PERENNIALS
“Reducing maintenance and replanting is only one of the many reasons to plant perennials. They grow in sun, shade, difficult spaces and give years of carefree enjoyment. Get rid of some of that ratty lawn and create a whole new landscape. Due to my interest in new varieties this list is constantly changing—in the Nursery anyway if not on the page.
Come to the nursery and see what’s new this year. Visiting once a month or more will give you an idea of what you might plant in your own garden to insure blooming perennials all season long.
~ Carol Yee
Alstroemeria ‘Princess’ Series (Peruvian Lily)
6×12″ Zone 6 Hottest new introduction in 2008. Prolific bloomer. Cute little mound covered with flowers all summer. Choose pink yellow coral cream white red peach. Wonderful!
Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Blue Ice’ (Blue Ice Eastern Bluestar)
Showy terminals of deep blue flowers in May. Yellow fall foliage. Drought tolerant.
Andromeda polifolia (Bog Rosemary)
12″ Lavender/pink spring flowers mounding gray/green foliage.
Anemone japonica.’Little Princess’
18×18′ Zone 5 Septemver to October. Huge single pink/ yellow center. Tight plant. Shade N WFF
Anemone x ‘September Charm’
2×2′ Zone 5 Single rose pink 3″ flowerss. Darker outside edges. August to October.
Aquilegia ‘ Swan Pink/Yellow’
18 x18″ Zone 3 Hhuge stunning flower of lemon yellow corolla set off by coral pink horned back. Sun or Part Shade N WF
Aquilegia Kirigami™ Mix
Zone 4
12 x 20” These smaller Columbines seem to bloom forever with reds, yellows, pinks, red/white, and blue/white combos. Likes moist soil and part shade.
Aquilegia canadensis ‘Cardinal’ (Columbine)
18×16″ Zone 3 Blue/green foliage. cardinal red horned sepals backing white petals/pink centers/yellow stamens late April. N WFF
Arisaema consanguineum ‘Silver Centered Leaf’ (Jack in the Pulpit)
4′ Zone 5 A huge umbrella leaf with silver streaks over green spathe. Sun/Part Shade N
Armeria maritima ‘Splendens’ (Sea Thrift)
6×10″ Zone 4 Grasslike foliage bright longlasting pink flowers. Sunnny well drained site. N
Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger)
8×8″ Zone 2 Native woodland groundcover. Prefers shady moist location. Nice single white May flowers. N
Asarum europaeum
6×10? Zone 4 Glossier leaves than native. Foliage persists through winter.
Asarum splendens (Chinese Wild Ginger)
5×11″ Zone 6 Heart-shaped mottled leaves with silver mottling. Huge purple flowers. This is a really cool woodland plant.
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum ‘Burgundy Lace’
12×15″ Zone 4 Best red painted fern. Metallic burgundy leaves.
Athyrium nipponicum pictum x ‘Ghost’
24 x24″ Zone 4 Gray-green upright foliage shimmers in shade. N WFF
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Looking Glass’
10×16″ Zone 4 Woodland mound of solid silver leaves blue flowers. N WFF
Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’
(Ice Dance sedge) 8″ Beautiful variegated mound.
Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’ (Native Turtlehead)
30×30″ Zone 3 September to October. Luscious puffy pink flowers. N WFF
Chrysanthemum nipponicum (Montauk Daisy)
4×4′ Zone 5 A beautiful fall blooming plant with white daisy rays. N
Cimicifuga simplex ‘Hillside Black Beauty’ (Cohash Bugbane)
x 3′ Zone 4 A tall woodland beauty. White plumes rise to eye level above smoky dark foliage. August to September. Part/Full Shade N WFF
Clematis ‘Crystal Fountain’
vine Zone 4 Six inch double lilac blue flowers with soft puffy lavender center. WFF
Clematis heracleifolia var. davidiana (Shub Clematis)
3×4′ Zone 4 Herbaceous fragrant hyacinth-like clusters of blue flowers. July to September. Silky seed heads. Sun/Part Shade
Clematis paniculata (Sweet Autum Clematis)
3×3′ Zone 5 Lavender/purple flowers cover every inch of branches in late April before leaves appear. This is the only Daphne I know of that is not fragrant but the massive bloom show is one of the best Spring pleasures I know! Since the deer don’t eat Daphne it will be there! RG
Daphne tangutica
3×3′ Zone 6 Somewhat evergreen plant with substantial leaves. Long blooming fragrant white/purple flowers precede really neat 1″ orange fruit.
