Cistus Photos

Rockroses hail from the Mediterranean region and fortunately grow exceptionally well in our mild climate. These stalwart evergreens are famed for their conspicuous, papery single flowers, resembling wild rose blossoms. Though they last only a day, they arrive in such profusion, carpeting the ground beneath, that one can count on color for 2 or 3 months. Fast growing and appreciative of well-drained sites, they tolerate drought, poor soil, ocean winds, salt spray and even desert heat. Cistus vary from low spreaders to tall imposing bushes, and are terrific for informal hedging and screens.

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View the catalog page for Cistus.

Autumn is for Asters....

Aster’s cheerful daisy faces plus the profusion of colors and sizes that make up this genus promise lots of flower power when other perennials have tuckered out. Invaluable for summer and fall gardens, our easy-care Aster offerings are tried-and-true performers in sunny locales with average soil and moderate moisture. Cherished by plant aficionados, flower arrangers, song birds and pollinators, many Aster cultivars work well in either formal or informal venues and can be tucked into stylized meadows, cottage gardens and borders.

Tall ornamental grasses and perennials, like Calamagrostis, Eupatorium purpureum, Panicum or Helianthus serve as intriguing backdrops, while Molinia lends a mysterious element when planted right up front. Late season bloomers such as Persicaria, Solidago, Sedum, Yarrow, Phlox, Verbena bonariensis, Hypericum androsaemum and Selinum wallichianum become colorful cohorts when intermingled with mid-sized Asters!

Beckon American natives and navitars into your garden...

‘Navitar’ is a relatively new horticultural term coined by esteemed plantsman Dr. Allan Armitage, an author and horticultural professor at the University of Georgia. Navitar refers to both deliberately cultivated selections and naturally occurring variations of native plants. The naturally occurring varieties are often found in the wild or possibly discovered in someone’s backyard. Thankfully, many American natives and navitars nourish song birds, bees, hummingbirds and butterflies plus other beneficial insects.

We can make a difference by including numerous plants that benefit pollinators in our landscapes. We hope this selection of natives, nativars and pollinator-friendly plants will inspire you to find some room for them in your border.

All of us Digging Dog plant wranglers wish you Happy Digging!