Dan West Garden Center

March 2009 Newsletter©

Sun Perennials

March reminders…prune Forsythia, quince, Kerria, Spiraea, flowering almond, Deutzia and other spring flowering shrubs right after they finish blooming.  If you need to hard prune broadleaf evergreens such as holly, Photinia or Ligustrum, wait until around April 1.  You still have time to apply a pre-emerge herbicide on your lawn, but do it soon.  It’s time to spray broadleaf weeds like henbit and dead nettle (the purple flowered weeds in most yards), wild onions and dandelions with Weed Free Zone. Spot-spray only and carefully if you are using Image (it should not be broadcast sprayed over bermudagrass coming out of dormancy).  If you haven’t checked the pH lately of your lawn or garden, bring us about a coffee can full and we’ll test it for you (it’s free).  March is a good time to lime both the lawn and garden if needed.  Fertilize fescue lawns now and overseed fescue in mid March. 

Plant cool season crops such as cabbage, broccoli and turnips, onions, English peas, strawberries and potatoes.  (Looking for a source of bulk garden seed?  Visit our Eads store; we now stock many varieties of bulk garden seed.)  March is a great time to plant roses.  You can view our 2009 Rose List under the “How-To” tab on our website.  Also, due in next week are the first Sunny (yellow) Knockout roses.  Spray broadleaf evergreens with a dormant oil spray this month to kill over-wintering insects and insect eggs so you start the season clean.

Last month I posted our shade perennial list of over 400 frequently found varieties.  Here’s our sun perennial list, a little longer, over 800 varieties.   Both lists will be posted on our “How-To” page soon so you can use them for future reference.  Most are easy to grow, some aren’t, so I’ve tried to share with (warn) you what I’ve found to be true in nearly 40 years in this business.  I’ll update them with new varieties and accidental omissions from time to time.  If I left out one of your favorites or made a glaring mistake, let me know and I’ll get it fixed. 

Sun Perennials…

Achillea - Yarrow - This is a great drought tolerant addition to the sun garden that thrives in poor soil but needs good drainage. The blue/green foliage is attractive even when the plant is not blooming.  Some reseeding is possible and it can become invasive. Flower heads can be dried or used fresh in arrangements.  Attracts beneficial parasitic wasps and butterflies.  Most are A. millefolium cultivars.

   'Angelique' - Dark blood red blooms, 24" tall.

   'Cerise Queen' - Dark rose pink, 24" tall.

   'Coronation Gold' - Golden yellow flowers to 36" tall.

   'Fireland' - Brick red, fades to orange/gold, to 36" tall.

   'Gloria Jean' - Light pink to 24" tall.

   'Love Parade' - This is a different specie.  Flowers are more daisy-like, pink fading to white.  Foliage is dark green, to 24" tall.

   'Moonshine' - Bright yellow flowers to 24".

   'Ortel's Rose' - Rosy pink flowers, 24" tall.

   'Paprika' - Red blooms with yellow centers, 24" tall.

   'Red Velvet' - Dark red to 30".

   'Royal Tapestry' - Deep purple to lavender with a white center, 24" tall.

   'Summer Pastels' -Yellows and pinks to 24" tall.

   'Terra Cotta' - Bright peach flowers mature to red and orange, 36" tall.

   'White Beauty' - Pure white to 24".

Aconitum - Monkshood - This is difficult to grow in the south. Likes a near neutral pH and should be fertilized with a high phosphorous fertilizer.  Needs excellent drainage but also needs ample moisture, so plant it protected from the hottest afternoon sun. All parts are very poisonous.

Agapanthus - Lily of the Nile - We can add this to the perennial list because now we have cold hardy cultivars.  Traditionally a USDA zone 8 and 9 plant, now these cultivars are hardy to zone 6 and 7. May cause vomiting if ingested

   'Blue Heaven' - Very large flowers and very profuse bloomer.  Violet blue flowers and touted to be zone 6 hardy, to 36" tall.

   'Elaine' - Very dark blue flowers and 48" or more tall.  Zone 7 hardy.

   'Midnight Blue' - Dark blue and zone 7 (maybe 6) hardy, to 24".

   'Peter Pan' - A pale blue dwarf cultivar that grows to 18" tall. Zone 7 hardy.

   'White Heaven' - Very large flowers and very profuse bloomer.  White flowers.  I'm not convinced the white is as hardy as it's blue namesake, but a great container    plant anyway. To 36" tall.

Agastache - Hyssop - This is a great plant. It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, foliage and flowers are aromatic and it blooms from mid-summer into the fall.  Fragrance varies from mint-like to fruity to licorice, depending on variety.

   'Apricot Sprite' - Gray-green fragrant foliage with apricot orange flowers, 18" tall.

   'Apricot Sunrise' - Gray-green fragrant foliage with pale peach flowers, 18" tall.

   'Apache Sunset' - Purple buds open to deep orange flowers, 24" tall.

   'Blue Fortune' - Long lasting blue flowers to 24" tall.

   'Red Fortune' - Red flowers to 24" tall.

   'Tutti Frutti' - Raspberry red flowers, gray green foliage to 4' tall.

Alcea - A. rosea - Hollyhock - Not the easiest plant to grow in the Mid South.  They don't like our heat, poor soil drainage (especially in the winter) and they are subject to leaf diseases and insects.  They are many cultivars available that grow from 2' tall to nearly 8'.  Best planted where they are well drained, protected from the hottest afternoon sun and out of strong wind.  Available in single and double flowers and in almost every color. Taller varieties should be staked.

   'Chater's Double' - A double flowering mix that contains apricot, yellow, red, white, pink and maroon.  Grows to 5' tall.

   'Party Girl' - Bright rose pink single flowers, dwarf plant to 24" tall.

   'Powder Puff Mix' - Double pink or white flowers to 8'.

   'Queeny Purple' - Single purple flowers to 24" tall.

Alchemilla - Lady's Mantle - This is an attractive perennial with light green leaves and yellow flowers.  This is as far south as it grows, so protect it from the hottest afternoon sun. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline, moist, but well drained soil.  Remove the old flower heads to prevent seeding (it can be invasive) and it encourages some secondary flowering.

   'Thriller' - Superior midsummer performer.  Fast growing, excellent cottage garden addition.

Amsonia - Blue star - One of my favorites.  Great plant for the edge of the woodland garden but grows in full sun if the soil is moist and well drained.

   A. hubrichtii - Sky blue flowers to 3' tall. Very thin threadlike foliage.  Foliage turns golden orange in the fall.

   A. tabernaemontana - Bushy plant with pale blue flowers to 2' tall. Yellow fall color.

Anthemis - A. tinctoria - Golden Marguerite - Clump forming, short-lived, profuse flowering perennial with cream to yellow daisy-like flowers.  Must be grown in well drained soil, preferably with a significant amount of sand or gravel.  Not an easy plant to grow in the Mid-South.

Aquilegia - Columbine - This is another plant that thrives at the edge of the shade garden.  It needs 4-5 hours of sun to perform well and it's considered a short lived perennial.  However, it seeds readily, so once you plant it, you've always got it.  Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Cut flowers may last 2 weeks.

   A. canadensis -  Wild columbine. Small yellow and red flowers to 24" tall.

   A. chrysantha - Golden columbine - Bright yellow flowers to 24" tall.  Excellent heat and sun tolerance and mildew resistant. 

   A. flabeletta nana - The 'Fan' columbine, lilac to blue flowers only 12" tall.

   'Biedermeier Mix'  - Compact stiff growth habit to 12".  Available in white, pink and purple.

   'Barlow Series '  - Available in red, blue and black.  Fully double.  Resembles a dahlia.  Grows to 24".

   'Cameo Mix' - 4" - 8" tall dwarf columbine in mixed colors. Blue/white, red/white, pure white, blush just a few of the color combinations available.

   'Clementine Series' - Blue, dark purple, red, salmon rose, rose or white double flowers.  Grows to 24".

   'Denver Gold' - An A. chrysantha selection.  Huge 3" yellow flowers, re-blooms in the fall if cut back, 30" tall.

   'Lime Frost' - Blue/green foliage splashed with creamy yellow variegation, purple/blue flowers to 18" tall.

   'McKana's Giants' - Large flowers in a variety of pastel color combinations, to 30". 

   'Origami Series'  - Blue & White, Pink & White and Yellow -  Abundant flowers to 15" tall.

   'Red Hobbit' - Beautiful red and white flowers to 18" tall.

   'Rose Queen' - Rose pink and white flowers to 30" tall.

   'Songbird  Series' - Blue Jay' - blue and white flowers. 'Cardinal' - rose and white flowers, 'Dove' - white flowers, to 24" tall.

   'Swan Series' - Blue and white, red and white, violet and white and yellow.

   'Texas Gold' - An A. chrysantha variety that is especially heat tolerant.  Spectacular yellow flowers, 24" - 30" tall.

Artemisia - Wormwood -Striking evergreen silver foliage in a variety of leaf types and height.  Likes the heat and well drained soil.  Avoid poor soil and leaves or mulch around the crown during the winter.

   'Guizhou' - Black stemmed Artemisia - Deeply lobed, black/green foliage, black stems, to 5'.  White flowers in late summer.                 

   'Oriental Limelight' - Green foliage with lemon yellow variegation.  Branches freely, grows to 36".  Can be invasive, but attractive regardless.

   'Powis Castle' - Dense, billowing clump of grey foliage to 24" tall.  Performs best if not allowed to flower.

   'Silver Brocade' - Wide silver foliage to 1" but only 6" tall.

   'Silver King' - Compact white woolly foliage, red fall color to 36".

   'Silver Queen' - An upright variety to 36". Needs to go dry between watering.

   'Silvermound' - Forms a silver carpet. 12" tall.

   'Valerie Finnis' - Wide bright silver foliage, yellow flowers, to 24".

Asclepias - Milkweed, Butterfly weed - The swamp milkweeds prefer moist soil but will grow in drier locations…just not as well.  The butterfly weeds need drier locations. All need full sun.

   A. curassavica - Blood flower - I see this one in nurseries but it's not normally hardy.  Planted on the south side of a house against a brick wall or next to a sidewalk, it might be root hardy, but I wouldn't depend on it.  Still worth planting for the Monarch butterflies.

   A. curassavica -  'Silky Gold' - A golden yellow form of above.  

   A. incarnata 'Cinderella' - Sweetly scented, rosy purple swamp milkweed to 4' tall.

   A. incarnata 'Ice Ballet' - Swamp milkweed, white flowers to 4' tall.

   A. incarnata 'Soul Mate' - Pink flowering swamp milkweed to 3' tall.

   A. tuberosa - Butterfly weed - Orange-red to yellow flowers, 3' tall. Difficult to transplant older specimens.

   A. tuberosa - 'Gay Butterflies' - Mixed scarlet, red, yellow, gold, orange or pink flowers, 2'..

   A. tuberosa - 'Hello Yellow' -A golden yellow strain of butterfly weed, 18" tall.

Aster - For late summer and fall color, asters are hard to beat.  Most prefer sunny locations in moist, well drained soils. Divide every 2-3 years for best results.

   'Alma Potschke' - Bright rose pink flower heads with yellow center to 24" - 48"  tall.

   'Believer' - Dark blue/purple with yellow centers, early bloomer to 24".

   'Daydream' - Lavender to 24", early season bloomer.

   'Dragon' - Light lavender, very early bloomer, 24".

   'English Countryside' - Violet/purple, yellow center, September flowers, to 30".

   'Farmington' - Lilac pink, double flowers, profuse bloomer to 18".

   'Frikartii Monch' - Large lavender/blue flowers that start in early summer and continue into the fall.

   'Hazy' - Raspberry pink flowers, yellow center, profuse bloomer to 18".

   'Henry III' - Fully double, mauve purple, compact plants to 15".

   'Lady in Black' - Daisy like flowers on deep plum purple foliage to 3' tall.

   'Loke Viking' - Hot pink, yellow center to 3' tall.

   'Magic' - Dark lavender, early season blooms, 18".

   'Melody' - Light lavender/blue, mid season bloomer, 18".

   'October Skies' - Lavender blue to 24" tall.

