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

Malva (Hollyhock) Upright habit. Succession of blooms from summer to fall. Fine cut flowers on striking specimen plant. Dry, alkaline soil. Self-sews.    sylvestra Zebrina – pale pink with raspberry red veins – 36 Mertensia (Virginia Bluebells) Blue-green foliage, loose clusters of nodding blue bell-shaped flowers in early spring. Dies to the ground by mid-summer after going to seed.    virginica – blue tubular flowers – summer dormant – 12-24” Monarda (Bee Balm, Bergamot) Aromatic foliage. Flowers borne on whorls. Prefers moist locations.  Susceptible to powdery mildew.  We recommend using a fungicide  from the earliest stages of growth even before a problem develops.    Garden View Scarlet - scarlet - mildew resistant - 24-36”    Jacob Cline – large rose red – mildew resistant - 48”    Marshall’s Delight – hot pink - mildew resistant - 36”    Petite Delight – lavender-rose – mildew resistant – 12-15”    Pink Lace – pale pink flowers, dark magenta centers – 12-16”    Raspberry Wine – buds resemble raspberries, open to wine red flowers - mildew resistant foliage - 30-42” Muehlenbeckia (Creeping Wire Vine)    axillaries – fast spreading wiry creeper - tiny glossy green round leaves - insignificant white flowers - berries in fall - 24" Mukdenia Unique perennial for partial shade. Good for containers.   Karasuba – delicate starry white flowers – green leaves to red – 8-12” Myosotis (Forget-Me-Not) Short-lived but self-seeding. Moist, well-drained soils. Small flowers bloom spring to early summer. Biennial    Victoria Indigo Blue – masses of tiny, indigo blue flowers  form a woodland carpet – freely self sowing – 6-8”    Victoria Pink – 6-8” pink blooms – biennial – 6-8”h Nepeta (Catmint) Silvery scented foliage. Trumpet-shaped flowers on arching spikes. Blooms all summer. A nice frontal in the border.    Blue Wonder - compact growing - lavender blue - 12”    Candy Cat – lavender-pink – dark foliage - 28”    Kit Kat – tiny true blue flowers – small gray-green leaves – short – 18”    Walker’s Low – compact – purple blue – 12-24” Nipponanthemum (Montauk Daisy) Glossy dark green leaves. Large, pure white Shasta-daisy-like flowers cover the entire plant in fall. Well drained soil, especially in winter. Easy to grow. Great season extender. Available mid-August.    nipponicum - huge white flowers - shiny, leathery foliage - 12-15”  Oenothera (Evening Primrose) Spreading, with paper-thin fragrant flower. Blooms all summer. Thrives in well-drained, sandy soil.    kunthiana Glowing Magenta – (Evening Primrose) – fuzzy buds – four petaled deep pink flowers – prostrate – spreading – 6-12”    Lemon Drop – lemon yellow, 4 petalled flowers – narrow leaves - low, spreading mound – drought resistant – tolerates part shade – 8-12”h Opuntia (Prickly Pear)    humifusa – yellow flowers – purple fruit – sandy soil – 6-10” Oxalis    Garden Hardy Pink – pink flowers spring until fall - bright, apple-green, shamrock shaped leaves –  5-8” Pachysandra Popular hardy evergreen ground cover. Dense grower, spreads quickly. Plant under trees, shrubs, on banks and along driveways. 6-8” Paeonia (Peony) Long-lived erect plants from tuberous roots. Large compound green leaves. Fragrant, superb cut flowers. Easy to grow. Early summer.    lactiflora (Garden Peony)      Carol – pure true red blossoms – strong stems – 28”      Dr. Alexander Fleming – fragrant, fully double pink blooms - 30”      Dutchess de Nemours – fragrant, white blooms, yellow centers – 34”      Karl Rosenfeld’ – double, semi-rose type fuchsia-red blooms - 34”      Lady Alexander Duff – double, blush pink – yellow stamens – 35”      Rachel – fragrant, bright crimson flowers – 32”      Sarah Bernhardt – fragrant soft pink double blooms – 36”    suffruticosa (Tree Peony)    Woody stems like a shrub and the branches do not die all the way   back to the ground. Their uniquely colored flowers are produced in late spring, 2-3 weeks earlier than the garden varieties. 