2020 GARDEN IN A BOX: GARDEN INFO SHEET Butterfly Bounty Designed by Deryn Davidson, CSU Extension Horticulturalist Butterfly Bounty is a four-season fiesta for pollinators of all shapes and sizes, but especially the butterflies, with this 100 sq ft perennial garden featuring 27 full sun xeric plants. Catmint invites the honey bees in spring. In summer, butterflies feast on Blanket Flower and Black- Eyed Susans. The Coronado® Hyssop provides hummingbirds fall refreshment and Coneflower provides winter meals for birds. Full sun exposure (minimum of 6 hrs of direct sun per day) Planting maps cover 100 sq ft Blooms early spring to fall Low water needs Hardiness maximum of 6,000 ft Individual Plant Information BLACK EYED SUSAN - Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ QTY. 1 The classic Black-Eyed CARE: Easily grown in well-drained Mature height Attracts butterflies soils when planted in full sun. It is Susan features a dark 18-24” central disc surrounded by considered a short-lived perennial a bright, golden ray of that typically survives 4-6 years, but petals above stiff, hairy Mature spread Resists deer and it will spread by seed. Rudbeckia stems and dark green 18-24” rabbits plants that become taller or bushier foliage. than desired can be cut back to 6” to generate fresh growth and maintain 1 size. BLUE GRAMA GRASS - Bouteloua gracilis QTY. 2 This Rocky Mountain CARE: This adaptable grass thrives Mature height Attracts birds native grass has “eyelash- 1-2’ in most soils except very heavy and like” spikelets that grow very wet clay. Be sure not to let this horizontally on its stems. grass sit in wet soils for long. ‘Blue Grama’ stays colorful Mature spread through the fall season. 1-2’ 2 BRILLIANT ORIENTAL POPPY - Papaver orientale ‘Brilliant’ QTY. 3 This gorgeous spring-time Attracts bees, CARE: Hardier than its delicate Mature height butterflies and flower suggests, this plant performs favorite boasts outstanding 2-3’ and paper thin scarlet hummingbirds well on rocky mountain slopes, dry orange flowers that float meadows and prairies, and open above thin, hairy green Mature spread Resists deer and woods, and tolerates a variety of soil stalks and deeply lobed 18-24” rabbits conditions. 3 leaves. BUTTERFLY WEED - Asclepias tuberosa QTY. 1 Intense tangerine orange Attracts bees, CARE: Low maintenance and tough, Mature height butterflies and flower clusters invite droves of 18-36” it is slow to establish (2-3 years) but butterflies. A host plant for hummingbirds long lived. It’s late to emerge in Monarchs in particular, but spring but will self-sow readily. hummingbirds also cherish its Mature spread Resists deer Asclepias do best in sunny locations abundant nectar. 18-24” with sandy soils but tolerate poor or average soils. Division not 4 recommended due to long tap root. CATMINT ‘SELECT’ - Nepeta racemosa ‘Select’ QTY. 3 ‘Select’ Catmint is a Mature height Attracts bees, birds, CARE: ‘Select’ Catmint is one of the cornerstone of most xeric 18-20” butterflies and best plants for novice gardeners. It gardens. It has rippled, soft hummingbirds grows easily in almost all soil types, gray-green leaves on square including clay. It is less sprawling stems, and a distinct aroma Mature spread Resists deer than other selections of catmint. 2 when handled or crushed. 20-24” 5 CHOCOLATE DAISY - Berlandiera lyrata QTY. 2 Native to the Southwest- Mature height Attracts bees, birds CARE: This hardy and easy to care ern US, this bright yellow, 1-2’ and butterflies for perennial is adaptable to a wide daisy-like flower blooms at spectrum of conditions. However, night and emits a distinct it tends to prefer soil that is not Mature spread Resists deer milk chocolate fragrance in 12-18” amended and thrives best in full the early morning hours. sun locations but will tolerate light shade. Once established, it requires very little water. If overwatered, it 6 will become extra leggy. This plant can sprawl a bit. CORONADO HYSSOP - Agastache aurantiaca ‘Coronado’ QTY. 3 Native to the Southwestern Mature height Attracts bees, CARE: This hardy plant does well in US, this hyssop has silvery 15-18” butterflies and a variety of soils, except water- green leaves on slim, hummingbirds logged soils. Prefers dry, well- branched stems with large drained soil in full sun with Mature spread Resists deer numbers of curved, pale 12-15” afternoon shade during hot orange flowers from summers. Avoid overly fertilized or mid-summer until the first enriched soils. Mulch sparingly. 7 frost. EUROPEAN PASQUE FLOWER - Pulsatilla vulgaris QTY. 3 The harbingers of spring, Mature height Attracts bees and CARE: Pasque Flowers are adapted Pasque Flowers boast starry, 6-12” butterflies to chalky and sandy soils at high five-petaled, purple flowers elevations, and will not tolerate with fuzzy orange-yellow soggy soils. Overall, it likes to be Mature spread stamen. 