One of the flowers mentioned in today’s riddle is “phlox”, a single flowering plant that grows in clouds of puffy flowers. These perennials can grow from six inches to four feet. With a long blooming season – spring through winter – they hold the fort in gardens, providing a vibrant wall of beautiful flora that attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.
The best part? You can find a phlox in nearly every hue on the color wheel, even varying shades of blue.
Another beauty in today’s puzzle is the “candytuft”, a ground-hugging perennial flower that is often used as a path border. This slow-growing plant can be planted in the fall and then brighten up your garden with white or pink flowers for years to come.
In fact, candytufts are popular plants for moon gardens — landscapes designed for you to enjoy at night. Due to their mass of blinding white petals, they stand out against a backdrop of dark green foliage and look (as their name suggests) like candy tufts or clouds. The flowers also attract bees and butterflies to your garden and improve pollination of other perennials. Their only drawback is that the flowers are not very fragrant.
Finally, pay attention to the majestic shape and shiny leaves of the “magnolia”, in today’s puzzle. The magnolia family is one of the oldest trees in existence. Due to its beauty, it was transported from the United States to Europe in the early 1700s, where it became instantly beloved. Easily adaptable, it is one of the most planted evergreen ornamental trees in the world.
Magnolia flowers are showy and fragrant and remain one of the most popular garden plants in the world. They symbolize endurance, dignity and innocence.
