Acanthus Acanthus 2-3 ft 3 ft P White/Pink 2/4/6 Summer Disease resistantShade 45-75Average Tubular flowers on spikes over shiny leaves. Needs shade or sun in cool climates. An attractive plant but be warned, when Acunthus takes hold, it is difficult to eradicate. Grown from cuttings or seed. Achillea Achillea 2-3 ft 1-3 ft P Whi/Yel/Red All Sum-Aut Disease resistantFull sun 40-90Poor Broad, flat heads in loose clusters. Eye-catching. A very hardy plant that will withstand drought and heat. Sow seeds in spring and divide plants in the fall for growth the following season. Makes ideal cut flowers. Aconite Aconitum 2-8 ft 1-2 ft P Blue/Violet All Aut/WintDisease resistantPart shade 40-80EnrichedLong spikes of flowers like the delphinium. Sow seeds in spring for new plants and divide in the fall for the following season. May need staking. Good for late season blooms. Try: A.wilsonii, A.sparksii. Agapanthus Agapanthus 1-2 ft 1-2 ft P White/Blue All Summer Frost Sun/Shade 45-95Rich Also known as African Lily or Lily of the Nile. Blue or white funnel shaped flowers on long stems from evergreen leaves make this a very elegant plant. Give it plenty of water and fertilizer. Sow seeds in spring. Alchemilla Alchemilla 6-18 in 1-2 ft P Yellow leaf All Summer Disease resistantSun/Shade 40-90Drained Yellowish/Green/Gray leaves. Ideal for rock gdn. The leaves are this plant's greatest attraction. Rounded and plaited they are also useful for borders. The plants are easily grown, the cut flowers long lasting. Amsonia Amsonia 2-3 ft 1-2 ft P Light Blue All Spr-Aut Disease resistantShade 40-90Moist Also known as Bluestar. Small fowers arrive in late spring, forming on stems covered with glossy willow-like leaves. Amsonia seems to get even more attractive season after seas- on. Sometimes hard to find, but worth it. Anchusa Anchusa 1-6 ft 1-2 ft P Blue All Spr-Sum Disease resistantFull Sun 40-90Moist Small, blue flowers like Forget-me-not. An easy to grow plant which seeds itself, and this can sometimes be a nuisance. It likes sun and plenty of water. Take root cuttings. Try: A.Dropmore, A.Pride of Dover. Anemone Anemone 6in - 3ft1-2 ft P Whi/Pink/LavAll Fall Frost Shade 40-90Rich Single or double blooms over coarse foliage. Slow developing plants that mature over several years. Mulch well during winter in cold areas. Sow seeds in spring or propagate by division. Try: Queen Chalotte. Artemisia Artemisia 6in-5ft 1-2 ft P Gray-Green All Sum-Aut Disease resistantFull sun 40-90Light Grown mostly for its aromatic, attractive leaves. Artemisia, with small, insignificant flowers is excellent as a foil for other plants. Its glistening, silvery foliage complements the colors in the garden. Aruncus Aruncus 4-5 ft 2-3 ft P White All Summer Disease resistantSun/shade 40-90Moist Attractive foliage and tall, white flower plumes. Blooms in early summer and shows to best advantage at pool sides or near water. Divide in spring or early fall. Aster Aster 1-4 ft 1-3 ft P Blue/Pink/ReAll Fall Mildew, Rust Full sun 40-90Drained Also known as Michaelmas daisy. Tall, daisylike. Flowers profuse in the fall. Often grown alongside Chrysanthemums. Water frequently. Control foes with fungicide. Try: Little Blue Boy, Winston Churchill, Eventide. Astilbe Astilbe 18in-4ft 18in P Pink All Summer-ADrought Sun/Shade 40-90Rich Attractive plant with large plumes of flowers. Foliage copper colored. Fertilize often. Mulch soil with peat. Divide every 3 years, Try: Deutschland (White), Europa (Pink). Flowers are ideal for indoor decoration. Anthemis Anthemis 1-3 ft 1 ft P Yellow All Summer-ADisease resistantFull sun 40-95Light Also known as Chamomile. Daisylike flowers. Grows well in hot, arid areas. Divide often and remove dead blooms. Ideal for indoor decoration. Try: A.tinctoria (golden Margu- erite), Beauty of Grallagh (deep yellow). Balloonflower Platycodon 1-3 ft 1 ft P Whi/Blu/PinkAll Sum-Aut Disease resistantSun/shade 40-85Drained Flower spikes from balloon shaped buds. Blooms long lasting on plant and do