 | Plant #1 - Geranium ‘Rozanne’ |
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Selected as the 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year. This is one of the best recent Cranesbill introduction, excellent for long-season display and leagues better than older garden forms such as ‘Johnson’s Blue’. It forms a midsized mound of deeply-cut green leaves, bearing loose clusters of bright violet-purple cup-shaped flowers starting in early su...
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| Plant #2 - Primula ‘Wanda’ |
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Primrose flowers are a true sign of spring, and they combine so beautifully with all kinds of flowering bulbs. This is an extremely popular and ancient heirloom variety, bearing magenta-purple flowers that smother the bright green leaves in early spring. Perhaps the toughest Primrose of them all, plants quickly spread to form a large clumps that can be shared with friends and neighbours. Divide plants every 2 to 3 years in early fall, to main...
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| Plant #3 - Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ |
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A terrific low evergreen groundcover for sunny areas with poor dry soil. This forms a trailing mat of succulent golden-yellow leaves. Clusters of yellow starry flowers appear during the summer. When planted in containers or on a wall this develops a beautiful cascading habit. Plants may be pruned back at any time if they get too large. Foliage sometimes develops beautiful amber tones in the autumn and winter. Does well in large rock gardens w...
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| Plant #4 - Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Clementine Rose’ |
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A unique series of Columbine, featuring fluffy double flowers that resemble a small Clematis bloom, held upfacing on stems, well above the lacy green foliage mound. This selection produces blooms in shades of rose pink with a yellow center. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. Great in containers. Removing spent flowers will increase the blooming time. Great in containers. Since Columbines are relatively short lived, allow some of the plan...
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| Plant #5 - Epimedium × perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten’ |
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Barrenwort are superb shade-garden plants, excellent for edging or groundcover, and deserving much wider use in our gardens. This German selection forms a bushy, evergreen mound of green leaves, marbled in bronze. Sprays of bright yellow flowers appear in mid to late spring. Although they will take a couple of years to reach a mature size, plants are long-lived and very sturdy. Old leaves should be pruned to the ground in late winter to show ...
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| Plant #6 - Pulmonaria longifolia subsp. cevennensis |
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Despite their unfortunate common name, Lungworts are among the most dependable and showy spring-blooming perennials, and many types have attractive foliage throughout the season. This form is found growing wild in France, and features large clusters of deep violet-blue flowers on the ends of arching stems. Foliage is very long and narrow, dark green with silver spots. Plants should be cut back hard immediately after blooming, to rejuvenate th...
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| Plant #7 - Armeria maritima ‘Rubrifolia’ |
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Thrift are native to seaside cliffs, and are durable perennials for most any sunny location. This unusual selection forms a low tufted mound of grassy purple-black leaves, with contrasting magenta-pink pompon flowers for many weeks starting in late spring. Trim off the spent flowers to encourage repeat blooming. Good rock garden or edging plant, also excellent in alpine trough gardens. Especially nice when planted together with the more commo...
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| Plant #8 - Phlox subulata ‘White Delight’ |
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There are many selections of Moss Phlox, all of them forming a low mound or cushion of dark green needle-like leaves, smothered by tiny flowers in late spring. This variety produces a showy display of large snow-white flowers. Clip plants lightly immediately after blooming to encourage a dense habit. Wonderful in the sunny rock garden, for edging, or in mixed containers. Clumps may be ripped apart and divided in early fall, after 3 to 4 years...
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| Plant #9 - Silene dioica ‘Valley High’ |
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An interesting edging or rock garden perennial, this produces a low mound of olive-green leaves with streaky creamy-yellow to white margins. Clusters of small magenta-pink flowers are a pleasing accent in late spring. Also suitable for mixed containers or along pathways. The slightly sticky flower stems have led to the common name Catchfly. May stay evergreen in mild winter regions. Clip plants lightly after blooming to remove the spent flowe...
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| Plant #10 - Mertensia virginica |
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(=M. pulmonarioides) Virginia Bluebells are native to most of Eastern North America where they grow in moist woodland areas. Plants produce upright mounds of grey-green leaves, bearing clusters of dangling pink buds that open into bright sapphire-blue bells. This will become dormant by midsummer, so use other plants to hide any gaps left behind. Hostas and ferns both work well as companions. Once clumps become established they will slo...
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