Perennials
Perennials return year after year and are the organic heart of the garden. They represent the most sustainable type of landscaping. So many are available today that we focus on the best and most unusual.
Lamium maculatum ‘Aureum’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Lamiaceae
The stunning chartruese/ green leaves with subtle white markings, make it very useful for brightening up areas in light shade to shade. Pretty lavender flowers are a bonus in early spring. To only 6" tall and spreading to 18" wide in a year- evergreen and a good small scale groundcover. Tolerates some dryness but is better with regular irrigation. Excellent with blue leaved Hostas, Japanese painted ferns. Fresh leaves appear in spring.
Libertia peregrinans Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Iridaceae
A dramatic member of the Iris family grown mainly for its foliage. Libertia peregrinans has vivid orange shaded sword-like leaves on a clumping perennial to 20" tall. Dainty 3-petalled white flowers in late spring nest down in the foliage.
Full sun and well drained, rich soil with occasional summer water. Hardier to cold with better drainage. Excellent container subject. Protect container from Temps below 15ºF.Forms colonies over time.
Lindelofia longifolia Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Boriginaceae
A long lived perennial that is a close relative of Forget-Me-Nots with spectacular blue flowers born over a long period from May to frost. To 2' tall and forming a round clump as wide. Lindelofia is at home in rich, moist soil in part shade. Wonderful plant for a perennial border or a cottage garden. Very easy to grow and undemanding. Occasionally seeds itself around, but it is not a pest at all. Combines with Painted Ferns and Golden Forest Grass.
Lobelia x ‘Bruce Wakefield’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Campanulaceae
An excellent and bold perennial Lobelia that Oregon’s most intrepid gardener Bruce Wakefield gave us from his AMAZING Germantown Gardens. This spectacular perennial has been a long term performer in his garden where it rises to an incredible 7’ each year and has formed a patch (grove?) to 8’ wide. The towering stems give way to spikes of 2” yellow to red flowers that protrude from 1” stems. Late to arrive in spring, it begins to show itself in May and then races as the weather warms in earnest. Flowers appear from late July to September. Completely deciduous in winter. Best in full hot sun in rich
well drained soil with regular water in summer. Thanks Bruce for giving us a
great perennial Lobelia.
Lobelia laxiflora var. angustifolia Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Campanulaceae
A robust and long lived perennial with shiny green leaves and a long season of spectacular bloom. In June and continuing into fall spires of tubular red flowers with an interior of yellow and orange rise to 20" tall. Remove spent flower spikes and more will appear. Full sun and well drained, improved soil. Spreads underground to form a 3' clump in as many years. Deciduous in winter. Mexican native, mulch lightly in fall. Hummingbird favorite.
Lobelia tupa Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Campanulaceae
One of the most spectacular perennials that we can grow, Lobelia tupa is a giant that rises up to 8' tall each year and forms a clump 4' across. In mid summer it is topped with dramatic dark red flowers-w/ an orange interior. Gray-green leaves. Deciduous in winter (after the first sharp frost). Full sun, well drained soil. Native to warm dry hillsides in Chile and does best here under those same conditions. MULCH in the fall. Bold.
Matthoila fruticulosa Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Brassicaceae
Easy to grow unusual form of Stock that is a cold hardy perennial/shrub. Gray green leaves and in mid spring the most exquisitely clear white flowers powerfully scented of cloves. Full sun to light shade in well drained soil. Occasional summer water. Matthoila is pronounced Mah-TOY-la. Fun to say and EASY to grow. The whitest of white flowers. Good drainage. Remove spent flowers to encourage more.
Mathiasella bupleuroides Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Apiaceae
An unusual perennial native to Mexico that has an amazingly long season of form and interest. Attractive and complex leaves are shaded with blue on this carrot relative that forms a small trunk in time. In spring circular cupped flowers of bright green appear on top and nod handsomely. These flowers last for months and eventually age to a light pink/maroon. To 3’ tall for part shade to high overhead
shade in rich soil that drains well but retains moisture. Some people upon seeing this plant have mistaken it for a type of Hellebore- far from its carrot ancestry.
