Endemic to the meadows and open woodlands in northeast Asia, this hard working Aster cousin offers oodles of dainty, 1 in. wide, pale blue daisies all summer long. Shiny deep green lanceolate leaves shape a neat, compact small-sized mound beneath spry, long-blooming yellow-eyed flowers that lure bees and butterflies. Favoring a sunny well-drained abode, easy-care ‘Blue Star’ can reside in the rockery, cottage garden or massed in a border, where it effortlessly tackles clay soil, hot humid weather and periodic dry conditions.

Blooms July–September

Size: 12" – 18" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Native to the woods and mountains of Shikoku

and Kyushu, Japan, this perennial has broad and opposite Maple-like leaves and dark purple stems, which emerge in late spring and later highlight the pendulous, waxy yellow flowers plus glossy green and brown-streaked calyces. A lover of moist leafy soil, Yellow Waxbells work well in the woodland garden with Asarum, Astrantia and Rodgersia.

Blooms September–October

Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Indigenous to the damp meadows and grasslands from Slovenia to Macedonia, this robust, fast-growing perennial honors the famous Hungarian botanist Paul Kitaibel, who was born in 1757. Kitaibela vitifolia’s grand clump of tall white-haired stalks forges a stately presence with large, lush, Grape-style deep green leaves distinguished by triangular pointed lobes, coarsely toothed margins and long petioles. Its handsome bushy verdure cushions clustered, 2 in. wide, white to tender pink, up-tilted, Mallow-like blooms, each premiering artful 5-pointed stars formed when green calyces appear between the spaced petals. Ideal at the back of the border in somewhat moist, but well-drained soil, carefree Russian Hibiscus can accompany Centaurea ruthenica and Aconitum ‘Stainless Steel’.

Blooms July–September

Size: 5' 0" – 6' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

The deep crimson of this exciting cultivar’s double 2 in. pincushion blooms is rare and intense. Shorter and more compact than the species, sturdy ‘Mars Midget’ generates curving stems, which branch into numerous flowering stalks and hold a seemingly endless supply of the extraordinary color above green basal leaves. Lively on its own, it’s absolutely vibrant with Salvia ‘Sweet Esmeralda’, Geranium ‘Nimbus’ and Kniphofia ‘Gladness’. 

Blooms June–October

Size: 16" high x 20" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Introduced by Germany’s Jelitto Perennial Seeds in 2019, this tidy nearly-evergreen perennial packs a punch of flower-power. Compact green basal rosettes and slim stems elevate boundless pompom-like mauve flowers that appear with unbridled abandon from summer ’til frost. Well-suited for wild-style haunts, cottage gardens and borders, ‘Midget Mauves’ beguiles bees, butterflies and floral artists, while its easy-care temperament appreciates sunny porous niches.

Blooms June–October

Size: 16" high x 20" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Originating nearly 20 years ago from a Silverhill Seed order, this hard-to-find nearly white blooming Kniphofia is a welcome choice for enthusiasts seeking light-hued Torches. The dense ovoid-shaped inflorescences showcase spectacular pearly yellow blooms that sway above strong green stalks and green glaucous blades. Though sadly losing ground due to cattle grazing in its native South African haunts, Kniphofia albescens can easily be ushered into your garden, where it promises luminous accents, especially when superimposed against Salvia corrugata’s dark textured leaves and blue floral whorls.

Blooms July–September

Size: 3' 0" – 3-1/2' high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Alcazar is a Spanish translation of the Arabic word for castle, and this luscious Kniphofia deserves royal treatment for its splen­­­­­did show. From a nest of lance-like leaves, chartreuse-tinted buds elongate on thick bron­zy stems to form majestic tapered spires of a dark rosy terracotta, which age to rich salmon orange. Pair with Phlomis russeliana and enjoy the lively tango of color and form.

Blooms July–September

Size: 3-1/2' high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Escape the dog days of summer with the refreshing cool-toned flowers of this smaller statured Kniphofia. Adopting a fine textured aspect, narrow arching grass-green leaves plus lean stalks present lime-green buds and close-knit lemon-yellow blooms. Enjoyed by bees, butterflies and gardeners, ‘Bees’ Lemon’ assures long-lasting late season color that easily partners with Eryngium ‘Donard Variety’ and Rudbeckia ‘Viette’s Little Suzy’.

Blooms July–September

Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Tall henna-infused stalks, sprouting bountiful yellow-orange flower spikes above a tame gray-green-leafed base are the hallmark of this energetic Kniphofia. ‘Bee’s Sunset’ will lend an enduring warm glow to neighbors such as Buddleja ‘Honeycomb’, Lavandula ‘Royal Velvet’ and Geranium ‘Rosemoor’.

Blooms June–August

Size: 4' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Not all bleached blondes turn heads like this one does. Blooms of sandy blonde topped with auburn adorn this softly colored beauty. Anchored by vigorous medium green, bladelike foliage, slim 5 in. long flowers have a repeat bloom, imparting greenish yellow shades at summer’s end.

First introduced by Olympic Coast Gardens, ‘Bleached Blonde’ can be matched with Phygelius ‘Pink Elf’.

Blooms June & again in August.

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Like many of the best ballet dancers, this cultivar is tall, elegant and full of stamina. We found this selection at Western Hills and have propagated it by divisions to maintain the soft dusty coral color of the flowers, which continue blooming throughout the summer. For a contrast of color and texture, we often plant this near Thalictrum rochebrunianum.

Blooms June–August.

Size: 4-1/2' high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Graceful copper-tinged stems emerge from a refined, narrow-bladed, green-gray base. Awash in yellow with amber and bronze accents, the slender sunny blooms set its diminutive silhouette aglow.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 2' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

The narrow leaves of this seedling selection are in sharp contrast to the large straplike foliage typical of the species. Glaucous blue blades make a dramatic base for the subdued rainbow of earthy colors: thick, coppery flower stems, clay-colored buds and rich terracotta blooms, which eventually pale to a light greenish yellow. For more drama, plant by Caryopteris incana and Achillea ‘Inca Gold’.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 4' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

One of our own seedling selections, this stunning form of Kniphofia citrina will surely brighten your garden with a refreshing splash of citrus color. Above clumps of glaucous leaves, the vivid lime green buds open into dense chartreuse flowers that later fade to light yellow.

Blooms June–July.

Size: 2-1/2' high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Distinguished by seductive dark bronzy hues and tapered bases, this Kniphofia’s broad flower heads evoke mysterious images. As the close-knit, 6 to 10 in. long pokers mature, they gradually lighten, imparting rich copper colors and creamy yellows on sturdy stems above a coarse basal tuft of sword-shaped bluish green leaves.

A Blooms of Bressingham introduction, ‘Cobra’ promises toasty easy-to-blend shades that can be associated with Agastache ‘Black Adder’ and Eryngium bourgatii.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 3' 0" – 3-1/2' high x 2' 0" – 2-1/2' wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

This rarely cultivated robust form comes to us from the U.C. Davis Arboretum. Cresting tall stalks, basally adorned with coarse sword-like leaves, the spiky flowers are a pinkish melon. Create coral reefs in your own backyard by planting it in drifts with Phygelius ‘Moonraker’ and bronze-hued Stipa arundinacea.

