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| Nepeta Walker's Low |
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| 2007: Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’
Introduced in 1988 in Europe, Walker’s Low catmint has become increasingly popular due to its lovely blue-violet flowers, it's long bloom time, attractive grey-green foliage, ease of propagation, lack of pest or disease problems and low maintenance needs. A good companion plant for early and late blooming plants. Great for perennial borders, herb gardens, rock gardens, or as a container plant. 30 to 36 in. tall/wide. Blooms continuously throughout the season if pruned. Leaves have a wonderful aroma when crushed. Deer & rabbit resistant.
Zones 3 to 8, medium shade to full sun
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| Dianthus Firewitch |
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2006: Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’
When a number of customers touted this Dianthus throughout the growing season, we decided to see for ourselves, and here’s the scoop: magenta single-petal blooms at 8–10" will fill your garden in May and June with their lovely fragrance. This long-bloomer has blue-green foliage, needs excellent drainage, and prefers alkaline soil. See what you think.
Plant 18 inches apart, Zone 3–8, full sun
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| Helleborus Orientalis |
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| 2005: Helleborus orientalis Lenten Rose
Known as one of the earliest flowering perennials in our area, the Lenten Rose’s blooms appear on 18" stems in very early spring (March) and persist for up to 8 weeks. The large flowers range from cream to plum with a hint of green. Given rich, well-drained soil and shade, it will self-sow, creating a colony of plants with handsome evergreen leaves. This shade garden classic also continues to gain popularity for its evident success in dry shade conditions.
Plant 18 in. apart, Zone 5–9, part to full shade
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| Athyrium niponicum Pictum |
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| 2004: Japanese Painted Fern (Athrium-niponicum-'Pictum')
Often considered the most decorative of ferns, this deciduous 18" Oriental beauty blends gray-green fronds with wine-red stems. It is slow-spreading and thrives in shade or partial shade where soil is moist but well-drained. Its tri-color fronds emerge in the spring making it a perfect companion for early bulbs. A very hardy fern which complements a host of perennials.
Plant 18 in apart, Zone 3–8 part to full shade
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| Leucanthemum Becky |
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| 2003: Leucanthemum superbum ‘Becky’.
‘Becky’ reaches 24 inches in width, with large 3- to 4-inch daisy blooms. Provide a soil rich in organic matter, yet one that is well drained (so the soil isn’t constantly wet). Likes soil pH between 6.5 and 6.8 (the preferred range for all the perennials unless otherwise noted. Cut flower stalks to the ground after bloom, so basal foliage can rejuvenate for the fall garden. Divide every few years in early autumn. Cut all perennials back to ground level in the fall.
Zones 4 to 9, full sun
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| Phlox David |
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| 2002: Phlox paniculata ‘David’.
A pure white, mildew-resistant, tall garden phlox that reaches upward of 40 inches with a width of 24 inches. Another perennial that enjoys an organically rich soil with excellent drainage and full sun. Blooms late July through August, sporting large, very fragrant, 6- to 8-inch wide panicles (round flower heads composed of clusters of smaller individual flowers). Excellent as a cut flower, especially if picked when the head is only about half in bloom. Divide every two to three years in early spring, once shoots emerge
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| Calamagrostis Karl Foerster |
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2001: Calamagrostis x acutiflora - "Karl Foerster"
Locate in full to partial sun (four to six hours of direct sun) with a well-drained, organically rich soil. This grass is non-invasive, growing 48 inches tall and only 15 inches wide. The flower is a feathery, light-pink inflorescence in June. Leave standing to provide winter interest; cut back in spring. Divide every five to six years, in early fall. Often described as the “perpetual motion grass”, due to its elegant movement in a slight breeze.
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| Scabiosa Butterfly Blue |
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2000: Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’.
Hardy in zones 5 to 10. It prefers a well-drained, organically rich soil in full sun with a pH around 7.0 to 7.2. Deadhead (pinch off spent flowers) and it will bloom continually June through August. Roughly 8 inches in height with flower stalks extending to 12 inches; the wiry, bluish foliage offers its own interesting feature. Divide in early spring, but don’t cut back in autumn; simply prune out dead stalks come spring. Tolerates Drought very well.
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| Rudbeckia Goldstrum |
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| 1999: Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldstrum’
Prefers full to partial sun and a well-drained, organically rich soil. One of the best known and longest-blooming perennials (July through October), not to mention an outstanding cut flower, it’s often called black-eyed susan. Re-seeds rather prolifically, making it excellent for mass plantings. Reaches 20 to 30 inches in height and 18 to 24 inches in width; divide early spring, every four to five years.
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| Echinacea Magnus |
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1998: Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’, purple coneflower
Blooms July through September. Drought-tolerant with a preference for full sun coupled with a well-drained soil. Excellent cut flower with its dark purple-pink, daisy-like blossoms and protruding center cone. Height of 36 inches with a spread of 24 inches; provides winter interest and will re-seed if not cut down in fall.
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| Salvia May Night |
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1997: Salvia ‘Mainacht’ or May Night
Requires full sun. Prefers well-drained soil and will tolerate drought once established, but never soggy soil. Tiny dark blue flowers line 10-inch vertical spikes from May to early June. Divide in early fall, once the crown begins to die out. Fragrant plant reaching 20 inches in both height and width.
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| Penstemon Huskers Red |
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| 1996: Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ or beard-tongue
Will appreciate a location in either full or partial sun with well-drained soil. Beautiful red-bronze foliage topped with numerous 24-inch flower spikes lined with white, bell-shaped blooms in June. Divide in early fall when necessary. Excellent for bouquets.
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| Perovskia atriplicifolia |
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1995: Perovskia atriplicifolia or Russian sage.
Provide full sun and a well-drained soil. Tiny, light-blue flowers cover its stems from July through August. A large plant, Stretching as a woody perennial; never cut back to ground level, simply prune in spring.
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| Astilbe Sprite |
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1994: Astilbe ‘Sprite’.
Requires a moist, very organically rich soil in full sun to filtered shade with a 6.0 to 6.2 pH. Fertilize early spring with 10-10-10 and divide every three to four years in the fall. Light pink, feathery plumes appear late in June and early July; roughly 10 inches high and 12 inches wide.
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| Veronica Sunny Border Blue |
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1993: Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ or speedwell.
Prefers full to partial sun with a rich, well-drained soil. Leathery looking dark green foliage is topped with deep blue spikes July through August. Awesome cut flower and vertical accent in the garden. Reaches 24 inches in height and spread; divide early spring every four years.
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| Coreopsis Moonbeam |
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1992: Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’ or thread-leaf.
Provide full sun and well-drained soil. Small lemon-yellow flowers top finely textured foliage. Blooms July through August and reaches a height and width of 20 inches. Divide in early spring when necessary.
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| Heuchera Palace Purple |
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1991: Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’
Prefers partial sun and a moist yet well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. Red-bronze, shiny foliage with clusters of tiny white, bell-shaped flowers topping 12 inch stalks in July; plant width reaches 15 inches. Divide in early spring when necessary. Remove flower stalks, but leave foliage intact for winter.
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