Perennials

Certainly one of the most popular of foliage perennials, silver mound forms a low cushion of ferny, silvery-grey leaves. In areas with humid summers it benefits from a hard clipping just as the tiny silver ball-like flowers appear, usually in mid to late June.

Plants will regrow quickly and remain attractive all season long. Good for hot, dry sites. Nice edging plant, also combines well with other perennials in tubs or mixed containers.

Flowering Season: Mid Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 10"
  
• Spread: 18"
  

Zone: 3a

Minarette Dwarf Mix lupine comprises a wide range of clean colours, including blues, reds, yellows, pinks and white. One of the best lupines for small gardens, containers or the front of beds and borders. Plants grow to 20 in. tall. 

CAUTION: Harmful if eaten.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 20"

• Width: 12"

Zone: 4

Photos courtesy of Jeffries Nursery

A popular ground-cover for shady areas. Plants form a spreading clump of small green leaves, whorled like spokes of a bicycle around the stem. Clusters of tiny white flowers make a pretty display in spring. In a moist site this spreads steadily to form a thick carpet.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 6"

• Width: 12"

Zone: 4

Photos courtesy of Jeffries Nursery

A virtually hassle-free perennial, offering three months of vanilla-scented, white flowers in clean clusters from midsummer to early fall. 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, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 18 - 24"

• Width: 18 - 24"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Summer Phlox is very popular for its midsummer display in the sunny border. This selection produces large, fragrant flower clusters. Attractive to butterflies. Excellent cut flower. Flowering is always best in a sunny location. Easy to grow and mildew resistant although Summer Phlox always benefit from a location that provides good air circulation and consistent soil moisture. Drought tolerant. Excellent for containers or in the border. Remove faded flowers to encourage more buds to form.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 22 - 36"

• Width: 22 - 24"

Coreopsis also known as Tickseed, form a mound of leathery green leaves, bearing many upright stems of daisy type flowers for weeks starting in early summer. Removing faded flowers regularly will encourage blooming to continue into the fall.

Tolerant of hot, humid summer climates and attractive to butterflies.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Flowering Season: Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 24"
  
• Spread: 16"
  

Zone: 3b

photo courtesy of Ball Seed

Delphiniums are the stars of the early summer border. Plants form a low mound of deeply-cut green leaves, bearing mounds of satiny flowers. Removing faded bloom at the base will encourage repeat blooming in fall. 

Cut back hard to encourage fresh foliage. Use a high phosphorous fertilizer each year, in early spring. 

Hot, humid summers can bring on potential mildew. 

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Flowering Season: Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 12"
  
• Spread: 12"
  

Zone: 3

A compact ornamental grass that features elegantly arched, variegated leaves that will mature into a dusty-grey pink into the fall season. a cool season grass that is fast growing and reliable. 

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 24 - 36"

• Width: 24 - 36"

Zone: 4A

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa

The leaves emerge frosty blue with a bright yellow margin that lightens to creamy white during the summer.  It forms a medium sized mound topped with light lavender flowers in mid to late summer.

 Chrysanthemums are a great choice for the garden, or in tubs and mixed containers. Garden Mums are extremely popular plants for a splash of colour in late summer right through the fall.

Morden strain produces naturally cushion-shaped, compact plants with double and semi-double flowers in a whole range of rich jewel tones. Best in a sunny area, with regular watering through the season. 

Pinching plants in June will result in a much greater number of flowers. 

Light Requirement: Full to Part Sun

Flowering Season: Early Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 24"
  
• Spread: 24"
  

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Jeffries Nursery

Goldsturm Gloriosa Daisy is a classic perennial. Adds grand height to the back of any flower bed.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 20 - 24"

• Width: 14 - 18"

Zone: 3

Low ground cover with tight flower like foliage that is neat, attractive foliage with a web like cover. Wonderful  in the rock garden, along walkways or cascading over stone walls. Easy to maintain. Thrives in hot, dry locations. .

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Flowering Season: Late Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 6"
  
• Spread: 10"
  

Zone: 3A

These are the old-fashioned style of Heuchera /Coral Bells, grown for their bright display of flowers in early summer. Plants form a low mound of rounded deep-green leaves, bearing upright spikes with loads of small vermilion-red bells. Excellent for cutting. Flowers also are attractive to hummingbirds. Terrific for edging, in the rock garden, or in tubs. Remove spent flower spikes to encourage more buds to form. Plants may be divided as needed in spring or early fall.

 Light Requirement: Full Sun

Flowering Season: Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 16"
  
• Spread: 16"
  

Zone: 4A