Perennials

Common Name: Lavender, English Lavender Deep violet-purple flower spikes fill the air with their sweet, intoxicating fragrance all summer long. Though this cultivar has been grown for over 50 years, it remains one of the most popular today. Its compact habit and relatively short stature makes it a good choice for edging. It is very similar to 'Munstead.' Lavender has been grown for centuries for its intensely fragrant flowers and beautiful appearance. It is a staple item of every sunny garden, and its dried flowers are widely used in potpourris and arrangements.

Common Name: Maltese Cross, Campion or Catchfly Brilliant, orange-scarlet flowers measuring 1.5 inches across are produced in abundance beginning in early summer and lasting nearly 8 weeks. The foliage is nearly as pretty as the flowers, having a purplish-bronze cast over the naturally dark green leaves. The contrast is dazzling! After flowering, the swollen seed pods provide additional interest to extend the season.

The deepest red flowering Hardy Hibiscus we currently offer in our catalog. 8" rich, deep velvety red flowers are produced above a tight, upright habit of deep green leaves. A perfect centerpiece for a garden with bright and beautiful colors. These North American native plants bring massive, tropical-looking flowers all the way to zone 4. Although later to emerge than most perennials in spring, these are fast growing plants capable of adding an inch of new growth a day. Excellent at brightening up end of season gardens.

The beautiful art deco pattern of this Hardy Hibiscus looks like it has been spray painted, and you'll love how it makes your garden look! 8-8½", vibrant pink flowers with salmon tones have an airbrushed central white halo and a small dark red eye. Overlapping petals create a three dimensional look to the flowers. The rich, dark green foliage forms a compact habit. Lots of flower buds translates to a long season of bloom, so you can enjoy these flowers for many weeks. Use 'Airbrush Effect' as a focal point in your sun garden. These North American native plants bring massive, tropical-looking flowers all the way to zone 4. Although later to emerge than most perennials in spring, these are fast growing plants capable of adding an inch of new growth a day. Excellent at brightening up end of season gardens.

The marvelous ‘Midnight Marvel’ combines some of the best genetics from our most popular Walters Gardens, Inc. Hibiscus introductions. This variety combines the deep wine-purple, maple-like foliage of 'Perfect Storm' and the scarlet red, 8-9" flowers of 'Cranberry Crush'. Like many perennials with purple foliage, this one needs to be exposed directly to UV light (grown in full sun) to achieve the darkest foliage color. From ‘Cranberry Crush’, it inherits very similar glossy, black-red buds which open to 8-9”, deep scarlet red flowers. The habit is relatively compact, measuring in at 4’ tall x 4½’ wide. Since this variety is an indeterminate bloomer (has buds at several nodes up the stem), it blooms for an extended period from midsummer into early fall. We have been incredibly impressed by the growth and performance of ‘Midnight Marvel’ and think you will be equally delighted! These North American native plants bring massive, tropical-looking flowers all the way to zone 4. Although later to emerge than most perennials in spring, these are fast growing plants capable of adding an inch of new growth a day. Excellent at brightening up end of season gardens.

There’s no sight quite like a Hardy Hibiscus blooming in late summer, and ‘Summer in Paradise’ truly delivers with its refined habit and attractive, large flowers and floriferous performance. Deep red buds open to 7-8” hot cerise red flowers. Medium green, maple-like leaves are accented by olive green edges. The large leaves quickly fill in the habit to keep it appearing full and refined. Flowers are produced from the top to the bottom of the plant, rather than only at the top like some older cultivars. Use in place of a shrub in your garden. These North American native plants bring massive, tropical-looking flowers all the way to zone 4. Although later to emerge than most perennials in spring, these are fast growing plants capable of adding an inch of new growth a day. Excellent at brightening up end of season gardens.

A hybrid Phlox with a color that's bright enough to give a karate kick to your senses. Very intense, bright fuchsia pink flowers totally cover the relatively short habit. As a hybrid, 'Kung Fuchsia' will bloom 2-3 weeks earlier than the standard Phlox paniculata varieties and is not bothered by disease such as mildew even in hot, humid summers. The perfect addition to any summer garden! A Walters Garden introduction

Hybridized and selected at Walters Gardens for its flowering performance earlier in the season, ‘Encore’ is a perfect choice for northern climates, where the growing season is shorter. Since it blooms so early, this ornamental grass has a chance for an encore performance, shooting up a secondary flush of coppery purple plumes before frost hits. Blooming starts in late summer to early fall and lasts until mid-fall. The flowers turn to a creamy tan color with age. This perennial forms a tall, upright clump of dark green leaves with white midribs. Before blooming, this plant stands around 4½’ tall. Be sure to leave this grass standing so it can provide winter interest through the snowy months. Miscanthus is versatile from a design standpoint; it can be used as a specimen, for massing or screening, in large containers, or at the pond's edge. Plant this grass where its wonderful winter interest can be enjoyed.

