Annuals & Perennials
Agapanthus, aka Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus africanus) - Agapanthus is a vigorous,
easy to grow perennial that forms clumps of long, strap-like, deep green leaves and
bears umbels of blue, white or pink flowers above the foliage. It needs fertile,
moist but well-drained soil in a sunny location. Drought and heat hardy, agapanthus
love summertime. Height: 30” (Dwarf 12-15”). Spread: 18-24”. Deer resistance: seldom
damaged.
Ageratum, aka Floss Flower (Ageratum houstonianum) - a compact mounding annual with
mid-green leaves and small, tufted, blue, pink, or white flower heads formed in soft,
round clusters from spring to autumn. Grow in fertile, moist, well-drained soil
in full sun to part shade. Attracts butterflies. Avg. Height: 6-8”. Spread: 8-10”.
Some series get much larger. Deer resistance: rarely, if ever, damaged.
Ajuga, aka Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans et al.) - There are various rich, attractive
foliage choices between the several types of ajuga, a spreading evergreen perennial
groundcover usually having blue flower spikes from spring to early summer. Grow
in moist soil in shade to part shade. Tolerates poor soil well. Some kinds tolerate
more sun through summer. Height: 4-12” (depends on variety). Spreads 24-36”. Deer
resistance: rarely, if ever, damaged.
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) - A very sweet fragrance rises from the blossoms
of this this low growing, spreading annual. The plant bears lots of 4-petaled scented
flowers in spring and fall. Flowers generally come in shades of violet, purple,
pink, or white. Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Excellent
for
Angelonia - soft-stemmed perennial with lance-shaped leaves and racemes of 2-lipped,
shallowly cup-shaped, orchid-like flowers in summer. Grow in moist, well-drained
soil in full sun.
Angel's Trumpet – Brugmansia -syn. Datura -cultivated for its large, showy, usually
scented, solitary, pendant, tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers with 5, usually reflexed,
pointed lobes borne from late spring to autumn. Flowers can be white, yellow, pink,
and rarely, purple. Single, double, or triple forms are found.
Ardisia – Ardisia japonica –compact evergreen perennial shrub with mid to dark green
leaves and underground runners. Excellent as a thick groundcover in shady areas.
Bears in summer small star-shaped light pink or white flowers followed by bright
red berries. Grow in moist yet well-drained soil in shade.
Argyranthemum - Also known as Cobbity Daisy. Compact evergreen sub-shrub that bears
daisy-like flowers late spring to early autumn. Grow in well-drained, moderately
fertile soil in full sun.
Artillary Plant, aka Artillary Fern – Pilea microphylla –densely branching succulent
with a fern-like appearance. Grow in moist soil in part shade to shade.
Aster-New England Aster, Michaelmas Daisy -clump-forming perennials that produce
solitary or corymb-like sprays of flower heads in a wide variety of colors. Likes
well-cultivated, fertile, moist soil in sun or partial shade.
Astilbe -clump forming rhizomatous perennials that are grown for their striking,
plume-like panicles of tiny red, pink, purple, or white flowers that are borne mainly
in summer. Needs moist, humus-rich soil or boggy sites in full sun. In drier soils,
grow in partial shade and provide extra water in hot, dry spells.
Balloon Flower - Platycodon -compact, clump-forming perennial with ovate to ovate-lance-shaped,
toothed, bluish-green leaves borne in whorls on the lower stem, alternately higher
up. In late summer, clusters of large, balloon-like buds open to shallow, bell-shaped,
5-petaled, purple-blue flowers with darker blue veins. Grow in deep, light, fertile,
loamy, reliably moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
Barleria cristata -evergreen perennial grown for spikes of tubular flowers. Grow
in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil in a sunny site. Philippine Violet has
deep green leaves with light violet-blue, pink, or white flowers in summer.
Angelwing Begonia - Begonia coccinea -distinctive long ovate leaves. Produces elegant
flowers on pendent cymes beginning in Spring. Grow in well drained peat- or soil-based
potting mix in bright, indirect light.
Begonia- Cocktail series –rounded bronze leaves, single flowerers come in a wide
range of colors, including bi-colors. Sun resistant. Plant in well drained soil
in part-sun to full sun. Planting in full sun during the heat of the year may be
too stressful for bedding plants not already acclimated to the light intensity.
Begonia- Fibrous –succulent stems with rounded green or bronze leaves, single to
double flowers in a wide range of colors. Greenleaf varieties prefer well drained
soil and bright, indirect light. Bronze leaf varieties are more tolerant of full
sun (see Cocktail series above).
Begonia- Tuberous -heart-shaped glossy bright to dark green leaves. Showy double
flowers in early summer. Wide variety of colors. Plant in well drained, humus-rich
soil in bright indirect light.
Bergenia -clump-forming evergreen perennial with broad, leathery, glossy leaves and
funnel or bell-shaped flowers that bloom mainly in spring. Grow in humus-rich, moist
but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Dislikes extreme heat or drought.
