May 19, 2022

It’s officially spring! The leaves are on the trees, the spring flowers are blooming.We made it through another cold time. Happy gardening in this special time of year.

If you have any plant questions we can help you with, please call and leave a message at 250-297-6553, or, better yet, drop us an email:

arcadiaborealis@gmail.com

If we don’t get back to you within a reasonable time, please call/email again. It’s pretty hectic around here, and sometimes things get missed or lost in the shuffle. (Or we get in too late for a call-back.)

~ The Plant Archives~

• Did you buy a plant from Hill Farm in the past? Check its name tag and look for its description in the list below. The list is arranged alphabetically by LATIN NAME.
• We are in the (extended) process of reorganizing this archive list and including every plant we’ve ever offered. This page is therefore a work in progress – like so many aspects of our lives here on Hill Farm! – so please check back occasionally to see the updates.
  
• Scroll down to the end of the PERENNIALS & BIENNIALS section to find GRASSES and ANNUALS.
• TOMATOES have their own page.
• Some plants also have entries on the PLANT PORTRAITS page. If you see a GREEN LINK, click for an expanded description and images.

PERENNIALS & BIENNIALS

ACANTHUS

Family: Acanthaceae

Acanthus hungaricus. HUNGARIAN ACANTHUS. Perennial. Zone 4/5. Syn. A. balcanicus. A.k.a. HUNGARIAN BEAR’S BREECHES. Native to the Balkan region. This is the hardiest of the small but uniformly handsome Acanthus tribe which flourishes mainly in the Mediterranean region. Take a look at those ancient, ornate Greek columns, carved with scrolls of leaves at base and/or crown. Those leaves will most likely be Acanthus. Quite the heritage! Ancient pedigree and artful associations aside, this is a prime garden ornamental, and worth the trouble it will give you in keeping it alive in your Cariboo-Chilcotin garden, for it does require some creative siting (the warmest, sunniest spot you have), preferably set amongst some largish rocks to give the roots something to delve under, and a generous heaping of dry wood shavings or peat moss applied in late autumn. Your reward will be a stout clump of glossy, slightly prickly, thistle-like foliage, with sturdy stems arising to two feet or so in mid-summer, lined with dusky purple bracts cradling pinky-mauve dragon’s-head blooms. These persist for many weeks, and when they finally fade the seedstalk is attractive enough to leave intact for continued garden interest. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture. Decently drought tolerant once well established. Deer resistant, too.

ACERIPHYLLUM syn. MUKDENIA

Family: Saxifragaceae

Aceriphyllum rossii syn. Mukdenia rossii. MUKDENIA. Perennial. Zone 4. Native to Korea, Northern China and Manchuria. Forms a compact clump which expands by slowly creeping rhizomatous roots. Rosy-blushed, crowded bud spikes emerge in earliest spring a little before the foliage, and the budding stems and leaves grow a little day by day, until at last, in late April or early May, the first white stars appear. The show lasts for weeks, well into June if we don’t have a heat wave. Fan-folded, maple-leaf-shaped, silken-sheened foliage emerges red-blushed after the bud spikes. Foliage stays fresh all summer. This quietly beautiful plant never has a bad moment, and is lovely as a premium near-the-front specimen plant in the shady or woodland border. To 12 inches tall, with the clump slowly expanding to 18 inches or so. Humus-rich soil in sun to part shade. Afternoon shade in particular is appreciated. Average soil moisture is fine, but keep an eye on it during the peak of summer and supplement its moisture if it looks stressed.

ACHILLEA ~ Yarrows

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Achillea ageratum. ‘MOONWALKER’ SWEET YARROW.  Perennial. Zone 4/5. Southern Europe. A.k.a. SWEET NANCY, ENGLISH MACE, SWEET MAUDLIN. A restrained clump former to 18 inches tall or so. Sturdy stems lined with un-yarrow-like (not ferny) neatly serrated, entire leaves. Corymbes of small, button-like, mustard-yellow flowers in summer and early autumn. An aromatic plant once highly valued by medieval herbalists and housewives for its use in “sweet waters” and as a strewing herb. The species has creamy blooms, and ‘Moonwalker’ is a variation, or perhaps a natural hybrid. We have found that this plant was a bit of a disappointment in our garden. It was not happy with our winters, and died back severely, with only a few surviving shoots struggling out of the blackened crowns each spring. It is pleasantly scented, and pretty enough in a restrained way, but when it finally fatally faded away we were content to let it go. We may try it again one day, as it has interesting historical connections. It prefers sun, good soil and moisture. Not particulary drought tolerant in our experience.

Achillea clypeolata x taygetea. ‘MOONSHINE’ YARROW. Perennial. Zone 4. This is an interesting cultivar one often sees mentioned with great enthusiasm by garden writers. It was introduced by the famed Blooms of Bressingham nursery in England in 1954, and was hailed as a wonderful addition to the garden palette of colours, having wonderfully silver ferny foliage and flower heads of soft sulphur yellow. The opposite of brash, very tasteful indeed. This is a beautiful yarrow, although it requires a certain amount of fussing to keep it going. It gets very woody and tends to die off after only a few years if left undisturbed, and must be renewed by frequent division and nurturing of the new plantlets. We’ve grown it a number of times, and cheerfully replaced it when it dies, but are hesitant to recommend it for the general Cariboo-Chilcotin garden, being just a bit too unreliable. To 24 inches tall, and a tidy clump former. Sun, good soil and moisture, good winter drainage a must.

Achillea filipendulina. FERNLEAF YARROW ‘CLOTH of GOLD’.  Perennial. Zone 2. This is a great plant, very bright and showy. Shining yellow flowers in flattened domes top strong 24-inch stems. Non-invasive clump-former. Light sage-green, aromatic ferny foliage. A superb everlasting and cutflower – heads can reach 5 inches or more across. Good plant for the xeriscape garden. Average soil, drought tolerant, deer resistant.

Achillea millefolium v. rubra. ‘CASSIS’ YARROW.  Perennial. Zone 2. European Fleuroselect Winner 2002. Many corymbes of small, intensely burgundy red flowers on 24-inch stems in summer. Ferny, dark green, aromatic foliage. Great cutflower and everlasting; dries to a rich black currant colour, hence the cultivar name. There are many red yarrow cultivars available right now; all share similar ancestry, that of the A. millefolium var. rubra gene pool of the Appalachian wild yarrows. This one, as well as its compatriots, is very easy and dependable. The plant spreads from a central clump by creeping, rooted stems, but it is reasonably well behaved and easy to curb. Decently drought tolerant, so worth consideration in xeriscaping. Average soil, full sun.

Achillea millefolium v. rubra. ‘CERISE QUEEN’ YARROW.  Perennial. Zone 2. This one’s been around for years, a real cottage garden flower. Deep green, ferny, herbally-aromatic foliage, and many corymbes of cherry red blooms which fade through stages to a washed out almost-white. Long bloom time, spreads steadily but not invasively, tough as nails. Quite a decent cutflower, and can be dried as an everlasting if cut just at peak bloom, before the flowers start to fade. Good xeriscape plant once established, but gets taller and spreads faster with decent soil and moisture. 12 to 24 inches tall. Average soil, sun to light shade.

Achillea millefolium. ‘COLORADO’ YARROW. Perennial. Zone 2. This is a premium strain of this dependable and trouble-free cottage garden flower. Deep green, ferny, pungently aromatic foliage in low-growing clumps, with many sturdy 18 to 24-inch stems topped by generous corymbes of yellow-eyed flowers in shades of apricot, cerise pink, rose, rusty red, creamy beige, sulphur yellow. Flowers last a very long time, with colours fading as the blooms age, while new heads open their flowers to continue the show. Excellent cutflower and dried flower. Excellent beneficial insect plant, hosting ladybugs and parasitic wasps. Quite a good xeriscape plant, but flourishes even more abundantly with standard garden conditions. Spreads steadily outwards but not invasively so. Mass plantings make an excellent tall groundcover. Average soil, sun to light shade

Achillea millefolium x. ‘LAVENDER DEB’ YARROW.  Perennial. Zone 4. This pretty yarrow was separated out from the ‘Debutante’ colour strain and marketed as a single variety by the now-defunct Stirling Perennials in Ontario. We cherished it in the garden for a number of years, and sadly lost it through neglect one busy season when quackgrass invaded its planting. Blooms were a lovely soft rosy-purple, fading to a greyish pink. It was rather different, and I sometimes toy with the idea of trying to find it again, as the ‘Debutante’ seed mix still occasionally shows up in British listings. 18 to 24 inches tall. Sun, average soil, full sun.

Achillea millefolium x. ‘PAPRIKA’ YARROW.  Perennial. Zone 4. Many heads of bright, brick-red, yellow-eyed flowers which fade through light red, soft apricot and cream as the clusters age. Long bloom season in summer. Beautiful with Delphiniums chinense and belladonna – perfect colour contrast. Nice cutflower. 18 to 24 inches tall. Sun, average soil, full sun.

Achillea nana. DWARF ALPINE YARROW. Perennial. Zone 4. A tiny yarrow, only 4 inches tall or so. Very wooly, grey-green, aromatic, ferny foliage in neat rosettes. Clusters of off-white flowers with yellow centres for several months in summer. Excellent for rockery or border edge. Spreads modestly to form a tidy groundcover. From seed collected in the Bernina Alps, Switzerland. Sun to part shade, average conditions. Not as drought tolerant as others in its genus.

Achillea ptarmica ‘flore pleno’. PEARLY YARROW. Perennial. Zone 2. This pretty double has also been around for years, a very old garden flower from at least our grandmothers’ times. This is one that you can find surviving in old, overgrown gardens, bravely flowering away amid the quack grass and nettles. Clumps of multi-branching stems to 18 inches or so with many loose clusters of semi-double and double, yellow-eyed, pure white blooms. Excellent cutflower and garden companion plant. Long bloom time through summer. Common cultivars include ‘BALLERINA’, ‘THE PEARL SUPERIOR’.  Average soil, sun to light shade.

Achillea ptarmica ‘flore pleno’. PEARLY YARROW ‘NOBLESSA’.  Perennial. Zone 2. Old fashioned pearly yarrow is a favourite flower for borders and cutting, so when I kept seeing this “new and improved”, fast-blooming, dwarf variety, I was immediately intrigued. This compact cultivar grows only a foot or so tall, with many multibranching stems tipped with clusters of pure white, fully double blooms. Very pretty, but I’m not completely convinced it is a better plant than the older, taller varieties like ‘Ballerina’ and ‘The Pearl’ – it’s just a little bit lax and floppy in habit. Perhaps if one took advantage of this trait and grew it as an edger this would be a mark in favour? Average soil, sun to light shade.

Achillea sibirica var. camtschatica. KAMCHATKA YARROW ‘LOVE PARADE’.  Perennial. Zone 2. Clusters of large (for an Achillea), pastel pink, pale yellow-centered flowers on sturdy 18 to 24-inch stems. Long bloom time from June to September. Glossy, deep green, saw-cut leaves. Good cutflower. This is a very attractive variety, selected from a Russian wildflower. I like this one a lot, since first growing it a dozen or so years ago, when it appeared on all the seed lists as a “must have”. It seems to have settled down into being something of a standard variety, which is generally a good recommendation of garden merit. Sun to part shade, average soil.

Achillea tomentosa ‘aurea’. WOOLLY YARROW.  Perennial. Zone 3. Corymbes of clear yellow flowers on 6-inch stems. Silver-green, densely downy, soft and ferny foliage is especially attractive in early spring with crocuses and other small bulbs interplanted. Dwarf, mat-forming rockery or edging plant. Sun, good drainage.

Achillea wilsoniana. CHINESE YARROW.  Perennial. Zone 4. Finely cut, ferny, dark green, aromatic foliage. Upright stems to 24 inches topped by corymbes of small white blooms. Seed collected in China, where it is an important medicinal plant. One for the herb garden and the plant collector. Very similar to the North American wild white yarrow, A. millefolium, with slightly finer foliage. Sun, average soil.

ACINOS

Family: Lamiaceae

Acinos alpinus. MEDITERRANEAN ROCK THYME. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Satureja alpina. A.k.a. ALPINE CALAMINT. Nice little alpine for border front or rock garden. 12-inch wide, 6-inch tall clumps of rounded, deep green foliage literally covered with tubular, white-marked, bright violet-pink flowers late spring well into summer. Not a true thyme (those are the Thymus species) but similar in effect, though much showier than most. Sun, drought tolerant, best in well-drained soils.

ACONITUM ~ Monkshoods & Wolfsbanes

Family: Ranunculaceae

Note: All Aconitum (Monkshoods/Wolfsbanes) are poisonous. These plants are widely grown, and toxicity incidents are very rare, but keep ­­­­­­­­­­­­in mind if you garden with very small children.

Aconitum cammarum x ‘bicolour’. MONKSHOOD ‘BICOLOUR’.  Perennial. Zone 2. Short spikes of large, white-flushed-deep-purple blooms in summer on 3 to 5 foot plants. Very choice.  This old garden variety is somewhat hard to come by nowadays. A must-have plant for the heritage garden. Established plants make a long-lasting show in July and early August. Good soil and moisture, light shade best.

Aconitum cammarum x spicatum. MONKSHOOD ‘STAINLESS STEEL’.  Perennial. Zone 2. This is a relatively new cultivar, introduced in 1998. It is a hybrid of the gorgeous bicoloured monkshood, Aconitum cammarum, and a Himalayan species, A. spicatum. The individual hooded flowers look rather like bleached out versions of its variegated parent, being grayish white with faded purple veins, with a darker stamen cluster, but the overall effect is really something quite wonderful. Instead of the loosely arranged florets of A. cammarum, ‘Stainless Steel’ produces densely flowered spikes. Very vigorous and reliably sturdy, and the 3 to 4 foot stems stand tall without staking. Long bloom time, through July and August, with reliable autumn rebloom if the first spent spikes are trimmed back. Site carefully, as it does take a few years to really get going, and will resent being moved around too much. Light shade is best, with good soil and some summer moisture.

Aconitum carmichaellii syn. fischeri. AUTUMN MONKSHOOD. Perennial. Zone 4. A bold and handsome autumn-flowering monkshood with sturdy stems to 5 feet or taller. Very late blooming, starting in October, with dense spires of rich, dark blue, hooded flowers which last until the hardest frosts in fall. I would recommend that this one is only worth trying for those in longer-season microclimates in our area – in urban settings where frost is held at bay by the masses of pavement and concrete, and along the rural river corridors. Part shade best, and moist, humus-rich soil.

Aconitum henryi x. ‘SPARK’S VARIETY’ MONKSHOOD. Perennial. Zone 2. Loose sprays of deep, rich, dark indigo-purple hooded blooms in midsummer. Not a spire-former, much more branching, and the colour is outstanding in its intensity. This very beautiful variety is a garden cultivar of a Chinese wildflower, and has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. One of the finest monkshoods. 3 to 4 feet tall. Good soil and moisture, light shade best.

Aconitum lycoctonum ssp. vulparia. YELLOW WOLFSBANE.  Perennial. Zone 2. Syn. A. lamarckii.  Clusters of intriguing greeny-yellow buds, which slowly expand into elongated, pale sulphur yellow, hooded blooms in mid and late summer. 2 feet tall and wide, sometimes much taller, with deeply cut dark green foliage. Rare and unusual. I’ve divided mine on occasion and have offered a few through the nursery, but they do tend to sulk for a few years after such rough treatment. My advice is to site carefully with the long-term garden picture in mind, avoid disturbing if at all possible, and allow new plants a year or two to settle down to show you what they will do. Well worth the wait. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Aconitum napellus. BLUE MONKSHOOD. Perennial. Zone 2. Europe, Great Britain.  An upright, clump-forming species with flowering spikes of dusky, deep blue, hooded flowers in June and July. These do look like the cowled heads of medieval monks, or perhaps of armoured medieval soldiers, hence the alternate common name “Helmet Flower”. Closely related to Delphinium, and slightly similar in effect, though the spires of Aconitum  are much more slender. Bees are frequent visitors to all of the Monkshoods, forcing their way into the hooded blooms and emerging well-dusted with pale yellow pollen. This species is possibly one of the most toxic, though actual fatal poisonings are very rare, as the taste of the plant is so acrid and harsh as to discourage consumption. It is widely used in homeopathic medicine, and on occasion an overdose has been reported through this use. (Quite astounding, when one considers the micro-quantities used in homeopathy.) All this aside, A. napellus is an excellent garden flower, and has been grown for centuries with no fuss. It forms an impressive and long-lived clump in a few years. 4 to 6 feet tall. Light shade, good soil and moisture.

Aconitum napellus ‘album’. WHITE MONKSHOOD. Perennial. Zone 2. Handsome variation of the common Blue Monkshood. Clumps of lush foliage produce 2 to 4 foot tall bloom stems lined with pure white, hooded flowers in summer. Very popular with bees. Light shade, good soil and moisture. Deer resistant. 

Aconitum napellus ‘rubellum’. ROSY MONKSHOOD. Perennial. Zone 2.  Tall spires of widely-spaced, palest pink helmet-flowers. A seldom-seen, old-fashioned Monkshood, occasionally spotted in old gardens. The blushing rosy colour is unexpected and quite lovely. Bees love this one, as they do all of the Monkshoods and Delphiniums. Long-lived and trouble-free. Clump forming, 2 to 4 feet tall.  Light shade, good soil and moisture. Deer resistant. 

ADIANTUM ~ Maidenhair Ferns

Family: Pteridaceae

Adiantum pedatum. NORTHERN MAIDENHAIR FERN. Perennial. Zone 3. Eastern North America. A.k.a. FIVE-FINGERED FERN. A beautiful, deceptively delicate looking hardy fern from the deciduous mixed forests of eastern Canada and the United States. Delicate stalks are wire thin (and wire-tough!), shiny black in colour, and ornamented by frilled, fine-textured foliage unfolding and expanding as spring progresses. 12 to 24 inches tall and wide, spreads modestly by shallow rhizomes where happy. Excellent border plant for shady areas. Can also be grown as a houseplant. Part to full shade, average conditions. Prefers a moist, humus-rich ground, but tolerates dryer soils as well.

ADLUMIA

Family: Fumariaceae

Adlumia fungosa. CLIMBING BLEEDING HEARTS. Biennial vine. Zone 3. Eastern North America. A.k.a. ALLEGHENY VINE, MAIDENHAIR VINE. Delicate and very lovely climbing herbaceous vine. Ferny foliage and twining stems produce many hanging clusters of elongated, pale pearly-pink, heart-shaped flowers all summer and until the first killing frosts. Can reach to 12 feet tall or so. Nice growing through shrubs or tall, sturdy perennials – not a “choking” sort of vine. If content it will self sow. Part to full shade, good soil, moisture appreciated.

AEGOPODIUM

Family: Apiaceae/Umbelliferae

Aegopodium podagraria ‘variegata’.  BISHOP’S GOUTWORT. Perennial. Zone 1. Umbelliferae. Aka HANSEL-and-GRETEL. Attractively variegated pale green and ivory foliage, with umbels of delicate cream flowers in summer. Old-time, pre-Medieval garden plant, once used in medicine and cookery. A valuable groundcover for difficult sites. Not for use in the mixed border – this pretty thing is a dedicated spreader and gobbler-up of more-delicate neighbours! A solid edging or path will generally contain it. To 12 inches tall. To prevent unwanted establishment of Goutwort in other areas, do not compost discarded roots. It does not generally spread by seed. After some debate, we continue to offer this plant with this caveat: be aware of its spreading tendencies and plan its siting very carefully. It has been grown in Cariboo gardens for well over 100 years and has significant heritage value, but please don’t allow it to become a pest to neighbours or to establish in wild areas, in order that gardeners may continue to include it (carefully) in our problem-area plantings.  Any soil, average moisture, sun to shade.

AETHIONEMA ~ Stonecresses

Family: Brassicacea/Cruciferae

Aethionema schistosum. FRAGRANT PERSIAN STONECRESS. Perennial. Zone 3. Mediterranean, Western Asia. Shrubby, semi-evergreen, bushy clump former 6 to 10 inches tall, 12 to 16 inches wide. Very attractive blue-green foliage lines the stems, which are topped by crowded racemes of 4-petalled, soft pink, very sweetly fragrant flowers in late spring. For rockery or border front. Sun, average to low moisture, needs excellent drainage to overwinter. Potential xeriscape plant for gravel-based slopes.

AJUGA ~ Bugleweeds

Family: Lamiaceae

Ajuga reptans ‘atropurpurea’. BLACK-LEAF BUGLEWEED. Perennial. Zone 2. Groundcover. Glossy purple foliage. Short spikes of hooded, lilac-blue blooms in spring. 6 inches tall, 12 inches wide. Forms a dense, weed-proof mat, spreading by advancing rosettes. Vigorous but not invasive, easily curbed. A nicely trouble-free plant. Sun to shade, average conditions.

Ajuga reptans ‘atropurpurea’. ‘BLACK SCALLOP’ BUGLEWEED. Perennial. Zone 2. Elegant groundcover plant. Glossy, dark purple-black foliage is most stunning in early spring, but it holds its colour well through the rest of the year. Short spikes of hooded, lilac-blue blooms in spring are attractive in a quiet way. 6 inches tall, 12 inches wide. Forms a dense, weed-proof mat, spreading by advancing rosettes. Vigorous but not invasive, easily curbed. A nicely trouble-free plant. Sun to shade, average conditions.

Ajuga reptans ‘atropurpurea’. ‘VALFREDDA’ BUGLEWEED. Perennial. Zone 2. A very petite Ajuga, introduced by Valfredda Nursery in Italy, and commonly marketed in North America under the cultivar name ‘CHOCOLATE CHIP’. Tiny leaves are a glossy dark purple, and creeping plants reach only 3 or 4 inches tall, with bloom spikes to 6 inches. Flowers are hooded and pale purple, and appear in early summer. Excellent trouble-free groundcover. Sun to shade, average conditions.

ALCEA ~ Hollyhocks

Family: Malvaceae

Alcea ficifolia x rosea. HOLLYHOCK ‘INDIAN SPRING’. Biennial. Zone 3. This is a great old-fashioned Hollyhock strain, well worth growing. An All America Selections (A.A.S.) Winner in 1939, and still prized as a beautiful strain of satiny singles in shades of copper, rose, pink, and yellow – often with contrasting centre colours. Often blooms the first year. Allow to self-sow to establish a colony. A great favourite with bees and butterflies. 5 to 7 feet tall. If you’re lucky it will self sow to establish its own unique colony, and if you start with several different plants, or if your neighbours grow Hollyhocks too the ensuing colour variations will be endless, as Hollyhocks as a tribe cross pollinate enthusiastically. Sun, average conditions.

Alcea ficifolia x. HOLLYHOCK ‘HAPPY LIGHTS’. Biennial. Zone 3. Another excellent old-fashioned Hollyhock strain. Huge, satin-textured single flowers in shades of pink, lemon, white, rosy purple and rosy red, with delicately golden contrasting eye zones. Often blooms the first year. These get large, to 7 feet or taller, and bloom for a very long time, June through August. Though all of the single-flowered fig-leaf (A. ficifolia) strains tend to be longer lived than the double-flowered (A. rosea) types, it is a good idea to allow these to self sow so you’ll always have new plants coming along to replace any that don’t make the winter. This strain is healthy, rust-resistant (a common problem with hollyhocks in certain years; the fungus that causes this unsightly condition flourishes in hot and humid conditions, which are luckily not generally an issue in the Cariboo-Chilcotin), and vigorous.  Sun, average conditions.

Alcea ficifolia x. HOLLYHOCK ‘LAS VEGAS’. Biennial. Zone 3. A compact strain of the first-year-blooming Figleaf Hollyhock. Bloom stalks 3 to 5 feet tall, lined with deeply lobed leaves and huge, single, saucer-like flowers in shades of red, chestnut brown, pink, white, yellow, copper – all with yellow centres. Long bloom time, late June through August. Very attractive to bees. Healthy and rust resistant.  Sun, average conditions.

Alcea rosea ‘nigra’. BLACK HOLLYHOCK. Biennial. Zone 3. This handsome variation of the lighter coloured “rosy hollyhock” is distinctive and striking. Glossy single and semi-double blooms are deep maroon-black, with a central boss of powdery pale yellow stamens. 5 to 6 feet tall, blooming from late June through autumn. Bees love these, as they do all of the hollyhocks. Sun, average conditions.

Alcea rosea. HOLLYHOCK ‘CRÈME DE CASSIS’. Biennial. Zone 3. A rather different Hollyhock colour strain, very elegant in its detailing. Single and semi-double blooms are silken white, veined, edged and swirled with purple-maroon. 3 to 5 feet tall. ‘Crème de Cassis’ often blooms the first year. Sun, average conditions.

Alcea rosea plena.  DOUBLE HOLLYHOCKS. Biennial. Zone 3. Originally native to the Mediterranean and Middle East, the first “Holy Hocks” are said to have been brought to England by returning crusaders and first grown in monastery herb gardens. Being overwhelmingly attractive to bees, and promiscuous cross-pollinators, many new varieties developed, eventually leading to the extra-double “powderpuffs” so treasured in old-fashioned cottage gardens. As with all biennials, expect healthy foliage rosettes the first year, with bloom spikes the second. Once they’ve set seed their life cycle is completed, so save seed or allow to self sow. Where happy, hollyhocks will maintain their own colony, though with cross pollination you will get surprises every year as to flower form and colour. 4 to 6 feet tall. All hollyhocks prefer full sun, average soil and moisture. There are a number of excellent named varieties, mostly hailing from England. ‘APPLEBLOSSOM’ – Delicate appleblossom pink, extra choice English variety. ‘BLACK CURRANT WHIRL’ – Darkest burgundy-purple with white picotee edging on the double petals. Not quite as densely petalled as the others, a variable strain but very unique. ‘CHAMOIS ROSE’ –Palest apricot-buff flushed delicate rose in centres. ‘CHERRY PINK’ – Cherries-and-cream, a luscious soft pink. ‘CHESTNUT BROWN’ – Hard to describe, but think warm burgundy with bronze tones. ‘MAROON’ – Warm, dark maroon-red. ‘PEACHES AND DREAMS’ – Pale apricot-salmon with peachy-pink overtones. Extremely pretty. (Alternate cultivar name ‘SALMON QUEEN’.) ‘SCARLET O’HARA’ – Rich, dark crimson red. ‘SNOWBALL’ (a.k.a. ‘ICICLE’) – Any guess here? Yes, purest white.  ‘SUNSHINE’ – Delicious lemon-sherbet yellow. ‘VIOLET QUEEN’ – Bright violet-purple.

Alcea rosea. HOLLYHOCK ‘MAJORETTE’. Biennial, blooms the 1st year. Zone 3. AAS Winner 1976. This cute, dwarf, double hollyhock variety is still a fabulous garden flower 4 decades after its introduction. First year blooming, with 2 to 3 foot stems lined with powderpuffs in shades of rose, red, pink and yellow. Great in containers or in a mixed annual planting. Average soil, full sun.

Alcea rugosa. RUSSIAN YELLOW HOLLYHOCK. Perennial. Zone 3. Large, saucer-shaped and sized pale yellow single blooms on tall spikes to 6 feet tall (or more) all summer. Roughly crinkled foliage. Hardy, handsome and very lovely. One of the most perennial of the hollyhocks, and naturalizes exceedingly well in our Cariboo-Chilcotin climate. An excellent variety with a very long bloom time, July to October. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Alcea species. SINGLE WHITE HOLLYHOCK ‘GARDEN TOMB of JESUS’. Biennial. Zone 3. Large, pure-white-flushed-yellow-in-centre single flowers all summer.  The original seed was collected on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, reputed site of Jesus’ tomb. Many Alcea species are native to the area, so this is likely either a species or a natural hybrid of local wild hollyhocks. 8 feet tall or more by summer’s end. Hardy, healthy and floriferous. Sadly we have lost this lovely heirloom strain from our own garden, through a combination of natural attrition and cross pollination of the survivors with the many other Alcea which we have grown over the years. We hope that it still survives somewhere else in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, or with one of the gardeners whom we shared it with through the Heritage Seed Program, back when we had the time and inclination to grow an isolated population and to hand-pollinate and bag the blooms. It was once carried by the wonderful Abundant Life Seed Foundation in Port Townsend, Washington, but the seed house was destroyed by a catastrophic fire some years ago, and since then ‘Garden Tomb of Jesus’ appears to be no longer in commerce. If anyone out there knows of a seed source, please let us know. We would love to grow it again.

ALCHEMILLA ~ Lady’s Mantles

Family: Rosaceae

Alchemilla alpina. ALPINE LADY’S MANTLE. Perennial. Zone 2. Mountains of Europe, Iceland, Greenland. This is a lovely small Lady’s Mantle for rockery or garden edge. Silken-haired leaves are edged with silver. Superficially similar in appearance and habit to larger garden Alchemillas, a closer look reveals a major difference in the foliage, as the leaflets are pointed, individual and arranged in “hands” of five (or more), while other Alchemillas have fused foliage and rounded leaves. Sprays of pale greeny-yellow flowers appear over the summer, but the excellent foliage is the main reason for growing this one. 6 to 10 inches tall and wide. Shade to sun, average soil and moisture, likes good drainage.

 Alchemilla erythropoda. DWARF LADY’S MANTLE. Perennial. Zone 2. Balkans, eastern Europe. Similar to Alchemilla mollis in appearance, but on the half scale. Downy soft, pleated foliage which holds raindrops and dew in perfect pearls. Stems are flushed with red, as are the clusters of starry chartreuse flowers, which bloom for a long time in summer. Beautiful edging plant. Forms dense, weed-proof clumps, 6 to 12 inches tall and wide.  Shade to sun, any soil, good moisture.

Alchemilla mollis. LADY’S MANTLE. Perennial. Zone 2. One of my favourite plants. Cascading sprays of airy, greeny-yellow flowers over mounds of beautiful foliage. Dewdrops form perfect pearls in central cups of each downy-soft, round, pleated leaf. These droplets were thought to have magical properties by the medieval alchemists who sought to turn base metals into gold, and were also collected as a beautifying face wash. Associated with the Virgin Mary (the “lady” of the common name), this plant has a very long history of herbal uses in women’s medicine. Very long bloom time – late spring through summer. Forms dense, weed-proof clumps. 12 to 18 inches tall and wide. Shade to sun, any soil, good moisture.

Alchemilla sericata. ‘GOLD STRIKE’ LADY’S MANTLE. Perennial. Zone 3. ‘Gold Strike’ is very similar though slightly more compact than the common A. mollis, at 12 to 16 inches tall and wide. Very free flowering, with profuse sprays of charteuse-yellow blooms all summer. Shade to sun, any soil, good moisture.

ALLIUM ~ Onions & Garlics

Family: Allieae (formerly Liliaceae)

Allium azureum. AZURE-FLOWERED GARLIC. Perennial. Zone 2. Syn. Allium caeruleum. From the steppes of Russia and northern Asia. Be it azure or caerulean, one thing to be sure of is that this pretty ornamental onion is a true, true blue. In spring a cluster of thin, rush-like, very stiff foliage emerges from the ground. By June the leaves have started to wither and recede, and then up pop wiry 12 to 18 inch tall stems topped by intriguing enclosed bud clusters, which open to reveal a tidy globe-shaped cluster of bright blue starflowers. These reproduce by offsets, making a nice little colony in a few years. Can be tucked into the rockery or among small perennials – doesn’t take up much room but adds a lovely colour-note to the early summer garden. Best in a sunny exposure, happy with average soil and moisture. Nicely drought tolerant, good for the xeriscape border.

Allium cepa var. viviparum.  EGYPTIAN ONION, WALKING ONION. Perennial. Zone 1. Syn. Allium x proliferum. This vigorous top-setting onion has been passed from gardener to gardener since pioneer times. Hollow leaves to 2 feet tall bulge near the top and send forth neat clusters of miniature onion bulbs, which in turn develop their own leaves and, bending the mother stem down to the ground, root themselves to continue the cycle. All parts are edible. Grow this one near the kitchen door. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Allium cernuum. NODDING ONION, WILD CHIVES. Perennial. Zone 1. Lovely wildflower from the fir forest belt of central and southern B.C. Delicate lilac-pink bells in nodding clusters in early summer. Strong onion aroma when bruised. This was an important plant in First Nations and early pioneer cuisine. Very pretty in the rock garden. Height is 10 to 12 inches or thereabouts. Sun to light shade, drought tolerant, deer proof.

Allium christophii. STAR-OF-PERSIA ORNAMENTAL ONION. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Allium albopilosum. This is a spectacular allium, gorgeous in all its stages, bud to bloom to seedhead. Clumps of long (to 20 inches), grey-green, strap-shaped leaves appear in early spring, soon followed by 12 to 24 inch stalks topped by a quickly expanding sheathed bud, which explodes in May into a huge bloom cluster – up to 12 inches in diameter – which consists of many pale lavender star flowers. These continue to look good for weeks, gradually transfiguring into plump green seed pods, which can be left alone to eventually dry in place, giving a rather surreal accent to the border. (Or they can be harvested just as they start to turn yellow and hung to dry as unique everlastings.) The fresh and green seed stage blooms are wonderful as cut flowers, too. The foliage quickly withers and is gone by midsummer, by which time other plants have filled in to hide the yellowing leaves. Where happy, on well-drained soil in full sun, these bulbs will slowly reproduce to form an increasingly large colony.  Sun, average soil and moisture. Quite drought tolerant. Appreciates good drainage

Allium fistulosum. WELSH ONION. Perennial. Zone 1. An ornamental edible…or maybe an edible ornamental… hmmm… In any event, this is an interesting and attractive bunch forming onion. Hollow stems are topped in summer by round balls of white flowers, beloved by bees and butterflies. All parts are edible: bulbs, stems and just-opened blooms. Heirloom cottage and herb garden plant. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

 Allium fistulosum var. ‘rubrum’. RED WELSH ONION. Perennial. Zone 1. Handsome bunch-forming edible onion is nice enough for the flower garden. Multiple stalks to 14 inches tall are coloured purple-red, topped in summer by globe-shaped heads of contrasting white flowers. A truly ornamental edible. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

 Allium karataviense. TURKESTAN ONION ‘IVORY QUEEN’. Perennial. Zone 4. This handsome ornamental onion has broad, thick, slightly mottled grey-green leaves which cradle a spring-emerging solitary and short 6-inch bloom stalk topped by a sheathed bud, which expands to a perfectly round, baseball-sized globe of starry, ivory white flowers in late May-early June. The nectar-rich flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies, and are perfect for a sunny patch of flower border or in the rockery. The flower head goes through a progression of fascinating stages after the blooms mature, ending up as a straw-coloured seed head, which makes an interesting everlasting if clipped off and dried under shelter at the point when the black seeds are visible. The foliage turns yellow and disappears by midsummer. Increases by offshoots of the parent bulbs to form a slowly-enlarging colony. Bulbs may be dug up and repositioned (to expand your planting, if so desired, or to share with friends) in early autumn.  Sun, average soil and moisture. Quite drought tolerant. Appreciates good drainage – wet soil is fatal.

Allium moly luteum. GOLDEN GARLIC, YELLOW LILY LEEK. Perennial Bulb. Zone 3. Europe. Lush, broad, blue-green leaves in spring, and many clusters of star-shaped, bright yellow blooms on 10-inch stems in June. Flowerheads age to an interesting, papery white, and may be used as everlastings. Foliage fades away by midsummer, only to reappear more vigorously than ever the next spring. For the rockery or tucked into the perennial border. Naturalizes well. This pretty flower has an interesting history in folklore. It is reputed to be a lucky plant, with powers against evil spirits and witchcraft. It is also claimed to be the magical plant which Odysseus used to guard against Circe’s powers when she turned his men into animals, but botanically-aware history scholars refute this claim, noting that Homer’s description of the plant-in-question does not match that of the Allium moly of today. Linnaeus, who gave the Latin name to this plant, is thought merely to have been inspired by the legend when naming the flower. Whatever its history, real or imagined, it is a cheerful addition to the garden. A mild onion odor is present when the plant is disturbed, and it was once apparently used for cooking and herbal remedies. Sun, average shade and moisture. Tolerant of dry conditions. Deer resistant.

Allium neapolitanum. NAPLES GARLIC, DAFFODIL GARLIC. Perennial. Zone 4. Liliaceae. Syn. Allium cowanii. Southern Italy, North Africa. A very pretty ornamental onion with clusters of paper-white, sweetly fragrant, star-shaped flowers in late spring and early summer. A treasured heirloom garden plant, which was commonly forced for winter bloom in Victorian times. To 12 inches tall. Naturalizes nicely where happy. Sun, average soil and moisture. Deer resistant.

Allium schoenoprasum. CHIVES. Perennial. Zone 1. An old-fashioned culinary herb which no one should be without. Tidy clumps of grassy-looking, hollow foliage with a delicate onion flavour emerge early in the spring. Ornamental bright purple blooms in June. Hardy absolutely everywhere.  Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Allium schoenoprasum ‘album’. WHITE-FLOWERED CHIVES. Perennial. Zone 1. Quaint and very rare variant of common chives. Blooms are delicate white blushed palest purple. Heritage variety. We have sadly have lost this variety from our garden. If there is anyone out there who got it from us in the past and is still growing it, we would be thrilled to receive a little piece back, and we will swap you something extra nice in return. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Allium senescens. MOUNTAIN GARLIC. Perennial. Zone 3. Northern Europe and Asia. A.k.a. GERMAN GARLIC. Vigourous clumps of strappy, 8-inch-long foliage. Many 16-inch-tall stems topped by fragrant, pale lavender flower globes in summer and often well into fall. Wonderful bee and butterfly flower. Sun to light shade, average soil & moisture. 

Allium tuberosum.  GARLIC CHIVES. Perennial. Zone 3. Asia. A.k.a. CHINESE CHIVES. A popular culinary herb in its native lands, but grown just as often for its attractive late summer flowers. 12-inch-tall clumps of flat, strappy leaves produce numerous bloom stems topped by globular clusters of pure white, lightly honey-scented flowers in August. All parts are edible, with a mild onion taste with definite garlic overtones. Beloved by bees and other pollinators. Sometimes reported to be a generous self-seeder in warmer climes, but it matures seed too late for this to be much of an issue in the Cariboo-Chilcotin. Sun, average soil and moisture.

ALTHAEA

Family: Malvaceae

Althaea officinalis. MARSHMALLOW. Perennial. Zone 2. This ancient medicinal herb makes a pleasant border background plant. Many-stemmed 6-foot-tall clumps. Velvet-soft, grey-green, lobed foliage. Small but pretty very pale purple flowers all summer.  An “innocent” plant, as the old herbalists called it – all parts are safe to consume, with no harmful properties. Roots used to produce original “marshmallow” confection. Bees love the blooms. Sun to light shade, average conditions. Also grows happily in boggy ground.

ALYSSUM

Family: Brassicaceae/Cruciferae

Alyssum saxatile. ‘GOLD DUST’ ALYSSUM.  Perennial. Zone 4. Central Europe, Turkey. A.k.a. Aurinia saxatilis.  Silvery foliage, profuse clusters of bright yellow blooms literally cover the plants in early spring. Wonderful on slopes, where it can drape over walls, and along border edges. Low growing and cascading, 6 to 12 inches tall, a foot or more in spread. Sun, average conditions.

AMSONIA ~ Bluestars

Family: Apocynaceae

Amsonia hubrichtii. THREAD-LEAF BLUE-STAR. Perennial. Zone 4. North America. The Perennial Plant Association of America’s 2011 “Perennial of the Year”. 2 to 3 foot tall clumps of slender stems which are lined top to bottom with long, very narrow, pale green leaves. Clusters of palest blue, star shaped blooms top the stems in summer. Foliage turns a lovely shade of light yellow in autumn. You may want to keep an eye on this one as it can sometimes “birds’ nest” in wet summers; cutting back partway after bloom is over will keep it upright. All of the Amsonia are quietly beautiful and should be used much more. This one has a particularily lovely soft and delicate texture. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Amsonia illustris. SHINING BLUE-STAR. Perennial. Zone 4. North America. Tidy clump former to 2 feet. Slender stems are lined with deep green, glossy, willow-like foliage. Clusters of pale blue starflowers appear topping the stems in loose clusters in summer. Attractive yellow autumn foliage. Very pretty, and rewarding of closer attention to appreciate its delicate details. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Amsonia tabernaemontana. WILLOW BLUE-STAR. Perennial. Zone 3. North America. Clumps of 2 to 3 foot tall stems lined with glossy green, willow-like leaves and topped by clusters of pretty, pale blue, star-shaped flowers in late spring and early summer.  Foliage stays nice all summer and turns beautifully golden in autumn. This species is relatively slow growing, and will take a few years to show its true potential, but is well worth the wait. Sun to light shade, good soil & moisture. *Very late to emerge in spring – mark its spot or leave top growth so you don’t disturb it by accident in the spring.

ANACYCLUS

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Anacyclus pyrethrum ssp. depressus. MOUNT ATLAS DAISY. Perennial. Zone 3. Lovely little rockery plant from Morocco. Small white daisy flowers with crimson petal undersides emerge in spring from mats of ferny, curling foliage. These open wide in the sun, but close up on cloudy days and in the evening, showing off the contrasting rosy blush on the under-petals. Blooms often radiate in a circle from a central point. Beautiful rockery or edging plant. 4 inches tall, 12 inches wide. Its only flaw is that it often blooms itself to death, so you might want to save some seed to re-sow. Full sun, well-drained soil.

ANAPHALIS ~ Pearly Everlastings

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Anaphalis margaritacea. PEARLY EVERLASTING ‘NEW SNOW’. Perennial. Zone 1.  A.k.a. RABBIT TOBACCO.  Margaritacea is from the Latin margarita, ‘of pearls, pearly or pearl-like’. This attractive native North American wildflower is widely grown in gardens. Clumps of 20-inch-tall multiple stems lined with small, pointed leaves. The whole plant is covered in soft silver-white down. Clusters of round white flower buds are  produced in summer, opening to yellow-centered, papery mini-double-daisies. A very long period of bloom. Makes an excellent everlasting when cut in bud stage. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture. Very adaptable. Good in xeriscape plantings. Deer resistant.

Anaphalis triplinervis. HIMALAYAN PEARLY EVERLASTING. Perennial. Zone 2. Found from Afghanistan to China. A.k.a. Anaphalis triplinervis ‘Sommerschnee‘ = ‘Summer Snow’.   A compact clump former 12 to 18 inches tall. Downy-white hairs cover the narrow, pointed, three-veined leaves (triplinervis = three-nerved). Clusters of round, white flower buds open to small, papery, globular mini-double-daisies, which can be harvested as excellent everlastings just before the flowers fully open. Very long period of bloom, from mid-summer into autumn. For border or rockery. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture. Deer resistant.

ANCHUSA

Family: Boraginaceae

Anchusa azurea. ANCHUSA ‘DROPMORE BLUE’. Biennial/Perennial. Zone 4. Clusters of intensely cobalt-blue flowers like large forget-me-nots appear late spring into summer on 4 foot plants. Deep green, bristly, elongated foliage. Excellent Canadian cultivar introduced in 1905. Beautiful with yellow grandiflora foxgloves and other early summer flowers. Getting quite rare in gardens; not many are familiar with this pretty plant any more. Sun, good drainage. Deer resistant.

Anchusa azurea. ANCHUSA ‘FELTHAM PRIDE’. Biennial/Perennial. Zone 4. A more compact form of the classic Anchusa azurea. Branching 30-inch plants produce many clusters of forget-me-not-like, cobalt blue flower clusters from late spring into summer. Deep green, bristly, elongated foliage. Sun, good drainage. Deer resistant.

Anchusa officinalis. ALKANET. Biennial/Perennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. BUGLOSS. Vigorous clumps of bristly foliage to 24 inches or so send up stalks of many small, very eyecatching cobalt blue flowers in early summer. Interesting effect, common to many in the Boraginaceae, of the blooms aging to a deep pink so both colours appear at the same time. Important ancient herbal plant, now sometimes scorned as a “weed”. Prolifically self-sows if allowed to set seed, grow with this in mind. Sun, drought tolerant. Deer resistant.

ANEMONE ~ Windflowers

Family: Ranunculaceae

Anemone narcissiflora ssp. biarmiensis. NARCISSUS-FLOWERED ANEMONE. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Anemonastrum biarmiensis. The lovely Narcissus-Flowered Anemone is found in subalpine and alpine areas in Europe, Asia, and western North America, but this subspecies is endemic to parts of Russia and western Siberia. Deeply cut foliage forms basal clumps to a foot or so wide, with 12 to 18 inch bloom stems arising in late spring. Clusters of buds on short sub-stems (umbel form) open into showy white (or palest creamy yellow in this subspecies) 5 to 7 petalled blooms with prominent yellow stamen clusters. Beloved of bees and other spring pollinators. A good natured plant for alpine garden or perennial border. Very nice in a woodland setting. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Anemone sylvestris. SNOWDROP ANEMONE. Perennial. Zone 2. Poppy-like, pure white flowers with showy golden stamens for a long period in late spring. Deep green foliage to 8 inches high stays nice all season. Flower stalks to 12 inches or more. Good groundcover, especially under trees. Sun to part shade, average soil and moisture.

Anemone tomentosa. GRAPE-LEAF ANEMONE ‘ROBUSTISSIMA’. Perennial. Zone 4. The only one of the autumn-blooming “Japanese anemones” that I have had success with. Attractive, downy, maple-like foliage arises in late spring (mark the spot – later than most to emerge) and sends up ever-lengthening stems (to 3 feet or so) starred with clusters of lovely rose-flushed pink buds in late August. These open into the most beautiful rosy-pink and white, rather poppy-like flowers with central clusters of pale yellow stamens. So pretty! One caveat – if there is an early hard frost, the buds will be withered and won’t bloom. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

ANGELICA

Family: Apiaceae/Umbelliferae

Angelica archangelica. ANGELICA. Biennial. Zone 2. Scandinavia, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland. Of great interest to herbalists and cooks, this ancient medical and culinary herb was mythically reported to be recommended for use by the Archangel Michael himself, hence the Latin archangelica in its name. The first year a handsome clump of fleshy, thick-stalked, deeply cut, celery- or lovage-like foliage is formed. The second year elongated stems arise, 4 to 6 feet tall, topped by dense umbels of tiny, greeny-yellow flowers. These are very attractive to all sorts of pollinating insects, and are always buzzing with activity. All parts of Angelica archangelica, roots to seeds, are pleasantly aromatic, and the herb had many traditional uses as a soothing medicinal. It was widely used to flavour various alcoholic apertifs, and the stems are candied in sugar to provide cake and candy decorations, a popular tradition in parts of Europe and Great Britain. A statuesque and attractive curiousity for the perennial border, and a must-have for the traditional herb garden. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture. You may collect seed to continue the population in your garden, though it’s simpler to let it self sow, and rake the naturally-dropped seeds gently in to ensure their best chance at sprouting the following spring.

Angelica gigas. RED ANGELICA. Biennial. Zone 3. China, Japan, Korea. Large, light green, deeply cut basal foliage sends up sturdy hollow stalks to 4 feet or more, which branch out and turn red and produce fat, glossy buds in mid-summer. These swell and enlarge and eventually pop open to reveal large, globe-shaped burgundy red umbels of tiny individual flowers. As these heads expand and the florets open up, they exude a sticky sap; bees and butterflies and an amazing array of strange-looking pollinators appear as if drawn by magic to the blooms. The heads stay attractive for weeks and weeks, and more are produced right up until hard frost. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture. Don’t forget to let it self sow, and I’d also suggest raking the seeds gently in to ensure their best chance at sprouting the following spring.

Angelica pachycarpa. PORTUGESE ANGELICA. Biennial. Zone 3. Spain, Portugal. A.k.a. GLOSSY-LEAVED ANGELICA. This is a very eye-catching and handsome foliage plant, outstanding for its large, leathery, deep green, varnished-looking, celery-like leaves. Clumps to 2 feet or so tall and wide form the first year. The second year taller flower stalks appear, producing sheathed bud clusters which pop open into creamy umbels of tiny flowers. Very attractive to pollinating insects of all sorts. Though related to the edible herb garden standard Angelica archangelica, and having a pleasant aroma when handled, this one shouldn’t be consumed. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Angelica sylvestris ‘purpurea’. ‘VICAR’S MEAD’ ANGELICA. Biennial/Monocarpic Perennial. Zone 4. Europe, Asia. A.k.a. WOODLAND ANGELICA. A handsome plant for those who like border plants with a certain substance. Clumps of lovage-like foliage is produced the first year, followed in the second or third year by tall, hollow stalks and purple bud sheaths which part to reveal umbels of cream and purple-tinted blooms. Alive with pollinators when in bloom from July well into September. A bit of a stunner, in fact, all things considered. Generally acts as a biennial, with the mother plant dying after seed is set, but there are often a few seedlings popping up the next year to continue its garden presence. Sun to part shade, average soil, something of a moisture lover so a damp spot will be appreciated.

ANTHEMIS ~ Chamomiles

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Anthemis nobilis.  CHAMOMILE. Perennial. Zone 3. Ferny, aromatic foliage and small white and yellow daisy blooms on 12-inch stems which are collected for soothing Chamomile Tea. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Anthemis sancti-johannis. ST. JOHN’S CHAMOMILE. Perennial. Zone 2. Bulgaria. This pretty Anthemis and its close relative listed below, Anthemis tinctoria, produce an almost endless succession of bright bloom from June until the end of August. Bright and cheerful! Showy, deep orange-yellow daisies on 18 to 24 inch plants. These bloom all summer. Aromatic, ferny foliage.  Full sun, drought tolerant. 

Anthemis tinctoria ‘kelwayi’. GOLDEN MARGUERITE ‘KELWAY’S VARIETY’. Perennial. Zone 2. Small, vivid, golden-yellow daisies in profusion on vigorous, 18 to 24-inch-tall, ferny-leaved plants all summer. All parts are warmly aromatic, reminding us that this is a near relative of the fragrant herb Anthemis nobilis – the Chamomile of soothing teas. This pretty old-fashioned flower is also known as “Dyer’s Chamomile” as the blooms were once used to make a colourfast yellow, gold and buff dyes to colour cloth and yarn. Rather sprawling in nature, Golden Marguerite is an excellent flower to naturalize on a steep, difficult slope in full sun, as it is tough and drought tolerant, and blooms for most of the summer. It can be clipped or mowed down mid-way through the season to give a new flush of green and gold. Full sun, drought tolerant. Self sows abundantly.

ANTHYLLIS

Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae

Anthyllis montana ‘rubra’. MOUNTAIN KIDNEY VETCH. Perennial. Zone 4. Southern Europe, the Alps. Purple-pink, clover-like flower heads bloom in June and July on 6 to 12-inch sprawling stems. Foliage is multi-leafleted, very wooly, and silvery-green. Grows only a few inches tall, with a cascading habit. Good in rockery or on a slope. Older plants get shrubby at the base. An attractive little thing, and seldom seen in gardens in our area though it is very much a standard of European alpine gardens. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Sun, most soils, drought tolerant.

Anthyllis vulneraria. YELLOW KIDNEY VETCH. Perennial. Zone 3. A.k.a. LADY’S FINGERS. Bright yellow flowers in thick, clover-like spikes top 6-inch sprawling stems in late spring and early summer. Attractive silky-haired, silvery, multi-leafleted foliage. Low-growing clump former. Bee and butterfly flower. Sun, most soils, drought tolerant. Xeriscape.

Anthyllis vulneraria var. coccinea. RED KIDNEY VETCH. Perennial. Zone 3. A.k.a. LADY’S FINGERS. Clusters of creamy-white tubular flowers with crimson-red lips in dense, clover-like spikes top 6-inch sprawling stems in late May through June. Silky-haired, silvery, multi-leafleted foliage. Clump former for slope or rockery. Bee and  butterfly flower. Sun, most soils, drought tolerant. Xeriscape.

ANTIRRHINUM ~ Snapdragons

Family: Plantaginaceae

Antirrhinum molle. ALPINE SNAPDRAGON. Zone 4/5. Perennial/Annual. Plantaginaceae. French and Spanish Pyrenees. This pretty little sub-shrub is questionably winter-hardy for our area – though specimens are reported to have established themselves in Calgary – but it makes a lovely annual, growing quickly and blooming for a tremendously long time, late May right through summer. Trailing, brittle, 12-inch stems are thickly lined with downy-soft, silver foliage. Large, round, pale pink buds pop open into elongated white to pink snapdragon flowers, yellow-centered and beautifully veined on upper petals. A bee-magnet flower. Sun, average soil and moisture, excellent drainage required to overwinter.

AQUILEGIA ~ Columbines

Family: Ranunculaceae

Aquilegia alpina. BLUE ALPINE COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 2. Ranunculaceae. From Switzerland, European Alps. This is a grand, very long-blooming species which been much used in Aquilegia hybridization. Large, hook-spurred, dusky violet-blue flowers in profusion top 12 to 18-inch plants from mid-spring well into summer. Hardy and adaptable. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

Aquilegia atrata. DUSKY COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 4. European Alps. Very choice and attractive alpine. Darkest purple-maroon, hook-spurred, nodding flowers with bright yellow stamens. Late spring. 20 inches tall. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Aquilegia canadensis. ‘CORBETT’ COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 3. Ranunculaceae. North America. Here is a very pretty variation of the eastern Canadian native wildflower. Dwarf, compact 10-inch-tall plants send up delicate stalks topped by nodding, long-spurred, pale sulphur yellow blooms for a very long period in spring and early summer. Here is the story behind this lovely little plant, as told by Allen Armitage in this excerpt from an article in Fine Gardening magazine:

Corbett is a small town in Maryland that was once a stop on the North Central Railroad line. The railroad and other industries have been gone for some time now, but Corbett remains a quiet and pleasant place to live. In fact, resident Shirley Clemens will tell you that it was a fine place for her and her husband to raise their four sons.

One day, in the late 1960s, the two youngest boys, Andrew and Larry Clemens, spotted a hauntingly beautiful yellow columbine near the abandoned railroad tracks. They transplanted their find to their mother’s garden, but it unfortunately did not survive a particularly difficult winter. That would have been the end of the story if not for Andrew, who several years later stumbled upon another plant from which he collected seeds to share with his mother and one of his neighbors. And this was not just any neighbor but a horticulturist by the name of Richard Simon, the second-generation owner of Bluemount Nurseries in Monkton, Maryland. Richard quickly realized this columbine came true from seed. He asked the boys to name the plant. They insisted it not be their own, so they chose the name of their hometown.

Today, new plants seem to fall like rain from heaven, found one year and pushed into commerce the next. This was not the case with ‘Corbett’, which was not introduced by Bluemount until 1992, about 25 years after the boys’ original discovery.

So there we go. An interesting story to go with an interesting plant. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Aquilegia canadensis. ‘PINK LANTERNS’ CANADIAN COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 3. Ranunculaceae. North America. Delicate baby pink and palest yellow variation of the beloved wildflower. Rosy-flushed foliage and dainty long-spurred blooms in perfect harmony light up the garden. 12 to 16 inches tall. This charming natural sport of the usually bright-red-and-yellow Aquilegia canadensis was discovered by The Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston, Kansas, and was separated out, stabilized, and introduced as a distinctive cultivar by the venerable German perennial seed company Jelitto in 2007. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Aquilegia caerulea. COLORADO BLUE COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 1. North America. Mountain dweller from the south-central Rockies. Charming blue and white, long spurred flowers. This is the parent species of many beautiful hybrids. 12 to 24 inches tall. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Aquilegia caerulea x. LONG-SPURRED COLUMBINES. Perennial. Zone 1. These are very showy, large-flowered, long-spurred cultivars developed from the Rocky Mountain wildflowers Aquilegia caerulea and A. chrysantha. Long bloom time from spring into summer. Vigorous plants. To 24 inches or taller. All Columbines thrive in sun to part shade, humus-rich soil, average moisture. ‘BLUE STAR’ – Gorgeous blue and white. ‘CORAL STAR’ – Coral pink with palest yellow centres. ‘CRIMSON STAR’ – Vibrant, rich crimson-red and ivory. ‘HEAVENLY BLUE’ – Large, soft sky blue blooms, white centres. ‘KRISTALL’ – Pristine white, many large blooms. ‘MAXI STAR YELLOW’ – Huge flowers are bright yellow and sweetly fragrant. Extra-long bloom time. ‘REMEMBRANCE’ – Long-spurred rich royal purple, clear white corolla, large blooms & extended flowering period. ‘ROSE QUEEN’ – Bright rose-pink, white corollas, extra-long spurs. ‘SWAN PINK and YELLOW’ – Soft salmon pink, pale yellow corollas. ‘SWAN YELLOW’ – Very large, pale yellow.

