the Spring Into Summer Catalogue
Transcription
the Spring Into Summer Catalogue
Perennials for Mid Spring to Early Summer Prepared by Gary Lewis May 20th, 2012 Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd. 3380 No. 6 Rd. | Richmond, BC | V6V 1P5 604-270-4133 | phoenixperennials@shaw.ca www.phoenixperennials.com Perennials p. 1 1 Perennials Lady’s Mantle Alchemilla erythropoda Rosaceae (The Rose Family) Zone 3-7 Similar in stature to A. mollis and almost as tall but differing in that the old flower clusters turn orange and red in autumn. Photo courtesy of Walters Orange H 8-12" W 4-8" Summer Full - Part Sun Part Sun Lady's Mantle Alchemilla mollis Rosaceae (The Rose Family) Zone 2-9 This unendingly useful garden edger had other uses in 16th century Europe. It was claimed that linen dipped in a potion of lady’s mantle makes sagging breasts hard and firm. Wonderful with Geranium ‘Jolly Bee’ or ‘Rozanne’. Best along pathways where you can see the rain drops collected like jewels upon the lime green, scalloped leaves. The lovely chartreuse flowers are good for cutting. This common plant hails from exotic locales: the eastern Carpathians, Turkey and the Caucasus. Yellow H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Full - Part Sun Part Sun Ornamental Onion Allium ‘Globemaster’ Alliaceae (The Onion Family) Zone 4-8 Ornamental onions offer intriguing spherical or eggshaped inflorescences comprised of hundreds of tiny flowers. ‘Globemaster’ is absolutely one of the best alliums -- sparkling silvery pinkish purple softball to volleyball sized flowers that produce secondary florets which extend the bloom time. Blooms with the bearded irises. Available in spring as potted plants and in fall as dry bulbs. Purple H 2-4' W 4-8" Spring Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Allium ‘Ivory Queen’ Alliaceae (The Onion Family) Zone 4-8 Ornamental onions offer intriguing spherical or eggshaped inflorescences comprised of hundreds of tiny flowers. Two to three broad bluish-green leaves subtend a large sphere of sparkling white flowers. Great for the front of the border. Available in spring as potted plants and in fall as dry bulbs. White/Cr H 8-12" W 4-8" Spring Full - Part Sun Loves Sun Perennials p. 2 Allium ‘Mount Everest’ Alliaceae (The Onion Family) Zone 3-8 Ornamental onions offer intriguing spherical or eggshaped inflorescences comprised of hundreds of tiny flowers. This vigorous, long-lasting cultivar has baseball sized white inflorescences atop two to three foot tall straight stems. Available in spring as potted plants and in fall as dry bulbs. White/Cr H 2-4' W 4-8" Spring Full - Part Sun Loves Sun Ornamental Onion Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ Alliaceae (The Onion Family) Zone 3-9 Ornamental onions offer intriguing spherical or eggshaped inflorescences comprised of hundreds of tiny flowers. The flowers of this tall, bold cultivar are deep rosy purple comprising spheres about three inches across. Available in spring as potted plants and in fall as dry bulbs. Purple H 2-4' W 4-8" Late Spring Full - Part Sun Loves Sun Columbine Aquilegia canadensis ‘Little Lanterns’ Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 3-8 11cm $5.99 ‘Little Lanterns’ is a selection from the eastern counterpart to our BC native A. formosa. It is short in stature, but free with flowers. Numerous pendant flowers in shades of red and yellow cover the plant in late spring. This selection is consistently shorter in stature and more intense in colour than the species making it a better garden plant. Popular with hummingbirds. Tolerant of dry shade. Red H 12-24" W 8-12" Spring Full - Part Sun Shade Columbine Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Black Barlow’ Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 3-9 These fully double columbine blooms resemble small pendulous dahlias. The petals are such a dark purple that they appear almost black. Purple H 12-24" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Full - Part Sun Perennials p. 3 Cobra Lily Arisaema ringens Araceae (The Arum Family) Zone 5-9 1g $27.99 This common Asian species is one of the best for gardens. It has glorious three-parted foliage, graygreen and glossy, and a unique green-and purple, rather fist-shaped flower. A. ringens is an easy longlived garden plant that forms large clumps with time. Worth growing as a handsome foliage plant with the bonus of very cool flowers. Always popular. Green H 8-12" W 8-12" Spring Part Shade Part Sun Masterwort Astrantia major ‘Moulin Rouge’ Apiaceae (The Carrot/Parsley Family) Zone 4-9 1g $19.99 Enormous, intense, deep red bracts with sparkling centres like the sequins of a slinky dress. Very sexy. Oh la la! Burgund H 12-24" W 12-24” Summer Part Shade Part Sun Masterwort Astrantia major ‘Ruby Wedding’ Apiaceae (The Carrot/Parsley Family) Zone 5 This is a fabulous boldly coloured astrantia with rich ruby red umbels. If you are astrantia crazy, this is for you! As with all masterworts the flowers are longlasting and contrast vividly with the deep green foliage. Excellent cut flower. Flowers early and reblooms in late summer. Try with Helleborus, Brunnera ’Jack Frost’, and Athyrium ‘Ursula’s Red’. Purple H 2-4' W 8-12" Summer Full - Part Shade FullMasterwort - Part Sun Astrantia major ‘Sunningdale Variegated’ Apiaceae (The Carrot/Parsley Family) Zone 6-9 The young foliage arises with a rich tapestry of gold and creamy yellow variegation which is strongest when plants are in part sun. Very slowly the foliage turns to green and by summer is topped with masses of creamy white flowers with a tinge of pink. An excellent cultivar for both flower and folial interest. White/Cr H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Full - Part Sun Full - Part Shade Perennials p. 4 False Indigo Baptisia ‘Twilite Prairieblues’ Fabaceae (The Legume Family) Zone 4-9 Deep purple buds open to smoky violet-purple flowers with lemon yellow keels. The long-lasting flowers appear on upright spikes in late spring about 1-2 weeks later than ‘Starlite Prairieblues’. Three year old plants can have 100+ flowering stems! Continued interest is provided by the attractive, bluegreen, trifoliate foliage and the charcoal black seed pods in fall. This is a large cultivar growing up to five feet tall so give it plenty of room to grow. A hybrid of B. australis x sphaerocarpa. Photo courtesy of Purple H 4-6' W 2-3' Late Spring Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Blue False Indigo Baptisia australis Fabaceae (The Legume Family) Zone 3 A mid-border anchor with deep blue lupine-like flower spikes and dark green foliage. Provides an unusually good deep blue colour for the border. The curly black seed pods are lovely in flower arrangements. Selected by the Perennial Plant Association as Perennial Plant of the Year 2010. Blue H 4-6' W 2-3' Summer Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Chinese Ground Orchid Bletilla striata 'Junpaku' Orchidaceae (The Orchid Family) Zone 5-9 Bletilla striata is one of the most beautiful hardy terrestrial orchids, normally with a magenta flower. This Japanese selection has a true albino flower with no trace of any other colour. This is much more beautiful than the white-flowered form commonly sold in western horticulture. The leaves are arching, broad and grass-like. This easy terrestrial orchid is native to China and Japan. Best in part shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil. White/Cr H 12-24" W 8-12" Late Spring Full - Part Sun Part Orchid Shade Chinese Ground Bletilla striata 'Soryu'/'Blue Dragon' Orchidaceae (The Orchid Family) Zone 5-9 This new selection is a blue flowered form found in Wakayama prefecture in Japan many years ago that has only recently become available. 