Perennial Flowers
Our plants typically are offered in a few different pot/plug sizes depending on the type of plant and availability (typical pot sizes are listed with each plant). The typical pot size offered is listed with each plant. Bear in mind that although a large plant may look impressive, small plants tend to transplant better. Small plants are less root-bound and have less roots overall to disturb. They adapt more quickly and are less prone to shock.
- 4 inch pot - The most common pot size we offer for tomatoes, peppers, flowers, and herbs.
- 3 inch pot - We typically offer succulents and other miscellaneous plants in this size.
- 6 inch pot - We occasionally offer larger-size plants in these pots.
- 72-cell or 6-pack size - Veggies and some annual flowers are often offered at this size.
- 98-cell - Onion starts are offered in this size which is slightly smaller than 6-pack size.
- Peat pot - Melons and squash are offered in peat pots because of their sensitive roots. Plant the entire pot in the ground to avoid harming the roots; the roots will grow right through the peat. These pots are about the size of a 3 inch pot.
- 12 inch hanging basket - Large flowers are offered in these pots.
- Perennials - Perennials come back year after year, and once established can be very low maintenance. They tend to bloom during a shorter window than annuals, but this time period can often be extended by deadheading.
- Availability - Flower availability can vary dramatically year-to-year and week-to-week. Please be aware that the flowers listed here may not always be available.
Bee Balm, also known as Bergamot or Monarda, has nectar-rich, ball-like flowers that attract many pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout mid-summer. It comes in shades of purple and red; purple Bergamot is a native wildflower. The plants have an upright habit, typically producing spikes up to 3 feet tall. The leaves produce a very pleasant citrus/mint aroma when bruised.
Requires full sun to partial shade.
Available during May in a 4" pot.
Rudbeckia varieties are tough, drought-tolerant plants derived from native prairie plants. They have vivid yellow flowers with contrasting dark centers that attract butterflies and birds. The plants typically reach a height of 2 feet and bloom through mid and late summer.
Prefers full sun.
Available in May in a 4" pot.
Cardinal flower is a moisture-loving native that produces vibrant red spikes of flowers 2-4 feet tall in late summer or fall. It is an excellent plant for adding late color and giving pollinators a late nectar feast!
Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Available during May in a 4" pot.
Coneflower or Echinacea varieties are derived from native prairie wildflowers, and are tough, drought tolerant, and easy to grow. Depending on variety, they have petals in shades of red, orange, purple, scarlet, cream, yellow, magenta, and white with interesting spiky centers. The plants reach up to 30" tall and bloom in summer.
Prefers full sun.
Available during May in a 4" pot.
Coreopsis are easy to grow flowers that form stunning mounds of yellow and orange blossoms (in various patterns and shapes depending on variety). The plants typically grow about 15" tall and bloom all summer into fall.
Requires full sun.
Available during May in a 4" pot.
Delphinium produces flowers spikes up to 3 feet in hues of white, blue, and purple. It is very popular as a cut flower and typically blooms in early summer, with a late summer flush if deadheaded.
Prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade.
Available during May in a 4" pot.
We typically offer false indigo in a blue variety. The plant is a native flower that blooms in late spring with prolific, vibrant, pea-like blossoms. Throughout the rest of the year it forms an attractive green bush. After several years of growth false indigo will become a large bush-like plant up to 4 feet tall and spreading about 5 feet.
Requires full sun.
Available during May in a 4" pot.
We typically offer a variety of foxglove called 'Camelot Rose' which has a vibrant magenta color with deep purple speckles inside the flower. Foxglove will send up spires of flowers 2-4 feet in height during summer. Foxglove makes great cut flowers and attracts hummingbirds with its tubular flowers.
Requires full to partial sun.
Available during May in a 4" pot.
Gaillardia comes in a variety of hues of red, orange, and yellow depending on variety. The plants typically reach 10-20 inches tall and bloom all summer. The blossoms are rich in nectar and are a favorite of butterflies. Gaillardia are easy to grow and low maintenance once established, but require good drainage.
Requires full sun.
Available during May in a 4" pot.
The geraniums we offer are typically not winter-hardy in Iowa. Being tender perennials, they will die outdoors during the winter, but a popular and easy option is to keep them in a pot to bring indoors over winter.
Geraniums bloom in a variety of colors all summer long. They like moist but well drained soil, and tend to do very well in containers. Most varieties grow between 12 and 24 inches tall. Lemon scented geraniums have leaves that produce a strong citrus aroma when bruised, and bear small light pink flowers with magenta centers.
Grows well in full sun or partial shade.
Available during May in a 4" pot.
Hollyhocks are vigorous and easy to grow. The tall spikes of large flowers may be 3-6 feet tall depending on variety, and with their large lush leaves they are great for filling in large spaces in the garden. Depending on the variety the blossoms may be shades of white, pink, red, purple, or even black as either a single or double blossom. They will often reseed themselves, but tend not to become weedy or invasive in Iowa.
Requires full sun.
Available during May in a 4" pot.
We typically offer Hibiscus in shades of pink and red. Hibiscus display huge 8-10 inch flowers throughout the summer on lush plants that are 2-3 feet tall. Hibiscus tend to re-emerge very late in the spring/early summer, so we recommend leaving the woody stems from the previous year intact so you know where they will come up.
Requires full sun.
Available during May in 2-gallon pots.
Lupines have low, spreading, lush foliage and send up flower spikes up to 3 feet tall in late spring. We typically offer a mix that contains many different vibrant colors. Lupines may self-seed and slowly spread.
Thrives in full sun or partial shade.
Available during May in a 4" pot.
We offer various types of milkweed/butterfly flowers, but most often have the standard orange type available. These are a preferred flower for monarch butterflies to visit and for their caterpillars to eat. Milkweeds tend to be very tough and low maintenance once established. They come back slowly in late spring, so don't panic if your milkweed takes a while to re-sprout.
Prefers full sun.
Available during late May in a 4" pot.
Salvia regularly sends up spikes (up to 2 feet) of blue, purple, or red flowers. Salvia is very attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Some of the varieties we offer are not cold hardy in Iowa winters.
Prefers full sun.
Available during May in a 4" pot.