Dianthus ‘Dynasty Red’
Zone, 512 x 10” Blooms bright red June through July and again in August.
Daphne transatlantica ‘Eternal Fragrance’
4×4′ Zone 5 Daphne transatlantica was previously known as D. caucasica. This one is fast growing and has leaves that almost look like a succulent and seems to be less susceptible to disease or other strange happenings. It flowers profusely in Spring and sporatically through the summer and again quite heavily in the Fall. A wonderful new Daphne from Holland.
Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’
12×15″ Zone 5 unique flower on compact plant red/yellow/orange tubular petals with florets at ends WFF
Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’
10×10″ Pure gold flowing mound. Shade WFF
Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’
36×30″ Zone 4 Two inch flowers with yellow/orange/red petals July to September. WFF
Helleborus ‘Royal Heritage’ (Lenton Rose)
20×20″ Zone 5 Beautiful pastel mixed colors developed by John Eisley.
Helleborus x ‘Ivory Prince’
16×16″ Zone 4 Begins blooming April as ivory bell flowers turning to shades of green/pink. Great leaves. WFF
Helleborus x hybridus
RED LADHelleborus x hybridusBlue Lady’ ‘Pink Lady’ ‘Red Lady’ 12 x20″ Zone 4, Snow won’t deter it! Deer don’t prefer it!
Heuchera ‘Caramel’ (Coral Bells)
12×15″ Zone 4 Yellow red and orange shades. White flowers. Part/Full Shade WFF
Heuchera’ Plum Pudding’
10×15″ Zone 4 The standard. Dark fluffy purple leaves/silver veining. White June flower spikes.
Heuchera ‘Sashay‘
10×18″ Zone 4 Deeply cut and ruffled leaves green on top and burgundy under. Striking!
Heuchera ‘Snow Angel’
10×15″ Zone 4 My favorite! Beautiful variegated leaves and rosy pink flower spikes in spring and fall.
Hosta ‘Blue Angel’ (Plantain Lily)
20 x24″ Zone 3 Blue foliage. Slug resistant.
Hosta ‘Red October’
24×24″ Zone 3 Burgundy/red stems and petioles prominent in fall. Blooms prolifically September until frost. The coolest one of all!
Hosta fortunei ‘Patriot’
26 x26″- Zone 3 Mid-green leaves with wide white margins.
ris Cristata
6-10″ Zone 3 Native dwarf. April-May blooms are white/blue flowers.
Iris germanica
Iris Germanica ‘Beverly Sills’ ‘Batik’ ‘Study In Black’ ‘Gold Glory’
30×24″ Zone 3 Many colors.
Iris versicolor (Blue Flag Iris)
36×30″ Zone 3 Bluish/purple blooms in shady wet areas June-July. N
Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’ (Dwarf Blue Star Daisy)
16×16″ Zone 5 Small bushy plant that blooms all summer. After first full bloom cut back lightly to renew bloom. N
Ligularia dentata ‘Britt Marie Crawford’ (Golden Ray)
30 x30″ Zone 4 Huge chocolate maroon leaves/yellow flower spikes. August. Part Shade
Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’ (Lily Turf)
12×18″ Zone 6 Llavender flowers in September. Long narrow leaves. Beautiful little mound. Shade
Lobelia cardinalis ( Cardinal Flower)
24×20″ Zone 4 Moist soil. Red flower spikes in September. N
Lupinus ‘Russell Hybrids’
2×2′ Zone 4 This might be Maine’s state flower! Tall spikes of reds blues purples whites pinks etc. Plants are dwarf and compact June-July N
Monarda ‘Petite Delight’ (Bee Balm)
14×14″ Zone 3 Crinkly glossy foliage. Deep lavender/pink flowers. Compact clump forming. Very mildew resistant.
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9Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Aritaki’ (Temple Mondo Grass)
see Grasses 6×10″ Zone 6 Finely varigated leaves. Fabulous container plant. RG
Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana’ (Dwarf Mondo Grass)
4×6″ Zone 6 A sweet little slow growing grassy bun. If you keep looking you may find a large outrageously colored bright purple berry amongst the leaves. Great for troughs and rock gardens. RG
Pachysandra procumbens (EUS (Native Allegheny Spurge)
8” x 18” Zone 4 Fragrant pinkish small bottle- brush upright flowers hidden by beautiful leaves with subtle tan variegation • NOTHING to do with the inva-sive pachysandra you’re trying to dig out • early pollinators
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Bowl of Beauty’ (Paeonia)
3×3′ Zone 3 Generous rich pink outer petals with buttery-yellow inner petals.
