Northern Gardening Guide to Hardy Perennials 

R-Z

A-B, C-D, E-G, H-L, M-Q  

(Click the thumbnail photo under each plant name for a larger picture and description.)

PLANT NAME

ZONE

HEIGHT

LIGHT NEEDS

BLOOM TIME

PLANT DESCRIPTION

RUDBECKIA
(Black-eyed Susan, Coneflower)   

R. fulgida
'Goldsturm'Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'

3

2-3 ft.

 Full Sun to Light Shade Mid-Summer One of the best low-maintenance perennials. Golden-yellow flowers over a long period. Very striking planted en masse.
R. laciniata
 (Goldquelle)		 3 3-4 ft. Full Sun Late Summer Double, golden yellow flowers.
salvia
 (Blue Sage)

S. nemerosa
'East Friesland', 'May Night', 'Rose Queen', 'Lubeca'

4 18-24 in. Full Sun Early Summer Purple, pink or white flower spikes all summer long if kept deadheaded. Fragrant foliage.

SAPONARIA
(Soapwort)   

S. ocymoides

2

6-9 in.

 Full Sun Late Spring A wonderful plant for the front of the border where it can trail over the side. Small, bright pink flowers. Shear after blooming for denser foliage and repeat bloom. Requires good drainage.

SEDUM
(Stonecrop)   

S. spectabile
 'Autumn Joy',  'Maestro', 'Purple Emperor', 'Black Jack'Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

3

18-24 in.

 Full Sun Late Summer Another "must" for the perennial bed. 'Autumn Joy' is the most notable with its flat flower heads that start out light pink gradually darkening to a salmon-bronze. The succulent foliage is attractive all season long. 

SOLIDAGO
(Goldenrod)   

S. sphacelata

3

18-48 in.

 Full Sun Late Summer Falsely accused of causing hay fever, goldenrods are of easy culture and thrive in any garden soil. Gold/yellow  flowers.
S. rugosa
 'Fireworks'		 3 4-5 ft. Full Sun Late Summer Larger flower heads on a clump-forming goldenrod.

STACHYS
(Lamb's Ears)   

S. byzantina

 

 4 18-48 in. Full Sun Early Summer Grown primarily for the velvety silver foliage.  Will get some die-off in the winter especially in poorly drained locations.

TANACETUM
(Painted Daisy)   

T. cocineum
'James Kelway', 'Duro', 'Crimson'

3

18-30 in.

 Full Sun Early Summer A good cut flower these "daisies" need regular watering to do their best. Cut it back hard after blooming for better late season foliage and rebloom.

THERMOPSIS
(Carolina Lupine)   

T. caroliniana

 3

3-4 ft.

 Full Sun Early Summer Yellow pealike flowers atop attractive gray-green compound leaves. The flat seedpods can be used for dried arrangements.

tiarella
(Foam Flower)   

T. cordifolia
 'Oakleaf', 'Pirate's Patch', 'Candy Striper'

 3 6-12 in. Partial to Full Shade Mid-Spring A good foliage plant for the shade or a woodland garden. Newer varieties such as 'Candy Striper' have larger leaves and flowers.
tradescantia
 (Spiderwort)

T. Andersonia
'Zwanenburg Blue', 'Red Cloud', 'Snowcap'

4 18-24 in. Partial Shade to Full Sun Early Summer Even though it has one inch flowers off and on all summer--I don't care for this plant. It has a tendency to sprawl and look weedy. Best used in a natural setting.

trollius
(Globe Flower)

T. europaeus
T. chinensis
 

 

3

2-4 ft.

 Partial Shade to Full Sun Mid-Spring Bright yellow or orange waxy, buttercup-like flowers. Grow in a consistently moist soil and avoid afternoon sun. Good water garden planting.

vEronica
(Speedwell)   

V. alpina

3

8 in.

 Full Sun Early Summer Good rock garden plant.

V. austriaca
 (Hungarian Speedwell)

3

12-18in.

 Full Sun Early Summer Gentian blue spikes and a nice compact growth habit. If you shear them back after flowering you will get a second bloom period.
V. longifolia
 (Longleaf Speedwell) 'Sunny Border Blue'		 3 30-36 in. Full Sun Mid-Summer Long-blooming perennials, that have a tendency to lose lower foliage (plant  behind clumping plants that will camouflage the lower section.) Deadhead for extended bloom.
V. spicata
(Spike Speedwell)
'Royal Candles', 'Sarabande', 'Blue Charm'		 3 12-24 in. Full Sun Early Summer Spikes of violet-blue, white or rose flowers. 'Royal Candles' is an especially good variety which blooms all summer long even without deadheading. All Veronicas need a well-drained soil.

vEronicastrum
 (Culver's Root)   

V. virginicum 'Fascination', 'Diane', 'Erica', 'Apollo'

 

 4 3-6 ft. Full Sun Late Spring White to pale blue flower spikes that are similar to Veronica blossoms. Like Veronica it will flower all summer long if kept deadheaded. Likes a moist soil.

Perennials A-B, C-D, E-G, H-L, M-Q

"Perennial Combinations: Stunning Combinations That Make Your Garden Look Fantastic Right from the Start" by C. Colston Burrell.  The author, a former Minneapolis landscaper, takes the guesswork out of choosing perennials for your new garden.  This book includes 120 of the best perennial combinations with photos of each combination.  There are also 22 original garden designs to help get you started.

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