Strawflower Plant Profile

 

Strawflower Plant Profile

Strawflower (Bracteantha bracteatum) is also known as ever-lasting flower. It blooms from late spring until frost in a variety of colors (yellow, orange, red, pink, and white).

It is a short-lived tender perennial that is native to Australia and grown in our region as an annual.

It is hardy to USDA Zone 8 to 10.

Plant it in full sun and average to dry, well-drained soil. Once established, strawflower plants are heat- and drought-tolerant.

The long-lasting flowers attract bees and butterflies. They are deer-resistant.

Pinch plants when young to promote more branching and more flowering. Continue to deadhead them throughout the growing season for continuous flowering.

Strawflowers are ideal as cut flowers and in dried flower arrangements as they keep their petals and coloring well.

The new Granvia series from Suntory Flowers has been described as a Supersized Strawflower and is a cultivar we recommend you try out.

Strawflower: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Photos, Videos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Jackson Wantman

 

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE

~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com

~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener

~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/

~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC

 

If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Larkspur Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2026/06/larkspur-plant-profile.html

~ Cotton Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/12/cotton-plant-profile.html

~ Jewels of Opar Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/10/jewels-of-opar-plant-profile.html

 PIN THIS FOR LATER!

Lisianthus Plant Profile

 

Lisianthus Plant Profile

Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) is an annual cut flower plant with blooms that are typically pink, blue, purple, or white. Single forms resemble tulips, while double forms look like roses.

   Lisianthus is also known as Eustoma, Prairie Gentian, Tulip Gentian, or Texas Bluebell.

   Lisianthus will bloom starting in summer into fall.

      Lisianthus sold at garden centers are typically potted, dwarf variations, so they don’t get too leggy and flop before they bloom.

   Because they can be difficult to start from seeds, most cut-flower growers buy started plugs to grow them out Some growers disbud* the first two flowers on Lisianthus to allow the plant to develop more fully.

   Lisianthus can be planted in the garden in early April as they can tolerate a light frost.

  They prefer to grown in full sunlight in well-draining soils. They do well planted in combinations with Zinnias.

   It is hardy to USDA Zones 8 to 10.

   Lisianthus is native to Mexico and the Great Plains of the United States.  Lisianthus can sometimes be confused with the separate species that has the Latin name Lisianthius, which is found in the Caribbean and Central America, but there is no visual similarity between the two plants.

   They can grow anywhere from 20 to 30 inches tall in the garden, so they need to be supported. Most cut-flower growers use a horizontal netting typically strung about a foot high above the plants.

   Lisianthus can also benefit from a 10-10-10 dry fertilizer

Lisianthus: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine as part of our Plant Profile series for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners.

Audio, video, and text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Koree Perry

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE

~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com

~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener

~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/

~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC

If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Bronze Fennel Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/07/bronze-fennel-plant-profile.html

~ Gentian Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/10/gentian-plant-profile.html

~ Larkspur Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2026/06/larkspur-plant-profile.html

 

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

Fenton Friday: Lovely Lisianthus

This week the intense heat was back and we had hardly any rain. Now we are experiencing extremely poor air quality due to smoke blowing in from the Canadian wildfires. I'm praying for rain this weekend to clear out the air and water the gardens. The smoke haze cannot be good for our plants, which are already suffering greatly from the drought and record heat waves.

I cut blooms from the Dahlias and Lisianthus (pictured above).

We weeded and watered a bit -- and picked a few Blackberries.

The Squash vines are flowering, so I expect to see baby Squash developing soon. The Eggplant and Tomato plants have lots of blossoms on them. As soon as the temperature returns to normal, they should start developing/producing fruit.

Speaking of Tomatoes, when I left last week to go tour gardens in Buffalo, NY, there was one nice-sized tomato starting to ripen on the 'Fourth of July' plant. When I got back, it was gone -- not rotting on the ground nor bitten and left behind -- just gone. I suspect a hungry critter took it (maybe of the human kind?).

For the Pollinator Strip, we are still waiting for the second batch of Nasturtium and Celosia we planted last week to germinate. The Sunflowers and Marigolds are blooming well. The Zinnias still need a few weeks.

I finally got the Pepper seedlings planted! They are a Sweet Cayenne variety and a 'Calabrian' one.

Everything else is coming along well. 

What are you growing and harvesting in your garden this week?

About Fenton Friday: Every Friday during the growing season, I'll be giving you an update on my community garden plot at the Fenton Street Community Garden just across the street from my house in zone 7 Mid-Atlantic MD/DC border. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 15th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton"  into the Search box above (at the top, left on this blog).

