Perennials A - C

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Acanthus balcanicus (Bear’s Breeches)

Bloom Season & Habit
Rose-purple flowers. Herbaceous perennial

Location
Full sun to part shade. USDA Zone 5-10. Appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summer climates.

Use
Used to create a historic affect in the garden. A fine, unique plant.

Size
3 to 4 feet tall. 2 to 3 feet spread.

Culture
Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in. Tolerates wide range of soils except poorly drained ones. Can spread invasively by creeping rootstocks, particularly in loose soils. Can be slow to establish in the garden, but somewhat difficult to eradicate once established since small sections of root left behind can sprout new plants.
 

 
  Acanthus mollis  
Achillea 'Anthea' (Yarrow)

BENEFITS
New flowers form as old flowers fade away gracefully for a showier, extended bloom period. Better plant tolerance to rain and humidity.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Light yellow flowers from early summer to early fall. Soft, silvery foliage on upright clumps.

LOCATION
Full Sun. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8; AHS Heat Zones 9 to 2.

USE
Middle or background plantings, rock gardens. Cut and dried flowers.

SIZE
30" tall by 12" wide. Use 3 to 4 plants per square yard.

CULTURE
Easy-to-grow, drought tolerant plant for average to poor, dry soils. Cut back old flowers to encourage re-bloom. Divide in spring as needed.

Achillia Apple Blossom Achillea millefolium 'Apple Blossom' (Pink Yarrow)

BENEFIT
Tends to spread quickly and lodge easily.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
An erect plant, which features pink, dense, flat-topped, terminal flower clusters which are 2 to 3" across. Green leaves are deeply cut, fern-like and aromatic when crushed.

LOCATION
Easily grown in average, dry to medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun.
Zones 3-8

SIZE
Height: 1.5 to 2 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet

USES
Good cut or dried flower.

CULTURE
Tolerant of heat and humidity, but flower color may fade in extended, hot summer weather. Drought tolerant once established. Long summer bloom period may be prolonged by prompt removal of faded flower heads.

 
Achillea millefolium 'Terra Cotta' Achillea millefolium 'Terra Cotta' (Terra Cotta Yarrow)

BENEFITS
Tends to spread quickly and lodge easily.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Flower heads are peachy yellow when they first bloom, but gradually mature to a coppery bronze. Tiny flowers are densely packed in large, flat-topped, terminal flower clusters, which are 2 to 4" across. Green leaves are deeply cut, fern-like and aromatic when crushed.

LOCATION
Easily grown in average, dry to medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun.
Zones 3-8

SIZE
Height: 2.5 to 3 feet
Spread: 2 to 2.5 feet

USES
Good cut or dried flower.

CULTURE
Tolerant of heat and humidity, but flower color may fade in extended, hot summer weather. Drought tolerant once established. Long summer bloom period may be prolonged by prompt removal of faded flower heads.

 
Aconitum x arendsii

BENEFITS
Even though plants may be propagated by division, they are often slow to establish and are probably best left undisturbed once planted.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Dense, terminal racemes (to 8" long) of hooded, deep purplish-blue to violet flowers atop rigid, leafy stems typically growing 2-4' tall.

LOCATION
Best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Soils must not be allowed to dry out, but need sufficient drainage to prevent wet conditions from developing. Best in full-sun in cool summer climates. Zones 3-7

SIZE
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet

USES
The drug aconite is made from the leaves and roots of this species and was once prescribed as a cardiac and respiratory sedative.

CULTURE
The sepals and petals of the flowers are similarly colored, with the upper sepal developing into a large, helmet-like structure that somewhat resembles the hood worn by medieval monks, hence the common names of monkshood and helmet flower. Also sometimes commonly called Wolfs Bane, because this plant was once used as an arrow poison and in a poison bait for killing wolves. All parts of the plant (especially the roots and seeds) are EXTREMELY poisonous.

