peren_FG 09

Ferula communis Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Apiaceae

Big ass, HUGE carrot/fennel relative from the Iberian peninsula with finely divided blue leaves and a very tall flower spike. To 10'. A tower of acid green flowers rises in late spring to early summer and persists. Full sun, rich, well drained soil with average summer water. Lovely with small car sized boulders and Wooly Mammoth. Striking. Give the rosette room, 3' wide, at least. See through perennial that causes little obstruction.

Ferula communis ‘Glauca’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Apiaceae

As for the previous variety but with striking blue foliage.

Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Rosaceae

A striking perennial for partly shaded locations with wonderful rose-like foliage that is intense chartreuse in early spring, later changing to acid green. Clump forming to 20" across and sending up a plume of cream colored flowered to 20" across in May and June. Best in rich well drained soil with regular summer water, though tough when established. Minimal problems with slugs. Dependable perennial for contrast w/ Heucheras and Hostas.

Geranium cinereum ‘Lawrence Flatman’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Geraniaceae

One of the best of ALL hardy Geraniums 'Lawrence Flatman' blooms continually from early May until frost. Purple pink flowers with darker veins on the petals show up well on the silvery leaves. Very low growing to only 4" tall and spreading to 2' wide. Floriferous enough to be used in containers-like an annual. Full sun and well drained soil with occasional summer water. Very pretty with Acaena inermis 'purpurea' and Globularia nudicaulis.

Geranium cinereum ‘subcaulescens’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Geraniaceae

This form of Geranium cinereum has all the wonderful qualities that make this perennial such a great plant. Silvery sage-green leaves with a compact habit are a stunning backdrop to the profuse magenta veined black flowers. So floriferous it may be used as an annual, continuing its bloom from late May to September. Full sun and well drained soil. Ideal container perennial. Drought tolerant when established. Soil that is overly fertile can lead to rank growth. Occasional summer water. Perfect for parking strips.

Geranium phaeum ‘Darkest of All’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Geraniaceae

An extremely dark flowered form (nearly maroon-black) of the 'Mourning Widow Geranium' that forms large patches in semi-shady places. To 20" tall and blooming from late April into early June. Average soil and regular water during the dry months of summer. Very easy to grow. The large leaves have small maroon marks at the base of each indentation and remain handsome after the flowers have gone.

Geranium phaeum ‘Lily Lovell’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Geraniaceae

This form of Mourning Widow Geranium is prized for its deep purple blue flowers born in mid-spring.

Geranium ‘Rozanne’ PP12175 Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Geraniaceae

Geranium of the Millenium? Maybe. Vivid blue flowers with a white eye are large and extremely showy from May until frost. Trailing to at least 24" wide and about 18" tall. One of the best hardy geraniums there is. Foliage is partially evergreen. Cut back hard in early spring- or anytime to refresh the plant. Great in containers. Ample water, but not soggy in rich soil. Full sun to light shade. Amazing under apricot flowered Roses. Slugs dislike it.

Geranium sessiliflorum ‘Red Select’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Geraniaceae

Rich cocoa brown leaves are edged in silver and make this perennial a wonderful foliage plant for adding depth to a border. In summer small white flowers appear. Great in containers combined with perennials such as Hakenochloa macra ‘Aureola’- or any gold leaved plant for bold drama. To 8” tall and 2’ wide in part shade to full sun. More compact in full sun. May be cut back hard in winter, new growth is delectable. Regular summer water.

Geranium x s. ‘Stanhoe’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Geraniaceae

A delicate geranium with bronze-highlighted grey-green leaves. Soft pink flowers appear from April through summer. To 1' tall by 2' wide. Nice at the front of a border, at the top of a retaining wall, or with small shrubs like Hebes- especially Hebe o. 'E.C. Sterling'. Full sun and occasional summer water; a tough plant. Seeds around a bit, but not a pest. Works well in containers. New Zealand.

Geum ‘Beech House Apricot’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Rosaceae

A diminutive but incredibly tough perennial that puts out beautiful soft apricot flowers non-stop through the season. Adaptable to many soils, including clay, this perennial is slow to spread and form colonies to about 18" wide. Very easy and satisfying plant. Easy to move and divide where you need soft colors. Blooms late April to October. Occasional summer water. More vigorous in good soil. Tolerates much neglect.

Geum ‘Marmalade’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Rosaceae

Vivid orange flowers held in a madder red calyx are striking on this

tough and undemanding perennials. Lush green leaves form clumps to 18' wide in rich soil. Flowers appear in mid-spring to early summer on stems to 20" tall. Regular summer water to improve appearance. Smoldering orange flowers are excellent paired with dark leaved Barberry or Actaea 'Black Negligee. Semi-deciduous in winter. Easy to grow.