Blooms May–July

Size: 4' 0" high x 4' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Counting orioles, hummingbirds, and studied gardeners among its fans, ‘Dorset Sentry’ brandishes big fat green buds and even larger plump acid yellow torches on beefy, bronze-toned upright stalks. A green bed of toothed bladelike leaves anchors the sun-struck blooms that last for months and bridge the gap between summer and fall. Selected by a John May, this moderately sized Kniphofia breathes enthused late season energy into the garden and can flank a pathway, stand sentinel at a threshold, or occupy a midborder position.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Alighting slender stems, these dainty flowers smoulder with fervent salmon and saturated orange. A foundation of finely textured grass-like foliage hosts the loosely arranged blooms, which are quieted by dusky hued unopened buds and smoky purple-tipped individual florets. Projecting a vivacious yet sophisticated demeanor, 'Orange Flame' makes a compelling container subject.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 15" – 2' 0" high x 15" – 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 8.

When the bronzed apricot buds finally unfurl into lucent golden orange torches that seem to glow from within, we promise you'll be glad. Numerous, cinnamon-toned sturdy stalks are unleashed from a midsized roost of creased grayish green leaves margined with tiny teeth. Rotund and broad in the middle, the substantial flowers convey a free wheeling radiance.

Blooms July – August

Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Once this Kniphofia blooms, you’ll see why it was dubbed ‘Glow’. Solidly colored coral torches honed with dark rosy overtones shine above a handsome, not–so-tall, foliar foundation distinguished by composed blue-green hues and tiny teeth along each leaf margin. Sized just right for a front row location in the border or a smaller garden. ‘Glow’ imparts a flashy propensity, especially when Geranium harveyi and Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ are planted nearby.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 8.

Conjuring images of cheerful yellow songbirds, this spirited Kniphofia is aptly named. Rising from narrow and glaucous medium green blades, the sturdy, yet graceful stems support good-sized cylindrical blooms. Each inflorescence consists of delicate florets—long, slender and pendulous—arranged in an airy fashion. Bring a sunny lift to your summer border and site ‘Goldfinch’ by Liatris ‘Kobold’ and Salvia ‘Sensation Rose.

Blooms June–early August.

Size: 4' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Long esteemed by Beth Chatto who introduced it in 1968, this captivating Kniphofia first originated as a seedling selection in Sir Cedric Morris’s Suffolk garden. Showy long cylinders in icy lime-green shades impart a distinguished sense of composure and are without a doubt the greenest Torch Lily blooms we offer. Opening from green buds above broad verdurous blades and stalwart stems, the densely packed, irresistibly colored florets are crowned with a dusky-orange tuft and eventually lighten to a creamy chartreuse from the bottom up.

Blooms July–September

Size: 4' 0" – 4-1/2' high x 2-1/2' wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Selected by Alan Bloom, this upright cultivar is remarkably robust. The deep green foliage is wide and strap-like, the flower stalks are thick and hefty, and the vibrant chartreuse buds unveil 6 in. lime-yellow blooms, which fade to light yellow. We plant ‘Ice Queen’ with Molinia ‘Heidebraut’s late season misty-looking blossoms for an unusual but delightful combination.

Blooms June–August

Size: 4' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Long, upright green blades hurl a lucent flurry of prismatic coral-melon-colored buds plus elongated, vivid reddish orange pokers trimmed with creamy apricot-hued bases. A sought-after AGM winner raised by British plantsman Bob Brown in 2006, ‘Incandesce’s tall, flaming mien dazzles neighbors like Nepeta latifolia.

Blooms July–September

Size: 3' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Flaunting one of the brightest, most rotund torches we have ever seen, this jaunty Kniphofia was discovered by Gretchen Hahn, a former staff member, in the backyard of a local north coast resident. Unknown to us and most likely a hybrid of Kniphofia uvaria ‘Nobilis’ which has naturalized in our area, it bears the owner’s namesake. The large radiant florets graduate in color, beginning on top with a salmon hue that shades to tangerine and then transmutes to antique gold supported by a lemon-yellow base.

Bolstered on bronzed olive-tinted stems above brawny medium green leaves, the exuberant display can be staged alongside Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ for unbridled oohs and awhs!

Blooms August – September.

Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

An illustrious contender for the late season border, ‘Light of the World’ boasts showy, long slender torches. Green-tinged buds open to reveal dainty flared, pendulous florets lit in lucent tangerine orange shades. Pointed, low growing grassy leaves with pale midribs ground this small-statured, first-rate Kniphofia, which can be granted a front row seat accompanied by Nepeta ‘Little Trudy’.

Blooms September.

Size: 2' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Large, pumpkin-colored flower buds seem to glow atop the thick purplish stems of this robust species. Visually supported by broad straplike foliage, the enormous, nearly round orange flowers eventually fade to yellow at the base. Combine with Aster ‘Lady in Black’ and Salvia ‘Limelight’ for a stunning display of purple, chartreuse and orange.

Blooms August–September.

Size: 6' 0" high x 4' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

This toasty-hued, perky cultivar first caught our eye at Cotswald Garden Flowers, owned by Bob Brown, England’s renown Kniphofia enthusiast. It has since become one of our favorites for its long and slender, loosely set racemes. Tipped with burnt coral tones, the blooms fade to melon in the middle and finally brighten to a creamy yellowish sherbet base, which features larger, more pendant florets. The colorful splendor bursts forth from earthy red and greenish-tinged buds elevated on supple, slightly bronzed stems above green foliage.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

With ample-sized blossoms and a medium-sized profile, this exuberant Kniphofia is ideal for smaller gardens. Stiff jade-toned narrow blades and lusty bronze green stems support moss-hued tapering buds and bright yellow flowers. A subtle apricot cast suffuses the lit up torches, which feature pendulous evenly spaced close-set florets and promise a colorful presence throughout most of the summer.

Blooms June–July.

Size: 2' 0" – 2-1/2' high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Earning copious kudos in the 2010 RHS trials and an honored AGM, ‘Moonstone’ hoists droves of caramel-colored buds and large lambent torches crowded with apricot and amber-hued tubular florets that age to a creamy lemon. Steadfast cinnamon-toned stalks and slim, fleshy green leaves support the cozy-looking summer display. Well-sized for a midborder position, this flower-laden Kniphofia can be peppered amid Perovskia ‘Lacey Blue’, Salvia ‘Compton’s Form’ and Crocosmia ‘Paul’s Best Yellow’.

Blooms June–August

Size: 3' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Looking for a midsized plant to accentuate a hot-colored border or ignite a cooler one? ‘Nancy’s Red’ may be your girl. Delicate olive-green stems lift brick-red buds and waxed, dusky coral-red florets, which become more pendulous with age, flaring out to reveal creamy-yellow tips. Shaded in such rich colors, the slender, somewhat open cone-shaped blooms achieve an ardent contrast against low growing, narrow green leaves. Clearly in a class of her own—undemanding, refined and well-groomed—Nancy gives you good reason to entice her into your garden bed and keep her where she’s easily seen.

