Ferula communis Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Apiaceae
Big ass, HUGE carrot/fennel relative from the Iberian peninsula with finely divided blue leaves and a very tall flower spike. To 10'. A tower of acid green flowers rises in late spring to early summer and persists. Full sun, rich, well drained soil with average summer water. Lovely with small car sized boulders and Wooly Mammoth. Striking. Give the rosette room, 3' wide, at least. See through perennial that causes little obstruction.
Ferula communis ‘Glauca’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Apiaceae
As for the previous variety but with striking blue foliage.
Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Rosaceae
A striking perennial for partly shaded locations with wonderful rose-like foliage that is intense chartreuse in early spring, later changing to acid green. Clump forming to 20" across and sending up a plume of cream colored flowered to 20" across in May and June. Best in rich well drained soil with regular summer water, though tough when established. Minimal problems with slugs. Dependable perennial for contrast w/ Heucheras and Hostas.
Geranium cinereum ‘Lawrence Flatman’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Geraniaceae
One of the best of ALL hardy Geraniums 'Lawrence Flatman' blooms continually from early May until frost. Purple pink flowers with darker veins on the petals show up well on the silvery leaves. Very low growing to only 4" tall and spreading to 2' wide. Floriferous enough to be used in containers-like an annual. Full sun and well drained soil with occasional summer water. Very pretty with Acaena inermis 'purpurea' and Globularia nudicaulis.
Geranium cinereum ‘Subcaulescens’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Geraniaceae
This form of Gernaium cinereum has all the wonderful qualites that make this perennial such a great plant. Silvery sage-green leaves with a compact habit are a stunning backdrop to the profuse magenta veined black flowers. So floriferous it may be used as an annual, continuing its bloom from late May to September. Full sun and well drained soil. Ideal container perennial. Drought tolerant when established. Soil that is overy fertile can lead to rank growth. Occasional summer water. Perfect for parking strips.
Geranium phaeum ‘Darkest of All’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Geraniaceae
An extremely dark flowered form (nearly maroon-black) of the 'Mourning Widow Geranium' that formslarge patches in semi-shady places. To 20" tall and blooming from late April into early June. Average soil and regular water during the dry months of summer. Very easy to grow. The large leaves have small maroon marks at the base of each indention and remain handsome after the flowers have gone.
Geranium phaeum ‘Variegata’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Geraniaceae
A variegated form of the Mourning Widow Geranium with leaves splashed with white and shrimp pink markings especially when they first emerge in early spring. Dark maroon flowers appear in May and June. Most adaptable to part shade in rich soil, though tolerant of some drought when established. Fantastic woodland plant. Nice with Anthriscus 'Raven's Wing' and Corydalis.
Geranium ‘Rozanne’ PP12175 Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Geraniaceae
Geranium of the Millenium? Maybe. Irridescent blue flowers with a white eye are large and extremely showy from May until frost. Trailing to at least 24" wide and about 18" tall. One of the best hardy geraniums there is. Foliage is partially evergreen. Cut back hard in early spring- or anytime to refresh the plant. Great in containers. Ample water, but not soggy in rich soil. Full sun to light shade. Amazing under apricot flowered Roses. Slugs dislike it.
Geranium sessiliflorum ‘Red Select’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Geraniaceae
Rich cocoa brown leaves are edged in silver and make this perennial a wonderful foliage plant for adding depth to a border. In summer small white flowers appear. Great in containers combined with perennials such as Hakenochloa macra ‘Aureola’- or any gold leaved plant for bold drama. To 8” tall and 2’ wide in part shade to full sun. More compact in full sun. May be cut back hard in winter, new growth is delectable. Regular summer water.
