Create Your Own Plant Zoo
You may not have heard of themed gardens but if you don’t have any idea of what to plant this type of garden can be a great way to use your space. Themes can help you organize your plants around one idea. Creating a Plant Zoo can be a great way to introduce your kids to gardening. As with any garden, make sure you choose plants that are right for your climate and sun exposure. The flowers and plants we selected have different bloom times, so you will have color for many seasons. We also find labeling your garden with unique signage a fun idea.
These flowers and plants can be added to your garden to create a plant zoo.
Bat Face Flower – Bat Face Flower is a shrub and warm weather perennial and to Mexico and Central America. It resembles a bat with its dark purple flowers as the face and the red lobes as the ears. The plant has a long bloom season and makes for a showy plant in the garden. The plant grows 18 – 24 inches tall with a spread of 12 – 18 inches. The plant loves the heat and is drought tolerant. Plant it in the full sun unless you are in a very hot climate than be sure it gets some afternoon shade. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to this plant. Hardiness zones 9 – 11.
Catmint – Catmint is a great perennial to add to your garden. The aromatic plant has spikes of flowers in blue, pink, purple, white, and yellow. The flower blooms in early summer and lasts a while. The plant is easy to grow and adaptable to most soils; it just needs the sun to flourish. The plant is resistant to most pests. At the full height, the plant is 3 feet high and 3 feet wide. Catmint is also a great source of nectar for pollinators. Hardiness zones 4 – 8.
Dogwood – Dogwoods can be found in almost any planting zone in the US. They come in a variety of color and have been known to add value to your landscaping. Dogwood trees benefit from being planted in slightly acidic soil. Most varieties prefer partial shade. In addition to beautiful flowers, may species produce an edible fruit which can be made into preserves. The tree blooms in the spring. Hardiness zones 4 – 8.
Elephant Ears – Elephant Ears are grown for their dramatic foliage. This plant gives you the feel of the tropics and they look good in any climate. Their leaves are heart-shaped and can be grown in containers. Once the summer comes, they are fast-growing with some of them having leaves as large as 5 feet. There are many different varieties and besides green, they come in colors burgundy/purple (almost black) and blue/green. They love water and nutrients and are generally disease-free. Hardiness zones 8 – 10.
Foxglove – Foxglove has been around for centuries. The plant has flowers available in striking colors and can add height to your garden. The plant blooms May to June. Most foxglove plants are biennials. When growing these plants to make sure you stake the plants before the flowers open as they can get heavy and break the stalk. Some foxglove plants can grow up to 6-feet. The plants prefer well-drained soil, the morning sun, and afternoon shade. Hummingbirds love this flowering plant. Hardiness zones 4 – 10.
Kangaroo Paw – Kangaroo Paw is native to Australia and is a perennial. The plant has bright, unique flowers that are tube-shaped and covered with fuzzy hairs. Depending on the species, the plant can grow two to ten feet tall. The plant has a long flowering season from late spring to fall as long as the spent flower spikes are cut to the ground. Plant them in full sun and you will see more blooms. They can also be grown in containers or as a houseplant as long as are in the sun. Kangaroo Paw’s come in orange, pink, purple, red, and yellow. The color can vary depending on temperature variations. When exposed to low temperatures, the colors are actually more intense. This means the same plant can look different depending on the environment it is grown in. The plant is frost and drought tolerant. Hardiness zones 10 – 11.
Loin’s Tail – Loin’s Tail is a perennial that will add a splash of color to your garden. This shrub has dazzling orange flowers. It blooms from late spring through fall. People say the flowers look like a lion’s ear or the tip of a lion’s tail. This plant should be planted in the fall. Select a location that gets at least 6 hours of full sun per day. Regularly cutting back lion's tail in winter helps to invigorate the plant and promote healthy new growth. The plant is deer resistant and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Hardiness zones 8 – 11.
Shrimp Plant – Shrimp plant is a tropical shrub with bright rosy pink to salmon-colored flower-like bracts. The shrub blooms in summer but in warm winter climates, it will flower year-round. The plant can be grown in a container and looks great on a patio or entryway. The plant is low-maintenance and all it requires is an occasional trim. Plant it in partial to full sun. The plant needs to be watered regularly to keep the soil moist. Hardiness zones 9 – 11.
Snail Vine – Snail Vine is a summer-blooming tropical vine with curled flowers that resemble a snail. The plant is highly fragrant. It is native to Central and South American and has flowers that bloom in lavender, and white. This vine is great for covering walls or fences. Grow this in a location with partial to full sun. The plant needs regular watering. Once established the plant can grow quickly so it might need to be trimmed. Hardiness zones 10 – 11.
Tiger’s Jaw – Tiger’s Jaw is a low growing succulent plant that can also be a houseplant. The botanical name for this plant is Faucaria tigrina. The sharp spines that edge the pairs of speckled leaves look like the teeth of a ferocious tiger. There will be yellow blooms in the late summer to mid-fall when the plant is mature. They will not bloom unless they receive 3 – 4 hours of direct sun each day in the summer. Tiger’s Jaw is not a cold-hardy succulent but does enjoy slightly cooler temperatures in the winter. Hardiness zones 9 – 11.
If you have any other plants that you think can be added to our Zoo Garden, let us know!