Aquilegia caerulea x. ‘McKANA’S GIANT’ LONG-SPURRED COLUMBINES. Perennial. Zone 1. Ranunculaceae. Bred by the W. Atlee Burpee Company from a number of Aquilegia lines, the ‘McKana’s Giant’ strain was an All American Selections Winner in 1955. Plants are vigorous and healthy, producing huge, long-spurred blooms in a variety of bicolours: red, blue, purple, yellow, pink, white – in infinite shades and combinations. Hugely popular with hummingbirds during the long bloom season from spring well into summer. 24 to 36 inches tall. Sun to part shade, humus-rich soil, average moisture.

Aquilegia caerulea x. ‘SUNSHINE’ DOUBLE LONG-SPURRED COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 3. Ranunculaceae. Bred by Thompson and Morgan, ‘Sunshine’ received a Fleuroselect Novelty Award in 2012. Compact plants produce numerous sturdy 24-inch tall bloom stems. Flowers are doubled in all of their parts – interior corolla petals as well as outer long-spurred petals. Very “sculptural” in effect, and an eye-catching cultivar. Long bloom period in late spring and early summer. Sun to part shade, humus-rich soil, average moisture.

Aquilegia chrysantha. GOLDEN COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 1. North America. One of the most beautiful wildflowers of the Rockies. Long-spurred, bright golden to vivid yellow nodding flowers. Long bloom time, late spring through summer. Attracts hummingbirds. Sweetly fragrant. 24 to 36 inches tall.

Aquilegia chrysantha. ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLUMBINE ‘DENVER GOLD’. Perennial. Zone 1. Domesticated Rocky Mountain wildflower. Long-spurred, bright golden-yellow blooms for a very long time, late spring through summer; often into early autumn. Sweetly fragrant. Hummingbird flower. 24 to 36 inches tall.

Aquilegia chrysantha. ‘YELLOW QUEEN’ COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 1. Cultivar of the beautiful Rocky Mountain wildflower. Long-spurred, large, showy, bright golden-yellow blooms have the longest bloom time of any of the columbines – late spring through summer, and often into early autumn. Sweetly fragrant. Excellent hummingbird flower. 24 to 36 inches tall.

Aquilegia  flabellata. JAPANESE FAN COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 2. Bright blue and white, short spurred, rounded flowers top 6-inch plants in early spring – the very first columbine to bloom. An excellent little rockery or border-front gem. Improved and slightly larger varieties (though the species is lovely without any tinkering) are ‘CAMEO BLUE’ – blue and white – and  ‘CAMEO ROSE’, a rich pink and white. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

Aquilegia  flabellata nana alba.  WHITE JAPANESE FAN COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 2. This gorgeous small Asiatic columbine is the very first to bloom. Milky-white, chubby, short-spurred blooms top neatly rounded 4 to 6-inch clumps of blue-green foliage in early May. This very pretty species welcomes the columbine season in our garden.  Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

Aquilegia  flabellata x.  ‘SPRING MAGIC’ COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 2. Charming A. flabellata hybrid strain developed by Benary in Germany. Compact 10-inch tall plants produce a generous array of short-spurred blooms in early May. One of the earliest columbines to bloom. Series colours include ‘NAVY & WHITE’ – ultramarine-blue with soft white centres, ‘PINK & WHITE’ – rosy pink with soft white centres, ‘LIGHT RED & YELLOW’ – dark pink with creamy yellow centres.  Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

Aquilegia  formosa. WESTERN RED COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 1. This is the British Columbia native columbine, familiar to anyone who has spent any time in our forests. Dancing, long-spurred, red and yellow flowers are a favourite of hummingbirds during bloom in May and June. 24 inches tall. Formosa = “most beautiful” in Latin – so true. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Aquilegia oxysepala. ORIENTAL COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 4. Northern Korea and China, Japan. Lovely Asian forest species. Plum purple sepals and spurs, creamy yellow inner petals. Blooms May into June. 24 inches tall. Prefers some shade, good soil and moisture.

Aquilegia oxysepala var yabeana. JAPANESE MOUNTAIN COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 3. Japan. Inky purple blooms with smoky gold stamen clusters. Blooms May into June. 24 inches tall. Foliage has a lovely sweet musk fragrance when brushed. Prefers some shade, good soil and moisture.

Aquilegia sibirica.  SIBERIAN COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 1.  Ultramarine-blue and white, short-spurred, nodding blooms on branching 6 to 10 inch stems. Tidy basal rosettes of blue-green foliage. Handsome little plant. Blooms May and June. For rockery or border front. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Aquilegia skinneri x.  MEXICAN COLUMBINE ‘TEQUILA SUNRISE’. Perennial. Zone 4. Southwestern USA, Mexico. This brightly coloured and long-blooming species from the Southern parts of North America is similar at first glance to our native Aquilegia formosa, but the bloom time is much more extended. Nodding, slender, long-spurred, copper-red and yellow blooms appear for a long period, June through August. 16 to 24 inches tall. Sun, good soil & moisture.

Aquilegia stellata (vulgaris x.)  CLEMATIS-FLOWERED COLUMBINES. Perennial. Zone 1. Descended from the ancient Granny’s Bonnet types of Europe and the British Isles, these wide-open, double-petalled, spurless flowers are very different from the usual long-spurred types, and very pretty. They do indeed look like little double flowered clematis blooms. Gorgeous colours! Very long bloom times, and they make interesting cutflowers too. Lovely foliage in basal clumps; multi-branching bloom stalks are 16 to 30 inches tall. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture. ‘BLUE BARLOW’ – Rich violet-blue; contrasting golden stamens. ‘BORDEAUX BARLOW’ – Dark wine-red.  ‘CHRISTA BARLOW’ – Dusky blue petals are edged with white; many nodding double blooms. ‘CLEMENTINE RED’ – Upward-facing, double, spurless blooms are glowing soft scarlet with contrasting golden stamens. ‘CLEMENTINE SALMON-ROSE’ – Up-facing, double, spurless blooms are glowing warm salmon-pink with lovely yellow stamens. Look like little water-liles! ‘IRISH ELEGANCE a.k.a. ‘Green Apples’ a.k.a. ‘Lime Sorbet’ – Bright white, tipped & tinted pale apple green. ‘MISS M.I. HUISH’ a.k.a. ‘Black Barlow’ – Darkest rich purple, double flowers with golden stamens – very close indeed to “black”. ‘NORA BARLOW’ – Lovely Nora is a real treat! Warm-pink-and-white with apple green centres. VERY nice! One of my favourites. ‘ROSE BARLOW’ – Warm dusky-rose-pink. Very vigorous variety, lots of bloom stalks. ‘RUBY PORT’ – Rich, deep wine-red double blooms open wide to show off contrasting golden stamens.

Aquilegia viridiflora. GREEN-FLOWERED COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 4. Understated but exceedingly appealing. Unusual blooms are spurred and nodding, bell-shaped with greeny-purple outer and chocolate-purple inner petals surrounding prominent golden stamens. Sweetly fragrant. A small woodland species. 12 to 15 inches tall. Naturally short-lived, so allow to self sow, or collect seed to resow. Sometimes listed under the cultivar name ‘Chocolate Soldier’. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

Aquilegia vulgaris.  WILD EUROPEAN COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 1. Ranunculaceae. A.k.a. EUROPEAN CROWFOOT, GRANNY’S BONNET. For 2019, plants are grown from seed wild-collected in the Slovakian Ore mountain range in the Carpathians. Clumps of attractive foliage produce branching upright stems adorned with nodding, short-spurred, dark violet-blue flowers in spring. This beloved wildflower is an ancestor of many garden cultivars and hybrids. 18 inches tall. Sun to part shade, average conditions.  

Aquilegia vulgaris f. alba.  WILD WHITE EUROPEAN COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 1. Ranunculaceae. A.k.a. EUROPEAN CROWFOOT, GRANNY’S BONNET. For 2019, plants are grown from seed wild-collected in the Strážovské vrchy mountain range in Slovakia. The usually-violet-blue wild European columbine sometimes demonstrates colour variations, such as this dusky white collection. Nodding, short-spurred blooms are chalk-white, sometimes flushed with a touch of purple. Very pretty, and a great favourite of both bees and hummingbirds during its spring bloom time. 18 inches tall. Sun to part shade, average conditions.  

Aquilegia vulgaris var. nivea.  ‘MUNSTEAD WHITE’ SHORT-SPURRED COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 1. This pristine white single Granny’s Bonnet was selected by the venerable Gertrude Jekyll, and named after her famous garden at Munstead Wood. If you look at the blooms from the back, you will see the five white doves (the spurred petals) which make up the cup of the bloom, and which are the inspiration of the common name, from the Latin columba, for dove. 18 inches tall. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Aquilegia vulgaris x.  SHORT-SPURRED COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 1. Very ancient garden flowers, the short-spurred, single and double “Granny’s Bonnets” were documented in the earliest herbals and grown in monastery and cottage gardens where many colour forms, leaf and petal arrangements developed. These single flowered cultivars tend to be fairly compact plants, making neat basal foliage clumps and sending up multiple flower stalks to 24 inches tall. Sun to part shade, average conditions.  ‘HEIDI’ – Single Granny’s Bonnet in gentle, old rose pink. ‘LEPRECHAUN GOLD’ – Rich violet, short-spurred, nodding blooms over bright golden-yellow & green variegated foliage. ‘MAGPIE’ aka ‘William Guiness’ – Deepest maroon-purple & white bicoloured single. Unusual & very handsome.

Aquilegia vulgaris x.  DOUBLE-FLOWERED SHORT-SPURRED COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 1. Very ancient garden flowers, the short-spurred, single and double “Granny’s Bonnets” were documented in the earliest herbals and grown in monastery and cottage gardens where many colour forms, leaf and petal arrangements developed. These double flowered cultivars tend to be fairly compact plants, making neat basal foliage clumps and sending up multiple flower stalks to 24 inches tall. Sun to part shade, average conditions.  ‘ADELAIDE ADDISON’ – Old fashioned double; dark violet-blue outer petals and inner blue-edged white petals. ‘BLUE CASTLE’ – Extra double, pale-blue-flushed-white.  ‘PINK PETTICOAT’ – Double flowered; rich crimson-pink with ruffled white centres. Beautiful! ‘PINK TOWER’ – Extra double, pale-candy-pink-and-white; many compact little blooms on branching stems. ‘SNOWBALLS’ – Extra double, pure white. ‘TOWER DARK BLUE’ – Extra double, dark violet blue flushed lighter in the centre.

Aquilegia vulgaris x. ‘BIEDERMEIER’ COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 1. This is an older German strain of this favourite cottage garden flower, hybridized and stabilized from several of the European alpine species. Dwarf plants reach 18 inches at most, with tidy foliage clumps and numerous bloom stalks producing perky, spurred blooms in shades of mauve-pink and soft purple, blushing white and creamy yellow. Flowers differ from the nodding norm of this family by being up- and out-facing. An early bloomer, perfect near the front of the border. This strain has been recently re-marketed as ‘WINKIE’, with separate colours offered as well as a mix. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

ARCTANTHEMUM

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Arctanthemum arcticum – ARCTIC DAISY. Perennial. Zone 2. Syn. Chrysanthemum arcticum, Dendranthema arcticum. Arctic Russia, Alaska, British Columbia, North Atlantic shorelines. Low-growing, creeping clumps of rather fleshy, lobed leaves. In later summer, pink-blushed buds open into cheerful golden-eyed, white to palest pink daisy-flowers. 12 to 16 inches tall, spreads to a foot or so in diameter. Good for garden interest in the later part of the season. Bees and butterflies enjoy it as a nectar source. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

ARMERIA ~ Thrifts

Family: Plumbaginaceae

Armeria alpina. ALPINE THRIFT. Perennial. Zone 3. Mountains of south and central Europe. Compact clumps of tough, grassy foliage. Strong 6 to 12 inch stems are topped by showy, long-lasting, round clusters of warm mauve-pink, yellow-stamened flowers in summer. Seeds for these plants were wild-collected in the French Cottian Alps. Lovely in the rockery or as a border edger. Sun, average conditions, prefers well-drained gritty soil.

Armeria maritima var. laucheana. PINK SEA THRIFT. Perennial. Zone 3. Europe, Asia, North America. A.k.a. SEA PINK, CLIFF CLOVER. Clumps of tough, grassy foliage. 8-inch stems topped by globe-clusters of bright pink, yellow-stamened flowers for a long period in late spring well into summer. Very tough plant which grows on sand dunes and withstands sea spray in its native habitat. Tidy little clump-style edging plant, showy and long-blooming. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

ARTEMISIA

Family: Compostitae/Asteraceae

Artemisia abrotanum. SOUTHERNWOOD. Perennial. Zone 3. Spain. Fine, feathery, pale green foliage is warmly aromatic, perhaps best described as lemony-spice. Spires of tiny flowers late summer. Overwinter as a shrub, trim to shape in spring after new growth sprouts. Long tradition of herbal and magical uses, from curing baldness in old men to bringing lovers to young women, reflected by common names Lad’s-Love, Maid’s-Ruin, Old-Man Wormwood, Lover’s Plant. Brought to North America by European settlers, grown for ornament, medicine, to scent linens, protect clothes from moths, and to make yellow dye. To 36 inches or more. Sun, average conditions.

Artemisia absinthium. ABSINTHE WORMWOOD ‘SILVERADO’. Perennial. Zone 2. Silver foliage plant. Aromatic, very bitter leaves used medicinally and for flavouring wines, apertifs and liqueurs – most notoriously the famous French Absinthe, which was addictive and mood-altering, but which eventually caused central nervous system degeneration, madness and death in its chronic users. A number of well-known members of the European artistic community at the turn of the 19th Century were supposed to have over-indulged to their eventual downfall, including Toulouse-Lautrec. Absinthe (the liqueur) was made illegal in 1915. Absinthe (the plant) is still used medicinally and as a garden ornamental. Shrubby in effect but dies back to woody base in winter. Leave top-growth over winter and prune to live wood once new foliage is apparent. 36 inches. Keep an eye on it – frequently self-sows. Sun, average conditions.

Artemisia dracunculus ‘sativa’. FRENCH TARRAGON. Perennial. Zone 2. This is the true French Tarragon valued by gourmets. The whole plant is aromatic, with a strong anise-licorice scent and flavour. Nibbling on a leaf will numb the tongue. Clumps of wiry stems to 24 inches tall lined with long, thin, pale green foliage. Tiny yellow flowers in late summer. Sun, average conditions, prefers good drainage.

Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’. ‘SILVER KING’ ARTEMISIA. Perennial. Zone 2. Silver, densely downy, finely lanceolate foliage lines 36-inch stems. Spires of bead-like silver flower buds in late summer. Good accent plant, cutflower, and everlasting. Warmly aromatic when disturbed. Very vigorous, often invasive in loose soils, so it is best to keep contained with a SOLID barrier. An excellent plant for difficut sites. Spreads from the shallow root only, no self-seeding, which makes control reasonably straightforward. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Artemisia vulgaris. MUGWORT. Perennial. Zone 3. Silver-green lobed leaves on 48-inch dark stems. The common name is from long use in flavouring beer before introduction of hops. Mugwort was believed to have magical powers and was worn as a charm against evil spirits, disease and fatigue. Called St. John’s Plant, as legend says that John the Baptist carried it during his wilderness sojourn. Today grown in herb gardens, used in herbal dream pillows and in aromatic, insect-repelling sachets. Self sows abundantly – clip off seed heads. Sun to light shade, any soil, average moisture.

Artemisia vulgaris x. VARIEGATED ARTEMISIA. Perennial. Zone 3. Foliage plant grown for its brightly variegated yellow and lime green foliage. Rather rambling clumps spread fairly vigorously by underground runners; keep an eye on it and avoid planting it with delicate plants – it needs a bit of competition to keep it in its place. Nice accent to brighten a wilder corner of the garden, and also popular for containers for its season-long good looks. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture, good drainage.

ARUNCUS ~ Goatsbeards

Family: Rosaceae

Aruncus dioicus syn. sylvester. SYLVAN GOATSBEARD. Perennial. Zone 1. Dependable and almost perfect. The only improvement I can imagine is a longer bloom time, though it does linger on in its ivory elegance for a satisfying several weeks as June slips into July. Handsome clump former 3 to 7 feet tall has deeply cut, rather ferny foliage and long plumes of tiny ivory flowers in mid-summer. Long-lived and completely trouble-free. Sun to shade, good soil, likes moisture.

Aruncus dioicus x sinensis ‘Zweiweltenkind’. ‘CHILD OF TWO WORLDS’ GOATSBEARD. Perennial. Zone 1. This is an excellent German cultivar introduced by famed plantsman Karl Foerster, strong proponent of many of the plants we now have come to regard as garden standards. It is a cross of two species, Aruncus dioicus – native to North America and Northern Europe – and the Chinese Aruncus sinensis – hence the rather romantic cultivar name. It forms sturdy clumps 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Upright panicles of tiny, densely packed, creamy white flowers are produced for several weeks in midsummer. Attractive, healthy foliage looks great spring into late fall. This is an absolutely trouble-free plant, that rare thing, a plant-it-and-let-it-alone creature. It just gets better with age. This said, it also takes a few years to reach its full size and potential, so make sure you plant it with some space around it, and exercise just a bit of patience. Oh – and if you decide you need to move it, go right ahead. It transplants very nicely as long as you include a generous amount of soil around its fibrous root ball. Sun to shade, good soil, likes moisture but quite tolerant of various conditions. Deer resistant, too.

ASARUM ~ Wild Gingers

Family: Aristolochiaceae

Asarum canadense. CANADA WILD GINGER. Perennial. Zone 4. North-Eastern North America, including Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba. Lovely foliage plant from eastern Canada, wonderfully well suited to the shady woodland border. Downy, heart-shaped leaves emerge and unfold in early spring, and at the same time ground-hugging, bottle-shaped, purple-brown blooms are produced, attracting ground-dwelling insects as pollinators. Spreads in a restrained manner to form a nice sized clump in a few years. Clumps reach 6 inches or so in height, and spread 12 to 18 inches. Not related to true ginger, but all parts are warmly aromatic, and were used by indigenous peoples and early settlers for medicinal and culinary purposes. An interesting and quietly lovely plant, which has adapted happily to cultivation. Part to full shade, good soil and moisture. Dry soil tolerant once established.

Asarum caudatum ‘album’. WHITE-FLOWERED WESTERN WILD GINGER. Perennial. Zone 4. Pacific Northwest, B.C. to California. This is the rare and beautiful native wild ginger, in a naturally occurring white-flowered form, rather than the usual burgundy-brown. Blooms are of somewhat secondary importance with this excellent foliage plant, being small, ground-hugging, and completely concealed by the leaves, but a closer examination is rewarding to the botanically curious. Leaves are beautifully heart-shaped, thickly textured, glossy yet covered by tiny silky-soft hairs. To 6 inches tall at most, and spreading politely to form a dense, weed-free companion plant and groundcover for your woodland planting. Part to full shade, good soil and moisture.

Asarum europaeum. EUROPEAN WILD GINGER. Perennial. Zone 3. Central Europe, Scandinavia, Russia to western Siberia. This lovely creeping groundcover of moist deciduous and mixed forests received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2007. Thickly textured, very glossy, slightly marbled, heart-shaped foliage. Unique tiny, three-lobed, tubular flowers are produced at the very base of the foliage. When handled, all parts exude a warm ginger-like aroma. Once used in traditional herbal medicine. Spreads by creeping roots and modest self seeding to form dense mats. Each plant is 4 to 6 inches tall and wide, but a colony can spread to several feet across over time. Evergreen in mild climates, but dies down over winter in the Cariboo. Do not clip back or pull away the old foliage but leave it be to shelter new growth. Part to full shade, good soil and moisture.

ASCLEPIAS ~ Milkweeds

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Asclepias incarnata. ROSY SWALLOW WORT. Perennial. Zone 3. Domed clusters of two-toned pink flowers of intricate design top strong, 2 to 3 foot tall stems lined with glossy, blue-green leaves. Sweetly fragrant. Attracts butterflies and bees. Good cutflower, seedheads are excellent everlastings. Blooms mid to late summer. Takes a few years to reach full size. Plants are late to emerge in spring, so mark the site and cultivate carefully to avoid breaking off hidden shoots. Moist, humus-rich soil, sun to light shade.

Asclepias incarnata ‘alba’. SWALLOW WORT ‘ICE BALLET’. Perennial. Zone 3. The white-flowered variant of Rosy Swallow Wort. Greeny-white bud clusters open to pure white, intricately designed flowers in small domed heads for a long period in summer. Attracts bees and butterflies. To 3 feet tall once established. Moist, humus-rich soil, sun to light shade.

Asclepias speciosa. SHOWY MILKWEED. Perennial. Zone 3. North America, including Southern British Columbia. This handsome native Milkweed forms sturdy clumps of strong stems lined with large, grey-green leaves and topped by generous clusters of intricately beautiful, sweetly fragrant, pale pink flowers for a very long season, late May through summer. Huge, elongated seed pods form after bloom, breaking open in late fall to reveal a geometrically precise arrangement of silken-feathered seeds. Very attractive to all sorts of butterflies and other insects in bloom, and a crucial larval host plant for the endangered Western Monarch butterfly. Our plants are grown from seed collected along the Fraser River corridor. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Asclepias tuberosa. BUTTERFLY MILKWEED. Perennial. Zone 3. Small, intricately detailed, brilliantly red-orange, domed flower clusters in midsummer. Highly attractive to many species of butterfly. Excellent cutflower. To 36 inches tall when established and mature. A long-lived, “do not disturb” plant. Takes a few years to reach full size. Plants are late to emerge in spring, so mark the site and cultivate carefully to avoid breaking off hidden shoots. Full sun, drought tolerant once established.

ASPHODELINE

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

Asphodeline taurica. WHITE KING’S SPEAR. Perennial, sometimes monocarpic. Zone 4. Mediterranean, Caucasus Mountains. A.k.a. JACOB’S ROD. Grasslike, leathery, grey-green leaves in a swirling basal clump. One sturdy central bloom spike is produced in summer, opening up its white star-flowers for a long period starting in late spring. Eventually reaches 18 inches or so, sometimes taller. Site carefully; tap rooted so needs to stay put once planted, and needs impeccable drainage to thrive. This is one for the xeriscape slope or rock garden. Appreciates a top dressing of gravel or stones. For the serious gardener who appreciates something out of the ordinary. Sun, well-drained soil, average moisture. Drought tolerant once established. Semi-evergreen, so a loose, dry mulch applied after freezeup is a good idea where snow cover is unreliable.

ASPLENIUM ~ Hart’s Tongue Ferns

Family: Aspleniaceae

Asplenium scolopendrium. HART’S TONGUE FERN. Perennial fern. Zone 4. A.k.a. Phyllitis scolopendrium. European and north-Asiatic semi-evergreen fern, common throughout its range by streamsides and in shady, moist forest and subalpine sites. Handsome, glossy, light green foliage is not at all fernlike, until one checks under the long, strappy leaves and sees the neat arrangement of conspicuous, brown, spore-bearing sori. Very nice in the shady mixed border, contrasts beautifully with other more “traditional” fronded ferns. Part to full shade, humus rich soil, likes moisture.

ASTER

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Aster alpinus. ALPINE ASTER. Perennial. Zone 2. Compositae. Big daisy-like asters with many fine petals surrounding a central eye in early spring, Clumps to 12 inches or so across, foliage only a few inches high, flower stems rise up 6-10 inches. Very attractive early bloomer for rockery or border front. Sun, good soil and moisture. ‘ALBUS’. Pure white, golden eyes. ‘DARK BEAUTY’. Rich, dark purple-blue, golden eyes. Name is translation of original German name ‘Dunkle Schöen’. ‘GOLIATH’. Purple-blue, golden-eyes, extra large flowers. ‘HAPPY END’. Soft pink, bright yellow eyes.‘PINKIE’. Vivid pink daisy flowers with golden eyes.

Aster azureus. SKY-BLUE ASTER. Perennial. Zone 3. Syn. Symphyotrichum oolentangiense. Eastern North America. A.k.a. AZURE ASTER, BLUE DEVILS. This is a great plant for fall colour. During the early part of the garden season it makes a tidy, unassuming 2 to 3 foot tall and wide shrubby plant covered with smallish dark green leaves. Then, as the days shorten at the end of summer, buds emerge all along its wiry stems, to open into a profusion of small, pale lavender blue daisies with yellow eyes. The entire plant becomes – literally! – that “mass of bloom” so often stated as our fondest desire as gardeners. The plant remains in this state of gloriousness for weeks and weeks, and is a welcome host to many butterflies and other pollinators seeking a last nectar and pollen feed before the cold comes. Blooms late August to October.  Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Aster bellidiastrum. DAISY-STAR ASTER. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Bellidiastrum michelii. Alpine regions of central and southern Europe. A small alpine aster with bright white daisy-flowers on dark red, 10-inch stems, providing an interesting contrast to the gleaming blooms. Neat basal clumps of elongated, heavy-textured, dark green foliage. Very pretty for border front or rock garden. Blooms in late spring and early summer.  Full sun, average soil and moisture.

Aster ericoides. HEATH ASTER. Perennial. Zone 3. Syn. Symphyotrichum ericoides. Central and eastern North America. Bushy, compact clump former, 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. Wiry stems are lined with rigid, narrow leaves, resembling the Heather (Erica sp.) of its Latin species name. Covered in a profusion of small, many-petalled, starry white blooms in late summer well into fall. Good for border colour as the growing season wanes. Very attractive to butterflies. Full sun, average soil and moisture. Very adaptable, clay and sand tolerant, drought tolerant.

Aster macrophyllus. BIGLEAF ASTER. Perennial. Zone 3. Syn. Eurybia macrophylla. Central and eastern North America. Rhizomatous clump former from deciduous woodlands, where it grows in dense stands in open forests. A handsome foliage plant in the early part of the season. Large, heart-shaped, dark green leaves in basal clumps, which send up 2 foot stems in mid summer, topped by loose sprays of pale purple, yellow-eyed daisy flowers. Attractive to butterflies, bees, and numerous other pollinators. Foliage blushes purple in fall. Good in a “wild garden”, sharing its bloom time with goldenrods and grasses. Sun to open shade, average soil and moisture.

Aster novae-angliae. NEW ENGLAND ASTER ‘HARRINGTON’S PINK’. Perennial. Zone 3. Blooms late August into October. This excellent older cultivar has fluffy, pale coral-pink daisies with golden centres. Very pretty and a perfect companion to late Phlox ‘Mount Fujiyama’ when most other flowers are finished for the year. This tall, rather lanky clump former appreciates a bit of support when it gets going, as its heavy bloom clusters weigh the stems down. 30 to 48 inches tall. Sadly we have lost our own specimen somehow over the years, and are finding it hard to relocate in the nursery trade, as the trend seems to now be towards the shorter A. novae-belgii cultivars. If anyone who purchased this one from us years ago would like to part with a slip, we would be most grateful. (And would make sure you get something extra nice in return.) Full sun, good soil and moisture.

Aster novae-angliae. NEW ENGLAND ASTER ‘SEPTEMBER RUBY’. Perennial. Zone 3. Late-blooming, small-flowered perennial asters are glowing red-purple with golden centres. Blooms September into October – one of the last flowers left blooming after frosts.  36 to 60 inches tall. Full sun, good soil and moisture.

Aster pyrenaeus. PYRENEES AUTUMN ASTER. Perennial. Zone 4. As autumn arrives, the asters come into their own. This bushy charmer covers itself in palest lilac stars from August onwards. A butterfly magnet, and the bees like it, too. Originally from the French and Spanish Pyrennees Mountains, where it is now an endangered species in the wild. (Our seed was from a sustainable cultivated source.) Reaches 18 inches or so in height, and spreads to 2 feet or more at maturity. Appreciates good drainage, drought tolerant once established. Full sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Aster tongolensis. TONGO ASTER ‘WARTBURG STAR’. Perennial. Zone 4. Well-mannered clump-former to 18 inches or so, with generous mid-summer bloom of large, light lavender, golden-eyed daisy flowers. Sun, good soil and moisture.

ASTILBE

Family: Saxifragaceae

Astilbe chinensis var. pumila. CHINESE ASTILBE. Perennial. Zone 4. Tibet. Clump forming, ferny-leaved dwarf astilbe from the Himalayan foothills. Short spiky plumes of tiny, pale purple flowers in early to mid-summer. Foliage reaches 6 inches in height, with bloom stalks to a foot or so. One of the more dry soil tolerant astilbes, but appreciates summer moisture. Shade to sun, average soil and moisture.

ASTRANTIA ~ Masterworts

Family: Apiaceae/Umbelliferae

Astrantia major. ‘RUBY WEDDING’ ASTRANTIA. Perennial. Zone 3. The Astrantias, or Masterworts, as they are also commonly known, are quietly fantastical flowers which reward a second, closer look. Clumps of rather raggedly cut, palmate leaves produce numerous bloom stems from June through August topped with attractive, bracted flowerheads. ‘Ruby Wedding’ is a cherry-red selection of the paler red Astrantia major ‘rosea’, and was found in 1986 in the English garden of Phyllis Barwood, and named in honour of her fortieth wedding anniversary. Flower clusters are very long-lasting, and make excellent cutflowers. Bracts are deep pink, shading to white and green at the bases, and the central bead-like flowers are pink and green. 18 inches tall and wide. Light to half shade, humus rich soil, and prefers plenty of moisture in hot summers.

Astrantia major. ‘STAR OF BEAUTY’ ASTRANTIA. Perennial. Zone 3. The genus name Astrantia is based on the Latin root word astra – “star” – and this pretty cultivar picks up on that for its common name. Tidy clumps of raggedly cut, rather maple-like leaves produce numerous bloom stems topped by loose clusters of bracted flowerheads in a gentle shade of maroon-rose, with green and white accents. Blooms begin in early summer, are very long-lasting, and make excellent cutflowers. To 2 feet tall once established.  Light to half shade, humus rich soil, and prefers plenty of moisture in hot summers.

ATHYRIUM ~ Lady Ferns

Family: Woodsiaceae

Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum. NORTHERN LADY FERN ‘LADY IN RED’. Perennial. Zone 4. A classic smaller fern from the woodlands of Asia, Europe, Scandinavia and North America. ‘Lady in Red’ is named for the reddish colouration of its stems. Frond leaves are bright green. To 2 feet tall, with a typical fernish growth habbit: fronds emerging from a central clump to form a graceful “fountain” effect. Part to full shade, average soil and moisture. Appreciates some extra water in hot summer areas.

AUBRIETIA ~ Rock Cresses

Family: Cruciferae/Brassicaceae

Aubrietia hybrida grandiflora. PURPLE ROCK CRESS. Perennial. Zone 2. Cascading plants smothered in bright purple bloom in earliest spring. Every year people ask me for this plant which they’ve seen somewhere about town, so, finally, here it is! 6 inches tall, cascades to a foot or more in spread. Shear after bloom to keep looking tidy. Sun to light shade, best on a slope or in rockery, good soil and moisture.

Aubrietia hybrida grandiflora. PURPLE ROCK CRESS ‘WHITEWELL GEM’.  Perennial. Zone 2. An extra-early bloomer for slope, border front or rockery. Cascading plants smothered in bright purple bloom in earliest spring. 6 inches tall, spreads to a foot or more in diameter. Shear lightly after bloom to keep looking tidy. Sun to light shade, best on a slope or in rockery, good soil and moisture.

Aubrietia pinardii. TURKISH ROCK CRESS. Perennial. Zone 3. Turkey. Low, spreading mat to 4 inches or so, absolutely smothered in late spring and well into summer with rich-purple, 4-petalled blooms with yellow eyes. Great plant for the rockery or a sunny slope where it can cascade. Sun, good soil and moisture, reasonably drought tolerant once established.

BAPTISIA ~ Wild Indigos

Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae

Baptisia australis. BLUE WILD INDIGO. Perennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. FALSE INDIGO. Deep indigo-blue, lupine-like flowers in long racemes top 4 foot clumps of blue-green foliage. Blooms late June and early July. Inflated black seed pods add to the interst. Mature plants are quite stunning – a real “border backbone” plant, with excellent foliage. This one does take a few years to really get going. Expect flowers in year 3 or so, and a few more to reach full size. Site carefully, mark well, and don’t disturb as it forms a deep taproot and will not transplant well, if at all. Very long lived and trouble-free; good for decades. Full sun, average soil, quite drought tolerant once established.

Baptisia australis var. minor. DWARF WILD INDIGO. Perennial. Zone 2. A more compact version of the tall Baptisia australis. Tidy 2-foot tall clumps of handsome, blue-green foliage produce numerous sturdy stems topped by racemes of lovely, indigo-blue, pea-like flowers in June and July. These are followed by attractive black seed pods. Site carefully, mark well, and don’t disturb as it forms a deep taproot and will not transplant well, if at all. Very long lived and trouble-free; good for decades. Full sun, average soil, quite drought tolerant once established.

Baptisia alba var. macrophylla. WHITE WILD INDIGO. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Baptisia leucantha. Eastern North America. White, lupine-like flowers on purple stalks. 3 foot tall clumps of clover-like, grey-green foliage. Reasonably long bloom period in late spring-early summer. Like other Baptisias, this one takes a few years to really get going, but is well worth the wait. Site carefully, mark well, and don’t disturb as it forms a deep taproot and will not transplant well, if at all. Very long lived and trouble-free. Full sun, average soil, quite drought tolerant once established.

BELAMCANDA

Family: Iridaceae

Belamcanda chinensis syn. Iris domestica. BLACKBERRY LILY. Perennial. Zone 4. China, Japan. A.k.a. LEOPARD LILY. An old-fashioned, wild-flowery sort of plant, once much grown in gardens, but seldom seen in the Cariboo, though it has proven quite hardy for us over the last decade that we’ve grown it. Fan-shaped foliage clusters of flat, strappy leaves to 2 feet tall or so arise from elongated rhizomes. Budding stems are sent up in early summer, and the small but beautiful flowers start to open in early August, to continue well into September. Flowers are 2 inches across, and bright peachy-orange spotted with purple-red. Each bloom only lasts a day or two, but is quickly followed by another, and another, and another… The common name ‘Blackberry Lily’ comes from the fascinating seed clusters, which do indeed look like shiny blackberries when the papery husks split open in late fall. These make good everlastings for winter decoration, or can be left in the garden for fall and winter interest, until they drop off or are eaten by wild birds. Sun to part shade, average conditions. Appreciates well-drained soil.

BELLIS ~ English Daisies

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Bellis perennis. ENGLISH DAISY, TRUE WILD. Biennial. Zone 4. White-flushed-pink flowers with golden eyes appear spring into fall on small plants only a few inches tall. European wild daisy, immortalized by poets and beloved by children and sentimental adults – the daisy chain and “She loves me, she loves me not” flower. Naturalized in English lawns, where an old saying states that “Summer has come when you can put your foot on seven daisies.” Valued in ancient days as a medicinal herb and salad plant. Blooms the first year, and self-seeds where happy. Sun to part shade, average soil and moisture.

Bellis perennis. DOUBLE ENGLISH DAISY. Biennial. Zone 3/4. Adorable spring-blooming English Daisy. Many small, very full-petalled double daisies in shades of pink, dark rose and white cover 4 to 6 inch clumps of lush, deep green foliage in spring and early summer. Though technically a biennial, these bloom profusely as annuals if started very early and exposed to cold temperatures, which ours always are – an easy requirement in a Cariboo spring! There are a number of selected and named cultivars – ‘Tasso’, ‘Super Enorma’, ‘Pomponette’, ‘Habanera’, ‘Rominette’, and others – all are excellent. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

BERGENIA

Family: Saxifragacae

Bergenia cordifolia. HEARTLEAF BERGENIA. Perennial. Zone 2. Short, thick spikes of deep pink, very long lasting flowers in May and June. Broad, glossy foliage flushed red in spring and turning deep russet in fall. An amusing common name is ‘pig-squeak’, a fanciful reference to the sound the leaves make when rubbed between the fingers. An established colony is a very handsome sight. This is an excellent border plant which looks good from earliest spring to first snowfall. One of my personal favourites. 12 to 24 inches tall and wide. Very well-behaved. Individual plants and established colonies expand slowly in height and width, but never turn invasive. Sun to shade, humus-rich soil, good moisture.

Bergenia purpurascens. PURPLE BERGENIA. Perennial. Zone 3. Himalayas, Burma, China. A lovely plant. Sturdy 12 to 16 inch tall stems, topped by clusters of rich purple-red, bell-like, tubular blooms in May. Lush basal clusters of glossy, thick-textured, rounded leaves. Excellent form summer till autumn, when foliage turns dark russet red. Sun to shade, humus-rich soil, average moisture.

Bergenia x. ‘BABY DOLL’ BERGENIA. Perennial. Zone 3. This charming small cultivar originated in the German nursery of Peter and Bärbel zur Linden in 1971. Glossy, thick-textured, rounded leaves form 12-inch tall and wide basal clusters. Sturdy 12 to 16-inch stems arise in May and produce tight clusters of soft pink, bell-like, tubular blooms, which age gradually to bright cerise-pink. Excellent form through summer and into autumn, when foliage takes on shades of dark russet red. A lovely plant. Sun to shade, humus-rich soil, average moisture.

BERKHEYA

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Berkheya purpurea. BERKHEYA ‘ZULU WARRIOR’. Perennial/blooms as annual. Zone 4/5. Syn. Stobaea purpurea. South Africa. At first glance, this one looks like a common old thistle – the foliage rosettes are wickedly prickly. But when the flowers start to open in mid-summer, one forgives Berkheya its slightly formidable spikes, and enjoys the show. Elongated stems to 2 feet tall or so produce numerous buds which open, bottom ones first, into rather sunflower-like, dusky purple daisy-flowers with dark purple centres. It keeps blooming well into autumn. Unusual and strangely appealing. Mark the plants so you don’t think they are thistles when weeding before they bloom! Blooms generously the first year, but is bigger and better the next season as it forms a mature clump. Can be late to emerge, so don’t disturb the clumps during spring garden tidyings. It’s a good idea to generously mulch the crowns with something loose and dry before winter, as it is originally from Africa, where it grows on steep mountain slopes among grasses, to elevations of 3000 metres or more. Despite its thistle-like traits, it is non-invasive. Tap-rooted, and does not mature seed in our climate. Sun, average conditions, requires well-drained soil. Drought tolerant. Deer-proof.

BOEHMERIA

Family: Urticacaea

Boehmeria tricuspis. TURTLE-TAIL GRASS. Perennial. Zone 3. Japan, China, Korea. Not a true grass at all, but instead a non-stinging member of the Nettle Family. Clump former, with graceful stems to 2 feet tall, lined with handsome, deeply cut and wrinkled, dark green leaves. Each leave has a prominent central spike, looking very much like a turtle’s tail poking out from its shell, hence the common name. Interesting blooms in midsummer, elongated tails of tiny green flowers which age to dark red. An interesting addition to the woodland border, as its lovely foliage stays fine all season. Light to full shade, humus-rich soil, average moisture.

BOLTONIA

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Boltonia asteroides var. latisquama ‘nana’. DWARF DOLL’S DAISY. Perennial. Zone 4. Central North America, including southern Sakatchewan and Manitoba. A.k.a. FALSE CHAMOMILE, FALSE ASTER. Bushy, branching plant to 2 feet or so tall and wide, covered with small, very pale purple, yellow-eyed daisy flowers in late summer and well into autumn. Bees and butterflies swarm it. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Boltonia decurrens. CLASPINGLEAF DOLL’S DAISY. Perennial. Zone 4. Central U.S.A. Bushy aster-like fall bloomer, very nice for autumn interest in the mixed or woodland border. Generous clusters of small, fine-petalled daisy flowers open white, turning pale pink-purple as they age. Good late-season bee and butterfly nectar source. Sturdy, strong-stemmed clump former, 4 to 6 feet tall, depending on moisture levels. (Wetter = taller.) Lance-shaped leaves extend down stems, hence the “claspingleaf” designation. Excellent pond-side plant. Sun, good soil and moisture.

BRUNNERA

Family: Boraginaceae

Brunnera macrophylla. SUMMER FORGET-ME-NOT. Perennial. Zone 2. Asia Minor to Siberia. A.k.a. SIBERIAN BUGLOSS. Handsome, heart-shaped, deep green foliage in big clumps to 18 inches tall produce many clusters of tiny, true blue, yellow-eyed, forget-me-not-like flowers spring into summer. Wonderful plant. Though stylish white-variegated cultivars of this old-fashioned plant are supremely popular right now, the good old green-leaved sort sets off the lovely flowers without distraction, and I think I still like it best. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

BUCHLOE ~ Buffalo Grass

Family: Poaceae

Buchloe dactyloides. BUFFALO GRASS. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Bouteloua dactyloides. This is a vigorous, mat-forming stoloniferous grass, one of the main components of the Great Plains shortgrass prairie. Recently it has been used with some succcess as a drought tolerant lawn component. It is a rather attractive grass, with fine-textured blue-green foliage and interesting angular seedheads, very similar to the elegant Mosquito Grasses, Bouteloua species. Not for the general perennial border as it will invade anything with loose crowns, but lovely as a soil holder in difficult spots, and in a mixed grass and prairie plants border. Sends out its above ground stolons out with some vigour, and it will self seed. To 6 inches tall and a foot or so wide, blooming midsummer onwards. Turns an attractive fawn brown at summer’s end. Sun, drought tolerant.

BUPHTHALMUM

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Buphthalmum salicifolium. WILLOWLEAF OXE-EYE ‘ALPENGOLD’. Perennial. Zone 3. Interesting, willow-like foliage – long, narrow, with white undersides. A mound-former, starred all over bright golden-yellow daisies from summer into autumn. 18 inches tall or thereabouts. This one is more tolerant of dry soil than its larger relative B. speciosum, and if grown in slightly lean soil stays nicely compact. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Buphthalmum speciosum. GOLDEN OXE-EYE. Perennial. Zone 2. Poland, Yugoslavia. Syn. Telekia speciosa. Very similar to the Inula (Elecampane) genus. As many of you already know, we like big plants – the statuesque ones which really make a presence. This one fits right in. Big, bold leaves are heart-shaped, downy and warmly aromatic. Sturdy stalks 3 to 5 feet tall are topped by large and showy deep orange-yellow daisies in June and July. Best at the back of the border, or possibly in a wildflower or herb garden. Sun to part shade, average soil, likes moisture.

CALCEOLARIA

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Calceolaria biflora. PATAGONIAN CALCEOLARIA ‘GOLDCAP’. Perennial. Zone 4. Argentina, Chile. This is a charming wee relative of the popular Victorian calceolarias grown as treasured showy houseplants. Rosettes of round leaves send up delicate stems to 6 inches or so, topped by loose clusters of inflated yellow pouch-flowers (rather like tiny lady’s slipper orchids), marked inside with minute red freckles. From the remote southern tip of South America, this was one of the unique plants collected by Darwin on the voyage of the Beagle in 1834. A mountain and streamside plant in its native habitat, C. biflora is one of those alpines which likes lots of moisture but also needs good drainage so its roots do not become waterlogged. A bit of shade in hot summer is also appreciated. Reported hardy to Zone 2 with good snow cover; no reason why adventurous Cariboo gardeners can’t attempt to make this little gem happy. Ours bloomed the first year, but faded away in the open garden. We’ll be trying it again, in a less clayish soil. Sun to part shade, good moisture, good drainage.

CALLIRHOE

Family: Malvaceae

Callirhoe involucrata. POPPY MALLOW. Perennial. Zone 4. North America. A.k.a. WINE CUPS. Satin-textured, neon magenta-pink, wide open blooms with paler centers are produced in great profusion over deeply cut foliage in late spring and into summer. Of a rather sprawling habit, stems can reach 18 to 24 inches in length but usually ramble over the ground so overall height is 6 to 12 inches. Interesting North American prairie native, often grown as an edging plant or in a rockery where it can be allowed to cascade. Very eye-catching blooms, vivid colour. Tap-rooted, so site it where you think you want is as it may not survive a move once mature. (The tap root also ensures its superior drought tolerance.) Sun, well-drained soil, drought tolerant.

Kristl Walek of Ontario’s stellar (but sadly now defunct) seedhouse Gardens North has this to say:

Native to the short-grass prairie and sandy, dry soils of western and mid-western North America and an outstanding plant for the garden. Inappropriately, it seems the generic name of this denizen of dry places honors Callirrhoe, the daughter of Achelous, a minor Greek river god. The flowers are glowing, satiny magenta cups, up to 2″ across which begin in June and never cease until frost. Its leafy flowering stems are prostrate and will spread out 1-3′ from the crown by midsummer, so give it plenty of space in a sun-baked spot.

CALTHA ~ Marsh Marigold

Family:Ranunculaceae

Caltha palustris ‘flore plena’. DOUBLE-FLOWERED MARSH MARIGOLD. Perennial. Zone 2.  An earliest spring bloomer. Beautiful, glossy, broad-leaved foliage. Thick stems are topped by open clusters of very double, bright golden-yellow, buttercup-like flowers. For a damp spot. It can grow submerged in water, or in the well-watered border.

CAMASSIA ~ Camas

Family:Asparagaceae

Camassia esculenta. BLUE CAMAS. Perennial. Zone 3. A.k.a. INDIAN HYACINTH.  Pretty North American wildflower. 12 inch tall spikes of soft purple-blue star-flowers in late spring. Foliage goes dormant after blooming. This was an important First Nations food plant in regions of southern B.C., with the plump white tubers harvested from maintained stands. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

CAMPANULA ~ Bellflowers

Family: Campanulaceae

Campanula alliariifolia. ‘IVORY BELLS’ CAMPANULA. Perennial. Zone 4. A vigorous basal clump of heart-shaped foliage produces arching 2-foot stems lined with small, nodding, bell-shaped ivory-white flowers in late June into September. Good border variety though seldom seen. Generous bloomer. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Campanula barbata. BEARDED BELLFLOWER. Perennial/Biennial. Zone 3. Norway, Northern Europe. A desirable and delightful bellflower from alpine and subalpine regions. Rich green, thick-textured, pointed leaves in basal clusters. Large light to deep blue downfacing bells open along sturdy 6 to 12 inch tall stems in June and July. Each bloom is “bearded” inside with long white hairs which protrude and give a rather feathery effect. May act as a biennial or short-lived perennial, so it’s best to collect seeds or allow to selfsow to keep the colony going. Sun to light shade, appreciates good soil and summer moisture.

 Campanula carpatica. TUSSOCK BELLFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Upward-facing bells with contrasting yellow stamens cover mounds of heart-shaped foliage to 12 inches wide and high. Blooms profusely all summer. Easy and elegant. Rockery or edging. Sun to light shade, average conditions. ‘BLUE CLIPS’ – Pale violet-blue. ‘SNOW BELLS’ – Pure white.

Campanula cochlearifolia. FAIRIES’ THIMBLE BELLFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 3. Europe. Absolutely charming tiny alpine bellflower thrives in the rockery or as a border edging. Small heart-shaped foliage forms a gently creeping mat. Wire-thin bloom stems emerge in summer and produce a beautifully generous crop of little blue bells which tremble with every breeze. 3 to 6 inches tall in bloom, spreads to about a foot or so in diameter. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Campanula glomerata. CLUSTER BELLFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Dense clusters of up-facing, bell shaped flowers in summer on 18 to 24 inch stems. Attractive and long-blooming. An old cottage garden plant, dependable, showy and well-mannered. Sun to light shade; average conditions. ‘SNOW CROWN’ – Pure white. ‘SUPERBA’ – rich violet blue.

Campanula incurva. GREEK BELLFLOWER. Biennial/short-lived Perennial. Zone 4. Tidy 8 to 12-inch high and wide clumps of long-stemmed, slightly downy leaves. In its second year, a profusion of large buds are produced, opening up into huge, ice-blue, up-facing bells. Sun, requires excellent drainage to overwinter, average moisture. To protect crowns, consider heaping with dry peat moss or fluffy wood shavings in very late fall; gently remove in spring.

Campanula medium. ‘CUP & SAUCER’ CANTERBURY BELLS. Biennial. Zone 2. This is such a pretty, showy, classic cottage garden flower. Big, beautiful, outfacing bellflowers in shades of violet, rose and white, with basal collars – the “saucers” to the larger “cups” – are produced on 18-inch stems in summer of the plant’s second year. Occasionally acts as a perennial, with new growth from offshoots, but as it is a true biennial it is best not to count on this and you should allow at least a few of the spikes to mature and self-sow to perpetuate the colony. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Campanula medium. DOUBLE CANTERBURY BELLS. Biennial. Zone 2. In this interesting variation of this pretty old-fashioned flower, known in England since the 1600s, the blooms are doubled, giving a rosebud effect. Shades of light purple, dark violet, pale pink, and purest white. To 18 inches tall, blooming in summer the plant’s second year. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Campanula moesiaca. BULGARIAN BELLFLOWER. Biennial. Zone 4. A rare little bellflower from the Balkans, where it grows in sub-alpine meadows among grasses and other wildflowers. The first year it forms large rosettes of hairy, serrated leaves. In year two, substantial, hairy, 12-inch-tall bloom stalks appear, and produce abundant clusters of upfacing, pale lilac bellflowers in mid-summer. Very pretty. Similiar in appearance and habit to the well-known Cluster Bellflower, Campanula glomerata, but smaller, more delicate in appearance and colour, and a monocarpic perennial which dies after blooming and setting seed. (Save some seed or allow to self-sow, as it will form a nice permanent colony where encouraged.) For the rockery or sunny border. Sun, average soil and moisture, appreciates good drainage to overwinter reliably.

Campanula punctata ‘alba‘. WHITE JAPANESE BELLFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. Japan. Large, down-facing, milky-white bells speckled burgundy inside, on arching, 2-foot stems in June and July. Attractive foliage. Vigorous spreader; grow with other competitive plants or use as an under-tree groundcover. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Campanula punctata ‘rubriflora’. ROSY SPOTTED JAPANESE BELLFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. Japan. Large cream to rosy bells speckled burgundy inside on arching, 2-foot stems in June and July. Attractive foliage. Vigorous spreader; grow with other competitive plants or use as an under-tree groundcover. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Campanula persicifolia. PEACH-LEAF BELLFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. PEACHBELLS, WILLOW BELLFLOWER. This is a reliable, old-fashioned cottage garden plant, dating back to the late 1500s, which has been getting just a bit harder to find in recent years, as nurseries concentrate their energies on keeping their customers up to date with newer introductions. But the classic peach-leaf bellflower won’t be disappearing anytime soon; it will carry on quietly lighting up its garden corners in its quietly lovely, well-behaved way. Lush clumps of lanceolate foliage send up slender 18 to 24 inch stems, which produce many large, up- and out-facing pure blue or white bellflowers in summer. Heavy-blooming, and a dependable, easy flower. Pinch or clip off spent blooms to encourage continued flower production well into autumn, if you are so inclined (and if you have that sort of out-in-the-garden time on your hands!) Sun to part shade, average conditions. ‘BLUE BELL’ – Light violet-blue. ‘SUTTON’S WHITE QUEEN’ – A lovely, large-flowered, old English variety from the 1800s. ‘TELHAM BEAUTY’  – Extra large blooms, of a serene china blue. ‘WHITE BELLS’ – Pure white, lights up its corner of the garden.

Campanula primulifolia.  SPANISH BELLFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. Spain, Portugal. Handsome, crinkle-edged foliage does indeed resemble that of a Primula – hence the Latin species name. Long stems to 30 inches tall are lined with many pointed buds which open into 2-inch wide, pale lavender-blue, up- and out-facing, wide-open bellflowers with contrasting dark purple eyes. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Campanula pyramidalis.  CHIMNEY BELLFLOWER. Biennial or short-lived perennial. Zone 4. Campanulaceae. Italy, Yugoslavia, the Balkans. This lovely Victorian-era cottage garden flower was a great favourite of estate gardeners and competitive nurserymen, who grew it “under glass” in efforts to produce the tallest, most floriferous plants possible. Outside in the garden the effect is perhaps not so exaggerated, but this is a very pretty thing. Clumps of dark green, glossy, heart-shaped foliage send up slender but sturdy stems lined with thinner leaves and quickly swelling flower buds. These open into large, outfacing, starry, soft violet-blue bells. The common name comes from the impressive sight of the plants in full bloom: “Tall as chimneys!” At 3 to 6 feet tall, depending on conditions, this is a plant with true presence during its long bloom time from midsummer into autumn. Sun to part shade, appreciates good soil and moisture.

Campanula rotundifolia. BLUE-BELLS-OF-SCOTLAND. Perennial. Zone 2. Circumpolar Northern Hemisphere; Europe, Asia, North America. A.k.a. HAREBELL. One of the prettiest alpines and one of the easiest to grow in the garden as well. Dainty foliage clumps start off with rounded leaves in dense basal arrangement, with long, 12-inch bloom stalks lined with completely different, lanceolate foliage producing numerous large, lavender-blue, inch-long flowers on slender stalks. Found not only in Scotland, but in the Scandinavian countries, Iceland, Greenland, Siberia and here in our own B.C. as well, in subalpine and alpine regions. Lovely in rockery or at the front of the border. Sun, average conditions.

Campanula sibirica. SIBERIAN BLUEBELL. Biennial. Zone 3. Eurasia. Rich violet-blue, tubular bells with flared lip on delicate 12-inch stems in spring. Very nice, rather rare, something for the plant collector. Allow to self-sow to perpetuate, will form a non-invasive little colony where content. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Campanula spicata. BLUE-SPIKE BELLFLOWER. Biennial. Zone 4. Italian and Austrian Alps. A wildflowery bellflower of sunny alpine slopes and meadows. Bristly-leaved basal rosettes, producing 12 to 18 inch tall bloom stalks in summer lined with light purple, downfacing, narrow bells. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Campanula takesimana. KOREAN BELLFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Korea. Arching stems to 2 feet lined with large, hanging, smoky-white bellflowers spotted maroon inside. Very long bloom time, goes all summer. Glossy, heart-shaped foliage. Choice plant but a vigorous spreader – best to grow with other vigorous plants. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Campanula thyrsoides. YELLOW-SPIKE BELLFLOWER. Biennial. Zone 3. European Alps, Jura Mountains. Palest sulphur yellow outfacing bells on crowded, dense spikes to 24 inches tall in midsummer. An unusual and very attractive plant from high European Alps. Sun, well-drained soil, summer moisture.

Campanula trachelium x punctata var. Hondoensis.  ‘SARASTRO’ BELLFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. A relatively new hybrid Campanula – late 1990s/early 2000s? – we don’t have an exact date of introduction – from Christian Kress of Sarastro Nursery in Austria. We have been keeping an eye on this one for the last few years, and our test planting has shown us that this is a stellar border plant, with all of the beauty of its handsome parents, without their overly exuberant spreadiness. ‘Sarastro’ has a mannerly clumping habit, and sends up lots of 18 to 24 inch stems lined with attractive, elongated, serrated, heart-shaped leaves. Large, deep purple, rather wrinkled buds appear in June, opening into huge, down-facing, rich violet-blue bells which continue well into July. After bloom, the plant may be cropped back to half-height, for re-bloom in autumn. And for those who like to collect tidbits of interesting information regarding their garden plants, ‘Sarastro’ is ostensibly named after a key character in Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ opera, who endows one of the heroes with a gift of magical bells. How appropriate! Sun to  part shade, average soil and moisture.

Campanula x ‘Burghaltii’. BELLFLOWER ‘BURGHALT’S VARIETY’. Perennial. Zone 3. Glossy, heart-shaped foliage and arching stems lined with very large, down-facing, pale-mauve-speckled-burgundy bellflowers in late summer. More restrained than some of its relatives in the takesimana/punctata complex, (it’s a takesimana x latifolia hybrid) but this attractive plant should still be given room to make a sizeable clump. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

CAMPANULASTRUM

Family: Campanulaceae

Campanulastrum americana. AMERICAN BELLFLOWER. Biennial. Zone 4. Campanulaceae. North America. Syn. Campanula americana. A very pretty, tall-growing bluebell, native to Eastern North America. Graceful, slender stems lined with glossy, arrowhead-shaped foliage. Many pale violet-blue, white-eyed, outward-facing starflowers with amazingly long, protruding pistils. Long bloom period summer into fall. Interesting plant, quietly elegant; best effect is weaving its way through the mixed border, where the lovely blooms can be appreciated contrasting with other flowers. 2 to 4 feet tall, branches from the base. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

CARLINA

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Carlina acaulis. WEATHER THISTLE, ALPINE THISTLE. Perennial. Zone 4. Pale beige-yellow, thistle-like flowers are produced in the centers of attractive rosettes of jaggedly toothed, spiny foliage. These open wide to large (3 to 5-inch) white-centered, silvery-bracted seedheads which make fabulous everlastings. Flowers open wide in sunny weather and close at night or during wet and cloudy days, hence the common name “weather thistle”. Native to the Mediterranean region  and and the European Alps, where it is a protected species. To 12 inches high and wide. Sun, well-drained soil.

