Spring 2008

PERENNIALS

A - D || E - L || M - Y

Ferns || Grasses || Cross Reference || Ground Covers
Plants for Shade (Full or Partial) || Plants for Full Sun || Plants for Part Sun

Road Salt Tolerant Plants || Plants that like Boggy or Wet Conditions || Drought Tolerant Plants
Plants for Sunny and Dry Locations || Plants for Rock Gardens || Plants that are good for Drying
Fragrant Flowers or Foliage || Cutting Flowers || Native Plants || Spring Bloomers || Fall Bloomers || Long Bloomers

PERENNIALS Perennials are plants that do not die after a season’s growth but will renew themselves each year.  With a few exceptions, they die back to the ground and enter a state of dormancy for the winter.  Most perennials are herbaceous, which means that their stems are green and soft, not brown and woody like those of a shrub.  The soft growth dies in the fall but the roots remain alive and well underground.  When spring arrives, new growth emerges from the roots.  Sabellico’s carries perennials that are hardy in our area (Zone 5) with a few exceptions (tender perennials) that will do well in protected locations. Perennials are popular due to their long-term value and broad range of uses. Whether grown for their flowers or their foliage, perennials provide gardeners with years of pleasure. They are easy for the beginner because most require little maintenance; yet hold unlimited possibilities for the enthusiastic gardener. Achillea (Yarrow) Soft, feathery foliage. Blooms all summer. Adaptable and easy to grow in dry to average soil. Multiplies by deep rhizomes. Easily divided. Cut back to stimulate strong spring growth.    Coronation Gold – golden yellow – gray-green foliage –36”    millefolium Paprika – apple red flowers, yellow center - 24-28” millefolium Summerwine - burgundy red fading to pink - 24”    Moonshine - canary yellow – silvery, ferny foliage - 18-24”    Pretty Belinda (NEW) – rich pink, flat- topped clusters which age to light pink – compact, upright clump – 20” Aconitum (Monkshood) Showy background plant with dark blue spikes. Prefers fertile, moist soil and a sheltered location. Mid to late summer bloom.  All parts are poisonous if eaten.    Blue Lagoon (NEW) – bright blue flowers – good for containers – 12”    fischeri (Azure Monkshood) – lavender-blue – blooms later – thick leathery stems – no staking –  glossy dark green foliage - 18-24” Adenophora (Ladybells) Produces tall spikes of blue, nodding, bell-shaped flowers.    Amethyst – nice vertical accent – 30-36” Aegopodium (Snow-on-the-Mountain) Rapid spreader. Grow anywhere; good for problem sites. Late spring.    podagraria Variegatum – white with green and white foliage - 8-12” Agastache (Anise Hyssop) Colorful, tubular flowers on tall stems with fragrant leaves. Blooms mid-summer until frost. Easily grown in moist, well-drained soil. Relatively pest-free. Good cut flower.    Black Adder (NEW) – light purple blooms – mound shape – 3’h x 2’w    Blue Fortune – long lasting lavender-blue flower spikes - 24-36”    Heather Queen (NEW) – 10” spikes of mauve-pink flowers – 12-15” Ajuga (Bugleweed) Dense ground cover. Upright flower spikes May-June. Grows under trees where a lawn is difficult to grow. Evergreen. Rock gardens or borders.    Black Scallop - blue flowers - glossy, scalloped, purple foliage – 6”    Burgundy Glow - blue flowers - purple, pink, silver foliage – 6” Alcea (Hollyhock) Large blooms massed on long stems in summer. Rich, well-drained soil. Rust is a common problem. Apply a fungicide from the early stages of growth, well before the disease is apparent. Biennial.    Crème de Cassis - white with raspberry eye, yellow throat - large, showy blooms – 48-72”    rosea Chater’s Purple -  ruffled, double purple – 5-8’h x 24-30”w    rugosa (Russian Hollyhock) – large, single, soft yellow – strong hairy stalks – deeply-lobed green leaves – extremely hardy – 60-72’    Summer Carnival (NEW) – deep crimson, light pink, rose, yellow and  white flowers – 4-6’ Alchemilla (Lady's Mantle) Large light green fan-shaped leaves.  Small yellow chartreuse flowers June-July. Well-drained soil. Cut back for reblooming.    mollis (NEW) – grey-green leaves – small yellow-green flowers – 10”h Allium (Ornamental Onion) Long-flowering ball-like clusters in summer.    