Perennials

Zone: 3 to 8 Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet Bloom Time: August to September Bloom Description: White Sun: Part shade to full shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Flower: Showy, Fragrant Leaf: Colorful Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette' Back to Previous Page More Images Common Name: bugbane Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Ranunculaceae Zone: 3 to 8 Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet Bloom Time: August to September Bloom Description: White Sun: Part shade to full shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Flower: Showy, Fragrant Leaf: Colorful Garden locations Culture Easily grown in average, medium moisture soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers humusy, organically rich, moisture-retentive soils. Foliage tends to scorch and otherwise depreciate if soils are allowed to dry out. Best sited in locations sheltered from strong winds. This is a slow-to-establish plant. Noteworthy Characteristics Actaea simplex typically grows to a total height of 3-4’. Small, numerous, creamy white, strongly fragrant flowers appear in late summer to early fall in long, terminal racemes resembling fluffy spires (typically 1-2’ long) rising above the foliage on upright, wiry stems. Astilbe-like, deeply cut, ternately compound foliage is an attractive deep green. Synonymous with and formerly known as Cimicifuga simplex. All plants in the genus Cimicifuga have recently been transferred to the genus Actaea.

This hybrid from Allium guru Mark McDonough was picture perfect in our trials. 'Millenium' forms a compact, upright clump of glossy green, thick and strappy leaves which emit a slight smell of onion when crushed. In late July and August here in Michigan, a profusion of large 2”, bright rosy purple, tightly rounded clusters of flowers appear on strong stems just above the attractive foliage. Alliums are charming plants for the rock or herb garden. When the foliage is bruised, it smells like onions since they are in the onion family. Butterflies and honeybees adore the flowers' sweet nectar but deer and rabbits steer clear of this perennial beauty.

‘Honorine Jobert’ produces single, 2-3” wide, pure white flowers with a cluster of bright yellow stamens in the center of each blossom. They are produced atop tall, wiry stems above an attractive clump of dark green foliage. It is a real standout in partial shade where it is happiest. A staple item for late summer and fall borders, Japanese Anenomes are graceful plants with beautiful, satiny flowers borne on tall stems above a clump of shorter basal foliage. Watching them sway in the breeze brings a feeling of calm and peace to the garden. Since they are a bit late to rise in the spring, they make an ideal cover for the dying foliage of spring bulbs.

A virtually hassle-free, very long lived perennial, offering three months of tangerine orange blooms (occasionally red or yellow) from early through late summer. Deadheading the flowers will stimulate another bloom cycle about a month after the first one. The flowers, which are heavily laden with nectar and pollen, are particularly attractive to hummingbirds, Monarch butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. Gather bouquets of Asclepias all summer long; the long stems are wonderful for cutting and are long-lasting. Sear the ends of the cut stems over a flame to stop the milky sap from leaking out. Following the fabulous flowers, green fruits develop which rupture to reveal seeds with long, silvery-white, silky hairs reminiscent of its cousin, common milkweed. These are great to use in dried flower arrangements.

'Vision in White' is a robust growing selection which produces loads of large, creamy white, triangular plumes in midsummer. Though the foliage is full and robust like others in the Visions series, it is not as coarsely textured. Rather, the green leaves are smooth and glossy. Height: 24.0 Inches Spread: 18.0 Inches Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9 Flower Color: White Shades Foliage Color: Green shades Sunlight: Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Astilbe 'Vision Inferno' Astilbe 'Vision Inferno' is a vigorous, drought resistant chinensis type with strong and healthy foliage topped in midsummer with 18" high, dense pink and cream flowers that age to green colored seed capsules. A light, sweet fragrance adds to the appeal of this excellent newer Astilbe. (PP#26012) Height: 18" Spacing: 15 - 18" apart Light: Light sun to full shade Soil: Humus-rich, woodland, consistently moist Bloom Time: mid to late summer Zones: 3 - 8

