Flower beds are the exciting part of outdoor gardening. They can turn bland and boring spots into enticing and alive spaces. They can be incorporated into any existing landscape design. People grow perennial flowers because they are such easy-care, dependable performers, and because they offer a wide selection of size, leaf texture, flower types, colors, and blooming seasons for your flower gardens. Many of the first flowers of the season are perennials – aubretia, basket-of-gold, creeping phlox. Perennials also give us the last colors of autumn – toad lilies, asters, and chrysanthemums.
Unfortunately, most perennials have a relatively short bloom period; 3 to 6 weeks every year. Selecting perennials that bloom at different seasons will give you color throughout the year. You can also add annuals, bulbs, and shrubs to complete the effect. With so many different species of perennial flowers to choose from, few people ever become completely familiar with all their options.
Definitions
Annuals – Plants that complete their entire life cycle from seed to flower to seed within a single growing season. All roots, stems and leaves of the plant die annually. They may eseed and behave as a biennial or perennial.
Biennials – Plants which require two years to complete their life cycle. The first season is mainly leaf and stem growth, they do not flower their first season. During the second season, flowering and seed formation occurs, followed by the entire plant’s death.
Biennial flowers are often confused for perennials because many of them self-seed and appear to live for many years.
Perennials – Plants that persist for many growing seasons; at least 3 years. You would think being a perennial, they would live forever. This is not always the case. While some can live for generations (peonies), others may only live 3 to 4 years (Delphiniums).
Unlike annuals, many perennials usually don’t flower their first season when grown from seed.
One thing to remember is winter temperatures. Some perennials can withstand bitter cold winters that will kill others. A perennial flower in California may be considered an annual flower in Utah, such as Bougainvillea, Mandevilla, and Hawaiian Hibiscus.
Planting
Because your perennials will grow in the same place for many years, it is particularly important to do a good job of preparing the soil. Once planted, you cannot fix the soil as easily.
If you are beginning a brand new garden, work in two to four inches of organic matter (such as Harvest Supreme Compost or well-rotted compost) at least 6″ to 8″ deep, to improve the soil and add beneficial microbes. This is particularly important to improve drainage in heavy clay soils, or to improve water-holding capacity in sandy soils. Apply about 2 pounds of low-nitrogen fertilizer such as Dr. Earth Starter Fertilizer, 5-10-5 Flower Fertilizer or 5-10-10 Vegetable Fertilizer, per 100 square feet and work it into the top 4 to 6 inches of soil.
If you are planting a new perennial into an existing garden, dig a hole two to three times wider than its container. Mix 25% Harvest Supreme Compost into the soil removed from the hole, and add Dr. Earth Root Starter Fertilizer into the soil mix.
Carefully remove the perennial from its container by holding one hand over the top
of the pot and turn the container upside down. Gently tap the bottom of the pot to loosen the root zone from the container and gently pull the pot away. If the container does not easily come off, it may be necessary to squeeze the container until the plant comes out of the pot. Place the plant in the hole so the top of root ball is at the same level as the top of the hole. If necessary, place a little soil back in the bottom of the planting hole to make sure the plant is not too deep. Many perennials do not tolerate being planted too deeply and may not grow very well, or they may even die. Conversely, perennials planted too high may not grow properly and are more susceptible to drying out.
Once the plants are at the proper height, fill in the planting hole with soil, gently packing the soil around the roots. After planting, it is important to water them well. For the first couple of weeks, it is important to keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. Keep in mind that many new plantings do not perform well because they are either over-or-under watered. After four to six weeks, most perennials can tolerate less water.
Care and Maintenance
Your perennials have been planted
Now What?
Blooming perennials in the garden are glorious – until the blooms begin to fade and you are not sure what to do with the plant. It’s misleading to think that once you plant a perennial flower you are done with it. To have great looking perennials, there is a good bit of maintenance involved.
Watering – While some perennials are drought-tolerant, many need plenty of water. If the soil dries out, it’s important to thoroughly soak the soil when you water, not just wet the surface. It’s also important to keep the foliage and flowers as dry as possible
to prevent disease. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation do this well. If you use sprinklers, run them in the morning so that the plants dry quickly in the sun. Watering individual plants by hand requires patience; to apply enough water to thoroughly soak the soil.
Fertilizing – Most perennials do not require heavy fertilization. Fertilize with a low-nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-5 or 6-10-4) in the early spring, and again two more times at 6-week intervals. Keep fertilizer off foliage to prevent burning. You can use Osmocote or Dr Earth Organic Fertilizer to reduce possible burning. Fertilizing too much can lead to soft, leggy growth making the plants floppy. You don’t want to encourage a lot of growth near the end of the season either. The new shoots will get nipped in the crisp autumn air.
Staking – Some taller perennials tend to fall over, especially when they are heavy with flowers. To keep them upright, you can plant them so other plants help support them, or plant them next to a house or fence. Another alternative is to put stakes around the plants while they are small and, as they grow, fasten the plants to the stake. There are many decorative supports available to make your garden look perfect; link stakes, plant grids, cages, obelisks and even small trellises.
Pinching – Some perennials respond well to pinching — removing the growing tips by pinching off the small, developing leaves at the tips of the stems. This makes the plant shorter and bushier. Chrysanthemums respond especially well to pinching them back.
Thinning – This helps increase air circulation and prevent diseases, especially in those prone to mildew and leaf spots. When the plants are about 25% to 50% of their full height, cut half of the stems to ground level. This can also increase the stem strength and the flower size.
Pruning after Flowering – Some early bloomers, such as creeping phlox, candytuft, and rockcress, may bloom again if sheared back immediately after their first bloom. Try this also with midseason bloomers; yarrow, ladies’ mantle, Shasta daisy, delphinium, cranesbill (geranium), catmint, salvia, and veronica. Depending on species, most late-summer and fall bloomers do better with less aggressive pruning.
Dis-budding – With some perennials, especially those used for cut flowers such as peonies and chrysanthemums, you can encourage fewer but larger blooms by removing the smaller lateral flower buds. This forces plants to put more energy into the terminal bud. Or, you can remove the terminal bud and encourage more of the smaller lateral flowers.
Dead-heading – Remove spent flowers after the blossoms start to fade. This keeps the plants from wasting energy on seed production, and keeps them looking neat. In some species, dead-heading can encourage another flush of flowering. It also prevents perennials that reseed aggressively from spreading where you don’t want them. As a general rule, remove the faded blossom and stem down as far as the next healthy blossom, or set of leaves.
If you are trying to attract birds to your garden, don’t deadhead species with seeds favored by birds. Be careful dead-heading biennials. Don’t remove the flowers before the seeds mature and have a chance to drop, or they may not come back next year.
Fall Care – Perennials should not be cut down as winter approaches. Instead let them die down naturally to avoid damaging the plant. However, you may want to prune them lightly towards the end of fall to remove any diseased, damaged, or dying foliage.
Many perennials go completely dormant and die back to the ground each year. After they are dormant, you can cut these perennials perennials back to about 3 inches from the ground. Any closer may damage crowns. Remove debris from the garden to help prevent diseases.
Other perennials, such as ornamental grasses, upright sedums, and ferns, are often trimmed in the spring allowing the foliage to provide some interest to the winter landscape. In addition to adding winter interest, some perennials overwinter better if left uncut. The uncut stems and leaves add an extra layer of insulation.
Winter-Mulching – Many perennials benefit from a protective layer of mulch to help them overwinter. Wait until after several killing frosts and the soil is cold. If you apply mulch too early, it will hold warmth in the soil and some plants may break dormancy
and start growing again. This new growth will be killed by cold weather. Spreading mulch too thickly over the crowns can trap too much moisture, and encourage them to rot. In the spring, be sure to remove mulch gradually when plants begin growing.
Dividing – With age, many perennials won’t grow as vigorously as they did when you first planted them; and they flower less. The center of the clump may appear dead, with little or no new growth. When this happens, it’s a good sign that the plant is ready to be divided. The best time and method of dividing perennials varies with species. In most cases, you divide plants when they are dormant, either early in the season before they break dormancy, or in the fall so that the roots can settle in before the ground freezes.
In most instances, dig out the entire plant, wash the soil off the roots, and cut or pull them apart into several pieces. Sometimes this can be quite difficult, especially with older plants and with ornamental grasses. Replant the newer, more vigorous roots and
discard the older or diseased parts.