Blanket Flower – Gaillardia -annual, biennial, or perennial that bears red, orange,
or yellow daisy-like flower heads with dark purple, brown, red, or yellow disk florets.
Bushy plants with a long flowering period. Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in
full sun.
Texas Bluebells – Eustoma syn. Lisianthus -single-stemmed or branching annual with
slightly fleshy gray-green leaves. In summer, broadly bell-shaped, satin-textured,
dark-centered, pale purple, pink, blue, or white flowers are produced either singly
or in clusters. Grow in well-drained soil in full sun.
Texas Bluebonnet - Lupinus texinsis -erect to spreading, bushy annual with softly
hairy stems and 5-palmate, mid green leaves, each with lance-shaped, pointed leaflets.
In summer, pea-like deep blue to blue-purple flowers are borne in compact, crowded
racemes. Grow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial
shade.
Blue Daze – Evolvulus -prostrate to upright annuals and perennials grown for their
bell- to funnel-shaped blue flowers. Produces flowers from spring to autumn. Grow
in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
Brazilian Plume Flower - Justicia carnea-syn. Jacobinia carnea -erect, sparsely branched,
evergreen shrub with robust, 4-angled or 4-ridged stems and oblong to ovate, mid-green
leaves. Dense, terminal axillary spikes of overlapping green bracts, largely obscured
by tubular, 2-lipped, pink to rose or purple-pink flowers are produced during summer
and autumn. Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade.
Brazilian Snow Bush, Joseph's Coat – Alternanthera -this perennial species has many
cultivars that form mounding to erect specimens with mid-green leaves that are marked
with variegations of white, red, orange, purple, and yellow, with the color variations
depending on the cultivar. It appreciates moist, well-drained soil and needs full
sun to achieve the best coloration.
Browallia -upright, bushy annuals and sub shrubby perennials with slender, ovate,
pointed leaves. Bears violet, purple, blue, or white flowers in summer. Grow in
fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
Butterfly Weed - Asclepias tuberosa -tuberous perennial, with light to mid-green
leaves, that bears umbel-like cymes of orange, red-orange, or yellow flowers from
midsummer to early autumn, followed by fruits that split open to expose the seeds.
Plant in a sunny position in fertile, well-drained, loamy soil.
Caladium -tuberous-rooted perennials grown for their ornamental leaves that are variegated
white, pink, or red. Grow in moist but well-drained humus-rich soil in partial shade.
Strap-leaf varieties can tolerate full sun.
Calendula -bushy, fast-growing annuals that bear yellow or orange daisy-like flower
heads profusely from autumn into midwinter or through spring. Grow in well-drained,
moderately fertile soil in sun or partial shade. Deadhead to prolong flowering.
Calibrachoa –compact, mounding tender perennial that blooms profusely small petunia-like
trumpet flowers. They grow 3 to 9 inches. Use as pot plants, hanging baskets or
small area ground cover. High light to full sun is the secret to the great color
these provide. Grow in organically rich, moist, well-drained soil. Patented varieties
are sold under the name “Million Bells”.
Calico Plant – Sanchezia -moderately bushy shrub with sparsely branched, sturdy,
sometimes obscurely angled, smooth, bright green stems and ovate-elliptic to oblong-lance-shaped
leaves with yellow, ivory, or white-banded midribs and main veins. In summer, it
bears terminal spikes of yellow flowers. Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich,
moist but well-drained soil in full sun with some midday shade or in light, dappled
shade.
Calla Lily – Zantedeschia -rhizomatous perennial with semi-erect, arrow-shaped glossy
leaves. From late spring to midsummer it produces a succession of spathes in a variety
of colors. Foliage may be spotted white. Grow in humus-rich, moist soil in full
sun.
Campanula -long-flowering perennial that usually bears its flowers in panicles, racemes,
or clustered heads, but are sometimes solitary. Shapes vary from tubular to bell-
or star-shaped, and may also be cup- or saucer-shaped. Violet, pale blue, white,
mauve-blue, lavender-blue, and pink shades are found. Prefers well-drained, fertile
soil, in a full sun to partial shade location.
Carnation -perennials grown primarily for flowers that are produced in profusion
over a long period in spring and summer, and often having a fragrance reminiscent
of cloves. Used as an annual in hot and humid climates. Most prefer full sun and
well-drained soil…protect from hot afternoon sun.
Celosia – Amaranthaceae –annuals that bear plume-like or crested inflorescences suitable
for cut flower arrangements. Plant in moist, well-drained fertile soil in full sun.
Chenille Plant - Acalypha hispida -semi-trailing shrub that bears thick, fluffy,
deep crimson or bright red catkins periodically during the year. It needs a fertile,
humus-rich soil that is kept moist but well-drained. It will do well in sun or partial
shade.
Chicken Gizzard - Iresine herbstii -erect, bushy annual or short-lived perennial
with broadly ovate to rounded, waxy, variegated, mid-green, yellow, very deep red
or orange leaves, often with vividly contrasting veins. Grow in fertile, moist but
well-drained soil in full sun for best leaf color.
