Turk’s Cap

Today, I am back in Poplarville, Mississippi admiring a native flowering perennial that is a favorite among hummingbirds and other pollinators. Let’s look at this plant. Turk's Cap is a captivating and resilient perennial plant native to the southern United States and Mexico. This plant boasts luxuriant, deep green leaves, 4 to 6 inches in diameter, that look like baseball mitts and provide a lush backdrop for its striking flowers. Its flowers, with their unusual shape and vivid hue, add a touch of exotic allure. The blooms are a vibrant scarlet red, their unique form resembling a Turkish turban, which gives the plant its common name. The petals remain partially closed, creating a distinctive, spiraled appearance that is both eye-catching and attractive to pollinators, such as hummingbirds and butterflies. Turk's Cap can grow to impressive heights of 6 to 10 feet, with a spread of 4 to 8 feet, making it a substantial presence in any garden. It thrives in a range of lighting conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and is drought-tolerant, adapting well to various soil types including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Turk’s Cap’s resilience and versatility make it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking to add long-lasting beauty to their landscapes. I am Eddie Smith, and I will see you next time on Southern Gardening.