A Sparkling Summer Border Idea with Queen of the Prairie, Bee Balm and Culver’s Root

Illuminate your garden from early to late summer with this vibrant perennial border that epitomizes prairie-style planting. This carefully curated garden ensemble combines robust perennials that not only thrive with minimal upkeep but also perform admirably in challenging conditions, such as wet or clayey soils. And here’s the bonus: each plant in this dazzling array is deer-resistant!

Leading the garden spectacle is the Queen of the Prairie (Filipendula rubra), a majestic perennial featuring tall, fluffy plumes of cotton-candy pink flowers. Its intricate feathery blossoms add a touch of romantic whimsy to the landscape. Complementing the Queen is Bee Balm (Monarda), whose distinctive, crown-shaped red or purple flowers are not only a feast for the eyes but also a magnet for pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.

The ensemble wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum). This prairie native rounds out the border with its elegant spires of small, tubular flowers, usually in shades of white or pale blue. Its verticality creates a compelling contrast to the more rounded forms of its companions, thereby adding an extra layer of visual interest to the arrangement.

Beyond their individual allure, when these plants come together, they create a spellbinding tableau of textures, heights, and colors, all framed within the laid-back elegance of prairie-style gardening. Not only will this border light up your garden space with its glowing colors, but it also offers a harmonious blend of resilience and beauty that allows both novice and experienced gardeners to enjoy a hassle-free, and deer-free, vibrant summer spectacle.