Spring Plants (D-K)

Ice Plant

Delosperma cooperi

Vibrant flowers make an impressive display against succulent, gray-green foliage.  An exceptional plant for dry, poor soils, it can be used as ground cover, in the rock garden, or as an edging in the perennial garden.  Spreads quickly.

plant in full sun / blooms in early to late summer

Larkspur

Delphinium grandiflorum

Dramatic flowers, excellent cut or beautiful at the back or center of the garden.  Especially attractive with foxglove, tall bearded iris and peony.  Fertilize well and stake if desired.

plant in partial sun / blooms in early to midsummer

Mixed Patio Pot

A seasonal mixture of geraniums, spikes, fern and vinca vine.  Excellent on front porches, sidewalks or patio displays.  Adds a burst of color and a beautiful variety of foliage to any area.

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

Mixed Hanging Basket

A delightful mixture of blooming annuals and foliage.  Display on front porches or at entries for a dramatic burst of color in a variety of heights with trailing blooms of differing lengths.

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

Carnation

Dianthus hybrid

Vibrant flowers are delicately fringed and often have contrasting centers or patterns.  Strong stems make this an ideal cut flower.  Short-lived; may reseed.

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

Twinspur

Diascia barberae 

 With delicate, prolific blooms reminiscent of open-face snapdragon  flowers, diascia is a colorful option for early spring containers,  hanging baskets, or garden beds. Most often diascia is used as a  cool-season annual, but in a warm climate, it can be grown as a  perennial.  

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

Bleeding Heart

Dicentra spectabilis

Striking flowers attract hummingbirds to the garden and are excellent cut.  Plant in cool, moist sites to prevent summer dormancy, or combine with hosta or ferns during hot, dry seasons.

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

Silver Falls

Dichondra

Vigorous, fan-shaped, silvery leaves make an outstanding foliage accent in the garden.  Cascading growth looks stunning spilling over the edge of a container or stone wall, or when used as ground cover.  Very heat and drought tolerant.

plant in full sun

Galactophora crassifolia 

Dipladenia is in the Mandevilla family but has a decidedly different growth pattern.  Mandevilla vines climb up vertical structures to seek the canopy light.  Dipladenia is a bushier plant whose stems grow down and hang.

plant in full sun to part shade

Spikes

Dracaena indivisa 

This favorite accent plant features long, sword-shaped leaves that provide interesting contrast in combination planters and gardens.  Combine with flowering bedding plants for a dramatic display on patios,  porches or decks. 

plant in sun

Silver Dust

Senecio cineraria

Wonderful for providing color contrast to the landscape.  Intricate, silvery leaves are finely textured.  Striking planted with red flowers, in large groups or added to combination pots.

plant in sun or partial sun

Colocasia

Colocasia esculanta

Bold foliage adds tropical flair to the water garden.  Individual leaves can reach up to  3 feet in length!  In winter, bring inside to grow as a houseplant or dig bulb before frost.

plant in sun or partial shade

Wallflower

Erysimum linifolium 

Erysistible is the first Zone 5 hardy Erysimum available in novelty colors. Its medium-vigor controlled habit works  well across all key container sizes. This first-year flowering perennial  is ideal for early spring programs and works well in landscape settings  and combinations. 

plant in full or partial sun / blooms in early spring to fall

Spurge

Euphorbia

Euphorbias cover a wide range of sizes and zones.  Great for fillers in both gardens and containers, they provide great ornamental interest with the added bonus of heat tolerance.

plant in full or partial sun / blooms in early spring to fall

Ferns

Ferns are a wonderful addition to the shade garden, with a variety of unique textures, from soft and deeply cut to bold and lance-shaped.  Available in sizes perfect for low edgings, taller backgrounds or filler.

plant in partial sun to shade

Foliage and Ivies

Attractive plants available in all sizes, shapes and colors.  Wonderful for indoor and outdoor decorating with a single plant, or with an arrangement of plants.  Prefers moderate temperatures inside and outdoors.

plant in partial sun

Blanket Flower

Gaillardia x grandiflora

Vivid color for perennial or butterfly gardens.  Beautiful in summer bouquet or planted with delphinum, pincushion flower and blue salvia.  Trim attractive seed heads periodically to make room for new flowers.  Tolerant of dry, poor soil.

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

Indian Feather

Guara lindheimeri

Delicate flowers bloom over a long season.  A graceful filler that is wonderful in containers, and makes a nice accent in gardens or bouquets.  Tolerates drought, heat and humidity.  Prefers well-drained soil.  Avoid wet soil in winter.

plant in full sun / blooms in summer

Treasure Flower

Gazania rigens 

The plant habit is compact, but the flower power is anything but. It  loves the heat and dry, well-drained locations. Can be used in rock  gardens or on borders around driveways and sidewalks. Works well in  baskets, containers, as ground cover, or as an accent plant in any sunny  spot in need of color. Butterflies will flock to their large, bright  blooms. 

plant in full sun / blooms in spring to late summer

Ivy Leaf

Pelargonium peltatum

Large clusters of beautiful flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.  Cascading form is idea for hanging baskets, containers or as a trailing plant for garden's edge.

