Plant Information Resource Center

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.

A trouble-free plant whose leaves smell strongly of mint. The small, glaucous green leaves resemble those of Nepeta. Beginning in early summer, tiny, tubular, pale lavender-blue flowers are produced in profusion on upright spikes just above the foliage. Their sweet nectar attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. This plant makes a great filler in the border garden and can also be used as an edging.

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.

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.

Low-growing rockery plant covered with lavender-blue, star-shaped flowers May through June. 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

Carex bicknellii can be found in North America from Eastern half of Canada and south to Kansas. It grows in dry and moist prairies, open woodlands and rocky areas. This Carex tolerates dry locations better than many sedges. It is useful for rain gardens, meadows, and areas where drought-tolerant plants are required. Bicknell’s Sedge grows in tufts of green, narrow, grasslike foliage and spreads by rhizomes. Copper-colored, oval-shaped seedheads appear in late spring giving it one of its common names. Carex bicknellii is named in honor of Eugene Pintard Bicknell (1859-1925), who is known for his keen observations of plant and animal life.

A common sedge able to grow almost anywhere, most often found in the wild in dry, disturbed areas. Also called Plains Oval Sedge, Shortbeak Sedge actively grows during the spring and fall when soil temperatures are cool like most sedges (cool-season growers). In summer triangular leafy stems rise above low tufts of narrow grass-like foliage. The culms bear prickly green oval spikelets that transition into golden brown seed clusters.Leaf blades are usually about 1’ long and 1/8” wide. The leaf sheaths at the base of each blade has an unusual whitish color and an almost glassy appearance. In late spring multiple leafy culms rise above the foliage to 3-4’. Each culm bears 2-6 oval flower spikes. Each green spikes contain upper pistillate and lower staminate florets. The spikelets are tapered at the base and bluntly pointed at the tip. The flowers transition into reddish brown summer seed spikes. Plants are 1-4’ tall with an equal spread.

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.

Glaucous blue leaves similar in color to Cheddar Pinks. Spreads slowly but steadily to make a good ground cover. Very drought tolerant.

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.

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.

Foliage emerges green, ultimately developing a fine yellow edge. Spreads slowly as a solid clump. Prefers consistent moisture, can be grown in shallow water. Great rain garden plant!

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.

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.

A tiny turtlehead with all the flower power of its taller brothers, this native cultivar features uniquely shaped, hot pink blooms atop lustrous dark green leaves with a bronzy sheen. Flowers reminiscent of turtles' mouths persist from mid-summer into fall, a favorite of butterflies but distasteful to deer. Its very compact habit is a great choice for mixed containers, or let it spread ever so slowly in the landscape along pond and stream edges, rain gardens or perennial borders.

This lovely native cultivar adds wonderful texture, color, and height to the shade garden. From late summer through early fall, fragrant bottlebrush flowers dance above the bronze purple foliage. They are a rich mauve-pink color when they open and lighten to white as they age. Cimicifuga is a wonderfully lacy, airy backdrop in the garden. It is especially attractive when combined with variegated or yellow foliage.

Pure white bottlebrush flower spikes are 24" long and held on 48-60" stems, blooming late August through October. Fern-like green foliage looks good all season and has insect repelling properties. Also know as Actaea matsumurae. Partial shade is best but will take full sun if given ample moisture and rich soil.

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.

Large purple-blue flowers with red tipped stamens. Blooms are 4-6" May and June with smaller flowers July to September. Compact size is good for containers. Seedling of 'The President'. Long blooming.

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

Single and semi-double, pale silver-blue flowers with red-brown anthers. Filigree is a very compact plant, great for all gardeners and containers! Blooms early summer to late summer, depending on climate.

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, deep purple flowers have contrasting creamy-yellow stamens. Bloom are 4-6" June through August with slightly smaller flowers Sept and October. Vigorous grower. Long blooming variety.

Pale pink, double petals have reddish-pink bar. Double flowers are 3-4" on old growth in May and June. Slightly larger single flowers in July thru September. Long Blooming. Easy to grow.