Varieties
Achillea (Yarrow) Very hardy plant that does well in most areas. Will grow in hot dry gardens very well. Re-seeds well and spreads fast. Divide regularly to keep under control. Good cut flower for dried arrangements. Varieties 40+
Cerise Queen – cherry-pink clusters of flowers. 18″-24″
Coronation Gold – Golden yellow flowers 30″-36″
Lavender Beauty – Pale-Lavender flowers. 18″-24″
Moonshine – bright canary-yellow flowers. 18″-24″
Paprika – cherry-red, gold centered flowers, later fading to light pink and creamy yellow. 18″-24″
Summer Pastels – pastel shades, from white through to cream, yellow, pink, salmon, mauve and red. 18″-24″
Roseum – Large heads of rose-red flowers. 20″ -24″
Saucy Seduction – rose-pink flowers, each with a tiny white eye.
Acontium (Monkshood)
Aegopodium (Bishop’s Weed, Snow-on-the-mountain)
Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Bronze Beauty – bronzy leaves in sun, fading to green in shade.
Burgundy Glow – variegated leaves, burgundy, white & green
Dixie Chips – green, cream, and rose-purple variegated leaves.
Chocolate Chips – dark green leaves, overlaid with chocolate-brown,
Catlin’s Giant – variegated long purple and green leaves.
Alcea (Hollyhock)
Chaters Double Tall spikes, 4′-6′ tall. Double ball-shaped flowers in July. Assorted colors of yellow, pink, white and scarlet.
Powderpuff Large double flowers on 4′-5′ spikes. Mixture of colors.
Single Many common varieties with a single row of petals. Grows very easy from seed.
Alchemilla (Lady’s Mantle)
Anacyclus (Matt Daisy, Mt. Atlas Daisy)
Anenome Pulsatilla (European Pasqueflower)
Antennaria (Pussy-toes)
Anthemis (Golden Marguerite)
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Biedermeier Compact plants, 9″-12″ tall. Flowers have a wide range of pastel colors.
Cameo A dwarf, 6″ variety, with large beautiful flowers and prolonged spring blooming.
Clementine – fluffy double flowers that resemble a small Clematis bloom. Grows 16″ – 20″ tall.
Dragon Fly Mixed pastel shades and bicolors. Grows 18″-24″ tall.
McKana Hybrid Tall growing plants. 24″-30″. Wide range of colors.
Music Mix Many colors available. A short compact series, 18″-20″ tall.
Songbird Mix -Dramatic shaped flowers in lovely shades of light blue, rose and white. Grows 24″ tall.
Arabis (Rock Cress, Wall Cress)
Pink Charm – Pink flowers.
Snow Cap – Pure white flowers.
Compinkie – Small rose-pink flowers for several weeks.
Red Sensation – sweetly fragrant, deep cherry-pink flowers.
Armeria (Common Thrift, Sea Pink)
Artemisia
Silver Brocade – A compact plant growing 10″-15″ tall. Silvery-white scalloped leaves, not as finely divided as silver mound.
Silver Mound – A compact plant growing 8″-12″ tall. Great for hot dry rock gardens.
Davids Choice – Leaves even finer than ‘Powis Castle’. Small and compact 8″ – 12″ tall x 3 feet wide.
Powis Castle – upright mound of fine silvery-gray leaves, with a mild camphor fragrance. 22″ – 27″ tall.
Aruncus (Goat’s Beard, Bride’s Feather)
Asclepias (Butterfly Flower)
Hello Yellow – clusters of golden-yellow flowers in mid to late summer.
Soulmate – clusters of cherry-pink flowers with a tiny white center.3′-4′
Aster (Michaelmas Daisy) Small daisy-like flowers from August to October. Adds variety to your fall color scheme. Multiply rapidly, are useful in hardy borders, especially with chrysanthemums because of similar bloom time. Varieties 55+
Alert – Dark red flowers. Grows 12″-15″ tall. Blooms in August.
Alpine – Purple flowers mid-summer. Grows 6″ tall.
Goliath – Light blue flowers. Grows 15″ tall. Blooms June-July.
Pink Bouquet – Pink Flowers. Grows 12″ tall. Blooms late-summer.
Prof. Kippenburg – Bright blue flowers. Grows 12″-15″ tall. Blooms in August.
Red Star – Rose-red Flowers. Grows 12″-15″ tall. Blooms in August.
Wartburg Star – Lavender flowers. Grows 24″ tall. Blooms late-summer.
Astilbe (Feather Flower, False Spirea)
Bremen Rose pink. Grows 18″. Blooms midseason.
Etna Dark red. Grows 24″ Blooms midseason.
Fanal Dark red. Grows 24″. Blooms midseason.
Gloria White. Grows 20″. Blooms late.
Glut Red. Grows 30″. Blooms midseason.
Granaat Dark red. Grows 24″. Blooms midseason.
Peach Blossom Light Pink. Grows 20″. Blooms early.
Rheinland Pink. Grows 24″. Blooms early.
Aubretia (Purple Rock Cress)
Aurinia (Basket-of-gold)
Compacta
Saxatilis
Baptisia (False Indigo)
Bellis (English Daisy)
Pomponette mix – cute little button-like flowers. 4″-6″ tall.
Bellissima mix – cute little double button flowers of bright red, pink or white. Grows 6″ – 8″ tall.
Monstrosa mix – Especially large blooms, the petals curled or “quilled” . Grows 4 – 6″ tall.
Bergenia (Cabbage Plant, Saxifrage)
Brunnera (Perennial Forget-me-not)
Macrophylla – Large, dark-green leaves. May reseed into other areas.
Jack Frost – Heart-shaped silver leaves, veined with mint-green. Tolerates more direct sun that most other variegated types.
Silver Heart – Leaves are silver with green edging and veining
Variegata – Heart-shaped, green leaves, boldly splashed with creamy-white margins and edges.
Campanula (Bell Flowers)
Blue Clips (Carpactica)– Light green leaves with blue cupshaped flowers. Grows 8″-10″ tall. Blooms June-September if dead blossoms are removed. Likes cool areas.
White Clips (Carpactica) – Light green leaves with white cupshaped flowers. Grows 8″-10″ tall. Great for rock gardens.
Superba (Glomerata) – Large clusters of white or purple flowers. Grows 20″ Tall. Blooms June-July. Tolerates some heat.
Canterbury Bells, Cup and Saucer Biennial. – Bell-shaped flower with a row of petals looking like a saucer. Blooms in May-June. Does not re-seed well. Grows 30″-48″ tall.
Peach-leafed Bluebell (Persicifolia) – Grows 3′ tall. White or blue flowers.
Serbian Bellflower (poscharskyana) – Grows 18″-24″‘ tall.
Olympia (Rotundifolia) Blue bells of Scotland – Bright blue bells about 1″ long in clusters. Blooms July-September. Grows 12″-18″ Tall.
Centaurea (Cornflower, Bachelor Button)
Montana Blue
Dealbata (Persian cornflower)
Centaurea Macrocephala (Armenian Basket Flower)
Centranthus (Red Valerian, Jupiter’s Beard)
Cerastrium (Snow-in-summer)
Ceratostigma (Plumbago, Leadwort)
Chelone (Pink Turtlehead)
Chrysanthemum
Cushion – Double flower form. Grows 12″-20″ tall.
Daisy – Single daisy flowers with yellow centers. Height varies with variety.
Decorative – Taller plants with double or semi-double flowers. Flowers larger than cushion type.
Pompom – Free-flowering varieties, blooms early in summer. Small ball-shaped flowers. Grows less than 18″ tall.
Button – Small double flowers, less than 1″, plants grow 12″- 18″ tall.
Cactus – Tall plants with large, open flowers. Petals are usually thin and sometimes unusually shaped.
Chrysanthemum Coccineum – Tanacetum Coccineum (Painted Daisy)
Chrysanthemum Maximum – Leucanthemum superbum (Shasta Daisy)
Alaska – Large, single white flowers. Grows 24″-30″ tall.
Esther Reed – Double row of white blossoms. Grows 24″ tall.
Little Princess or Silver Princess – Compact plants, 12″-15″ tall. Large single blossoms.
Snow Lady – Dwarf plant, long lasting flowers. Grows 8″-12″ tall.
Wirral Pride – Double row of white petals. Grows 3′ tall.