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

Seed / Zonal

Pelargonium hybrid

Large flower clusters in varying shades put on a fabulous display in gardens, baskets or containers.  Groom plants by removing spent flowers and leaves.  Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer to ensure a fantastic show of blooms.

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

Transvaal Daisy

Gerbera

Brilliant daisies in a lovely assortment of colors.  Long-lasting as a cut flower and lovely planted in containers or at garden's edge.  Often available in winter as a flowering indoor plant; set outdoors in summer.  Where hardy, plants bloom in winter.  Place in a sunny location.

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

Golden Shrimp Plant, Lollipop Plant

Pachystachys lutea 

 Pure white 2" long tubular flowers emerge from between the spikes of  golden yellow, long lasting, showy bracts nearly throughout the year  where kept from cool temperatures. The Golden Shrimp Plant, is an easy to enjoy and popular shade loving naturally evergreen  tropical that slowly builds into a shrubby perennial with large dark  green foliage. 

plant in part sun to part shade/ blooms spring to fall, possibly year around

Globe Amaranth

Gomphrena globosa

Colorful, papery flower heads from summer to frost are a butterfly magnet.  This compact variety typically grows 12 to 24 inches tall on upright branching stems, great for garden or container plantings.  An excellent and long-lasting cut flower; dried blooms will retain their color.

plant in full sun / blooms in early to late summer

Rosemallows

Hibiscus

Eye-catching flowers make a dramatic and impressive statement in the garden.  Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, and is excellent in mixed perennial or shrub plantings.

plant in full sun / blooms in mid-summer to early fall

Cuphea hyssopifolia

Delicate flowers complement tiny leaves and are perfect for adding lacy texture and soft color to containers or garden's edge.  A long-lasting addition to fresh flower arrangements.  Makes a good houseplant where not winter hardy.

plant in full to partial sun / blooms in early summer to fall.

Sneezeweed

Helenium amarum 

 Vigorous and tough, North American native Helenium thrives in hot or cool weather, humidity and drought, bearing a bonanza of golden, Daisy-like flowers on its neat 1' mound of finely textured foliage.  

plant in full to partial sun / blooms in summer to fall

False Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides

Heliopsis have traditionally been an excellent tall perennial for the  middle or back of the flower border. It has a bushy, well-branched form  and glossy, deep green, triangular leaves – a real workhorse in the garden! Use this plant in combination containers, as a cut flower, or to attract butterflies to your garden.  

plant in full to partial sun / blooms in summer 

Daylily

Hemerocallis

Stunning flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden and are lovely in bouquets. Ideal for nearly any landscape situation: mixed shrub or perennial plantings, or mass displays. Dry conditions or too much shade may inhibit flowering. 

plant in full to partial sun / blooms in summer to fall

Coral Bells

Heuchera

Hummingbirds love these dainty, long-blooming flowers.  Striking variety of foliage colors offer a nice display for perennial or rock gardens, along walkways or cut for long-lasting bouquets.  Mulch lightly in winter to protect shallow roots.

plant in sun or shade / blooms in late spring to early summer

Plantain Lily

Hosta hybrid

Perfect for the shaded garden!  An outstanding foliage plant, excellent as an edging or specimen in perennial gardens or mixed plantings.  White or lavender lilylike flowers.

plant in partial sun / blooms in early to late summer

Polka Dot Plant

Hypoestes

The dark green leaves of this colorful foliage plant are boldly splashed with shades of pink, red or white.  Makes a great addition to mixed plantings, containers or hanging baskets.

plant full or partial sun 

Candytuft

Iberis sempervirens

Profuse flowers attract butterflies to the garden.  Striking as a ground cover, low hedge, topiary or in mixed containers.  Vigorous spreading where hardy.

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

Busy Lizzie

Impatiens walleriana

Abundant flowers contrast beautifully with the rich green foliage.  Highlights the shaded garden and is lovely in mixed containers, hanging baskets, or where a splash of color is desired.

plant in full or partial shade / blooms in spring to midfall

Chicken Gizzard

Iresine herbstii

Striking variegated leaves make a novel accent for mixed containers.  Highlight the colorful foliage and stems by planting with bright flowers.  Ideal for garden's edge or hanging baskets.

plant in sun or partial shade / blooms in late summer

Crytomium falcatum

Popular for its hardiness and handsome foliage, this fern makes an  excellent groundcover or border edging in shaded locations. The stiff,  glossy, dark green fronds of holly-like leaflets with coarsely fringed  margins add excellent texture to container plantings. Evergreen in mild  winter regions. 

plant in full to part shade 

Mexican Petunia

Ruellia brittoniana

Beautiful, rich green foliage gives rise to pretty petunia-like flowers.  A fabulous addition to gardens and water sites, adapting well to both moist and dry soil conditions.

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