Perennial Pleasures – Plants Only

Achillea spp. = Yarrow
Perennials for Sun
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Achillea filipendulina
~ 100 species, usually aromatic
Native to Asia Minor
Legend – Achilles healed his wounds in battle
Bloom June to September
Midsummer color in border, wild flower
garden or naturalized area
Cut flowers, dried bouquets – strip off lower
leaves
Achillea filipendulina
Fern Leaf Yarrow
Fern Leaf Yarow
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A. Filipendulina
‘Parkers Variety’
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A. Filipendulina
‘Coronation Gold’
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Achillea millefolium
Sunny, well drained site
Tolerates dryness, but better flower
when moist
Bone meal each spring
Divide clumps in spring after 3-4 years
Seeds sown in spring, flower following
year
Achillea millefolium
Common Yarrow
Common Yarrow
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A. millefolium
‘Red’
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A. millefolium
‘Summer Wine’
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Native is weedy perennial
Sunny, well drained, fertile soil
Will grow in poor, dry soil, but better
flowering when even moisture
Propagate by division or spring seed
A. millefolium
‘Pretty Belinda’
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Artemisia spp. = Wormwood
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Divide every 2 or 3 years or when center dies
out. Spring or fall.
Spreading root division.
Artemisia
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Artemisia spp.
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A. ludoyiciani
‘Silver King’
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A. schmidtiana
‘Silver Mound’
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Divide every year or
two for spreading
wormwoods like ‘Silver
King’ and ‘Valerie
Finnis.’ In Spring.
Finnis.
Spreading root division,
or remove excess and
dead center. Do not
divide woody
artemesias.
200 – 400 species of herbs and shrubs
known for oils
Temperate climates of both
hemispheres
Name honors Artemisia, the
mythological wife and sister of
Mausolus
Name associated with the moon
goddess Artemis
Full sun, dry conditions
Prefers poor soils – fertilizer not
necessary
Does not tolerate wet soil in winter
Propagate in spring by division or stem
cuttings
Aster spp. = Sunflowers, etc.
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250-500 species
native to broad areas of North and
South America,
America Asia,
Asia Europe
Aster is derived from ancient Greek
word astron meaning “star”
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Aster novae-angliae
New England Aster
Aster novae-angliae
‘Purple Dome’
Aster novi-belgii
New York Aster
Aster novae-angliae
‘Alma Potschke’
Aster dumosus
‘Woods Purple’
Asters
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Sunny site with rich, moist, well drained soil
Balanced fertilizer in spring and fall
Cutback growing tips once in late spring and
again 4 weeks later to encourage branching
Freely self-sows -Remove faded flowers
Divide in spring or fall every couple of years
Seeds do not produce to type – named
cultivars come from division
Campanula spp. = Harebells or
Bluebells
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300 varied species
Native to Carpathian Mountains of
Austria
Campanula is of Latin origin meaning
“little bell”
Provides color in middle to late summer
More impressive when massed
Excellent cut flowers
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Every year or two to control spread and
maintain vigor. Spring
Spreading root division. Replant outer growth
and discard the centers of older plants.
Campanula
Blue Bells
Campanula carpatica
‘white clips’
Campanula persifolia
Campanula carpatica
‘blue clips’
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Campanula spp.
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Sunny site, well drained soil, average fertility
Feed in spring with well rotted compost and
bone meal worked into soil then fertilize 2-3
times during growing season
Remove faded flowers to prolong flowering
Provide winter protection
Seeds germinate readily but may not
reproduce true
Divide in early spring or August
Centaurea spp. = Mtn. Bluet or
Bachelor Buttons
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~ 500 species
Native to Mediterranean region and
Near East
Greek – “centaur” means “famous for
healing”
Legend, the centaur Chiron used the
plant to heal his wounds
Centaurea spp.
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Full sun to light shade
Poor to average fertile soil that is moist and
well-drained
Rich soil – may become straggly
Thin new shoots to increase air circulation
Divide in spring or late summer every 2-3 years
Deadhead to prolong blooming and prevent
self-sowing – cut back to basal growth at end
of flowering for fall blossoms
Bottomless flower pot to prevent spread
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Every 2 to 3 years or as the plant becomes
crowded. Spring or early fall.
Spreading root division.
Centaurea spp.
Centaurea cyanus
Cornflower
Centaurea montana
Chrysanthemum spp. = ‘Mums’
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Diverse group – over 200 species of
annuals and perennials
Native to Persia
Name is derived from Greek chrysos
meaning “gold” and anthos meaning
“flower”
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Leucanthemum x superbum
Shasta Daisy
Now perennials have been botanically
reclassified into various genera
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Leucanthemum x superba = Shasta Daisy
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Tanacetum coccineum = Painted Daisy
L. Superbum
‘Gold Rush’
L. Superbum ‘Becky’
Tanacetum coccineum
Leucanthemum x superbum
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Full sun, tolerates partial shade
Moist, rich, well-drained soil, neutral pH
Heavy feeder, fertilize 3-4
3 4 times/growing
season
Keep well watered, mulch heavily
Divide in fall every 2-3 years
Protect from heaving in winter (in some
parts of the state.)
