Echinops ritro GLOBE THISTLE Will thrive in poor as well as good soils with average moisture, tolerating dry soil. Easy, undemanding plants. Flowers provide good color and interest long before they open, extending the season. Shows off green, jagged, felty leaves that are thistle-like with spiny tips and gray underneath. E. b. 'Blue Glow' has deeper blue flowers than the species. E. bannaticus leaves are more deeply divided and hairier. E. b.'Veitch's Blue' has darker steel blue flowers than E. b. 'Taplow Blue'.
Echinops bannaticus 'Blue Glow'
|
3 - 4 ft.
|
2 ft.
|
intense steel bl.
|
l. summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Echinops bannaticus 'Taplow Blue'
|
4 - 5 ft.
|
3 ft.
|
steel blue
|
summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Echinops ritro
|
3 - 4 ft.
|
2 ft.
|
steel blue
|
l. summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue'
|
30 - 36 in.
|
3 ft.
|
dark steel blue
|
summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Epimedium BARRENWORT Flowers are like small columbines in airy sprays. Makes a good ground cover once established. They have very attractive and persistent foliage. Cut old foliage by early spring before the early blooms and new growth appears. Rather woody perennials with pleasingly heart shaped leaves that nod laterally in the wind. Prefers rich, moist soil but compete well with roots in dry, shaded conditions. Hints of red accent the leaves of E. versicolor (x) 'Sulphureum' in early spring, whereas plants of E. rubrum (x) hold this red outline somewhat longer. Choice ground cover plants.
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Lilafee'
|
15 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
lavender violet
|
spring
|
pSh-Sh
|
spreader
|
Epimedium rubrum (x)
|
15 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
crimson
|
spring
|
pSh-Sh
|
spreader
|
Epimedium versicolor (x) 'Sulphureum'
|
12 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
pale yellow
|
spring
|
pSh-Sh
|
spreader
|
Epimedium youngianum (x) 'Niveum'
|
6 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
white
|
spring
|
pSh-Sh
|
spreader
|
Epimedium youngianum (x) 'Merlin'
|
10 in.
|
16 in.
|
violet w/white
|
spring
|
pSh-Sh
|
spreader
|
Epimedium youngianum (x) 'Roseum'
|
8 - 12 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
lilac rose
|
spring
|
pSh-Sh
|
spreader
|
Equisetum hyemale SCOURING RUSH, HORSETAIL An ancient plant, once used as a scouring material and to polish tin and wood. The erect hollow evergreen stems are conspicuously jointed, with leaves reduced to scales at the nodes. The flowering structure is the sporophyll at the stem tip. Be forewarned that the vigorous spreading rhizomes can colonize quickly. This unique curiosity needs to be confined. Moist to wet soil. Great for pond edges and water gardens and also makes a fine container plant.
Equisetum hyemale
|
3 - 5 ft.
|
21 in.
|
fol. green
|
spring
|
Su
|
spreader
|
Equisetum hyemale robustum
|
3 - 6 ft.
|
21 in.
|
fol. green
|
spring
|
Su
|
spreader
|
Eryngium SEA HOLLY Sea Hollies are mostly native to costal areas although E. yuccifolium, Rattlesnake Master, is a native prairie plant. They are tolerant of hot dry sites and poor as well as salty soils. Steely blue tinged teasel-like flowerheads provide a distinctive accent in the garden. Long lasting cut or dried flower.
Eryngium planum'Blaukappe'
|
28 in.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
steel blue
|
summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Eryngium planum 'Sapphire Blue'
|
24 - 30 in.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
blue
|
summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Eryngium yuccifolium
|
4 - 5 ft.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
bluish silver
|
june-sept.
|
Su
|
clump
|
Eupatorium maculatum 'Gateway' JOE PYE WEED The straight species E. maculatum one finds growing in the wild and along roadways in wet soils. The selection Eupatorium m. 'Gateway' is shorter than the wild one. The very large flowerheads are really groups of flowerheads that can contain 9 to 30 very small purplish flowers each. It is easy to grow in moist or wet, moderately fertile soil. A garden worthy choice, providing late summer bloom and structural value for beauty in design. Attracts butterflies too! Eupatorium colestinum 'Cory' HARDY AGERATUM Erect, branching red brown stems that are slightly hairy. Light green leaves are triangularly oval, wide at the base and have coarsely toothed edges. The flowers are a glowing blue to violet, turning purplish, blooming in dense clusters late in the year. Similar in flower to the annual Ageratum, but a taller plant. A must for end-of-the year fresh cut flowers.