Chrysanthemum – upright, bushy annual or herbaceous perennial. The aromatic dark
green leaves, ovate to lance-shaped, are shallowly to deeply lobed or pinnatisect.
Wide variety of flower head forms, sizes and colors. Select mums to suit an early,
mid or late season blooming period. Grow in well drained, neutral to slightly acidic,
enriched soil in full sun. It is important to view specific details for each variety
when growing chrysanthemums for exhibition.
Cleome Spider Flower – Cleome -robust annuals valued for their terminal racemes of
spider-like, 4-petaled flowers, with prominent stamens, which are borne above 3-
to 7-palmate leaves. Grow in light, fertile, preferably sandy, free-draining soil
in full sun. Water freely in dry weather. Flowers from pink, to purple, to white
bloom in summer.
Coleus – Solenostemon –annuals or short lived perennials grown for their very decorative
foliage. Flowers are borne in long racemes of blue or white. The flowers should
be removed to encourage foliage color and compactness. Foliage varies widely in
color and form. Grow in moist, well-drained humus-rich soil, in part shade to bright,
indirect light. “Sun coleus” can tolerate full sun, but have a heavy water demand
if so planted.
Columbine – Aquilegia -perennial that bears distinctively bell-shaped flowers with
colorful petals and spurred petals. Grow in fertile, preferably moist, but well-drained
soil in full sun to partial shade.
Copperleaf, Copper Plant - Acalypha wikesiana -a spreading ornamental shrub with
oval, multi-colored, mottled, and often variegated leaves. It requires the same
growing conditions as the Chenille Plant.
Coral Bells – Heuchera -mound-forming perennial with rosettes of broadly ovate to
heart-shaped, 5- to 9-lobed, leathery leaves. Bears panicles of tubular flowers
with conspicuous, colorful calyces in late spring to early summer. Grow in fertile,
moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.
Coreopsis -annuals and perennials with daisy-like yellow flower heads borne on long
stalks from late spring and often into autumn. Grow in fertile, well-drained soil
in full sun to partial shade.
Cosmos –freely branching annual or perennial bearing colorful flowerheads in a wide
range of colors on long stems in late spring or in summer. Deadhead the flowers
to promote more blooms. Plant in moist, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in
full sun.
Croton -perennial that produces attractive, often variegated, deeply lobed, leathery
leaves. Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun to partial
shade.
Cyclamen -tuberous perennial with rounded to heart-shaped, sometimes toothed or lobed
leaves with silver zones or light and dark patterns. Nodding, sometimes fragrant
flowers with 5 reflexed, twisted petals are borne at almost any time of the year,
depending on the species. Colors range from white to pink and carmine-red, often
with darker mouths. Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in
partial shade, ideally under trees or shrubs.
Dahlberg Daisy – Thymophylla -branching annual, rarely a short-lived perennial, with
almost fern-like, pinnatisect, pungent leaves with long, linear lobes. From spring
to summer, produces upturned star-shaped, bright yellow flower heads. Grow in well-drained,
moderately fertile soil in full sun.
Dahlia -bushy, usually tuberous-rooted perennials grown for their blooms in a variety
of forms and colors. Flowers from midsummer to frost. Grow in humus-rich, well-drained
soil in full sun.
Daylily – Hemerocallis –clump forming evergreen, semi-evergreen or herbaceous perennial.
There are over 30,000 different cultivars of daylily! Blooms vary in size and shape,
as well as a wide range of color. Grow in moist, well-drained, fertile soil in full
sun. A few varieties may require some afternoon shade, but this is rare.
Delphinium -annuals, biennials, and perennials grown for their spikes of shallowly
cupped, sometimes hooded, spurred, single to fully double flowers. Grow in fertile,
well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from strong winds. Produces flowers from
late spring to midsummer.
Desert Rose - Adenium obesum -a perennial succulent that bears glossy leaves on thornless
branches with red, pink, or white flowers borne in small, terminal corymbs throughout
the summer. It requires well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun with some midday
shade.
Dianthus –hardy bushy annuals, biennials or perennials grown for their numerous flowers
of single or double, solid or bi-color blooms. Plant in well-drained soil, in full
sun. (See Carnation above.)
Diascia -annuals with mid-green leaves that produce racemes of tubular, 5-lobed,
spurred flowers. Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. May
fail to bloom in especially hot summers.
Dusty Miller - Senecio cineraria -mound-forming, evergreen sub shrub or shrub, usually
grown as an annual, with ovate to lance-shaped or elliptic, shallowly to deeply pinnatisect
or pinnate, felted, silvery gray leaves. Loose corymbs of mustard-yellow flower
heads are produced in midsummer in the second year if the plants are over wintered.
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
English Daisy - Bellis -spoon-shaped, bright green leaves with flower heads of white,
pink, or deep reddish pink with white ray florets often tinged maroon or pink, being
produced from late winter to late summer.