'Soryu' means 'Blue Dragon' referring to the lavender-blue colour of the delicate orchid lowers. Propagated from seed but rhizomes have been bloomed and colours confirmed. The leaves are arching, broad and grasslike. This easy terrestrial orchid is native to China and Japan. Best in part shade in evenly moist, wellBlue H 12-24" W 8-12" Late Spring Full - Part Sun Part Shade Perennials p. 5 Chinese Ground Orchid Bletilla striata 'Yellow Striped' Orchidaceae (The Orchid Family) Zone 5-9 This selection has spectacular broad, arching, grasslike leaves striped with rich gold. The foliage is the perfect foil for the rich magenta flowers. This easy terrestrial orchid is native to China and Japan. Best in part shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil. Magenta H 12-24" W 8-12" Late Spring Full - Part Sun Shade SerbianPart Bellflower Campanula poscharskyana ‘Blue Waterfall’ Campanulaceae (The Bellflower Family) Zone 3-10 This versatile campanula from the Balkans is usefull for the front of the border, trailing over rockery walls, weaving through and into other perennials, and adorning window boxes. It grows quickly and blooms profusely from spring right through to fall with masses and masses of blue bell flowers. Blue H 4-8" W 12-24" Spring - Fall Full - Part Sun Full - Part Shade Giant Himalayan Lily Cardiocrinum giganteum Liliaceae (The Lily Family) Zone 7-10 Thick stems from six to ten feet hold large, white, intensely fragrant trumpets with burgundy throats that will tower above your shade garden and be the inspiration for a hastily arranged garden party! This lily takes seven years to bloom from seed and then dies, leaving behind bulblets that will bloom in two to three years. Until flowering they resemble a large shiny hosta. Plant a few bulbs each year to establish your colony. This year we have bulbs of various sizes for various budgets. White/Cr H 6-10' W 2-3' Late Spring Full - Part Shade Loves Shade Bachelor's Button Centaurea montana Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 3-9 Royal blue, old-fashioned flowers that will re-bloom almost endlessly if cut back after the first flowering. Good pruning will also encourage the plant to form a very nice natural clump. Blue H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Perennials p. 6 Bachelor's Button Centaurea montana ‘Amethyst in Snow’ Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 3-9 ‘Amethyst in Snow’ is a white flowered form of the classic perennial bachelor’s button. Ornamental buds with pineapple-like scales burst into flower with silky, pure white petals that radiate in a starburst from deep royal purple centres. The plants are sturdy with greyish green leaves with a slight silvery cast. Tolerant of dry soil once established. Cut back to White/Cr H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Loves Sun Sun Bachelor's Button Centaurea montana ‘Black Sprite’ Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 3-9 A new colour form of a classic old-time favourite. ‘Black Sprite’ has purple-black flowers in place of the regular royal blue. Try planting a clump of this regular blue form with ‘Black Sprite’ and the whiteflowered ‘Amethyst in Snow’ for a trio of white, dark purple and blue. Nice. If plants get leggy, chop them hard to the ground and they will soon reflush. Black H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Valerian Centranthus ruber Valerianaceae (The Valerian Family) Zone 5-9 Loose clumps of somewhat fleshy leaves and stems to two to three feet that are topped with clusters of long-lasting, red, star-shaped flowers. Drought Red H 2-4' W 12-24" Spring - Summer Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Dahlia Dahlia Dark Angel 'American Pie' Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 7-10 Soft-pink, almost white at the edges. Rich, burgundy foliage. The Dark Angel Series are a group of dwarf, burgundy-leaved dahlias named after popular movies. They have been selected for excellent, richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage and a compact size under 15 inches. Three options for winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny beds under a mound of fallen leaves. Pink H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Sun Perennials p. 7 Dahlia Dahlia Dark Angel 'Braveheart' Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 7-10 Dark magenta-purple flowers. Rich, burgundy foliage. The Dark Angel Series are a group of dwarf, burgundy-leaved dahlias named after popular movies. They have been selected for excellent, richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage and a compact size under 15 inches. Three options for winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny beds under a mound of fallen leaves. Magenta H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Sun Dahlia Dahlia Dark Angel 'Dracula' Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 7-10 Warm purper-red flowers. Rich, burgundy foliage. The Dark Angel Series are a group of dwarf, burgundy-leaved dahlias named after popular movies. They have been selected for excellent, richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage and a compact size under 15 inches. Three options for winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny beds under a mound of fallen leaves. Red H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Sun Dahlia Dahlia Dark Angel 'Dragon Ball' Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 7-10 Salmon-orange flowers with lighter tips. Rich, burgundy foliage. The Dark Angel Series are a group of dwarf, burgundy-leaved dahlias named after popular movies. They have been selected for excellent, richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage and a compact size under 15 inches. Three options for winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny beds under a mound of fallen leaves. Pink H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Sun Perennials p. 8 Dahlia Dahlia Dark Angel 'Pretty Woman' Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 7-10 Bright-pink flowers with a purple centre. Rich, burgundy foliage. The Dark Angel Series are a group of dwarf, burgundy-leaved dahlias named after popular movies. They have been selected for excellent, richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage and a compact size under 15 inches. Three options for winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny beds under a mound of fallen leaves. Pink H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Sun Dahlia Dahlia Dark Angel 'Pulp Fiction' Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 7-10 Bright red flowers. Rich, burgundy foliage. Shorter at 10 inches. The Dark Angel Series are a group of dwarf, burgundy-leaved dahlias named after popular movies. They have been selected for excellent, richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage and a compact size under 15 inches. Three options for winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny beds under a mound of fallen leaves. Red H 8-12" W 12-24" Summer Sun Dahlia Dahlia Dark Angel 'Star Wars' Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 7-10 Orange-red with yellow centre. Rich, burgundy foliage. Shorter at 10 inches. The Dark Angel Series are a group of dwarf, burgundy-leaved dahlias named after popular movies. They have been selected for excellent, richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage and a compact size under 15 inches. Three options for winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3. leave in the ground in welldrained, sunny beds under a mound of fallen leaves. Red H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Sun Perennials p. 9 Dahlia Dahlia Dark Angel 'Taxi Driver' Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 7-10 Bright-yellow with brown-black centre. Rich, burgundy foliage. Shorter at 10 inches. The Dark Angel Series are a group of dwarf, burgundy-leaved dahlias named after popular movies. They have been selected for excellent, richly-coloured, single flowers, dark foliage and a compact size under 15 inches. Three options for winter starting with easiest and safest: 1. grow in a pot and move to a frost-free area, 2. lift tubers and store, 3. leave in the ground in well-drained, sunny beds under a mound of fallen Yellow H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Sun Cheddar Pink Dianthus ‘Wicked Witch’ Caryophyllaceae (The Pink Family) Zone 3-9 1g $5.99 Sometimes it’s oh so good to be wicked! This new cultivar is identical to the Perennial Plant of the Year for 2006, D. ‘Firewitch’, in all but flower colour. In this case ‘Wicked Witch’ has bright cherry red flowers instead of the typical magenta. They bloom over a long period and will rebloom sporadically through the summer and into the fall. The flowers are clovescented and are held over luscious blue-grey evergreen foliage. Red H 4-8" W 8-12" Summer Full - Part Sun Loves Pink Sun Cheddar Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’ Caryophyllaceae (The Pink Family) Zone 3-9 Blue-grey, evergreen foliage and a long summer display of magenta pink flowers with a sweet and spicy fragrance. Lovely for picking. Plant at the edge of your patio, on the edge of a wall or along the driveway or pathways where you can enjoy the foliage, flowers and fragrance. Selected by the Perennial Plant Association as Perennial Plant of the Pink/Mag H 4-8" W 8-12" Summer Full - Part Sun LovesHeart Sun Bleeding Dicentra ‘Burning Hearts’ Papaveraceae (The Poppy Family) Zone 3-9 This richly romantic cultivar has luscious valentine red blossoms fetchingly edged with white. The flowers arch above the delicate blue gray leaves from early spring to late summer. The Hearts Series offers clusters of large flowers in rich colours set off by lush, fern-like foliage. Compact, mounding plants stay neat and tidy. Blooms for months with a summer rest period. