Taller Perennials
Achillea X 'Coronation Gold', 4-5 feet Aconitum spp., 3-5 feet Anemone X hybrida, 2-4 feet Anthemis tinctoria, 2 feet Aruncus dioicus, 5 feet Asclepias tuberosa, 2-3 feet Aster novae-angliae, 2-5 feet Baptisia australis, 3-4 feet Belamcanda chinensis, 3 feet Calamagrostis X acutiflora, 4-6 feet Centaurea montana, 2-3 feet Centranthus ruber, 2-3 feet Delphinium X elatum, 2 1 2-5 feet Dendranthema grandiflora, 2-4 feet Dicentra spectabilis, 2-3 feet Dictamnus albus, 3 feet Echinacea purpurea, 3-5...
Perennial Selection and Care Guide Tux
time of year Special notes frequency in cultural uses, years major pests, etc. Tolerates alkaline soil. Prefers moist soil. Some are North American natives. Soil should be rich in organic matter and well drained. Short-lived. Mulch to overwinter. Goniolimon tartaricum German statice Gypsophila paniculata Baby's-breath Grows best in a well drained, alkaline soil pH 6.8-7.5 . Excellent cut or dried flower. Tolerates wet soils. Do not fertilize. North American native. Helianthus X multiflorus...
Selecting Perennials
Open beds, south- or west-facing beds Each perennial has a single, specific botanical name that includes a genus, which is capitalized, followed by a species, which is written in lowercase letters. Perennials may have one or several different common names that differ from one region to another. Frequently, the genus is used as a common name, such as delphinium, hosta or iris. When many species within a single genus are being discussed, the abbreviation spp. follows the genus. To help you use...
What are Perennials
The term perennials commonly means hardy herbaceous ornamental plants. Hardy perennials are, with some exceptions, nonwoody plants having roots that live through the winter while the tops die back to the ground, particularly in northern climates. This distinction separates hardy perennials from tender perennials and annuals, which flower, set seed and die in the autumn frosts and also from biennials, which take two years to complete the life cycle. In the first year biennials form low rosettes...
Perennial Selection and Care Guide 1
time of year Special notes frequency in cultural uses, years major pests, etc. Aster novae-angliae, Aster novi-belgii Hardy aster Grows best in rich, well drained soil. Pinch back in late spring. Aster yellows and powdery mildew are common problems. North American native. Grows best in deep, fertile soil high in organic matter. Protect from wind. Aubrieta deltoidea Purple rock cress Ground cover. Trim back halfway after flowering. Prefers well drained soil. Long-lived. Trailing habit. Syn....
Staking Tall Plants
You may have to stake tall plants as they grow. Stake each stem individually instead of trying to tie them all together. Tie the plant to the stake with plastic strips or wire covered with a plastic coating. Make a double loop of the wire with one loop around the plant and the other around the stake. This keeps the stem from rubbing against the stake. For tall, arching plants, make or purchase circular rings and attach them to the stakes to support plants and to maintain their natural form. A...
Color Guide
silver-leaved plants may be used to blend areas where colors meet. A semi-chromatic color scheme divides the color wheel in half and uses any three adjoining colors, such as blue, violet and red or red, orange and yellow. This approach is very popular today. A polychromatic scheme includes any and every combination of colors. This type of design yields a great variety of colors and can be very festive. It is important to note, however, that even gardens of this type with seemingly haphazard...
Perennials For Moist To Wet Sites
indicates tolerant of clay or heavy soils Monarda didyma Oenothera missouriensis Physostegia virginiana Primula spp. Rudbeckia fulgida Salvia spp. Saponaria ocymoides Thalictrum Tradescantia X andersoniana Trollius hybrids
Perennial Selection and Care Guide Ezt
time of year Special notes frequency in cultural uses, years major pests, etc. Trim back in spring. Tips are often killed over winter. Fragrant. Silver foliage. Mulch to overwinter. Not especially showy. Short-lived. Easy from seed. Requires excellent drainage. Leucanthemum X superbum Shasta daisy Short-lived. Do not crowd. Self-seeds, but not true to variety. Dead-head to prolong flowering. Syn. Chrysanthemum X superbum C. maximum. North American native. Excellent cut flower. Prefers moist,...