Quaker’s Ladies
Known also as Houstonia caerulea, the Quaker ladies plant unfurls with blue flowers in the last few weeks of spring.
Each bloom features a central yellow eye, and this plant is particularly suited to tricky conditions such as rocky beds, sandy soil, and exposed areas.
They will grow well in partial shade or full sunlight, in a freely draining site.
Queen Anne’s Lace
Also known as the wild carrot, or Daucus carota, Queen Anne’s Lace ranges in height between 1 and 4 feet tall.
It features thin, fern-like leaves and large, flat clusters of flowers atop tall stems.
This is a biennial plant (see also 5 Best Biennials), which means that it grows all of its structure, roots, stems, and leaves during its first year of growth, and then flowers, seeds, and dies during its second.
To help keep on top of the plant’s spread through your garden, cut off fading flowers before the seed heads have a chance to form, but this will not be enough by itself.
As Queen Anne’s Lace is a plant with a vigorous taproot, like mint, it will grow very easily, taking over your garden quickly if you are not careful.
You can treat it like mint, in which case you should grow it in a pot on top of a patio, making sure there’s no chance of the taproot growing through the pot into any cracks in the patio, and the soil below.
It is worth noting that this plant is considered an invasive weed in many places, so check with your local authority before you plant it into your own garden.
The common name is believed to have been named after Queen Anne of England, who was famed for her talent for making lace, and the single dark floret in the center of each flower is said to have come from when she pricked her finger with a needle.
This plant is very easy to care for, only needing you to provide some water during extremely dry periods.
Queen’s Wreath
Sometimes mistaken for wisteria, Queen’s Wreath is a lovely vining plant which produces seas of purple, starry flowers that seem to nod in the wind.
This plant is capable of growing up to 40 feet long, so you will need to cut it back regularly to stop it from taking over areas of your garden.
It’s worth noting that before you place it in your garden, Queen’s Wreath or Petrea volubilis will not withstand frost for any length of time, and this plant is only hardy in USDA zones 9 through to 11.
One thing it can stand is drought, as long as the plant has fully settled itself into the soil.
To get the best out of this plant, grow it in a sunny, sheltered position, in well-draining soil.
Queen Of The Prairie
Filipendula rubra, or Queen Of The Prairie, produces clouds of feathery pink or white blooms, which almost seem to float above the rich green leaves in summer.
It will weather exposed sites with ease, injecting height and color into your garden as a focal point. You can also use it to draw more pollinators into your garden, too.
This plant does well in dappled shade or full sunlight, in well-draining, constantly moist soil.
Quesnelia
Part of the bromeliad plant family, Quesnelia is a striking plant which hails from Brazil, but is now grown around the world because of its unique beauty.
It features long, sword-shaped foliage, and produces bright flowers in the center of the leaves.
While it will tolerate cold and dry spells without any problem, it will only thrive in USDA zones 9 through to 12, but it also makes a good houseplant.
Quesnelia needs well-draining, damp soil, and at least partial sunlight to thrive.
