Celandine Poppy, Stylophorum diphyllum
Celandine poppy or wood poppy will soon be opening its bright yellow flowers in shade and woodland gardens throughout the area. Learn more about this eastern US native perennial in this article…
Perennials Selection
Fountain Grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides
Ornamental grasses add interest in the landscape, especially at this time of year. Fountain grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides, is a nice short-stature grass for the home garden. Learn more about this plant in this article…
Yellow Coneflower, Echinacea paradoxa
If you were the only plant with yellow flowers in a genus of all purple-flowered plants, you might get the name “paradox”, too. At least until the recent development of yellow and orange cultivars of purple coneflower, Echinacea paradoxa was the only plant in its genus with yellow flowers. Learn more about this interesting plant in this article…
Nodding Onion, Allium cernuum
Ornamental onions can be nice additions to the landscape. If you’re looking for something a little different than the “ball on a stick” look, check out Allium cernuum. This native species, called nodding onion, has drooping umbels of pink flowers. Read more about nodding onion in this article…
Yellow Foxglove, Digitalis grandiflora
Most people are familiar with the purple or white-flowered biennial foxglove. Did you know there is a perennial species with yellow flowers? Lean more about this attractive plant in this article…
Prairie Smoke, Geum triflorum
Geum triflorum is an attractive little prairie plant that easily makes the transition to a perennial border or rock garden to charm you with both its nodding pink flowers and wispy seedheads. Learn more about this interesting native plant in this article…
Early Gems in the Rock Garden
My rock garden is where the first perennials, other than bulbs, bloom in my yard. Read about a few of my favorites that are the first to flower each spring. Several of these don’t need to be restricted to gravelly soils and would be a good addition to a small scale border where they can be appreciated up close. See these cute plants on display in this article…
Lychnis ×arkwrightii 'Vesuvius'
If you’re looking for a plant with purplish leaves in the spring and bright orange flowers, look no further Lychnis ×arkwrightii ‘Vesuvius’. This plant related to rose campion commands attention when it’s in bloom for a few weeks in early- to mid-summer. If you want to know more about this rarely-used perennial, read this article…
Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium
Native prairie grasses are well adapted to our region and can be a nice addition to the manicured garden as well as in natural settings. Little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, is one with nice blue summer foliage and reddish fall color. Read more about this pretty grass in this article…
Allium senescens ssp. glaucum
Asters, mums and pansies are the standard flowers for fall. But there are other perennials that are just getting going in the fall, too. The late-flowering Allium senescens var. glaucum offers purple-pink flowers at this time of year, and a fun display of swirled blue-green foliage the rest of the growing season. Read more about this ornamental onion in this article…
Blackberry Lily, Belamcanda chinensis or Iris domestica
Flowers that resemble an exotic lily, leaves like an iris, seed clusters that look like a blackberry, and lots of different names – put them all together and what do you get? The former Belamcanda chinensis, of course! For a more extensive explanation of this plant and its new name, read this article…
Japanese Forest Grass, Hakonechloa macra
There are few grasses that perform well in the shade that also have ornamental value. One of the best is Japanese Forest Grass or Hakone Grass, Hakonechloa macra. Learn about this perennial grass in this article…
