previous
  • Slideshow: Beautiful Clematis
    Slideshow: Beautiful Clematis
  • Plants that Spark!
    Plants that Spark!
  • Fragrant Plants for Pathways
    Fragrant Plants for Pathways
  • Homegrown / Homemade
    Homegrown / Homemade
  • Save Money by Growing Your Own
    Save Money by Growing Your Own
  • Dwarf Citrus Trees
    Dwarf Citrus Trees
  • Thoughts From a Foreign Field
    Thoughts From a Foreign Field
  • Garden Confidential: A Plant Walks into a Bar
    Garden Confidential: A Plant Walks into a Bar
  • Make a Succulent Topiary
    Make a Succulent Topiary
  • Containers as Focal Points
    Containers as Focal Points
  • Stylish Shady Containers
    Stylish Shady Containers
  • Comfortable Alfresco Dining
    Comfortable Alfresco Dining
  • Colorful Selections for Shade
    Colorful Selections for Shade
  • Lawn Alternatives
    Lawn Alternatives
  • 6 Tips for Weed Control
    6 Tips for Weed Control
  • Fast-Growing Trees for Impatient Gardeners
    Fast-Growing Trees for Impatient Gardeners
  • Pretty in Pink
    Pretty in Pink
  • Elephant's Ears
    Elephant's Ears
  • NEW Video Series: There's a Better Way
    NEW Video Series: There's a Better Way
  • In Pursuit of the Perfect Potting Shed
    In Pursuit of the Perfect Potting Shed
  • Plant an Easy-to-Water Strawberry Jar
    Plant an Easy-to-Water Strawberry Jar
  • Building a Compost Bin
    Building a Compost Bin
  • Mulch for a Healthy Garden
    Mulch for a Healthy Garden
  • Designing with Curved Terraces
    Designing with Curved Terraces
  • Indeterminate or Determinate Tomatoes?
    Indeterminate or Determinate Tomatoes?
next

Browse Plants

Narrowed By:Type: Perennials+ Zone: 8+ Uses: Focal Point+ Seasonal Interest: Spring
Displaying 1 - 32 of 32 listings   1 | 2View All Sort By: Sort
no image available Baptisia 'Chocolate Chip'
(Chocolate Chip false indigo)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This perennial produces milk chocolate-colored flowering buds that open in spring with golden yellow petals over blue-green foliage.

Corydalis curviflora var. rosthornii 'Heronswood Form' Corydalis curviflora var. rosthornii 'Heronswood Form'
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This variety has fragrant, deep blue, cornucopia-shaped flowers carried tightly on red stems above 6-inch tall, blue-green foliage. It is considered one of the best blue forms for color and performance.

no image available Corydalis flexuosa
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

From late spring to summer, this species produces clusters of brilliant blue flowers over ferny foliage. It is the parent of many of the rapidly expanding selection of choice blue cultivars.

Corydalis flexuosa 'Blue Panda' Corydalis flexuosa 'Blue Panda'
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

The first of the coveted blue corydalises to be introduced, it produces fragrant clusters of long-spurred, azure flowers on a compact plant. 

Corydalis flexuosa 'China Blue' Corydalis flexuosa 'China Blue'
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This is one of the coveted blue corydalises. It produces whorled clusters of sky-blue flowers on 18-inch tall plants. 

Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf'
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This choice corydalis produces fragrant clusters of periwinkle-blue flowers and ferny foliage infused with purple hues. It is similar to 'Blue Panda,' yet is slower to spread and blooms more reliably during the summer.

Crambe cordifolia Crambe cordifolia
(Colewort)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This species is notable in stature, forming a giant mound and producing a profusion of airy white flowers on tall stems in late spring to midsummer and then dying down in midsummer to late summer. Colewort can reach 8 feet high and about half as wide. Grow in a large border or open woodland.