   'Persian Rose'  - Another heat tolerant variety, 15" tall with rose flowers

   'Professor Kippenburg - 12" tall, tolerates heat well. Blue flowers with yellow centers

   'Purple Dome' - Purple flowers with orange centers, to 24" tall.

   'Thyra Viking' - Bright pink flowers, yellow centers to 24" tall.

   'Wood's Blue' - Deep blue flowers with yellow eye, 12" tall.

   'Wood's Pink' - Magenta flower with orange eye, 16" tall.

   'Wood's Purple' - Pale purple with yellow eye, 16" tall.

Baptisia - Attractive, often arching, blue/green foliage, pea like flowers, followed by large seed pods.  Plant in well drained soil, likes heat.

   B. alba - White false indigo - White flowers to 4' tall.

   B. australis - Blue wild indigo - Dark blue upright flower spikes to 5' tall. Black seed pods held well into winter.

   B. minor  - Dwarf blue indigo - Blue purple flower, to 2'.

   B. sphaerocarpa - Yellow wild indigo - 12" to 15" tall spires of clear yellow flowers.

'Carolina Moonlight' - Creamy yellow flowers to 3' tall.

   'Purple Smoke' - Giant purple flower heads. 4' tall.

   'Twilight Prairie Blues' - Almost copper color and yellow, to 24",

   'Wayne's World' - White flowers to 4' tall, 18" flower spikes.

Belamcanda - Blackberry lily - So named because the seed clusters resemble blackberries.  Upright sword like foliage.

   B. chinensis -Showy orange flowers with red spots.  Seeds freely. 36".

Boltonia - Tall growing perennial to 5' or more.  Blooms mid summer to early fall. Tendency toward powdery mildew if crowded by other perennials or not divided every couple of years.  Lavender is the most common color seen, but there are pink and white selections.

'Jim Crockett'  - Lavender aster like flowers with yellow center, compact plant to 24".

Campanula - Campanulas can be low growing mounds of color suitable for a rock garden or upright plants with spikes of tubular or bell-shaped flowers to 36" or more.  They all like moist, well drained soil, with 6-8 hours of sun.  Protect them from the hottest afternoon sun for best results.

   'Blue Clips' - Large blue flowers only 8" tall.

   'Blue uniform' - Very compact, profuse bloomer, medium blue flowers throughout the summer, 8".

   'Blue waterfall' - Flower spikes with light blue flowers emerge from the center of the plant and then cascade over.  Grows to 12".

   'Cherry Bells' - 12" plant with 3' spikes of white fringed, cherry red 2" flowers.

   'Chettle Charm' - Spectacular spikes of large white flowers to 36" tall. 

   'Wedding Bells' - Double white flowers to 24".

   'White Clips' - Large white flowers only 8" tall.

   'White Pantaloon' - Large white flowers with a double row of petals. Grows to 30".

   'White Uniform' - Very compact, profuse bloomer, white flowers throughout the summer, 8"

Centaurea - Cornflower - Silvery green foliage and Stokesia like flowers.  Grows in full sun and in any well drained soil.  Needs staking and should be pruned hard in the summer to keep plants compact. Grows to 36" tall and is a great cut flower. Most have flowers that are shades of purple or pink, but there are some deep blue and even yellow!

    C. dealbata - This one has rosy/lavender flowers and is the most common.

Centranthus- Jupiter's beard - Upright woody perennial that prefers poor soil.  The flower spike is covered with small dark red flowers to 3'.  Seeds freely.

   C. ruber - Sometimes called 'red valerian'.  Flowers from late spring through most of the summer.  Occasionally we see a white and a pink flowered cultivar offered.

Chrysanthemum - Mums are basically divided into two groups.  Exhibition types have numerous flower shapes, sizes and colors.  They are usually disbudded through the season to produce single large flowers.  These are the mums from the florist.  For the garden, decorative or cushion mums are the best choice.  They branch freely, need little if any pruning, and form a mound of color.  Mums set blooms based on the length of the night. You can, with a little planning, have mums in bloom from June until frost.  Plant early, mid, and late season varieties and use plants and structures to shade beds where you want early season blooms.   Garden mums are available in white, pink, yellow, orange, burgundy, purple, lots of "in-between " colors and flowers styles from pom pom to daisy.   Plant in any well drained sunny to part sun area with 5-6 hours or more of sun. 

Coreopsis - Tickseed - Easy to grow sun perennials.  Spent flowers should be removed to encourage re-blooming.  Pinks are a little pickier about drainage. Don't let mulch or leaves accumulate on or around the crown, especially through the winter.

   C. auriculata nana - Dwarf coreopsis. Bright yellow orange flowers only 8" tall. Spreads by rhizomes.

   C. integrifolia - Fall blooming, bright yellow flowers to 12" tall.  This one tolerates moist to wet soil very well.

   'American Dream' - Light pink flowers with yellow center to 15" tall. Needs good drainage.

   'Autumn Blush' - Pale yellow flowers with a slight peach tint that darkens  to a wine red blush in the fall.  Grows to 36".

   'Baby Sun' - Single golden yellow flower w/ red fleck at petal base, 12" tall

   'Creme Brulee' - Thread leaf variety with beautiful yellow flowers to 20" tall,

   'Early Sunrise' - Dandelion like yellow flowers to 24".

   'Flying Saucers' - Large yellow flowers, orange center to 18".

   'Goldfink' - A compact cultivar with bright yellow flowers to 12" tall.

   'Heaven's Gate' - Very profuse bloomer, dark pink flowers with darker center, to 18".  Give this one excellent drainage.

   'Jethro Tull' - Unique tubular petals, yellow, to 18".

   'Limerock Passion' - Bold lavender flowers with yellow center to 16" tall.

   'Limerock Ruby' - Ruby red flowers with yellow centers, 24' tall.

   'Little Sundial' - Yellow flowers, brown center, to 12" tall.  Will re-bloom if trimmed after first flowering. 

   'Moonbeam' - Creamy yellow flowers, almost season long blooms, to 18" tall. This thread leaf variety may well be the longest flowering perennial in your garden.

   'Pinwheel' - Blue green foliage and unusual tubular pinwheel petals.  Pale yellow petals surround an orange brown center, to 32".

   'Presto' - 2" yellow flowers on 12" plant.  Blooms first year from seed.

   'Rising Sun' - Semi-double yellow flowers.  Petals are red near base, grows to 36".

   'Sienna Sunset' - Sport of Crème Brulee.  Thread leaf variety with salmon flowers.  Re-blooms if trimmed.

   'Snowberry' - White flowering cultivar with the base of the petals red giving a red ring appearance surrounding an orange center, to 24".

   'Sundancer' - Semi-double yellow flowers to 18" tall.

   'Sunfire' - Yellow flowers with a burgundy center to 24". 

   'Sunray' - Semi-double gold flowers, 18" tall.

   'Sweet Dreams' - PP#12720 - White petals with raspberry center and yellow button eye, to 18" tall.

   'Tequila Sunrise' - Green foliage edged cream turning pink in the Fall.  Yellow flowers, 20" tall.

   'Zagreb' - Golden yellow flowers, 12" tall.  Another outstanding thread leaf variety.  For season long color, you can't beat this one and Moonbeam.

   'Zamphir' - Unusual tubular petals like Pinwheel but a bright orange/yellow color.  Compact dwarf plant to 18".

Crocosmia - Produces long arching flower spikes covered with brightly colored, somewhat funnel shaped flowers mid-summer into the fall.  Lance like foliage to 24" with flowers to 36".  Lift and divide every couple of years.

   'Bright Eyes' - Orange flowers, red center, 18".  Profuse bloomer.

   'Emberglow - Deep scarlet flowers, yellow throat  to 3 tall. Profuse bloomer.

   'Emily McKenzie' - Brilliant orange flowers with a ring around a yellow throat.  Good cut flower to 36".

   'George Davidson' - Large yellow/orange 3" flowers, to 36". Probably the best Crocosmia, but they're all nice.

   'Irish Sunset' - Orange/yellow flowers with a hint of red, to 36".

   'Lucifer' - Bright red flowers on slightly arching spikes to 4' tall.

   'Swan' - This is a different specie than most. Looks very similar in habit but it has large orange flowers that have a pink tinged margin, to 36".

   'Walburton Yellow' - Yellow flowers to 3' tall. Profuse bloomer.

Delphinium - Larkspur - Produces tall spikes of flowers. Flower height varies from 18" to over 6' tall.  They're available in a wide range of colors including white, cream, pink, blue, red, lavender and purple.  Difficult to grow in the Mid South.  Plant where they are protected from the hottest afternoon sun, in well drained soil and out of the wind.  Most varieties over 3' tall will require staking.  Cut spent flowers to encourage re-blooming.

   'Blue Butterfly' - Rich, vibrant blue.  This one doesn't produce tall flower spikes. It's a compact plant to 18" with flowers produced in the foliage.  Not drought tolerant. This is probably the hardest to grow in the Mid South.

   'Blue Mirror' - Brilliant violet blue from April to June to 18" tall.

   'Cherry Blossom' - Soft pink with pale yellow center, 24" tall.

   'Magic Fountain Mix' - Assorted colors with lighter/darker eyes to 36" tall. 

   'Red Caroline' - Striking deep red to 36".

   'Sky Blue' - Beautiful sky blue flowers to 30".

   'Summer Blues' - Dwarf cultivar to 15", sky blue flowers.

   'Summer Nights' - Deep blue, very dwarf, 12" tall.  Forms a mound of color.

Dendrathema - syn. Chrysanthemum - Once considered Chrysanthemums, now a separate species.  Daisy like flowers, very profuse bloomers.  Trim once or twice in the spring to keep them compact.  Plant in well drained soil.

   'Ryan's Pink' - Soft pink flowers with yellow center to 3' tall.

   'Ryan's Yellow' - Pastel yellow flowers with yellow center to 3' tall.

Dianthus - Cheddar Pink - Very attractive blue green mound of evergreen foliage with flowers held atop 6" -10" stems in a wide selection of bloom colors.  Some solid colors and many multi color variations.  Plant in a well drained area  and keep the pH  in the  6.8 - 7.2 range. Dead head spent blooms to prolong flowering. Although a sun loving plant, foliage often looks better if protected from the hottest afternoon sun and drought.  Most still bloom well in part sun. 

   D. barbatus 'Mixed Dwarf ' - Sweet William - Self seeding biennial and sometimes perennial in red, pink and white variations, 12" tall.

   'Apple Spice' - 2" daisy fluorescent pink petal centers surrounded by deep apple red. Blooms all summer.

   'Bath's Pink' - Soft pink flowers, 12" tall.  Outstanding, reliable perennial.

   'Brilliant' - Deep reddish pink flowers with a deep red ring around the flower center.  Very profuse bloomer to 12".

   'Can Can Scarlet' - Award winning, very fragrant, scarlet flowers to 14".  One of the most heat tolerant.

   "Cherry Ripple' - Double white with red, carnation like flowers to 10".

   'Coconut Punch'  - White petals w/deep red edge.  Blooms all summer.

   'Cranberry Ice' - Beautiful pattern of fuchsia petals with a pink picotee edge and pink splotch in the petal center. Fragrant to 12".

   'Desmond'  - Double scarlet red, 20" stems. Profuse bloomer, dead head to encourage re-bloom.

   'Dragon Fruit'  - Bright pink, double ruffled flower, 8" tall.

   'Eastern Star' -Bright red with deeper red center and edged in pink, to 8".

   'Fancy Knickers' - Double white with just a little red in the center, to 8".

   'Firewitch' - Re-blooms if sheared immediately after flowering. Magenta pink flowers, 12" tall.

   'First Love' - Single white fringed flower that changes to deep rose pink, to 15".

   'Frosty Fire' - Blue gray foliage with vivid scarlet flowers.  Blooms up to 10 weeks.  10" tall.

   'Heart Attack' - This is a dependably perennial Sweet William.  Very dark red flowers, dark green foliage, long bloomer, to 12" tall.

   'Itsaul White' - Vanilla fragrance, heavily frilled double white flower, to 15".