More Varieties (30+): Sunshine, Gold Rush, Broadway Lights, Victorian Secret, Sunny Side up, Snowdrift, Snowcap, Silver Spoons.
Convallaria (Lily-of-the-valley)
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Baby Sun – Small plant, 12″-18″ tall. Bright yellow flowers.
Early Sunrise – Grows 12″ tall. Double yellow flowers.
Flying Saucers – large, single golden-yellow daisy flowers. 15″.
Golden Showers – Fern-like foliage. Large, bright yellow flowers (2.5″). Grows 18″-24″ tall.
Moonbeam – Very striking fern-like foliage. Grows 18″-24″ tall. Covered with soft yellow flowers from early summer to fall.
Sunburst – Double yellow flowers. Grows 24″ tall.
Sunray – Double and semi-double golden yellow flowers. Grows 18″-24″ tall.
Zagreb – Very delicate, ferny foliage. Golden flowers. 12″-18″.
More Varieties: (50+) Heaven’s Gate, American Dream, Superman, Imperial Sun, Sweet Dreams, Route 66, Solanna, Sunny Day, Stertaler, Golden Ball, Sunfire, Domino.
Crocosmia
Lucifer – brilliant flame-red flowers. 3′-4′
Bright Eyes – large bright-orange flowers with a contrasting scarlet-red eye 18″-24″
Delosperma (HARDY ICE PLANT)
Delosperma cooperi – Pink Ice Plant
Delosperma nubigenum – Yellow Ice Plant
Table Mountain – Fuchsia Ice Plant
Oberg – Open pink then fade to white
Osberg – white starry flowers with yellow eyes
Delphinium (Larkspur)
Black Knight – Deep Violet flowers. Grows 4′-6′ tall.
Blue Bird – Medium blue flower with white center. Grows 4′-6′ tall.
Connecticut Yankee Assorted colors. Grows 30″ tall.
Galahad White. Grows 3′-4′.
Guinevere Pink. Grows 3′-4′.
King Arthur Dark Blue. Grows 3′-4′.
Magic Fountains Mixed Colors. Grows 30″-36″ tall.
Pacific Hybrids Mixed Colors. Grows 3′-4′ tall.
Summer Skies Light Blue. Grows 3′-4′ tall.
More Varieties (45+): Princess Caroline, Blue Elf, New Millenniums, Summer Stars, Summer Nights, Summer Morning, Summer Cloud, Sweetheart, Super Stars, Sunny Skies.
Dianthus (Pinks)
Brilliant (Deltoides) – Low spreading plants, good groundcover or rock garden plant. Grass-like leaves with small pinkish flowers.
Princess Series Blooms early summer. Remove flowers and the plants will bloom again until frost. The princess series is available in scarlet, red, pink, salmon, white and purple.
Spotty (Gratianopolitanus) Grows 6″-12″ tall. Red and white spotted flowers. Very striking color variation.
Spring Beauty Double, fragrant flowers early summer. Resemble a small carnation. Colors range from white, pink to red.
Tiny Rubies (Gratianopolitanus) Compact plants grow 6″-12″ tall. Good rock garden plant or for borders. Blooms spring and summer if faded flowers are removed. Small, deep-pink flowers.
Zing Rose (Plumarius) Low growing, almost groundcover, 6″ tall. Deep-red summer blossoms, may have prolonged flowers all summer. Excellent choice for hot, sunny sites
Dianthus Barbatus (Sweet William)
Dianthus Caryophyllus (Carnation)
More Varieties (100+): Starlette, Silver Star, Romance, Shooting Star, Raspberry Surprise, Passion, Star Cushion, Firewitch, Fire Star, Early Bird, Dessert Raspberry, Strawberry Sorbet, Flashing Light, Cranberry Ice, Vampire, Confetti, Coral Reef, Coconut Surprise. Candy Floss, Spangled Star.
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)
Old Fashioned – Grows 24″-30″ tall. Pink flowers in May. (White variety is also available) Foliage turns yellow and brown late in the summer. Remove dead leaves in summer. A new plant will grow early next year.
Gold Heart – the usual chains of pink and white locket flowers, but on a plant with stunning bright yellow foliage
King of Hearts – Fern-leaf leaves, valued for their compact habit and long season of deep-pink blossom. 8″-10″.
Luxuriant – Red blossoms. Blooms heavily in spring then occasionally until frost. Fern-like leaves add variety in garden. Will tolerate some summer sun.
Zestful – Fern-like leaf. Everblooming pink flowers during the summer. Flowers are not as large as common bleeding heart. Grows 12″-15″ tall.
More Varieties (19+): Fire Cracker, Ivory Hearts, Candy Hearts, Burning Hearts,
Digitalis (Foxglove)
Ambigua – Perennial variety. Yellow flowers with brown inside markings. Grows 24″ tall.
Dalmation – Flowers first year. Mauve-Purple flowers. 3′-4′ tall.
Ecelsior – Grows 4′-5′ tall. Pastel colors, Lavender-Yellow-Pink-Salmon-White flowers. Biennial that reseeds well.
Foxy – More compact habit. Grows 30″-36″ tall. Has a range of soft pastel shades, cream – pink – rose. Biennial that reseeds well.
Shirley – Tall biennial foxglove. Reseeds well in the garden. Mixed colors. Grows 4′ tall.
More Varieties (21+): Candy Mountain, Camelot, Apricot Beauty, Summer King, Carillon, Polkadot, Goldcrest, Rusty.
Doronicum (Leopard’s Bane)
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Alba Creamy-white petals with greenish center.
Bright Star Rose-colored flowers. Blooms well.
Kim’s Knee High – mauve-pink with an orange cone. 12″-24″
Magnus – Rosy-purple flowers. 30″-36″.
Pow Wow – magenta-pink petals surrounding an orange-brown central cone. 18″-24″
Tomato Soup – tomato-red petals surrounding an orange-brown button-shaped cone. 24″-30″.
More Varieties: (80+) Henry Eilers, Little Henry, Black beauty, Sundance, Buttons and Bows, Sundown, Autumn Sun, Ruby Star, Double Decker, Big Sky, White Swan, Sparkler, Raspberry Truffle, Jade, Hope, Hot Coral, White Swan.
Echinops (Globe Thistle)
Varieties (5+): Vetch’s Blue, Star Frost, Blue Glow, Arctic Glow.
Erigeron (Fleabane)
More Varieties (10+): Albus, Sea Breeze, Prosperity, Azure Fairy, Darkest of All, Blue Beauty, Profusion.
Erysimum Cheiranthus (Wallflower)
Kotschyanum (Alpine Wallflower) Low mounding, bright green foliage. Fragrant Golden-yellow flowers. An excellent rock garden plant for sunny areas, and tolerant of hot, dry sites with poor soil.
More Varieties (11+): Bowles’ Mauve, Yellow Bird, Apricot Twist, Fragrant Star, Patchwork, Fragrant Sunshine, Golden Bedder.
Euphorbia (Spurge)
Tasmanian Tiger – Grayish evergreen leaves strongly edged with creamy white. 30″-36″. Tender in winter: Protect well or take inside.
Ascot Rainbow – Grey-green leaves, edged in creamy-yellow and flushed rose pink. 18″-24″. Protect well or take inside.
Polychroma Cushion Spurge – Bright, golden-yellow flowers, over a perfect cushion of light green leaves. 12″-18″
More Varieties: (20+) Blue Lagoon, Tiny Tim, Redwing, Shorty, Fireglow, Glacier Blue, Lacy, Excalibur, Bonfire, Martini.
Ferns
Gaillardia (Blanketflower)
Arizona Sun – flame-orange daisies with golden-yellow tips. Blooms profusely even in the first year.
Baby Cole – Dwarf plant. Grows 6″-8″ tall. Red center with yellow edges. Very prolific bloomer.
Burgundy – Wine-red flowers. Grows 24″-36″ tall.
Dazzler – Bright orange-red petals with golden-yellow tips. 24″-30″
Goblin – Dwarf plant. Red flowers with yellow tips. Grows 12″ tall.
More Varieties (30+), Fanfare, Summer’s Kiss, Bijou, Torchlight, Tangerine, Sunrita, Commotion, Gallo, Mesa, Golden Goblin, Candy Corn, Arizona Apricot, Blaze.
