Lychnis coronaria Rose Campion Lychnis coronaria Type: Perennial Exposure: Full Sun Water: Regular / Drought Tolerant Once Established The fuzzy, light greenish-silver foliage (about the same shade as Lamb’s Ears) of this old-fashioned perennial formsContinue reading
Rockrose
Cistus x purpureus Cistus x purpureus Cistus x hybridus Cistus “Peggy Sammons” Rockrose Cistus Type: Evergreen Shrub Exposure: Full Sun Water: Drought Tolerant These Mediterranean natives form loose mounds of soft green to silver orContinue reading
Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius “Diablo” Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius “Diablo” Type: Deciduous Shrub Exposure: Sun / Part Shade Water: Regular / Light Today’s plant rivals the Black Elderberry for dramatic, purple-black foliage. Quickly reaching a height and spreadContinue reading
Tall Verbena, Argentinian Vervain
Verbena bonariensis Tall Verbena, Argentinian Vervain Verbena bonariensis Type: Perennial or Annual Exposure: Full Sun Water: Regular I think the best description of this South American native is from Fine Gardening, who calls this “aContinue reading
Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia “Blue Spire” Russian Sage Perovskia atriplicifolia “Blue Spire” Type: Shrubby Perennial Water: Moderate to Light Exposure: Full Sun Russian Sage is neither Russian nor a sage, but I guess the name soundedContinue reading
Himilayan Honeysuckle
Leycesteria formosa Himalayan Honeysuckle Leycesteria formosa Type: Deciduous Shrub Exposure: Full Sun / Light Shade Water: Regular Once a favorite in Victorian shrubberies, the Himalayan Honeysuckle features upright, fast growing stems that begin as aContinue reading
Blue Star Creeper
Isotoma fluviatilis Blue Star Creeper Isotoma fluviatilis (also Pratia pedunculata) Type: Perennial Groundcover Exposure: Sun / Part Shade Water: Regular Tiny, nearly stemless green leaves form a soft carpet that will quickly spread to 18inContinue reading
Empress Tree
Empress Tree Paulownia tomentosa Type: Deciduous Tree Exposure: Full Sun Water: Regular Happy Mother’s Day! The popularity of this fast-growing Chinese native is thanks to its large dramatic leaves and tropical-looking, fragrant flower clusters. InContinue reading
Yarrow
Alchillea “Moonshine” (Paired with Nepeta or Catmint) Yarrow Achillea “Moonshine” Type: Perennial Exposure: Full Sun Water: Regular to Drought Tolerant Here’s an excellent choice for an easy care summer-blooming perennial. Aromatic, ferny, grey/green foliage formsContinue reading
Black Elder
Sambucus nigra “Black Beauty” Black Elder Sambucus nigra “Black Beauty” Type: Deciduous Shrub or Small Tree Exposure: Sun / Part Shade Water: Regular The leaves of this large shrub are such a deep purple thatContinue reading