   'Lavender Lace' - Light green foliage and frilled pale lavender flowers, to 24".

   'Mountain Mist - Bright light pink flowers, 12" tall.

   'Neon Star' -Vivid neon pink flowers. Profuse bloomer to 12".

   'Pixie Star' - Pink flowers with dark pink eyes, 8" tall.

   'Pomegranate Kiss'  - Deep burgundy double flowers splashed with pink. Very fragrant to 12".

   'Raspberry Swirl' - White/pink petals outlined with a deep red edge and red ring around white center.  Really nice pattern!  To 10".

   'Sangria Splash' - Purple petals outlined with deep red edge. Very attractive pattern, to 15".

   'Spangled Star' - Red with pink margins and blotches to 9" tall.

   'Strawberry Sorbet' - Dark red flowers splashed with pink and a thin pink edge. Grows to 16".

   'Telstar Picotee' - Award winning red flowers with a white picotee edge.  Profuse bloomer, fragrant, 12" tall

   'Tiny Rubies' - Very compact plant, ruby red flowers to 8".

   Velvet 'n Lace' - Dark purple double flowers with a white picotee edge 15".

   'Zing Rose' - Rose red flowers, summer until frost, to 10".

   'Zing Salmon' - Bright salmon pink flowers, to 12".

Digitalis- Foxglove - Tall, upright growth with flower spikes covered with bell shaped flowers.  Should be grown in a moist, well drained, part sun location.  Foxgloves are really biennials or short lived perennials.  Usually blooms second year, dies but reseeds freely.

   'Alba' - White flowering variety, can grow to 6' tall.  Long flowers up to 5", which persist for a long time.

   'Apricot Beauty' - Apricot flowers on a more compact plant 3' to 4' tall.

   'Camelot Series' - Often blooms the first year and re-blooms well the second year if cut back.  More heat tolerant than most.  Available in a variety of colors…rose, white, lavender and cream. To 4' tall. 

   'Foxy Series' - Creamy white, pastel mauve, red, yellow, purple and pink flowers. 3' tall, will re-bloom if deadheaded. Many times blooms first year.

Echinacea - Coneflower - The purple coneflower now comes in many more colors.  They like well drained, full sun locations but will tolerate a little shade.  Most seed freely, so dead head often to prevent lots and lots of seedlings or leave on the seed heads for the finches this winter.  Flower height varies by cultivar, blooms mid summer until fall.

   E. purpurea  - Purple coneflower to 36".

   'All That Jazz' - Unique lavender tubular quill petals, orange center, to 36" tall.

   'Coconut Lime' - Gold cone surrounded by chartreuse petals and ringed with white petals that sweep backwards. Grows to 24".

   'Double Decker' - One row of purple petals fold back away from center cone.  Another set of smaller petals sprout from the top of the cone.  Grows to 42".

   'Fancy Frills' - Double rows of frilled pink petals.  Very large flowers, to 30".

   'Fatal Attraction' - Single row of vibrant pink petals surround a very large orange center cone supported by a black stem, to 24".

   'Fragrant Angel'  - Pure white double row of petals, gold center, 30" tall. Sweet fragrance.

   'Green Envy' - Striking rounded petals are a unique honeydew green with a touch of peach at the base.  Center cone is a dark jade green, to 36". Fades to peach.

   'Green Jewel' - Emerald green center, pale green petals, 24" tall.  Similar to Green Envy but holds the green color.

   'Kim's Knee High' -Beautiful pink/purple flowers  on a compact plant, to 24" tall. Petals tend to fold backward like the native coneflower.

   'Kim's Mophead' - Green center, white petals, 15" tall, profuse bloomer.

   'Little Giant' - Huge 5" flowers on a dwarf 12" plant.  Bright pink petals around an orange cone.

   'Magnus' - 4" magenta flowers that hold their petal horizontal - no drooping!  3' tall.

   'Mango Meadowbright' - Thin mango colored petals surround an orange/green cone, to 30".

   'Merlot' - Very large rosy pink flowers, wine colored stem, to 28".

   'Orange Meadowbright' -  Thin tangerine orange petals surround a brown center,  to 24" tall, aka 'Art's Pride'.

   'Pink Double Delight' - Deep pink center and light pink petals.  Little or no center cone.  Resembles a cushion mum.  Disease resistant, 20".

   'Pixie Meadowbright' - Vibrant pink, mostly horizontal petals, dwarf plant to 18" or less.

   'Prairie Splendor' - Very large 6" flowers on a compact plant, to 24".  Blooms about 2 weeks earlier than most coneflowers and continues into the fall.

   'Primadonna' - Large 5-6" rose/lavender flowers, petals mostly horizontal around an orange center, to 36".

   'Raspberry Tart' - Deep magenta flowers, compact plant to 18", fragrant.

   'Razzmatazz' - Fully double flower.  Single row of magenta petals surround a rose pink mum-like center with no cone, to 32".

   'Rocky Top' - E. tennesseensis hybrid - Mauve slightly upward pointing petals surround a black cone, to 24".  Likes neutral or slightly higher pH.

   'Rubinsturn' - aka 'Ruby Star' - Carmine red petals surround the golden yellow cone, to 3' tall. Improved Magnus.

   'Ruby Giant' - Very fragrant, ruby/pink flowers up to 7" across.  Grows to 36".

   'Tiki Torch" - 4.5" Dark orange flowers. Spicy scent, to 36".

   'Vintage Wine' - Raspberry red flowers, short petals that surround the orange cone do not droop. Grows to 30".

   'Virgin ' - Upright stems, pure white flowers. Grows to 24" tall  Dark green center.

   'White Swan' - White flowering variety to 3' tall.  Petals fold backward like the native coneflower.

Big Sky Series -  A hybrid series developed by crossing E. purpurea and E. paradoxa resulting in some striking new colors for a purple coneflower.

   'After Midnight' - Very compact plant, 12".  Large magenta flowers on black stems.

   'Harvest Moon' - Golden yellow petals, rust center.  36"

   'Summer Sky' - Orange cone w/light orange petals.  Fragrant. 36"

   'Sundown'  - Dark orange petals, brown center cone.  36"

   'Sunrise' - Fragrant, light yellow, 5" flowers.  36"

   'Sunset' - Orange petals, brown cone. 36"

   'Twilight' - Deep rose pink petals, burgundy cone, 36" tall. 

Equisetum - Horsetail Reed - Evergreen perennial with rush like foliage often used in floral arrangements.  Spreads rapidly by underground runners.  Likes full sun, good marginal plant.  Likes wet locations, grows to 4'.  Occasionally a dwarf and giant form are available.  Very, very invasive.  Should only be grown in a water garden or escape proof container.

Eupatorium - Tall clump forming perennial with flat panicles of ageratum like flowers.  Good background plant for the perennial garden.  Pretty, but not stunning.

   E. coelestinum - Wild Ageratum - Blue/purple ageratum like flowers, to 3' tall.  Butterflies love it.  Correctly Conoclinium coelestinum.

   E. greggii - Texas Mistflower - Very similar in appearance to the above.

   E. purpureum - Joe Pye Weed - Light purple flowers to 7' tall. Blooms late summer into the fall, like neutral to slightly alkaline soil.

   'Baby Joe' - Dwarf form to 30", magenta flowers.

   'Chocolate' - White Snakeroot - Chocolate/purple leaves, purple stems, white flowers to 4' tall.

   'Gateway' - Huge clusters of deep red flower buds that open to lavender flowers, to 5' tall.

   'Little Joe' - Mutation of the native that grows to 4' tall.

   'Phantom' - A dwarf species to 4', more shade tolerant, lavender flowers.

Euphorbia -  Attractive sun loving perennials. Most have season long attractive foliage.  Sap may irritate skin, many are toxic if ingested.

   E. polychroma - Cushion spurge - Yellow flowers in late spring.  Should be trimmed after flowering, to 18". Red fall coloration.

   'Chameleon' - Yellow bracts, inconspicuous flowers in the spring, grown for it's beautiful purple foliage, to 18" tall. 

   'Glacier Blue' - Grown for it's attractive blue/green foliage that is edged in white. Evergreen, to 15" tall.

   'Tasmanian Tiger' - Gray/green foliage with a white margin, creamy white flowers to 3' tall.

Gaillardia - Blanketflower - Grown for their large (up to 5") brightly colored flowers, this often short lived perennial needs full sun and well drained soil.

'Arizona Sun' - Red daisy like flowers edged in yellow, 12" tall.

'Baby Cole' - Orange red petals tipped in yellow, 8" tall.

   'Burgundy' - Reddish burgundy flowers with a yellow edge to 24" tall.

   'Commotion Frenzy' - Fluted red petals tipped in yellow.  24".

   'Commotion Tizzy' - Rosy terra cotta with a hint of yellow.  24".

   'Fanfare' - Upward facing scarlet flowers with bright yellow tips to 24" tall.

   'Golden Goblin' - Bright yellow petals, 12" tall.

   'Grape Sensation' - 2" light purple petals with a burgundy center, 18".

   'Kobold' -  ('Goblin') - Daisy-like maroon petals edged in yellow to 12" tall.

   'Oranges and Lemons' - Bright orange center and petals.  Petals tipped in yellow.  24".

   'Summer Kiss' - Soft apricot flowers to 18"

   'Torch Flame' - Unusual tubular florets.  Orange tipped in yellow, give this flower a globe shaped appearance. Torch Red and Torch Yellow also available.

Gaura - Tall arching flower stems covered with butterfly like flowers that sway in the wind.  Very long bloomer, spring through fall, good container plant also.

   'Blushing Butterflies' - Pink buds open to almost white flowers, better heat tolerance, to 36"

   'Corrie's Gold' - Pink and white flowers with variegated foliage, to 36".

   'Crimson Butterflies' - Dark crimson foliage, hot pink flowers on very short stems, to 15".

   'Karalee Petite' - Bright pink, dwarf plant, to 16"

   'Passionate Rainbow' - Rose pink flowers, leaves edged in white, to 30"

   'Pink Cloud' - Deep pink flowers, to 48"..  Likes heat.

   'Siskiyou Pink' - Deep pink flowers, to 30" tall.

   'Sunny Butterflies' - Pink flowers with gold blotched foliage, to 36" tall.

   'Whirling Butterflies' - White flowers  to 36" tall. Likes heat.

Geranium  - Cranesbill - Great compact plant for the garden border or as a groundcover.  Likes sun, will tolerate some shade which causes the plants to be taller.  Prune old foliage and flowers to encourage new growth and  continued blooming.

   G. sanguineum 'striatum' - Striped Bloody Cranesbill - Burgundy fall foliage, light pink flowers w/red veins, to 10".

   G. cinereum var. subcaulescens - Black-eyed Magenta Cranesbill - Brilliant magenta flowers w/black center, burgundy fall foliage, to 8".

   'Biokovo' - White flowers w/pink centers, to 10", red fall foliage.

   'Brookside' - Beautiful blue flowers, white centers, blooms late spring into summer and again in the fall, to 24".

   'Claridge Druce' - Small pink flowers w/darker veins, to 15".

   'Johnson's Blue' - Large 2" blue flowers, orange/red fall foliage.

   'Karmina' - Pink flowers, red fall foliage, to 8".  Protect this one from the hottest afternoon sun for best performance.

   'Max Frei' - Carmine rose flowers, spring and summer, foliage tints red in the fall, compact plant to 8".

   'Okey Dokey ' - Dark purple foliage with steel blue flowers, to 15".

   'Pink Spice' - Dark purple, almost black, leaves with pink flowers that are edged in light pink, to 10".

   'Rozanne' - Violet blue flowers, lighter center, continuous bloom spring to fall, to 16". 2008 Perennial of the Year.

   'Sateene' - Lilac/rose flowers w/darker veins, to 10".

   'Summer Skies' - Unique double flower, light violet blue, to 24".

   'Tiny Monster' - Profuse bloomer, purple/violet flowers w/darker veins, compact plant to 10".

   'Wargrave Pink' - Rose pink flowers with darker magenta veins, to 18".

