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Purple Coneflowers- Echinacea purpurea, is a glorious, tall plant of 3-5’ that adds an extra dimension to the back rows of a perennial or butterfly garden. The flowers sport long, slender daisy-like petals that drop down slightly as the center rises into the cone shape that gives it the name. Coneflowers, which range in color from pink to purple, enjoy full sun and will benefit from cutting, to prolong their blooming season. A relatively sturdy plant, established plants survive dry spells quite nicely.
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MBlue Speedwell- Veronica allionii, a super, foot-high plant with an abundance of vibrant green leaves and spikes of blue flowers. The breadth and color, make it a good choice for bridging the gap between the tallest and shortest flowers in a perennial bed. Grows well in zones 4-9 and begins blooming in late Spring.
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Astilbe- also known as False Spiraea, they produce a long, feathery stem that is actually made up of dozens of tiny blossoms. Delicate, ragged edged leaves spread into clumps up to 3’ wide, and may need containment. Plant can reach height of 2-3’. Astilbe can grow well in full sun if it is also well-watered. If you tend to have drier ground or seasons, plant in partial shade. Can be used as a cut flower, but the color tends to fade quickly. Comes in purples, red, pinks and whites.
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Bee Balm- Mondarda Didyma, a delightful addition to your perennial garden that comes with the bonus of attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and bees to pollinate your other flowers. Bee Balm is technically an herb, with a light, minty aroma. Leaves are used in potpourri, teas, and other remedies. A tall plant at 3-4’, the long green stems are topped by tube-shaped flowers in purples, pinks and reds. Bee Balm grows well in full sun or partial shade, and is hardy in every growing zone.
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Coreopsis- Native to North America, the brilliance of their yellow blossoms (with one lone pink variety) are a charming addition to clumps of other tall perennials, and even mixed with various shades of their own species. The leaves can be long and extremely thin, from which some varieties get the nickname of thread-leaf Coreopsis. Plant in full sun and enjoy the proliferation of small, multi-layered daisy-like flowers, for the entire season. Deadheading is always good, but plant will continue to bloom anyway.
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Liatris- Liatris Spicata, also known as Blazing Star, grows 2-3’ in domestic varieties, but as high as 6’ in the wild. The upper part of tall stems are covered in tiny, feathery blossoms ranging from pinks to purples. Foliage is long, thin, leaves. Does well in full sun and well-drained soil. Allowing flower spikes, which bloom June-August to go to seed, may provide new plants for next year.
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Hosta- An exciting foliage plant, it provides rich, vibrant leaves in a range from green to gray-green, with white edging or gold stripes. This is likely the single most popular perennial for shade gardens and makes a striking contrast to other flowers, while growing spikes of lavender/white blossoms that resemble lilies. The range of varieties is so diverse, you can acquire plants that measure only inches at maturity, or others that spread to a majestic eight feet.
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Shasta Daisy- Once a member of the Chrysanthemum family, the Shasta Daisy is now classified as a Leucanthemum. First developed in the 1890s by Luther Burbank, he named it for the similarity between its white flowers and the snow on top of Mount Shasta in California. The many varieties of Shastas grow well in full sun or partial shade, and will bloom anywhere from June through to September, in zones 4-9. The blossoms, which top stems that reach 3’ or more, are single-petaled white daisies with a sunny yellow center.
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Dianthus- One of the more unusual flowers for gardening, it actually comes as an annual, biennial, and perennial, so when buying plants or seeds, be sure which variety you’ve purchased. The flowers that belong to this group include carnations, Sweet William and Pinks. Their flowers are small, 1-2”, either single or multi-petaled, with ragged edges. Dianthus come in a range of pinks to reds, white, and bi-colors, reaching up to 2’ in height, and with a delightful scent. Great for cut flowers and arrangements.
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Peony- Paeonia Lactiflora, a stunning, richly scented flower that brings white, pink and red/wine blooms to your Spring garden. Buy as potted plants in Spring, or bare roots in Fall. Bloom is large and lush, with multiple rows/layers of ruffled or ragged edge petals. The herbaceous varieties available are sometimes cultivated for specific zones, with the Lactiflora being one of the hardiest. Peonies thrive in full sun, with moderate watering and room to spread out. Will reach 2-3’ in height.
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