 
  Aegopodium 'Variegatum'  
Agapanthus 'Lilliput' (African Lily)

BENEFITS
Unique dwarf plant habit. Ideal for garden borders or containers.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Bright blue flowers from mid- to late summer. Tidy plant clumps with short stems of dainty flowers.

LOCATION
Full sun. USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 10; AHS Heat Zones 12 to 1.

USE
Excellent for container plantings, mass displays, or as an accent in borders or bed fronts.

SIZE
10" tall by 4" to 6" wide. Use 6 plants per square yard.

CULTURE
Plant in well-drained soil. Do not allow plants to dry out except when dormant. In cold zones, plant in containers and move indoors to overwinter.

Ajania pacifica Ajania pacifica

BENEFITS
Late Autumn bloom.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
This plant a mat-forming plant that typically grows 1-2' tall and features scalloped, dark green foliage edged with silver. Undersides of leaves are also silvery. Features numerous, small, yellow, button-like flowers which cover the plant but are not as showy as most chrysanthemums which it resembles.

LOCATION
Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Some afternoon shade is beneficial in hot climates. Zones 5-9

SIZE
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 3 feet

CULTURE
Drought tolerant. Pinch back throughout the growing season to promote plant vigor and profuse bloom. Provide winter protection in Zone 5.

 
Alcea rosea 'Nigra' (Black Hollyhock)

Bloom Season & Habit
2-3 inch Dark maroon, almost black flowers from May-July. Biennial

Location
Full to filtered sun. Hardy zones 3-11

Size
5-10 feet tall with a standard growth habit.

Culture
Moist to moderately (seasonally) dry soil.
 

 
Alcea rosea 'Singles Mix' Alcea rosea 'Singles Mix' (Single Hollyhock)

The real old-fashioned Hollyhock, with big, single flowers in clear colors- white, pink & purple. Blooms in early summer and is best suited in full sun and well drained soil. Grows to 8' in right conditions. Z5

 
  Alcea rugosa  
Alchemilla mollis 'Auslese'  
Alchemillathriller Alchemilla mollis 'Thriller' (Lady's Mantle)

Improved selection. Grown for its compact tidy growth habit, bluish chartreuse foliage and tiny yellow flowers appearing in late spring. Plant in partial shade in constantly moist soil.

Benefits

 This is an attractive plant that has, softly hairy (giving the leaves a mellow silver cast, making them look very attractive in the morning with dew on them), Rounded, wavy-edged leaves.

 

Bloom Season & Habit

Bright yellow flowers in the spring on top of fan shaped leaves.

 

Location

A good border plant and useful in shady positions.

 

Use

A good border plant and useful for ground-cover

 

Size

18" tall.

 

Culture

Large sprays of greenish-yellow flowers that are good for cutting.

 
  Amsonia hubrechtii  
  Anemone 'Bodnant Burgundy'   
Anemone hupensis 'September Charm' (Pink Windflower)

Single silvery-pink flowers blooming in the early fall. Grows 2-3'. Plant in partial shade, moist, well drained soil. Z6

Benefits

Windflowers are long-lived and fairly trouble free when given good growing conditions. 

 

Bloom Season & Habit

Pink flowers. Herbaceous perennial.                                 

 

Location

Will do well with full sun in the morning and dappled light in the afternoon.  Some shade is more desirable in warmer climates. Zone 4 to 8                                     

 

Use

The seed heads are ornamental and may be dried. Plants create an outstanding display when in full bloom.

 

Size

3 feet tall.  15 inches wide.

 

Culture

They like a well-drained soil with good amounts of organic matter. Mulching to maintain a cool root zone is beneficial. In winter, Anemones die back to deep, woody   

fibrous roots. Anemones need a winter mulch and thorough watering in dry weather.

 
Anemone japonica 'Honorine Jobert' (White Japanese Anemone)

 

 BENEFITS
A lengthy August to September bloom period.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Single flowers (2-3" diameter) with 6-9 overlapping white petioled sepals and yellow center stamens appear on long, wiry-but-graceful, branching stems over an attractive foliage mound of trifoliate dark green leaves.