'Mona Lisa Smile' will perform beautifully in your garden, producing paintbrush-like, long spikes of rosy purple flowers. This is one of the first speedwell to flower, starting about two weeks earlier than 'Very Van Gogh'. Its flowers cover most of the terrific, rounded habit. Veronica is highly valued for its ease of growth and long bloom time. The spiky flowers are an excellent contrast to the more common rounded flower shapes like Shasta Daisies, Coneflower, and Black Eyed Susans. Expect bees to be buzzing about this plant when in bloom.

A switch grass with sturdy, upright, blue-green stems and wine-red leaves. In the spring, the foliage is blue-green, but by early summer the leaves begin to turn a stunning shade of deep red. Most red switch grasses do not begin to turn color until late summer, so this grass is quite remarkable in that it changes color so early in the season. In late summer, a bouquet of rosy panicles is displayed just above the foliage. When in bloom, the leaves curl slightly, which gives the impression of red ribbons woven throughout the flowers. This selection was hybridized by Gary Trucks of Amber Wave Gardens in Michigan. Switch grass gets its name from the peaceful swishing sound it makes when blowing in the wind. All parts of this grass are very sturdy, and will remain standing thru winter unless snows are heavy. This provides important cover for birds during the coldest days of winter. This grass is very versitile from a design standpoint; it is effective as a specimen, in masses, for screening, alongside ponds or streams, or even in large containers.

A mental image of a totem pole brings to mind a tall, narrow, majestic structure – the exact imagery to apply to this new ornamental grass! 'Totem Pole' forms a very upright column of steel blue foliage and powdery blue stems. In early fall, the top of the clump explodes with golden seed panicles. The narrow base of the plant makes it an ideal candidate for small spaces in the garden that need height and vertical structure. Switch grass gets its name from the peaceful swishing sound it makes when blowing in the wind. All parts of this grass are very sturdy, and will remain standing thru winter unless snows are heavy. This provides important cover for birds during the coldest days of winter. This grass is very versitile from a design standpoint; it is effective as a specimen, in masses, for screening, alongside ponds or streams, or even in large containers.

This large fountain grass makes a great focal point in a sunny landscape. It is easy to grow as long as full sun is provided. Many consider it to be the best hardy Pennisetum available today. 'Desert Plains' is a seedling of 'Cassian' discovered by Gary Trucks of Amber Wave Gardens in West Michigan. It has an improved habit, flowering performance, and fall color, over 'Cassian' and 'Hameln'. The finely textured, narrow, green leaves form a beautiful upright vase-shaped clump. Beginning in midsummer, the tips of the foliage begin to turn deep red and the entire clump transitions to shades of orange and gold in fall. Showy 5” bottlebrush plumes held above the foliage emerge smoky purple and age to tan.

If you think all Calamagrostis are like ‘Karl Foerster’, think again! This Asian native is the opposite of its European counterparts: it is a warm season grass that blooms from late summer through early fall. Perhaps best of all, this grass is shade tolerant, a rare trait for a large flowering grass. This species occurs naturally in moist, deciduous woodlands and therefore is adapted to grow and bloom in partial shade. It also grows very well in full sun where the habit will be tighter and the flowering will be more profuse. This grass forms an upright arching clump of ½” wide, glossy green leaves that are wider than the C. acutiflora types.

If you love 'Cranberry Crush', try 'Candy Crush'! This hardy Hibiscus shares all the great traits that made 'Cranberry Crush' popular: upright, columnar habit, fantastic garden presence, and excellent flower coverage. 8", bright bubblegum pink flowers have a near-black, dark red eye and are produced all over its habit of rich, bright green leaves. Use in place of a shrub to provide structure in your sun garden. A perfect addition to the late summer garden. These North American native plants bring massive, tropical-looking flowers all the way to zone 4. Although later to emerge than most perennials in spring, these are fast growing plants capable of adding an inch of new growth a day. Excellent at brightening up end of season gardens.