48-60”      Dark Purple – 6-8” double, deep purple blooms – 5-8’      Hoki – bright scarlet     Light Pink – 10” fragrant, light pink flowers – 3-5      Pink –beautiful ruffled pink blossoms –48-60”      Red – large semi-double red blooms – 48-60” Papaver (Poppy) Beautiful border plant and cut flower. Summer blooms. Likes rich, well-drained soil. Water occasionally during dry spells. For best results, work the soil well and plant Oriental poppies 3” below soil surface.    nudicaule (Iceland Poppy)      Assorted varieties    orientale (Oriental Poppy)      Beauty of Livermore – deep red – 30”      Brilliant – vivid, fiery scarlet – 30”      Pink Pearl – double pink, velvety sheen – compact – 16”      Prince of Orange – brilliant orange-scarlet – 30”      Princess Victoria Louise – 4-6” salmon pink blooms ,dark eyes - 30”h      Royal Wedding – white with black eye – 24-30”      Showgirl – huge, ruffled pink flowers with white centers – 30” Penstemon (Beardtongue) Showy spikes of trumpet-shaped flowers.  Fertile, well-drained soil. Cut back after summer flowering to encourage reblooming. Mulch in winter. Easy to grow.    Blue Buckle - large blue-purple flowers in dense clusters on rigid, upright stems - 12”    Husker Red – white with tinge of pink – maroon over dark green foliage - 30-36”    Mystica – white flowers with a touch of lilac in summer and deep red in fall – burgundy-red spring foliage – 30”    Pina Colada – early to bloom - violet-blue flowers – compact habit – 8-12” Perovskia (Russian Sage) Aromatic gray foliage. Spikes of long-lasting lavender-blue flowers. Mid to late summer. Cut back hard in spring. Well- drained, dry soil.    atriplicifolia – lavender-blue – small silvery-green leaves – 36-48”    Filagram – lavender-blue blooms – lacy, silver leaves – 36”    Little Spire – lavender-blue – gray-green foliage – short, upright – 25”    Longin – lavender-blue – silver-green leaves – narrow, upright - 36-48” Phlox divarticata    Parksville Beach – pinkish-purple flowers – evergreen mats – grows  best in part shade – 6” paniculata (Garden Phlox) Upright, large conical flower heads on strong stems. Summer bloomer. Prefers rich, evenly moist soil. Deadhead to prolong bloom time. Space to allow good air circulation. Susceptible to powdery mildew so apply  fungicides early, before the mildew is noticeable.    Bright Eyes – pale pink, hot pink eye - fragrant - mildew resistant- 36”    Flame Pink – pink, dark pink eye – fragrant – mildew resistant –12”    Flame Purple – purple, white eye – fragrant – mildew resistant –12”    Flame White – white, white eye – fragrant – mildew resistant – 12”    Junior Dance – fragrant, hot-pink – fragrant – mildew resistant – 18”    Junior Dream – bright purple – fragrant – mildew resistant – 18-22”    Laura – light purple, white center, dark eye – mildew resistant -  24-30”    Miss Elie - rose, dark pink eye - scented - mildew resistant - 36-48”    Red Riding Hood – cherry red - bold and compact – 22”    Starfire – cherry-red, fragrant flowers - deep green foliage – 36”    Volcano Candy Stripe –  pink with white stripes – dense, compact  form – superb fragrance – mildew resistant – 24-30”h x 15-18”w    Volcano Pink with Red Eye – pink with stunning red eye – long blooming – nice scent – 18-24”h x 15-18”w    Volcano Purple –deep purple with white eyes – fragrant – mildew tolerant – 18-24”h x 12-15”w    Volcano Red – bright red blooms – long bloomer – fragrant - 18-24”h    Volcano Ruby – scented plum-red flowers – mildew resistant –18-24” subulata (Mountain Pinks, Moss Phlox) Low rapid spreader. Fragrant, star flowers in spring. Dry, well-drained.    Assorted Varieties - pink, purple, red, lavender, blue and white – 4-6” Physostegia (Obedient Plant) Tube-shaped late summer flowers on graceful spikes resembling snapdragons. Tolerates most conditions but thrives in wet soil. Vigorous.    viginiana Miss Manners – Native - white flowers on strong stems  above long, narrow, dark green leaves – tall, narrow profile - 18” Platycodon (Balloon Flower) Flower buds resemble small, inflated balloons and open into showy bell-like flowers in summer. Fertile to average, well-drained soil. Emerges late in spring, avoid disturbing. Deadhead to promote long flowering. Cut back to encourage second bloom after flowering ceases.    