well as cut fowers. Sow seeds in spring and divide roots the following spring to propagate. Try: Shell Pink and Double Blue. Baptisia Baptisia 3-4 ft 2-4 ft P Blue All Summer Disease resistantSun/shade 30-85Average Attractive deep blue flowers used in bouquets. These hardy plants are easy to grow and an attractive addition to the garden. Divide the roots in spring or start with seeds. Black seedpods used in dried flower displays Bergenia Berginia 12-18 in 18 in P Pink/White All Spring Disease resistantSun or Shade30-90Everage Attractive, eye-catching evergreen leaves. Bergenia must be one of the easiest and most trouble free plants to grow. It is valued for its attractive leaves. Not fussy about light, soil or temperature. Boltonia Boltonia 2-6 ft 2-3 ft P Pink All Summer Disease resistantFull sun 40-90Average Starlike flowers similar to those of the Aster. Often grown in 'wild flower' gardens, the Boltonia is not often seen in formal type gardens but will grow well from seeds planted in the spring. Brunnera Brunnera 1-2 ft 18 in P Blue All Spring Disease resistantShade 40-85Moist Starlike flowers over large, heartshaped leaves. These very attractive plants are often seen displayed in the company of spring crocus and daffodil. They grow slowly over seve- ral seasons and rarely need attention. Bugbane Cimicifuga 3-5 ft 18-24 in P White All Autumn Drought Shade 40-85Moist Tall spikes of flowers out of fernlike leaves. Bugbane grows well in the garden, with a tolerance for deep shade. Make sure there is plenty of compost or peat moss in the soil to retain moisture. (Wildflower garden) Campanula Campanula 2-3 ft 1-2 ft P Blue/Violet All Spr-Aut Disease resistantSun or shade40-90Average Also known as Bellflower. Also listed as dwarf. The tall varieties do well as a background plant while the dwarf variety can be used in the border. Sow seeds or take cuttings in the spring. Remove faded blooms. Cassia Cassia 3-4 ft 3-5 ft P Bright Yel. All Sum-Aut Disease free Full sun 40-90Drained Also known as Wild Senna. Shrublike. A very attractive plant with fernlike leaves and yellow flowers that bloom in late summer. Likes plenty of sun and a soil that is well drained. Can be hard to find. Catananche Catananche 2 ft 1 ft P Blue /White 2/4/6 Summer Waterlogged soil Full sun 45-90Average Small blue or white flowers on thin stems. Catananche, also known as Cupid's Dart, is ideal for taking cuttings that will dry for indoor decoration. Grow from seeds or cutt- ings. Must be divided frequently. Centaurea Centaurea 2-4 ft 1-2 ft P Pink/Yel/BluAll Sum-Aut Waterlogged soil Sunny 40-90Average Featherlike flowers on long stems. Centaurea withstands drought conditions very well but needs a soil that drains. It is easily grown and its habit of self-seed can be a nuisance. Try: 'John Coutts'. Centranthus Centranthus 2-3 ft 1-2 ft P Crimson/Whi All Summer Disease resistantFull sun 40-90Average Fragrant flowers in dense clusters. Bushy plant. Likes plenty of sun and average to rich soil. Sow seeds or divide previous season plant in the spring. Long blooming. Centranthus will multiply rapidly. Chelone Chelone 2-4 ft 2-4 ft P Whi-Pink All Spr-Aut Insect free Shade 40-85Rich Short flower spikes on straight stems. Also known as Turtlehead, Chelone is often found growing wild in moist woodlands. Grown in the garden, it spreads by undergr- ound runners. Good for 'Wildflower garden'. Chinese LanternPhysalis 1-3 ft 1-3 ft P Whi/Orange All Spr-Sum.Disease resistantSun/shade 45-85Average Also known as Japanese Lantern. Very colorful. Small white flowers with blown-up orange/ red calyx which is usually dried and used for winter decoration. Sow seeds or take cuttings in spring. Can be grown in pots. Clematis Clematis 2-4 ft 2-3 ft P Blu/White All Spr-Sum Disease resistantSun/shade 45-85Rich Long blooming border plant with fluffy seedpods. Not quite as popular as the Clematis vine, the plant is nevertheless extremely attrac- tive and well worth a place in your garden. Some varieties are fragrant. Keep