Eupatorium colestinum
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
18 in.
|
blue
|
autumn
|
Su-pSh
|
spreader
|
Eupatorium dubium 'Little Joe'
|
4 ft.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
mauve
|
l. summer
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Eupatorium maculatum 'Atropurpureum'
|
6 ft.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
lavender purple
|
l. summer
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Eupatorium maculatum 'Gateway'
|
5 - 6 ft.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
purplish
|
l. summer
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Eupatorium maculatum 'Purple Bush'
|
4 - 5 ft.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
purple
|
l. summer
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate'
|
3 - 4 ft.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
white
|
l. summer
|
Sh-Su
|
clump
|
Euphorbia SPURGE Happy in any reasonably drained, poor to moderate soil. Narrow leaves crowd the stems where the flowers begin. Stems contain a milky sap that may cause a skin irritation. Long-lived plants, have persistent foliage and the green yellow colored bracts are long lasting. Clump forming E. polychroma produces a rounded dome of stems with dark green leaves that turn red in the fall. E. myrsinites produces glaucous gray leaves on trailing stems. These flowering stems should be cut after they fade to encourage a handsome new crop of stems and leaves. Evergreen especially when grown in a protected spot. E. a. 'Purpurea' is noted for marroon red leaves and deep red to purple stems in winter that remains and constrasts well with the greenish yellow bracts of spring.
Euphorbia amygdaloides robbiae
|
18 in
|
2 ft.
|
greenish yellow
|
spring
|
Su-pSh
|
spreader
|
Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea'
|
10 - 12 in.
|
2 ft.
|
bright yellow
|
l.spr. - e.sum
|
Su
|
clump
|
Euphorbia dulcis 'Chameleon'
|
12 in.
|
18 in.
|
burnt orange
|
spring
|
Su
|
clump
|
Euphorbia polychroma
|
18 in.
|
18 in.
|
yellow
|
spring - l.spr.
|
Su
|
clump
|
Euphorbia myrsinites
|
6 - 12 in.
|
12 in.
|
yellow
|
spr. - e. sum.
|
Su
|
clump
|
Plant Descriptions: Beginning with Letter F
BOTANICAL NAME
|
HEIGHT
|
SPACING
|
COLOR
|
SEASON
|
LIGHT
|
HABIT
|
Fallopia japonica 'Variegata' VARIEGATED FALLOPIA This plant (formerly Polygonum cuspidatum or Reynoutria japonica) does not run rampant. Foliage is artistically splotched with striking patches of white across the leaves on pink and green stems, with light pink new growth. The feathery flowers are good for bouquets.
Fallopia japonica 'Variegata'
|
4 - 5 ft.
|
2 ft.
|
white
|
l. summer
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Fallopia japonica 'Crimson Beauty'
|
8 - 12 ft.
|
2 ft.
|
crimson
|
l. summer
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Fargesia rufa HARDY CLUMPING BAMBOO Clump forming bamboo up to 10 ft. in width or more in time. The plants have long narrow deep green waxy leaves with accenting pink to reddish leaf sheaths and branchlets. Plant in organic enriched well drained soil. Winter green.
Fargesia rufa 'Green Panda'
|
7-8 ft.
|
10 ft.
|
fol. deep green
|
evergreen
|
Sh-pSh
|
clump
|
Filipendula MEADOWSWEET Require moisture retentive soil, preferably alkaline, and loves its "feet" moist and foliage dry. Both fragrant, F. purpurea 'Elegans' reaches 4 ft. and F. rubra 'Venusta' up to 6 feet. Most often do not requiring staking, even in windy conditions. F. rubra 'Venusta' QUEEN-OF-THE-PRAIRIE, has flat flowerheads up to one foot in size, and at a distance look like pinkish cotton candy. A towering accent or specimen plant, spreading into large clumps.
Filipendula rubra 'Venusta'
|
6 ft.
|
4 ft.
|
pink
|
summer
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Filipendula 'Kakome'
|
8 - 12 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
pink
|
summer
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Fragaria 'Frel' ('Pink Panda') ORNAMENTAL STRAWBERRY Loose ground cover for sunny areas, but will tolerate part shade. Popular for its profuse, radiant pink spring blooms that continue blooming on and off throughout the season; rather than for the edible fruit it occasionally produces. Requires moist, rich soil. Cutting trailing stems and dead-heading increases flowering and keeps foliage dense.
Fragaria 'Frel' ('Pink Panda')
|
6 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
pink
|
spring - aut.
|
Su-pSh
|
carpet root.
|
Fragaria 'Lipstick'
|
6 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
red
|
spring - aut.
|
Su-pSh
|
carpet root.
|
Plant Descriptions: Beginning with Letter G
BOTANICAL NAME
|
HEIGHT
|
SPACING
|
COLOR
|
SEASON
|
LIGHT
|
HABIT
|
Gaillardia BLANKET FLOWER Flamboyant garden flower, blooming tirelessly. Longest-lived in sharply drained soil. Foliage is lightly aromatic. The leaf is gray green and coarsely toothed. Dead-heading ensures constant bloom.
Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun'
|
12 - 15 in.
|
12 in.
|
red orange yel
|
june-sept.
|
Su
|
clump
|
Gaillardia 'Baby Cole'
|
7 - 8 in.
|
8 - 12 in.
|
red w/yel.mar.
|
summer- fall
|
Su
|
clump
|
Gaillardia 'Kobold' ('Goblin')
|
12 in.
|
12 in.
|
dk. red and yel.
|
summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Galium odoratum SWEET WOODRUFF The leaf is characterized with rich green whorls that provide good foliage all season. The plant should be grown in a cool, moist soil. Ground cover for edging borders and paths, or used as an underplanting for naturalized and woodland settings. It's gentle sweet fragrance and snow-topped appearance when in bloom would shurely be missed in any shady garden without it.
