Perennials Directory

ACANTHUS

mollis Greecian Pattern Plant Zones 7-10 Part shade to shade

Large glossy leaves add bold foliage to your garden with this mostly hardy perennial.  The large deeply cut leaves were the inspiration for the leaves of Corinthian capitals.  Huge flower spikes of purple and white stand above the leaves in summer.  May be cut back to the ground in cold winter areas but returns from the root.  Grows in a clump 3’ tall by 3’ wide.

‘Oakleaf’ - Similar to above but the large glossy leaves have deep divisions giving them the appearance of giant shiny oak leaves.  Spiky purple-white blooms in summer. 

ALCHIMILLIA Zones 3-8 Part shade

mollis- Lady’s Mantle - A small evergreen perennial with with greenish yellow flowers in profusion.   The cuplike leaves are grayish green and water beads up on them like quicksilver.  Grows about 12" tall and spreads18-24".

ASPIDISTRA Zones 7-10 Shade

elatior - Cast Iron Plant - Broad tropical foliage ‘twists’ its way up from the ground.  Evergreen leaves grow to 2’ tall or more, and add a lush texture to any landscape.  Excellent in dry spots and under difficult conditions.  Awards: Award of Garden Merit.

ATHYRIUM Zones 4-9 Part shade to shade

felix-femina - Lady Fern - A reliable hardy fern, and a good colonizer.  Needs constant moisture.  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.  Recommended by: OPSC, USNA.

nipponicum

‘Pictum’ - Japanese Painted Fern - This top notch hardy fern has silvery-grey margins on each of its fronds.  A good colonizer in good conditions.  Grows about 12" high and spreading.  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.  Recommended by: USNA.

BERGENIA Zones 5-9 Part shade

x schmidtii - We have tried numerous Bergenias over the years, and this is the only variety we have found that is suitable for the South.  Leaves are large and rounded and the flowers are a clear pink.  Grows about 12" tall and makes a 18-24" clump.

CHRYSANTHEMUM

pacificum - Silver & Gold Chrysanthemum Zones 5-8 Sun to light shade

The leaves on this spreading perennial are evenly edged with bright silver.  In late summer the small button sized flowers of bright gold appear.  Grows 1- 2’ tall and slowly spreads. 

COREOPSIS Zones 4-9 Sun

rosea - Pink flowers abound in the summer on this uncommon perennial.  Can grow in wetter conditions than most coreopsis.  Coreopsis long bloom season can be extended by removing spent flowers.

verticillata

‘Moonbeam’ - Pale yellow flowers are outstanding, and this plant blooms for a long time.  Foliage is soft and fern-like on this low growing spreading plant.  Awards: 1992 Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year.  Recommended by: OPSC, USNA. 

CROCOSMIA

‘Lucifer’ Recommended by: OPSC.

CYRTOMIUM

falcatum - Japanese Holly Fern - Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.

DRYOPTERIS

erthrosora - Autumn Fern - Zones 5-9 Part shade to shade

Select evergreen fern for the shade garden.  Glossy leaves shine for unequaled effect.  Grows about 18" tall.  Our favorite of all ferns.  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.  Recommended by: USNA

ECHINACEA - Cone Flower Zones 4-9 Sun

purperea - Purple Cone Flower - Native wild flower with unique purple colored flowers and a golden center.   Unrivaled summer bloomer performing in heat and drought.  Flowers are 3-4’ tall.  One of our all time favorite perennials.  Recommended by: OPSC, USNA. 

‘Alba’ - White flowered form of above.  All cone flowers make good cut flowers and are often used in dried flower arrangements.  White petals around a golden center are very striking.

FESTUCA - Fescue Zones 4-9 Sun

glauca - Blue Fescue - A nice clumping small grass with very blue foliage.   Good in a dry spot; deteriorates with too much moisture.  Grows 6-8" tall and spreads about 12".

