Plant Reference Guide

Perennials A-2

 
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Reference Guide Contents

Perennials A1 |A2|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|Hosta|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U-V |W- Z

 Ferns | Grasses | Roses | Trees & Shrubs | Vines  | Edibles  | Annuals

Click on small images for larger views of plants.

 

Asarum canadensis

 

Asarum european

 

Asarum splendens

 

Asclepias  'Cinderella'

 

Asclepias 'Ice Ballet

 

Asclepias 

 'Soul Mate'

 

Asclepias tuberosa

 

Asclepias tuberosa

'Gay Butterflies'

 

Aster cordifolius

 

Aster 'Purple Dome'

 

Aster 'Vibrant Dome'

 

Aster 'Wood's Purple'

 

Aster tongolensis 'Wartburg Star'

 

Asteromea mongolica

 

Astilbe c.  'Pumila'

 

Astilbe c.

'Vision In Red'

 

Astilbe j. 'Sprite'

 

Astilbe 'Delft Lace'

 

Astilbe 'Red Charm'

 

Astilbe 'Superba'

 

Astilbe 'Younique Carmine'

 

Astilboides

ASARUM, Wild Ginger.  Shade/partial shade; inconspicuous flower; excellent groundcover.

canadense.  6"; dull brownish-red flower; heart shaped leaves; native to Missouri.

europaeum.  6-10"; greenish brown bell-shaped flowers hide under foliage; beautiful shiny dark green kidney-shaped leaves; prefers rich soil.

 

ASCLEPIAS.  Sun; blooms in summer; excellent as a cut flower; cut for repeat blooms; the butterfly magnet.

exaltata, Polk Milkweed.  Intricately folded petals of white and green make up unusual petals.  Sun.  Native to eastern U.S.

incarnata ‘Cinderella, Swamp Milkweed.  50-60"; rose-pink flowers with sweet vanilla scent is irresistible to butterflies.  Plants prefer moist conditions but tolerant dry locations.

i. ‘Ice Ballet’.’  White form of above.

i. ‘Soul Mate. Dense clusters of tiny vanilla-scented white flowers set in dark red bracts in summer.  48”. 

speciosa.  Bell-shaped umbels of purple-pink flowers throughout the summer make this an outstanding garden attraction.  Large, slightly hairy, foliage to 40”.

syriaca.  This native classis is best known as a food of larval Monarch butterflies.  Robust with deep pink clusters of fragrant flowers in June and July, followed by lovely pods of silky seeds in October.  Height 2-4’

purpurascens, Purple Milkweed.  Vivid rose pink flowers appear for several weeks in early to mid summer  then transform to silky seed pods.   Easy to grow in tough conditions, tolerant of shade, although it blooms best in sun.  Native.  Grows 2-4’ tall and 2’ wide.

tuberosa, Butterfly Weed.  2-3'; brilliant orange flowers; attracts butterflies; drought tolerant; Missouri native.  Chosen as a Great Plants by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum for its outstanding qualities.

t. ‘Hello Yellow.’  Yellow selection of above.

t. ‘Gay Butterflies.’   Butterfly weed serves as an adult nectar source and a larval food source of the Monarch butterfly.  This seed strain may have pure yellow, bright red, or orange blossoming individuals.  Easy to grow in full sun in well drained soil.  Do not disturb roots once planted.

verticulata, Whorled Milkweed.  Small, almost orchid-like white flowers borne in 4-6” columnar clusters on thread-leaf type foliage.  Very tolerant of poor, dry soil.  Spreads by rhizomes to form a groundcover in hot, dry areas.  30”.

 

ASTER.  Sun; blooms summer till frost; pinch to encourage branching.

cordifolius, Blue Wood AsterWonderful native aster that prefers a shady site.  Delightful daisies in Sept and Oct.  Wonderful in or along edge of woodland.  Works well among Hostas and Astilbes which look pretty ratty in fall.  Native to woods and dry meadows of most of North America.  Prefers a partially shady site but tolerates sun or deep shade, flowering best in 3 hours of sun.  2-3’.

cordifolius ‘Avondale.’  Blankets of light blue flowers appear in fall, when little else is in bloom.  Native to shady woodlands of the eastern U.S.  Grows 18-24” tall.

divaricatus. White Wood Aster.  Produces a fairyland of glistening white small daisies in September and October.  Lovely, naturalized in shade.  Prefers average to dry soil.  Grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.  Native.  Deer resistant.  Grow in part to full shade.

dumosus ‘Wood’s Light Blue. Clear light blue flowers.  Attractive and compact habit.  Foliage is dark green and disease resistant.  12-16”.

d. ‘Wood’s Pink.’  16” clear pink flowers; very attractive and compact.

d ‘Wood’s Purple.’  Charming purple flowers in late summer and fall.  12-16”.

ericoides ‘Blue Star.’  Hundreds of elegant sky-blue flowers appear on spreading bushy plant with needle-fine foliage.  30”.

frikarti ‘Flora’s Delight.’  Long-flowering, with lilac-pink rayed flowers.  Best of the frikarti types. blooms June-frost.

