Stachys byzantina 'Silky Fleece' (Lambs' ears)

Deeply cut plum-purple leaves emerge in spring and stay true to color throughout the season. Lavender-blue flowers bloom beginning in late spring. 'Midnight Reiter' grows to only about 6 or 8 inches tall and twice as wide. More shade causes the foliage to be greener.

This clump forming, semi-evergreen, grass-like perennial blooms in summer, with a long succession of yellow-centered blue flowers. It grows to 20 inches high and 6 inches wide, and self-sows easily.

A hardworking, compact perennial, ‘Etain’ violet blooms intermittently throughout spring, summer, and fall. It forms wellbehaved clumps, unlike other violets that are usually spreading ground covers. Like all violets, ‘Etain’ enjoys regular fertilizing, steady watering, and frequent deadheading. The attractive, fleshy, bright green foliage needs protection from slugs and can be cut back if it gets too leggy.

Clematis integrifolia is no longer only blue. This selection produces progeny with pink, white, and lavender blooms from midspring until late summer. The flowers are followed by attractive seed heads in fall. It has a compact, herbaceous form and grows to just 10 to 14 inches tall.