Geum - Likes full sun, but performs better in the Mid South if protected from hot afternoon sun.  Needs good drainage, especially in the winter, avoid over mulching.  Blooms late spring into early summer, dead head to extend season.

   'Lady Stratheden' - Double rows of ruffled bright yellow petals, single flowers atop each stem to 24".

   'Mrs. J. Bradshaw' - Semi-double scarlet/orange 1.35" flowers, to 24".

Gunnera - A difficult, but not impossible, plant to grow in the Mid South.  Very large, deeply lobed leaves up to 6' long  Needs moist soil in full to part sun, good marginal plant.  Protect from hot winds. Produces a flower spike covered with small flowers, but not grown for the flowers.  Leaves are covered with tiny spines, mulch heavily in the winter with pine needles. Do not allow to dry in the summer.

Gypsophila - G. paniculata - Baby's Breath - Hard to grow in the Mid-South.  Needs perfect drainage, especially in the winter, so plant it very, very high and incorporate a significant amount of coarse sand.  Prefers an alkaline soil, so keep the pH near 7.2.  Easily damaged, so plant it in a corner where it can be left undisturbed.

Helenium - This is a tall, clump forming perennial with 2" daisy like flowers.  Likes sun and moist to wet soils, grows to 5' tall or more and requires staking.  It can be cut back in May to shorten the plant and increase flowers.  Dead heading helps produce more flowers.

   H. autumnale - Yellow ray florets with brown centers to 5' tall.

   'Cymbal Star' - Chartreuse buds open to a mahogany splashed golden flower to 48" tall.

   'Mardi Gras' - Yellow flowers irregularly splashed with orange, to 48".

Helianthemum - Rock Rose - An attractive perennial year round.  White, pink, yellow, red or variegated flowers, grows to 18".   Likes hot, sunny, well drained locations.  Needs neutral to slightly alkaline soil.

   'Ben Nevis' - Orange/yellow flowers to 12".

   'Double Red' - Deep red blooms on a 15" evergreen plant.

   'Fire Dragon' - Vivid red/orange flowers to 12".

Helianthus - Sunflower - Easily grown in any full sun area.  Tolerates poor soil but performs better in well drained soil.  Most are very tall and require staking.

   H. maximiliani - Yellow petals surround a brown center giving this 3" flower a daisy appearance.  Blooms late summer into fall. Requires staking, to 10'.

   H. tuberosus - Jerusalem Artichoke - 4" yellow sunflowers atop a 10' plant.  Blooms late summer, produces an edible tuber.

   'First Light' - A compact form that only grows to 4'.  Blooms late September through October with masses of 2" flowers.

Heliopsis - Ox Eye - Sunflower like flowers on a compact plant.  Do not allow to dry out.

   'Loraine's Sunshine' - Yellow daisy flowers and variegated foliage, to 30" tall.

   'Summer Sun' - Single and occasionally double golden yellow flowers, to 36" tall.  Blooms summer through fall.

Hemerocallis -Daylily - Prefer full sun but grow and bloom well in light to moderate shade. A wide variety of colors and sizes are available.  Most go dormant in the winter, those varieties that are semi-evergreen are marked. 

   'Alabama Jubilee'  - Huge 7" fragrant, red-orange flowers to 30".

   'Always Afternoon' - Mauve red, deep purple eye, yellow throat, 24". Semi- evergreen.

   'Ann Warner' - Pink w/yellow throat, to 24". Re-bloomer.

   'Apricot Sparkles' - Profuse 3" apricot flowers. Re-bloomer, May until frost, 24". 

   'Autumn Red' - Large red blooms, gold center and center stripe, does not fade, 36" tall.  Re-bloomer.

   'Baja' - Blood red w/bright yellow halo, to 26".  Re-bloomer.  Semi-evergreen.

   'Bama Bound' - Dark red w/apple green throat, ruffled edge, to 24".  Semi-evergreen. 

   'Bama Music' - Baby pink w/lighter midribs, yellow eye, green throat, to 36".

   'Barbara Mitchell' - Spectacular 6" ruffled pink flowers w/yellow throat, 22".

   'Bela Lugosi' - Huge 6" dark purple w/lemon throat, 32". Semi-evergreen.

   'Bertie Ferris' - Slightly ruffled apricot flower, to 20".  Re-bloomer.

   'Black Eyed Susan' - Yellow/orange petals w/maroon eye and orange throat, to 28".  Re-bloomer.

   'Black Stockings' - Dark purple w/lemon throat, 24" tall. Semi-evergreen.

   'Bright Sunset' - Coppery orange with golden eye and midribs, green throat.

   'Bold Tiger' - Fragrant bright orange petals w/red eye and yellow/green throat, to 28".

   'Bonanza' - Dwarf plant, bright yellow w/maroon red center, 16".  Semi-evergreen,

   'Buttered Popcorn' - Large 6" butter yellow flowers, profuse bloomer, to 32".  Re-bloomer.

   'Carlotta' - Raspberry red w/lemon yellow eye and midribs, to 25".  Re-bloomer.  Semi-evergreen.

   'Catherine Woodbury' - Light lavender with greenish yellow throat, 36" tall.

   'Charles Johnston' - Cherry red flowers with green throat, 24" tall. ` Re-bloomer. Semi-evergreen.

   'Cherry Cheeks' - Deep cherry red flowers with white midribs and golden orange throat, to 30" tall. Semi-evergreen.

   'Chicago Apache' - Ruffled, red, 5" flowers, to 28".

   'Country Melody' - Ruffled pink with green throat and edged in yellow, to 30".

   'Custard Candy' - Abundant 4" lemon yellow flowers with a raspberry eye, golden yellow throat, 24".

   'Daiquiri' - 7" pale yellow green flowers with a touch of pink. Heavy bloomer, 2' tall.

   'Daring Deception' - Pale lavender pink with dark purple edge and eye, 24" tall.  Semi-evergreen.

   'Dragon's Eye' - Pale rose pink w/large deep rose eye, to 24".  Re-bloomer.  Semi-evergreen.

   'Eenie Fanfare' - Purple/red miniature w/thin white edge and green throat, to 15".

   'El Desperado' - Butter yellow flowers w/purple eye and picotee purple edge, to 28".

   'Elegant Candy' - Heavily ruffled fragrant medium pink w/red eye and green throat, to 24".  Re-bloomer.

   'Elizabeth Salter' -   Ruffled and frilled 5" blooms. Palest melon-pink with a lime heart, 22" tall.  Re-bloomer. Semi-evergreen.

   'Fairy Tale Pink' - 5.5" flesh pink flowers with a green throat, 24" tall. Re-bloomer. Semi-evergreen.

   'Fire and Fog' - White edge, light pink petals, large red eye and green throat, 26", re-bloomer.

   'Fire King' - 5" brilliant orange, heavily ruffled, yellow/orange throat, 30".

   'Fooled Me' - Golden yellow w/red edge and eye, 24" tall. 

   'Frans Hals' - Cinnamon red petals with a yellow midrib alternate with pure yellow petals,  to 24" tall.

   'French Lingerie' - Rose pink w/yellow ruffled edge and yellow throat, 5" blooms, 28".

   'Gentle Shepherd' - Slightly ruffled, 5" white flower w/pale green throat, 36". Semi-evergreen.

   'Golden Zebra' - Striking variegated foliage with golden yellow flowers. Dwarf plant to 12".

   'Going Bananas' - 4" canary yellow, slightly fragrant, 20". Excellent re-bloomer. Semi-evergreen.

   'Gordon Biggs' - Ruffled raspberry red w/lighter edge, to 24".  Re-bloomer.  Semi-evergreen.

   'Grape Magic' - Grape purple flowers w/dark purple eye and yellow throat, to 20".  Re-bloomer.

   'Happy Returns' - Ruffled clear yellow flowers on dwarf 18" plant.

   'Hush Little Baby' - Gorgeous ruffled 5" silky rose blooms w/yellow/green throat, 22" tall. Re-bloomer.

   'Hyperion' - Clear lemon yellow, 3.5' tall. Flowers open in the afternoon.

   'Ice Carnival' - Large, fragrant near white petals w/pale yellow eye and green throat, to 28".  Re-bloomer.

   'Inwood' - Pale peach w/purple eye and picotee edge, yellow/green throat, to 25".  Re-bloomer.

   'Irish Envy' - Ruffled pale yellow flower, to 25".  Re-bloomer.  Evergreen.

   'Irish Ice' - Large golden yellow ruffled blooms, 2' tall.

   'Jedi Free Spirit' - Pink w/darker pink veining and yellow/green throat, to 25".  Semi-evergreen.

   'Joan Senior' - Near white, slight pink flush, yellow throat, 24".  Semi-evergreen.

   'Jolyene Nichole' - Pink petals w/lighter pink veining, yellow eye, pale green throat, to 14".  Evergreen.

   'Jungle Beauty' - Black red flowers w/bright yellow green throat, to 30". 

   'Lavender Stardust' - Lavender pink w/yellow halo and green throat, to 26".  Re-bloomer.

   'Lemon Yellow' - Vigorous grower, clear lemon yellow flowers, 18" tall. Semi-evergreen.

   'Lime Frost' - White flowers w/yellow green halo, to 27". 

   'Little Business' - Semi-evergreen, dwarf plant, 3" raspberry red flowers, yellow/green throat, 16"..  Semi-evergreen.

   'Little Grapette' - Grape purple w/darker purple eye and green throat, to 12".  Semi-evergreen.

   'Lusty Leland' - Large red flowers w/yellow throat, to 28".

   'Luxury Lace' - Fragrant, lavender pink with mauve/cream blend in center, 32" tall.

   'Mardi Gras Parade' - Bright rose lavender w/wine purple eye and chartreuse throat, to 25". 

   'Mary Reed' - Raspberry petals with white midrib, green throat, 12".

   'Mary Todd' - Very large pastel yellow, lightly ruffled, to 26".  Re-bloomer.  Semi-evergreen.

   'Mikado' - Huge 6" golden orange flowers w/maroon splotch on every other petal, slightly fragrant, 3' tall. Re-bloomer. Semi-evergreen.

   'Mildred Mitchell' - Ruffled lavender w/blue eye and yellow/green throat to 36".  Re-bloomer.

   'Ming Toy' - Medium orange red with golden throat, 20" tall.  Semi-evergreen.

   'Mini Pearl' - Melon orange w/darker eye, to 16".  Re-bloomer.

   'My Melinda' - Rose pink w/pale pink midribs, golden yellow throat, to 24".  Re-bloomer.

   'My Reggae Tiger' - Large bright orange flowers w/ orange/yellow throat and maroon eye, to 25".

   'My Sweet Rose' - Ruffled rose pink w/white midribs and yellow/green throat, to 26".

   'Night Beacon' - Deep red flowers w/golden yellow throat, to 28".  Re-bloomer.

   'Omomuki' - Heavily ruffled pure yellow w/green throat, fragrant, profuse bloomer, to 26".

   'Orange Velvet' - Huge 6.5" ruffled soft orange flowers w/faint white midrib, 30" tall. Re-bloomer. Semi-evergreen.

   'Pandora's Box' - Iridescent creamy white w/maroon eye and green throat, 2' tall.  Evergreen.

   'Pardon Me' - Red 2" blooms w/yellow throat, profuse bloomer to 18".

   'Perfect Peach Glory' - Striking peach pink 6" blooms, 20" tall.  Semi-evergreen.

   'Prairie Wildfire' - Fragrant velvety red w/yellow throat, to 24".

   'Pretty In Pink' - Fragrant lavender/pink flowers w/green throat, to 27". 

   'Purple D'Oro' - Light purple w/darker veins, yellow throat, 18" tall.  Re-bloomer.

   'Purple Magic' - 5" salmon purple w/ white midrib and bright yellow/green center, 2.5' tall.

   'Purple Water' - Deep purple w/yellow center to 36".  Re-bloomer.

   'Razzamatazz' - Miniature purple flowers w/lighter veining, yellow throat, to 20".  Re-bloomer.

   'Rocket City' - Large orange flowers w/burnt orange eye and light orange midribs, to 36".

   'Rose Emily' - Rose pink w/yellow halo and green throat. Re-bloomer. Semi-evergreen.