Carlina acaulis ssp. simplex ‘Bronze’. BRONZE WEATHER THISTLE. Perennial. Zone 4. Rosettes of spiny, jaggedly-toothed red-brown foliage send up short stemmed thistle-blooms of creamy white. These are followed by large white seed heads with silvery bracts, much prized as everlastings. To 12 inches tall and wide. Sun, good drainage.

CATANANCHE

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Catananche caerulea. CUPID’S DART. Perennial. Zone 4. Named for its old-time use in love potions. Pretty, pale lavender-blue, 2-inch daisy-flowers top many wiry, 12 to 24 inch stems which arise from tufts of downy, narrow foliage.  Profuse bloom in its first season. Sun, good soil and moisture, good drainage for winter.

Catananche caerulea ‘alba’. WHITE CUPID’S DART. Perennial. Zone 4. This rare variation of the blue species has pure white, 2-inch daisy-flowers with contrasting dark purple eyes. Sun, good soil and moisture, good drainage for winter.

CENTAUREA ~ Cornflowers & Knapweeds

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Centaurea babylonica. SYRIAN CENTAURY. Perennial. Zone 4/5. Syria, Palestine. This is a wildflowery thing, to be grown more for curiousity than anything else, though it does have gorgeous foliage. Large, heavily felted basal leaves. Numerous tall stems to 6 feet tall or more, lined with  long, wooly bracts, and producing many fluffy yellow flowers in clusters along the stems. Blooms for a very long time, summer into fall. Under investigation for its possible anti-cancer properties. Keep an eye on it – the Centaureas in general are very good at spreading themselves around, and you will want to bear that in mind. Sun, average soil and moisture, likes good drainage.

Centaurea cineraria. DUSTY MILLER CENTAUREA. Perennial. Zone 4. Italy. Deeply cut, densely furred, silver foliage in 12-inch clumps. Clusters of bright yellow, puffy blooms in summer. Gorgeous foliage accent plant for border front or rockery. Sun, average soil and moisture, likes good drainage.

Centaurea dealbata. ROSY CORNFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Caucasus Mountains. A.k.a. PERSIAN CORNFLOWER. Many large, light-mauve-pink-and-ivory cornflowers in summer. A tidy clump-former with handsome, deeply lobed, grey-green foliage which is pale underneath. 18 to 24 inches tall. An easy, attractive and well-mannered plant, a garden standard for many years. Sun, average conditions. Quite drought tolerant.

Centaurea macrocephala. YELLOW GLOBE CORNFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 3. Armenia. Huge puffs of fluffy, thread-like, deep yellow petals emerge from large, bracted, dark brown buds on 2 to 4 foot stems. Very long lasting flowers for many weeks in summer. A classic, old-fashioned flower for the perennial border. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Centaurea montana. MOUNTAIN BLUET. Perennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. PERENNIAL CORNFLOWER. Numerous, large, cornflower-blue, many-rayed blooms late spring into summer. Gorgeous in cool summer areas such as Prince George and the Wells-Barkerville region. 18 to 24 inches tall, and to several feet across in a few years. Now tagged as a potential “invasive species”, so gardeners have some soul searching to do on whether to keep this venerable ornamental in their gardens. Practice responsible gardening, and don’t let this lovely escape from your property – watch for possible seeding, and dispose of roots in a manner which prevents their spreading. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Centaurea montana ‘alba’. WHITE MOUNTAIN CORNFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Rare white variation of C. montana (Mountain Bluet). Glowing white blooms over the dark green foliage are very striking. 12 to 18 inches tall. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Centaurea ovina. SHEEP’S CORNFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 3. Rosettes of much-divided foliage which send up stems to 3 feet tall starred by fluffy pink flowers in summer until hard frost. Sun, drought tolerant.

Centaurea rupestris. SILVERY CORNFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. Southeast Europe. Prickly, downy, very silver foliage is topped by bright yellow, fluffy cornflowers from late spring right through summer. 6 to 12 inch dwarf alpine for the rockery. Full sun, good soil and moisture, needs good drainage to overwinter.

Centaurea ruthenica. SULPHUR CORNFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. Transylvanian Alps. A rather wildflowery-looking Centaurea, recommended for use in informal plantings, among the taller ornamental grasses. A clump former to 3 feet tall, with rather coarse dark green foliage, and many wiry stems topped by large, pale sulphur-primrose cornflowers from July into September. William Robinson, famed proponent along with his friend Gertrude Jekyll of  the eclectically-planted mixed border and the naturalist “wild garden” – their joint rejection of stiffly formal Victorian planting schemes – called Centaurea ruthenica “A border flower of the highest merit.” While I wouldn’t go so far as to claim it as a perennial garden all-star, it does have a certain charm, and a very long season of bloom. Full sun, average conditions.

Centaurea uniflora nervosa. PLUME CORNFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. Clumps of narrow, lanceolate, rather wooly foliage, bearing in summer large, brown buds which shoot out reddish-violet petals in an interesting arrangement. Weirdly attractive rather than classically beautiful. Native to European high Alpine meadows. 12 to 24 inches tall. Sun, average conditions.

CEPHALARIA

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Cephalaria tchihatchewii. TCHIHATCHEV’S CEPHALARIA. Perennial. Zone 2. Dipsaceae. Creamy-sulphur-yellow, white-stamened, scabiosa-like blooms on tall branched stems to 6 feet or taller for a long time in summer. Rather raggedly-cut foliage forms a substantial clump. Interesting and very attractive. Sun, good soil and moisture.

CERASTIUM

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Cerastium tomentosum. SNOW-IN-SUMMER. Perennial. Zone 2. Small, up-facing, bright white spring flowers cover cascading mats of delicate, wooly-silvery-white foliage. An excellent rockery and edging plant. To 6 inches tall, 12 to 24 inches in spread. Very pretty with tulips underplanted. Sun, average conditions, good drainage.

CHELIDONIUM

Family: Papaveraceae

Chelidonium majus. GREATER CELANDINE. Perennial. Zone 4. Very pretty, bright green, ornamental foliage. Plants to 18 onches tall are loaded with bright yellow blooms all spring, followed by long, fleshy, green seedpods. Long history of use in magic and medicine. Sadly, I have found it very invasive and do not recommend growing it in our area, unless you can be meticulous about clipping off the seed heads before they burst, and weeding out the offspring of the ones you inevitably missed. Sun to deep shade, any soil but especially likes those that are moist and humus-rich.

Chelidonium majus ‘flore pleno’. DOUBLE-FLOWERED GREATER CELANDINE. Perennial. Zone 4. Many clusters of small, double, bright yellow flowers with prominent stamens spring through summer. Again, a very prolific self-seeder, and I do not recommend this one though it is a very lovely and historically interesting plant. Sun to deep shade, any soil but especially likes those that are moist and humus-rich.

CHELONE

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Chelone glabra. WHITE TURTLEHEAD. Perennial. Zone 3. Scrophulariaceae. Eastern North America. Native to streamsides and swampy areas of Eastern North America, where it is part of the complex deciduous forest plant community which has given gardeners so many good things for their domesticated landscapes. Clump forming, with many stiff stems to 2 feet or so, lined with coarsely toothed, glossy, deep green leaves, topped by short spikes of snapdragon-like, white-blushed pink blooms in late summer and fall. Not tremendously showy, but well-behaved in its restrainedly vigorous way, and pleasant as a fall blooming nectar source for butterflies and native bees. Individual blooms look like little turtle heads emerging from their shells, and are the inspiration for the scientific name: chelone meaning “tortoise” in Latin. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Chelone lyonii. ‘PINK TEMPTATION’ TURTLEHEAD. Perennial. Zone 4. Eastern North America. A woodland and streamside native of Eastern North American deciduous forest, Turtlehead has been domesticated and hybridized into several popular cultivars. ‘Pink Temptation’ is a low growing, lush and bushy plant, 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, with abundant deep green, glossy foliage. Spikes of light pink, rather snapdragon-like blooms do indeed look like the heads of curious turtles, peeking out of their shells. Blooms summer into autumn. A good pond-side plant, as it thrives with wet roots. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

CHRYSANTHEMUM

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Chrysanthemum  weyrichii. MIYABE DAISY.  Perennial. Zone 4. Japan, Kamchatka. A low-growing, late summer and fall blooming alpine chrysanthemum. Large, dusty white to soft pink, golden-eyed single daisies produced in profusion on 6 to 10 inch stems. Sun, good soil and moisture.

CLEMATIS

Family: Ranunculaceae

Clematis heracleifolia. BIG-LEAF CLEMATIS. Perennial. Zone 4.  A handsome herbaceous (non-climbing) clematis which is well worth finding a site for in your garden. Big, rather jaggedly edged, maple-leafish foliage. In early autumn there arise many large clusters of small, star-shaped, thick-textured, pale to dark violet-blue blooms, with a wonderful spicy fragrance reminiscent of cloves. A clumper, sometimes a sprawler, but defintely not a climber. Stems are woody at the base and stand upright (or occasionally cascade) to 4 to 6 feet or more over the summer. It can be challenging to find a suitable site; if wanting this to grow upright you must be prepared to use something like a peony ring or stakes (and tie the stems to their support) – it will not twine at all. Very lovely to see these charming flowers late in the year when other plants are coming to an end. Leave woody stems over winter, prune to live wood in spring after new growth starts. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Clematis ligusticifolia. WESTERN WHITE CLEMATIS. Perennial Vine. Zone 2. This vigorous native clematis can reach 20 feet or more in length, though judicious pruning will keep it to a more manageable dimension. Clusters of delicate white flowers for a very long season, June through September, followed by clusters of feathery seedheads. Blooms on new growth. Excellent grown on fences; dense enough to disguise chain link and the like. Prune hard or not at all depending on how big you want it to get. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Clematis serratifolia. KOREAN CLEMATIS. Perennial Vine. Zone 3. Small, pale lemon, modestly nodding blooms with contrasting purple stamens. Delicate lemony scent. Fluffy seedheads. Vigorous climber to 12 feet or more, and also makes a good groundcover sprawling down a bank or slope. Leave vines intact over winter, prune back dead wood and shape the plant in spring when new growth appears. Sun to part shade, average soil and moisture. Prune hard or not at all depending on how big you want it to get. *Note: See comments on C. tangutica regarding “responsible gardening”.

Clematis tangutica x. GOLDEN CLEMATIS ‘RADAR LOVE’. Perennial Vine. Zone 2. A.k.a. TIBETAN CLEMATIS. Soft yellow, nodding lanterns with creamy white stamens bloom on this vigorous twining vine in summer. Ornamental, fluffy seedheads stay lovely all winter. Woody vine persists from year to year.  Needs trellis or fence, grows up to 6 feet per year. Easy and tough. C. tangutica is also a parent of the new clematis cultivar ‘Golden Tiara’. Prune hard or not at all depending on how big you want it to get. Sun to shade; average conditions. *Note: Though Tibetan Clematis is a long-time garden resident in the Cariboo-Chilcotin and as such has “heritage flower” status, there are concerns in some other areas of North America that this species can escape from gardens and become an invasive weed. Please practice responsible gardening and ensure that this – and all other – ornamental species do not escape cultivation, to ensure their continued availability as valuable garden plants.

Clematis orientalis. ORIENTAL CLEMATIS. Perennial Vine. Zone 4. Eurasia. A.k.a. ORANGE PEEL CLEMATIS. Similar in effect to the common Golden or Tibetan Clematis, C. tangutica, but different in that the foliage is finely cut, and the blooms are rounder versus elongated, with thick, heavily textured sepals, which curl back in mature blooms to reveal the central purple-flushed stamen clusters. Very ornamental, fluffy seedheads stay lovely all winter. Forms a woody vine persists from year to year.  Oriental clematis needs trellis or fence, as it grows up to 6 feet per year. C. orientalis is a parent species of the excellent clematis cultivar ‘Bill MacKenzie’. Prune hard or not at all depending on how big you want it to get. Sun to shade; average conditions. *Note: See comments on C. tangutica regarding “responsible gardening”.

CODONOPSIS ~ Bonnet Bellflowers

Family: Campanulaceae

Codonopsis clematidea. BONNET BELLFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 3. This is a most interesting plant, which I have an abiding fondness for. Large, pale blue bellflowers are intricately marked with brown and orange inside the bloom – this cannot be seen unless one tips the flowers up. Flowers in summer on rambling 2-foot stems, which are lined with downy, rounded foliage. Pungently scented – think Fritillaria-worthy musky – when bruised. Best to grow in a rockery, or somewhere it can cascade or twine so the fabulous blooms can be seen more closely. Not at all showy, rather under-stated in effect, but decidedly one for the collector who appreciates the unusual. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Codonopsis lanceolata. KOREAN BONNET BELLFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. East Asia, Korea, Japan. This is an unusual herbaceous vine for the adventurous gardener. Long, vigorously twining stems to 6 feet or so, lined with large, blue-green leaves. From late July onwards inflated green buds are produced, which open into the most fascinating bell-shaped flowers, pale green and strongly marked with burgundy purple inside. Many traditional uses as an herbal medicine and as a vegetable. In Japan, the Ainu people know it as “muk” and use it as a root vegetable, as do the Koreans under the name “deodeok”. It is reported to be delicious – many online references include recipes. The whole plant does have a rather pungent aroma when bruised, not actively unpleasant but decidedly “foxy”. This one needs support, a trellis or tripod. Because it dies down completely in winter to resprout from ground level, you may try it beside a sturdy rosebush or something of the sort. Sun to light shade, good soil and summer moisture, but beware that it needs good drainage to overwinter, as the large tuberous roots are prone to rot in soggy soil.

Codonopsis pilosula. CHINESE BONNET BELLFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 3. China, East Asia. A rompingly vigorous, slender, herbaceaous climber from China. In mid spring the brittle shoots appear, reaching for the sky. By midsummer inflated buds appear, which pop open into down-facing, palest jade-green bells with faint purple inner markings. This pretty thing has a secret second quality aside from its ornamental charm, being a highly regarded medicinal herb in its native China, where it is known as Dang Shen, or Poor Man’s Ginseng, having similar properties to the more costly true ginseng, Panax sp. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture, good winter drainage to protect the tuberous roots from rotting. Support with trellis or tripod, or grow through a sturdy shrub, which is the plant’s natural habit in its native Asian forests.

CONVALLARIA

Family: Liliaceae

Convallaria majalis. LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY. Perennial. Zone 1. Woodland flower of Northern Europe, grown in gardens since at least 1000 B.C. Mule-ear leaves and arching sprays of extremely fragrant, pure white, nodding bells in May. In the Victorian Language of Flowers, Lily-of-the-Valley stands for “expectation of happiness”, and it is still a classic bridal bouquet flower. Good shade groundcover which thrives under trees if top-dressed every few years with rich compost. Good moisture preferred, dry soil tolerated once established.

COREOPSIS

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Coreopsis grandiflora. LARGE-FLOWERED COREOPSIS. Perennial. Zone 4. North America. A.k.a. BUTTER DAISY, TICKSEED. This cheerful prairie and open woodland wildflower has been domesticated with great success. ‘DOMINO’ is a relatively compact cultivar, growing to 18 inches tall and wide. Large, bright golden-yellow daisy-flowers have jaggedly toothed petal ends and dark maroon eyes. Very long-blooming, will flower for months in summer and early fall if occasionally deadheaded. Self-sows where happy – and if you leave a few of the later flowers to mature seed – which is probably a good thing, because these plants sometimes bloom themselves right to death. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Coreopsis lanceolata. LANCELEAF COREOPSIS. Perennial. Zone 4. North America. This Coreopsis has a very long bloom time in summer, June through August. Excellent bee and butterfly plant. Clip off spent blooms occasionally to keep new buds coming. A prairie wildflower which has received attention from plant breeders and is available in a number of garden-worthy cultivars. ‘SUNBURST’ – Bright golden-yellow semi-double, 18 to 24 inches tall.  ‘STERNTALER’ – Large, golden yellow semi-double daisy flowers, with deeply cut petals and contrasting dark red eye zones, 12 to 16 inches tall. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Coreopsis rosea. PINK THREADLEAF COREOPSIS ‘AMERICAN DREAM’. Perennial. Zone 3. North America. Low growing, bushy clump former to 12 inches or taller. Very fine foliage, and loads of small pink daisy flowers for many weeks in summer. Very attractive to bees and butterflies. Sun to light shade, average soil, good moisture.

CORYDALIS

Family: Papaveraceae

Corydalis cheilanthifolia. FERN-LEAVED CORYDALIS. Perennial. Zone 4. China. Lush clumps of bronze-tinted, fern-like foliage grows quickly to 12 inches (or more) tall and wide. Many graceful racemes of tubular, spurred, pale yellow tipped with purple flowers are produced endlessly, from late spring right into fall. Light to full shade, average conditions. Deer resistant.

Corydalis solida. ‘BETH EVANS’ CORYDALIS. Perennial. Zone 4. Northern Europe and Asia. A charming spring ephemeral, arising quickly in late April, blooming like mad for a few glorious weeks, then quickly retiring back underground until the following year. Ferny, rather succulent, blue-green foliage. 10-inch stems are topped with dense clusters of tubular, long-spurred, bright pink flowers. Early-flying bees find these irresistible. Grows from small, tuberous storage roots, which allow it to survive while spending the summer comletely dormant. Mark the spot so you don’t inadvertently disturb the bulbs while digging. (But if you do, they are easily replanted.) Light to full shade, average conditions. Deer resistant.  

CRAMBE

Family: Cruciferaceae

Crambe cordifolia. GIANT CRAMBE. Perennial. Zone 3. Caucasus Mountains. A most dramatic plant! Huge, fleshy, hairy basal leaves produce tall, multibranching stems covered by clouds of very sweetly-scented, pure white flowers in summer. Looks like a Baby’s Breath gone wild! 4 to 6 feet tall. Grown in gardens for at least 100 years; much sought after by anyone who has seen it in the dramatic mixed perennial flower borders of famous British country estates. Takes a year or two to reach full size; site carefully as it is tap-rooted and dislikes being moved. Though not at all invasive, it may also persistently re-sprout from chunks of taproot left in the soil if you decide to  move it once it is established. Full sun, drought tolerant once established.

Crambe maritima. SEA KALE. Perennial. Zone 3. Europe.  This one is gorgeous, with particularily fine spring foliage. Leaves are large and heavy-textured with a waxen, sea-blue sheen and undulating, wavy edges.  The clusters of honey-fragrant white flowers in early summer are nice as well. Plant forms a tidy rosette 12 to 24 inches across.  Edible foliage was sometimes collected by country people living on seacoasts of its native lands, until adventuresome gardeners discovered its decorative appeal. Unusual and attractive. Full sun, drought tolerant once established. Site where you want it, as roots left in soil will resprout.

CROCOSMIA

Family: Iridaceae

Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora. CROCOSMIA ‘GEORGE DAVISON’. Perennial. Zone 4/5. One of the hardiest of the fall-blooming Crocosmias, ‘George Davison’ was named after its hybridizer, head gardener at Westwick Hall in Cambridgeshire, England, in the late 1800s and early 1900s. ‘George Davison’ received a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in 1902. Clusters of round corms produce lush clumps of strappy, 2 foot leaves, and many wiry stems lined with pendant, lily-like, 3-inch wide warm yellow blooms starting in August and continuing until frost.  They bring fresh colour to the garden at a time when many perennials are winding down. Late-travelling hummingbirds love these blooms. This originally South African plant may not be completely hardy in our Cariboo gardens, but sited along the base of a wall or among rocks, and with good snow cover or other winter protection, it can withstand winter temperatures into the minus 20s. Alternatively, it can be dug up and overwintered as you would gladiolas or dahlias. A webbed water plant pot works well when planting, so the clusters of corms can be lifted en masse. This is an easy and cheerfully generous bloomer, and is well worth a try for those in the warmer microclimates of our area. Full sun, average soil and moisture.

DELOSPERMA

Family: Aizoaceae

Delosperma congestum. GOLDEN ICEPLANT. Perennial. Zone 3. This exotic little beauty from South Africa is surprisingly hardy in North American gardens. The seedlings are the cutest things ever, little green bunny ears poking up. Low growing, succulently spiky foliage. Covered completely in intense bright yellow, glossy-petalled daisies in summer. Blooms open in sun, close in evenings and on cloudy days. 3 inches tall, spreads to 12 inches or so. Sun, heat lover, appreciates summer moisture.

Delosperma x cooperi. ‘TABLE MOUNTAIN’ ICEPLANT. Perennial. Zone 4/5. Another South African iceplant which is receiving a lot of attention since its introduction by Plant Select, a collaborative project between Denver Botanic Garden and Colorado State University in developing and promoting “steppe-hardy” perennials. Succulent, pointed foliage in dense clusters 3 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches in diameter are starred from mid-summer on with large, glistening, bright magenta blooms. These open in the sun and close up tightly at night and on overcast days. For the rockery or raised border edging in full sun. Winter hardiness in our area is a bit touch and go – some make it through, some don’t – but this charmer is attractive enough in its first year to make it worth the gamble. Sun, heat lover, quite drought tolerant yet appreciates a bit of moisture during the very hottest times.

DELPHINIUM

Family: Ranunculaceae

Delphinium x belladonna. GARLAND DELPHINIUM. Perennial. Zone 3. If you love the true delphinium blues, but can’t seem to get the tall ones properly staked before they inevitably flop, you’ll want to look at this lovely strain. This graceful cultivar produces almost endless bloom, right through summer and into autumn, if one is diligent in clipping out spent bloom stalks. Multi-branching spikes of large blooms. 3 to 4 feet tall, but seldom needs support. Bees enjoy the flowers. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture. ‘BELLAMOSUM’ – Deep cobalt blue, dark bees. ‘CLIVEDEN BEAUTY’ – Light cobalt-blue flowers with white-brown-black bees. Originated in famous gardens of Cliveden House in England in 1918. ‘CASA BLANCA’ – Clouds of pure white, yellow bees.

Delphinium x belladonna. GARLAND DELPHINIUM ‘CONNECTICUT YANKEES’. Perennial. Zone 3. The graceful garland delphiniums are sadly underused in our gardens, but once grown these will become a beloved standby. Multi-branching stems produce many spikes of large, wide-open delphinium flowers in many shades of true blue, from deep cobalt to palest sky. 3 to 4 feet tall, with wiry stems which seldom need support, though they do get a bit leany towards the end of their long bloom period – late spring well into summer – as the bloom stalks elongate. Clip off spent stalks for continuing rebloom. Excellent cutflowers. Bees love these! Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Delphinium grandiflorum. CHINESE DELPHINIUM. Perennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. CHINESE LARKSPUR, SIBERIAN LARKSPUR. This excellent small delphinium is highly prized for its showy true-blue flowers, its long bloom time, and its general adaptability to the flower border. Deeply cut foliage in small, basal clumps. Branching bloom stalks to 18 inches or taller are loaded with large, open-faced, pure cobalt blue flowers for a long period in summer. Short-lived, as it tends to bloom itself out, but seeds are easy to collect to resow, and if allowed to naturally self sow it will maintain a lovely colony all on its own. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Delphinium grandiflorum x. ‘BLUE BUTTERFLY’ DELPHINIUM. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Delphinium chinensis x. A beautiful dwarf delphinium strain with parentage from a Chinese alpine larkspur. Deeply cut foliage in compact clumps, with many branching bloom stems to 18 inches or so, crowded with large, open-faced, bright cobalt blue flowers for a long season in summer. Sun, average conditions.

Delphinium x hybrid. DELPHINIUM ‘PACIFIC GIANTS’. Perennial. Zone 1. These classic tall delphiniums closely resemble the aristocratic British varieties but were bred by Frank Reinhelt in the 1950s to better withstand North American conditions. ‘ASTOLAT’ – Light raspberry-lilac-rose, fawn bee.  ‘BLACK KNIGHT – Deep, glowing, royal purple; black bee. ‘BLUE BIRD’– Medium cobalt-blue; white bee. ‘BLUE JAY’ – Rich cobalt blue; dark bee. ‘CAMELIARD’ – Lavender; white bee. ‘GALAHAD’ – Purest white; white bee just touched with green. ‘GUINEVERE’ – Gentle mauve pink; fawn & white bee. ‘KING ARTHUR’ – Brilliant, rich violet-blue; white bee. ‘PERCIVAL’ – White; brown & yellow bee. ‘SUMMER SKIES’ – Light sky blue; white bee.

Delphinium elatum hybrids.  ‘NEW MILLENNIUM’ DELPHINIUMS. Perennial. Zone 2. Very exciting new hybrids from Dowdeswell’s Delphiniums in New Zealand. Colour and form are outstanding – if you love delphiniums these will make you a very happy gardener! Most are 5 to 6 feet or taller once established, with multiple strong bloom stalks from basal clumps of healthy foliage. Prepare to stake these before they bloom, for though sturdy they will snap off in summer storms. We’ve been growing these strains for a few years and are deeply impressed by their beauty. Sun, average conditions. ‘BLUE LACE’ – Doubled blooms, mid sky blue, white bees. ‘COBALT DREAMS’ – Rich, vibrant mid to dark blue with a white bee. ‘DUSKY MAIDENS’ – Dark mauve, double blooms, black bees. ‘INNOCENCE’ – Pure white with white bees – tall and strong. ‘MARBLE DELIGHTS’ – Double and semi-double, shades of purple with darker mottling on petal edges, multicolour bees. ‘MOONLIGHT BLUES’ – Deep sky blue, dark bees. ‘MORNING LIGHTS’ – Mauve backing petals, mid-blue inner petals; white bees. ‘PAGAN PURPLES’ – Dark purple doubles. ‘PINK BLUSH’ – Pale pink with white bees. ‘PINK PUNCH’ – Intense rosy pink with dark bees. ‘SUNNY SKIES’ – Pale sky blue with white bees. ‘SWEETHEARTS’ – Intense pink with white bees.

Delphinium x hybrid. DELPHINIUM ‘MAGIC FOUNTAINS’. Perennial. Zone 1. Dwarf, sturdy, no-need-to-stake version of the classic spike Delphiniums. About 24 inches tall. Very full bloom spikes. Lovely in the border, makes a wonderful cutflower, too. Blooms in early summer, and often reblooms in fall if spent bloom stalks are clipped back. Full sun, good soil and moisture. ‘CHERRY BLOSSOM’ – Mauve-pink; white bee.‘DARK BLUE’ – Dark ultramarine blue; white bee. ‘MID BLUE’ – Medium cobalt blue; white bee. ‘LAVENDER’ – Light lavender purple; white bee. ‘SKY BLUE’ – Pale blue; white bee.

Delphinium requienii. REQUIEN’S LARKSPUR. Biennial. Zone 4/5. A.k.a. ORCHID DELPHINIUM. Fascinating species delphinium from the Mediterranean Isles d’Hyeres, Corsica, Sardinia, Majorca. Introduced into cultivation by French botanist Esprit Requien in 1824 or thereabouts, when he was collecting and cataloguing Corsican plants. This is an interesting tallish delphinium, to 3 or 4 feet in bloom. Fleshy, musk-scented, dark green, foliage in vigorous basal clusters, with multiple bloom stalks producing smallish, orchid-like, grey-purple larkspur blooms. Hugely attractive to bees! This biennial is borderline hardy in our region; we start the seeds in January and expose the seedlings to a cool vernalization period, to trigger first year bloom. This one should be allowed to self-sow in order to establish itself in the garden; smaller seedlings overwinter the best. (A protective spot application of fluffy wood shavings in late fall, or better yet, nice deep snow cover, will help.) A plant for the curious/serious botanist-gardener-collector. As with all Ranunculaceae, this plant is poisonous if consumed; the heavily narcotic scent of its bruised foliage is a tip-off. Sun, good soil and moisture. Deer resistant.

Delphinium tatsienense. CHINESE DELPHINIUM. Perennial. Zone 4. Many bright cobalt blue blooms in June and July on branching 24-inch plants with deeply divided foliage. Very showy. Sub-alpine from western China, and the parent plant for many new hybrids. Sun, average conditions.

DIANTHUS ~ Pinks

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Dianthus alpinus. ALPINE PINK ex ‘JOAN’S BLOOD’. Perennial. Zone 3. Charming alpine dianthus, originally native to the Austrian Alps, but happily thrives in gardens worldwide. Compact low-growing clumps of dark green foliage, covered in late spring and well into summer with large, dark crimson flowers with even darker eye zones. This particular cultivar appeared in the Cotswold nursery of British plantspeople Joe and Joan Elliot. The story is that the day it was discovered in the growing bed, Joan cut her finger, and Joe commemorated the incident with the name. Years later, when Joe was asked point-blank if that were indeed the reason for the name, he smiled and said “Of course it is…” Comes true from seed, which is how we acquired it, from the Alpine Garden Society seed exchange. For rockery or border edge, also stars in trough gardens. (Note on troughs: these should best be protected by snow or some other form of insulation in our harsh winters.) Sun, average conditions, well-drained, humus-rich soil.

Dianthus amurensis. AMUR PINK ‘SIBERIAN BLUE’. Perennial. Zone 2. Russia. Large, single blooms in glowing bluish-violet cover the mounded, 12 to 18 inch tall plants all summer and well into fall.  An unusual colour and a long-lasting garden display. Sun, average conditions.

Dianthus arenarius. FRINGED PINK ‘WHITE MAIDEN’. Perennial. Zone 2. Finland, Northern Europe. Grass-like mats of needle-like foliage produce many slender 6 inch stems topped by tiny, very fragrant, pure white, fringed flowers June into August. Lovely rockery and edging plant. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Dianthus barbatus. ‘AMAZON ROSE MAGIC’ SWEET WILLIAM. Annual/Biennial. Zone 2. Brand-new hybrid cutflower and garden strain which blooms the first year, June well into August – we are very  impressed. Very showy. Deep rose, pink and white florets in each large flower cluster, like a new and improved ‘Harlequin’. 18 inches tall.  Sun, good soil and moisture.

Dianthus barbatus. ‘HOLBORN GLORY’ SWEET WILLIAM. Biennial. Zone 2. ‘Holborn Glory’ is a respectably old cultivar which was bred in England in 1880, a place and time of some wonderful plant introductions as the home-loving upper-class Victorians employed armies of professional gardeners and strongly encouraged the development of new and improved cultivars by their “flower men”. ‘Holborn Glory’ is a vigorous grower, with clumps of 18-inch bloom stems topped by large heads of deep-crimson-ringed white flowers in midsummer. Strongly fragrant.  Sun, good soil and moisture.

Dianthus barbatus. ‘NEWPORT PINK’ SWEET WILLIAM. Biennial. Zone 2. ‘Newport Pink’ is an old English variety, producing large, fragrant heads of bright salmon-pink single blooms. The sturdy Sweet Williams are classic, old-fashioned, “grandmother’s garden” flowers. Crowded bloom clusters top sturdy 18-inch stems in midsummer. Delicious, spicy, clove-like fragrance. Wonderful cutflowers, too. These are true biennials that may carry on by offsets, but usually by self-seeding – let the plants maintain their own colony through the years.  Sun, good soil and moisture.

Dianthus barbatus. ‘SOOTY’ SWEET WILLIAM. Biennial. Zone 2. ‘Sooty’ is often billed as the “black” Sweet William, but in reality it is a deep, rich crimson, with nicely contrasting pure white stamens. Though ‘Sooty’ is often described as “new and improved”, in reality it is indistinguishable from the venerable English heirloom variety, ‘Dunnett’s Deep Crimson’, and other modern cultivars such as ‘Tuxedo Black’. Many heads of spice-fragrant flowers are produced in midsummer on 12 to 18 inch tall stems. A true biennial which may carry on by offsets, but usually by self-seeding, so allow a few bloom heads to mature seed to re-sow.  Sun, good soil and moisture.

Dianthus caryophyllus. CARNATION ‘CHABAUD’S PICOTEE FANTASY’. Perennial. Zone 4/5.  This old-fashioned carnation was one of many “Clove Pinks” refined and developed by the famous French firm of Chabaud in the 1800s. Clumps of elongated, fleshy, blue-green, rather brittle foliage send up many jointed 12 to 18 inch long stems topped by pointed buds which burst open into double carnation flowers in an interesting array of two-toned, freckled, striped and splashed pinks, corals and warm magenta-purple tones. Extremely fragrant, with a strong spicy-clove scent. Technically perennial, but generally grown as annuals. These bloom generously for a long period in summer, and are excellent in containers. They do tend to flop from the weight of the flowers when in bloom, so if growing in the open garden some sort of support is appreciated. (We find that several small bamboo stakes and a few twists of twine work well.) Sun, good soil and moisture.

Dianthus deltoides. MAIDEN PINK. Perennial. Zone 2.  Carpets of fine-leaved foliage covered by tiny, brightly-coloured flowers all through summer. Good rockery and edging plant. To 6 inches tall,  spreads 12 inches or more. Bright and tough. Zero bad habits. Sun, well-drained soil, drought tolerant.  ‘ARCTIC FIRE’– Snow white; deep pink eye zone. ‘BRILLIANCY’ – Rich, dark, neon pink. ‘CONFETTI WHITE’ – Snow white. ‘FLASHING LIGHTS’– Shades of glowing cerise-red; dark foliage. ‘LINDOYA CARMINE’ – Bright carmine-red, very upright, a.k.a. ‘Erectus’. ‘NELLI’ – Rich crimson with darker burgundy eye zones, dark foliage. ‘PINK SHRIMP’– Tiny flowers and lots of them; bright pink with delicate pale markings.

Dianthus deltoides. MAIDEN PINK ‘LÜNEBURG HEATH’. Perennial. Zone 2. From Germany’s Lüneburg Heath comes this species variety of the pretty maiden pink. Mats of fine foliage covered with petite, bright pink flowers late spring through summer. For rockery or border front. Sun, well-drained soil, drought tolerant.

Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘grandiflorus’. CHEDDAR PINK. Perennial. Zone 4. English native, from the cliffs of the Cheddar Gorge. Now almost extinct in the wild, this species now flourishes in gardens in the form of numerous improved cultivars. Tidy clumps of grassy foliage are covered in June and July by large, wide-open, very fragrant “pinked” single blooms in shades of pale to deep pink. Lovely edging plant. If planted at the edge of a raised bed or wall it will form a showy cascade, foliage is good all season. Sun, average conditions.

Dianthus gratianopolitanus. ‘LA BOURBOULE’ CHEDDAR PINK.  Perennial. Zone 4. This pretty cultivar of the English Cheddar Pink forms dense, compact mounds of needle-like foliage, starred in summer with many fringe-petalled, clear pink, spicily clove-scented. blooms in late spring into summer. For rockery, bank or border edging. Sun, average conditions.

Dianthus nitidus. CARPATHIAN GLOSSY PINK. Perennial. Zone 4. Basal clumps of stiff, bright green, needle-like foliage send up slender 6 to 12 inch stems topped by clusters of fragrant, light pink blooms in early summer. Sun, average conditions.

Dianthus plumarius. COTTAGE PINKS. Perennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. LACED PINKS, SOPS-IN-WINE, GILLIFLOWERS. Very old strains from England brought to perfection by cottage gardeners over centuries. Quickly form clumps of foliage to 6 inches tall in height and 12 inches or more in spread. Countless fine stems topped by large, single or double flowers in shades of pink, rose and crimson – most with contrasting eyes, zones, flecks, patches. Petal edges neatly incised – “pinked” ! Wonderful clove-like fragrance. Blooms June and July, repeating through summer if spent blooms clipped off. For rock garden or border edging, and especially fine where it can cascade. Numerous strains include ‘SPRING CHARM’, ‘SWEETNESS’.  Sun, good drainage needed.

Dianthus plumarius ssp. lumnitzeri. LUMNITZER’S DIANTHUS. Perennial. Zone 2. Native to the Carpathian Alps, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary. A red-listed (endangered) and protected plant in its native range, but happily easy from seed, and widely grown by alpinists world wide for its stellar garden qualities. This attractive little Dianthus is thought to possibly be a natural hybrid between D. monspessulanus and D. plumarius. It forms tight, dense mats of spiky, grey-green foliage. Slender 4-inch stems arise in mid-summer, topped by pure white, fragrant flowers with deeply incised petals. Never a bad moment. For rockery or border front. Sun, good drainage appreciated.

Dianthus sternbergii. STERNBERG’S PINK. Perennial. Zone 4. Native to Italy and Austria, and the Julian Alps in Slovenia. Low growing mats of fine foliage produce slender 6 to 12 inch tall stems topped by large, single, pale pink blooms with incised petal edges and an eye zone of tiny red speckles. Very fragrant. Named for Czech botanist K.M. Šternberk. Sun, average conditions.

Dianthus superbus x. ‘RAINBOW LOVELINESS’  SWEET  DIANTHUS. Perennial. Zone 4. This is one of my all-time favourite Dianthus. When I first grew it many years ago I was impressed by the wonderful, far-reaching fragrance, and by its exotically fringed and zoned blooms. Unique.  This wonderful flower was bred by notable British nurseryman Montague Allwood over 50 years ago. Clumps of lush green foliage send up many stems to 18 inches tall, topped by large, single, deeply cut and fringed and extremely fragrant flowers in shades of white, mauve, pink and deep rose – often with a contrasting eye zone and green eye. Far-reaching scent is very lovely, sweet rather than the usual Dianthus clove-spice. Not long-lived, but blooms profusely all summer for a few years. Self-sown seedlings should be encouraged. This is an extremely nice plant if you are at all interested in fragrant flowers. Sun, average conditions.

DICENTRA ~ Bleeding Hearts

Family: Papaveraceae

Dicentra formosa.  WESTERN BLEEDING HEART. Perennial. Zone 2. Beautiful ferny, grey-green foliage in low growing clumps. In late spring, clusters of teardrop-shaped, mauve-toned-pink flowers open along gracefully curving stems, continuing well into summer. 12 inches tall and wide. Woodland flower, light to deep shade, good soil and moisture.

Dicentra formosa x eximia.  ‘LUXURIANT’ BLEEDING HEART. Perennial. Zone 2. ‘Luxuriant’ is a bigger and better hybrid cultivar of its parent species, with a very long season of bloom, May through summer. Ferny, grey-green foliage in vigorous, low growing clumps. Profuse graceful clusters of nodding, mauve-pink, teardrop-shaped flowers. 12 to 16 inches tall and wide. Woodland flower, light to deep shade, good soil and moisture.

Dicentra spectabilis syn. Lamprocapnos spectabilis.  ‘VALENTINE’ BLEEDING HEART. Perennial. Zone 2. This stellar new cultivar hails from just up the road, being discovered as a sport of the common pink and white type in the Prince George garden of Phyllis and Lyle Sarrazin. The seedling was isolated and went through the rigorous testing and propagation procedures required for plant patenting, and was released as a commercial cultivar in 2009. We purchased a specimen for our own garden in 2010, and have to date been highly impressed by its vigour, good health, long blooming season, and the intense colour of the flowers. Blooms are identical in form to those of the parent species, but instead of soft pink, the hearts are a warm, red-toned crimson. Foliage is also beautifully flushed with red. 18 to 24 inches tall, 3 feet wide. Very long bloom time mid May into June. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Dicentra spectabilis syn. Lamprocapnos spectabilis. WHITE BLEEDING HEART. Perennial. Zone 2. Pure white variation of this classic garden flower. Light green, lush, ferny foliage.  24 to 36 inch tall and wide clumps in a few years. Sun to part shade,  good soil and moisture.

DIGITALIS ~ Foxgloves

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Digitalis ferruginea syn. aurea. RUSTY FOXGLOVE. Biennial or short-lived perennial. Zone 4. Rusty-red, thimbles lined with many hairs and speckled with burgundy densely surround long spikes 2 to 4 feet tall. Interesting colour and form. Sun, well-drained soil.

Digitalis grandiflora. YELLOW FOXGLOVE. Perennial. Zone 2. Syn. Digitalis ambigua. Large, down-facing, pale yellow bells spotted maroon inside on one-sided spikes to 30 inches tall. Lanceolate foliage in basal rosettes. Blooms in June and July, may rebloom if cut back. True perennial, very hardy. The cultivar ‘CARILLON’ is more compact. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Digitalis interspecific hybrid. ‘POLKADOT’ FOXGLOVES. Perennial. Zone 4. The ‘Polkadot’ series of inter-species, sterile hybrids was developed very recently by Thompson & Morgan’s Charles Valin. He crossed certain D. purpurea selections with D. x. mertonensis and ‘John Innes Tetra, a D. grandiflora x D. lanata cross. The resulting cultivars are very interesting and are all quite lovely. All reach 2 to 3 feet in height, and bloom for a very long period in summer. Down-facing bells are various shades from palest sulphur yellow to rich strawberry pink, and all are shaded and blushed with warm red tones; most are vividly spotted. We have found these give good bloom the first season. They do benefit from winter protection in our climate, which is challenging for many of the warm-country-originating Digitalis genus. Seed for these can be challenging (and expensive) to obtain, and as they are sterile hybrids one can’t save seed to regrow, so we are at the mercy of seed breeders and suppliers. They are worth the effort, though. If you like foxgloves, and you see these anywhere in your travels, snap them up! Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture. Good drainage is beneficial to winter survival, as is winter protection (fluffy wood shavings, dry peat moss, etcetera) where snow cover is unreliable. Deer resistant.

• ‘POLKADOT PANDORA’ – Red-orange buds opening to peach blooms spotted with faint orange-apricot.
• ‘POLKADOT PENNY’ – Pinky-apricot blooms, crimson and gold inner blotches.
• ‘POLKADOT PETRA’ – A.k.a. ‘LEOPARD SKIN’ – Creamy buff blooms, flushed warm strawberry pink on the outside, rich crimson blotches inside.
• ‘POLKADOT PIPPA’ – Raspberry rose blooms with creamy yellow interiors, freckled burgundy inside.
• ‘POLKADOT POLLY’ – Apricot-peach blooms, dark red freckles inside.
• ‘POLKADOT PRINCESS’ – Warm purple-pink blooms, large crimson-red blotches inside.

Digitalis lanata. GRECIAN FOXGLOVE. Biennial or short-lived perennial. Zone 4. Greece, Southern Danube region of Austria. A.k.a. WOOLY FOXGLOVE. I grew this some years ago and recently found a photo I took at that time – pre-digital age! I was immediately reminded of what a good-looking, quietly elegant plant this is. Several long, sturdy stems arise from the base and slowly extend upwards. Lined with glossy, lance-shaped leaves, the flower buds develop on the top third of the stems, peeking out from among their nests of long, woolly hairs. The buds open over a long period in summer to out-facing, pale honey-yellow, tubular blooms with prominent chalk-white lower lips, strongly marked with rich brown “netting”. Great fun to watch bees crawl right inside these and vibrate wildly for a moment before backing out to tackle the next bloom. An important medicinal Digitalis grown commercially for use in pharmeceuticals. Very ornamental. To 3 feet tall. Sun, well-drained soil.

Digitalis lutea. STRAW FOXGLOVE. Perennial. Zone 2. Graceful 24-inch spikes of many small, creamy yellow, densely crowded, down-facing bells in early summer. Quite possibly the hardiest of the mostly-Mediterranean-region Digitalis clan for Cariboo-Chilcotin gardens. It self seeds reliably but never invasively. A very charming foxglove. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Digitalis x mertonensis. STRAWBERRY FOXGLOVE. Perennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. Digitalis mertonensis ‘Summer King’. Robust 2 to 3 foot spires are lined with large, hanging bells in a rich, rosy, crushed strawberry colour. Thriving clumps of lush, deep green foliage. A very pleasing plant. A true perennial, though it tends to bloom itself to death. Often the central clump will die away, leaving a few offsets, which can be carefully transplanted a little deeper down to allow the roots to anchor firmly and produce another plant. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis obscura. WILLOW-LEAVED FOXGLOVE. Perennial. Zone 4. Spain. This is one of the slender foxgloves, graceful and upright in a restrained way. Rosettes of willow-like, elongated foliage produce 1 to 2 foot tall stalks lined with many large, tubular, down-facing blooms in summer. These are a warm, rusty-tinted, greenish-orange, veined and spotted dark red inside. The bees approve, and queue up to take turns crawling inside the attractive flowers. Sun, well-drained soil.

Digitalis parviflora. CHOCOLATE FOXGLOVE. Biennial or short-lived perennial. Zone 4. Spain, Portugal. Handsome little foxglove for border or rockery. Clumps of graceful, 24-inch tall stems, lined with down-facing, rather woolly foliage. The top two-thirds of each stem is densely lined with woolly buds, which open into rich chocolate-purple tubular blooms with contrasting, protruding yellow stamens. Long period of bloom in summer. Unique and attractive. Sun, well-drained soil.

Digitalis purpurea. ‘APRICOT BEAUTY’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 4. Classic foxglove in a unique apricot-pink-pale orange shade. Spikes to 4 feet or taller in summer. Very pretty. Sun to light shade, humus-rich soil.

Digitalis purpurea. ‘CAMELOT’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 2. Wonderful new hybrid variety bred to bloom the first year. Shades of rose, purple, cream and white with darker spots inside the bells. 24 to 36 inches tall. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea. ‘CANDY MOUNTAIN’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 4. The foxgloves are another of those cottage garden species which we all adore for their unique beauty and long association with the gardens of centuries past. This gorgeous new cultivar produces sturdy spikes of upward and outward-facing (rather than down-facing) bright rosy-violet bells with loads of contrasting speckles and spots. Makes a nice cutflower if you can bear to cut it in its prime. A shorter variety, though one couldn’t exactly call it “dwarf” at a respectable 24 inches tall. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea. ‘FOXY’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial/Annual. Zone 2. Classic foxglove blooms in shades of purple, pink and cream, much-spotted inside. Prize-winning strain developed in 1966 performs as an annual, blooming the first year. Usually self-sows modestly. Dwarf for a foxglove – 18 to 24 inches tall. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea. ‘GLITTERING PRIZES’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 4. Graceful beauty 4 to 6 feet tall with arching, one-sided spikes of large, down-facing bells in shades of magentas, purples and white, all spotted with large, deep burgundy blotches. Blooms in summer. Extra-good strain of the classic cottage garden foxglove. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea. ‘OLD ENGLISH PURPLE’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 4. European woodlander, ancestor of many hybrids. This graceful beauty is 4 to 7 feet tall. Arching, one-sided spikes of vibrant magenta-purple-mottled-burgundy blooms in summer. Bees love it, as they do all foxgloves. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea. ‘PAM’S CHOICE’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 4. Syn. ‘ELSIE KELSEY’. Outstanding recent selection which is fast becoming a standard variety due to its excellent qualities and showy appearance. Large, pure white bells heavily spotted and splashed rich maroon-plum in throats. Very eye-catching. 4 feet tall. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea. ‘PRIMROSE’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 4. Palest yellow bells freckled burgundy inside on tall stems to 4 feet or so in summer. Very lovely older variety, seldom seen in gardens. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea. ‘SUGAR PLUM’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 4.  Delicious new cultivar which produces sturdy spikes of large, upward and outward-facing lavender-pink bells heavily blotched inside with rich burgundy-red. 3 to 4 feet tall. Blooms in late spring and early summer. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea. ‘YELLOW SPEAR’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 4. 3 to 4 foot stems are lined with large foxglove flowers in shades of creamy green to soft yellow, freckled inside with warm brown dots. A cottage garden heirloom cultivar from England. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea ‘alba’. ‘SNOW THIMBLE’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 4. Pristine white bells on graceful 3 to 4 foot tall spikes glow in the summer garden. A lovely variety. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea x. ‘DALMATION PEACH’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 4. A compact cultivar which reaches 24 inches tall and blooms in late summer of its first year. Pale peachy-apricot flowers are spotted buff and pink. Beloved by bees. A beautiful variety. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea x. ‘DALMATION PURPLE’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 4. A sister plant to the delectable ‘Dalmation Peach’, and just as grand a cultivar. Compact spikes to 24 inches tall bloom in late summer of its first year. Warm violet-purple flowers are vividly spotted with burgundy inside. Beloved by bees. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea x. ‘ISABELLINA’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial or short-lived perennial. Zone 3. Rare cultivar introduced in 1935. Unusual in that it is creamy yellow with ghostly pale purple spots inside the down-facing bells. To 4 feet or so. Beautiful variety. There is currently (2018) no known commercial source for seed of this cultivar. One hopes it has not been lost. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis purpurea x heywoodii. ‘PINK CHAMPAGNE’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial. Zone 4. Palest pink thimbles heavily freckled with tiny burgundy spots on 3 foot stems in early summer. Rather downy, sometimes silvery foliage. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Digitalis thapsi. SPANISH FOXGLOVE. Perennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. MULLEIN FOXGLOVE. Rosettes of softly fuzzy, lance-shaped foliage. Bloom stems to 2 feet tall are lined with elongated, pendulous, soft pink flowers in early summer. Very attractive to bees, as are all the foxgloves. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture, good drainage needed for overwintering success.

Digitalis trojana. ‘HELEN OF TROY’ FOXGLOVE. Biennial or short-lived perennial. Zone 4. From Turkey, where it grows wild on the ruins of fabled Troy. Downy basal rosettes send up 18 to 24 inch tall bloom stalks lined with uniquely interesting flowers in summer. These are tubular, outfacing, and of a warm amber-yellow, with a protruding white lower lip, the entire bloom netted inside with darker veins. Bees love these! Sun, good soil and moisture, good drainage needed for overwintering success.

DIPSACUS ~ Teasels

Family: Dipsacaceae

Dipsacus fullonum ‘alba’. WHITE TEASEL. Biennial. Zone 3. Europe, Asia. The teasels are some of my most requested plants – rather surprisingly, though I am exceedingly fond of them myself. (I am something of a thistlephile, as I am teased constantly by my family. Speaking from a purely aesthetic point of view, the thistles in general, which teasel can be classed with, are handsome creatures.) These are much in demand by flower arrangers. In the first year large foliage rosettes develop, and in the second year sturdy, multi-branched, 3 to 6 foot stalks emerge. These produce huge, egg-shaped-and-sized, bristly, bracted flowerheads. Pale purple or white florets open in stages through mid-summer. Without changing shape, flowerheads turn from tan to green, and the tall stalks topped by their teasels remain standing tall through winter, much to the delight of small wild birds who feast on the seeds. Teasel is historically associated with herbal medicine; rainwater & dew trapped in the cupped leaves was thought to have healing properties. Now grown for garden effect and ornament, as an excellent (if prickly) cutflower and everlasting. Sun, average conditions. Note: Self seeds, sometimes generously. Please confine the seedlings to your garden and don’t allow them to escape as they can become an unwelcome weed to neighbours.

Dipsacus sativus.  FULLER’S TEASEL. Biennial. Zone 3. Europe, North Africa, Western Asia. A.k.a. INDIAN TEASEL. Habit and growth are much the same as D. fullonum (above). The flowers are purple and the seedheads are slightly different, being arranged in clusters and more conical than egg-shaped. This teasels was commercially grown and used until the middle of the 20th Century in the woollen textiles industry; the heads were fixed in frames and used to brush the finished cloth to raise the nap. 3 or 4 feet tall. Sun, average conditions.

Dipsacus sylvestris.  WOODLAND TEASEL. Biennial. Zone 3. Europe, Asia. Woodland Teasel is reported to be either very similar to or a subspecies of D. fullonum, with similar attributes. Flowering stems have the same paired, bracted foliage which cup at the point of attachment to the stem and collect dew and rainwater. Insects are frequently found drowned in these aerial pools, and there is some scientific research presently being carried out to try and discover if Dipsacus is in actuality a carnivorous plant, receiving nutrients from these insect victims. An intriguing inquiry, and one which I’d be inclined to support, thinking of the ability of plants to take in nutrients through their leaf surfaces by “foliar absorption”. Though I perhaps would not go so far as to classify this as a truly “carnivorous” adaptation; merely an accidental and very likely minor source of nutrition. Interesting, in any event. Speaking from garden interest, this is a large, sturdy, ornamental Teasel, with flower heads exhibiting all of the characteristics spoken of in the D. fullonum description. The tiny flowers are pale purple, and the blooms are produced in great profusion on multi-branched stems. Sun, average conditions.

DODECATHEON

Family: Primulaceae

Dodecatheon meadia. EASTERN SHOOTING STAR. Perennial. Zone 3. A.k.a. PEACOCK FLOWER. Neat rosettes of oval leaves send up several 12 to 24 inch stems topped with crowded flower clusters in early spring. Individual blooms reward closer inspection – deeply reflexed, glowing purple petals point backwards, drawing attention to the contrasting dark eyes and downward protruding stamens. Nothing else quite like it. Often goes summer dormant, so mark its location. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Dodecatheon pulchellum. WESTERN SHOOTING STAR. Perennial. Zone 3. A.k.a. PEACOCK FLOWER. Rosettes of smooth, bright green, rather fleshy oval leaves send up multiple darker stems 12 to 18 inches tall, topped by clusters of bright purple “shooting star” flowers with deeply reflexed petals and contrasting centres. I fell in love with this Rocky Mountain foothill flower when living in Alberta; it was a high point of the beautiful flush of spring wildflowers that greeted us after a long, cold prairie winter. Beautiful in the garden. Often goes summer dormant, so mark its location. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

DORONICUM

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Doronicum austriacum. AUSTRIAN LEOPARD’S BANE. Perennial. Zone 4. Clumps of slender, 24-inch stems lined neatly with rough-textured, dark green, heart-shaped foliage and topped by thin-petalled, bright yellow daisy-flowers in spring. Grown from seed collected in the Hochschwab Mountains, Austria. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Doronicum caucasicum magnificum. TALL LEOPARD’S BANE. Perennial. Zone 2. Cheery yellow daisies on 12 to 20 inch stems in very early spring. Blooms with tulips and the first columbines.  The light green foliage often goes dormant in summer but reappears reliably next spring. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

DRACOCEPHALUM ~ Dragonheads

Family: Lamiaceae

Dracocephalum argunense. DRAGONHEAD. Perennial. Zone 4. Northeast Asia. Named after the northern Manchurian republic of Argun, where it was first classified by European botanists. A showy little plant of its kind. Clumps of dark green, needle-like foliage to 12 inches tall and wide produce short spikes of large-for-the-plant’s-size, glowing violet-blue or white dragon’s head blooms from June through August. Named cultivars include ‘Fuji Blue’ and ‘Fuji White’. Sun to light shade, good soil, average moisture, good drainage preferred. Drought tolerant once established.

Dracocephalum botyroides. CAUCASIAN DRAGONHEAD. Perennial. Zone 2. Caucasus Mountains. Absolutely charming small alpine. Tidy clumps of deeply lobed, softly furred, aromatic leaves to only a few inches tall, producing clusters of small, dusty pink, dragon’s-head-shaped flowers in summer. Covered with bees when in bloom. For rockery or border front. Protect from overwhelming garden neighbors! Happiest with gravel topdressing, or among rocks. Sun to light shade, good soil, average moisture, good drainage preferred.

Dracocephalum moldavica. ‘BLUE DRAGON’ MOLDAVIAN BALM. Annual. Grown in herb gardens since the 1500s, and as an ornamental in cottage gardens to the present time. Rather catnip-like foliage, elongated, serrated-edged, heart-shaped foliage is lemon-scented, used in teas. Shrubby , branching plant to 18 inches or so. Many small violet-blue “dragon’s head” flowers in sumnmer; very attractive to bees. Allow to self sow for a perpetual non-problematic population – the bees will thank you! Sun, average soil and moisture.

Dracocephalum rupestre. ROCK DRAGONHEAD. Perennial. Zone 4. Western China, Mongolia. Native habitat is in subalpine meadows and forest edges. For border edging or rockeries. Compact, bushy plants. Elongated bloom stems are topped with charming racemes of intensely blue-violet, salvia-like “dragonshead” in June and July. Excellent dark green foliage is heart-shaped and deeply wrinkled. 12 inches tall and wide. Medicinal and herbal uses in its native land, but often grown solely for its attractive flowers and fine garden form. Very attractive to bees. Sun to light shade, good soil, average moisture, good drainage preferred.

DRYAS

Family: Rosaceae

Dryas octopetala. WHITE MOUNTAIN AVENS. Perennial. Zone 1. Low-growing, mat-forming alpine with attractive, pebbly-textured foliage only a few inches tall. Many bright white, eight-petalled, yellow-centered anemone-like blooms in spring, followed by feathery seedheads that last until fall. Never a poor moment. 4 to 6 inches tall. Sun, well-drained soil, can grow in pure gravel. Does appreciate some summer moisture.