Galium (Sweet Woodruff)
Gaura (Bee Blossoms)
Lindheimeri – Very hardy. White flowers tinged with pale pink.
Crimson Butterflies – rich pink flowers, held on red stems. 12″-18″
Passionate Rainbow – Green leaves, edged in cream and flushed with pinkish red. Small, deep-pink silky blooms. 24″-30″
More Varieties (15+) – Passionate Blush, Sunny Butterflies, Whirling Butterflies, Cherry Brandy, Rosy Jane, Pink Fountain, Perky Pink.
Geranium (Cranesbill)
Alpinum – Showy blue flowers in June-July. Grows 16″ tall.
Claridge Druce – Large lilac-pink flowers most of the summer. 18″.
Johnson’s Blue – Vivid blue flowers starting in July. 15″-18″.
Lancastriense – Low growing plant, 6″ tall blooms May-October. Light pink flowers.
Sanguineum – Reddish-purple flowers June-September. Leaves turn red in fall. Grows 10″-12″ tall.
More Varieties (70+) Ballerina, Mayflower, Stephanie, Blue Sun-rise, Dalmation, Carol, Memories, Wargrave Pink, Magnifica, Tiny Monster, Starman, Pink Penny, Splendens, Bressingham’s Delight, Summer Skies, Brookside, Ann Folkard.
Geum (Avens)
Mrs. Bradshaw – Large double orange-red flowers. 24″-30″.
Lady Stratheden – Golden yellow, semi double blossoms. 24″-30″.
Totally Tangerine – large bright apricot to tangerine blooms.
Mai Tai – apricot flowers with a rose blush. 16″-18″
More Varieties (15+) Eos, Red Dragon, Arends, Georgenburg, Fireball, Fire Storm, Bloody Mary, Blazing Sunset, Cosmopolitan.
Grasses
Gypsophila (Baby’s Breath)
Bristol Fairy – Large clusters of double white flowers. 24″-36″
Perfecta – Large, double, white flowers. Grows 36″ tall.
Pink Fairy – Tiny, Light-pink, double flowers. 18″-24″
Repens – Nice groundcover for something a little different. Small clusters of light pink flowers. Grows 5″ tall.
Snowflake – Double white flowers. Grows 24″ tall.
Helianthemum (Sunrose, Rock Rose)
Ben Vevis – Single orange scarlet-eyed flowers.
Wisely Pink – large single soft-pink flowers, over a mound of silvery-gray foliage. 6″-12″
Wisely Primrose – single soft primrose-yellow flowers, over a mound of silvery-gray foliage. 6″-12″
More Varieties (15+) Fire Dragon, Ben Ledi, Cerise Queen, The Bride, Annabel, Raspberry Ripple, Dazzler, Fireball, Cheviot.
Helianthus (Perennial Sunflower, Thin-leaved Sunflower)
Lemon Queen – soft-yellow, single petal daisy flowers. Tall & upright.
Happy Days – bi colored daisy flower; yellow petals surrounding double golden eye 20″-24″
Salicifolius – Tall Stem with long, drooping, green willow-like leaves. Golden-yellow daisies. 30″-36″
Decapetalus Plenus – Double, golden-yellow daisy flowers. 20″-24″
Heliopsis (False Sunflower)
Summer Nights – single daisy flowers are golden yellow with a contrasting mahogany-red center. 3′-4′.
Summer Sun – large, semi-double, golden-yellow daisy flowers with a brown center. 3′-4′
Summer Pink – Multi-colored pink, green and white leaves with purple veining on dark red stems. Large daisy-like yellow flowers.
Helleborus (Christmas Rose, Winter Rose)
Jacob – Large, slightly fragrant, single, pure white flowers appear in late-winter or early-spring. Flowers gradually age to a light green and in cooler temperatures are tinted pink. 18″-24″
Red Lady – Lenten Rose – a close cousin to the Christmas Rose, and even easier to grow. Flowers appear in early spring, in shades of red. 18″-24″
More Varieties (70+) Green hellebore, Early purple, Winter Ghost, Yellow Lady, Peppermint Ice, Pink Lady, Onyx Odyssey, Blue Lady, Berry Swirl, Black Diamond, Apple Blossom.
Hemerocallis (Daylilies)
Herniaria (Rupturewort)
Heuchera (Coral Bells, Alumroot)
Splendens – old-fashioned style of Coral Bells. 12″-18″
Bressingham Bronze – beet-red maple-shaped leaves, which hold their color in sun or part shade. Small creamy-white flowers.
Fire Chief – leaves are wine-red. As the leaves mature, they develop maroon markings. Small bicolor white and pink flowers. 12″-18″
Lime Rickey – Leaves chartreuse in spring, turning lemon-lime in summer. Tall spikes of ivory flowers. 12″-18″
Mahogany – leaves begin deep purple in spring, aging to mahogany red during summer. Small ivory bell flowers. 8″-14″
Obsidian – smooth jet-black leaves. Creamy white flowers. 12″-24″
Purple Palace Ivy shaped leaves. Mahogany-red leaves fade to bronze-green in heat. White flowers in spring. 12″-18″.
More varieties (100+) Paris, Dark Secret, Tara, Paprika, Velvet Night, Geisha’s Fan, City lights, Midnight Rose, Harvest Burgundy, Georgia Peach, Marvelous Marble, Volcano, Vienna, Tiramisu, Tara, Swirling Fantasy, Sweet Tart, Sugar Plum, Sugar Berry, Root Beer, Ring of Fire, Miracle, Mint Frost, Hercules, Hollywood, Kassandra, TOO MANY TO LIST.
Hibiscus (Rose Mallow)
Luna – compact variety with huge blossoms, Red, White or rose. 2′-3′
Southern Bell – Large blossoms, 12″ diameter. Red, white or pink.
Lord Baltimore – has huge brilliant red blossoms. 3′-4′
Blue River II – snow-white petals, no contrasting central eye 2′-3′
Hosta (Plaintain Lily)
Houttuynia (Chameleon Plant)
Hypericum (St John’s Wort)
Iberis (Candytuft)
Purity –good-sized white flowers for several weeks. 6″-8″
Tahoe – early-flowering selection, clusters of small white flowers. 8″
Snowflake – Pure white flowers late-spring to early-summer. 10″
Incarvillea (Gloxinia)
Iris (Flags)
Bearded Iris (Germanica)
Dwarf Iris (Pumila)
Japanese Iris (Kaempferi)
Siberian Iris (Sibirica)
Kniphofia (Poker Plant, Red-hot-poker)
Fire Dance – large scarlet and yellow flower spikes. 18″-24″
Flamenco – Large bottle brush heads; yellow, orange and flame red. 2′-3′.
Shining Scepter – spikes of flowers in a beautiful golden-orange shades. 24″-36″
More Varieties (14+): Echo Rojo, Samuel’s Sensation, Royal Castle, Fire Glow, Creamsicle, Cobra, Bressingham Comet.
Lamium (Spotted Deadnettle)
Beacon Silver – Silver-white leaves with green margins. Pink flowers in May. 12″-24″
Aureum Yellow – gold leaf with a white center. Lavender pink flowers. Grows 6″ tall. Spreads slowly.
Purple Dragon – small silver leaves with a wide green edge. Clusters of deep magenta-purple flowers
White Nancy – Clusters of pure white flowers. 12″-24″
Lemon Frost – lemon-lime leaves with a central silver stripe. Clusters of deep lavender-pink flowers 6″-8″
Pink Pewter – Clusters of soft salmon-pink flowers. 12″-24″
Red Nancy – Clusters of purplish-pink flowers. 12″-24″
Ghost – silver leaves with clusters of deep magenta-purple flowers that appear in spring, then continue on and off until fall. 10″
Golden Nuggets – Beautiful combination of yellow-green foliage with silvery white stripes. Pink flowers add further appeal.
Lathyrus (Perennial Sweet Pea)
Lavandula (Lavender)
Munstead English Lavender – Grey-green foliage and bright lavender-blue flowers. Grows 15″-18″ tall.
Hidcote English lavender- Compact selection has gray-green foliage and dark violet-purple flowers 12″-24″
Grosso French lavender – The most fragrant of all the lavender. Most hardy French lavender. 12″-24″
Other Varieties – not hardy but great as an annual flower: Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender ‘Otto Quast’, ‘Strawberry Ruffles’), Lavandula dentata (French Lavender, ‘Goodwin Creek Grey’), Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender ‘Coconut Ice’)
Leontopodium (Edelweiss)
Liatris (Gayfeather)
Kobold – Rose-lavender flowers in July-August. 18″-24″
Ligularia (Ragwort, Elephant Ears)
Desdemona – Bronzy green leaves on upper side and purple underneath. Orange daisy-like flowers in July-August. 3′-4′.