grandiflorus Astra Blue – thick, blue petals, long lasting – 8-10”    grandiflorus Astra Double Blue – bell-shaped, double periwinkle  flowers – esceptional branching – 8-10”    grandiflorus Astra Pink – soft pink bell shaped blooms – exceptional   branching – compact and uniform – 8-10”    grandiflorus Fuji Blue – large, deep blue, star-shaped blossoms – 25”    grandiflorus Fuji Pink – large, pale pink, darker pink veining – 25”    grandiflorus Sentimental Blue – single, blue, upward flowers - 6-8”    grandiflorus Shell Pink – 2” soft pink flowers – darker pink veins – 2’ Polemonium (Jacob's Ladder) Clusters of small, flat, or bell-shaped flowers atop fern-like leaflet pairs that have been compared to the rungs of a ladder. Does well under trees. Spring into summer.    Touch of Class – pink buds open to pale blue flowers – fine lacy green leaves with narrow white edges – 1-2’    boreale Heavenly Habit – blue blossoms, yellow halo, white eye – glossy foliage - fragrant – 20”    reptans Stairway to Heaven – pale lavender-blue flowers – green leaves, white margins tinged in pink – 12-24” Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal) Small bells hang from arching stems. Native wildflower.    falcatum Variegatum - white flowers – white edged foliage – 18-24” Primula (Primrose) Well-drained soil. Early spring bloom. Beautiful colors.    Assorted Varieties – 6-10” Pulmonaria (Lungwort) Attractive dark oval leaves, flecked with white spots. Brightens shade gardens. Flowers pink turning to blue in spring. Rich, moist soil in shade location is best.    Diana Claire – soft, apple green leaves – violet-blue blooms – 8-12”    Raspberry Splash – dusty raspberry-coral – pointed foliage – 13” Pulsatilla (Pasque Flower) Soft, gray feathery foliage. Bell-shaped flowers in early spring followed by silvery seed heads. Drought tolerant. Rodgersia (Roger’s Flower) Shade plant, likes moist soil. Large, handsome leaves.  Late spring-early summer.    pinnata Chocolate Wings – foliage changes from brown to green, bronze, red and returns to brown – flowers open pale pink,  darken to burgundy-red – 48-60” Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan) Long lasting flowers with golden yellow petals that droop downward from a dark cone center. Ordinary soil. Hardy spreader forms non-invasive clumps. Late summer and fall. Cutting encourages rebloom. Divide every few years.    fulgida Goldsturm – deep yellow, dark brown cone – 24”    hirta Indian Summer - huge golden-yellow flowers with brown eye -  very floriferous - 36-42” Ruella (Wild Petunia)    humilis – Native - small pale blue-violet flowers, June-Sept – 12-24” Sagina (Pearlwort) Moss-like evergreen foliage. Small flowers in late summer. Excellent around walkways and between stepping stones.    subulata Aurea – tiny white flowers, yellow-green foliage – 2”    subulata Irish Moss - tiny white flowers, emerald green leaves - 2-4” Salvia (Meadow Sage) Good border plant. Well-drained soil. Blooms in summer and will rebloom if cut back.    Eveline – vibrant pink flower spikes – more compact – 24”    nemorosa Blue Hill – sky blue – long bloomer – compact – 16-20”    nemorosa Caradonna – purple blooms and stems – upright - 24-30”    nemorosa East Friesland - violet purple – mounding - 18”    nemorosa Lubeca – violet spikes – 16-18”    nemorosa Marcus – deep violet blooms – clumping – foliage – 12”    nemorosa  Merliau Blue – purplish-blue – 1-2’    nemorosa May Night – deep purple blooms – gray-green foliage – 18”    nemorosa Snow Hill – pure white flowers – gray-green foliage – 20” Saponaria (Rock Soapwort) Low-growing plants that require well-drained soil and sun. Profusion of five-petaled flowers are produced for long periods in summer.    ocymoides – small bright pink flowers - semi-evergreen foliage forms a mat - early summer - 8” Saxifraga (Saxifrage) Cool weather plant forming a dense moss-like mat of foliage, blooming in spring to early summer. Prefers partial shade, moist but well-drained soil. Excellent in rock gardens, over stone walls.    