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens. Red H 8-12" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Full - Part Shade Shade Perennials p. 10 Bleeding Heart Dicentra ‘King of Hearts’ Papaveraceae (The Poppy Family) Zone 3-9 ‘King of Hearts’ is a compact bleeding heart hybrid that produces nicely-textured, deeply-cut, ferny, bluish-green foliage in a mound to eight inches tall and fourteen inches wide. The rich carmine-rose coloured flowers are nodding, heart-shaped, and held above the foliage. The initial bloom occurs in spring but plants will likely bloom throughout summer and into fall in cool, shady conditions. A cross of the Japanese D. peregrina with two American species D. formosa subsp. oregana and D. eximia. Pink H 12-24" W 12-24" Spring - Summer Full - Part Shade Shade Foxtail Lily Eremurus stenophyllus Liliaceae (The Lily Family) Zone 5 Dramatic spires of dark yellow rise to five feet or more from an octopus-like base of narrow strap-like leaves in early summer. Plant in a dry yet rich soil in a sunny location and do not allow other perennials to overgrow the foliage. From Turkestan. Yellow H 4-6' W 12-24" Summer Full - Part Sun Loves Sun Foxtail Lily Eremurus x isabellinus ‘Cleopatra’ Liliaceae (The Lily Family) Zone 5-9 Dramatic five foot spires of orange flowers from burnt-orange buds above bluish strap-like leaves in early summer. Each petal has a narrow red stripe along the midrib, a slender line reminiscent of Cleopatra's eyeliner. Eremurus create quite a stir when in flower as they did at the 2009 World Rose Festival (pictured along with E. stenophyllus) where they were the most photographed flower! Dry yet rich soil in a sunny location. Do not allow other perennials to overgrow their foliage. Orange H 4-6' W 12-24" Summer Full - Part Sun Sun MoroccanLoves Sea Holly Eryngium ‘Big Blue’ Apiaceae (The Carrot/Parsley Family) Zone 5-8 Blooms of iridescent blue pincushions on blue stems; flowers rise up to 30 inches. Silver leaves. This peculiar genus from the carrot family is found around the world but with its centre of diversity in South America. There are also a number of European species. Blue H 2-4' W 8-12" Summer Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Perennials p. 11 Moroccan Sea Holly Eryngium ‘Sapphire Blue’ Apiaceae (The Carrot/Parsley Family) Zone 5-8 ‘Sapphire Blue’ is a hybrid cultivar with an intense, steel blue hue infusing its branched stems, leaves, and teasel-shaped flowers. The flower heads are huge and sit upon dramatic collar-like bracts. Leaves and stems are tinged with blue. This peculiar genus from the carrot family is found around the world but with its centre of diversity in South America. There are also a number of European species. Blue H 2-4' W 8-12" Summer Loves Sun Full Wallflower - Part Sun Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’ Brassicaceae (The Mustard Family) Zone 6-10 This shrub-like perennial offers elegant grey-green mounds of foliage and warm purple flowers that will bloom almost continuously through the season. Sheer lightly when flowering slows or when flower stems become too long. Rebloom will start shortly thereafter. Wallflowers have a reputation for being short-lived in Vancouver. For long-lived, compact specimens plant them in a hot, dry, sunny spot in the Purple H 12-24" W 12-24" Spring - Fall Loves Sun Full Wallflower - Part Sun Erysimum Fragrant Star Brassicaceae (The Mustard Family) Zone 6-10 'Fragrant Star' is a lovely, variegated sport of the popular variety ‘Fragrant Sunshine’. Bright yellow, sweetly-scented blooms arise from chocolate-purple buds from March to July and into fall. Useful in containers, rock gardens and perennial borders.This shrub-like perennial offers months of interest with its long bloom period and evergreen foliage. Sheer lightly when flowering slows or when flower stems become too long. For long-lived, compact specimens plant in hot, dry, sunny spots. Yellow H 12-24" W 12-24" Spring - Fall Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Wallflower Erysimum linifolium 'Variegatum' Brassicaceae (The Mustard Family) Zone 6-10 This shrub-like perennial offers elegant grey-green and cream mounds foliage and warm purple flowers with almost continuous bloom from spring to fall. Sheer lightly when flowering slows or when flower stems become too long. Rebloom will start shortly thereafter. Wallflowers have a reputation for being short-lived in Vancouver. For long-lived, compact specimens plant them in a hot, dry, sunny spot in the Purple H 12-24" W 12-24" Spring - Fall Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Perennials p. 12 Spurge Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’ Euphorbiaceae (The Spurge Family) Zone 6-9 Each spring the vigorous erect stems emerge from the dark soil like firey tongues warming the hearts of winter-chilled gardeners everywhere. Soon after the flame-orange flowers begin to form. As a mature plant ‘Fireglow’ grows to about three feet tall with red stems and blue-green foliage that turns crimson red in autumn. Wonderful in containers. Clumps get progressively larger with time and can spread into other perennials so keep your eyes on it. Orange H 2-4' W 2-3' Spring Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Blanket Flower Gaillardia aristata ‘Arizona Sun’ Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 3-10 1g $9.99 Whereas most blanket flowers have orangey-red petals, the petals of ‘Arizona Sun’ are red-red, bold and well-saturated with colour and with bright yellow tips. This is also a compact cultivar growing to only 10 inches and with nice grayish-green foliage! Oh, and did I mention it will bloom from June to September?! We tried ‘Arizona Sun’ at the nursery for the first time in 2006 and we were impressed by its compact size, vigour and flower power. Red H 8-12" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Sun Blanket Flower Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Fanfare’ Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 3-10 This plant causes lots of commotion when in bloom! The large, unusual, upward facing flowers are deep red and flare outwards like trumpets. As the petals open, the colour grades from red to orange then yellow. Very floriferous but on compact plants. Should bloom from spring through summer with a little deadheading. One of the best perennial introductions in recent years. Red H 8-12" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Blanket Flower Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Oranges and Lemons’ Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 5-10 1g $9.99 This new colour is a nice variation on the theme of blanket flowers. We have had it at the nursery since 2006 and we love it. The bright and cheerful asterlike flowers have orangey-peach petals with warm golden yellow tips. The foliage is medium green and the plants are more upright than other gaillardias. ‘Oranges and Lemons’ will bloom from June to Orange H 12-24" W 12-24" Spring - Summer Sun Perennials p. 13 Butterfly Gaura Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterflies’ Onagraceae (The Evening Primrose Family) Zone 5-9 Masses of pink flowers on reddish stemmed spikes with dark crimson and green foliage. These are compact, long-blooming plants with good drought tolerance. Like the brief visits of butterflies, these plants grace the nursery for only a short time and then they’re gone (in the trunks of people’s cars!). Crimson H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer - Fall Full - Part Sun Sun Butterfly Gaura Gaura lindheimeri ‘Passionate Rainbow’ Onagraceae (The Evening Primrose Family) Zone 7-10 Bright pink flowers are held above variegated foliage that sports a rosy flush when young. Gaura put on a spectacular flower show throughout the spring, summer and the early fall months. Well-drained soils. Pink H 2-4' W 12-24" Spring - Summer Loves Sun Sun Butterfly Gaura Gaura lindheimeri 'Summer Emotions' Onagraceae (The Evening Primrose Family) Zone 7-10 This bicolour gaura has petals centred in pure white and blushed at the edges in perfect pink. This dwarf plant will grow about a foot tall making this gaura great for the front of the border or containers. Gaura put on a spectacular flower show throughout the spring, summer and the early fall months. Well- Pink H 