Summer Flowers for the Sun - Pollinator Plants

Yes, salvias are among the best pollinator plants and attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.

True annuals are plants that germinate from a seed, grow, flower, set seeds, and then die all within one growing season. The seeds then come up the following year.

While lantanas can be perennial in southern areas, like zones 9 to 11, in colder climates, they are often treated as annuals. For example, in Raleigh, North Carolina, zone 7B, certain varieties of lantana may come back each year if they are spring planted and grow all season.

Pentas prefer semi-moist conditions. They are heat tolerant but not dry feet tolerant, meaning they shouldn't be in overly wet areas but will need water if they show signs of wilting.

Yes, pruning annuals in the middle of the summer can help rejuvenate them, promote new growth, and encourage more flowering. Plants like lantana, pentas, and gomphrena can benefit from a haircut at this time.

Vinca plants have low maintenance needs. They perform well in full sun and should be planted in well-drained soil that can dry out between waterings. The newer varieties are also more disease-resistant.

Yes, portulaca is drought tolerant and an excellent choice for gardeners who may sometimes forget to water their plants. It thrives in well-drained, even sandy soil, and can be ignored to a large extent.