Grows from one to three feet and blooms in its first year from seed. Flowers are quite fragrant and have a shimmering and lovely form. This is a short-lived perennial grown as an annual. Seeds should be sown at a temperature of 55 degrees and transplanting seedlings should be done very carefully. Division may be done in mid-spring. All parts of this plant are poisonous.
Plant Type: Perennial
Uses: Border, Cutting Bed, Wildflower/Meadow
Habit: Clump
Light: Full Sun
Flower Color: Color of orange sherbert
Blooms: Summer
Width: .5 - .75 ft.; Height: 1 - 2 ft.
Fertility: Moderately Rich
Soil: Neutral, Well-drained
This is a double form rarely seen. If dead-headed, it will bloom all season. It has attractive bluish-green foliage. It will self-seed, but not aggressively- I'll get one or two extra plants popping up each year. This is one of my best-selling seeds.
Package 25+ seeds $2.00US
Nursery/plant sales and mail order (Canada only) 3 1/2" $2.50C 6"$4.00C 1gallon $6.00C
This is a large family of flowering plants which have been extremely popular in Europe for a long time. The cultivar pictured, 'Husker's Red', was developed at the University of Nebraska and is praised by gardeners for its deep bronze-purple foliage and spikes of white blooms. This plant grows to be about 3 feet tall and is the perfect foil for many other perennials in the border. This is a hardy plant that enjoys a good mulching in colder climates.
Plant Type: Perennial
Uses: Border, Cutting Bed, Wildflower/Meadow
Habit: Upright
Light: Full Sun
Flower Color: Blue
Blooms: Summer
Width: 1 ft.; Height: 1.5 - 2ft.
Fertility: Moderately Rich
Soil: Neutral, Well-drained
Extremely drought-tolerant, I have this North American native variety (with brilliant blue-purple snap-dragon shaped flowers) growing out by the street boulevard where it gets no extra water. This is perhaps the easiest Penstemon to grow, and makes an excellent cut flower.
Package 25+ seeds $2.00US
Rich, fragrant blooms are the hallmark of these summer-flowering perennials. They are not only excellent for the cutting bed, but will also fill your house with their sweet perfume.
Nursery/plant sales and mail order (Canada only) 3 1/2" $2.50C 6"$4.00C 1gallon $5.00C
Plant Type: Perennial /shrub
Uses: Back of border
Habit: Spreading, Woody-based
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade
Flower Color: Red with yellow throat
Blooms: Summer till heavy frost
Width: 3-4 ft.; Height: 3-4ft.
Fertility: Average
Soil: Neutral, Well-drained
Phygelius has unique drooping flowers, related to the snapdragon and the pentstemon, its red, tubular, curved flowers also suggest fushia. The inside throat is bright yellow, adding to its interest as a cut flower. In cold climates, or severe winters it will die back to the ground, but remains shrubby in milder areas. Prune to keep neat. It can spread by underground stems or rooting prostrate branches. Mulch roots in cold-winter regions.
Package 25+ seeds $2.00US
Grown primarily for its bright orange, lantern-like calyx which is a sought after addition for dried arrangements. (Try drying them before they turn orange for a color variation, they also look good sprayed gold) Insignificant white flowers in summer are followed by the round, bright red-orange seed pods. I have mine growing underneath my raspberries where I don't see them all summer and in the fall when all the leaves fall off the raspberries there they are in all their glory!
Package 25+ seeds $2.00US
Nursery/plant sales and mail order (Canada only) 3 1/2" $2.50C 6"$4.00C 1gallon $5.00C
Blooms from summer to autumn, with pink, purple or white snapdragon-like flowers on tall spikes set off by dark green willow-like foliage. Spreads easily in good soil but may become invasive. Thrives in acid soil that is moist but well-drained. Feed regularly and add humus or top-dress with compost if needed when planting. Divide every 2 to 3 years or when necessary in the spring. Fully hardy. 'Variegata' provides an added bonus of striking green and white foliage.
Package 25+ seeds $2.00US (sold out)
Nursery/plant sales and mail order (Canada only) 3 1/2" $2.50C 6"$4.00C 1gallon $6.00C
Mark where you plant this puppy, as it emerges really late. Balloon-like blooms open into wide star-shaped flowers. You can never have too many of these in your garden. They do not transplant well.
Package 25+ seeds $2.00US
Alternate leaflets resemble a ladder, topped with clusters of blue flowers with yellow stamens . One of the first perennials to emerge after winter.
Primulas are synonomous with spring and do extremely well here on the Pacific Coast. This buttercup yellow variety comes through the winter full of vigour and leaves in good shape. The flowers are fragrant, will last at least two months, and may give a second, smaller flush.
You either love this plant or hate it. Good early color and spotted leaves add interest for the rest of the season. One of my favorite varieties is David Ward, light green leaves are outlined in a thick white stripe, and flowers are a salmon colour. It shows up really well in the shade, and will often rebloom in the fall. Common garden variety is often called 'Lords and Ladies' as flowers bloom blue and pink on the same plant. If mildew appears on the leaves in late summer or fall, just trim the plant down to the ground and it will recover.
Pulmonaria 'Red Start'- best red form-
Nursery/plant sales and mail order (Canada only) 3 1/2" $2.50C 6"$4.00C 1gallon $6.00C