A mature plant of ‘Bartzella’ is incredibly elegant looking, with flowers neatly spaced on the top and sides of the clump. Established clumps can produce 80 or more flowers apiece! The semi-double to double, pastel yellow flowers have a small rose purple flare in the center and a pronounced sweet fragrance. They measure 6-8" across on average. Healthy green foliage similar to that of a tree peony forms an impressively sturdy clump to 3' tall and wide. Unlike some garden peonies, the foliage of this plant looks great from spring through fall and is substantial enough to be grown in place of a small shrub in the landscape. About Intersectional Peonies Intersectional peonies are a relatively new class of Paeonia created by crossing herbaceous garden types with woody tree types. They are often called “Itoh Peonies” because the original cross was first made successfully by Japanese nurseryman Mr. Toichi Itoh in 1948. Sadly, he passed away before ever seeing one of his crosses bloom. Since that time, other hybridizers have continued his work including American breeder Roger Anderson.

Peony 'Callie's Memory' is a Midseason Itoh Hybrid Peony, semi-double, yellow cream flowers with maroon flares and Pico tee edges, good grower, attractive plant for in the garden, (Roger F. Anderson, USA, 1999). Healthy green foliage similar to that of a tree peony forms an impressively sturdy clump to 3' tall and wide. Unlike some garden peonies, the foliage of this plant looks great from spring through fall and is substantial enough to be grown in place of a small shrub in the landscape. About Intersectional Peonies Intersectional peonies are a relatively new class of Paeonia created by crossing herbaceous garden types with woody tree types. They are often called “Itoh Peonies” because the original cross was first made successfully by Japanese nurseryman Mr. Toichi Itoh in 1948. Sadly, he passed away before ever seeing one of his crosses bloom. Since that time, other hybridizers have continued his work including American breeder Roger Anderson.

Canary Briliant forms a robust plant and is very floriferous. Strongly scented and well-fromed flowers begin a stylish orange-beige shade and slowly turn a soft peachy-yellow. Flowers are exceptionally long-lasting as cut flowers. 2-3 eye root. Height 30-32". About Intersectional Peonies Intersectional peonies are a relatively new class of Paeonia created by crossing herbaceous garden types with woody tree types. They are often called “Itoh Peonies” because the original cross was first made successfully by Japanese nurseryman Mr. Toichi Itoh in 1948. Sadly, he passed away before ever seeing one of his crosses bloom. Since that time, other hybridizers have continued his work including American breeder Roger Anderson.

Large, semi-double, lightly fragrant blossoms, white with striking dark lavender central flares, stand above lush, toothed foliage. An especially vigorous plant - producing up to 50 blooms in a single season; the sturdy flower stems require no staking. About Intersectional Peonies Intersectional peonies are a relatively new class of Paeonia created by crossing herbaceous garden types with woody tree types. They are often called “Itoh Peonies” because the original cross was first made successfully by Japanese nurseryman Mr. Toichi Itoh in 1948. Sadly, he passed away before ever seeing one of his crosses bloom. Since that time, other hybridizers have continued his work including American breeder Roger Anderson.

Itoh Peony 'First arrival' is also one of the earliest Intersectional Peonies to bloom. Magnificent, it boasts large, lavender-pink, semi-double blossoms, up to 8 in. across (20 cm), with reddish-purple flares at the base of each petal. About Intersectional Peonies Intersectional peonies are a relatively new class of Paeonia created by crossing herbaceous garden types with woody tree types. They are often called “Itoh Peonies” because the original cross was first made successfully by Japanese nurseryman Mr. Toichi Itoh in 1948. Sadly, he passed away before ever seeing one of his crosses bloom. Since that time, other hybridizers have continued his work including American breeder Roger Anderson.

Unique colour-changing blooms start out red, then transform to pink, apricot and yellow. At times, all four colours are prominent on a single plant at once! These fragrant flowers hover high above the foliage, making them ideal for cutting. Paeonia About Intersectional Peonies Intersectional peonies are a relatively new class of Paeonia created by crossing herbaceous garden types with woody tree types. They are often called “Itoh Peonies” because the original cross was first made successfully by Japanese nurseryman Mr. Toichi Itoh in 1948. Sadly, he passed away before ever seeing one of his crosses bloom. Since that time, other hybridizers have continued his work including American breeder Roger Anderson.