Peter Pan – starry crimson flowers – green spreading foliage – 6” Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower) A good border plant and cut flower. Best in moist, well-drained, neutral soil. Outstanding all season bloomer if spent flowers are removed.    columbaria Butterfly Blue – lavender-blue flowers – ferny foliage - 15”    columbaria Pink Mist – soft pink with a hint of lavender - 12-15” Sedum (Stonecrop) Fleshy-leaved, succulent-type plants often display dramatic color changes over the seasons. Very tough plants that perform well in any type of soil, prefer well-drained. Pest resistant. Great ornamental value.    Live Forever (Tall Varieties - Fall Bloomers)      Abbeydore – light pink buds, intense pink-red flowers, bright red seedpods – blue-green foliage – compact, upright – 16-18”      Angelina – profuse, tiny yellow flowers – brilliant, gold-yellow  foliage – 3-6”h x 10-12”w      Autumn Fire – similar to ‘Autumn Joy’ but more consistent – 24”      Autumn Joy – rosy flowers age to bronze – winter interest – 24”      Bertram Anderson – dusky pink – purple foliage – 6-8”      Frosty Morn – white to light pink - white edged, ight green leaves - 12”      Garnet Brocade – rose-burgundy flowers – burgundy-bronze foliage – 14-18”      Samuel Oliphant – green, pink and  cream variegated foliage – purple stems  - pink flowers – 24-30”      spectabile Maestro –  5-7” flower heads start with red buds and mature into  pink blooms – 24-30”      spectabile Neon – brilliant rose-pink – light green leaves - 24”    Stonecrop (Dwarf, Short Varieties)    Low growers bloom in mid to late summer. Excellent between stepping stones and in rock crevices.      Assorted Varieties Sempervivum (Hens & Chicks) Evergreen perennial succulents. Beautiful symmetric rosettes of leaves. Carpet form. Small star-shaped flowers in summer. Gravelly, well drained soil. Also listed in the Alpine section of this variety guide.    Assorted varieties – greens, purples, reds - 2-4” Sidalcea (Mini Hollyhocks, Prairie Mallow) Sturdy spikes of hollyhock-like flowers in summer over mounds of green leaves. Impressive when planted in groups. Moist, well drained soil. Benefit from afternoon shade. Deadhead to promote longer bloom.    hybrida Party Girl – rose-pink, white centers on spikes - 36-42” Sisyrinchium (Blue-Eyed Grass) Dark grass-like foliage. Prefers moist, well drained soil. Early summer.    angustifolium Lucerne – native – deep blue, yellow centered  flowers mid-May to July – deep green foliage – 8-10” Solidago (Goldenrod) Woody based perennials native to meadows and prairies. Large, bright yellow flower clusters in fall. Fertile, well-drained soil. Fall bloom.    Fireworks – Native – bright yellow flowers – mid-Aug-Sept – attracts Monarchs – spent flower seeds attract birds – 24-30”    Goldrush – short golden wands – deep green foliage – compact - 12”    Little Lemon – lemon yellow panicles – 8-10”    Nag’s Head – golden blooms – tolerates drought – 36” Stachys (Lamb's Ears) Soft silvery leaves grown for its attractive spreading foliage. Excellent  border plant. Fertile to poor, well-drained soil. Avoid over-head watering. Remove flower stalks as they fade, if not earlier.    byzantina Helen von Stein – large, velvety, soft, green leaves – non-flowering (may bloom on rare occasions) – 8-10”    byzantina Silver Carpet –  soft, wooly silver-gray foliage – non-flowering (may bloom on rare occasions) - 6-8”    monnieri Hummelo – lavender spikes – green, textured foliage – 18-20” Stokesia (Stoke's Aster) Large disk-like flowers 3” across. Hardy and does well in diverse sites. Remove faded stalks to promote rebloom. Late summer.    laevis Klaus Jelitto – powder blue blooms – deep green, strap-like leaves – neat mounding – 12-18”    Peachie’s Pick – lavender-blue – upright – long blooming – 18”    Purple Parasols – blooms start out light blue transition through shades of blue and end up deep purple-violet – neatly mounding foliage – 18-20” Tanacetum (Pyrethrum, Painted Daisy) Lacy foliage. Daisy-like summer flowers. Rich, well-drained soil.    coccineum Garden Treasure – semi-double rose-red, gold centers circled in white – fine green foliage –12-15”     coccineum Robinson’s Red – scarlet-red flowers with bright yellow centers – ferny foliage – 24-36” Thalictrum (Meadow Rue) Puffs of airy flowers on stems high above blue fern-like foliage. Moist, well-drained soil. Mid to late summer.    