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.

Wonderful summer color from sweetly fragrant, soft pink, anemone-like flowers. This is one of the largest Clematis vines, often used for covering fences or sheds. Up to 20 ft. An intriguing ground cover or charming rambler, when allowed to sprawl or climb through informal shrub borders. New growth has purplish coloring, maturing to bronze-green. Deciduous.

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.

Large, double, light pink flowers have a dark reddish-pink bar. Double flowers are 4" on old growth in May and June. Larger, single flowers in August and September. Compact size is good for containers.

Very free flowering red/purple clematis. Clematis Picardy is particularly suitable for container growing.Enjoy the deep reddish purple blooms of Evipo024 Clematis Picardy™ throughout the summer. The 4" red/purple blooms surround the light brown center and take on an almost two tone look as the flowers age. Picardy™ Clematis is the perfect specimen for container gardening, standing only 4 foot tall it is just the right height for a patio or small garden. This free flowering Clematis vine should give you color throughout the summer months. Picardy™ is noted by many gardeners as one of their favorite container options. Clematis add vertical interest to gardens, landscapes and patio gardens.

Fully double, 3-4", purplish-mauve rose-like flowers with a lighter violet-pink center. Blooms continuously July through September. Heavy bloomer. Disease resistant. Award winner.

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.

Large pink flowers have magenta edge, creamy center and yellow stamens. Blooms are 6-7" on old growth May and June with smaller flowers in September. Compact size is good for containers. Mature vines have sweet scent. Attractive seed heads follow flowers.

Small 2" cranberry-violet fragrant flowers bloom profusely in July and August, continuing to bloom through September. Flowers open in deep red, then mature through purple-red, then purplish violet to violet then becoming paler as they fade. One plant can carry as many as 1000 flowers delivering not only a spectacular effect, but a heavy dose of perfume.

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.

Masses of small pure white, highly fragrant blooms smother plant in late August and September. Vigorous twining vine grows rapidly. Will sprawl to form dense groundcover. Tolerates shade. Attractive fluffy seed head follows flower. May aggressively self-seed. Also know as C. paniculata.

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.

A shower of cheerful bicolor blossoms with a prominent orange-red center and fringed, gold petal tips appear over an extremely long period, from early summer through early fall in the Midwest. Since the flowers are sterile, they just keep on coming all season long without the need for deadheading. It forms a compact, basal mound of highly disease resistant, dark green foliage. A midseason shearing will keep this plant looking its best all season. If you’ve been pleased with the performance of Big Bang™ Coreopsis like ‘Mercury Rising’, you might also like to try the Li'l Bang™ series from the same breeder, master hybridizer Darrell Probst. These naturally compact cultivars exhibit the same great disease resistance and long bloom time (commencing a bit earlier than the Big Bangs) but measure in at about half the height. They are the perfect size for container gardening, rock gardens, and the front of the border.

This new Coreopsis forms a broad yet compact mound of attractive, medium green foliage that stays nice all season. A shower of butter yellow blossoms with a soft red eye appear from early summer through early fall, with the red eye expanding to cover more of the petal surface in cooler temperatures. Since the flowers are sterile, they just keep on coming all season long without the need for deadheading. A midseason shearing will keep this plant looking its best all season. If you’ve been pleased with the performance of Big Bang™ Coreopsis like ‘Mercury Rising’, you might also like to try the Li'l Bang™ series from the same breeder, master hybridizer Darrell Probst. These naturally compact cultivars exhibit the same great disease resistance and long bloom time (commencing a bit earlier than the Big Bangs) but measure in at about half the height. They are the perfect size for container gardening, rock gardens, and the front of the border.

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

If you love ‘Mercury Rising’ but need something smaller, try ‘Red Elf’. It has very similar deep burgundy red blossoms but on a much smaller plant that only grows about a foot wide. Its smaller bun-shaped habit helps it fit better into combination container plantings or smaller borders where it will provide a rich spot of color for months beginning in early summer. The deep red petal tips become frosted with a touch of white during the hottest part of the season, returning to a solid deep red when temperatures moderate. Since the flowers are sterile, they just keep on coming all season long without the need for deadheading. A midseason shearing will keep this plant looking its best all season, though it is highly disease resistant.