   'Rosy Returns' - Rose pink w/deep rose eye and yellow throat, to 14".  Re-bloomer.

   'Royal Red' - Red with golden throat, 2' tall.

   'Ruby Spider' - Ruby red spider with a yellow throat, to 36". Evergreen.

   'Ruby Stella' - Fragrant red w/yellow throat, 15".  Semi-evergreen.

   'Ruby Throat' - Velvety red w/bright green throat, to 34".

   'Ruffled Apricot' - Apricot orange w/paler midribs and golden orange throat, to 28".  Re-bloomer.

   'Salieri' - Dark red purple 5" flowers w/lemon green throat, 26". 

   'Siloam Amazing Grace' - Heavily ruffled yellow with lighter edge and w/green throat, to 24"..

   'Siloam Double Classic' - 5" bright pink double flowers w/ruffled edge, yellow halo, green throat, 16" tall.  Re-bloomer. 

   'Silver Fan' - 7" creamy yellow flowers, 28" tall, blooms into fall.

   'Sir Modred' - Black red flowers w/yellow throat to 24".

   'South Seas' - Huge 6" fragrant, coral flowers, to 30".

   'Spacecoast Scrambled' - Creamy yellow w/ruffled gold edge, to 24"..

   'Spacecoast Starburst' - 6" lavender pink w/ yellow ruffled edge and throat, 24". Evergreen.

   'Spanish Glow' - Ruffled peach flower w/golden throat, to 26".  Re-bloomer.  Semi-evergreen.

   'Spellbinder' - Fragrant golden orange flowers to 34".  Re-bloomer.

   'Spiritual Corridor' - Fragrant lavender pink w/yellow eye and picotee edge, to  25". Semi-evergreen.

   'Stella D'Oro' - Dwarf plant to 12", 2.5" golden yellow blooms.

   'Starburst Double Gold' - Double golden yellow flowers, 36" tall. Evergreen.

   'Starburst Mauve' - Soft rose lavender, 36" tall.

   'Starburst Red' - Large single burnt red flowers, 36" tall.

   'Starburst Susie' - Double petaled, brilliant orange with streaks of red, 36" tall.

   'Starburst Yellow' - Bright lemon yellow, 36" tall.

 'Strawberry Candy' - Strawberry pink, with darker eye and golden green throat, 26".

   'Strutter's Ball' - Deep purple w/lemon green throat, to 28". 

   'Sunday Gloves' - Slightly ruffled very fragrant white flowers w/green throat, to 27".  Re-bloomer.

   'Tuscawilla Tigress' - Huge 7"  bright orange flowers, darker eye and chartreuse throat, 32".  Re-bloomer. Semi-evergreen.

   'Wild Horses' - Creamy yellow w/purple throat. To 36".  Re-bloomer.

   'Wineberry Candy' - Orchid pink petals, purple eye and yellow/green throat, to 22".  Re-bloomer.

   'Wine Delight' - Large rosy red w/yellow eye, to 20".  Semi-evergreen.

   'Woodside Romance' - Electric rose pink blooms with a green throat. 28' tall. Re-bloomer.

Hibiscus - Hardy Hibiscus - This is a great perennial for damp location in full sun. Trim to the ground after the first killing frost and next year it's twice as big.

   'Alma's Star Confederate Rose' - Five rose pink flowers open together to give the appearance of a huge double flower, to 20', but 12' more common.

   'Cranberry Punch' - Dark cranberry 6" red flowers, to 3'.

   'Disco Belle Series' - Pink, white or red 10" flowers, to 30".

   'Eruption' - Hot pink 10" blooms, purple/green foliage, to 4'.

   'Fantasia' - 8" rose pink flowers with deep rose/red center, to 3'.

   'Fireball' - Giant 12" bright red flowers, to 4'.

   'Flare Rose' - Fuchsia red 10" flowers on a compact plant, 4' tall.

   'Frisbee Series' - Red, white, pink  10" flowers, to 3'.

   'Kopper King'  - Light pink 12" flowers with a deep red eye, copper/red foliage, to 4'.   

   'Lady Baltimore' - Deep pink, dark red center, slightly ruffled 8" flowers, to 4'.

   'Lord Baltimore' - Brilliant dark red 10" flowers, to 4'.

   'Luna Series' - Burgundy red, white, pink and swirl (pink/white) 8" flowers, to 3', good container plant.

   'Moy Grande' - Gigantic 12" plus red flowers, 5' tall.

   'Robert Fleming' - Dark red 6" flowers, to 3' tall.

   'Turn Of The Century' - Petals alternate colors from dark red to light pink giving the 8" flower a pinwheel appearance, to 8' tall.

Iberis - Candytuft - Likes poor but well drained soil, pH around 7.

I. sempervirens 'Snowflake' - Small white flowers late spring to early summer on 12" evergreen plant.

Incarvillea - Hardy Gloxinia - A couple of specie are seen at retail from time to time.  They produce a basal rosette of foliage and in early summer send up a flower spike with many small, tubular, pink to purple flowers.  They must have well drained soil and look their best if protected from the hottest afternoon sun. They are difficult to transplant or divide, so once established...leave them be!

Iris, Bearded - Iris germanica & Iris intermedia -

   'Acoma' - Falls are ruffled white with a violet edge, standards are sky blue, to 34".

   'American Classic' - Falls and standards are white w/deep blue edge, to 36".  Profuse bloomer.

   'Autumn Circus' - White w/purple edge and veining, to 34".  Re-bloomer

   'Avalon Sunset' - Brilliant orange, heavily ruffled falls, profuse bloomer, to 36".

   'Babbling Brook' - True blue w/pale yellow beard, to 38".

   'Ballycastle' -  Stunning light pink, dwarf plant to 24".

   'Baltic Star' - Deep purple, almost black standards, falls have near black edges, becoming light violet and then white, to 34".

   'Batik' - Royal purple with white streaks and spots, dwarf plant to 24".  

   'Before the Storm' - Dark purple, nearly black, to 37".

   'Beverly Sills' - Flamingo coral pink, profuse bloomer, to 35".  One of the best pinks.

   'Brat' - Ruffled yellow, slightly darker falls with maroon spots, dwarf plant to 26".

   'Breakers' - Heavily ruffled blue, to 37".

   'Carolina Gold' - Intense golden yellow, to 40".

   'Champagne Elegance' - White standards, pale apricot peach falls, prolific bloomer, to 34".  Re-bloomer.

   'Chasing Rainbows' - Standards are apricot and purple, falls are orchid and white, to 35".

   'Cherub's Smile' - Ruffled pink to 38".

   'China Dragon' - Ruffled deep orange, falls are red/orange, to 37".

   'Chuckles' - .Apricot standards, falls are a light plum purple w/center white spot, to 34".

   'Clarence' - Light blue standards, deeper blue falls w/white spot around beard, to 35".  Re-bloomer.

   'Conjuration' - White with deep amethyst violet edge, to 40".

   'Delirium' - Apricot standards, dark red falls with thin apricot edge, dwarf plant to 27".

   'Dusky Challenger' - Huge, ruffled dark purple, to 39".

   'Edith Wolford' - Beautiful bicolor, standards are canary yellow, falls are violet/blue, to 35".

   'Enchanted One' - Amber standards, falls are a pale lavender edged in amber, to 35".

   'Fathom' - Ruffled light blue, dwarf plant to 20".

   'Feed Back' - Fragrant, ruffled blue, to 36".

   'Firebreather' - Brilliant tangerine orange, to 37".

   'Full Tide' - Ruffled sky blue, to 36".

   'Harvest of Memories' - Pure ruffled yellow, to 38".  Re-bloomer.

   'Immortality' - Pure white to 30".  Dependable re-bloomer.

   'Jangles' - Spectacular apricot, dwarf plant to 25".

   'Jesse's Song' - Purple standards, white falls edged in purple, to 35".

   'Kahuna' - Reddish brown w/orange beard, dwarf plant to 23".

   'Lacy Snowflake' - White with just a hint of pale yellow In the center, to 34".

   'Lightning Streak' - Amber standards, burnt orange falls with yellow veining, to 30".

   'Local Hero' - Golden yellow standards, white falls edged with yellow, dwarf plant to 22".

   'Magical Encounter' - Light salmon pink that darkens in the center of the flower, to 35".

   'Mega Bucks' - Golden yellow standards, violet falls edged in brown, to 34".

   'Merlot' - Beautiful blended shades of red/plum to plum/purple, profuse bloomer, to 37".

   'Oktoberfest' - Beautiful orange, to 34".

   'Pagan Dance' - Deep violet standards, velvety black falls with violet edge, to 30".

   'Painted Clouds' - Shell pink, touch of lavender and an orange beard, to 34".  Re-bloomer.

   'Pathway' - Beige standards, violet falls w/white spot, dwarf plant to 23".

   'Princess Caroline de Monaco' - Large, ruffled pale blue, to 34".

   'Rare Treat' - White w/thin blue edge, to 34".

   'Raspberry Blush' - Raspberry pink with darker veins, orange beard, dwarf plant to 20".

   'Red At Night' - Dark red falls, lighter standards, yellow beard to 36".

   'Red Zinger' - Deep red standards and darker falls, yellow beard, dwarf plant to 18". 

   'Rock Star' - Purple w/apricot blotch on the falls, to 30".   Re-bloomer.

   'Royal Knight' - Deep royal blue, dwarf plant to 18".

   'Royal Touch' - Dark velvety violet blue, to 36".

   'Savannah Sunset' - Vibrant orange, profuse bloomer, to 38".

   'Silverado' - Bluish white ruffled flower, to 38".

   'So Fine' - Light lavender standards w/dark purple falls edged in light lavender, to 37".

   'Spartan' - Wine red w/yellow beard, to 35".

   'Spice Custard' - Pale yellow standards, caramel orange falls, to 35".

   'Sultan's Palace' - Deep velvety maroon flowers to 34".

   'Summer Olympics' - Ruffled yellow, falls fade to a white center, to 30".

   'Sunny Dawn' - Ruffled yellow with orange beard, dwarf plant to 23".

   'Superstition' - Black, darkest iris available, to 36".

   'Supreme Sultan' - Golden yellow standards, burgundy/red falls, to 40".

   'Swingtown' - Ruffled plum purple to 36".

   'Synergy' - Golden orange with lilac veining, dwarf plant to 25".

   'Victorian Falls' - Deep sky blue ruffled flowers, to 40".  Re-bloomer.

   'Well Endowed' - Huge golden yellow flowers to 34".

   'Yaquina Blue' - Ruffled purplish blue to 37".

Iris, Dwarf Bearded - Iris pumila – Usually bearing single flowers.

   'Alpine Lake' - Light blue with slightly darker falls, to 6".

   'Baby Blessed' - Light yellow, darker veins , to 10".  Re-bloomer.

   'Ballistic' - Purple standards, yellow falls w/purple margin, to 14".

   'Bee Mused' - Purple w/lavender blue beard, to 12".

   'Boo' - White w/purple blotches on the falls, to 12".

   'Cameo Queen' - Apricot orange/pink to 14".

   'Firestorm' - Deep burgundy w/yellow centers.

   'Gemstar' - Deep violet blue w/white beard, to 12".

   'Gimmick' - Burgundy w/yellow center, to 12".

   'Hot' - Bright yellow standards, deep red falls edged in yellow, to 13"

   'Lady in Red' - Purplish red with dark red spot, to 11".

   'Lumalite' - White standards, falls are white with yellow spot, to 14".

'Marksman' - Ruffled orange, dark orange beard, dwarf plant to 13".   

   'Ringer' - Brown with yellow spot, to 10".

   'Seafire' - Light blue to 12".

   'Sun Doll' - Ruffled yellow, to 10".

   'What Again' - Wisteria blue standards, straw yellow falls, to 10".

Iris, Japanese - Iris ensata - Likes wet locations except in the winter.

    'Eden's Delight' - Very large purple flowers, 3' tall.

    'Picotee Wonder' - White center, lavender purple edge.

    'Variegata' - Green foliage edged with creamy white, blue purple blooms, 3' tall.

