The White Flower Farm Catalog has arrived!!

I’ve settled myself down in front of the fire with The Noble Bayard at my feet for many happy hours of browsing. After all, I’ve promised to give you my opinion on what’s the Best of the Best for the Bees this year!

The WFF catalog has some lovely new offerings. I was especially excited about a new Buddleia, “Lo and Behold©” Ice Chip.

It is different from the standard Buddleia in that it is low growing, a groundcover really.

I know that a number of you have all-white gardens. This would be a charming addition!!

Buddleia is one of the bees’ favorite flowers, and white is one of their favorite colors (along with blue and yellow.) It has a heavenly scent that attracts all kinds of pollinators.

Buddleia is at its best in full sun and moist but well-drained soil. Plants flower on the current season’s growth, and bloom more profusely if stems are pruned back to 12-24 inches as new shoots emerge in spring. In cold-winter climates plants often die back almost to the ground; simply remove the deadwood in spring. Plants regrow vigorously and produce a spectacular show in summer, even from such a seemingly unpromising start.

Fertilize once a year, in early spring, with a good organic fertilizer. Plants are generally untroubled by pests or diseases.

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