Astilbe 'Sprite'

Common Name: Astilbe-Dwarf

• Lovely shell-pink flowers in open, drooping panicles borne on stiff, wiry stems
• Rust-colored seed heads are particularly outstanding
• Blooms in mid to late summer
• Glossy black-green leaves are bronze in spring

Astilbe 'Fanal'

Common Name: Astilbe-Hybrid or False Spirea

• Bright red plumes are presented in upright spires
• Blooms in early summer; one of the earliest reds to bloom
• Foliage is mahogany red in spring, turning green by summer
• One of the most popular reds; a vigorous grower

Astilbe chinensis 'Maggie Daley'

Common Name: Astilbe-Chinese

• Bright lavender-purple plumes are dense and fuzzy
• Blooms in mid to late summer
• Shiny, dark green foliage is attractive even when the plant is not in bloom

Astilbe 'Deutschland'

Common Name: Astilbe-Japanese or False Spirea

• Pure white, open, lacy plumes
• Blooms in early summer
• Bold, glossy, deep green foliage

Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'

Common Name: Brunnera-Heartleaf or Siberian Bugloss
A sight to behold! The leaves of 'Jack Frost' are intricately detailed with a crackle-like finish. Though the leaves are dark green, they have a heavily frosted overlay which allows only the green veining to show through. From mid to late spring, baby blue, forget-me-not type blossoms are held in clusters several inches above the shimmering foliage. The effect is breathtaking.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Variegata'

Common Name: Brunnera-Heartleaf or Siberian Bugloss
Bold, irregular, creamy white leaf margins that simply glow in the shade characterize this lovely Brunnera. This one will really light up the shady corners of your garden; some leaves can be almost entirely white! As an added bonus, clusters of tiny, baby blue flowers flutter above the foliage from mid to late spring.

Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'

Common Name: Grass-Ornamental or Feather Reed Grass
Perennial Plant of the Year for 2001. This is a cool season, clumping grass with a compact, erect growth habit. It is especially prized in the north where the magnificent, wheat-like seed heads appear in late spring and last all season long.

Carex elata 'Bowles Golden'

Common Name: Grass-Ornamental or Gold Sedge
This sedge has bright gold foliage with thin green margins and is taller than most other varieties. It is an excellent choice as a highlight plant for a shade or water garden. 'Bowles Golden' is a moisture loving grass that needs to be constantly wet or moist to thrive. It will grow in shallow water and looks great around a pond with blue hostas.

Coreopsis 'Tequila Sunrise'

Common Name: Tickseed or Coreopsis
IIntroduced by Ken and Linda Smith from Columbus, Ohio, C. 'Tequila Sunrise' is a possible hybrid of C. lanceolata and C. grandiflora.

Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam'

Common Name: Coreopsis-Threadleaf
1992 Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year. Ever-popular and a classic perennial, C. 'Moonbeam' is an excellent performer with bright lemon-yellow flowers produced in profusion from early through late summer. The airy clumps of fine, needle-like foliage on upright stems add a nice fine texture element to the landscape.

Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba'

Common Name: Bleeding Heart-Old Fashioned or Common Bleeding Heart
Every bit as charming as the pink form, D. s. 'Alba' forms large, bushy clumps of powdery-light green foliage comprised of cut or lobed leaves on fleshy stems. In late spring, chains of puffy, white, heart-shaped flowers dangle beneath the arching, leafless stems. These racemes make delightful additions to fresh bouquets, lasting about 2 weeks in a vase. In cooler climates with adequate moisture, the bloom time may be extended into early summer.

Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High'

Common Name: Coneflower-Purple
A dwarf version of the well-known native purple coneflower, selected by Kim Hawks. Large, daisy-like flowers with clear pink, recurved ray petals and large, bronzy-orange central cones appear atop knee-high plants with sturdy stems. Its small stature makes this cultivar a great choice for small gardens. It tends to grow slowly, so it will not overtake neighboring plants.

Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue'

Common Name: Grass-Ornamental or Blue Fescue
Soft powdery blue, spiky foliage that keeps its color all year round makes this grass a top pick. One of the more durable and longer-lived varieties, 'Elijah Blue' is a small, clumping grass with a rounded habit. In early summer, wheat-like seed heads are produced on tall, spikey stalks in great numbers. Prefering dryer conditions, this is the perfect grass for rock gardens, in stone troughs or pots, for costal climates, or even for use as edging.