Purple False Eranthemum - Pseuderanthemum atropurpureum -erect, open shrub with ovate
to broadly elliptic leaves. Foliage is deep purple, sometimes metallic green, spotted
yellow, pinkish purple, pink, green, or white. Dense, terminal spikes of tubular
white flowers spotted rose-red or purple at the bases are borne during summer. Grow
in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun with some midday shade or in
partial shade.
Fern –no, those little bumps on the underside of the fern leaf, that is frond, are
not bugs nor bug eggs! Those are sporangia, and sometimes those are enclosed in
what are called indusia. The sporangia are what contain the spores by which ferns
reproduce. Ferns, in general, require moist, sheltered locations to thrive. Some
can tolerate to one extreme or another and some must have very specific conditions,
so it is best to review each one in particular to be sure where they can be placed.
Principally, moist soil and bright, indirect light are the requirements for ferns.
Some need to be regularly misted with water to simulate humid conditions. Ferns
make great specimen plants and background foliage. Some are very irregular and make
great “conversation pieces”.
Ferns we commonly grow:
Australian Tree, Autumn, Crested Lady, Foxtail, Lace, Leather Leaf, Maidenhair
‘Fritz Luethii’, Maidenhair ‘Pacific Maid’
Holly, Japanese Painted, Korean Rock, Sprengeri (Asparagus), Sword, Wood.
Creeping Fig – Ficus pumila syn. F. repens –perennial evergreen root-clinging climber
with ovate dark green leaves. Grow in shade to part shade. Will not grow well on
hot side of west or south walls. May freeze back, but will come back from the root.
Very aggressive. Care should be taken to not allow it to grow upon a tile or shingled
roof, or easily damaged surfaces.
Flowering Maple - Abutilon -an erect to spreading evergreen to deciduous shrub grown
for its showy, pendant, bell- or bowl-shaped flowers that bloom from summer to autumn.
It likes moderately fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position.
Forget-Me-Not – Myosotis -tufted, hairy biennial or short-lived perennial usually
grown as a biennial with ovate to elliptic or lance-shaped, gray-green leaves. Bears
saucer-shaped, yellow-eyed, blue or occasionally white flowers in numerous dense
cymes from spring to early summer. Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained
soil in full sun with midday shade or in partial shade.
Foxglove - Digitalis -biennials and short-lived perennials that produce tall sometimes
branched racemes of inflated, tubular bell-shaped flowers. Flowers in a wide range
of colors, and are often spotted inside. Grow in almost any humus-rich soil, except
very wet or very dry conditions, in partial shade.
Fuchsia -deciduous to evergreen shrubs and perennials grown for their attractive
and distinctive flowers that are borne from late spring to autumn. Grow in fertile,
moist but well-drained soil in full morning sun and afternoon shade.
Gazania -low-growing annuals and perennials with large, daisy-like, very brightly
colored, dark-centered flower heads, which close in cloudy or cool weather. Flowers
are produced over a long period. Grow in light, sandy, well-drained soil in full
sun.
Geranium – Pelargonium -grow in fertile, neutral to alkaline, well-drained soil in
full sun to partial shade. Provide afternoon shade in hot summers.
Ivy-leafed geraniums are trailing evergreen perennials with lobed, sometimes pointed,
stiff, fleshy, mid-green leaves. Single to double flowers are produced in shades
of white, red, pink, mauve, or purple.
Scented-leafed geraniums are shrubby, evergreen perennials and shrubs grown mainly
for their attractive, scented leaves. Leaves are mainly mid-green, sometimes variegated,
and are variable in shape and size. Bears clusters of small, single flowers in shades
of mauve, pink, purple or white.
Zonal geraniums are erect, bushy, succulent-stemmed, evergreen perennials, some with
short-jointed stems, and leaves that are rounded, light to deep green, often bicolored
or multi-colored, with zones of dark bronze-green or maroon. Flowers are single,
semi-double, or double in shades of scarlet, purple, pink, white, orange, or rarely,
yellow.
Gerbera Daisy -clump-forming, deep-rooting perennial that produces solitary, daisy-like
flower heads from late spring to late summer in a wide range of colors. Grow in
fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
Gloriosa Daisy, Black-eyed Susan – Rudbeckia -erect, thick-stemmed, branching, bristly
biennial or short-lived perennial often grown as an annual. Has mid-green leaves
and daisy-like flower heads with pale to golden yellow, lemon-yellow, dark red, bronze
or bicolor ray florets and prominent, conical centers of deep, brown-purple disk
florets. Bloom time is from summer to early autumn. Grow in moderately fertile,
well-drained soil that does not dry out, in full sun or partial shade.
Goldfish Plant – Nematanthus –tubular flowers are borne singly or in clusters on
leaf axils and resemble the head of a goldfish. The plants are evergreen but tropical.
Grow as a houseplant or outdoor pot plant in bright, indirect light. Avoid any
full sun when weather is hot. Plant in well-drained, humus rich soil in part shade.
Water moderately and feed actively growing plants monthly.
Gomphrena-"Buddy" -upright, bushy annual with ovate to oblong leaves and ovoid-oblong
flower heads of vivid, deep purple bracts that bloom from late spring to autumn.