ECHINACEA ~ Coneflowers

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Echinacea pallida. PALE PURPLE CONEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Long, drooping, pale purple petals fall away from an elongated dark-purply-brown centre cone. A clump former, 2 to 4 feet tall. A rather wildflowery-looking plant – in a good way –  which fits in well with ornamental grasses and sedums. Blooms all summer. Bee and butterfly flower. Drought tolerant once established. Medicinal uses. Sun, well-drained soil.

Echinacea pallida. ‘HULA DANCER’ CONEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Interesting and lovely E. pallida selection. This one has the typical long, drooping, petals which fall away from an elongated dark-purply-brown centre cone. Petals are soft white blushed with purple. Long, pointed leaves. A clump former, 2 to 3 feet tall. Blooms all summer. Bee and butterfly flower. Drought tolerant once established. Medicinal uses. Sun, well-drained soil. 

Echinacea purpurea. PURPLE CONEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Butterflies and bees love this plant. Bright purple blooms in late summer. Elongated, rather drooping petals fall from perky orange and brown central cones. A prairie wildflower which has moved faultlessly into the ornamental and herb garden. 2 feet tall. All Echinacea species have medicinal properties; some are used extensively in herbal medicine to boost the immune system. The species is grand, as are the many cultivars now being released, such as these: ‘BRAVADO’ – Large, magenta purple blooms; very vigorous. ‘RUBY STAR’ – Wider petals, bigger flowers (& lots of them), rich red-violet. ‘PRIMA DONNA’ – Large, deeper purple. Sun, well-drained soil. Deer resistant.

Echinacea purpurea. ‘BABY SWAN WHITE’ CONEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. European Fleuroselect Winner. Rather special – a dwarf white Echinacea. Multi-branching, compact habit with many bright white blooms with typical down-facing petals and golden-brown centers in late summer into fall. 18 inches tall and wide. Sun, well-drained soil.

Echinacea purpurea. ‘GREEN TWISTER’ CONEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Interesting recent colour break from Jelitto’s excellent purple cultivar ‘Magnus’. A few green-tinted individuals were observed in a large for-seed planting, and were isolated to observe if they would stay true to form. They did, and here we are!  Typical of a “normal” Purple Coneflower, with flower buds opening into light magenta purple, with a flush of lemony-green on the petal tips. Over the next days, as the flower expands, the green becomes more pronounced, shading up to half each petal with an ombre bicolour effect. Orange-pollened central cones are predictably attractive to bees and butterflies. 2 feet tall, and blooms from midsummer into autumn. Sun, well-drained soil. Deer resistant.

Echinacea purpurea. ‘POW WOW WILD BERRY’ PURPLE CONEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. 2010 All American Selections Award Winner. A superb recent Echinacea cultivar. Sturdy 2-foot tall plants are multibranching and produce many bright magenta purple daisy-flowers with prominent orange-brown central cones. Blooms mid-summer well into fall. Butterflies and bees love this one. Sun, well-drained soil. Deer resistant.

ECHINOPS ~ Globe Thistles

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Echinops crispus. CURLY BLUE GLOBE THISTLE. Perennial. Zone 2. Russia; the Ural Mountains. A lovely and rare species of the showy globe thistle family. Foliage is deeply cut and somewhat curled, with dark green upper surfaces, downy-silver underneath. Bright blue globes of densely packed composite flowers in summer. A compact species, to 18 inches tall or so. Very attractive to bees and butterflies. Nice in rockery or border. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Echinops ritro. BLUE GLOBE THISTLE. Perennial. Zone 2. This is often the first globe thistle every gardener starts out with – my original plant is alive and well and giving great pleasure more than twenty years after I received it as a generous division from a friend. Once you’ve seen a plant in its full late summer glory, covered with bees and butterflies, you’ll easily get over your “thistle” prejudice and want to try it for yourself.  The blooms of this globe thistle are a true ultramarine blue, and the flowerheads really are perfectly round. Lush, raggedly cut basal foliage looks rather spiky, but the bristles are soft and benign; no gloves are needed to handle this one. 2 to 4 feet tall, depending on richness of soil and moisture levels. Reasonably drought tolerant, but rewards a bit of care in very hot and dry microclimates. Don’t overfertilize or overwater, though, or it will go more to leaf than bloom, and the blooms are the whole point of this very nifty species. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Echinops ritro ssp. ruthenicus. ‘PLATINUM BLUES’ GLOBE THISTLE. Perennial. Zone 2. A smaller variety than the robust common E. ritro. Perfectly round, bright blue flowers in late summer on 2 foot stems. Provides a long period of interest in garden, also a great cutflower and everlasting when harvested just as the florets open on the bloomheads. Deeply cut, silver-backed, leathery leaves are laced with silver veining. A bit prickly-looking, but the spines are soft. Great plant – very geometric in the perfection of the ball-shaped blooms. A bee and butterfly magnet, too. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Echinops sphaerocephalus. GIANT GLOBE THISTLE. Perennial. Zone 2. A magnificent plant to 6 feet tall or more. Sturdy stems topped by clusters of large, silvery white, perfectly round, bristly balls. Eye-catching in the garden, and the just-opened flowerheads when cut and dried make excellent everlastings. Foliage is deeply cut and covered by silvery down, and while leaves show some soft bristles they are not at all thorny – easy to handle. I love this one – big, bold, and beautiful. Bees and butterflies love it too. Sun, average soil, good moisture.

ECHIUM

Family: Boraginaceae

Echium russicum. RED RUSSIAN BUGLOSS. Biennial or Perennial. Zone 3. Syn. Echium rubrum, Pontechium macularum. Sturdy, 2 foot tall flower spikes crowded with small burgundy blooms arise from basal rosettes of long, bristly leaves. Blooms in late summer. Bees love this handsome flower. The rather unusual common name “Bugloss” is from the Greek, comparing the rough foliage to the shape and texture of an ox’s tongue. Full sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

EDRAIANTHUS

Family: Campanulaceae

Edraianthus graminifolius. GRASSY BELLS. Perennial. Zone 4. Europe. Small clumps of grassy leaves produce multiple 6 to 10 inch stems stopped by clusters of large, up-facing, dark violet-blue bellflowers in May and June. Closely related to Campanulas. Nice in rockery or at border front. An easy and attractive little plant from European mountain meadows. Sun, average soil with good drainage, average  moisture.

ENGELMANNIA

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Engelmannia peristenia. ENGELMANN’S DAISY. Perennial. Zone 4. Native to the Great Plains of North America. Syn. E. pinnatifida. A.k.a. CUTLEAF DAISY. This is the only species in its monotypic genus, named after George Engelmann (1809-1884), a German immigrant who arrived in Missouri as a young man to pursue a career as a doctor and a second occupation as a botanist. This is a handsome, high performing clump former for dry, well drained locations, such as slopes or banks. Fuzzy green basal foliage. Branching stems reach 2 feet or so in height, producing an endless succession of bright golden-yellow daisy-flowers from early summer to late autumn. Attracts many different pollinators and is an important nectar source for foraging insects. Tap-rooted and resents being disturbed, so plant where it can remain. Sun, average soil and moisture. Very drought tolerant once established.

EPILOBIUM

Family: Onagraceae

Epilobium angustifolium ‘albiflorum’. WHITE FIREWEED. Perennial. Zone 2. Rare white form of familiar magenta Fireweed, more romantically called Rosebay Willowherb in England. 3 to 6 foot tall stems are lined with ethereal white blooms on top and willow-like foliage on bottom. Spreads by creeping stems. Its presence in the Evening Primrose Family is evident by the pretty, wide-open flowers with their prominent yellow stamens. Beloved of bees; an excellent honey plant. Blooms summer into early fall. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Epilobium fleischeri. ALPINE WILLOWHERB. Perennial. Zone 2. Onagraceae. Syn. Chamerion fleischeri. European Alps. This gorgeous little European relation of circumpolar fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) is just right for the rockery or among other small-scale plants in the perennial border. Clumps of many wiry stems lined with small, pointed leaves produce elongated, bright magenta buds in June and July which open up into silken-textured, soft pinky-purple flowers. This pretty plant is a hummingbird magnet. Decently drought tolerant, too. Sun to very light shade, average soil and moisture.

EREMURUS ~ Foxtail Lilies, Desert Candles

Family: Asphodeloideae

Eremurus bungeii syn. stenophyllus. FOXTAIL LILY. Perennial. Zone 4. Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan. Softly grey-green, grass-like foliage tufts send up sturdy 36 to 48 inch tall stems are lined with tiny, fragrant, soft yellow star flowers accented by golden-tipped stamens. These open bottom-to-top on the spike, extending the show for several weeks in early summer. The grass-like leaves have already started to shrivel as the flowering time starts, and the plant goes dormant after blooming. Big round seed pods form on the spikes and may be left to add interest to the garden. Large, brittle, multi-rooted tubers resent being disurbed once established, though you need to ensure that they are kept covered with soil or gravel mulch, as they tend to work towards the surface year by year. Best with a bit of room – don’t allow bumptious border neighbours to crowd in. Excellent in a gravel bed alongside Yuccas and such, or even at the back of a well-drained alpine/rockery planting. Full sun, very well-drained soil, good moisture during the foliage/bud stage in spring, then hot and dry during dormancy. Sprouts very early and is susceptible to frost, so mulch crowns with coarse sand and/or shavings for winter protection.

ERIGERON ~ Fleabanes

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Erigeron  alpinus. ALPINE FLEABANE. Perennial. Zone 2. Petite alpine fleabane for the rockery or border front. Fuzzy, spoon-shaped foliage in gently spreading 6 to 12 inch tall and wide clumps. Many mauve to deeper purple daisy-flowers with green-gold eyes in early summer. Sun, average conditions.

Erigeron  compositus. CUT-LEAF FLEABANE. Perennial. Zone 1. A mat-forming sub-alpine and alpine daisy which blooms for an extended time in spring and early summer. Wooly, deeply divided foliage in low mats, producing abundant small daisy-flowers, white to shades of pale lavender. For border front of rockery, where it will self-sow if happy. Sun, average conditions, thrives on rocky and sandy soils.

Erigeron  glaucus. SEASIDE FLEABANE. Perennial. Zone 3. Large, palest purple-white, greeny-yellow-eyed daisies on low-growing plants. Long summer bloom time. Rock garden or border front. A cascading clump former. A quietly attractive plant which blooms and blooms. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Erigeron  glaucus. SEASIDE FLEABANE ‘OLGA’. Perennial. Zone 3. Basal clumps of dark green foliage, bloom stems to 18 inches tall topped by large, light lavender, greeny-yellow-eyed daisies over a long summer bloom time. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Erigeron  poliospermus. PURPLE CUSHION FLEABANE. Perennial. Zone 2. Western North America, including British Columbia. A.k.a. BUFF DAISY. Tap-rooted, tuft-forming alpine fleabane. Very wooly foliage in compact, 6-inch clumps. Large, pale purple, golden-eyed blooms on short stalks in early summer. Sun, average conditions.

Erigeron  speciosus x. ERIGERON ‘AZURE FAIRY’. Perennial. Zone 2. Light violet-blue, many-petalled, yellow-eyed daisy flowers in summer. Profuse bloomer; good cut flower. To 30 inches tall. I am very fond of all of the Erigerons, they are excellent garden flowers, and this is one of the prettiest. Sun, average conditions.

Erigeron  speciosus x.  ‘ROSE JEWEL’ FLEABANE DAISY. Perennial. Zone 2. Absolutely smothered in pretty, light mauve-pink, many-petalled daisy flowers in summer. A most excellent garden ornamental and a superb cut flower. To 30 inches tall and wide. This cottage garden charmer has really beautiful colour and form. Sun, average conditions.

Erigeron  ursinus.  BEAR RIVER FLEABANE. Perennial. Zone 2. Southern Canadian Rockies, mid-western states. A mat forming subalpine and alpine fleabane. Stems to 8 inches tall arise from lance-leaved foliage clumps, and are topped by solitary pale violet daisy-flowers with yellow eyes. Blooms May till July. Sun, average conditions.

ERYNGIUM ~ Sea Hollies

Family: Apiaceae

Eryngium planum. ‘BLUE CAP’ SEA HOLLY. Perennial. Zone 2. Leathery, rounded leaves in basal rosettes send up 18 to 24 inch tall multi-branched stems topped by loose clusters of bristly, bracted, cone-shaped flower heads summer through fall. Silvery-green foliage; stems and flowers are flushed a deep electric blue. Excellent cutflower and everlasting. Bee and butterfly flower. Self seeds generously. A very long season of bloom through summer. Sun, any soil, drought tolerant.

Eryngium planum. ‘WHITE GLITTER’ SEA HOLLY. Perennial. Zone 2. A pretty variation of the usually-blue sea holly. This one has the same rosettes of leathery foliage, and it sends up many multi-branched 24-inch stems loaded with silvery-green bristly, bracted, cone-shaped flowers in summer. An excellent cutflower and everlasting, and a superb bee and butterfly flower. A very long season of bloom through summer. Sun, any soil, drought tolerant.

Eryngium planum. ‘SILVER SALENTINO’ SEA HOLLY. Perennial. Zone 2. European Fleuroselect Winner. Pure white sea holly flowers on profusely branching stems in summer. Long bloom time, great cutflower. 36 to 48 inches tall. Sun, any soil, drought tolerant.

Eryngium variifolium. ‘MISS MARBLE’ SEA HOLLY. Perennial. Zone 4. Atlas Mountains. A.k.a. MOROCCAN SEA HOLLY, MARBLE-LEAF SEA HOLLY. Tidy tap-rooted clump former with glossy, white-veined, semi-prickly foliage. Bloom stems to a foot or so tall, topped by clusters of typical sea holly flowers: grey-blue heads of tiny blooms, nestled in spiky basal bracts. Long bloom time, June through August. Well mannered, and has not self sown at all in our garden over the past decade. Sun, well drained soil, drought tolerant.

Eryngium yuccifolium. YUCCA-LEAVED SEA HOLLY. Perennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. RATTLESNAKE MASTER, for purported use in herbal medicine as a snakebite remedy. Basal foliage in yucca-like clumps. 2 to 4 foot tall stems topped by perfectly round, spiky, pure white sea holly blooms. Striking in garden, long bloom time in summer, great cutflower and everlasting. Sun, any soil, drought tolerant, needs good drainage.

ERYSIMUM ~ Wallflowers

Family: Cruciferae/Brassicaceae

Erysimum allionii syn. Cheiranthus allioni. SIBERIAN WALLFLOWER. Biennial or short-lived perennial. Zone 2. Europe. Stop and smell the flowers! Vigorous little clumps of strap-shaped foliage are topped by clusters of very fragrant, traffic-stopping neon-orange blooms in spring and early summer. If allowed to self sow, it naturalizes quite nicely. We’ve seen it used among other wildflowers as a bank erosion planting, as well as in more traditional plantings. Despite the self-sowing trait, it is considered non-invasive. Seedlings are very easy to eliminate, but are generally welcome wherever they appear, or you can clip the plants back after blooming. 12 to 15 inches tall. Sun, average conditions, quite drought tolerant once established.

ERYTHRONIUM ~ Dog’s Tooth Violets

Family: Liliaceae

Erythronium tuolumnense x californicum. ‘PAGODA’ DOG’S TOOTH VIOLET. Perennial. Zone 3. Liliaceae. North America. Aka TROUT LILY, FAWN LILY, GLACIER LILY. This handsome cultivar of the delicate-looking but hardy North American “glacier lilies” is one of the easiest and most vigorous to grow. Clusters of dappled leaves produce multiple 10-12″ tall stems topped by generous clusters of out- and down-facing, bright sulphur yellow, lily-like flowers for several weeks in May. After blooming the foliage fades away into summer dormancy. The common name, Dog’s Tooth Violet, refers to the shape of the small, sharply pointed bulbs. Dappled sun to part shade, high humus/well-drained soils, likes some summer moisture in hot zones.

EUPATORIUM

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Eupatorium cannabinum. HEMP AGRIMONY. Perennial. Zone 4. Raggedly cut foliage vaguely resembles the hemp (Cannabis) of the species name. Gently domed, crowded clusters of feathery, pale-pinky-mauve, vanilla-fragranced flowers top strong 2 to 4 foot stems. Bee and butterfly flower, great cutflower. Valued medicinal since Medieval times. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Eupatorium fistulosum ‘albidum’. ‘IVORY TOWERS’ JOE-PYE WEED. Perennial. Zone 2. Large clusters of aromatically and sweetly fragrant, feathery, ivory-white blooms in late summer well into fall. This is a newly introduced variation of the classic purple Joe Pye, and is much the same in habit. Sturdy clump former to 6 feet tall. Whorls of lance-shaped leaves surround stems. Wonderful bee and butterfly flower. Sun to part shade, likes moisture and good soil.

Eupatorium purpureum. JOE-PYE WEED. Perennial. Zone 3. Statuesque Eastern North American native greatly in vogue in Europe and “back home”. Strong 3 to 10 foot stems (the richer and moister the soil, the taller it gets), whorls of deep green, pebbly textured, lanceolate leaves. Huge, fluffy, purple-pink flowerheads late summer-autumn. Strong vanilla-like fragrance. Bees and  butterflies can’t resist it – bumblebees in particular act intoxicated as they cling amid the flower clusters droning sleepily every morning. Excellent back-of-border feature plant, long season of bloom, wonderful cutflower. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Eupatorium rugosum. WHITE SNAKEROOT. Perennial. Zone 4. Brilliant white, rather tansy-like blooms in flat-topped heads in late summer-fall. Great background plant, 2 to 4 feet tall. Clump-former. Bee and butterfly flower. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

EUPHORBIA ~ Spurges

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia myrsinites. DONKEY TAIL SPURGE. Perennial. Zone 4. Trailing 6 to 12 inch stems of overlapping, leathery, bluish-green, diamond-shaped leaves produce clusters of greeny-yellow flowers at the branch tips in summer. Very appealing rockery or raised bed plant. Stems get woody with age. This one tends to act evergreen, so winter protection is advisable where snow cover is unreliable. Full sun, good drainage.

Euphorbia polychroma syn. epithymoides. CUSHION SPURGE. Perennial. Zone 1. A.k.a. YELLOW GARDEN SPURGE. A garden old-timer. Early in spring the almost shrub-like clumps of sturdy stems lines with rounded foliage turn vivid chartreuse-yellow at the ends; the bracts surrounding the tiny yellow flowers are what provide most of the show. The eye-popping colour fades slowly as summer progresses, until autumn, when the whole plant turns yellow and sometimes red. 18 to 24 inches tall, 24 to 36 inches wide when fully mature. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

FILIPENDULA ~ Meadowsweets

Family: Rosaceae

Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta’ syn. ‘Magnifica’.  QUEEN-OF-THE-PRAIRIE. Perennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. GIANT MEADOWSWEET, MARTHA WASHINGTON’S PLUME. Stunningly lovely when in bloom – a garden presence from first to last. Large, deeply cut and somewhat wrinkled foliage forms large clumps. 3 to 6 foot tall stems in summer send forth huge, candy-floss pink plumes of many tiny flowers. These age to rosy buff and look good enough to be left alone until winter snows blow in. Full sun, good soil and moisture.

Filipendula ulmaria.  MEADOWSWEET. Perennial. Zone 2. Clumps of jagged-edged foliage send up tall stems topped by clusters of ivory white, vanilla-scented flowers for a long period in summer. Very attractive to pollinators. This European wildflower has a long history of use in herbal medicine, and was one of the plants investigated during the formulation of aspirin. 24 to 48 inches tall. Sun, average conditions, enjoys moist areas.

Filipendula ulmaria ‘flore pleno’.  DOUBLE-FLOWERED MEADOWSWEET. Perennial. Zone 2. Well-behaved clumps of multi-leafleted, heavily textured foliage send up many sprays of fully double, ivory white blooms for many weeks in summer. 24 inches tall. Sun, average conditions.

FOENICULUM ~ Fennels

Family: Umbelliferaceae

Foeniculum vulgare ‘purpurascens’. BRONZE FENNEL. Sometimes-hardy perennial. Zone 4/5. Leafy 2 to 4 foot clumps of gorgeous purple-bronze, thread-leaved foliage. Looks like an exotic cloud descended to earth. Strong anise-licorice aroma and flavour; culinary uses. Umbels of tiny yellow flowers in late summer – in long seasons it will self sow. Sometimes it won’t survive our winters, so probably best treated as an annual in our region. Nice border accent plant or container plant. Swallowtail butterfly larvae sometimes feed on foliage – please don’t destroy the caterpillars! Sun, average conditions.

FRAGARIA ~ Strawberries

Family: Rosaceae

Fragaria vesca. ‘RUEGEN’ ALPINE STRAWBERRY. Perennial. Zone 3. Delicious, sweet, flavourful small red berries June through fall on dwarf, bushy, ornamental, runnerless plants. A small planting will reward you with a handful of perfect fruit every few days – a great “gardener’s reward”! Very productive and long bearing for its type. For many years I had a small colony of this variety under some rose bushes – perfect co-existence! Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Fragaria x ananassa. ‘ALBION’ EVERBEARING STRAWBERRY. Perennial. Zone 3. Originates from the University of California strawberry breeding program. An almost runnerless variety which puts a lot of energy into fruit production. High yields of large, bright red, aromatic and sweet strawberries starting in learly summer and producing well into fall. Sun, good soil and moisture. 

Fragaria x ananassa. ‘FORT LARAMIE’ EVERBEARING STRAWBERRY. Perennial. Zone 2. Wyoming, 1973. High yields of large, bright red, aromatic and sweet strawberries starting in June and producing through the summer. Sun, good soil and moisture. 

Fragaria x ananassa. ‘HONEOYE’ JUNE-BEARING STRAWBERRY. Perennial. Zone 2. University of Cornell, New York, 1979. Strong variety which produces generous crops of large, dark red, very good flavoured strawberries for an extended period starting in June. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Fragaria x ananassa. ‘KENT’ JUNE-BEARING STRAWBERRY. Perennial. Zone 2. Canada, 1981. Vigorous plants produce large crops of mid-size, bright red, very sweet strawberries over a month-long fruiting period starting in June. Sun, good soil and moisture.

FRITILLARIA

Family: Liliaceae

Fritillaria acmopetala.  POINTED-PETAL FRITILLARY. Perennial Bulb. Zone 4. Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon. Large, nodding bells are made up of 6 overlapping petals: the outer ones greeny-yellow, and the inner ones warm purple. Petal tips are sharply recurved. 12 to 18″ tall, with grassy foliage which goes dormant after blooming. Tolerant of very dry conditions in summer. Likes good drainage. Perfect for rockery or sunny border front. Rare but easy. Increases its colony where happy. Sun, well-drained soil.

Fritillaria meleagris. CHECKER LILY. Perennial bulb. Zone 2. A.k.a. SNAKESHEAD FRITILLARY. Very attractive and unusual flower. Grassy foliage to 10 inches tall, slender stems topped in early May by large, nodding bells in dusky maroon, purple and white, most with an unique checkered pattern. European wildflower. Naturalizes well, spreads by bulb offshoots and self seeds where happy. Disappears after bloom, so mark location so you’ll remember it next spring! Sun, average conditions.

Fritillaria michailovsky.  MICHAILOVSKY’S FRITILLARY. Perennial Bulb. Zone 4. Turkey. Unusual and handsome Fritillary. Compact clumps of strappy foliage send up 8″ tall stems topped by clusters of large, down-facing, rich purple bells heavily bordered with bright yellow. Blooms in May. Goes dormant after blooming. For rockery or border front. Appreciates well-drained soil. Sun, good drainage.

GAILLARDIA ~ Blanket Flowers

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Gaillardia aristata. GAILLARDIA ‘AMBER WHEELS’. Perennial. Zone 3. Large golden flowers with fringed petal tips and amber-orange-red centres. Bright and long-blooming.  20 to 30 inches tall. Sun, average conditions.

Gaillardia aristata . GAILLARDIA ‘ARIZONA’. Perennial. Zone 3. European Fleuroselect Winner. Dwarf, 12-inch plants, covered by large, brightly coloured daisy-flowers all summer. ARIZONA RED is a deep, rich red. ARIZONA APRICOT is golden with a dark apricot central blush. Deluxe! Sun, average conditions.

Gaillardia aristata. GAILLARDIA ‘GOBLIN’. Perennial. Zone 3. Brick-red centres surrounded by a bright gold rings mark these vivid daisy-flowers. 12 to 24 inches tall. Profuse bloom in summer, very showy. Sun, average conditions, quite drought tolerant.

Gaillardia grandiflora x. GAILLARDIA ‘BURGUNDY’. Perennial. Zone 3. Large, showy, burgundy red daisy-flowers produced abundantly from lush clumps of light green foliage. Profuse first-year bloomer. A very nice variety of this reliable garden flower. 18 to 24 inches tall. Sun, average conditions, quite drought tolerant.

GALEGA

Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae

Galega officinalis syn. bicolour. GOAT’S RUE. Perennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. FRENCH LILAC. Many clusters of small, bicoloured bright and pale lilac-purple flowers produced through summer. Attractive foliage shows membership in Pea Family. 30 to 48 inches tall, somewhat sprawling. Once used in herbal medicine, and fed to livestock to increase milk production. Sun, average conditions.

GALIUM

Family: Rubiaceae

Galium odoratum. SWEET WOODRUFF. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Asperula odorata. Europe, North Africa, Siberia. A.k.a. SWEET BEDSTRAW, HERB WALTER, KISS-ME-QUICK, MASTER OF THE WOODS (In German: WALDMEISTER), WOOD ROVE. I tried to grow this pretty colonizer for many years but never really succeeded until recently, when co-gardener Jane managed to establish it in the shade of an old apple tree, where it is thriving modestly but persistently. In milder climates it can make immense colonies and is considered something of a territory-grabber, but I suspect that will never be a problem here. 6 to 12 inch tall stems are lined with whorls of long, thin, rich green leaves, topped by clusters of small white starflowers in May and June. Delicately fragrant when fresh, and the sweetness (due to the presence of the compound coumarin) intensifies when the plant is cut and dried, making it a desired ingredient in perfumes, sweet waters, potpourris and as a mattress filler – a common name for the Galium genus as a whole is “Bedstraw”. Sweet Woodruff is famously used in the German “Maiwein” – “May Wine” – a traditional May Day beverage involving chilled white wine infused with Sweet Woodruff, sometimes with the addition of strawberries, and, in modern days, pineapple. Galium odoratum thrives best in slightly acidic soil (the soil in the Cariboo-Chilcotin is naturally alkaline) so is best in woodland-type soils rich with organic matter. Light to full shade, humus-rich soil, likes moisture.

Galium verum. OUR LADY’S BEDSTRAW, YELLOW BEDSTRAW. Perennial. Zone 2. Great Britain, Europe, North Africa, temperate regions of Asia. An attractive wildflower-turned-cottage-garden-flower with a long history of herbal uses. Stonoiferous roots in dense clusters send up wiry stems to 18 inches or so, lined with tidy whorls of small, linear, dark green leaves. These are topped by delicate plumes of tiny, lightly fragrant, bright yellow, star-shaped flowers from mid-June to August. An excellent border companion plant, serving to accent the bolder garden stars such as lilies and peonies and such. In a long-lost garden planting I once grew this under high-pruned roses, with the Lady’s Bedstraw forming a groundcover under the fragrant shrubs in company with a romping colony of alpine strawberries. But I digress, and there is much more to share about this historically interesting plant. The plant was once used to coagulate milk for cheese-making. The flowering tops yield a yellow dye, the roots a red dye. It was medicinally used externally for a variety of skin ailments, and internally for kidney and urinary tract afflictions. The dried plants are lightly fragrant, were thought to repel insect pests, and were used to stuff mattresses (hence the common name), and, finally, a sprig placed in a shoe was thought to prevent blisters. (Isn’t that an interesting collection of tidbits of plant lore?) Sun to part shade, any soil fine, drought tolerant once established.

GENTIANA

Family: Gentianaceae

Gentiana asclepiadea. WILLOW GENTIAN. Perennial. Zone 3. Central Europe to the Caucasus. Arching stems lined with glossy, willow-like leaves. Clusters of small, pointed, deep blue bell flowers among the leaf axils in late summer. 12 to 24 inches, cascading in habit. Prefers a shady spot with good moisture.

Gentiana dahurica. ‘NIKITA BLUE’ GENTIAN. Perennial. Zone 3. Small, tubular, deep purply-blue flowers in clusters top 12 to 18 inch stems in July and August. A dependable, tough and hardy member of this beloved family of alpines. Border front or rockery. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Gentiana cruciata. STAR GENTIAN ‘BLUE CROSS’. Perennial. Zone 3. Eastern Europe, Asia. A.k.a. CROSS GENTIAN. An interesting cluster-flowering gentian which is one of the least fussy of its genus. Being lime-loving, it does well in our naturally alkaline Cariboo-Chilcotin soils. Clumps of multiple sturdy stems 6 to 12 inches tall are lined with leathery, glossy leaves arranged neatly in a whorls-of-four formation, leading to the common names “Star” and “Cross” Gentian. Clusters of small blue flowers appear in the leaf axils from late June and continue through the summer. These reward close inspection, being intricately freckled inside the 4-petalled, fused trumpets. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Gentiana lutea. GREAT YELLOW GENTIAN. Perennial. Zone 3. Europe. This is a gentian which doesn’t look like a gentian, until one studies the foliage arrangement and details of the flowers. It’s BIG. And the flowers are YELLOW. Strong clumps of 3-foot tall (or taller) , sturdy stems lined with whorls of star-shaped, intricately freckled, pale yellow flowers in early summer. Handsome foliage is substantial and deeply veined, pale bluish-green with a waxy texture. An important medicinal herb for centuries past, and still used in its native European alpine countries to flavour various regionally-famous herbal liqueurs. (Gentian schnapps, anyone?) A fantastic specimen plant and conversation piece in your perennial border or woodland garden. Robust and long-lived once established. Sun to light shade, good soil, likes moisture. 

Gentiana septemfida var. lagodechiana ‘Select’. CRESTED GENTIAN, SUMMER GENTIAN. Perennial. Zone 3. Caucasus Mountains, alpine regions of Iran, Iraq, Turkey. This selected variety is originally from the Lagodekhi region of the Republic of Georgia (former U.S.S.R.). A beautiful and encouragingly easy alpine, which is also known as the “everyman’s gentian” because of its wide tolerance to various growing conditions. Low growing, slightly sprawling clumps of 6-inch stems are starred in summer by many clusters of rich blue flowers with white and purple highlights. Close examination reveals a cluster of intricate hairs and speckles within the trumpet throats of each small bloom. Prefers a bit of shade in hot summer regions, average soil and moisture.

GERANIUM

Family: Geraniaceae

Geranium clarkei. ‘KASHMIR WHITE’ HARDY GERANIUM. Perennial. Zone 3. India. Very showy, pure white blooms with purple veining in profusion over finely cut foliage in late spring into summer. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Geranium endressii. PALE PINK HARDY GERANIUM. Perennial. Zone 3. France, Spain. Pale pink flowers spring through summer and on into autumn. Handsome foliage in clumps to 18 inches tall and wide. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Geranium himalayense. HARDY HIMALAYAN GERANIUM. Perennial. Zone 2. Afghanistan and Nepal. Saucer-shaped, glowing violet-blue flowers in June and July top 18-inch clumps of attractive foliage. Sprawls after bloom, shear to tidy. Excellent plant, one of the parents of ubiquitous cultivar ‘Johnson’s Blue’. Sun to quite deep shade, average soil and moisture.

Geranium macrorrhizum. BIG-ROOT GERANIUM. Perennial. Zone 2. France, Italy, Romania, Greece. Soft green, fuzzy, slightly sticky, very aromatic foliage was once used to produce Oil of Geranium used in perfumery. Attractive flowers with contrasting stamens appear in loose clusters above the foliage for a long period late spring into summer. One of the very best groundcover geraniums as it spreads slowly to form an inpenetrable mat that is in no way invasive. Divisions take a full season to establish but are well worth the wait.  About 12 inches tall, spreads 2 to 3 feet in a few years. Sun to quite dense shade, average conditions. ‘ALBA’ – White flushed with pink in center. From the Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria, in 1946. ‘BEVAN’S VARIETY’ – Bright magenta. Collected in the Balkans and introduced to England by Dr. Roger Bevan in 1925. ‘INGWERSEN’S VARIETY’ – Pale pink with magenta stamens. From Mount Koprivnik in Montenegro, first collected by Walter Ingwersen in 1929.

Geranium phaeum. DUSKY GERANIUM. Perennial. Zone 2. Pyrenees Mountains and European Alps. Attractive, felty-textured gray-green foliage forms large clumps in a few years. 2 foot tall stalks produce many clusters of small, nodding, deep-maroon-purple (almost black) flowers with tiny white eyes. Blooms June until August. Quietly attractive, and flowers in dense shade where most other bloomers languish. Self sows enthusiastically. Partial to deep shade, average soil, appreciates some moisture.

Geranium pratense. MEADOW GERANIUM. Perennial. Zone 4. Europe. Large, violet blue, saucer-shaped flowers in June-July top 3 foot clumps. Benefits from support when in bloom, or summer rainstorms may flatten plants into “bird’s-nests”. Cut back to re-bloom in autumn. Accent plant for mid to rear border, or in the wild garden where it happily jossles for position with other toughies. Caveat – self sows abundantly. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Geranium pratense ‘striatum’. MEADOW GERANIUM ‘SPLISH-SPLASH’. Perennial. Zone 4. Europe. Violet blue and white striped and speckled flowers in June and July top 2 foot clumps. Self sows. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Geranium pratense. MEADOW GERANIUM ‘PURPLE HAZE’. Perennial. Zone 3. A.k.a. ‘DARK REITER’. Beautiful dwarf variation of the Meadow Geranium from Germany. Foliage emerges deep purple in spring; becomes flushed with green as the season progresses and pale violet blooms are produced. Nice. 12 inches. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Geranium sanguineum ‘album’. WHITE CRANESBILL. Perennial. Zone 2. Many pure white flowers late spring well into summer cover mounds of deeply cut, bright green foliage. To 1 foot tall; spreads out to form a dense clump. Foliage deep red in autumn. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Geranium sanguineum v. striatum. PINK LANCASTER GERANIUM. Perennial. Zone 3. Soft green, deeply cut foliage in tidy 1 foot mounds. Covered with pale pink, delicately darker-striped flowers for a long period in summer, then sporadically for the rest of the growing season. Foliage turns red in autumn. A localized natural variation of the common ‘Bloody Cranesbill’, originating from a population on the island of Walney, off the coast of Cumbria in England. Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit recipient. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Geranium sanguineum x psilostemon. ‘TINY MONSTER’ GERANIUM. Perennial. Zone 3. A vigorous, rather spawling mound former, 12 inches tall, spreading 18 to 24 inches at maturity. Covered in bright magenta-pink blooms with dark burgundy striping late spring through summer, with lighter bloom through the fall. Deeply cut foliage turns deep red in fall. A sterile hybrid which puts all of its energy into bloom production, never self-seeding as its beautifully rambunctious parent Geranium sanguineum is wont to do. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

GEUM ~ Avens

Family: Rosaceae

Geum chiloense.  ‘LADY STRATHEDEN’ GEUM.  Perennial.  Zone 4. The charmingly showy, long-blooming Chilean geums are cottage garden favourites. “Chiloense” refers to the island of Chiloe, off the coast of Chile, where the ancestors of today’s cultivars were found and brought to Great Britain in the 1920s. Lush clumps of lobed-and-scalloped, light green, lightly fuzzy foliage produce numerous graceful bloom stems to 20 inches tall, topped by double-petalled, brightest yellow, buttercuppish blooms. Blooms late spring into summer, reblooms in fall if cut back. ‘Lady Stratheden’ is named after Mary Elizabeth Scarlett, 1st Baroness Stratheden of Scotland. She (the plant, not the Baroness, who is sadly long defunct, having died in 1860), has received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Geum chiloense.  ‘MRS. BRADSHAW’ GEUM.  Perennial.  Zone 4. A.k.a. ‘FIREBALL’. A handsome older cultivar of this popular old-fashioned border plant, recipient of the Royal Horticultural Award of Garden Merit for its pretty flowers and general garden worthiness. Low growing, lush, light green foliage clumps. Many multi-branched flower stems tipped with semi-double, bright scarlet-orange blooms with contrasting yellow anthers. Blooms late spring into summer, reblooms in fall if cut back. 20 inches tall. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Geum chiloense.  ‘RED DRAGON’ GEUM.  Perennial.  Zone 4. Old cottage garden favourite. Great in mixed border; nice cut flower. Low clumps of scalloped, fuzzy foliage send up many wiry, multi-branched flower stems tipped with large, double, bright scarlet red blooms with contrasting yellow anthers. Vivid!  Blooms late spring into summer, reblooms in fall if cut back. 20 inches tall. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Geum coccineum.  ‘KOI’ GEUM. Perennial.  Zone 4. Compact clumps of soft-textured, softly pleated round foliage send up 12-inch tall bloom stems topped by large, bright red-orange rose-form flowers centered with prominent clusters of bright yellow stamens. Blooms for a long period in early to mid summer, with rebloom in fall if spent flowerstalks clipped off. Popular with foraging bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Geum triflorum.  PRAIRIE SMOKE. Perennial.  Zone 1. Rosaceae. A.k.a. THREE-FLOWERED AVENS, NODDING AVENS, OLD MAN’S WHISKERS. One of my favourite spring wildflowers, this pretty plant flourishes from the dry hillsides of the Cariboo to the prairie grasslands east of the Rockies. Happily adapts to the garden. Ferny, downy soft foliage in tidy clumps send up multiple, 6 to 12 inch tall stems topped by groups of three soft to deep pink, nodding, bell shaped blooms. Attractive seedheads follow – large and feathery and very long lasting; often blushed with pink. Spreads to form a generous colony, but never invasive or ill-behaved. Very nice for spring interest in the rockery or at the border front; good on slopes. Sun to part shade, average conditions, drought tolerant.

GILLENIA

Family: Rosaceae

Gillenia trifoliata.  BOWMAN’S ROOT.  Perennial.  Zone 4. Syn. Porteranthus trifoliatus. Clump forming Eastern North American wildflower which adapts beautifully to our gardens. Many wiry stems arise from a central growth point, lined with attractively shaped, three-part, cut-edged foliage. Corymbes of delicate, starry, 5 petalled white blooms with red pedicels are produced late spring well into summer. Foliage shows red coloration in autumn. 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Trouble free and highly attractive in the mixed border or woodland garden. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

GLOBULARIA

Family: Plantaginaceae

Globularia nudicaulis. BLUE GLOBE DAISY. Perennial. Zone 4. Low mats of glossy, dark green foliage. 10-inch stems topped by ball-shaped, soft blue flowers in early summer. Unusual and very pretty. For rockery or border front. Sun, average conditions, good drainage.

GYPSOPHILA ~ Baby’s Breaths

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Gypsophila cerastioides.  HIMALAYAN BABY’S BREATH. Perennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. MOUSE-EAR GYPSOPHILA. Native to the lower Himalayas, Bhutan, Pakistan. A petite mound former to 6 inches tall, 8 to 12 inches in diameter. Oval foliage is slightly hairy and soft to the touch. Small, round, 5-petalled flowers are soft white veined with dark pink. Blooms late spring and into summer. Rockery, edging, or alpine trough. Sun, well-drained soil, average moisture.

Gypsophila pacifica.  PINK BABY’S BREATH. Perennial. Zone 2. Airy sprays of single, pale pink blooms top wiry stems all summer and well into autumn. Beautiful filler flower in bouquets. Very graceful in the garden.  2 to 3 feet tall. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant once established.

Gypsophila paniculata. ‘SNOWFLAKE’ BABY’S BREATH. Perennial. Zone 2. Tiny single and double flowers in cloudy profusion on wiry, globe-shaped, 2 to 3 foot plants in summer. Excellent cut flower, everlasting and perennial border plant. In some conditions the plant will reseed into wild areas and show a tendency to become invasive; keep an eye on your garden verges and don’t allow escapees. Very easy to keep restrained in the garden, just nip out unwanted seedlings if they occur. If growing for fresh or dried flowers, this will never be a concern, as blooming branches are harvested before they can go to seed. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant once established.

Gypsophila repens.  CASCADING BABY’S BREATH. Perennial. Zone 2. Low growing, cascading cousin of the tall florist’s flower. Grey-green foliage on sprawling 6 to 12 inch stems; loaded with white blooms in summer. Beautiful edger and front of border flower. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant once established.

Gypsophila repens ‘rosea’.  ROSY CASCADING BABY’S BREATH. Perennial. Zone 2. Petite grey-green foliage lines cascading 6 to 12 inch stems. Covered with pale rosy-pink blooms in summer. Beautiful edger and front of border flower. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant once established.

HEDYSARUM

Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae

Hedysarum coronarium. CRIMSON HOLY CLOVER. Perennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. FRENCH HONEYSUCKLE, SWEET BROOM. Showy Mediterranean legume. Quickly makes a bushy plant to 3 feet tall and wide. Lovely compound foliage, deep green with silvery undersides to leaflets. Many spikes of glowing, crimson-pink, delicately fragrant flowers mid-summer through fall. Intricate seed pods. Sun, well-drained soil.

HELENIUM

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Helenium autumnale. RED-AND-GOLD HELENIUM. Perennial. Zone 3. A.k.a. HELEN’S FLOWER, SNEEZEWEED, DOGTOOTH DAISY. Handsome late summer and fall bloomer which should be more widely grown in our Cariboo gardens. Multi-branching 3 to 4 foot tall clumps produce an endless succession of gleaming, vari-coloured maroon, red, copper and golden-yellow daisy-flowers with golden-pollen-dusted, completely round, mahogany-red stamen cones. Very long-lasting flowers. Wonderful with ornamental grasses, Joe Pye Weed and other late season plants. Very attractive to butterflies, and small birds enjoy the fall and winter seed heads. Sun, average conditions.

Helenium autumnale. WILD HELENIUM. Perennial. Zone 3. A.k.a. HELEN’S FLOWER, SNEEZEWEED, DOGTOOTH DAISY. Grown from seed wild-collected in Ontario, this native fall-blooming “daisy” is a valuable garden addition for its late season colour. Multi-branching 3 to 4 foot tall clumps.  Bright yellow daisy-flowers with drooping petals and prominent central cones are bee and butterfly magnets. Sun, average conditions.

HELIANTHEMUM ~ Rock Roses, Sun-Roses

Family: Cistaceae

Helianthemum mutabile. ROCK ROSE. Perennial. Zone 4. Mediterranean. This shrubby sprawler from the rocky places of the Mediterranean region is surprisingly hardy in the Cariboo, as long as it has a sun-baked spot with excellent drainage. Bushy, multibranched plants are literally covered with wide-open, 5-petalled, silken-textured blooms with prominent yellow stamen clusters. These usually start out bright pink, fading to liac, and then to white – the origin of the specific name ‘mutabile‘ – “changeable”. Some may be yellow or white. They do indeed look like lovely little single roses. 8 to 10 inches tall, spreading to 2 feet or more. Best on a slope, among rocks. Drought tolerant. Full sun, well-drained soil.

HELIANTHUS ~ Sunflowers

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Helianthus atrorubens. PURPLE DISK SUNFLOWER ‘GULLICK’S VARIETY’. Perennial. Zone 2. Southeastern U.S.A. A.k.a. APPALACHIAN SUNFLOWER, SWAMP SUNFLOWER. One of the many native North American sunflowers, and a handsome and hardy perennial which brings a splash of colour to the autumn garden. Sturdy clumps of purple-flushed, multi-branching, 3 foot tall stems produce rich golden yellow sunflowers with dark centres, late August into October. The clump expands modestly each year by underground runners, and may be divided or nipped back into bounds in early spring. Sun, average conditions.

Helianthus maximilliania. MAXIMILLIAN’S SUNFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 3. Perennial sunflower from the North American pariries. Small, bright yellow sunflowers in clusters top wiry 3 to 8 foot stems in September and October. Sturdy clump former. Very hardy, but may not fully bloom in years when autumn is cold with early frosts. Sun, average conditions.

HELIOPSIS

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Heliopsis helianthoides. HELIOPSIS ‘SUMMER SUN’. Perennial. Zone 3. Loads of bright golden-yellow daisy-flowers mid-summer through autumn on sturdy 3 to 4 foot clumps. Excellent border plant and cutflower. Good, always-looks-green-and-tidy foliage. Sun, average conditions.

HELLEBORUS ~ Hellebores, Christmas/Lenten Roses

Family: Ranunculaceae

Helleborus niger. WHITE CHRISTMAS ROSE. Perennial. Zone 3. Low growing clumps of leathery, dark green, deeply cut, evergreen leaves. Very early in spring, just as the snow melts, fat white buds which have formed over the winter emerge and open into large, pristine white, 5-petalled flowers with large clusters of yellow stamens. In its native land, Helleborus niger blooms in December, hence its common name “Christmas Rose”. It does indeed resemble a single white rose flower, but is a member of the Ranunculus or Buttercup family. Takes a year or so to establish after transplanting, but once settled in this lovely plant will be trouble-free and beautiful for decades to come, increasing in size and number of blooms, and perhaps even gently self-sowing if conditions are just right. Due to the evergreen nature of the foliage, snow cover or some sort of winter protection is a good idea – we use fluffy wood shavings or evergreen boughs, applied at the time of the first really cold temperatures in early winter. If leaves brown and die, just clip them off. More will soon sprout. Sun to shade, humus-rich soil, good moisture.

HEMEROCALLIS – Daylilies

Family: Liliaceae, recently subdivided into Hemerocallidaceae

Hemerocallis citrina x. ‘TETRINA’S DAUGHTER’ DAYLILY. Perennial. Zone 3. This is a lovely older variety, released in 1971. Large, long-petalled blooms are pale yellow and wonderfully fragrant. Long bloom time in mid-summer. 3 to 4 feet tall.  Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture. 

Hemerocallis fulva. TAWNY DAYLILY ‘EUROPA’. Perennial. Zone 1. Antique daylily brought to North America during colonial times. Large clumps of grassy foliage send up 3 to 4 foot stems topped by many trumpet flowers of vibrant orange overlaid with rich copper-brown. Blooms in August. Important ancestor of many new hybrids; attractive plant in its own right. Tough, hardy, weed-proof clumps. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus. LEMON DAYLILY, CUSTARD LILY. Perennial. Zone 1. Earliest to bloom. Fragrant yellow trumpets bloom and bloom, mid May through June and often into July. Very old type, and an absolutely excellent garden plant. 2 to 3 feet tall. Sun to part shade, average soil and moisture.

Hemerocallis x. ‘ALWAYS AFTERNOON’ DAYLILY. Perennial. Zone 4. This small-but-mighty daylily was bred by Morton L. Morss and released in 1987, going on to win numerous awards. Vigorous plants to 2 feet tall and wide, with many bloom scapes producing an endless midsummer succession of mauve blooms with dark purple eye patches and green centres. Often reblooms in autumn. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Hemerocallis x. ‘BARBARA MITCHELL’ DAYLILY. Perennial. Zone 4. Award winner bred by Charlie Pierce and released in 1984. Huge, ruffle-edged blooms are soft peach pink, with lemony-green throats. A vigorous variety to 3 feet tall, lots of blooms, sometimes reblooms in fall. Light sweet fragrance. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Hemerocallis x. ‘BUFFY’S DOLL’ DAYLILY. Perennial. Zone 3. A real cutie of a miniature daylily, released way back in 1969 and recipient of numerous awards of merit throughout the years. To 12 inches tall and wide, and a generous producer of warmly buff pink blooms with a darker rose-pink eye zone. Extended bloom period in mid summer. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Hemerocallis x. ‘CATHERINE WOODBERY’ DAYLILY. Perennial. Zone 2. This lovely daylily was released in 1967 by an accomplished horticultural couple, Frank and Peggy Childs of Georgia, U.S.A. It went on to win numerous awards. ‘Catherine Woodbery’ is a mid-sized, early-blooming daylily, with lush foliage clumps to 18 inches tall, and bloom scapes to 30 inches. Large, palest pink blooms are flushed with lavender, and have a contrasting pale yellow centre. Sweetly fragrant. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Hemerocallis x. ‘CONDILLA’ DAYLILY. Perennial. Zone 2. Heavily textured, deep golden-yellow double blooms with ruffled petal edges. Makes a compact and lush clump to 2 feet tall, 3 or 4 feet wide. Blooms profusely in midsummer. A really handsome cultivar, and recipient of numerous American Hemerocallis Society awards since its introduction in 1977. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Hemerocallis x. ‘DESERT ICICLE’ DAYLILY. Perennial. Zone 4. Unique “spider” daylily – extra-elongated, narrow petals give the huge 8-inch blooms a star-like effect. Pale creamy yellow flushed with pink, green throats. Strong, sweet fragrance. Tall and elegant, to 3 feet in height and diameter. Blooms profusely in midsummer. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Hemerocallis x. ‘HYPERION’ DAYLILY. Perennial. Zone 2. Bred in 1925 and still one of the very best. Large, very fragrant, pale yellow trumpets on tall, 4-foot tall stems in June and July. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Hemerocallis x. ‘LITTLE GRAPETTE’ DAYLILY. Perennial. Zone 3. Small, grape purple blooms with contrasting yellow centres, and a divinely sweet fragrance. This lovely miniature cultivar was introduced by Texas Hemerocallis breeder Lucille Williamson in 1970, soon after won the Donn Fischer Award from the American Hemerocallis Society for best new miniature, and it has been a highly regarded cultivar ever since. Compact, grassy, 12-inch tall and wide clumps produce many 16-inch long bloom scapes in early summer, with rebloom throughout the season. This one takes a year or two to settle into the garden so don’t expect much the first season, but once established this beautiful little daylily is a true winner.  Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Hemerocallis x. DAYLILY ‘SAMMY RUSSELL’. Perennial. Zone 3. An older variety, released in 1951 and still very popular for its reliability, prolific blooms, and healthy, vigorous growth. Foliage clumps to 2 feet tall and wide. Many star-shaped blooms are rich russet red with golden centres. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Hemerocallis x. DAYLILY ‘SOUTH SEAS’. Perennial. Zone 3. Big, ruffled blooms are a warm, rich coral pink with yellow throats. Nice strong fragrance. Flowers for a long period in mid-summer. Vigorous clumps to 30 inches tall and wide. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Hemerocallis x. DAYLILY ‘STRAWBERRY CANDY’. Perennial. Zone 4. This is a pretty thing – mid-sized, picotee-edged, soft crushed-strawberry-pink blooms with nicely contrasting deep pink centre rings. Blooms in early summer,  and often reblooms later in the season. A fairly recent variety, from Florida daylily breeder Patrick Stamile, released in 1989. ‘Strawberry Candy’ is a multiple award winner, and received the American Hemerocallis Society’s highest award, the Stout Silver Medal, in 1999. Sun, average soil and moisture.

HEPATICA ~ Liverleafs

Family: Ranunculaceae

Hepatica nobilis. Hepatica nobilis. Perennial. Zone 2. Europe, Asia, Japan. Extremely early blooming, with its beautiful blue flowers appearing shortly after the snow departs, bud stems emerging out of the last year’s leaves. Blooms are a glowing light ultramarine blue, with prominent white stamens, and in good years the display lasts for three weeks or more. As the flower petals drop, the current year’s leaves emerge: tri-lobed, slightly fleshy in texture, softly furred with delicate white fuzz, soft green, sometimes marbled with white. The 8 to 12 inch foliage clumps persist all year, and are very attractive in the woodland garden. Fantastically hardy and very, very beautiful. Do not cut back foliage in fall, but allow it to remain to protect the developing buds. Sun to part shade, average conditions, not too dry in summer.

HESPERIS

Family: Cruciferae/Brassicaceae

Hesperis lutea. YELLOW SWEET ROCKET. Perennial. Zone 3. Syn. Sisymbrium luteum. Japan, Korea. Vigorous, bushy plant sends out strong, 4 to 6 foot stems topped by clouds of tiny, bright yellow, honey-scented flowers in June and July. Covered by bees when in bloom. Cut back after flowering, as stems tend to flop as they go to seed. This one also self sows much too prolifically to allow it space in the mixed border. Much better in the wilder parts of the garden, though care should be taken that it does not escape and become weedy. We don’t sell this fragrant but overly-romping flower any more, but we still see it offered now and again by other sources. We’re actually in the process of trying to eliminate it from our plantings – take heed. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Hesperis matronalis.  DAME’S ROCKET. Biennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. DAME’S GILLIFLOWER, SWEET ROCKET. Traditional cottage garden flower. In its second year it sends up 1 to 3 foot tall stems topped by clusters of wide-open, 4-petalled flowers. Wonderful evening fragrance. Very showy in the garden and makes an excellent cutflower. Allow to self sow to perpetuate. Often seen in and around old gardens and near old ranch houses in our area. Usually a warm violet, may also be white or beautifully bicoloured. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Hesperis tristis. NIGHT-FRAGRANT ROCKET. Biennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. MELANCHOLY GENTLEMEN, MOURNING NIGHT-VIOLET, CLOUDY NIGHT-VIOLET. Don’t you love that first quaint common name? “Melancholy Gentlemen”! Irresistable. So here I am growing it, “just because”. And also because the flowers are absolutely appealing, in a strange and sub-fusc way, being a dull buff-ivory, heavily blushed and veined with dusky maroon. Also there is the promise of evening fragrance. From Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, circa 1804:

(W)orthy of cultivation for the sake of its agreeable scent, which however it does not give out in the day time. …(T)he ladies in Germany have pots of it placed in their apartments, from whence it attained the appellation of DAME’S VIOLET; but this name seems not to have been exclusively applied to this species, perhaps more usually to Hesperis matronalis…

Native to central Europe: Austria, Hungary, Romania and such, where it is considered an endangered species. 12 to 18 inches tall, a single stem arising from a basal rosette. Flowers appear in loose clusters at the top of the stem in early summer. The intricately veined blooms are 4-petalled with long calyxes, slightly pendant, and give forth a strong spicy fragrance in the evening. Very attractive to sphinx moths and other night-flying pollinators.  Grows in grasslands, woodland edges and sub-alpine slopes in its native lands. Sun to light shade, average conditions, prefers good drainage.

HEUCHERA ~ Coralbells

Family: Saxifragaceae

Heuchera americana. ‘DALE’S STRAIN’ ALUMROOT. Perennial. Zone 2. This strain is all about beautiful foliage. Maple-leaf-shaped leaves are dark green, and are speckled. zoned and veined with silver, red, purple, bronze. Small flowers in elongated spikes are ivory and produced on 12 to 18 inch tall stems in summer. Named after Dale Hendricks, who selected and refined the strain for the best colours. Sun to part shade, average soil and moisture.

Heuchera micrantha. ‘PALACE PURPLE’ HEUCHERA. Perennial. Zone 2. Bronze-red maple-leaf shaped foliage in tidy clumps with 18-inch stems topped by sprays of tiny white flowers in summer. Sun to shade, average conditions.

Heuchera pulchella. SANDIA MOUNTAIN HEUCHERA. Perennial. Zone 3. This petite and pretty coralbell – pulchella meaning “small beautiful” – originally hails from the Sandia Mountains in New Mexico, where it is on the “Rare Plant” list.  It has been grown in gardens for decades now and is a much-prized little plant. Tufts of scalloped foliage reach 4 to 6 inches tall and wide, and send up numerous  graceful red stems which burst out in soft pink bells in early summer. Hummingbirds love this one. Sun to shade, average conditions.

Heuchera sanguinea. CORALBELLS ‘VIVID’. Perennial. Zone 2. Clouds of tiny, vivid, deep coral-red blooms on delicate 18-inch stalks late spring through summer; attract hummingbirds who patiently check each flower for nectar. Mounds of attractive, scalloped, delicately patterned foliage. Wonderful edging plant. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Heuchera sanguinea ‘splendens’. CORALBELLS ‘FIREFLY’.  Perennial. Zone 2. This is a rather under-used, old-fashioned plant. Well-grown clumps are truly beautiful and vividly light up their bit of the border. Clouds of tiny, vibrant scarlet blooms on delicate, 18-inch stalks late spring through summer. Tidy mounds of scalloped foliage, often attractively marked with white veining. Marvelous hummingbird flower. Very nice in a woodland garden.  Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

HIBISCUS

Family: Malvaceae

Hibiscus moscheutos. ROSE MALLOW ‘HEIRLOOM ROSE’. Perennial. Zone 4/5. Old-fashioned, much-prized garden beauty. Large hibiscus-like blooms in shades of pale to rich rose pink. Substantial clump to 4 feet tall. Late summer bloom the first year, mid-summer thereafter. Good in containers if grown as an annual. Sun, moist soil. Winter protection a good idea if snow cover unreliable.