Especially large, white flowers with a burgundy star-shaped eye are produced for several months beginning in early summer, with the eye expanding to cover more of the petal surface in cooler temperatures. Since the flowers are sterile, they just keep on coming all season long without the need for deadheading. This plant forms a compact mound of medium green foliage that is highly mildew resistant. A midseason shearing will keep it looking its best all season. If you’ve been pleased with the performance of Big Bang™ Coreopsis like ‘Mercury Rising’, you might also like to try the Li'l Bang™ series from the same breeder, master hybridizer Darrell Probst. These naturally compact cultivars exhibit the same great disease resistance and long bloom time (commencing a bit earlier than the Big Bangs) but measure in at about half the height. They are the perfect size for container gardening, rock gardens, and the front of the border.

The earliest Coreopsis to bloom with single, orange-yellow flowers in late spring. Dwarf variety with evergreen foliage. Excellent for edging or the rock garden.

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

A very even and more compact habit than most other coreopsis making Illico a great choice. The single, bright-yellow, golden-centred blooms are set off beautifully against the narrow, deep-green leaves.

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

Sun Up is more naturally compact than Early Sunrise. Produces semi-double, clear yellow flowers all Summer long.

Coreopsis 'Sunkiss' has the brightest yellow flowers and largest central blotching of any grandiflora type and they are produced in abundance on compact well-branching plants, from late spring right through to the hard frosts of autumn. What's more, this hardy perennial will bloom in your garden in the first year; unlike older coreopsis types - there's no waiting for 'Sunkiss' to perform. Inbuilt heat tolerance makes this the perfect addition to sunny hot spots in the garden, where other plants might frazzle in the heat of the summer sun.

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.

Spreading, threadlike foliage covered with rose pink flowers. Needs consistent moisture.

White flowers with raspberry centers bloom profusely over finely cut foliage. Plants respond well to pruning by cutting back. Lean garden soils promote compact growth habit. PP12720

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

This Coreopsis in the SIZZLE & SPICE series has a bold and vibrant color that will catch your eye from a distance. 1.5” wide, golden yellow flowers with clear, dark red eyes have wider petals. The rounded, compact habit has excellent flower coverage, looking like a blanket of flowers. Bright green, threadleaf foliage. Members of this bright-colored collection have compact, rounded habits that are covered with flowers from early to late summer. Coreopsis is easy to grow, making it a good choice for beginners. One plant will provide you with long-lasting cut flower bouquets all summer long.

This beautiful red Coreopsis in the SIZZLE & SPICE series forms a compact, rounded, uniform mound. 1.5”, rich, deep red flowers cover the bright green, threadleaf foliage for a showy midsummer display. Members of this bright-colored collection have compact, rounded habits that are covered with flowers from early to late summer. Coreopsis is easy to grow, making it a good choice for beginners. One plant will provide you with long-lasting cut flower bouquets all summer long.

ItSaul's new addition to the Cruizin' series, we feel this is the best yellow thread-leaf Coreopsis on the market to date. Masses of large, electric yellow flowers over compact dark green foliage.

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

Deep wine red to ruby red flowers with an orange center measure about 1 ½” across and completely cover the deep green, threadleaf foliage. Since the flowers are sterile, they appear over a long period from early through late summer and if cut back, the plants can be encouraged to rebloom until frost. Compared to other threadleaf types, this plant has darker green foliage and is more clump forming, producing fewer rhizomes. Compared to ‘Mercury Rising’, this plant has finer threadleaf foliage, solid red flowers that do not become “frosted” in the heat, and a tighter mounding habit. 'Red Satin' has proven to be hardy to zone 5, a permanent threadleaf form as its series name suggests.

Compact mounds of bright green threadleaf foliage with rich burnt sienna flowers. A sport of 'Crème Brulee'.

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.