Perennials

Despite their unfortunate common name, Lungworts are among the most dependable and showy spring-blooming perennials, and many types have attractive foliage throughout the season. This selection features light pink buds that open to clusters of bright blue bells, the green leaves are heavily spotted in silver. Plants should be cut back hard immediately after blooming, to rejuvenate the leaves, which will then remain attractive all season. Clumps may be easily divided in early fall.

Light Requirement: Full Shade to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 10 - 12"

• Width: 12 - 24"

Zone: 3

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 10 - 15"

• Width: 10 - 15"

Zone: 4

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa & Ball Horticultural

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Oriental Poppies provide a cheerful display of huge, satiny flowers in late spring and early summer. Plants form a low clump of coarse, hairy leaves, and usually go dormant, disappearing completely by late summer. Because they disappear in summer, plant something beside Oriental Poppies that will get bushy later in the season, such as Rudbeckia, Russian Sage, or fall-flowering grasses. Flowers are good for cutting, picked just as the buds begin to open.

Light Requirement: Full sun

Height: 18 - 23" 

Width: 18 - 23"

Photos and information courtesy of Proven Winners.

Butterflies can’t resist the vibrant flowers of this Summer-blooming perennial. Strong stems lined with dark green, mildew-resistant leaves form a mid-sized clump that is perfect for the middle of the border. Try cutting a few blossoms for fresh bouquets.

Exposure: Partial Sun, Sun

Height: 14 - 24" (36 - 61cm)

Width: 16 - 32" (41 - 81cm)

Butterflies can’t resist the vibrant flowers of this Summer-blooming perennial. Strong stems lined with dark green, mildew-resistant leaves form a mid-sized clump that is perfect for the middle of the border. Try cutting a few blossoms for fresh bouquets.

Exposure: Partial Sun, Sun

Height: 14 - 24" (36 - 61cm)

Width: 16 - 32" (41 - 81cm)

Tuck this sweet and petite perennial into the front of your flower border where it will create a colorful edge of dark cherry pink flowers in high summer. Butterflies adore it!

Light Requirement: Part Sun to Full Sun

Height: 14 - 16" 

Width: 10 - 12"

Photos and information courtesy of Proven Winners. 

Light Requirement: Full Shade to Partial Shade

Height: 32 - 36" 

Width: 36 - 40" 

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa

Dwarf form of ’The Rocket’. Substantial plants with great presence. Long, narrow flower spikes and arrowhead-shaped, dark green leaves Impressive plants for the wetlands or for shady moist borders.

Light Requirement: Full Shade, Partial Shade

Height: 36 - 40" 

Width: 34 - 38"

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa

photo courtesy of  Ball Seed

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"

Continuous blooming and tidy habit. A good pollinator and deer resistant.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 12 - 14"

• Width: 14 - 16"

Zone: 5

Photos courtesy of Ball Seed

Small, rose-pink daisies with yellow centres cover fine, thread-like foliage. 

Light requirement: Full Sun

Height: 8 - 16"

Width: 12 - 18"

Blue Barlow is particularly good for cut flowers as it features a fully double, upward-facing bloom, rising above a ferny foliage of gray-green divided leaves. Plants typically produce 3-5 stems in the first year and 5-10 stems in the second and following years.

Remove faded flowering stems to promote additional blooming.

Light Requirement: Full to Part Sun

Flowering Season: Early Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 30"
  
• Spread: 12"
  

Zone: 3a

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

This improved Beard-tongue forms tall mounds of glossy burgundy leaves, bearing medium-tall stalks of tubular white/pale pink flowers arranged around the strong stems. Vigorous and easy to grow. Remove faded flowers to encourage continued blooming. Attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Stems are nice for cutting. Drought tolerant once established.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 36"

• Width: 24"

Zone: 3

Images courtesy of vanstone Nurseries

This improved Beard-tongue forms low mounds of glossy burgundy leaves, bearing medium-tall stalks of tubular deep pink flowers arranged around the strong stems. Vigorous and easy to grow. Remove faded flowers to encourage continued blooming. Attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Stems are nice for cutting. Clumps may be easily divided in early spring. Unlike many of the taller selections, this one is ruggedly hardy in colder regions. Drought tolerant once established.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 24"

• Width: 18-24"

Zone: 3

Images courtesy of vanstone Nurseries & Terra Nova Nursereies

This improved Beard-tongue forms low mounds of glossy green leaves, bearing medium-tall stalks of tubular deep purple flowers arranged around the strong stems. Vigorous and easy to grow. Remove faded flowers to encourage continued blooming. Attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Stems are nice for cutting. Clumps may be easily divided in early spring. Unlike many of the taller selections, this one is ruggedly hardy in colder regions. Drought tolerant once established.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 15 - 20"

• Width: 10 - 15"

Zone: 3

Images courtesy of vanstone Nurseries

This improved Beard-tongue forms low mounds of glossy green leaves, bearing medium-tall stalks of tubular blue flowers arranged around the strong stems. Vigorous and easy to grow. Remove faded flowers to encourage continued blooming. Attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Stems are nice for cutting. Clumps may be easily divided in early spring. Unlike many of the taller selections, this one is ruggedly hardy in colder regions. Drought tolerant once established.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 15 - 20"

• Width: 10 - 15"

Zone: 3

Images courtesy of vanstone Nurseries

Dense, fragrant gray-green foliage has clusters of bright blue flowers. Drought tolerant.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 10 - 13"

• Width: 12"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Jeffries Nursery

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 18-20"

• Width: 18"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Dark grey-purple foliage with creamy yellow flowers. Compact habit with strong stems. Great for borders, rock gardens, ground cover and mass planting.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Flowering Season: Late Summer

Compact habit and shorter flower stems for a tidier, more attractive perennial garden.

'Snowsprite' is a small, erect, densely branched perennial showcasing slender lance-shaped dark green foliage and clusters of white flowerheads appearing from late summer through autumn.

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Flowering Season:  Late Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 12 -18"
  
• Spread: 12 - 18"
  

Zone: 3a

Photos and Data Courtesy of Jefferies

Starfire is an award-winning variety that blooms from mid to late summer. Its cherry-red flowers, growing in pyramidal clusters, attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The vibrant color of these blooms doesn't fade in the sun, complemented by deep green lance-shaped leaves.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 36 - 48"

• Width: 12 - 24"

Zone: 4

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Phlox paniculata 'Eye-catcher' features striking magenta blooms atop medium green foliage. With nearly continuous summer flowering and good mildew resistance, it's a standout in any garden. Plus, bring its sweet fragrance indoors to enjoy!

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 36 - 48"

• Width: 12 - 24"

Zone: 4

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.