Three E's to Consider...

As summer winds down and plants go on sale, here are 3 perennials you might want to purchase and add to your garden: echinacea (purple coneflower), eryngium (Sea holly), and eupatorium (Joe-Pye weed). Most of you are probably familiar with coneflowers as they are easy to grow and attract butterflies. They do well in full sun to light shade. Dividing them is not necessary or recommended because they have deep taproots. 

Eryngium, better known as sea holly, has bluish-purple global heads surrounded by stiff bracts, which make them an unusual addition to flower arrangements.  They command attention and add interest to your garden.  I saw them planted next to rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan's) at Fuller Gardens and it made a spectacular display. 

Another lesser known perennial is eupatorium.  Joe Pye weed grows to 3-4 feet tall in full sun and bloom with clusters of white flowers in late summer or early fall.  I have the "Chocolate" variety which has deep purple-brown leaves-- a great contrast to all the green in your garden. 

If you don't already grow these three E's, I encourage you to give them a try.

-MJ