8-12" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Loves Sun Sun Butterfly Gaura Gaura lindheimeri 'White Dove' Onagraceae (The Evening Primrose Family) Zone 7-10 Pure white flowers top this dwarf plant to just 12-16 inches throughout summer and into fall. The foliage is variegated with green edges and light green to gold centres. Great for the front of the border or containers. Gaura put on a spectacular flower show throughout the spring, summer and the early fall months. Well-drained soils. White/Cr H 12-24" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Loves Sun Sun Perennials p. 14 Cranesbill Geranium ‘Rozanne’ Geraniaceae (The Geranium Family) Zone 4-8 ‘Rozanne’ is one of the longest blooming and most prolific blue-flowered geraniums available offering colour from late spring until frost. The large, saucershaped flowers are 2.5 inches across and purpleblue with black anthers, magenta veins, and a bright white eye. The lightly marbled foliage forms a lush green mound that turns firey red in autumn. One of the best, most versatile perennials available. Selected by the Perennial Plant Association as Perennial Plant of the Year 2008. Blue H 12-24" W 8-12" Summer - Fall Full - Part Sun Sun Cranesbill Geranium cinereum ‘Ballerina’ Geraniaceae (The Geranium Family) Zone 3-8 A compact form, Geranium 'Ballerina' has a dramatic dark eye centering its pink darkly veined flowers all held over small ruffled leaves. One of the best geraniums for edging garden beds or pathways and a long-bloomer that will provide colour for months through spring and summer. Pink H 8-12" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Full - Part Sun Full - Part Shade Cranesbill Geranium cinereum ‘Memories’ Geraniaceae (The Geranium Family) Zone 3-8 Topping a tidy, low-growing bluish grey-green mound of deeply lobed, attractive foliage, the enticing cup-shaped flowers are distinctively coloured in purplish-red hues accentuated by a close network of darker veins that converge towards a dark central eye. The bountiful blooms keep coming all summer long, and there’s an autumn encore when leaves take on shades of purple, red or orange. Red/Pur H 6” W 8-12" Summer Full - Part Shade Sun Bigroot Cranesbill Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Bevan’s Variety’ Geraniaceae (The Geranium Family) Zone 3-8 The cultivars of G. macrorrhizum are hard to live without once you’ve been introduced! Fragrant leaves form a low mound that spreads into a dense ground cover with good autumn colour. The flowers are bright magenta-pink in late spring and early summer. The feature that will most endear this plant to you, however, is its tolerance of dry shade, even under evergreens. In these situations it will bloom less and grow shorter but will usually tough it out with minimal water once established. Magenta H 8-12" W 12-24" Spring - Summer Full - Part Sun Part Sun Perennials p. 15 Bigroot Cranesbill Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Ingwersen’s Variety’ Geraniaceae (The Geranium Family) Zone 3-8 The cultivars of G. macrorrhizum are hard to live without once you’ve been introduced! Fragrant leaves form a low mound that spreads into a dense ground cover with good autumn colour. The flowers of this cultivar are lovely pink in late spring and early summer. The feature that will most endear this plant to you, however, is its tolerance of dry shade, even under evergreens. In these situations it will bloom less and grow shorter but will usually tough it out with minimal water once established. Pink H 8-12" W 12-24" Spring - Summer Full - Part Sun Part Sun Mourning Widow Geranium phaeum ‘Margaret Wilson’ Geraniaceae (The Geranium Family) Zone 4-9 1g $11.99 This exciting variegated geranium has luminous golden to creamy yellow variegated foliage which shows of the numerous lavender flowers to perfection. A geranium for the part sun to part shade garden, use ‘Margaret Wilson’ to lighten up those shady spots and to contrast smashingly with other foliage, especially burgundies and bluey-greens. Purple H 12-24" W 12-24" Spring Part Sun Part Shade Mourning Widow Geranium phaeum ‘Samobor’ Geraniaceae (The Geranium Family) Zone 4-9 ‘Samobor’ is a selection of this useful shade geranium that sports large burgundy patches on the dissected, maple-like leaves that echo nicely the deep purple of the small, numerous flowers that are held nicely above the foliage. Good in full sun to deep shade, this problem-solver will even tolerate being under trees if given some moisture. Purple H 2-4' W 12-24" Spring Sun Part Sun Cranesbill Geranium sanguineum ‘New Hampshire Purple’ Geraniaceae (The Geranium Family) Zone 4-8 Purple-rose flowers bloom in profusion in spring and then in waves throughout the summer. Plants form a vigorous, long-blooming, spreading mound. Useful at the front of the border where this geranium will weave nicely into its neighbours or as a groundcover. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens. Purple H 4-8" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Full - Part Sun Part Shade Perennials p. 16 Avens Geum 'Fire Storm' Rosaceae (The Rose Family) Zone 5-9 ‘Fire Storm’ has bright, tangerine orange, double flowers on compact plants. It has twice the flower power with half the plant size of the similar flowered ‘Fireball’. This vigorous, compact and long blooming plant is easy to grow in almost any garden. Though orange is not the most popular colour, when gardeners see this orange they fall in love. Easy and carefree. Deer resistant. Orange H 8-12" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Full - Part Sun Sun Avens Geum 'Flames of Passion' Rosaceae (The Rose Family) Zone 5-9 Beautyiful semi-double red flowers with highlights of yellow, burgundy and green. The flowers are held on burgundy stems over mid green, felted foliage. Easy and carefree. Deer resistant. Red H 12-24" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Full - Part Sun Sun Avens Geum ‘Mango Lassi’ Rosaceae (The Rose Family) Zone 5-9 1g $12.99 ‘Mango Lassi’ is a new geum with lusciously luminous double flowers that glow in a medley of fruit-laden colours from soft orange through mango and peach all overlayed with rich golden hues and coral tinges. Flowers emerge from reddish purple buds. The foliage is small, soft, toothed and Orange H 12-24" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Full - Part Sun Sun Avens Geum 'Sangria' Rosaceae (The Rose Family) Zone 5-9 From the Cocktails Series by Brent Horvath comes 'Sangria', a geum with bold, bright red single or semidouble flowers urgundy purple calyxes (sepals). The plants are compact with slightly hairy green foliage. Flowers are long-blooming because the plant is sterile. Easy and carefree. Deer resistant. Red H 12-24" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Full - Part Sun Sun Perennials p. 17 Avens Geum Totally Tangerine 'Tim's Tangerine' Rosaceae (The Rose Family) Zone 5-9 Very large, sunny tangerine flowers are sterile, producing not only a long, long bloom time, but many more flowers than the typical Geum. Though orange is not the most popular colour, when gardeners see this orange they fall in love. Easy and carefree. Deer resistant. Orange H 8-12" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Full - Part Sun Sun Red Avens Geum coccineum ‘Eos’ Rosaceae (The Rose Family) Zone 5-9 Eos is the Greek goddess of the dawn. Everything about this geum is bright. The flowers are flaming orange and the foliage is gold. ‘Eos’ has a compact habit and is a natural for sunny containers and for the front of the border in the garden. Easy and carefree. Best foliage colour in full sun but in soils with reasonable moisture. Orange H 12-24" W 8-12" Spring - Summer Full - Part Sun Sun Coral Bells Heuchera 'Cajun Fire' Saxifragaceae (The Saxifrage Family) Zone 4-9 Burning like a Cajun fire, this cultivar changes colours with the seasons: red in spring, black in summer, and maroon in fall and winter. It is always attractive, having clean foliage in rounded mounds. White flowers on dark stems hover just above the White/Cr H 8-12" W 8-12" Late Spring Part Sun Part CoralShade Bells Heuchera ‘Cherry Cola’ Saxifragaceae (The Saxifrage Family) Zone 4-9 Front of the border charm with lovely red brown leaves and rusty cherry red flowers. 