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Festiva Maxima’
3×3′ Zone 3 White double with red heart.
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Red Magic’
3×3′ Zone 3 sky red double blossoms
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’
3×3′ Zone 3 Double rose-pink blooms will upstage any other flower.
Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple)
12″ x spreading Zone 5 Great native groundcover in shade or part shade. Single white flower hides under umbrella leaves followed by green fruit. N
Polemonium reptans ‘Stairway To Heaven’
12×15″ Zone 3 Bill Callinas’ variegated Jacob’s Ladder. Soft blue flowers in April. N
Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (Solomons’ Seal)
18×12″ Zone 3 Pink bell flowers under tiers of arching stems in May. Shade
Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’ (Lungwort)
Red flowers early. Pointed silver marked leaves. WFF
Achillea Rainbow `Summerwine`
18 x 18″ Zone5 Pink Yarrow attracts Butterflies
Anemone X `Honorine Jobert’
3 x 2′ – Zone 5 Sept.-Oct. crisp, pure white flowers/yellow centers. Sun/pt. shade
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Aristolochia Mac. `Dutchmen`s Pipe`
Spreading vine – Zone 4 – Dense screen for porches, yellow ‚pipe-like flowers, Swallowtail butterflies
Asclepias Incarnata
Aesclepias incarnata (NUS Species Native Swamp Milkweed) 4’ x 2’ Zone 3 Fragrant, showy pink to mauve flower panicles • average to wet soils • butterflies/bees • food source for larval Monarchs
Asclepias Tuberosa `Gay Butterflies’
24″ x 20″ – Zone 3 – Aromatic Aug. flowers attract bees/butterflies. No deer.
Aster `Kickin Carmine Red`
2 x 2′ – Zone 5 Aug.-Oct. blooms. Sun and moist.
Astilbe chinensis Visions In Red
30 x 14″ – Zone 4 – Red/magenta plumes July-Aug. Part shade to full. No deer.
Astrantia Major`Roma`
18 x 12″ – Zone 4 – Masterwort has rose-red flowers/pink-silver bracts. Sun to part shade, likes moist to wet.
Baptisia Decadance Lemon Merange
30″ x 30″ – Zone 4 – Maroon and ye;;ow flowers age to gold. June-July
Belamcanda Chinensis Blackberry Lily
Belamcanda Chinensis, Blackberry Lily ,Iris domestica – 2 x 1′ – Zone 5 – Orange lily-like flowers dotted with orange. Sun
Calamintha Nepetoides `White Cloud`
16 x 16″ – Zone 5 June- Oct. white bloom. Ground cover for dry areas.
Centaurea `Amethyst Dream`
20 x 26″ – Zone 3 – 2.5″ d
eep purple blooms May- July. Drought tolerant Bachelor Button.
Digitalis ‘Dalmation Mix’
Zone 4
2-3’ x 14” A bright mix of lavender, peach, yellow and white Summer flowers speckled with small dark spots inside the “glove”.
Sedum ‘Angelina’ (Stonecrop)
Zone 3 Golden needle foliage topped with orange. Succulents need sun and good drainage.
Sedum Sieboldii (Stonecrop)
Zone 3 October blooming. Deep pink with round gray/blue leaves. Succulents need sun and good drainage.
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Sempervivem ‘Cobweb’ ‘Purple Beauty’
(Hens & Chicks) 3×12″ Zone 3 Succulent clumps sprouting babies everywhere. Dry sunny areas.
Clematis`Diamantina`
Vine – Zone 4 – Blooms may-June and again late Summer into Fall All pollinators. Sun. Prune Group 2B. .
Clematis ‘Edda’
Vine – Zone 4 Blooms June-Sept. Compact form,many runners.Hanging basket. Prune to 6″ – Winter Grp.3.
Clematis `Josephine`
Vine – Zone 4- Blooms all Summer. Cut above last swelling bud on old wood in Spring. Grp 2.
Clematis `Rebecca`
Vine – Zone 5 – Blooms June, again Fall. With all Clematis, keep roots cool with mulch. Grp.2
Clematis jackmanii ‘Superba’
Vine – Zone 4- Blooms May to Oct. Full to part sun. Cut to ground Winter or Spring Grp.3.
Clematis paniculata ‘Sweet Autumn’
Vine – 30 – Zone 4 Sun, pt. shade. Vigorous. Fall bloom/slight fragrance. Let go or cut to 12″ – Spring. Grp.3.
