Plant Information Resource Center

Upright spikes of purple and white flowers in early summer. Glossy, deeply lobed leaves with spiny margins form large clumps. Reliable and vigorous. Acanthus leaves have a classical appearance and were the source of the Corinthian leaf motif developed and used as a decoration in ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture.

Golden-yellow flower clusters are 3-4" wide on strong stems. Fernlike foliage is gray-green and wooly.

Clump-forming yarrow with flat-topped canary yellow flower clusters and bright silver, ferny foliage. Blooms over a long period. Will rebloom if cut back.

Luscious apple-red and paprika colored flowers with sulphur yellow centers appear in flat clusters atop tall stems. Gray-green ferny foliage forms a compact, spreading mound.

Dainty bright green fronds on shiny black stems create a light, airy texture. Spreads by shallow rhizomes to form a dense groundcover . Thrives in moist, loose, rich soil.

Green foliage with creamy white margins. Flowers are inconspicuous. A good ground cover but can be aggressive. Best if planted in a contained area.

Tall racemes of deep purple, nearly black buds open to light violet blue in midsummer and keep coming late into fall. A sterile form that won't turn weedy in the garden. Tolerates heat and drought.

Purple-blue flower spikes from mid- to late summer attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Foliage is very fragrant.

Aromatic dark green, upright foliage with the scent of black licorice. Vibrant violet-purple flowers July through September. Heat and drought tolerant. Attracts songbirds. Zone 6.

Dark, dark burgundy, glossy foliage with roundly scalloped margins forms a low, dense ground cover. Short spikes of blue flowers in mid- to late spring.

Petite selection forms a dense mat of foliage. Narrow, shiny leaves are chocolate with burgundy highlights. Light blue flower spikes appear in April. Stunning show of color when planted in mass.

Deep black-purple, single flowers are produced on tall, sturdy stalks in midsummer. Spotlight Series is being introduced by Jelitto in 2010 with four single color strains including deep black-purple, red, yellow, and white. Other than their fabulous blossoms, one of the best traits about this series is that the plants are truly perennial—not biennial—and they bloom the first year from seed.

This selection produces tall, sturdy spikes of red, ruffled, fully double flowers. They open from the bottom of the stalk to the top over a long period.

This selection produces tall, sturdy spikes of yellow, ruffled, fully double flowers. They open from the bottom of the stalk to the top over a long period.

Excellent gray-green foliage with tiny, star-shaped, green-yellow blooms. Slightly larger than the species yet remains compact and well behaved.

Long lasting rosy purple 2" globes bloom mid to late July, later than other Allium varieties. Compact variety. Bright green, clump-forming foliage is one of the earliest to emerge in spring. Highly resistant to deer and rabbits and mildew. Drought tolerant, long lived perennial. Attracts butterflies.

Long lasting lavender-pink 2” globes bloom mid to late July, later than other Allium varieties. Bright green, clump-forming foliage is one of the earliest to emerge in spring. Highly resistant to deer and rabbits and mildew. Drought tolerant, long lived perennial. Attracts butterflies.

Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) exhibits a unique display of both foliage and flowers. Spikes of iridescent purple flowers appear atop the delicate silver-gray foliage in the heat of mid-summer. Extremely long-lived, this is one of the few true shrubs of the prairie. Leadplant's deep taproot makes it extremely drought tolerant. Thrives in any well-drained soil.

Long racemes of purple flower bloom in May and June. Foliage has shrub-like habit and pinnately compound leaves. Grows along stream banks and moist woods.

Pale blue star-like flowers in April and May. Narrow, feathery shrub-like foliage is green in summer, turning brilliant golden-yellow in the autumn. Excellent when massed.

Clusters of pale blue, star-like flowers grace a substantial mound of shiny, leathery leaves in May. Foliage often turns gold in fall. An easy-care native of the Ozarks.

Loose clusters of lilac blue star-shaped flowers bloom in May. Willow like leaves turn a stunning shade of yellow-orange in autumn. Drought tolerant. Easy to grow. Midwest native.

Plump navy blue buds open to vivid periwinkle blue, star-shaped flowers in Ma'y.considerably longer and stronger than the species with 5 weeks or more of color. More compact and darker blue flowers than the species. Willow like leaves turn a stunning shade of yellow in autumn.

King of native grasses! Blue-green foliage that can reach 8' tall forms distinctive seed heads in late summer. Nice red color in fall. Ideal as a background plant, specimen or in naturalized plantings.

Single white flowers with yellow center on tall graceful stems August through October. Dark green foliage forms attractive compact mound. Spreads by creeping rhizomes.

Japanese anemones are the perfect perennial to incorporate into your late summer and fall gardens. ‘Pamina’ comes into its prime just as other plants are beginning to retire for the season. From late summer into mid-fall, deep rosy pink 2.5" double flowers top tall, graceful stems which sway beautifully in the wind. Individual petals are elongated and daisy-like. Try planting Japanese anemones with other fall bloomers such as asters, snakeroot, and toad lilies.

Semi-double pure white flowers are 4" across blooming September and October.

Spring blooming Anemone has pure white, fragrant flowers with yellow stamens. Blooms rise above foliage on sturdy stems in April. Interesting white, wooly seed heads follow flowers. Spreads by rhizomes.

Pure white center surrounded by dark violet, shiny petals and spurs. The name honors the memory of the victims of the Columbine High School tragedy in Colorado. Proceeds benefit organizations that promote diversity and tolerance in schools.

Long spurred yellow, upward facing blooms appear above upright silver gray foliage.

Lots of red and yellow nodding flowers for many weeks from late April until mid June. A great source of early nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. Found naturally on rocky ledges and wooded rocky slopes.

This deciduous perennial offers huge, compound foliage with leaflets to six inches, chartreuse-yellow in color, shading to pale lime, in contrast to its red-brown stems. A striking foliage plant for a cool, moist and shaded position rich loam. In late summer, tiny white flowers on radiating stems appear, followed by small purple (inedible) berries. Foliage and stems disappear for winter.

Long-blooming, hot pink flowers on compact plants bloom late April through early June with grass-like foliage.

Mounding, feathery, aromatic, silver foliage. Good filler plant. Drought tolerant. Foliage resists late season frost damage, thus maintaining garden interest into early winter.

Finely cut, soft, silver foliage forms a neat, rounded mound. Drought tolerant. Noninvasive variety. Insignificant flowers. Prefers poorly fertile soil. Cut back in late spring to avoid "melting out".

Large wands of frothy, creamy white flowers in May and June. Foliage is similar to astilbe but growth habit is shrub-like. A good native for woodland gardens.

A striking specimen plant with stiff, upright, variegated leaves. Plants resemble huge corn plants. Heat tolerant but needs moist, well-drained soil. Hardy with winter protection.

A deciduous ground cover with soft green, kidney-shaped leaves. Inconspicuous greenish brown flowers in April and May. Forms large colonies in cool, moist woodland areas. Very good deciduous ground cover for the shade garden.

Clusters of long-lasting vanilla-scented rose-pink flowers are butterfly magnets in July and August. A host plant for Monarch larvae, and a nectar plant for many butterfly species. Grows best in moist soils, but tolerates drier conditions.

Large 3-4" clusters of fragrant vanilla-scented rose-pink flowers in July and August over lush green foliage attract butterflies and beneficial insects from midsummer to early fall. Grows best in moist soils but tolerant of drier conditions.

Large clusters of long-lasting, small white flowers. Host plant for the monarch butterfly and a great nectar plant for many other butterfly species. As the common name suggests, this species grows best in moist soil but will tolerate drier conditions.

Abundance of bright orange flowers June through August. Host plant for the monarch butterfly and a superior nectar plant for many other butterfly species. Requires well-drained soil.

Clusters of vibrant yellow flowers bloom for many weeks. Host plant for the monarch butterfly and a superior nectar plant for many other butterfly species.

Light blue flowers for four to six weeks from late summer through early fall. Clean compact foliage is resistant to mildew and rust.

Pale pink flowers with yellow centers for four to six weeks from late summer through early fall. Clean compact foliage is resistant to mildew and rust. Easy to grow. Tolerates clay soils.

Purple-blue flowers with yellow centers for four to six weeks from late summer through early fall. Clean compact foliage is resistant to mildew and rust.

Large white flower heads.

A very low dense carpeting groundcover that is smothered with single white flowers with gold centers in September. A good strong grower and totally new look for Asters. Makes and excellent container plant.

Blooms August and September. AKA Symphyotrichum novae-angliae.

Heavy blooming with deep purple flowers late July or early August and continuing through September and October. Densely compact mounded growth habit. While this plant may appear leggy in a container on the retail shelf, Purple Dome exhibits outstanding landscape performance and still offers the richest purple flower among all Asters. AKA Symphyotrichum novae-angliae.

A charming native with masses of blue-purple daisy like flowers blooming July through frost. Blue-green foliage forms tidy, compact, self-supporting mound and is aromatic when crushed. Neat, dome-shaped habit. AKA Symphyotrichum oblongifolium.

Dozens of blue flowers with yellow centers bloom in September and October. The foliage is blue-green and stems are dark. Butterflies love the nectar. AKA Symphyotrichum oolentangiense.

Bright lavender-purple plumes are dense and fuzzy. Shiny dark green foliage is attractive even when the plant is not in bloom.

Creamy white plumes turn light pink as they age. Bushy foliage is somewhat marbled with green & silver when young. Vigorous, prolific bloomer; holds up under sun and drought. PPAF

A big, bold astilbe with dense, poker-like purple-red flower plumes in June and July. Very unique and useful tall Astilbe best placed in the back of the garden border. AKA Purple Candles.