8-12” left alone! Due to its long tap root system, the Pasque Flower resents transplanting and division. It goes dormant in summer so mark its 8 spot with a stake to avoid accidentally digging it up. LITTLE BLUESTEM GRASS - Schizachyrium scoparium QTY. 3 This native grass’ CARE: This highly adaptable grass Mature height Attracts birds kaleidoscope of color starts 3-4’ is tolerant of sunbaked locations as blue-gray pastels in the and poor soil of all varieties, but is summer and exhibits bronze ill-suited for shady, wet soils, which tones in the fall with white Mature spread Resists deer will lead to poor structure and fluffy seed heads. 24-30” floppy growth. 9 PEARLY EVERLASTING - Anaphalis margaritacea QTY. 1 Coverings of white bracts Mature height CARE: Benefits from dry, rocky unfurl to display small 1-2’ Attracts butterflies soils and thrives in even very poor yellow disk flowers grouped soil conditions. To harvest for dried in clusters at the top of arrangements, cut before fully Mature spread Resists deer and woolly white stems with thin 8-12” rabbits open and hang upside down in a grey-green leaves. cool, airy place. 10 PINELEAF PENSTEMON - Penstemon pinifolius QTY. 2 This low, creeping Mature height Attracts bees, CARE: Penstemon varieties prefer penstemon features tubular, 6-8” butterflies and maximum heat and sun exposure. scarlet-orange flowers with hummingbirds Avoid overcrowding and enriching yellow throats. The prolific the soil around these finicky plants; Mature spread Resists deer and blooms rest atop soft, green 12-15” rabbits it will shorten their lifespan. Plant needle-like foliage, covering high to avoid burying the crown of the plant throughout the the plant. Mulch with bark mid-summer months. sparingly or use gravel or pine 11 needles. Water sparingly once established. PURPLE CONEFLOWER - Echinacea purpurea QTY. 2 A drooping purple ray of Attracts bees, CARE: Low-maintence perennial Mature height birds, hutterflies florets surround a 2-3’ that will grow easily in average, characteristic spiny and and hummingbirds well-drained soil. Tolerant of brownish central disk, and drought, heat and humidity. Mature spread dance atop stiff, coarse 18-24” stems throughout the 12 summer months. WHITE ROCK SOAPWORT - Saponaria ocymoides ‘Snow Tips’ QTY. 1 This vigorous ground cover Mature height Attracts bees and CARE: Semi-evergreen plant. provides you with dainty but 6-9” butterflies Appreciates regular watering to prolific white blooms for establish, requires little water after months beginning in the the first year. Division or transplant Mature spread spring. 12-30” not recommended due to long tap root. 13 Plant Maintenance By Season MAINTENANCE TASKS PLANT SPRING (AFTER FIRST GROWING SEASON) Cut back old growth or winter damage as new growth begins to show. Black Eyed Susan, Butterfly Weed, Coronado Hyssop, Little Bluestem Grass, Pineleaf Penstemon, Purple Coneflower Cut back old growth to 2-3 inches before new growth begins to show. Blue Grama Grass, Catmint, Chocolate Daisy, White Soapwort Deadhead after first bloom. Catmint Divide mature plants in early spring every 3 years, as needed. Purple Coneflower, Pearly Everlasting, Pineleaf Penstemon “Comb out” or remove dead foliage. European Pasque Flower MAINTENANCE TASKS PLANT SUMMER Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms Black Eyed Susan, Butterfly Weed, Catmint, Chocolate and/or minimize self seeding. Daisy, Pearly Everlasting, White Soapwort Cut back by one-third after flowering. Brilliant Oriental Poppy Mark placement with stake, goes dormant during summer. Brilliant Oriental Poppy, European Pasque Flower Water sparingly once established. Coronado Hyssop FALL Leave last round of blooms to self seed, provide food for birds, Black Eyed Susan, Blue Grama Grass, Butterfly Weed, and/or for winter interest. Chocolate Daisy, LIttle Bluestem Grass, Purple Coneflower Do not prune or cut back! Plant susceptible to winter damage if pruned. Brilliant Oriental Poppy, Coronado Hyssop, White Soapwort WINTER Cut back to ground in late winter. Little Bluestem Grass Leave stems intact over the winter to protect sensitive crown from cold. Coronado Hyssop Plant by Number Design Suggestions 2 9 4 9 7 1 9 12 7 10 12 11 7 7’ 11 3 3 8 6 8 2 6 13 5 5 3 8 5 7’ X 14’ rectangle SUGGESTED14’ FRONT SIDE OF GARDEN Key 1. Black Eyed Susan (Qty. 1) 8. European Pasque Flower (Qty. 3) 2. Blue Grama Grass (Qty. 2) 9. Little Bluestem Grass (Qty. 3) 3. Brilliant Oriental Poppy (Qty. 3) 10. Pearly Everlasting (Qty. 1) 4. Butterfly Weed (Qty. 1) 11. Pineleaf Penstemon (Qty. 2) 5. Catmint (Qty. 3) 12. Purple Coneflower (Qty. 2) 6. Chocolate Daisy (Qty. 2) 13. White Rock Soapwort (Qty. 1) 7. Coronado Hyssop (Qty. 3) 1 box = 1 square foot 2020 GARDEN IN A BOX: GARDEN INFO SHEET Butterfly Bounty Plant by Number Design Suggestions 9 9 9 3 3 10’ 4 1 12 7 6 8 2 7 12 2 5 7 3 5 5 10 11 6 8 11 8 13 SUGGESTED FRONT20’ SIDE OF GARDEN Key 1.