Blooms July-August

Size: 2' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

We found this upbeat, not-yet-identified Kniphofia at Ernie and Marietta O’Byrne’s Northwest Garden Nursery in Eugene, Oregon. Originating from seed they had collected in Naudes Nek, a rather cold region of South Africa’s Drakensberg Mountains, it conveys a lighthearted charm with narrow, bright green channelled foliage and an intriguing floral display. Round-tipped, squat buds exhibit a glowing potpourri of colors from top to bottom: earthy brownish orange with chartreuse tinges, an amber midsection and a golden yellow base. The buoyant blooms elongate on slender green stems and turn more tangerine as they mature, showing off a happy face amid Thymus ‘Archer’s Gold’ and Geums.

Blooms August.

Size: 4' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Upstaging many a perennial in the summer border, this svelte temptress celebrates AGM status, sophisticated hues and a refined stance. Burnt coral buds offer a surprise as they elongate to narrow, 7 in. long cream-colored spears that subtly transmute warm orange and amber shades near their tops.

Bred by Eric Smith at Buckshaw Gardens, ‘Painted Lady’s long blooming gala is supported by strong bronzy green stems and a lower growing green base.

Blooms June – August.

Size: 3' 0" high x 2-1/2' wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Originally inhabiting the marshy grasslands of Kwazula-Natal, South Africa, this Ariel-like Kniphofia is sadly extinct in its wild haunts, but will gladly impart a lighthearted smile to your landscape.

Slim grassy blades folded along the midribs are the understory for airy and slender, buttercup yellow pokers. Tubular, flared and widely spaced, the dainty pendant florets open from coral buds for several months, then rebloom later in the season.

Blooms June–July.

Size: 18" high x 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

The tightly clustered light yellow to lime flowers of this Torch Lily are just about the largest of all the Kniphofias we offer. They bloom several times each year, and contrast strikingly with the 1 in. wide strapping green leaves. For a provincial color combination, we pair ‘Percy’s Pride’ with Geranium ‘Sabani Blue’

Blooms May–June

Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Uniquely infused with a strawberry hue, the slender, creamy tapers of bloom are anchored by thin grassy green blades. ‘Safranvogel’s distinctive coloring and small stance begs for an up-front position in the border.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 2' 0" high x 20" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

We have British Kniphofia aficionado, Bob Brown of Cotswald Garden Flowers to thank for this ethereal beauty. Staged on lithe bronzed stems, the distinctive flowers feature widely spaced, rich reddish coral florets, each narrow, pendulous tube tinged yellow at the base and curved up at the tips.

The aging long, slender blooms lighten and become even more open, attaining an unmatched delicacy and lovely subtle coloration that’s reminiscent of its ‘Safranvogel’ heritage. Quiet, sublime and almost other-worldly, this unusual cross is shown to best effect when planted in multiples against a dark background.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 2' 0" high x 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Noble stands of copper-tinted golden scepters command our attention in the midsummer border. Supported by soothing green blades and long bronze-hued stems, these thickset, good-sized blooms cast lambent accents upon the cool, blue-violet flowers of Aconitum ‘Arendsii’ and Geranium ‘Phillipe Vapelle’.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 4' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

When we came across this extraordinary Kniphofia in Patricia Marrow’s garden in Somerset, England, it was mysteriously unlabeled. Stout, bronzy flowering stems with lime-colored buds rise above rosettes of narrow grayish green foliage. Lively and large, the greenish yellow blooms are tipped with a dusky melon color, and eventually fade to creamy white from the base up.

Blend with Nepeta ‘Pool Bank’, Cistus ‘Anne Palmer’ and Euphorbia ‘Great Dixter’ for a vibrant spectrum of color.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 4' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Named for the British nursery that introduced it, this AGM recipient pledges dense slender 8 in. long tapers defined by chartreuse buds plus warm yellow flowers, aging with deep amber and golden tones. The exuberant long-blooming inflorescences perch above thick plucky bluish green stalks and a vigorous nest of wide blade-like glaucous green leaves.

Blooms June–July

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Zone 6/7.

A medium green rosette of stiff, strappy foliage unleashes ‘Tawny King’s burly, dark olive and copper-toned stalks. Aptly named, the tawny-laced buds unveil countless, long-blooming soft orange tubular flowers, which lighten to cream as they age, creating a dramatic bicolored effect. Raised by John May, this towering AGM victor can be planted midborder and teamed with Dahlia ‘Bishop of Oxford’ for a spirited summer frolic. 

Blooms July–September

Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

The long summer-time parade of stunning sunset-laden blooms poised on stately 4 ft. tall bronze-soaked stalks undoubtedly earned ‘Timothy’ a coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit. Grounded by neat narrow-leafed low clumps, this highly acclaimed cold-hardy Kniphofia brandishes dark coral pink torches, which turn cream with age and look fabulous when planted near Lavandula ‘Purple Ellagance’, Salvia ‘Black and Blue’ and Aster ‘Bluebird’

Blooms July–September

Size: 4' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Sun-kissed torches, a compact habit and an exceptionally long flowering period earn this well-mannered Kniphofia a chance to illuminate our border. Verdant low growing foliage makes a fine textured base for supple green stalks and green-tinged yellow buds, which mature into splendid 5 in. blooms, creamy yellow on top and alabaster white below.

Introduced by Georgia’s Richard Saul, small-statured ‘Candle Light’ can be showcased in the frontlines along with Echinops ‘Blue Glow’ for a spirited match. (pp#12,342)

Blooms May – October.

Size: 2' 0" – 2-1/2' high x 2' 0" – 2-1/2' wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Shouldered by thick green stalks, the richly colored, bright yellow blooms combine with this Kniphofia’s robust stature to bestow a grandiose presence in the border. Composed of large, pendulous, evenly spaced florets that open from grassy green buds, the ample-sized torches radiate unforgettable, look-at-me, sunlit chroma, while topping sprightly green, strapping blades.

Blooms May–July.

Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Famed horticulturist Luther Burbank, gardening at his residence in Santa Rosa, California until 1926, selected this golden beacon that's guaranteed to brighten summer's end. A verdant stocky thicket of upright dark green foliar blades hurls forth strong olive bronze stems and big plump pokers. The gregarious densely set blooms first emerge with a lime-infused somewhat triangular shape, then take on rich yellow hues and a rounder appearance upon maturity. Cohorts such as Helianthus 'Dakota Queen' or Artemisia 'Huntington Gardens' make for a statuesque pageant.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 2-1/2' – 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Slender blooms in a soft shade of pale yellow are staged well above finely textured foliage. This courtly Kniphofia echoes ornamental grasses such as Panicum and makes a friendly color-mate for Eupatoriums and Geraniums.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Like a candle flame, this flower is both bright and yet soft orange. To give our summer garden warm accents, we plant robust ‘Wayside Flame’ near Lavandula ‘Silver Frost’.

Blooms June–August.

Size: 4-1/2' high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

The superb scarlet-red blooms of this British raised cultivar are deemed the deepest and darkest red of all Kniphofia blooms in cultivation. A gorgeous profusion of slender fiery hued flowers enlivens the landscape all summer long, while the bushy small-sized mound of shiny dark green grassy blades assures a refined habit that easily tucks into space thrifty gardens.

Blooms June–August.

Size: 2' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Bolstered by staunch, tall and straight asparagus-hued stalks, dense yellowish orange buds, infused with chartreuse, remind us of miniature Christmas trees. Radiant yellow, pumpkin tones and lime tinges meld an unparalleled luminosity as the gorgeous torches stand sentinel, their plump rounded bases tapering to blunt tips high above an upright bright green clump of brawny, deeply furrowed lax leaves. A robust specimen for the fall garden, ‘Yellow Cheer’s late season effervescence steals the show, especially when staged against a dark green foil.