Upright raspberry red plumes are sweetly scented. Deep bronze-green foliage. Tougher than arendsii types, A. chinensis grows best in moist soil but will tolerate temporary drought without burning. Blooms mid- to late-season.

Pink flowers on sturdy upright stems late May through early July. Shiny dark green foliage. Very robust and floriferous. More drought resistant than A. arendsii types. Late season bloomer.

Deep purple-red flower buds open dark lavender on sturdy upright stems in June and July. Foliage is bronze-green. Very robust and floriferous. More drought resistant than A. arendsii types. Late season bloomer.

Lilac-pink fluffy flower plumes June through August on graceful, fernlike foliage mounds . Dwarf variety spreads to form an excellent ground cover. Needs consistent moisture for best performance.

Pure white, open lacy panicles in May and June above glossy deep green foliage. Early to midseason bloomer.

Dark magenta-red flower plumes rise above foliage in June. Glossy green, fern-like foliage, emerges bronze in spring. Stems are dark red. Thrives in moist conditions. Early to midseason bloomer.

Dense, pyramidal flower clusters are delicate peach with a hint of pink. Early blooming species blooms in mid May and early June. Fern-like mounds of glossy green foliage is sometimes tinged with red. Requires some sun to bloom.

Clear rose-pink flowers are held in large, diamond-shaped panicles. Very floriferous and vigorous. Large, mid-green leaves. One of the best early pink Astilbes.

Frothy profusion of pure white flowers. Midseason bloomer.

Blood red flowers are presented in upright spires. Foliage is mahogany red in spring, turning green by summer. Very popular selection. Midseason bloomer.

Bright green, lacy fronds arise from creeping rhizomes. Clumps are dense and upright. Vigorous and easy to grow.

Vibrant burgundy stems stand out against light green lacy fronds. Foliage is upright and arching. Naturalizes by creeping rhizomes.

Fringed leaflets form a criss-cross pattern creating a unique texture. Foliage is upright and arching. Tolerates drier conditions than most ferns. Vigorous grower.

Stunning silvery fronds are accented with dark maroon midribs. New growth emerges with a ghostly white hue maturing to silver. Striking upright, clump forming habit. A hybrid of A. n. Pictum (Japanese Painted Fern) and A. filix-femina (Lady Fern).

Showy silvery-grey fronds with purple-red veining and stems. Low, mounding habit. Brightens dark spots in shade border. Partners well with purple and red foliage plants. A tough fern for the Midwest. Easy to grow. 2001 Illinois Perennial Plant of the Year.

Deep indigo blue flowers much more vibrant than B. australis and a perfect plant habit are the key features of this new variety. An excellent floral display occurs in late spring to early summer. The deep blue-green foliage forms a more compact, upright mound to 3ft tall at maturity. ‘Blueberry Sundae’ is a vigorous grower and the foliage looks great all summer. Ornamental seed pods extend the season of interest into fall. PROVEN WINNER.

An unusually beautiful and unique flower color as well as densely branched foliage set this new variety apart. Deep maroon buds open to bicolor maroon and yellow flowers held on strong scapes above the blue-green foliage in late spring to early summer. Secondary branching on the flower stems makes this variety especially floriferous. Well-branched stems form a bushy, upright spreading mound of foliage that is relatively short for Baptisia. It is a good candidate for the middle of the flower border. Ornamental seed pods extend the season of interest into fall.

You’ll be impressed with the excellent vigor of this yellow flowered selection. It forms an upright, vase-shaped mound of attractive blue-green foliage topped with long, charcoal stems which carry the lemon yellow flowers in late spring to early summer. The contrast of dark stems with light flowers really pops in the landscape, delivering an excellent floral display. Ornamental seed pods extend the season of interest into fall. Plants are very long-lived once established. PROVEN WINNER.

Large spikes of blue-purple lupine-like flowers held aloft on charcoal gray stems. Gray-green, clover-like foliage. Black seed pods form after flowering.

Unique deep violet-purple flowers highlighted by a lemon-yellow keel held above handsome foliage. Inflorescences can be up to 32 inches long!

White flowers with black stems in May into early June. Slightly weeping habit. Native.

Creamy yellow, pea-like flowers on arching stems. Ornamental black seed pods. Handsome blue-green foliage. A long-lived, trouble-free native of our prairies and open woods. May need support if grown in less than full sun.

Sword-shaped, iris-like leaves precede a multitude of midsummer spotless yellow, star-shaped blooms. Pear-shaped tan seed pods open to reveal clusters of blackberry-like seeds, which persist into winter. More compact than the species.

Narrow leaves form compact clumps that turn an attractive gold in autumn with interesting reddish orange flowers and seed heads that are carried to one side of the stem. Attractive to birds and very drought tolerant.

Narrow green leaves variegated with a bright gold midrib. Similar to 'Karl Foerster' with its distinct upright clumping habit and attractive feathery plumes from early summer through fall. PPAF

Clump-forming, warm season grass with bright green leaves reaching about 2 feet. In late summer blooms emerge with a pink tint and reach 3 to 4 feet. The feathery flowers fade to cream in fall and finish in a straw color in winter. A graceful addition to the shade or part shade garden! Will also tolerate sun with sufficient moisture. One of the few flowering grasses that is happy in the shade. Wonderful for cut flowers.

Plumes of delicate white flowers float over shiny mint-scented foliage June through October. Dense, mat forming foliage makes good edging plant. Excellent habit; stays upright without flopping. Heat and drought tolerant.

Plumes of delicate light blue flowers float over shiny mint-scented foliage from early summer to fall. Use in rock gardens, herb gardens and perennial borders. Grow in full sun with good drainage.

Cup shaped magenta flowers bloom June through August. Rambling flower stems are more erect than those of the similar C. inbolucrata. Long tap root provides good drought tolerance buts makes transplanting of established plants more difficult.

Showy, cup-shaped magenta flowers bloom June through frost. Foliage forms trailing stems that forms excellent ground cover or hangs over walls. Drought tolerant.

Woody vine with root-like holdfasts that attaches to any surface. Hummingbirds feed on nectar produced by clusters of orange-red trumpet-shaped flowers from July-September. Brown seed pods, up to 6" long form in late summer. Leaves are lustrous dark green.

Compact, clump forming sedge with shiny, semi-evergreen foliage. Vigorous grower. Widely adaptable, preferring dry to moderate moisture conditions. A Midwest native.

Missouri Native sedge with attractive yellow flower spikelet's and compact tufts of fine foliage. Flowers form in May, seeds in June. aka C. brachyglossa

Soft, thread-like, green foliage forms a spherical clump. Insignificant whitish-green flowers in April. Occurs naturally in limestone outcrops but also tolerates acid conditions.

Bright gold foliage changing to light green later in the season. Requires consistent moisture to thrive. Provides bright accent in the shade garden.

Evergreen sedge forms attractive clumps of narrow, blue-green leaves. Thrives in moist conditions but will tolerate drought. An American native groundcover for shade. Greenish-white flower is insignificant.

Hardy grass-like plant with green foliage. Bristle-like, brown seed heads in May to September. Native to floodplain woodlands. AKA Bristly Cattail Sedge.

Steel blue semi-evergreen grass-like foliage. Colonizes to form a graceful ground cover. Thrives in moist soil but tolerates some drought. Provides winter interest.

Attractive, evergreen pleated foliage is lime green in full sun and dark green in part shade. Spiked flowers in May form star-like seed heads. A Midwest native.

Bright, creamy yellow leaves with green margins form dense graceful clumps. Semi-evergreen foliage provides winter interest. Prefers moist, rich soil but will tolerate some drought.

Evergreen sedge has silvery blue foliage forming dense rounded clumps. Insignificant flower spikes appear in late spring. A strong growing clump former and good naturalizer.

Clear white margins on dark green leaves form compact, dense, colonizing tufts. Establishes quickly. Outstanding glasslike plant for the shade garden! Provides year round interest. An excellent, very winter hardy alternative to variegated Liriope.

A dense, clump-forming sedge which is grown for its foliage effect. Produces rigid, erect stems to 20" tall with 8" long, pointed, grass-like, light green leaves radiating from the stem tops. Commonly called palm sedge since the leaves somewhat superficially resemble miniature palm fronds. A Missouri native which is found most often in wooded swamps and on wooded flood plains of rivers. Spread by rhizomes and self-seeding. Insignificant flowers appear in May on terminal spikes which are not showy but are noticeable and of some interest and persist throughout the summer. Foliage promptly turns yellow after frost. Species is named for the Muskingum River in Ohio.

Finley textured bright green leaves forms dense clumps. Dwarf selection maintains a neat and very uniform growth habit. Prefers consistently moist and fertile soil. Spreads by rhizomes.

A compact sedge with arching, semi-evergreen, fine-texture foliage. An excellent shade to part shade groundcover. Tolerant of tough urban conditions, especially under trees. An American native.

Fine textured, grass-like, medium green foliage forms a tidy clump. A drought tolerant groundcover for shady sites. A Midwest native.

A wetland native that grows in 2-3' tall clumps about 2' wide. As old leaves die, they build up around the living plant, making a "tussock" or little hill. It grows in or near water and spreads by rhizomes.

Missouri native sedge grows on moist open ground in swamps, wet prairies or near water, is one of the most abundant sedges in the state. Foliage consist of narrow grass-like leaf blades. The seed heads, which spray out attractively from the center of the clump, resemble a fox's tail but are short-lived.

Cornflower-blue, fringed blooms that attract butterflies like magnets. Blooms in June and July.

