Perennials

 Elegant lacy leaves form a very dense and bushy clump. This dwarf plant does not demand the same space as the standard Goats beard, and is somewhat inclined to sulk in hot summer areas, so plant in a moist, peaty soil, or even at the waterside. Cut plants back in summer if they look untidy.

An excellent companion to summer-blooming shrub roses. Good for cutting, the flowers may also be dried by hanging upside down in a warm, dark room.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 30"

• Width: 12"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Jeffries Nurseries & Bellwyck Horticolor

Bright yellow flowers on silvery green foliage – flowers open in the afternoon and bloom throughout the night, attracting butterflies and moths. Tolerates a wide range of soil types; drought tolerant and low maintenance.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 3 - 6"

• Width: 15 - 18"

Zone: 5

Photos courtesy of Ball Seed

Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengi)  There is high value for this dried species in fall displays. In Japan, the seeds are used during the Bon Festival as offerings to guide the souls of the deceased. This plant spreads underground by rhizomes and should be contained in certain situations. Physalis is a close relative of the Cape Gooseberry but is not cultivated as a food crop. The fruit is tasteless and it should be noted that the unripe fruit and leaves are toxic if enough is ingested. 

 Light Requirement: Full Sun

Flowering Season: Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 24"
  
• Spread: 24"
  

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Rockfoil produces its thickest and most lush foliage in spring. The bright green, crinkly leaves pack tightly together and carpet rocks, pavers, and lightly shaded nooks. In spring, tiny, cupped flowers appear on slender stalks held above the body of the plant. The wiry stalks are tinged pink to purple and support blooms of salmon, pink, purple, white, and other hues. The rockfoil flowers last into the early part of summer. Once the flowers die back, the plant is exposed to drying air and sun without their shading protection.

Photos courtesy of Bellwyck Horticolor

Unlike Stachys byzantina (Lamb's Ear), this species forms large, rounded clumps of green, long and narrow, textured leaves. It is lovely even when it's not in bloom. From early thru midsummer, sturdy spikes of lavender-rose flowers shoot up through the foliage, putting on quite a display.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 12 - 24"

• Width: 12 - 24"

Zone: 4

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Image courtesy of Ball Seed

The Flame Peony lives up to its name as a profuse bloomer with fiery crimson-red flowers, accented by hints of deep coral. Its large, single blooming blossoms are cup-shaped, with wide petals surrounding a center of golden-yellow stamens. This hybrid peony features dark green foliage on sturdy stems.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 24 - 36"

• Width: 24 - 36"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Selected form with deep maroon foliage. White flowers are held in a loose spike. Needs full sun to maintain foliage color.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Height: 30"

Width: 18"

Zone: 3

Photo and data courtesy of Aubin Nursery and Bellwyck Horticolor.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Height: 36"

Width: 18"

Zone: 3

Photo and data courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Height: 26"

Width: 18"

Zone: 2

Photo and data courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Dazzling silvery white globes are held proudly above deep green, thistle-like foliage. The flowers are golf ball sized and are wonderful in the landscape and for use as a cutflower.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Height: 36"

Width: 24" 

Zone: 3

Photos and data courtesy of Vanstone Nursery

Sharply toothed edges on the strongly upright foliage of Sedum T-Rex add to its ‘monstrous’ appeal. Clusters of cream buds open to enormous rose pink flower clusters – very appealing; not at all scary! Great for a hot, sunny site. Stonecrop provides beautiful low care summer and fall color. Let dried flower heads remain to provide nice winter interest. Sedum store water in their thick, succulent leaves which enables them to be extremely drought tolerant.

Photo courtesy of Ball Horticultural Company

Photo courtesy of Ball Horticultural Company

Upright spikes of bright fuchsia-pink flower are held above green foliage.

Light Requirement: Full Sun 

Mature Size:

• Height: 16"

• Width: 10 - 12"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Jeffries Nursery, Aubin Nursery and Bellwyck Horticolor.

Skywriter Hosta has beautiful ruffled blue leaves.

Light Requirement: Full Shade to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 16"

• Width: 36"

Zone: 3

Daisy shaped flowers in a rich violet-blue with a yellow eye. Bright green leaves form a low compact mound.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 8 - 10"

• Width: 8 - 12"

Zone: 3

The 'Wide Brim' Hosta shows a dark green-blue centres and irregular edging of a buttery yellow colour. Broad heart-shaped leaves grow into a dome shaped mound and have funnel shaped light lavender flowers.

Light Requirement: Partial Sun to Full Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 20 - 24"

• Width: 20 - 24"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Bergenia is incredibly hardy and reliable throughout nearly the entire continent. Plants form a low clump of bold, leathery green leaves, which often turn bronze during winter. Short stems of pink flowers rise above the shiny foliage in mid spring.

Most effective when planted in groups or used as an edging along a walkway.

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, in both sun or part shade.

 Light Requirement: Full to Part Sun

Flowering Season: Early Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 12"
  
• Spread: 18"
  

Zone: 3

Photo courtesy of Ball Seed

'Purple D'Oro' Daylily displays remarkable variation in colour, with lavender-purple flowers that re-bloom throughout the summer and carry into the fall with a second wave of blooms. 'Purple D'Oro' is an easy grower and low maintenance.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 18-24 "

• Width: 12 - 24"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Regularly used as a ground cover, it makes a great choice for areas of your garden where other plants do not succeed. Flower stems can be removed to keep the patch kept clean, as well as to prevent self-seeding. 

 CAUTION:Difficult to eradicate once established. Do not discard unwanted plants in any natural areas, as they may establish themselves and become invasive.  Unwanted all-green shoots should be sprayed with a non-selective weed killer.

 Light Requirement: Full Sun

Flowering Season:  Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 24"
  
• Spread: 24"
  

Zone: 2A

Photos courtesy of Ball Seed Company

The obedient plant can be an aggressive spreader so allow for this. One of the best features of this plant is its long bloom time, about a full month from late summer into fall. The blossoms are light shades of pink and white, a rarity among the hot, bold colours of fall. The flowers look good in a garden setting and also make good cut flowers.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Flowering Season: Late Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 24"
  
• Spread: 24"
  

Zone: 3a

‘Heavy Metal’ is a favorite switchgrass, well-loved for its dramatic, metallic blue foliage and for its strong upright habit that remains standing straight and tall. Pink-tinted, airy blooms appear in July, highlighting the color of its blue leaves. This blue switchgrass serves as a colorful backdrop to other grasses and perennials, looks stunning in masses, and provides a focal point when used as a specimen.

Light Requirement: Full to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 48"
  
• Spread: 36"
  

Zone: 4

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

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

Height: 18"

Width: 18"

Zone: 3

Photo and data courtesy of Aubin Nursery and Bellwyck Horticolor.

The Northern Exposure coral bells are among the hardiest available. This clump-forming perennial forms a dense mound of colourful round leaves with spikes of bell-shaped flowers. Excellent for borders or edging.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Full Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 14"

• Width: 20"

Zone: 3

Photos and Data Courtesy of Vanstone Nursery

This vibrant seed selection produces relatively short spikes of double, cerise pink, fringed blossoms beginning in midsummer.