Common name: masterwort

Size, form, texture: height and spread 1-3 ft, clumping, soft ethereal flowers with interesting foliage.

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: prefers part shade and medium to wet soil, best in soil that doesn’t dry out and where there are cooler summer nights.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: many fragrant showy flowers blooming continuously throughout summer and fall, white with touch of pink (ranging through pink and purple), sweet smelling. Foliage classic of carrot family, large involucer with many tiny flowers in centre. Still has attractive presence when flowering is done.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: Good planted with astilbes, ferns and hostas. Low maintenance, planted in beds and borders, and by waters edge. Looks nice in masses, gets large in masses.

Common name: Agave leafed eryngo

Size, form, texture: architectural evergreen perennial, 2 ft height, 4 ft spread.

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: prefers very dry site, doesn’t tolerate moisture, full sun to part shade, hardy and persistent. Z 6-9.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: flat stemmed semi-evergreen rosette, architectural, glossy dark leaves with toothing on edges, greenish white thimble like blooms in late summer.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: very drought tolerant once established, low maintenance, prefers sandy, deep, well drained soil. Interesting shape and texture in the landscape, bold striking form. Attractive to bees, and butterflies, deer tolerant. Adds interest to a sun garden, looks good with other drought loving perennials and some grasses, pairings include: Salvia greggii, Acanthus mollis, shrub roses, verbascum, blue oat grass and hebes.