Melianthus major Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Melianthaceae
One of the best perennials for foliage Melianthus will quickly grow to over 8' in a single season in rich soil with regular water. Silvery pinnate foliage has the aroma of peanut butter when bruised. Plant in a protected location and MULCH heavily in fall. Good annual container subject. Full sun, regular water. Red-black flowers following a mild winter (above 20ºF). Established plants are hardier to cold. Deciduous below 20ºF. Click for a large photo.
Melianthus major ‘Antonow’s Blue’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Melianthaceae
A superior selection of this great foliage perennial with leaves that are more substantial and bluer in color. Forms a large plant annually to 8' tall and as wide. Prefers rich soil with good drainage and regular water to establish a good root system before winter. Full sun to light shade. MULCH in fall with dry leaves to protect the base. Deciduous perennial below 20ºF. Black/Red flowers follow a mild winter. Established plants are MUCH hardier to cold.
Melianthus major ‘Purple Haze’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Melianthaceae
An unusual form of this bold perennial with deeply serrated leaves that are tinted with lavender. The habit of this form is different as well, more of a low and spreading plant, to 6’ tall and as wide. Full sun and rich soil. Evergreen to 20ºF Mulch in fall. Plants must be established to grow as a perennial. The larger the size you plant and the more the plant grows during its first few leaves in the ground the hardier it will be to cold. Small, unwatered and uncared for plants will perish in their first winter.
Moraea alticola Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Iridaceae
Handsome and tough Iris relative from high elevations in South Africa that forms rosettes of evergreen strappy leaves. In early summer 30" stalks produce stunningly beautiful iris flowers of light tawny yellow with delicate markings. Flowers appear from the same scape for weeks- do not remove. Full sun and well drained soil and only occasional summer water. One of the few Moraea species hardy in the PNW. Great rock garden perennial.
Morina longifolia Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Morinaceae
A fantastic and whimsical perennial from the Himalaya with leaves like a thistle
and large showy spikes of flowers in mid-summer. Towering spikes are lined with slightly tubular white flowers that age to pink after they open. To 3’ tall in bloom
the spiny leaves spread to form large rosettes in rich soil and full sun. Give
it room to spread- its spectacular when a large clump is in bloom. Regular
irrigation during the warmest months. No pests or disease that we have observed.
Nepeta x f. citriodora Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Lamiaceae
There are many catmints that have made it to gardens in the last decade and many are good, but none is as fine as this. A more compact habit and prolific amounts of lavender blue flowers erupt from this clumping perennial and are showy for months on end beginning in late May. To 20” tall and 2’ wide, it avoids the ranginess and unkempt look of many catmint cultivars. Full sun and well drained soil with average moisture during the dry summer months. Though it can take dry conditions and still perform if established. And of course its a treat for kitty as well as gardener.
Oenothera fremontii Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Onagraceae
Silver thin foliage is a great backdrop to the procession of amazing large cupped
flowers that appear for three months or more on this Evening Primrose. Beginning in June each 3” wide flowers open during the day. This is a really great shade of yellow with a hint of green in it that produces an added luminous quality. LOVE IT. The spreading stems come from a central tight clump. Excellent perennial for blasting hot locations. Mine grew happily over asphalt near the street and did not suffer in temperatures above 105ºF. This interior western native requires fast draining soil. Light water when established.
Orbixilum pedunculatum Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Papillionaceae
An excellent, showy and tough perennial from the midwest that produces a
wonderful display of deep purple/black pea flowers in midsummer. A clumping
perennial with handsome trifoliate leaves- the trailing stems display the flowers
well. Excellent on hillsides or at the front of a border. Extremely tough and long lived enduring drought and cold. Winter deciduous. To 20” tall and 2’ across
in several years. Occasional summer water improves performance.
Origanum x ‘Bristol Cross’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Lamiaceae
Groovy Oregano with flowers that have miniature 'hop-like' bracts that nod from the end of tall stems. Forms a rosette to 2' across and in July-August tops it with 20" spikes of shrimp-like formation each with a peaking lavender flowers. Great perennial for borders or hillsides in slightly enriched soil with good drainage and occasional water. Full sun to avoid toppling. Cut back hard in early spring. Great with Agastache 'Mandarin Dream'.