A profusion of cherry red flowers on top of glaucous foliage with a spreading habit. Cut back after the first bloom to encourage repeat bloom. Prefers well-drained, infertile, alkaline soil.

Blooms late June or July.

Long blooming gentian blue flowers from late June or July through frost. Glossy green leaves turn reddish bronze in autumn. Excellent, long-lived groundcover tolerates a wide range of conditions. Not evergreen. An excellent ground cover.

Upright clumps of bamboo-like foliage. Green foliage turns copper in fall and brown in winter. Attractive flat flower spikes hang down from flowering stems. Prefers light shade and damp locations. Can self-sow.

White spike flowers with a tinge of pink appear August through October. Flowers look like a turtle's head. Deep green foliage on upright stems looks good all season. A Midwest native.

Hooded, white, snapdragon-like flowers bloom August to October. Flowers resemble the head of an open mouthed turtle. Dark green foliage. Usually grows 3-4' but may grow to 6' in optimal conditions.

Dense spikes of rose red flowers for four weeks in late summer. Foliage is deeper green than the species. Stems are red and new spring growth has a bronze tint.

Huge rose pink flowers with white central bars and yellow stamens are highly fragrant. Largest flowers are 6-8" in May and June. Smaller flowers may appear in August and Sept. Attractive seed heads follow flowers and make excellent cut flowers.

Large silvery-mauve to white double flowers fade to silvery blue. Double flowers are 4-6" wide on old growth in May and June. Single flowers may appear on new growth in September and October.

Huge pure white flowers with yellow stamens. Blooms are 6-9" June through July with slightly smaller flowers August and September. Long blooming variety.

Huge pale orchid, wavy petals with a wide carmine central bar and yellow stamens. Largest flowers are 6-8"on old growth in May and June. Smaller flowers may appear on new growth in August and September.

Large fully double white rosette flower may be touched with green. Double flowers are 4-6" on old growth in May and June. Single flowers may appear on new growth in August and September

Huge bicolor flowers are bright purple with a wide reddish-pink bar and contrasting purple tipped stamens. Largest flowers are 6-8" on old growth May and June. Smaller flowers in August and September.

A compact, free-flowering selection producing large blue flowers with pale yellow anthers. Produces attractive seed heads.

Huge pure white flowers have purple anthers. Blooms are 6-8" May and June with slightly smaller flowers July thru September. Vigorous Grower. Long blooming variety.

Large creamy-white flowers have chocolate-red stamens. Blooms are 4-6" May and June with slightly smaller flowers July to September. Heirloom variety. Free flowering. Long blooming. One of the first large flowering varieties to bloom.

Large deep purplish-blue flowers have a light silvery blue central bar. Double flowers are 4-6" on old growth in May and June. Single flowers appear August through October. Performs best in light shade.

Pastel pink flowers with red bar. Blooms in May, June and September on new and old wood.

Cobalt-blue 2" bells. Free flowering May through September. Prune Group 3.

Large crimson-red flowers have contrasting yellow anthers and rounded petals. Blooms are 4-6" June through July with slightly smaller blooms August and September. Long blooming variety. Also known as Red Cardinal.

Huge magenta-red to pink flowers have black anthers. Blooms are 6-8" May through June with slightly smaller flowers July to October. Vigorous grower. Heavy bloomer. Compact size is good for containers.

Huge, rich purple-blue flowers have dark reddish-purple anthers. Blooms are 6-8" in May and June with slightly smaller flowers July to September. Attractive seed head. Vigorous. Long blooming. Easy to grow.

Tulip shaped,3",dark pink flowers have light pink margins and bright yellow anthers. Flowering starts in June and continues into September. Attractive seed heads. May be late to emerge. Tolerates heat and humidity. Cross between C. texensis and C.Bees Jubilee

Blooms September through October. (FKA Eupatorium coelestinum)

Tulip-like leaves coddle fragrant, white, bell-shaped flowers bloom late April and early May followed by tiny orange berries. Excellent ground cover for shade.

Golden yellow flowers with consistently fluted petals are produced atop a compact mound of foliage. Very floriferous! PPAF

A profusion of brilliant golden-yellow, semi double, flowers flushed orange-yellow at the center May through August. A 1989 All-America Selection winner.

Dwarf, mounding habit with large golden-yellow, semi-double to double flowers May through August.

Showy, single, gold-yellow flowers on tall stems in May and June.

Pale yellow flowers--much softer in color than those of our other native coreopsis--are carried on stiff, upright stems for several weeks, beginning in late spring. Spreads by rhizomes and seed, eventually forming large colonies.

Soft yellow blooms on compact mounds of bright green, threadleaf foliage. Similar to 'Moonbeam' but with larger flowers and improved mildew resistance. PPAF

Long-blooming, pale lemon flowers on mounds of needlelike foliage. [PPA-1992]

Bright golden yellow flowers on upright compact, vase-shaped plants with airy, fernlike foliage. Long bloom time. Easy to grow. Long lived species of coreopsis. Drought tolerant once established.

A native Missouri prairie clover which occurs in glades, rocky open woods and prairies in much of the state. It features tiny purple flowers in dense, cone-like heads atop erect, wiry stems late June through September.

A succulent, semi-evergreen, mat-forming cultivar with bright fuchsia flowers from May to fall. Foliage is covered with transparent flakes that resemble pieces of ice, thus the common name.

A fast spreading ground cover that produces a thick mat of bright green fronds. Crushed fronds smell of hay.

Compact, mounding plant with fluorescent pink flowers and spicy clove fragrance over evergreen, blue-gray foliage. Drought tolerant. Heaviest bloom in spring with some rebloom in autumn.

Shocking magenta-pink flowers shimmer over a dense mat of semi-evergreen blue-green foliage. Blooms heavily in May and June. Tolerates heat, humidity and some drought. 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year.

This is the old-fashioned favorite with nodding pink and white heart-shaped flowers. It is a lovely compliment to Hosta but foliage dies down in summer if temperatures are high and adequate moisture is not maintained.

Similar to D. spectabilis but with white flowers.

A tough perennial form of foxglove with upright spikes of tubular creamy-yellow flowers May through June. Compact growth habit. Deadhead to extend bloom. Tolerates clay soils.

Large white flowers with lavender shading and burgundy spotting inside appear all the way around the stems for a showy display. Will rebloom if deadheaded.

Large, deep rose-pink flowers with burgundy spotting inside appear all the way around the stems for a showy display. Will rebloom if deadheaded.

"Autumn Fern" refers to the coppery-orange color of the emerging fronds. Foliage matures to shiny dark green. A deciduous fern with an erect habit. A durable perennial fern for the Midwest.

Tough, adaptable evergreen fern with olive green arching fronds that grow in a vase shape. Established plants are reasonably drought tolerant. The leathery leaves of Dryopteris marginalis are a beautiful addition to the woodland garden and can form a lovely an easy to maintain groundcover. A sturdy east coast native, it forms a tidy clump that will not spread and is very tolerant of dry shade conditions once it has established. Marginal wood fern is often found in shaded crevices of rocky ledges and bluffs from Newfoundland to Georgia, west to Oklahoma and Minnesota.

Fragrant, light green flowers with green cones. Flowers hold their color as they age. Relatively short, upright habit.PP18803

Compact growth habit with frisbee-shaped, watermelon pink flowers in mid to late summer; very floriferous.

Adorable pink mini-coneflowers with soft yellow center. PPAF

Tall bare stems are topped by flowers with narrow, strap-like pink-purple petals. Tolerates very dry soil.

Each flower stem produces a single bloom with yellow ray petals around a brown cone-shaped seed head. A very drought tolerant Midwest native.

Rosy purple flowers with non-drooping petals. A Midwest native.

Intense rose-pink ray petals with a coppery-brown cone. Petals fade to pale pink as they age. Huge, flat flower heads with non-drooping petals. [PPA-1998]

Large flowers with white petals and orange cone bloom June through September. Sturdy foliage is well branched producing many flowers. Attracts gold finches. A seed selection of Echinacea purpurea.

Large flowers have rosy-purple horizontal rays and orange June through September. Sturdy foliage is well branched producing many flowers. Attracts gold finches. A seed selection of Echinacea purpurea.

Large, 4-6 inch wide, rose pink flowers are presented atop compact, well-branched plants. Blooms 2 weeks earlier than other varieties; flowering period extends from late June to the first frost!

Large carmine-red to purple flowers bloom June to August. Seed heads attract finches and other songbirds. Tolerant of drought, heat, humidity and poor soils. Said to be an improvement over `Magnus'.

Pure white ray petals reflex downward away from the coppery-brown, spiky central cone. Their fragrance attracts masses of butterflies.

Big bright yellow flowers on upright flower stalks in April and May. Spiny, evergreen, dark green foliage emerges bronze-pink and turn back to bronze in winter.. An excellent, slow-growing ground cover for dry shade.

Spurred yellow flower clusters appear above foliage in April. Attractive evergreen foliage emerges with reddish tint, mature to green and turns red in autumn. Perfect for dry shade under trees.

Lavender pink flowers in spring over small delicate foliage. An excellent, slow-growing ground cover for dry shade.

Bamboo-like, dark green stems are rigid, rough and hollow. Evergreen stems provide winter interest in water and bog gardens or in a low wet spot. Can be aggressive.

Clouds of tiny, fine textured flower panicles appear like reddish purple clouds hovering just about ground level. Foliage forms a 10" mat of twisty green foliage. Excellent fine textured accent for the late summer garden. Drought tolerant. An American native.

Robust, gray-green foliage grows 48" tall with silvery flower spikes that tower above the leaves in fall. Looks best with constant moisture but is considerably drought tolerant.