frikarti 'Monch. 3'; long blooming profuse lavender/blue flowers; blooms June till frost.

macrophyllus, Bigleaf Aster.  Lavender flower clusters in late summer and fall.  A vigorous grower with large deep, green foliage.  An excellent groundcover that can form dense carpets.  Easy and happy in deep to light shade.  Native to woods and rocky slopes from Quebec to Maryland.  Grows 3-4’.  Deer resistant. 

novae-angeliae ‘Alma Potchke. Bright rose pink flowers on 30 to 36 inch plants that bloom in late summer, early fall. 

novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome,’ New England Aster.  Dark purple flowers cover plant in early fall; mildew resistant; forms attractive mound.

novae-angliae ‘Vibrant Dome.’  Possibly a cross between ‘Purple Dome’ and ‘Alma Potchke’.  Rose colored blooms in fall on compact, 19” plants. 

oblongifolius  ‘Dream of Beauty.’  Masses of sugar-pink flowers with burnt orange centers bloom late summer into fall. Grows well in many soil types including clay. Needs a lot of space to spread. Height 12”Spread 24”

o. ‘October Skies,’ Aromatic Aster.  This short bushy grower forms a low mound loaded with purple-blue flowers with yellow centers into late fall.  Stays compact.  Highly tolerant of drought and poor soil.  18”.

oolentagiensis, Sky Blue Aster.  Missouri native with masses of sky blue flowers with yellow centers in fall.  Tolerant of dry conditions.  Sun to part shade.  24-36”.

 

tongolensis ‘Spring Blue.’  A spring and fall blooming aster!  Abundant half dollar size bright lavender flowers appear in late spring through early summer, then reappear once again in late summer and fall.  Great compact habit.  15-18” tall.  Cut back after flowering to promote rebloom.

t. ‘Wartburg Star’ Blue-violet flowers with orange center bloom in spring.  Sun.  Height 15-20”.

‘English Country Side.’  Beautiful lavender-blue blooms, tinged with pink for 6 weeks in late summer and fall.  Grows to 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.  Grow in full sun to part shade in average soil.  Attracts butterflies.  Drought tolerant.

‘Island Somoa.’  Very compact plants with sky blue flowers.  12-18”.

‘Island Tonga.’  Same as above with deep pink flowers.

 

ASTEROMEA mongolica.  Also known as Kalimeris. Tough and easy to grow, this enchanting aster cousin is covered in hundreds of double white flowers from mid-summer to frost.  One of the best whites for the perennial border.  Reaches 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.  Easy to grow in full sun in average soil.  Drought tolerant.  Deer resistant.

 

ASTILBE:  shade/partial shade; bloom times vary.  Flower clusters rise in fluffy plumes over mounded ferny foliage.  Astilbes are excellent contrast plants to other shade perennials with large leaves such as Bergenia, Hosta and Ligularia.  A good cut flower that will also enhance dried bouquets.  They prefer rich, moist soil high in organic matter and only morning sun.  Intolerant of drought while growing. 

 

arendsii HybridsThis group contains plants with a great variety of sizes, colors and flowering times.

‘Bressingham Beauty. Outstanding fluffy salmon plumes atop attractive foliage.  24”.

‘Cattleya.’  Stately, 40” pink flower plumes rise over ferny foliage.

‘Fanal.’  2'; deep red flowers June-July.

‘Flamingo.’  Well branched flamingo-pink flowers in summer.  Slight fragrance.  20”.

‘Red Charm.’  Gracefully arching rose-red flowers on taller plants to 40”.  A later blooming astilbe.  A tough, yet delicate looking addition to any shade garden.

‘Showstar.’  Excellent dwarf series with feathery plumes in a charming mix of pink, white and rose red.  Showtime is held over from mid-spring well into summer.  12”.

 

chinensisSturdy, solidly-fluffed, slim branching flower spikes.  Deeply cut, rough-textured dark or reddish-green foliage.  This tough species is more sun and drought tolerant than others. 

‘Diamonds’ and Pearls.’  Pure white, thick flower plumes rise up 28” over mounds of ferny foliage.  Tough plants that stand up well to heat and humidity.

‘Love and Pride.’  Stately 36” rose pink flower stalks arise from 15” mounds of deep green foliage.

‘Maggie Dailey.’  Dense 28” purple flower spikes top mounds of ferny foliage.

‘Milk and Honey.’  A white astilbe that holds up under sun and drought.  Creamy white plumes turn light pink as they age.  Bushy foliage is somewhat marbled with green and silver when young.  Vigorous, prolific bloomer.  30”.

‘Pumila. 12"; lilac-rose flower Aug.-Sept., excellent dried; drought tolerant.

‘Purpurkerze.’ Lilac purple flower spikes bloom atop shiny dark foliage. Flowers are very large and thick. Height 36”.

‘Superba.’  Easy to grow, late blooming astilbe with thick, upright, large rose-purple flowers in June.  Grows 38” tall.

‘Valerie.’  Soft bluish-purple, dense, blocky flower plumes.  Heavy bloomer, 18-20”.

‘Vision. 12-14"; showy light purple flowers.

‘Visions’ Dwarf.’  Dwarf form of above.

