no. 7.405 |
Herbaceous Perennials
by M. Meehan, J.E. Klett and R.A. Cox 1 (12/08)Quick Facts...
- These herbaceous perennials are best adapted for Colorado's lower elevations.
- Herbaceous perennials differ in bloom period, flower color, height, foliage texture and environmental requirements.
- Environmental requirements include sun and wind exposure or lack of it, soil conditions and water needs.
- Matching the perennial plant to the site conditions produces a successful perennial garden.
An ever-expanding palette of herbaceous perennials lets home gardeners create showy collections.
Under normal growing conditions, perennials live many years, dying back to the ground each winter. They quickly establish themselves in a few growing seasons and create a backbone for the flower garden.
Plants vary in flower color, bloom time, height, foliage texture and environmental requirements. Environmental requirements include sun exposure, soil conditions and water needs. The key to a successful perennial garden is to choose plants whose requirements match your site's conditions.
Table 1 lists perennials adapted to the broad range of growing conditions in Colorado's lower elevations. Many also do well at higher elevations, but for a more specific listing of higher elevation perennials, see fact sheet 7.406, Flowers for Mountain Communities. More information on design and maintenance of perennial Gardens can be found in 7.402, Perennial Gardening. Also see 7.840, Vegetable Garden: Soil Management and Fertilization.
Key to Table 1:
a only most common cultivars are listed.
bNot Important. Barely-noticeable flowers that are unimportant.
The plant is grown for its foliage only.
X: Xeric; plants that are adapted to low water conditions.
M: Plants that prefer moist soils.
C: Flowers that are good for cutting.
* Cultivar - a variety of a species that is developed, propagated and
maintained under cultivation. Short for "cultivated variety."
** Biennial - a plant that grows foliage the first year, blooms and sets
seed the second year, then dies.
| Table 1: Herbaceous perennials best adapted to lower elevations. | |||||
| SUNNY EXPOSURE | |||||
| Botanical and Common Name |
Flower Color |
Bloom Period |
Height | Cultivarsa | Comments/Cultural Hints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achillea hybrids Yarrow |
White-Red- Pastels-Yellow |
June-Sept. | 1.5-2.5' | Moonshine, Paprika, Summer Pastels | Spreads quickly; good for drying. X, C |
| Achillea filipendula Fernleaf yarrow |
Yellow | June-Oct. | 2.5-4.5' | Coronation Gold, Gold Plate | Fern-like leaf texture; spreads to 3'. X, C |
| Agastache cana Hyssop, double bubblemint |
Pink | July-Sept. | 1-3’ | Sonoran Sunset® | Fragrant foliage; blossoms smell like bubble gum; Plant Select®. X |
| Agastache rupestris Sunset® hyssop |
Orange-Red-Pink | July-Sept. | 2-3’ | Sunset® | Blossoms smell like root beer; favored by hummingbirds; Plant Select®. X |
| Alcea rosea Hollyhock |
Red-Pink-White | June-Aug. | 3-6' | Chater's Series, Majorette, Powder Puff, Watchman | Biennial or perennial; use as background plant; prone to rust disease.C |
| Armeria maritima Sea pink |
Red-Pink-White | April-June | 6-8” | Alba, Splendens,Victor Reiter | Dense rounded mat foliage, adapts to dry soil; salt tolerant. |
| Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ Powis Castle sage |
NIb | NIb | 2-3' | Powis Castle | Gray foliage; mounding habit. X |
