Perennials

This unique and appealing variety showcases ruffled, violet-blue double blooms, with the best effect achieved through massed plantings in a garden. Blooming from late spring into summer, and potentially again later, it thrives in full sun and moist soil, yet it is highly adaptable.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 24 - 36"

• Width: 12 - 24"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

It forms narrow, graceful clumps of green foliage with striking silver-white plumes that transform into deep red-bronze in the fall. Ideal for placement at the back of borders, as a hedge, or screen.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 60 - 72"

• Width: 24 -36"

Zone: 4B

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa

Sometimes called Elephant Ears, this is a bold specimen perennial that needs a moist location. Plants form a clump of large, jagged-edged green leaves. Purplish black stems rise above in summer, bearing long spikes of bright-yellow daisy flowers. Superb for the back of the border, or at the waterside. An unusual centerpiece for a tub or large container. Both the flowers and leaves are great for cutting. 

Light Requirement: Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Height: 3 - 5'

Width: 2 - 4'

Moss Phlox forms a low mound or cushion smothered by tiny flowers in late spring.  Clip plants immediately after blooming to encourage a dense habit. Wonderful in the sunny rock garden, for edging, or in mixed containers. Requires good drainage. Drought tolerant, once established.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Height: 6"

Width: 18"

Zone: 2

Photo and data courtesy of Aubin Nursery and Bellwyck Horticolor.

This Flowering groundcover has a clumping habit and is commonly used in borders and rock gardens.

Plants form a mound of deep greens to black leaves, bearing showy spikes of flowers in mid to late spring. Excellent for combining with spring-flowering bulbs. 

Performs well in pots or mixed containers. Easily divided in spring or early fall.

Light Requirement: Full Shade, Partial Shade and Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 6"

• Width: 20"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Bellwyck Horticultural

This Pussytoes cultivar is known for its fuzzy, silvery-grey foliage and tiny, rosy-pink flowers that bloom in the spring. It is a great choice as a small scale groundcover, in rock gardens, and border plantings.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 2" (4" after flower height)

• Width: 12"

Zone: 1

Photo coming soon

Dark green leaves grow to a massive size, with a rippled edge to each leaf. This plant is capable of growing from full sun to shade. Happily Ever After boasts unique creamy white flowers with maroon centre.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Height: 10-12"

Spread: 18"

Photo courtesy of Ball Horticultural Company

Siberian Iris have masses of beautiful  flag-like flowers in late spring, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its sword-like leaves remain green in colour throughout the season.

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

This medium-sized, bright yellow hosta is incredibly charming. Its vibrant red petioles blend seamlessly into the yellow, textured leaves, creating the perfect addition to your home.

Light Requirement: Part Shade to full Shade

Height: 8 - 10"

Width: 16 - 20"

Goldquelle, also known as Gold Drops, features twice as many petals as other varieties. Its fluffy 3" pompoms bloom from midsummer through fall, with plants reaching up to 7 feet tall but easily kept smaller with pinching. Early summer pinching encourages bushier growth.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 60 - 72"

• Width: 36 - 48"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Delicate white flowers appear in late spring and early summer, over a low mound of fern-like foliage. Plants will forms a dense patch, suitable for a ground cover. Both the flowers as well as the fluffy seed-heads are great for cutting.

Allow this spreader plenty of room, or plan to edge each spring to keep the patch to a reasonable size.

Deer resistant

Light Requirement: Part Sun

Flowering Season: Early Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 24"
  
• Spread: 18"
  

Zone: 3

Bee balm is a classic American native and cottage garden favorite, it's beloved by gardeners not only for its beautiful whorled blooms in red, pink, purple and white; but for the evocative fragrance given off by foliage warmed by the sun or touched by the gardener.

And it’s just as beloved by wildlife as it is by gardeners. Plant bee balm and you can be sure of the attention of hummingbirds and bees in the summer and by seed-loving finches in the winter. It’s an all-around garden winner that provides so much for so little effort.

This herb that can be harvested for making tea. Pick the leaves just before blooming and dry completely for the best flavour.  

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 36"

• Width: 18"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Bellwyck Horticulture & Aubin Nursery

This iris, recently found at a breeder's nursery in the Netherlands, is truly unique and presents a color combination that is unexpected when Siberian iris bloom. Enjoy cinnamon-hued flowers that will spice up the predominately blue and yellow iris arrangements of the season. Planted for their early season color, Siberian iris are tall, with grass like leaves that stay vivid green and lovely all season, and they have long stems and delicate flowers on a no-fuss growth habit that tolerates moist places. Their colorful, undulating falls dance in the breeze, bringing movement and beauty to the garden. Add copper-colored flare to your late spring to early summer border and arrangements. 

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 24 - 26"

• Width: 18 - 24"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

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

Dwarf Achillea

Zone 3

Image courtesy of Ball Seed

showy spikes of yellow flowers with brown centres. Erect habit used for vertical colour display among shrubs. Biennial.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Height: 12"

Width: 24 - 30"

Zone: 2

This majestic larger fern has long, arching fronds. The crested and forked tips of each zesty green leaflet create a unique ruffled texture. Tolerant of some sun and drought once established, this energetic fern has the potential to liven up more challenging areas in the garden.  

Image courtesy of Iseli Nursery

Dryopteris affinis ‘Cristata-The King’

Light Requirement: Partial Shade to Full Shade

Height: 20"

Width: 20"

Zone: 3

Photo courtesy of Ball Horticultural Company

Beautiful, small growing with russet-red flower spikes that resemble liatris. Should be mulched with gravel.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Height: 8 - 10"

Width: 12 - 15"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Aubin Nursery and Bellwyck Horticolor.

A favourite for cut flowers and arrangements, Gypsophila (Baby's Breath) also deserves a place in the landscape.

It has airy clouds of pink tiny flowers that add both contrast and texture to the perennial border from early summer to fall. 

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Height: 36"

Width: 16"

This heart-leafed Bergenia is compact and hardy. In the summer it blooms larger and more colourful than any other Bergenia variety.  A compact and clump-forming evergreen, the  leaves go from a dark green in summer to a deep ruby-red in the fall. 

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 12 - 24"
• Width: 12 - 24"

Image Courtesy of Ball Seed Company

This is a dense and fast spreading ground cover with silvery blue-green leaves. Medium to deep blue-violet flowers cover the plants in late April to mid-May.

Clumps may be easily divided in early spring or fall.

Grows well in rock gardens and used for edging along borders or pathways.  

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 3"

• Width: 24"

Zone  3b

Photos courtesy of Aubin Nursery & Bellwyck Horticolor

Siberian Iris have masses of beautiful  flag-like flowers in late spring, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its sword-like leaves remain green in colour throughout the season.

Photos courtesy of Jeffries Nursery

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.

Height: 23-35"  Spread: 21-23"

Also known as Tickseed, these plants 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. Attractive to butterflies.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 14 - 18"

• Width: 14 - 18"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Stokes Seeds