peren_C 09

Perennials

Campanula garganica ‘Dickson’s Gold’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Campanulaceae

Glowing gold leaves and purple blue flowers make this striking perennial a visual knockout for spring. To 8" tall and 12" wide its star shaped flowers appear in April and then sporadically into summer. Great for vivid container combinations or as contrast in a rock garden. Morning sun with afternoon shade or high dappled shade. MUCH less vigorous than the species-polite in a dazzling way. Great foliage nearly year round.

Campanula primulifolia Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Campanulaceae

An unusual bellflower native to Turkey. Soft looking foliage and stems that are covered with fine hairs and copious amounts of violet blue star-shaped flowers with petals that are inflated like little pillows from June until frost. 30" tall and forming a clump in average soil with full sun to light shade and summer water. Works well to soften lines between Daylillies and Roses. Perfect cottage garden plant- reseeds lightly.

Cardamine pratensis ‘Flore Pleno’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Cruciferae

NOT A WEED AT ALL but a pretty little perennial for the woodland border. Familiar looking leaves

are glossy and form a clump from which rises on 10” tall stems clusters of fully double lilac-pink

flowers. This easy going perennial remains in bloom for up to two months beginning in April. Rich soil

with ample moisture in part shade suit it. It forms a very slowly spreading patch. Sterile- sets no

seed. Evergreen.

Cardamine trifolia Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Cruciferae

From southern Europe comes this wonderful evergreen groundcover that is ideal for dry shade. Glossy leaves are good looking year round, even in dry summer heat. Masses of small white flowers appear in late winter and early spring. Excellent companion plant under Hellebores. Part shade to shade in rich soil. Tough when established. To only 4" tall and spreading slowly to form dense weed smothering clumps. Occasional summer water.

Caryopteris incana ‘Dark Blue’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Verbenaceae

Deep blue flowers that read as purple from a distance make this selection of Caryopteris incana exceptional. Forms a woody shrub to 3' tall and wide. Deciduous in winter. Full sun to part shade in well drained soil. Excellent on a hillside in soil ammended with compost. Blooms non-stop from June to frost. Cut back hard in April- blooms on new wood. Occasional summer water. Works well with Salvias and hardy Geraniums.

Centaurea simplicicaulis Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Asteraceae

A perennial Bachelor's Button that is tough an easy to grow. Silvery mounds of foliage are a great backdrop to the light pink fluffy flowers with a white top. Good in rock gardens or the front of a border. To 1' tall and twice as wide. Evergreen and takes blasting hot conditions. Full sun and well drained soil. Drought tolerant. Blooms May-August. Nice cutflower- which encourages more flowers to follow. Extremely long-lived.

Ceratostigma minus Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Plumbaginaceae

A very unusual hardy Plumbago that is also very rare in commerce. It forms a large airy framework

during the summer and beginning in August masses of starry skyblue flowers into fall. The small leaves are hairy on the underside. This is an herbaceous perennial that freezes to the ground in winter. It is best to wait until spring growth has resumed to cut it back hard. To 3’ tall forming a rounded cloud shape. The flowers are born on long wiry stems. Full sun to light shade in rich, well drained soil with occasional summer moisture.

Ceratostigma willmottianum ‘Palm Gold’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Plumbaginaceae

A spectacular Plumbago that more than earns its place with striking chartreuse green/gold leaves all summer and in June through autumn bright, SKY BLUE FLOWERS. Great container plant. Attractive wiry habit to 2' tall by 2' wide. A bright location with protection from afternoon sun in well drained soil. Regular water. Mulch in fall, do not cut back until new growth begins in spring. Winter deciduous. Excellent new introduction.

Chelonopsis yagiharana Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Lamiaceae

A rare and classy perennial that is neat looking at all times and in late summer and fall produces

tubular 2” flowers of the most delicate smokey red. Clumping to 30” tall and spreading slowly it

has large arching leaves. The flowers are neat and tidy and very showy. Best in light shade in rich

soil that retains moisture. This tough and long lived perennial has a great future in our gardens.

Combines well with other woodland plants and extends the season of flowers. For a splash of

color in the late season garden this perennial is ideal.