HAKONECHLOA

macra Zones 6-9 Part shade

‘Aureola’ -Golden Hakonechloa - Distinguished variegated groundcover or edging.  Adds a tropical look.   Appears somewhat like a dwarf bamboo.  Grows about 12" tall and makes a 24" clump.  Awards: Award of Garden Merit.  Recommended by: USNA

HELLEBORUS - SEE GROUNDCOVERS

HEMEROCALLIS - Daylily Zones 3-9 Sun to part shade

Daylilies are a mainstay of the Spring-Summer garden.  They are among the most foolproof of all plants in every part of the country.  Each flower lasts a single day, but they are produced in great numbers over the grassy-like leaves.   Daylilies have been ubiquitously hybridized by amateur and professional gardeners.  In 1998 The American Hemerocallis Society listed 24,298 daylily cultivars in commerce.  

Daylily Terminology:

Heights listed are for flower scapes.  Leaves are typically 6-12" shorter. 
Extended blooms stay open after sunset (typical flowers close at dark).
Nocturnal blooms open at dusk or in the dark, rather than at daybreak. 
Reblooming types produce more than one flush of bloom in the season.
Spider flowers have a 5:0 or greater ratio of petal length to width.   Spider variants are 4:1 or greater ratio (to 5.0). 
Evergreen or semievergreen leaves are only so in warm areas, primarily Zone 7 and higher.
The Stout Silver Medal is given annually by the The American Hemerocallis Society to a single outstanding daylily. 

fulva - Tawny Daylily This is the orange flowered species that has naturalized itself along roadways and ditches across America.  24 -30" tall or more.  Recommended by: OPSC, USNA

‘Kwanso Flore Pleno’ - Few modern hybrids are any more beautiful than this double-flowered form of the above.  Naturalizes just as easily, but blooms later. 

Garden Hybrids:

‘Bertie Ferris’ – Early season ruffled, persimmon-orange flowers stand 20" tall.  Extended bloom.   Introduced in 1969 and awarded the Stout Silver Medal in 1980.  Recommended by: USNA

‘Bold Rankin’ –The large 7" flowers are cream and yellow blended with pink.  The blooms appear in mid-season, and stand nearly 3’ tall. 

‘Brave World’ - The 27" tall flowers are rose red with a tangerine throat.  Mid-season.  Reblooming. 

‘Cartwheels’ – Deep yellow petals compose the exquiste flowers in mid to late mid season.  24" tall.   Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS, Stout Silver Medal in 1966. 

‘Chicago Knobby’ – Lacy flowers are a purple bitone, darker at the center with a green throat.  Early to mid-season blooms are 22" tall.

‘Chicago Sunrise’ – The flower has medium orange petals with distinct lighter streaks down the center, and a green throat.  28" tall flowers bloom in mid-season and foliage is evergreen. 

‘Fairy Tale Pink’ – Distinct ruffled flower form.  24" tall blooms are pink with green throats.  A reblooming type with semi-evergreen foliage.  Mid-season.  Stout Silver Medal winner in 1990. 

‘Frances Fay’ – This 1964 Stout Silver Medal winner has reblooming melon colored flowers.  24" tall extend blooming variety.

‘Gary Russell’ – Chartreuse spider variant flowers have a green throat.  They stand 42" tall and rebloom over evergreen leaves in early mid-season.

‘Golden Spice’ – Golden orange flowers in mid season stand 30" tall. 

‘Haymaker’ – Deep red petals surround a yellow throat on these 30" tall mid-season flowers. 

‘Hearts Afire’ – This large grower can have 3’ tall blooms with intense red flowers in mid-season. 

‘Ice Carnival’ – Ice Carnival has nearly white petals with a green throat.  A reblooming variety with very fragrant flowers.  28" tall flowers appear in mid-season. 

‘Irish Linen’– Flower petals are nearly white with a yellow-green halo.   The throat is green.  It reblooms, is fragrant, has extended blooms, and semi-evergreen foliage.  26" tall flowers in early to mid season. 