soil moist Columbine Aquilegia 12-36 in 6-12 in P Blu/Red/PinkAll Summer Disease resistantSun/shade 40-90Moist Graceful 'fairies of the garden'. Many varieties One of my favorites. Easily grown from seeds and needs very little care. Pick off dead blooms to prevent self seeding. Watch out for leaf miners. (See insect section). Coneflower Echinacea 2-3 ft 1-2 ft P Whi/Red/PinkAll Sum-Aut Japanese beetle Full sun 40-90Sandy Daisylike flowers with cone shaped centers. Grow in well drained soil and providing plenty of sun. Sow seeds or divide plants in the spring. Flowers dry well for indoor decoration. Try: Bright Star, The King. Coralbells Heuchera 1-2 ft 1-2 ft P Whi/Pink/RedAll Spr-Aut Disease resistantSun/Shade 40-90Rich Small, bell-like flowers. Very attractive plant. Use well drained soil rich with humus. Sow seeds or divide in spring. Put crowns just below ground level. Pretty as cut flower. Try:'Chatterbox', 'Rosamundi','White Cloud' Coreopsis Coreopsis 1-3 ft 1-2 ft P Yellow All Spr-Aut Disease resistantFull sun 40-90Sandy Daisylike and very long blooming. AKA Tickseed. Coreopsis withstands drought very well. It prefers well drained soil and can be started from seeds in the spring. Try: Sunburst, Mayfield Giant, New Gold, Baby Sun. Daisy, Shasta Chrysanthemum 1-2 ft 1-2 ft P White All Sum-Aut Aphids, Mealybug Full Sun 40-90Rich Single and double flowers on long stems. Sow seeds or take cuttings in the spring. The daisy likes rich and moist soil but a waterlogged soil can kill it. Watch for bugs.Try: 'Alaska', 'Majestic', 'Esther Read'. Day lily Hemerocallis 1-4 ft 2-4 ft P Multi All Spr-Aut Disease resistantSun/shade 40-90Rich Sometimes fragrant, Single funnel shaped flowers. Different varieties, (dozens), bloom at different times of the season. Know this when you purchase. Likes rich, mulched soil. Sow seeds or divide in late spring. Delphinium Delphinium 2-6 ft 1-3 ft P Blu/Whi/Lav All Spr-Sum Mites, mildew Sun 40-85Rich Beautiful, tall spikes of loosely spaced flowers. Likes rich, moist soil slightly alkaline. Some varieties will need staking. Spray to control mites, mildew and black spot. Try: 'Connecticut Yankee', 'Langdon'. Dicentra Dicentra 1-3 ft 1 ft P Pink/Red All Spr-Sum Disease resistantSun/Shade 40-90Rich Pendulous, heart-shaped flowers on arching stems Dicentra likes rich, humus mulched soil. When the plant dies off in winter, take care not to disturb the area where the roots remain. Try: 'Sweetheart'. Foamflower Tiarella 6-12 in 12 in P White All Spr-Sum Alkaline soil Shade 40-85Acid Spikes of small flowers with heart shaped leaves Grow in moist, slightly acid soil. This plant makes a nice addition to a rockery or it can be used to space out other perennials in borders. Galega Galega 3 ft 1-2 ft P Whi/Blu/PinkAll Summer Disease resistantFull sun 40-90Moist Short spikes of flowers out of graceful leaves. Very vigorous plant that requires very little attention. It will do well in any soil but prefers soil that is rich and moist. Gas plant Dictamnus 2-3 ft 2-3 ft P White/Pink All Summer Disease resistantSun/shade 40-85Rich Good looking plant with white or pink spikes. Also known as Burning Bush. A long lived plant. Sow seeds where the plant is to grow. Leaves and pods can cause dermatitis. Gazania Gazania 6-18 in 1 ft P Whi/Yel/Red All Summer Disease resistantFull sun 40-90Sandy Daisylike flowers with eyecatching colors. Grow as an annual in Zones 1/3/5. Flowers close as the sun goes away. Sow seeds in spring or grow on from cuttings. Check growing height when purchasing. Geranium Geranium 1-3 ft 1-2 ft P Whi/Blu/PinkAll Summer Disease resistantFull sun 45-90Average Small flowered plants. Also known as Cranesbill. Will grow well in full sun or partial shade. Sow seeds in spring. Don't confuse this plant with the common geranium, Pelargonium. Try: 'Johnson's Blue', 'Wargrave Pink'. Gerbera Gerberra 1-2 ft 1-2 ft P Yel/Red/PinkAll Summer Disease resistantFull sun * 40-90Drained Very pretty plant with daisylike flowers. Mulch the ground