Common Name: Chinese Astilbe Raspberry pink plumes are sweetly fragrant with a dense, pyramidal shape Blooms in midsummer Large, clear green leaves with a coarse texture A dwarf selection A member of Astilbe chinensis(Chinese Astilbe). A later blooming species useful for extending the bloom season into late summer. Foliage is deeply incised, coarsely textured, and often bronze-green in color. Flowers are borne on narrow, branched panicles. Though garden performance is far superior in moist soils, members of this species are moderately drought tolerant. Shorter varieties such as 'Pumila' make excellent groundcovers. Height: 14.0-16.0 Inches Spread: 12.0-15.0 Inches Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9 Flower Color: Pink shades Foliage Color: Green shades Sunlight: Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Common Name: Bee Balm It's electric! That's what you might think when you look at the fabulous color of this new interspecific hybrid of Bee Balm. Intense, dark neon pink flowers are produced above an upright mound of glossy, dark green foliage. The large, 3" flowers practically glow, lightening slightly for a two tone effect. Look for more bright and intense colors in the future! Monarda is native to eastern North America, so it is easy to grow and it multiplies quickly. The flowers' sweet nectar attracts scores of hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to the garden. The aromatic foliage smells like mint when crushed and is often used to flavor teas. A Walters Garden introduction

One of the earliest blooming Campanula carpatica types on the market with good vigor and uniformity. 1-1.5in cup shaped, blue flowers and dark green foliage.

One of the earliest blooming Campanula carpatica types on the market with good vigor and uniformity. 1-1.5in cup shaped, pure white flowers and dark green foliage.

Campanula ‘Birch Hybrid’ Dwarf Bellflower USDA Zone: 4-9 Plant number: 1.110.430 Bellflowers are among the most popular of perennials. This dwarf selection is a terrific choice for rock gardens, edging, and particularly for tubs or mixed containers. Plants form a trailing mound of small green leaves, bearing sprays of bright purple bell flowers for many weeks in early summer. Divide every two years, in spring or fall. Consider contrasting ‘Birch Hybrid’ with Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’ or growing as a carpet beneath Lilies. Removing spent flowers will greatly increase the flowering time. This trailing selection will not become a troublesome spreader. Further details for Campanula ‘Birch Hybrid’ Optimal Growing Conditions Sun Exposure Full Sun or Partial Shade Soil Type Normal or Sandy or Clay Soil pH Neutral or Alkaline or Acid Soil Moisture Care Level Easy Appearance and Characteristics Flower Colour Purple Blooming Time Early Summer Mid Summer Late Summer Early Fall

Common Name: Peach-leaved Bellflower This cultivar is unique from other C. persicifolia varieties in that it is about half the typical height. It also has upward and outward facing flowers rather than the standard downward facing flowers. Bell-shaped, 2-2.5”, lavender blue flowers are produced on strong stems from early summer into late summer if spent flowers are removed. This F1 hybrid is genetically compact and PGRs are typically not needed to control the height. Like most C. persicifolia varieties, this one also forms a basal mound of long, leathery, evergreen, dark green leaves.

Common Name: Peach-leaved Bellflower This new cultivar is the perfect complement to ‘Takion Blue’. It is unique from other C. persicifolia varieties in that it is about half the typical height. It also has upward and outward facing flowers rather than the standard downward facing flowers. Bell-shaped, 2-2.5”, pure white flowers are produced on strong stems from early summer into late summer if spent flowers are removed. This F1 hybrid is genetically compact and PGRs are typically not needed to control the height. Like most C. persicifolia varieties, this one also forms a basal mound of long, leathery, evergreen, dark green leaves.

