Perennials

This hybrid from Allium guru Mark McDonough was picture perfect in our trials. 'Millenium' forms a compact, upright clump of glossy green, thick and strappy leaves which emit a slight smell of onion when crushed. In late July and August here in Michigan, a profusion of large 2”, bright rosy purple, tightly rounded clusters of flowers appear on strong stems just above the attractive foliage. Alliums are charming plants for the rock or herb garden. When the foliage is bruised, it smells like onions since they are in the onion family. Butterflies and honeybees adore the flowers' sweet nectar but deer and rabbits steer clear of this perennial beauty.

‘Honorine Jobert’ produces single, 2-3” wide, pure white flowers with a cluster of bright yellow stamens in the center of each blossom. They are produced atop tall, wiry stems above an attractive clump of dark green foliage. It is a real standout in partial shade where it is happiest. A staple item for late summer and fall borders, Japanese Anenomes are graceful plants with beautiful, satiny flowers borne on tall stems above a clump of shorter basal foliage. Watching them sway in the breeze brings a feeling of calm and peace to the garden. Since they are a bit late to rise in the spring, they make an ideal cover for the dying foliage of spring bulbs.

Looking for something uniquely different for shade? Try this tropical-looking golden beauty with large compound leaves that measure up to 3 feet long! An excellent complement to hostas and woodland perennials, ‘Sun King’ emerges mid-spring with bright gold leaves held on nicely contrasting reddish brown stems. If given at least a few hours of sun a day, the foliage will remain yellow all summer. In heavier shade, the foliage ranges from chartreuse to lime green. This plant quickly forms a large clump of foliage which amazingly resists deer browsing. It reportedly grows just three feet tall and wide, though many plantsmen believe it will grow larger over time.

Garden Astilbe USDA Zone: 3-9 Plant number: 1.087.380 (='Burgunderrot') Garden Astilbe are a popular choice for shady gardens, where they perform well if given a rich, moist soil and regular watering. This midsized selection produces long lasting plumes of deep red over a mound of elegant, lacy green leaves. In cool summer regions Astilbe will tolerate at least morning sun. Divide every two to three years in the spring to maintain vigour. Spring fertilizing will help to keep plants flowering reliably. Midseason. Further details for Astilbe × arendsii Burgundy Red Optimal Growing Conditions Sun Exposure Partial Shade or Full Shade Soil Type Sandy or Clay Soil pH Neutral or Alkaline or Acid Soil Moisture Average or Moist Care Level Easy Appearance and Characteristics Flower Colour Red Blooming Time Mid Summer Late Summer Foliage Color Deep Green Plant Uses & Characteristics Accent: Good Texture/Form Attracts Butterflies Border Containers Cut Flower Deer Resistant Rabbit Resistant Massed Waterside Woodland Flower Head Size Very Large Height 50-60 cm 20-23 inches Spread 45-60 cm 18-23 inches

'Vision in White' is a robust growing selection which produces loads of large, creamy white, triangular plumes in midsummer. Though the foliage is full and robust like others in the Visions series, it is not as coarsely textured. Rather, the green leaves are smooth and glossy. Height: 24.0 Inches Spread: 18.0 Inches Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9 Flower Color: White Shades Foliage Color: Green shades Sunlight: Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Astilbe 'Vision Inferno' Astilbe 'Vision Inferno' is a vigorous, drought resistant chinensis type with strong and healthy foliage topped in midsummer with 18" high, dense pink and cream flowers that age to green colored seed capsules. A light, sweet fragrance adds to the appeal of this excellent newer Astilbe. (PP#26012) Height: 18" Spacing: 15 - 18" apart Light: Light sun to full shade Soil: Humus-rich, woodland, consistently moist Bloom Time: mid to late summer Zones: 3 - 8

Common Name: Chinese Astilbe Raspberry pink plumes are sweetly fragrant with a dense, pyramidal shape Blooms in midsummer Large, clear green leaves with a coarse texture A dwarf selection A member of Astilbe chinensis(Chinese Astilbe). A later blooming species useful for extending the bloom season into late summer. Foliage is deeply incised, coarsely textured, and often bronze-green in color. Flowers are borne on narrow, branched panicles. Though garden performance is far superior in moist soils, members of this species are moderately drought tolerant. Shorter varieties such as 'Pumila' make excellent groundcovers. Height: 14.0-16.0 Inches Spread: 12.0-15.0 Inches Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9 Flower Color: Pink shades Foliage Color: Green shades Sunlight: Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Campanula ‘Birch Hybrid’ Dwarf Bellflower USDA Zone: 4-9 Plant number: 1.110.430 Bellflowers are among the most popular of perennials. This dwarf selection is a terrific choice for rock gardens, edging, and particularly for tubs or mixed containers. Plants form a trailing mound of small green leaves, bearing sprays of bright purple bell flowers for many weeks in early summer. Divide every two years, in spring or fall. Consider contrasting ‘Birch Hybrid’ with Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’ or growing as a carpet beneath Lilies. Removing spent flowers will greatly increase the flowering time. This trailing selection will not become a troublesome spreader. Further details for Campanula ‘Birch Hybrid’ Optimal Growing Conditions Sun Exposure Full Sun or Partial Shade Soil Type Normal or Sandy or Clay Soil pH Neutral or Alkaline or Acid Soil Moisture Care Level Easy Appearance and Characteristics Flower Colour Purple Blooming Time Early Summer Mid Summer Late Summer Early Fall

