List 3

1.Centaurea cyanus

Common name:bachelor’s buttons, corn flower

family name:Asteraceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-11

Mature height and spread:

height: 1-3feet

spread: 1-2feet

Form:easily grown

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium moisture, well-drained soils

Flower/Cone/Fruit description:Purple-blue flowers (sometimes pink to white) bloom from late spring into summer on 1- to 3-foot tall stems clad with lyrate-pinnatifid lower leaves and narrow lanceolate upper leaves. Each flower (to 1.5” diameter) is subtended an involucre of overlapping bracts. Flowers are attractive to butterflies.

Limitations:Wilt, rots and rusts may occur. Watch for aphids and mealybugs.

suitable uses:Beds, borders, cottage gardens, meadows and prairies. Cutting gardens.

 

2.Hemerocallis ‘Stella de Oro’

Common name:Stella d’Oro daylily

family name: Xanthorrhoeaceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-10

Mature height and spread:

height: 0-0.75feet

spread: 0-0.75feet

Form:easily grown

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium moisture, well-drained soils

Flower/Cone/Fruit description:This diploid cultivar features profuse 2.75-inch diameter yellow flowers with ruffled edges and deeper yellow throats. Flower is classified as a miniature. Flowers are borne on naked stems (scapes) above a clump of arching, linear, blade-like leaves.

Limitations:Daylilies are extremely adaptable perennials. They are easy to grow, quick to multiply and virtually pest-free.

suitable uses:Provides color and contrast to the perennial border when grown in clumps or when massed over larger areas. Also appropriate for the rock garden. The fountain-like leaves provide elegant foliage, color and texture for the garden when the flowers are not in bloom. Daylilies can crowd out weeds and form a verdant ground cover.

 

3.Helictotrichon sempervirens

Common name:blue oat grass

family name: Poaceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8

Mature height and spread:

height: 2-3feet

spread: 2-2.5feet

Form:easily grown

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium moisture, well-drained soils

Flower/Cone/Fruit description:Blue oat grass is a clump-forming, cool season, ornamental grass which typically grows 2-3′ tall (foliage clump to 2′ and flower stem brings total height to 3′) with a similar spread. Features very narrow (3/8″ wide), spiky, steel blue leaf blades (to 18″) which form a rounded, porcupine-like clump. Resembles blue fescue (Festuca glauca), but is significantly larger. Spikelets of bluish-brown flowers arranged in open, one-sided panicles arching at the tip appear on erect stems rising well above the foliage clump in June. Flower spikelets mature to a golden wheat color by fall.

Limitations:Rust may be a problem in humid climates.

suitable uses:Specimen for the border or rock garden. Mass for ground cover. Effective foundation plant as an accent or in conjunction with dwarf blue spruces or junipers. Blue foliage contrasts well with pink flowering perennials and many spring bulbs.

 

4.Euphorbia characias

Common name:Mediterranean spurge

family name: Euphorbiaceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-8

Mature height and spread:

height: 2-3feet

spread: 1.5-2feet

Form:upright

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium moisture, well-drained soils

Flower/Cone/Fruit description: It typically grows on erect, woody-based, green stems to 2-3′ tall and to 2′ wide. Narrow, linear to obovate, blue-green leaves (to 5″ long) are spirally arranged along the stems. Each stem is topped in spring by a thick, bottlebrush-like inflorescense of greenish-yellow flowers with purple glands. Individual flowers lack petals, but have showy, petal-like, greenish-yellow bracts

Limitations:Use gloves when working with this plant because of the toxic plant sap.

suitable uses:Beds and borders.

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List 4

1.Campanula persicifolia

Common name:chimney bellflower

family name: Campanulaceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-7

Mature height and spread:

height: 1.5-3feet

spread: 1-1.5feet

Form: rosette-forming, upright

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium moisture, well-drained soils

Flower/Cone/Fruit description: Large, outward facing, broad bell-shaped flowers (to 1.5”) in shades of white to blue bloom in open, slender, terminal racemes atop erect, unbranched, nearly leafless stems in late spring to early summer. Stems rise from basal rosettes of narrow, toothed, leathery, bright green leaves (4-8” long). Leaves have a slight resemblance to those of the peach tree, hence the common name. Rosettes are semi-evergreen to evergreen in warm winter climates.

Limitations:Slugs and snails are occasional visitors. Watch for aphids.

suitable uses:Borders. Cottage gardens. Also effective in lightly shaded woodland areas where plants can be left alone to naturalize. Mass or large groups are best.

