Catananche caerulea-Cupid’s Dart

Propagating Cupid’s Dart is simple it is a good self-seeder or it can be accomplished dividing the root ball in the spring and will give you more blooms throughout the summer by deadheading. It’s grass like foliage would be great contrast amongst grey foliage plants and is native to the Mediterranean but can be grown in Zones 4-9. It will reach 18-27" in height, is drought tolerant, its dandelion shaped flowers are blue in color, prefers full sun, and it a great cut flower. The plant symbolizes love.

Asclepias curassavica-Bloodflower

Propagating Bloodflower unfortunately is only done by seed, cutting or possibly layering since it is a native of South America and is only hardy in Zones 8-10. Since it is a great food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars, often denuding the plant in the spring, many people use containers to grow the plant from seed in the spring in colder zones. The plant does attract aphids and gets mildew but attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and moths outweigh the risks for many. It does grow up to 36," blooms year round in its zone and is also evergreen. The flowers are orange-red and pinching back the top produces a bushy plant, however its sap can be poisonous and is not drought tolerant.

Melittis melissophyllum “Royal Velvet Distinction-“ Bastard Balm

This particular Bastard Balm was patented in the Netherlands so propagating it for sale is illegal, however for private use because it is a self-sower there is a chance your gardens will flourish however dividing the root ball in spring will give you another opportunity to increase the number of plants. It belongs to the mint family so its leaves have the fragrance of honey. It is native to Western Europe so its USA Zones are 5-9. This particular variety’s blooms are orchid like, white with a red lip, that will bloom from late spring until early summer and deadheading will not make it re-bloom. Its flowers are attracted to butterflies, bees and birds, the plant will reach a height of 12-14,”will do well in either full sun or partial shade and needs a well draining moist soil.

Dorycnium hirsutum-Hairy Canary Clover

Propagating Hairy Canary cannot be done by division but plants can be duplicated by seed, cuttings or layering. It is an evergreen woody plant native to the Mediterranean which means hardy in Zones 7-9 in the USA. It will spread up to 36" so it can be used as a groundcover or hanging over a wall. It reaches a height of up to 24", it is drought resistant, and needs full sun. Its flowers are a whitish pink and will bloom in mid-late summer followed by brown seed pods. Its leaves are felty and tinged silver-grey.

Houstonia serpyllifolia-Thyme-leafed Mountain Bluet

Propagating Houstonia is simple since it grows outward by underground stolons so in the spring trace the plant to the outer edges and where you see a new plant cut the stolon and transplant. Now it may seem contradictory but the plant prefers a moist sandy and slightly acidic soil and needs at least a few hours of sun to bloom so make certain the soil is amended with compost or manure when transplanting. It is evergreen and its blooms are frequented by small butterflies and bees and a specific moth caterpillar loves the plant as its home. It is native to the Eastern seaboard and was found in the Appalachian Mountains in WV and does well in Zones 5-9. It blooms mid to late summer and its color is a light blue/lilac with a yellow eye and grows to a height of 2-3". It will do well in rock walls or in flagstone paths.