HOSTA

Family: Asparagaceae

Hosta plantaginea x sieboldiana. HOSTA ‘ROYAL STANDARD’. Perennial. Zone 3. An older hosta cultivar, registered in 1965. Lush green foliage to 24 inches tall and wide. Spikes of widely spaced, nodding, very fragrant white blooms in late summer – an offspring of the old-fashioned “August Lily”, H. plantaginea. Part to full shade, good soil and moisture.

Hosta tardiana x. HOSTA ‘HALCYON’. Perennial. Zone 3. 1987. A gorgeous blue-leaved hosta for a shady spot. Thick, heart-shaped foliage is a pale blue-green, matte-textured with a surface bloom. To 12 inches tall or so, spreads to 18 inches. Spikes of pale lavender blooms in late summer are pretty enough but secondary to the lovely leaves. Part to full shade, good soil and moisture.

Hosta tokudama x sieboldiana. HOSTA ‘ABIQUA DRINKING GOURD’.  Perennial. Zone 3. A substantial hosta which takes a few years to reach full glory, but which is well worth the wait. Huge, heavily corrugated, thickly textured, cupped blue-green leaves are a good foot across at maturity. Violet-blushed white flowers in late summer. Ultimately reaches 2 feet tall, and 3 to 4 feet wide. Bred by Dr. Charles Purtymun of Walden West Hostas in Oregon, released in 1989, and taking its name from Abiqua Creek which runs near his nursery, and this hosta’s habit of trapping water in its cupped foliage. ‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’ has become a highly sought after cultivar; it won the American Hosta Growers Association “Hosta of the Year” award in 2014. Part to full shade, good soil and moisture.

Hosta x. HOSTA ‘AUGUST MOON’.  Perennial. Zone 3. An excellent cultivar bred by the American team of Langfelder, Summers and Ruh, and released in 1996. Chartreuse green-golden, puckered leaves, very sun tolerant. Pale lavender blooms in late summer. To 20 inches tall, 36 inches wide. Part to full shade, good soil and moisture.

Hosta x. HOSTA ‘PAUL’S GLORY’. Perennial. Zone 3. This very nice cultivar was released in 1987, and won the American Hosta Growers “Hosta of the Year” Award in 1999 – quite an honour considering the astounding number of varieties currently being grown. Though hostas grown in the Cariboo-Chilcotin never quite reach the lavish proportions achieved in coastal gardens, ‘Paul’s Glory’ does make a substantial clump, and is a very sun-tolerant cultivar. Foliage is thick-textured, slightly puckered, and chartreuse green in centres with a darker green edging. Leaf centres become increasingly more golden as the season progresses – a nickname is “the colour-changing hosta”. Spikes of pale lavender blooms develop in late summer, but the whole point of this one is the foliage. 18 inches tall, to 2 feet wide once mature. Takes a few years to reach full size, but once established is utterly problem-free. Sun to full shade, good soil and moisture.

HYLOTELEPHIUM~ Sedums

(formerly in the SEDUM genus)

Family: Crassulaceae

Hylotelephium maximum. TALL SIBERIAN SEDUM. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Sedum maximum. Succulent, blue-green foliage lines sturdy 1 to 2 foot stems topped by loose heads and clusters of white and greeny-white blooms late summer into fall. Clump former. Bee and butterfly flower. Full sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Hylotelephium populifolium. STAR-FLOWERED SEDUM. Perennial. Zone 2. Bright green, arrowhead shaped and sharply toothed succulent foliage. Dense clusters of pink-tinted ivory starflowers in summer. Forms a low, spreading clump. Great foliage feature in rockery and border front. 6 to 12 inches tall and wide. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Hylotelephium telephium. ‘EMPEROR’S WAVE’ SEDUM. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Sedum telephium. Loose clumps of red-blushed 18-inch stems are lined with succulent, pointed and toothed foliage topped by clusters of bright mauve blooms in summer and fall. Bee and butterfly flower. Full sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Hylotelephium spectabile. ‘AUTUMN JOY’ SEDUM. Perennial. Zone 3. Syn. Sedum spectabile. Is this ever a great plant! Never a poor moment. In spring succulent, curled leaf buds emerge and lengthen into sturdy 12 to 18 inch tall stems lined with fleshy blue-green leaves. By midsummer rather broccoli-like flower bud clusters have formed, which then open in late summer to bright mauve bloom clusters, and, as fall progresses, change in colour to blush with red and finally to deep copper. Bees and butterflies love these. Great cutflower. Full sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Hylotelephium spectabile x. ‘PINK JENNY’ SEDUM. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Sedum spectabile x. Sturdy clumps of 18 inch tall stems lined with scalloped, succulent, pale green leaves and topped by clusters of light mauve-pink blooms in summer. Much earlier blooming than the better-known ‘Autumn Joy’. Loved by bees and butterflies, great cutflower. Looks good all season. Full sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Hylotelephium ussuriense. ‘PINK BEACON’ SEDUM. Perennial. Zone 2. Syn. Sedum ussuriense. A.k.a. USSURI RIVER STONECROP. Hailing from Siberia is this handsome 16 inch tall clump former. Succulent, scalloped, blue-green leaves are flushed with burgundy. Rounded clusters of star-shaped, red-pink flowers in August and September. Seedheads turn an interesting shade of russet brown in late autumn and can be left to stand for winter interest. One of those “looks good four seasons” plants. Wonderful bee and butterfly flower. Sun to light shade, average conditions, quite drought tolerant.

HYPERICUM ~ St. John’s Worts

Family: Hypericaceae

Hypericum kalmianum. KALM’S ST. JOHN’S WORT. Perennial. Zone 4. Great Lakes region of North America. Small semi-evergreen shrublet, 2 to 3 feet tall and wide when mature. Narrow blue-green foliage on woody stems, which are tipped with many large, showy, 5-petalled lemon yellow blooms for a long period in summer. Beaked seed heads follow. Sought out by bees and other pollinators. Named after one of Linnaeus’ students, Peter Kalm, who roved through North America in the 1700s documenting and classifying plants. Sun to part shade, average soil and moisture.

Hypericum olympicum. MOUNT OLYMPUS ST. JOHN’S WORT. Perennial. Zone 4. Northern Greece, Turkey. Small multi-branching clump former to 1 foot tall and wide. Many wiry stems are lined with small, glossy foliage. Large, star-shaped, pale yellow flowers open in summer, completely covering the plant. Very showy. Sun, average moisture, well-drained soil.

Hypericum perforatum. ST. JOHN’S WORT ‘TOPAS’. Perennial. Zone 3. Europe. Many-branched bushy plant, with wiry 1 to 2 foot long stems densely lined with rounded, soft green foliage. Star-shaped yellow flowers are produced for a long period in summer. This is the medicinal herb much used for treatment of skin conditions and as an anti-depressent. This German cultivar ‘Topas’ (‘Topaz’) has a high content of the medicinally active component, hypercin. (Please consult a qualified herbalist before self-treating with this or any other medicinal herb.) A nice ornamental for the flower garden as well as the herb garden, but keep an eye on it, as it is a prolific self-seeder and may, if not controlled, escape to the wild, where it is undesirable as it can be harmful to grazing animals; consumption of large quantities may lead to development of light-sensitivity in livestock. This is only an issue where there is dense growth of the plant, as for symptoms to appear an animal would need to consume upwards of 1% of its bodyweight, a substantial quantity. Bear in mind that this herb has been safely grown in gardens since pre-Medieval times, and is easily kept in check by removal of spent flower heads, or some judicious springtime weeding of unwanted seedlings. Responsible gardening is the key! Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture. Drought tolerant when established.

Hypericum polyphyllum ‘grandiflorum’. DWARF ST. JOHN’S WORT. Perennial. Zone 4. Turkey. Very showy small clump former, 6 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. Wiry stems are lined with small, blue-green leaves. Buds develop on stem tips in mid summer and pop open to large, bright yellow, whiskery-stamened flowers for weeks and weeks. A favourite of bees and butterflies. Sun, average moisture, well-drained soil.

HYSSOP

Family: Labiatae

Hyssopus officinalis. HYSSOP. Perennial. Zone 2. Shrubby herb with aromatic foliage and whorled spikes of dark violet-blue flowers in summer. 1 to 2 feet tall. Used as an edging or knot garden plant in herb gardens. Nice in flower border, too. Bees love it. Once an important medicinal plant. Re-sprouts in spring from woody stems, do not cut back in fall but trim to shape in spring after new growth starts. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

IBERIS

Family: Cruciferae

Iberis semperviriens. WHITE CANDYTUFT. Perennial. Zone 3. Cascading clumps of glossy, deep green foliage are covered by pure white flowers in mid-spring. For a slope, rockery, or border edging. Sun to light shade, average conditions, good drainage. Light winter protection a good idea where snow cover is unreliable.

ILIAMNA

Family: Malvaceae

Illiamna rivularis. MOUNTAIN HOLLYHOCK. Perennial. Zone 3. Bushy plants to 4 feet tall have sturdy stems lined with maple-leaf-like foliage. Spikes of saucer-shaped, pale pink mallow flowers look rather like single pink roses. Nice background plant. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

INCARVILLEA ~ Garden Gloxinias

Family: Bignoniaceae

Incarvillea olgae. RUSSIAN TRUMPET FLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. Central Asia, Himalayas, Russia. Interesting plant for the collector. Narrow, branching clump former to 2 feet tall, with woody basal stems and glossy, cutleaf foliage. Sugar-pink trumpet flowers appear over a long period summer into early autumn. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture. Can be grown in rocky soil, and drought tolerant once established.

INULA

Family: Asteraceae/Compositae

Inula ensifolia. SWORDLEAF INULA. Perennial. Zone 3. An interesting edger, compact enough for the rock garden, too. Tidy 1 to 2 foot wide clumps of dark green, roughly hairy, very thin, pointed foliage. Covers itself with golden-yellow, thin-rayed daisies for a good six weeks in summer. 12 to 18 inches tall. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Inula helenium. ELECAMPANE. Perennial. Zone 3. A.k.a. ELF DOCK. Sturdy, attractive plant, once a valued medicinal herb in both human and veterinary medicine. Huge, soft leaves form large clumps to 5 feet tall, topped in summer by bright golden-yellow sunflower-like blooms. Pleasantly aromatic roots contain inulin, presently being studied for treatment of diabetes. For the herb garden or the back of the border, as it is a bit wildfower-ish for a feature spot in an ornamental planting. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Inula hirta. CREEPING INULA. Perennial. Zone 3. Lovely small plant for border front. Golden yellow flowers over a long period in summer produced on gently expanding clump of foliage 10 to 20 inches tall. Can be a good, non-invasive groundcover. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Inula hookeri. HOOKER’S INULA. Perennial. Zone 3. Himalayas, Nepal, Burma, SW China. Mid-size plant to 2 feet tall forms dense clumps of many strong stems lined with rather thin, heavy-textured, light green foliage. Each stem is topped by an attractive, bracted bud which opens wide to a very full, thin-petalled, bright yellow daisy flowers in summer. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Inula magnifica. GIANT INULA, SHOWY INULA. Perennial. Zone 3. The Caucasus mountains, Europe. This is a seriusly imposing plant, with a certain untamed charm. A robust clump former, with lush foliage (lower leaves can reach 3 feet long on established specimens) and 4 to 6 foot tall stems topped by giant, intensely orange-yellow, thin-rayed daisy-flowers in late summer. Very atractive to all sorts of bees. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Inula racemosa. SPIKE INULA. Perennial. Zone 3. NW China, Afghanistan, Nepal. 4 to 6 foot tall stems arise from sturdy basal clumps and are lined along the top third or so with many bright yellow daisies on short stems. Blooms July to September. In its native countries grown near homes and much used in medicine. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Inula royleana. HIMALAYAN INULA. Perennial. Zone 3. Himalayas, Pakistan to Kashmir. 2 foot tall stems lined with large, deep green, rather wrinkled and downy, heart-shaped leaves are topped by solitary, large, showy, thin-rayed, bright golden daisies. Blooms July to September. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

IRIS

Family: Iridaceae

Iris germanica.  ‘CHAMPAGNE ELEGANCE’ TALL BEARDED IRIS.  Perennial.  Zone 4. Bred by American iris hybridizer O. David Niswonger, released in 1987. Multiple award winner. Vigorous fans of strappy foliage, 24 to 30-inch tall bloom stalks produce many large flowers in early summer, sometimes with rebloom in fall. Standards are very pale lavender-pink, falls light apricot-buff, beards are rich amber. Well ruffled, very ornamental. Very sweet fragrance.  Sun, average soil and moisture, best in spots that are well-drained in winter.

Iris germanica.  ‘EDITH WOLFORD’ TALL BEARDED IRIS.  Perennial.  Zone 4. Bred by American horticulturalist Ben Hager, released in 1986. Many awards have been won by this stellar cultivar. Above-ground rhizomes produce fans of flat, broad foliage. Sturdy bloom stems to 3 feet tall produce many huge, deeply ruffled, heavily textured blooms in early summer. Standards are soft canary yellow, falls pale violet blue, with blue beards tipped orange. Very slight peppery-sweet fragrance. Vigorous and healthy, a really grand iris. Sun, average soil and moisture, best in spots that are well-drained in winter.

Iris sanguinea x.  ‘SNOW QUEEN’ IRIS.  Perennial.  Zone 2. A gorgeous natural hybrid in the Iris sibirica complex, collected in Japan and brought to western gardens in 1900 by Peter Barr. Quickly recognized as a superb garden plant, ‘Snow Queen’ received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 1902. Vigorous clumps of strappy, bright green foliage, and numerous 3-foot stems topped by large, pure white blooms, marked green and yellow in their throats. Sun to part shade, average soil, average to high moisture.

Iris sibirica.  ‘BLACK JOKER’ SIBERIAN IRIS.  Perennial.  Zone 2. Very recent cultivar, bred by Marty Schafer and Jan Sacks, released in 2013. This is a fantastically coloured Siberian, with standards pale yellow with purple centres and veining, and falls deep yellow-purple, shaded, veined and freckled in darker purple and dark gold. To 20 inches tall, with generous bloom in early July. Sun to part shade, average soil, average to high moisture. Prefers soil slightly on the acid side, so peaty soil amendments will be welcomed.

Iris sibirica.  ‘BUTTER AND SUGAR’ SIBERIAN IRIS.  Perennial.  Zone 2. A modern classic, ‘Butter and Sugar’ was released by Currier McEwen in 1977. It was an important colour break in Siberian Iris breeding, adding yellow to the predominant purples and whites of the species types. Though other yellow Siberians have since entered horticultural commerce, this relative oldie remains very popular, due to its robust health and generousity of bloom. Sturdy 2-foot tall clumps of strappy foliage, producing multiple upright stalks topped with showy flowers in late May and early June. Standards are soft white, falls are delicately-veined butter yellow. Very hardy and adaptable once established. The Siberian Iris as a group are very tolerant of moist to boggy soil, as well as being reasonably dry soil tolerant. A nice all-rounder of a perennial. Sun to part shade, average soil, average to high moisture. Prefers soil slightly on the acid side, so peaty soil amendments will be welcomed.

Iris sibirica.  ‘CEASAR’S BROTHER’ SIBERIAN IRIS.  Perennial.  Zone 2. This lovely purple Siberian Iris cultivar was bred by Canadian F. Cleveland Morgan and released in 1931. ‘Ceasar’s Brother’ was very widely grown in the years since its introduction, and is still highly regarded for its vigour and beauty. Healthy clumps of narrow, strappy foliage reach 24 inches or so. Flower stalks to 30 inches tall are topped by large, orchid-like, bright violet-purple flowers, darkly veined and with gold and white flashes on the falls. Blooms in late May and early June. Sun to part shade, perfers humus-rich soil, average moisture, tolerates damp locations well. Prefers soil slightly on the acid side, so peaty soil amendments will be welcomed.

Iris sibirica.  ‘CONCORD CRUSH’ SIBERIAN IRIS.  Perennial.  Zone 2. A relatively new cultivar from veteran iris specialists Bob Bauer and John Coble, released only in 2009 and already making quite a name for itself. Ruffled, grape-purple, 12 to 15-petalled double flowers, beautifully marked with yellow and white veining on the falls. Vigorous and healthy, blooming in June with rebloom in late August. To 24 inches tall, with handsome strappy foliage which looks good spring through autumn. Very hardy and adaptable. Sun to part shade, perfers humus-rich soil, average moisture, tolerates damp locations well. Prefers soil slightly on the acid side, so peaty soil amendments will be welcomed.

Iris sibirica.  ‘RUFFLED VELVET’ SIBERIAN IRIS.  Perennial.  Zone 2. Gorgeous older cultivar, bred by the famed Dr. Currier McEwen, released in 1973.  Multiple award winner. Great big plum/royal purple blooms, nice ruffling on falls and standards, with a prominent black-and-gold patch on each fall petal. A later blooming Siberian, June into July, extending the season nicely. Vigorous, clumps up quickly. To 24″ tall. Sun to part shade, perfers humus-rich soil, average moisture, tolerates damp locations well. Prefers soil slightly on the acid side, so peaty soil amendments will be welcomed.

Iris sibirica.  ‘STRAWBERRY FAIR’ SIBERIAN IRIS.  Perennial.  Zone 2. Bred by American iris hybridizer Robert Hollingworth, released in 1992.  Multiple award winner. This is a truly gorgeous iris, but if you are expecting any sort of real pink – as perhaps indicated by that tempting name! – you will be disappointed. It’s actually a warm violet-purple, with darker falls and paler standards, beautiful dark veining, and intriguing greeny-yellow eye patches edged in white. Healthy, strappy foliage in lush basal clumps, bloom stalks to 30 inches. Blooms a bit later than other Siberians, extending the always-too-short Iris season nicely. Sun to part shade, perfers humus-rich soil, average moisture, tolerates damp locations well. Prefers soil slightly on the acid side, so peaty soil amendments will be welcomed.

Iris x robusta.  ‘GERALD DARBY’ IRIS.  Perennial.  Zone 4. Hybrid of two native American irises, Iris versicolor x I . virginica. Gorgeous foliage, flushed deep purple as it emerges in spring, turning green as leaves lengthen. Blooms are rather like Siberian Iris, on the smaller size but very attractive, several pale violet blooms per stalk in May-June. This iris is very tolerant of moisture, and can be grown in shallow water at a pond edge, or in the perennial border. Very vigorous, makes a handsome clump quickly. To 24 inches tall or so. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

JASIONE

Family: Campanulaceae

Jasione laevis.  ‘BLUE LIGHT’ SHEPHERD’S BIT.  Perennial.  Zone 4. Syn. Jasione perennis. SHEPHERD’S SCABIOUS, SHEEP’S BIT. An appealing, dainty plant for border front or rockery. Tidy clumps of rather hairy, grey-green foliage send up delicate stems topped by pale blue scabiosa-like blooms with contrasting white stamens. To 12 inches. Late spring into summer bloom time. Sun, average conditions.

KALIMERIS (formerly Boltonia)

Family: Asteraceae

Kalimeris incisa.  JAPANESE CUT-LEAF ASTER.  Perennial.  Zone 4. Syn. Boltonia incisa. Nicely rounded, 2-foot tall and wide clumps of light green, raggedly cut foliage, covered with countless fine-petalled, yellow-eyed, pale purple-white “aster” blooms for a very long time in late summer through fall. Excellent bee and butterfly flower. Sun, average conditions.

KITAIBELIA

Family: Malvaceae

Kitaibelia vitifolia. RIVER MALLOW. Perennial. Zone 3. Slovenia, Macedonia, Hungary. A.k.a. CEDAR CUP, CHALICE FLOWER. Impressive clumps of sturdy stems to 6 feet tall. Lovely grape-like foliage, and cup-shaped white (and sometimes pale rose-pink) classic mallow flowers from July to September. A wildflowery backgrounder, shrub-like in effect. Sun to part shade, any soil, appreciates summer moisture.

KNAUTIA

Family: Dipsacaceae

Knautia macedonica. MACEDONICAN SCABIOSA. Perennial. Zone 3. Small, bright-maroon-red, scabiosa-like blooms are produced summer through fall on branching clumps to 24 inches tall and wide. A nice plant for including in the mixed border to add some background colour and contrast. Quite trendy a few years ago, and on all the seed lists. We found that it self sows quite abundantly in our garden, so that may be something to keep an eye on, though seedlings are fairly easy to keep in check. Sun, well-drained soil, average moisture.

LAMIASTRUM

Family: Lamiaceae

Lamiastrum galeobdolon. VARIEGATED ARCHANGEL ‘HERMAN’S PRIDE’. Perennial. Zone 3. Metallic silver-flecked foliage in neat clumps to 10 inches tall, flower spikes to 16 inches with whorls of pale yellow blooms spring into summer. Vigorous but non-invasive. Sun to deep shade, average soil and moisture.

LAMIUM

Family: Lamiaceae

Lamium luteum. YELLOW-FLOWERED DEAD-NETTLE. Perennial. Zone 1. Everything ‘Herman’ is not – large leaves, rather invasive, sprawls about. Valuable groundcover for deep shade. Leaves are prettily splashed purple and metallic silver, especially on new growth. Loose spikes of pale yellow blooms in summer. Be cautious about introducing to the mixed border as it does like to quest for new territory, and will crowd out more delicate things. Large, established hostas and such hearty things are fine companions. To 12 inches or so in height, with potentially infinite spread. Part sun to deep shade, average soil and moisture. Good under shrubs, on the north side of buildings.

Lamium maculatum. ‘WHITE NANCY’ LAMIUM. Perennial. Zone 2. Low mat former to 6 inches. Leaves are almost entirely silver with a green border. Short spikes of pure white flowers through summer. A wonderful edging plant for shade, and often included in hanging basket arrangements. Unlike its bumptious cousin Lamium luteum, L. maculatum is politely restrained and well-behaved. There are many cultivars of this pretty, dependable flower, most with nicely-marked foliage and spikes of pale purple blooms, but ‘White Nancy’ is just a bit extra-special. Sun to shade, average soil and moisture.

LATHYRUS

Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae

Lathyrus latifolius. PERENNIAL SWEET PEA. Perennial Vine. Zone 3. Large clusters of gorgeous sweet pea-like flowers for a long period summer-fall. Sadly, not strongly scented – but very pretty! Vigorous climber or rambler, with 6 to 10 foot vines making large clumps with age. Needs room to do its stuff, so good for difficult areas that need a fair bit of cover. Sun, average conditions. Appreciates fertile, reasonably moist soil. Late to emerge in spring. Three named strains are available, and all are very lovely.

• ‘RED PEARL’ – rich carmine pink.
• ‘ROSE PEARL’ a.k.a. ‘PINK BEAUTY’ – pale pink flushed darker at petal edges.
• ‘WHITE PEARL’ – pristine snow white.

LAVANDULA

Family: Labiatae

Lavandula angustifolia. ENGLISH LAVENDER ‘LADY’. Perennial. Zone 4/5. Small but fast-growing lavender which will bloom the first year. Very fragrant, soft green foliage and pretty purple bloom spikes. Nice in containers where you can brush by it in passing. 12 to 16 inches tall. Sun, good soil and moisture, good drainage.

Lavandula angustifolia. ENGLISH LAVENDER ‘MUNSTEAD’. Perennial. Zone 2. Short shrub with gray-green foliage and many chubby spikes of lavender flowers in summer. The hardiest strain. Overwinters reliably into Zone 2 with snow cover or other protection. Woody stems should be left over winter; prune back to live wood in late spring. The whole plant is wonderfully fragrant. Sun, well-drained soil.

Lavandula angustifolia. LAVENDER ‘ELLAGANCE PURPLE’. Perennial. Zone 4/5. This is a new variety touted as being the fastest growing and earliest blooming of all. I must say I had a hard time getting over the name – my first reaction was that it was a mistaken attempt at “Elegance” gone terribly wrong, but it appears it is a deliberate and intentional naming. Still makes me cringe… Anyway, name aside, this is a nice plant. Fast growing, and it does indeed produce a good number of deep purple, extremely fragrant flower spikes in summer. Good in garden or containers. Overwintering is iffy in our area – hope for lots of snow cover and cross your fingers is my advice. Or consider it an annual, and then be thrilled it it survives. 12 inches tall. Sun, well-drained soil.

Lavandula stoechas. BUTTERFLY LAVENDER. Tender perennial. Zone 7 – don’t even consider it for over-wintering outdoors in our region. In summer, spikes of deep purple flowers with elongated petals. Delicate, grey-green foliage. The whole plant is fragrant, with a rather resinous lavender perfume. A Mediterranean plant which won’t overwinter for us outside but can be container grown and overwintered dormant in a frost-free place. Full sun, well drained soil.

LEONOTIS ~ Lion’s Ears

Family: Lamiaceae

Leonotis nepetifolia. ANNUAL LION’S EAR. Annual. Syn. Phlomis nepetifolia. Africa, India. DEVIL’S PINCUSHION, LION’S TAIL, WILD DAGGA. This wonderfully Dr. Seussical plant is a tall and wiry annual from the warmer parts of the world, where it is a seed and nectar plant for wild birds, as well as being used by humans for herbal medicine. Long flowering stems ascend from a compact basal clump, producing widely spaced whorls of bud clusters by midsummer. Long, hooded, bright orange blooms with protruding white stamens are produced in a long-lasting succession up until killing frost. Seedheads are extremely prickly, with needlike hairs which break off at a touch – use gloves to handle the dry seedheads, and avoid planting where unwary visitors will brush against it. An anecdotal African use for this plant is by nighttime thieves, who are said to twine the seedpods in their hair to repel anyone attempting to restrain them by grabbing their heads. Well, maybe…! An interesting addition to the curious gardener’s back-of-border plantings. 4 to 6 feet tall. In warmer climates this one will reseed, but this does not seem to be an issue in cold-winter areas. Sun, average soil and moisture.

LEONTOPODIUM ~ Edelweisses

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Leontopodium alpinum. ALPINE EDELWEISS. Perennial. Zone 3. Europe. Densely fuzzy, pale green foliage in low clumps send up 8-inch stems topped by clusters of woolly-white star-shaped blooms in summer. These last for a long time in the garden and make excellent everlastings. Very soft and appealing flower. Best in the rockery or tucked in the border front. Sun, average but well-drained soil.

Leontopodium palibinianum. SIBERIAN EDELWEISS. Perennial. Zone 3. North Asia, Siberia. PALIBIN’S EDELWEISS, LARGE-FLOWERED EDELWEISS. Alpine silver-leaved clump-former to 12 inches tall and wide. In late summer, large, woolly white bloom structures appear, comprised of yellow-stamened disc flowers surrounded by felted white bracts. I think they look rather like multi-armed starfish! These make fantastic everlastings if harvested before they start to go to seed. Sun, average but well-drained soil.

LEUCANTHEMUM, previously Chrysanthemum

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Leucanthemum x superbum. SHASTA DAISY ‘EXHIBITION’. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Chrysanthemum maximum. The large and showy Shasta daisies are hybridized mainly from two European species, L. lacustre and L. maximum, and were initially developed by the innovative American plant breeder Luther Burbank in 1901, and named after the gleaming snows of California’s beautiful Mount Shasta. In the century that has followed that initial introduction, numerous cultivars have been introduced, all characterized by large, pure white, yellow-centered daisy flowers, with lush, deep green foliage. Singles, semi-doubles and frilled doubles are all variations, and the bloom season is long, throughout summer. ‘Exhibition’ is a tall semi-double with central frilling. Very showy. To 36 inches tall and wide. Excellent cutflower. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Leucanthemum x superbum. SHASTA DAISY ‘STARBURST’. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Chrysanthemum maximum. ‘Starburst’ is a vigorous cultivar, producing very large, pure white, yellow-centered daisy flowers throughout most of the summer. Very showy. 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Makes an excellent cutflower. Sun, good soil and moisture.

LEVISTICUM ~ Lovage

Family: Umbelliferaceae

Levisticum officinale. LOVAGE, MAGGI-PLANT. Perennial. Zone 1. Statuesque, long-lived herb which can reach majestic proportions (to 8 feet or more) with maturity. Thick-stalked, strongly flavoured, celery-like foliage is much used in cooking in Europe. Umbels of greeny-yellow flowers in summer attract beneficial insects to the garden. Seeds can be dried to use in winter cooking. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

LEWISIA ~ Bitterroots

Family: Montiaceae

Lewisia cotyledon x. SISKIYOU LEWISIA ‘SUNSET SHADES’. Perennial. Zone 4. Mountains of Oregon & N. California. Tufts of succulent foliage, multiple stems to 12 inches topped by generous clusters of very showy, 1-inch blooms in shades of pink, peach, soft yellow, often with contrasting petal edging. Flowers late spring and sporadically throughout summer if deadheaded. Rosette-forming alpine which makes a lovely feature plant in the rock garden or along the front edge of a raised perennial planting – good drainage is essential! Sun to dappled shade, average soil and moisture. You may wish to add some sand or small pebbles to its planting spot to ensure dry roots over winter.

LIATRIS

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Liatris spicata. BLAZING STAR. Perennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. PRAIRIE GAYFEATHER. Exotic-looking but very hardy plant. The original species is a now-rare North American prairie wildflower. Spikes of fluffy, bright purple flowers appear over a long period in summer. Very attractive to bees and butterflies.  To 2 feet tall, and forms a nice clump quickly. Also an excellent cutflower, and widely used by florists. Great with Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Sedums and Ornamental Grasses for a “Prairie Border” with lots of late summer interest. Full sun, well-drained soil, average moisture.

LIGULARIA

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Ligularia dentata. ‘MIDNIGHT LADY’ LIGULARIA. Perennial. Zone 3. Substantial clump former. Large, heart-shaped, purple-green, very glossy leaves are attractively toothed along the edges. Bloom stalks topped by clusters of dark golden-yellow daisy-flowers in late summer. Bee and butterfly flower. To 3  feet tall and wide. Sun to part shade, good soil, moisture lover.  

Ligularia sibirica. SIBERIAN LIGULARIA. Perennial. Zone 3. Lush, heavy and glossy, rounded foliage forms  2 to 3 foot clumps. Tall bloom spikes to 6 feet,  lined with small, bright yellow, thickly crowded daisies in late summer. Excellent pondside plant. Sun to part shade, good soil, moisture lover.

LILIUM – Lilies

Family: Liliaceae

Lilium asiaticum x. ASIATIC LILY ‘BLACKOUT’. Perennial bulb. Zone 2. A vigourous Asiatic hybrid lily with large, upfacing, dark cherry red blooms marked with deep burgundy-black in centres. Blooms in June and early July. 2 to 3 feet tall.  Healthy and hardy, multiplies quickly. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Lilium asiaticum x. ASIATIC LILY ‘DOUBLE ELODIE’. Perennial Bulb. Zone 2. Also marketed as a “Kiss” lily.  Doubled blooms are soft baby pink, freckled with tiny dark spots in the centre. As the doubling comes from the stamens being converted to petals, this pretty lily is scentless and pollen-free. Blooms in June and early July. 2 to 3 feet tall. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Lilium asiaticum x. ASIATIC LILY ‘FOREVER SUSAN’. Perennial Bulb. Zone 2. Bred by Robert Griesbach. Strong grower. Upfacing blooms are bright orange, overlaid with deep burgundy for a very dramatic effect. Blooms in June and July. 2 to 3 ft. tall. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Lilium asiaticum x. ASIATIC LILY ‘GIRAFFE’. Perennial bulb. Zone 2. Another strong Asiatic hybrid, tall and strong, with dark red shading on stems and leaf edges, and a very high bud count. Flowers are upfacing, rich yellow shading to dark orange at the petal tips. Dark orange zoning and speckling adds to the appeal. Blooms in July. 3 to 4 feet tall. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Lilium asiaticum x. ASIATIC LILY ‘GIRONDE’. Perennial bulb. Zone 2. Pristinely unspotted, canary-yellow, slightly rounded and thickly textured upfacing blooms make this pretty Asiatic lily special. Very long lasting in the garden and as a cutflower. Blooms in June and early July. 3 feet tall. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Lilium asiaticum x. ASIATIC LILY ‘LANDINI’. Perennial bulb. Zone 2. This is a stunning lily. Glossy-petalled upfacing blooms are very deep burgundy, with tiny black freckles on the petal mid-ribs. The stamens are dark red, tipped by bright orange poillen. 2 to 3 feet tall. Blooms in June. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Lilium asiaticum x. ASIATIC LILY ‘LOLLYPOP’. Perennial bulb. Zone 2. We’ve been growing sweet ‘Lollypop’ for quite a few years, and are always impressed by its cheerful tolerance of less than ideal conditions and frequent digging up and moving about. Bicoloured upfacing blooms are bright white, shading to deep candy pink at petal tips, with the faintest sprinkling of dark freckles in their centres. 2 to 3 feet tall. Blooms in June. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Lilium asiaticum x. ASIATIC LILY ‘PURPLE EYE’. Perennial Bulb. Zone 2. Plum-purple, up-facing lily is densely splashed with dark purple freckles, concentrating in a dark center eye. Long lasting in the garden and as a cutflower. Blooms in June and early July. 3 feet tall. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Lilium lancifolium x. ‘HIAWATHA’ TIGER LILY. Perennial bulb. Zone 2. An excellent American cultivar bred by Julian Wadekamper and released in 1975. Large, deep red, well-freckled, out-facing blooms in June-July. 3-4 feet tall.  Sun, good soil and moisture.

Lilium lancifolium x. ‘PINK FLAVOUR’ TIGER LILY. Perennial bulb. Zone 2. A very eye-catching cultivar. Large, out- and down-facing, glowing coral pink blooms flushed soft yellow in centres, with a few tiny freckles. 3 feet tall. Blooms late summer. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Lilium lancifolium x. ‘SWEET SURRENDER’ TIGER LILY. Perennial bulb. Zone 2. Large, pure white out- and down-facing lilies with maroon freckles and stamens. Very elegant. Blooms in July and August. 3 feet tall. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Lilium lancifolium ‘flore pleno’. DOUBLE TIGER LILY. Perennial bulb. Zone 2. This fantastical mutation of the rather more graceful and very well known single orange tiger of old gardens won my heart by its sheer quirkiness, and I greatly prize my growing colony. Hard to describe, so here’s a picture. To 3 or 4 feet tall, blooming in July and early August. Like its more sober sibling, the double tiger produces small bulbils in the leaf nodes, which drop off in late fall, and should be gently covered with soil to allow them to root and produce new bulbs which will bloom in a few years. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Lilium lancifolium ‘splendens’. ORANGE TIGER LILY. Perennial bulb. Zone 2. This showy orange lily is a fantastic heritage plant which may be found in every older Cariboo garden. The improved strain ‘Splendens’ is a larger, more vigorous form of the popular Asiatic “Tiger Lily” – “tiger” presumably for the bright orange coloration, because tigers don’t have such lovely round spots! –  thought to have been developed and introduced by Belgian horticulturalist Louis van Houtte in the late 1800s. Many down-facing, lavishly spotted, bright orange blooms in late summer on 3 to 4 foot tall plants. This lily makes vigorous colonies where happy, and multiplies both by bulb offsets and by producing small black bulbils in the leaf axils which drop in late fall, root, and form new bulbs. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Lilium leichtlinii. YELLOW TURK’S CAP LILY. Perennial bulb. Zone 2. Honshu, Japan. A beautiful and vigorous Japanese turk’s cap type lily, with a large number of downfacing, deeply recurved, profusely freckled, lemon yellow blooms in July. 24 to 36 inches tall. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Lilium longiflorum x orientalis. ORIENPET LILY ‘BEVERLY’S DREAM’. Perennial bulb. Zone 4. A handsome and strikingly coloured Oriental-Trumpet hybrid – hence the “Orienpet” designation – which combines the best qualities of both parent lines. Huge, sturdy stems to 6 feet tall once established (the first few years expect a still-respectable 3 to 4 feet) topped by large, very fragrant, creamy white trumpets starred with deep burgundy centres with rich lime green accents. Hardy in the Cariboo, but you may wish to heap fluffy wood shavings, dry peat moss, or loamy garden spoil over your plantings in the fall just in case of a low-snow winter. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Lilium longiflorum x orientalis. ORIENPET LILY ‘OUTBACK’. Perennial bulb. Zone 4. The rather ridiculously named “Orienpet” lilies are truly beautiful interspecific hybrids, crosses between Oriental and Trumpet lilies, showing excellent hybrid vigour and desirable traits from both ancestral lines. ‘Outback’ is 3 to 4 feet tall, with sturdy stems and large, sweetly fragrant, long lasting, light yellow blooms in summer. It has proven nicely hardy for us, though in areas with unreliable snow cover you may wish to mound dry peat moss or shavings (or extra garden soil) over your clumps in the fall, just for insurance. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Lilium martagon x. MARTAGON LILY ‘ARABIAN NIGHT’. Perennial bulb. Zone 3. A really outstanding cultivar! Whorls of dark russet red turk’s caps brushed in the centres with warm gold, darkly freckled. 30+ blooms per stem on established plants! To 3 feet tall or thereabouts. Avoid peaty soils; add gravel in wet zones. Sun to part shade, average soil, average moisture.

Lilium martagon x. MARTAGON LILY ‘MANITOBA MORNING’. Perennial bulb. Zone 3. Fantastic lily bred by the late Eugene Fox of Fox Lily Ranch in Millet, Alberta. Originally named ‘Manitoba Fox’ by the breeder, the cultivar was registered posthumously in 2011 as ‘Manitoba Morning’. Strong stems to 3 feet or taller are topped by tiers of dark burgundy-pink open-faced turk’s caps,well spotted with dark-eyed, paleyellow freckles. Blooms in early summer. Butterfly and hummingbird magnet. A vigorous variety which forms a nice colony quickly.  Avoid peaty soils; add gravel in wet zones. Sun to part shade, average soil, average moisture.

Lilium martagon x. MARTAGON LILY ‘PINK MORNING’. Perennial bulb. Zone 3. Delicately beautiful, with tall stems topped by tiers of open-faced turk’s caps, pale pink with random burgundy spots. Blooms in early summer. Butterflies love it. Mature plants reach 4 feet in height. Makes a nice colony quickly where happy. Avoid peaty soils; add gravel in wet zones. Sun to part shade, average soil, average moisture.

Lilium martagon x. MARTAGON-CROSS LILY ‘ORANGE MARMALADE’. Perennial bulb. Zone 3. Bred by Ed Robinson, and originally released in 1973 under the name ‘Tinson’, renamed ‘Orange Marmalade’ for marketing purposes some years later. A beautiful multi-species cross, with L. martagon, L. hansonii and L. tsingtauense in its pedigree.  A vigorous grower, 3 to 4 feet tall at maturity. Tiers of unspotted, dusky orange, pointed-petal, modified turk’s cap blooms in early summer. Light fragrance, and attractive to butterflies. The martagons do not care for peaty soils, and thrive best in a well-drained soil (add some gravel if you are in a wet zone) and a bit of open shade. Think ‘woodland glade’. Pick your spot carefully for this one, as it doesn’t care to be disturbed once transplanted. Forms a nice colony quickly. Sun to part shade, average soil, average moisture.

Lilium orientalis x. ORIENTAL LILY ‘SALMON STAR’. Perennial bulb. Zone 4. Huge, out-facing blooms are white blushed with soft salmon-pink, heavily freckled with orange spots. Very fragrant. Blooms in July. 2 to 3 feet tall.  Usually reasonably hardy for us, though in areas with unreliable snow cover you may wish to mound dry peat moss or shavings (or extra garden soil) over your clumps in the fall, just for insurance. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Lilium orientalis x. ORIENTAL LILY ‘STARGAZER’. Perennial bulb. Zone 4. Heritage variety, released in 1978. This is the one we think about first when we talk ‘Oriental Lilies’. Huge, out-facing blooms are white blushed with rich crimson, heavily freckled with maroon spots. Very fragrant. Blooms in July. 3 to 4 feet tall.  Usually reasonably hardy for us, though in areas with unreliable snow cover you may wish to mound dry peat moss or shavings (or extra garden soil) over your clumps in the fall, just for insurance. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Lilium orientalis x. ORIENTAL LILY ‘TIGERMOON’. Perennial bulb. Zone 4. Originally named ‘Yellow Tiger’. Huge, out-facing blooms are white blushed with pale yellow, freckled with crimson spots. Very fragrant. Blooms in July. 2 to 3 feet tall.  Usually reasonably hardy for us, though in areas with unreliable snow cover you may wish to mound dry peat moss or shavings (or extra garden soil) over your clumps in the fall, just for insurance. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Lilium speciosum ‘rubrum’ x henryi. ‘BLACK BEAUTY’ LILY. Perennial bulb. Zone 4. An interesting and beautiful hybrid bred by Leslie Woodriff, released in 1957. Tall stalks, 3 to 4 feet tall, produce widely spaced buds in late summer, which open into deeply recurved turk’s cap flowers. Darkest black-red (black cherry? black raspberry?) with a fine white petal edge and a white central star, freckled with raised dots. Lightly fragrant. August blooming. Sun, good soil and moisture.

LIMONIUM

Family: Plumbaginaceae

Limonium gmelinii ssp. hungaricum. SIBERIAN SEA LAVENDER. Perennial. Zone 3. Rosettes of broad, very shiny, rounded foliage. 24-inch stems are topped by sprays of tiny violet-blue blooms in summer. Long bloom time. Very attractive to bees. Great cutflower and everlasting. Sun, average conditions, quite drought tolerant.

Limonium latifolium. SEA LAVENDER. Perennial. Zone 2. A native of European coastlines from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Not a true lavender, but so named for the colour of the airy flower heads. Basal rosettes of shiny, smooth, leathery foliage send up wiry-stemmed, multi-branched sprays of tiny, light lavender blooms in summer. These have a stiff, papery texture, and look good for a very long time in the garden; the blooms are also highly prized as cutflowers and everlastings. 12 to 18 inches tall. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Limonium tataricum. GERMAN STATICE. Perennial. Zone 3. This is a very handsome plant with a long season of interest in the garden, and a second value as an excellent cutflower and everlasting. Multi-branched bloom clusters composed of many tiny, white, star-shaped flowers appear in summer over flat rosettes of smooth, leathery, glossy foliage. 12 inches tall or thereabouts. An “architectural” plant with a lot of presence despite its smaller stature.  Sun, average soil with good drainage, quite drought tolerant.

Limonium vulgare. MEDITERRANEAN SEA LAVENDER. Perennial. Zone 4. Handsome, red-blushed, glossy foliage in spreading basal clumps. Multi-branching wiry stems topped by a profusion of pale purple blooms all summer. A seaside plant of the British Isles and throughout the Mediterranean. 12 inches tall.  Sun, well-drained soil, drought tolerant.

LINARIA

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Linaria alpina.  ALPINE LINARIA. Perennial. Zone 4. Europe. A delicate rockery species. Finely cut, thread-like grey-green foliage on wiry, rather lax, 6-inch long stems, topped by many tiny, bright violet-purple, snapdragon-like flowers with coppery-golden eyes. Blooms in early summer. Sun, average conditions.

LINUM ~ Flax

Family: Linaceae

Linum lewisii.  PRAIRIE FLAX. Perennial. Zone 3. North America. Clump forming sub-shrub native to a wide range of western North America, from Alaska to Mexico, including British Columbia and all of the prairie provinces. Slender stems reach 18 to 24 inches tall, and are lined with very fine, pointed, blue-green leaves, and topped by loose clusters of pointed buds which open into silken, 5-petalled, pale sky blue round flowers. Blooms for a long period in summer, with individual flowers lasting only a day or two but quickly followed by a continual succession. Interesting round seedpods.  Sun, average conditions. Drought tolerant once established. Good in rockery or on a slope.

LOBELIA

Family: Campanulaceae

Lobelia cardinalis. CARDINAL FLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. Eastern North American wildflower. Lush foliage rosettes send up 2 to 3 foot stalks stems lined with brilliant scarlet blooms in late summer. An absolute hummingbird magnet. For pond-side or woodland garden. Sun to part shade, good soil, likes moisture.

Lobelia fulgens x. ‘QUEEN VICTORIA’ CARDINAL FLOWER. Tender perennial. Zone 6-ish. Grow as an annual in Zone 5 and colder. Most years these don’t overwinter, though occasionally one survives. Showy hybrid of an Eastern wildflower. Brilliant scarlet blooms on spikes to 2 feet tall, in late summer well into autumn. Hummingbird flower deluxe! Deep red basal foliage. This one needs moist soil all summer. ‘Queen Victoria’ will bloom reliably its first year. Sun to part shade, good soil, likes moisture.

Lobelia siphilitica. GREAT BLUE LOBELIA ‘BLUE SELECTION’. Perennial. Zone 3. Elite German strain of the Eastern North American wildflower, chosen for consistently richer and darker blue colour – wild strains are variable.  The flower shape is similar to that of familiar bedding plant lobelia, but plant habit is very different. Clumps of glossy, silken-textured, lanceolate foliage send up thick stems to 18 inches or taller, surrounded by leaves alternating with quite large, violet-blue-touched-white flowers in late summer. This is one to perhaps grow beside your pond, as it is a moisture lover like its relative, the vivid scarlet Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis.) Sun to part shade, humus-rich soil, likes moisture.

LUPINUS ~ Lupines

Family: Fabaceae/Legominosae

Lupinus perennis. SUNDIAL LUPINE. Perennial. Zone 2. This is the wild lupine of Eastern North America, found in various subspecies throughout the continent. Clump former, with flower stalks to 24 inches or so, lined with showy pea-flowers in shades of dark to light blue-violet with contrasting white flashes. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Lupinus x.  RUSSELL LUPINE. Perennial. Zone 2. Classic 3 foot tall lupines which are stunning in the garden in early summer. Long, dense spires of brightly coloured ‘pea flowers’. Hybridized over a period of decades in the early 1900s by English gardener George Russell from our native North American lupines and a garden standard ever since. Lupines do very well in cool summer areas. Sun, average soil and moisture. Available in various mixtures, or these named varieties:

• ‘CHANDELIER’ – Soft yellow.
• ‘CHATELAINE’ – Soft pink and white.
• ‘MY CASTLE’ – Brick red.
• ‘THE GOVERNOR’ – Blue and white.
• ‘NOBLE MAIDEN’ – Creamy ivory.
• ‘SUNDOWN’ – Shades of dark carmine red.
• ‘THE PAGES’ – Cherry reds.

Lupinus x.  ‘GALLERY SERIES’ LUPINE. Perennial. Zone 2. Compact hybrids, to 2 feet or so. Classic lupine foliage and thick spikes of vibrantly coloured ‘pea flowers’ in summer. Wonderful in northern and cool summer areas. Colour strains are ‘WHITE’, ‘BLUE’, ‘RED’, ‘YELLOW’. ‘PINK’. Sun, average soil and moisture.

LUNARIA

Family: Cruciferae/Brassicaceae

Lunaria annua.  LUNARIA. Biennial. Zone 3. HONESTY, MONEYPLANT. An old-fashioned flower popular with the Victorians – a necessity in your ‘cottage garden’. Handsome, heart-shaped foliage in neat clumps the first year, in the second year generous clusters of bright violet-purple, 4-petalled flowers bloom in late spring. These are followed by big, round, light green seed pods which dry to beige and are used as a winter everlastings. Rub the pod covers off to show the silky-shiny silver ‘coins’. Self-sows, acts as a perennial. To 24 inches or taller.  Sun to light shade, average conditions.

LYCHNIS

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Lychnis alpina. ARCTIC CAMPION. Perennial. Zone 1. Bright pink flowers in rounded clusters top sturdy 12-inch stems in late spring. Tidy tufts of narrow foliage. Great rockery plant. Sun, average conditions.

Lychnis arkwrightii x. FLAME CAMPION ‘VESUVIUS’. Perennial. Zone 4. Large, bright red-orange blooms top 12 to 18 inch stems in summer. Deep maroon-bronze foliage. Unusual and very eye catching combination. Sun, average conditions.

Lychnis arkwrightii x. FLAME CAMPION ‘ORANGE DWARF’. Perennial. Zone 4. Vivid orange-red flowers on bronze-foliaged, 10 to 16 inch plants in summer. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Lychnis chalcedonica. MALTESE CROSS ‘BURNING LOVE’. Perennial. Zone 1. A dwarf (relatively speaking) variety of the classic scarlet Maltese Cross. Clumps of gently curved 12 to 18 inch stems topped in early summer with rounded heads of the brightest scarlet red blooms imaginable. Sun, average conditions.

Lychnis chalcedonica. MALTESE CROSS ‘DUSKY SALMON’. Perennial. Zone 2. ‘MORGENROTE’, ‘MORNING RED’. A lovely German variation of that classic cottage garden flower, the brilliant scarlet Maltese Cross. In this colour variation, large heads of pale, rosy-salmon-pink blooms change colour as they age to give a variegated effect to the bloom clusters. 24 to 30 inches tall. Nice border plant and cutflower. Blooms early summer, reblooms if cut back.  Sun, average conditions.

Lychnis chalcedonica. MALTESE CROSS ‘SCARLET’. Perennial. Zone 1. Northern Russia. Classic old-time garden flower. Strong clumps to 2 feet or taller. Sturdy stems topped by domed heads of brilliant scarlet, cross-like (though 5-petalled) flowers for a long period in summer. Reblooms if cut back.  Sun, average soil and moisture.

Lychnis coronaria. CERISE ROSE CAMPION. Biennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. MULLEIN PINK. An ancient ornamental treasured for centuries, definitely a must-grow cottage garden flower! In the first year the rosette forms, and the next year it expands into a bushy plant up to 3 feet tall, with many wiry stems starred by brilliant, round flowers in a most vivid, neon cerise-pink. Blooms endlessly summer through fall. Very fine down covers stems and folige, giving a silver appearance. (Another common name was DUSTY MILLER.) Self sows reliably – a completely trouble-free biennial. Sun, average conditions. Drought tolerant once established.

Lychnis coronaria. ROSE CAMPION ‘BLUSHING BRIDE’. Biennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. MULLEIN PINK. Silver foliage and, in this variation, large white flowers with rosy centres which deepen as the blooms age. A reliable self seeder. Sun, average conditions. Drought tolerant once established.

Lychnis coronaria ‘alba’. WHITE ROSE CAMPION. Biennial. Zone 2. Silver foliage and, in this variation, large, pure white flowers. Beautiful in the mixed border. A reliable self seeder. Sun, average conditions. Drought tolerant once established.

Lychnis flos-cuculi. RAGGED ROBIN. Perennial. Zone 4. Europe. A.k.a. CUCKOO-FLOWER. Low-growing rosettes produce many stems to 18 inches tall topped by pinky mauve, deeply laced and cut flowers, late May into June. Very appealing en masse as the slender stems dance in the wind. For rockery or border edge. Sun, average conditions.

Lychnis flos-jovis. FLOWER-OF-JOVE ‘PEGGY’. Biennial. Zone 4. European Alps. Flat-topped clusters of large, bright pink blooms with paler backs rise above very woolly, silver foliage in early summer. A lovely and charming flower, rarely seen in Canadian gardens. 12 to 18 inches tall. Sun, average conditions.

Lychnis x haageana. FLAME CAMPION ‘LUMINA BRONZE-LEAF RED’. Biennial. Zone 4. Dwarf 6 to 10 inch tall plants with deep purple-bronze foliage are starred with huge, orange-red flowers in early summer. Sun, average conditions.

Lychnis viscaria atropurpurea . GERMAN CATCHFLY. Biennial. Zone 3. Neat rosettes of narrow, deep green leaves send up 12 to 15 inch stems topped by loose sprays of magenta-purple blooms in May and June. Sun, average conditions. 

Lychnis viscaria alba ‘Schnee’. ‘SNOW’ GERMAN CATCHFLY. Biennial. Zone 4. Rounded heads of bright white flowers top stiff, 12 to 20 inch stems in May and June. Tidy clumps of grassy foliage. Sun to light shade, average conditions. 

Lychnis viscaria splendens ‘Feuer’. ‘FIRE’ GERMAN CATCHFLY. Biennial. Zone 4. Vivid, deep reddish-pink flowerheads top stiff 12 to 20 inch stems in May and June. Tidy clumps of grassy foliage. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Lychnis sibirica. SIBERIAN CATCHFLY. Biennial. Zone 4. Siberia, Mongolia, Russian Far East. Delicate little alpine from the Russian Steppes. Grassy foliage in low clumps. 4 to 10 inch stems topped by loose clusters of white to ivory flowers. Each bloom is made up of 5 heart-shaped petals, very pretty. Collector’s plant for the rockery. Sun, average conditions.

Lychnis yunnanensis. YUNNAN CATCHFLY. Biennial. Zone 4. SW China. Described as one of the best of the small Lychnis species by my seed source. Small clump former with short, lanceolate foliage rosettes which send up 6 to 9 inch tall stems topped by clusters of large, soft pink, 5-petalled blooms with contrasting white stamen clusters. Blooms late spring into summer. Sun, average conditions.

LYSIMACHIA

Family: Primulaceae

Lysimachia ciliata ‘purpurea’. ‘FIRECRACKER’ LYSIMACHIA. Perennial. Zone 3. Rounded, burgundy-purple-brown foliage in basal clumps and on stems to 3 feet tall with many bright yellow starflowers in the leaf axils late spring into summer. Interesting colour contrast, very attractive. Spreads by shallowly-rooted underground runners which can be easily pulled back each spring to restrain its spread. Sun to part shade, good soil and summer moisture.

Lysimachia clethroides. GOOSENECK LYSIMACHIA. Perennial. Zone 4. Pure white, elongated flower spikes which swoop at the tips just like its namesake are produced on 2 to 3 foot stems in summer. Forms a large clump quickly. Great cutflowers. Sun to part shade, average soil, likes moisture.

Lysimachia nummularia. CREEPING JENNY, PENNIES-FROM-HEAVEN. Perennial. Zone 2. Creeping plant which spreads by rooting stems. Round, light green leaves and many bright yellow blooms in the leaf axils all summer. Can be used in hanging baskets or as an ‘under-filler’ in the perennial border. There is also an attractive golden-leaved form, Lysimachia nummularia ‘aurea’. Sun to part shade, average soil and moisture.

Lysimachia punctata. YELLOW STARFLOWER LYSIMACHIA. Perennial. Zone 2. DOTTED LOOSESTRIFE. Bright yellow, star-shaped flowers in the leaf axils of the many 2 foot stems. Blooms late spring into summer. Light green, finely downy foliage. Spreads by creeping rootstalks to make a dense colony. Sun to part shade, average soil and moisture.

MACLEAYA

Family: Papaveraceae

Macleaya cordata. PLUME POPPY. Perennial. Zone 3.  A supremely dramatic foliage plant, and a huge one for border back or a bed by itself. Large, grey-green, roundly-lobed leaves have contrasting white undersides. Long plumes of tiny, feathery, creamy-beige flowers are produced in summer. These age to a warm bronze-red and last well into autumn. Vigorous growth to 8 feet tall or more. Makes a large clump, and spreads by shallow underground runners. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

MALVA ~ Mallows

Family: Malvaceae

Malva moschata ‘rosea’. MUSKMALLOW ‘APPLEBLOSSOM’.  Perennial. Zone 2. Long-blooming mallow which makes a strong clump of deeply cut foliage, and sends up wiry stems to 2 feet or so topped by clusters of pale pink blooms which look like mini-hibiscus. Charming in the garden, and an excellent cutflower. Bees love all of the mallows, so there is always lots of action on this stalwart plant over its very long bloom time, all summer and well into fall, until the hardest killing frost. Self sows mildly but easy to keep in check. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Malva moschata ‘rosea’. MUSKMALLOW ‘ROSE PERFECTION’. Perennial. Zone 2. A charming if slightly rambunctious old-time garden flower, valuable for its long season of bloom. Branching clumps to 4 feet tall. Sturdy stems are lined with deeply cut foliage, and a profuse display of clusters of showy, rosy-mauve mallow-flowers summer into fall. Individuals are relatively short-lived, 3 or 4 years in most cases, though some seem to go on forever, but they self-seed reliably so you will always have them popping up here and there in the garden. Easy to weed out where not wanted, so not generally a problem plant. A nice trouble-free selection for the novice perennial gardener. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Malva moschata ‘alba’. MUSKMALLOW ‘WHITE PERFECTION’. Perennial. Zone 2. A slightly more restrained variation of the rosy-mauve muskmallow. ‘White Perfection’ produces abundant clusters of showy, pure white, rosy-stamened mallow-flowers from summer into fall. Branching clumps to 3 feet tall. Deeply cut foliage. Very pretty. Not as reliable a self-seeder as it’s pink sister, but they do occasionally appear, and (it seems) always in the perfect place. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

MARRUBIUM

Family: Lamiaceae

Marrubium vulgare. HOREHOUND. Perennial. Zone 4. This wooly-leaved, silvery-white herb is quite ornamental. A tidy clump former. Crinkly, rounded leaves surround 12 to 18 inch stems, which are topped by whorls of small white flowers in summer. Very long history of use as a medicinal, back to ancient Egyptian times, when it was called ‘Seed of Horus’ (Horus being the sun god). Aromatic foliage has a bitter taste. Horehound was mixed with honey in colonial times to make horehound syrup and candies to soothe sore throats. Since scientifically proven to be a powerful anti-viral. Sun, drought tolerant.

