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Perennials

Campanula garganica ‘Dickson’s Gold’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Campanulaceae

Glowing gold leaves and purple blue flowers make this striking perennial a visual knockout for spring. To 8" tall and 12" wide its star shaped flowers appear in April and then sporadically into summer. Great for vivid container combinations or as contrast in a rock garden. Morning sun with afternoon shade or high dappled shade. MUCH less vigorous than the species-polite in a dazzling way. Great foliage nearly year round.

Campanula primulifolia Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Campanulaceae

An unusual bellflower native to Turkey. Soft looking foliage and stems that are covered with fine hairs and copious amounts of violet blue star-shaped flowers with petals that are inflated like little pillows from June until frost. 30" tall and forming a clump in average soil with full sun to light shade andl summer water. Works well to soften lines between Daylillies and Roses. Perfect cottage garden plant- reseeds lightly.

Cardamine trifolia Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Cruciferae

From southern Europe comes this wonderful evergreen groundcover that is ideal for dry shade. Glossy leaves are good looking year round, even in dry summer heat. Masses of small white flowers appear in late winter and early spring. Excellent companion plant under Hellebores. Part shade to shade in rich soil. Tough when established. To only 4" tall and spreading slowly to form dense weed smothering clumps. Occasional summer water.

Caryopteris incana ‘Dark Blue’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Verbenaceae

Deep blue flowers that read as purple from a distance make this selection of Caryopteris incana exceptional. Forms a woody shrub to 3' tall and wide. Deciduous in winter. Full sun to part shade in well drained soil. Excellent on a hillside in soil ammended with compost. Blooms non-stop from June to frost. Cut back hard in April- blooms on new wood. Occasional summer water. Works well with Salvias and hardy Geraniums.

Centaurea simplicicaulis Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Asteraceae

A perennial Bachelor's Button that is tough an easy to grow. Silvery mounds of foliage are a great backdrop to the light pink fluffy flowers with a white top. Good in rock gardens or the front of a border. To 1' tall and twice as wide. Evergreen and takes blasting hot conditions. Full sun and well drained soil. Drought tolerant. Blooms May-August. Nice cutflower- which encourages more flowers to follow. Extremely long-lived.

Ceratostigma willmottianum ‘Palm Gold’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Plumbaginaceae

A spectacular Plumbago that more than earns its place with striking chartreuse green/gold leaves all summer and in June through autumn bright, SKY BLUE FLOWERS. Great container plant. Attractive wiry habit to 2' tall by 2' wide. A bright location with protection from afternoon sun in well drained soil. Regular water. Mulch in fall, do not cut back until new growth begins in spring. Winter deciduous. Excellent new introduction.

Chiastophyllum oppositifolium ‘Jim’s Pride’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Crassulariaceae

The variegated form of "Pennywort" a succulent hardy perennial for a woodland. Fleshy, scalloped leaves margined in cream. In May and June 6" scapes with chains of light yellow flowers. Part shade to high overhead shade in well drained, humus-enriched soil. Regular water in summer. Grown in walls in England, where it is native, to let the chains of yellow flowers hang down. Nice looking year round-great perennial.

Colquhonia coccinea Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Lamiaceae

Unusual woody salvia relative that forms a small shrub with silvery felted leaves and vivid tubular orange flowers from mid summer to autumn. To 3' tall and about 2' wide in several years. Full sun and well drained soil, little irrigation when established. Revels in very hot and dry conditions. Hummingbird favorite. Blooms on new wood. May be cut to the ground in spring to re-grow. Blooms on new wood. Himalaya. Prefers neglect.

Convolvulus althaeoides Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Convolvulaceae

A scrambling perennial vine with very silvery foliage that starts out heart shaped and then as it scrambles the leaves become deeply lobed. 1" mauve-pink flowers appear thoughout late spring into summer. Full sun, very well drained soil and not much water after it is established. Good in rock gardens, or over low shrubs. Also attractive in windowboxes and containers. Non invasive.

Convolvulus cneorum Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Convolvulaceae

'Silverbush' is a shrubby morning glory that is native to the Mediterranean. Requires full, hot sun and a well drained position to achieve its ultimate dimensions of 18" tall and 2' wide. In summer and into fall white morning glory-like flowers appear daily. The silver foliage is amazing during wet, dreary winter days when it shines like melted lead. Hardier to cold in poor soil- protect from subfreezing winds- best on a south or west facing aspect.

