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Plants

I have a carefully curated selection of potted plants that thrive in Fairfax, VA.  Find me at the Burke Farmer's Market on Saturdays, 8-12, or message me to order!

🦋 Tropical Milkweed -Host to Monarch Butterfly

Botanical Name: Asclepias curassavica
Common Names: Tropical Milkweed, Bloodflower, Scarlet Milkweed
Type: Tender Perennial / Grown as Annual in Cooler Zones
USDA Zones: 9–11 (annual elsewhere)

☀️ Light

  • Full sun (6+ hours daily) for best growth and flowering

  • Tolerates part sun, but blooms may be reduced

💧 Water

  • Water regularly; keep soil moderately moist but well-drained

  • Drought-tolerant once established

🌱 Soil

  • Prefers well-draining, sandy or loamy soil

  • Tolerates poor soil but benefits from compost-rich conditions

  • pH: 6.0–7.5

🌿 Growth & Size

  • Height: 3–4 ft

  • Spread: 2–3 ft

  • Upright, bushy habit

✂️ Pruning

  • Cut back in fall 

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OUT OF STOCK

🍌 Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree

Botanical Name: Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish'
Common Name: Dwarf Banana, Dwarf Cavendish Banana
Type: Tropical Herbaceous Perennial
USDA Zones: 9–11 outdoors; grow as container plant indoors or in cooler zones

☀️ Light

  • Prefers full sun (6–8+ hours/day)

  • Indoors: place near a south- or west-facing window

  • Can tolerate partial shade, but less fruiting

💧 Water

  • Water regularly and deeply — keep soil evenly moist, not soggy

  • Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings

  • Loves high humidity

🌿 Growth & Size

  • Height: 4–6 ft (container-grown); can reach 6–8 ft in ideal conditions

  • Fast-growing with large tropical leaves

  • May need staking or support in windy conditions

🍌 Fruit

  • Produces small, sweet bananas after 2–3 years

  • Requires warm, sunny conditions to fruit

  • Fruit forms after flowering and ripens in several months

🌾 Fertilizing

  • Feed monthly during growing season (spring–fall) with a balanced fertilizer (e.g. 10-10-10 or tropical plant food)

  • Extra potassium helps with fruiting

🌴 Fun Fact

The Dwarf Cavendish is the same banana variety found in most grocery stores — just smaller in stature and perfect for home growing!

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🌸 Virginia Maypop
Host plant for Gulf Fritillary and Zebra Longwing butterflies!

Botanical Name: Passiflora incarnata
Common Names: Maypop, Purple Passionflower, Wild Passion Vine
Type: Perennial Vine
USDA Zones: 6–10 (can survive in Zone 5 with protection)

☀️ Light

  • Grows best in full sun

  • Can tolerate partial shade, but fewer blooms

💧 Water

  • Water regularly during the first growing season

  • Once established, it’s moderately drought-tolerant

🌸 Bloom Time

  • Mid-summer to early fall

  • Showy, exotic purple and white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

  • Followed by egg-shaped edible fruit (Maypops)

🌿 Growth & Size

  • Fast-growing climbing vine, 10–25 feet

  • Spreads by underground rhizomes — can naturalize

  • Use a trellis, fence, or arbor for support​

🍈 Fun Fact

The "maypop" name comes from the sound the ripe fruit makes when stepped on — it "pops"! The fruit is edible fresh or in jams and drinks.

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🌺 Hardy Hibiscus 

Botanical Name: Hibiscus moscheutos
Common Names: Rose Mallow, Swamp Rose Mallow
Type: Herbaceous Perennial
USDA Zones: 4–9

☀️ Light

  • Prefers full sun (6–8+ hours daily)

  • Tolerates light shade but blooms best with ample sunlight

💧 Water

  • Keep soil consistently moist, especially during hot spells

  • Tolerates wet soil — ideal for rain gardens or near water features

🌼 Bloom Time

  • Mid to late summer through early fall

  • Giant, showy blooms (6–12 inches wide), typically in shades of red, pink, or white

🌸 Fun Fact

Hardy hibiscus dies back completely in winter but returns with vigorous growth in spring — don’t worry if it’s slow to sprout!

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🌿 Joe Pye Weed 

Botanical Name: Eutrochium purpureum (and related species)
Common Names: Joe Pye Weed, Sweet Joe Pye, Purple Thoroughwort
Type: Perennial Wildflower
USDA Zones: 4–9

☀️ Light

  • Thrives in full sun to part shade

  • More sun = taller plants and more blooms

💧 Water

  • Prefers moist to wet soil

  • Tolerates clay and occasional standing water

  • Great for rain gardens or pond edges

🌸 Bloom Time

  • Mid to late summer through early fall

  • Tall clusters of mauve-pink flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds

🦋 Fun Fact

Joe Pye Weed is a pollinator powerhouse — a top choice for monarchs and native bees!

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Photo by Johnny's Selected Seeds

OUT OF STOCK

🌻 Branching Strawberry Sunflower 

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Common Name: Branching Strawberry Sunflower
Type: Annual
USDA Zones: Grown as annual in all zones (ideal in Zones 4–9)

☀️ Light

  • Requires full sun (6–8+ hours daily)

  • More sun = stronger stems and more flowers

💧 Water

  • Water deeply but infrequently

  • Let soil dry slightly between waterings

  • Avoid overhead watering to reduce risk of mildew

🌸 Bloom Time

  • Summer to early fall

  • Blooms in shades of pink, burgundy, and gold

  • Branching habit = multiple blooms per plant

🌿 Growth & Size

  • Height: 4–6 ft

  • Spread: 2–3 ft

  • May need staking in windy areas

🐝 Fun Fact

These sunflowers are pollinator magnets, loved by bees and butterflies — and they make stunning cut flowers!

association of specialty cut flower growers
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