Iridescent 4" blue flower. Blue stems and silver foliage. Spectacular long-lasting cut flower.

Clusters of round, greenish white flower heads June through September on sword shaped, medium green foliage. Distinctive plant is an interesting cut flower. A drought-tolerant Midwest native.

This selection features lovely fuchsia-colored flowers over bright green foliage, and is smaller than most Joe Pye Weed varieties.

A compact Joe Pye Weed that needs no staking. Flowers are produced in the usual dome-shaped clusters. Mauve-purple flowers on dark purple stems and green foliage July through September. Butterfly magnet. An outstanding, underutilized shrub-like perennial. More tolerant of light shade that other E. purpureum.

Dramatic compact version with large, wine-red flower clusters.

Pink Bloom

Cheerful chartreuse flowers in spring contrast with purple-red foliage on a uniform, mounding habit. PPAF

Fine textured, semi-evergreen leaves create a mound of silvery-blue foliage. Foliage color intensifies in full sun and holds its color all summer. Requires sharp soil drainage. Enjoys sandy soils. Flowers are insignificant.

Fiery orange-red centers are ringed with bright yellow tips. Flowers bloom continuously creating a blanket of color. Heat tolerant. Attracts butterflies. Does not tolerate heavy clay soils. A 2005 All-America Selection winner.

Vibrant sunshine yellow blooms are 3" wide blooming continuously May through August. Mounding habit. Drought tolerant once established. 2010 All-America Selections winner.

A vigorous ground cover for moist, shady areas. Tiny, white, star-shaped flowers appear above a carpet of finely cut green leaves. Flowers and foliage are fragrant.

Brilliant, red-pink, 4-petaled flowers on wiry, red-tinged stems. Drought and heat resistant. Requires well-drained soil.

Bright white, 4-petaled flowers resembling tiny butterflies flutter above the foliage from early summer into fall. As the flowers age, they take on a hint of pink. This plant forms a basal mound of finely textured, dark green leaves. The flower stems are long, thin wands which blow freely in the wind while the flowers look like a cloud of butterflies. Gaura is a native North American wildflower; it is very drought and heat tolerant. Unlike the species, 'Whirling Butterflies' does not self-seed.

Large clear blue flowers with a small white eye. A long-blooming, compact form with finely cut foliage. Considered an improvement over `Johnson's Blue' due to it's less floppy growth habit.

Long-blooming, lavender-blue flowers on upright plants.

Large, violet-blue flowers with white centers bloom profusely from May through October. This is the longest blooming perennial geranium we have observed! Slightly marbled, deep green foliage forms spreading mounds. We consider this hardy geranium to be the finest selection in it's growth habit category! Heat tolerant. 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year. PP12175

Deep magenta 1" flowers bloom April through July. Thick, fragrant, clump forming foliage chokes out most weeds. Semi evergreen leaves are rounded and broadly lobed. Plants spread to form an effective ground cover. Foliage looks good all season, turning red-bronze in autumn.

Shell pink flowers with dark pink veins. Compact selection with small, deeply cut fragrant leaves. Foliage often turns red in autumn. Prefers protection from hot afternoon sun. Well drained soil is key. (syn `Lancastriense')

Clear white flowers. Deeply cut, glossy green leaves have a looser habit than the species. Very easy to grow. Plants are heat tolerant and prefer full sun.

Purple-pink flowers on compact mounded plants. Blooms May and June with sporadic rebloom. Glossy green foliage turns red in autumn. Prefers protection from hot afternoon sun. Well drained soil is key.

Long-blooming flowers are larger, have greater substance, and are a shade darker than the species. Deeply cut, glossy green leaves form a low-growing clump turning red in autumn. 2000 Illinois Perennial Plant of the Year.

Large white to pale pink flowers repeat bloom through the summer. Trailing stems with glossy leaves form an excellent colonizing ground cover.

Large rich, raspberry-pink flowers repeat bloom through the summer. Trailing stems with glossy leaves form an excellent colonizing ground cover. Raspberry-pink flowering form of 'Biokova'.

Brilliant solid gold foliage glows in the shade. Spreads slowly by stolons but is not invasive. Reddish-brown flowers.

Fast-growing, dark green glossy evergreen foliage will form climbing vine or trailing ground cover. Inconspicuous flowers on mature growth in October.

Bright steel blue leaves that tend to widen as they mature. Small, tan seed heads appear on tall stems.

Golden yellow daisy-like flowers bloom for weeks in summer and make good cut flowers. Seed heads are attractive to songbirds. Pinch for shorter, bushier plants.

The unique coloration of this variety is perfectly described by its name. Since it is from seed, each flower is a little different but all ‘Apricot Blush’ flowers fall in the color range of peachy yellow to apricot with varying degrees of bright rose veining, speckling, and picotee edges. Often the backs of the petals are marked with red pigments as well, which is a lovely touch for these downward facing blossoms. ‘Apricot Blush’ produces very large single flowers measuring about 3-4 inches across. It is an exceptionally vigorous selection that grows much like ‘Cherry Blossom’, a pink member of the series.

Like a diamond in the rough, this hellebore shines in early spring with its dramatic slate purple to Slate purple to near-black, single blossoms measuring about 2-2½" across. After setting seed, the petals turn a unique shade of slate green, continuing the interest long after the plants have finished blooming. The flowers are downward facing like most hellebores. The new foliage of this deep purple-black flowering selection is purple when it emerges in early spring before it matures into a lovely shade of green.

As sweet as the name implies, 'Cherry Blossom' is a mixed strain of exceptionally vigorous, soft pink picotee hellebores with very large 3" flowers. Some have an anemone center and most have a red starburst in the center. The flowers are downward facing like most hellebores, but the front and backs of the petals are marked with varying degrees of bright red veining and picotee edges

this variety is mixed strain of canary yellow hellebores so each plant is slightly different. Some are solid yellow, but most exhibit some degree of red veining and a red picotee edge. Some have a nicely contrasting red starburst center. The large 2-3" flowers are downward facing like most hellebores, but the backs of the petals are marked with colorful red veining.

Upward facing flower buds start out pink, opening to creamy white blooms late March and April. Flowers remain intact for 8-10 weeks. Glossy, gray-green, mounding foliage is evergreen.

Intense scarlet red sepals. Very sun tolerant. Petals have loosely ruffled edges. Recurved tepals with a small yellow watermark and green throat. More thrip resistant than most reds.

An improved 'Happy Returns' with larger flowers and continuous bloom right into early fall. Canary yellow flowers open just above the foliage. PROVEN WINNER.

Award winning, repeat blooming, ruffled, soft yellow flowers bloom profusely in June. Reblooms till frost. A Stella de Oro hybrid. Tolerates heat and humidity. Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigor. Diploid.

Lemon yellow, fragrant flowers are 7" across. Blooms mid-July then repeat blooms. Diploid.

Lightly ruffled, near white flowers with limestone-colored throats are 6" across. Excellent bud and branch count. Repeat blooming. Blooms late June to mid-July. Diploid.

Award winning miniature selection with lightly ruffled, purple petals and yellow throat. High bud count, blooming May through June. Tolerates heat and humidity. Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigor.

Lots of 6", bright yellow, ruffled flowers with heavy texture. Tetraploid.

Loads of cranberry red flowers with yellow-green throats are 3" across. Repeat blooming.

Compact growth producing ruffled, medium purple flowers with deep purple veining, paler purple midribs and a bright yellow throat. Long blooming period. Repeat blooms throughout the season.

First red, continuous blooming daylily that performs well in northern climates. Brilliant cherry red, ruffled blossoms have a brightly contrasting yellow halo and an apple green throat. They rest just above the dark green foliage, held up there like a bouquet all summer long. It is a vigorous grower that readily increases its foliage and like EARLYBIRD CARDINAL™, it produces several flower scapes per fan. This daylily begins blooming in early midseason and repeats bloom all the way into fall. In zone 7, there are typically about 105 day of bloom. And since it's an extended bloomer, each flower remains open for at least 16 hours. Brilliant color all season long on low maintenance plants—now that’s what today’s gardeners are looking for! Semi-evergreen diploid. This is considered a premium daylily, which means that it has been selected as highly performing plant with exceptional bloom performance, substantive, vibrantly colored flowers, complete winter hardiness in northern zones, and a vigorous habit. Daylilies can survive many harsh conditions that other plants cannot including: polluted city environments, slopes, poor and dry soils, near pavement that is salted in winter, and under Black Walnut trees (not affected by juglone).

The gigantic 9”, dark ruby red flowers are officially classified as “unusual form-spatulate” since the petals are long and spoon-shaped. The petals open very wide and flat, displaying the large, golden yellow throat and matching midribs nicely. Planted singly or en masse, this outstanding daylily is sure to make a huge visual impact in the landscape! Dormant tetraploid. Daylilies can survive many harsh conditions that other plants cannot including: polluted city environments, slopes, poor and dry soils, near pavement that is salted in winter, and under Black Walnut trees (not affected by juglone).

Repeat-blooming, dark red flowers with yellow throat bloom profusely in June. Reblooms till frost. A sister of Stella de Oro. Tolerates heat and humidity. Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigor.

Like a bouquet of peonies, this lovely cultivar produces an elegant display of fully double, peach colored, diamond dusted blossoms with ruffled petals in midsummer and then again later in the season. The fragrant blooms measure up to 6 inches across and have a rose blush band near the center of the flower. This cultivar is an extended bloomer, so the flowers remain open for at least 16 hours. Truly unique! Daylilies can survive many harsh conditions that other plants cannot including: polluted city environments, slopes, poor and dry soils, near pavement that is salted in winter, and under Black Walnut trees (not affected by juglone).