LOCATION
Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best in part shade with protection from wind. Foliage tends to burn in hot, dry, sunny summer conditions. Prefers consistently moist, hummusy soils with good drainage. Soils must not be allowed to dry out.

SIZE
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet

USES
'Honorine Jobert' is an old garden hybrid discovered in Verdun, France in 1858.
Avoid wet, poorly drained soils, however, particularly in winter. May be slow to establish, but naturalizes well in optimum growing conditions.

CULTURE
'Honorine Jobert' is a vigorous, fibrous-rooted, mounding, compact Japanese anemone hybrid cultivar which typically grows to 3-4' tall and spreads by creeping rhizomes.. Japanese anemone cultivars are commonly sold as Anemone x hybrida or Anemone japonica.

 
Anemone japonica 'Party Dress' Anemone japonica 'Party Dress'

BENEFITS
A pink Anemone with large double flowers nearly twice the size of many Japanese Anemones. Gorgeous fall bloomer.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Flowers late summer and fall with a tall upright habit. May require staking like most Japanese Anemones.

LOCATION
Full sun to partial shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9; AHS Heat Zones 9 to 3.

USE
Best for the back of informal borders or beds, grown with other taller plants. Combines well with asters, ornamental grasses and Garden Sage (Salvia 'Indigo')

SIZE
In 2 years 36" to 38" tall by 36" to 40" wide. Use 2 to 3 plants per square yard.

CULTURE
Average well-drained soils. Avoid wet soggy areas, but not very drought tolerant.

Anemone multifida 'Rubra'  
Anemone sylvestris

BENEFITS
Snowdrop anemone is a rhizomatous plant that forms spreading patches

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
This spring-blooming anemone features cup-shaped, 1.5-2" diameter, fragrant, 5-sepaled, often nodding, white flowers with yellow anthers in the center. Flowers are borne singly on upright stems growing to 18" tall above medium green, deeply lobed foliage. Flowers give way to white, woolly seed heads. Repeat bloom may occur in the cooler weather of early autumn.

LOCATION
Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in part shade. Tolerates full shade. Prefers moist, sandy-hummusy soils. Can be very invasive in loose soils, but less invasive in clay soils. Zone 4-8

SIZE
Height: 1 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1 feet

 
Anemone tomentosa 'Robustissima'

Interesting deep-green flowers in an assortment of colors in May and June. Shade toloerant. performs well in any well-drained soil. H 18" Z3

 
Anemone x hybrida 'Margarette'  
Anthemis tinctoria 'Suzanne Mitchelle'

BENEFITS
A summer of color from creamy white daisy flowers with primrose-yellow centers.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Creamy white flowers above a carpet of fern-like silvery foliage from late spring until late summer with a cutback.

LOCATION
Full sun. USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7; AHS Heat Zones 8 to 3.

USE
Its low mounded habit lends itself to the front of flower borders or rock gardens. Combines well with Dianthus and other short growing plants; foreground plant for short Ornamental Grasses.

SIZE
20" to 24" tall by 36" wide in 2 years. Use 2 to 3 plants per square yard.

CULTURE
Prefers well-drained soils. Avoid wet soggy areas. A light cutback after the initial flowering will extend flowering into late summer. Divide every 2 to 3 years.

Aquilegia 'Alpine Blue' (Alpine Columbine)

Bloom Season & Habit

The flowers are usually a combination of  blue and white or just bright blue.

 

Location

Provide a growing area in partial shade

 

Use

Alpine Columbine will be smaller than some of the hybrids

Size

 

Culture

Moist, well-drained soil

 
Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns'  
  Aquilegia flabellata 'Music Mix'  
Aquilegia 'Lime Frost' (Variegated Columbine)

Unusual eye catching foliage appears sun splashed with golden streaking. Plant in partial shade in moist site. H 20" Z4

Bloom Season & Habit

Purple flowers. Late Spring to early Summer. Perennial. Variegated foliage.

 

Location

Light Shade.

 

Size

12-18 inches tall.  9-12 inch spread.

