Dodecatheon–commonly called shooting stars–is a perennial that bears shuttlecock-shaped flowers in spring. The pendant flowers are borne on arching stems; the petals are acutely reflexed, displaying long, beadlike stamens. Dodecatheon is native to damp meadows and high alpine meadows. It prefers full sun where summers are cool. It can be grown in partial afternoon shade…
Aegopodium–commonly called bishop’s weed–is a ground-covering perennial that will grow where many other plants will not. It can be used as spreading ground cover but should be grown apart from most other plants; it spreads via rhizomes and can be invasive when grown near other plants. Aegopodium bears deep green leaves; each leaf consists of…
Actaea–commonly called baneberry–is a rhizomatous perennial that bears fluffy racemes of small white flowers in late spring and early summer. The flowers are followed by clusters of round berries that add color to the garden in late summer and fall. Actaea forms handsome 2- to 4-foot-wide clumps of mid-green leaves that are divided in a…
Althaea–commonly called marsh mallow–is a perennial often grown as an annual. It closely resembles the hollyhock (Alcea) but with smaller, usually stalked flowers. Althaea is often grown in moist, brackish habitats. Althaea bears pink to purple, cup-shaped flowers on tall, erect stems in summer. The flowers are smaller than hollyhocks with notched petals. The flowers…
Abronia–commonly called sand verbena–is a trailing perennial or annual that bears dense, verbena-like round-topped clusters that can be pink, rose-pink, or purple. Abronia resembles verbena but is not a true verbena. Abronia is a perennial in mild-winter regions of the Western United States where it is a native. It can be grown as an annual…
Zauschneria–commonly called California fuchsia–is a rhizomatous perennial that bears tubular scarlet flowers to 2-inches long atop wiry stems. The narrow leaves are green to gray-green and often felted. Zauschneria is a genus of 4 species native to the western United States and Mexico, primarily California and Baja California. Zauschneria is related to Fuchsia (true fuchsias) and Oenothera (evening…
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