rochebrunianum Lavender Mist – sprays of lavender-purple flowers  on dark purple stems – distinctive green foliage – 6-8”    Thundercloud – deep-purple, double florets – blue-green leaves – 3-4’ Tiarella (Foamflower) Low grower. Attractive dissected foliage. Humus-rich, evenly moist, slightly acid soil. Grows under mature trees if kept consistently moist.    Sugar and Spice – pink and white, fragrant blooms – clump former – glossy deeply dissected leaves with dark centers – 8”h x 13”w Tradescantia (Spiderwort) Three-petaled flowers rise above the foliage. Flowers last one day, but there is always another from late spring through summer. Spreading perennial with grassy foliage.    andersoniana Bilberry Ice– lavender and white bicolor – compact, long blooming – 15”    andersoniana Concord Grape – rich purple flowers – frosty blue foliage – long blooming - 15-18”    Barbel – large blue flowers – 24”    Hawaiian Punch – reddish purple-pink blooms – long blooming – 18”    Satin Doll – pink blooms with yellow anthers    Zwanenberg Blue – large, clean blue flowers Tricyrtis (Toad Lily) Graceful arching stems bear exotic speckled flowers and heart shaped leaves. Rich, moist, acid soil. Blooms in early fall.    formosana Gilt Edge – white flowers spotted purple – large green leaves edged in yellow – 24”    hirta Miyazaki Hybrids – orchid-like white flowers spotted with plum along upright, arching hairy stems – 36”    hirta Raspberry Mousse – raspberry-chocolate flowers – 2’h x 18”w Trifolium Prostrate stems root freely and send up leaves with three-leaflets.    repens Dark Dancer – burgundy-black leaves edged in green –   groundcover –4-8” Trollius (Globe Flower) Vibrant globular flowers. Divided deep green leaves. Foliage maintains interest after flowers fade. Moisture loving. Late spring to summer.    Alabaster (NEW) – lightly fragrant, cream-yellow globes – clump  forming – looks great in shade – 28-32”    chinensis Golden Queen – big gold orange bowl-shaped blooms – 30” Verbascum (Mullein) Rosettes of coarse foliage. Tall spikes of long-lasting flowers. Remove spent flowers before seed sets to increase longevity of plant. Attractive seed pods. Intolerant of wet conditions in winter. Well-drained soil.    phoenicaum Violetta – dark purple-violet flowers – 35” Veronica (Speedwell) Long blooming spikes of small flowers in summer. Drought tolerant  Upright growth habit. Taller varieties are excellent in borders, dwarf varieties for  banks or edgings.    Giles van Hees – bright deep pink flowers – dark foliage – dwarf – 6”    longifolia Eveline – deep purple-red – long spikes – 20”    spicata Foxy Lady – bicolor of bright fuchsia pink and white candy-  striped flowers – long blooming – 12-15”    spicata Red Fox – Native- fuchsia-pink - erect tapering stems – 12-15”    spicata Royal Candles - violet-blue – deep green foliage - 12-18 Vinca (Myrtle, Periwinkle) Trailing evergreen weed-smothering ground cover. Flourishes under trees, on steep banks, walls and in rockeries. Spring bloom.    minor – lavender-blue flowers in spring – dark green leaves - 6-8” Viola (Violet) Delicate fragrant flowers, small plants common to woodland gardens. Prefers moist, well-drained soil.    Black Magic – tufted – solid matte black flowers with tiny, bright  yellow eyes – 6-8”    Painted Porcelain – tufted – lavender purple with darker purple   markings 6-8”    Purple Showers – electric purple, slightly fragrant – long flower  stems –clump forming – 6-8” Yucca Fragrant blooms over heavy clumps of sword-like leaves. Blooms reach up to 6 feet in height. Averageto dry soil conditions. Evergreen.    filamentosa Color Guard – white flowers– yellow leaves with green margins flush with rose in fall and winter – upright habit - 48-60”