MARSHALLIA

Family: Asteraceae/Compositae

Marshallia caespitosa. BARBARA’S BUTTONS. Perennial. Zone 4. Eastern North America. A.k.a. HONEY-BLOOM, PUFFBALLS. With common names like this, how could I possibly resist?! Neat clumps of rather grass-like foliage send up graceful 12 to 18 inch stems topped by cornflower-like, white to palest pink, sweetly honey-scented, “puffball” blooms in early summer. Nice at back of rockery or front of perennial border. Wonderful bee and butterfly flower. Sun, average conditions.

MENTZELIA

Family: Loasaceae

Mentzelia decapetala. EVENING STAR. Annual, Biennial or Short-Lived Perennial. Zone 3. North America. Fantastic dry-region wildflower for the rockery or in a xeriscape planting on a slope. Multi-branching, sparsely-leafed stems to 18 inches tall produce many large buds which open into gorgeous, silken, pale yellow, sweetly scented, star-shaped blooms. Each bloom lasts only a day or so, but is quickly followed by others. Blooms late spring into summer. Sun, well-drained soil. Drought tolerant.

MERTENSIA

Family: Boraginaceae

Mertensia sibirica. SIBERIAN BLUEBELLS. Perennial. Zone 3. Smooth, pale blue-green foliage emerges in early spring, followed by graceful stems topped with loose clusters of pink-turning-bright-blue bell flowers in May. 12 to 16 inches tall and wide. Less ephemeral than its more common relative, Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Siberian Bluebells will generally also go dormant by late summer, so mark their site and look for them again in early spring. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

Mertensia virginica. VIRGINIA BLUEBELLS. Perennial. Zone 3. Eastern North America. This beautiful spring-blooming woodland garden plant is absolutely exquisite. It forms erect clumps of soft, blue-green leaves and multiple bloom stalks 12 to 16 inches tall. Numerous clusters of bright pink flower buds open into frilled, bright blue trumpet flowers in May. The plant, despite its vigorous spring growth, is ephemeral in nature, and will start to die back after blooming, disappearing completely by mid-summer. Don’t panic! It will show up again next year. Hostas are grand companions to Mertensia, liking the same growing conditions and spreading out into full summer size just as the Virginia Bluebells are retiring for their summer rest. Light to full shade, humus-rich soil, appreciates evenly moist soil.

MIMULUS ~ Monkeyflowers

Family: Phrymaceae, formerly Scrophulariaceae

Mimulus guttatus. YELLOW MONKEY FLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. North America. Many cheerful, inch-wide, bright yellow blooms with red freckles and blotches in their throats. Long flowering period in spring and summer. Lush, light green foliage. 12 inches or a bit more in height and spread. Good bee plant. Moisture lover, great for pondside, can grow with roots in water. Sun to part shade, humus-rich soil, likes moisture.

Mimulus lewisii. ROSY MONKEY FLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. North America. Deep pink blooms with glowing yellow centres, marked with burgundy freckles in the flower throats. 12 to 24 inches tall. Has a long bloom time in summer. Hummingbirds love this one. Moist to wet soil, sun to part shade.

MONARDA ~ Bee Balms

Family: Labiatae

Monarda bradburiana. EASTERN BEE BALM. Perennial. Zone 4. Native to southeastern North America, from Texas to Iowa. Similar to our British Columbian native Monarda fistulosa, but shorter and more compact, with clumps reaching 1 to 2 feet tall, and 2 feet or so in width. One of the earliest blooming of the Monardas, opening its whorled, palest purple flowerheads in June. Purple bracts surround the flowerheads, and individual blooms are marked with a profusion of dark purple freckles. The whole plant is aromatically scented wih a warmly resinous fragrance. Very attractive to butterflies and various pollinators. Deer resistant. Sun to light shade, average conditions, quite drought tolerant.

Monarda didyma x. BEE BALM ‘BLUE STOCKING’. Perennial. Zone 2. In German, ‘BLAUSTRUMPF’. An excellent, bright violet-blue Monarda cultivar, introduced by the German nursery Kayser and Siebert in 1955. Blooms and blooms through July and August. Warmly fragrant foliage. 2 to 3 feet tall, healthy and vigorous. Bees and hummingbirds love it. Sun to part shade, good soil, likes summer moisture. Divide and enrich soil every few years as it is a heavy feeder.

Monarda didyma x. BEE BALM ‘PRAIRIE NIGHT’. Perennial. Zone 2. In German, ‘PRAIRIENACHT’. Another nice German Monarda from Kayser and Siebert, 1955.  Whorls of violet-purple flowers in summer, fragrant foliage. 2 to 3 feet tall. Attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Sun to part shade, good soil, likes summer moisture. Divide and enrich soil every few years as it is a heavy feeder.

Monarda didyma. BEE BALM ‘JACOB CLINE’. Perennial. Zone 2. Hummingbirds flock to this vibrant scarlet beauty during long bloom time, July into early fall. Whorls of tubular flowers with protruding stamens and red-flushed bracts top and surround square stems, giving a ‘pagoda’ effect. Strong clumps to 3 feet or taller. Deep green, heart-shaped, very aromatic, mildew-resistant foliage. There is a bit of a story behind this particular cultivar. Apparently it was discovered growing wild in a population of wild Monarda didyma along Georgia’s Blue Ridge Parkway by garden designer Jean Kline. Recognizing its outstanding merit, Jean collected it and grew it in his garden, eventually naming it after his son Jacob upon release into the nursery trade. Sun to part shade, good soil, likes summer moisture. Divide and enrich soil every few years as it is a heavy feeder.

Monarda didyma. BEE BALM ‘MARSHALL’S DELIGHT’. Perennial. Zone 2. Bright pink flowers on sturdy, compact plants to 2 feet tall. These bloom for a long periods in summer, to the delight of foraging insects and hummingbirds. Wonderfully aromatic in all its parts. This cultivar was introduced by Henry Marshall of the famed Morden Research Centre in Manitoba.  Sun to part shade, good soil, likes summer moisture. Divide and enrich soil every few years as it is a heavy feeder.

Monarda didyma. BEE BALM ‘RASPBERRY WINE’. Perennial. Zone 2. Beautiful beebalm. Vigorous and healthy plants reach 36 inches in height, and bloom for a long period in summer. Tiers of deep, rich raspberry red flowers with red-flushed basal bracts attract hummingbirds. The whole plant is very aromatic. One of the best. Sun to part shade, good soil, likes summer moisture. Divide and enrich soil every few years as it is a heavy feeder.

Monarda didyma x. BEE BALM ‘SNOW WHITE’. Perennial. Zone 2. This pretty white-flowered cultivar was introduced in 1955, and is thought to have a complex pedigree including both our native M. fistulosa and the south-eastern white-flowering M. clinopodia. Not as tall or rambunctious as the “coloured” bee balms, but very charming. Fragrant in all of its parts. 2 feet tall. Sun to part shade, good soil, likes summer moisture. Divide and enrich soil every few years as it is a heavy feeder.

Monarda didyma x.  ‘PANORAMA’ BEE BALM. Perennial. Zone 2. This excellent seed strain with Monarda didyma parentage produces vigorous plants with deliciously fragrant foliage. Many stems to 18 inches or taller are topped by whorls of hooded blooms in shades of pink, purple, lilac and red, arranged in a tiered, “pagoda” style. Hummingbirds flock to this very pretty plant, as do numerous insect pollinators. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture. Divide and enrich soil every few years as it is a heavy feeder.

Monarda fistulosa. LILAC BEE BALM. Perennial. Zone 2. North America, including the Cariboo region of B.C. A.k.a. HORSEMINT, WILD BERGAMOT. This is a widely variable species native to prairie and foothills ecosystems. It grows wild in our area on dry hillsides throughout the Fraser River corridor as far north as Marguerite. Whorled clusters of pale lilac-purple “dragon’s head” blooms in summer. Strongly aromatic foliage was used by native peoples in cooking and medicine. 18 to 24 inches tall. A handsome plant in the garden, which has been used in hybridization with M. didyma and other species to add colour variation and disease resistance. Sun, average conditions. Quite drought tolerant once established.

MUKDENIA

Syn. ACERIPHYLLUM

Family: Saxifragaceae

Mukdenia rossii. MUKDENIA. Perennial. Zone 3. Manchuria, Korea, China. Syn. Aceriphyllum rossii. I have never seen a common name for this lovely plant, so you’ll have to put up with the arcane “Mukdenia” when friends ask for an introduction. I look forward each spring to seeing this lovely little plant emerge. In earliest spring, bloom stalks appear pushing through last year’s fallen leaves. Small pink-tinted white bells open, and as the flower stalks elongate, silky-textured, maple-like, bronze-green leaves start to emerge and unfold. The only word to describe it is “elegant”. Quite rare in gardens; should be grown much more often. Foliage looks lovely all season, turning deep bronze-red in autumn. To 12 inches tall, and somewhat wider once established. The straight species is wonderful, as is a dark-red-blushed cultivar named ‘CRIMSON FANS’. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

MYRRHIS

Family: Apiaceae/Umbelliferae

Myrrhis odorata. SWEET CICELY. Perennial. Zone 3. Europe. A highly ornamental herb which is lovely in the shady border. Soft-textured, fern-like foliage in beautiful 2 foot tall and wide clumps. Lacy umbels of delicate white flowers in late spring and early summer, followed by clusters of attractive black seed heads. The whole plant is strongly anise-scented, and is very sweet to the taste. It was once much used in cookery, and in herbal medicine. Foliage sometimes yellows as summer approaches, but if cropped back severely will regrow fresh leaves and look good until autumn. Self sows enthusiastically where happy. Sun to shade, good soil, prefers summer moisture.

NEPETA ~ Cat Mints

Family: Labiatae

Nepeta cataria. CATNIP. Perennial. Zone 3. The real thing – just ask your kitty! Vigorous clumps to 2 feet or taller. Pebbly-textured, heart-shaped foliage, with pale purple flower spikes in summer. Snip before bloom and hang to dry for use as a winter tonic for your cat, or a soothing tea for yourself. Chiltern Seeds in England has a note in their catalogue claiming that catnip is one of the best mosquito repellants known. Something to keep in mind; might be worth a try. A prolific self seeder, but seedlings are easy to pull out where not wanted. Sun to shade, average to moist soils.

Nepeta cataria ssp. citriodora. LEMON CATNIP. Perennial. Zone 3. A rare and interesting variation of common catnip which has a pronounced lemon aroma. Very nice for teas. Definitely not as attractive to cats, who are generally put off by citrus fragrances. A vigorous clump former to 2 feet. Short spikes of tiny pale purple flowers in summer. Sun to shade, average to moist soils.

Nepeta x faassenii. CAT MINT ‘DROPMORE BLUE’. Perennial. Zone 3. A vintage Canadian cultivar, hybridized by Frank Skinner in Manitoba in 1932, and treasured in northern gardens ever since. Tidy clumps of very attractive, pebbly textured, aromatic foliage send up many arching stems to 18 inches tall covered with light purple flowers in June and July. Excellent edger and companion plant. Clip back after flowering to produce a fresh crop of the attractive leaves and maybe a few more bloom sprays in late summer. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Nepeta kubanica. KUBAN CATMINT. Perennial. Zone 4. Russian Caucasus. Named after its native habitat in the region of Russia’s Kuban River. A lush clump former to 18 inches tall and wide, with many prominent spikes of rich violet blue dragon’s-head flowers arranged in dense whorls. One of the most showy of the Nepeta family, with a long bloom time in mid summer. Beloved by bees and butterflies. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Nepeta nervosa. ‘BLUE MOON’ CATMINT. Perennial. Zone 4. Fat spikes of intense blue-violet dragon’s-head  flowers arise from spreading mounds of bright green foliage. Long bloom time in mid-summer. 12 to 18 inches tall. A gently spreading clump former. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Nepeta nuda. SMOOTH CATMINT. Perennial. Zone 3. Greece, Persian Gulf region. A clump-forming, very upright catmint, with elongated, heart-shaped basal foliage and slender multi-branched stems to 3 feet tall, lined with small, pale purple dragon’s-head flowers for a long bloom time, July to September. A graceful and quietly attractive upright accent plant for the mixed border. All parts aromatic. Bee plant. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Nepeta parnassica. GREEK CATMINT.  Perennial. Zone 4. Greece, Albania. Syn. N. laconicea, N. sibthorpii ssp. parnassica. This is a rather leggy tall Catmint, useful for backgrounding in the mixed border but a bit too variable to be used as a feature plant. Loose clumps to 3 feet tall, with whorls of light purple blooms starting in high summer and continuing into autumn. Pebbly textured, aromatic foliage. Very attractive to pollinators of all sorts. As with many of the Nepeta genus, this plant contains essential oils being studied for efficacy in repelling mosquitoes. First year blooming. Deer resistant. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Nepeta racemosa. ‘FELIX’ CATMINT.  Perennial. Zone 3. The Caucasus, Northern Iran, Iraq and Turkey. Syn. N. mussinii. Clumps of pebbly textured, grey-green, aromatic foliage send up many arching stems to 12 inches tall which produce an endless succession of whorls of dark purple dragonshead flowers in June and July. Very attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Excellent edger and companion plant. Clip back after flowering for rebloom in late summer. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Nepeta subsessilis. JAPANESE CATMINT. Perennial. Zone 4. An interesting catmint from Japan, boasting the largest flowers of this prolific (and floriferous) genus. Loosely mounding to 2 feet tall. Many leafy stems are topped by elongated sprays of soft purple-blue, inch-long blooms in July and August. Very attractive to bees and butterflies. The blooms themselves reward closer inspection; they are intricately detailed and the lower lips are profusely freckled. Heart-shaped foliage is wrinkled and aromatic. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Nepeta transcaucasica.  CATMINT ‘BLUE INFINITY’. Perennial. Zone 2. Caucasus region, Turkey. This high performing ornamental catnip is in bloom from spring through autumn if spent spikes are occasionally clipped off.  New spring foliage is beautifully purple tinted. Whole plant is warmly aromatic when touched. This one gets quite leggy by midsummer and tends to flop untidily about, so when it gets messy I crop it back to a foot or so, and it re-sprouts to give a steady display of purple flowers all through autumn until the hardest frosts. 3 to 4 feet tall, multi-branching. Not a feature plant, but nice as a filler. Like its cousin Catnip (Nepeta cataria), ‘Blue Infinity’ self seeds with carefree abandon, but babies are easily identified and are easy to either transplant or weed out. Sun to part shade, average soil and moisture. Deer resistant.

OENOTHERA ~ Evening Primroses, Sundrops

Family: Onograceae

Oenothera biennis. EVENING PRIMROSE. Biennial. Zone 3. The Evening Primroses are native to North and South America, and immediately caught the attention of European botanist-explorers. This species was the first of its popular genus introduced to Europe in the 1600s. Smooth, deep green foliage rosettes send up stems to 2 feet tall topped by loosely arranged whorls of elongated buds which open into large, pale lemon yellow, beautifully fragrant flowers every evening, July through September. The blooms collapse into limp rags by morning, and look uttery pathetic in the daytime, but each evening brings a renewal of the fragrant show, much to the approval of night-foraging moths. Seeds of this species are used to express Evening Primrose Oil, a staple of herbal medicine. Sun to part shade, average soil and moisture.

Oenothera caespitosa. GUMBO LILY. Perennial. Zone 3. TUFTED EVENING PRIMROSE. A night blooming species. Rosettes of rather ho-hum, rather dandelion-like grey-green leaves spread over the ground, and the long buds emerge from the centre, with the lovely flowers nesting on top. Large, fragrant, bright white flowers fade to blush pink as they age. Low growing, to 6 inches or so. Native habitat is sun-baked clay, hence common name. Full sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Oenothera fruticosa ‘youngii’. SUNDROPS. Perennial. Zone 4. Day-blooming species which forms a small bushy plant with many wiry stems lined with red-flushed, smooth-textured foliage. Large, round, bright yellow blooms are produced June through August. Sadly, not fragrant as so many of its night-blooming relatives are. An attractive, well-behaved, mixed border plant which contrasts well with any neighbours. To 18 inches tall or so. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Oenothera glazoviana.  ‘MAGIC POP TOP’ EVENING PRIMROSE. Biennial. Zone 4. 3 to 4 foot tall stems arise from the tidy foliage clumps of the previous year, topped by whorls of pointed buds. In the evening, as twilight falls, a ring of buds will very quickly open as you watch – 1 or 2 minutes from start to finish. Pure garden magic – blooms are huge, 4-inch wide saucers, pale lemon yellow and divinely scented. Sphinx moths adore these. By morning the blooms are finished and hang like tattered rags, but – no worries! – the display repeats itself every evening for 6 weeks in summer. Full sun, average conditions. (Looks rather ho-hum in daytime, so site accordingly.)

Oenothera minima. MINIATURE SUNDROPS. Perennial. Zone 3. Southern United States, Central America, Northern South America. The only word for this petite little member of the Evening Primrose family is “cute”. Miniature in all of its parts, and would be perfectly at home in a doll’s house garden. Neatly rounded clumps of delicate, bright green foliage and numerous clusters of small, lemon-yellow primrose-like blooms in summer. To 4 inches tall, 12 inches wide. A day-blooming variety. Perfect for the rockery or as an edging plant. Sweet! Sun, average conditions.

Oenothera missouriensis syn. macrocarpa.  OZARK SUNDROPS. Perennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. MISSOURI EVENING PRIMROSE. This one has unbelievably large blooms – when I first heard them described as “teacup-sized” I didn’t believe it, but when I saw it in bloom I immediately understood. Smallish teacups, mind you, but definitely gives that effect! Sensational for a rock garden or a raised bed in sun. Smooth, satin-textured, lanceolate foliage on sprawling 12-inch long stems. Large buds burst open into huge (up to 5 inches in diameter), pale yellow, tissue-fine, delicately scented blooms followed by unique winged seedpods. Full sun, good drainage, drought tolerant.

Oenothera odorata. FRAGRANT EVE PRIMROSE ‘LEMON SUNSET’. Not-quite-hardy perennial. Zone 4/5. Blooms early and acts as an annual. Very large, very fragrant, palest yellow saucers open in evening and persist through morning. Clump former to 2 feet tall. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Oenothera pallida. PALE EVENING PRIMROSE ‘INNOCENCE’. Perennial. Zone 4/5. Branching stems to 12 inches or so are topped by many large, wide-open, white-blushed-pink, fragrant flowers in summer. Vespertine – evening blooming. Can be treated as an annual. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Oenothera speciosa. SHOWY PINK EVENING PRIMROSE. Tender perennial. Zone 5. Day-blooming show-stopper with lovely, large, pink-striated blooms summer into fall. Vigorous spreader which smothers itself in bloom and just won’t quit. Doesn’t usually overwinter here, which might be a good thing considering its vigourous habits. Blooms like an annual and sometimes self-sows. Plant where it can cascade and spread without gobbling up more delicate plants. Sun, average conditions.

Oenothera tetragona. GOLDEN SUNDROPS. Perennial. Zone 4. Day-blooming Evening Primrose. Many wide-open, bright yellow flowers in loose clusters top 12 to 18 inch stems in late spring, early summer. Foliage has nice red fall colour. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

OSMUNDA

Family: Osmundaceae

Osmunda regalis. ROYAL FERN. Perennial. Zone 3. North America, Europe, North Asia, North Africa. Handsome fern which is also known as the “Flowering Fern” due to its prominent spore fronds. Long, broad fronds have large apple-green leaflets which stay fresh-looking all season, turning bright yellow in autumn. Clump forming, to 3 feet tall or so. A forest fern which is happiest in some shade. Dappled sunlight to shade, average soil and moisture, tolerates wet soil very well.

PAEONIA ~ Peonies

Family: Paeoniaceae

Paeonia lactiflora. ‘BOWL OF BEAUTY’ PEONY. Perennial. Zone 2. Bred by Aart Hoogendorn of the Netherlands and released in 1949, this is one of the best-known “Japanese-type” garden peonies, with very showy single to double outer petals and prominent central staminoid clusters. “Bowl of Beauty” has rich pink, semi-double outer petals, and the central staminoids are creamy yellow. To 3 feet tall and wide at maturity, and a generous bloomer in June. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Paeonia lactiflora. ‘CORAL SUNSET’ PEONY. Perennial. Zone 2. Bred by Samuel Wissing and Carl Klehm of Lambard, Illinois, and released in 1981. American Peony Society Gold Medal winner in 2003. An early peony, starting the season off in late May-early June. Lightly fragrant, double “lotus form” flowers open a warm salmon pink with creamy petal shading. Golden central stamens, light green sepals. A strong and floriferous cultivar. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Paeonia lactiflora. ‘KANSAS’ PEONY. Perennial. Zone 2. Introduced by Kansas peony breeder Myron Bigger in 1940. Multiple award winner. Very large, double, deep watermelon-pink blooms on strong stems in June. Nicely fragrant. Vigorous grower, reaches 3 feet in height and width. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Paeonia lactiflora. ‘LADY ALEXANDRA DUFF’ PEONY. Perennial. Zone 2. A charming antique cultivar, introduced in 1902 by Kelway. Very large double blooms with pale rose pink outer petals changing to creamy pink in centres, with a rich yellow stamen cluster. Good sweet fragrance. A prolific bloomer in late June, this one benefits from a peony ring or some form of support as it gets very top heavy, with many side buds produced to extend the flowering season. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Paeonia lactiflora. ‘MONSIER JULES ELIE’ PEONY. Perennial. Zone 2. This antique cultivar, introduced by French peony specialist Felix Crousse in 1888, remains a reliable and popular variety for those of us in colder climates. Large plants are healthy and very floriferous, with immense, very double, fragrant, silvery rose-pink blooms. These are among the earliest to open, in late June and early July. This plant’s one fault – common to many of the older super-double peonies – is that the flowers are so heavy that they weigh the stems down, and a rainfall during bloomtime causes birdsnesting of the whole plant. The solution is to use a peony ring, put in place well before the buds open. ‘Monsieur Jules Elie’ is an excellent cutflower; it was in fact apparently developed with that purpose in mind. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Paeonia lactiflora. ‘MOON OF NIPPON’ PEONY. Perennial. Zone 2. Gorgeous “anemone-flowered” peony bred by Edward Auten and released in 1936. Huge blooms consist of pure white basal petals and a large central boss of soft golden-yellow stamenoides. Very strong and sturdy, but support is a good idea in case of summer rainshowers weighing down the blooms. Softly fragrant. To 36 inches tall, blooms in July. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Paeonia lactiflora. ‘MOTHER’S CHOICE’ PEONY. Perennial. Zone 2. This beautiful older double was hybridized by Lyman Glasscock, and introduced in 1950. Flowers are huge, very double, creamy white, sometimes with a fine red petal edge. Fragrant. A very vigorous cultivar with many blooms. To 36 inches tall. Definitely needs support in bloom, so make sure you are ready with a peony ring (or other supports) well before the fat buds begin to open in July. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Paeonia lactiflora. ‘NIPPON BEAUTY’ PEONY. Perennial. Zone 2.  A gorgeous garnet-red Japanese-form peony bred by the dedicated horticulturalist Edward Auten, Jr. of Princeville, Illinois and released in 1927. Silken outer petals are set off by a crowded cluster of central petaloides, deep red tipped with gold. A very generous bloomer, winding up the end of the peony season in the garden. Lightly fragrant. Seed pods are attractively flushed red-brown. To 36 inches tall. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Paeonia lactiflora. ‘RASPBERRY SUNDAE’ PEONY. Perennial. Zone 2. This lavish beauty is from famed American peony breeder Carl Klehm, released in 1968. This is a bomb form peony, with a very double centre resting on broad guard petals. Basal petals are soft pink, interior bomb has a ring of butter-yellow petaloides, with a crowded central cluster of creamy raspberry pink. Fragrant. To 36 inches tall. Blooms mid-July. Heavy blooms need support; ring the plant before buds open. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Paeonia lactiflora. ‘SOLANGE’ PEONY. Perennial. Zone 2. Victor Lemoine, France, 1907. This heritage peony has been prized for over a century for its beautiful, fully double blooms of delicious palest salmon pink with creamy buff shading. Late blooming, rounds off the peony season in late June. Light fragrance, described by some as “delicious” and others as “unpleasant”, so you will have to make up your own mind on this one. Rather untidy in habit – it gets tall and floppy so strong support well before bloom time is essential. To 3 feet or more. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Paeonia lactiflora. ‘SWORD DANCE’ PEONY. Perennial. Zone 2. From American peony breeder Edward Auten, released in 1933. Japanese-type peony has vivid, dark red outer petals, and huge central petaloide clusters of a warm butter yellow flushed with dark red highlights. Green carpels at centre add an interesting touch. Blooms at the end of the peony season in July, very tolerant to hot summer weather. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Paeonia officinalis x lactiflora. ‘BUCKEYE BELLE’ PEONY. Perennial. Zone 2. Much sought after, multiple award winning, 1956 cultivar, bred by American Walter Mains. Early blooming, compact plants to 24 inches or so. Flowers are large, cup-shaped, semi-double, and a deep, dark, glossy black cherry color, with large, soft yellow stamens interspersed with the center petals. A very special peony, which starts the season with its bloom in early June. Very faintly fragrant. And here’s a bit of plant trivia for you. The name of this gorgeous peony comes from Mains’ home state, Ohio, nicknamed the “Buckeye State” due to the prevalence of a native horse chestnut, Aesculus glabra, also called Ohio Buckeye. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Paeonia officinalis ‘rosea plena’. DOUBLE ROSE PEONY. Perennial. Zone 3. This is the old-fashioned garden peony originally brought to Europe from China in the 1500s. Recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society “Award of Garden Merit”. Big double blooms of a warm rosy pink bloom early in the peony season. Rather loose plants are 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Support is recommended – these are heavy-headed in full bloom. Sun, good soil and moisture.

PAPAVER ~ Poppies

Family: Papaveraceae

Papaver bracteatum. GREAT RED POPPY. Perennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. IRANIAN POPPY. This is the largest of all the poppies; mature clumps can reach 4 feet in height and width. In habit and appearance it is identical to common Oriental Poppies (P. orientale), of which it is a parent species.  Clumps of deeply cut, dark green, roughly hairy foliage. Sturdy stems topped by massive buds explode into darkest scarlet blooms with black central blotches and prominent black stamen clusters. Blooms for a short but glorious few weeks in late June and early July. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Papaver nudicaule. ICELAND POPPY. Biennial or short-lived Perennial. Zone 1. Clumps of attractive blue-green foliage, stems to 12 inches and taller topped by wonderful poppies with petals like crumpled silk in myriad shades of orange, scarlet, cream, white, yellow, peach, rose, all centered with glowing soft yellow clusters of pollen-dusted stamens. Generously blooms spring to early summer. There are many strains, all well worth growing. This poppy self sows where happy, and never looks out of place. Sun, average conditions.

Papaver orientale. ORIENTAL POPPY ‘ALLEGRO’. Perennial. Zone 2.  A compactly sturdy Oriental Poppy which makes tidy clumps, with bloom stalks only 12 to 18 inches tall, topped by large, bright scarlet, black-stamened poppies in June and early July. Full sun, good soil and moisture.

Papaver orientale. ORIENTAL POPPY ‘BRILLIANT’.  Perennial. Zone 2.  Classic perennial garden flower; hardy and reliable almost everywhere. Big, bright scarlet-red blooms with black blotches and stamens in June and July. Lush clumps of large, hairy foliage which sometimes dies back and goes dormant after bloom. 2 to 3 feet tall. Full sun, good soil and moisture.

Papaver orientale. ORIENTAL POPPY ‘HARVEST MOON’. Perennial. Zone 2. In a tribe of seriously eye-catching members, ‘Harvest Moon’ shines extra brightly. Huge, semi-double flowers are a vivid golden-orange without basal blotches – unusual in the genus. It blooms prolifically on 3 to 4 foot tall stems for a too-short but glorious few weeks in June and early July. After flowering the bristly, deeply cut foliage starts to die down, and the plant goes dormant for a month or so, before sending up fresh foliage to hold its spot in the border in late summer and fall. Full sun, good soil and moisture.

Papaver orientale ‘flore pleno’. ORIENTAL POPPY ‘MAY QUEEN’.  Perennial. Zone 2.  Large, light scarlet-orange, unmarked double blooms have quilled petal edges. Contrasting black stamen clusters. Very showy. To 36 inches tall and wide. Blooms in early summer. Full sun, good soil and moisture.

Papaver orientale. ORIENTAL POPPY ‘PIZZICATO’. Perennial. Zone 2. Most oriental poppies are huge plants, and as such are sometimes hard to place in the smaller garden, but there are dwarf strains as well, and this is one of the best. ‘Pizzicato’ is a very hardy, very floriferous mix which produces sturdy, dwarf plants with large, black-eyed dark red, coral, peach, crimson and scarlet-orange blooms in June. 12 to 18 inches tall and wide.  Full sun, good soil and moisture.

Papaver orientale. ORIENTAL POPPY ‘PRINCESS VICTORIA LOUISE’. Perennial. Zone 2. Huge, glowing, coral pink blooms with deep raspberry blotches and black stamens arise from decorative clumps of large, hairy foliage in June and early July. Foliage often dies back and goes dormant after bloom, so have a few annuals planted nearby to cover for it during resting phase. New leaves sprout in early fall. Oriental poppies are classic perennial garden flowers, and the pinks are even more special than the old-fashioned scarlets. To 36 inches tall and wide. Full sun, good soil and moisture.

Papaver orientale. ORIENTAL POPPY ‘QUEEN ALEXANDRA’. Perennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. ‘KÖNIGIN ALEXANDRA’, ‘CARNEUM’. Immense, soft flamingo-pink blooms with purple-black central blotches and stamen clusters. Blooms for a few spectacular weeks in early summer. Lush, ferny foliage often dies back after blooming, so keep in mind when siting, and companion it with a neighbour to cover up the spot once it goes bare. Large annuals such as Nicotiana work well, as does a perennial such as Gypsophila paniculata (baby’s breath) which will “fluff out” to screen the poppy’s decadent decline. New leaves sprout in early fall. 24 to 30 inches tall and wide. Full sun, good soil and moisture.

Papaver orientale. ORIENTAL POPPY ‘ROYAL WEDDING’. Perennial. Zone 2. Lush, bristly, ferny foliage in sturdy basal clumps. Many stout bud stems appear in June, with plump buds bursting forth into immense pure white poppy flowers with contrasting inky-black centre blotches and stamen clusters. 24 to 36 inches tall and wide. Full sun, good soil and moisture.

Papaver tauricola. ORANGE TURKISH POPPY. Perennial. Zone 3. Finely divided foliage in clumps send up many delicate stems topped by apricot-orange poppies for a long period in summer. Very attractive poppy for rockery or border front. 12 inches or so. Full sun, average conditions, good drainage.

PENSTEMON ~ Beardtongues

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Penstemon barbatus. ‘IRON MAIDEN’ PENSTEMON. Perennial. Zone 4. Tall and willowy clump former, 24 to 36 inches tall. Base-branching stems are lined top to bottom with long, tubular, bright scarlet blooms in mid-summer. Delicate and airy in appearance but very eye-catching in bloom. Hummingbird favourite. Nice with lower growing plants, well-behaved. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant once established.

Penstemon calycosus. CALICO PENSTEMON. Perennial. Zone 4. Eastern North America. A well-behaved clump former to 2 feet tall or so. Glossy, finely saw-toothed basal foliage is attractive spring till winter freeze-up. Slender bloom stems are topped by racemes of small, snapdragon-like, pale violet flowers in June. A great butterfly flower. Sun to part shade, average conditions, very adaptable.

Penstemon digitalis.‘MYSTICA’ PENSTEMON. Perennial. Zone 4. Rember ‘Husker’s Red’? Well this is a better seed-strain of the same species, hardier, better-coloured, and generally more reliable. Rich red-flushed foliage in spring which fades to mostly green by midsummer. 24-inch stems are topped by clusters of lavender-flushed white flowers late spring into summer. Sun to light shade, average conditions, drought tolerant once established.

Penstemon hirsutus. EASTERN PENSTEMON. Perennial. Zone 3. North America. In Canada, from Ontario eastward. An attractive North American wildflower which has moved elegantly into our gardens worldwide. 18 to 30 inches tall. Stems are lined red-blushed, silky-textured foliage and topped by racemes of many long, pale purple, tubular flowers. A great hummingbird favourite. Long season of bloom late spring into summer. Pictures tend not to do justice to the attractiveness of the Penstemons as a genus; there is a certain silken sheen to the buds and small but profuse blooms which draws the eye. Sun, average conditions.

Penstemon mensarum. GRAND MESA PENSTEMON. Perennial. Zone 4. North America. Compact clumps of glossy, elongated foliage to a foot or so across. 18 to 24-inch tall flower spikes lined with tiered clusters of showy, cobalt-blue, dragonshead flowers in early summer. Hummingbird flower. This Colorado wildflower thrives in well-drained soil in full sun – avoid soggy conditions or clay soil. Drought tolerant and deer resistant. Sun to light shade, good drainage, average moisture. Drought tolerant once established.

Penstemon palmeri. PALMER’S PENSTEMON. Perennial. Zone 4. North America. This rather spectacular penstemon grows in the arid hillside and desert regions of the sothwest United States. Narrow clump former to 2 feet tall (or more), with glaucous silvery-green, sharply toothed foliage. Large, pale pink dragon’s head flowers in early summer, entrancingly grape-scented (scent is a rarity among penstemons) and highly attractive to hummingbirds and bees. One for the xeriscaper with a gravelly slope. Sun, excellent drainage – think gravel/sand – and average to low moisture. Very drought tolerant once established.

Penstemon payettensis. PAYETTE PENSTEMON. Perennial. Zone 4. North America. Gorgeous penstemon from the foothills/subalpine of the northwestern United States. Found in Oregon, Idaho and Montana, it is named for the Payette National Forest in Idaho, where it thrives. Basal clumps of glossy, elongated foliage to a foot or so across produce numerous bloom stems to 2 feet tall, lined with inch-long, bright purple-blue, dragonshead flowers in mid-summer. Found on rocky slopes and open woodland in its native habitat, this penstemon thrives in a rockery  or slope garden setting. Hummingbirds love this one, as they do all of the penstemons. Sun to light shade, good drainage, average moisture. Drought tolerant once established.

Penstemon tubaeflorus. WHITE WAND PENSTEMON. Perennial. Zone 4. North America. Tiered clusters of large, bright white, dragonshead flowers on 2-foot tall stems in June and July. A beautiful eastern Canadian wildflower which thrives in the cultivated garden. Sun to light shade, average conditions, very adaptable. 

PERSICARIA

Family: Polygonaceae

Persicaria bistorta ‘superbum’. GIANT PINK BISTORT. Perennial. Zone 3. Northern Europe, Siberia, Japan, Western Asia. Low mounds of large, white-ribbed, pointed-tipped pale green leaves. Long stems (to 2 feet tall or more) emerge in early summer, producing dense “bottlebrush” bloom spikes of small, tubular, pale pink, crowded flowers. A vigorous clump former, spreading controllably by shallow-rooted runners to forma nice dense colony. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Persicaria polymorpha. GIANT FLEECEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. China, Japan. A superb clump-forming specimen plant for the back or mid border. Sturdy stems lined with lush, lance-shaped, dark green goliage. Large plumes of cream-white blooms for a very long period in early summer, fading to pink and eventually buff. 3 to 5 feet tall. Non-suckering, non-seeding; very well mannered. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Persicaria weyrichii. CHINESE PLUMEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 3. Sakhalin. A clump former with lush, shiny green, white-backed, arrowhead shaped foliage on fleshy, jointed stems. Generous panicles of creamy-white flowers in summer are long-lasting and age to coral-buff. Whole plant looks good all season. 2 to 4 feet tall. After a few years this one does start to run at the root, so keep an eye on it. A similar but better plant with superior traits is the non-running Persicaria polymorpha. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

PETASITES ~ Butterburs, Coltsfoots

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Petasites japonicus ‘giganteus variegatus’. VARIEGATED JAPANESE BUTTERBUR ‘NISHIKI-BUKI’. Perennial. Zone 4. Japan. In earliest spring, just as the snow retreats, pale yellow-green bud clusters appear overnight, opening into rather nondescript clusters of ivory-green disc-flowers, elusively fragrant. Nothing much happens for a week or two, until the foliage breaks the ground, and then we see what has been going on underground over winter, as the leaf stems elongate and the huge, round leaves start to unfold. This interesting plant is one to site carefully – it starts off deceptively innocent but once it gets its roots down – watch out! – it definitely spreads. (Though this variegated form is luckily less rampant than the solid-green species.) Where happy, in rich, moist soil, the leaves reach 3 to 4 feet tall, and easily 3 feet across. A good plant for pond-edge, but be prepared to do some serious thinning in spring to keep it within bounds. In Japanese Ainu folklore, a race of tiny people lived under the leaf canopy of butterbur colonies, and Japanese children are said to use the immense leaves as umbrellas. Sun to shade, good soil, moisture lover.

Petasites sagittatus. ARROW-LEAVED COLTSFOOT. Perennial. Zone 2.  Asteraceae. Northern North America, Alaska to Labrador. This handsome Cariboo-Chilcotin wild thing is well suited for a pond-side or bog garden, amongst other sturdy hold-their-own plants such as Joe-Pye Weeds, marsh mallows, sedges and rushes. Very early in spring sturdy 12-inch tall stalks emerge from the soil, topped by dense clusters of buds which open into interesting white flowers. After a week or two, the flowers fade, and large, arrowhead-shaped leaves push up around the flower stalks. These are large – up to a foot long – leathery and heavily textured. They are heavily felted with white on the undersides, making for an attractive colour contrast as they continue to elongate. Pure white seedheads develop in May and June, and the downy-feathered seeds soon waft away. This one is vigorous and spready, but it does co-exist wonderfully well with other water’s edge plants, to add to the tapestry effect of the planting. Be cautious of where you site it in the flower border, as it will send out creeping runners and can pop up some distance away from where it started. Sun to shade, average soil and moisture, and thrives particularly well in soggy soils.

PHLOMIS

Family: Labiatae

Phlomis cashmeriana. KASHMIR SAGE. Perennial. Zone 2. Afghanistan, Central Asia. Whorls of intricately fringed, pale purple dragonshead  flowers on 2 to 3 foot stems in summer. Handsome foliage. A tidy clump former and a very nice plant which looks good spring to fall. Attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Phlomis tuberosa. TUBEROUS JERUSALEM SAGE. Perennial. Zone 2. Eastern Europe, Asia. Tiered whorls of lavender pink, delicately fringed, dragonshead flowers on 2 to 4 foot tall stems in July. Large, glossy, dark green, wrinkled, heart-shaped leaves. A well-mannered clump former for the border. Round tubers produced among the roots were once used as a food source in its native range in Russia. Blooms are very attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Sun to part shade, average conditions. Drought tolerant.

PHLOX

Family: Polemoniaceae

Phlox paniculata. PHLOX ‘BLUE FLAME’. Perennial. Zone 3. Charming compact border phlox. Large heads of soft violet-blue blooms with white shading and dark indigo eyes. Nicely fragrant. Long bloom time in mid-summer. Tidy clumper to 20 inches tall and wide. Grand bee and butterfly plant. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Phlox paniculata. PHLOX ‘BLUE PARADISE’. Perennial. Zone 4. Vigorous, beautifully coloured, and strongly fragrant – this border phlox is an all-round lovely thing. Large heads of rounded flowers are a warm violet-blue, darker coloured when grown in a bit of shade, and paler in full sun. A relatively recent (1990) introduction from renowned Dutch plantsman Piet Oudolf. 2 to 3 feet tall. Blooms in summer for a satisfyingly long time. Bee and butterfly flower. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Phlox paniculata. PHLOX ‘BRIGHT EYES’. Perennial. Zone 2. Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit. This wonderful old variety was bred by British plant breeder Captain Bertram Symons-Jeune, and released to wide acclaim in 1967. It has generous heads of pale pink flowers starred by crimson-pink eyes. Very fragrant. To 3 or 4 feet tall. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Phlox paniculata. PHLOX ‘FRANZ SCHUBERT’. Perennial. Zone 2. A relatively recent cultivar – 1980 – from Alan Bloom of Bressingham Garden in England. Huge heads of large, light lilac-mauve, very fragrant blooms start in July and go on a good 6 weeks. 3 to 4 feet tall, with sturdy stems and excellent mildew resistance. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Phlox paniculata. PHLOX ‘LAURA’. Perennial. Zone 2. Tall border phlox with big heads of bright fuschia-pink blooms starred with white eyes. Very fragrant. Long bloom time in summer. 3 to 4 feet tall. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Phlox paniculata. PHLOX ‘MOUNT FUJIYAMA’. Perennial. Zone 2. One of the best tall border phloxes I have grown here. Huge heads of fragrant, pure white flowers in late summer and well into autumn – has an incredibly long season of bloom. Vigorous and healthy. To 4 feet tall. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Phlox paniculata. PHLOX ‘NICKY’. Perennial. Zone 3. Tall and showy phlox with huge heads of vibrant, magenta-plum, sweetly fragrant blooms in summer. To 3 feet tall. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Phlox paniculata. PHLOX ‘OLD-FASHIONED LILAC’. Perennial. Zone 2. Heads of pale lilac blooms top 3 to 4 foot stems in late summer. An old reliable swapped around from Cariboo garden to garden for many years. Spans the gap between summer and autumn with its gentle colour and prolonged bloom. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

PHYSALIS

Family: Solanaceae

Physalis franchettii ‘gigantea’. CHINESE LANTERNS. Perennial. Zone 2. Attractive deep green foliage. Small white blooms in summer followed in autumn by very showy, inflated, lantern-shaped, papery seed pods – light green at first and changing to vivid pumpkin orange – just in time to dry for autumn everlasting decorations. ‘Gigantea’ has extra-large lanterns. Fun plant. Makes a vigorous, 36-inch tall and wide clump. Can be late to emerge in spring – mark its site. Spreads by rambling runners, not a good idea to plant beside delicate plants but great with other strong growers, or in a clump by itself. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

PHYSOSTEGIA

Family: Labiatae

Physostegia virginiana. OBEDIENT PLANT ‘ROSE CROWN’. Perennial. Zone 2. North America. Many neatly symmetrical spires of small, rosy mauve-pink, snapdragon-like flowers are produced on 24-inch stems in late summer and into the fall. Each bloom is on a small joint which allows it to be bent and twisted in different directions, hence the common name. Great fun for children – and bored gardeners! A pretty garden flower and a good cutflower. Valuable for late-season colour, as when many other plants are going to seed, Obedient Plant is just getting started. A spreading clump former, so site where it will have room to grow, amongst other sturdy plants. Very nice in a “meadow border”, with ornamental grasses and other late blooming flowers. There is a handsome white variation, ‘SNOW CROWN’. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Physostegia virginiana ‘variegata’. VARIEGATED OBEDIENT PLANT. Perennial. Zone 3. North America. The species is native to eastern North America. This cultivar is a stabilized sport and is found only in gardens.This handsome plant is one of my favourite fall bloomers. It starts to send out intricate bud spikes in August; these slowly extend and enlarge until mid-September when the first bright purple, cheerfully freckled, snapdragon-like flowers start to open. It is in peak bloom by Canadian Thanksgiving, lighting up the garden in stunning contrast to the yellowing foliage of the perennials around it. Clump former to 3 or 4 feet tall. Spreads slowly by creeping rootstalks. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

PHYTEUMA

Family: Campanulaceae

Phyteuma scheuchzeri. HORNED RAMPION. Perennial. Zone 4. European Alps and Apennines. Flowers are closed, elongated, deep violet tubes arranged in spiky balls topping fine 10 to 14 inch stems. Dainty, glossy, heart-shaped foliage in basal tufts. Blooms June and July. Unusual flower for border edge or rockery. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

PLATYCODON

Family: Campanulaceae

Platycodon grandiflorus. BALLOON FLOWER ‘FUJI’ SERIES. Perennial. Zone 2. Inflated buds on 12 to 18 inch stems open up into large, out-facing, bell-shaped flowers, often with contrasting veins on the silky petals. Waxy-textured foliage is blue-green with a silvery bloom. Forms a sturdy taproot and is very long-lived but resents being disturbed as new growth is very brittle; site with this in mind. A grand old-fashioned flower, much in vogue in recent years with the plant breeders for its showy flowers and long bloom time in summer. The ‘Fuji’ series are newer dwarf varieties. Late to emerge in spring, so best to mark its location. ‘FUJI PINK’ – Delicate rose-pink with darker veining. ‘FUJI BLUE’ – Mid-blue. ‘FUJI WHITE’ – Pure white. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Platycodon grandiflorus. BALLOON FLOWER ‘MOTHER-OF-PEARL’. Perennial. Zone 2. Syn. ‘PERLMUTTERSCHALE’.  This venerable German variety has large, very pale pink blooms with darker veining. 20 to 30 inches tall. Lovely. Late to emerge in spring, so it’s a good idea to mark its location. Sun to light shade, average conditions. 

Platycodon grandiflorus. BLUE BALLOON FLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. This is the vigorous and beautiful wild species, grown from seed collected in the Džagdy Mountains, in the Siberian region of Russia. Large, inflated, rich purple-blue buds open into showy out-facing bells in summer. Mature clumps can reach 3 feet in height, though it takes a year or two to fully size up. Well-behaved and problem free, a really lovely plant for the mixed perennial border. Late to emerge in spring, so it’s a good idea to mark its location. Sun to light shade, average conditions. 

Platycodon grandiflorus ‘apoyama’. ‘FAIRY SNOW’ BALLOON FLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Many inflated white buds in summer opening into large, open-faced, pure white bellflowers marked with dark blue veins. Small variety, to 10 inches tall or so. Late to emerge in spring, mark its location. Sun to light shade, average conditions. 

POLEMONIUM ~ Jacob’s Ladders

Family: Polemoniaceae

Polemonium boreale. ‘HEAVENLY HABIT’ NORTHERN JACOB’S LADDER. Perennial. Zone 2. North America, Northern Europe. Compact clumps of multi-leafleted foliage. Sturdy bloom stalks to 12 inches or so topped by clusters of rounded, lavender-blue flowers with contrasting eye zones in early summer. Nice for border front or rockery. Sun to part shade, average soil and moisture.

Polemonium caeruleum. JACOB’S LADDER ‘AZURO’. Perennial. Zone 2. Europe, the Mediterranean. Delicately fragrant, light violet-blue flowers with prominent yellow stamens in clusters at the tops of 2-foot stems. Rather fern-like foliage with paired leaves fancifully resembles the ladder upon which the Old Testament Jacob ascended to Heaven, hence common name. Another interesting common name in times past was “Greek Valerian”. Blooms spring-summer. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Polemonium caeruleum. JACOB’S LADDER ‘FILIGREE CLOUD’. Perennial. Zone 2. A very nice and very aptly named German cultivar. Many clusters of pure white, yellow-eyed, delicately fragrant blooms in early summer on 18-inch plants. The beautiful foliage is finely cut and ferny. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Polemonium caeruleum f. ‘alba’. WHITE JACOB’S LADDER. Perennial. Zone 2. Europe, the Mediterranean. Grown from seed wild-collected in the Gratzen Mountains, between the Czech Republic and Austria. Clusters of delicately fragrant, pure white flowers with fine dark whiskers pencilled on each petal base; prominent yellow stamens. To 2 feet tall or so. Beautiful foliage. Blooms spring-summer. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Polemonium caeruleum ssp. himalayanum. JACOB’S LADDER ‘HIMALAYAN BLUE’. Perennial. Zone 2. Himalayas. A vigorous Jacob’s Ladder descended from seed wild-collected in the Himalayas in 2013 by Chris Chadwell. Lush 2 to 3 foot tall plants produce multiple stems topped by generous clusters of wide-open, pale lavender-blue flowers in summer. Long bloom season. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Polemonium pauciflorum. JACOB’S LADDER ‘SULPHUR TRUMPETS’. Perennial. Zone 4. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas. This is a Jacob’s Ladder with a difference. Delicate, many-leafleted foliage in lush 12-inch clumps. Graceful clusters of many sulphur yellow trumpet flowers blushed a warm pink on the outsides appear in spring and early summer. Frequently blooms itself to death, but self sows enough to ensure its presence in your garden. A very nice little plant, rarely found commercially but popular in the alpine/hardy perennial seed exchange networks, which is where I originally obtained it, from a gardener in Wales. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Polemonium yezoense. ‘PURPLE RAIN’ JACOB’S LADDER. Perennial. Zone 4. Purple-blushed foliage, many-leafleted foliage. Clusters of yellow-eyed, large, bluish-purple flowers in early summer. A handsome plant and a profuse bloomer. 18 to 24 inches tall. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

POLYGONATUM ~ Solomon’s Seals

Family: Asparagaceae

Polygonatum commutatum. GIANT SOLOMON’S SEAL. Perennial. Zone 3. North America. Have shade? Consider this handsome North American woodlander for your background planting. Perfect form from spring till late fall, hardy and adaptable. Fat, pointed leaf buds emerge from rhizomatous roots in early spring, and gracefully arching stems quickly shoot upwards, reaching from 3 to 6 feet tall at maturity, depending on richness of soil and abundance of moisture. These stems are lined with large, pointed and gently pleated dark green leaves. Pairs of small, ivory white, tubular bell flowers descend on delicate pedicels from the leaf axils in May, and are followed by round berries which ripen to blue-black in fall. Absolutely trouble-free once established, and though it will steadily spread outward, it is not at all invasive. Part to full shade, humus-rich soil, average to moist soils.

Polygonatum humile. DWARF SOLOMON’S SEAL. Perennial. Zone 4. North-East Asia, Eastern Siberia. This tiny Solomon’s Seal is an excellent groundcover for the shade garden. Rising no more than 6 or 7 inches tall, it can spread up to 2-3 feet in diameter if given the space. Stems are lined with delicately glossy, highly textured oval shaped leaves that maintain appearances well into the fall. Large white tubular bell flowers bloom along the stem in May, and are followed by round black/blue berries in fall. Spreads quickly to form a large, circular colony. Part to full shade. Likes good soil and moisture. May go summer dormant in dryer areas.

Polygonatum latifolium. BROAD-LEAVED SOLOMON’S SEAL. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Polygonatum hirtum, Convallaria latifolia. Europe. A short and vigorous Solomon’s Seal. Excellent groundcover for the shade garden, but avoid planting near delicate neighbours as it will overwhelm smaller things. Arching stems to 12 inches tall are lined with broad, glossy foliage. Tubular, pendant bell-like blooms in May. Spreads quite quickly to form a 2 to 3 foot circular colony. Part to full shade. Likes good soil and moisture.

Polygonatum multiflorum. SOLOMON’S SEAL. Perennial. Zone 3. Europe, North Asia. Upright, slightly arching 24-inch tall stems lined with paired, pointed, blue-green leaves with waxy-white undersides. Clusters of 1 to 6 small, tubular, ivory-green bells hang down on delicate pedicels from the leaf axils in May. These are followed by round, blue-black berries in late summer. Growing from crowded rhizomes, Solomon’s Seal forms a dense, slowly-spreading, weed-proof colony, and is one of the best shade plants we know of. Dry soil tolerant, and does well under trees and high-pruned shrubs. Part to full shade, appreciates humus-rich soil, average moisture.

Polygonatum multiflorum ‘variegatum’. VARIEGATED SOLOMON’S SEAL. Perennial. Zone 3. Europe. A fancy sport of the well-known Eurasian Solomon’s Seal. Upright, slightly arching 18-inch tall stems are lined with paired, pointed, ivory-edged and marked, blue-green leaves with waxy-white undersides. Clusters of 1 to 6 small, tubular, ivory-green bells hang down on delicate pedicels from the leaf axils in May, followed by round, blue-black berries in late summer. The variegated foliage is lovely and the plant brings some pizazz to its shady habitat. Dry soil tolerant, and does well under trees and high-pruned shrubs. Part to full shade, appreciates humus-rich soil, average moisture.

Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘variegatum’. STRIPED FRAGRANT SOLOMON’S SEAL. Perennial. Zone 3. Japan, Korea, China. Pointed, pink-flushed leaf buds arise from underground rhizomes in early spring and soon expand into gracefully arching 18 to 24-inch tall stems lined with paired, pointed, bright green leaves strongly outlined with white. Pairs of small, fragrant, greenish-ivory tubular bells bloom in May, followed by oval green fruits which ripen to shiny blue-black and persist into autumn. This plant quickly forms a dense colony, well-mannered but best companioned by other sturdy shade dwellers such as hostas, lily-of-the-valley, and the more robust ferns. A stellar plant for shade, being hardy, adaptable, dry soil tolerant, and reliably healthy with no pest problems. Foliage turns glowing yellow in late fall. Part to full shade, appreciates humus-rich soils, average moisture.

POTENTILLA ~ Cinquefoils, Potentillas

Family: Rosaceae

Potentilla hyparctica. ARCTIC CINQUEFOIL. Perennial. Zone 1. Northern Canada, Greenland. An attractive tuft-forming rockery or edging plant. Bright yellow buttercup-like blooms with warm orange centre blotches are produced in spring and early summer on tidy 3 to 4 inch tall plants. Foliage is strawberry-like, silvery gray and silken-haired. Looks good spring till winter snows. Sun, average soil and moisture, prefers good drainage.

PRIMULA ~ Primroses

Family: Rosaceae

Primula denticulata. ‘LILAC’ DRUMSTICK PRIMROSE.  Perennial. Zone 2. Rosettes of sharply toothed, pale green foliage send up 6-inch stems topped with globe-shaped, soft lilac purple flower heads in early spring. Very reliable in the Cariboo, early and hardy. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Primula elatior. OXLIP PRIMROSE. Perennial. Zone 4. Great Britain, Western European Alps. Rosettes of toothed, crinkled, dark green leaves send up 4 to 6-inch stems one-sidedly lined with elongated, pale lemon yellow bells with orange eyes. Sweetly fragrant. A great favourite with early bees and hummingbirds. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Primula vulgaris. ENGLISH WILD PRIMROSE. Zone 4.  Beautiful European wild primrose. Pale yellow, fragrant blooms in early spring. 6 iinches tall. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

PRUNELLA

Family: Labiatae

Prunella grandiflora. SHOWY ALLHEAL ‘PAGODA MIX’. Perennial. Zone 2. Labiatae. Rather unassuming but extremely appealing. Slowly spreading clump former to 12″ tall; Lilac, rosy-violet, blue-purple or occasionally pearly white flowers in showy short spikes summer into fall. The hooded blooms have a luminescent glow. An excellent edger for part shade. Nice cut flower, too. Sun to shade; average to moist soil. And here’s a fun side note from the Chiltern Seeds catalogue, for those of you with an interest in etymology:

One interesting point about this name is that, according to the rules of botanical nomenclature, it is an example of an error, once made, becoming enshrined in history: the name should in fact have been Brunella, after the German for quinsy, a disease the plants were said to cure. However, Linnaeus, in his formal description of the genus, bobbed and spelled the word with a “P” and thus, for ever and a day, Prunella became the one and only correct spelling.

PULSATILLA ~ Pasque Flowers

Family: Ranunculaceae

Pulsatilla vulgaris. PASQUE FLOWER ‘PEARL BELLS’. Perennial. Zone 2. Large, milky white, cup-shaped-blooms are veined with pale purple and cradled in downy, fern-like leaf bracts. Prominent yellow stamen clusters. Blooms in early spring. Decorative feathery seedheads follow the flowers. 12 inches tall and wide. Tap-rooted so plant where it can remain undisturbed. Sun to light shade, well-drained soil.

Pulsatilla vulgaris. PASQUE FLOWER ‘VIOLET BELLS’. Perennial. Zone 2. Kitten’s-paw soft flower buds in earliest spring open out into large, rich purple, cup-shaped blooms with central clusters of golden stamens, followed by interesting feathery seedheads. Handsome, finely divided, ferny foliage. Takes a few years to reach full size. 12 inches tall and wide. Tap-rooted so plant where it can remain undisturbed. Sun to light shade, well-drained soil.

Pulsatilla vulgaris ‘rubra’. ‘RED BELLS’ PASQUE FLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Gorgeous deep burgundy red cultivar of the early spring blooming pasque flower. 12 inches tall and wide. Ferny foliage clumps. Ornamental seed heads follow blooms. Sun to light shade, well-drained soil.

