Peony (Assorted Varieties)
Paeonia H: 24" - 42" W: 24" - 42" Full to Part Sun Prefers well drained loamy soil, will not tolerate soggy soil or standing water. Very long lived if planted in ideal conditions. Large round flowers in LATE-SPRING to EARLY SUMMER above lush green foliage. Will not produce flowers if planted too deeply. https://www.almanac.com/plant/peonies#
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Oriental Poppy
Papaver orientale H: 12" - 24" (with flower) W: up to 24" Full Sun Very showy flowers above low basal foliage in SUMMER. Prefer well drained soil. Provide regular water first season, less water in following years. Oriental poppies are long-lived in cold winter climates; they can thrive for decades. Re-seeds readily, often in places least expected. Plant goes dormant after flowering, foliage returns/re-emerges in fall. |
Husker Red Beard Tongue
Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' H: up to 32" (with flower) W: up to 18" Full Sun Bell shaped white flowers with a pink hue above purple-bronze foliage. LATE SPRING through EARLY SUMMER bloomer. Drought tolerant when established. Good drainage required. Avoid fertilizing (causes winter dieback). Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. |
Forever Pink Hybrid Phlox
Phlox glaberrima var. triflora 'Forever Pink' H: 6" - 12" W: 12" - 20" Full Sun Taller than moss phlox but not upright. Prefers prefers a moist, well-drained soil, but it is drought tolerant once established. Covered in pink flowers from EARLY SUMMER until EARLY FALL. Good resistance to powdery mildew. |
Chinese Lantern
Physalis alkekengi H: 12" - 24" W: 12" to spreading Full Sun to Part Shade Related to ground cherry but not considered edible. Tends to pop up around the garden (places other than where planted intentionally) from extensive root systems. Inconspicuous green foliage and small insignificant white flowers are followed by fruit in eye catching orange, papery "lanterns" in LATE SUMMER into FALL |
Obediant Plant / False Dragonhead
Physostegia virginiana H: 24" - 42" W: 24" to Spreading Full Sun to Light Shade Vigorous perennial sometimes requiring containment. Soil adaptable. Stems tend to flop in rich soils, too much shade or hot summer temperatures. Deer resistant. Spike flowers in LATE SUMMER and into FALL. |
Balloon Flower
Platycodon grandiflorus H: 12" - 24" W: 12" - 24" Full Sun to Light Shade Benefits from protection from the hottest sun of the day. Balloon shaped buds open to large bell shaped flowers all SUMMER. Will not tolerate soggy soils but requires consistent moisture when planted in full sun. Late to emerge in spring so is often mistaken for dead. Deadhead for more blooms! |
Jacob's Ladder
Polemonium reptans H: 16" - 24" W: 24" to Spreading Part Shade to Full Sun Vigorous semi-upright with green or variegated foliage (dependent on variety). Spreads easily. Produces small fragrant baby-blue flowers above mound of ferny foliage in MID to LATE-SPRING. Prefers adequately moist soil and cooler growing conditions especially if in full sun. |
Nuuk Potentills / Wineleaf Cinquefoil
Potentilla tridentata ‘Nuuk’ H: 4" W: 10" - 16" Full to Part Sun Forms a low mat of shiny evergreen leaves, bearing small white flowers in LATE SPRING and EARLY SUMMER that resemble little buttercups. Foliage turns wine and bronze shades in the colder months. Drought tolerant once established. Easily divided in spring or early fall. Deer Resistant. |
Primula / Primrose
Primula japonica H: 12" (with flower) W: 12" Part Sun to Full Shade Prefers fertile loamy soil with consistent soil moisture. Will tolerate excess moisture but does best with average drainage. Produces whorls of flowers atop stout stems above basal mound of foliage in LATE-SPRING to EARLY-SUMMER. Self-seeds somewhat readily. Looks great planted en masse. |
Lungwort / Bethleham Sage
Pulmonaria sacharata - in variety H: up to 12" W: up to 24" Part to Full Shade Low mounding form. Produces clusters of small pinkish-purple flowers in EARLY SPRING. Spotted foliage provides interest all season. Prefers cool, organically rich, evenly moist but well-drained soils. Soils must not be allowed to dry out but also will not tolerate standing water or overly soggy soil. Spreads very slowly by creeping roots, but is not invasive. |
Pasque Flower
Pulsatilla vulgaris (Anemone pulsatilla) H: 12" - 18" (with flower) W: 12" Full Sun Small fuzzy perennial flowering VERY EARLY SPRING. One of the first plants to emerge in spring, often while snow is still on the ground. Does not tolerate root disturbance or too much fertilization. Flowers are followed by attractive fuzzy seedheads. Drought tolerant when established. Related to Alberta native Prairie Crocus (Anemone patens). |
Ornamental Rhubarb / Chinese Rhubarb