'Cherry Cola' performs all year round. Something fizzy for the garden. One of three in the Soda Series with 'Root Beer' and 'Ginger Ale'. Red H 12-24" W 8-12" Late Spring Part Sun Part Shade Perennials p. 18 Coral Bells Heuchera 'Delta Dawn' Saxifragaceae (The Saxifrage Family) Zone 4-9 'Delta Dawn' has magnificent, large, round leaves with red centers in the spring and fall; in summer its red veins run like rivers to the sea against a gorgeous gold to lime main leaf colour highlights the venation. Strong, vigorous habit. Perfect for a shade container or to add color to a dark area. Delivers the "look" that Heuchera 'Miracle' promised. White/Cr H 8-12" W 8-12" Late Spring Part Sun Part CoralShade Bells Heuchera ‘Havana’ Saxifragaceae (The Saxifrage Family) Zone 4-9 Dense wands of cerise pink flowers glow, like the end of Fidel’s cigar. Swirling yellow-lime leaves veiled in white. 'Havana’s compact habit and reblooming nature make it an excellent pot plant. Red H 12-24" W 8-12" Late Spring Part Sun Part CoralShade Bells Heuchera ‘Lipstick’ Saxifragaceae (The Saxifrage Family) Zone 4-9 Mounds of silver-veiled green leaves give rise to flower spikes of an intense lipstick red. These reblooming red flowers hark back to the oldfashioned coral bells, a time before all the fancy new fangled cultivars. The difference is that this is a new cultivar with new breeding, vigour and performance. Also great in the rock-garden and crevices of walls. Red H 12-24" W 8-12" Late Spring Part Sun Part Shade Hardy Gloxinia Incarvillea delavayi Bignoniaceae (The Catalpa Family) Zone 5-10 It’s curious to me why I don’t see this stunning perennial in more gardens. Hardy gloxinia has masses of large, exotic, bright pink, trumpet-shaped flowers in late spring. The lush foliage looks somewhat like Acanthus (Bear’s Breeches). It will rebloom if cut back after flowering. Photo courtesy of Pink H 12-24" W 8-12" Late Spring Full - Part Sun Full - Part Shade Perennials p. 19 Hardy Gloxinia Incarvillea delavayi ‘Bees Pink’ Bignoniaceae (The Catalpa Family) Zone 5-10 1g $9.99 It’s curious to me why I don’t see this stunning perennial in more gardens. ‘Bees Pink’ has masses of large, exotic, little-girl pink, trumpet-shaped flowers in late spring. The lush foliage looks somewhat like Acanthus (Bear’s Breeches). It will rebloom if cut back after flowering. Give this unique Pink H 12-24" W 8-12" Late Spring Sun Part Sun Hardy Gloxinia Incarvillea delavayi ‘Snowtop’ Bignoniaceae (The Catalpa Family) Zone 5-10 1g $9.99 It’s curious to me why I don’t see this stunning perennial in more gardens. ‘Snowtop’ has masses of large, exotic, pure white, trumpet-shaped flowers in late spring. The lush foliage looks somewhat like Acanthus (Bear’s Breeches). It will rebloom if cut back after flowering. Give this unique perennial a try. Pink H 12-24" W 8-12" Late Spring Sun Part Sun Bearded Iris Iris germanica ‘Clarence’ (Rebloomer) Iridaceae (The Iris Family) Zone 4-9 A ruffled light blue bi-toned iris with creamy white beard highly recognized for its dependable rebloom in early fall. Sweetly fragrant. Divide every two to three years just after blooming. Trim the foliage back to a third and plant the rhizomes at or just below soil level. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens. Blue H 2-4' W 12-24" Early and Late Summer Loves Sun BeardedSun Iris Iris germanica ‘Immortality’ (Rebloomer) Iridaceae (The Iris Family) Zone 3-9 One of the best whites -- large lustrous flowers accented with fuzzy yellow beards in early summer and again in late summer/fall. Fragrant. Divide every two to three years just after blooming. Trim the foliage back to a third and plant the rhizomes at or just below soil level. White/Cr H 2-4' W 12-24" Early and Late Summer Loves Sun Sun Perennials p. 20 Bearded Iris Iris germanica ‘Superstition’ Iridaceae (The Iris Family) Zone 3-9 Black is still the new Black! At least in the gardening world. This is said to be the darkest iris available -the purple is so deep, it’s black. Wow! It’s also fragrant. Divide every two to three years just after blooming. Trim the foliage back to a third and plant the rhizomes at or just below soil level. Black H 38” W Early Summer Loves Sun Sun Crimson Scabious Knautia macedonica Dipsacaceae (The Teasel Family) Zone 5 This long blooming perennial has tufts of green foliage that hold aloft airy stems topped with pincushion-like flowers in magenta to burgundy red. A great “see through” plant like Verbena bonariensis, you can plant it in mid border as its height would suggest or you can bring it right to the front where you can see through it to the rest of the garden thus Red H 2-4' W 2-3' Summer Loves Sun Sun Crimson Scabious Knautia macedonica ‘Mars Midget’ Dipsacaceae (The Teasel Family) Zone 5-8 1g $7.99 ‘Mars Midget’ is a dwarf, clump-forming seed strain of this species that has the same scabiosa-like, rubyred flower heads (to two inches across) over a long early summer to autumn bloom period but on plants that are half the height of the species (about one and a half feet). Each flower head resembles a rich red, pin cushion atop generally leafless stems. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens. Red H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Sun Crimson Scabious Knautia macedonica ‘Thunder and Lightning’ Dipsacaceae (The Teasel Family) Zone 5-8 Fully double, deep magenta, pincushion flowers float above light green leaves edged in creamy white. The unique, variegated foliage has a sturdy, compact and bushy form on plants that are half the height (or less) of the species. Blooms fom early summer to autumn. A dramatic addition to beds, borders and cutting gardens. Large enough for maximum impact in the garden, it is compact enough to be showy in containers. Drought tolerant and deer resistant. A good nectar source for beneficial insects. Red H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Sun Perennials p. 21 Broadleaf Poker Kniphofia northiae Asphodelaceae (The Asphodel Family) Zone 7-10 3g $39.99 This bold and exotic evergreen poker is my favourite. Unlike other red hot pokers that have fine, somewhat disheveled leaves, this species sports broad bluish green architectural foliage with dramatic effect. An early summer bloomer, the thick spikes offer huge cones of fiery flowers to five feet. It will bloom at the same time as bearded iris and Allium ‘Globemaster’. Orange H 2-4' W 2-3' Early Summer Sun Spanish Lavender Lavandula stoechas ‘Otto Quast’ Lamiaceae (The Mint Family) Zone 8-10 This popular selection forms a dense shrub with grey-green foliage. The flower stems bear tight flower spikes of small purple flowers crowned by several one inch long magenta purple petal-like bracts that look like butterflies. ‘Otto Quast’ has a long bloom period from late spring through to fall. Shear lavenders lightly in early spring just as they begin growth and again after flowering to keep tidy. Magenta H 12-24" W 2-3' Spring - Fall Loves Sun Sun Spanish Lavender Lavandula stoechas ‘Passione’ Lamiaceae (The Mint Family) Zone 8-10 1g $9.99 How could you not want to have a lavender named ‘Passione’? Luckily the plant itself is also lovely. This heavily blooming new cultivar has large heads of violet flowers and dark raspberry-coloured bracts flitting from the tops of the spikes like butterfly wings. These bracts turn more reddish violet with age. The midgreen, evergreen foliage assumes a purplish cast in cooler weather. Fragrant and compact, this is a great plant for the front of the sunny border. Purple H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Sun Lewisia Lewisia 'Little Plum' Portulacaceae (The Portulaca or Purslane Family) Zone 4 Lewisia was first discovered by Lewis and Clark and the genus' beauty has delighted for more than 200 years since. The lovely little evergreen succulent rosettes are adorned in late spring with clusters of deep pink with orange highlights. Plants may rebloom later in the season. A native of alpine regions, Lewisia require good drainage and enjoy full to part sun. Plant them in containers, rock gardens and in the crevices of retaining walls. Pink H 4-8" W 8-12" Late Spring Sun Part Sun Perennials p. 22 Lewisia Lewisia cotyledon Sunset Group Portulacaceae (The Portulaca or Purslane Family) Zone 4 Lewisia was first discovered by Lewis and Clark and the genus' beauty has delighted for more than 200 years since. The lovely little evergreen succulent rosettes are adorned in late spring with clusters of brilliantly coloured flowers which, in the Sunset Group, consists of oranges, salmons and pinks. Plants may rebloom later in the season. A native of alpine regions, Lewisia require good drainage and enjoy full to part sun. Plant them in containers, rock gardens and in the crevices of retaining walls. Pink H 4-8" W 8-12" Late Spring Sun Part AsiaticSun Lily Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Coral Sunrise’ Liliaceae (The Lily Family) Zone 3 1g $8.99 This beautiful two-tone lily has dark pink petals with raspberry tips and large yellowy-orange