Gaillardia 'Goblin'

Common Name: Blanket Flower
Scarlet-red petals with sunny yellow tips surround the reddish-brown, button-like center. These daisy-like blooms are highly valued for their hot red and yellow hues and they attract butterflies. Since the flowers just keep on coming from early summer into fall, they provide continuous color in containers and will keep your vases full of fresh blanket flower bouquets all season long.

Geranium 'Rozanne'

Common Name: Geranium-Hardy or Cranesbill
Huge, glowing violet blue, saucer-shaped flowers with distinctive white eyes and reddish-purple veining are held above mounds of deep green foliage that is slightly marbled with chartreuse. This is an amazingly free-flowering cultivar; it keeps the blooms coming from late spring into mid-fall. In one season, one vigorous plant will cover a 2-3 sq. foot area. It looks especially nice when complimented by yellow or chartreuse flowers or foliage.

Helictotrichon sempervirens 'Sapphire'

Common Name: Grass-Ornamental or Blue Oat Grass
Blue Oat grass looks like a miniature water fountain, with its densely packed leaves gently spraying upward and arching back downward at the tips. 'Sapphire' is similar to H. sempervirens, but has brighter, steel blue leaves which tend to widen as they mature. It also has demonstrated a greater resistance to the rust fungus. In mild climates, this grass is evergreen; it is semi-evergreen in colder zones.

Hemerocallis 'Rosy Returns'

Common Name: Daylily

• 4", fragrant, rose-pink blend with a deep rose eyezone and yellow throat
• The first hardy rose pink everblooming daylily
• Blooms consistantly from June to frost in Michigan; each stem bears 9-12 buds
• Diploid (Apps, '99)
• Award winner

Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro'

Common Name: Daylily

• The world's most popular daylily!
• 2.75", bright gold complete self with mild pie crust edging and a subtle fragrance
• Blooms from early to midsummer, followed by waves of rebloom into early fall (Reblooms best if plants are deadheaded)
• Extended bloom--flowers last at least 16 hrs. each
• Performs superbly in the landscape; great for edging
• Diploid (Jablonski '75)

Hosta 'Fortunei Aureomarginata'

Common Name: Hosta

• Spinach green leaves with a hint of blue and deep golden-yellow margins measuring 1/8" to 1/2" wide
• Margins hold their color all season long
• The broadly ovate leaves are slightly puckered
• Pale lavender flowers appear on 40" scapes in mid to late summer

Hosta 'Fried Green Tomatoes'

Common Name: Plantain-Lily or Hosta

• An all-green form of H. 'Guacamole'
• Shiny leaves with good sun tolerance
• White flowers on 34" scapes in summer

Hosta 'Gold Standard'

Common Name: Hosta

• An ever-popular, classic hosta; large, ovate leaves have dark green margins
• Leaf centers emerge light green in the spring and become progressively more gold towards early summer; morning sun will enhance the gold color
• Pale lavender flowers appear on 30" scapes in midsummer
• Forms a large mound of foliage, making it ideal as a specimen or in mass plantings

Hosta 'Golden Tiara'

Common Name: Hosta

• Small, heart-shaped, medium green leaves have wide, chartreuse margins that become gold when grown in sun
• A compact grower showing good form, persistent color, and a fast clumping habit; excellent for edging
• Flowers are light purple in shade or deeper purple when grown in sun
• Flowers appear on 24" scapes in midsummer

Hosta 'Royal Standard'

Common Name: Hosta

• Large mounds of wavy, green, glossy, pointed leaves demonstrate both sun and drought tolerance
• Fragrant, white flowers appear on 35" to 40" scapes in late summer; fragrance is most pronounced in the evening
• A hybrid of H. plantaginea x H. sieboldiana

Hosta 'Sum and Substance'

Common Name: Hosta

• One of the largest hostas available today, with 16", broadly ovate leaves and a huge, mounded form
• Leaf color varies with the amount of available sun from light green to chartreuse to gold; prefers 1/4 to 3/4 day of sun
• Leaves are of good substance, corrugated, and glossy, giving them good slug resistance
• Pale lavender, bell-shaped flowers on 48" scapes in mid to late summer
• Attracts hummingbirds and songbirds

Miscanthus 'Purpurascens'