 
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Woodside Variegata'  
Arenaria montana (Mountain Sandwort)

Benefits
The genus name refers to sand- many species grow in sandy locations, the species name means " Of Mountains". This rock garden gem produces lots and lots of white flowers covering these low growing plants with mossy like foliage.

Bloom Season & Habit
Forms low mats with 1/4 inch wide white flowers. Zones 3-5.

Location
Growing best in sandy poor soils in full sun.

Use
Ever green foliage fits in nicely in cracks of bricks and stones.

Size
Grows 4 inches tall and Easy.

 
Armeria maritima 'Alba' (White Sea Thrift)

Benefits
The narrow, blue green leaves form clumps.

Bloom Season & Habits
Zones 4 to 8. Herbaceous perennial

Location
Grow the plants in full sun or partial shade and in well-drained soil. Rots will be a problem in heavy or poorly drained soil. Some afternoon shade will be beneficial in warm climates.

Use
Sea Thrift has evergreen foliage and can be used in rock gardens, as an edging or in flower borders. The plant can be used near the ocean hence the name Sea Thrift.

Size
10 inches tall. 12 inch spread.

Culture
Remove the old flowers to get another flush of bloom.

 
Armeria maritima 'Splendens' (Pink Sea Thrift)

Benefits
The narrow, blue green leaves form clumps.

Bloom Season & Habit
Pink flowers. Zones 4 to 8. Herbaceous perennial

Location
Grow the plants in full sun or partial shade and in well-drained soil. Rots will be a problem in heavy or poorly drained soil. Some afternoon shade will be beneficial in warm climates.


Use
Sea Thrift has evergreen foliage and can be used in rock gardens, as an edging or in flower borders. The plant can be used near the ocean hence the name Sea Thrift.

Size
10 Inches tall. 12 inch spread

 
Artemisia lactiflora 'Guizhou' (White Mugwort)

BENEFITS
Noteworthy dark-leafed plant for garden interest. Blackish-green leaves and mahogany stems provide a stunning backdrop for the cream-colored flowers.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Cream-white flowers from late summer to fall. Erect, leafy flower stalks.

LOCATION
Full sun. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8; AHS Heat Zones 12 to 8.

USE
Place in back of borders or middle of island beds for accent. Black-green foliage and stems provide year-round interest. Flowers useful fresh or dried.

SIZE
48" to 60" tall by 36" wide. Use 3 plants per square yard.

CULTURE
Plant in moist well-drained soils that do not dry out. Fertilize sparingly to avoid excessive growth that will require staking. Divide in spring or fall every 3 to 4 years.

Artemisia 'Silver Brocade' Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver Brocade' (Dusty Miller)

Japanese native naturalized along our coast. Creeping, lobed silver-white foliage makes a great ground cover or specimen. Needs full sun and perfect drainage. H 8" Z3

 
Artemisia 'Powis Castle' (Mugwort)

Benefits
Evergreen (actually "eversilver") perennial with woody stems. It also can be classified as a shrub or sub-shrub.

Bloom Season & Habit
Powis Castle rarely flowers, but some plants may occasionally produce 6" panicles of silver, yellow-tinged flower heads.


Location
Full sun

Size
This is a beautiful silver-gray plant that grows in a dense, billowing mound up to 2 or 3' tall and 3 to 6' in diameter.

Culture
The leaves are finely dissected like filigreed silver lacework. This Artemisia has a more compact habit and is less leggy and sprawling than others

 
Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silvermound' (Silvermound Artemesia)

Benefits
A perennial. With soft mounds of silver, fine cut foliage. Low maintenance plant that requires very little pruning.

Bloom Season & Habit
Seeds early summer to late summer. Zone 5-8. Light fertilization recommended in early spring.

Location
Full Sun. Drought tolerant, but requires good drainage. Some sand to clay loam.

Use
Many species are used medicinally. Very complimentary to bright colors.

Size
18 inch spread. 6 inches in height.

Culture
Found mainly in the Northern Hemisphere and also parts of Southern Africa and South America.

