Dancing in the Garden

Salvia Maraschino and Gaura Whirling Butterflies

Most gardeners only plan to wow their sense of sight in the garden. Colorful plants, coordinating displays, and even decorative containers are given much attention, but these only create a visual interest. Movement in the landscape is considered by many to be on of the key features in a well developed garden and can make for a far more interactive and inspiring outdoor space. When planning your garden, try to incorporate plants that will add a fun and whimsy touch. Here are few perennials that will not only add a fine and delicate texture to your landscape composition but will also dance in your garden all summer long!

Salvia ‘Maraschino’ – also called ‘Autumn Sage’ this variety boast an abundance of velvet red blooms that are bring hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden and blooms all summer and fall. This salvia has an upright habit and grows to 2 to 3 feet tall. Use as an accent, in borders and beds and containers. Also makes a good cut flower. Blooms are edible and often used as garnish for salads. Maraschino is drought tolerant and prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.

Gaura Whirling Butterflies – features sprays of white star-shaped flowers tinged with pale pink. In the breeze these move constantly, looking like a cluster of small butterflies. This relatively low maintenance perennial grows 1 to 3 feet tall and is excellent in containers, rock gardens or mixed borders. Whirling Butterfly does best in full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions and is heat and drought tolerant.