Blooms late August–mid-October

Size: 5' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 8.

This rarely offered Kniphofia is a favorite of songbirds and hummingbirds, and is earlier to bloom than most Torch Lilies. Large nectar-rich, well-formed lemon yellow heads unfurl from acid green buds on tall sturdy stalks above an easily maintained medium green bed of narrow arching evergreen foliage. 'Yellow Hammer', possibly named after a small Eurasian yellow-breasted bird, can be nestled alongside Euphorbia 'John Tomlinson' for foliar contrast and melding flower colors.

Blooms late May–June.

Size: 3' 0" – 3-1/2' high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

A frost-tender denizen of South Africa’s Cape region, this easy-to-grow, bulbous perennial sends forth charming, sweetly fragrant white racemes with narrow bell-shaped tubular flowers atop thick erect stalks. Slender arching grassy green leaves ground the dainty floral display that appears in late winter and early spring. Tailor-made for containers, the rockery or lodged amongst winter-flowering perennials, Cape Cowslip relishes good drainage, protection from slugs, regular water when actively growing and moist mild winters followed by dry summers.

Blooms March–April

Size: 10" high x 5" wide.

Hardy to zone 8.

Conjuring images of romping safari lions, wondrous dense whorls of furry bright orange tubular flowers ascend straight lofty stalks in spaced intervals. New growth emerges from the blossom’s center, crafting an unusual tiered effect, while freely branching square hairy stems sprout neatly paired triangular green leaves that are narrow and toothed.

Majestic as a container specimen or a mixed border focal point, this easy-to-grow South African mint family member favors a sunny well-drained spot with average moisture and a hard cut back after frosty winters.

Blooms August – October.

Size: 5-1/2' – 6' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 8.

A protected species in its wild southern European haunts, this compelling new alpine cultivar hosts summer-long droves of large star-shaped pure white flowers that promise a repeat autumn showing. Ideal for fresh or dried arrangements, the unique yellowish-centered blooms plus decorative woolly white bracts perch on long stems above slender felted pewter-green leaves. Craving sun, low humidity, sharp drainage, cool summer locales, and somewhat gritty soil, ‘Berghman’s compact slow-spreading mound makes a fulgent addition to steps, trough gardens, raised beds or the rockery. (PPAF)

Blooms June–September

Size: 12" – 16" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

With a big-leaf tropical look that belies its rugged hardiness, this Hawaiian native belongs to the mint family and masquerades as a Salvia. Stiff, upright and fuzzy, the mauve-infused stems inject architectural pizazz, while sporting large, spade-shaped felted greenery. Smoky magenta-colored, openly arranged flower spires, some 12 in. tall, grace the spice-scented foundation. Known to possess antibiotic properties, Lepechinia hastata delivers late season fanfare, fends off deer, acquiesces to poor dry soil and temperatures as low as 0°, asking only for a well-drained abode.

Blooms August – October.

Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 2' 0" – 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

An exceptional nectar-rich beacon for Monarch and Painted Lady butterflies plus numerous other pollinators, the fluffy thistle-style clusters feature countless dark rose-purple disc florets with curly thread-like styles on splendid long-lasting terminal spires. This herculean central U.S. and Canadian denizen wields prismatic late summer vertical accents above a sturdy green basal tuft described by long narrow oblong leaves, whitish midribs and short niveous hairs. Abiding heat, lean soil, drought and humidity, but not winter wetness, Liatris ligulistylis can grace cut arrangements as well as prairie gardens, water-wise plantings and perennial borders alongside native cohorts such as Andropogon ‘Karl’s Cousin’, Eryngium yuccifolium and Monarda ‘Prairie Night’.

Blooms July–September

Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Unrivaled in its popularity among professional florists and gardeners alike, ‘Floristan Violett’s tall, strong stems entertain gorgeous, violet-hued wands, thickly set with small tubular flowers. Grounded by thin grasslike leaves, this vivacious presentation lends an animated accent to a swathe of Luzula ‘Ruby Stiletto’.

Blooms July–early September.

Size: 3' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Studded with quantities of starry button-shaped flowers, the lofty pure white spires surmount strong un-branched straight-up stems wrapped in slender fresh green foliage. No-fuss ‘Floristan White’ casts shimmering summertime accents when planted amid Echinacea ‘White Swan’ and Panicum ‘Shenandoah’.

Blooms July-early September

Size: 3' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

‘Kobold’ means “goblin”—and big-headed it is. This compact cultivar has a smaller stature than others of its species, and its erect stems rise solidly from the earth. Grassy foliage plays host to an outstanding bristle of rosy lilac blooms. A vibrant garden guest, contrast ‘Kobold’ against Phlomis fruticosa’s yellow blooms and harmonize with the pinkish panicles of Calamagrostis brachytricha. Coveted by florists for both fresh and dried blossoms, Liatris endures heat, likes well-drained soil and beckons butterflies and bees.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 2' 0" high x 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Naturally Native New Zealand Plants, a nursery from down-under, selected ‘Goldfinger’ for its bright foliar hues and tidy compact stance. Sparking gold and burnt orange central streaks, the narrow finger-like olive green leaves reach up and out from a low warm-colored evergreen clump, while starry bright white flowers and large yellow berries furnish additional appeal. Second-to-none for containers or tight spots, this lively Libertia can be planted near mates such as Sedum ‘Matrona’ and Bouteloua ‘Blonde Ambition’. (PP#18,228)

Blooms June–August

Size: 18" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

Offering year-round allure, compact upright clumps sculpt narrow fans of stiff leathery blades, each uniquely painted in green, yellow, orange, purplish red and bronze-hued stripes. Openly branched stems bear 3-petaled white flowers shaped like saucers that sparkle in spring and manifest intriguing orange seed pods in autumn; dark red shades invigorate the leaves during the winter months. ‘Taupo Sunset’ can grace a poolside or mixed border with broad-leafed companions nearby. 

Blooms June–August

Size: 2' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.

The scrumptious and bold gathering of huge kidney-shaped coarsely toothed leaves, each spanning over a foot across, adopts a swank dark chocolaty maroon polish. Manifesting purple undersides, the lavish foliage needs morning sun to retain its rich coloration, otherwise they turn more green as summer progresses. Hefty purplish black stems hoist daring golden orange daisy-like flowers about a foot aloft the lush leafy foundation. This tropical-looking ‘Othello’ sport emphasizes extraordinary texture, thwarts those pesky deer and luxuriates in cool moist recesses with shelter from hot afternoon sun. (PP#16,113)

Blooms July–August

Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" – 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

A spectacular twinkling array of loose starry corymbs, sumptuous onyx, mahogany and jade-green foliar hues plus a grand persona are ′Franz Feldweber′s claim to fame. The beefy, long-stemmed cordate leaves shape a dapper low-growing polished mound that upholds thick, nearly leafless deep red stalks and copious cocoa-centered golden-yellow daisy-like flowers. Celebrated as the darkest-leafed of the species, this supposed ′Desdemona′ sport is an imposing perennial for moist woodland peripheries, pond edges and mixed borders with dappled light and Hakonechloa nearby.