Geranium x s. ‘Stanhoe’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Geraniaceae
A delicate geranium with bronze-highlighted grey-green leaves. Soft pink flowers appear from April through summer. To 1' tall by 2' wide. Nice at the front of a border, at the top of a retaining wall, or with small shrubs like Hebes- especially Hebe o. 'E.C. Sterling'. Full sun and occasional summer water; a tough plant. Seeds around a bit, but not a pest. Works well in containers. New Zealand.
Geum ‘Beech House Apricot’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Rosaceae
A diminuitive but incredibly tough perennial that puts out beautiful soft apricot flowers non-stop through the season. Adaptable to many soils, including clay, this perennial is slow to spread and form colonies to about 18" wide. Very easy and satisfying plant. Easy to move and divide where you need soft colors. Blooms late April to October. Occasional summer water. More vigorous in good soil. Tolerates much neglect.
Geum ‘Leonard’s Variety’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Rosaceae
Long lived perennial that forms large patches in time of attractive pinnate leaves. In late spring 20” scapes of apricot orange flowers are followed by seedheads of feather light red. They remain showy for some time. Adapaptable to many different types of soils and even drought when established. Grows faster with summer water. Easy and pretty perennial for tough locations.
Gladiolus papilio Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Iridaceae
Gladzilla!!! We're gonna give it to you straight, this glorious species Gladiolus is a BIG rambunctious perennial. That having been said we would never be without the incredible dove gray and light yellow orchid-like flowers that appear in mid to late summer. Fully deciduous and quickly spreading to form a clump 3' tall and 60' wide, heh, just kidding. Full sun, average soil. Nice back 40 plant. Great cutflower!
Gladiolus tristis Hybrids Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Iridaceae
Hybrids of the amazing spring blooming Gladiolus tristis that include such parents as G. dalenii and others. Fragrant March flowering bulb that spreads to form grassy clumps. Powerful, clove-like scent AT NIGHT. Full sun and well drained soil. Best in a gravel garden with NO SUMMER IRRIGATION. Summer dormant.Light yellow, orange, pink with black and red veined flowers. To 18" tall. Loves neglect.
Gladiolus tristis ‘Moonlight’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Iridaceae
A lovely wild looking Gladiolus with slender wiry stems and leaves. In March through April relatively large creamy green flowers with brown markings on the lower petals that are powerfully fragrant at night. Full sun, WELL DRAINED sandy soil, and little water in summer when it retreats into dormancy. Spreads to form large grassy colonies. Remarkable cutflower at a surprising time of year.
Globularia cordifolia Zn5a (-20º to -15ºf) Globulariaceae
A great Globe Daisy that forms an inpenetrable groundcover in appropriate situations. Small, glossy evergreen leaves are good looking year round. In mid-spring copious 4” stems sport perfectly round cambridge blue bottons with a velvety appearance. Full sun in well drained soil. In my own garden it has taken regular irrigation and looked its best. Not just a plant for a rock garden. To only 1” tall but spreading, slowly and steadily to 1’ across in three years. NOT a large scale groundcover.
Globularia nudicaulis Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Globulariacae
This Globe Daisy IS a great rock garden plant and though it is slow to spread has amazingly deep cobalt blue flowers in early spring. A rosette to 8” across with 4” flower spikes emerging from the center. For WELL DRAINED soil in rock garden conditions with
occasional summer water. Excellent in rock walls.
Glumicalyx gosseliodes Zn6b (-5º to 0ºF) Scrophulariaceae
Nodding Chocolate Flower. Darling and easy to grow hardy perennial from South Africa. Forms a clump of rubbery green rosettes. From April to frost nodding stems rise to 10" and produce a continuation of white bells that open to orange/red and smell like chocolate. Full sun to light shade in rich, well drained soil. Best at eye level. Remove spent flower spikes. GREAT HARDY container plant. Evergreen. Occasional summer water. Cold hardy.
Geranium ‘Rozanne’ PPAF
Perennials return year after year and are the organic heart of the garden. They represent the most intelligent type of landscaping. So many are available today that we focus on the best and most unusual.
Perennials
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