Galium odoratum
|
9 in.
|
1 - 3 ft.
|
white
|
mid spring
|
pSh-Sh
|
spreader
|
Gaura lindheimeri WHITE GAURA Long blooming and adaptable to hot summers. Best grown in sandy loam for good drainage, or a raised bed. Deeply tap rooted. Leaves are gray green and willow like, further graced by flowers that don't open all at once. Very long blooming. Cut back to 8 in. mid season of the second year for bushier growth.
Gaura lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterfly'
|
3 - 4 ft.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
white
|
l. spring - aut.
|
Su
|
clump
|
Gaura lindheimeri 'Siskiyou Pink'
|
30 in.
|
18 - 24 in.
|
pink
|
sum. - autumn
|
Su
|
clump
|
Geranium HARDY GERANIUM Easy and extremely valuable plants for borders and as ground covers, producing beautiful flowers. Most species thrive in ordinary well drained soil in sun, while some are more luxuriant and bloom longer in cool, moist, fertile soil in bright partial shade.
Geranium 'Brookside'
|
12 - 18 in.
|
18 in.
|
clear blue
|
summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Geranium cantabrigiense (x) 'Biokova'
|
6 - 12 in.
|
12 in.
|
white
|
e. summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Geranium cantabrigiense (x) 'Karmina'
|
6 - 12 in.
|
12 in.
|
rose pink
|
e. summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Geranium cinereum 'Ballerina'
|
4 - 6 in.
|
12 in.
|
rosy lilac
|
summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Geranium 'Dilys'
|
6 in.
|
18 in.
|
reddish purple
|
summer - fall
|
Su
|
carpet
|
Geranium endressii 'Wargrave Pink'
|
18 - 24 in.
|
3 ft.
|
salmon pink
|
e. summer
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'
|
12 in.
|
2 ft.
|
violet blue
|
e. summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Geranium maculatum 'Espresso'
|
12 - 15 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
pale pink
|
l. spring
|
pSh
|
clump
|
Geranium macr. 'Ingwersen's Variety'
|
12 in.
|
2 ft.
|
pale pink
|
l. spring
|
Su-Sh
|
carpet root.
|
Geranium macrorrhizum 'Spessart'
|
12 in.
|
2 ft.
|
delicate pink
|
l. spring
|
pSh-Sh
|
carpet root
|
Geranium macrorrhizum
|
12 in.
|
2 ft.
|
dark pink
|
l. spring
|
pSh-Sh
|
carpet root.
|
Geranium magnificum (x)
|
18 - 24 in.
|
2 ft.
|
violet blue
|
e. summer
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Geranium oxonianum (x) 'Claridge Druce'
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
magenta pink
|
summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Geranium 'Orion'
|
18 - 24 in.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
bright blue
|
summer
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Geranium phaeum
|
24 - 30 in.
|
18 - 24 in.
|
dark maroon
|
l. spring
|
pSh-Sh
|
clump
|
Geranium phaeum 'Samobor'
|
12 - 18 in.
|
12 in.
|
purple
|
l. spring
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Geranium psilostemon
|
4 ft.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
crimson w/dk eye
|
e.summer
|
Su-pSh
|
clump
|
Geranium 'Rozanne'
|
20 in.
|
2 ft.
|
deep blue
|
summer/ext.
|
Su
|
clump
|
Geranium sanguineum
|
8 - 10 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
magenta crims.
|
summer
|
Su-pSh
|
spreader
|
Geranium sanguineum 'Album'
|
8 - 10 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
white
|
e. summer
|
Su-Sh
|
clump
|
Geranium sanguineum 'Alpenglow'
|
8 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
rose red
|
l.spr. - sum
|
Su
|
clump
|
Geranium sanguineum 'John Elsley'
|
4 - 6 in.
|
12 in.
|
carmine w/dk eye
|
e.-mid sum
|
Su
|
spreader
|
Geranium sang. 'New Hampshire Purple'
|
12 - 18 in.
|
12 - 15 in.
|
dp reddish purp
|
spring/ext.
|
Su-pSh
|
carpet
|
Geranium sanguineum striatum
|
8 - 12 in.
|
12 - 18 in.
|
pink
|
summer
|
Su
|
spreader
|
Geranium 'Spinners'
|
36 in.
|
2 - 3 ft.
|
lavender blue
|
summer
|
Su
|
clump
|
Geranium 'Tiny Monster'
|
16 - 18 in.
|
21 in.
|
purple violet
|
e.-l. summer
|
Su
|
groundcover
|
Geranium wlassovianum
|
15 in.
|
2 ft.
|
dk. violet blue
|
summer - fall
|
Su-pSh
|
carpet
|
|