Chiastophyllum oppositifolium ‘Jim’s Pride’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Crassulariaceae

The variegated form of "Pennywort" a succulent hardy perennial for a woodland. Fleshy, scalloped leaves margined in cream. In May and June 6" scapes with chains of light yellow flowers. Part shade to high overhead shade in well drained, humus-enriched soil. Regular water in summer. Grown in walls in England, where it is native, to let the chains of yellow flowers hang down. Nice looking year round-great perennial.

Convolvulus althaeoides Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Convolvulaceae

A scrambling perennial vine with very silvery foliage that starts out heart shaped and then as it scrambles the leaves become deeply lobed. 1" mauve-pink flowers appear thoughout late spring into summer. Full sun, very well drained soil and not much water after it is established. Good in rock gardens, or over low shrubs. Also attractive in windowboxes and containers. Non invasive.

Convolvulus cneorum Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Convolvulaceae

'Silverbush' is a shrubby morning glory that is native to the Mediterranean. Requires full, hot sun and a well drained position to achieve its ultimate dimensions of 18" tall and 2' wide. In summer and into fall white morning glory-like flowers appear daily. The silver foliage is amazing during wet, dreary winter days when it shines like melted lead. Hardier to cold in poor soil- protect from subfreezing winds- best on a south or west facing aspect.

Cordyline australis Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Agavaceae

Given its looks, a surprisingly hardy plant in this climate that will often survive for years if the temperatures stay above 15ºF. Cordylines make great container plants as well as a large accent in a border. Full sun to light shade with regular water in rich soil. Grows about 12" a year. To winter over in the ground wrap with a blanket and site out of east winds. White, fragrant flowers appear after mild winters. New Zealand.

Cordyline australis ‘Purpurea’ Zn8b (15º to 20ºF) Agavaceae

“Purple” or Maroon leaved variety does not seem to be quite as hardy to cold

as the green variety. Plan accordingly. Feed and water well the first year and mulch

the base heavily with leaves.

Coreopsis ‘Sienna Sunset’ PPAF Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Asteraceae

Of all the many Coreopsis (or less attractively Tickseeds) that have arrived on the market

lately this selection has the most exquisitely colored flowers. Masses of daisies the color of

warm terra cotta appear in late June and keep coming through late summer. This really

is an exquisite color that pairs wonderfully well with deep purple and blue flowered Salvias

as well as the silvery steel blue flowers of Sea Holly (Eryngium). It forms a moderately spreading

clump to 2’ tall and eventually as wide. Best in full sun and rich well drained soil with average

amounts of water during the growing season. The foliage is fine and intricate and deep green.

A perfect foil to the amazing flower color.

Cosmos atrosanguineus Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Asteraceae

"Chocolate Cosmos"- Deep velvet brown flowers with the color and fragrance of dark chocolate. Excellent in containers in full sun with rich well drained soil, or in a border. Overwinters best if kept dry- A sunny south facing hillside is the most successful. Remove spent flowers to encourage more. Deeelicious. Blooms June until frost. Fertilize regularly to encourage vigor. May be dug and stored like the closely related Dahlia.

Cotula hispida Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Asteraceae

Fantastic fine silvery foliage has a dramatic metallic cast on this exquisite low growing perennial.

The fine green leave repel water which beads up like mercury on the fine leaves. In mid-summer

wiry stems support rayless daisy flowers that appear like hovering buttons above the foliage.

To 4” tall it slowly forms a clump in time to 1’ across. Excellent in rock garden conditions in very

well drained soil in full sun. It also makes a handsome container plant. Adorable in troughs.

Occasional summer water. This perennial would do well in between pavers.

Cotula ‘Tiffendell Gold ’Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Asteraceae

Excellent ground cover for a small area this plant resembles a creeping Santolina. Feathery light green foliage is handsome year round. Spreading to 3" tall and up to 2' wide in a year. Prolific flowers- Spring to early Fall; Wiry stems up to 8" long support gold apetalous flowers. VERY cool as a small cut flower. Full sun to light shade in well drained soil with occasional water in summer. Cold hardy. Avoid walking on it directly.