Geum ‘Leonard’s Variety’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Rosaceae

Long lived perennial that forms large patches in time of attractive pinnate leaves. In late spring 20” scapes of apricot orange flowers are followed by seed heads of feather light red. They remain showy for some time. Adaptable to many different types of soils and even drought when established. Grows faster with summer water. Easy and pretty perennial for tough locations.

Geum triflorum Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Rosaceae

Prairie Smoke is a wonderful perennial native to large areas of the west. Small pale salmon flowers are followed by large smoky seed heads that are much showier than the flowers and remain effective for up to 9 weeks in mid- to late summer. A clumping plant eventually forming colonies in rich, well drained soil with occasional summer water- though tolerant of drought when established.

Gladiolus dalenii ‘Bolivian Peach’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Iridaceae

Stunning cold hardy Gladiolus that spreads to form 2' wide colonies. Aug. through Sept. soft peach colored flowers rise to 3' tall and remain determinedly upright w/ out flopping. A delicate wildflower look and ideal cut flower. Gray green foliage emerges late- in May. Easy, long lived perennial (bulb) endures drought & neglect. Regular water and richer soil improves performance. Full sun .

AMAZING interplanted w/ Miscanthus 'Morning Light' (grass).

Gladiolus papilio Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Iridaceae

Gladzilla!!! We're gonna give it to you straight, this glorious species Gladiolus is a BIG rambunctious perennial. That having been said we would never be without the incredible dove gray and light yellow orchid-like flowers that appear in mid to late summer. Fully deciduous and quickly spreading to form a clump 3' tall and 60' wide, heh, just kidding. Full sun, average soil. Nice back 40 plant. Great cut flower!

Gladiolus tristis Hybrids Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Iridaceae

Hybrids of the amazing spring blooming Gladiolus tristis that include such parents as G. dalenii and others. Fragrant March flowering bulb that spreads to form grassy clumps. Powerful, clove-like scent AT NIGHT. Full sun and well drained soil. Best in a gravel garden with NO SUMMER IRRIGATION. Summer dormant.Light yellow, orange, pink with black and red veined flowers. To 18" tall. Loves neglect.

Gladiolus tristis ‘Moonlight’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Iridaceae

A lovely wild looking Gladiolus with slender wiry stems and leaves. In March through April relatively large creamy green flowers with brown markings on the lower petals that are powerfully fragrant at night. Full sun, WELL DRAINED sandy soil, and little water in summer when it retreats into dormancy. Spreads to form large grassy colonies. Remarkable cut flower at a surprising time of year.

Glaucium corniculatum Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Papaveraceae

Horned Poppy- Intricate blue/gray EG foliage and a striking display of orange papery poppy flowers w/basal spots of yellow on each petal. Flowers are 4" wide from June to September. Long, slightly spined seed pods follow. The spines are not painful- maybe just scary to predators? Full sun, average to poor soil, good drainage, 20" tall x 10" wide. Lifespan 3-4 years, reseeds in open, disturbed soil.

Glaucium flavum Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Papaveraceae

Horned Poppy is an exotic perennial with a native range from Turkey east to Iran.

Striking blue leaves, somewhat succulent-form a rosette to 1' across. In mid-to late summer a stem rises to 2' tall and produces a continual display of yellow poppy flowers. A long horned shaped seed pod follows. Full sun and well drained soil. : - ) Very happy when it reseeds. Good container perennial. Infrequent to little water.

Globularia cordifolia Zn5a (-20º to -15ºf) Globulariaceae

A great Globe Daisy that forms an inpenetrable ground cover in appropriate situations. Small, glossy evergreen leaves are good looking year round. In mid-spring copious 4” stems sport perfectly round cambridge blue buttons with a velvety appearance. Full sun in well drained soil. In my own garden it has taken regular irrigation and looked its best. Not just a plant for a rock garden. To only 1” tall but spreading, slowly and steadily to 1’ across in three years. NOT a large scale ground cover.

Globularia nudicaulis Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Globulariacae

This Globe Daisy IS a great rock garden plant and though it is slow to spread has amazingly deep cobalt blue flowers in early spring. A rosette to 8” across with 4” flower spikes emerging from the center. For WELL DRAINED soil in rock garden conditions with

occasional summer water. Excellent in rock walls.

Glumicalyx gosseliodes Zn6b (-5º to 0ºF) Scrophulariaceae

Nodding Chocolate Flower. Darling and easy to grow hardy perennial from South Africa. Forms a clump of rubbery green rosettes. From April to frost nodding stems rise to 10" and produce a continuation of white bells that open to orange/red and smell like chocolate. Full sun to light shade in rich, well drained soil. Best at eye level. Remove spent flower spikes. GREAT HARDY container plant. Evergreen. Occasional summer water. Cold hardy.

Perennials

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.