| Artemisia ludoviciana Sagewort, prairie sage |
NIb | NIb. | 1.5-3.5’ | Valerie Finnis | Upright growth habit; large silver leaves. X |
| Artemisia schmidtiana Silver mound sage |
NIb | NIb | 8-12" | Silver Mound | Soft, feathery, silver gray foliage; used for specimen or contrast. X |
| Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly weed |
Orange | June-Aug. | 2' | Best in well-drained soil. X, C | |
| Aster novae-angliae New England aster |
White-Pink- Purple |
Sept.-Oct. | 3-4' | Alma Potschke, Purple Dome | Prefers well-drained soil; may require staking. C |
| Aster novi-belgii Dwarf Fall aster |
White-Pink- Purple |
Aug.-Sept | 2-3' | Alert, Prof. Kippenburg, Snow Flurry | Prefers well-drained soil; may require staking. C |
| Aurinia saxatilis (Alyssum saxatile) Basket-of-Gold |
Yellow | April-May | 9-12" | Compacta, Sulfureum | Gray-green mounding foliage; sheer after bloom. |
| Baptisia australis False indigo |
Blue | May-June | 2-4.5' | Background plant; interesting seed pods. X, C | |
| Berlandiera lyrata Chocolate flower |
Yellow | June-July | 10-20" | Flowers give off the scent of chocolate in the early morning; very xeric. X | |
| Callirhoe involucrata Poppy mallow, winecups |
Reddish Purple | June-Aug. | 6" | Trailing stems spread to 3'; blooms are cup-shaped. Plant Select®, X | |
| Catananche caeruleal Cupid’s dart |
Blue-Purple | June-Aug. | 1-1.5’ | Dark-eyed blooms; tall clumps of slender leaves. X,C | |
| Centaurea dealbata Persian cornflower |
Pink | May-June | 1-2’ | Rosea | Spiky flowers; deer resistant. X, C |
| Centaurea montana Perennial bachelor’s button |
Blue-Purple | May-June | 1-2’ | Perennial version of the bachelor’s button cornflower) wildflower. X, C | |
| Centranthus ruber Jupiter's beard, red valerian |
Red-Pink-White | May-Sept. | 1-3' | Albus | Prefers well-drained soil; gray-green foliage.X, C |
| Coreopsis auriculata Dwarf coreopsis |
Yellow-Orange | June-Sept. | 4-8" | Nana | Dense, spreading mound of foliage. X |
| Coreopsis grandiflora Coreopsis |
Yellow | June-Sept. | 1-2.5' | Baby Sun, Early Sunrise, Sunray | Extend bloom by removing spent flowers. X, C |
| Coreopsis lanceolata Lance-leaf coreopsis |
Yellow | June-Aug. | 1.5-2’ | Slender shiny green leaves. X, C | |
| Coreopsis rosea Pink coreopsis |
Pink | Aug-Sept. | 1-2’ | A clump of thread-leaf foliage. | |
| Coreopsis verticillata Threadleaf coreopsis |
Yellow | July-Sept. | 1.5-2.5’ | Moonbeam, Zagreb | Fine-textured foliage. X, C |
| Dalea purpurea Purple prairie clover |
Purple | June-Aug. | 2-3’ | Long, thin stems with cylindrical flower heads; thread-like leaves. X | |
| Delphinium hybrids Larkspur, Delphinium |
White-Blue- Pink-Purple |
June-Aug. | 2-4' | Conn. Yankee, Dwarf & Giant Pacific hybrids | Seeds and plant poisonous; may need staking. C |
| Dendranthema x morifolium Hardy chrysanthemum, Pink Daisy |
Pink |
June-Aug. | 2-3’ | Clara Curtis | Pink, daisy-like flowers bloom for long periods. C |
| Dianthus plumarius Cottage pink |
Pink-White | May-July | 1-1.5' | Numerous | Dense rounded habit; fragrant blooms. |
| Dianthus gratianopolitanus Cheddar pinks |
Pink-White | May-June | 4-8" | Firewitch, Spotty, Tiny Rubies | Spreading, grass-like clumps; gray-green, fragrant foliage. |
| Echinacea purpurea Purple coneflower |
Purple,Pink, White | July-Sept. | 2-3" | Alba,Magnus,White,Swan | Stiff habit;good in naturalized areas. X, C |
| Echinops ritro Globe thistle |
