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    How to Grow Virginia Bluebells — Mertensia

    Mertensia — commonly called Virginia bluebells–bears loose clusters of pendent, bell-shaped or tubular flowers. Blooms commonly come in shades of blue to purple, as well as white and sometimes pink. Smaller species of Mertensia are suited for gravel beds and rock gardens. Larger ones can be planted in perennial borders or woodland gardens. Mertensia grows best in […] More

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    How to Grow Blazing Star — Liatris

    Liatris–commonly called blazing star–is an upright, cold- and salt-tolerant perennial with clumps of linear leaves. From late summer to early fall, poker-like spikes of fluffy, pinky-purple, or white flowers appear. Liatris is a genus of showy North American perennial plants of the Composite family. The small flower heads are generally borne close against the long […] More

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    How to Grow Leopard Plant — Ligularia

    Ligularia–commonly called leopard plant–bears large, orange-yellow daisy-like flowers from midsummer to early fall. The plant is an upright, clump-forming perennial with large, leathery, heart-shaped rich green leaves. Ligularia is a genus of perennials with broad basal leaves showily marked and numerous yellow flowerheads on 5-foot stems. It is a striking subject in borders and is […] More

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    How to Grow False Sunflower — Heliopsis

    Heliopsis — commonly called false sunflower or oxeye — bears yellow or orange daisy-like flowers from late summer to early fall. False sunflower is an upright medium-sized perennial with large lance-shaped leaves. Heliopsis is a member of the aster family. Species members of the Heliopsis genus are native North American wildflowers. They bear sunflower-like flower […] More

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    How to Grow Wand Flower — Gaura

    Gaura–commonly called wand flower–is an upright perennial that bears white or pink starry flowers on long wiry stems from summer to fall. Gaura is suited for beds and borders where it can catch the breeze and waft freely in the wind. There are 20 species in the Gaura genus, but only one is commonly grown […] More

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    How to Grow Bishop’s Hats — Epimedium

    Epimedium–commonly called bishop’s hats–is a low-growing plant with foliage that is bronzy pink in spring, green in summer, and bronzy in autumn. In spring Epimedium produces loose spikes of small, waxy flowers that resemble tiny columbines. Flowers can be pink, red, red-orange, creamy yellow, or white. Epimedium is a good choice as a ground cover […] More

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    How to Grow Red Valerian — Centranthus

    Centranthus ruber — commonly called red valerian — is an upright perennial with white, pink, or red flowers. It is sometimes seen along roadsides but is a good fit for cottage gardens. Centranthus forms bushy clumps with upright stems to 3 feet tall. Small, dusty crimson or rose-pink flowers appear in dense terminal clusters. Blooms […] More

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    How to Grow Belamcanda

    Belamcanda–commonly called blackberry lily– bears branched clusters of small yellow-orange flowers. Flowers appear above iris-like fans of sword-shaped leaves that grow from thick, fleshy rhizomes. The flowers are followed by showy clusters of shiny blackberry-like fruits, thus the common name blackberry lily. Belamcanda is a member of the iris family. It is a perennial that […] More

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    How to Grow Bugleweed — Ajuga

    Ajuga species—often called bugleweed—is a vigorous ground-hugging perennial usually grown as a ground cover. It has both showy foliage and flowers. Leaves are spoon-shaped and born in dense rosettes from green to bronze to purplish. Flowers appear in spring and summer on spikes and range from cobalt blue to bluish purple. Ajuga reptans the most […] More

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    How to Grow False Lupine — Thermopsis

    Thermopsis–commonly called false lupine–is a rhizomatous perennial cultivated for its attractive foliage and yellow or purple pea-like flowers. From a distance, Thermopsis looks like lupines (Lupinus spp. or baptisia (Baptisia, spp.). Thermopsis is native grassy mountainsides and woodlands in North America. It can grow in full sun or very light shade and wants well-drained soil […] More

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    How to Grow Soapwort — Saponaria

    Saponaria–commonly called soapwort–is a perennial that bears clusters of five-petaled flowers usually in shades of pink. Saponaria spread readily from fleshy white roots that creep to form broad clumps. Saponaria includes ground-hugging and taller plants. Compact cultivars are suited for a rock garden, trough, or raised bed. Taller spreading plants can be used in herbaceous […] More

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    How to Grow Russian Sage — Perovskia

    Perovskia–commonly called Russian sage–bears airy heads of lavender-blue flowers from late summer to fall. Perovskia is a woody-based perennial with erect stems covered in deeply divided, grey-green aromatic leaves. Stems are bare white in winter. Perovskia is a good choice for planting in a mixed or herbaceous border. Perovskia is a genus of seven species […] More