Origanum calcaratum Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Lamiaceae
For a dry well drained hillside or a container there is probably no prettier ornamental Oregano. Fur covered leaves that are almost succulent have a distinct gray quality. In summer and into fall flowers are borne from bright madder red bracts. Each flower is bright purple. Very nice. Full sun (hot sun) and well drained soil with occasional summer water. To 10" tall and as wide. Combines well in a container with Echeveria x imbricata.
Origanum ‘Norton Gold’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Lamiaceae
An Oregano with brilliant golden leaves that glow when seen from a distance. Forms a low mound and in summer the golden leaves are a great backdrop to the clusters of warm pink flowers that rise to 20" tall . Light shade in average soil with regular water, though tolerant of drought when established. Spreads to form a clump 2' wide in several years, more restrained than the gold form of Common Oregano. Good air circulation.
Origanum libanoticum Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Lamiaceae
By far the easiest and cold hardiest "Hop Flowering" oregano to grow. A spreading perennial that forms blue-tinged hop-like flowers with small hot pink protruding blossoms in summer. Excellent in a rock garden or draped over a wall.
Full sun, drought tolerant. To 8" tall and 1' wide in a year. Does not spread aggressively like common oregano. Best in a location where you can look up and not down at it. Hardy in a container.
Osteospermum barberiae Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Asteraceae
One of the hardiest of African daisies this species will take temperatures into the low teens. Fragrant evergreen leaves are a nice foil to the silvery-pink daisies that appear throughout the spring and summer. Full sun and VERY well drained soil will improve the hardiness. To 10" tall and 18" wide in a season- larger over the years. Only prune heavily in mid summer to allow the plant to recover before winter arrives. Drought tolerant.
Ourisia coccinea Zn7a (0º to 5º) Scrophulariaceae
An extremely rare but spectacular relative of Snapdragons native to the mountains of southern Chile. Forms a small clump in rich, well drained soil that retains moisture. In summer 10" scapes emerge with brilliant and delicate tubular red flowers. Part shade. Great in rock gardens. Blooms for a very long time in May to July. Spreads very slowly. Protect from slugs. Good container plant. Do not let it dry out.
Oxalis magellancia ‘Nelson’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Oxalidaceae
Great Oxalis with none of the nasty tendencies of the weedy kind. A moderate speading low ( to only 3/4" tall) evergreen groundcover with relatively HUGE double white flowers. Amazing. Sun to part shade in rich soil with regular water. Great around pavers. "What's that down there? A flower? Looks like a miniature double white rose!" Cool. Good in pots, rock gardens. Waste hours searching for flowers.
PNW Native
Oxalis oregana ‘Select Pink’ Zn6b (-5º to 0ºF) Oxalidaceae
Excellent form of our NATIVE Oxalis, also known as Redwood Sorrel- from deep shady places in Northern CA to B.C.. Large evergreen leaves with a silver chevron on top are backed by maroon underneath. For a shady location in woodsy soil. Up to 6" tall and forming extensive patches. Blooms late spring to fall. Tolerates dry conditions in shade when established. Great under shrubs. Very handsome groundcover with a fresh look.
PNW Native Plant
Oxalis oregana ‘Winter Green’ Zn6b (-5º to 0ºF) Oxalidaceae
An exceptional form of Redwood Sorrel or Oregon Oxalis with deep green leaves with a silver chevron on top. The undersides and the stems are madder red. Evergreen NATIVE ground cover for deep shady places. It forms extensive, cool and refreshing colonies on the forest floor and is an excellent garden plant as well. Tolerates the densest shade. Woodsy soil with occasional summer water. White flowers appear sporadically from late spring to fall. GREAT under Rhododendrons and ferns. Species native N.CA to B.C.
Lobelia ‘Bruce Wakefield’
Lindelofia longifolia
Libertia peregrinans
Lobelia laxiflora
Moraea alticola
Plants for problem areas
perennials L-O
Nepeta f. citriodora
Mathiasella bupleuroides
Oenothera fremontii
Oxalis oregana ‘Select Pink’
Kniphofia ‘Toffee Nosed’ Agastache ‘Shaniko’