Blue | July-Sept. | 3-4' | Taplow Blue | Prefers well drained soil; globe flowers can bloom 6-8 weeks. X, C |
| Erigeron hybrids Fleabane |
Pink-Purple | June-July | 1-3' | Azure Fairy, Pink Jewel | Needs well-drained soil; extend bloom by removing spent flowers. C |
| Eriogonum umbellatum Sulfur flower |
Yellow | May-July | 0.5-1" | Kannah Creek | Dark green foliage below sulfur yellow button-like blooms; Plant Select®. X |
| Eryngium planum Sea holly |
Blue | June-August | 1-2' | Blaukappe | Silver-blue flower heads are good for drying. X,C |
| Eschscholzia californica California poppy |
Yellow-Orange | June-Sept. | 1-2' | Reseeding annual/tender perennial. X, C | |
| Euphorbia polychroma Cushion spurge |
Chartreuse-Yellow | April-May | 1.5-2' | Neat green mounds; red fall color; sap may be a skin irritant; less invasive. | |
| Gaillardia x grandiflora Blanket flower |
Yellow-Red- Orange |
June-Sept. | .5-2.5' | Baby Cole, Burgundy, Goblin | Showy, daisy-like blooms. X, C |
| Gazania krebsiana Hardy orange gazania |
Orange |
May-Sept. | 3-8" | Tanager® | Rosette of lobed leaves; short-lived perennial or reseeding annual; Plant Select®. X |
| Gazania linearis Hardy gazania |
Yellow |
May-Sept. | 2-8' | Colorado Gold® | A mop of linear leaves; blooms open in sun; Plant Select®. X |
| Gypsophila paniculata Baby's breath |
White-Pink | June-Sept. | 2-3' | Bristol Fairy, Perfecta, Pink Fairy | Airy plant; delicate blooms; good for drying. X. C |
| Helenium autumnale Sneezeweed |
Yellow-Red | Aug.-Sept. | 2-4' | Buterpat, Moerheim Beauty | Brightly colored, daisy-like blooms. M, C |
| Helianthemum nummularium Sun rose |
Orange-Pink-Yellow-Red-White | June-July | 0.5-1" | Apricot, Wisely Pink, Wisely Primrose | Low growing; spreading mounds of foliage; rock garden plant. X |
| Helianthus maximiliani Maximilian sunflower |
Yellow | July-Aug. | 6-10' | Strong, branched stems, lance-shaped foliage, may flop over if overhead irrigated. X, C | |
| Heliopsis helianthoides False sunflower |
Yellow | July-Sept. | 3-4' | Summer Sun | Use as specimen planting or at back of Garden. C |
| Iberis sempervirens Candytuft |
White | April-June | 1-1.5' | Alexander's White, Autumn Snow | Glossy green foliage; shear after bloom; may repeat bloom in fall. |
| Iris hybrids Bearded iris |
Blue-White-Red- Purple-Yellow |
May-June | 1-2.5' | Numerous | Prefers well drained soil; sword-like foliage. X, C |
| Knautia macedonica Knautia macedonica |
Red |
May-Sept. | 1.5-3' | Burgundy pincushion-like flowers; open growing habit. X, C | |
| Kniphofia uvaria Torch lily, red hot poker |
Red-Orange-Yellow | June-Aug. | 2-3' | Primrose Beauty, Springtime | Spikes of flowers arise from clumps of grasslike foliage. X, C |
| Lathyrus latifolius Perennial sweet pea | White-Pink-Red-Purple |
June-Sept. | 4-12' | Vigorously climbing vines with mixed colored blooms.X | |
| Lavandula angustifolia Lavender |
Blue | July-Oct. | 1-1.5' | Hidcote, Munstead | Aromatic blooms; semievergreen foliage.X,C |
| Liatris spicata Gayfeather, blazing star |
White-Pink- Purple |
July-Sept. | 2-3' | Floristan Violet, Kobold | Clumps of grassy foliage; dense bottle brush blooms. C |
| Limonium latifolium Sea lavender |
Purple | June-Sept. | 1.5-3' | Blooms create an airy texture. X, C | |
| Linum perenne Blue flax |
Blue-White | May-June | 2' | Sapphire | Light, airy plant; good wildflower; reseeds readily. X |
| Lychnis coronaria Rose campion |