Award winning, repeat blooming, ruffled, bright gold flowers bloom profusely in May. Reblooms till frost. Foliage is compact. Tolerates heat and humidity. Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigor.

Strawberry pink blooms have a distinct rose red eye zone and a golden green throat. Flowers are 4 1/2" across. Early to midseason repeat bloomer. Tetraploid.

Hot pink flecks emerge on nearly-black foliage in spring and continue to enlarge and brighten before lightening to cream as the season progresses. PPAF

Smooth, rounded foliage emerges nearly true black. Unlike many other "black" foliage plants, it maintains its dark hue throughout the season. Tiny cream-colored flowers emerge on 24" spikes in early summer. PP14836

New leaves emerge fiery orange-red, maturing to peach in midseason and to plum purple in fall. Stalks of wispy white flowers rise over foliage in spring. Great color accent for the shade garden. PP17195

Shiny, plum colored leaves with dark purple veining and deep purple undersides. Semi-evergreen foliage forms compact mound. Small creamy flowers on slender wiry stems rise above foliage in June or July.. Excellent with variegated plants. EU3330

Unique silver-blue marbled foliage accented by white flowers on long panicles in May and June. Excellent drought tolerant ground cover. Foliage display is amazing!

Green-edged silver leaves with purple veins. Good fall color. An improvement over 'Ecomagnifolia'.

Crinkled, deep purple foliage fades to bronze-brown in summer. Small whitish flowers in late spring. [PPA-1991]

Clump forming green foliage forms rounded mound. New foliage has some white mottling or purple blush. Tiny, greenish flowers on slender stems 18-24" above foliage in May and June. Very winter hardy.

Compact mounding green foliage with relatively large, intense blood-red flowers held in well-branched panicles. Flowers are mildly fragrant and persist for 4-8 weeks.

Rounded mounds of velvety, light green, lobed and toothed foliage send up dense spikes of white flowers on slender but sturdy rusty-brown stems. A good choice for under-planting trees or other dry areas.

Blackish buds open to cranberry-scarlet flowers. Huge 7-8" wide blooms appear in July and August. Glossy deep green foliages has a slight purple overtone. Loves heat and humidity

White or pink flowers with red centers grow 4 to 5 in. across. Flowers open for many weeks in July through October.. Large fuzzy leaves and a shrublike form give this plant substantial bulk in the landscape. Plants generally break dormancy late in spring so be patient. Tolerates some shade but flower production is best in full sun. Tolerates heat and humidity.

Dark blue-green, seersuckered leaves with heavy substance display a unique cupped form up to 3 inches deep.White flowers appear just above the foliage on 22" scapes in early summer. Demonstrates good slug resistance.

Heavily corrugated gold leaves are 6" long and 5" wide. Leaves hold their color all season. White flowers in July.

Large size selection with gigantic, heavily textured, blue-green leaves. Foliage forms large, tiered mound. Light lavender flowers in June and July. One of the most vigorous blue hostas. Slug resistant. Cupped, heavily-textured blue leaves grow 16" long and 13" wide with time.

Adorable true miniature selection featuring thick, heart shaped blue-green foliage, forming a perfectly symmetrical mound. Lavender flowers appear in July. 2008 Hosta of the Year.

Large size selection featuring huge blue-gray, quilted foliage. White flowers on tall scapes in May and June. Tolerates dry shade. Slug resistant.

Largest hosta ever introduced. Huge, dark green, deeply veined foliage forms a tall and wide mound. Pale violet flowers rise just above foliage in July and August. PROVEN WINNER.

Small size selection has heart-shaped leaves with pure white centers and dark green margins have heavy substance. Lavender flowers on tall scapes bloom in July. Sun and slug resistant. A sport of 'Patriot'. Needs morning sun or filtered shade to thrive.

Medium size selection featuring dark green, slightly glossy foliage with clear white margins. Lavender flowers in June and July. Excellent sun tolerance. A classic hosta. Leaves grow 7" long and 5" wide. Variegation holds up well in sun.

Medium size selection featuring tidy yellow margins with an apple-green center. Light purple flowers in June and July. A vigorous grower.

Medium-large size selection featuring huge, apple green leaves with dark green margins. Foliage color intensifies with sun exposure. Fragrant, pale lavender flowers in July. Leaves are 11" long and 8" wide. American Hosta Growers' Association 2002 Hosta of the Year.

Medium-large size selection featuring frosty blue-green lance-shaped foliage. Deeply ribbed leaves are 8" long and 5" wide. Pale blue-violet flowers in abundance June and July. A vigorous grower. Thick foliage realizes great slug resistance. Retains blue color all season.

Medium size selection featuring blue-green foliage with irregularly shaped creamy gold centers. Pale bluish-lavender flowers appear in July and August. Needs some sunlight to develop the best color. Good leaf substance. Slug resistant. American Hosta Growers' Association 2001 Hosta of the Year.

Sport of H. 'Sagae'. Blue-green leaves have wide, dramatically streaked, yellow margins which fade to creamy-white later in the season. They are of much heavier substance, providing greater slug resistance. Lavender flowers appear on 40 inch scapes from early to midsummer. 2012 Hosta of the year.

Medium size selection featuring very dark green, slightly cupped foliage with a pure white margin. Foliage has good substance which provides some slug resistance. Lavender flowers in June and July. Sport of H. 'Francee'.

Medium size selection featuring slightly wavy, dark green foliage with wide white margins. Lavender flowers appear in July and August. Great heat and sun tolerance. Variegation remains fresh until frost. Really stands out in the garden. American Hosta Growers' Association 1997 Hosta of the Year.

This cute small hosta grows quickly to form a compact clump of thick, rugose, distinctly cupped leaves that are yellow with broad, deep green margins at maturity. The centers of the leaves are chartreuse in spring and brighten as the season progresses. Light lavender flowers are produced in early to midsummer.

Upright, narrow, tightly folded leaves resemble hands folded in prayer. Dark green leaves are heavily rippled with very narrow, gold margins. Leaves have a matte finish above but are folded, revealing their shiny undersides. Lavender flowers on 18" scapes are abundant in late summer. Slug resistant. 2011 Hosta of the year.

Foliage with heavy substance, frosty green centers and broad, creamy yellow edges. Heart-shaped leaves with wavy edges are 12" long and 10" wide. Upright, vase-shaped habit. Pale lavender blooms. American Hosta Growers' Association 2000 Hosta of the Year.

Large size selection has huge 10.5 inch long brilliant gold leaves with dark green margins. Large fragrant lavender flowers on tall scapes bloom July and August. A sport of 'Guacamole'. American Hosta Growers' Association 2006 Hosta of the Year.

One of the largest Hostas available. Huge glossy leaves are thick-textured giving them good slug and deer resistance. Leaf color varies with light conditions from light green to chartreuse to gold. Pale lavender flowers on tall scapes in July and August. More sun tolerant than most hostas. American Hosta Growers' Association 2004 Hosta of the Year.

Playful ruffled green foliage has a cream margin from the tip to the petiole. Foliage has a heavy substance and is slug resistant. Lavender flowers bloom in mid summer.

Medium size selection featuring dark green, textured leaves with wide, buttery yellow margins. Leaves are 7" long and 5" wide. Pale lavender to white flowers in July and August. A classic hosta.

Blue-green foliage with wide, gold margins.The wavy, tapering leaves can measure 10" long. Quickly forms a dense, mound with a cascading habit. Lavender flowers appear on 20" scapes in late summer. This hosta will catch your eye from quite a distance. Hostas are exceedingly popular perennials in today's gardens due to their versatility in the landscape. Their subtle colors, tall flower scapes, and broad, coarse leaves fill a niche in garden designs that few other plants can achieve. Their large leaves provide excellent coverage for dying bulb foliage. Hostas also grow well in city environments where the air may be polluted by car exhaust, etc.

Low, creeping woody shrub with rich green foliage. Large, bright yellow flowers with numerous, bushy stamens cover the plant in July and August. Spread by underground stems. Tolerates poor soils.

Cushion of evergreen foliage smothered in pure white flowers in 2-3" inflorescences.

Clusters of small, white flowers blanket the wide mound of narrow, evergreen leaves. The compact uniform habit makes it perfect for use as edging or ground cover.

Flamingo pink, lacy blooms with flaring falls. Prolific bloomer and winner of many awards, including the Dykes medal.

Clouds of pretty blue flowers float just above the foliage for two weeks in April or May. Unlike many iris, the foliage is handsome all through summer. Nice edging plant for the front of a shaded garden or path. Also a good slow moving ground cover.

Unusual copper color flower is a beardless variety native to swamps and wetlands. Flowers appear in May and June on tall scapes. Bright green foliage is sword shaped. Pollinated by hummingbirds.

An excellent accent plant with flattened, silvery white leaves with green stripes. Lilac-blue flowers are fragrant.

Blue-green leaves with white and cream streaking. Lavender-blue flowers. Foliage looks good all season. Grow in well-drained soil.

Like the species but new leaves are striped with yellow and green. Foliage turns solid green by midsummer.

Rich, velvet violet flowers bloom after German Iris. Refined, 1/2"-wide leaves form an upright clump that is handsome all summer. Less prone to iris borer and soft rot than other irises.

Delicate ivory-white flowers have a touch of gold near the throat. Blooms in May and June. Narrow, dark green, vase shaped foliage remains attractive all season. Considered one of the finest whites. Less prone to iris borer and soft rot than other irises.

