Brunnera produces sprays of small blue or white flowers nestled among handsome, coarse leaves in spring. The blooms look like tiny forget-me-nots. Brunnera is a hardy perennial that make a good ground cover. It grows and flowers best in dappled shade in hot summer regions. In cool-summer regions it can be planted in full sun. […] More
Alchemilla–commonly called Lady’s Mantle– is a low-growing perennial with chartreuse blooms and rounded pale green lobed leaves that hold beads of sparkling morning dew on their surface. Commonly called lady’s mantle is often used as an edging plant or groundcover in shady places. Alchemilla is a genus of low-growing, evergreen perennials of the Rose family. […] More
Thyme is a genus of aromatic herbs or shrubby plants that belong to the mint family. There are several vrieties of thyme that are cultivated as bohyt ornamental and sweet herbs. Most have small lavender or pink flowers. They are often planted in the rock gardens, as borders in ornamental gardens, or in herb gardens. […] More
Phlomis–often called Jerusalem sage– are evergreen perennials and small shrubs that bear dense whorls or tiers of tubular, two-lipped flowers. The often hooded flowers are white, yellow, or pink. Phlomis are somewhat sagelike. Like sage, they are especially showy massed in borders. Phlomis should be grown in full sun and average to fertile well-drained soil. Phlomis […] More
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
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
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
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
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
Stephen Albert