PULMONARIA ~ Lungworts

Family: Boraginaceae

Pulmonaria mollis. DOWNY LUNGWORT. Perennial. Zone 3. Unspotted, velvety soft, deep green foliage. Clusters of nodding bellflowers of pink-violet-blue. Very early blooming, as early as April some years, and continuing right through May. The first hummingbirds eagerly seek nectar in its many bells. One of the largest Pulmonarias, at a substantial 18 to 24 inches tall and wide. Very choice species. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture appreciated.

Pulmonaria officinalis. BETHLEHEM SAGE. Perennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. SPOTTED DOG, SOLDIERS-AND-SAILORS, JOSEPH-AND-MARY, JERUSALEM COWSLIP. As evident by the many affectionate common names, this is a treasured garden plant from centuries past. 12 inches tall and wide. Clumps of thickly textured, roughly hairy, broadly lanceolate foliage, spotted and splashed white over deep green. Clusters of bright-blue-turning-pink nodding bellflowers in late May. Once a valued medicinal, useful (according to the ancient “Doctrine of Signatures”) for treating lung ailments, hence that common name. There is no scientific proof of any medicinal use for this plant in modern times, unless it is to treat melancholy by its cheerful appearance in earliest spring! I am very fond of this plant; it has happy associations of many old gardens I’ve been acquainted with over the years. Very hardy and adaptable, but suffers in overly hot and dry locations. Sun to shade, good soil, likes steady moisture.

PYCANTHEMUM ~ Mountain Mints

Family: Lamiaceae

Pycanthemum pilosum. DOWNY MOUNTAIN MINT Perennial. Zone 4. Interesting North American wildflower. Clump former to  2 feet or taller, with slender stems lined with velvety-textured foliage and topped by densely packed clusters of small, freckled, milky white to pale lavender dragonshead flowers. Whole plant has a strong minty aroma when bruised. A vigorous grower for the wilder area of the garden.  Sun, average conditions, droughht tolerant once etablished. Deer resistant. 

PYRETHRUM

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Pyrethrum coccineum. PAINTED DAISY ‘DURO’. Perennial. Zone 2. Syn. Tanacetum coccineum. Large, brilliant crimson-pink daisies with golden centres. Late spring and early summer bloom. Ferny foliage. 18 to 24 inches tall. Good cutflower and border accent plant. Similar cultivars are ‘JAMES KELWAY’S CRIMSON’, ‘ROBINSON’S RED’. Sun, good soil and moisture. 

Pyrethrum coccineum. PAINTED DAISY ‘ROBINSON’S PINK’. Perennial. Zone 2. Syn. Tanacetum coccineum. Large, soft pink single daisies with golden centres. Blooms late spring into summer. Ferny foliage. 18 to 24 inches tall. Sun, good soil and moisture.

RANUNCULUS

Family: Ranunculaceae

Ranunculus acris ‘flore pleno’. DOUBLE MEADOW BUTTERCUP. Perennial. Zone 2. This is a fantastic old-fashioned cottage garden flower, long grown in cultivation and prized for its beautiful blooms in early summer. Low growing clumps of maple-leaf-shaped foliage send up numerous branching bloom stems to 24 inches topped by many small, bright yellow, very double buttercups, generously touched with green in the centres. Well-behaved and hardy. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture. Deer resistant. 

Ranunculus ficaria. ‘RANDALL’S WHITE’ LESSER CELANDINE. Perennial. Zone 4. A tuberous-rooted creeper which looks its best in spring, with glossy, heart-shaped foliage and many silken-petalled blooms looking like big white buttercups. After blooming the plants quietly fade away, gone by mid-summer, but the fat white rootlets persist to resprout in an ever-increasing patch in subsequent years. Site with its spreading tendencies in mind, and avoid planting with very delicate things as it does make quite a dense mat, capable of overwhelming tiny neighbours. Full to part shade, good soil and moisture. Deer resistant. 

RATIBIDA

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Ratibida columnifera ssp. pulcherrima. MEXICAN HAT FLOWER. Perennial. Zone 3. North American prairie states and provinces. A.k.a. PRAIRIE CONEFLOWER, LONG-HEADED CONEFLOWER. A cheerful wildflower of grasslands. Multi-branching 24-inch tall plants, with wiry stems and finely cut foliage. Elongated central cones to 2 inches or so, grey-turning-golden as pollen-laden stamens emerge. Drooping, maroon-red petals, sometimes marked with gold. Flower form is indeed like a tall, narrow, Mexican sombrero, hence the common name. Long bloom time in summer. Excellent bee and butterfly flower. Sun to light shade, average soil. Drought tolerant.

Ratibida pinnata. GREY-HEAD CONEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 3. North American prairie states and provinces. A.k.a. YELLOW CONEFLOWER. Stiff-stemmed, multi-branched, rather leggy 3-foot tall plants proce large, bright yellow, Rudbeckia-like blooms for a long period in summer. Centre cones are elongated, grey-green in colour, ray florets are strongly reflexed and extend downwards, giving the blooms a narrow effect. Anise-scented when brushed against or crushed. Long bloom time in summer. Excellent bee and butterfly flower. Sun to light shade, average soil best, but is happy in either clay or sand, too. Drought tolerant.

RHEMANNIA

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Rhemannia elata. CHINESE FOXGLOVE. Perennial. Zone 4/5. A.k.a. BEVERLY BELLS. Related to true foxglove (Digitalis sp.) with similar (but much larger) blooms. Vigorous clumps of pointed, fuzzy, deeply textured foliage send up many stems lined with rosy-purple, 3-inch long tubular flowers with speckled throats. Long season of bloom, May through summer. 24 inches tall. Spreads to form a vigorous clump. Sun to part shade, average conditions. 

RHEUM ~ Rhubarbs

Family: Polygonaceae

Rheum palmatum var. tanguticum. ORNAMENTAL RHUBARB. Perennial. Zone 3. A.k.a. TURKEY RHUBARB. A wonderfully stately ornamental rhubarb for the back of the border or pondside. Big clumps of huge, red-flushed, deeply cut leaves send up branching stems topped by loose clusters of tiny, cream or red, bracted blooms in late spring and early summer. 3 to 6 feet tall depending on growing conditions. Sun to light shade, appreciates moisture.

RHODIOLA ~ Roseroots

Family: Crassulaceae

Rhodiola rhodantha. QUEEN’S CROWN. Perennial. Zone 3. Crassulaceae. Western North America. Syn. Sedum rhodanthum, Clementsia rhodantha. A.k.a. ROSE CROWN, RED ORPINE. Extremely tidy and nicely compact clumps of stout stems lined with semi-succulent, lanceolate. blue green leaves. Each stem produces a very generous number of rose-pink starflowers protruding from the leaf nodes along the top third of the stem in mid-summer. These age to an attractive rusty-red, and then to warm brown in the seed stage. The Rhodiolas are elegant and attractive in all stages, and look extraordinarily well in a rockery or near the front of an uncrowded perennial planting, surrounded by low growing sedums or thyme. Hardy and adaptable. 12 inches tall. Sun, average but well-drained soil, average moisture.

Rhodiola rosea. ROSEROOT. Perennial. Zone 1. Crassulaceae. Scandinavia to Siberia. Syn. Sedum rosea. A.k.a. ROSEROOT STONECROP. This is a highly attractive plant in all of its growth stages, and it also has a stellar reputation amongst herbalists for a wide number of beneficial uses. Clumps of stout, fleshy stems are lined with broad, succulent, blue-green foliage, with each stem tipped by lime-gold starflowers in summer. These age to a rosy red-brown in the seed stage. The common name comes from the sweet fragrance of the dried root. To 12 inches tall or so, and adapts perfectly to rockery, slope garden, or sunny perennial border. Sun, average but well-drained soil, average moisture.

Rhodiola semenovii. ASIAN ROSEROOT. Perennial. Zone 3. Crassulaceae. China, Kazakhastan. A very handsome Roseroot which looks good from spring till winter. (As do all of its relatives. These are very nice garden plants in general.) Clumps of upright, fleshy stems are pale green, lined with contrasting dark green, needle-like foliage. In late spring, ivory starflowers start to open among the leaf nodes in the upper third of the stems; these age to a warm coral pink, and eventually to deep rust-red in the seed stage. To 18 inches or so. Stays upright, never flops, a beautifully architectural sort of plant for the rockery or sunny border. Sun, average but well-drained soil, average moisture.

ROMANZOFFIA

Family: Hydrophyllaceae

Romanzoffia sitchensis. SITKA MISTMAIDEN. Perennial. Zone 4. West coast of North America, mountain ranges from Washington to Alaska. Small but lush clumps of succulent, dark green, beautifully lobed and scalloped foliage. In spring, many slender four to eight inch stems are topped by clusters of ivory-white cupped blooms with contrasting golden eyes. Tuberous roots; may go summer dormant where temperatures rise above its preferred moderation. Very delicate and beautiful. In its natural habitat this lovely plant grows happily on moist cliffs around waterfalls, and on rock ledges kept moist by snow melt. In the garden it will adapt to a rocky nook in the alpine garden. Sun to part shade, humus-rich soil, good moisture.

Romanzoffia unalaschkensis. ALASKA MISTMAIDEN. Perennial. Zone 4. West coast of North America, the Aleutian Islands . Very dark green, thickly textured, shiny, beautifully scalloped foliage. Loose clusters of small, pure white, cup-shaped blooms in spring. 6 inches tall and wide. Tuberous rooted, often goes summer dormant. A lovely plant for the serious gardener, or anyone interested in North American natives, who can find a suitable corner to tuck it into. In its native habitat it may be found growing in rock crevices, or on slopes and hillsides. Sun to part shade, humus-rich soil, good moisture.

ROSMARINUS – Rosemarys

Family: Lamiaceae

Rosmarinus officinalis. ROSEMARY. Tender woody perennial. Zone 7/8. Mediterranean regions. Needle-like, strongly resinous, rich green leaves on a rounded woody shrub. Small, pale lavender-blue to smoky white, salvia-like flowers in summer. A popular culinary herb with medicinal and cosmetic uses as well. Excellent bee plant. Not winter-hardy in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, so best grown in a container, either as an annual or with a mind to overwintering it in a cool, bright place indoors. Clay pots are the traditional growing container, and fit in with the Mediterranean aesthetic of the ornamental and useful herb. In containers it will reach 2 feet or so – depending on the cultivar – compact trailing varietiees are available. Snippets may be harvested for kitchen use at any stage of its growth, with new leaves the most tender. This heat lover is best in full sun, with well-drained, gritty soil. Drought tolerant once established, but do keep an eye on container plants and keep moderately moist; they will succumb to excessive dryness in the confined space of a pot. 

RUDBECKIA

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Rudbeckia alpicola. WENATCHEE MOUNTAIN CONEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 3. Syn. Rudbeckia occidentalis var. alpicola. A.k.a. SHOWY CONEFLOWER. This is a handsome and rather unusual member of the showy-flowered Rudbeckia clan, being one of the rayless coneflowers – no petals! Instead what we get is a prominent brown cone of tightly clustered disc flowers, dark brown in colour, which open to produce a generous dusting of golden pollen. In the wild, this is a narrow endemic of a small region in Washington State, being found only in Chelan and Kittias counties, in the Wenatchee National Forest. Clumps of deeply cut foliage are attractive in the mid or back border, and plants reach 3 feet tall or so, with blooms (if they can be called such, these charmingly unbloomlike flowers!) appearing in June and throughout mid-summer. Full sun, average conditions, doesn’t mind wet soil.

Rudbeckia grandiflora. ‘SUNDANCE’ RUDBECKIA Perennial. Zone 4. Upright, 3 to 4 foot tall clumps of long, slender stems lined with elongated, heart-shaped, roughly hairy leaves, and topped by large, very showy, pale golden-yellow blooms with drooping petals and a ball-shaped, rich brown, central “cone”. ‘Sundance’ commences flowering starts mid summer and continues into autumn, making this a fantastic plant to pair with ornamental grasses, tall perennial phloxes, and other late season bloomers. Great bee and butterfly flower, and if the plants are left uncut in the seed stage, very popular with foraging birds in winter.  Full sun, average conditions.

Rudbeckia hirta. BROWN-EYED SUSAN. Short-lived perennial. Zone 4. Lush clumps of rather coarse, densely hairy foliage produce an endless profusion of golden-petalled, brown-eyed daisy flowers summer well into fall. Very showy in the garden, and an excellent cutflower. Profuse bloom the first year. Full sun, average conditions.

Rudbeckia hirta. RUDBECKIA ‘GOLDILOCKS’. Perennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. GLORIOSA DAISY. European Fleuroselect Winner. Large, double, bright golden daisies with rich brown centers bloom summer through fall. Very showy; great cutflower. This species of Rudbeckia in general is not long-lived, but blooms profusely the first year. Full sun, average conditions.

Rudbeckia hirta x. GLORIOSA DAISY. Perennial. Zone 4. Large, single and semi-double brown-eyed susan flowers with petals in an array of warm golden shades – yellow, orange, burgundy and brown – often with contrasting eye zones. Showy and long-blooming. This species of Rudbeckia in general is not long-lived, but blooms profusely the first year. Full sun, average conditions.

Rudbeckia laciniata ‘hortensia’. GOLDEN GLOW. Perennial. Zone 2. “Pioneer plant”, seen around many old homes and ranches in the Cariboo. This is a tall plant, to 6 feet or more. Bright golden, very double flowers late summer into fall. Needs staking in bloom, or a fence to lean on. Excellent cutflower. Full sun, any soil fine, drought tolerant but appreciates extra water where very dry.

Rudbeckia subtomentosa. SWEET BROWN-EYED SUSAN. Perennial. Zone 4. Sturdy 3 to 5 foot tall plants, with multibranched stems topped by bright yellow daisy-flowers with dark purple-brown eyes and a pleasant anise-licorice fragrance. Superb bee and butterfly flower. Long season of bloom, summer through fall. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Rudbeckia triloba. ‘BLACKJACK GOLD’ RUDBECKIA. Perennial. Zone 3. Recently introduced refinement of the native North American prairie wildflower. Sturdy clump former to 3 feet tall, with stiff, branching stems lined with rough, grooved, lanceolate leaves. Loaded with bright gold, brown-eyed daisy-flowers mid-summer into autumn.  Bee and butterfly flower. Overwintering birds love the seedheads, too! Full sun, average conditions.

Rudbeckia triloba. ‘PRAIRIE GLOW’ RUDBECKIA. Perennial. Zone 4.  This is a marvelous new cultivar of the excellent North American prairie wildflower. In the original – also an excellent border plant – the blooms are typically golden-yellow with brown eyes. ‘Prairie Glow’ adds a brick red central zone to the gold. Conical, dark brown centres. Very handsome. Long bloom time in summer. Deeply cut, rather stiff and bristly foliage; many multibranched stems to 4 ft. or so loaded with the vibrant blooms. Bee and butterfly flower; great cutflower. May be short-lived – it blooms itself out – so allow to self sow, or collect seed for replanting. Full sun, average conditions.

RUELLIA

Family: Acanthaceae

Ruellia humilis. WILD PETUNIA. Perennial. Zone 4. Eastern North America. Not really a petunia – or even in the same botanical family as the commonly grown bedding plant – but so named for the similar appearance of its trumpet-shaped, wide open, pale lavender blooms. Ruellia humilis is a clump forming perennial 1 to 2 feet tall. Sturdy stems are lined with oblong, softly hairy, olive green leaves. Silken-textured, pale lavender-purple blooms open from buds nestled in the leaf axils. Bloom time is extended, from late spring to autumn. Butterfly flower. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

RUMEX

Family: Polygonaceae

Rumex acetosa. FRENCH SORREL ‘BLOND DE LYON’. Perennial. Zone 1. Culinary herb. Broad, glossy, bright green leaves have a sour, rather lemony flavour, due to oxalic acid content. Used as a salad accent, for sauces, and most famously for cream of sorrel soup. Red-blushed flowers and seedheads make nice everlastings, but should be cut back if leaf production is to continue. Best in the herb or vegetable garden, or as part of an “edible landscaping” type of planting. Will self sow if allowed. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

Rumex sanguineus . BLOODY DOCK. Perennial. Zone 4. British Isles. A.k.a. RED-VEIN DOCK, CRIMSON WATERBEET. (But everyone knows it best by the rather gruesome ‘Bloody Dock’, despite attempts by the nursery trade to make its nickname more appealing!)  Lush rosettes of glossy, bright green, lance-shaped leaves are marked with brilliant crimson veins. The clump stays neat and tidy, producing a few stems of innocuous tiny blooms in summer which should be clipped off for neatness’ sake, unless you’d like it to self sow, which it will in a modest to profuse way, depending on the garden habitat it dwells in. Gorgeous foliage accent for the front of the flower border, or can be grown at the pond edge or even in the water (submerge a few inches at most.) It does like to be damp, though it will thrive in any reasonably well-watered flower border, too. To 12 inches or so tall and wide. Sun to shade, average to moist conditions, can grow submerged.

Rumex scutatus. BUCKLER LEAF SORREL. Perennial. Zone 1. Culinary herb. Small, shield-shaped leaves are crisp and tangy and are nice in spring salads. Nicely ornamental, great for edible landscapes and permaculture projects. Sun to shade, average soil and moisture.

RUTA

Family: Rutaceae

Ruta graveolens. RUE. Perennial. Zone 4. Southern Europe, the Balkans. A.k.a. HERB-OF-GRACE. Shrubby herb and ornamental plant. Wiry stems, 12 to 18 inches tall, are lined with strongly aromatic blue-green foliage. Small, rather handsome (though unassuming) yellow flowers appear in summer. Very bitter tasting. Once a valued medicinal, now mostly grown for its attractive appearance. This plant is reputed to be repellant to cats. It should be handled with care, as some people develop a rash when in close contact with the foliage. A good idea to mulch in late fall, as the plant resprouts from its woody base. Sun, average conditions.

SAGINA

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Sagina subulata. IRISH MOSS. Perennial. Zone 4. Europe. A.k.a. PEARLWORT, for the tiny white flowers. This petite plant is a very nice moss alternative where one wants the effect of a creeping green groundcover, but still would like to grow other plants beside and through it.  The little spring bulbs have no problem pushing through, and by the time the bulb foliage fades the Irish Moss is more than ready to take over the (tiny) spotlight. One an inch or two tall, the foliage is minutely lanceolate and a sprightly bright green. Creeps along modestly but steadily to form a patch a foot or so across. Wee white blooms in spring, but really grown for the green. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

SALVIA ~ Sages

Family: Labiatae

Salvia argentea. SILVER SAGE. Perennial. Zone 4. Huge, woolly, silver leaves make a broad rosette the first year. In early summer of the second year, 2 foot tall stems appear, with whorls of widely spaced, quite large, white, finely-freckled-with-purple, hooded flowers. Whole plant is warmly aromatic and quite sticky to touch. Needs excellent drainage in full sun. Leave foliage intact in fall, and don’t pull it out in spring – new growth appears quite late around the crown. Great foliage plant, worth a bit of extra attention. Sun, average conditions, well-drained soil.

Salvia juriscii. FEATHERED SAGE. Perennial. Zone 4. Macedonia, the Baltic. A rare and lovely small steppe- and mountain-dweller which needs sharp drainage to overwinter successfully, but which blooms generously in its first year. Finely cut, very hairy foliage. 10 to 12 inch tall stems are line with dense spikes of pale lavender, upside-down dragon’s head flowers in late spring and early summer. For rockery or border edging.  Sun, average fertility and moisture, very well-drained soil. Drought tolerant. Deer resistant.

Salvia x nemerosa. WOOD SAGE ‘EAST FRIESLAND’. Perennial. Zone 3.  This is an excellent long-blooming ornamental salvia. Pungently aromatic, pebbly-textured foliage and many long spikes of rich violet blooms. To 24 inches tall. Long-lived clump former. Great with ornamental grasses and the taller Rudbeckia species planted behind it (R. triloba is particularly nice) for a late summer border. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Salvia x nemerosa. PINK WOOD SAGE ‘ROSENWEIN’. Perennial. Zone 3.  A handsome German variety of this long-blooming plant. Many narrow, long, dense spikes of rosy-purple flowers with wine-red bracts. Good colour all summer. To 20 inches tall and wide. Attractive, tidy, wrinkled foliage. Clump-forming, long-lived, colourful and completely trouble free.  Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Salvia x nemerosa. PINK WOOD SAGE ‘ROSE QUEEN’. Perennial. Zone 3.  An interesting and attractive compact wood sage which has been a garden standard for decades. Forms a tidy multi-branching clump 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, with wiry stems lined with attractively wrinkled leaves. Many short spikes of light rosy-purple flowers with darker bracts. Blooms for a very long time in summer. Bees are fond of this plant, and all of its relatives. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Salvia nutans. NODDING SAGE. Perennial. Zone 4.  The Balkans, Siberia. Handsome, elongated, rather hairy, dark green, pebbly-textured basal foliage. Multiple bloom stalks 2 to 3 feet tall are topped by gracefully drooping bud clusters which produce an endless succession of violet-blue dragon’s head flowers in summer. Sun, average conditions. Appreciates well-drained soil.

Salvia officinalis. GARDEN SAGE. Perennial. Zone 4. This classic culinary herb is a worthwhile ornamental as well. Many-branched woody perennial to 2 feet tall. Pebbly-textured, grey-green, highly aromatic foliage is used in cooking. Spikes of hooded, pale purple flowers in summer. Forms a shrub, with regrowth from the woody stems in spring. Reliably hardy in areas with good snow cover, otherwise a generous heaping of fluffy wood shavings should provide adequate winter protection. Sun, good drainage.

Salvia pratensis. MEADOW CLARY SAGE. Perennial. Zone 2. Showy whorls of large, hooded, “dragon’s head” blooms on 2 foot stems in early summer, which arise from attractive basal clumps of deep green, pebbly-textured, rather pungently aromatic leaves. Bee, butterfly and hummingbird flower. The species type is rich violet, and there  are also some excellent cultivars in a range of interesting colours. ‘ROSE RHAPSODY’ – Soft mauve-pink. ‘SWEET ESMERALDA’ – Rich red-violet. ‘WHITE SWAN’ – Pure white. ‘TWILIGHT SERENADE’ – Soft blue-violet. These are sometimes found as a mixed blend under the ‘MEADOW BALLET’ name. All are beautiful.  Sun to very light shade, average soil and moisture.

Salvia przewalskii. PRZEWALSKI’S SAGE. Perennial. Zone 4/5. China. Rosettes of pebbly-textured, heart-shaped leaves send up branching stems to 3 feet topped by widely spaced, hanging, bright violet flowers. Rare. Not reliably hardy in our area, but possible in the right microclimate. Well-drained soil and winter protection (such as dry wood shavings or evergreen branches) help. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Salvia regeliana (syn. Salvia verticillata ssp. verticillata.) QUEEN’S SAGE. Perennial. Zone 4/5. Turkey. Vigorous clumps of pungently aromatic, pebbly-textured foliage. Many graceful bloom stems topped by spikes of small, pale violet flowers in summer. Very long bloom time, and very attractive to bees and butterflies. Individuals not long-lived, but a generous self-seeder. Sun, average soil and moisture. Nicely heat and drought tolerant. Deer resistant.

Salvia sclarea. CLARY SAGE. Biennial. Zone 3. Sometimes claimed to be one of the oldest cultivated plants. Rosettes of wavy, wrinkled, hairy, pungently aromatic leaves the first year.  In the second year, sturdy, branching flower stems 3 to 4 feet tall are lined with small pink or violet hooded flowers surrounded by large, very showy, pale pink/pale violet papery bracts. Once used extensively in herbal medicine, for cookery, and to flavour wines and beers. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica. TURKISH CLARY SAGE. Biennial. Zone 3. There is nothing timid or boring about “regular” Clary Sage, but this variety is nevertheless something extra. Large rosettes of wrinkly, rather hairy, pungently scented, roughly heart-shaped leaves the first year. In its second year, sturdy branching stems to 3 feet or taller rise up and produce long spikes of tiny, pale whitish-purple dragonshead blooms which are cradled by very large, very showy, beautifully pink-blushed bracts. There is a chalk-white variation as well, Salvia sclarea var turkestanica ‘alba’. An exceedingly interesting old-fashioned flower, to grow for yourself to enjoy and also for the bees, which flock to Clary Sage in buzzing droves. Sun, average soil and moisture. Quite drought tolerant. Deer resistant, too.

Salvia transylvanica. ‘BLUE CLOUD’ TRANSYLVANIAN SAGE. Perennial. Zone 4. Central and southern Russia, Romania, most notably in the Transylvanian Alps. Large, dusky indigo-blue-violet flowers in loose whorls on multi-branching 2 to 3 foot tall spikes arise from rosettes of handsome, long, densely hairy, deep green leaves. Good bloom for a very long period in summer, and well into autumn, if spent spikes are clipped off occasionally. Sun, average to well drained soil. Drought tolerant once established.

Salvia verticillata. LILAC SAGE. Perennial. Zone 4. Eurasia. A.k.a. WHORLED SAGE, WHORLED CLARY. Large, densely hairy, triangular foliage in basal clumps. 24 to 30 inch tall bloom stalks with crowded whorls of lilac-purple, dragonshead flowers for a very long period, late June through August. Bee and butterfly flower; hummingbirds, too. Sun, average to well drained soil. Drought tolerant once established.

Salvia species. ‘AARON JOHANNES’ SAGE. Perennial. Zone 4. Hoping to find an accurate species name for this nice plant. In the meantime, my original seed source says: “Hardy 3-foot, low maintenance perennial. Beautiful large-leaved Salvia with snapdragon-like flowers of mauve, purple and white. Large, densely hairy, triangular foliage in basal clumps.” (Salt Spring Seeds.) Sun, average to well drained soil.

SANGUISORBA ~ Burnets

Family: Rosaceae

Sanguisorba canadensis. CANADIAN BURNET. Perennial. Zone 2. Handsome clumps of multi-leafleted foliage. Branching stems 18 to 24 inches tall are topped by many elongated white and green “bottlebrush” flowers from July to October. Never a bad moment, looks good in all its growth stages. Great in woodland garden or mixed border. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

Sanguisorba menziesii. RED BURNET, MENZIES’ BURNET. Perennial. Zone 2. The Yukon, Alaska. Attractive grey-green, multi-leafleted foliage. 24-inch branching stems produce deep maroon “bottlebrushes” all summer. Nice in the mixed border or woodland garden. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

Sanguisorba minor. SALAD BURNET. Perennial. Zone 2. Syn. Poterium sanguisorba. Many-leafleted foliage in rounded clumps. Many stems to 18 inches tall are topped by green and deep pink bottlebrush flowers in spring and summer. Leaves are cucumber-flavoured, much used in salads in olden times. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Sanguisorba tenuifolia. PINK BURNET. Perennial. Zone 4. Pink bottlebrushes on 3 to 4 foot stems over handsome, large, many-leafleted foliage clumps. Long bloom period, July to September. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

SCABIOSA ~ Pincushion Flowers

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Scabiosa lucida ssp. stricta. SHINING SCABIOSA. Perennial. Zone 3. European alpine regions. Dwarf clump forming Scabiosa sends up many 6-12″ stems topped by large, pale liac pincushion flowers. Long bloom time in summer. Very attractive to bees and butterflies. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

SCUTELLARIA ~ Skullcaps

Family: Lamiaceae

Scutellaria alpina. ALPINE SKULLCAP. Perennial. Zone 3. European alpine regions. Seed for this offering wild-collected in the Alpes de Savoie, France. Prostrate clump former, 6 inches tall, a foot or so wide. Foliage is heart-shaped, rather wrinkled, rather fuzzy. Generous production of crowded racemes of showy snapdragon-ish blooms in early summer. Flower colour can be quite variable (but always attractive) – shades of violet-blue with varying degrees of cream shading. The common name comes from the appearance of the bracted seedheads after the flowers fall. Valued plant in herbal medicine. Very attractive to bees. Sun, average conditions, quite drought tolerant.

SEDUM ~ Stonecrops

Family: Crassulaceae

Sedum acre. MOSSY STONECROP ‘OKTOBERFEST’. Perennial. Zone 2. Europe, North Africa, West Asia. This low-growing succulent forms a moss-like carpet of tiny, pointed, fleshy, light green leaves, only 3 inches or so tall but up to 24 inces in spread. The species has tiny, star-shaped, bright yellow flowers, but ‘Oktoberfest’ has frothy white stars, which cover the plants for a long time in summer. For border edging or rockery, but watch it around delicate neighbours, as it is a small but mighty thing, capable of marching right over anything too wispy and petite. Sun, average conditions, likes good drainage, drought tolerant.

Sedum forsterianum. ‘ORACLE’ ROCK STONECROP. Perennial. Zone 3. Western Europe. Lovely, succulent, blue-green, tree-needle-like foliage on upright to cascading stems. Bright yellow starflowers in summer. Clump forming, low growing, 4 to 8 inches tall, spreads to 12 inches wide. Sun, average conditions, likes good drainage.

Sedum hispanicum. SPANISH STONECROP. Perennial. Zone 2. A gorgeous little miniature sedum, lovely in the rockery or in a trough planting. Forms a tidy cushion of plump needle-like leaves, silvery-green flushed with purple. Tiny white starflowers in summer. Sun, average conditions, likes good drainage, drought tolerant.

Sedum hybridum. ‘CZAR’S GOLD’ SEDUM. Perennial. Zone 3. Succulent mat former for border front or rockery. Bright green, oval, scalloped foliage. Covered with many starry, golden yellow blooms in summer. 3-6″ tall; 8-12″ spread.  Sun; average conditions; drought tolerant.

Sedum kamtschaticum. KAMCHATKA SEDUM. Perennial. Zone 2. Low growing succulent spreads to form a broad mat of rounded, scalloped, lime-green foliage covered by brilliant yellow, star-shaped, gold-eyed blooms in summer. To 6″ tall; 12″+ spread.  Sun; average conditions; drought tolerant.

Sedum reflexum. ‘BLUE SPRUCE’ GOLDMOSS SEDUM. Perennial. Zone 2. Syn. Sedum rupestre. Only a few inches tall, but spreading to 12″ or more, this pretty little sedum is an excellent groundcover for slopes or rockeries. Needle-like, soft blue-green foliage line the delicate succulent stems; topped by a profusion of bright yellow starflowers in summer.  Sun; average conditions; drought tolerant.

Sedum spurium. ‘SUMMER SNOW’ SEDUM. Perennial. Zone 3. Succulent groundcover, edging and rockery plant. Bright green foliage forms a carpet 4 to 6 inches tall and up to 2 feet across, covered in summer with pure white, starry blooms with pink-tipped stamens. Sun; average conditions; drought tolerant.

Sedum spurium coccineum. ‘RED CARPET’ SEDUM. Perennial. Zone 3. Succulent groundcover, edging and rockery plant. Burgundy foliage forms a 4 to 6 inch tall carpet up to 2 feet across, covered in summer with rich pink blooms. Always looks good, spring till fall. Sun; average conditions; drought tolerant.

Sedum spurium coccineum. ‘VOODOO’ SEDUM. Perennial. Zone 4. Creeping succulent groundcover/edging/rockery plant. Rounded, scalloped, very dark burgundy foliage; bright pink star-flowers in summer. 4 to 6 inches tall; 12 to 24 inch spread. Slower growing than the green-leaved varieties, keep an eye on it the 1st year or two. Sun; average conditions; drought tolerant.

SEMIAQUILEGIA

Family: Ranunculaceae

Semiaquilegia ecalcarata. SPURLESS COLUMBINE. Perennial. Zone 4. This petite beauty from China and Tibet is a close relative of the true columbines, Aquilegia species. Beautifully formed foliage, with leaves flushed and edged with purple. Tiny, very lovely, nodding, rosy-purple blooms in May and June. A delicate small clump-former. 12 to 16 inches tall. For a rockery or woodland garden, or at the border edge. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

SESELI

Family: Umbelliferae

Seseli gummiferum. MOON CARROT. Monocarpic Perennial/Biennial. Zone 4. How could anyone resist a plant with this name?! This is a really neat creature – ferny silver-blue foliage sends up sturdy stems the second year topped by huge white umbels of tiny white flowers. Delicate pink tones while in bud. 12 inches tall in foliage state, 18 to 24 inches when in bloom. Sun, requires very good drainage, drought tolerant.

SIDALCEA ~ Prairie Mallows

Family: Malvaceae

Sidalcea x cultorum. PRAIRIE MALLOW ‘PARTY GIRL’.  Perennial. Zone 4/5. Western and central North America. A.k.a. CHECKERBLOOM. Reminiscent of Musk Mallow (Malva moschata) to which it is related, but more hollyhock-like in that flowers are arranged all the way up on 2 to 3 foot tall stems, giving a charming “spire” effect. 3-inch wide blooms are mallow-like, 5-petalled, wide open, and bright pink with pale centres and contrasting veining. Wonderful bee and hummingbird flower. Long bloom time in summer. Part shade to full sun, average soil, appreciates summer moisture – will go dormant if it gets too dry.

Sidalcea malviflora. PRAIRIE MALLOW ‘ROSALY’.  Perennial. Zone 4/5. Western and central North America. A.k.a. CHECKERBLOOM. Pale pink, wide-open mallow blooms open on 2 to 3 foot stems from late June through August. Fantastic bee and hummingbird flower. Part shade to full sun, average soil, appreciates summer moisture – will go dormant if it gets too dry.

SILENE

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Silene armeria. SWEET WILLIAM CATCHFLY. Short-lived perennial. Zone 4/5. Europe. A.k.a. NONE-SO-PRETTY. Basal tufts of leathery, pale green foliage. 18 to 24 inch tall bloom stems are topped with heads of vivid cerise-pink, sweetly fragrant flowers for a long period in summer. This profuse first-year bloomer often flowers itself to death, but it is such a generous self-seeder that it will perpetuate itself in the garden if a few seed heads are left to mature. Sun, average conditions, quite drought tolerant. Deer resistant.

Silene caroliniana. CAROLINA PINKS. Perennial. Zone 4. Very pretty little long-bloomer for border edge or rockery. 12 inch wide, 6 inch tall foliage clumps are completely covered by large, 5-petalled, dianthus-like bright pink blooms late spring into summer. Tidy, well-behaved, showy. Occasionally it may bloom itself to death. Sun, average conditions.

Silene dioica. ROSY CAMPION. Perennial. Zone 4. Lush, silky-fuzzed, deep green foliage clumps send up 18 to 24 inch stalks in late spring topped by loose clusters of delicately furry buds which open wide into deep shocking-pink blooms with long white stamens. Well-behaved and eye-catching companion plant for the mixed border. Long bloom time, late spring well into summer. Cut back to rebloom in autumn. Sun, average conditions.

Silene dioica. ‘RAY’S GOLDEN’ CAMPION. Perennial. Zone 4. From Ray Brown at Plant World (Devonshire, England), who painstakingly stabilized this sport of the well-known Rosy Campion. Eye-catching, goldy-lime-green (chartreuse!) foliage in lush clumps contrast with the clusters of vivid hot-pink blooms which appear on 12 to 18 inch stems all summer. Sun, average conditions.

Silene hookeri.  HOOKER’S SILENE. Perennial. Zone 4. Western coast and mountains of North America. Small clump-former for the alpine garden or perennial border edge. Clusters of large, bright to pale pink flowers with lobed petals and central petal frills, prominent white stamens. Blooms in late spring. To 8 inches tall and wide. Sun, good drainage.

Silene uniflora ‘compacta’.  MAIDEN’S TEARS SILENE. Perennial. Zone 2. Arctic Europe, North Atlantic shorelines, Iceland. Not in any way a showy plant, but pleasing in all of its details, and very appealing. Low-growing, gently cascading mats of grey-green foliage and quite lovely, pink-blushed, possibly rather teardrop-shaped blooms (if one applies one’s imagination) in spring and early summer. A quaint and attractive creeping cascader for the rockery or a border edging. 6 inches tall, 12 inches wide. Sun, good drainage.

Silene zawadskii.  ZAWADSKY’S CAMPION. Perennial. Zone 4. Carpathian Mountains. Neat rosettes of pointed leaves send up graceful stems topped by large-for-its-size, pure white flowers with inflated, pink-striped calyxes. Long bloom time in summer. For alpine planting or border front. 8 inches tall in bloom, 6 to 12 inch spread. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Silene suksdorfii. SUKSDORF’S CAMPION. Perennial. Zone 3. Pacific Northwest.  Low-growing, gently cascading mats of grey-green foliage and attractive up-facing chalky white blooms with elongated, inflated, striped calyxes in spring and early summer. For the rockery or a border edging. 6 inches tall, 12 inches wide. Sun, good drainage.

SISYRINCHIUM

Family: Iridaceae

Sisyrinchium angustifolium.  BLUE-EYED GRASS. Perennial. Zone 4. North America. This pretty wildflower is in the Iris Family, as a closer look will reveal. Tidy foot-tall clumps of grass-like, slightly succulent, very flattened blue-green leaves produce many round bloom stems topped with clusters of pointed buds which unfurl into small but showy, silken-textured, rich violet-blue open-faced flowers with contrasting golden eyes. These appear only when the sun is shining; cloudy days and evening see the blooms closed, waiting for the light to return. Bloom time is in late spring and early summer. A very pretty addition to the rockery or mixed border. Sun, average soil and moisture.

SOLIDAGO ~ Goldenrods

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Solidago canadensis.  ‘GOLDEN BABY’ GOLDENROD. Perennial. Zone 2. North America. This wildflower-turned-garden-flower is highly regarded in Europe, and has returned to North America with ornamental credentials fully established. Neat clumps of bright green, jaggedly toothed foliage. Flat-topped clusters of tiny, bright yellow blooms in late summer and into fall. This cheerful Goldenrod lights up the garden just when most needed, and contrasts perfectly with fall asters and ornamental grasses. Beloved of butterflies, attracts many other pollinators, and is a nice cutflower, too. 12 to 18 inches tall.  Sun, average conditions.

Solidago canadensis. GOLDENROD ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’. Perennial. Zone 2. North America. Feathery plumes of tiny, bright yellow blooms in summer and autumn. Superb bee and butterfly flower, an important later-season nectar source for wild bees and honeybees. to a foot tall or so, spreads to form a tidy clump. This dwarf cultivar makes a nice front-of-border plant. Sun, average conditions.

Solidago rigida ssp. humilis.  STIFF GOLDENROD ‘GOLDEN ROCKETS’. Perennial. Zone 3. North America. Compact European selection of the lovely North American prairie wildflower. Basal clumps of leathery foliage, nice firm bloom stalks (referred to in the common name – “stiff”) to 18 inches topped by rounded clusters of small, golden yellow, daisy-like flowers. Blooms late summer into fall. Important bee and butterfly plant. Sun, average conditions.

STACHYS

Family: Labiatae

Stachys byzantina. ‘SILKY FLEECE’ LAMB’S EARS. Perennial. Zone 2. A scaled-down version of the common Lamb’s Ears. Small, silver-woolly leaves in neat clumps, with plum-coloured flowers in short spikes in summer. Foliage is only a few inches tall, flower spikes to 10 inches. Sun, average conditions. Drought tolerant.

Stachys byzantina syn. lanata.  WOOLY LAMB’S EARS. Perennial. Zone 2. Turkey, Armenia, Iran. This is a lovely old-fashioned edger for sunny borders. The main feature is the gorgeous foliage. Leaves are silver and thickly furred, with the definite shape and velvety texture as common name suggests, very much indeed like soft lambs’ ears. Dense spikes of pale mauve flowers are produced in summer, which are very attractive to foraging bees. Some gardeners remove the bloom spikes as they feel that they detract from the mat effect of the felty foliage, but others appreciate the pollinators they attract. If the stalks are clipped just as blooms open they can be dried as everlastings, as can the soft leaves. Lovely used in dried flower wreaths. 12 to 18 inches tall. Sun, average conditions, good drainage, drought tolerant. Deer resistant, too.

Stachys macrantha syn. grandiflora. SHOWY BETONY. Perennial. Zone 2. Bright violet-purple, hooded flowers in dense 6-inch spikes in late spring.  Ornamental, pebbly-textured, heart-shaped foliage. Unusual and surprisingly rarely seen in Cariboo gardens. A very good plant and showy in bloom. To 12 inches high, spreads slowly to form a clump 12 to 18 inches across. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Stachys officinalis. WOOD BETONY. Perennial. Zone 2. Europe, British Isles, West Asia, North Africa. This one-time medicinal herb is experiencing something of a makeover into a trendy ornamental, as its decorative virtues are becoming much appreciated as its various colour strains are being selectively chosen for maximum garden impact. Tidy clumps of heavilly textured, elongated-heart-shaped, bright green foliage. Many wiry bloom stems, 12 to 18 inches tall, are topped by dense spikes of tiny dragonshead flowers in shades of pale to ruch pinks and purples. Named varieties are starting to pop up in nurseries, such as ‘HUMMELO’, a vibrant magenta-purple, and ‘PINK COTTON CANDY’, a pretty candy-pink (and patented) selection from the Chicago Botanic Garden. Even the unnamed seed strains are garden worthy, so keep an eye on this one, because you’ll be seeing it a lot in future. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture. Deer resistant.

STYLOPHORUM – Celandine Poppies

Family: Papaveraceae

Stylophorum lasiocarpum. CHINESE CELANDINE POPPY. Perennial. Zone 4. China. Large, crisp, pale green, deeply lobed foliage in basal clumps to 12 inches tall and  wide. 18 -inch tall bloom stems are topped by clusters of bright yellow, poppy-like flowers for a very long period, late spring until fall. All parts contain a bright red sap; a common name is ‘Bloodwort’;  the plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Suitable for a shady border or woodland garden. Related and similar to the eastern North American Stylophorum diphyllum. May self-sow; remove seed pods before they ripen if this is a concern. Light to full shade, average soil and moisture. Dry soil tolerant. Deer resistant.

SUCCISA

Family: Caprifoliaceaea

Succisa pratensis. DEVIL’S BIT SCABIOSA. Perennial. Zone 4. Europe, North Africa. Syn. Scabiosa succisa. Tap-rooted clump former with rosettes of slightly hairy, elongated leaves. Bloom stems arise to 18 inches or so, and produce clusters of pale lilac, honey-scented, scabiosa-like blooms in late summer well into autumn. Very popular with bees and butterflies. Once a popular medicinal plant in herbalism, used for skin ailments and as a “blood purifier”. May self-sow, keep an eye on it. Seedlings are easy to remove where unwanted but don’t allow it to escape the garden. Sun, average soil and moisture. Deer resistant.

SYMPHYANDRA

Family: Campanulaceae

Symphyandra hofmannii. RINGED BELLFLOWER. Biennial. Zone 3. Bosnia; the Balkans. Long-leaved foliage rosettes send up many arching stems lined with large, ivory white blooms for a long period in summer. 18 inches tall and wide. Sun to part shade, average conditions. Allow to self-sow to perpetuate itself.

SYMPHYTUM ~ Comfreys

Family: Boraginaceae

Symphytum officinale. COMFREY. Perennial. Zone 2. Large, lush, roughly hairy, fleshy foliage. Nodding clusters of creamy-purple bell-shaped blooms in late spring. An attractive though rather coarse plant for the herb garden or the edge of the vegetable garden – but do not rototill as it will regrow from every chunk of root left behind! Immensely valued in herbal medicine since at least medieval times, as a livestock forage plant (you may want to research this as some reports say it may cause liver damage if over-fed) and as a key component in fermented “comfrey tea” plant fertilizer. Sun to part shade, average conditions. Site carefully – spreads easily by roots left in ground! May also self seed.

TANACETUM

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Tanacetum coccineum.  PAINTED DAISY ‘ROBINSON PINK’.  Perennial. Zone 2. Syn. Pyrethrum coccineum. Large, soft pink single daisies with golden centres. Blooms late spring into summer. Ferny foliage. 18 inches tall. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Tanacetum coccineum. PAINTED DAISY ‘DURO’. Perennial. Zone 2. Syn. Pyrethrum coccineum. Large, brilliant crimson-pink daisies with golden centres on tall stems to 18 inches in late spring and early summer. Ferny foliage. Good cutflower and border accent plant. Very similar cultivars are ‘JAMES KELWAY’S CRIMSON’, ‘ROBINSON’S RED’. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Tanacetum corymbosum. WHITE MEADOW TANSY. Perennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. SCENTLESS CHAMOMILE, OSTRICH DAISY. Charming “daisy flower” native to Europe and North Africa. Handsome clumps to 3 feet tall, strong stems lined with ferny foliage and topped by corymbes of small but showy golden-eyed white daisies in late June through August. Nice cut flower. Deer resistant. Sometimes not long-lived in this region, but self seeds gently. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant once established.

Tanacetum macrophyllum. BIG-LEAF WHITE TANSY. Perennial. Zone 2. Deep green, toothed foliage and sturdy 30-inch tall stems topped by broad heads of large, white, yarrow-like flowers in early summer. Good at back of border or in the wild garden. Sun to light shade, drought tolerant.

Tanacetum niveum. SILVER TANSY ‘JACKPOT’. Perennial. Zone 4. A.k.a. ‘MILLION BLOOMS’, SNOW DAISY. Dense clumps of low growing, ferny, silver foliage completely covered in white daisy-flowers June-August. 12 to 18 inches tall and wide. Good underplanted among roses. Nice cut flower. Not long-lived, but self seeds reliably to continue its welcome presence in the garden. Sun, average conditions.

Tanacetum parthenium. FEVERFEW. Perennial. Zone 4. Deeply cut, bright green, ferny foliage. Abundant clusters of small, white and gold daisy flowers in summer. Very attractive garden flower, also used in herbal medicine to treat migraine headaches, a use supported by medical studies. 12 inches tall and wide. May be short-lived, but should self-seed enough to maintain its presence. Likes sun, average soil and moisture. 

THALICTRUM ~ Meadow Rues

Family: Ranunculaceae

Thalictrum aquilegifolium. COLUMBINE-LEAVED MEADOWRUE. Perennial. Zone 2. Handsome, columbine-like, many-leafleted foliage and large cloudy clusters of tiny feathery flowers in early summer. 4 to 5 feet tall. Well-behaved, long-lived, and lovely. Seed heads get heavy and weigh the stems down, so you may want to cut back after flowering. Shades of rosy-purple, pale lavender, and pink-blushed white. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum.  PALE YELLOW MEADOW RUE.  Perennial. Zone 3. This handsome large meadow rue has a relatively short bloom time, but it looks so good for the 3 weeks or so that the flowers last, and has such gorgeous foliage and interesting seed heads that I give it high points as a garden plant. Big clumps of blue-green, columbine-like foliage send up 4 to 6 foot tall bloom stalks topped by feathery clouds of pale yellow blooms in early summer, right around the time the delphiniums are at their peak, and contrasting perfectly with their blues. Give it a bit of elbow room – about 3 feet in diameter should do it – and in a year or two it will gloriously fill the space and settle in to a long, trouble-free, non-invasive life. It’s only weakness is that it’s a bit of a flopper when it hits bloom stage. Give it a bamboo stake when you’re reinforcing your delphiniums and all will be well. Sun to light shade, average conditions. 

Thalictrum isopyroides.  AFGHAN MEADOW RUE.  Perennial. Zone 3. Turkey, Russian Armenia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and the Altai Mountains.“Exquisite” is the only adequate decriptor for the beautiful foliage of this wee mountain-dweller. Gorgeous 12-inch tall and wide clumps of maidenhair fern-like foliage. Sprays of tiny, fluffy yellow-purple-green blooms in summer are almost an afterthought. One for the border front or rock garden. Neat and tidy, really pretty. May be late to emerge in spring so note its spot. Sun to light shade, average conditions, good drainage preferred. 

Thalictrum lucidum.  SHINING MEADOW RUE.  Perennial. Zone 3. Beautiful tall meadow rue with none of the flopping issues of its similar relative, T. flavum. Substantial clumps of ferny, bright green foliage. 4 to 6 foot tall, sturdy bloom stalks are topped by feathery clusters of pale yellow, sweetly fragrant flowers in mid-summer. You can allow these to mature in place for winter interest, the skeletal remains of this meadowe rue being delicately statuesque. Sun to light shade, average conditions. 

Thalictrum rochebrunianum. LAVENDER MIST MEADOW RUE. Perennial. Zone 4. One of the taller “wildflowery” Meadow Rues. Clumps of maidenhair fern-like foliage, tall, slender, purple-blushed stems to 4 feet (or taller) topped by loose clusters of small, pale purple, dusty-yellow stamened blooms from July well into autumn. A bee favourite. Sun to part shade, humus-rich soil, good moisture.

Thalictrum uchiyamae. UCHIYAMA’S MEADOW RUE. Perennial. Zone 4. Rather rare Asian Meadow Rue. Beautiful foliage in lush, compact clumps to 12 inches or so. Tall stems to 3 feet or more, topped by sprays of deep purple, bead-like buds which open to feathery lavender blooms in summer. Sun to part shade, humus-rich soil, good moisture.

THERMOPSIS

Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae

Thermopsis chinensis. ‘SUNRISE’ CHINESE THERMOPSIS. Perennial. Zone 3. East Asia, Siberia to Japan. CHINESE GOLDEN BEAN, CHINESE BUSH-PEA. An interesting plant which is similar in effect to Baptisia and to true Lupine. Emerging stems are an eye-catching blackish-indigo in early spring. Clumps of many stems lined with blue-green, multi-leafleted foliage grow to 2 feet tall and wide. Spikes of sulphur yellow pea-flowers appear much earlier than expected, early to mid-May, followed by long narrow seed pods which age to a soft brown. Bees enjoy the blooms. Plant can be sheared off to half height after blooming to encourage bushy regrowth, or left alone to get on with things in its quietly attractive way. Never needs staking, as the stems are wonderfully sturdy. Tap rooted, very long-lived, and doesn’t like to be moved so site with this in mind.   Sun, appreciates good soil and regular moisture.

Thermopsis villosa. CAROLINA LUPINE. Perennial. Zone 3. Syn. Thermopsis caroliniana. Named for its general resemblance to Lupine, but in a genus of its own. This is a lovely clump-former which looks grand all season. 3 to 4 foot tall bushy clumps of lush, multi-leafleted foliage. Short, dense spikes of bright yellow lupine-like flowers in summer, followed by interesting dark seedpod clusters. Bee and butterfly flower. Tap rooted, long-lived, and it doesn’t like to be moved so site with this in mind.  Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture. Quite drought tolerant once established.

THYMUS ~ Thymes

Family: Labiatae

Thymus fragrantissimus. ORANGE-SCENTED THYME. Perennial. Zone 4. Very fragrant, delicate, low-growing thyme. Delicate pink-purple flowers attract bees. Sun, good drainage, drought tolerant.

Thymus glabrescens. LOEVYANUS THYME. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. T. loevyanus. Fragrant, pinky-mauve-flowered thyme from eastern Europe. Blooms in spring and early summer, and is very attractice to bees. Great groundcover or edger, particularly nice under rosebushes. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Thymus serpyllum. CREEPING THYME. Perennial. Zone 4. Vigorous groundcover thyme. Fragrant, bright green foliage and many small purple blooms in summer. Best for edging or to grow between paving stones or in rock walls. Sun, good drainage, drought tolerant.

Thymus vulgaris. ENGLISH THYME. Perennial. Zone 4. Low-growing, fine-foliaged culinary herb. Very aromatic. Wee purple flowers in summer are beloved of honeybees. Grow as a border edging or rockery plant, in a classic herb garden or in containers. Strawberry pots are perfect for cascading clumps of thyme. Sun, good drainage, drought tolerant.

TIARELLA

Family: Saxifragaceae

Tiarella wherryi. FOAMFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 4. Clumps of bright emerald green, maple-leaf shaped foliage. Slender 12-inch bloom stems are topped by loose racemes of tiny, white-tinted-palest pink, star-shaped flowers with protruding stamens for a long period late spring through summer. Red fall foliage colour. Very lovely plant for shade and woodland gardens. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture

TRADESCANTIA ~ Spiderworts

Family: Commelinaceae

Tradescantia bracteata. PRAIRIE SPIDERWORT. Perennial. Zone 3. North America.  A.k.a. INDIAN PAINT, MOSES-IN-THE-BULRUSHES. This interesting prairie wildflower is happily adapted to the garden, a really lovely sight when in bloom in summer. The succulent, grass-like leaves produce a stringy sap when broken, resembling spiderweb filaments, a possible explanation for the common name. It was also used by the Cherokee and Lakota peoples of its native range as a treatment for insect bites. Clusters of large, rich violet-blue, 3-petalled flowers are produced in profusion in summer, with each bloom opening only for a day, but quickly replaced by another, and another, and another. (Another colloquial name is DAYFLOWER.) Nice in a mixed perennial border or a wildflower garden. Gently spreading clump former. 18 to 24 inches tall.  Sun to light shade, average conditions, quite drought tolerant once established.  

Tradescantia ohiensis. OHIO SPIDERWORT. Perennial. Zone 3. North America.  Lush clumps of succulent, grass-like leaves. Beautiful clusters of large, pale violet-blue, 3-petalled flowers in profusion in summer. Each bloom lasts only a day, but is quickly replaced by the next in the cluster. To 18 inches or so tall. An established clump in full bloom is a glorious sight. Sun to light shade, average conditions, quite drought tolerant once established. 

TRICYRTIS ~ Toad Lilies

Family: Liliaceae

Tricyrtis hirta. JAPANESE TOAD LILY. Perennial. Zone 4. Japan. Clumps of arching 2 to 3 foot tall stems lined with large, clasping, parallel-veined, heart-shaped leaves. Clusters of fleshy buds start to appear in late summer, opening up into intriguingly speckled and spotted, star-shaped, burgundy-purple and milk-white blooms. Blooming continues through autumn, until hard frost. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

Tricyrtis latifolia. YELLOW TOAD LILY. Perennial. Zone 4. Honshu, Japan. The earliest-bloomimg of this fascinating genus, and the best one to start with for the Cariboo-Chilcotin gardener. Arching 24-inch tall stems lined with large, glossy green leaves. Sprays of small, star-shaped, fleshy, pale sulphur-yellow flowers thickly speckled with red dots in July and August. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

TROLLIUS ~ Globeflowers

Family: Ranunculaceae

Trollius altaicus. SIBERIAN GLOBEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Altai Mountains, Siberia, and Khangai Mountains, Mongolia. Handsome alpine Trollius from Asia. Large, globe shaped, very double, buttercup-like blooms are vivid orange-yellow with a central cluster of dark red stigmas. Blooms May and June. An excellent and seldom seen species of this dependable and attractive genus. Part shade, good soil and moisture.

Trollius chinensis. ‘GOLDEN QUEEN’ CHINESE GLOBEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. In mid-spring, clumps of lush green foliage send up numerous 18-inch tall stems topped by bright golden-yellow flowers like huge, double buttercups with long, protruding clusters of upright stamens. Handsome foliage stays nice all summer. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Trollius europaeus. YELLOW GLOBEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Europe, Western Asia. Beautiful spring garden flower is an old favourite and one of the ornamentals carried to the new world by European settlers in North America. It still survives in the overgrown gardens around old homesteads. If you are ever in Barkerville in early summer, look out for this species growing on the hillside behind the restored houses on your right as you walk down main street. Typical Ranunculaceae foliage (maple-leaf-like, lush and dark green). Fleshy stems topped by large, round, egg-yolk-yellow, extra-double, rather buttercup-like blooms in late spring and early summer. Beautiful and dependable. Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.  

Trollius europaeus.  ‘NEW MOON’ TROLLIUS. Perennial. Zone 2. Europe, Western Asia.  Lovely new “globeflower” variety. Semi-double, pale ivory blooms with golden stamens clusters in early spring. A fairly short variety, 12 inches or so.  Sun to shade, good soil and moisture.

Trollius europaeus f. compactus. ‘LEMON SUPREME’ GLOBEFLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Dwarf variety (12 inches tall) of the wonderful European Globeflower. Profuse, cup-shaped, very double, lemon-yellow blooms in late spring and early summer. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Trollius laxus var. albiflorus. WHITE TROLLIUS. Perennial. Zone 2. Very low growing native variety of the lovely Trollius from the high alpine meadows of western North America, where I have seen it in full bloom surrounded by melting snow. As spring progresses, flower stalks extend past the tidy basal foliage cluster until they reach 12 inches or so, topped by giant, single, pure white, anemone-like blooms with prominent golden stamen clusters. Sun to part shade, good soil, loves moisture.

TUNICA

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Tunica saxifraga syn. Petrohagia saxifraga. TUNIC FLOWER. Perennial. Zone 2. Mat-former to 6 inches tall with loose clusters of small, pale pink flowers in airy profusion all summer. Related to Gypsophila and has a similar effect to the creeping varieties. For rockery or raised garden edging. Sun, good drainage.