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’
30 x 24″ – Zone 5 – Scarlet red Summer. Plant in protected area/mulch Winter or store as with Glads.
Crocosmia ‘Sunglow’
30 x 30″ – Zone 5 – Late summer blooms apricot yellow for Hummers/Butterflies.Sun-pt. shade. Mulch Winter.
Delosperma ‘Lavender Ice’
2-3″ – x 20′ – Zone 5 – All Summer bee magnet groundcover.
Delosperma x ‘Fire Spinner‘
2 x 16″ – Zone 5 – another Ice Plant groundcover.
Digitalis ‘Dalmation Mix’
Zone 4
2-3’ x 14” A bright mix of lavender, peach, yellow and white Summer flowers speckled with small dark spots inside the “glove”.
Echinacea ‘Sombrero Adobe Orange’
24 x 18″ – Zone 4 – Sombrero Series is shorter, more compact and super floriferous than other varieties. Click image for enlargement. Also ‘Sombrero Salsa Red’ – 18 x 18″ – Zone 4 – extremely floriferous from the Netherlands.
Echinacea ‘White Double Delight’
20 x 20″ – Zone 4 – Large double creamy white fading to green center. All Summer the butterflies come. Cl
Eryngium ‘Big Blue Seaholly’
2 x 2′ – Zone 5 – Thistle-like plant. Flower and eventually whole plant turns unearthly blue. Striking oddity!
Tricyrtis (Toad Lily)
20×16″ Zone 5 Unknown species with pink/bluish flowers having yellow center. Fall blooming. Shade N
Gaylussacia baccata
Gaylussacia baccata (EUS Native Black Huckleberry) 2’ x 3’ Zone 3 Bell shaped June flowers are great nectar source for native bees and butterflies • August berries for birds • Thickets great for nesting.
Geranium cinereum ‘Ballerina’
6 x 10″ – Zone 5 – Sweet, hugging the ground Cranesbill. Rock gardens, paths, edge of the garden.
Helleborus Arg. ‘Snow Fever’
12 x 24″ – Zone 6 – Very early Spring flowers. Cut off old leaves.
.Helleborus ‘Love Bug’
8 x 10″ – Zone 5 – Flowers first year, silver foliage/deep pink flowers. Shade.
Helleborus HGC ‘Merlin’
12 x 18″ – Zone 5 – Light pink outfacing early Spring flowers turn cranberry. Prune only last years leaves Spring.
.Heuchera ‘Berry Smoothie’
1 x ‘1 – Zone 4 – Soft pink flowers. June-July. Some shade. All Huechera attract Hummers/Bees and are drought tolerant.
Heuchera’ Blackout’
6 x 10″ – Zone 4 – Creamy white flowers. June-July. Some shade.
Heuchera ‘Dolce Cinnamon Curls’
1 x 1′ – Zone 4 – White bells June-July. Shade.
Heuchera ‘Dolce Key Lime Pie’
8 x 10″ – Zone 4 – Pink bells June-July, shade.
Hibiscus summerific ‘Berry Awesome’
40 x 54″ – Zone 4 to 8 – ruffled, lav/pink flowers. with red eye. Dark green lvs. Shrub like clump. Hummers/Butterflies.
Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’
6 x10″ – Zone 3 – Tiny Hosta is just plain CUTE! Lav. July-Aug. flower spikes. Shade. Hummers.
Hosta ‘Neptune’
2 x 4″ – Zone 3 – Long, rippled, blue leaves with 3 lobed flower spikes mid Aug. Shade. Hummers. Click image for enlargement.
Hosta ‘Rainbows End’
1 x 2 ‘ – Zone 3 – Lavender spikes Aug. Shade. Hummers.
Iris insata ‘Lion King’
24 x 18″ – Zone 4 – Japanese Iris looks great by the pond or stream. Likes wet.
iris ‘Butter Sugar’
Iris germanica ‘Orange Harvest’
24 x 24″ – Zone 3- Early June huge bearded German Iris reblooms in.Sept. Sun, well drained soil. Butterflies/Moths.
Iris germanica ‘Raven Girl’
36 x 18″ – Zone 3 – 8-12 ruffled black flowers on each stem. June-July Sun. well drained soil.
Iris Germanica ‘Rock Star’
30 x 18″ – Zone 4 – June raspberry/apricot splashed with cream. Reblooms Sept. Sun. Moist, sandy soil.