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
Mexican Heather – Cuphea -sub shrubby perennials with mid to dark green leaves and
small violet or white flowers produced from spring to fall. Grow in moderately fertile,
well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
Helichrysum -mound forming, evergreen to herbaceous perennials often grown as annuals
with silvery gray leaves and hemispherical to ovoid flower heads. Blooms in late
summer to autumn. Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun.
Heliotrope - Heliotropium -bushy, short-lived shrub, often grown as an annual with
broadly oval to lance-shaped mid to dark green leaves. Deep violet-blue or lavender-blue
flowers are borne in dense clusters from spring to fall. Grow in fertile, moist
but well-drained soil in full sun.
Hens and Chicks – Echeveria -evergreen, succulent plant with fleshy, alternate leaves
that form rosettes. Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
Hollyhock – Alcea -biennial and short-lived perennial that bears tall, slender spires
of funnel-shaped, brightly colored flowers in summer. Place in full sun in a moderately
fertile, well-drained soil.
Cape Honeysuckle - Tecoma capensis -erect, scrambling, evergreen shrub with slender
stems and pinnate, lustrous, mid- to dark green leaves. Racemes of slender, tubular,
orange to scarlet flowers are produced mainly in summer. Grow in moist but well-drained,
fertile soil in full sun.
Hosta -clump-forming perennials grown primarily for their bold foliage produced in
dense mounds of overlapping, ovate to heart-shaped or lance-shaped leaves. May be
green, yellow, gray-blue or variegated. Racemes of flowers are borne mainly in summer.
Grow in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil. Shade tolerant but grows best with
filtered light. Will tolerate drought but a moisture-retentive summer mulch is beneficial.
Iberis -evergreen sub shrub with spoon-shaped, dark green leaves. Produces fragrant,
white, corymb-like flowers from late winter to late summer depending on variety.
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
New Guinea Impatien -sub-shrubby hybrid perennial bearing abundant flowers from summer
to autumn. Usually grown as annuals. Grow in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
in partial shade. Indoors, place in high light location.
Algerian Ivy, English Ivy, Fancy Ivy - Hedera helix -vigorous, variable, self-clinging
climbers or trailing perennials with 3-5 lobed, broadly ovate to triangular, glossy
leaves. There are many variants and cultivars. Colors range from silvery to dark
green. Many varieties are variegated. Tolerates a wide range of conditions but
grows best in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Green leafed Varieties
are shade-tolerant while variegated cultivars prefer more light. Protect from strong
summer sun.
Jacob's Ladder - Polemonium -deciduous, clump-forming or occasionally rhizomatous
perennials and annuals grown for their spring and summer flowers which are bell-shaped,
saucer-shaped, narrowly tubular, or funnel-shaped and spreading at the mouths. Flowers
are usually white or blue, sometimes purple, pink, or yellow, and either solitary
or in terminal or axillary cymes. Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun
to partial shade.
Asian Jasmine - Trachelospermum asiaticum –evergreen perennial climber, with glossy
green leaves, more often used as an easy-to-care-for groundcover. Creamy white fragrant
flowers are produced from mid to late summer. Grow in full to part sun. Will do
well in most any soil conditions. Does best in moist, fertile soil.
Joseph’s Coat – Alternanthera ficoidia –mat-forming to erect perennial with pointed
leaves, often variegated and colorful. Foliage color can range through green, red,
purple, orange and yellow. Grown as a foliage plant with character, Joseph’s coat
will bear insignificant white flowers. Usually treated as an annual, it is great
for hanging baskets or as a border plant or groundcover. Plant in moist, yet well-drained
soil in full sun to part shade.
Kalanchoe -annual, biennial, or perennial succulent with fleshy leaves and stems
and showy, bell-shaped, urn-shaped, or tubular, 4-lobed flowers, often swollen at
the middle or at the base. Flowers are borne in terminal, occasionally lateral,
cyme-like or corymb-like panicles. Grow in well-drained, humus-rich, moderately
fertile soil in partial shade.
Dwarf Katie Ruellia - Ruellia x brittoniana 'Katie' –clump forming herbaceous perennial
with showy flowers in pink, white or blue. Reaches 10 to 12 inches high and spreads
to 24 inches. Used for border plant and as groundcover. Plant in well-drained soil
in full sun to part shade. Some burning of the leaves can be expected until acclimated
to full sun.
Lamb's Ear – Stachys -mat-forming, densely wooly perennials with rosettes of entire,
oblong-elliptic to lance-shaped, thick, wrinkled, veined, gray green leaves. Erect
stems bear interrupted spikes of wooly, pink-purple flowers from early summer to
early autumn. Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun.
Lantana -evergreen shrubs and perennials grown for their small, 5-lobed, salverform
flowers, grouped tightly into rounded, flattened, or domed, terminal heads. Grow
in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil in full sun.
Linaria -annuals, biennials, and herbaceous perennials that are grown for their irregular,
2-lipped, spurred flowers resembling snapdragons. Flowers are borne in terminal
racemes of varying colors from spring to autumn. Grow in moderately fertile, light,
well-drained, preferably sandy soil in full sun.