‘Vision in Pink.’  Robust grower, drought tolerant, thick upright pale pink plumes.  18”.

‘Vision in Red. long blooming red flowers on dwarf 15” plants.

 

japonica HybridsPyramidal shaped plumes over narrow, sharply toothed, glossy dark green foliage.

‘Deutschland. 24"; white flower June-July; vigorous.

‘Ellie.’  Considered my many as the best white cultivar as the very full and large pure-white plumes fade to green rather than bown.  20”.

‘Montgomery. Large trusses of dark red.  Leaves emerge bronze in spring, changing to green.

‘Peach Blossom.’  24”; light salmon pink plumes, short and narrow.

‘Red Sentinel.’  24"; deep crimson flowers that are open and elegant July-Aug.

‘Rheinland.’  24"; clear pink.

 

simplicifolia Hybrids.  Compact plants of bronze-tinged deeply-divided leaves and short, broad, overhanging plumes.  This group prefers a rich, moist soil.  Water during dry months. 

‘Darwin’s Snow Sprite.’  Compact white plumes, similar to ‘Sprite’ only more robust and slightly taller.  12”.

‘Hennie Graafland.’  Upright trusses top ferny foliage.  Vigorous grower.   16”.z

‘Key Biscayne.’  A seedling of ‘Sprite’ with fuller, light pink flowers on reddish stems.  Unique two-tone green foliage with a dark red edge.  14-16”.

‘Key Largo.’  Plants produce twice as many flowers as other types.  Bright shell pink flowers top shiny dark green foliage.   16-20”

‘Key West.’  Shimmering carmine-red flowers top wonderful dark burgundy foliage.  Produces twice as many flowers than other types.  16-20”.

‘Sprite’.  12"; lovely shell pink flowers; attractive dark bronze foliage; 1994 Perennial Plant of the Year.

‘White Sensation.’  Long blooming pure white flowers appear in summer.  Grows 18”.

 

thunbergii HybridsTall plants with loosely-branched, drooping plumes. 

‘Moerheims Glory. 75-80”; large white arching plumes.

‘Ostrich Plume.’  30”; numerous bright pink, drooping flower spikes; mid to late season bloomer.  Deer resistant!

 

Hybrids

‘Alive and Kicking.’  Excellent genetics has produced plants with more vibrant colors and stronger roots than the straight species.  10” dark rose pink flower plumes top 40” plants.

chinensis var. taquetii  ‘Purple Cats. rosy purple flowers and great foliage.  30”.

‘Color Flash.’  Colorful foliage is what extinguishes these plants.  leaves emerge green then transform to rich burgundy and purple.   Fluffy pink flowers appear in early summer.  Grows to 20”.

‘Delft Lace.’  Deep salmon pink buds open to soft apricot pink flowers. Lacy, deep green foliage with a light silver overlay. Height 24-36” Spread 24”.  Exceptional variety.

‘Erika.’  Upright clusters of triangular shaped clear pink flowers  bloom in midsummer. 

‘Fireberry.’  Vibrant raspberry pink flowers. Blooms early to mid-summer. Form petite clump of green foliage.

‘Islamorada.’  Cherry red plumes above a glossy green foliage.  Compact and RE-BLOOMS! Height 12”.

‘Rise and Shine.’  Excellent genetics has produced plants with more vibrant colors and stronger roots than the straight species.  Hot pink plumes top 27” tall plants.

 

ASTILBOIDES, also know as Rodgersia tabularis, Umbrella Plant.  Partial shade and evenly moist soil.

tabularis.  Huge, bright green leaves that can measure in excess of 24” across; the effect in the garden is dramatic, for there simply is no bolder foliage to be found among hardy perennials; creamy white plumes appear in summer; grows 3’ tall and 3-4’ wide.

 

ASTRANTIA ‘Star of Heaven.’  White and green starry flowers have a prominent central cone.  Long blooming in summer.  Ornamental, deeply lobed leaves.  Good for borders or naturalized areas.  Part shade.  Excellent fresh and dried cut flower.  24”.

major ‘Ruby Wedding’  Dark red flowers heads. Flowers early spring and reblooms late summer. Height 22”

‘Major Claret.’  Dark red flowers bloom atop spectacular black stems add interest and color appeal. Makes a great cut flower.  Height 28-30”.

 

AURINIA (formerly Alyssum), Basket of Gold.  Sun; blooms in spring; good for rock garden.

saxatilis, ‘Summit’.  New and improved seed strain with an earlier bloom time.  Clusters of golden yellow flowers blanket the foliage early to late spring.  Forms a large prostrate, ground covering mound in the landscape, reaching 7 - 9 inches tall.  Gray fuzzy leaves are deer resistant.  Grow in full sun in well drained soil.  Attracts butterflies.

wulfenianum.  Gold flowers May through July on 6” long lived plants with silver leaves. 

‘Berggold’ Masses of fragrant yellow flowers bloom in spring.  Foliage makes a fantastic groundcover. Height 8” Spread 12”.

‘Gold Dust.’  10"; bright yellow flower. 

Perennial Common Name Cross Reference Guide