Cynara cardunculus Cynara cardunculus
(Cardoon)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Cardoon is an architectural splendor with bold texture, thanks to its large, prickly, almost dagger-shaped gray-green arching leaves and a statuesque, vase-shaped frame. It is topped with round, purple, thistlelike flowers in midsummer. Cardoon can reach up to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

no image available Euphorbia characias
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This upright, evergreen shrub has stunning texture and form. Its gray-green leaves and woolly, purple-tinged stems form billowy, 4-foot long branches. From early spring to early summer, it produces giant cylindrical bract clusters in yellow-green with purple-black nectar glands, and creates a specimen that looks otherworldly.

Fritillaria imperialis Fritillaria imperialis
(Crown imperial)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This species draws much attention with its striking gaiety of color and form. Its large, bell-shaped flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and red dangle from tufts of shiny green leaf bracts. Sitting atop sturdy, 3-foot stalks, the flowers make a surprising and regal statement in the late spring garden.

Gunnera manicata Gunnera manicata
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This is the granddaddy of big-leaved perennials. No other plant can so thoroughly alter the scale of a garden while calling such attention to itself.

Hemerocallis 'Becky Lynn' Hemerocallis 'Becky Lynn'
(Daylily)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Daylilies are classic, extremely popular garden plants. They feature long, arching, strappy leaves and long stems of generally 6-petaled flowers, though double flowers are popular as well. Each flower lasts only one day, hence the plant’s common name. Daylilies come in a wide range of colors, from cream and cheery yellow to peach, orange, fiery red, deep burgundy, pink, and purple. Some have contrasting throats and "eye-zones." Daylilies are ideal for a mixed herbaceous perennial border.

Hemerocallis 'Blackeyed Stella' Hemerocallis 'Blackeyed Stella'
(Daylily)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Daylilies are classic, extremely popular garden plants. They feature long, arching, strappy leaves and long stems of generally 6-petaled flowers, though double flowers are popular as well. Each flower lasts only one day, hence the plant’s common name. Daylilies come in a wide range of colors, from cream and cheery yellow to peach, orange, fiery red, deep burgundy, pink, and purple. Some have contrasting throats and "eye-zones." Daylilies are ideal for a mixed herbaceous perennial border.

Hemerocallis 'Forsyth Lemon Drop' Hemerocallis 'Forsyth Lemon Drop'
(Daylily)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Forsyth Lemon Drop' is lovely and cheerful daylily cultivar.

Hosta 'Aspen Gold' Hosta 'Aspen Gold'
(Hosta)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Perfectly round, puckered, bright-gold leaves have a pattern resembling seersucker fabric. Pale-lavender flowers appear in early summer.

Hosta 'Blue Angel' Hosta 'Blue Angel'
(Hosta)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Blue Angel' makes a very large tiered mound of heavily textured blue leaves that can be as wide as 18 in. in diameter.

Hosta 'Blue Shadows' Hosta 'Blue Shadows'
(Hosta)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Blue Shadows' is a medium-sized plant with coarse, deep blue, variegated leaves.

Hosta 'Fort Knox' Hosta 'Fort Knox'
(Hosta)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This upright selection reaches 24 inches tall and 44 to 48 inches wide. 'Fort Knox' has an elegant vase-shaped habit and radiant yellowish-gold leaves 10 inches long by 6 inches wide. Lavender flowers appear in midsummer.

Hosta 'Fortunei Albo-marginata' Hosta 'Fortunei Albo-marginata'
(Hosta)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Bold, large, shield-shaped leaves with a deep green center and creamy-white margins turn white with age. Funnel-shaped mauve flowers borne on leafy scapes 32 inches long appear in midsummer.

Hosta 'Piedmont Gold' Hosta 'Piedmont Gold'
(Hosta)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A robust, clump-forming perennial, 'Piedmont Gold' has prominently veined, wavy-margined, bright-gold leaves 10 inches long by 7 inches wide. It reaches an average height of 18 to 25 inches tall and 40 inches wide. White flowers on 26-inch stems appear in midsummer.