Liriope – Lily turf –evergreen to semi-evergreen perennials with green or variegated
grass-like foliage used for borders, groundcover or backdrop. Large leaf and variegated
liriope are suitable as specimen plants. Bears blooms on tall spikes followed by
glossy black berries. Colors of bloom vary on variety. Grow in moderately fertile,
light, well-drained soil in sun to shade. Acidic soils preferred. Tolerates drought
well.
Lobelia cardinalis -short-lived, clump-forming perennial with reddish-purple stems
and narrowly ovate to oblong-lance-shaped, toothed, often glossy, bronze-tinged bright
green leaves. In early summer and autumn, bears racemes of tubular, brilliant scarlet-red
flowers with reddish-purple bracts. Grow in deep, fertile, reliably moist soil in
full sun or partial shade.
Lobelia, Common Bedding- Lobelia erinus -low-growing, bushy or trailing perennial,
grown as an annual, that bears small, loose racemes of tubular, 2-lipped blue, violet,
pink, white, red, or purple flowers with white or yellow eyes and fan-shaped lower
lips. Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial
shade.
Lollipop Plant, Yellow Shrimp - Pachystachys lutea -erect shrub with moderately to
sparsely branched stems and ovate-elliptic, strongly veined, mid- to dark green leaves.
In spring and summer, the plant produces tubular, strongly 2-lipped white flowers
borne in terminal spikes with 4-ranked, bright golden yellow bracts. Grow in fertile,
moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
Lysimachia -rampant, mat forming perennial with ovate to rounded leaves. Produces
upturned cup-shaped, usually solitary flowers from spring to autumn. Grow in humus-rich,
preferably moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer, in full sun
to partial shade.
Marigold – Tagetes –aromatic annuals or herbaceous perennials with fern-like leaves.
Daisy or carnation-like flowerheads are borne singly or in clusters from spring
to autumn. The African marigolds form large flowerheads and reach up to 18 inches
in height, while the French marigolds are dwarf and form smaller flowerheads and
grow to about 12 inches. Plant in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full
sun.
Melampodium - Leucanthemum paludosum -bushy annual with solitary flowers that have
yellow or yellowish white ray florets and deeper yellow disc florets. Grow in moderately
fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.
Mexican Sunflower – Tithonia -robust, branching annual with long, triangular-ovate,
entire or occasionally 3-lobed, toothed leaves, hairy beneath. Bright orange to
orange-red flower heads, similar to those of single-flowered dahlias, are borne from
late summer to autumn. Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun,
with shelter from strong winds.
Mondo Grass, Monkey Grass – Ophiopogon japonicus –stem-less evergreen grass used
for borders and groundcover. Dark green leaves grow 8 to 10 inches. Dwarf grows
more compact with leaves 4 to 5 inches. Grow in moist, humus-rich well-drained soil
in filtered sun. Slightly acidic soil preferred.
Money Plant – Lunaria -annual or biennial with ovate to heart-shaped, coarsely toothed,
light to mid green leaves. In late spring, cross-shaped, white to light purple flowers
are borne in broad, leafy racemes. Flat seedpods are rounded and brown; the outer
walls must fall off or be removed to reveal the silvery inner walls. Grow in fertile,
moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.
Nemesia -bushy, erect annual or perennial with branching or spreading stems, entire
or toothed leaves, produces terminal racemes of 2-lipped pink, pale blue, lavender-blue,
purple or white flowers. Some varieties are bicolored. Grow in moist but well-drained,
moderately fertile soil in full sun. Water freely in dry weather to maintain flower
production.
Nierembergia -upright, branching, downy-stemmed perennial, usually grown as an annual,
with narrowly spoon-shaped, pointed leaves. Cup-shaped flowers are produced over
long periods in summer. Grow in a sheltered site in moist but well-drained soil
in full sun.
Osteospermum -evergreen sub shrubs, perennials and annuals with alternate, linear
to broadly ovate leaves with toothed margins. Grown for their daisy-like flowers
in a wide variety of colors, the disk florets are usually a contrasting color and
the reverse of the ray florets is usually a darker shade. Grow in light, moderately
fertile, well-drained soil in a warm, sheltered site in full sun.
Oxalis -mat-forming, rhizomatous perennial that has clover-like leaves with 3 inversely
heart-shaped, sparsely hairy leaflets. Bears solitary, cup-shaped flowers in spring.
Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun to partial shade.
Pansy – Viola x wittrockiana –one of the most favored annuals for the fall and winter
season. Bushy, spreading evergreen with ovate shallow lobed green leaves. Flowering
in the cool seasons in a wide array of spectacular colors, often bi-color or even
multi color. Flowers can range from 2½ to 4 inches across. Grow in fertile, humus
rich, well-drained soil in full sun.