This moisture-loving iris has fragrant, blue violet flowers with falls crested in yellow and white. Narrow, bright green leaves often lie on the ground or in water.

A native clump-forming wetland plant with dark green soft, round stems. An effective foliage accent for pools, ponds and stream sides. Will grow in shallow water or bogs. Foliage turns yellow in fall before turning brown. Insignificant golden flowers June through August. Attracts songbirds.

Long blooming daisy-like flowers are pale blue with yellow center. Bloom time is June through September. Compact green foliage is clump-forming. Excellent for the front of the border. Loves heat and humidity. Tolerates drought.

Flower spikes in mixed colors of creamy white, yellow, orange and red or shades of all four colors. A 1999 All-America Selection winner. Hardy to zone 6.

Exquisite blend of chartreuse, silver, medium and pale green foliage extends season of interest. Mauve flowers in May through July. Excellent groundcover brightens shady areas.

Forms a large mound of silver leaves creating a great backdrop for attractive clusters of bright orchid-purple flowers. Flowers appear May through August. Excellent for dry shade areas under trees.

Trailing stems bearing leaves with shimmering silver centers and blue-green margins. Showy, heavy blooming, pink flowers. Purported to resist foliage diseases. PP11122

Silver-white leaves have a narrow green margin. Salmon-pink flower clusters May through July. Excellent mat forming ground cover to brighten shaded areas.

This robust selection produces the largest deep purple snapdragon-like flowers of any Lamium. Arranged in larger denser terminal spikes, the flowers jump right out of their bright silvery foliage. PPAF

Excellent ground cover featuring rose-red flowers over silver-white leaves with green margins.

Nearly all-silver leaves with narrow, blue-green margins are a lovely backdrop for pure white, hooded flowers. Excellent ground cover. Similar to 'Beacon Silver' but with white flowers. More heat tolerant than 'Beacon Silver'.

Downy bluish-green foliage in a compact, erect habit, with tall spikes of fragrant purple flowers in midsummer. It's bushy, evergreen form makes it an excellent short hedge plant.

Violet-blue flowers and a compact growth habit. Early flowering. Grow in light, sandy, alkaline soil.

The 4-5 inch wide flowers are lemon yellow when they open, brightening to light butter yellow and finally to creamy white as they mature. An extra row of ray petals gives the flowers a fuller appearance than truly single varieties. Since it produces flower buds at each axillary shoot, it blooms prolifically all summer long atop strong, upright stems. Compared to older cultivars, this plant has nicely compact, dark green foliage and exhibits increased disease resistance. It has proven to be a very strong grower and rapid multiplier. Try planting a few in the landscape or combination containers and you’ll be rewarded with loads of blooms for fresh bouquets. Flowers last up to two weeks when cut. PROVEN WINNER.

Large, single flowers with white petals and yellow centers on strong stems. Long bloom time is June through October. The best Shasta daisy for hot humid climates. 2003 Perennial Plant of the Year.

Three inch wide, single, pure white, daisy-like flowers with a gold button center forms a solid dome of bloom. A super compact, highly floriferous selection. In the Midwest, this plant typically grows 20-24” tall and wide and blooms from early summer into late summer. However, to account for the national variability in Proven Winners trials, they describe this plant as growing 12-24” tall and blooming from spring to fall with deadheading. PROVEN WINNER.

Dwarf variety with large, single white flowers in abundance June through August. Dark green clump forming foliage is compact. Tolerates light shade. Good for massing or edging at the front of the border.

Spires of fluffy, button-like, rosy purple flowers in September--this is one of the last liatris to bloom. Migrating butterflies love the nectar. A good candidate for a wild area. Grow in lean soil so plants don't grow so tall they need support.

Multi-stemmed plants with rose purple flower spikes and narrow, grass-like leaves. Grows best in dry soil in full sun.

Dense spikes of magenta flowers on strong stems attract hordes of butterflies.

Rounded, somewhat shaggy flowers of a vibrant pinkish purple line tall stems in late summer. Prefers dry soil.

Deep purple flower spikes in July and August on erect, grass-like stems. Tolerant of drought, heat and humidity. Attracts songbirds.

Creamy white flower spikes.

Bright rose-lavender flower spikes on compact plants.

Solid green, grass-like leaves with purple flower spikes in August. Growth habit is fountain-like.

Green grass-like leaves with white variegation along the edges. Purple flower spikes. Growth habit is fountain-like.

Stout spikes of two-lipped blue flowers bloom in September and October. Excellent for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Great lobelia is a Missouri native perennial which typically grows in moist to wet locations along streams, sloughs, springs, swamps, meadows and in low wooded areas. May self-seed in optimum growing conditions, forming attractive colonies.

Lime green leaves with buttery yellow margins, complemented by starry yellow flowers in mid-late summer. More compact and less invasive than other lysimachias. PP13547

Prolific, long-lasting, rose pink flower spikes on compact plants. Excellent dwarf form. This sterile species does not produce viable seeds.

One of the largest and most popular perennial ferns. Dark green fronds are shaped like ostrich plumes. Clump forming, upright to arching habit. Rapid spreader requiring space to grow. Good ground cover that spreads rapidly in moist areas.

Low growing ground cover with bright green foliage forms a dense mat. Tiny lavender-blue flowers appear in small clusters April and May. May repeat bloom in September. Creeping stems root at nodes.

Flowers are pink in bud and open to sky blue in March and April. Foliage is blue-green. This plant is a spring ephemeral, meaning the foliage goes dormant in summer. A great plant to naturalize in a rich, moist, woodland environment.

Lilac-purple snapdragon-like flowers appear in pairs June through September. Upright foliage is bright green. Native to swampy areas, wet meadows and low woods. Spreads by creeping rhizomes.

Green leaves with bright yellow horizontal bands. Red-purple flower plumes appear in August. A compact selection of M. `Zebrinus’. Attracts songbirds. PPAF

Green and white striped leaves are 1/4 - 3/4" wide and arch loosely. Provides a strong white effect in the landscape. Flowers in August or September. Plants may require support to remain upright.

Spidery pompons of lavender blossoms are irresistible to butterflies and hummingbirds, and the fragrant gray-green foliage is wonderful in a scent garden or herb garden. Provide good air circulation to minimize powdery mildew, and deadhead to prolong flowering.

Large bright red flower clusters appear July through September. Upright, mildew resistant, fragrant foliage can be used to flavor tea. Attracts hummingbirds.

No room for the tall, bushy, traditional Bee Balm in your garden? Now there’s a petite selection that’s easy to tuck into the front of your sunny border and combination containers. Reaching just a foot tall at maturity, this compact selection forms a well-branched clump of deep green, glossy foliage. From mid through late summer, fuchsia purple flowers sit just at the top of the foliage. Though the plant may be dwarf, the flowers are the same size as taller selections, measuring a full 2 ½ - 3 inches across. They add a cool splash of color to the border in high summer. This new selection also offers good resistance to powdery mildew, a problem with many older Bee Balms. Just provide good air circulation, sunshine, and plenty of water and these plants will thrive!

Long-blooming, dark blue flowers May through September. Compact, mounding, gray-green, aromatic foliage. Quite drought tolerant. Much more compact than Nepeta `Walkers Low’. A wonderful low maintenance perennial for drought prone landscapes.

Violet blue flowers on large plants with gray-green foliage.

Soft lavender-blue flowers bloom May through September on mounded, arching plants. Aromatic gray-green foliage is deer and rabbit resistant. Very drought tolerant. Cats are attracted to scent. [PPA-2007]

Pale pink, saucer-shaped flowers are produced in great numbers May through July with rebloom in the fall. Compact and trailing habit. Heat and drought tolerant. Prefers poor soils. Spread by underground stolons.

Large yellow flowers, up to 4" across, are mildly fragrant. Plants trail and look good in a rock garden. Plants tolerate poor soil and drought but need good drainage. (syn. O. missouriensis)

Large somewhat course textured foliage is bright green. Fertile fronds turn dark brown and roll up. Native to wet woods and moist soils along streams. Sensitive to frost and drought. Fast-creeping rhizomes produce a carpet of light green fronds. A tough fern that thrives in moist soil. Plants die down at the first hint of frost but ornamental fertile fronds remain. These can be used in dried arrangements.

Evergreen, sod-forming perennial; 1/2 " leaves are dark green, erect to arching, grass-like with white flowers from July through September.

Native cactus with succulent green pads that are water-storing segments. Pads have needle-like spines and tufts of bristles. Showy bright yellow flowers in June and July are followed by edible red fruit. Easily propagated by cuttings. Winter interest.

Mature fronds are lance-shaped and light green and grow in a vase shape. The fronds resemble leaves from plants in the legume family such as a locust tree. Spreads slowly.

Fast-growing, dark green glossy evergreen foliage forms dense carpet. Tiny white flower spikes bloom in April. Spreads rapidly by underground stems to form large colonies.

Fragrant single blooms have satiny white petals around big yellow centers. A long lived perennial. Long lasting cut flower.

Absolutely ideal for growing in decorative containers, this hardy Red Switch Grass is a perennial substitute for Pennisetum 'Rubrum'. Measuring in at just 3ft (2ft before blooming), 'Cheyenne Sky' forms a tight, vase-shaped clump of blue-green foliage that begins turning wine red in early summer. By late summer, nearly the entire clump is drenched in color and is topped by matching wine-red flower panicles held just above the foliage. It makes a dynamite specimen plant and is even more eye-catching when planted en masse.

Wide, blue, upright foliage. Large, purplish flower heads emerge late in summer. PP11202

Compact switch gras that emerges blue green and reddens rapidly to produce a rich, deep maroon show. Eary to color.

