping designs. Its beauty, contributions to biodiversity, potential for naturalizing, woodland charm, and ability to create unique garden space. Painted trillium is common in eastern North America, specifically the Adirondack Mountains, which spans northeastern New York. It's a wildflower known for its red center and delicate white petals. Its botanical name is Undulatum, but gardeners commonly refer to it as the striped and smiling wake robin. It's also sometimes referred to as a painted lady because it starts to bloom just as the butterflies come out in the spring. This wildflower is a member of the Lilly family. Identifying The Painted Trillium The smiling wake robin is considered a flower of the Adirondack Mountains. They can be identified by their pink or red center and red stripes that follow the veins of their three white flower petals. It also has three green or blueish-green leaves, which is how it acquired the prefix 'tri' in its botanical name. Gardeners can expect this wildflower to grow up to 20 inches tall. The single flower that blooms from late spring to midsummer is about two inches wide with wavy, tapering petals. Gardeners can expect new plants to develop these flowers within four to seven years. How To Landscaping With Painted Trillium The Landscaping with the smiling wake robin is ideal for shade and pollinator gardens and areas with little to no direct sunlight. It is also suitable for adding color to areas under trees and around shrubs and bushes. Add Painted Trillium To Your Pollinator Garden If your gardening goal is to create a lovely pollinator garden, you can't go wrong with the smiling wake robin. This wildflower is known to attract bumble and honey bees, who forage for the pollen from the flowers. Smiling wake robins thrive next to other shade-loving plants. These include Christmas ferns, lady ferns, bleeding hearts, hostas, daffodils, snowdrops, Virginia bluebells, and the woodland phlox. Gardeners can enjoy the Painted Trillium in their shade gardens. They can also use it to add color to areas generally devoid of defined plant life, like under tall trees and shrubs, to create focal points.