Common Name: Grass-Ornamental or Flame Grass
One of the very best Miscanthus cultivars available today. Its fantastic fall color, upright habit, early flowering time, and extreme cold hardiness have certainly earned it this recognition. From early to midseason, the leaves are a pleasant grey-green. In the fall, they turn a brilliant reddish orange, hence the name 'Flame Grass'. The seed heads begin to appear in late summer with magenta hues. As winter approaches, they transform into silky white plumes which are especially lovely when backlit by the early morning or late afternoon sun.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder'

Common Name: Grass-Ornamental or Silver Feather Grass
Large, feathery plumes that emerge a shimmering pinkish-silver in late summer give this grass its name, 'Silver Feather'. These flowers stand well above the clump of foliage, making them visible from quite a distance. The leaves appear to be solid green from a distance, though they do have white midribs. Give this grass lots of room to grow; the leaves tend to arch downward to the point that they may need to be staked.

Monarda 'Gardenview Scarlet'

Common Name: Bee Balm or Bergamot
Vibrant scarlet red flowers top the stout, square stems of this monarda from midsummer to early fall. It has demonstrated a high resistance to mildew. 'Gardenview Scarlet' was selected from the Chicago Botanic Garden's Plant Evaluation Program as an outstanding perennial for Midwest gardens.

Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Carpet'

Common Name: Spurge-Japanese
Pachysandra has long been a favorite groundcover for the shade. 'Green Carpet' is an improved selection over the species, hailed for its compact form and deeper green foliage. Once established, it is a vigorous spreader, and remains evergreen all year. In early spring, bottle brush-like, white flowers are produced above the new growth.

Perovskia 'Little Spire'

Common Name: Russian Sage
'Little Spire' was selected for its relatively short, upright habit which prevents the leaning that is typical of the species. Small, narrow, grey-green leaves compliment the lavender-blue flowers. This cultivar has a wonderfully long blooming period beginning in late summer and continuing well into the fall.

Phlox paniculata 'Red Riding Hood'

Common Name: Phlox-Tall Garden
Vivid clusters of fragrant, cherry-red flowers sit atop strong-stemmed plants from mid thru late summer. 'Red Riding Hood' is a compact variety which attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. It makes a tremendous color statement in the garden.

Phlox subulata 'Atropurpurea'

Common Name: Phlox-Creeping or Moss Pinks
"Atropurpurea" has rich wine-red flowers which blanket the foliage in late spring. It makes a tremendous color impact which can be seen from quite a distance. Creeping phlox is a low-growing species which forms a carpet-like mat no taller than 6 inches. This popular little perennial is best utilized in rocky areas, on slopes, and in flower borders.

Phlox subulata 'Blue Emerald'

Common Name: Phlox-Creeping or Moss Pinks
"Blue Emerald" has delicate lavender blue flowers which blanket the foliage in late spring. It creates a subtle swathe of color when in bloom. Creeping phlox is a low-growing species which forms a carpet-like mat no taller than 6 inches. This popular little perennial is best utilized in rocky areas, on slopes, and in flower borders.

Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripes'

Common Name: Phlox-Creeping or Moss Pinks
"Candy Stripes" has cute pink and white striped flowers which blanket the foliage in late spring. Plant this one up close where you can watch it bloom! Creeping phlox is a low-growing species which forms a carpet-like mat no taller than 6 inches. This popular little perennial is best utilized in rocky areas, on slopes, and in flower borders.

Phlox subulata 'Emerald Pink'

Common Name: Phlox-Creeping or Moss Pinks
"Emerald Pink" is a long-flowering, pink selection with a compact habit. It puts on a beautiful show of color to brighten up the springtime! Creeping phlox is a low-growing species which forms a carpet-like mat no taller than 6 inches. This popular little perennial is best utilized in rocky areas, on slopes, and in flower borders.

Phlox subulata 'White Delight'

Common Name: Phlox-Creeping or Moss Pinks
"White Delight" has large, pure white flowers that blanket the foliage in late spring. White has a cool and calming effect in the garden. Use it to tone down more intense, saturated colors. Creeping phlox is a low-growing species which forms a carpet-like mat no taller than 6 inches. This popular little perennial is best utilized in rocky areas, on slopes, and in flower borders.