Looking for a no-fuss perennial? Try 'Church Bells', a new clustered bellflower that's especially refined in terms of performance and flower quality. Well-formed clusters of violet purple flowers are packed onto rich, dark green foliage. Match with its white counterpart, 'Angel Bells'. A great choice for the gardener looking for a pollinator-friendly, deer resistant perennial. Grows 14-18'' tall by 16-20'' wide

Common Name: Black-Eyed Susan, Coneflower Black Eyed Susans are one of the most popular perennials available today, having earned the prestigious Perennial Plant of the Year Award in 1999. Plants have a long season of bloom and a sturdy, upright habit. The gold daisy-like flowers have a distinct dark brown central cone and are held on branching stems. Do not deadhead these cones if you want winter interest since the black seed heads remain attractive throughout the winter and the seeds provide a source of food for small birds. A classic garden combination includes upright Sedum 'Autumn Joy' and Perovskia atriplicifolia. It is an excellent perennial for providing color in late summer and is especially showy in mass plantings.

Common Name: Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart, Common Bleeding Heart A classic charmer! One of the oldest but still irreplaceable perennials in cultivation. Old-fashioned Bleeding Hearts form large, bushy clumps of powdery-green foliage comprised of cut or lobed leaves on fleshy stems. In late spring, chains of puffy heart-shaped flowers with rose-pink petals and white tips dangle beneath the arching, leafless stems. These racemes make delightful additions to fresh bouquets, lasting about 2 weeks in a vase. In cooler climates with adequate moisture, the bloom time may be extended into early summer. After putting on this fantastic display, Old-Fashioned Bleeding Hearts usually go dormant until the following spring. However, if plants are kept well-watered during the spring, dormancy may be delayed until late summer or early fall. Other bushy perennials, such as Hosta, Geranium, or Sedge, should be planted nearby to fill in the resulting gaps. Height: 30.0-36.0 Inches Spread: 30.0-36.0 Inches Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 Flower Color: Pink shades Foliage Color: Green shades Sunlight: Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Common Name: Fern-leaved Bleeding Heart, Western Bleeding Heart Dark reddish pink, heart-shaped blooms dance charmingly above spreading mounds of ferny, blue-green foliage. This selection is everblooming, flowering most freely in spring and continuing throughout the summer and into fall. It does not set seed. It also seems to tolerate more sun and summer heat than most other varieties. Unlike the Common Bleeding Heart, D. 'Luxuriant' will not go dormant in midsummer as long as the soil is kept moist. Rather, it will enchant passersby all season long.

The Duke Blueberry is a Northern Highbush Blueberry, growing well in cooler climates and northern regions. Developed by the USDA in Beltsville, Maryland, this variety was released to the public in 1987. It is known both for its early season fruit, which is large with a firm, crisp texture, and its high yield of berries. The fruit has a tangy, sweet, delicate flavor. Blueberries are a top fruit source of antioxidants, and they are high in fiber and vitamin C. This blueberry bush is an attractive plant with white, pink-tinged flowers in the spring; large, light blue berries in the summer; and vibrant yellow and orange fall foliage. It is a great plant to use for landscape design, as well as in the garden or berry patch. This bush can grow up to six feet tall at maturity. Growth and Care Duke blueberry bushes are cold-hardy. They prefer acidic soil and full sun, and they should be pruned annually. Flowers bloom late in the spring, helping to avoid issues with late spring frost.

Northblue. Mid season variety with very good hardiness and very good productivity. Bushes are vigourous, 1.2 m tall, compact and spreading. Blueberries are large, firm, dark blue with very good flavour. Desirable variety for cold regions since it will be easily covered with snow.

A sight to behold! The leaves of 'Jack Frost' are intricately detailed with a crackle-like finish. Though the leaves are dark green, they have a heavily frosted overlay which allows only the green veining to show through. From mid to late spring, baby blue, forget-me-not type blossoms are held in clusters several inches above the shimmering foliage. The effect is breathtaking. Tip for southern growers and gardeners: 'Jack Frost' tolerates heat better than the older brunnera cultivars. Brunneras are classic perennials that are treasured for their shade tolerance and lovely blooms. They make a fantastic groundcover, though the variegated forms may be slower to spread than the species. Try growing them in containers too so they will be close at hand when you want to snip a few blooms for a spring bouquet.