Story and Photography Yvonne Lelong Bordelon
White-flowering turnera is a useful ornamental native to tropical America. These sturdy shrubs are adaptable to many growing conditions and are drought and salt tolerant once established. The showy white flowers are pollinator magnets – especially to honeybees, bumblebees, and butterflies – making it a welcome addition to the wildlife garden or sustainable landscape.
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North of Zone 9b, it can be grown in containers or in the landscape as an annual. White-flowering turnera was an LSU AgCenter 2017 Plants with Potential selection. At this time, there is limited commercial availability, but I hope that to see more garden centers stocking this great pollinator plant.
Good companion plants include daylilies (Hemerocallis), Lantana, Pentas, and various Salvia species.
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Quick Facts and Keys to Success
Common Name: White-flowering turnera, white buttercup, white alder
Botanical Name: Turnera subulata
USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 9b-11
Color: White bloom with a gold center and dark eye
Blooming Period: Mid-spring to early fall
Type: Tropical perennial evergreen shrub; annual north of Zone 9b
Mature Size: 18-24 inches tall
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
How to Plant: Plant after last spring frost, 12-15 inches apart in well-drained soil with moderate water. It adapts to a variety of soil types. Propagate from summer stem cuttings or by seed. There are two types of flowers and they cannot self-pollinate. To produce seeds, each type must be pollinated by pollen from a plant with the other flower type.
When to Prune: After flowering, if a fuller plant is desired.
In Your Landscape: Turnera is an easy-to-grow, showy, versatile plant that is perfect for the sustainable landscape and the pollinator garden.