CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLANTS ∙ PART 2
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION • (^17)
FLOWERS
Bees Birds Butterflies Cut Flowers Fall Color Caution Within 30 Ft Utility Tree Native
Aurinia saxatilis
Coreopsis grandiflora
Aurinia saxatilis
< 2’
Basket-of-Gold – Low-growing perennial
whose brightly colored flowers of yellow gold
welcome spring, usually in April. Grows 8 in.
tall by 12 in. wide when given full sun and
well-drained soil, and watered once a week.
Coreopsis species
< 2’
Tickseed – Consis tent bloomer all summer
long if old blossoms are re moved as they
fade. All varieties prefer full sun, well-drained
soil and twice-a-week watering. Divide
plants every two or three years to maintain
vigor ous plantings.
C. grandiflora (Coreopsis) – 1-2 ft. tall by 1 ft.
wide; orange to yellow flowers June-August.
C. lanceolata (Lanceleaf Coreopsis) – 1-2 ft. tall
by 1 ft. wide; yellow flowers June-September.
C. verticillata ‘Golden Showers’ – 2 ft. tall by 2
ft. wide; yellow flowers July-August.
C. v. ‘Moonbeam’ – 2 ft. tall by 2 ft. wide; pale
yellow flowers June-September.
Taller plants should be used sparingly
within 30 ft. of the house:
C. verticillata (Threadleaf Coreopsis) – 1^1 ⁄ 2 - 3 ft.
tall by 3 ft. wide; yellow flowers July-September.
Crocus species
Crocus species
< 2’
Spring Crocus – These delightful little
bulbs are one of the first flowers to burst
out of the snow in spring. They have bowl-
shaped flowers that may be solid or striped,
in shades of white, yellow, pink or purple.
Plant 2 in. deep and about 3 in. apart in
well-drained soil and full sun to light
shade. Crocus are very well suited to
planting within turf. They bloom in
February or March when the turf is
dormant, providing visual interest to an area
usually devoid of life for another month.
To plant, dig out a small circle of turf, plant
bulb 2-3 in. deep and replace the turf over
it. Mow high (3-4 in.) through April to
allow crocus to manufacture food for next
season.
30’
Dianthus barbatus
Dianthus species
< 2’
Pinks – Dianthus are part of a large family of
300+ species as a result of hybrid ization. All
prefer full sun, excellent drainage and once-
to twice-a-week
watering. Divide
clumps every two
or three years.
Not bothered by
rabbits, squirrels
or deer.
D. x ‘Alwoodii’ –
gray-green leaves;
flowers white,
pink, rose or red
June-July.
D. barbatus
(Sweet William) – 1 ft. tall by 1 ft. wide;
green leaves; fragrant maroon, red or pink
flowers May-June.
D. deltoides (Maiden Pink) – 6 -12 in. tall by
24 in. wide; green leaves; red, pink, white or
purple flowers; shear after bloom.
D. gratianopolitanus (Cheddar Pink) –
1 ft. tall by 1 ft. wide; gray-green leaves;
fragrant pink, red or rose flowers May-
September if old flowers removed following
bloom.
D. plumarius (Cottage Pink) – 2 ft. tall by
1 ft. wide; gray leaves; white, pink or red
flowers in June.
Dianthus plumarius