Large, cup shaped, papery orange flowers on strong, graceful stems in June and July . The foliage of Oriental poppies goes dormant in summer, sometimes reappearing in the autumn.

Clump-forming, Missouri native perennial which occurs in dry soils on prairies, glades and rocky woods. Grows 3-4' tall. Woolly-looking, white flower headsMay to august. Leaves are aromatic, toothed and rough. Former medicinal use as a diuretic. Also called American Feverfew.

Narrow green leaves arch softly toward the ground and turn golden yellow in fall. Flowers resemble large foxtails and are good in floral arrangements. Use in masses or in decorative containers. Native to Illinois and Arkansas. Hardy to zone 6.

A new Pennisetum with a big future. Abundant, 8-10" flower spikes start light lavender, mature dark purple, and dry to beige above a flowing mound of fine green foliage. Hardy to at least Zone 6. PP12909

Clump-forming, Missouri-native perennial typically occurs in prairies, fields, wood margins, open woods and along railroad tracks. Abundant plumes of tubular white flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds April through June. Attractive seed heads and reddish fall color extend seasonal interest. Attracts songbirds.

Foliage emerges purple-bronze and matures to green. Profusion of white flowers on wiry stems. Grows best in full sun and moist soil. [PPA-1996]

White plumes over bushy, vase-shaped plants from May through September. Clump forming; not invasive.

Green and white variegated foliage is blushed with pink during cool seasons. Produces soft white flower panicles. A rapid spreader, use as a ground cover or for erosion control. Tolerates clay soil.

Violet-blue, fragrant flowers bloom in April and May. Puts on quite a show when in blooms. A long lived, carefree native groundcover.

Large heads of clear white flowers blooming July through September. Extremely mildew resistant. Deadheading prolongs bloom. Attracts songbirds. 2002 Perennial Plant of the Year. The best white available. 2002 Perennial Plant of the Year.

Cherry red flowers on compact plants.

One of the tallest Phlox with large clusters of violet-pink, fragrant flowers blooming late June through September. Dark green, mildew resistant foliage on strong stems. Attracts songbirds.

Produces a stunning blanket of pink and white two-tone flowers in April and May. Semi-evergreen foliage forms a dense, carpet-like ground cover. Mass planting creates a spectacular show.

Rosy red flowers. Semi evergreen, needlelike foliage.

Larger flowers than other Creeping Phlox. Dark green needle-like foliage. Fragrant deep pink flowers with deeper pink eyes.

Produces a stunning blanket of clear blue flowers in April and May. Semi-evergreen foliage forms a dense, carpet-like groundcover. Mass planting creates a spectacular show.

Produces a stunning blanket of pink flowers with red eye in April and May. Semi-evergreen foliage forms a dense, carpet-like groundcover. Mass planting creates a spectacular show.

Crimson flowers with dark red eyes. Semi evergreen, needlelike foliage.

Produces a stunning blanket of deep scarlet pink flowers with dark rose eye in April and May. Semi-evergreen foliage forms a dense, carpet-like groundcover. Mass planting creates a spectacular show.

Starry white flowers. Much denser than 'White Delight'. Semi evergreen, needlelike foliage.

Balloon-like buds burst open into splendid blue, dwarf bell-shaped flowers. Prolific bloomer.

Lots of medium blue flowers with yellow halos and white eyes. Repeat blooms if sheared back after the first flush of flowers. Glossy foliage and a compact habit. Prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Dangling white fragrant flowers below leaves in April and May. Tall, upright variegated foliage is soft green and white, turning an attractive yellow in fall. Flowers are followed by blue-black berries. Slowly colonizes to form dense stands. Looks terrific in a woodland garden.

Glossy, dark green foliage is evergreen. Fronds emerge upright, arching as they mature to cover ground. Drought tolerant once established. Tiny leaves resemble Christmas stockings.

Dusky raspberry coral flowers over green leaves splashed with silver dots. Strong upright growth habit. PP12138

Large yellow flowers with drooping petals surround a brown seed head. Plants bloom profusely all summer. Birds eat the seed if old flowers are left on the plant.

Huge leaves on thick, green stalks that are reddish at the base. Produces heavy yields beginning in the second season. Use stalks (only) to make delicious tart pies and sauces.

A low spreader with glossy green leaves and superb orange-red fall color. Grows quickly and makes a good ground cover.

Masses of golden daisies from mid to late summer on long-lived, adaptable plants. Equally useful in a flower border or prairie meadow.

A superior selection of our native Rudbeckia with long-blooming deep yellow flowers on stiff stems. An extensive root system makes this perennial an excellent choice for slope stabilization. [PPA-1999]

Golden yellow blossoms are held just above the short clump of rich green, bushy foliage. Very well branched scapes carry loads of flowers July through October. Over 80 flowers have been counted on a single plant, making this selection more floriferous than 'Goldsturm'. While 'Goldsturm' can stand waist-high in bloom, 'Little Goldstar' is much more compact. This variety is produced by tissue culture and provides a more uniform plant than the seed grown 'Goldsturm'. Attracts songbirds.

Bright yellow to orange-yellow flower petals surround dark brown centers. Blooms June through September. This short-lived perennial will remain in the garden for many years if allowed to self-seed.

Single golden yellow flowers with brown centers are 6" in diameter. Tolerates poor soil but needs good soil drainage. A 1995 All-America Selection winner.

Yellow drooping petals surround a brown cylindrical cone. Flowers are borne on tall (60-96" stems) but stems are see-through so plant it where you can see the bold, mounded blue-green leaves which are attractive even before the plant flowers.

This native is loaded with gold flowers with brown centers for several weeks in summer.

Lovely, butter yellow daisies, each 3” across, decorate large, well-branched plants. Foliage is an attractive gray-green. For more compact plants, pinch lightly in spring.

This plant was named for the fellow that discovered it along a stream in Montgomery County, Ill. Strong upright clumps to 5' or slightly more bear numerous clusters of finely quilled light yellow flower petals with brown cones in August and September.

Wild petunia is a Missouri native perennial which occurs in dryish soils in open woods, glades, prairies and fields throughout the State except for the far southeastern lowlands. Charming, low growing clumps produce light purple tubular flowers from May to Oct. The flowers arise in groups at the leaf axis. The square stems and the leaves are both quite hairy-a natural defense against dry conditions.

Dense spikes of long-blooming, true blue flowers on compact plants. Plants are not as upright as 'May Night'.

Violet-blue flowers June through September on dark purple stems. Aromatic foliage resists rabbits and deer. Heat and humidity tolerant. The most rigid form of all perennial salvias.

A dainty new salvia with violet-purple flowers. Will bloom all summer if deadheaded. PP13322

Dense spikes of long-blooming, deep purple flowers on vase-shaped plants. This outstanding cultivar tends to be more rigid in form than other perennial Salvias. Aromatic foliage resists rabbits and deer. 1997 Perennial Plant of the Year.

Pure white flower spikes rise above compact mounds of gray-green foliage. Blooms into summer if deadheaded. Sport of 'Blue Hill'.

A profusion of lavender-blue flowers on wiry stems from April through October. A cool season perennial tolerating heat. Needs excellent soil drainage. [PPA-2000]

Pincushion-like, pink flowers with a hint of lavender are borne atop wiry stems all season. Drought tolerant once established. A reliable, long blooming selection.

Green to blue-green leaves turn deep red in the fall. One of our native prairie grasses that is perfectly suited to hot humid summers.

Valued ornamentally for its vivid red fall foliage. In winter it remains a standout as the leaves fade to deep pink. Easily grown and adapts to any soil type, including clay. Heat and drought tolerant.

Tall, upright form with beautiful blue-grey foliage that turns to burgundy red with purple and violet highlights in fall. The fall color lasts well into November. Small, fluffy white flowers form in late summer.

An improved selection of the native bluestem, with stems that remain sturdy through the winter. Compact blue-green foliage turns shades of copper, beiges and oranges in the autumn.

An improved selection of the native bluestem. It offers striking gray-blue, upright foliage that takes on reddish-orange tones in the fall. Fluffy silver seed heads from late summer well into fall.

A very blue selection of the species with exceptional burgundy fall color. Tolerates heat and humidity and is great for mass planting.

Blooms July through September.

Fleshy green leaves are topped with flowers that resemble flat heads of broccoli. Flower buds are green in midseason then turn to pink before opening rosy bronze. Flower heads dry on the plant and provide winter interest. Grow in lean dry soil.

Upright form producing flat clusters of magenta flowers in August. Succulent foliage is smooth gray-green throughout the growing season. Easy to grow. Drought tolerant. Attracts songbirds.

This breakthrough new groundcover type Sedum forms a low growing, compact clump of smoky blue-grey foliage topped with giant 6-8”, vibrant raspberry colored flowers. The flower clusters are comparatively much larger than those of ‘Rosy Glow’ and ‘Sunset Cloud’. They completely cover the foliage from early August through September here in Michigan, making it one of the earliest of all fall blooming Sedum cultivars. This Sedum has fabulous color impact even from quite a distance and it provides color in the landscape for over 7 weeks. Low, spreading Sedums form a solid mat of foliage which is excellent for covering slopes or can be planted as a groundcover in sunny, dry areas. They are extremely drought tolerant and many are evergreen. These are terrific low-maintenance plants that always look their best. Sedum SUNSPARKLER® Series-- This colorful new series of Sedum comes from the breeding work of Chris Hansen. After several years of hybridizing and evaluating in his West Michigan field trials, Chris has selected only the best, most unique cultivars for introduction in his new SUNSPARKLER® series. His first three introductions are colorful groundcover types that were selected from over 4,000 seedlings. They all retain their attractive coloration from spring through fall and are free of the leaf scorch that can often plague Sedums. Their compact habit and unique foliage/flower combinations greatly broaden the range of groundcover type Sedums that are currently on the market. They can also be used in combination containers and green roof systems. Like all Sedums, they thrive on neglect and show their best colors when grown dry and in full sun.