Iris, Louisiana - Iris fulva - Likes constantly moist to wet locations. Likes clay, can grow in 6" of water.

'Acadian Miss' - White to 30" tall.

   'Ann Chowning' - Rich velvety red flowers, 36" tall.

   'Black Gamecock' - Black/purple 6" flowers to 36".

   'Cherry Cup' - Maroon to 36".

   'Delta Star' - Dark purple, likes wet areas, to 40".

   'Double Talk' - Deep blue/purple double flowers to 20".

   'Full Eclipse' - Deep velvety purple to 38".

   'Glow Light' - Violet and white to 40".

   'Kristie' - Pale blue standards and lavender falls, to 36".

   'Rose Cartwheel' - Deep rose pink, petals held flat, to 18".

   'Sinfonietta' - Lovely deep blue flowers. 36" tall.

   'Sun Fury' - Ruffled golden yellow with darker veins, to 30".

   'Vermillion Queen' - Ruffled butter yellow, to 46".

Iris, Siberian - Iris sibirica - Tolerant of wet locations but does well in dry areas also.

   'Butter & Sugar' - Butter yellow and white flowers, 2' tall

   'Caesar's Brother' - 2' blue green foliage, cobalt blue flowers.

   'Flight Of The Butterflies' - Purple standards and blue/white falls with purple veins to 3' tall.

   'Pink Haze' - Pale pink, 2' tall.

   'Sparkling Rose' - Mauve pink flowers, 3' tall.

   'Snow Queen' - Pure snow white flowers, to 3' tall.

   'Strawberry fair' - Heavily ruffled, strawberry pink falls, light standards.

Iris, Sweet - Iris pallida  - Produces 2-6 light blue flowers on a 48" flower stalk, foliage grows to 24".  More shade tolerant, but not for wet locations.

   'Variegata' - Variegated foliage and less vigorous than the species, to 15".

Iris, Sweet Flag - Iris pseudacorus - Good bog and marginal plant.  Yellow flowers to 5' tall.  Spreads rapidly. Tolerates water up to 12" deep.

Kalimeris - False or Double Japanese Aster - Needs well drained soil and looks best with afternoon shade.  Blooms mid to late summer into the fall.

   K. pinnatifida - 1" double white flowers w/yellow centers that resemble chrysanthemums.  Apple green foliage to 36".

   K. incisa 'Variegata' - Green foliage with irregular white margins and streaks.  Light blue aster-like flowers to 30".

Kniphofia - Red Hot Poker - Thin, stiff, yucca like, blue/green foliage.  The flower spike is covered with hundreds of small tubular flowers. Many varieties are available.  Some have single color flowers, some open one color and mature to another.  Color varies from yellow to orange to red.  Heights vary from 2' to 6'. Plant in well drained soil, high sand content.

   'Alcazar' - Fiery orange flowers, dependable re-bloomer, to 40". Blooms early summer.

   'Flamenco' -Orange flowers that mature to yellow, to 30".

   'Nancy's Red' - Coral red flowers to 24".

   'Pfitzeri' - Bright orange red to 36".  Blooms late summer into fall.

   'Primrose Beauty' - Light yellow t0 36".  Mid summer bloom.

   'Royal Castle Hybrids' -  Bright orange to yellow to 36".  Mid summer bloom.

   'Shining Scepter' - Tangerine orange to 36".  Mid summer bloom.

Lavandula - L. augustifolia - Lavender - Compact perennial with gray/green foliage and fragrant purple flower spikes in mid summer.  Needs good drainage.

   'Cynthia Johnson' -  Tight clusters of blue/purple flowers to 24".

   'Hidcote' - Silvery gray foliage and very fragrant, plump, violet/blue flowers from late summer through fall, 24" tall.

   'Lady' - 12" dwarf cultivar w/lavender blue flowers.

   'Munstead' - Aromatic lavender/blue flowers with silvery foliage, 18" tall.

   'Province' - Not as winter hardy as others.  Good container plant or southern wall candidate. Gray/green foliage, light purple flowers to 24".

   'Violet Intrigue' - Compact, profuse bloomer. Violet flowers to 24".

   L. stoechas 'Otto Quast' - Spanish Lavender - Not as fragrant as other lavenders, but a very attractive plant and flower.  Gray serrated foliage and an unusual, square flower head with small dark purple flowers on the side and topped with a light purple bract. Must have excellent drainage.

Lespedeza - L. thunbergii - Bush Clover - Woody perennial that produces wisteria like panicles of purplish/pink flowers in the fall.  Grows to 6' tall and 10' wide.  Tolerates poor and wet soils but prefers well drained soils.

   'Gibraltar' -  Rose pink flowers and a little smaller than the species, to 5'.

    L. liukiuensis 'Little Volcano' - Very profuse bloomer.  Purplish red flowers to 5' tall.

Leucanthemum - Shasta Daisy - Attractive daisy-like flowers, mostly white,  from 12" to over 48" tall.  Dark green basal leaves.  Plant them in well drained soil in full to part shade.

   'Aglaia'  - Semi-double white fringed flowers to 24".

   'Alaska' - Single white 3" flowers with yellow center to 3' tall.

   'Amelia' - Huge 5" white flowers with yellow center to 40" tall.

   'Becky' - White daisy-like 4" flowers with yellow center to 48" tall.

   'Crazy Daisy' - Frilled white flower with yellow center to 30" tall. Each flower is a little different.

   'Goldrush' - Fringed white flowers outer petals, shorter golden inner petals, yellow center, to 14" tall.

   'Little Princess' - White 3" flowers with yellow center to 12" tall.

   'Snowcap' - White flowers, yellow center, compact plant to 15".

   'Sonnenshein' - Pale yellow 4" flower, golden yellow center to 36".

   'Sunnyside up' - Double white flower, yellow center to 20".

Liatris - Blazing Star or Gayfeather - Tall flower spike covered with tiny star shaped flowers. Tolerates poor soil, does not like wet winter soil.

   L. spicata  - Pink/purple flower heads to 60" tall.

   L. spicata 'Kobold' - Compact cultivar with 24" tall mauve blossoms.

   x 'Floristan Violet' - Violet/purple flowers to 48" tall.

   x 'Floristan White' - White flowers to 36".

Limonium - L. platyphyllum - Sea Lavender or Perennial Statice - Lavender/blue flowers atop a wiry stem to 30".   Prefers a sandy loam soil, but will grow in heavier clay.  Good cut flower, may reseed.  Good drainage is critical, prone to root rot otherwise.  Foliage resembles dandelions.

Linaria - L. purpurea - Toadflax - Hard to grow in the Mid-South.  Dislikes clay soil, so it must be planted in an elevated bed with well drained soil.  Blue/green foliage, lavender snapdragon-like flowers to 30".

Linum - L. perenne - Flax - This is another hard one to grow well In the Mid-South.  Roots poorly in heavy clay soils.  Produces sky blue flowers on a thin stem to 24" tall.   Usually re-blooms if dead-headed. 

Lobelia - L. cardinalis  syn. L. fulgens - Cardinal flower -  This is a hummingbird magnet.  Lance shaped green leaves w a 36" flower stalk covered with red flowers.  Likes a moist to wet location, best planted in partial shade, but can be grown as a marginal plant in shallow water.

   'Elm Fire' - Bronze foliage and crimson/red blooms to 36".

   'Fan Scarlet' - Bronze foliage, scarlet flowers, compact plant to 24".

   'Grape Knee High' - Purple flowers to 24" tall.

   'Queen Victoria' - Bronze red foliage and bright red flowers to 5' tall  . Very vigorous and a prolific bloomer.

   L. siphilitica - Great Lobelia - Blue flowers to 36".  Like moist locations also. Plant in partial shade.

Lupinus - Lupine -  Hard to grow in the Mid-South.  Lupines do not like heat.  A number of hybrid selections are available from dwarfs that grow to 24" or less, to the Russell hybrids that grow to 48".  Colors range includes white, purple, blue, yellow, red, pink and bicolor.

Lychnis - Does best when planted in poor soil and a dry location.  Keep pH at or above 7.  Likes full sun but looks better if shaded after 3 p.m.

   L. coronaria - Rose Campion - Self seeding biennial/perennial with wooly, silver gray foliage and pale purple flowers to 32"

   L. viscaria - Catchfly -  Lance shaped dark green leaves. Tall flower stalk to 18" w/magenta pink double flowers.

Lysimachia - Loosestrife - Likes moist, well drained soil.  Tolerates some shade.

   L. cletheroides - Gooseneck Loosestrife - Soft white arching flowers to 4' tall. Can be invasive, spreads by underground runners.

   L. punctata 'Alexander' - Clear yellow flowers with variegated cream/green foliage to 30" tall.  Less invasive.

Lythrum - L. salicaria - Purple Loosestrife - Is an invasive species and should not be planted.  It likes wet areas and spreads quickly.  It has been reported that a single plant can produce 2 million seed.  The cultivars below are less invasive, although they still spread by underground runners also. Plant in dry locations to slow their progress.

   L. salicaria 'Robert' - Bright pink flowers to 36" tall.

   L. virgatum 'Morden's Gleam' - Rose pink flowers to 54" tall. Supposedly sterile, but will set viable seed when planted near L. salicaria.

   L. virgatum 'Morden's Pink' - Bright pink flowers to 54" tall.  Supposedly sterile, but will set viable seed when planted near L. salicaria

Malva - Mallow - Mallows produce lots of flowers. Plant in any well drained, moist soil.

   M. alcea fastiagata - 2" - 3" pink blooms. 36" tall.

   M. sylvestris mauritiana - An improved selection with magenta flowers with purple veins, to 60".

   M. sylvestris 'Zebrina' - Mauve pink flowers with violet stripes, to 48", seeds freely. Short lived perennial, but returns and blooms from seed each year.

   M. x 'Blue Fountain' - Dark blue center and veins with lighter petals, to 48".

Monarda - Bee Balm - Lance shaped fuzzy foliage, square stems and whorls of small tubular flowers.  Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.  Likes moist, well drained soil in full sun. Spreads quickly by rhizomes and susceptible to powdery mildew.  Plant in an open area for good air circulation. Long lasting cut flowers.  Dead-heading promotes additional flowering.

 'Cambridge Scarlet' - Bright red flowers to 36".

   'Claire Grace' - Soft lavender flowers, shiny foliage, good mildew resistance to 48"

   'Coral Reef' - Hot pink flowers to 24".

   'Croftway Pink' - Rose pink flowers, to 36".  Good mildew resistance.

 'Gardenview Scarlet' - Rose red flowers to 36".

 'Grand Marshall' - Fuchsia/purple flowers to 18".

 'Jacob Cline' - Deep red flowers, good mildew resistance. To 48".

   'Marshall's Delight' - Rose pink flowers, mildew resistant, to 36" tall.

   'Petite Delight' - PP#10784 - Dwarf habit with pinkish lavender blooms to 124"" and mildew resistant.

   'Petite Wonder' - Clear pink flowers to 12" tall.

   'Prairie Night'  - Violet purple flowers to 48".

   'Raspberry Wine' - Win 48".e red flowers t

Nepeta - Catmint - Likes well drained soil in full to part sun. Cut back after blooming to re-bloom.

   'Dawn to Dusk' - Silver gray foliage and salmon pink flowers to 36".

   'Dropmore' - Soft lavender blue flowers, gray/green foliage, to 18".

   'Kit Kat' - Dark purple/blue flowers to 15".

   'Six Hills Giant' - Profuse bloomer, violet/blue flowers to 36".

   'Walker's Low' - Gray green leaves with soft lavender flowers to 24" tall.

Oenothera - Evening Primrose - Cup shaped flowers, most open in the afternoon.  Likes sunny, well drained locations and some may become invasive.

   O. macrocarpa (syn. O. missouriensis) - Missouri Primrose - Vigorous trailing perennial, 5" golden yellow cup-shaped flowers, to 8".

   O. speciosa 'Siskiyou' - Long blooming, bright pink flowers, 12" tall.

   O. tetragona   - Light yellow flowers to 24" tall.

   O. tetragona 'Fireworks' - Canary yellow flowers with deep bronze foliage to 18' tall.

   'Cold Crick' - Clump forming, non-invasive, compact cultivar. Small yellow flowers to 12" tall.  Dead head to encourage more blooms.