Convallaria majalis Lily-of-the-Valley USDA Zone: 1-9 Plant number: 1.160.050 One of the most common of old-fashioned perennials, and a favourite for growing as a groundcover in shady areas. Plants form a spreading clump of large green leaves, bearing short spikes of fragrant white bells in late spring. Takes a year or two to establish, then spreads quickly. May go dormant in summer. Tolerant of poor soils, even dry shade, but prefers a rich, moist soil. Protect from afternoon sun. Easy and adaptable, this will even grow well in tubs or mixed containers. CAUTION: Toxic if eaten. CAUTION: Do not discard unwanted plants in any natural areas, as they will establish themselves and become invasive. Further details for Convallaria majalis Optimal Growing Conditions Sun Exposure Partial Shade or Full Shade Soil Type Normal or Sandy or Clay Soil pH Neutral or Alkaline or Acid Soil Moisture Average or Dry or Moist Care Level Easy Appearance and Characteristics Flower Colour White Blooming Time Mid Spring Late Spring Foliage Color Deep Green

Grows in full sun to about 3'. Does not require staking like the taller varieties. This handsome variety has dark blue shades with blue-black centers (called bees). Most intense blue of all delphiniums.

Grows in full sun to about 3'. Does not require staking like the taller varieties.

The first compact series of Delphinium available. Delphina is notable for a naturally compact habit grow 14-18''' high by 12'' wide in full sun

The first compact series of Delphinium available. Delphina is notable for a naturally compact habit grow 14-18''' high by 12'' wide in full sun

FIRE STAR, is a hybrid dianthus cultivar derived from alpine dianthus. FIRE STAR is a member of the Star Series resulting from a breeding program of John Whetman (HR Whetman and Sons) in Devon, England. It is noted for its compact growth, fragrant blooms, abundant flowering and extended bloom period. Narrow, lanceolate, glaucous, gray-green leaves typically form a dense mounded cushion to 5-7” tall. Leaves are evergreen in warm winter climates. Fragrant (clove-scented), red flowers with a deeper crimson eye appear in a lengthy late spring to early summer bloom on stems rising slightly above the foliage mound to 8” tall. Flowers bloom 3-5 per stem. Flowering may continue sporadically throughout the summer.

This steady performer has everything you could want in a fern-leaved bleeding heart: astonishing vigor, sun and heat tolerance, bright rose heart-shaped flowers that appear from late spring into fall, and lacy, soft blue-green foliage. Unlike the Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart, 'King of Hearts' will not go dormant in midsummer as long as the soil is kept moist. Rather, it will enchant passersby all season long. Grows 8-12'' high and wide

Hart's Tongue Fern's attractive glossy narrow leaves remain green in colour throughout the year. Usually grows 2' high and wide

Common Name: Blanket Flower A 2005 All-American Selection and winner of the 2005 Fleuroselect Gold Medal. This compact and uniform perennial produces masses of large, 3" diameter, fiery orange-red blooms tipped by a ring of rich flame yellow. Butterflies are highly attracted to its bright colors. Since these plants bloom from early summer into fall, they will provide continuous color in containers and will keep those vases full of fresh blanket flower bouquets all season long. These perennials require little care once established. They are heat tolerant and actually prefer to be grown in poorer soils. They get their name from the manner in which they used to blanket North American prairies with their blooms. They can still be found in fields and along roadsides in the prairie region and into the Rockies.

This low-growing selection forms a trailing mat of grey-green leaves. The soft-pink flowers have a deep purple eye and veins, appearing on and off from early summer. Terrific in the rock garden, alpine trough, wall or for edging a border or pathway. Shear plants by half in midsummer if flowering stops, to encourage bushy growth and repeat blooming in autumn. Easily divided in spring. Sun Exposure Full Sun or Partial Shade

A smaller scale grass that's perfect for containers or filling spaces in the garden. Thin green leaves have narrow creamy white margins with the variegation taking on very subtle pink-blush tone in cooler temperatures. Light green seed heads pop up slightly above the foliage and age to tan. Best in full sun but tolerates light shade. Height: 12.0 Inches Spread: 16.0-18.0 Inches Scape Height: 24.0-28.0 Inches Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9 Flower Color: Tan shades Foliage Color: Green shades Variegated Sunlight: Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron' (Japanese Blood Grass)www.gardenia.net › plant › imperata-cylindrica-red-bar... Striking and eye-catching with its brilliant crimson leaves, Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron' (Japanese Blood Grass) is a very distinctive ornamental grass. It produces upright, bright green blades whose upper half turns cranberry-red in summer and deepens to burgundy until late fall, before it goes dormant in winter. Grows slowly to 1-2' high by 18'' wide Grows in full sun