Larkspur Plant Profile

Larkspur Plant Profile

Larkspur (Consolida ajacis) is an annual flower with tall bloom spikes in late spring and early summer. The flowers are typically blue, purple, pink, or white.

It is native to the Mediterranean region and can be grown in zones 2 to 11 as an early season annual.

It grows best in full sun in well-draining soils.

You can direct sow it in early spring or in late fall in zones 6 to 8 for blooming the next spring. You can also starts seeds indoors in late winter under grow lights. Larkspur seeds need cool temperatures (below 55 degrees) in order to germinate.

It prefers cool weather and does not tolerate heat. Young larkspur plants tolerate frost well. 

Because Larkspur can grow to 3 to 4 feet tall, you may need to stake it especially in locations with strong winds.

Larkspur is a terrific cut flower.  Cut the stalks when the bottom two to four flowers have opened. The flowers will continue to open in the vase. You can also let them dry on the plant for dried flower arrangements.

After flowering, you can collect seedpods for planting next year or let them go to seed to self-sow themselves.

Larkspur is deer-resistant as it contains toxic alkaloids. It is visited by various pollinators including bumblebees and butterflies.

Larkspur: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Koree Perry.

 

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE

~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com

~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener

~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/

~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC

 

If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Gentian Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/10/gentian-plant-profile.html

~ Spiderwort Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2026/03/spiderwort-plant-profile.html

~  Blue-eyed Grass Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2026/06/blue-eyed-grass-plant-profile.html

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

GardenDC Podcast Episode 253: The Farm-to-Vase Movement

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Alex Mudry-Till of Quince Blossom Ridge, all about cut-flower farming. The plant profile is on Patrinia and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on Travels with Iris by Christy Page of GreenPrints.

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 54: Flower Farming with Lisa Mason Ziegler

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/04/gardendc-podcast-episode-54-flower.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 104: Dahlias

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/05/gardendc-podcast-episode-104-dahlias.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 19: Floral Design with Holly Heider Chapple

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/07/gardendc-podcast-episode-19-floral.html

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter/subscriber at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/subscribe

Visit https://shop.kathyjentz.com/ to browse our new online store!

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0UmKbt3r9piKWEepxGAdyZ?si=yJRyOe29TsqqXZucvhjdFQ

Show Notes will be posted after 8-26-2025.

The GardenDC podcast is also available on -

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gardendc/id1502631179
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AsWArNpQo8OlzHoMDMSI8?si=3ebaddb186214fc6
• RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/gardendc-G2ql5V
• iHeartRADIO: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-gardendc-73615877/
  
• aCast: https://play.acast.com/s/gardendc
  
• Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/776561ca-75d6-4c63-833b-7dafedf57a72/GardenDC
• Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/GardenDC-Podcast/B08JJNZBMX
• Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/gardendc
  
• Bullhorn https://www.bullhorn.fm/gardendc
• Chartable: https://link.chtbl.com/GardenDC
• Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/GardenDC-id2691161?country=us
• Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/show/5587897
• GoodPods: https://goodpods.app.link/u3gtlpybILb
• Headliner: https://play.headliner.app/podcast/37086
• Himalaya: https://www.himalaya.com/courses/gardendc-1747568
• Ivy: https://ivy.fm/podcast/gardendc-940013
• Listen Notes: https://lnns.co/VIfcBjWRnw6
• Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/gardendc/
• PocketCasts: https://pca.st/9phvd8bk
• Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/2629285
• Podfollow: https://podfollow.com/GardenDC
• Podlink: https://pod.link/GardenDC
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/gardendc-1137444
• Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1502631179/gardendc
  
• Reason: https://reason.fm/podcast/gardendc
• TuneIn: http://tun.in/pj7Sb
• Vurbl: https://vurbl.com/station/gardendc/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/washingtongardenermagazine

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

Pin this for later!

Dahlia Plant Profile

Dahlia Plant Profile

Dahlia is a tuberous plant that produces ornamental flowers. The blooms range in size from small to quite large. They can range widely in form and coloration as well.

The Dahlia is native to the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala. It is hardy to zones 8 to 11, so it is treated as an annual in other growing zones. The tuberous roots are dug up each autumn and then stored indoors for the winter. They can be potted up or planted directly in the ground once the soils warm up again in the spring.

Dahlias need a site with good drainage and part to full sun. Due to their hollow stems and heavy flowers, most Dahlia plants will need to be staked or caged for support. In many ways, Dahlia growing is similar to how you would care for Tomato plants.

