Pictures of Late Spring Flowers in Louisiana

Welcome to our Sustainable Garden Habitat which is located in southeastern Louisiana. We have been planting to attract and provide for wildlife as well as providing food for ourselves. Most of the plants that we grow are multipurpose species which provide food, flowers, fall color, wood or shelter for humans or animals.

As we take the pictorial virtual tour, I will attempt to point out some of the uses of the plants that are pictured flowering during late spring (May and June), here on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain.

Scarlet Sage - Salvia coccinea
Scarlet Sage (pictured above) is a tender perennial that is easy to grow from seeds or cuttings. Salvia coccinea is one of the many sages that are staples in the hummingbird garden. We also grow Pineapple Sage, Mexican Bush Sage, Rosebud Sage, Common Sage and others.

It comes in red, white and coral pink. It is a favorite of hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators.

Wetland and Moist Soil Plants
Water Lily - Nymphaea odorata
White water lilies grow in ponds and lakes all over Louisiana. Their fragrant flowers attract pollinators. The roots and other parts of water lilies are edible.

Pickerel Weed - Pontederia cordata
The pink flower is unusual and we only have one in our pond. It is probably a recessive trait.
The normal purple flowers bloom from May until late fall. The seeds of Pickerel Weed are edible.

The flowers are used by hummingbirds, butterflies (especially Tiger Swallowtails) and other pollinators.

Common Rose-mallow - Hibiscus moscheutos
Hibiscus moscheutos is the native "parent" plant of many of the showy perennial Hibiscus hybrids in the plant trade. It is a beauty in its own right and is used by hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators.

Common Rose-mallow comes in several shades of pink and white, with dark pink or red throats. It can be grown in wet areas or in flower beds.

Seed Box - Ludwigia spp.

The small shrub grows in moist areas and in late spring is covered with yellow flowers. It is the host plant of one of the Sphinx Moths which has beautifully patterned caterpillars. The attractive seed pond can be used in dried arrangements.

Whiteleaf Mountain Mint - Pycnanthemum albescens
Whiteleaf Mountain Mint has a minty fragrance. It can grow in moist areas, but does just as well in flower beds. The white bracts around the flowers make it an attractive addition to the landscape.

Like other members of the mint family, it can be used in teas. It can also be used in both fresh and dried arrangements. Many pollinators are attracted to this native herb.

Vines
Angularfruit Milkvine - Maletea gonocapos
Angularfruit Milkvine is a member of the milkweed family. Its heart shaped leaves and angular, not spiny fruit distinguish it from other milkvines. It grows along the edges of woodlands. It is one of the many milkweeds that are the larval plant of the Monarch butterfly.

Passion Flower - passiflora incarnata cultivar
Passion Flower vines produce gorgeous flowers and a delicious fruit called, "Maypop", which is eaten by humans and animals alike. The vine is the larval plant of the Gulf Fritillary butterfly.

Red Daylily - Hemerocallis spp.
Daylilies (pictured above) are one of my favorite flowers. They are perennials which come in many colors and flower types. They are very easy to grow and will multiply without becoming invasive. The flowers are edible, so they are an excellent addition to the sustainable garden.

Garden Balsam - Impatiens balsamina
This flowering annual is native to southern Asia. Balsam has been used in Asian medicine and the dried seeds are used to make tea. Garden balsam attracts many pollinators, so it is good in the moon or the wildlife garden.


Clerodendrum bungei 'Cashmere Bouquet'
This beautiful tropical native of Asia can be extremely invasive in the southern states. It sends out runners and can soon cover an area. I think that it will not be such a problem in areas with hard freezes during winter.

It is used by hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators and can be grown in shade.

Anise Hyssop - Agastache foeniculum
The attractive blue flowers of this herb are pollinator magnets making it a great addition to the butterfly garden.

Kumquat
Kumquats are a member of the Citrus family. The flowers have a glorious smell and the fruit is tasty. The round fruits are sweeter than the oblong ones. The fruit also makes excellent marmalade.

4 o'clocks - Mirabilas jalapa
We have an apricot colored variety which breeds true from seeds. Dark and light apricot flowers may appear on the same plant. In Louisiana it is an herbaceous perennial. It dies back each winter and sprouts again from a giant taproot when the weather warms again. It will also reseed readily.

Four O'clocks are wonderful additions to a Moon Garden because the fragrant flowers begin blooming in the late afternoon and because they are used and pollinated by moths. Traditionally, fragrant 4 o'clocks were planted around the privy.

Angel-face, Summer Snapdragon - Angelonia
Angelonia flowers can be purple, pink or white. They are tender perennials with a sweet fragrance. The white variety would be good in the moon garden. Angel-face is used by hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators.

Pink Rain Lily - Zephyranthes spp.
Rain Lilies pop up from a bulb after a good soaking rain. They have a pleasant fragrance. They can be propagated by seed or by dividing the bulbs.

Shrimp Plant - Justicia brandegeana
Shrimp Plants come in shades of red or yellow. They are used by both hummingbirds and butterflies. We call this particular one a "summer" Shrimp Plant because it blooms from early spring through summer.

We also have another more leggy variety that blooms from early fall to spring which we call "winter" Shrimp Plant.