Othello – dark-green leaves with a purple backside. Clusters of bright golden orange daisy flowers. 3′-4′
The Rocket – jagged-edged green leaves. Purplish black stems rise above in summer, bearing long spikes of bright-yellow daisy flowers. 4′-6′
More varieties: (15+) Dragon Wings, Little Rocket, Bottle Rocket, Sungold, Little Lantern, Dragon’s Breath, Osiris Fantasia.
Lilium (Lily)
Tiger Lily – Orange, yellow or red flowers with black spots. Grows 3′-4′ tall. Old-time favorite.
Hybrid Lily – Wide array of colors from white, yellow, orange, red and shades of pink. Very easy to grow. Good cut flower.
Asiatic Lily – easy, dependable perennials that put on a great show in the early summer border. 2′-3′
Limonium (Statice, Sea Lavender)
Linum (Flax)
Yellow – Big 1″ flowers in summer. Doesn’t bloom as well as blue variety.
Alpine Blue – soft-blue flowers. Blooming period can last 12 weeks. Grows 8″-12″.
Blue Sapphire – Compact selection forms a bushy mound of small, ferny green leaves. Small sky-blue flowers. 10″-12″
Lobelia (Cardinal Flower)
Lunaria (Money Plant, Honesty Plant)
Lupinus (Lupine)
Russell Hybrids – Produces flowers in nearly every shade of the rainbow, including white, pink, yellow, red and deep blue. 2′-3′.
Gnome – Dwarf plant. Bi-colored and solid blue, red, pink, and white flowers. 18″-24″
Popsicle Mix – This mid-sized mixture produces flowers in nearly every shade of the rainbow, including pink, yellow, red, blue and purple as well as lovely bicolors.
Lychnis (Catchfly, Maltese Cross)
Alpina – Arctic Campion – low, tufted mound of narrow, grassy leaves. Clusters of tiny, bright-pink flowers in late spring. Short-lived, but may re-seed.
Arkwrighti – Orange-red flowers mid summer. Grows 18″ tall.
Rose Campion – fuzzy silver leaves. Double, blood-red flowers for most of the summer.
Chalcedonia Maltese cross- Scarlet-orange flowers in June-July. 3′-4′
Lysimachia (Creeping Jenny)
Aurea – Bright yellow leaves with yellow flowers mid-summer.
Monarda (Bee Balm, Bergamot)
Grand Parade – shaggy lavender-purple flowers Prairie Night – deep mauve to rosy-purple flowers 3′-4′ Pink Supreme – magenta-pink flowers. The foliage is fragrant 18″-24″ Petite Wonder – Flowers are soft pink. Fragrant gray-green foliage. 12″
Myosotis (Forget-me-not)
Oenothera (Evening Primrose)
Missouriensis – Large yellow, fragrant flowers. Blossom lasts from evening to the end of the next day. Grows 6″-12″ tall.
Speciosa – Fragrant white flowers turn rose-pink with age. Plants are short-lived but reseed well. Grows 12″-24″ tall.
Sundrops – Plants form a bushy, upright mound of bright green leaves, with satiny golden-yellow flowers that somewhat resemble poppies. 18″-24″
Cold Crick – makes a well-behaved clump that won’t take over the border. Flowers are bright golden-yellow, over a mound of green leaves. 10″-12″
Pachysandra (Japanese Spurge)
Paeonia (Peony)
Tree Peony
Itoh peonies
Papaver Burseri (Alpine Poppy)
Papaver Nadicaule (Iceland Poppy)
Papaver Orientale (Oriental Poppy)
Allegro – scarlet-orange blooms, with a black center. 18″-24″
Beauty of Livermere – deep oxblood red flowers. 30″-36″
Brilliant – scarlet-red blooms, with a black center. 2′-3′
Queen Alexander Pink
More Varieties (25+): Blackberry Queen, Candyfloss, King Kong, Harvest moon, Storm Torch, Scarlet O’Hara, Royal Wedding, Prince of Orange, Pink Ruffles, Patty’s Plum, Dancing Girl.
Penstemon (Beard-tongue)
Elfin Pink – Tubular pink flowers in June-July. Drought tolerant, 12″-18″
Husker Red –Red spring foliage, turns green in summer. Whitepink flowers. 30″-36″. Needs average moisture.
Pinifolius – Small pine needle-like leaves. Orange scarlet flowers. Grows 8″-10″ tall. Drought tolerant.
Prairie Dusk – Rose to purple flowers in June-July. Drought tolerant. 20″-24″
Fire Cracker – Bright scarlet flowers. Drought Tolerant 12″-36″
More Varieties (20+) Mexicali red, Red Riding Hood, Purple Riding Hood, Pink Riding Hood, Blue Riding Hood, Prairie Twilight.
Phlox Paniculata (Garden Phlox)
Blue Boy- Almost a true blue color. 30″-36″
Bright Eyes – Clear pink flower with red eye. 24″-30″
Fairy’s Petticoat – Light pink flower and dark pink eye.
Coral Flame – fragrant flowers are vibrant coral-red, 20″
Fairest One – Light pink flowers, Grows 24″ tall.
Orange Perfection – Bright salmon-orange flowers. 30″-36″
White Eye Flame – snow white blossoms with a rich red eye. 20″
Sandra – Scarlet flower. Grows 24″ tall.
Starfire – Sweetly fragrant, Very bright red. 30″-36″
More Varieties (50+) Pink Flame, Lilac Flame, Wendy, Watermelon Punch, Tequila Sunrise, Purple Kiss, Sherbet Cocktail, Peppermint Twist, Neon Flare, Juliet, Harlequin, Purple Kiss.
Phlox Subulata (Creeping Phlox)
Candy Stripe – rose-pink flowers, each petal striped with white.
Coral Eye– baby-pink flowers, each with a dark coral-red eye
Emerald Pink – hot-pink flowers and has a medium-fast growth rate
Emerald Blue – lavender-blue flowers
Scarlet Flame – scarlet-red flowers, each with a tiny darker eye
Red Wings – starry crimson-red flowers, each with a tiny dark eye
Physalis (Chinese Lantern)
Physostegia (Obedient Plant)
Pink Bouquet – Rose pink flowers in August – September. Grows 3′ tall. Flowers resemble snapdragons. 30″-40″
Summer Snow – Pure white flowers in August – September. 24″-30″
Variegata – light green leaves, splashed with creamy-white. Spikes of soft lavender-pink flowers. 24″-36″
Platycodon (Balloon Flower)
Dwarf Blue- Large blue flowers. Grows 20″ tall.
Pink – Light pink flowers. Color holds better in partial shade. 24″-30″
White – Pure white flowers. 18″-24″
Polemonium (Jacob’s Ladder)
Brise D’Anjou – variegated green and creamy-white leaves. Violet-blue flowers
Snow & Sapphires – ferny dark-green foliage, each leaflet edged in creamy-white. 24″-30″
Heavenly Habit – Low, bushy mound of ferny green leaves, bearing loads of violet-blue, starry flowers, each with a white eye.
Potentilla (Cinquefoil)
Miss Willmott – Strawberry-like leaves; Strawberry-red flowers. Plants and flowers resemble strawberry plants. 12″-18″
Verna – Low growing plant with yellow flowers. Will bloom occasionally all summer in cool area.
Verna Nana – Dwarf form of verna. Doesn’t spread as much, stays in a clump. 2″-4″
Monarch’s Velvet – clump of strawberry-like leaves, upright stems of rich, raspberry-red flowers with a black center. 12″-18″
Primula (Primrose)
Double Primroses – They are easy to grow, and put on a tremendous show in the spring garden, their double rose-like flowers are available in blue, yellow, white, pink, rose and red.
Candelabra Primrose – Colorful display of flowers arranged in tiers or layers on tall, upright stems. 16″-30″
Ranunculus (Buttercup)
Double Creeping Buttercup – Plants form a thick mat of shiny, bright green ferny leaves. Small double bright-yellow buttercups beginning in late spring. Stems creep along the ground and root in where they touch.