with compost or peat moss but make sure that it drains well. Sow seeds in early spring. Fertilize regularly. *Shade in very hot regions. Good cut plant. Geum Geum 1-2 ft 1-2 ft P Orange 2/4/6 Spr-Sum Frost Sun/shade 45-90Drained Large double flowers, leaves are evergreen. Also known as Avens, Geum is an attractive plant with flowers that display well when cut but they are short lived. Try: Lady Stratheden and Princess Juliana. Globeflower Trollius 2-3 ft 1-2 ft P Yel/Orange All Spring Disease resistantPart shade 40-90Swampy Large buttercup like flowers. Good for cutting. This plant grows best where the soil is peaty or humus rich. Seeds germinate very slowly so it is best purchased as a plant. Difficult to locate distributors. Goldenrod Solidago 2-3 ft 1-2 ft P Yellow All Autumn Disease resistantFull sun 40-90Average Seen often as a wild flower, the domestic forms are more compact and colorful. Remove fading blooms to prevent self seeding. Grow only from purchased seeds or from divisions. Try: Cloth of Gold, Peter Pan, Leraft. Helenium Helenium 1-4 ft 1-2 ft P Yel/Orange All Sum-Aut Disease resistantFull sun 40-85Average Daisylike single flowers, compact bush. Although Helenium will grow well in average soil, it responds to additions of compost and peat moss. Sow seeds or divide in the spring. Excellent for cut flowers. Helianthus Helianthus 4 ft 2-3 ft P YellowP All Sum-Aut Disease resistantFull sun 40-90Average Also known as Sunflower. Large, dahlialike blooms Don't confuse this one with the annual Sun- flower. This one will need frequent division in spring. Try: 'Loddon Gold' and 'Golden Pyramid'. Heliopsis Heliopsis 2-6 ft 1-2 ft P Yellow All Autumn Disease resistantFull sun 40-90Average Also known as Golden sunflower. Lge semi-double. Sow seeds or divide plants in spring. Make sure that you provide plenty of water during dry spells. Excellent for cutting. Try: 'Golden Plume', 'Summer Sun', 'Hohlspiegel'. Hibiscus Hibiscus 4-6 ft 2-4 ft P Red/Pink All Summer Japanese beetle Full sun 40-95Moist An eye-catching plant. Flowers almost 12in across.Sow seeds indoors for early planting. Does not like to be transplanted when established in the garden. Mulch with peat moss or compost. Try: 'Ruby Dot', Cotton Candy'. Hosta Hosta 6-18 in 1-3 ft P Multi All Sum-Aut Slugs/snails Shade 40-90Rich Grown for its attractive, variegated foliage. Also known as the Plantain lily, Hosta likes a moist, rich soil. It does not start from seed so purcahes plants. propagate by div- ision. Look for in specialist catalogs. Incarvillea Incarvillea 1-2 ft 1 ft P Red/Crimson All Spr-Sum Frost Sun/Shade 40-90Drained Two-lipped tubular flowers that grow in clusters. A pretty plant but ome that takes a little care. In zones 1/3/5, lift and store roots through cold winters. Seeds take 3-5 years to bloom. Inula Inula 2 ft 1-2 ft P Yellow All Sum-Aut Disease resistantFull sun 40-90Moist Similar to the Sunflower but more graceful. Inula, which is sometimes difficult to find in nurseries, likes moist soil and plenty of sun. Divide and replant every two or three years to prevent spreading. Lavender Lavandula 1-4 ft 1-2 ft P Lavender All Summer Disease resistantSunny 40-85Drained Scented flowers in small purple/lavender spikes. In warm climates, Lavender can be clipped to make a very attractive, aromatic hedge. Tall varieties make good background plants. Try: 'Hidcote', 'Munstead dwarf'. Liatris Liatris 2-5 ft 1-2 ft P Purple All Sum-Aut Soggy frozen soilSun/Shade 40-90Drained Tall spikes of tufted flowers over grassy foliage Sow seed or divide roots in spring. Likes a fairly rich soil. May need staking. Try: 'Glory', 'White Spire' (White), 'Kobold'. Liatris cuts well and dries easily. Ligularia Ligularia 1-3 ft 2-3 ft P Orange/Yel All Summer Disease resistantPart shade 40-90Moist Spikes of orange/yellow flowers. Lge round leaves An attractive plant that stays evergreen in zones 2/4/6. Will serve as ground cover and is useful as a pot plant. Likes lots of compost or peat moss. Divide in spring.