Iris siberica ‘Dance And Sing’
30 x 18″ – Zone 3 – Yellow/white June-July. Click image for enlargement.
Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote
1 x 1′ – Zone 5 – Grow English Lavender in well drained, sweet soil. Blooms June-Aug. Deadhead promotes flowering.
Ligularia ‘Britt Marie Crawford’
3 x 3′ – Zone 4 – Blooms July-Aug. Grows best in rich, moist soil in part to full shade.
Monarda ‘Pardon My Cerise‘
14 x 10″ – Zone 4 – Fragrant flowers./foliage, red. attract butterflies/bees/hummers to this Bee Balm. sun/pt/shade.
Monarda ‘Grape Gumball’
20 x 20 “- Zone 4 – Fragrant flowers/foliage, purple, attract butterflies/bees/hummers to this Bee Balm. sun/pt/shad.
Paeonia ‘Dutchess de Nemours’
3 0x 30″ – Zone 3 – Extremely fragrant white‚ April/June. Sun/Pt. Shade, Good Soil. Butterflies/Bees DR.
Paeonia ‘Karl Rosenfeld’
30 x 30″ – Zone 3 – Extremely fragrant red‚ April/June! Sun/Pt Shade, Good Soil. Butterflies/Bees DR.
Papavera Iceland ‘Garden Gnome’
10 x 10″ – Zone 2 – Reseeds and spreads. Blooms sporadically all Summer Butterflies/bees/Hummers DR.
Papaver orientale ‘Princess Victoria Louise’
24 x 15 ” – Zone 3 – June. Crepe paper salmon petals/blk center. Butterflies/bees/Hummers DR.
Papavera ‘Spring Fever Red’ & ‘Spring Fever Yellow’
Icelandic Poppies
RED 10 x 6″ – Zone 3 – Huge red/yellow eye papery June-July
YELLOW 10 x 6″ – Zone 3 – Huge yellow/yellow eye papery June-July Butterflies/bees/Hummers DR.
Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’
12 x 12″ – Zone 3 – Purple/pnk bell Spring flowers. Shade/moist soil. Butterflies/Bees Hummers. DR.
Sedum ‘Angelina’ (Stonecrop)
Zone 3 Golden needle foliage topped with orange. Succulents need sun and good drainage.
Sedum Sieboldii (Stonecrop)
Zone 3 October blooming. Deep pink with round gray/blue leaves. Succulents need sun and good drainage.
Sempervivem ‘Cobweb’ ‘Purple Beauty’
(Hens & Chicks) 3×12″ Zone 3 Succulent clumps sprouting babies everywhere. Dry sunny areas.
Sempervivum ‘Jade Rose’
4×10 – Zone 2 – Hen and Chicks take heat, drought and neglect. Colors in Fall are strongest. Bizarre flowers.
Sempervivum ‘Ruby Heart’
5×10 – Zone 2 – Great plants to Set and Forget, In a shoe! Get a kid started in gardening. They love them! Click image for enlargement.
Spigelia marilandica (Indian Pink)
0x16″ Zone 5 A native hummingbird magnet in shade. Red tubular flowers sport a yellow star on top. A very unusual plant. N
Sisyrinchium angustifolium ‘Lucerne’
Sisyrinchium ‘Lucerne’ (US Native “Blue Eyed Grass) 8” x 12” Zone 5 Sweet little blue flowers/yellow eye June/Summer bloom • actually in Iris family • moist • bees/butterflies
Vinca Minor ‘Illumination‘
4-6″ Zone 5 Yellow leaf with green edge. Blue periwinkle flowers on one of Nick Nickous’ special groundcovers. Groundcover Vine N
Viola labradorica (Labrador Violet)
8×14″ Zone 4 Wonderful flowers are blue/purple with white lateral rays. All violets like cool feet and good light and if deadheaded will bloom all Summer. N
Viola ‘Columbine’
8×12″ – Zone 5 -Blooms May-Oct. Hardy, blooms all season. Very special.
Viola ‘Penny Denim, Orange, & Red Blotch Jump Up’
8″ – Fragrant, perennial thrives in full to partial shade. Butterflies
Epilobium (Zauschneria)
Epilobium (Zauschneria) (WUS Native “California Fuchia”) 5” x 36” Zone 5 Perennial ground cover IDed for me as “California Hummingbird Plant” • July—Oct. orange tubular flowers cover plant as do Hummingbirds!
Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’
Zone 3
20 x 18” This multicolered Coneflower bloom with both yellow and red flowers. Loves sun!