spots at the base of each petal. Asiatic lilies are unscented and grace garden beds or pots with bright, diverse colours in June. Plant in groups of 3 to 5 for best Pink H 2-4' W 4-8" Early Summer Sun Part Sun Asiatic Lily Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Landini’ Liliaceae (The Lily Family) Zone 3 1g $8.99 This is the darkest lily available! Burgundy-black flowers open on sturdy stems of more than eight flowers each. This lily has created quite a stir at the nursery (selling out every year) and with visitors to my garden (asking with lust in their eyes if there are more at the nursery). If you love “black” flowers or bold, rich colours then you need ‘Landini’. Asiatic lilies are unscented and grace garden beds or pots with bright, diverse colours in June. Plant in groups of 3 to 5 for best effect. Black H 2-4' W 4-8" Early Summer Part Sun AsiaticSun Lily Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Vermeer’ Liliaceae (The Lily Family) Zone 3 1g $8.99 This beautiful two-tone lily has purplish pink petals with a cream ring around a raspberry centre. Asiatic lilies are unscented and grace garden beds or pots with bright, diverse colours in June. Plant in groups of 3 to 5 for best effect. Pink H 2-4' W 4-8" Early Summer Part Sun Sun Perennials p. 23 Martagon Lily Lilium martagon var. album Liliaceae (The Lily Family) Zone 4-9 1g $17.99 The martagon is a classic woodland lily with small, delicate, pendant flowers with recurved petals. Variety album has pure white flowers with bright yellow stamens. Great in a part shade or woodland garden rising above hostas, arisaemas and Brunnera ‘Silver Wings’ with its subtle silvering. White/Cr H 2-4' W under Spring Shade Part Shade Lithodora Lithodora diffusa ‘White Star’ Boraginaceae (The Borage Family) Zone 6-10 This easy groundcover has dark green foliage that is topped for long periods in spring and summer with masses of royal blue flowers centred with a white star. Great for spilling over walls. Shear lightly after flowering to encourage a compact habit and further reblooming. Blue H 4-8" W 2-3' Spring Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Catnip Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ Lamiaceae (The Mint Family) Zone 3 Deep blue to mauve spikes covered in masses of flowers that are a perfect long-blooming addition to the mid-border. Excellent container plant or to accompany roses. Photo courtesy of Walters Blue H 2-4' W 12-24" Summer Loves Sun Sun Persian Catmint Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’ Lamiaceae (The Mint Family) Zone 3-8 It’s not always about new and snazzy. Sometimes you want a tried and true performer. Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ was the Perennial Plant Association’s Perennial Plant of the Year for 2007 for good reason. This excellent mounding border perennial has greygreen, aromatic foliage topped from June to September with a plethora of soft lavender-blue flowers. Great for the english garden look, the herb, butterfly or dry gardens. Named for the English garden Walker's Low and not a reference to its Blue H 12-24" W 12-24" Summer Sun Part Sun Perennials p. 24 Itoh Peonies Paeonia Itoh Cultivars Paeoniaceae (The Peony Family) Zone 3 The Itoh peonies are intersectional hybrids between the tree peony (P. suffruticosa) and the garden peony (P. lactiflora). The result is an outstanding group of perennial herbaceous peonies with huge flowers in a wide range of unusual colours such as yellows, coppers, apricots, pinks, magentas and bicolours. The foliage emerges rich red and gradually turns to green. A mature plant can have Various H 2-4' W 2-3' Late Spring Sun Part Sun Peony Paeonia lactiflora ‘Karl Rosenfield’ Paeoniaceae (The Peony Family) Zone 4-8 Brilliant deep-crimson double FRAGRANT blooms 4” across. As with all Peony, after the spectacular flowers, the foliage performs right through to the autumn, when it turns fall colours. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens. Crimson H 2-4' W 8-12" Summer Full - Part Sun Sun Peony Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ Paeoniaceae (The Peony Family) Zone 4 A beauty with apple- blossom, double pink flowers tipped with a silverish hue. Gertrude Jeykell always wanted Paeonia with roses, and it is a good combination as they complement each other. Again, great for cutting! Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens. Pink H 2-4' W 1-2’ Late Spring Full - Part Sun Sun Jacob’s Ladder Polemonium caeruleum ‘Bressingham Purple’ Polemoniaceae (The Phlox Family) Zone 4-9 A beautiful Jacob’s ladder with smokey purple foliage topped with purple flowers that smell like grape bubblegum! Nothing takes you back to your childhood like the smell of bubblegum. Sun to part- Purple H 12-24" W 8-12" Late Spring Full - Part Sun Full - Part Shade Perennials p. 25 Solomon’s Seal Polygonatum 'Double Stuff' Convallariaceae (The Lily of the Valley Family) Zone 3-8 This variegated Solomon's seal has double the white margin making a new classic beauty for the woodland or shade garden. Each arching red stem carries large leaves with broad white margins and green centres. The white flowers dangle below the leaves in spring. A clean and elegant, eye-catching plant. Much broader band of white than 'Variegatum', around the whole leaf. Compared to 'Double Wide' it is has narrower leaves, longer stems, and is taller. White/Cr H 12-24" W 12-24" Spring Shade Part Shade Solomon’s Seal Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ Convallariaceae (The Lily of the Valley Family) Zone 3-10 An elegant variegated solomon’s seal for the woodland or shade garden -- arching stems with a row of pendulous white flowers in spring. Shoots are bright reddish pink when they emerge from the ground in March. Shorter than the green variety. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens. White/Cr H 12-24" W 8-12" Spring Full - Part Shade Shade Primrose Primula ‘Francisca’/‘Green Lace’ Primulaceae (The Primrose Family) Zone 6-9 1g $14.99 The bizarre ruffly frilled flowers are green with a yellow eye and last for months. An intriguing addition to the shade garden, to your primula collection or as a conversation piece in a pot! Green H 4-8" W 4-8" Shade Part Shade Candelabra Primrose Primula japonica Primulaceae (The Primrose Family) Zone 5 I feel strongly that candelabra primula are best massed! The magenta , white orange or /and pink blossoms come in whorls up the stem from cabbagelike foliage. When happy, your colony will seed itself and an army of colour will occur in the late spring. Cuts well. Lovely in the woodland. Pink/Mag H 12-24" W 12-24" Spring Full - Part Shade Shade Perennials p. 26 Pagoda Primrose Primula vialii Primulaceae (The Primrose Family) Zone 6 This primrose is one of the most improbable in the genus, at least compared to the familiar flower forms. Primula vialii has unique spikes of scarlet red buds that open to lavender flowers. Plants clump quickly and can send up multiple flower spikes. Short-lived for most gardeners though at Dart's Hill Garden a clump has persisted in full sun in moist soil where an underground seep passes by. Try it in summer moisture but good winter drainage. Worth trying for the intrigue and fun. Purple H 8-12" W 4-8" Early Summer Sun Part Sun Baby Sage Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ Lamiaceae (The Mint Family) Zone 7-9 Very cool and a bestseller. This is a fast-growing wild selection of a Mexican sage which is adorned with stunning bicolour flowers -- white flowers with red lips -- from May until frost. But the expression of colour is temperature sensitive. In spring the flowers are usually all red, later bicoloured/hot lipped and in the heat of the summer all white, then returning to bicoloured and then red again in the fall. Will produce thousands of flowers in a season. Welldrained soil in full sun. Hard prune each spring. White/Cr H 2-4' W 3-5' Summer Loves Sun Sun Sage Salvia nemerosa ‘Caradonna’ Lamiaceae (The Mint Family) Zone 3 Hands down one of our favourite sages at the nursery and one of the best tried and true garden stalwarts we carry. 