   'Silver Blade' - Silver-blue foliage and huge bright yellow flowers to 10" tall.  Blooms May until frost.

Oxalis - Shamrock - Plant in a well drained location, full sun to part shade. Both types make excellent container plants, indoors or out.

O. regnelli - Green leaf variety with rounded leaf lobes and white flowers.

    O. triangularis - Purple triangular leaved variety that is easy to grow and adds great color to the garden.  Light pink to white flowers to 10" tall.

Paeonia - Peony - Dark green (occasionally bluish) foliage.  Most grow 2' - 3' tall in well drained soil, full sun to part shade. Peonies do like to be disturbed or root competition from other plants, so give them their space. Most need to be staked. Flowers range in size from 2" to 12".

'America' - Deep red single 6" flowers.

   'Bowl of Beauty' - Rose pink 8" flowers with a creamy white center.                                                                                    

   'Dancing Butterflies' - Deep pink 6" single flowers.

   'Duchess de Nemours' - Double pure white 6" flowers.

   'Felix Crousse - Dark crimson 6" pink double flowers with darker centers.

   'Festiva Maxima - Very large 8" fragrant double white flowers.

   'Jacorma' - Fragrant, double 6" bright pink flowers.  Petals are darker inside and lighten to near white at edge.

   'Kansas' - Bright red, double, 6" flowers.  Holds up very well in the sun.

   'Karl Rosenfeld - Bright crimson red 6" double flowers.                                                                                                 

   'Lady Alexander Duff' - Double creamy center surrounded by light pink petals.  Striking 6" flower.

   'Miss America' - Semi-double white 6" flowers with slight yellow center.

   'Mons. Jules Elie' - Double 8" deep rose red flowers with a silver sheen.

   'Mons. Martin Cahuzac' - Burgundy red single 6" flowers, yellow stamens.  One of the darkest peonies.

   'Raspberry Sundae' - Double 6" flowers have frilled deep pink petals in the center, surrounded by frilled cream petals and then larger light pink petals.

   'Renato' - Deep reddish purple double 8" flower. 

   'Sarah Bernhardt - Very large, fragrant, 8" double rose pink flowers.

   'Scarlett O'Hara'  - Single, 6" scarlet flowers.

   'Shirley Temple - Rose pink, 6" flowers fading to buff white.                                                                                      

   'Sorbet' - Double, 6" rose pink flowers that fade to creamy white edge.

Papaver - Poppy - Needs deep, rich, well drained soil in full sun.  Not the easiest plant to grow in the Mid South, but not impossible. Best planted and left alone.

P. orientale - Most garden poppies are oriental poppies or hybrids/cultivars of them.  Single flowers are held atop a wiry stem.  Flower height varies from 12" to near 48" tall.  Available in single and double flowers.  Colors include white, orange, red, pink and most have a black spot at the base of each petal.

Patrinia - P. scabiosifolia - A clump forming perennial with foliage that resembles Scabiosa, thus it's name.  Produces a  flower stem to 6' tall, covered with small yellow flowers, resembling a tall yarrow from a distance. Does well in our hot humid summer, needs full sun and prefers soil rich in humus.

Penstemon - Likes well drained soil on the dry side, full sun to part shade. Use mulch with caution, subject to crown rot.

   P. digitalis 'Husker Red' - Deep purple bronze leaves with white bell shaped flowers to 30".

   P. digitalis 'Mystica' - Purple bronze foliage and light lavender flowers to 30".

   P. mexicali x 'Pike's Peak Purple' - Small violet flowers to 18".  Blooms summer long.

   P. mexicali x 'Red Rocks' - Small bright magenta flowers to 30".

   x 'Pretty Petticoat' - Vary attractive purple and white bicolor flower.  Grows to 24" tall.

   x 'Ruby' - Scarlet red flowers to 30".

Perovskia - P. atriplicifolia - Russian Sage - Likes full sun and well drained soil.  Tolerates poor soil and dry soils well. Attractive gray foliage.

   'Blue Spire' - Gray-green foliage, clusters of violet blue tubular flowers to 36".

   'Little Spire' - Upright deep violet flowers to 2'.

   'Longin' - Lavender blue flowers to 4'

Persicaria - Fleeceflower - Prefers moist soil in full sun for best flowering.  Bottlebrush-like flowers, good marginal plant. Give light shade in drier areas.

'Firetail' - Masses of tiny crimson flowers form a 6" cluster atop a stem to 48" tall.  Blooms early summer until fall.

   'Painter's Palette - This is a variegated leaf variety that prefers a moist shady location.  Green foliage is splotched with cream, yellow and pink and dark red to 24" tall.  Small red insignificant flowers. 

   'Pink Elephant' - Narrow pink bottlebrush flowers to 48" tall.

   'Red Dragon' - Another variety grown for its foliage.  Burgundy foliage streaked with silver, tiny white flowers, to 24". Plant in part shade.

Phlox - P. paniculata - Tall Garden Phlox - Likes evenly moist but well drained soil.  Prone to powdery mildew so avoid overhead watering and crowding with other plants.

   'All in One' -   Lilac flowers edged in white, fragrant, to 24".

   'Baby Face' - Baby pink, red eye, mildew resistant,  to 36".

   'Blue Paradise' - Lavender blue, white eye, to 36".

   'David' - Vigorous white, mildew resistant, to 42" tall.

   'David's Lavender' - Deep lavender, red eye, to 60".

   'Eva Cullum' - Free blooming bright deep pink flowers with darker centers to 36"tall'

   'Franz Schubert' - Lilac pink flowers with darker, star shaped eyes and pale blue margins.

   'Junior Dance' - Fragrant pink flowers, white center, mildew resistant, 18".

   'Junior Dream' - Bright purple flowers, mildew resistant, 18".

   'Laura' - Deep purple with white star centers to 48".

   'Light Pink Flame' -Light pink, red eye, mildew resistant, compact plant, 15".

   'Lilac Flame' - Lilac flowers, mildew resistant, 15".

   'Lizzy' - Dark pink, white center, 36".

   'Mini Star' - Rose pink, darker pink eye, mildew resistant, 12".

   'Nicky' - Fragrant magenta purple and mildew resistant, 36".

   'Nora Leigh' - White variegated leaves and small pale lilac, nearly white flowers, darker lilac center, 30".

   'Orange Perfection' - Deep orange flowers, 36".

   'Pink Flame' - Rose pink, nearly red eye, mildew resistant, 15".

   'Pixie Miracle Grace' - Lavender purple with white star shaped center, mildew resistant, 20".

   'Pixie Twinkle' - Rose pink, red eye, mildew resistant, 20".

   'Purple Flame' - Purple flowers, darker purple eye, mildew resistant, 15".

   'Red Magic' -Vivid dark red flowers, mildew resistant, 36".

   'Red Riding Hood' - Cherry red flowers, 22".

   'Red Super' - Deep red, mildew resistant, to 30" tall.

   'Robert Poore' - Dark pink, lightly fragrant, mildew resistant, to 60" tall.

   'Shorty White' - Pure white, mildew resistant, to 15"

   'Volcano Pink' - The Volcano series is mildew resistant and dwarf, to 24" tall,. Pink with white eye.

   'Volcano Purple - Purple with white eye.

   'Volcano Red' - Bright red with white eye.

   'Volcano White' - Pure White.

   'White Flame' - Pure white, mildew resistant, 15".

Phlox subulata  - aka Thrift - Groundcover phlox.  Likes well drained sloped soil in full sun.  Blooms early spring, evergreen, 8".

   'Candy Stripe' - Red and white flowers.

   'Emerald Cushion Blue' - Pale lavender-blue flowers with a blue eye.

   'Fort Hill' - Fragrant deep pink flowers.

   'Emerald Pink' - Bright pink flowers.

   'Scarlet Flame' - Vigorous grower with deep scarlet flowers.

   'White Delight' - Large pure white flowers.

Physotegia - Obedient Plant - So named because if you move a flower, it stays there.  Spreads by rhizomes, can be invasive. Likes moist soil in full sun to part shade.

   P. virginiana 'Miss Manners' - Clumping forming, not as aggressive, with white flowers to 24" tall.

   P. virginiana 'Vivid' - Bright pink snapdragon like flowers to 36" tall.

Platycodon - Balloon Flower - Star shaped flowers that have the appearance of a hot air balloon just prior to opening. Likes moist, well drained soil, needs staking.

 P. grandiflorus 'Sentimental Blue' - Dwarf cultivar, to 12" tall.

   P. grandiflorus 'Sentimental White' - Dwarf cultivar ,to 12" tall.

   P. x 'Fuji Blue' - Deep blue to 20"

   P. x 'Fuji White' -Pure white to 20".

   P. x 'Komachi' -Retains the balloon shape, flower never opens, to 24".

Ratibida - R. columnifera - Mexican Hat - Small coneflower-like yellow flowers.  Center is elongated and petals fold back to give the appearance of a sombrero. Drought tolerant, likes soil neutral to slightly alkaline.

Rehmannia - R. elata - Chinese Foxglove - Purplish pink, 3" tubular flowers along a 5' tall flower spike.  Very aggressive, spreads rapidly.

Rodgersia - Large Astilbe like flowers.  Likes moist, woodland location, tolerates full sun if moist.

   R. aesculifolia  - Horsechesnut like foliage, white flowers to 5' tall.

   R. pinnata  - Pink to red flowers, to 4' tall.

Rudbeckia - R. fulgida - Black-eyed Susan - Yellow daisy like flowers.  Flowers late summer through fall, to 36" tall.

   R. fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' - 3.5" to 5" golden yellow flowers, 24" tall. The most common variety.

   R. fulgida var. 'Autumn Sun' - Buttercup yellow flowers to 5' tall.

   R. maxima -

   R. triloba - Brown-eyed Susan - 2" yellow rays, brown centers to 5' tall.

   x 'Black Beauty' - Unusual black cone with virtually no petals. Great for flower arrangements.

   x 'Cherokee Sunset' - Blend of yellow, orange, red and bronze to 30" tall.

   x 'City Garden' - Resembles Goldsturm but only 12" tall.

   x 'Early Bird Gold' - 4" yellow flowers, 24" tall.  Starts blooming in June and continues through October.

   x 'Goldilocks' - Double flowering cultivar to 24".

   x 'Goldquelle' - Fully double golden yellow flowers to 3' tall.

   x 'Henry Eilers' - Unusual golden yellow tubular quill like petals, to 48".

   x 'Herbstonne' - aka 'Autumn Sun', see above.

   x 'Indian Summer' - Golden yellow flowers with dark eye to 3' tall.

   x 'Irish Eyes' - Bright yellow flowers with green center, to 30" tall.

   x 'Marmalade' - Golden orange petals, black center, to 30" tall.

   x 'Maya' - 4" fully double orange/yellow flowers, to 18".

   x 'Prairie Sun' - Golden orange petals with yellow tips, green center, to 36".

   x 'Toto' - Rounded yellow petals become orange near the brown center.  Huge 5" blooms, very compact plant to 12" tall.

   x 'Viette's Little Suzy' - Prolific bloomer, yellow flowers, 15" tall.

Ruellia - Mexican Petunia - Clusters of tubular/funnel shaped flowers.  Wide variety of colors and heights, hummingbirds love it, likes heat, tolerates drought.

   R. elegans -  Brazilian Petunia - Tubular red flowers, to 18".  Zone 8 hardy, plant in full sun.

   R. x brittoniana 'Katie' - Improved dwarf variety to 12", lavender blue flowers.

   R. x 'Chi Chi'  - Light pink flowers to 24". Very dark green foliage.

   R. x 'Pink Katie' - Dwarf 12" plant, light pink flowers.

   R. x 'Ragin Cajun' - Vivid red flowers to 14".

   R. x 'Strawberry & Cream' - Lavender flowers, speckled variegated foliage, to 18".

   R. x 'White Ruffles' - Similar to Katie, but pure white flowers.

Salvia - Sage - Spikes of small tubular flowers in a variety of colors and heights. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Most have square stems, needs good drainage, dislikes heavy winter mulch.