Purple-Red-Pink | June-Aug. | 1.5-3' | Blood Red | Silver gray foliage. X |
| Malva alcea Rose mallow |
Pink | June-Sept. | 3-4' | Fastigiata | Hollyhock-like blooms; lobed foliage. X, C |
| Mirabilis multiflora Desert four o’clock |
Purple-Red-Pink | July-Sept. | 1-2' | Trumpet-shaped flowers; southern Colorado native; blue-green foliage. X, C | |
| Monarda didyma Bee balm |
Red-Pink- Violet-White |
July-Aug. | 2-3' | Cambridge Scarlet, Marshall’s Delight | Spreads quickly; susceptible to powdery mildew. C |
| Nepeta species Catmint |
Blue-Purple | May-Oct. | 1-2' | Blue Wonder, Six Hills, Giant, Walker's Low | Spreading habit; trim back after bloom; aromatic leaves. |
| Oenothera speciosa Mexican Evening Primose |
Rose | June-Sept. | 0.5-1' | Siskiyou | Spreading habit; 2" blooms, subject to powdery mildew. |
| Oenothera macrocarpa Ozark sundrop |
Yellow | June-Sept. | 1-1.5' | Sprawling habit; 3-4” blooms. X | |
| Origanum laevigatum Ornamental oregano |
Pink-Purple-Red | June-July | 1-2' | Herren-hausen | Foliage is very aromatic. X |
| Paeonia hybrids Paeonia hybrids |
White-Pink-Red-Purple |
May-June | 2-3' | Numerous | Showy, spring blooms; attractive foliage.M.C. |
| Papaver alpinum Alpine poppy |
White-Orange |
May-June | 0.5-1' | Lacy, blue-green foliage; allow to reseed. X, C | |
| Papaver nudicaule Iceland poppy |
Pastels |
May-July | 1' | Champagne Bubbles | Short-lived perennial; fragrant. X, C |
| Papaver orientale Oriental poppy |
Orange-Red-Pink-White |
May-June | 2-3' | Allegro, Brilliant, Prince of Orange | Large papery blooms; foliage goes dormant after bloom; spreading. X, C |
| Penstemon species Penstemon, beard tongue |
Blue-Pink- Red-Violet- White-Purple-Yellow |
May-July | 1-3' | Elfin Pink, Prairie Huskers Red, Prairie Dusk, Prairie Jewel, Rondo | Prefers well-drained soil; stalks of tubular blooms. X |
| Perovskia atriplicifolia Russian sage |
Lavender |
July-Sept. | 4' | Silver gray, aromatic foliage; cut back in spring above soil line. X | |
| Phlomis cashmeriana Kashmir sage, Jerusalem sage | Pink | June-July | 2-3' | Upright growth habit with blooms surrounding the stem at each set of leaves; unique plant; Plant Select®. | |
| Phlox paniculata Garden phlox |
White-Pink-Orange- Red-Purple-Blue |
July-Sept. | 1.5-3' | David, Orange Perfection, Starfire | Tall stalks with bloom clusters; susceptible to powdery mildew. C |
| Ratibida columnifera Prairie coneflower |
Yellow-Red | July-Oct. | 1.5-2’ | var. pulcherrima (Red) | Native wildflower; flower has a cone-shaped center; sometimes called Mexican Hat. X, C |
| Rudbeckia fulgida Black-eyed Susan, coneflower |
Yellow | July-Sept. | 1.5' | Goldsturm | 3"daisy-like blooms with brown-black centers. X, C |
| Salvia argenta Silver sage |
White | June-Aug. | 2-3' | Large, silvery leaves; Plant Select®. X | |
| Salvia nemorosa Salvia |
Pink-White-Blue-Purple | May-Aug. | 1.5-2.5' | Blue Queen, May Night, Rose Queen | Spike-like blooms that repeat if spent blooms removed. X, C |
| Santolina chamaecyparissus Lavender cotton |
Yellow | July-Aug. | 1-1.5' | Finely cut silver gray foliage; pungent.X | |
| Santolina rosmarinifolia Green lavender cotton |
Yellow | July-Aug. | 1-2' | Bright green foliage; pungent. X | |
| Scabiosa caucasica Pincushion flower |
White-Blue- Pink |
June-Oct. | 1.5-2' | Perfecta Alba, Blue Perfection | Blooms on wiry stems; prefers cool summers. C |
| Sidalcea hybrids Miniature hollyhock |
Yellow- Pink |
