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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Hollyhock mallow, Malva alcea, bears open funnel-shaped, purplish-pink flowers to 3 inches across. The flowers appear on terminal racemes. Hollyhock mallow is an erect, bushy perennial with heart-shaped, scalloped, light-green leaves. Malva is a genus of about 30 species–including annuals, biennials, and perennials. The common name of the group is Mallow. Mallows bear five-petaled, cup- […] More
Lavandula–commonly called lavender–is an evergreen subshrub with narrow, aromatic silver-gray leaves and dense spikes of fragrant, deep purple flowers held on wiry stems from mid- to late summer. Some varieties have flowers in shades of white, pink, and mauve. Lanvandula is grown for ornament in the garden and for its sweet scent when dried. The […] More
Galium — commonly called sweet woodruff– is a carpet-like, spreading perennial with emerald-green leaves and a froth of starry white blooms that appear from late spring to midsummer. Sweet woodruff is a good choice for a shade or woodland garden. It can tolerate dry soil under a large tree. Galium will grow in just about […] More
Adding edible perennials to your garden will give you many years of harvest pleasure. Asparagus, artichokes, Jerusalem artichokes, rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, and perennial herbs are easy-to-grow perennial edibles. Planning to plant perennial crops Perennials live in one place for several years and have different management needs than annuals. Dedicate specific growing spaces to each […] More
Stephen Albert