Birds and Blooms Extra – September 01, 2019

BUZZ

h these pollen-packed all-stars. BY RACHEL MAIDL

LIATRIS

Liatris spicata, Zones 3 to 8

Topping out at 4 feet tall, towering liatris

offers a pollen buffet for butterflies and

bees. Flower spikes range from purple to

white and feature dozens of blooms.

DAHLIA

Dahlia spp., Zones 8 to 11

With a little extra work, dahlias thrive almost everywhere.

Most cultivars do best with loads of sun and monthly

low-nitrogen fertilizer treatments. In colder climates,

dig up the tubers each fall and replant in early spring.

DAHLIA

Jay Galvin

AUBURN,

WASHINGTON

LIATRIS

Angela Wilkins

FRANKFORT,

KENTUCKY