Few plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds like these natives of Africa and Arabia

The blossoms of few plants – if any – are as alluring to butterflies and hummingbirds as those of pentas (P. lanceolata), a bushy, evergreen perennial.

Indeed, even diehard native plant enthusiasts have been known to sneak a pentas plant or two into their gardens.

Pentas, sometimes called Egyptian star, is native to Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula. Dwarf varieties grow 12 to 15 inches tall, while larger types reach 18 to 30 inches in sun or bright, filtered light. Pentas flowers are available in white, red, pink, lavender and purple, with red and pink the most appealing to butterflies.

The reason it’s called sweet viburnum Clusters of white, sweet-smelling flowers

Seemingly pest and disease proof, as well as moderately drought tolerant, pentas fares best on sites moderately enriched with organic matter and kept mulched. Flowering is continuous during years with mild winters, with specimens in sheltered locations withstanding cold snaps better than exposed plants. Propagate with warm-season cuttings or seeds, which are available online.

Incidentally, a single plant is a pentas, not a penta.

Avoid rock mulches

Annual mulching with organic matter is the only way to appreciably improve the soil of established gardens. As mulch decomposes, it fortifies soil in the root zone, enabling it to hold nutrients and moisture in that vital region.

Unfortunately, there has been an explosion of rock "mulches" being applied to commercial properties. Many homeowners, regrettably, may soon adopt this senseless practice. Sales pitches for rock mulches probably go like this: "If you mulch with rocks, you’ll never have to do it again; you’ll avoid the annual expense of remulching.”

But not only do rocks not improve soil; they immediately begin to sift downwards. That makes rocked areas impossible to rework later.

Longon: This South Asian native with delectable fruit is productive in Central Florida

If you’re wondering about laying landscape fabric first, it helps only in the short term. The fabric will eventually break down, allowing rocks to invade the soil. Future landscapers trying to add, remove or shift plantings will find themselves in a nightmarish situation.

Conquer corners with Torulosa juniper

Properly chosen and positioned plants can soften the corners of homes and other buildings.

Among the best for that purpose is Torulosa juniper, a variety of Juniperus chinensis imported from Japan in 1920. Often called Hollywood juniper because of its popularity in California, every Torulosa begins its life as a single cone. As a plant becomes established, however, multiple cones develop around it, each resembling a swirling, dark-green flame.

Up to 15 tall and wide, Torulosa is tailor-made for corner plantings, with shearing never required. Provide sunny, well-drained sites.

Plant to ponder: Air potato

Part of the yam family, air potato (Dioscorea bulbiifera) is an annual, extremely invasive twining vine. Plants not only spread via underground, barely edible tubers, they also produce small bulbs that fall to the ground and take root. Commercial propagation is prohibited in Florida.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Few plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds like these beauties