Blooms July–mid-September

Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" – 2-1/2' wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Stately yellow flower spikes on slender black stems tower above the handsome, palmately cut, dark green foliage of this elegant Chinese native. Impressive yet undemanding, try planting it with Aruncus ‘Zweiweltenkind’.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 5' 0" – 6' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

While stenocephala refers to the “narrow-headed flower,” ‘The Rocket’ sums up the form of this easily cultivated moisture-loving Ligularia, as well as the charged energy it inspires. The large leaves are Kelly-green, heart-shaped and coarsely serrated along the margins. Strong shoots, which emerge in the spring, unfurl to create a verdant underlayer for the clear yellow racemes to blast through on their way to 5 ft. high altitudes. Projecting a prominent textural presence, it will sparkle at water’s edge, beneath woodland canopies or in damp shady borders alongside Rodgersia.

Blooms July–August

Size: 5' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

A cosmopolitan, easily grown perennial whose haunts span all the way from New England and our Pacific coast to northern Europe and Asia, the Scotch Lovage gratifies us with charming sprays of tiny, brilliant white flowers. Lustrous, thick scalloped foliage defines a low, dark green compact clump that supports sturdy, branching purple stalks and numerous pearly umbels.

Eaten by sailors to help prevent scurvy and added to salads, soups and stews for its celery-like flavor, this hard-to-find carrot relative can be placed in a somewhat moist, more wild garden bed where the mounding form of its filigree blooms echoes Astrantia ‘Roma’s pink pincushions.

Blooms July – September.

Size: 20" high x 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Cultivated since 3000 B.C. and named by the poet Virgil, the stately Madonna Lily is considered the oldest domesticated flower. Amassing quite a reputation throughout the centuries, it possesses supposed healing powers, is utilized as a perfume component, and since the second century has been mystically associated with the Virgin Mary.

Referring to the splendid, heavenly scented steeples, candidum is Latin for “dazzling white.” Ten to twenty open, funnel-shaped blooms with gilded anthers are held at right angles to the stems, illuminating whorled, dark green foliage that’s appealing in its own right. Rarely without greenery as overwintering basal leaves appear by early autumn, Lilium candidum’s bulbs should be shallowly positioned away from too much sun in fertile, well drained, calcium-rich sites.

Hosting other noble companions like Thalictrum ‘Elin’ and Actaea ‘Atropurpurea’, this time-honored Lily easily dignifies the landscape or an arrangement.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 10" – 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

With fragrant clusters of up to a dozen large, trumpet-shaped pure white flowers perched atop towering stems, this magnificent Lily’s strong profile delivers luminous late season blooms to the perennial border. After the blossoms are spent, the old stalks turn upward and look compelling in the winter garden or a dried bouquet. For a truly dynamic presentation, combine with Rheum, Salvia confertiflora and your favorite tall growing.

Blooms August

Size: 6' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Shouldered on surprisingly short stems, full-size, long white trumpet-styled flowers with reddish purple backsides exude a heavenly aroma. Often blooming the first year from seed, this alpine form populates the mountains of Taiwan, and will make a luminous, smaller scale statement in your rockery or more intimate garden space.

Blooms August–September.

Size: 10" – 12" high x 8" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Known as ‘Gakeshima-Yuri’ in its Korean and Japanese homelands, this obliging, seldom-offered Lily affords nearly flat-faced, thick, fleshy golden flowers with burnt orange and burgundy stipples. Sturdy straight stems wrapped in lanced-shaped, virus-resistant dark greenery support the exquisite sweetly scented blooms that beguile butterflies, hummingbirds and floral designers alike. A famed stylish partner for a multitude of Lilium martagon crosses dating back 80 years or so, easy-care Lilium hansonii favors mulch and damp, slightly acidic niches plus protection from late spring frosts.

Blooms June–July

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 8" – 10" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Hailing from the mountainous meadows in India’s Nada region via the German seed company Jelitto, this seed-grown offering is touted as the marquis of the genus for its simple elegance. Dark glistening buds and large draped deep rose flowers, fashioned with lovely flared petals, are gracefully poised above a diminutive stand of sturdy upright stalks and handsome, linear dark green leaves. Thrilled by cool, light shade and adequately moist, humus-rich soil, Manipur Lily will flourish under Amelanchier ‘Autumn Brilliant’, but sulks in hot dry environs.

Blooms June–July

Size: 2-1/4' – 3' 0" high x 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Distributed across Europe to Mongolia, the original Turk’s Cap, Lilium martagon inhabits a broader range than any other Lily. This variety’s tapered, gleaming towers feature up to fifty waxy pendant flowers composed of strongly recurving pristine white petals. Anchored by whorled, lustrous deep green foliage, the heavily scented blooms look absolutely sublime when planted amid Stipa gigantea.

Blooms June–July

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 10" – 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Donning an exotic turban-like appearance, nodding dark spotted, rosy-violet flowers with thick curved back petals and pronounced yellow stamens embellish tall, straight slender stems. The comely blooms, which hummingbirds adore and everyone likes to cut, reside above tiers of whorled dark green leaves. This stellar, undemanding European denizen enjoys enriched well-drained sites in a sunny border, garden bed or patio container. 

Blooms June–July

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 10" – 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Gracing countless gardens since 1946, this beloved classic martagon cultivar has survived the test of time with its splendid, reliable turk-caps and long-lived winsome habit. The pendulous glowing flowers unfurl from pink-tinged buds and present a study in sunset-rich colors, which include recurved vibrant yellow petals, deep red freckles, orangey-pink daubs and salmon-infused backsides. Appreciative of dappled light, good drainage and well-cultivated humusy alcoves, the cold-hardy tiers of whorled dark green leaves can be massed and surrounded by woodland companions such as Geranium ‘Bevan’s Variety’ and Porteranthus trifoliatus.

Blooms June–July

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 8" – 10" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Native to the Himalayas, from northern India to Nepal and Bhutan, this highly prized exotic lily fashions a peerless, bicolored pageantry of large funnel-like greenish yellow blooms with recurved petals and boldly etched reddish purple throats. As many as eight, gorgeous downward facing flowers crest each medium-sized stem that’s clad in dark green lance-shaped leaves. Once established, the Lily of Nepal will spread by underground stolons, relishing dappled shade and cool humus-rich soil.

Blooms July–August

Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

More than a hundred years ago, the revered plant collector, E. H. Wilson happened upon droves of this aptly named Chinense native of western Szechwan, and was instantly smitten by its sheer beauty and “delicious perfume”.

White trumpet-shaped flowers showcase canary yellow throats, golden anthers and flipsides flushed with a deep mauve. The 5 in. wide and 6 in. long blossoms, numbering as many as 20 per stem, surmount gray-green stalks and lustrous spaced leaves.

The unrivaled Regal Lily has it all—it’s one of the first fragrant lilies to bloom and among the most heavenly scented, is vigorous, yet poised and is easy to grow.

Blooms July – August.

Size: 3' 0" – 5' 0" high x 12" – 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

A classy low tufted clump of gleaming narrow green blades engraved by bright silver-white stripes distinguishes this fine textured grasslike perennial. Sprouting from underground rhizomes, varnished stiffly arching leaves support soft lavender blooms on erect flower spikes followed by black berries. A luminous choice for edging, the rockery and water side plantings, ‘Silver Dragon’ sculpts a disease resistant dwarf cover that remains evergreen in warmer locales, fends off deer and relishes moderate water, bright shade and protection from cold winter winds and hot sun.