Painted Daisy
Tanacetum coccineum
‘Robinson’s Red Scarlet’’
Tanacetum coccineum
‘Robinson’s Mixture’’
Tanacetum coccineum
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Full sun, tolerating light shade for part of day
Rich, well-drained soil with lots of organic
matter
Avoid
d wet soill in winter
Heavy feeder, fertilize regularly
Cut back after flowering to encourage
rebloom
Divide late summer every 3-4 years
Protect from heaving during winter
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Every year or two. Spring.
Spreading root division.
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Coreopsis spp.
Coreopsis spp. = Tickseed
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< 100 species
Native to Africa, North and South
America
Greek – “coris” meaning “bug” and
“opsis” meaning “similar to” because
the seeds resemble certain insects
Petals have toothed tips
Tickseed
Coreopsis lanceolata
‘Sterntaler’
Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’
Coreopsis spp.
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Full sun
Average, light, well-drained soil
Overly fertile soil causes floppy growth
Deadhead daily to keep constant bloom
Shear plants by one-half in late spring
for compact growth
Blooms early to late summer
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Every 1 or 2 years to maintain vigor. Spring or
fall.
Spreading root division. Discard weak center.
Echinacea purpurea
Coneflower
Echinacea spp. = Coneflower
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Three species of perennial herbs closely
related to Rudbeckia
“Echinos”
Echinos meaning “hedgehog”
hedgehog
referring to the sharply pointed
receptacle bracts
Native to fields and open woods in
central United States
‘Magnus’
‘Sunrise’
‘After Midnight’
‘Pink Parasol’
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Echinacea spp.
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Thrives in sunny, windy sites
Tolerates light shade
Warm rich
Warm,
rich, loamy
loamy, soil that is well
drained in winter, wet soils lessen
winter hardiness
Balanced fertilizer in early spring
Divide every third spring
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Every 4 years. Spring or fall.
Spreading root division.
Bearded Iris
Iris spp.
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200 species of monocots native to Northern
Temperate region
Greek mythology – Iris was Juno’s messenger
who traveled the rainbow between heaven
and earth
Botanically divided into bulbous species and
rhizomatous species
12 Classes include: Tall Bearded, Dwarf
Bearded, Intermediate; Japanese; Siberian;
Bulbous; Beardless; and Crested
‘Beverly
y Sills’
‘Paul
Paul Black
Black’
‘Golden Panther’
‘Crowned Heads’
Bearded Iris
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Full sun promotes erect stalks
Average well drained soil, using lime if
too acid
Transplant rhizomes in July/August, 1
inch deep
Trim foliage back to 4-6 inches
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Every 3 to 4 years. After flowering up to
September.
Rhizome root division.
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Iris ensata
Japanese Iris
Japanese Iris
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Rich, acid soil that retains moisture
throughout growing season
Lime is fatal
Plant in spring or late summer, 1 inch
deep
Yellow foliage may result from planting
too deeply and/or insufficiently acid soil
Siberian Iris
Siberian Iris
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‘King of Kings’
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‘Silver Edge’
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Tolerant of poor soils
Does best in rich, moist, slightly acid
soil
Rhizomes are small, tough and fibrous
Plants vigorous and relatively pest free
‘Shall We Dance’
Oenothera spp. = Sundrops
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~ 80 species widely distributed throughout
Western Hemisphere
Greek “oinos” means wine, “thera” means taste”
Legend - roots of certain species induce a thirst
for wine
Young roots can be eaten, shoots used in salad
Infusion prepared from plant has astringent and
sedative properties
Oenothera spp.
Sun Drops
‘Glowing Magenta
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Oenothera spp.
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Phlox spp. = Phlox
Prefers full sun, tolerates light shade
Rich, deep, well-drained soil
Poor drainage in winter – will winter kill
Balanced fertilizer in spring
Remove flowers to prolong flowering
Light winter mulch in north
Phlox
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Phlox spp.
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‘Star Fire’
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‘Shortwood Pink’
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‘Laura’
~ 60 species of annual and perennial
herbs
Greek “phlego”
phlego means “flame”
flame
Native primarily to North America
One of North America’s finest native
plants
Full sun although bluish flowered forms deteriorate
under hot sun
Deep, well-drained, fertile soil with ample organic
matter
Super phosphate encourages deep rooting
Thin clumps when 4-6 inches high to encourage large
flower clusters
Cut off faded flowers to promote lateral branching
Divide every 4-5 years
‘David’
Rudbeckia spp.
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia spp. = Black-eyed Susan
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~ 25 species of herbs
Native to North America
Genus name honors Olof Rudbeck and
Son, Swedish botanists
An abundance on rangelands indicates
good health
R. nitida
R. fulgida
R. hirta
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Rudbeckia spp.
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Full sun, although tolerate light shade
Well drained soil, average fertility
Tolerate dry conditions
Balanced fertilizer each spring
Divide every three years
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Every 3 to 4 years. Early spring or fall.