‘Jake Russell’–

‘Jubilee Pink’ – With its deep pink flowers and a large green throat Jubilee Pink will be a standout in your garden.  28" flowers over semi-evergreen leaves.  Mid to late season.

‘Kerry’ – Kerry has a ruffled yellow star shaped flower with a green throat.  24" tall.  

‘Little Business’ – This is a darf grower with excellent red flowers surrounding a yellow throat.  18" tall.

‘Love That Pink’ - 26" tall pink flowers in early to mid-season.

‘Mary Todd’ – An award winner with buff yellow flowers that are heavily ruffled, giving it a concentrated texture.  Awards: Stout Silver Medal 1978.  Recommended by: USNA

‘Meadow Sprite’ – Lilac-rose flowers with a lavender eye zone on 12" stems.  Flowers are smaller than average (about 3 ½"), rebloom, and foliage is evergreen.  Unusual color always draws comments.  Mid-season

‘Memphis Belle’ – An early bloomer with clear coral petals.  Named for the famous World War II B-17 airplane. 

‘Molten Magma’ – A deep orange flower with a bright gold throat.   24" tall.

‘Mountain Violet’ - Flowers are violet-purple with purple bands.  24" tall flowers rebloom.  Mid-season.  Evergreen leaves.  

‘Persian Plum’ – A ruffled mauve-plum flower with a lime-gold throat.   Early season, reblooming, variety with semi-evergreen leaves.  30" tall.  

‘Prarie Sunset’ - Flowers are butter yellow with a pink blend at the margins.  The blooms are 30" tall in early mid-season.  Leaves are semi-evergreen.

‘Purple Majesty’ - An extended blooming variety with 30" tall purple flowers with a green throat.  Evergeeen.

‘Quinn Buck’ - Large 7" flowers stand 26" tall in mid-season.   They are lavender with a green throat.

‘Red Rogue’ – A very bright red flower with a small gold throat.   Semievergreen foliage, with 24" flowers in mid to late season.

‘Ruffled Apricot’ – Extra large 7" flowers are ruffled and colored a bright apricot with a lavender-pink margin, and a golden-apricot throat.  Extended blooming flowers on 28" stalks in early mid-season.   Fragrant.  Stout Silver Medal in 1982.  Recommended by: USNA

‘Sea Gold’ – Flowers are an amber-peach blend with an orange throat.  22" tall.   Mid to late season. 

‘Silver King’ - 34" tall reblooming flowers are a light yellow with a green throat.  Early mid-season.

‘Skiatook Cardinal’ - Red flower with a darker eye zone and a green throat.   28" tall.  Mid-season.

‘Stella d’ Oro’ – Gold flowers with a very small green throat are fragrant and offer extended blooms.  Only 11" tall in early to mid season.  The most praised and publicized daylily ever.  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS, Stout Silver Medal 1985.  Recommended by: OPSC, USNA.

‘Tiffany Gold’ - Fragrant pink-gold petals around a gold throat on 24" tall stalks in early mid-season.

‘Tootsie Rose’ – Small flowers are pink with a raspberry eye zone.   13" tall in early mid-season. 

‘Torch Song’ - A very bright red flower with a yellow-green throat.   A mid to late season bloomer.

‘Whir of Lace’ This daylily has bright yellow petals with a sparkling green throat.  36" tall flowers in mid tolate season.

‘White Temptation’ - Flowers are near white with a green throat.  32" tall.  Nocturnal.   Mid-season.  Semi-evergreen. 

‘Wild Capers’ - The beautiful ruffled rose-pink flowers have a rose-red halo and a yellow-green throat.  27" tall early mid-season.

HESPERALOE Zones 7-10 Sun to part shade

parvifolia- Red Yucca

HEUCHERA - Coral Bells Zones 4-9 Sun to part shade

Garden Hybrids:

‘Cappuccino’ -

‘Cathederal Windows’ - As its name implies, the leaves of Cathedral Windows are suggestive of the stained glass windows seen in churches.  Black veins outline the soft purple leaves, and a silvery gloss adds to the effect.  Mostly evergreen in warm winter areas, and long blooming reddish flowers are excellent for cutting.

