SUMMER FLOWERS (Part 2)

Sea Holly

Although this perennial flower can easily be confused with the globe thistle, its blooms are quite unique. Sea holly flowers make great additions to wedding bouquets and once established in garden beds, they are very drought-tolerant.

Pink Astilbe

The plume-shaped blossoms of this flower come in many colors varying from white to pink to purple. The astilbe blooms in dazzling colors for several weeks, but as time passes and the flowers dry, the colors begin to fade.

Chamomile

The name of this flowering herb means ‘earth apple’, even though it better resembles a daisy! It has many medicinal uses ranging from treating hay fever to reducing anxiety, as it has a calming effect when consumed.

Fuchsia

A common hanging basket plant, fuchsia is native to South America where over 100 different vibrant species grow. In the late 1800s, fuchsia officially became a color, a striking dark pink to match the flower’s petals.

Gerbera Daisy

With its large bloom, wide variety of glowing colors, long vase life and sturdy stem, the gerbera daisy is one of the most often used cut flowers for bouquets and flower arrangements throughout the world.

Milk Thistle

Considered a weed in many countries, this cone-like purple and pink flower has been used as a medicinal treatment for a variety of diseases, and is most commonly used to treat liver disease.

Plumeria

Fragrant at night to attract moths, this flower has no nectar for the insects that pollinate it. With other 300 species, the plumeria symbolizes many different things across multiple cultures, ranging from fertility to elite status.

Creeping Buttercup

This poisonous golden flower gets its name from the way it invasively grows in pastures, ditches and flooded areas. A perennial that develops strong roots, the creeping buttercup can be very hard to control once introduced to suitable soil.

Hollyhock

With 60 species spanning across Asia and Europe, the hollyhock is primarily an ornamental flower, although it can also be used medicinally. The tall stalk of buds comes in many vivid colors and symbolizes ambition.

Billy Buttons

Also known as drumstick flowers, billy buttons (or Craspedia) is an Australian native that features a golden yellow sphere atop a thin green stem. The flower size varies, with the largest growing as big as tennis balls.

Indian Blanket

The Indian blanket is the state flower of Oklahoma. This short-lived perennial is very hardy and can grow up to 2 feet (60cm) tall.

Penngift Crownvetch

This hardy flowering vine is an invasive plant known for its deep root systems, with full coverage reached a few years after planting. The flower buds are white and pink and it has fern-like leaves.

Pink Crown of Thorns

Also known as the Christ plant, this hardy flower thrives from neglect, and it does very well potted indoors or out. The colors of the blooms vary, but watch out – this plant has thorns and a toxic sap!