Large, pastel pink blooms in late summer and fall. Plant is vase-shaped with shiny red stems and deep gray foliage edged in rose pink.

In the spring, very small, sharply serrated leaves emerge a cool shade of blue green, a color reminiscent of the lovely Sedum sieboldii. They formed a perfectly rounded, low mound that was perfect for edging the front of the border. As the plant aged through the season, the leaves expanded and turned lighter green, forming a short, semi-upright clump. When late summer and early fall arrived, we understood exactly why the breeder had selected this plant for its flowers. A massive dome of bubblegum pink, star-shaped flowers completely covered the foliage followed by deeper pink seed heads later in fall. This plant pairs perfectly with other fall bloomers like hardy garden mums, asters, and Black-Eyed Susans. Try a few in containers and at the front of the border.

Deep green succulent foliage carpet is covered with yellow flowers in June. Foliage turns red in fall. Re-seeds. Good container plant.

Low growing, fleshy green foliage turns red in winter. Tiny, star-shaped, gold flower clusters appear June through August. Similar to S. kamtschaticum with smaller, denser foliage. Drought tolerant.

Fleshy green leaves covered with mounds of lemon yellow flowers June through September. A great ground cover for dry slopes and banks. Foliage turns varying shades of red in autumn. Extremely drought tolerant. Referred to as "Pachy Sedum" since its leaves resemble the foliage of Pachysandra.

Narrow-leaved succulent foliage resembling the needles of blue spruce. Yellow flowers in June. Fast growing evergreen foliage forms dense mat. Heat and drought tolerant.

Brilliant golden-yellow, needle-like foliage forms dense colorful mats. Evergreen foliage turns reddish-orange in cooler months and throughout winter. Yellow flowers in early summer. Excellent for rock gardens and mixed containers. Easy to grow fast spreading sedum. Drought tolerant. A 2002 ISU Perennial Award for Best New Introduction.

This upright selection sports brilliant rosy-magenta pink flowers and light green foliage. A sport of "Brilliant' with broader flower clusters and more consistent, vibrant color.

Bronze-red low growing foliage forms a solid mat and keeping its color all season long. Rose-red flowers appear in august and September. Excellent when massed. Heat and drought tolerant.

Tightly clustered green foliage with pink flowers in late May and June. Vigorous and grows easily in well-drained soil.

Deep reddish-bronze, almost black foliage on cascading stems. Rosy red flowers in summer. Low growing, mat forming foliage, eventually forms a thick carpet. Tolerates some light shade. Drought tolerant.

Cool season, clump-forming ornamental grass with narrow flower spikes rising above the foliage clump in summer to 18" tall. Flowers give way in autumn to silvery-white inflorescences. Attractive, narrow, yellow-green foliage. This grass is indigenous to the moors of Europe and puts on its best flowering display in autumn, hence the common name.

Bright blue star shaped flowers with gold centers rise above fine, Iris-like foliage from late April or early May until July. Excellent for edging.

Dwarf variety has bright yellow flower plumes August through September. Low-growing, compact foliage forms an attractive dark green mat. Chicago Botanic Garden "Best Plants for the Midwest".

Impressive, lacy sprays of golden yellow flowers in September and October. Flower clusters radiate out in all directions and resemble fireworks on arching bushy foliage. Basal foliage is evergreen. Extremely drought tolerant, as exhibited at Alwerdt's Gardens in Altamont, Il during the summer 2002 drought.

Dense, erect clusters of bright yellow flowers top tall reddish stems in late summer and early fall. "Speciosa" is Latin for "showy," and this goldenrod certainly fits that bill. Clump forming.

Bright yellow flower plumes August through September. Low-growing, compact foliage forms an attractive dark green mat. Make a good ground cover when massed.

Bright, true yellow, flat-topped flowers bloom in late summer and early fall. The flowers provide nectar and birds relish the seed. Clump forming.

Upright clumps of slender, blue-green leaves turn golden yellow in fall. Stiff, vertical flowering stems, topped with 12" long, narrow, light brown flower panicles with yellow stamens, rise well above the foliage in late summer.

This seedling of 'Osage' was selected by Rick Darke who saw great potential in its powder blue foliage and erect habit. This is a clump-forming grass that turns yellow in the fall, then fades to tan and remains standing through most of the winter. In late summer, copper brown flowers with conspicuous bright yellow pollen sacs attached are produced. They make wonderful cut and dried flowers. This heat tolerant, disease resistant, clumping forming grass is native to North American prairies.

Indian pink is a clump-forming, Missouri native perennial which occurs in moist woods and streambanks in the far southeastern part of the State. Features one-sided cymes of upward facing, trumpet-shaped, red flowers (to 2" long) atop stiff stems growing to 18" tall. Each flower is yellow inside and flares at the top to form five pointed lobes (a yellow star). Flowers bloom in June. Glossy green, ovate to lance-shaped leaves (to 4" long).

Fine textured tufts of green foliage turn gold or deep orange in autumn. Pink flowers appear in August with fragrant seeds. Heat and drought tolerant. Attracts songbirds and wildlife.

A useful compact, vegetatively propagated selection of the native Prairie Dropseed. The flowers and vase-shaped habit of Tara are much more upright than the seed propagated species. Attractive orange red autumn color. Flowers are very aromatic. Elegant in the landscape in mass or as a specimen. Very drought tolerant.

Gray-green foliage sports airy clouds of flowers atop tall stems in summer. This grass is good as a single specimen or in a group as a showy backdrop. Fast growing. Drought, heat and salt tolerant. Supstitute for Pampas Grass.

Huge, velvety soft, greenish-silver leaves are shaped and feel like a lamb's ear. Non flowering variety stays neat and tidy, doesn't melt out as easily as other cultivars Tolerates drought, heat and humidity. Also known as 'Big Ears'. Leaves are twice the size of 'Silver Carpet'. Tolerates drought, heat and humidity. Grow in moist, well-drained soil.

Striking, rosy lavender, bottlebrush flower spikes on sturdy stems July through September. Forms rounded clumps of textured foliage with extended season interest.

Blooms April through June and frequently into July.

A compact shrub-like plant with glossy green, scalloped leaves resembling those of boxwood. Blooms for 3-4 weeks with short spikes of rose-purple flowers. Commonly used in knot gardens as a miniature hedge.

Large sprays of delicate mauve flowers. Lacy, green-blue foliage is similar to columbine. Prefers a rich, moist soil but will tolerate heat.

Delicate sprays of lavender-purple flower clusters on dark purple stems July through September. Tall, airy, fine textured foliage is bluish-green. Spectacular when massed.

Star-shaped, maple-like foliage forms a rounded clump 6-9" tall. Leaves are green with dark centers turning reddish-brown in autumn. Tiny, pinkish-white flowers on wiry stems in late April into May.

Blooms late April into May.

Deeply cut, lacy foliage variegated in burgundy with wide green margins are topped in late April into May with delicate spikes of pink flowers opening to white. PPAF

Compact, clump-forming plant; triangular, gentian-blue blossoms with sulphur-yellow stamens contrast sharply with the glowing gold foliage. Long blooming. Protect from scorching afternoon sun. Vigorous and long-blooming. This plant has been seen at Wine Country Gardens used as a very effective component in mixed container gardens. (syn. `Blue & Gold')

Showy clusters of blue or rose flowers bloom on erect stems late May to early July. Each flower opens for one day. Cut back to 6-12" in mid summer to encourage new growth and possible fall bloom.

Numerous purplish-blue flowers on pencil-like spikes bloom July through September. Stiff and upright habit. Flowers bloom from bottom to top, a few at a time. A Midwest native enjoying wet soils.

Lilac rose flowers are very attractive to butterflies. Plants bloom April through September. Low growing foliage makes a good ground cover. Not reliably hardy when associated with heavy, wet soil conditions during the winter months; best treated as an annual.

Blooms August through September.

Small purple flowers from August through September. This is a very durable, naturally short growing specie.

Blooms August through September.

Sky blue flower spikes and shiny, green, creeping foliage.

Masses of violet-blue flower spikes are held above compact, upright clumps of deep green foliage all summer. The bottom foliage of this variety does not die out.. Long-blooming and compact. Purported to be an outstanding new Veronica selection, and possibly a replacement for the leaf disease prone Sunny Border Blue. PP18432

Blooms June through August.

Dark green, glossy evergreen foliage forms dense carpet. Intense blue-violet flowers appear above foliage in April.

The thick, glossy semi-evergreen foliage looks a little like Lenten Rose and provides nice contrast to other native plants. Small yellow flowers in flat heads bloom May-June.

Golden Alexander is a Missouri native perennial which occurs most often in small colonies in moist woods and meadows, thickets, glades and prairies. Features flat-topped clusters (compound umbels) of tiny yellow flowers in late spring atop stems growing to 3' tall. Distinguished from other carrot family members by the absence of a flower stalk on the central flower of each umbel. Both basal and stem leaves are compound biternate with toothed leaflets. The similar Zizia aptera has simple, heart-shaped basal leaves. Golden Alexanders is a food plant for the larvae of the Missouri woodland swallowtail butterfly (Papilio joanae). Similar to Z. aptera which has a heart shaped basal leaf and reddish stem.