May 29, 2013
Perennials for your garden
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The following is a comprehensive list of the most popular perennials. This list is arranged in alphabetical order, according to genus. Plants flower at different times and for different lengths of time. The ultimate goal it to include plant material of varying heights and varieties to ensure something is in bloom in your garden at all times. The handy chart below will give you an idea of blooming times, growth height, sun and soil requirements, and what type/theme garden the plant works best in. |
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| Plant name | Bloom colour | Bloom period | Plant height L-low M-medium T-tall | Exposure | Used for | Comments |
| Achillea (yarrow) | Yellow-gold | Mid/late summer | L,M,T | Sun | Rock gardens, borders, cut flowers | Well drained soil, may require staking |
| Alyssum (basket of cold) | Yellow | Early summer | L | Sun, partial sun | Rock gardens, beds, borders | Well drained soil, divide in spring |
| Aquilegia (columbine) | Blue, maroon, purple, yellow | Late spring/mid summer | M | Partial sun, shade | Rock gardens, borders, cut flowers | Well drained soil, divide late summer |
| Armeria (thrift) | Purple, rose | Late spring/mid summer | L | Sun | Rock gardens, beds, edging, borders | Dry, infertile soil, divide every 4 years |
| Artemisia (silvermound) | Silver foliage | L | Sun | Rock gardens, edging | Will adapt to poor soil conditions | |
| Aster | Rose, violet, pink | Late summer | M | Sun | Borders, edging, cut flowers | Water generously in well drained soil |
| Astilbe | Pink, red, white | Summer | M | Partial sun | Borders, beds | Moist, fertile organic soil |
| Convallaria (lily of the valley) | White | Spring | L | Partial sun, shade | Ground cover, borders, cut flowers | Berries are poisonous |
| Chrysanthemum maximum (shasta daisy) | White | Summer | M | Sun, partial sun | Borders, cut flowers | Fertile soil, divide every other spring |
| Chrysanthemum (Hardy Mums) | Red, yellow, bronze | Fall | M,L | Sun, partial sun | Foundations, borders | Well drained moist soil, may transplant in fall |
| Delphinium | Pink, ehite, blue | Summer | T | Sun | Backgrounds, beds, borders | May require staking, cut back flowers after flowering |
| Dianthus (carnation) | Pink, red, rose, white, yellow | Late spring/summer | M,L | Sun | Rock gardens, borders, beds, cut flowers | Well drained alkaline soil |
| Dicentra (bleeding heart) | Pink to fuchsia | Late spring/late summer | M | Sun, partial sun | Backgrounds, beds, borders | Fertile soil, divide in spring or fall |
| Gaillardia (blanket flower) | Red, orange, yellow | Summer | M | Sun | Cut flowers, borders | Light, well drained soil, divide in spring |
| Gypsophila (baby's breath) | White | Mid summer | L/M/T | Partial sun | Borders, edging | Well drained, low nutrient, high pH soil |
| Hemerocallis (day lily) | Yellow, cream, bronze, pink | Late spring | M | Sun, partial sun | Backgrounds, borders, cut flowers | Well drained organic soil, divide every 4 to 6 years |
| Hollyhock | Pink, white, red | Late Summer | T | Sun | Backgrounds | Well drained soil, may require staking |
| Hosta (plantain lily) | Lavender, white | Summer | M | Sun, partial sun | Beds, borders, groundcovers | Organic soil |
| Iris | Assorted | Spring/mid dummer | L/T | Sun | Beds, foundations, borders | Divide rhizomes after flowering |
| Lillium (lily) | Assorted | Summer | T | Sun, partial sun | Backgrounds | Fertile soil |
| Lupinus (lupin) | Blue, red, white, pink, yellow | Summer | M | Partial sun | Backgrounds, borders | Cool, moist areas, acidic soil |
| Paeonia (peony) | Yellow, red, purple, pink, white | Spring | M/T | Sun | Borders, cut flowers | Shade inhibits flowering, establishment time: 3 years |
| Papaver (Oriental poppy) | Scarlet, salmon | Early spring | M | Sun | Backgrounds, borders, beds | Well drained soil, difficult to transplant |
| Phlox paniculata (garden phlox) | Assorted | Summer | L/M | Sun, partial sun | Backgrounds, beds, borders | Require fertilizing with Superphosphate or Bonemeal, divide in fall |
| Platycodon (balloon flower) | Blue | Summer | M/T | Sun, partial sun | Rock gardens, borders | Will not tolerate wet soil, does not transplant well requires staking |
| Primula (primose) | Assorted | Spring | L/M | Partial sun | Borders, beds | Cool, moist organic soil |
| Rudbeckia (cone flower) (black-eyed Susan) | Yellow, gold | Summer | M | Sun, partial sun | Borders, beds, cut flowers | Easy to grow |