Looking for a way to show off your red, white, and blue spirit while supporting pollinators and beautifying your space? A summer container garden using Jersey-Friendly plants can do just that. With just three thoughtfully chosen species—Cardinal Flower, Turtlehead, and Mistflower—you can create a vibrant, eco-friendly display that’s both meaningful and manageable.
By borrowing a bit of inspiration from the theater, you can think of your container garden in terms of a well-staged production. A successful ensemble features a showstopper to command attention, a supporting cast to add balance and interest, and an understudy to play a subtle, grounding role. With that in mind, here’s how to create a patriotic red, white, and blue container using Jersey-Friendly plants that will keep the spotlight on your garden all summer long.
Container gardening with Jersey-Friendly plants is a great way to support local butterflies, bees and hummingbirds, add beauty to your porch or patio, and experiment with small-scale habitat gardening.
Showstopper: Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Vibrant, upright, and dramatic, Cardinal Flower earns the spotlight as your container’s showstopper. Its fiery red blooms attract hummingbirds and make a bold visual statement. This plant thrives in moist soil and part sun, so regular watering is key to keeping it healthy and vibrant.
Other Leading Roles:
- Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) – Just as bold, with a different texture and bloom shape.
- Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens) – Draws hummingbirds and blooms nonstop through summer.
- Scarlet Begonia (Begonia coccinea) Reliable and shade-tolerant. While not native, their compact growth habit and long bloom period make them a charming, low-growing addition.
Supporting Cast: Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
To round out the scene, add a supporting cast of white-flowering natives. Named for its unique blooms that resemble a turtle’s head, Turtlehead brings soft white color and an elegant form to your display. It also prefers moist conditions and performs best in part shade. Its sturdy stems and lush foliage provide a beautiful contrast to the fine texture of Mistflower and the vivid hues of Cardinal Flower.
Alternate Cast Members:
- Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) – A refreshing crowd-pleaser with silvery bracts and nonstop pollinator action.
- White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata) – Offers petite white flowers that bloom into fall, giving your container a touch of wild elegance.
- White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) – Airy and delicate, with fluffy white blooms.
- Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum) – A vertical showpiece that demands a large container to fully express its charm.
Understudy: Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)
Every production needs a steady understudy—a plant that enhances the scene without stealing it. Mistflower fits the role perfectly with its clusters of fluffy blue-violet blooms and gently spreading habit. Mistflower prefers similar light and moisture conditions as its co-stars and its whimsical texture offers a delicate complement to the upright forms of Cardinal Flower and Turtlehead. Butterflies especially love this native bloomer.
Stand-ins:
- Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) – Adds height and bold color.
- Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) – A graceful, upright grass with blue-green blades and brilliant fall color, great for structure and movement.
- Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans) – A spring-blooming woodland native with fern-like foliage and soft blue, bell-shaped flowers.
Every great performance needs the right stage, and your native plant container is no exception. Start with a generously sized pot to give your cast room to stretch their roots and stay hydrated between acts. Use a well-draining, high-quality potting mix for this production. Keep the curtain from falling early by watering regularly, especially during the hot summer matinees. A layer of mulch works like backstage crew—quietly keeping roots cool and conserving moisture behind the scenes. And of course, be sure to place your container in appropriate sunlight, depending on the light preferences of your performers. With the right setup, your stars are sure to shine all season long.
This July, show your patriotic spirit in a way that also supports your local environment. A red, white, and blue container garden filled with Jersey-Friendly plants does more than look beautiful—it provides critical habitat for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, even in the smallest of spaces. Whether you’re decorating a front stoop, balcony, or backyard patio, this native ensemble is sure to be a crowd-pleaser—and pollinator-pleaser too!