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' Hosta 'Sum and Substance'
(Hosta)
(2 user reviews)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A botanical giant, 'Sum and Substance' averages 30 inches tall by 60 inches wide, sometimes more. Upright, heart-shaped, flat leaves have a glossy chartreuse hue that changes to gold when exposed to more light. Near-white lilac blooms borne on leaning scapes 36 inches long appear from late July through mid-August.

Hosta 'Sun Power' Hosta 'Sun Power'
(Hosta)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Sun Power' is a clump-forming perennial with oval to heart-shaped, yellowish green leaves below funnel-shaped, pale-lavender to white flowers in midsummer.

Hosta kikutii 'Hillbilly Blues' Hosta kikutii 'Hillbilly Blues'
(Japanese rock hosta)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A clump-forming perennial with flat-spreading, blue-colored leaves, Japanese rock hosta bears funnel-shaped white flowers, sometimes flushed with purple, on arching, leafy scapes 24 inches long.

Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans' Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'
(Hosta)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Elegans' is a large hosta with deep, smoky blue, slightly frosted heart-shaped foliage.  Deep veins give the leaves a corrugated look. White flowers bloom in early spring. Though slugs love hostas, this one is usually spared. -Sue Whetten, Regional Picks: Rocky Mountains, Fine Gardening issue #127

Lewisia cotyledon Lewisia cotyledon
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Lewisia cotyledon is an evergreen perennial of incredible beauty and well-balanced proportions. Fleshy leaves emerge in flat rosettes of spoon-shaped dark green leaves. Funnel-shaped flowers to 1 inch across are borne in compact panicles. The true species has candy-striped pink flowers. Hybrids bloom in shades from white to magenta.

no image available Paeonia obovata var. alba
(Japanese forest peony)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This plant is a beautiful addition to the garden from early spring until autumn. Red shoots with a crystalline dusting emerge in early April, followed by 5-inch-long, egg-shaped leaves that mature to a dark, reddish green. Each 18-inch stem bears a 2-inch-wide, chalice-like, single pure-white flower with yellow anthers and purple filaments. Mature seedpods open to reveal metallic-blue pea-sized fertile seeds and holly-berry red unfertilized seeds.

Persicaria polymorpha Persicaria polymorpha
(Giant fleeceflower)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This massive herbaceous shrub needs a lot of room to show off its vase-shaped form, but it does not spread or self-sow like some of its relatives. It blooms close to the ground from June and continues throughout the summer atop 6-foot-tall stems. The large, white, astilbe-like blossoms fade to pink and then reddish-brown as the season comes to a close. 

Polemonium caeruleum 'Brise d'Anjou' Polemonium caeruleum 'Brise d'Anjou'
(Variegated Jacob’s ladder, Greek valerian)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This dramatic cultivar has bright green leaves that are richly edged with cream. It bears lavender-blue blossoms in spring, and grows from 1.5 to 2 feet tall.

no image available Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven'
(Greek valerian, Jacob’s ladder)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This variegated cultivar offers white-edged leaves with pink tints on a compact plant to 1.5 feet tall. It bears light lavender-blue bell-shaped blossoms in spring.

Rodgersia aesculifolia Rodgersia aesculifolia
(Rodgersia)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This species has palmate, wrinkled leaves that extend to 2 feet wide. The veins and leaf stalks are reddish-brown and densely woolly. In midsummer, the 2-foot-long, upright flower spikes are made up of white or pink florets.

Rodgersia podophylla Rodgersia podophylla
(Rodgersia)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This species creates tropical drama with its large, toothed leaves and ivory-green, footlong flowers. It exhibits reddish-bronze color in autumn. 

Saruma henryi Saruma henryi
(Upright wild ginger)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Saruma henryi is as sublime as it is uncommon. Its velvety leaves and distinctively shaped, soft yellow flowers make it a superb specimen in a shady border, where it can contrast with more finely textured plants.


Displaying 1 - 32 of 32 listings   1 | 2View All Sort By: Sort