Perennial plants is an extremely broad topic which could include any variety of plant material that has the ability to return and thrive from year to year.
As you know this could include shrubs, conifers, shade and flowering trees along with colorful perennials featuring both ornamental foliage and flowers.
We will limit our discussion of perennial plants to the latter and will provide you with information regarding a few of our favorite varieties.
Hosta – Funkia
Performs very well in the shade.
Selections available maturing at only a few inches in height to over two feet.
Foliage colors range from blue, various shades of green, yellow and outstanding variegations.
Blossom colors in white, lavender and light purple.
Easy to grow and after a few years can be divided.
Hibiscus – Mallow, Rose Mallow
Dependable performer in full sun.
Mature heights from twenty inches to as much as eight feet.
Great at attracting hummingbirds.
Several varieties featuring huge flowers.
Decent range of flower colors such as: Red, white, pink, oxblood red, rosy red, maroon, crimson and dark rose.
Aquilegia – Columbine
Excellent in full sun to semi-shade. We have found even in the upper Sunbelt region that columbine tends to thrive with increased vigor when grown in semi to almost full shade. A hot and sunny location in our region produces a smaller plant and flowers.
Good assortment of floral colors as follows: Deep blue, pink, purple, light blue, white, gold, crimson, rose-pink, cream, violet-blue, soft pink, rose and several outstanding variegations of red and white along with blue and white.
Foliage colors of silver-green, green, blue-green, gold and yellow along with several variegated cultivars make the various columbines attractive even when not in bloom.
Use for cuts.
Attracts hummingbirds.
Choose from forms growing only five inches in height up to three feet.
Echinacea – Coneflower
Plant in full sun.
Butterflies find coneflowers irresistible. Enjoy floral shades of pink, creamy-white, dark magenta purple, yellow, orange with rose halo and orange cone, lemon-yellow, rose red, purple, white, carmine-red and light lavender.
Heights vary from twelve to forty eight inches.
Almost carefree.
Leucanthemum – Shasta Daisy
Use in a sunny location.
Cuts are long lasting.
Another good variety to attract butterflies.
Single and double flowers depending on cultivar.
White flowering.
Plants range in mature height from ten inches to four feet.