aflatunense Purple Sensation – tiny violet-purple star clusters form 3”globes – summer dormancy – 30-40”    senescens Mongolian Gem – narrow blue-green leaves – 2” lavender-pink flowers – 18”    sphaerocephaion – dark-maroon flowers – will naturalize – 30” Alyssum - See Aurinia in Perennial Section Amsonia (Blue Star) Tough plant that tolerates ordinary soil, occasional drought conditions.    Blue Ice – deep green, willow-like foliage pyramidal clusters of deep lavender-blue blooms – bright yellow in fall – 15-18”h x 15-18”w                hubrichtii – clusters of small steel blue star-shaped flowers, May-June – fine, needle-like foliage – lovely golden yellow fall color – 36” Anemone (Windflower) Showy saucer-shaped flowers on erect stems above low mounding foliage. Excellent in a border or protected area. Rich, moist soil. Blooms late summer or early fall.    Honerine Jobert –white flowers above mounding foliage – August through October –36”    hupehensis (Japanese Anemone) – pale pink flowers above green grape-like leaves - fall bloomer – 30-36”    hybrida Pamina - large rose flowers – dense green foliage – fall – 36”    hybrida Queen Charlotte – silver-pink semi-double flowers - 24-36”    multifida Annabella Deep Rose – rose-pink flowers in June -fine, fern-like foliage – seed heads look like cotton – 8”    multifida Annabella White – white – fern-like foliage – 8”    Party Dress – huge, double pink blooms – 24-36”    sylvestris – white flowers in late spring -  woolly seed heads - excellent for naturalizing in woodland areas  – 12-15”    tomentosa Robustissima - pinkish-red flower with yellow center - 36”  Angelica (Wild Parsnip)    gigas – deep red flowers in June- August – green leaves unfold out of   purple sheaths –biennial – 36” Anthemis (Marguerite Daisy) Fast growing silvery green fern-like foliage with daisies all summer.    tinctoria Kelwayi – sunny yellow daisy-like flowers early to late  summer - blooms all       summer if deadheaded - aromatic, feathery foliage - tolerates relatively poor soil - 24-36” Aquilegia (Columbine) Excellent long-spurred blooms. Good for the woodland border. Likes well-drained, sandy loam. Spring bloomer.    Origami Blue & White - large blue and white flowers over several weeks – free-flowering – 15-18”    Origami Pink and White – large pink and white flowers – 12”    Origami Red and White -  large red and white flowers – 12”    Origami Yellow – pure yellow, long spurred flowers – dwarf – 12”    Winky Mix – upward facing – compact – sturdy – 16-18”    Winky Double Red-White – red and white flowers - sturdy stems – 18” Arabis (Rock Cress) Rock garden plants with a low spreading habit. Great in shallow soil.    blepharophylla Spring Charm – rose-pink flowers in May – 6” Arenaria (Sandwort) Quaint little rock garden plant. Does well in sandy, well-drained soils.Perfect substitute for Moss in sunny areas.    montana – snowy white flowers – mat of narrow leaves – 4-6” Armeria (Thrift or Seapinks) Grass-like tufts. Borders and rock gardens. Long-lived globe-shaped flowers in spring. Evergreen. Best in sandy, gravely soil. Rich, moist soil can cause rot.    Armada Rose  (NEW) – bright rose, ball-shaped flowers on thin leafless stalks  - salt resistant – 6-8”    maritima Bloodstone - rose-red ball-shape clusters on thin stalks above mounds of grassy foliage – salt tolerant - 6-8”    maritime Pink Lusitanica – rich pink flowers – 6”    maritime Rubrifolia – burgundy-purple leaves – deep pink flowers – bronze color in fall – 6-8”h x 8-10”w Artemisia (Wormwood) Soft, silver feathery foliage. Accent plant to introduce a silvery color or interesting texture to a green garden. Spreads rapidly. Light, well-drained soil. Don’t overwater. Excellent dried. Cut back when needed.    schmidtiana Silver Mound – soft feathery silver - mounding - 8-10”    stelleriana Silver Cascade – soft, silvery-gray – prostrate – 4-8” Aruncus (Goatsbeard) Magnificent plumes (like Astilbe) in early summer. Attractive fern-like foliage. Moist humus-rich soil. Ideal for woodland garden or border.    aethusifolius - creamy feathery spikes – glossy foliage -dwarf - 10-12” Asarum (European Ginger) Hardy, elegant groundcover. Heart-shaped dark green leaves. Bell-shaped flowers under foliage. Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soils. Evergreen. Spread rapidly. Divide every few years in spring    europaeum – large glossy kidney-shaped leaves – 6-8” Asclepias (Butterfly Weed) Showy, rugged sun-lover. Average to dry well-drained soil. June-Sept    incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) – Native – fragrant mauve-pink blooms,  late June–July – moist sunny area – attracts Monarchs – 3-4’h x 1-2’w    incarnata Cinderella – vanilla scented, rose-purple flowers summer to fall – wet or dry soil – hardy – easy to grow – 36-48”    tuberosa Gay Butterflies – mixed colors: orange, red, yellow – 24-28”    tuberosa Hello Yellow – brilliant yellow flowers – 24” Aster (Michaelmas Daisy) Long lasting cut flower. Daisy-like flowers in late summer or fall.  On fall bloomers, pinch back no later than mid July to encourage compact growth and abundant flowers. Some varieties not available until mid-summer.    Purple Dome - royal purple – round,  mounding - resists mildew –18”    Woods Pink – pink, yellow center – long bloomer – fall bloomer – rust and mildew resistant - 10-15” Woods Purple – purple blooms – compact, disease resistant – 12”x 24” Astilbe (Plume Flower) Colorful plumes for shady spots in mid to late summer.    arendsii August Light  (NEW) – long scarlet-red blooms in later than most – new leaves are tinted red – 28”    arendsii Bridal Veil – pure white plumes – fragrant – 30”    arendsii Fanal – blood red - June-July – 18-24”    chinensis Maggie Daley – bright lavender-purple  plumes are dense and fuzzy - attractive foliage – 28”    chinensis Rise & Shine – large hot-pink, pyramidal plumes – 27”    chinensis Visions – raspberry pink – lacy blue-green foliage – 15”    japonica Peach Blossom – peach-pink flowers – mid-summer – 20-24” Astrantia (Masterwort) Clumps of light green foliage. Upright stems. Round flowers early to late summer. Moist, fertile woodland conditions, stream or pond-side. Tolerates full sun if roots are kept moist. Divide in spring.    Tickled Pink – pink star flowers, dark pink center – shade tolerant = 14” Aubrieta (Purple Rock Cress) Low, spreading, mat forming foliage. Tiny pink to purple flowers in April-June. Rock walls, between flagstones or front of the border.    Purple Cascade – bright purple flowers – groundcover – 3”h x 15”w    Whitewell Gem - velvety purple flowers – evergreen foliage - 6”  Aurinia (Basket of Gold) Low growing gray foliage is blanketed by tiny yellow flowers in spring. Plant in borders, rock gardens, atop walls. Shear lightly after bloom.    saxatilis Summit – yellow rosettes in summer-fall – compact – 6” Bamboo Fertile, moist soil. Part shade. Shelter from strong, cold winds. Clumps slowly expand around the edges. Propagate by division in spring.    fargesia rufa Green Panda – dense, full, wide, fast growing clump – outstanding screen – sun to part shade – 6-8’h x 6-8’w    robusta  Green Screen – tolerates hot sun – aggressive but not invasive – large stately clump – 15-18’h x 10-12’w Baptisia (False Indigo) Stout plant with compound leaves. Showy pea-like flowers in summer followed by seed pods. Sandy soil. Does not usually bloom the first year. Slow to establish, doesn’t like to be moved.    australis – indigo-blue blooms above mounds of soft blue-green leaves – black seed pods in fall and winter - 36” Carolina Moonlight – yellow lupine-like flowers – inflated charcoal black seed pods – 3-4’    Twilight Prairie Blues - two-tone deep violet blossoms with lemon yellow keels – blue-green foliage – 42” Belamcanda (Blackberry Lily) Iris-like foliage and stalks of six-petal flowers. Will grow in any soil, prefers a warm moist area in summer. Interesting shiny black seeds.    chinensis – star-shaped orange blooms specked red - July-Aug – 24-36” Bergenia Attractive semi-evergreen foliage. Durable ground cover, border or rockery plant. Ordinary soil. Spring-blooming.    Appleblossom – bright pink bell-like flowers – tall red stems – tolerates  warm summers – 12”h x 30”w    Winter Glow – unique leathery leaves, red-bronze in fall and winter – bright red clusters on thick stems in spring – 12-15” Boltonia (Bolton’s Aster) Tall, aster like flowers in fall. Heat tolerant. Back of the border plant.    Jim Crocket  – blooms often and early – lavender daisy-like  blooms with yellow centers – 15-18”h x 18-24”w Brunnera (Siberian Bugloss) Tiny blue flowers, resembling Forget-Me-Nots, in spring and early summer. Heart-shaped leaves. Prefers humus rich, moist soil, mulched, in dappled shade. Cold hardy.    