Turk’s Cap is a major source of food for migrating hummingbirds

Visiting the Heritage Rose Garden and IDEA Garden at the Tyler Rose Garden this week, I was struck by the shear abundance of blooms from many annuals and perennials. Not only is the floral display pleasing to the eye, but it is essential for so many insects and birds, as they prepare for winter in Northeast Texas, or fuel up for their long trip south on their migration to warmer climes.

Senorita Rosalita is a refined cleome that butterflies love!

Monarch butterflies were swarming over Cleome ‘Senorita Rosalita’, a wonderful newer hybrid variety of an old fashioned annual. It is marketed by Proven Winners, and it is a winner in trials and gardens across the south for its improved characteristics like bushy, compact growth, abundant smaller flowers, and sterility, which means no seedlings and continuous blooming. Here’s hoping these amazing monarchs make it to their overwintering grounds in the mountains of Central Mexico.

An essential plant for the hummingbird southern migration is Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus drummondii). This native perennial is very versatile in the garden, growing and blooming equally well in light shade or full sun. It is in the mallow family, along with hibiscus, and if you look at its flowers, you will see the long pistil with its yellow stamens attached, characteristic of mallows, sticking out of the twirled petals. Turk’s Cap petals do not open flat like hibiscus, rose of Sharon and other mallow members. Rather they remain twirled and are reminiscent of a Turk’s turban, hence the common name.

Its heaviest blooming season is mid-summer through fall, and provides important feeding stations for ruby-throated hummingbirds as they fly south for the winter. Their bright red tubular flowers attract the eyes of both the hummers, butterflies and gardeners. Turk’s cap is common along the Texas coast, in areas like Rockport where they hold the annual Hummingbird Celebration, and in the Rio Grande valley near Brownsville.

Here in northeast Texas, this drought tolerant, semi-woody perennial grows about 4 to 5 feet tall, with shoots often stretching and bending down in shadier locations. Therefore give it room to reach its full potential. While it can take prolonged drought, it will look and flower better with timely watering. It is best cut back to the ground in the winter.

The pink doesn’t fade on the abundant blooms produced by ‘Pam Puryear’ Turk’s Cap.

There are a few newer varieties, including a couple introduced by Greg Grant, who currently is Research Associate, Pineywoods Native Plant Center in Nacogdoches. ‘Pam Puryear’ flowers are peachy pink which do not fade in the sun. They look great against the apple-green foliage.

Another Grant introduction is ‘Big Momma’, a cross between the native and a tropical Turk’s Cap, whose flowers are 1/3 larger than the typical Turk’s Cap and grows 5 to 6 feet tall and wide. Turk’s Cap, including ‘Pam Puryear’ and ‘Big Momma’, will be offered at the annual Fall Conference and Plant/Bulb Sale October 12 at Harvey Convention Center.  For more information this great annual event sponsored by Smith County Master Gardeners at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, go to: scmg.tamu.edu and look under Upcoming Events for the Bulbs and More program.

Because of their beauty, utility, toughness and heritage, Turk’s Cap was named a Texas Superstar in 2011. Texas Superstar is a designation given by horticulturists with Texas A&M to plants with superior quality for gardeners in Texas.