|
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'
|
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' |
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. |
"Perennial
Combinations: Stunning Combinations That Make Your Garden Look Fantastic Right
from the Start"