Jack Frost – silver overlay with green veining - 12-15”    Langtrees – tiny, blue – green foliage, silver spots between veins – 12-15”    Looking Glass – tiny, blue flowers - leaves become solid silver and cup downward as they age – 12-15”    Variegata – tiny, blue – irregular, creamy white leaf margins - 12-15” Campanula (Bellflower) Bell-shaped flowers all summer. Excellent for borders and cut flowers. Ordinary, moist soil. Slow to emerge in spring.    Brantwood – large, dark violet flowers – clump forming    carpatica Blue Clips – large violet blue bell shaped flowers – mounding and compact – deadhead for continuous bloom - 8”    carpatica Deep Blue Clips – deep blue flowers as above – 10”    carpatica White Clips – same as above with white flowers – 6-8”    glomerata Joan Elliot – clustered bell flower – deep violet-blue –flowers – spreads into wide clump – 15-18”    glomerata Suberba – dense clusters of violet-blue flowers – vigorous grower – good groundcover – 28”    Pearl Deep Blue – blue-violet, upward facing, cup-shaped blooms – compact, uniform clump – 8”    punctata Cherry Bells –cherry pink bells, reddish-purple spots – soft green, ovate, toothed foliage –18-28” Carnations - See Dianthus in Perennial and Annual Sections Centaurea (Bachelor Button) Fringed blue flowers. Flowers early summer.     montana Amethyst in Snow – snow white with royal purple centers –mounds of silver-green foliage – 14”    montana Blue – blue fringed flowers - soft, silvery white leaves – 24” Centranthus (Red Valerian)    coccineus – dry limey soil – long blooming – fragrant – carmine-rose flowers – grey-green foliage – easy – 24-36” Cephalaria (Giant Scabious)    gigantea – yellow flowers similar to scabiosa in summer – 5-6’ Cerastium (Snow in Summer) Undemanding ground cover. Low carpet of woolly-gray foliage. Any soil. Late spring.    YoYo - luminous white flowers over silver foliage - 4-6” Ceratostigma (Leadwort, Plumbago) Ground cover which spreads by rhizomes. Divide every few years. Brilliant reddish bronze foliage in fall. Moist, well-drained soil.    plumbaginoides – cornflower  blue - late summer to fall - 12-18” Chelone (Turtlehead) Late summer tight flower clusters resemble a turtle’s head. Prefers moist or boggy soil. Bronze-green emerging foliage turns deep green.    glabra – Native – white flowers touched with pink – 24-36”    lyonii Hot Lips – bright rose-pink – long-blooming - 24-36”    lyonii Pink Temptation – tightly clustered pink blooms – 15”    oblique - white blooms - coarsely toothed lance-shaped foliage -24-36” Chrysanthemum Chysanthemums have been split into several new genera. Please refer to the new names:  Dendranthema, Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy),  Nipponanthemum (Montauk Daisy), Tanacetum (Painted Daisy). Hardy Garden Mums (available mid-August) Add fall color to your garden with hardy garden mums. For best results, plant your mums early in the fall. For established plants, keep  compact and full by pinching them back no later than mid July. Chrysogonum    Pierre – yellow daisies over soft green leaves – clump – 8” Cimicifuga (Fairy Candles, Snakeroot) Stately, graceful spikes of white flowers in late summer. Delicate, airy effect. Slow grower. Rich, well-drained, moist soil.    James Compton – fragrant, white, bottlebrush-like floers – dark purple foliage – 3-4’h Convallaria (Lily-of-the-Valley) Ground cover with tiny fragrant, bell-shaped flowers.    majalis Bordeaux –large, prolific, white blooms held above foliage – 8” Coreopsis (Tickseed) Long blooming, single or semi-double flowers on wiry stems. Cut back in early spring to encourage bushy growth and flower production.    grandiflora Baby Sun – golden yellow, brown markings – 20”    grandiflora Early Sunrise – double and semi-double yellow flowers – early, continuous bloomers – 18”    grandiflora Heliot – bright yellow, red-brown eyes – 18”    grandiflora Presto – large golden-yellow, double flowers – uniform, dwarf, rounded mound – 6-8”    grandiflora  Sunny Day – upright – bright yellow – 18-24”    Jethro Tull – golden-yellow, fluted flowers – compact mound - 18”    lanceolata Sterntaler – yellow flowers with burgundy–brown ringed eyes and serrated edges - 16”    Little Sundial  - single gold-yellow flowers, deep maroon eye – compact and upright – 6-12”    rosea Heaven’s Gate – large, blush pink flowers with a red eye and gold center – green needle-like foliage - 18”    Tequila Sunrise – golden yellow flowers with a red eye – olive green  