 
Artemisia vulgaris 'Oriental Limelight' (Variegated Mugwort)

Benefits
“Oriental Limelight’ is reported to be less invasive than the species.

Bloom Season & Habit
White flowers. Herbaceous perennial. Zone 4 to 8.

Location
Best grown in poor to moderately fertile, dry to medium wet, well-drained soils in full sun. If foliage declines or stems flop in summer, plants may be sheared to revitalize.

Size
2 to 3 feet tall. 1.5 to 2.5 foot spread.

Culture
Excellent soil drainage is essential for growing this plant well. Does poorly in moist to wet soils where plants are susceptible to root rot. Plant stems tend to lodge (fall) in summer, especially if grown in fertile soils and/or part shade. General foliage decline commonly occurs in high humidity summer climates
 
Aruncus aethusifolius (Dwarf Goat's Beard)

Benefits
The foliage is fine and fern-like.

Bloom Season & Habit
The plumy white flowers occur in late spring. Zone 4 to 9. Herbaceous perennial

Location
Doesn’t like too much sun. Probably safer in part to mid shade locations.

Use
This small plant is suitable for use in rock gardens or near the front of flower borders

Size
12 inch height. 18 inch spread

 
Aruncus diocus (Native Goats Beard)

A statement in size! Astilbe like foliage forms a broad shrub with arching white plumes in mid summer. Prefers sun to partial shade and moist soil. H 6-8' Z3

 
Asclepias tuberosa 'Gay Butterflies' (Native Butterfly Weed)

Benefits
As its name implies, the flowers attract butterflies.

Bloom Season & Habit
The plants produce their orange flowers from July to September. The plant will not flower freely until well established. Herbaceous perennial. Zones 3 to 9

Location The best sites have exposure to sun or partial shade and almost any soil. Butterfly Weed is slow to start growth in the spring so mark its location to prevent damage to easily injured dormant crowns. The plant tolerates dry soil but not heavy soil.

Size
24 inches tall. 12 inch spread

Culture
Butterfly Weed is a member of the milkweed family. Once established, do not disturb unnecessarily. A taproot makes transplanting difficult.

 
  Asclepias tuberosa 'Hello Yellow'  
  Aster 'Wood's Blue'  
  Aster 'Wood's Pink'  
Aster x frikartii 'Flora's Delight' (Frikart's Aster)

BENEFITS
Shorter, sturdier plants than other varieties of this species. Named after Alan Bloom's wife.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Warm lilac flowers with yellow centers from midsummer to early fall. Stiff, bushy plants.

LOCATION
Full sun. USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9; AHS Heat Zones 9 to 1.

USE
Place in the front or middle of borders or island beds.

SIZE
20" tall by 24" wide. Use 4 plants per square yard.

CULTURE
Does best in average to rich well-drained soil. Divide in spring or fall as needed. Use winter protection in USDA Hardiness Zone 5.

Astilbe arendsii 'Bressingham Beauty' (False Spiraea, Meadow Sweet)

Benefits
Bold, free-flowering perennial with finely cut foliage and plume-like flower panicles.

Bloom Season & Habit
Produces sprays of bright pink flowers in mid-summer. Hardiness Zones 4-8. Heat Zone 2
Location
Full shade to part sun. Use in shade garden with other bold-leaved perennials. Sandy loam to some clay.

Use
Taller varieties make a nice backdrop in a dark shade garden. Great scent.

Size
3 feet tall. 2 feet wide.

Culture
Divide overgrown clumps in spring or fall. Keep moist.

Astilbe arendsii 'Catherine Deneuve'

BENEFITS
A star performer, attracting all to see its fluffy plumes of glowing rose pink. Named for the eminent French actress.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Glowing rose-pink flowers in summer atop dark green foliage. Handsome mounded clumps. An Astilbe xarendsii hybrid.

LOCATION
Partial shade to shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8 ; AHS Heat Zones 8 to 2.

