Spring Plants (A-C)

Yarrow 

Achillea millefolium

Fragrant, ferny foliage complements attractive flowers in a mix of rich colors.  Ideal for butterfly gardens and beautiful in both formal and informal settings.  Tolerant of dry, poor soil.

plant in full sun / blooms in early to late summer

Hyssops

Agastache

Dense, vibrant spikes of tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden.  Delightful plant is ideal near walkways or windows or as an addition to containers. 

plant in full sun / blooms in summer

Floss Flower

Ageratum houstonianum

This ever-popular annual bears vibrant flower clusters that attract butterflies.  A colorful addition to flower gardens, deck or patio containers, or window boxes and baskets.

plant in full sun / blooms in late spring to late fall

Bugleweed

Ajuga reptans

Beautiful flower spikes attract hummingbirds to the garden.  Vigorous, spreading plants make a superb ground cover for difficult situations, such as rock gardens, dry shade or on slopes.

plant in sun or shade / blooms in spring

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera

Known for its healing properties, the gel-like substance from these leaves is used for everything from skin conditioners to hair rinses.  Individual leaves may be used as needed.

plant in full to partial sun

Joseph's Coat

Alternanthera

Colorful foliage in various patterns creates a striking contrast when combined with blooming plants.  Lovely in bog gardens, at water's edge or in shallow water.  Prefers moist soil, but is adaptable.

plant in full to partial sun / blooms in early to late summer

Alyssum

Lobularia maritima

Low-growing carpet teems with the tiniest of flowers!  A versatile annual equally effective spilling over the rims of containers, filling in cracks between flagstones or blanketing garden's edge.

plant in full to partial sun / blooms in spring to midfall.

Angelonia

Angelonia angustifolia

Flowers are three times bigger than other varieties with vibrant colors and lush, dark green foliage.  Makes a wonderful cut flower or use in combinations or containers.

plant in full sun / blooms in early to late summer

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Vibrant flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.  This native plant adapts well to poor, dry soil and is ideal in meadow gardens or natural areas.  Good as a cut flower.

plant in full sun / blooms in summer

Silver Brocade

Artemisia stelleriana

Outstanding plant for the rock garden or at garden's edge.  Use for striking contrast with vibrant colors or as a cool complement to blues and pinks.  Tolerant of poor, dry soil.

plant in full sun / blooms in early summer

False Spirea

Astilbe arendsii

Stunning flower plumes complement rich green foliage.  Striking in the shaded or woodland garden, at garden's edge or as a small-scale ground cover.  A good cut flower, fresh or dried.

plant in partial sun / blooms in spring -  summer

Waterhyssop

Sutera

Cascading sprays of tiny flowers cover mounded plants.  Outstanding as an airy filler in combination plantings or mixed containers and wonderful in hanging baskets or as a small-scale ground cover.

plant sun or partial shade / blooms in early summer to early fall

Banana Plant

Musa

Add tropical flair to the perennial garden!  With plenty of space, ample sunshine and rich, well-drained soil, you can enjoy the beauty of exotic banana trees in your yard in your area's growing season year after year.

plant in partial sun to shade / blooms in summer

Dragon Wing

Begonia hybrid

Easy to grow!  Versatile!  Loves hot and cool!  Beautiful foliage full of rich red or pink blooms that flower all summer long. Plant in baskets, containers and beds for long-lasting color.

plant in sun or shade / blooms in spring to fall

Bronze-Leaf Wax

Begonia semperflorens

Vibrant blooms cover the bronze foliage of this tender perennial.  Superb heat tolerance!  Perfect for combo pots and containers, also makes a bold display when planted in large groups.

plant in sun or partial sun / blooms in early to late summer

Green-Leaf Wax

Begonia semperflorens

Vibrant blooms cover the bright foliage of this tender perennial.  Perfect for combo pots and containers, also makes a bold display when planted in large groups.

plant in sun or partial sun / blooms in early to late summer

Hawaiian Blue Eyes

Evolvulus glomeratus

Lovely soft foliage and resplendent flowers cascade gently over hanging baskets, window boxes or stone walls.  Prefers wll-drained soil. 

plant in sun or partial shade / blooms in late spring to early fall

Million Bells

Calibrachoa

Famous for its tiny, petunia-like flowers and mounded, trailing habit.  Ideal in baskets or mixed containers where it can be allowed to spill over the container edge.

plant in partial to full sun / blooms in early to late summer

Dwarf, Medium, Tall and Giant varieties

Canna

Striking flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.  Beautiful plants complement bold, colorful foliage.  Lovely at water's edge and a wonderful contrast to fine-textured water plants.

plant in full sun / blooms in early to late summer

Catmint

Nepeta faassenii

Beautiful flowers complement fragrant silver leaves and attract butterflies.  Lovely in the herb garden or flower garden, as a small-scale ground cover or planted among rosebushes.

plant in partial sun / blooms in summer to fall

Hot Topic / Kimono Varieties

Celosia cristata / Celosia plumosa

Colorful cockscomb-type flowers or feathery plumes rise above dwarf plants.  Wonderful contrast of color and texture between bold foliage and bright flowers.

plant in full or partial sun / blooms in early to late summer

Mosquito Plant

Citronella

A scented leaf geranium with foliage that exudes a fresh lemony fragrance that repels mosquitoes.  Lovely in decorative containers or planted in the garden.

plant in partial sun to shade / blooms in midspring to fall

Shade Coleus

Solenostemon scutellarioides

Foliage so colorful and interesting there's no need for flowers!  Plant alone in the garden or in decorative containers for spectacular color contrast.

plant in partial sun to shade

Sun Coleus

Solenostemon scutellarioides

Beautiful, vibrantly colored foliage plants with leaves that may be solid-colored, bicolored or patterned.  Plants grow to be shrublike if given proper care and are great for mass planting and containers.

plant in full sun

Trailing Coleus

Solenostemon scutellarioides

A beautiful foliage plant that produces richly colored leaves perfect when used in contrast or in harmony with other plants.  Outstanding in hanging baskets or containers.

plant in partial sun

Purple Wintercreeper

Euonymus fortunei

Deep green summer foliage becomes an attractive purple shade in winter.  Excellent for making a graceful transition between gardens and natural areas of the landscape.

plant in partial sun or shade

Tickseed

Coreopsis hybrid

These abundantly blooming plants produce daisy-like flowers that attract butterflies and songbirds.  Native prairie-types may be tall; cultivated varieties may be more compact. 

plant in full sun / blooms in late spring to early fall