‘Chocolate Veil’ - This is a nice improvement on ‘Palace Purple Coral Bells.  The Purple leaves have a dark chocolate to nearly black color.  Leaves grow larger than typical once established.  An excellent plant for combining with bright colored foliage plants.  Blooms are tall spikes of pink bell shaped flowers.  One of the best recent introductions in this family.  Grows about 12" tall and wide.

‘Palace Purple’ -Grown mainly for its beet red mostly evergreen leaves, but it also has airy white flowers in summer.  Awards: Award of Garden Merit.  Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year.

‘Persian Carpet’ -

‘Silver Scrolls’ -

x HEUCHERELLA - Foamy Bells Zones 4-9 Sun to part shade

‘Viking Ship’ - Heucherellas are bigeneric hybrids between Heuchera and Tiarella.  Viking Ship may well be the best of the many new introductions in this exciting group of plants.  18" tall pink flower spikes are sterile and bloom profusely and repeatedly from summer to fall.  The lush foliage is maple-like and covered in a silvery sheen.   Very hardy and disease resistant these make ideal companions to other shade lovers like hostas and ferns.

HOSTA Zones 3-9 Part shade to shade

Garden Hybrids:

‘Antioch’ - A clear white edge on a narrow leaf, and late blooming lavender flowers mark this outstanding hosta.  Grows to 30"x36".

‘August Moon’ -

‘Elegans’ - (syn.  sieboldiana var.  elegans) - Puckered fleshy blue leaves and lilac-white flowers grace this old standard.   In our minds it is unsurpassed by the numerous new hybrids that continue to appear.  About 30" tall and spreading 48".  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.

‘Fragrant Bouquet’ – A strong grower that will fill your garden with its sweet scent.  Large wavy chartreuse leaves are edged with a cream to light yellow margin.  Large open flowers are light lavender and appear atop 3 foot tall scapes.  Grows to 30"x36".  Awards: 1998 American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year.

‘Francee’ – Among the best white edged hostas Francee offers superb color contrast.  Lavender flowers.   About 24" tall and spreading 48".   Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS, Eunice Fisher Award from the American Hosta Society. 

‘Francis Williams’ – Blue leaves with a yellow edge.  Awards: Alex J.  Summers Distinguished Merit Award.  Can grow about 30" and spread 48".  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.  Recommended by: OPSC, USNA.

‘Ginko Craig’ – Small in all it’s parts, Ginkgo Craig has small leaves with a crisp white edge.  Grows 12" tall and spreads about 12".

‘Gold Drop’ – Gold Drop Hosta is nice small leaved hosta with light golden color and lavender flowers in late summer.  Grows 12" tall and spreads 12".

‘Gold Edger’ – Neat round leaves hold a golden color.  As the name suggests, this is perfect for edging borders and makes an excellent groundcover.  Grows 12" tall and spreads about 12".

‘Gold Standard’ – Leaves are edged with dark green margins, while the center of the leaves are yellow-green in spring, turning to an intense gold by summer.  Dappled shade or morning sun helps to bring out the most intense color.  Pale lavender flowers appear in summer.  A large grower eventually reaching 30" high by 36’ wide.  Awards: American Hosta Society Eunice Fisher Award.  Minnesota Gold Award. 

‘Golden Prayers’ – Puckered golden yellow leaves show color well even in shade.  Smaller grower eventually making a clump 1’ high by 2’ wide, with lavender flowers on 18" stalks.  Grows 12" tall and spreads 24". 

‘Honeybells’ – Honeybells has large light green leaves, and late in the summer white flowers fill the garden with their fragrance.  Grows 18" tall and spreads 18".  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.

‘Krossa Regal’ – Frosty blue leaves form a tall vase shaped plant.   Exceptionally tall lavender flowers.  30"x24".  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS, Eunice Fisher Award from the American Hosta Society.  Recommended by: OPSC

‘Lemon Lime’ – Yellowish green new leaves over darker green older leaves give a two-toned effect to this small growing hosta lily.  Grows 18" tall and spreads about 18".