USE
Place in front or middle of borders and island beds. Nice placed between shrubs or other perennials. Superb cut flower.

SIZE
24" tall by 24" wide. Use 4 plants per square yard.

CULTURE
Prefers rich moist soils that do not dry out. Keep well-watered. Apply fertilizer in spring and midsummer. Spent flower heads can be removed if desired or allowed to remain for late season interest. Divide overgrown clumps in spring or fall.

Astilbe arendsii 'Elizabeth Bloom'

BENEFITS
Features graceful, rich pink flower spikes accented against fine deep green leaves for illuminating shady borders.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Rich pink flowers in summer. Compact, dark glossy green foliage mounds. An Astilbe xarendsii hybrid.

LOCATION
Partial shade to shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8; AHS Heat Zones 8 to 2.

USE
Place in front or middle of borders and island beds. Nice placed between shrubs or other perennials. Superb cut flower.

SIZE
24" tall by 24" wide. Use 4 plants per square yard.

CULTURE
Prefers rich moist soils that do not dry out. Keep well-watered. Apply fertilizer in spring and midsummer. Spent flower heads can be removed if desired or allowed to remain for late season interest. Divide overgrown clumps in spring or fall.

Astilbe arendsii 'Erica' (Pink False Spirea)

Mid-season pink blossoms on 2 1/2-3' stems. Z4

 
Astilbe arendsii 'Fanal' Astilbe arendsii 'Fanal' (Red False Spirea)

Early blomming, red flowers on 2' stems. Z4

 
  Astilbe arendsii 'Feuer'  
Astilbe arendsii 'Granat' Astilbe arendsii 'Granat'  
  Astilbe arendsii 'Greta Pungel' (Pink Star Astilbe)

July blomming. A low grower with bright pink flowers on 1 - 1.5' spikes. Z4

 
Astilbe arendsii 'Snowdrift'

BENEFITS
Considered to be the whitest form to date. Excellent companion for other deeper colors.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Pure white flowers in summer. Finely cut foliage mounds. Astilbe ×arendsii hybrid.

LOCATION
Partial shade to shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8; AHS Heat Zones 8 to 2.

USE
Superb cut flower. Nice placed between shrubs or other perennials.

SIZE
24" tall by 24" wide. Use 4 plants per square yard.

CULTURE
Prefers rich moist soils. Keep well-watered. Apply fertilizer in spring and midsummer. Remove spent flowers to bolster flowering. Divide clumps in spring every 3 to 4 years.

Astilbe chinensis 'Pumila' (False Spirea)

Lilac-rose flowers blooming in July and August. Grows best in semi-shade, and tolerates drier soil. Good groundcover. H 12"

 
Astilbe japonica 'Peach Blossom' (Drayton Glory, False Spiraea, Meadow Sweet)

Bold free-flowering perennial with finely cut foliage, and plume-like flower sprays. 'Peach Blossom' (syn. 'Drayton Glory') bears peach-colored plumes above dark green leaves in mid-summer. Grows to approx. 2 ft. high and 18 in. wide. Prefers moist soils and part shade. Use in the shade garden with other bold-leaved perennials.

Blooming Range:
Mid Summer
Width:
18 inches
Height:
24 inches
Hardiness Zone Range:
4 to 8
Heat Zone Range:
2
Light:
Shade to Full Sun
Water:
Moist
Soil:
Sandy Loam to Some Clay
 

 
Astilbe 'Shiela Haxton'

BENEFITS
Once established it is one of the most prolific flowering Astilbe to date.

BLOOM SEASON & HABIT
Large pink flowers on short stems July through early August.

LOCATION
Partial to full shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8; AHS Heat Zones 8 to 2.

USE
Good for the front of the shady beds or rock gardens. Combines well with Hosta, Ferns, Pulmonaria or Siberian Iris.

SIZE
12" tall and 16" to 18" spread in 1 year. Use 5 to 6 plants per square yard.

CULTURE
Prefers shady moist locations with rich soil and a good moisture supply. Intolerant of drought and very wet locations in winter.