Blooms June–August.

Size: 10" – 15" high x 15" – 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Have you grown weary of Lobelias, whose lovely blooms reside above a rather untidy base? If so, you may be interested in Dan Heim’s brilliant solution to this age-old challenge—a small-statured L. cardinalis and L. syphilitic backcross, known as ‘Grape Knee-Hi’. Painted with vibrant deep purple hues, the long lasting and freely flowering, tightset spikes crown upright stalks and good-looking compact foliage that stands on its own all season long.

Blooms July–August

Size: 2' 0" high x 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

We have Thurman Maness to thank for this lovely cultivar, another cross between Lobelia cardinalis and Lobelia siphilitica. A dense tower of dusky plum flowers creates a pleasing blend of muted purples when planted with Verbena hastata and Astrantia ‘Lars’.

Blooms August–early October.

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

A lush-looking, bushy perennial capable of enduring considerable neglect, this impressive Lobelia plays host to festive bicolored blooms. Spreading by underground rhizomes, a close thicket of slender, yet sturdy, red-tinted stems strikingly set off narrow and lustrous, pointed green leaves that extend 2 to 4 in. Slim, 2 in. long red tubes are loosely clustered at shoot tips, while each bright-hued flower flares to reveal a sunny yellow throat.

Hailing from Arizona and Mexico, the Mexican Lobelia entices gardeners and hummingbirds alike with nectar-rich blossoms, can tolerate some shade, but looks its best in sunny, dry sites and has been reputed to possess anti-inflammatory alkaloids.

Blooms June–September.

Size: 2' 0" – 2-1/2' high x 2' 0" – 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 8.

Dressed in a crisp snowy white, the profusely flowered tapers of this Lobelia stand in sharp relief to its dark green foliage. A newly selected form of our U.S. native, ‘White Candles’s small, compact stature keeps its lift all season, lending a clean and classic look, especially when partnered with Geranium ‘Orion’.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 18" – 20" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Many gardeners say the 2-lipped deep purple flowers of this tall cultivar reign supreme among Lobelias, and we whole-heartedly agree! Long-blooming, velvet-rich, terminal racemes crest upright stalwart stalks lined in lanky, semievergreen lance-like green foliage that’s infused with violet hues and lush panache. A mighty-fine addition to moist mixed borders, cottage gardens and pond peripheries, clump-forming ′Hadspen Purple′ can be planted in bold swaths amidst Phlox paniculata ‘Gzhel’ and Nepeta ‘Hill Grounds’, where it promotes vibrantly hued accents plus bee and butterfly enticements. (PBR)

Blooms July–September

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 18" wide.

Zone 6b.

The lush tropical color scheme of this somewhat tender Chilean native is alluring. Cloaked in broad and pointed, felted pale green foliage, each soaring purple-tinged stem is crowned with a large, tapering raceme of warm brick-red blossoms. From the swollen base of each flower, a claw-like lower lip curls under and a tuft of gray stamens extends upward. A perennial of nearly monumental stature that likes it hot and on the dry side, Lobelia tupa can be associated with Melianthus, Muhlenbergia and Morina longifolia for a dynamic mélange of color and shape in the border.

Blooms July–October

Size: 6' 0" – 8' 0" high x 3' 0" – 4' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 8.

Conjuring an incandescent, uplifting image, this Lupine’s dark blue-green foliage is brightened by luminous milky white and lemon-yellow columns of bloom.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 3-1/4' high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Natty lance-shaped deep green leaflets lining sturdy stems premier an AGM-worthy display of dazzling spires that are densely laden with pea-like, nectar-rich garnet, rosy-red and crimson blossoms. Developed by George Russel, an English plantsman, these grand early summer bloomers love cool weather and moist well-drained niches, but detest hot humid conditions.

Blooms June–August

Size: 3-1/3' high x 12" – 16" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

‘Noble Maiden’ lays claim to her name, featuring lofty towers of creamy white blossoms and deeply fingered foliage.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 3-1/4' high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Cast in alluring pink and pearly white, this mistress presents a leafy foundation heightened by spires, not quite castle-size but still imposing!

Blooms May–June.

Size: 3-1/4' high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Proud banners of marine blue and ivory flowers are prominently displayed above the pleasing palmate foliage.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 3-1/4' high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Handsome, prominently segmented leaves etch a verdant support for the soaring flowery steeples warmed by feisty carmine-red hues.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 3-1/4' high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Soft as flannel, silver washed and wooly, the short petioled gray-green foliage crafts a stylish basal rosette that persists through the winter and beckons a touch each time we pass by. Wide branching stems clad in paired leaves wave quantities of solitary, 1 to 2 in. wheel-shaped blooms illuminated in pure white hues. Never fretting about poor dry soils and sometimes short-lived but readily reseeding, this composed southeast european native can be massed in the border for a superb pearly-hued punch with Phlox ‘David’s Lavender’ or slipped into the rockery.

Blooms July – September.

Size: 2' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Soft-as-flannel silver-gray basal rosettes bolster a multitude of large, crisp white flowers, each with a prominent central pink blush. Perched atop leafy upright whitish green flowering stalks, the variably colored blooms promise a luminous long-lasting show, while the lance-shaped fuzzy leaves remain evergreen in mild locales. Wrangling lean soil, cold winters and dry conditions, this hard-to-find comely Lychnis requires good drainage, endures bright shade and mostly grows as a short-lived perennial, yet readily reseeds.

Blooms July– September

Size: 2' 0" high x 18" wide.

Zone 3/4.

This cultivar presents a more refined white-flowering version of Britain’s native wildflower, Ragged Robin, which was wildly popular at the 2017 Chelsea Flower Show. Anchored by opposite, lance-shaped dark-colored greenery, upright, slim, branched deep red stems elevate an elegant loose array of finely fringed 4-segmented blossoms. The star-style pearlescent blooms entice bees and butterflies as well as flower arrangers, while the deer-resistant clump requires a fall cut back to maintain its tidy appearance.

Blooms May–July

Size: 15" – 2' 0" high x 12" – 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Bearing profuse clusters of fiery red, five-petaled blooms, this Lychnis species is splendid indeed. The vitality of the smouldering flowers against the tufts of cool green foliage offers an encore as other spring blossoms begin to fade.

Blooms May?June.

Size: 20" high x 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Tidy grassy hummocks furnish an illuminated display of pure white flowers gathered in copious, nearly whorled, rounded heads on strong stems. For a refreshing small-scale vignette, pair these quintessential hues with Dianthus ‘Mendlesham Maid’ and Dracocephalum ‘Fuji White’.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 20" high x 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Racemes arching like shooting stars, bursting into soft white flowers against a deep green galaxy of foliage, make graceful, upright Gooseneck the jewel of the woodland setting. It’s a toss-up between growing it for flowers or foliage, but either way, it’s a winner.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 0" & spreading wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

According to William Cole’s Art of Simpling (1656), Loosestrife prevents oxen from fight­ing, while others say the name derives from a Greek word meaning “to end strife.” Lofty narrow spikes of star-like pearly-white flowers grace this uncommon stately European species that forges a noninvasive clump with opposite and lanceolate glaucous gray-green leaves encompassing sturdy upright stems. A luminous accent in bouquets, Lysimachia ephemerum can be positioned near Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum for a gentle match of soothing colors and intriguing blossoms.