   S. farinacea 'Victoria' - Deep blue flowers, blue/green foliage to 24" tall, not dependably hardy.

   S. greggii -  Autumn Sage - The specie has red flowers but there are many color variations on this 2' evergreen plant. Very hardy.

   S. guaranatica - Deep blue flowers with purplish blue calyces, to 5' tall

   S. leucantha -  Mexican Bush Sage - Fuzzy purple and white flowers to 40" tall.  Not dependably hardy, but well worth planting every year.  Blooms late summer.

   S. lyrata 'Burgundy Bliss' - White/lavender flower spikes with burgundy foliage, 12" tall.

   S. lyrata 'Purple Knockout' - Reddish purple foliage, purple flowers to 12" tall.

   S. lyrata 'Purple Volcano' - Deep purple foliage, violet flowers to 12".

   S. nemorosa 'Blue Hill' - Sky blue flower spikes to 18" tall.

   S. nemorosa 'Caradonna' - Blue violet flowers, dark purple stems, to 24".

   S. nemorosa 'Marcus' - Deep violet flowers, dwarf plant to 12".

   S. nemorosa 'Ostfriesland' - 'East Friesland' - Deep blue to purple flowers, 18" tall.

   S. nemorosa 'Pink Friesland' -Dark red stems, vivid dark pink flowers, to 18" tall.

   S. nemorosa 'Snow Hill' - Beautiful white 18" flower spikes.

   S. roemeriana - Cedar sage -  This one needs a little shade, well drained soil and a pH at or slightly above 7.  Texas native, grows well in cedar thickets.

   S. pratensis 'Evelyn' - Vibrant pink flowers to 24".

   S. sylvestirs 'Blue Queen' - Deep violet flowers to 24".

   S. sylvestris 'Mainacht' - 'May Night' - Violet blue spires, 14" tall.

   S. sylvestris 'Rose Queen' - Rose pink flowers to 24".

   S. verticillata 'Purple Rain' - Smokey purple flowers on arching stems, 24" tall.

   x 'Black and Blue' - A cultivar of S. guaranatica with black sepals to 48" tall.

   x 'Indigo Spires' - Long spikes of purple flowers, to 3' tall.

Saponaria - Soapwort - I've seen several species offered in the Mid-South. Most have pink flowers, some are groundcovers, some grow to 18".  Likes very well drained, slightly alkaline soil. Not the easiest plant to grow and slugs love it.

Scabiosa - Pincushion Flower - Likes well drained soil, near neutral pH. Butterflies love it.

   S. columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' - Profuse lavender-blue flowers May until frost, 24" tall.

   S. columbaria 'Pink Mist' - Pale double pink flowers spring until frost, 24" tall.

   S. x 'Beaujolais Bonnets' - Deep burgundy center. Outer petals are burgundy tipped in pink, 24" tall.

   S. x 'Pink Lemonade' - Pink flowers, foliage has an irregular golden variegated margin, to 24".

Scutellaria - Skullcap - Tiny snapdragon like flowers.  Likes hot, dry, well drained locations.

   S. alpina - Several cultivars offered with purple, yellow, blue or white flowers, to 6".  Must have good winter drainage.

   S. suffrutescens 'Texas Rose' - Beautiful rose colored blooms to 8".

Sedum - Wide variations of groundcovers to upright plants, all with succulent foliage.  Tolerate dry and poor soil well.

   S. kamtschaticum var. ellacombeanum - Small green serrated leaves, yellow flowers, foliage tinged red in the fall, to 6". Good evergreen groundcover.

   S. reflexum 'Blue Spruce' - Blue/green foliage, resembles tine spruce trees, bright yellow flowers, to 6" tall.  Very attractive evergreen groundcover.

   S. rupestre 'Angelina' - Bright light green foliage to 6".  Yellow flowers.  Thin tubular foliage gives a Juniper like appearance.  Good evergreen groundcover.

   S. spectabilis 'Brilliant' - Hot pink flowers in the fall, to 24".

   S. spectabilis 'Neon' - Electric pink flowers with compact habit, to 15" tall.  Blue/green foliage.

   S. spurium - 'Dragon's Blood' Sedum - Bright green leaves become maroon, topped with small red flowers, 3" tall. Evergreen groundcover.

   S. spurium 'Tricolor' - Pink, white and green variegated form of above.

   S. spurium 'Voodoo' - Green foliage bronzes with age, red flowers, 3" tall. Evergreen groundcover.

   S. tetractinum - Ground cover Chinese sedum with round, flattened leaves.  Foliage edge becomes bronzed in the winter.  Yellow flowers, 4" tall. Evergreen.

   S. tetractinum 'Coral Reef' - Green leaves tinged in red, turn rose/coral in the fall, 4". Evergreen.

   x 'Autumn Delight' - Chartreuse foliage edged in blue/green, pink flowers, to 24".

   x 'Autumn Fire' - An improved form of 'Autumn Joy', 18" tall.

   x 'Autumn Joy' - Blue green foliage with pink flowers that age to a russet rose, 24" tall.

   x 'Black Jack' - Purple leaf sport of Matrona, rosy pink flowers to 18".

   x 'Citrus Twist' - Purple tinged green leaves, chartreuse flowers to 18".

   x 'Frosty Morn' - Variegated blue green foliage with a wide white border and white flowers, to 30" tall.

   x 'Jelly Bean' - Green jelly bean like foliage tipped in red, yellow flowers, to 6".

   x 'John Creech' - Small green leaves, pinkish/purple flowers, 4" tall.

   x 'Matrona' - Pale pink flower heads, deep burgundy stems, purple/grey foliage, 18" tall.

   x 'Purple Emperor' - Purple foliage, pinkish/purple flowers to 15" tall.

   x 'Sunset Cloud' - Purple/grey leaves, midsummer red flowers, to 12".

   x 'Vera Jameson' - Rose/purple leaves, rose pink flowers to 12".

Setcreasea - Purple Heart, Wandering Jew, Purple Cane - Probably the correct botanical name is Tradescantia pallida.

   S. pallida -  Purple foliage, pink flowers, evergreen to 18".  We occasionally see a white flowered cultivar.

Silene - Catchfly and Campions - Evergreen to semi-evergreen perennials, most with white or pink flowers. Not particularly good performers in the Mid-South.  Need excellent drainage. Campions should be protected from the hottest afternoon sun.

Solidago - Goldenrod - Most of the hybrids are not as aggressive as the wild variety, but most will seed readily.  Often, but incorrectly, blamed for sinus problems.  The pollen is very sticky and does not blow in the wind.  It just happens to be in bloom at the same time as ragweed, the real culprit.

   S. rugosa 'Fireworks' - Bright yellow flowers to 42".

   S. sphacelata 'Golden Fleece' - Golden yellow flowers to 18" tall.

   x. 'Golden Baby' -  Compact cultivar to 24".

   x 'Little Lemon' - Very compact plant to 14" tall.

Stachys - Lamb's Ears - Grown primarily for the velvety gray foliage. 

   S. byzantina 'Big Ears' - 'Helene Von Stein' - An improved selection with huge fuzzy silver green leaves to 12" tall. Seldom flowers.

   S. grandiflora 'Rosea' - Rosy red flower, mat forming to 12" tall.

   S. monieri - Pink flowers, clumping to 24" tall.

Stokesia -Stoke's Aster - Attractive thin petaled, daisy-like flowers resembling cornflowers.  Evergreen plant, likes well drained, loose soil.

   S. laevis 'Klaus Jelitto' - Large powder blue flowers, 24" tall.

   S. laevis 'Mary Gregory' - Yellow flowers to 18" tall.

   x 'Blue Danube'  - Very large medium blue flowers to 16" tall.

   x 'Colorwheel' - Flowers open white then mature to lavender, then to deep purple, to 12" tall.

   x 'Honeysong Purple' - Large, vivid deep purple flowers with lighter reddish pink center, 12" tall.

   x 'Omega Skyrocket' - Lilac blue 4" flowers to 2' tall.

   x 'Purple Parasols' - 4" deep purple flowers to 2' tall.

   x 'Purple Pixie' - Large purple flowers, very compact and dense plant to 12".

Thalictrum - Meadow Rue - Produces flat topped panicles of flowers resembling yarrow.

   T. aquilegifolium - Blue green foliage resembles columbine, tiny pink/purple/white flowers to 3' tall.

   T. flavum - Yellow flowers to 36" tall

Thermopsis - T. villosa - Downy yellow lupine like flowers to 5' tall.  Often called Yellow Baptisia.  Blue/green foliage.

Verbascum - Mullein - Most have basal leaves and produce tall spikes of Hollyhock like flowers.  Prefers poor, slightly alkaline soil, does well in soil that has lots of gravel. Most have white or yellow flowers and tend to be short lived.

   x 'Southern Charm' - Pink/apricot flowers with purple eyes to 3" tall.

Verbena - Many varieties available in a multitude of colors and heights.  Most produce clusters of oxalis-like flowers, many are evergreen. Tolerates heat well.

   V. bonariensis - Lilac purple flowers, to 6' tall. Often grown as an annual, seeds readily.

   V. canadensis 'Homestead Purple' - Velvety rich purple flowers  to 8" tall.  Evergreen, spreads quickly.

   V. canadensis 'Ice Princess' - Pure white flowers to 8" tall.  Evergreen, spreads quickly.

   V. canadensis 'Sissinghurst' - Brilliant deep pink flowers. 8" tall. Evergreen, spreads quickly.

   V. canadensis 'Taylorstown Red' - Trailing growth pattern with brilliant red flowers to 8" tall. Evergreen, spreads quickly.

   x 'Biloxi Blue' - Rich lavender pink flowers, lightly fragrant, to 12" tall.

   x 'Texas Tuf Red' - Very drought tolerant variety to 8".

Veronica - Good border plants.  Most produce tall spikes of flowers, a few are mat forming clumps.  All need well drained soil.

   V. austriaca teucrium 'Crater Lake' - Vivid blue flowers to 18".

   V. austriaca teucrium 'Sunny Border Blue' - Dark green leaves with Navy blue flowers to 20' tall.

   V. peduncularis 'Georgia Blue' - Spreading groundcover, produces light blue flowers, to 8".

   V. spicata 'Icicle' - White flowering variety to 18' tall.

   V. spicata 'Rotfuchs' - 'Red Fox' - Deep rose-red flowers from June until August, 12" tall.

   x 'Blue Indigo' - Deep blue flowers to 20" tall.

   x 'Foxy Lady' - Produces bicolor spikes of lavender and white flowers, to 15".

   x 'Giles van Hees' - Bright pink spikes, dwarf plants to 6" tall.

   x 'Goodness Grows' - Violet blue 12" flowers all summer.

   x 'Pacific Ocean' - Tall, narrow lavender flower spikes, to 24"..

   x 'Ramona' - Dark blue flower center, light blue outside. Long blooming season, 15" tall.

   x 'Royal Candles' - PPAF - Deep purple flower spikes to 12" tall.

   x 'Tickled Pink' - A bubblegum pink sport of Goodness Grows.

   x 'Trehane' - Yellow green foliage, deep blue flowers to 12".

Veronicastrum - V. virginicum - Culver's Root - Tall unbranched perennial, dark green leaves, white flower spikes to 6' tall.

Here was January and February’s mystery plant.  We never did get a correct answer. Some near misses, but no direct hits.  This is Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’, the Schip (pronounced Skip) laurel.

Grows to 6’ tall and 10’ wide.  Tolerates some shade, but like most laurels here, is subject to shot-hole disease, so it needs to be planted where there is good air movement and preferably early morning sun to dry dew from the foliage quickly. It’s a profuse bloomer with 6” tubular clusters of small white flowers in April and May.

Here’s the March Mystery Plant.  It’s a rose…but what’s the name?

The contest ends on March 15^th.  Drop by either store to enter or you can email your entry to questions@danwestonline.com.  One winner, selected from all correct entries, will receive a $25 Dan West Gift Certificate.

Thanks for shopping with us at Dan West.