Spreading root division.
Sedum
Stonecrop
Sedum spp. = Stonecrops
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600+ species of succulent, mostly hardy
perennial herbs
Native to China and Korea
Latin “sedo” means “to it”
“Stonecrop” refers to living on or
around rocks and stony ledges
Sedum kamchaticum
‘Frosty Morn’
‘Autumn Joy’
Sedum spp.
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Species differ in their requirements
Full sun, tolerate partial shade
Average fertility
fertility, very well drained and
neutral to alkaline soil
Divide in spring when needed
Prune back ‘Autumn Joy’ by one-half,
insert parts into soft soil
Low growers made good groundcovers
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For plant increase. Spring.
Clump divisions.
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Perennials for Shade
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Lambs-ear (Stachys byzantina)
Divide every 2 to 3 years. Spring or early fall.
Spreading divisions. Discard weak centers.
Dicentra
Dicentra spp. = Bleeding Heart
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Dicentra formosa
‘Luxuriant’
Bleeding Heart
~ 300 species
Native to North America and Asia
Greek dis means “two” and kentron
means “spur” because corolla is spurred
Bleeding Heart – shape of pink flower
with drop
‘Alba’
Dutchman’s Breeches
‘Candy Heart’
Dicentra spp.
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Partial shade or full sun. If full sun,
needs adequate moisture during
growing season
Rich, light, moist, well-drained soil
Mulch with organic material in spring
Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring
Divide in early spring. Sow seeds in
August and September
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Rarely needs division. Early spring.
Fleshy root division. Be gentle with brittle
roots.
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Geranium ‘Rozanne’
Geranium spp. = Cranesbill
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2008 Perennial Plant Association Plant of
the Year
Over 300 species of annual and
perennial herbs
Native to Turkestan
Turkestan, India and Tibet
Greek geranos meaning “crane” – the
beaked fruit’s resemblance of a crane’s
bill
Geranium spp.
Cranesbill
Geranium spp.
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G pratense
‘Midnight Reiter’
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‘Johnson’s Blue’
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G sanguineum
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Full sun, partial to light shade
Dislike hot weather
Average fertility with good drainage
Divide in spring
Shear after blooming for second set of
flowers
Cultivars will not seed true
Borders, shrub plantings, rock gardens
Hemerocallis spp. = Daylily
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Every 2 to 4 years. Spring or fall.
Spreading root division.
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15 species of clump forming, monocot
perennial herbs
Native to Central Europe, China and Japan
Greekk Hemera means “day”
“d ” and
d kallos
k ll means
“beauty”
Named by Linnaeus
Known since Chinese advocated eating petals
to ease pain
Integral part of Chinese diet
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Hemerocallis spp.
Daylily
Hemerocallis spp.
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Any light from full sun to full shade,
although fewer flowers in shade
Fertile moist
Fertile,
moist, well drained soil
Feed in spring and mid-summer for best
blooms
Divide every 2 to 3 years
Every color except blue and pure white
– although close
Hosta spp. = Hosta or Funkia
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40 species of monocot perennial herbs
Native to Japan
Named after Nicolaus Thomas Host
Host, a
19th century Austrian physician
Every 3 to 6 years or as desired to increase stock.
Spring, summer or fall. Ideal time is after bloom is
finished.
Divide fleshy roots into segments with roots. Divisions
with three or more shoots will bloom sooner.
Hosta
Hosta spp.
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‘Christmas Cookies’
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Light to partial shade but will grow in
full shade
Fertile,, moist,, well drained soil – mulch
will help
Division can be done every few years in
spring or summer
Look good planted by themselves and
in groupings
In groups vary leaf size and color
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Lamium spp. = Dead nettle
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Rarely need division and will reach their best form if not
divided too often. They can be divided as needed for
plant increase. Early spring or early fall.
Fleshy root division. Divide into clumps with one to three
eyes. A wedge can be taken from an established plant,
which will soon fill back in.
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40-50 flowering plants
Native to Europe, Asia and north Africa
Common name (dead nettle) comes
from slight resemblance to stinging
nettles
Frost hardy, grow in most soils
Lamium spp.
Dead Nettle
Monarda spp. = Bee Balm
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‘Ghost’
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‘White Nancy’
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‘Purple Dragon’
~ 12 species of annual and perennial
aromatic herbs
Native to North America and Mexico
Named
d for
f Nicolas
l Monardes,
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Spanish
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physician and botanist of the 16th century
“Oswego Tea” from John Bartram who
discovered that early settlers steeped leaves
to brew tea near Oswego, New York
Indians “O-gee-cheer” meaning “fiery flower”
‘Beacon Silver’
Mondarda didyma
Bee Balm
Monarda spp.
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‘Garden View Scarlet’
‘Pink Lace’
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Shaded, moist, well-drained site
Will grow in full sun if adequate
moisture
Apply balanced fertilizer regularly
Remove faded flowers to prolong
flowering
Divide in spring
Seeds will vary in flower color
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Every 3 years to control rampant growth.
Spring or fall.
Spreading root division.
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