THE 2018 PERENNIAL PLANT OF THE YEAR.<\/p>\n
Each year the PPA (Perennial Plant Association) selects a perennial to highlight for the year.\u00a0 This year the Association chose ALLIUM \u2018MILLENIUM\u2019<\/p>\n
Allium \u2018Millenium\u2019 is referred to as the \u201cbutterfly magnet\u201d perennial.\u00a0 Other pollinators will flock to this plant.\u00a0 Butterflies and bees will thank you for adding \u2018Millenium\u2019 to your garden; especially since it is a late summer bloomer. \u00a0A good pollinator garden will have different plants blooming at different times during the growing season in order to provide nectar for the various pollinators.\u00a0 This is one main reason why planting Allium \u2018Millenium\u2019 is so perfect.<\/p>\n
The 2017 perennial plant of the year was ASCLEPIAS tuberosa (butterfly weed), which is a native plant and a plant known for its ability to support insects and birds and serve as the primary caterpillar food for our Monarch butterflies.\u00a0 Personally, I think that the PPA is being very supportive of the need to become more aware of protecting and supporting our pollinators and this could be one reason why Allium Millenium was chosen for this year.<\/p>\n
Allium \u2018Millenium is very hardy for our region.\u00a0 It lives in hardiness zones from 3 to 9 ( we are zone 7 here in the Richmond area).\u00a0 Allium \u2018Millenium\u2019 is a relative to the common onion.\u00a0 It was introduced in 2000 and has proven itself year after year for being a top performer.\u00a0 The genus Allium has nurmerous virtues to add to any landscape.\u00a0 It grows best in full sun.\u00a0 There are no serious pest problems.\u00a0 Deer and rabbits leave \u2018Millenium\u2019 alone.\u00a0 And, finally, it is low maintenance.<\/p>\n
How can you go wrong in adding Allium to your garden?\u00a0 Now is a good time to plant one and then be able to enjoy its\u2019 beauty later this summer.<\/p>\n
I challenge all of us to learn more about gardens for pollinators and help spread the word to our family, friends, and neighborhood to plant more pollinator plants.<\/p>\n
HAPPY GARDENING!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"