TUSSILAGO

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Tussilagoi farfara. COLTSFOOT. Perennial. Zone 2. Europe, Great Britain, West Africa, Northwest Asia. A.k.a. SON-BEFORE-FATHER, POOR-MAN’S-TOBACCO. Mostly of interest to herbalists, this ultra-early bloomer is a undeniably territory-seeking thing, spreading by underground rhizomes – gardener beware! With that warning out of the way, it is also a cheerful earliest spring bloomer, pushing up its reddish, scale-lined flower stalks as fast as the snow recedes and producing small, bright yellow, dandelion-like blooms for a good month or more. These are followed by downy white seedheads. Thick-textured, heart-shaped, downy-backed leaves follow the blooms, and by late spring the Coltsfoot patch is a solid carpet of green. There are many traditional herbal uses for this plant, in particular for respiratory troubles; the Latin name Tussilago refers to its use in the treatment of coughs – tussis/tussere. The common name Coltsfoot comes from either the appearance of the horse’s-hoof-shaped leaves, or the horseshoe-shaped leaf scar on the stem. Sun to shade, any soils, moisture lover.

VALERIANA ~ Valerians

Family: Valerianaceae

Valeriana officinalis. VALERIAN. Perennial. Zone 2. Stems to 5 feet tall topped by many clusters of tiny, very fragrant white or pinkish flowers. Common name GARDEN HELIOTROPE refers to the strong, vanilla-like aroma. Attracts beneficial pollinating insects. Clumps of raggedly cut foliage. Roots are rather pleasantly scented and affect cats like catnip. Once used to bait mouse and rat traps; legend has it that the Pied Piper of Hamelin carried this in his pocket. Used in herbal medicine as a relaxant and sleep aid. An interesting and attractive plant. Full sun to part shade, average soil and moisture.

VERBASCUM ~ Mulleins

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Verbascum atroviolaceum. RUSSIAN PURPLE MULLEIN. Perennial. Zone 3. A beautiful short mullein, to 18 inches tall, from the Russian Caucasas Mountains. It belongs to the same general type as Verbascum phoeniceum. Bright purple flowers in dense spikes in summer. Bee and butterfly flower. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

Verbascum blattaria ‘albiflorum’. WHITE MOTH MULLEIN. Biennial. Zone 4. Anyone who has grown the delicate Moth Mullein knows what a pretty thing it is, but this is still a seriously underused plant. Smooth, deep green leaf rosettes give forth thin, graceful stems starred with lovely white blossoms with purple stamens, looking for all the world like silken butterflies (or moths) resting with wings spread. Blooms appear summer through fall. Slender stems are 3 to 5 feet tall, but airy enough for the front of border. Bees love this pretty thing. Sun, average conditions.

Verbascum bombyciferum. WOOLY MULLEIN ‘POLAR SUMMER’. Biennial. Zone 4. Greece. Magnificent. Densely white and woolly foliage plant. The tall, densely white-furred bloom spikes and glowing yellow flowers the second year are a beautiful bonus – one could happily grow this for the foliage alone. Rosettes up to 2 feet across, stems to 5 feet tall. Blooms late spring through summer. Very choice. Sun, average conditions, good drainage essential.

Verbascum chaixii.  NETTLE-LEAF MULLEIN. Perennial. Zone 4. Lush rosettes of woolly, deep green leaves produce many 2 to 3 foot tall stems, densely packed with small saucer-shaped flowers with bright purple stamens. Long period of bloom through summer. Bee and butterfly magnet. Two variations: ‘SIXTEEN CANDLES’ – Sulphur yellow. V.c.’album’  ‘WEDDING CANDLES’ – White. Sun, average conditions.

Verbascum lychnitis. WHITE MULLEIN. Biennial. Zone 4. Graceful and dainty mullein to 3 feet tall. Pointed dark green leaves are white underneath. Branched bloom spikes are lined with creamy white to pale yellow flowers with pale yellow stamens. Blooms all summer. Bee and butterfly flower. Sun, average conditions.

Verbascum olympicum. MOUNT OLYMPUS MULLEIN. Biennial. Zone 3. Greece, Turkey. Large silver-haired foliage rosettes the first year. The second year immense, branching bloom stalks 7 to 10 feet tall, loaded with bright yellow blooms. Flowering plants are alive with bees, which are much attracted to this and all other mulleins. Long-blooming, July to September. Sun, average conditions, good drainage essential.

Verbascum phoeniceum. GREEK MULLEIN. Perennial. Zone 3. One of the smaller mulleins. Rosettes of deep green, glossy leaves hug the ground and send up graceful stems 18 to 24 inches tall lined with large blooms in shades of purple, pink, and white, and often with a contrasting central blush of burgundy or bronze. This is the earliest mullein to bloom, from late May through June. One of the first mulleins I grew, and one I never want to be without. Nice interplanted with roses and Asiatic lilies as they bloom at the same time. Beloved by bees. Individual plants are not long lived, but there are always a few seedlings about to carry on. We generally offer a mix, as well as these stellar single colours: ‘ROSETTA’ – Deep rose-pink flowers. ‘VIOLETTA’ – Rich violet-purple. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Verbascum pyramidatum. PYRAMID MULLEIN. Biennial. Zone 4. This very showy, 6 feet tall, multibranching mullein is loaded with clear yellow, purple-stamened blooms for a long time in summer. Bee and butterfly flower. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Verbascum roripifolium. BULGARIAN MULLEIN Biennial. Zone 4. Deeply serrated foliage in basal rosettes. Wiry, branching stems to 3 feet long are starred with abundant, showy, lemon yellow, purple-eyed blooms in summer. A lovely and very interesting species. As with all the mulleins, bees absolutely adore it. Sun, average conditions.

Verbascum thapsiforme syn. densiflorum. SHOWY YELLOW MULLEIN. Biennial. Zone 4. In the first year, ground-hugging, densely wooly, silver rosettes form. In the second year, tall, branched spikes to 6 feet or more are produced – ours have topped 10 feet – and are lined with very large, pale yellow blooms for months – June right through September. A garden visitor once mistook this Mullein for a Hollyhock, which gives you some idea of its effect. Blossoms fold up in the afternoon, to reopen in full glory the next morning. Wonderful bee flower. I have a deep fondness for all of the Mulleins, but this one is especially nice. Sun, average conditions.

Verbascum virgatum. SPIKE MULLEIN. Biennial. Zone 4.  A.k.a. WAND MULLEIN. This attractive species has yellow (or sometimes white), inch-wide flowers with woolly purple stamens on long, graceful spikes to 3 feet tall. Basal rosettes of long, deep green leaves. Sun, average conditions.

Verbascum  sp. MONET’S GARDEN  MULLEIN ‘ELECTRIC YELLOW’. Biennial. Zone 3. I will quote my seed source, Kristl Walek:

“Original seed of this plant was collected in Monet’s garden in Giverny, France … It has huge 3” luminous yellow flowers with deep orange stamens on a tall (to 8 ft.) densely crowded flowering spike, beloved by bees. Flowering is over a long period until hard frost. Individual flowers open during the night and last until the following afternoon and look beautiful floating in a bowl. Plants grow tallest in well-worked soil. Perhaps a new species or a wonderful natural hybrid.”

Verbascum x. ‘SOUTHERN CHARM’ MULLEIN. Variably hardy perennial, blooms profusely the first year. Zone 4. This is a deluxe hybrid of the Greek Mullein, V. phoeniceum, and I’m not sure what other species. The seed is ridiculously high-priced, as the blooms are sterile and the cross needs to be repeated by the seed grower each time – a true hybrid – but the resulting plants are worth every penny. It is taller than its parent, to 2 or 3 feet or so, and blooms profusely as an annual. Colours are shades of pink, purple, peach and copper. It tends to flop from the weight of the flowers in full bloom. Plan to stake it; a few slender bamboo sticks will do it. Great border plant tucked behind shorter perennials. Usually seen rated at Zone 6, but these reliably survive our Zone 4 winters. Sun to light shade, good soil and moisture.

VERNONIA ~ Ironweeds

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Verononia crinita. CURLYTOP IRONWEED. Perennial. Zone 3. Syn. V. arkansana. Sturdy clump former from the midwest U.S.A. Rigid 4 to 6 foot tall stems are lined with willow-like leaves and topped by corymbes of bright purple tassel-flowers in late summer right through autumn. An excellent nectar source for bees, butterflies and other insects, and always alive with 6-legged visitors in fall. A rather coarse plant, best in the back of the border, the wilder parts of the garden, or among other natives; great with fall-blooming grasses, rudbeckias and the like. Sun to light shade, average conditions, enjoys moist soil.

Verononia novaeboracensis. NEW YORK IRONWEED. Perennial. Zone 3. Brilliant, neon-purple tassel-flowers emerge from clusters of elongated, geometrically-checkered buds mid-August through September. Sweetly fragrant, and an important nectar source for autumn bees and butterflies. A good colour burst to see autumn out for the gardener. This is a back-of-border plant, a bit coarse in its foliage but bloom colour is worth it. 4 to 6 feet tall. Clump-former. Sun to light shade, average conditions, enjoys moist soil.

VERONICA

Family: Plantaginaceae, formerly Scrophulariaceae

Veronica gentianoides. GENTIAN SPEEDWELL. Perennial. Zone 3. Glossy, deeply veined, light green foliage in tidy basal rosettes. 12-inch-tall flower stalks are lined with milky-blue, dark striped blooms in early summer. This pretty flower does have a certain resemblence to the true gentian of the common and species names. Sun to part shade, good soil and moisture.

Veronica kiusiana. LAPIS TIGER’S TAIL.  Syn. Veronica glabrifolia, Pseudolysimachion kiusianum. Perennial. Zone 4. This interesting spire-flowered plant comes from Japan and Korea, where it blooms in late summer in the high shade of deciduous forest edges. Similar to Veronicastrum in effect, the plant forms sturdy clumps of 2 to 4 foot tall wiry stems which are neatly lined with handsome lanceolate leaves. Soft violet-blue flowers bloom in ever-elongating spires in mid-August, continuing well into the fall. Whiskery stamens add charm. The common name is a bit silly – though admittedly descriptive – but appears to be the only one yet in circulation. Appreciates good soil and regular moisture. Sun to light shade.

Veronica longifolia. ‘REMY’S BLUE’ VERONICA. Perennial. Zone 3. Very floriferous! Clump former with long, dark green, sharply serrated foliage. Dense spikes of tiny, rich violet-blue flowers for a long period in summer. 2 to 3 feet tall. Butterflies and bees love it! Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Veronica x spicata. ‘BLUE BOUQUET’ VERONICA. Perennial. Zone 3. Rich lavender-blue flowers in long dense spikes July-August on 18-inch plants. Glossy, deep green foliage. Tidy clump former, long-blooming and showy. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Veronica teucrium.  ‘ROYAL BLUE’ VERONICA. Perennial. Zone 2. Beautiful dark blue flowers with contrasting white stamens on short spikes in spring and early summer. Slghtly sprawling clump former to 12 inches or so. Completely covered with flowers during bloom time. Lovely under roses, or interplanted with dianthus. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

VERONICASTRUM

Family: Plantaginaceae, formerly Scrophulriaceae

Veronicastrum sibiricum. SIBERIAN VERONICASTRUM. Perennial. Zone 4. This close Eurasian relative of the North American wildflower Culver’s Root, Veronicastrum virginicum, is a gently appealing, rather wildflowery-looking thing which complements the bolder flowers in the perennial border. A clump former, with many long stems surrounded by whorls of attractive foliage and topped by long sprays of light lavender blooms in mid-summer. 24 to 36 inches tall. Great for mid and rear border. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Veronicastrum virginicum. CULVER’S ROOT. Perennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. BOWMAN’S ROOT, WOODLAND SPEEDWELL. Pretty plant, closely related to Veronica but much more stately and imposing. Many spires of tiny, white-flushed-pink blooms late summer into fall. Foliage in neat whorls; always fresh and green from spring till frost. 4 to 6 feet tall, and a well-mannered clump-former. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Veronicastrum virginicum f. caeruleum. BLUE CULVER’S ROOT. Perennial. Zone 2. A.k.a. BOWMAN’S ROOT, WOODLAND SPEEDWELL. Pretty plant, closely related to Veronica but much more stately and imposing. Many spires of tiny, soft violet blue blooms late summer into fall. Foliage in neat whorls; always fresh and green from spring till frost. 4 to 6 feet tall, and a well-mannered clump-former. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Veronicastrum virginicum. ‘FASCINATION’ VERONICASTRUM.  Perennial. Zone 2. Lovely variation of the usually-white Culver’s Root. Tidy clump former sends up 3 to 4 foot slender stems, lined with perfect whorls of lance-shaped leaves, and topped with slender, branching spikes of tiny, pale pinky-lavender flowers with lots of whiskery stamens. Very charming! Popular with bees, butterflies and other pollinators as a generous nectar source. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

VIOLA ~ Violets

Family: Violaceae

Viola canadensis. CANADA WHITE VIOLET. Perennial. Zone 1. North America. Spring-blooming wild violet native to all of Canada, and common in damper areas of the fir forests of the Cariboo-Chilcotin. Clumps of broad, heart-shaped, dark green leaves, 6 to 18 inches tall. Small, gleaming white violets in May and June, with yellow centres, delicate whisker-markings, and purple petal backs. Happily domesticates, and are very attractive in the woodland garden. These self seed, but are easy to nip out or transplant. A very nice and easy violet. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Viola elatior. TALL WOODLAND VIOLET. Perennial. Zone 4. Syn. Viola erecta, V. montana. Central Europe into Western Asia. A charming Old World woodland flower which has taken to garden life with great success. Very rare now in much of its native habitat, due to agriculture and urban development pressures. Upright clumps of elongated, bright green, heart-shaped foliage are starred by profuse white-eyed, dusky pale purple violets in May and June. To 18 inches tall. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Viola jooi. TRANSYLVANIAN VIOLET. Perennial. Zone 4. Dense little clumps of glossy, heart-shaped leaves are covered with sweetly fragrant, pale reddish-purple violets from May until July. Native to only a few alpine areas in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, this absolutely charming wee plant happily settles into the garden, where it will generously self sow if conditions are to its liking. 3 inches tall. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Viola grypoceras exilis ‘Syletta’. CYCLAMEN-LEAVED VIOLET ‘SYLETTA’. Perennial. Zone 4.  Japan. Beautifully variegated foliage is heavy-textured and patterned silvery-grey over deep green; leaf undersides are rich burgundy. Small purple blooms in late spring, but really grown for its gorgeous leaves. Delicate clump former to 4inches tall or so, spreads to form a 12-inch wide clump. Self-seeds. Sun to shade, average conditions.

Viola labradorica ‘purpurea’ syn. Viola riviniana ‘Purple Group’. PURPLE LABRADOR VIOLET. Perennial. Zone 2. Purple-flushed, silken-glossy foliage in tidy 6-inch clumps which spread slowly outwards to form large colonies. Pretty light purple violet flowers in spring. Sun to shade, average conditions.

Viola pedatifida. BIRD’S FOOT VIOLET. Perennial. Zone 3. Violaceae. North America, Saskatchewan to Ohio and south to Oklahoma and Arkansas. A.k.a. LARKSPUR VIOLET, PRAIRIE BIRDFOOT VIOLET, CROWFOOT VIOLET. Rare or endangered in much of its historical native range, but well represented in alpine and woodland gardens due to its popularity in specialty seed exchanges. Soft purple violet flowers in spring on tidy 6-10” plants. Unusual and attractive deeply lobed and divided foliage, narrow and branching to resemble imaginary birds’ feet. Slowly spreading clump former. For shady border edge or woodland garden, and good under high-pruned shrubs and trees. Sun to shade, average conditions.

Viola sororia. VIOLET ‘FRECKLES’. Perennial. Zone 2. Glossy, bright green, heart shaped foliage. Many large, clear white, heavily-speckled-and-splashed-with-purple violets for a month or more in spring. ‘DARK FRECKLES’ is pale purple behind the splashes. Vigorous plants can reach 8 to 12 inches in height and spread. Sun to shade, average conditions.

Viola sororia ‘rubra’. VIOLET ‘EMPEROR MAGENTA RED’. Perennial. Zone 2. Large, bright reddish-purple violets in spring. Handsome, glossy, deep green, heart-shaped foliage. Often reaches a foot tall and wide where well grown. Sun to shade, average conditions.

Viola sororia. WOOLY VIOLET ‘SISTERS’. Perennial. Zone 2. Glossy, bright green, heart shaped foliage. This is a mixture of separate types, all extremely pretty. Large violet blooms in shades of soft purple, rich magenta, whiskered white, and speckled-and-splashed-with-purple through May and June. Vigorous plants can reach 8 to 12 inches in height and spread. Spreads to make a small colony. Sun to shade, average conditions.

WULFENIA

Family: Plantaginaceae

Wulfenia carinthiaca. WULFENIA. Perennial. Zone 4. Native to a small region of the Carnic Alps along the Austria-Italy border. Local common name translates to COW’S FOOTSTEPS or COW’S FOOTPRINTS, perhaps because the plant is often found in grazed alpine pastures. A rare, unusual and attractive alpine for the serious plant person. Rosettes of long, glossy leaves with scalloped edges produce 12 to 15 inch tall spikes lined with ultramarine blue tubular flowers in June and July. Sun to part shade, fertile, evenly moist but well-drained soil. Add sand and well-rotted compost or manure to the planting hole, and keep well watered during the growing season.

YUCCA

Family: Agavaceae

Yucca filamentosa. YUCCA, ADAM’S NEEDLE. Perennial. Zone 4. For the experienced gardener who wants a bit of a challenge. Spiky clumps of leathery, evergreen, pointed foliage in clumps to 2 feet tall and wide with maturity. Huge, creamy white hooded blooms on 3 foot tall spikes in summer. Desert plant which needs a lot of heat and excellent drainage to thrive. In the Cariboo, protect in winter where snow cover unreliable. Sun, average soil with good drainage. Xeriscape.

Yucca glauca. PLAINS YUCCA, SPANISH BAYONET. Perennial. Zone 4. South Dakota to New Mexico. Narrow, grey-green, white-edged, sword-shaped foliage in 2 foot-tall clumps. Bloom spikes 3 to 5 feet tall, with large greenish-white, fragrant blooms. All Yuccas take some time to establish, up to 5 years for first bloom, but once settled in they just get bigger and better with age.The beautiful desert-dwelling Yuccas are a challenge for Cariboo gardeners, but they can be successfully grown if you pay attention to microclimate needs. Up against a south-facing wall is ideal – these guys like it hot. Good drainage is a must, and, because the shrubby foliage persists from year to year, some sort of winter protection is a good idea wher snow cover is sparse. (Evergreen branches work well.) Desert plant which needs a lot of heat and excellent drainage to thrive. In the Cariboo, protect in winter where snow cover unreliable. Sun, average soil with good drainage. Xeriscape.

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES:

Agrostis nebulosa. CLOUD GRASS. Annual. Gramineae/Poaceae. Morocco, Portugal, Spain. Tuft forming grass, with fine, thin leaves in dense clumps 12 inches wide, to 18 inches tall in bloom. Many panicles of tiny, greeny-white flowers appear in summer. Great cutflower, and can be dried as an everlasting. Nice in a meadowy mixed border, or in containers. Sun, average soil and moisture

Andropogon gerardii. BIG BLUESTEM GRASS. Perennial. Zone 4. Gramineae/Poaceae. Central to Eastern North America. A.k.a. TURKEY FOOT GRASS. A botanically and historically important plant, Big Bluestem was a crucial component in prairie sod, and a key nutritional species sustaining the migratory bison populations of central North America. As a garden plant, it is an attractive large clump-forming grass with large, handsome, branched seed heads resembling the “turkey’s foot” of its alternate common name. Foliage and seed heads turn a rich dark red in autumn, and the clumps make fine focal points in the winter garden, as well as providing food for foraging small birds. Specimens are a good addition to grass borders, recreated prairie/meadow plantings and large mixed borders. It may self seed, but this should not be an issue if it is grown with other sturdy plants. 3 to 6 or more feet tall. Very adaptable. Sun to part shade, average soil and moisture, tolerates wet clay to dry sand. Best on less fertile, drier soil, as it tends to get over-lush and floppy where conditions are too easy. (There’s a metaphor here, I’m sure.)

Bouteloua gracilis. MOSQUITO GRASS. Perennial. Zone 3. Gramineae/Poaceae. A.k.a. BLUE GRAMA GRASS. Western North America. One of the iconic species of the Great Plains shortgrass prairie, Mosquito Grass is a beautiful garden addition for its graceful appearance and unique flower heads. Tufts of narrow foliage to 12 inches or so produce multiple flowering stems in summer, lined on one side with dangling bloom heads/seed clusters on kinked peduncles that allow the heads to stand out at right angles from the stalk, quivering in the lightest breeze and looking like hovering insects. (Maybe mosquitoes?!)  These age to a dark brown, and stay attractive for a very long time in the garden. They can also be cut for interesting everlastings. For border front or rockeries. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant once established. This grass will self sow so keep an eye on its babies and remove where unwanted.

Bouteloua gracilis. MOSQUITO GRASS ‘BAD RIVER’. Perennial. Zone 3. Gramineae/Poaceae. A.k.a. BLUE GRAMA GRASS. Western North America. This selection is not so much a variety as an ecotype; the parent population was identified as particularly vigorous and seed was collected in 1988 by Scott Kennedy and Cliff Ramsey on a floodplain of the South Fork of the Bad River in Haakon County, South Dakota. It was grown out for several generations, consistently showing greater height and leafiness than control groups. This strain is a profuse first-year bloomer and an overall excellent strain for groundcover use as well as specimen plants. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant once established. This grass will self sow so keep an eye on its babies and remove where unwanted.

Briza maxima. GIANT QUAKING GRASS. Annual. Gramineae/Poaceae. A.k.a. PEARL GRASS, RATTLESNAKE GRASS. Clumps of broad-leaved foliage send up 24″ stems topped by panicles of nodding, heart-shaped, pearly-sheened spikelets which are intricately made of overlapping scales. These open green, then turn to golden with age. They tremble and quake with every breath of wind. Fabulous everlasting; long season of interest in garden. Blooms spring into summer. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Calamagrostis brachytricha. KOREAN FEATHER REED GRASS. Perennial. Graminae/Poaceae. Zone 4. An upright and narrow clump-former and a beautiful specimen plant. 30 to 40 inches tall. Many feathery, creamy-golden seedheads to 10 inches in length appear in late summer and look good all winter. Gorgeous with the low autumn sunlight shining through the plumes on those warm Indian Summer evenings. Very well-mannered, great in the mixed border or in a “grass border”.  Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora. ‘KARL FOERSTER’ FEATHER REED GRASS. Perennial. Graminae/Poaceae. Zone 3. A natural hybrid between Calamagrostis epigejos and C. arundinacea, this award-winning grass was first put into cultivation by esteemed German nurseryman Karl Foerster in 1939. Post-World War II, it made its way to Europe and then to North America, where it has become a garden and landscaping standard, and for very good reason: it’s a great plant. Clump forming, with older specimens making formidable root masses, but these never sucker – it stays where it’s put. Clumps are tall and narrow, to 5 feet tall in full autumn bloom mode. Flower heads are pale tan, rather feathery in appearance, and persist from first emergence in July right through winter if plants are left uncropped. This cultivar is sterile – no seedlings ever appear. Trim back dead growth in spring to allow new leaves to take over the show. Sun is best but will tolerate light shade, average soil and moisture.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora. ‘ELDORADO’ FEATHER REED GRASS. Perennial. Graminae/Poaceae. Zone 4. This is a yellow-variegated sport of ‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grass, discovered by Todd and Lisa Kowitz of Garden Gate Growers, Kettle Falls, Washington, in 2000. The variegation is understated but attractive – a yellow striping down the centre of each leaf blade. Feathery plumes appear in midsummer and persist through winter. This clump forming grass is narrow and upright in profile, and reaches 4 to 5 feet tall at maturity. Trim back old foliage in spring to allow new leaves to emerge. Sun is best but will tolerate light shade, average soil and moisture.

Cyperus papyrus. PAPYRUS. Tender perennial. Cyperaceae. This is the vigorous Egyptian reed once used to make paper. It’s now become something of a summer standard for people with water features, and it performs its duties most elegantly. Bright green, reed-like foliage in an ever-expanding clump, sending up flowerheads 4 to 6 feet into the air, topped by fantastical spiky clusters of green buds opening into brown flowers. These can be cut in late fall, and make interesting everlastings. Sun to light shade, clay-ish soil, loves moisture. Grow submerged in a water plant container, or by the pondside. Good in large planters as well.

Deschampsia caespitosa.  TUFTED HAIR GRASS. Perennial. Zone 3. Delicate, fine-textured, 24″ tall clump-former; arching stems topped with feathery bronze flowerheads in summer.  Sun to light shade; average conditions.

Erianthus ravennae. RAVENNA GRASS. Perennial. Poaceae. Syn. Saccharum ravennae. Zone 4/5. North Africa, the Mediterranean. A.k.a. HARDY PAMPAS GRASS, PLUME GRASS. This guy is huge – a definite “four season” grass, too, for its architectural presence. To 6-10 ft. in height; 3 ft. (or more) across; needs lots of room. Sturdy leaves and stems stand tall; totally windproof. Plumes of silvery-white-blushed-pink seedheads start to appear in late August, reaching full glory in late September. This is such a late bloomer that it is best in those Cariboo microclimates which have extended growing seasons –  generally anywhere in the city boundaries, along the river valleys, or in a sheltered, south-facing garden. The closest thing to Pampas Grass we can grow in our region. A clump former; grand, well-behaved specimen plant. Full sun; average soil. Drought tolerant once fully established.

Festuca glauca. BLUE FESCUE. Perennial. Poaceae. Zone 4. I love this gorgeous little clump former! Blue-green tufts of straight, wiry foliage reach 12” tall and wide. Plumy white flowerheads in summer. Good edger and specimen plant in mixed border; can be mass planted to form a groundcover. A very neat and tidy sort of plant, stays very compact and upright, though older plants steadily increase in girth.  Sun to light shade; drought tolerant.

Juncus ensifolius. ‘FLYING HEDGEHOGS’ DWARF RUSH. Perennial. Zone 4. North America, Japan, Russia. A.k.a. SWORDLEAF RUSH. This charming dwarf rush makes a tidy little clump. Flattened, sharply pointed foliage reaches a foot or so tall. Leaf tips produce clusters of small, bristly, purple-brown heads – hence the imaginative name. Nice poolside or bog plant, and good at border front.  Sun to light shade, average conditions, can grow in wet ground.

Koeleria glauca. BLUE HAIR GRASS. Perennial. Zone 4. Poaceae. Europe. This pretty grass is native to European seaside dunes and sandy soil. A well-behaved and very attractive clump former to 12” tall. Fine, upright, soft-textured, blue-green foliage; attractive green bloom tassels in summer turn  pale golden as they age. A very pretty plant, with a much softer texture than the similarly coloured (and also excellent) Blue Fescue.  Sun to light shade; average conditions.

Lamarckia aurea. GOLDEN-TOP GRASS. Annual. Poaceae. Israel & the Middle East, the Mediterranean. A.k.a. TOOTHBRUSH GRASS. This is a cute little annual grass to tuck into your flowerbeds and mixed planters. Lush, light green foliage, and a profusion of large, feathery, interesting seed panicles spring into summer. These start out pale green, quickly turn pale gold, and flush with purple as they mature. Makes a nice everlasting if cut at peak bloom time, before the seeds mature.  Sun to light shade; average conditions.

Luzula nivea. SNOWY WOODRUSH. Perennial. Zone 4. This is a low key but charming grassy plant for your woodland garden. Compact clumps of stiff, pointed foliage with hairy edges. Bloom stalks topped by clusters of fuzzy white flowers in early summer. To 16 inches tall.  Sun to part shade; average conditions.

Melica transsilvanica ‘atropurpurea’. RED SPIRE MELIC GRASS. Perennial. Zone 4. Poaceae. Europe. Deep burgundy red, arching, one-sided seedheads top 36″ stems in early summer. Clump former with lush, light green foliage, often flushed red. Good cutflower and everlasting. An interesting addition to the mixed border; the eye-catching seedheads add a nice contrast to more traditional blooms.  Sun; average conditions. Non-invasive, though you will find occasional seedlings.

Miscanthus sinensis. JAPANESE SILVER GRASS ‘EARLY HYBRIDS’. Perennial. Zone 4. Poaceae. Himalayas, China, Japan. This is a handsome large ornamental grass, much coveted by grass-loving gardeners. The ‘Early Hybrids’ strain has been selected to give bloom earlier than most of the rather late-blooming cultivars, so northern gardeners can enjoy the showy plumes which typically appear from late summer to early autumn. Huge clumps of gracefully arching, tough, light green foliage. Sturdy, statuesque bloom stalks then appear, topped by showy clusters of silvery plumes, which hold their shape for months and can be left for winter interest. To 4 ft. or so tall the first year, hitting 6 to 12 the second. Sun to light shade; average conditions. Drought tolerant once established.

Pennisetum setaceum ‘rubrum’. PURPLE FOUNTAIN GRASS. Annual. Poaceae. Tropical Africa, southeast Asia. Warm season grass which comes into its own as summer heats up. Vigorous clump former, with green foliage blushing darker and darker red as the season progresses. Many spikes of purple-tinted bottle-brush flowerheads August into fall. 3 to 5 feet tall. Excellent in large containers, or in the border. Our season is too short for seed to develop, so never a worry about it becoming a pest! Sun, good soil and moisture.

Pennisetum villosum. FEATHERTOP GRASS ‘WHITE LADIES’. Annual. Poaceae. Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit. This graceful 12 to 20-inch tall clump former loaded with fluffy white “bunny tail” flowerheads July into autumn. Rather wiry, long and arching foliage. Interesting in a mixed container planting. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Sesleria nitida. NEST MOOR GRASS. Perennial. Zone 4. Poaceae. Italy. Attractive, compact, blue-green clumping grass with stiff, pointy foliage. A cool season grass which is semi-evergreen for us. Wiry stems to 20 inches tall are topped by fluffy white conical flowerheads for a good two months in early summer. 12 o 18 inches tall and wide. Sun to light shade, average conditions, quite drought tolerant.

Sorghastrum nutans. ‘INDIAN STEEL’ BEARD GRASS. Perennial. Zone 3. Poaceae. North America. This lovely North American prairie grass was once a major component of the famed tallgrass prairie, habitat of bison, antelope, elk and deer, and the indigenous people who hunted them, before agricultural expansion starting in settler times saw vast tracts fall under the plow. This handsome warm-season grass is a slowly spreading sod-former. Mature stands reach 4 feet in height. Long, tough, steel-blue leaf blades turn a warm burnt-orange after hard frosts. Bloom stems reach 5 feet or more, topped by large, showy, pale tan, feathery panicles in late summer. Great for winter interest. This grass takes a few seasons to fully establish so site with this in mind. It will self sow. Sun to light shade, average conditions, average moisture, tolerates dry soil once established.

Sporobolus heterolepsis. PRAIRIE DROPSEED GRASS. Perennial. Zone 3. Poaceae. North America. True bunch grass, forming dense hummocks to 18 to 24 inches tall and wide. Very thin, arching leaf blades are dark green during the growing season, fading to rich straw yellow as winter sets in. Whisp-thin bloom stems to 3 feet tall appear in August, topped by airy panicles of tiny, sweetly fragrant, pale blond flowers. As the seed ripens, the bloom stalks droop gracefully downwards, obviously the origin ofthe common name. May self seed but generally easy to keep under control. Sun, well drained and rocky soils, heat and drought tolerant.

Sporobolus wrightii. GIANT SACATON GRASS. Perennial. Zone 3. Poaceae. Another BIG grass. This globe-shaped clump former with gracefully arching, grey-green foliage and masses of large, airy, green-gold flower heads reaches 6 feet + in height, and 3 feet + wide. Very fast growing; reaches mature size quickly. Feathery plumes appear August  through October. Great specimen plant, or as a herbaceous hedge. Sun to part shade; average conditions; drought tolerant.

Stipa tenuissima. SILKY THREAD GRASS. Annual in Zone 5 and colder. Perennial in Zone 6 and warmer. Poaceae. Texas,  Mexico,  Argentina, Chile. Syn. Nassella tenuissima. A.k.a. MEXICAN FEATHER GRASS, PONY TAILS. This is a really pretty thing; I love working with it in the nursery; the foliage tufts are whisper-soft to the touch. Small clumps to 12” or so are topped July through autumn with long, silky, delicate bloom clusters that sway in the lightest wind. Interesting effect; rather ethereal. Sun; poor soil OK; drought tolerant. Keep an eye on it – may self seed.

TENDER PERENNIALS & ANNUALS:

Ammobium alata. WINGED EVERLASTING. Tender Perennial/Annual. Compositae. From Australia. Branching clumps of wiry stems lined with “wings” of foliage, each topped by large, papery-textured, pearly white double blooms with bright yellow centres. Very long season of bloom; looks great in perennial border as a filler flower. Good everlasting. 24”. Sun; good soil; quite drought tolerant.

Antirrhinum molle. ALPINE SNAPDRAGON. Zone 4/5. Perennial/Annual. Plantaginaceae. French and Spanish Pyrenees. This pretty little sub-shrub is questionably hardy for our area – though specimens are reported to have established themselves in Calgary –  but it makes a lovely annual, growing quickly and blooming for a tremendously long time, late May right through summer. Trailing, brittle, 12-inch stems are thickly lined with downy-soft, silver foliage. Large, round, pale pink buds pop open into elongated white to pink snapdragon flowers, yellow-centered and beautifully veined on upper petals. A bee-magnet flower. Sun; average soil and moisture; excellent drainge required to overwinter.

Argemone platyceras. WHITE PRICKLY POPPY. Annual. Papaveraceae. Syn. Argemone polyanthemos. Texas, New Mexico. Perfect for the xeriscape garden, growing with other North American native annuals such as the brilliant orange California Poppy, Eschscholtzia californica. Lovely, large (4″) white flowers with petals like crumpled silk are centered with golden stamen bosses. Blooms mid-June through July; reblooms if deadheaded. Collect seed to resow or allow to self seed to perpetuate. Beloved of bees. Lovely silver-grey foliage; spiky leaf tips and bristly buds. Sun; well-drained soil; very drought tolerant.

Artemisia annua. SWEET ANNIE. Annual. Compositae. Handsome shrubby annual with very fragrant, ferny foliage. To 4 ft. tall. Tiny greenish blooms in summer. Used for potpourri and in dried flower wreaths & arrangements. Used in traditional Chinese medicine as a malaria treatment; currently under investigation as a possible cancer treatment. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Borago officinalis. BLUE BORAGE. Annual. Boraginaceae. Mediterranean. This is a very old herb, much prized in gardens through the centuries for its herbal uses as well as for its lovely flowers. Borage is wonderfully atttractive to bees, who flock in droves to the bright blue, star-shaped flowers during its long bloom period late spring right through summer. The large, fleshy leaves are cucumber scented and are used to flavour refreshing drinks, as are the pretty blossoms, though the abundant bristly hairs which cover the entire plant discourage the use of the leaves to salads. Blooms are beautiful used as garnishes, and are sometimes frozen into ice cubes or candied in sugar. 18 inches tall and wide. Self sows generously. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Borago officinalis ‘alba’. WHITE BORAGE. Annual. Boraginaceae. Mediterranean. A rare white variation of the common Blue Borage, with the same herbal and culinary uses as a refreshing beverage addition. The entire plant is cucumber-scented and is entirely edible, though the bristles which cover every part of the plant except the white star-flowers make it rather unappealing in a salad, for example. The flowers are wonderful garnishes. To 18 inches tall and wide, with profuse bloom late spring right through summer. Bees love this plant. Self sows. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Borrichia frutescens. SEASIDE DAISY. Tender Perennial to Zone 6/Annual elsewhere. Compositae/Asteraceae. Virginia, Florida, Texas. A shrubby seashore plant. Very thick, blue-green, succulent-like foliage is covered by tiny hairs. Continual production of small, handsome, bright golden daisy-flowers all summer. In its native habitat it forms a woody-based shrub and can reach 4 feet or more in height; as an annual 1 to 2 feet tall is more likely. Very attractive to butterflies. Salt tolerant. Sun to light shade, well-drained soil. Interesting xeriscape plant.

Calceolaria mexicana.  MEXICAN CALCEOLARIA. Tender Perennial/Annual. Scrophulariaceae. Central and South America, from Mexico to Bolivia. Aka SLIPPERWORT, POCKETBOOK FLOWER. I am very excited about growing this pretty annual this year, after receiving seed from a friend in Belgium last year. Lush, deep green foliage is lobed and toothed; plants form a vigorous clump. Many small, bright lemon yellow, inflated, balloon-shaped blooms appear for a very long season, June through fall. 1 to 2 ft. tall and wide. Great container plant, or for a shady garden spot; this species quite happily blooms in low light areas. Of course, sun is fine, too! Sun to shade; good soil and moisture.

Capraria biflora. GOATWEED. Tender Perennial/Annual. Tropical North America, Mexico, Central America. Slender sub-shrub to 3 feet tall. Star-shaped white flowers are produced all season. Very attractive to butterflies. Numerous medicinal uses in traditional herbal medicine. Goats are apparently the only creatures which will browse on it, hence the common name. Sun, sandy soil, average moisture.

Celosia plumosa. CHINA TOWN CELOSIA. Annual. Amaranthaceae. Another stunning, new-for-2008, Fleuroselect-winning variety. Dark burgundy-red foliage ; bright red stems and rich scarlet plumes on sturdy, multi-branching plants summer into fall. Unique cutflower or everlasting, too. 12-18″. Sun; average conditions.

Centranthus ruber coccineus. RED VALERIAN. Tender perennial in the Cariboo, overwinters in Zone 5/6. Long history as a well-loved garden flower. A.k.a. PRETTY BETSY, JUPITER’S BEARD, KEYS-OF-HEAVEN,  and – wouldn’t you like to know the origins of this one!? – DRUNKEN SAILOR. Dense clusters of tiny, bright carmine pink, sweetly fragrant blooms in summer on multi-branched plants to 3 feet tall.  Good cutflower. Excellent butterfly flower. Attractive blue-green foliage is said to be used in salad in Italy. Sun, average conditions, quite drought tolerant.

Centranthus ruber alba. WHITE JUPITER’S BEARD. Tender perennial; treat as annual in the Cariboo, overwinters in Zone 5/6. Valerianaceae. Pretty white variation of the carmine pink Red Valerian, above. Very nice.

Cerinthe major purpurescens. BLUE HONEYWORT. Tender Perennial/Annual. Boraginaceae. Italy, Greece, the Mediterranean region. This plant was very trendy a few years ago; it was in every photo feature in every garden magazine, it seemed. It’s now happily settled into just another annual choice for borders and containers, as other “new and exciting!” annuals have their moment of public fame. Hardly a new garden flower, though, as this Honeywort – so named for its abundant nectar and a fancied taste of fresh beeswax when the young leaves were sampled by the browsing long-ago gardener – was written about with enthusiasm by John Gerard in his famous Herball of the 16th Century. This is one of those interesting plants that takes hold of the imagination because of its unusual appearance – rounded, rather fleshy, blue-green foliage on multi-branching stems produce clusters of deep purple-blue bracts from which emerge small, tubular, royal purple bells. Blooms from summer well into fall. Bees love this one – doubtless the origin of the common name. 12 to 24 inches tall. Sun to light shade, average soil and moisture.

Cosmidium burridgeanum. GREEN-THREAD DAISY. Annual. Compositae. Texas. Syn. Thelesperma burridgeanum. Long-blooming annual which made the trip to Europe & Great Britain in the 1800s, where it attained status as a desirable cottage garden flower. Airy plants – many thin, graceful, multibranching stems to 18” tall, starred by large, brilliant golden “daisy-blooms”, with rich burgundy central zone & petal backs. Excellent border flower to interplant among other more substantial plants. Blooms midsummer through autumn. Sun; average soil & moisture.

Cynara cardunculus. CARDOON. Tender Perennial. Compositae. Large plants have silvery, deeply cut foliage in fountain-like clumps to 4 feet tall. Used as an accent in the border. In Europe, plants are blanched and harvested as a vegetable. Huge, purple, thistle-like flowers with pointed bracts can be dried as everlastings. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Cynara scolymus. GLOBE ARTICHOKE ‘IMPERIAL STAR’, ‘TAVOR’. Tender perennial. Compositae. Globe artichokes are tender perennials which cannot overwinter in our climate, but luckily the cultivars ‘Imperial Star’ and ‘Tavor’ have been specially bred for short-season, annual production. Large, ornamental plants with jaggedly toothed foliage send up sturdy 24-inch stems topped by huge, scaled artichoke buds in late summer. These can be harvested to eat as a delicacy, or may be left to open into the most gorgeous blooms – very showy, irridescent purple, thread-like flower petals emerge in a huge cluster from the buds. These can be cut to use in flower arrangements, or dried as everlastings. When I grew these for cutting some years ago they sold on sight; customers left standing orders for following years. Sun, good soil and moisture, the more heat the better.

Dahlia x.  ‘BISHOP’S CHILDREN’ DAHLIA. Tender Perennial/Annual. Compositae. Deep purple-burgundy foliage topped by numerous 3-4” vibrant, golden-eyed blooms in shades of apricot, dark pink, purple, yellow and glowing scarlet. This strain is the open-pollinated seed generation of the famous deep red, semi-double dahlia, ‘Bishop of LLandaff’, hence the cultivar strain name ‘Bishop’s Children’. Plants grow to 3 feet tall and branch out well. Blooms appear all summer until frost if spent blossoms clipped off. Great cutflower and container plant. Full sun; good soil & moisture. Forms tuberous roots which may be dug up in fall and stored in peat moss to replant the following spring.

Datura metel. ‘BELLE BLANCHE’ DATURA. Tender Perennial/Annual. Solanaceae. Daturas are commonly called “Angel’s Trumpets” & well deserve the name. Velvety, broad foliage on branching, bushy plants to 24” or so. Huge, purest white, wide-open trumpet flowers open in the evening & pour out a heavenly fragrance, which attracts nocturnal moths & the last few wandering hummingbirds. Each blooms lasts a day or so & folds up during the sunny hours. Culture: Good in big containers or in garden. Can be over-wintered in the house. Sun to light shade; likes warmth. Good soil & moisture. Fertilize well. Caution: All parts of these plants are poisonous. Wear gloves when pruning & deadheading; keep away from children & pets.

Datura metel. ‘DOUBLE PURPLE’ DATURA. Tender Perennial/Annual.  Large, doubled & ruffled rich purple blooms are showy and very fragrant. Each bloom lasts only a few days but many more follow.  24”. Culture: Good in big containers or in garden. Can be over-wintered in the house. Sun to light shade; likes warmth. Good soil and moisture. Fertilize well. Caution: All parts of these plants are poisonous. Wear gloves when pruning & deadheading; keep away from children & pets.

Datura metel. ‘TRIPLE YELLOW’ DATURA. Tender Perennial/Annual. Creamy yellow, flower-in-flower, very double trumpet blooms. Very fragrant. 24”. Rare seed; hard to germinate; limited quantity! Culture: see above. Caution: Poisonous – see notes above.

Datura meteloides. ‘EVENING FRAGRANCE’ DATURA. Tender Perennial/Annual. This variety reaches 3 ft. or so. Huge, evening & night blooming trumpets are edged with a fine purple rim. Fragrance is outstanding. Culture: see above. Caution: Poisonous – see notes above.

Eucalyptus citriodora. LEMON EUCALYPTUS. Tender perennial shrub. Looking for something different for your containers? Here it is! Multi-branching woody shrub (well, actually a tree to 75 ft. tall in its native Australia) with lemon-fragrant foliage that just begs to be gently brushed to release its aroma. Great houseplant for a sunny window, too – bring it indoors over winter. Prune to the size & shape you desire. Fun plant. Full sun best; good soil & moisture.

Eucalyptus globulus. SILVER DOLLAR EUCALYPTUS. Tender perennial shrub. Blue-grey foliage is rounded & very aromatic. Multibranching plant to 36”. Often used as an everlasting & cutflower filler. Ornamental & unusual & good in containers. Full sun; heat lover; good soil & moisture.

Foeniculum vulgare ‘purpurascens’. BRONZE FENNEL. Tender perennial. Zone 4/5. Umbelliferaceae. Leafy 2-4 ft. clumps of gorgeous purple-bronze, thread-leaved foliage. Looks like an exotic cloud descended to earth. Strong anise-licorice aroma & flavour; culinary uses. Umbels of tiny yellow flowers in late summer – in long seasons it will self sow. Nice border accent. Full sun; good soil. Swallowtail butterfly larvae sometimes feed on foliage – please don’t destroy the caterpillars! Sun; average conditions.

Gaura lindheimeri. ‘WHIRLING BUTTERFLIES’ APPLEBLOSSOM GRASS. Tender perennial. Zone 5. Onograceae. A.k.a. TEXAS BUTTERFLY FLOWER. Many graceful  2 to 3 foot tall stems produce ethereal, pink-tinged-white, wide-open blooms July through October. Blooms easily the first year and just doesn’t stop. This high performer usually winterkills here, but is well worth growing for first season’s show. Very nice in garden or container. Heat and drought tolerant. Full sun, well-drained soil.

Helianthus annuus. SUNFLOWERS. Annual. Compositae. North America. Everyone loves sunflowers, it seems. People love them for their gorgeous, cheerful blooms, honeybees love them for their abundance of pollen and nectar, and small seed-eating birds love them for winter sustenance. Contests abound at fall fairs continent-wide as to who can grow the tallest or the one with the biggest seedhead, while hybridizers are busy doubling petals, coming up with more intense or unusual colour combinations, and dwarfing the giants so they can be grown in flowerpots on city balconies; you no longer need a farm garden to grow these to perfection. Sunflowers are rewarding and ultra-easy annuals, and are deserving of all the hoopla. Sun, average conditions. Dwarf types are good in containers.

Hibiscus  acetosella. ‘RED SHIELD’ HIBISCUS. Tender perennial/Annual. Malvaceae. Huge, maple-like, maroon-purple foliage on bushy and branching 2 to 4 foot tall plants. Bright red hibiscus-blooms in late summer. Incredible accent plant with a lush, tropical look. Sun, good soil and moisture. Heat lover. Good in large containers.

Hibiscus coccineus. ‘TEXAS STAR’ HIBISCUS. Tender perennial/Annual. Scarlet-red, rather star-shaped hibiscus blooms are produced all summer on branching plants with maple-leaf-like foliage. 24 to 48 inches tall. Sun, good soil and moisture. Nice in large containers and mixed planters.

Hibiscus trionum. ‘SIMPLY LOVE’ VENICE MALLOW. Tender perennial/Annual. Malvaceae. Deeply cut, three-lobed foliage. Palest yellow, maroon-eyed, mini-hibiscus flowers last only a day but bloom in endless sucession throughout the summer. A ‘love-at-first-sight’ plant – simply charming! Bushy and multi-branching, 12 to 18 inches tall and wide. Sun, good soil and moisture preferred, but quite drought tolerant if need be. Self-seeds, sometimes abundantly, so you may want to clip off seed heads to save weeding out unwanted seedlings next year.

Ipomoea alba. MOONFLOWER VINE. Tender perennial/Annual. Convolvulaceae. LADY-OF-THE-NIGHT. Popular in gardens since at least the 1700s, this morning glory relative is native to the far southern United States, Central and South America. It is a vigorous climber, easily reaching 10 feet or more. Best grown in large containers in our region, with a tall trellis or strings to climb on. (A bit of root restriction hastens blooming.) Huge, light green, heart-shaped leaves. Elongated buds appear in mid-summer, unfurling in the evening into satiny white 6-inch flowers with central creamy stars. Sweetly fragrant, as are so many nocturnal bloomer, and very attractive to night flying moths. A heat lover, so don’t put outside until night temperatures are nicely above freezing. Grows well in a greenhouse. If it gets too tall, judicious tip pruning will cause lateral branching. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Leonotis nepetifolia. ANNUAL LION’S EAR. Annual. Lamiaceae. Syn. Phlomis nepetifolia. DEVIL’S PINCUSHION, LION’S TAIL, WILD DAGGA. Africa, India. This wonderfully Dr. Seussical plant is a tall and wiry annual from the warmer parts of the world, where it is a seed and nectar plant for wild birds, as well as being used by humans for herbal medicine. Long flowering stems ascend from a compact basal clump, producing widely spaced whorls of bud clusters by midsummer. Long, hooded, bright orange blooms with protruding white stamens are produced in a long-lasting succession up until killing frost. In warmer climates this one will reseed, but this does not seem to be an issue in cold-winter areas. Seedheads are extremely prickly, with needlike hairs which break off at a touch – use gloves to handle the drying plants, and avoid planting where unwary visitors will brush against it. An anecdotal African use for this plant is by nighttime thieves, who are said to twine the seedpods in their hair to repel anyone attempting to restrain them by grabbing their heads. Well, maybe…! An interesting addition to the curious gardener’s back-of-border plantings. 4 to 6 feet tall. Sun, average soil and moisture.

Microseris rigens.  MICROSERIS ‘GIRANDOLE’. Perennial or half-hardy perennial. Zone 4/5. Compositae. The Azores. Syn. Leontodon rigens, Crepis rigens. Technically a perennial, but blooms abundantly the first year so may be used as an annual. It sometimes fails to overwinter, so we’re listing it in both the perennial and annual lists. Very decorative, glossy, dark green, heavily toothed and serrated foliage in basal clumps. Numerous 12 inch tall stems topped by clusters of small, bright yellow daisy-like blooms in summer. I am very fond of this plant, particularly admiring the handsome foliage and the detail on the leaf edges, which are rather more special than the attractive (but not stupendously so) flowers. Sun to part shade, average conditions.

Molucella laevis. BELLS-OF-IRELAND. Annual. Lamiaceae. A fun green flower – spikes of tiny, white, hooded flowers surrounded by stiff green bracts like large out-facing bells. Great cutflower and everlasting, or just enjoy in the flower garden. The whole plant aromatically scented. 18 to 24 inches tall. Sun, average conditions.

Monarda citriodora. ‘BERGAMO’ LEMON BERGAMOT. Tender perennial. Zone 5. Labiatae. A.A.S. & Fleuroselect Awards for 2008. Fragrant foliage. Stems to 2 feet topped by tiers of whorled, bright violet-purple pagodas formed of colourful bracts and hooded flowers. Bee and butterfly flower. Sun, average conditions.

Monarda pectinata. PONY BEEBALM. Annual. Labiatae. A.k.a. PLAINS BEELBALM, PAGODA PLANT. Southern United States. Very fragrant foliage. Stems 12 to 20 inches tall are topped by tiers of whorled, white to very pale purple, delicately freckled dragonshead flowers framed by elongated, toothed bracts. Bee and butterfly flower. Sun, average conditions, drought tolerant.

Nicandra physaloides. SHOO-FLY PLANT. Annual. Solanaceae. Unusual old-fashioned flower now seldom seen. This vigorous annual forms a multi-branched little bush with bright green foliage, sometimes blushed dark purple in the cultivar ‘BLACK ROD’ or blotched with ivory-white under the name ‘SPLASH OF CREAM’. Pretty, purple-eyed, light violet-blue flowers last only a day or so but are followed by inflated, bright green seed pods looking like little Chinese lanterns, which can be dried as everlastings. The common name, “Shoo-Fly”, came from the belief that houseflies would immediately avoid any room where the plant was growing. We haven’t tried the experiment ourselves, but would be interested to hear from anyone who uas tried to see if it works. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? 18 to 24 inches tall and wide. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Nicotiana alata grandiflora. WHITE JASMINE TOBACCO. Annual. One of the most fragrant plants you will grow. Sturdy, pale green, large-leaved plants 2 to 4 feet tall are topped by large, pure white trumpet flowers which droop in the day but lift in the evening and pour forth their glorious spicy fragrance. Grow where you can pause in the twilight and enjoy the perfume, as well as the visiting sphinx moths. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Nicotiana sylvestris. WOODLAND FLOWERING TOBACCO. Annual. Solanaceae. South America. This is an imposing and stately species (it frequently tops 6 feet) and one of the most fragrant. Rosettes of huge leaves, many tall stems topped by candelabras of very elongated, drooping white trumpets which lift up and pour out their wonderfully spicy fragrance as the sun goes down. A favourite of the sphinx moth on warm summer evenings. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Oenothera speciosa. SHOWY PINK EVENING PRIMROSE. Tender perennial/Annual. Zone 5/6. Onograceae. A.k.a. PINK LADIES. Day-blooming show-stopper with lovely, large, pink-striated blooms summer into fall. Vigorous spreader, which smothers itself in bloom and just doesn’t quit. Blooms like an annual and sometimes self-sows. Plant where it can cascade and spread without gobbling up more delicate plants. Doesn’t usually overwinter here. Sun, average conditions.

Pennisetum glaucum. ‘PURPLE MAJESTY’ MILLET. Annual. A.A.S. Gold Medal Winner 2003. This ornamental grass is a real eye-catcher. 3 to 5 foot tall clumps of deep purple foliage and bristly, cylindrical seedheads in late summer which make interesting cutflowers and everlastings. Good in containers or garden. Sun to light shade, average conditions.

Pogostemon heyneanus. JAVA PATCHOULI. Tender perennial/Annual. Labiatae. One of the main sources of patchouli fragrance oil – flashback to the sixties!  Short spikes of rather dull purple flowers. Lush, fleshy, highly fragrant leaves. This tropical is best in containers, and makes a good houseplant if you enjoy the distinctive  aroma released by brushing the leaves. 18 inches wide; 2 to 4 feet tall. Part to full shade, good soil, moisture lover.

Polygonum orientale. PRINCE’S PLUME. Annual. Polygonaceae. The other common name is (take a deep breath!) ‘Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate’ – which hints at this flower’s status as a beloved heirloom. Jointed stems to 6 feet tall gracefully bend and are lined with large leaves and many cylindrical sprays of small, deep-rosy-pink blooms summer into autumn. Excellent cutflower. Sun to light shaden average conditions.

Ricinus communis. CASTOR BEAN. Annual. Euphorbiaceae. I can never quite believe how big this one gets – or how fast it grows. Stunning accent plant can reach 10 feet in a summer. Bold, maple-like, red-flushed foliage (leaves can reach a foot across) and ornamental flower spikes later in the summer add interest. Loves sun and heat, appreciates summer moisture. Warning: Huge, late-maturing SEEDS are very toxic – clip off seed pods to protect small children.  Milky sap from broken stems and foliage is also an irritant, so treat with respect.

Salvia patens. ‘BLUE ANGEL’ GENTIAN SAGE. Tender perennial/Annual. Zone 6/7. Labiatae. This one’s been around for years, and I always paused a moment at its description in the seed lists, but until I finally grew it a few years back it I had no idea how pretty it is. Rather leggy, sprawling stems to 24 inches long or so. Fuzzy foliage, and, spaced along the tops of those stems, in endless succession summer till hard frost, l-o-n-g (to 2 inches) dragon’s head flowers in the most brilliant caerulean blue imaginable. Great in border or containers. Sun, good soil and moisture.

Salvia roemeriana.  CEDAR SAGE. Tender perennial, grow as an annual. Zone 7. North American southwest; Texas, Mexico. This petite woodland sage often grows in company with junipers in its native habitat, and is tolerant of quite a lot of shade, as long as its roots are established in well-drained soil. Attractive foliage; pebbly-textured, dark green, heart-shaped leaves. Flowering stems reach a foot or so tall, and produce whorls of large, bright scarlet trumpets  in summer. Long bloom time, and very attractive to bees and butterflies. Individuals not long-lived, but a generous self-seeder. Sun to part shade, well-drained soil and average moisture. Heat and drought tolerant. Deer resistant.

Verbena bonariensis. BRAZILIAN VERBENA. Tender Perennial, grow as an annual. Zone 6. Verbenaceae. 3 foot tall, multi-branching stems produce many clusters of tiny, bright purply-pink flowers all summer. Tuck in here and there for snippets of cheerful colour. I yearned over this one in garden books for years, and when I finally obtained it I found it was just as nice as I had hoped. Self sows but not invasively. Sun, average conditions.

Zea mays ‘japonica’. JAPANESE STRIPED CORN. Annual. Poaceae. Great ornamental foliage feature plant. Lush corn plants have bright green leaves striped with creamy white and pink. Each plant produces several ears in late summer which can be allowed to mature to produce red-seeded ornamental (dry) corn. Attractive and unusual in the flower garden. 4 to 6 feet tall. Sun, good soil and moisture.

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Posted in Plant Guide 2012 | Tagged Biennials, Interesting Annuals, Perennials | Leave a Comment »