June-July | 2-4' | Party Girl | Looks like a hollyhock but shorter. C |
| Solidago hybrids Goldenrod |
Yellow | July-Sept. | 1.5-2' | Golden Baby | Prefers well-drained soil; mistakenly blamed for hay fever. X, C |
| Stokesia laevis Stokes’ aster |
Blue-White | July-Aug. | 1-2' | Blue Danube | Large, frilly flowers. X.C |
| Tanacetum densum amanii Partridge feather |
Yellow | June-July | 6-8" | Silvery-white foliage. X | |
| Tanacetum niveum Snow Daisy |
White | May-July | 1.5-2.5' | Silvery-white foliage. X | |
| Tanacetum x coccineum Painted Daisy |
Red-Pink | June-July | 1-3' | Robinson's hybrids | Fern-like leaves; daisy flowers. X,C |
| Zauschneria californica latifolia Hummingbird flower |
Red | Aug.-Oct. | 1-3' | Gray-green leaves; good for attracting hummingbirds. | |
| Zinnia grandiflora Paper flower, desert zinnia |
Yellow | June-Oct. | 4-8" | Papery flowers that dry well. X, C | |
| SUN TO PART SHADE | |||||
| Botanical and Common Name |
Flower Color |
Bloom Period |
Height | Cultivarsa | Comments/Cultural Hints |
| Alchemilla mollis Lady's mantle |
Chartreuse | May-June | 1-1.5' | Prefers cool summers; fertile soil. M | |
| Aquilegia caerulea Rocky Mountain columbine | Blue-White | May-June | 1.5-2.5' | Prefers well-drained soil; Colorado state flower. C | |
| Aquilegia hybrids Columbine hybrids |
Blue-Red- Yellow-White |
May-June | 1-3' | McKana Hybrids, Songbirds | Prefers well-drained soil; extend bloom by removing spent flowers. C |
| Artemisia versicolor ‘Sea Foam’ artemisia |
NIb | NIb | 0.5-1’ | Sea Form | Low, spreading mound of silvery foliage; ideal for rock gardens; Plant Select®. X |
| Aruncus dioicus Goatsbeard |
White | June-July | 3-5' | Kneiffii | Large rounded shrub-like perennial; dense spikes of blooms. M |
| Astilbe x arendsii Astilbe, false spirea |
Red-Pink- White-Lavender |
June-July | 2-3' | Amethyst, Fanal | Arching plumes of flowers; prefers cool summers, fertile soil. M, C |
| Bergenia cordifolia Heart-leafed bergenia |
Pink | April-May | 1-1.5' | Deep glossy green leaves with burgundy fall color. | |
| Campanula carpatica Carpathian harebell |
Blue-White | June-July | 6-12" | Blue Clips, White Clips | Compact mounded habit; small, bell-shaped blooms. |
| Campanula glomerata Clustered bellflower |
Purple-White | May-August | 1-3' | Superba | Clusters of large purple bells. |
| Campanula persicifolia Peach-leaf bellflower |
Blue-White | June-August | 1-3' | Alba Blue | Large bell flowers; peach-like leaves. |
| Campanula rotundifolia Bluebells, harebells |
Blue-White | May-Sept. |
0.5-2' | Olympica, White Gem | Colorado native. X |
| Dianthus hybrid Dianthus, pinks |
Pink-Red-White | April-Oct. | 4-20" | First Love | Short lived perennial; carnation-like foliage. C |
| Dianthus barbatus Sweet William | White-Pink- Purple-Red |
May-July | 1' | Double-Midget Mix | Biennial; flat-top cluster of blooms. C |
| Diascia integerrima Twinspur | Pink- |
June-Sept. | 1-1.5'' | Coral Canyon | Heat tolerant; performs well in poor soils; Plant Select®. X |
| Digitalis purpurea Foxglove |
Purple-Pink- White-Yellow |
June-July | 3-4' | Excelsior Hybrids, Foxy | Biennial; reseeds readily; parts of plant are poisonous. M, C |
| Digitalis obscura Digitalis obscura |
Orange-Red | June-July | 1-2.5' | Sunset® | Narrow, willow-like foliage; heat tolerant;Plant Select®. C |
| Gaura lindheimeri Whirling butterflies |
White-Pink |
June-Sept. | 1.5-4’ | Crimson Butterflies, Siskiyou Pink | Slender, gracefully arching stems; blooms whirl like butterflies. X, C |