Rheum palmatum var. tanguticum H: 36"+ W: 36"+ Full Sun to Part Shade Grown mainly for its large architectural leaves. Produces feathery plume flowers atop tall stalks from LATE-SPRING to MID-SUMMER. Unlike it's edible cousin; Ornamental Rhubarb should not be consumed, may cause severe discomfort if ingested. |
Black Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia fulgida H: 24" - 36" (with flower) W: 24" - 36" Full to Part Sun Long lived and reliable. This upright perennial produces abundant dark centered, daisy-like flowers from MID-SUMMER into EARLY FALL especially if old flowers sheared occasionally. Great planted in drifts or en masse. Soil adaptable. Attracts bees and butterflies but is resistant to deer. |
Meadow Sage / Woodland Sage (Assorted varieties & colours)
Salvia nemorosa H: 12" - 36" W: 12" - 36'' Size dependent on variety Full Sun Prefers well-drained, poor/rocky soil. Produces spikes of striking purple, pink and white shades (variety dependent) from LATE-SPRING well into MID-SUMMER. Deadhead or shear for more blooms. Heat & drought tolerant once established. Deer resistant. |
Pin Cushion Flower
Scabiosa H: 10" - 18" (with flower) W: up to 18" Full Sun Compact, forming short dense mound of ferny foliage. Blooms emerge above foliage on wiry stems from LATE-SPRING right into FALL. Prized as a cut-flower. Prefers well-drained, sandy soils. Drought & heat tolerant once established. |
Stonecrop (Assorted groundcover varieties & colours)
Sedum spirium/rupestre/reflexum/ H: up to 6" W: Spreading Full Sun Low growing and low maintenance. Ranging in colours from yellow-green to bright red depending on variety. Prefer poor/rocky/sandy soils with low fertility. Heat and drought tolerant. Very easy to propagate from cuttings (any part of plant touching soil will produce roots). |
Tall Sedum (Assorted upright varieties & colours)
Sedum spectabile H: 24" W: 24" Full Sun Generally upright facing with succulent green or purple foliage (depending on variety). Produces densely clustered flowers atop foliage in LATE SUMMER that last well into FALL, sometimes until frost. Prefer poor/rocky/sandy soils with low fertility. Heat and drought tolerant. Loved by bees as it provides a source of nectar when other sources are scarce. |
Hens & Chicks (assorted varieties and colours)
Sempervivum reptans H: 4" or less W: Spreading Full sun Slowly spreading by rolling rosettes and rooting stems. Fleshy perennial best suited to well draining, poor soils. Drought and heat tolerant when established. Considered collectable as there are many colours and shapes available. |
Lamb's Ear
Stachys byzantina H: 6" - 16" (with flower) W: spreading Full Sun Old fashioned favorite. Soft, furry foliage forms low, spreading mound with fuzzy, silver-purple spike flowers produced in SUMMER. Some new varieties have been developed to not produce flower (groundcover only). Excellent for dry, sunny slopes, poor soil and erosion control. |
Meadow Rue
Thalictrum delavayi H: up to 42" W: up to 24" Full sun to part sun Produces dainty panicles of purple star-shaped flowers rising above the foliage in EARLY SUMMER. Prefers average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Attracts bees & butterflies. |
Creeping Thyme
Thymus serpyllum & praecox H: 4" or less W: spreading Full Sun Slow spreading groundcover, comes in varieties with some minor differences. Covered in pinkish to purple blooms from SPRING to LATE SUMMER. Tolerant of light foot-traffic and fragrant when trod upon and can even be mowed. Prefers well drained soil. |
Globe Flower - Yellow & Orange varieties
Trollius H: 24" - 36" (with flower) W: up to 24" Part Shade to Full Sun Tolerates heavy, wet, clay soils. Bowl-shaped, bright flowers above foliage in LATE SPRING to EARLY SUMMER. Prefers cooler growing conditions and adequate soil moisture. Deer & rabbit resistant. |
Tall/Upright Speedwell (Assorted varieties & colours)
Veronica spicata H: 10" - 24" (with flower) W: 12" - 24" Size is variety dependent Full Sun to Light Shade Clump forming green basal foliage and abundant showy spike flowers in white, pink and purple/blue shades (variety dependent) in SUMMER. Will rebloom if sheared/deadheaded. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. |
Prostrate Speedwell
Veronica x H: up to 4" W: 24" to Spreading Full Sun Fast growing dense, nicely textured green foliage is covered in true-blue flowers in SPRING. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Drought tolerant once established. |
Periwinkle
Vinca Minor H: Less than 3" W: Spreading Full Sun to Full Shade VERY low growing groundcover or trailing perennial. Semi-evergreen glossy green foliage is also available in variegated variety. Soil adaptable but requires adequate moisture when planted in full sun. In shade, good drainage is more important. Can be finicky to get established but becomes quite vigorous once settled. Small periwinkle-blue flowers emerge sporadically in SPRING. Trails nicely over a wall or use on a slope to help control erosion. |