Pulmonaria longifolia 'Roy Davidson'

Common Name: Lungwort or Bethlehem Sage
Great for the front of the border, the neatly mounded foliage of 'Roy Davidson' stays nice all season long. The leaves, heavily spotted with silver, are long and narrow. They are smaller than many other varieties of pulmonaria. Anticipate an interesting floral display, as the new pink flowers change to powder blue as they age. Pulmonaria is an underused perennial that grows well in shady gardens. It is especially attractive when planted among hostas, ferns, and brunneras. Its flowers are among the most brilliantly colored blossoms of all perennials.

Pulmonaria saccharata 'Mrs. Moon'

Common Name: Lungwort or Bethlehem Sage
A tried and true variety, 'Mrs. Moon' has been delighting gardeners for years with its attractively mounded, silver spotted foliage. In late spring, magenta-pink buds open to bright blue bell-shaped flowers. Pulmonaria is an underused perennial that grows well in shady gardens. It is especially attractive when planted among hostas, ferns, and brunneras. Its flowers are among the most brilliantly colored blossoms of all perennials.

Salvia nemorosa 'May Night ' ('Mainacht')

Common Name: Salvia-Perennial or Garden Sage
This award winning salvia is a top performer in the landscape. Dense spikes of deep violet-purple flowers are produced in early summer and will continue longer if deadheaded. This is a clump forming plant with oblong leaves which are aromatic when crushed. Use it in containers, beds, and borders.

Sedum 'Autumn Fire'

Common Name: Stonecrop-Autumn
This selection is very similar to 'Autumn Joy', but was selected for its tighter growth habit, thicker foliage, and more brightly colored rosy flowers which are produced from late summer into fall. It was developed in Quebec. Tall, upright sedums form substantial clumps of foliage which can be substituted for shrubs in the landscape. Their stout, sturdy stems support the massive flower heads which develop in summer and burst into bloom in fall. If left standing, they provide winter interest and food for birds.

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' ('Herbstfreude')

Common Name: Stonecrop-Autumn
One of the most popular perennials on the market today. This hardy, upright selection sports light green leaves and deep rose flowers which age to a beautiful bronze. Tall, upright sedums form substantial clumps of foliage which can be substituted for shrubs in the landscape. Their stout, sturdy stems support the massive flower heads which develop in summer and burst into bloom in fall. If left standing, they provide winter interest and food for birds.

Sedum 'Purple Emperor'

Common Name: Stonecrop-Autumn
'Purple Emperor' has very dark reddish-purple foliage and a semi-upright habit. It captures your attention from the moment the dusky purple leaves emerge in spring, and forms a solid substantial mass of foliage. In late summer, dusty rose flowers appear in large clusters atop the bright reddish-purple stems. These blossoms age to bronze in the fall. Tall, upright sedums form substantial clumps of foliage which can be substituted for shrubs in the landscape. Their stout, sturdy stems support the massive flower heads which develop in summer and burst into bloom in fall. If left standing, they provide winter interest and food for birds.

Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles'

Common Name: Speedwell-Spike
Masses of violet-blue spikes dart up above the compact, upright, deep green foliage of 'Royal Candles' PPAF all summer long. Butterflies love to drink their sweet nectar. Unlike some other veronicas, the bottom foliage of this variety does not die out. This trait coupled with its shorter habit makes it ideal for the front of the border, as an edging, or in containers. Many people consider this cultivar to be the best upright form of veronica.

Veronica spicata 'Red Fox'

Common Name: Speedwell or Spike Speedwell
A dimunitive form of veronica, 'Red Fox' is a good selection for small spaces or the front of the border. The bright fuchsia-pink flower spikes appear over a long time, in excess of five weeks, beginning in midsummer. Butterflies love to drink their sweet nectar.

Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'

Common Name: Speedwell
Vivid violet-blue spikes dart up above the dark green, crinkly foliage of 'Sunny Border Blue' from midsummer into fall. Veronica is highly valued for its ease of growth and long bloom time. It should have a place in every garden because it goes with everything.

Vinca minor 'Bowles' Variety' ('La Grave')

Common Name: Myrtle or Periwinkle
An exceptional, weed-smothering, evergreen groundcover with dark green leaves. From mid to late spring, intense blue-violet flowers appear just above the foliage, creating a tranquil effect. Both the leaves and flowers of this variety are larger than the straight species. It is also thought to be a more reliable rebloomer, continuing on sporadically into summer and fall. This variety spreads outward from the crown rather than rooting along the stems. Since it is a slower grower, it is best for smaller spaces or containers.