Pentas -erect or prostrate, woody-based evergreen perennials or sub shrubs with obovate
to elliptic or lance-shaped, hairy leaves. From spring to autumn, bears flat or
domed corymbs of long-tubed, pink, magenta, blue, red, lilac, or white flowers. Grow
in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
Persian Shield – Strobilanthes -soft-stemmed shrub with unequal pairs of elliptic,
toothed, dark green leaves, flushed purple with an iridescent silver overlay above,
dark purple beneath. Short spikes of funnel-shaped, pale-blue flowers are produced
in autumn. Grow in light, fertile, free-draining soil in full sun or partial shade.
Petunia –spreading to erect annual or perennial with 5-lobed saucer or trumpet shaped,
single, fluted or double flowers. Grow in light, well-drained soil in full sun.
Phlox –evergreen or herbaceous spreading perennial. Salverform flowers form in single
or double, often star-like, clusters. Annual varieties are planted in fertile, well-drained
soil in full sun. Perennial varieties have varying needs and should be reviewed
individually.
Plumbago -scandent, evergreen shrub with slender, whippy, moderately branching stems
and oblong to oblong-spoon-shaped, mid- to bright matte green leaves. Bears long-tubed,
light sky-blue or white flowers in dense, terminal, corymb-like racemes from summer
to late autumn. Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full
sun.
Polka Dot Plant – Hypoestes -evergreen perennial sub shrub with ovate, dark green
leaves spotted with pink, red, or white. Bears terminal, spike-like racemes of tiny,
magenta to lilac flowers from late summer to winter. Grow in moist but well-drained,
moderately fertile, humus-rich soil in partial shade, sheltered from cold winds.
Portulaca (Purslane) –erect to trailing annuals, and some perennials, with small
fleshy leaves. Cup-shaped, rose-like flowers are borne in late spring and in summer.
Colors can be one, bi-color or multi color. Grow in poor, sandy, well-drained soil
in full sun.
Primrose - Primula -rosette-forming semi-evergreen to evergreen perennials usually
grown as annuals.
Acaulis vulgaris has inversely lance-shaped to obovate, toothed to scalloped, deeply
veined, bright green leaves. Clusters of 3-25 salverform flowers, often fragrant,
are borne early in the season. Grow in deep, humus-rich, moist, neutral to acidic
loamy or peaty soil in partial shade or will tolerate full sun if soil remains moist
at all times.
Malacoides have dainty, oval, slightly frilly margined, softly downy, pale green
leaves. Early in the season, they bear flat, single or double flowers in whorls
of decreasing size up slender, softly hairy stems. Grow in moist, well-drained,
peaty soil in filtered sun.
Obconica has fairly coarse, oval to heart-shaped, toothed, mid-green leaves. Very
early in the season, it produces salverform flowers, sometimes with slightly frilled
petal margins, in whorls of decreasing size up thick, hairy stems.
Ranunculus -tuberous, fibrous-rooted perennial with long-stalked, broadly ovate to
rounded, deeply 3-lobed, hairy, pale to dark green basal leaves, the lobes further
subdivided and toothed. Branching, flowering stems bear 1-4 cup-shaped, red, pink,
yellow, white, or orange flowers with purple-black centers in late spring and early
summer. Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
Red Bird Plant, Zig Zag Plant - Pedilanthes tithymaloides -upright, bushy, clump-forming,
succulent shrub with thins, fleshy to woody, zigzagged stems. Evergreen to deciduous,
ovate to elliptic, mid-green leaves are keeled and slightly hairy or powdery beneath.
In summer it produces fleshy red bract-cups, yellow at the bases. 'Variegatus'
has variably shaped leaves with white or pink variegation. Grow in moderately fertile,
sharply drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
Red Hot Poker – Kniphofia -clump-forming, deciduous, rhizomatous perennial with arching,
strap-shaped leaves and erect, usually dense, spike-like racemes of numerous pendent,
occasionally erect, tubular or cylindrical flowers borne well above the foliage from
late spring to autumn. Grow in deep, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained
soil in full sun or partial shade.
Miniature Rose –shrub roses with prickly stems, mini roses bear sprays of tiny single
to fully double flowers in flushes from late spring to fall. Grow in well-drained
soil in full sun.
Rock Rose – Helianthemum -evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub with oblong to linear,
silver to gray-green or light to mid-green, leaves. Grown for raceme-like cymes
of saucer-shaped, 5-petaled, brightly-colored flowers, which are borne over a long
period from late spring to midsummer.
Salvia –There are a wide variety of salvia as annuals, biennials, herbaceous and
evergreen perennials. They have uses from additions to stuffings and other foods
(sage), as medicinal plants, potpourris, and landscape ornamentals. Grow in moist,
moderately fertile and well-drained soil in full sun. Tubular flowers are borne
on erect stems in a variety of colors. Foliage can be various shades of green or
variegated.
Scaevola -variable, tufted, evergreen perennial, often grown as an annual, with spoon-shaped,
toothed, basal leaves, and smaller stem leaves, borne on erect or sometimes procumbent
stems, with yellow or brown hairs. Leafy racemes of purple-blue or blue flowers
are borne during summer. Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained
soil in full sun or light dappled shade.
