Red, white and blue flowers, plants help
display patriotism
November 13, 2003
by
Nancy Kramer, Master Gardener Intern
Veterans Day, like Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence
Day, has always made me reflect back to those individuals and events that
instilled patriotism in me. I remember my parents working on "poppy
day" every year in the spring. I remember Dad taking part in American
Legion ceremonies. I also remember going to the Veterans Day parades in which
Since I became involved in the Master Gardener program, I
have wanted to research which red, white and blue flowers would be best to
plant for a "patriotic garden" for such holidays. With Veterans Day
having been earlier this week, I am reminded that patriotic garden
presentations are a way to display pride in my country and living appreciation
for those who helped make it free.
The first thing to consider in patriotic gardening is the
blending of plants with red, white and blue flowers or foliage. It is wise to
choose plants that have the same needs in water, light and soil condition or
fertilizers. Also consider choosing plants that are adapted well to our area
and to each other so that pest management is easier. You will also need to
select plants of varying heights and textures for grouping, although I prefer
to choose plants more for the "feelings" I have about them.
For the upcoming winter months, an obvious red, white and
blue combination is red and white cyclamen with blue lobelia or violas. One
should also not forget certain varieties of pansies that thrive throughout the
winter months into the spring. The crown series have the more true red, white
and blue colors. Crown rose or crown scarlet come closest to patriotic red
while crown white pansies are solid white. Crown true blue and sky blue pansies
are vivid in patriotic blue color. This time of year, too, red or white
snapdragons or petunias work well. I prefer the dwarf snapdragons. As for
petunias, the red, white and true blue carpet series petunias are good
selections. They are low, mounding plants and bloom in the winter throughout
the spring. Sweet white alyssum (Lobularia maritima) blooms solid from fall to late spring, but not
when extremely hot. It is an excellent plant for a Veterans Day garden in fall
season direct sun and even into Memorial Day in the spring. Sometimes sheering
it back will stimulate more blooms, and alyssum will re-seed.
There are a number of red and white flowering plants for the
spring and summer. Those in the blue tones are least available, but do exist.
Let's look at the REDS first. Because of "poppy
day" the red poppy is one of my first choices for the spring. It is nice
to have in your garden in May for Memorial Day. As an aside,
http://www.legion-aux.org/Programs/Poppy/index.aspx
The poppy will re-seed and return year after year. My
favorite red blooming plant is the penta, which
flourishes in the summer and into the fall in our part of the state. It is
medium height and attracts a lot of butterflies. Other medium height red plants
are zinnias, dwarf hibiscus, cannas, red geraniums, and, of course, red roses
often used for remembrance. Some other shorter red plants which are best for
spring into summer heat are the vinca rosea or periwinkles, begonias, purslane,
moss rose, dianthas, cockscomb, verbenas, and the
miniature red rose. The variety of vinca to select is
the Jaio dark red. There are many types of red
salvias, but I prefer the Salvia splendens from the
garden centers rather than the Salvia coccinea that
the birds planted for me. Pineapple sage, also called Salvia elegans, is also a nice red plant. The annual splendens stays smaller, and the others grow to a shrub
size and reseed themselves attracting more butterflies and hummingbirds. Impatiens are best for shadier areas. A taller, but less
flowery favorite is the jatropha. Make sure you
select the spicy jatropha known as Jatropha integerrima. Red
oleander is also a taller red flowering plant as are many varieties of red
hibiscus. Another great tall red plant is the bottlebrush. Crepe myrtles also
come in beautiful shades of red.
Now, for the WHITES. My personal
favorite is the white spider lily, although my grandmother always called it
"The Fourth of July Lily." As I walked through the neighborhood from
June to July, I noticed many of these blooming, but not for long. These would
not make a good white selection for fall and winter planting. I really like the
"Maid of Orleans" jasmine because it smells like gardenias and blooms
all day long. Its scientific name is Jasmium sambac. My survey of whites also resulted in white moss
rose as well as roses. My favorite has to be the white vinca
or periwinkle, called the Mediterranean polka dot. It is a pretty white flower
with a red eye. White impatiens and Confederate or star
jasmine also come to mind. There is a lovely white Rose of Sharon
(Althea) with a red center, white crepe myrtles, white lantana, and white
begonias.
BLUES are the last I will address and the least easy to
acquire. You need to be careful in choosing the right shade of blue for a
patriotic setting. The plumbago is my favorite for
having the showiest flower. It is also the hardiest and almost appears to act
like a native plant. I have seen many plumbagos in
dry areas with vivid blue blooms. Another beautiful blue flower plant is the
blue daze (Evolvulus). It is a creeping plant and
tolerates full sun. It is great for a hanging basket in a patriotic grouping.
The most symbolic blue for this area is the Texas bluebonnet. Now is the time
to plant your bluebonnet seed for spring blooms.
To find the right plants for optimum color for May through
November, I surveyed my subdivision in
Another way to design landscaping in patriotic colors is to use structures such as white lattice, painted pots, a statue, landscape stones or edging. Wooden Uncle Sam cut-outs, blue or red bird houses or feeders and blue or red gazing globes can also add patriotic color. Flying "Old Glory" and/or the "Texas Flag", or using ribbons, bows, or bunting of red, white and blue is another alternative. Care should be taken for proper flag etiquette which can be reviewed at: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
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A red penta and spicy jatrophas with white alyssum and dwarf snapdragons are
grouped with a blue plumbago in the sensory section
of the |
These types of commemorative displays are vivid reminders
that we appreciate the land in which we live and are devoted to making our
country the best we can make it. After doing my research, I helped plan and
plant a small patriotic bed in the sensory section of the