Golden Lace
Patrina scabiosifolia Photographed in early August. Beech Island, South Carolina. It may look like a yellow Queen Anne’s Lace but Patria is a tough, long lived perennial that flowers on and on through the heat of summer. Though it looks delicate, it’s a massive, towering perennial.
Special Care: Full sun to light shade. Drought tolerant once established. Cut back in the fall. In rich soil or heavy irrigation, it may need staking-- or I simply plant it by tall plants so it can lean on them.
Flowering Time: Early August into September.
Gardening Tips: Integrate into other tall perennials including purple phlox. It’s only colorful in the late summer, so mix with spring flowering bulbs. It’s so tempting to bring this in as a cut flower but don’t! The flowers smell like wet dogs.
Foliage: The dull green leaves blend into the background and go away completely in late summer through spring. Growth Rate: Medium to fast. Ultimate Height: 6 feet. It usually stands up on its own so doesn’t need staking.
Suggested Combinations: Try this with fouro’clocks or banana plants. Mix with umbrella palm. The lacy flowers integrate and flow beautifully with other tall perennials and annuals. It’s especially pretty with burgundy leaf castor bean.