| Geraniumhybrids Geranium cranesbill |
Blue-Purple |
May-June | 1-2' | Brookside, Johnson’s Blue | Mounding clumps of foliage. |
| Geranium himalayense Himalayan cranesbill |
Purple-Blue |
May-June | 1-1.5' | Birch’s Double,Plenum | Divided leaves; double blossoms. |
| Geranium sanguineum Bloodred cranesbill |
Blue-Purple- Red-White |
May-June | 1-1.5' | Album, Max Frei | Mounding habit; foliage has red fall color. M |
| Geum hybrids Geum, Avens |
Red-Orange- Yellow |
June-July | 1.5-2' | Lady Stratheden, Mrs. Bradshaw | Prefers rich organic soil; dark green foliage. C |
| Hemerocallis species Daylily |
Yellow-Red-Pink-Orange-Purple-White |
June-Aug. | 1.5-3' | Stella d'Oro and many others. | Grass-like foliage; trumpet-shaped blooms. |
| Heuchera micrantha Alumroot |
White | June-July | 1-1.5' | Palace Purple | Some cultivars have purple foliage with a rounded habit. M, C |
| Heuchera sanguinea Coralbells |
Red-White- Pink |
June-Aug. | 1-1.5' | Firefly, Snow Angel | Small bell-shaped blooms; extend bloom by removing spent flowers. M, C |
| Hibiscus moscheutos Rose mallow |
Red-Pink- White |
July-Sept. | 2-4.5' | Disco Belle, Southern Belle | Prefers moist soil; 6-10" blooms. M |
| Iris sibirica Siberian iris |
Purple-Blue- White |
June | 2-3' | Butter & Sugar, Caesar’s Brother, Snow Queen | Clumps of slender leaves. M, C |
| Leontopodium alpinum Edelweiss |
White |
June-July | 0.5-1’ | Woolly gray foliage and flowers. X | |
| Leucanthemum x superbum Shasta daisy |
White | July-Aug | 1-3' | Alaska, Silver Princess | Extend bloom by removing spent flowers. M, C |
| Lilium species Lily |
Pink-White- Yellow-Red |
June-July | 1-4' | Stargazer, many others | Bulbs with trumpet-like, fragrant flowers. C |
| Lupinus hybrids Lupine |
Yellow-Red-Blue- Purple-White |
May-June | 2.5' | Gallery or Russell | Prefers cool summers; large pea-like blooms. M, C |
| Lychnis chalcedonica Maltese cross |
Scarlet-Pink- White |
June-July | 2-3' | Small groupings add bold color to the Garden M, C | |
| Origanum libanoticum Hopflower oregano |
Purple |
June-Sept. | 1-1.5' | Drooping, hop-like bracts remain after bloom; Plant Select® | |
| Osteospermum barberiae v. compactum Purple Mountain® sun daisy |
Purple |
April-Sept. | 8-10" | Purple Mountain® | Tidy foliage with blooms above on stems; blooms open only in sun; Plant Select®. X |
| Osteospermum Lavender Mist® sun daisy |
White-Purple |
April-Sept. | 10-12" | Tidy foliage with blooms above on stems; blooms open only in sun; Plant Select®. X | |
| Phlox subulataCreeping Phlox |
White-Pink- Red-Blue |
April-May | 4-6" | Candy Stripe, Emerald Blue, White Delight | Carpet-like mat; needle-like foliage. X |
| Physostegia virginiana, Obedient plant |
Pink-White- Lavender |
Sept.-Nov. | 2-4' | Pink Bouquet, Summer Snow | Dark green foilage; spikes of tubular blooms; spreading. M, C |
| Platycodon grandiflorus Balloon flower |
White-Pink- Blue |
July-Sept | 1.5-3' | Fuji Pink, Mariesii | Prefers well-drained soil; balloon-shaped buds. X, C |
| Pulmonaria saccharata Bethlehem sage |
Blue-Pink- White |
April-May | 1-1.5' | Roy Davidson, Smoky Blue | Leaves with white spots; clump-forming. M |
| Pulsatilla vulgaris European pasqueflower | Purple-Red-White | April-May | 0.5-1' | Red, Papageno | Fringed, fern-like foliage; Fuzzy seed heads endure. X |
| Saxifraga oppositifolia Purple robe saxifrage |
Purple |
