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Growth Rate
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Moderate; forms dense, compact clumps quickly.
Benefits from division every 3–4 years to maintain vigor.
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
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Bloom Color
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Disease resistant
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No |
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Cold Tolerant
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Yes |
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Heat Tolerant
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No |
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Drought Tolerant
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No |
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Deer Resistant
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Yes |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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Nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
Deer resistant, making it reliable in wildlife-prone areas.
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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Spring: foliage emerges, forming tidy mounds.
Summer: peak bloom with large, fragrant clusters of red flowers.
Fall: rebloom possible if deadheaded; foliage declines after frost.
Winter: dormant, crown rests underground until spring.
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Ideal For
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– Borders, cottage gardens, containers, pollinator gardens, cutting gardens, compact landscapes |
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Leaf Description
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Narrow, lance-shaped, medium-green leaves forming dense clumps of foliage.
Foliage is susceptible to powdery mildew if overcrowded or too damp.
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Flower Description
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Bold, vibrant cherry-red flower clusters with a sweet fragrance.
Large, rounded heads rise above compact foliage.
Excellent cut flowers for arrangements.
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Planting Instructions
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- Plant in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil; amend with compost to improve structure.
Space plants 18–24 inches apart for airflow, helping prevent powdery mildew.
Position the crown level with the soil surface and water deeply at planting.
Best planted in spring or early fall to allow roots to establish before stress periods.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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Deadhead faded blooms to extend flowering and encourage rebloom.
Cut stems back to the ground after frost or in early spring before new growth.
Pinching young shoots in spring can promote bushier plants.
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Water Needs
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Requires consistent, even moisture, especially during bloom season.
Prefers moist but well-drained soil; avoid waterlogging.
Mulching around the base conserves soil moisture and reduces stress.
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Light Needs
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Full sun (6+ hours daily) ensures the strongest flowering.
Can tolerate light afternoon shade, especially in hot or humid climates.
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Harvesting
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Excellent for cut flowers; harvest when about one-third of florets in a cluster are open.
Deadhead to encourage extended garden display.
Not typically used for drying, but popular for fresh arrangements.
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Fertilizing
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Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring as growth begins.
Mid-summer feeding supports vigorous bloom production.
Avoid excess nitrogen which leads to leafy growth instead of flowers.
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Pollination
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Insect-pollinated; highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Cultivars like this are typically propagated vegetatively rather than from seed.
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Companion Plants
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- Summer bloomers like Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Coreopsis, and Shasta Daisy.
Pollinator-friendly plants such as Monarda, Salvia, Nepeta, and Veronica.
Pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses (Panicum, Pennisetum) for structure and texture.
Complements roses and other long-flowering perennials in cottage gardens.
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