'Caradonna' has neat and tidy spires of purple flowers held with purple buds and purple stems. It is strongly upright and structural in the garden as long as soils are not too rich or the light too low. It blooms over an extended period and will rebloom with deadheading. Photo courtesy of Purple H 12-24" W 12-24" Spring - Summer Sun Part Sun Painted Daisy Tanacetum (Pyrethrum) coccineum Robinsons Hybrids Asteraceae (The Aster Family) Zone 5 This old-fashioned daisy relative comes in shades of magenta-red, magenta and pink. Each flower has a yellow centre and is held on stems up to three feet. An excellent, long-lasting cut flower. The foliage has finely divided, bright green leaves and is often fragrant. Prefers moist, fertile and well-drained soils Magenta H 2-4' W 12-24" Early Summer Full - Part Shade Sun Perennials p. 27 Foamflower Tiarella ‘Pink Skyrocket’ Saxifragaceae (The Saxifrage Family) Zone 4-9 Deeply cut and darkly patterned foliage with exceptionally dense flower heads. The buds are dark pink opening to the palest pink which gives a luscious bi-colour effect. Very long blooming and fabulous for shade. Also available: ‘Running Tapestry’, ‘Spanish Cross’, ‘Spring Symphony’, ‘Filigree Lace’ and wherryi. Pink H 8-12" W 8-12" Spring Full - Part Shade Shade Red Trillium Trillium erectum Trilliaceae (The Trillium Family) Zone 4-8 11cm $11.99 Deep burgundy-red outward facing blooms. So rich! Our clump of three looked scrumptious last year blooming near Himalayan blue poppies, Carex elata ‘Bowles Golden’ and underplanted with the chartreuse groundcover, Selaginella ‘Aurea’. Native to eastern North America including Quebec and Burgund H 8-12" W 4-8" Spring Shade PartTrillium Shade Snow Trillium grandiflorum ‘Plenum’ Trilliaceae (The Trillium Family) Zone 4-8 1g $89.99 This is the spectacular, very rare, fully double form of the eastern North American snow trillium which resembles a delicate white rose or camellia sitting on top of the tripartite foliage. Stunning! Flowers open pure white gradually fading to pale pink. Double flowered forms of trilliums, since they don’t have any reproductive structures and thus don’t get pollinated, often bloom for a longer period than regular trilliums. Large, blooming size rhizomes. White/Cr H 8-12" W 8-12" Spring Shade Part Shade Yellow Trillium Trillium luteum Trilliaceae (The Trillium Family) Zone 4-8 11cm $11.99 The citrus-scented, lemon yellow blooms of this species are sessile (without a flower stalk) and thus sit on top of the leaves which are beautifully silvermottled. Native to the rich, deciduous woods of the Pink H 8-12" W 4-8" Spring Shade Part Shade Perennials p. 28 Toadshade Trillium Trillium sessile Trilliaceae (The Trillium Family) Zone 4-8 1g $11.99 Red tulip-shaped blooms (with petals more elongated than T. recurvatum) with mottled green foliage. Eastern US. Red H 8-12" W 4-8" Spring Shade Part Shade Viola Viola 'Black Magic' Violaceae (The Violet Family) Zone These black-flowering violas bloom for a long time in spring and often into summer. They love part sun to part shade in evenly moist soils. Black H 4-8" W 4-8" Spring - Fall Loves Shade Part Shade Calla Lily Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Crowborough’ Araceae (The Arum Family) Zone 8 Clump-forming with bright green foliage to around two feet in height with a succession of large pure white spathes with yellow spadices. If you hold back on deadheading, the flowers will be followed by clusters of attractive yellow fruits. Once established, these plants are sensational. Likes to be moist and can be grown as a marginal aquatic. Green until hard frosts. Mulch with fallen leaves - pack leaves around the perimetre and right into the centre of the plant to protect the crowns in winter. White/Cr H 2-4' W 2-3' Summer Loves Sun Sun Calla Lily Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘White Giant’ Araceae (The Arum Family) Zone 7-10 2g $29.99 This fantastic, imposing, giant selection of Z. aethiopica features five foot clumps of whitespeckled, ruffled arrow-shaped leaves topped by seven foot tall flower stems carrying the classic white boot-shaped calla flower. For full sun and moist soils. Green until hard frosts. Mulch with fallen leaves pack leaves around the perimetre and right into the centre of the plant to protect the crowns in winter. Calla lilies can be slow to bulk up in the garden so investing in a larger size is a good idea. White/Cr H 4-6' W 3-5' Summer Loves Sun Sun Shrubs p. 29 4 Shrubs California Lilac Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ‘Victoria’ Rhamnaceae (The Buckthorn Family) Zone 7-9 This excellent shrub hails from a diverse group of species whose centre of diversity is in Oregon and California. Small, evergreen, dark green leaves set off the clusters of fragrant (like sweet baby powder), royal blue flowers in late spring and early summer. A real bee magnet. Blue H 4-6' W 3-5' Late Spring Loves Sun FullRock - PartRose Sun Cistus x hybridus 'McGuire's Gold' Cistaceae (The Rockrose Family) Zone 7-10 'McGuire's Gold' is the first all gold leaf Cistus x hybridus! It has a low, mounding habit and is evergreen. Use to create contrast or as an accent in the sun garden. Charming white flowers dot the foliage in May and June. Foliage is lush and plant is naturally well branched. Drought resistant once established. A serious attention getter and focal point for a hot sunny spot. White/Cr H 2-4' W 2-3' Summer Loves Sun Sun Rock Rose Cistus x hybridus 'Mickie' Cistaceae (The Rockrose Family) Zone 7-10 This stable variegated form of Cistus x hybridus has gold foliage with green centres. It has a low, mounding habit that hugs the ground and creates a super colourful, evergreen accent. Charming white flowers punctuate the flashy foliage in May and June. 'Mickie' hails from northern Washington State and has survived some brutal winters. White/Cr H 2-4' W 2-3' Summer Loves Sun Sun Daphne Daphne x burkwoodii ‘Carol Mackie’ Thymelaeaceae (The Daphne Family) Zone 5-9 ‘Carol Mackie’ has variegated leaves with a thin golden yellow edge fading to creamy white. The fragrant white flowers appear in late spring (and sometimes again in the fall). Rich, well-drained soil in sun. Do not move after planting. Photo courtesy Great Plant Picks. Pink H 4-6' W 2-3' Late Spring Full - Part Sun Part Shade Shrubs p. 30 Tree Mallow Lavatera thuringiaca ‘Red Rum’ Malvaceae (The Mallow Family) Zone 6-9 1g $9.99 ‘Red Rum’ is a compact grower great for containers or as a mid-level plant in a perennial bed. Dark red stems hold closely packed red-pink flowers. The close clustering of the flowers makes an intense floral display from spring through summer and likely into fall. Named after the multi-race award winning British racehorse, Red Rum. Magenta H 4-6' W 2-3' Spring - Summer Sun Part Sun Tree Mallow Lavatera x clementii ‘Barnsley’ Malvaceae (The Mallow Family) Zone 8-10 The tall sturdy plants with maple-shaped leaves are strong and cold hardy and offer masses of flowers for months in the summer and fall reminiscent of more tropical locales. The flowers are white blushed with pink and are two to three inches across. Pink H 6-10' W 3-5' Summer - Fall Sun Sun TreePart Mallow Lavatera x clementii ‘Burgundy Wine’ Malvaceae (The Mallow Family) Zone 8-10 This large growing lavatera has deep peony pink flowers produced in great profusion through the summer months. The profusion of colour is almost tropical. Pink H 6-10' W 3-5' Summer - Fall Sun Part Sun Tree Peony Paeonia suffruticosa Various Cultivars Paeoniaceae (The Peony Family) Zone 4-9 1g $49.99 Tree peonies are spectacular though slow-growing garden shrubs with magnificent blooms. They are worth every effort and a little patience. This year we offer a number of two to three year old plants: ‘Feng Dan Bai’ (white), ‘Hu Hong’ (pink), ‘Wu Long Peng Seng’ (purplish-red), ‘Zhu Sha Lei’ (soft pink), ‘Kinkaku’ (orange), and two cultivars named simply ‘Purple’ and ‘Yellow’. Limited quantities. Various H 4-6' W 3-5' Late Spring Sun Part Sun Shrubs p. 31 China Rose Rosa chinensis ‘Mutabilis’ Rosaceae (The Rose Family) Zone 5-10 The delicate single flowers of 'Mutabilis' look like butterflies perched amongst the red-tinged leaves and airy stems. Vermilion buds open to deep pink flowers which age to light pink, apricot and finally creamy yellow. On an established plant all of these colours will be present at once creating an everchanging palette of beautiful colour. Will rebloom throughout the season. By far Gary’s favourite rose. Plant in a sheltered location out of wind. Tolerant of shade. Impervious to disease. Yellow H 4-6' W 2-3' Spring - Summer Full - Part Sun Sun Grasses p. 32 5 Grasses Bowles Golden Sedge Carex elata ‘Aurea’ Cyperaceae (The Sedge Family) Zone 3-9 This superlative sedge is fantastic in part sun to shade. The grass-like foliage is like a golden fountain which combines perfectly with blue-leaved hostas, toadlilies and ferns. Brown H 12-24" W 12-24" Spring Full - Part Shade Full - Part Sun Striped Weeping Sedge Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ Cyperaceae (The Sedge Family) Zone 5-9 One of the most beautiful of all the sedges, the narrow foliage arches into attractive humocks. Each leaf is vividly striped dark green and creamy gold. The nice weeping habit makes ‘Evergold’ usefull as a the border, near a water feature, in mass plantings, and in pots and planters! Though recommended for average to moist sites I have found it to be quite drought tolerant in shaded areas. Evergreen. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens. Brown H 8-12" W 8-12" Spring Full - Part Shade Full - Part Sun Blue Oat Grass Helictotrichon sempervirens Poaceae (The Grass Family) Zone 4-9 This superlative grass offers perfect clumps of domeshaped intensely blue foliage that lasts all year providing great leaf texture and colour to the sunny border. In the summer elegant tan coloured flower spikes appear over the foliage. Also great as a specimen in pots or urns. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens. Blue H 2-4' W 12-24" Spring - Summer Loves Sun Sun Vines p. 33 6 Vines Chocolate Vine Akebia quinata Lardizabalaceae (The Lardizabala Family) Zone 5-9 A decorative, twining climber with attractive leaves and flowers. The leaves are divided into five leaflets. The flowers appear in clusters of purple and mauve and smell like chocolate. Magenta H 10-15' W 8-10' Late Spring Full - Part Sun Sun Clematis Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 4-9 This classic clematis was first hybridized in 1862 and is still one of the most popular cultivars. It has deep purple four to six inche wide flowers in profusion. Try growing it into an old rhodo or through a climbing rose. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens. Purple H 6-10' W 2-3' Summer Full - Part Sun Sun Clematis Clematis Various Cultivars Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 5-9 There are so many different clematis cultivars that it is very difficult to carry them all. We do the best we can though with our Clematis Conundrum annual event which takes place each year in the middle of April when we carry over 100 different clematis and other vines. If you are looking for a particular cultivar, please let us know. We could put you on the Wish List and give you a call if we find it. Various H 6-10' W 3-5' Spring - Fall Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Clematis Clematis (Evison Collection) ‘Crystal Fountain’ Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 4-9 1g $29.99 ‘Crystal Fountain’ has rich lavender-blue petals with striped olive green centres and midribs all topped with large, dramatic white stamens and a central cluster of bright yellow-green. The effect is of an ornate, semi-double clematis. Truly stunning! The Evison Hybrid clematis are a new collection of superior clematis cultivars with long bloom periods, excellent disease resistance, and bold colours. Use them on trellises and pergolas, grow them into shrubs, or use them as groundcovers. Blue H 4-6' W 2-3' Spring - Fall Sun Part Sun Vines p. 34 Clematis Clematis (Evison Collection) ‘Empress’ Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 4-9 1g $29.99 ‘Empress’ has purest pink petals with deep magenta midribs which frame a large pink and white boss of stamens centred with lime green. The effect is of an ornate, semi-double clematis. Truly stunning! The Evison Hybrid clematis are a new collection of superior clematis cultivars with long bloom periods, excellent disease resistance, and bold colours. Use them on trellises and pergolas, grow them into shrubs, or use them as groundcovers. Pink H 4-6' W 2-3' Spring - Fall Sun Part Sun Clematis Clematis (Evison Collection) ‘Franziska Maria’ Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 4-9 1g $29.99 ‘Franziska Maria’ has rich, purple-blue, fully double flowers that bloom on both old and new wood giving this cultivar twice the flowers of most other clematis. Can’t go wrong there! The Evison Hybrid clematis are a new collection of superior clematis cultivars with long bloom periods, excellent disease resistance, and bold colours. Use them on trellises and pergolas, grow them into shrubs, or use them as Purple H 4-6' W 2-3' Spring - Fall Sun Part Sun Clematis Clematis (Evison Collection) ‘Josephine’ Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 4-9 1g $29.99 ‘Josephine’ has big, bold, luscious, fully double flowers with lilac pink petals centred with a magenta midrib. Grow it in shade, however, and you’ll get double green flowers! A 1998 Chelsea Flower Show Award winner. The Evison Hybrid clematis are a new collection of superior clematis cultivars with long bloom periods, excellent disease resistance, and bold colours. Use them on trellises and pergolas, grow them into shrubs, or use them as Pink H 4-6' W 2-3' Spring - Fall Sun Part Sun Clematis Clematis (Kivistik Collection) ‘Minister’ Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 3-9 1g $18.99 Large, six inch, mid-purple flowers with an explosion of yellow and burgundy anthers. Extremely freeflowering, it blooms from early summer through late fall. Originating in Estonia the Kivistik clematis have a compact growth habit, copious blooms on the current season's growth, an unusually long bloom period, rich colours, great disease resistance, and hardiness to zone 3. Their compact size and long bloom time make them excellent in containers or in Purple H 4-6' W 2-3' Spring - Fall Sun Part Sun Vines p. 35 Clematis Clematis (Kivistik Collection) ‘Piilu’ Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 3-9 1g $18.99 ‘Piilu’ has large, ruffled, light purplish-pink flowers with bold magenta bars. The heaviest bloomer in the collection, it flowers in May-June as double flowers then later as singles until October. Originating in Estonia the Kivistik clematis have a compact growth habit, copious blooms on the current season's growth, an unusually long bloom period, rich colours, great disease resistance, and hardiness to zone 3. Their compact size and long bloom time make them excellent in containers or in the garden. Pink H 4-6' W 2-3' Spring - Fall Sun Part Sun Clematis Clematis (Kivistik Collection) ‘Ruutel’ Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 3-9 1g $18.99 ‘Ruutel’ has six inch dark magenta red flowers with a dark red sepal and near black anthers. Said to be one of the very best pure red clematis and flowers from June through September. Originating in Estonia the Kivistik clematis have a compact growth habit, copious blooms on the current season's growth, an unusually long bloom period, rich colours, great disease resistance, and hardiness to zone 3. Their compact size and long bloom time make them excellent in containers or in the garden. Red H 4-6' W 2-3' Spring - Fall Sun Part Sun Clematis Clematis (Kivistik Collection) ‘Silmakivi’ Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 3-9 1g $18.99 ‘Silmakivi’ has very plentiful, large, six inch wide, light blue flowers with lighter blue, almost white, centres and yellow stamens from July to September. Originating in Estonia the Kivistik clematis have a compact growth habit, copious blooms on the current season's growth, an unusually long bloom period, rich colours, great disease resistance, and hardiness to zone 3. Their compact size and long bloom time make them excellent in containers or in the garden. Blue H 4-6' W 2-3' Spring - Fall Sun Part Sun Vines p. 36 Purple-Leaved Clematis Clematis recta ‘Purpurea’ Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family) Zone 3-9 This uncommon clematis is a non-climbing clump former that is grown primarily for its beautiful leaves and stems which are at first rich burgundy gradually maturing to a grey-green. The flowers are white, vanilla-scented and quite small but appear in nice clusters by the hundreds. This is a good clematis to grow in the perennial border up through other perennials or shrubs. Cut back after blooming for a new flush of burgundy foliage. White/Cr H 2-4' W 2-3' Spring - Summer Loves Sun Full - Part Sun Hall’s Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’ Caprifoliaceae (The Honeysuckle Family) Zone 4 This superb and vigorous honeysuckle graces the entranceway to the nursery and to our perennial field. When it begins to bloom in late spring everyone asks what that heavenly scent is. ‘Halliana’ has rich mid-green evergreen foliage and flowers that open white and colour to pale yellow and then to deep White/Cr H 10-15' W 8-10' Summer Full - Part Sun Sun Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica ‘Repens Purpurea’ Caprifoliaceae (The Honeysuckle Family) Zone 5 Semi-evergreen, plum-tinted foliage with green undersides that goes so well with its fragrant flowers which sport shades of plum, white and yellow. Purple / H 10-15' W 10' + Summer Full - Part Sun Sun