'Mow it down Gardens' Pack

Just have a boring yard full of weeds, dusty ground or patchy grass. Want something better? Then try a mow it down garden. A little work will be needed to rake over the ground to begin with and scatter the seeds. A little water if there is not enough rain, but after the seeds sprout and begin to grow then its sit back and enjoy the flowers. Plants in this pack are tough and for the most part drought tolerant. They produce nice flowers that can attract butterflies, hummingbirds and bees. They are herbal so can be used in cooking or make teas. Most are also very aromatic. At the end of the year, or in early spring, you just mow it down, collect up the cuttings like leaves and wait for the plants to sprout again next year. Simple easy garden. Help save the pollinators and reduce the amount of work you need to do cutting the patch lawn during the year.
Allocate a portion of your yard to this method of gardening and enjoy the flowers and aroma the plants provide. Detailed instructions with every pack.

Pack contains:

 

Anise Hyssop Agastache foeniculum
Tall beautiful plant with spikes of blue flowers that bloom for a long period of time. Its a perennial but will flower in the first year from seed although not as prolifically as in following years. Flowering begins in mid spring to early summer and can last for two months or more. If plants are dead headed flowering can be prolonged. Flowers are very desirable to many kinds of butterflies as well as bees and humming birds, and if grown in groups these are often festooned with the lovely creatures. Plants are very aromatic and not eaten by other wildlife. They are also herbal and can be used in teas, salads or just to enjoy the aroma. Birds adore the seeds especially goldfinches and often plants look as if they are blooming yellow as the birds come to feast. more

Garlic Chives Allium tuberosum
These are a must for anyone wanting to attract pollinators. Short plants with groups of white star shaped flowers that are truly bee and butterfly magnates. Tough perennial flowers in first year from seed and comes back every year. Flowers in early to mid fall when most summer plants have finished so these give a much needed boost to insects looking for energy and pollen to store for winter. Flowers are beautiful and the following seed heads are very decorative and can be used in dried flower arrangements. Whole plant is edible including the flowers. Can be used instead of salad onions although it is slightly stronger. Grown in groups they can be very dramatic. more

Coneflower Purple Echinacea purpurea
One of American most beautiful native plants. Coneflowers are desirable for many different kinds of pollinators especially bumble bees and most importantly sweat bees, tiny bees that have a very small home range so growing these plants can certainly encourage good pollinators. Tough perennial plants that bloom often for several months once established. Echinacea is also a strong immune stimulant helping to fend off colds and other infections so having some on hand is always useful. Plants can be mown to the ground in fall or early spring. more

Culvers Root Veronicastrum virginicum
Beautiful tough native American perennial hardy to zone 3. Produces tall spikes of white flowers from early summer that last about a month. Spikes can reach 6 feet (1.8m) in height and are very good nectar producers and attract a multitude of insects most especially Monarch butterflies. Needs full sun and some water for best results. Tough tap roots make it hard to transplant so choose location carefully. Plants can live for decades so this is a plant you can grow for the ages. Needs little maintenance once established just cut it down once a year and enjoy the flowers. more

Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis
Short bushy plant growing to about 24 inches (61cm) with bright green crinkly leaves with a strong aroma of lemon. Produces spikes of creamy white flowers in mid spring that are beloved by bees and butterflies as a strong nectar and pollen source. Hardy perennial needs little care once established and comes back year after year. Does best in full sun but can tolerate semi shade. Will slowly spread from creaping rhizomes to form ground covering mats that can beat out weeds. Hardy to zone 4 but may need a little mulching there and zone 3. Needs little care once established just mow it down once a year. Fairly drought tolerant once established but does benefit from some water. Makes a great pot plant and is good on decks where strong lemon aroma can be appreciated. Wildlife don't eat it. more

MeadowSweet Filipendula ulmaria
Tough hardy perennial to zone 2. produces tall stems of fluffy white flowers up to 5 feet (1.5m) over mounds of dark green foliage. Very easy to care for just mow it down once a year in spring. Mounds will increase slightly each year. Likes semi shade and is ideal for dappled shade or areas that have morning or evening light. Its also quite happy in wet soils especially clay and is a great addition to a rain garden that does not get full sun. Seeds need light to germinate and seedlings grow slowly to begin with. It has a strong sharp pleasant aroma when cut that deters most wildlife from eating it but deer have been known to eat the flowers. Pollinators love it more

Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum pilosum
Native American mint grows in clumps of tall stalks up to 4 feet (1.2m) that produce masses of white to light pink flowers in fall when many other plants have stopped flowering. Pollinators love it but wildlife don't eat it due to the strong minty aroma. Hardy to zone 5 and drought tolerant once established, can also be grown in pots if desired. Can be used in place of other mints in cooking and digestive issues and it does not spread out like other mints staying in clumps. It will self seed however but spread is slower and can easily be removed. Can also take some shade so ideal for garden edges. Easy to mow down once a year long lasting perennial. more

Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Yarrow is tough. In ideal conditions it can grow to about 3 feet (1m) but mow it down and it will grow low too. Its very hardy once established and very drought tolerant. If allowed to grow up and flower it attracts a multitude of pollinators and butterflies. the great thing is these will be different from the ones attracted to most of the other flowers in this collection which gives a much wider range of insects and different butterflies to look at. Yarrow has been used for centuries to help stop blood flow. Get a cut while outside. Grab some yarrow, apply to wound to help it stop bleeding. Its other major uses are for treating colds, fevers, and pain reduction, especially good for menstrual pain. more