Cordyline australis Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Agavaceae

Given its looks, a surprisingly hardy plant in this climate that will often survive for years if the temperatures stay above 15ºF. Cordylines make great container plants as well as a large accent in a border. Full sun to light shade with regular water in rich soil. Grows about 12" a year. To winter over in the ground wrap with a blanket and site out of east winds. White, fragrant flowers appear after mild winters. New Zealand.

Cordyline australis ‘Purpurea’ Zn8b (15º to 20ºF) Agavaceae

“Purple” or Maroon leaved variety does not seem to be quite as hardy to cold

as the green variety. Plan accordingly. Feed and water well the first year and mulch

the base heavily with leaves.

Cosmos atrosanguineus Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Asteraceae

"Chocolate Cosmos"- Deep velvet brown flowers with the color and fragrance of dark chocolate. Excellent in containers in full sun with rich well drained soil, or in a border. Overwinters best if kept dry- A sunny south facing hillside is the most successful. Remove spent flowers to encourage more. Deeelicious. Blooms June until frost. Fertilize regularly to encourage vigor. May be dug and stored like the closely related Dahlia.

Cotula ‘Tiffendell Gold ’Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Asteraceae

Excellent ground cover for a small area this plant resembles a creeping Santolina. Feathery light green foliage is handsome year round. Spreading to 3" tall and up to 2' wide in a year. Prolific flowers- Spring to early Fall; Wiry stems up to 8" long support gold apetalous flowers. VERY cool as a small cut flower. Full sun to light shade in well drained soil with occasional water in summer. Cold hardy. Avoid walking on it directly.

Crocosmia ‘Solfaterre’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Iridaceae

Handsome bronze leaves that contrast wonderfully with golden yellow (tinted slligtly orange) blossoms makes this one of the best Crocosmia for gardens. Spreads to form patches to 2' wide. Deciduous leaves to 2' tall, July through August flower spikes to 30" (when happy). Rich soil that is well drained with regular water during the summer. Warm flower color goes well with many Dahlias and late blooming Salvias.

Crocosmia ‘Walberton Yellow’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Iridaceae

One of the most spectacular yellow Crocosmias in flower, 'Walberton Yellow' has very large gold-yellow flowers with amber tints to the petal edges. Pleated green leaves grow to 2 Ω ft. tall by 2 ft. wide before flowering commences in July and August. Give full sun and regular water. Rich garden soil will improve performance.

Cyclamen hederifolium Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Primulaceae

A great long-lived bulb in our climate forming large colonies over time. Arrow-shaped marbled leaves emerge in winter and remain until the heat of summer. In late summer through fall delicate, nodding pink to white flowers. Well drained soil that is DRY IN SUMMER. Excellent near the base of large trees with greedy roots. Part shade to shade.Sticky seeds are carried away by ants and new plants appear in various places.

Cyclamen hederifolium ‘Silver Leaved Forms’ Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Primulaceae

The silver leaved forms of Fall Cyclamen are difficult to find, but VERY worth growing for their ability to add beautiful foliage and texture. Leaves appear in Fall

last through spring. Majority of flowers in this strain are white-light pink Sept-Nov. Its the leaves though that shine. BEST in SUMMER DRY shade- no water. Winter water OK. They thrive on neglect in well drained soil. Great around dry tree roots. Seeds to form colonies over time. Protect from marauding squirrels.

Cynara baetica var. moroccana Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Asteraceae

Uncommon but spectacular Cardoon/Artichoke relation with large intricately divided silver foliage that forms a bold rosette. To 3' wide and in summer sporting intense violet purple/blue thistle-like flowers that rise to 3' tall. Full sun and well drained soil, avoid too much amending. Occasional summer water. Great bold perennial for hillsides. Semi-deciduous, shrinks back a bit in winter. Boulders, gravel, Yuccas and such.

Cypella coelestis Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Iridaceae

A hardy Iris relative with blue/green fan shaped semi-evergreen leaves disappearing in cold winters. July through September an almost daily display of 3 petalled intricately marked blue flowers. They open in the early morning and close by 2pm - appearing from the same scape; do not remove. To 2' tall and clumping. Full sun in well drained, rich soil occasional deep watering. Native to Argentina. Hardy. Little competition from other plants.

Cypella herbertii Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Iridaceae

South American perennial for the rock garden or the front of a border. From June into September three petalled amber flowers with blue markings appear and each lasts for only one day. Flowers are produced from the same scape continuously, so do not remove, they will appear every other day for weeks at a time. Full sun, well drained soil, with occasional water in summer. To 14" tall-spreads slowly. Little competition from other plants.

Perennials return year after year and are the organic heart of the garden. They represent the most sustainable type of landscaping. So many are available today that we focus on the best and most unusual.