Dec 09
Salvia is one of the largest and most varied groups of flowering plants gardeners can grow. Depending on the species, a salvia may be a compact perennial covered with violet-blue flower spikes, a woody drought-tolerant shrub, a culinary herb harvested for its fragrant leaves, or a tender annual producing brilliant red flowers from summer until …
Dec 08
Yarrow is one of the toughest and most useful flowering perennials for a sunny garden. Its flat-topped flower clusters rise above finely divided, fernlike foliage and can continue providing color for much of summer. Traditional yarrow produces white flowers, but modern ornamental cultivars expand the palette to yellow, gold, apricot, terracotta, pink, rose, red, burgundy, …
Dec 07
True lilies are among the most dramatic perennial flowers in the garden, producing tall stems topped with elegant trumpet-, bowl-, or star-shaped blooms in colors ranging from pure white and soft yellow to orange, pink, red, burgundy, and richly patterned combinations. Depending on the type, lilies can flower from early summer into late summer, making …
Dec 06
Shasta daisies are classic summer perennials, producing crisp white petals around sunny yellow centers on sturdy upright stems. Their simple flower shape makes them equally at home in cottage gardens, pollinator plantings, cutting gardens, and traditional perennial borders. Although the flowers look delicate, a well-established Shasta daisy can form a substantial clump that returns and …
Dec 05
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a colorful North American native perennial known for its brilliant orange flowers and its ability to attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Once established, this tough wildflower handles heat, drought, and relatively poor soil with little fuss, making it an excellent choice for sunny borders, native plant gardens, pollinator gardens, …
Dec 04
Blazing star (Liatris spp.) is a distinctive North American native perennial known for tall spikes of purple, lavender, pink, or occasionally white flowers. Also called gayfeather, blazing star is especially valuable in pollinator gardens, prairie-style landscapes, cottage gardens, and sunny perennial borders. One of its most unusual characteristics is the way its flower spikes bloom. …
Dec 03
Gaillardia, commonly known as blanket flower, is a colorful, sun-loving plant prized for its long flowering season and bold daisy-like blooms in shades of red, orange, yellow, and burgundy. The warm colors often appear in striking combinations, with red or maroon centers surrounded by petals tipped in gold or yellow. Several species and hybrids are …
Dec 02
Cosmos are cheerful, easy-to-grow flowers known for their airy foliage, daisy-like blooms, and remarkably long flowering season. Depending on the species and variety, cosmos can produce flowers in shades of pink, white, red, orange, yellow, burgundy, and chocolate. Two of the most commonly grown types are Cosmos bipinnatus, which produces the familiar pink, white, and …
Dec 01
Geraniums are among the most familiar and dependable flowering plants for sunny gardens, containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets. Their rounded clusters of flowers appear in shades of red, pink, salmon, orange, white, lavender, and burgundy, often continuing from late spring until cold weather arrives. The plants commonly sold as annual geraniums are actually members …
Nov 30
Chrysanthemums, commonly called mums, are classic fall flowers known for their dense blooms in shades of yellow, orange, red, bronze, pink, purple, white, and burgundy. They are especially popular in autumn containers and seasonal displays, but many types can also be grown as long-term garden perennials. The most commonly cultivated garden chrysanthemums belong to hybrids …