Dragon's Blood Sedum- Sedum spurium -Branching red stems bearing opposite, obovate,
toothed, mid-green leaves, purple tinted when mature. Pink, star-shaped flowers
are produced in rounded corymbs in late summer.
Gold moss Stonecrop Sedum- Sedum acre -vigorous, mat-forming, evergreen perennial
with erect or trailing stems, densely clothed in overlapping, triangular, mid-green
leaves. Flat-topped cymes of tiny, star-shaped, yellow-green flowers are produced
in abundance in summer. Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
Shasta Daisy - Leucanthemum superbum -robust, clump-forming perennial that bears
solitary, single or double white flower heads with yellow disc florets from early
summer to early autumn. Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
in full sun or partial shade.
Shrimp Plant - Justicia brandegeeana -moderately bushy, soft, evergreen shrub with
elongated, hop-like, arching to pendent, terminal and axillary spikes with overlapping
shrimp-pink bracts and slender, tongue-like white flowers. Grow in fertile, moist
but well-drained soil in partial shade.
Snapdragon - Antirrhinum majus -a short-lived perennial with both dwarf and tall
cultivars grown as popular annual bedding plants and in cut flower gardens. Bears
broadly tubular, 2-lipped flowers with a hairy palate on the lower lip that children
(small and large!) love to play with. Grow in fertile, sharply drained soil in full
sun.
Snow in Summer – Cerastium -mat-forming or tufted perennial, generally hairy, with
star-shaped, white flowers. Leaves are lance-shaped, white or silver, and wooly.
Profuse blooms in late spring and summer. Grow in well-drained soil in full sun.
Sunflower – Helianthus -annuals grown for their showy, daisy-like flower heads, with
sterile ray florets, that are borne singly or in loose corymbs and have yellow, occasionally
red, or very rarely violet, ray florets, and yellow, brown, or purple disk florets.
Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
Spider Plant-Airplane Plant - Chlorophytum comosum -evergreen perennial with lance-shaped
leaves. In summer it produces arching racemes or panicles of small white flowers,
usually followed by plantlets. Grow in sun to partial shade.
Sweet Potato Vine – Ipomea Batatas – climbing tuberous perennials that bear trumpet
flowers in summer. Varieties include light colors to almost black foliage in an
array of shapes and sizes. Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full
sun.
Flowering Tobacco - Nicotiana -short-lived perennial grown as an annual with spoon-shaped
to ovate leaves, becoming smaller up the stems. Tubular flowers with funnel-shaped
mouths are produced in open racemes and are strongly fragrant at night. Blooms over
a long period from spring to summer and sometimes into autumn. Cultivars may be
red, rose, pink, white, salmon, bright yellow, lime-green, and other colors. Grow
in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
Verbena -erect to spreading perennial with toothed leaves. In summer it bears corymbs
of salverform flowers in a wide variety of colors. Grow in moist but well-drained,
moderately fertile soil in full sun.
Vinca (Periwinkle) - Catharanthus –woody-based evergreen perennial usually grown
as annual, with mid to dark green foliage. Five-petaled flowers slightly overlap.
They can come in a wide range of colors. ‘Pacifica’ and ‘Heatwave’ series are more
upright while the ‘Mediterranean’ series has a more spreading habit. Grow in moderately
fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.
Viola – Viola tricolor (Johnny Jump-up, etc.) –a favorite fall, winter and early
spring annual with spreading stems of ovate to heart-shaped toothed leaves. Flowers
usually in three colors of five petals: two to the rear, two in the middle and one
to the front. Often self seeds. Grow in fertile, humus rich, well-drained soil
in full sun.
Sweet Violet – Viola odorata – ‘Royal Robe’ –bears very fragrant violet flowers in
spring and fall. Semi evergreen perennial with heart-shaped green leaves on erect
stems. Grow in moist, well-drained soil in shade to part shade.
Wedelia -creeping, evergreen perennial, rooting at the leaf nodes and spreading widely.
Elliptic or obovate, mid- to dark green leaves are usually 3-lobed. Solitary daisy-like
yellow flower heads are borne from late spring to autumn. Grow in any well-drained
soil. Tolerant of a wide variety of conditions.
Wishbone Flower - Torenia -erect, smooth annual with long-stalked, pointed, ovate
to narrowly ovate, toothed, pale green leaves. In summer, produces abundant white,
pink, deep purple or lavender-blue flowers with the lower lip pronounced and the
throats marked deep yellow. Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial
shade.
Yarrow – Achillea -deciduous perennial with aromatic leaves that produces flower
heads in compound corymbs. It does best in an open site in full sun with a moist,
well-drained soil.
Zinnia –erect to spreading annual with a variety of colors and flowerhead shapes
and sizes. Grow in fertile, well-drained, humus rich soil in full sun.
I still have lots of plants to add to these variety lists, so check back later. I
hope these lists give you an idea of the extensive variety of plants we grow through
the course of the year. We’re never afraid of trying the new and different, and if
its successful we’ll add it to the mix! Thank you!