 

2.Eryngium giganteum

Common name:Mrs. Willmott’s ghost

family name: Apiaceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7

Mature height and spread:

height: 0.5-1feet

spread: 0.1-0.5feet

Form: rosette-forming, upright

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium moisture, well-drained soils

Flower/Cone/Fruit description: Eryngium can be annuals, biennials or perennials with simple or divided leaves, often spiny edged, and cone-like flower-heads often surrounded by an involucre of conspicuous spiny bracts

Limitations:Slugs and snails may be troublesome

suitable uses:Flower borders and beds Cut Flowers Architectural City & Courtyard Gardens Coastal Cottage & Informal Garden Wildlife Gardens

 

3.Hosta ‘Fortunei Albomarginata’

Common name:white mugwort

family name: Asteraceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8

Mature height and spread:

height: 2-3feet

spread: 3-4feet

Form: clump-forming, herbaceous perennials

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium moisture, well-drained soils

Flower/Cone/Fruit description: Hostas are primarily grown for their ornamental foliage. Stalked, conspicuously-veined, often dense, basal leaves in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and textures rise up from a central rhizomatous crown to form a rounded to spreading mound of foliage. Bell or funnel-shaped flowers in terminal, mostly one-sided racemes bloom in late spring or summer atop vertical, unbranched, usually leafless but frequently bracted scapes which rise upward from the crown or rootstock to a point often well above the foliage mound.

Limitations:Leaves are commonly eaten, often voraciously, by deer.

suitable uses:Notwithstanding the often showy flowers produced, hostas are primarily grown in shady areas for the often ornamental excellence of their foliage. This cultivar is effective in small groups or massed. Good background plant. Shady borders, shade gardens or woodland gardens.

 

4.Verbena bonariensis

Common name:white mugwort

family name: Asteraceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-11

Mature height and spread:

height: 2-4feet

spread: 1.5-3feet

Form: clump-forming tender perennial

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium moisture, well-drained soils

Flower/Cone/Fruit description: plants typically form a 1-foot tall basal clump of serrate, lance-shaped, dark green leaves (to 5” long) from which rise erect, slender, wiry, branching, sparsely-leaved, 4-angled stems to 3.5’ tall bearing clusters (to 2” across) of tiny rose-violet flowers. Blooms mid summer to fall.

Limitations:Watch for powdery mildew.

suitable uses:Group or mass in mixed borders, meadows, cottage gardens.

List 1

1.Astilboides tabularis

(http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/24395-product.html)

Common name: shieldleaf rodgersia

family name: Saxifragaceae

Useful cultivars and selections:

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-7

Mature height and spread:

height: 3-4feet

spread: 2-3feet

Form: low spread

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: Prefers moist, humusy, organically rich soils

Leaf arrangement: huge palm-like

Flower/Cone/Fruit description:Astilboides tabularis is noted for having large leaves somewhat resembling those ofRodgersia and upright flower spikes resembling those of Astilbe. It is valued by gardeners more for its unique foliage and architectural interest that for its flowers. Large, rounded, lobed, peltate leaves (to 2-3’ in diameter) on 2-3 foot tall petioles rising from the ground. Leaves have a shield-like appearance as reflected in the sometimes used common name of shield leaf. Leaves also have table-like surfaces, hence the species name. Tiny, astilbe-like white flowers form in panicles atop flowering stems that gracefully arch above the foliage in late spring.

Limitations:Watch for slugs. Foliage decline (leaves brown up) may occur in hot summers and/or periods of drought if soils are not kept moist or if plants are grown in too much sun.

suitable uses:Effective on pond or stream banks or landscape areas with consistently moist soils. May also be effective in woodland gardens and other moist but shaded areas.

 

2.Campanula latifolia

(http://www.bing.com/images/results.aspx?q=Campanula%20latifolia&FORM=BIRE&fdr=lc)

Common name: broadleaf bellflower

family name: Campanulaceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8

Mature height and spread:

height: 3-4 feet

spread: 1.5-2 feet

Form: cone

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium, well-drained soil

Leaf arrangement: alternate

Flower/Cone/Fruit description:It is a clump-forming perennial that typically grows 3-4’ (less frequently to 5’) tall. Large, tubular, bell-like, purplish-blue flowers (to 2.5” long) appear in the upper leaf axils and in short terminal clusters (racemes) in early summer. Unbranched, hairy stems rise up from basal rosettes of ovate-oblong, toothed, stalked, hairy, medium green leaves (to 6” long). Leaves become smaller, narrower, pointed and eventually sessile as they go up the stems.

Limitations:Taller plants may need staking or other support. Can spread somewhat aggressively in the garden.

suitable uses:Best naturalized in open woodland areas, wild areas, cottage gardens or at the rear of borders. Group or mass for best effect. Considered somewhat coarse for a prominent location in the border.

3.Dicentra formosa

(http://gardensonline.com.au/gardenshed/plantfinder/Show_2254.aspx)

Common name: Pacific bleeding heart

family name: Papaveraceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5

Mature height and spread:

height: 0.1-0.5 m

spread: 0.5-1.0 m

Form: Clump-forming

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium, well-drained soil

Leaf arrangement: alternate

Flower/Cone/Fruit description:a spreading rhizomatous perennial with finely divided grey-green leaves and short racemes of nodding, deep crimson flowers in late spring and early summer

Limitations:All parts cause stomach ache if ingested, the foliage may aggravate skin allergies

suitable uses:Beds and Borders, Ground Covers

4.Iris latifolia

(http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/iris-latifolia-english-iris)