Rudbeckia (Gloriosa Daisy, Black-eyed Susan)
Cherry Brandy – large daisy heads with cherry-red petals surrounding a black eye. 20″-24″
Goldsturm – brown-eyed, golden-orange daisy flowers. 24″-30″
Cherokee Sunset – coppery-bronze daisy flowers with Indian red overtones, dark brown eyes and yellow tips. 18″-24″
Denver Daisy – large golden-yellow daisies, the black cone surrounded by a big mahogany-red eye. 18″-20″
Indian Summer – very large golden-orange black-eyed daisy flowers
More Varieties (25+) Little Henry, Henry Eilers, Rustic Colors, Sonora, Irish Eyes, Goldilocks, City Garden, Autumn Sun.
Sagina (Moss)
IRISH MOSS – Grows one to two inches tall. Needs adequate moisture and good soil. Likes cool sunny areas or semi-shady areas. Although this plant looks like moss, it is not a true moss and will not grow in soggy areas. It has dark green foliage. Small white flowers. Good for rock gardens and planting between stepping stones or pavers. Somewhat temperamental; tends to brown or die out occasionally.
SCOTCH MOSS – An extremely popular groundcover plant, this forms a very low moss-like carpet of bright neon-yellow foliage. Tiny little white flowers begin to appear in late spring. Excellent for filling in between the cracks of flagstone paving. Likes cool, sunny areas or partial shade. Dislikes both drought and soggy wet soils. Sometimes melts out and becomes unattractive in mid summer. Not a good choice for full shade.
Salvia (Meadow Sage, Blue Sage)
Blue Queen – Large spires of violet-purple flowers in June-July. 18″-24″.
East Friesland – Violet-purple flowers in June-July. 16″-18″
May Night – Deep purple flowers in June-July. 18″-24″
Tri Color Sage – Showy purplish, green and white leaves. Violet- blue flowers. Leaves have sage fragrance.12″-18″
More Varieties (30+) Indigo, Sensation Rose, New Dimension, Lubecca, Blue Queen, Pink Delight, Eveline.
Santolina (Lavender Cotton)
Green – Green aromatic foliage. Good for a small hedge. Trim up to 18″ tall. Small, ball-shaped yellow flowers.
Saponaria (Rock Soapwort)
Snow Tip – Plants form a low mound of bright-green leaves, literally smothered by starry white flowers in late spring
Bressingham – grassy green leaves, studded with large rose-pink flowers in late spring. 2″-4″
Saxifraga
Varieties (20+): rosea, neon rose, white mossy, Scarlet mossy, Cloth of Gold, Peter Pan, Purple Robe, Whitehill, Appleblossom
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
Caucasica – The old-fashioned Pincushion Flower. Upright stems of large lacy blossoms in shades of blue, lavender, lilac and white.
Pink Mist – Large soft-pink pincushion flowers begin to appear in early summer and continue blooming non-stop into late fall.
Butterfly Blue – Soft lavender-blue flowers begin to appear in early summer and continue blooming non-stop into late fall. 12″-18″
Sedum
Autumn Joy (Spectabile) Large bronze flower clusters in August- September. Leaves die to the ground each winter. 15″-18″
Black Beauty – deep bronze to black foliage – the darkest-leaved Sedum available. Masses of reddish-pink flower heads. 18″-20″
Purple Emperor – deep purple, almost black leaves. Small salmon pink flowers. 15″-18″
Strawberries & Cream – purple-tinted green leaves on red stems. Pink buds open to green-centered white flowers. 12″-15″
Blue Spruce Sedum (Reflexum) Small blue-gray leaves that resemble a spruce needle. 4″-6″
Brilliant (Spectabile) Large rose-pink flower clusters in August- September. Leaves die to the ground each winter. 15″-18″
Dragon’s Blood (Spurium) Low growing groundcover. Leaves are red in sun, greenish in the shade. Red flowers in June-July. Remove flowers after blooming to maintain appearance. 3″-4″
Old Maid’s Curl (Globosum) Small globular, puffed leaves. Not as hardy as other sedums. 3″-4″
Stonecrop (Brevifolium) Fast growing. White summer flowers. Trim hard after blooming. 3″-4″
Tricolor (Spurium) Low growing groundcover. Red and white leaves with small pink flowers in June. 4″-6″
Utah (Acre) Low growing groundcover. Small green leaves with yellow flowers in June-July. Remove blossoms to keep nice appearance. 2″-4″
Variegated Sedum (Kamtschaticum) Small pale green leaves tinged with white and pink. 4″-5″.
Angelina – Grows three to six inches tall. Brilliant chartreuse-yellow, needle-like foliage. 4″-5″
Sempervivum (Hen & Chicks)
Varieties: Cobweb, Candy Floss, Bediver, Wendy, Grey Lady, Icicle, Red Heart, Red Beauty, Limelight, Forest Frost, Minus, Sioux, Smaragd, Royal Ruby, Red Heart, Just to name a few.
Solidago (Goldenrod)
Stachys (Lamb’s Ear)
Stokesia (Stoke’s Aster)
Peachie’s Pick – lavender-blue, stokesia- type flowers but they bloom longer and a bit later in the season. 16″-18″
Colorwheel – large, shaggy flowers that open white and then age to deep mauve purple. 10″-12″
Blue Danube – Deep lavender-blue daisy-like flowers. Flowers are 3″-4″ across. Blooms from July to frost. 12″-18″
Teucrium (Germander)
Lemon & Lime – chartreuse-yellow leaves, each striped or streaked with green in the middle. Small spikes of frothy lavender-mauve flowers. 24″-30″
Summer Sunshine – bright yellow leaves in spring, fading to chartreuse in summer when short spikes of pink flowers appear.
Thymus (Thyme) Thymus (Thyme) Low growing aromatic herbs. Good in rock gardens, or groundcovers. Like sunny areas but will tolerate partial shade. Deer Resistant. 20+ varieties.
Elfin – Foliage is gray-green, smothered by soft-pink flowers in early summer. A slower growing form. 1″-2″
Lemon – Lemon fragrance on leaves. Light green leaves. Pink flowers. 12″
Gold Edge – lemon-scented green leaves, variegated with golden- yellow. Clusters of lilac-pink flowers. 10″-12″
Mother of Thyme – Grows four to six inches tall. Small purplish flowers in June. Grows well between stepping stones, brick pavers, or where a filler is needed. Tolerates light foot traffic. Small, dark-green leaves, very fragrant when crushed. Likes full sun.
Pink Creeping Thyme – Flowers are dark pink or red. It tolerates foot traffic, excellent for planting between stones in terrace or walk. Leaves are very fragrant when crushed, often used as potpourri. Leaves turn bronze in the fall. Grows two to four inches tall. Likes full sun. Water often. 1″-2″
Woolly thyme – Grows two inches tall. Small grayish leaves. Small pinkish flowers in summer. Use in rock crevices, between stones in walks, or where an attractive ground cover is desired. Tolerates heat well. 2″-3″
Tiarella (Foamflower)
Varieties (25+) Candy Striper, Sugar and Spice, Pirate’s Patch, Crow Feather, Oakleaf, Inkblot, Spanish Cross, Ninja, Dark Eyes, Neon Lights,
Tradescantia (Spiderwort)
Red Cloud – Rosy-red flowers. 15″-18″
Blue and Gold – chartreuse-yellow grassy foliage. Rich gentian-blue triangular flowers 18″-24″
Sunshine Charm – bright golden-yellow to chartreuse leaves Lovely mauve-purple triangular flowers
Zwanenburg Violet-purple flowers. 20″-24″
More Varieties (20+) Red grape, Purple Profusion, True Blue, Hawaiian Punch, Concord Grape, Osprey, Pink Chablis
Tricyrtis (Japanese Toad Lily)
Trollius (Globeflower)
Veronica (Speedwell)
Crater Lake – Gentian-Blue flowers from June-July. 12″-15″
Heavenly Blue – Light blue flowers. Evergreen foliage. Blooms May-June.
Red Fox (Spicata) – Long flowering reddish-pink variety from July-August.12″-15″
Royal Blue – Blue flowers June-July. Grows 12″ tall.
Icicle – White flowers. 18″ -20″
Repens – Low growing, 4″-6″ tall. Bluish spring flowers.