Crocosmia ‘Bright Eyes’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Iridaceae

Also known as the Montbretias this variety is one of the showiest in bloom. Large brilliant orange and

red flowers have face of deep maroon which appears like a mask on each individual flower. It blooms from late July through September. To 30” tall ( in bloom) forming a clump as wide in time. Best in rich

well drained soil with ample moisture in summer. Beloved by hummingbirds and a reliable and long

lived garden performer.

Crocosmia ‘Solfaterre’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Iridaceae

Handsome bronze leaves that contrast wonderfully with golden yellow (tinted slligtly orange) blossoms makes this one of the best Crocosmia for gardens. Spreads to form patches to 2' wide. Deciduous leaves to 2' tall, July through August flower spikes to 30" (when happy). Rich soil that is well drained with regular water during the summer. Warm flower color goes well with many Dahlias and late blooming Salvias.

Crocosmia ‘Burnt Umber’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Iridaceae

What an amazing flower color. Deep intense burnt umber- red/brown flowers are born on tall spikes

to 2’ for many weeks in mid-late summer. The foliage of this Crocosmia is brozed as well a perfect

accompaniment to the blooms. Forms clumps in time in full sun and rich soil with regular summer irrigation.

Cyclamen coum ‘Fancy Leaved Forms’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Primulaceae

Selected forms of this stellar winter blooming plant with leaves that are mottled and shaded in silver in different patterns. Flowers which appear in January range from deep pink/purple to shell pink and white. Best in deciduous shade- they go dormant with the first hot days of summer and reemerge in

Autumn. Well drained soil that is allowed to dry a bit in summer. Established colonies reseed with

abandon and various leaf forms will appear- all good.

Cyclamen hederifolium Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Primulaceae

A great long-lived bulb in our climate forming large colonies over time. Arrow-shaped marbled leaves emerge in winter and remain until the heat of summer. In late summer through fall delicate, nodding pink to white flowers. Well drained soil that is DRY IN SUMMER. Excellent near the base of large trees with greedy roots. Part shade to shade.Sticky seeds are carried away by ants and new plants appear in various places.

Cyclamen hederifolium ‘Silver Leaved Forms’ Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Primulaceae

The silver leaved forms of Fall Cyclamen are difficult to find, but VERY worth growing for their ability to add beautiful foliage and texture. Leaves appear in Fall

last through spring. Majority of flowers in this strain are white-light pink Sept-Nov. Its the leaves though that shine. BEST in SUMMER DRY shade- no water. Winter water OK. They thrive on neglect in well drained soil. Great around dry tree roots. Seeds to form colonies over time. Protect from marauding squirrels.

Cynara baetica var. moroccana Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Asteraceae

Uncommon but spectacular Cardoon/Artichoke relation with large intricately divided silver foliage that forms a bold rosette. To 3' wide and in summer sporting intense violet purple/blue thistle-like flowers that rise to 3' tall. Full sun and well drained soil, avoid too much amending. Occasional summer water. Great bold perennial for hillsides. Semi-deciduous, shrinks back a bit in winter. Boulders, gravel, Yuccas and such.

Cypella coelestis Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Iridaceae

A hardy Iris relative with blue/green fan shaped semi-evergreen leaves disappearing in cold winters. July through September an almost daily display of 3 petalled intricately marked blue flowers. They open in the early morning and close by 2pm - appearing from the same scape; do not remove. To 2' tall and clumping. Full sun in well drained, rich soil occasional deep watering. Native to Argentina. Hardy. Little competition from other plants.

Cypella herbertii Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Iridaceae

South American perennial for the rock garden or the front of a border. From June into September three petalled amber flowers with blue markings appear and each lasts for only one day. Flowers are produced from the same scape continuously, so do not remove, they will appear every other day for weeks at a time. Full sun, well drained soil, with occasional water in summer. To 14" tall-spreads slowly. Little competition from other plants.

Cyrtomium x fortunei Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Dryopteridaceae

This is the cold hardy form of the the excellent evergreen holly fern. Forming large rosettes each leaf is a substantial glossy green. The divided leaves are curled slightly at the edges. This fern does best in rich soil that drains quickly but retains lots of moisture. It appreciates an annual application of compost to spur vigor- but it is easy to grow and undemanding when established. This is an excllent landscape plant for shady corners. To 30” tall and forming a rosette slightly larger. It spreads to

form ample colonies in time.

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.