This fifth chapter describes the early season blossoming flowers present within the Penn State Schuylkill Certified Native Pollinator Garden. Information about the plants was obtained from the Missouri Botanical Society website.

Early Season Blooming Flowers

Creeping Phlox

Phlox stolonifera (Creeping Phlox)

Creeping phlox favors full sun to part shade and moderate watering. The plant is tolerate drought and air pollution. The plant prefers acidic, rich, organic soil with uniform moisture, and will self-seed. The leaves are oblong to oval green leaves on the sterile stems, with smaller flowering stem leaves. It grows low to the ground, usually ½’ to ¾’ high and 2’ wide, with clusters flowers blooming from July to September.

Potential Problems: Powdery mildew in summer humidity and by cutting back stems after flowering helps. Spider mites can also be a problem, particularly in hot, dry conditions.

Eastern Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern Columbine)

Eastern Columbine favors full sun to shade, moderate water, but it will tolerate dry soil. It creates a biternate foliage, growing 2’ to 3’ high and 2’ wide. Flowers are drooping, bell-like, with red sepals and spurs with yellow petals and stamens blooming from April to May that will attract hummingbirds.

Requires: Dead heading and additional watering (moist soil) during blooming for an extended blooming period.