Sunshine – Soft carpet of moss-like, golden foliage. Showy blue flower spikes. 1″-2″
Sunny Border Blue – clump of crinkled, dark-green leaves, bearing spikes of deep violet-blue. 12″-18″
More Varieties (50+) First Love, Hocus Pocus, Christy, Atomic Pink, Shirley Blue, Crystal River, Erica, Royal Candles.
Vinca Major (Periwinkle, Tall Myrtle)
Variegated Vinca Major – Similar to vinca major but dark-green leaves have a white margin. Does not like full sun. Grows 18 to 24 inches tall. Not as hardy as common vinca. Needs winter protection. Needs plenty of moisture, even in the winter.
Vinca Minor (Dwarf Myrtle)
‘Bowles’ – blooms sporadically throughout the growing season.
‘Variegated vinca’ – creamy white-and-green leaves.
Viola (Violets)
Freckles – Pale blue flowers with tiny purple dots. 6″-12″
Royal Robe – Dark violet-blue flowers on long stems.
White Czar – Large white flowers.
Zauschneria (Orange Carpet)
This is not a complete listing of perennial flowers by any means. New species and varieties are being introduced every year. This is just a sampling of the myriad of perennials flowers available.
More Resources:
http://www.gardeners.com/Growing-Perennials/5073,default,pg.html
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/ho-061.pdf
http://www.perennials.com/index.html
http://www.skagitgardens.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.featured/
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/color.pdf
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/perennials/specific.cfm?NodeID=3883
http://bloomingnursery.com/scripts/pfDetailInfo2.asp?id=4236#
Perennial Flower Cross Reference of Common Names
Acconitum – Wolf Bane – Monkshood
Anacyclus – Mt Atlas Daisy
Baby’s Breath – Gypsophila
Balloon Flower – Platycodon
Basket-of-gold – Aurinia
Bee Balm – Monarda
Bishop’s Weed – Aegopodium
Blanketflower – Gaillardia
Bluebells of Scotland – Campanula
Blue Star Creeper – Isotoma
Buttercup – Ranunculus
Cabbage Plant – Bergenia
Canterbury Bells – Campanula
Carnation – Dianthus
Catmint – Nepeta
Chinese Lantern – Physalis
Cinquefoil – Potentilla
Coneflower – Echinacea
Cranesbill – Geranium
Christmas Rose – Helleborus
Cupid’s Dart – Catanache
Daylily – Hemerocallis
English Daisy – Bellis
Evening Primrose – Oenothera
False Spirea – Astilbe
Flag – Iris
Fleabane – Erigeron
Foamy Bells – Heucherella
Foxglove – Digitalis
Germander – Teucrium
Globe Thistle – Echinops
Gloxinia (hardy) – Incarvillea
Golden Marguerite – Anthemis
Hen & Chicks – Sempervivum
Heleborus – Lenten Rose Christmas Rose
Honesty Plant – Lunaria
Irish Moss – Sagina
Japanese Anemone – Windflower
Lady’s Mantle – Alchemilla
Lamb’s Ear – Stachys
Lavender Cotton – Santolina
Leopard’s Bane – Doronicum
Lily-of-the-valley – Convallaria
Lungwort – Pulmonaria
Maltese Cross – Lychnis
Marguerite – Anthemis
Meadow Sage – Salvia
Money Plant – Lunaria
Myrtle – Vinca
Obedient Plant – Physostegia
Pasque Flower – Pulsatilla
Pinks – Dianthus
Plumbago – Ceratostigma
Poppy – Papaver
Purple Coneflower – Echinacea
Purple Rock Cress – Aubretia
Ragwort – Ligularia
Red-hot-poker – Kniphofia
Rock Soapwort – Saponaria
Rose Mallow – Hibiscus
Russian Sage – Perovskia
Sage – Salvia
Scotch Moss – Sagina
Sea Pink – Armeria
Shasta Daisy – Chrysanthemum
Silver Mound – Artemisia
Snow-in-summer – Cerastrium
Soapwort – Saponaria
Spiderwort – Tradescantia
Spurge – Euphorbia, Pachysandra
Statice – Limonium
Sundaisy – Ostespernum
Sunrose – Helianthemum
Sweet William – Dianthus
Thin-leaved Sunflower- Helianthus
Tickseed – Coreopsis
Turtle’s Head – Chelone
Violet – Viola
Windflower – Anenome
Yarrow – Achillea
Agastache – Hyssop
Avens – Geum
Bachelor’s Button – Centaurea
Baptisia – False Indigo
Beardtongue – Penstemon
Bellflower – Campanula
Black-eyed Susan – Rudbeckia
Bleeding Heart – Dicentra
Bluebonnet – Lupine
Bugleweed – Ajuga
Butterfly Flower – Asclepias
Candytuft – Iberis
Cardinal Flower – Lobelia
Catchfly – Lychnis or Silene
Chameleon Plant – Houttuynia
Cimicifuga- Bugbane
Columbine – Aquilegia
Coral Bells – Heuchera
Creeping Jenny – Lysimachia
Cup and Saucer – Campanula
Cushion Mums – Chrysanthemum
Edelweiss – Leontopodium
European Pasqueflower – Anenome
False Indigo – Baptista
False Sunflower – Heliopsis
Flax – Linum
Foamflower – Tiarella
Forget-me-not- Brunnera or Myosotis
Gayfeather – Liatris
Globe Flower – Trollius
Gloriosa Daisy – Rudbeckia
Goats Beard – Aruncus
Goldenrod – Solidago
Heliopsis – False-Perennial Sunflower
Hollyhock – Alcea
Ice Plant – Delosperma
Jacob’s Ladder – Polemonium
Japanese Spurge – Pachysandra
Japanese Toad Lily – Tricyrtis
Larkspur – Delphinium
Lavender – Lavandula
Lily – Lilium
Lucifer Flower – Crocosmia
Lupine – Lupinus
Maiden Pinks – Dianthus
Matt Daisy – Anacyclus
Michaelmas Daisy – Aster
Monkshood – Acontium
Mukdenia – Crimson Fans
Painted Daisy – Tanacetum
Peony – Paeonia
Pincushion Flower – Scabiosa
Plaintain Lily – Hosta
Poker Plant – Kniphofia
Primrose – Primula
Purple Loosestrife – Lythrum
Pussy-toes – Antennaria
Red Valerian – Centranthus
Rock Cress – Arabis
Rose Campion – Lychnis
Rupturewort – Herniaria
Sandwort – Arenaria
Sea Lavender – Limonium – Statice
Self Heal – Prunella
Silene – Catchfly
Sneezeweed – Helenium
Snow on the mountain – Aegopodium
Speedwell – Veronica
Spotted Deadnettle – Lamium
St John’s Wort – Hypericum
Stoke’s Aster – Stokesia
Sunflower – Heliopsis
Sweet Pea – Lathyrus
Sweet Woodruff – Galium
Thyme – Thymus
Toad Lily – Tricyrtis
Tritoma – Kniphofia
Wallflower – Cheiranthus – Erysium
Winecups – Callirhoe
March Blooming Perennials
Winter Aconite–Eranthis hyemalis
Snowdrops–Galanthus nivalis
Christmas Rose–Helleborus niger
Lenten Rose–Helleborus orientalis
Crocus
April Blooming Perennials
Bugleweed–Ajuga
Basket of Gold–Aurinia
Pasque Flower–Pulsatilla
Rock Cress–Arabis
Purple Rockcress–Aubretia
Chionodoxa luciliae
Primrose
Saxifraga
Viola
Old-fashioned Bleeding Heart–Dicentra spectabilis
Fringed bleeding Heart–Dicentra eximia
Candytuft–Iberis
Dwarf Iris–Iris reticulata
Grape Hyacinth– Muscari
Creeping Phlox–Phlox subulata
Scilla siberica
Early Tulips, Daffodils
Hyacinth
May Blooming Perennials
Late Tulips, Daffodils
Lady’s Mantle–Alchemilla mollis
Columbine–Aquilegia