June-Sept. | 6-8" | Purple Robe | Foliage is in a tight rosette.X |
| Scabiosa columbaria Pincushion flower | Blue-Pink- |
May-Oct. | 0.5-2’ | Butterfly Blue, Pink Mist | Similar to S. caucasica but shorter and more shade tolerant. X, C |
| Sedum spectabile Showy stonecrop |
Pink-Red-White |
Aug.-Sept. | 1.5-2’ | Autumn Joy, Brilliant, Indian Chief | Succulent foliage. X, C |
| Thalictrum aquilegifolium Columbine meadow rue |
Lavender | May-June | 2-3' | Delicate blooms; columbine-like foliage. M, C | |
| Thermopsis rhombifolia Golden banner |
Yellow | May-June | 2-3' | Spreading; dark green foliage. C | |
| Tradescantia x andersoniana Spiderwort | White-Blue- Purple-Pink |
May-July | 1.5-2' | Concord Grape, Red Cloud, Red Grape | Strap-like leaves; cut back in mid summer. M |
| Trollius chinensis Globe flower | Yellow |
July-Aug. | 2-2.5’ | Golden Queen | Dark green foliage with deeply cut lobes. M |
| Veronica spicata Spike speedwell |
Blue-Pink- White |
June-Sept. | 1-2' | Blue Charm, Icicle, Red Fox, Sliver | Upright habit; Sunny Border Blue is a commonly sold hybrid. M, C |
| Viola corsica Corsican violet |
Purple-Blue |
April-Oct. | 6-8" | Low-growing foliage with large flowers above;Plant Select®. C | |
| Zauschneria garrettii California fuchsia |
Orange |
Aug.-Sept. | 4-12" | Orange Carpet® | Good for cascading over walls; tubular flowers; Plant Select®. X |
| PART SHADE TO SHADE | |||||
| Botanical and Common Name |
Flower Color |
Bloom Period |
Height | Cultivarsa | Comments/Cultural Hints |
| Aconitum napellus Monkshood |
Blue-Violet | June-Sept. | 1.5-3' | Lacy foliage; helmet-shaped flowers; poisonous. M, C | |
| Anemone x hybrida Japanese anemone |
Pink-White | Aug.-Oct. | 2-3' | Prince Heinrich, Whirlwind | Mounding foliage; flowers produced on tall stems. M |
| Brunnera macrophylla Siberian bugloss |
Blue | May-June | 1-1.5' | Blooms like forget-me-nots; heart-shaped leaves form rounded mound. M | |
| Cimicifuga racemosa Black snakeroot |
White | Aug-Oct. | 3-5’ | Atropurpurea | Spires of flowers with clumps of green foliage. M |
| Cimicifuga simplex White snakeroot |
White | June-Aug | 2-4’ | White Pearl | Spires of flowers with clumps of green foliage. M |
| Dicentra formosa Fringed bleeding heart |
Pink-White | April-May | 1-1.5' | Luxuriant | With adequate water will bloom later into the summer. C |
| Dicentra spectabilis Bleeding heart |
Red-White | April-June | 2-3' | Alba | Fern-like leaves; heart-shaped blooms. C |
| Filipendula rubra Meadowsweet |
Pink-Red | June-Aug. | 4-6' | Venusta | Plumed foliage; fragrant. M |
| Helleborus orientalis Lenten Rose |
Pink-White-Red | March-April | 1-1.5’ | Royal Heritage | Nodding blooms above palmate leaves. M, C |
| Hosta species Hosta |
Purple-White | July-Aug. | 1-3’ | Blue Angel, Elegans, Patriot | Long, wide leaves; some with variegated foliage. |
| Ligularia dentata Ragwort |
Dark Orange | July-Sept. | 3-4' | Othello | Mounded habit; daisy-like blooms. M |
| Ligularia stenocephala Ragwort |
Yellow | June-Aug. | 3-5' | The Rocket | Rocket-like blooms reach 4-6'; foliage forms large clump below blooms. M |
| Lobelia fulgens Scarlet lobelia |
Red | June-Aug. | 2-3' | Queen Victoria | Maroonish foliage. |
| Polemonium caeruleum Jacob’s ladder |
Blue-White-Purple | May-July | 1.5-3’ | Album, Brise D’Anjou | Leaflets are arranged like rungs of a ladder; some varieties are variegated. |
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