‘Royal Standard’ – A quick growing large plant with pale green leaves and tall, scented white flowers in the late summer.  Grows to 30"x36".  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.

HYLOTELEPHIUM – See SEDUM

IRIS Zones 5-10 Sun to part shade

ensata

‘Variegata’ - Variegated Japanese Water Iris - The tall sword-like leaves grow about 18" tall, and are green edged in white.  The flowers are bluish-purple in mid-summer.  Likes plenty of moisture and some shade for best results.  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS. 

pallida

‘Argentea Variegata’ - White Edged Dalmatian Iris -

Handsome sword-like leaves are edged in white and always look bright, especially when the blue-purple flowers are in bloom.  Will grow about 18" tall and spreads similarly

LIATRIS - Blazing Stars Zones 4-9 Sun to part shade

spicata

‘Kobold’ - A compact perennial with dark purple wands in mid summer.   Tops for cut flowers and attracting butterflies.  Makes a clump about 18" tall.  Recommended by: USNA.

ONOCLEA

sensibiles - Sensitive Fern - Zones 4-8 Part shade to shade

Very fast growing fern for a difficult site.  Can grow in conditions where other ferns would fail.  Aggressive habit might even make this a good choice for large groundcover about 12" tall.  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.

OSMUNDA Zones 3-10 Part shade to shade

cinnamomea - Cinnamon Fern - Emerging fronds are cinnamon brown, thus the common name.  24" tall and wide in time.  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.

regalis - Royal Fern - Extremely handsome and distingushed fern that deserves it common name.  Long fronds are light green and leaf segments have smooth edges and are reminiscent of an ash tree.  Likes moist shady soil and can even be grown in wet soil.  Slow growing to 3-4’ tall.  Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.

PENSTEMON

digitalis Zones 3-8 Sun to part shade

‘Husker Red’ - The leaves are as valuable as the flowers.  These bright red leaves show off the 2 to 3" white summer flowers perfectly.  Grows to 30" tall and wide.  Awards: 1996 Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.

POLYGONATUM - Solomon’s Seal - Zones 4-9 Sun to shade

biflorum - White flowers hang beneath arching stems.  Grows 4-5’ tall in good conditions.

odoratum

var.  thunbergii ‘Variegatum’ - One of our favorite variegated plants.  Foliage looks so perfect it could be fake.  Splendid for shady spots.  Grows about 24" tall and wide.

POLYSTICHUM

acrostichoides - Christmas Fern - Zones 3-9 Part shade to shade

This hardy native evergreen fern looks similar to the the house plant, Boston Fern.  Cut green leaves are traditionally used in holiday decorations.  24" tall and wide.  Recommended by: USNA.

setiferum - This Awards: Award of Garden Merit.

PTERETIS

nodulosa - Ostrich Fern Zones 3-8 Part shade to shade

Ostrich fern is very tall, eventually reaching 4-5’ under good conditions.  Tall fronds are feathery with yellow-green color and graceful arching habit.

RUDBECKIA

fulgida Zones 4-9 Sun

var.  sulivantii ‘Goldstrum’ - Black Eyed Susan/Yellow Cone Flower -

Among our favorite golden flowered perennials.  A superior strain with small height (24-30") and rapid growth.  Recommended by: OPSC, USNA. 

SEDUM

Recent botanical name changes have reclassified many plants formerly known as Sedum into the genera Hylotelephium.   To avoid confusion we are listing these two genra together, but by their current accepted names.