Blooms August–September

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Native to Europe and Russia, Golden Creeping Jenny has naturalized in North America. Bearing tiny, bright yellow flowers, it creates a striking understory of round, golden foliage and, if planted at the edge of a pond, will reach into the water like rays of sunlight. For stunning contrast, place near plants with purple foliage.

Blooms April–September.

Size: 2" high x 0" & spreading wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Equally at home in a cottage garden or a more formal setting, this commanding perennial manifests soft, easy-to-blend colors and a tall leafy presence. Quickly colonizing from a vigorous rootstock, sturdy upright stems are garbed with large, rounded and lobed foliage, gray-green on top, downy white below and cinnamon-hued come autumn. The two-toned leaves sparkle when the wind blows, while above thousands of tiny, copper-pink fluffy flowers converge on stiff slender branches, shaping light dreamy looking plumes. Relishing well drained soil, the Plume Poppy adds an architectural bent to a mixed planting of Sanguisorba ‘Red Thunder’, Euphorbia ‘Excalibur’ and Verbascum ‘Pink Domino’.

Blooms August – September.

Size: 5' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Native to Europe and southwestern Asia, the thick clumping crown supports a handsome big bushy foundation of strong fast-growing vertical stalks clothed in dense deeply-hewn gray-green leaves with three to five palmate segments. Five delicate-looking notched pink petals describe pretty 2 in. wide, saucer-shaped blooms that make a plentiful months-long summer splash, enticing bees, butterflies and floral designers. Though not a long-lived perennial, but a reliable self-seeder, easy-care Hollyhock Mallow can grace sunny mixed borders, cottage gardens and walls or fences, where it appreciates judicious pruning plus heroically beats heat, drought and variable soil types.

Blooms June–September

Size: 2' 0" – 4' 0" high x 12" – 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

A stellar silvery perennial for the moonlit garden, this tough Mediterranean herb spotlights felted, scalloped and toothed gray-green leaves with white woolly undersides, staged beneath snowy whorled flowers.

Dry, well-drained niches make Horehound prosper, while other drought tolerant plants such as Oregano, Thyme and Lavender make ideal companions. Acquiescent to intense heat and otherwise unflappable, it also has medicinal uses, yielding an essential oil that exhibits strong antimicrobial properties

Blooms June – July.

Size: 16" high x 18" – 20" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Indigenous to Turkey’s dry, higher elevations, this energetic and drought tolerant perennial couples dashing silver-rimmed foliage with a brawny semievergreen habit. Small rounded gray-green leaves donning frosted undersides define the dense velvet-soft shimmering patch. A no-fuss tactile delight that cherishes lean well-drained soil, but detests hot humid summers, Silverheels Horehound can edge a path, cascade over a pot, spill down a slope or adorn the rockery.

Blooms June–July

Size: 4" – 6" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Soft-as-velvet, crinkle-edged and reminiscent of scallop shells, the diminutive rounded leaves are ash green on top and a fuzzy frosted celadon below. Tightset textural foliage and downy white stems weave a low, pearl-hued cushion-like mat that stages leafy flower stems with whorled, small rosy mauve blooms. Possessing an unwavering tenacity, this good-looking evergreen ground cover cavorts throughout southern Spain and northwest Africa, and can charm a niche in the rockery or along a path in your garden.

Blooms June–July.

Size: 10" – 12" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Long and arching, finely dissected fronds are distinguished by slender bases with broad midsections and dramatically tapered tips that evoke the elegance of an ostrich plume. Reputed to be a prized culinary delight melding asparagus and green bean flavors, fresh fiddleheads thrust upward in spring from spreading underground rhizomes, growing into dense, vase-shaped green clumps.

Hailing from the northern regions of North America, Europe and Asia, The Ostrich Fern’s erect deciduous form is dramatic en masse and prefers a cool, moist shady realm, abiding some drought once established and providing welcome seasonal cover for wildlife.

Size: 4' 0" – 6' 0" high x 3' 0" – 8' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Big, bold, blue and architectural pretty much sums up the fantastic posture of this quick growing South African native. Deeply divided in an exotic feather-like fashion, the glaucous steely blue-green leaflets are sharply toothed, while gracefully curving downward. Erect and thick gray-green stems host the highly textured foliage that can grow up to 18 in. long and makes an enduring addition to arrangements. Elevated above the tropical-style foundation, intriguing one ft. long terminal spikes showcase deep brick-red bracts with green stamens, later followed by ornamental papery seed pods.

Evergreen in warmer climates and choice for a container in colder areas, the Honey Bush grows into a spreading subshrub, sculpting a dramatic specimen if given room to move, average moisture, well drained soil and a heavy winter mulch.

Blooms March–August.

Size: 8' 0" – 10' 0" high x 6' 0" – 8' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 9.

Big, bold, blue and architectural pretty much sums up the fantastic posture of this Melianthus selection named after Seattle plantsman Steve Antonow. Deeply divided in an exotic feather-like fashion, the glaucous, nearly iridescent, blue leaflets are prominently toothed, while gracefully curving downward. Erect and thick, gray-green stems infused with rosy-purple hues host the highly textured foliage that can grow up to 18 in. long, making an enduring addition to arrangements. Elevated above the tropical-style foundation, intriguing 1 ft. long terminal spikes showcase deep brick-red bracts with green stamens, later followed by ornamental papery seed pods. Evergreen in warmer climates and choice for a container in colder areas, the Honey Bush grows into a spreading subshrub, sculpting a dramatic, quick growing specimen if given room to move, average moisture, well-drained soil and a heavy winter mulch.

Blooms June–August

Size: 6' 0" high x 6' 0" wide.

Zone 7/8.

Favored by bees, hummingbirds and butterflies such as Painted Lady and our endangered Checkerspot, this California native’s creamy-white flowers are the epitome of elegance. Profuse, ultra-frilly Azalea-like blooms each don two lips plus a pale yellow throat amid slender sticky deep green leaves that cloak the shrubby evergreen foundation. Tolerating deer, drought and seaside conditions, White Monkeyflower′s dashing lustrous habit can be added to containers, native oak plantings or natural-style gardens, where it relishes somewhat lean, well-drained soil, judicious trimming, and once established, occasional summer water.

Blooms May–September

Size: 2' 0" high x 2-1/2' wide.

Hardy to zone 8.

A central U.S. inhabitant, this superlative small-statured Monarda champions some admirable traits: early-blooming flowers, deer and mildew resistance plus a well-behaved slow spreading habit. Short steadfast stems forge a clump characterized by spiffy aromatic grayish green foliage plus grand, dense pinkish lavender globes of purple speckled 2-lipped flowers, which reside upon violet-infused leafy bracts. Captivating bees and butterflies, the festooned flowers sustain their intrigue as they morph into dried seed heads.

Blooms May–July

Size: 12" – 2' 0" high x 12" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Celebrating a sassy mop of brilliant coral pink blooms, this new must-have selection comes from the Morden Breeding Program in Manitoba, Canada. ‘Coral Reef’s whorled Salvia-like flowers sport prominent green centers and green bracts, while its tidy, more compact habit is similar to ‘Marshall’s Delight’.

