Stokesia — commonly called Stokes’ aster–bears cornflower or asterlike flowers from midsummer to early fall. The long-lasting, colorful, terminal flowerheads are solitary or produced in many-flowered corymbs. Flowers are good as cut flowers. Each Stokesia blossom has a central button of small flowers, surrounded by a ring of larger ones. Flowerheads can be blue, purplish blue, or […] More
Tradescantia is a genus of creeping, trailing, or tuft-forming tropical foliage plants. One species, Tradescantia fluminensis–commonly called wandering Jew–has handsome iridescent green and purple striped leaves. Another, T. andersoniana–known as spiderwort–looks like a small corn plant with numerous iris-like blossoms. Tradescantias are evergreen perennials in warm-winter regions, mostly short-lived. They are suitable for herbaceous borders […] More
Cimicifuga–commonly called Bugbane–is a long-lived perennial with wand-like spires of creamy white flowers. Cimicifuga is also called black snakeroot. Cimicifuga makes a bold statement in bloom at the back of shady borders. It is a good choice for woodland gardens interplanted with ferns. Cimicifuga can grow to 4 feet tall. Slim spikes of small white […] More
Sisyrinchium – commonly called Blue-eyed grass–bears star, cup, or shallowly trumpet-shaped flowers that can be blue, yellow, mauve, white, and occasionally pink. The flowers appear in summer and are borne singly or in umbel-like clusters. Sisyrinchium despite its common name is not a grass; it is a relative of the iris. Sisyrinchium produces clumps of linear […] More
Platycodon–commonly called balloon flower–is a perennial that bears mostly purple-blue flowers opening from balloon-like buds from spring through early fall. The inflated flower buds that look like balloons split open into broad, shallow, bell-shaped flowers. A single species comprises the genus Platycodon, however, there are several cultivars; some may bear white or pink flowers. Flowers […] More
Myosotis–commonly called Forget-me-not–bears tiny, saucer-shaped, yellow-eyed, blue, or occasionally white or pink flowers from spring to early summer. Myosotis is a tufted plant with ovate to lance-shaped, gray-green leaves. Plants grow erect or sprawling. Myosotis is a good choice for shady flower beds and moist places near water. They spread rapidly by seed and with […] More
Monarda–commonly called bee balm–bears hooded red, pink, white, or lilac summer trumpet-shaped flowers borne in whorls. The flowers attract bees and butterflies. Monarda is a tall clump-forming perennial with, aromatic lance-shaped green leaves. Monarda has dark green leaves with a strong pleasant odor of mint and basil. Monarda is a perennial; it is not long-lived […] More
Liriope–commonly called lilyturf or blue lilyturf–bears lavender or purple-blue, thickly clustered flower spikes in fall, followed by black berries. Liriope is a spreading evergreen perennial that forms dense clumps of grass-like glossy dark green leaves. Liriopecan be invasive in some areas. Liriope is a genus of stemless, smooth, evergreen perennials; they are members of the […] More
Hostas are large-leaved plants that add texture and color to the front of shady beds and borders. Spikes of blue, lavender, or white trumpet-shaped flowers rise above mounds of leaves. Leaves may be heart-shaped, lance-shaped, oval, or nearly round. Foliage runs from lime to dark green, greenish-gold, gray, and blue with many variegated forms. Most […] More
Hardy hibiscus, also called perennial hibiscus and rose mallow, is a woody-based perennial that bears widely funnel-shaped flowers with spreading petals that are white, pink, or crimson. The flowers are borne on erect stems with broadly ovate to lance-shaped mid-green leaves. The botanical name of the hardy hibiscus is Hibiscus moscheutos. The hardy hibiscus has […] More
Cushion spurge – botanical name Euphorbia epitbymoides – creates symmetrical dense mounds of pale green leaves topped with chartreuse flowerlike bracts. Cushion spurge brings a splash of bright color to the garden from spring well into summer. Foliage turns deep red foliage in autumn. Cushion spurge is one of the longest lived and easiest-to-care-for perennials. […] More
The Crown of Thorns plant, Euphorbia milii, gets its common name from the sharp spines that protect the thick stems of this cactus-like plant. A relative of the poinsettia, the crown of thorns has small grayish-green leaves that provide year-round color, while bright red flower bracts appear in fall and winter. Crown of thorns thrives […] More
Stephen Albert