Dahlias do best with regular fertilizing. They do not need to be watered often and the tubers can actually rot if over-watered.

Dahlias are terrific cut flowers and only a few plants will give you months of blooms for beautiful bouquets.

Dahlia: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine as part of our Plant Profile series for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners.

Audio and text by Kathy Jentz

Video and editing by Brandie Bland

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE

~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com

~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener

~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/

~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

GardenDC Podcast Episode 54: Flower Farming with Lisa Mason Ziegler

This episode we talk with Lisa Mason Ziegler of The Gardener's Workshop about her flower farm business. The plant profile is on Wild Violets and we share our upcoming events and local gardening news!

Lisa's own podcast is called Field & Garden and you can listen to it here.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! See how at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/support.

The episode is posted at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/episodes/Episode-54---Flower-Farming-with-Lisa-Mason-Ziegler-euh91p

The GardenDC podcast is also available on -

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gardendc/id1502631179
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AsWArNpQo8OlzHoMDMSI8
• RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/gardendc-G2ql5V
• iHeartRADIO: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-gardendc-73615877/
  
• aCast: https://play.acast.com/s/gardendc
  
• Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/776561ca-75d6-4c63-833b-7dafedf57a72/GardenDC
• Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/GardenDC-Podcast/B08JJNZBMX
• Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/gardendc
• Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/GardenDC-id2691161?country=us
• Listen Notes: https://lnns.co/VIfcBjWRnw6
• Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/gardendc/
• Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/2629285
• PocketCasts: https://pca.st/9phvd8bk
• Podlink: https://pod.link/GardenDC
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/gardendc-1137444
• Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1502631179/gardendc
• TuneIn: http://tun.in/pj7Sb
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/washingtongardenermagazine
• Google Podcasts at this link (note that currently, this link will only work on Android devices.)

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://anchor.fm/kathy-jentz/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

Note: this post contains Amazon affiliate links.

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

Bloom Day Bouquet

It is the 15th of the month, which means Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day again. To view links to other garden bloggers' blooms around the world to see what it blooming in their gardens today and to read their collective comments, go to http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/

Here is the Mid-Atlantic USA (USDA zone 7) on the DC-MD border, the past month has continued the odd summer pattern of cooler and wetter than normal weather. I am not complaining! Every day it rains is one less hour spent watering!

For Bloom Day this month I thought I'd share this bouquet created from flowers from my community garden plot to use at our harvest potluck picnic -- Sunflowers, Celosia, and Queen Anne's Lace. We left out the Zinnias on this one. I could add some of my prolific Goldenrod from the home garden to fill it out or pop in some of my highly scented Mrs. Burn's Lemon Basil, but I'll leave it alone for now and enjoy it for its rustic simplicity.

So what is blooming in YOUR garden today?

Video Wednesday: Heirloom Mums

Leon A Carrier and Carol Heitmuller Carrier of PlantsMasters in Laytonsville, MD, are growers of specialty cut flowers and selected plants. Here they talk about their heirloom mum selections and growing tips.

Orange Cosmos: You Can Grow That!

Orange Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) is a prolific annual flower that re-seeds liberally, so once you have this plant, you will have it return each year in abundance.

To start it off, sprinkle (direct sow) a pack of seeds in mid-spring. The 'Bright Lights' seed mix is popular and widely available.

The seeds are easy to collect, so it is likely that you can get some free from fellow gardeners or at a local seed swap. If you do not want it to re-seed in your garden, deadhead and collect the spent blooms regularly.

This cosmos has ferny foliage and is covered with orange/yellow/gold flowers from mid-summer to frost. It is a wonderful cut flower, though it only lasts a few days in a vase. It is a pollinator magnet -- beloved by bees and butterflies. Finches enjoy eating the seed-heads.

It is native to the desert areas of the USA, so that gives you a big clue as to its growing preferences. Sulfur Cosmos (aka Klondike Cosmos or Sulphur Cosmos) grows best in full sun, but tolerates poor/clay soil and it thrives in heat and humidity. I never give mine any water unless we have a prolonged period of no rain and excessive heat.

Orange Cosmos is a bright spot in my garden and one of those old-fashioned reliable plants that is the backbone of my cottage garden.

All who are involved with You Can Grow That! (YCGT!) believe that plants and gardening enhance our quality of life. We want people to be successful with what they grow and to become more aware of the many gifts that horticulture brings. Find out more at http://www.youcangrowthat.com/.