Slightly polished dark green foliage sets off the hot floral presentation that can be sprinkled near Penstemon ‘Blue Midnight’ and Eryngium ‘Big Blue’ for an energetic combination. (pp#16,741)

Blooms June – August.

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 15" wide.

Zone 3/4.

Reminiscent of fanciful jester hats, the large, whorled rosy-pink inflorescences promote myriad 2-lipped tubular flowers nestled upon prominent pink-suffused bracts. This classic 1932 cultivar hosts stiff vertical stems lined with aromatic lance-shaped apple-green foliage beneath the generous long-lasting hoopla that entices bees, hummingbirds and florists alike. An undemanding top-notch midborder plant, ‘Croftway Pink’ can be flanked by Stipa gigantea and Veronicastrum ‘Pink Glow’, while Aster ‘Avondale’ and Geranium ‘Rozanne’ take the lead.

Blooms July–mid September

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 12" – 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Deemed by many gardeners to be “the best red,” this showy Monarda was discovered way down south growing along Georgia’s Blue Ridge Parkway. Cloaked in vivid deep green leaves, its tall firm stems stage a blazon display of large, tufted red flowers lodged on leafy maroon bracts.

Blooms late June–September

Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 15" wide.

Zone 3/4.

The prodigal offspring of two top performing Beebalms, ‘Marshalls Delight’ and ‘Jacob Cline’, this Dr. Jim Ault introduction swaggers enormous shaggy flower heads stained in red and ruddy pink tones hoisted atop stout stems. Natty green foliage cloaks the medium-sized frame that is commended for its topnotch mildew resistance. A show-off beacon in sunny mixed borders, meadow plantings or prairie-style venues, ‘Fire Marshall’ galvanizes garden visitors and hummingbirds alike. (pp#23,286)

Blooms June–August

Size: 4' 0" – 3' 0" high x 15" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

So smitten with their discovery in Tylertown, MS, Mike and Barbara Bridges named this floriferous show-stopper after their daughter. Adored by hummingbirds and butterflies, ‘Claire Grace’ presents attractive 2 to 3 in. wide pincushion-style clusters of tubular lavender-hued blooms all summer long. Sturdy upright stems are clothed with aromatic, toothed grayish green leaves, which develop a glossy luster and good mildew resistance plus concoct a flavorful tea. Her top-performing habit is reputed to abide both dry and wet conditions, while appreciating good air circulation as well as rich well-drained soil.

Blooms June–September

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Developed by an agricultural breeding program in Morden, Manitoba, this exceptional new introduction volunteers plenty of large, shaggy vivid-hued fuchsia-purple blooms above a midsized highly mildew-resistant foundation. The nectar-rich, perfect-for-cutting flowers entice all sorts of pollinators, while attractive pointed dark green leaves waft a mint aroma. Best grown in fertile moisture-retentive soil, ‘Grand Marshall’ can grace a perennial border, cottage garden or meadow-like planting with Phlox and Molinia. (PP#19,582)

Blooms June–August

Size: 2' 0" – 2-1/2' high x 10" – 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Shaggy-looking, vibrantly hued and cut-flower perfect, the close-knit rosy-purple heads are subtended by ornate dusky-magenta bracts. This reliable 1955 German cultivar musters strong erect stalks plus winsome lance-like rich greenery that wafts a refreshing mint redolence. Happiest with good air flow, plenty of sun and moderate fertility, ‘Prairie Night’ makes a no-nonsense colorful companion for U.S. natives such as Aster oolentangiense, Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’ and Liatris ligulistylis, while wowing the pollinators, yet snubbing bunnies and deer.

Blooms June–August

Size: 3-1/2' high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Pollinators flock by the droves to unique, painterly whorled rosettes of yellowish, purple-speckled tubular flowers and large, pointed pale mauve and pink leaf-like bracts, which adorn the dense elongated spikes. Indigenous to the eastern U.S. from Long Island to Florida, Spotted Horsemint is an upright multistemmed perennial with sturdy violet-tinged stalks and toothed, tea-worthy oblong leaves, smelling like oregano. This marvelous deer-resistant native lends showy accents to bouquets, borders and butterfly gardens, where it craves sharp-draining sandy soil plus good air circulation and generally reseeds since it may be somewhat short-lived.

Blooms June–July

Size: 18" – 2' 0" high x 9" – 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Selected from a patch of didyma seedlings, this lavishly hued 2009 introduction by David Nedvect of the Flower Factory reflects his fondness for roosters. ‘Purple Rooster’ clearly lives up to its name, strutting large long-blooming flowers bathed in the truest royal-purple shades imaginable. The hard-to-beat floral splendor holds court atop staunch stems that are lined with clean mildew-resistant, mint-scented foliage.

Blooms June–August

Size: 3' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Awarded top honors at a recent Chicago Botanical Garden trial that included nearly 40 Monarda varieties, ‘Raspberry Wine’ promises to be a champion in your garden as well. Its upright stand of strong leafy stems gives way to long-blooming flowers, flaunting fanciful tops, each delicately perfumed and saturated with vibrant wine-red hues.

Blooms June–August

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 15" wide.

Zone 3/4.

Crowning red-tinged bracts, this Monarda’s vivid lavender-violet flowers will reign in your garden. Its downy soft, grayish green foliage makes a pleasing, fragrant base for the colorful and curved, tubular blooms.

Blooms June – August.

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 15" wide.

Zone 3/4.

This Himalayan native is full of delicacy and strength. Its prickly, aromatic foliage appears beneath pagodalike towers of jade green buds and white tubular florets. Eventually, the flowers turn rose-colored and then crimson. When the blossoms are spent, the standing green stems are perfect for dried arrangements.

Blooms June–August.

Size: 2-1/2' high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Native to Australia and New Zealand, Creeping Wire Vine features miniature dark green glossy foliage and wiry copper-hued stems topped by intriguing translucent fruit with black seeds. The dapper oval-shaped leaves are closely set, broadcasting bronzed foliar shades during hot spells or frosty weather. In addition to its innate good looks, this versatile small-scale ground cover vaunts a rugged constitution that withstands foot traffic, drought and salt spray, flourishes in sun or shade and sustains a tidy easy-care appearance all season long. Muehlenbeckia a. ‘Nana’ makes the perfect semievergreen choice for well-drained tight spaces like the rockery or between pavers and spilling from a container plus softening garden pathways.

Size: 2' 0" – 4' 0" high x 9" – 12" wide.

Zone 5/6.

Sauntering along the rocky slopes and ravines of Korea, China and Manchuria, this hardy Heuchera relative crafts an easily grown compact ground cover that’s bold, lustrous and well-mannered. Spring brings branched panicles of dainty, bell-shaped white flowers on tall, bare slender stems. Come summer, the large, rounded Maple-like green leaves acquire bronzy-maroon tinges near their tips. Cool autumn weather sparks intense crimson-red hues that gradually move inward, eventually transforming the entire deciduous leaf into a blaze of glory. ‘Karasuba’ spreads by slowly creeping rhizomes, prospers in rich moist soil and appreciates ample shade during hot humid summers.

Blooms April–May

Size: 12" – 16" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.