lance-shaped leaves with cream margins – 14-16”        verticillata Moonbeam - clear yellow daisy-like flower – lacy foliage - salt tolerant - 18” (1992 Perennial of the Year)    verticillata Sunbeam – threadleaf – gold-yellow – gray-green foliage – 24”    verticillata Zagreb – threadleaf – bright gold-yellow flowers – bushy yet airy clump – upright stems – 15” Corydalis Lacy, fern-like foliage. Loose sprays of flowers Reminiscent of bleeding hearts. All season. sempervirens – dainty pink flowers with yellow tips – finely dissected, soft blue-green leaves – 16” Crocosmia (Montbretia) Iris-like foliage. Striking flowers, late summer. Moist, well-drained soil.    Lucifer – red flowers on arched stems - wide sword-like leaves - 36-42” Delosperma (Ice Plant) Succulent leaves and prostrate growth make this an interesting ground cover. Needs good drainage. Requires sandy soil, hot sunny location. Delphinium (Larkspur) Tall, stately, showy  flowers. Rich, moist well-drained soil. Deadhead and fertilize for healthy, strong plants. Protect from wind and heavy rain. Staking is suggested on tall varieties. Summer.    New Zealand Hybrids: Strong stemmed, heavily petaled flowers.    Blue Mirror – dense, compact – deep blue flowers – 18-24” x 18-24”    Summer Blues – dwarf, compact mounds – sky-blue – 12”    Summer Morning – dwarf, compact moind – light pink - 12”    Summer Nights – compact mounds – midnight blue – 12”    Guardian Series: Strong-stemmed plants. Cut spent    flower spikes to encourage a second flush of blooms.    Guardian Blue – double blue floret, white bee – 24-36”    Guardian Lavender – lavender doubles, white bee – 24-36”    Guardian White – white double florets – 24-36”    Magic Fountains Hybrids: Large delicate flowers on tall stems in spring and summer. Stand up to wind, no staking required.    elatum Cherry Blossom – pink flowers, white centers – 28-36”    elatum Dark Blue – dark blue flowers, dark center – 28-36”     elatum Fountain Sky Blue – sky blue flowers, with white bee - 24-36”    elatum  Lilac-Rose- lilac-rose blooms with bee on spires – 30-36” Dendranthema (Chrysanthemum) Fertile, moist ,well-drained, acid soil. Divide every 2-3 years in spring.    Rhumba – deep red buds open to coral-red daisy-like blooms - change over the season to coral-peach – 18-20” Dianthus Long blooming flowers borne on bare stalks above low, mat-forming foliage. Early summer. Well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil.   Sweet William - low growing with clusters of flowers    barbatus Heart Attack – crimson flowers, deep red leaves - 12”    barbatus Indian Carpet – mix of bright blooms – biennial - 6-8”   Pinks, Stars and Hybrid Cultivars  - slightly fragrant, mounding with single and double flowers.    Cranberry Ice – pink, fuchsia-purple eye – pink edges – 12”    Eastern Star – fragrant red-dark center – blue-green foliage – 7”    Firewitch – magenta pink blooms - silvery-blue low evergreen foliage – spicy, clove-scented – 7-8”    Neon Star – florescent pink – 7”    Shooting Star – magenta-purple – blue-green foliage – 7”    Spangled Star – profuse red blooms with pink edges and throat – 7”    Strawberry Sorbet – deep red, velvety petals, pink splotches – 14”    Tiny Rubies – rose-pink - dense mound - 4-5”    Zing Rose – rose-red – 6” Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) Early spring heart-shaped flowers. Attractive foliage. Moist, well-drained soil. Old-fashioned varieties (D. spectabilis) are dormant in summer.    formosa Luxuriant - cherry red – ferny foliage – everblooming - does not go dormant until fall with adequate moisture - 14”    King of Hearts – rosy-pink – gray-green ferny-like foliage - ever  blooming – with enough moisture, won’t go dormant until fall - 8”    spectabilis – old fashioned - rose-pink petals, white tips - 30”    spectabilis Alba – old fashioned - white heart-shaped flowers Digitalis (Foxglove) Tall spikes of trumpet-like flowers. Striking vertical accent in borders and cottage gardens. Good cut flower. Evenly-moist, well-drained garden soil. (Biennial varieties self-sow)    Camelot Rose - rose-pink, burgundy spots – 24”    Candy Mountain – upward facing flowers – rose-pink – speckled  throats – strong stems – 3-4’    mertonensis – rose-pink – velvety, green leaves - 36-48”    Spice Island – longest blooming if cut back – smaller, peachy yellow – evergreen foliage – 4’