Common name: English iris

family name: Iridaceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7

Mature height and spread:

height: 0.5-1 m

spread: 0-0.1 m

Form: bushy

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium, well-drained soil

Leaf arrangement: opposite

Flower/Cone/Fruit description:Iris may be rhizomatous or bulbous perennials, with narrowly leaves and erect stems bearing flowers with 3 large spreading or pendent fall petals, alternating with 3 erect, often smaller, standard petals, in late winter, spring or early summer

Limitations:

May be attacked by slugs and snails

May be subject to grey moulds and iink disease (iris diseases

suitable uses:Flower borders and beds City & Courtyard Gardens Coastal Cottage & Informal Garden

 

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List 2

1.Anchusa azurea

(https://anentangledbank.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/the-blues-anchusa-azurea-italian-bugloss/)

Common name: alkanet

family name: Boraginaceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8

Mature height and spread:

height: 1-3 m

spread: 1-1.5 m

Form: clump-forming

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium, well-drained soil

Leaf arrangement: opposite

Flower/Cone/Fruit description:a coarse, hairy, spring-blooming, clump-forming, short-lived perennial of the borage family that typically grows to 3-5’ tall. It is native to the Mediterranean but has been introduced in North America where it has escaped gardens and naturalized in British Columbia plus a number of States in the U.S. Alternate, entire, hispid, linear-elliptic to lanceolate leaves (to 6” long) are sessile or clasping at the base. Deep blue to violet flowers (to 3/4” diameter) are reminiscent of forget-me-nots (Myosotis). Flowers bloom in loose terminal spikes (scorpioid cymes) rising above the foliage in late spring to early summer.

Limitations:Crown rot can be a significant problem, particularly in wet, poorly drained soils. Taller plants usually need some kind of unobtrusive staking or support. Plant stems tend to open up and flop and foliage tends to depreciate in summer after bloom, particularly in hot and humid summer climates such as the St. Louis area.

suitable uses:Borders. Specimen or small groups. Naturalized areas.

 

2.Cephalaria gigantea

(http://www.esveld.nl/htmldiaen/c/cegiga.htm)

Common name: giant scabious

family name: Caprifoliaceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-7

Mature height and spread:

height: 4-6 m

spread: 2-4 m

Form: clump-forming

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium, well-drained soil

Flower/Cone/Fruit description: It is an erect, clump-forming perennial that typically grows 4- 6’ (infrequently to 8’) tall. Scabiosa-like primrose yellow flowers (to 2.5” diameter) bloom in summer. Flowers appear singly atop stiff, wiry, branched, sparsely-leaved stems rising well above the foliage mound to 6’ tall. Pinnately-divided, dark green, basal leaves (to 16” long) with oblong to lance-shaped segments.

Limitations:Taller plants may need some staking or support.

suitable uses:This plant needs a large space. Border rears or cottage gardens. Naturalize in wildflower meadows or wild areas.

3.Lychnis coronaria

(http://www.aboutgardendesign.com/plant-guide/item/lychnis-coronaria)

Common name: rose campion

family name: Caryophyllaceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8

Mature height and spread:

height: 2-3 m

spread: 1-1.5 m

Form: clump-forming

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium, well-drained soil

Flower/Cone/Fruit description: Rose campion is a clump-forming perennial which is perhaps grown as much for its basal clumps of ovate, densely woolly, silver-gray leaves (to 5″ long) as for its 5-petaled, vivid rose magenta flowers (to 1″ diameter). Flowers bloom profusely on smaller-leafed, gray stems rising 2-3′ tall. Lengthy late spring to early summer bloom period.

suitable uses:Leaves and flowers provide excellent color and contrast to perennial borders, wild gardens, cottage gardens or meadows. May be used as an accent or specimen plant.

4.Lathyrus latifolius

(http://macgardens.org/?cat=3&paged=2)

Common name: perennial pea

family name: Fabaceae

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8

Mature height and spread:

height: 6-9 m

spread: 3-6 m

Form: long-lived perennial with trailing or climbing stems

Water use: medium

Soil requirements: average, medium, well-drained soil

Flower/Cone/Fruit description: Broadly-winged plant stems clad with oval, medium green, 3-inch leaflets in pairs will ramble indefinitely along the ground (foliage to 4-8″ tall) or climb by tendrils up nearby vegetation or support structures to 6-9′ tall. Showy flowers (each to 1″ across) in colors of rose, pink-purple or white bloom early summer to fall in racemes of 6-11 flowers. Flowers are not fragrant. Flowers give way to flattened, pea-like seed pods. Both pods and seeds are toxic if ingested. Lathyrus comes from the Greek word for pea. The specific epithet means broad-leaved. Additional common names for this species include perennial pea and wild sweet pea.

limitations: Additional potential pests include aphids, pea moth and mites. Potential diseases include powdery mildew, gray mold, rust, black root rot and leaf spot.

suitable uses:Plants will sprawl along the ground or twine onto support structures. Borders or cottage gardens. Ground cover for slopes and embankments. Trail over rocky areas. Climb on walls or fences. Containers.