Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Labor Day and hard working plants
Happy Labor day, a holiday to pay tribute to the contributions American workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. That, according to the Dept. of Labor.
As for worker plants, well, let me tell you who to salute and, possibly select, for your own gardens.
Topping MY list are native grasses. They fit in any landscape and there are so many to choose from! Here are a few of mine…




There’s also echinacea aka coneflower. I have a few varieties that deliver over and over in heat, in cool weather, in rain, in shine and for a lengthy time! Pollinators love them! I will warn you that “some” of the cultivars are less hardy than others.

Daylilies! There is the ever present orange daylily that’s actually invasive, but there are also a bazillion other cultivars that offer varied heights, blooms times and colors to astound you. Some spectacular specimens to see!

Hens and chicks are some of my favorite little darlings among my limestone rock. This plant is a giver!

If you have a spot in your garden that you just need to cover up, get sedum. The groundcover choices are tremendous.

As for a couple of annuals that will kick butt, zinnias come up right away… and from seed! Plant after the chance of frost is gone. You’ll love this heat, drought and disease resistant beauty.

For big and beautiful, Cosmos offer a tall airy delight from summer to Fall! AND, they’ll grow from seed too!