Hylotelephium varieties: Zones 3-10 Sun to light shade

x ‘Autumn Joy’ - (syn.  ‘Herbstreude’) For late summer, fall, and winter few plants are more effective than ‘Autumn Joy’.  24" tall and spreading 24".  Awards: Award of Garden Merit.  Recommended by: OPSC, USNA. 

x Brilliant’ - Flat clusters of pink flowers late in the year.  24" tall and spreading 24".  Awards: Award of Garden Merit. 

x ‘Frosty Morn’ - From Japan comes the latest thing in upright sedums.  A wide white border edges each leaf, and the late summer flowers are white to pinkish.  24" tall and spreading 24".

x ‘Matrona’ -

x ‘Vera Jameison’ - An excellent plant for dry sunny spots with purple leaves and pink flowers on a sprawling succulent.  6-8" tall and spreading 12-18".  Awards: Award of Garden Merit.

kamtschaticum Zones 5-10 Sun to light shade

Awards: Award of Garden Merit.

‘Variegatum’ - Same as above but leaves hold a creamy white edge.  6" tall spreading12".  Awards: Award of Garden Merit.

lineare Zones 4-10 Sun to light shade

Easy, fast growing, succulent groundcover with yellow flowers in spring.  Spreads rapidly but easy to restrain.  Takes hot dry conditions.  2" tall and spreading 12". 

‘Variegatum’ - Grows as a low mat with the leaves evenly edged in white.   The effect is a mat of sparkling stars.   Yellow flowers.  2" tall and spreading 12".

pallidum Zones 7-10 Sun to light shade

var.  bithynicum - Low light green groundcover spreads perfectly flat over the contours of the ground.  1" x 12".  

reflexum Zones 4-10 Sun to light shade

Gray succulent groundcover, yellow flowers.  4" x 12". 

spurium Zones Sun to part shade

‘Tricolor’ -

‘Yellow Carpet’ -

ternatum Zones 6-10 Sun to part shade

Tiny succulent rosettes cover the ground quickly.  One of the most tolerent of shade and water.  4" x 12".

STOKESIA Zones 5-8 Sun to part shade

laevis -Stokes Aster - Evergreen leaves and blue flowers make this a favorite perennials.  Grows 12" tall and spreads 24".  Perfect for edging, filler, and groundcover.

TETRAPANAX

papyriferus - Rice-Paper Plant - Zones 7-9 Part shade

Huge fatsia-like leaves on this mostly hardy perennial offer outstanding contrast with other plants.  Grows 3’ to 4’ tall and can spread to form large colonies in good conditions. 

TEUCRIUM - Germander

chamaedrys - Wall germander - Zones 5-9 Sun to light shade

This is a small evergreen sub-shrub that is excellent for small hedges, as an edger, or for use in a knot garden.  Grows to 12"-18" in ten years.  Reddish-purple flowers appear in the late summer.  Recommended by: USNA.

TIARELLA - Foam Flower Zones 3-8 Sun to shade

cordifolia - Heart shaped foliage on steadily spreading plants.  White flowers on wiry stems in late spring.  Takes shade.

‘Running Tapestry’ -

‘Black Velvet’ - The leaves of Black Velvet are deeply cut and velvety with a dark black center running through its veins.  Foam Flowers are shade garden favorites, but they are often slow to get established and spread.  Black Velvet shows extreme hybrid vigor and may grow twice as fast the species.

‘Mint Chocolate’ -

‘Winter Glow’ -

TRICYRTRIS - Toad Lily Zones 4-9 Part shade to shade

hirta - Fall blooming perennial for shade.  Flowers are white speckled with purple.  Orchid-like flowers show up best if seen up close.  About 24" tall and spreading similarly

VERONICA - Speedwell Zones 4-9 Sun to part shade

‘Sunny Border Blue’- Sturdy 18-20" stems are studded with violet-blue spikes throughout the summer.  Awards: 1993 Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.  About 24" tall and spreading 18".  Recommended by: OPSC, USNA. 

HOME       CURRENT AVAILABILITY      PLANT DIRECTORY     
THE FINE PRINT      EVERYTHING ELSE

Abbreviations       About Our Plants        All about Japanese Maples        Bibliography        Cold Hardiness Zone Map       Guarantees      
How to Grow Fantastic Plants       How to Use the Plant Directory        Shipping    

Send mail to fanplant@AOL.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2001 Fantastic Plants