Sea Pink–Armeria
Blue False Indigo–Baptisia
Brunnera
Forget-Me-Nots myosotis
Mountain Bluet–Centaurea
Snow-in-Summer–Cerastrium
Delphinium–Delphinium
Cottage Pink–Dianthus
Leopard’s Bane–Doronicum
Peony–
Penstemon
Oriental Poppy–Papaver
Wild Geranium–Geranium
Yarrow
June Blooming Perennials
Astilbe–Astilbe
Silver Mound –Artemisia
Carpathian Harebell–Campanula carpatica
Peach-Leaf Bellflower–Campanula persicifolia
Blanket Flower–Gaillardia
Coral Bells–Heuchera
Rock Soapwort–Saponaria
Pincushion Flower–Scabiosa
Shasta Daisy –
Lamium
Painted Daisy
Stokes Aster–Stokesia
Spiderwort–Tradescantia
Veronica–Veronica
Pale Purple Coneflower–Echinacea
Bellflower–Campanula
July Blooming Perennials
Yarrow–Achillea
Tickseed–Coreopsis
Purple Coneflower–Echinacea
Globe Thistle–Echinops
Sea Holly–Eryngium
Baby’s Breath–Gypsophila
Helen’s Flower, Helenium
Sunflower Heliopsis–Heliopsis
Hibiscus–Hibiscus moscheutos
Hosta, Plantain Lily–Hosta
Blazing Star–Liatris spicata
Sea Lavender–Limonium
Cardinal Flower–Lobelia
Lupine
Daylily – Hemerocallis
Bee Balm–Monarda
Russian Sage–Perovskia
Garden Phlox–Phlox paniculata
Obedient Plant – Physostegia
Butterfly Weed–Asclepias
Pink Turtlehead–Chelone
Balloonflower–Platycodon
Perennial Salvia–Salvia
August Blooming Perennials
Monkshood–Acontium
Hibiscus–Hibiscus moscheutos
Aster–Aster
Plumbago – Ceratostigma
Early Garden Mums
Red Hot Poker–Kniphofia
Black-Eyed Susan–Rudbeckia
Showy Sedum– Stonecrop
Grasses
September-October Blooming Perennials
Monkshood–Acontium
Aster–Hardy Fall Aster
Coreopsis–Coreopsis
Plumbago – Ceratostigma
Purple Coneflower–Echinacea
Globe Thistle–Echinops
Blanket Flower–Gaillardia
Helenium- Sneezeweed
Phlox–Phlox
Balloon Flower–Platycodon
Black-Eyed Susan–Rudbeckia
Sedum–Stonecrop
Garden Mums- Chrysanthemum
Solidago- Goldenrod
Tricyrtis- Toad Lily
Fall Crocus – Sativus
Colchicum – Fall Crocus
Japanese Anemone – Windflower
Cut Flower Garden
Achillea – Yarrow
Alcea – Hollyhock
Anenome – European Pasqueflower
Anthemis – Golden Marguerite
Acontium – Monkshood
Alchemilla – Lady’s Mantle
Anenome – European Pasqueflower
Anthemis – Golden Marguerite
Aruncus – Goatsbeard
Aster – Michaelmas Daisy
Campanula – Bluebells-of-Scotland, Bellflower, Cup and Saucer
Centaurea – Bachelor’s Button
Centranthus – Red Valerian
Cheiranthus – Wallflower
Chrysanthemum – Cushion Mums,
Painted Daisy – Tanacetum coccineum
Convallaria – Lily of the Valley
Coreopsis – Tickseed
Cortaderia – Pampas Grass
Dianthus – Carnation, Pinks, Sweet William
Dicentra – Bleeding Heart
Doronicum – Leopard’s Bane
Echinacea – Coneflower
Echinops – Globe Thistle
Erigeron – Fleabane
Foxglove – Digitalis
Gaillardia – Blanketflower
Geum – Avens
Gypsophila – Baby’s Breath
Heliopsis – False Sunflower
Hemerocallis – Daylily
Heuchera – Coral Bells
Iris – Flag
Acontium – Monkshood
Alchemilla – Lady’s Mantle
Anenome – Windflower
Aquilegia – Columbine
Alcea – Hollyhock
Allium – Ornamental Onion
Anenome – Windflower
Aquilegia – Columbine
Asclepias – Butterfly Flower
Astilbe – False Spirea
Bergenia – Cabbage Plant
Baptisia – False Indigo
Larkspur – Delphinium
Lavandula – Lavender
Leucanthemum – Shasta Daixy
Liatris – Gayfeather
Ligularia – Ragwort
Lilium – Orieental and Asiatic Lily
Limonium – Statice
Lunaria – Honesty Plant
Lupinus – Lupine
Lychnis – Maltese Cross, Catchfly
Monarda – Bee Balm
Nepeta – Catmint
Paeonia – Peony
Physalis – Chinese Lantern
Physostegia – Obedient Plant
Polemonium – Jacob’s Ladder
Rudbeckia – Gloriosa Daisy
Scabiosa – Pincushion Flower
Solidago – Goldenrod
Stokesia – Stoke’s Aster
Tritoma – Red Hot Poker
Trollius – Globe Flower
Veronica – Speedwell
Viola – Violets
Perennials for Shade
Aegopodium – Bishop’s Weed
Ajuga – Bugleweed
Alchemilla – Lady’s Mantle
Anemone – Windflower
Aquilegia – Columbine
Arenaria – Sandwort
Asarum – Wild Ginger
Astilbe – False Spirea
Bergenia – Cabbage Plant
Brunnera – Perennial Forget-me-not
Campanula – Bellflower
Chelone – Turtlehead
Convallaria – Lily-of-the-valley
Dicentra – Bleeding Heart
Ferns – all varieties
Galium – Sweet Woodruff
Geranium – Cranesbill
Helleborus – Christmas Rose
Hemerocallis – Daylilies
Heuchera – Coral Bells
Hosta – Plantain Lily
Houttuynia – Chameleon Plant
Hypericum – St. John’s Wort
Incarvillea – Gloxinia
Lamium – Spotted Deadnettle
Ligularia – Ragwort
Monarda – Bee Balm
Myosotis – Forget-me-not
Pachysandra – Japanese Spurge
Polemonium – Jacob’s Ladder
Polygonum – Solomon’s Seal
Primula – Primrose
Pulmonaria – Lungwort
Ranunculus – Buttercup
Tiarella – Foamflower
Trollius – Globeflower
Vinca – Myrtle
Viola – Violets
Perennials for Hot & Dry
Achillea – Yarrow
Antennaria – Pussy Toes
Anthemis – Golden Marguerite
Arabis – Rock Cress
Armeria – Sea Pink
Artemisia – Silver Brocade, Silver
Mound
Asclepias – Butterfly Weed
Aurinia – Basket-of-gold
Cerastrium – Snow-in-summer
Chrysanthemum
Coreopsis – Tickseed
Echinacea – Coneflower
Echinops – Globe Thistle
Erigeron – Fleabane
Euphorbia – Spurge
Festuca – Blue Fescue
Gaillardia – Blanket Flower
Geranium – Cranesbill
Goldenrod – Solidago
Grasses – Most Varieties
Gypsophila – Baby’s Breath
Helianthemum – Sunrose
Lavender – Lavandula
Leontopodium – Edelweiss
Liatris – Gayfeather
Limonium – Statice
Linum – Flax
Lychnis – Catchfly
Penstemon – Beard-tongue
Phlox – All Varieties
Platycodon – Balloon Flower
Poker Plant – Kniphofia
Rudbeckia – Gloriosa Daisy
Russian Sage – Perovskia
Salvia – Sage
Santolina – Lavender Cotton
Saponaria – Rock Soapwort
Sedum – All Varieties
Sempervivum – Hen & Chicks
Shasta Daisy – Leucanthemum
Stachys – Lamb’s Ear
Thymus – Woolly Thyme
Tradescantia – Spiderwort
Perennial Flower Blooming Chart
Rock Garden Perennials
Achillea, Ajuga, Anaclycus, Antennaria, Aquilegia, Arabis, Arenaria, Armeria, Artemisia, Aubretia, Aurinia, Campanula, Cerastrium, Dwarf Chrysanthemum, Corydalis, Coreopsis, Delosperma, Dianthus, Erigeron, Erodium, Gailardia, Geranium sanguineum, Gypsophila repens, Helianthemum, Heuchera, Hypericum, Iberis, Lavandula, Dwarf Leucanthemum. Lewisia, Lithodora, Penstemon, Phlox subulata, Alpine Poppy, Potentilla verna, Primrose, Rudbeckia, Sagina, Salvia, Saponaria, Saxifraga, Sedum, Sempervivum, Thymus, Veronica, Viola