I used to grow Gaillardia - another great native! But most of it was over on my neighbor's side of the road and has not survived after years of neglect. I live on a corner lot and I used to landscape both sides of the front of the street before I got sick. We have Gaillardia at MOSI, too and it does well. Our neighbor behind us died a few months ago and he owned 9 acres. I know there are blanket flowers in his front yard (which is like 2 acres) because I saw them blooming a few times when he didn't mow for a while or they grew too low to get cut. And I was telling Mom the other day I might go over there and see if I can find them again and dig them up and bring them over. His kids haven't been mowing as often so maybe I can snag some. I had my best success with the "Goblin" variety, by the way.
The only sage I have growing right now is "Black and Blue" which grows well and is hard to kill but I didn't locate it in the best of spots. I have two and let's just say, sometimes Melanie forgets how big other plants are going to grow. And I have a problem trimming things, which is why Dad does it! So the salvia doesn't get much action because it is physically hard to reach for the bugs.
I need to weed before I plant anything, though. If I'd known it was going to be a little cooler yesterday and today I would have tried to get out there and do a little, but I felt pretty bad both days so it probably would have been a no-go anyhow. Dad and I have to coordinate our schedules and tackle those weeds! The skunkvine is getting obnoxious at this point. And as much as the butterflies love them, I have to keep the Spanish Needles under control or they'll cover everything.
