2006 Top Ten Perennials for Shade & Sun

11 Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Bath's Pink' etc - Cheddar Pinks

Delicate single, clove-scented pink flowers on 6-8" stems in spring. Evergreen, gray,needlelike foliage forms neat, spreading mats. Excellent for edging or for rock gardens. Full sun and dry conditions.

12 Geranium hybrids - Hardy Geranium

White, pink, magenta, purple or blue flowers on nodding stems above semi-evergreen foliage. Stays in tight clumps.

13 Chrysanthemum x 'Clara Curtis' etc. - Korean Mums

It is a groundcover and spreads, so plan carefully where you want to put it. Needs pinching back (or shearing) two to three time during the summer to keep it from becoming leggy and floppy. Good in humid climates where other Chrysanthemums' big double blooms turn black with mold after fall rains.

14 Stokesia laevis - Stokes Aster

Large blooms in white, blue or yellow varieties. Dark green, strap-like foliage forms handsome clumps. An excellent garden perennial and cut flower that blooms May through June.

15 Amsonia hubrechtii - Bluestar

Pale blue blooms on 18" long stems covered with short, thread-like leaves of medium green. The highlight is in autumn when the foliage turns brilliant gold.

16 Dryopteris ludovichiana - Southern Shield Fern

A native fern that matures at 48". Evergreen fronds are upright, dark green. Will tolerate dry conditions but does best in moist areas.

17 Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' & 'Moonbeam' - Thread Leaf Coreopsis

'Moonbeam' has small pale, yellow flowers which cover thinly-cut foliage. The plant forms low, creeping mounds in full sun. 'Zagreb' is more upright to 14" with darker, large foliage and larger, more intense yellow flowers.

18 Kalimeris pinnatifida - Japanese Aster

Loose flowers of small white, semi-double daisies are produced on attractive plants with feathery foliage. Flowers have a pinkish center when observed closely. This plant was rescued and made popular by a landscape architect who called it Orphanage Plant. Does well in average soil and blooms from May until frost.

19 Veronica peduncularis 'Georgia Blue' - Speedwell

Bushy, semi-prostrate plants produce blue flowers with white centers in early spring. Good for edging at the front of a border and can be used as a ground cover.

20 Solidago 'Fireworks' - Goldenrod

Native plant with rough leaves. Shorter, more compact, and less stoloniferous than someof the other goldenrods. Beautiful arching spikes of very small, golden yellow flowers in autumn.

21 Iris barbata - Bearded Iris

They represent the overwhelming majority of iris grown. They are prized for their voluptuous blossoms and luscious colors. Most are fragrant and some re-bloom in fall. They require very well drained soil and full sun. Watch for slugs and borers.

22 Artemisis 'Powis Castle' - Wormwood

The sub-shrub has finely cut, fuzzy gray foliage and grows into a three foot mound in a single season. Give it full sun and ordinary soil, but no water. Prune it back in spring, and trim it up in summer if it overtakes its neighbors.

23 Tradescantia virginiana - Spiderwort

Despite the reputation of the species for "weediness", the cultivars are well behaved and long blooming. Colors range from white to pale blue, deep blue, purple, and deep rose. 'Sweet Kate' has blue blossoms and gold foliage. If deadheaded, spiderworts will bloom all summer. Needs a half day of sun and tolerates moisture.

24 Salvia x sylvestris 'May Night' - May Night Salvia

Spikes of deep blue flowers on two foot plants in May and June. Give it full sun, average soil. Requires perfect drainage in winter. Deadheading extends the bloom.

25 Gaura lindheimeri - Gaura

Delicate white flowers top slender stems on three foot plants. Flowers from late spring until fall in full sun and well drained soil. 'Whirling Butterflies' is somewhat shorter. 'Siskiyou Pink' is a deep rose.

26 Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage

Pale blue spikes rise above gray-green foliage. Plants can reach 3 or 4 feet, but they lean over in southern gardens. Flowers persist for several months in summer, if deadheaded. Give them perfect drainage and full sun.

27 Verbena canadensis 'Homestead Purple' - Rose Verbena

This Georgia discovery is a strong-growing trailer for full sun and dry sites. It blooms virtually non-stop, and the stems root as they trail. Watch for spider mites in summer. Attractive to butterflies.

28 Verbena bonariensis - Tall Verbena

A small cluster of purple flowers waves at the top of a 3 foot stem, making it the perfect plant to place front, center or back of the flower bed. Great see-through plant that requires no special attention. Stems carry rough-textured small leaves. Will self-seed.

29 Delosperma cooperi - Ice Plant

Hot pink flowers top mats of succulent foliage. Blooms all summer in hot sunny weather. Great for rock gardens and green roofs.

30 Rudbeckia triloba - Three-lobed Coneflower

Well-branched two-foot stems carry multitudes of 1-1/2" flowers all summer. Individual plants are short-lived, but self-seeding is common. Needs a half day of sun. Good butterfly plant.