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Perennials

A perennial plant or perennial (Latin per, "through", annus, "year") is a plant that lives for more than two years. When used by gardeners or horticulturalists, this term applies specifically to winter hardy perennial herbaceous plants. Scientifically, woody plants like shrubs and trees are also perennial in their habit.

Perennials, especially small flowering plants, grow and bloom over the spring and summer and then die back every autumn and winter, then return in the spring from their root-stock rather than seeding themselves as an annual plant does. These are known as herbaceous perennials. However, depending on the rigors of local climate, a plant that is a perennial in its native habitat, or in a milder garden, may be treated by a gardener as an annual and planted out every year, from seed, from cuttings or from divisions.

Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'

Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'

Tender Purple Fountain Grass

Burgundy foxtail-like flowers bloom throughout the summer over arching clumps of lush red foliage. Makes an excellent specimen in containers. Heat and drought tolerant. Will grow to full size early in the season.

Not winter hardy, but well worth planting again every year.

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Penstemon Dakota™ Burgundy

Penstemon Dakota™ Burgundy

Beardtongues

This hardy and carefree perennial forms an upright clump of purple-black foliage which has a nice sheen. Lavender-colored flowers are adored by hummingbirds.

Asexual propagation prohibited.

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Penstemon Dakota™ Verde

Penstemon Dakota™ Verde

Beardtongues

An upright mound of green leaves forms the base above which the abundant flowering spikes are produced during the summer. The blossoms are a lovely lavender-pink and are attractive to hummingbirds.

Asexual propagation prohibited without a license.

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Penstemon digitalis

Penstemon digitalis

Beardtongue

White tubular flowers appear above the dark green foliage of this tough, native perennial from mid-spring through early summer. Excellent plant for attracting pollinators.

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Penstemon x mexicali 'Red Rocks'

Penstemon x mexicali 'Red Rocks'

Beard Tongue

Enjoy the two-toned rose colored flowers of 'Red Rocks' in late summer and again in October. Deadheading the first bloom and letting the plant rest will encourage a beautiful floral display throughout the late summer and early fall.

Easy to maintain and tolerant of hot and humid and drought conditions.

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Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Jean Baby'

Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Jean Baby'

Russian Sage

Lavender blue flowers adorn compact clumps of silvery green foliage from midsummer through fall. Blue Jean Baby is one of the earliest Perovskia to flower and less prone to flopping than other selections.

Attractive to pollinators but not to deer.

Asexual propagation prohibited.

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Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Crazy Blue'

Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Crazy Blue'

Russian Sage

Silvery green foliage is topped with lavender blue flowers from midsummer through fall. The branches of this selection weave together to prevent flopping in the garden. Heat and drought tolerant once established.

Attractive to pollinators, but not to deer.

Asexual propagation prohibited.

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Phlox 'Cloudburst'

Phlox 'Cloudburst'

Tall Cushion Phlox

An early blooming Phlox with a mounding, billowy habit. Continuously blooming, fragrant lavender purple flowers have bright pink eyes. Its dark green leaves are disease resistant but it's best to provide good air circulation.

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Phlox Fashionably Early Crystal

Phlox Fashionably Early Crystal

Pure white blooms with a light purple eye cover glossy, dark green foliage that is extremely resistant to powdery mildew. This early blooming, upright Phlox is also long blooming and makes a good cut flower.

Asexual propagation prohibited.

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Phlox Fashionably Early Flamingo

Phlox Fashionably Early Flamingo

Lavender pink flowers cover glossy dark green foliage that is extremely resistant to powdery mildew. This long blooming perennial also makes a good cut flower.

Asexual propagation prohibited.

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Phlox divaricata 'May Breeze'

Phlox divaricata 'May Breeze'

Wild Blue Phlox

This native perennial is a wonderful addition to the woodland garden with its pale blue to almost white flowers.  'May Breeze' has a sweet fragrance when in bloom from late spring through early summer.    

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Phlox paniculata 'Fancy Girl'

Phlox paniculata 'Fancy Girl'

'Fancy Girl' features an incredible floral display, often reblooming through the summer. Soft pink flowers with a darker eye are loved by butterflies. The dark green foliage is more resistant to mildew than older cultivars.

Asexual propagation prohibited.

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Phlox paniculata 'Jeana'

Phlox paniculata 'Jeana'

Garden Phlox

If you have a love/hate relationship with Phlox paniculata, 'Jeana' may just win you over. Hundreds of petite lavender-pink flowers open slowly, extending the bloom time from mid-summer through early autumn.

Sweetly scented flowers are truly a butterfly magnet.

Best yet, NO mildew on the green foliage.

Plant in a mixed bed or border and the sturdy, upright habit will make for a nice backdrop.

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Phlox paniculata Flame® Purple Eye

Phlox paniculata Flame® Purple Eye

Garden Phlox

Bright purple blooms with deep magenta centers. Dwarf, compact-sized. Great for garden beds and cut flowers. Attracts butterflies. Disease and drought tolerant.

Asexual propagation prohibited.

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Phlox paniculata Glamour Girl

Phlox paniculata Glamour Girl

Vibrant coral pink clusters of fragrant flowers appear on the top of tall green stalks in early summer. A new color on a classic summer bloomer. This variety also has good resistance to powdery mildew.

Asexual propagation prohibited.

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Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple'

Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple'

Creeping Phlox

'Sherwood Purple' is the favorite amongst creeping phlox. Its delicate purple flowers appear above dark green foliage and provide a beautiful mat of color in your shaded bed or woodland area. This cloud of purple flowers gives a lovely fragrance and attracts butterflies. 'Sherwood Purple' is the most vigorous cultivar of creeping phlox.

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Phlox subulata 'Bedazzled Lavender'

Phlox subulata 'Bedazzled Lavender'

Hybrid Spring Phlox

It's the deep notching on these large lavender flowers that sets them apart from other similar selections. This sun lover starts blooming in mid-spring and is a good choice for tough sites.

Asexual propagation prohibited.

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Phlox subulata 'Bedazzled Pink'

Phlox subulata 'Bedazzled Pink'

Hybrid Spring Phlox

Bright, medium pink flowers bloom in mid-spring with a small, dark purple, star-shaped eye, but it's the deeply notched petals that distinguish this selection from others. An excellent choice for tough sunny sites.

Asexual propagation prohibited.

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Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven'

Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven'

Variegated Jacob's Ladder

'Stairway to Heaven' has large green pinnate leaves with white and pink margins. Soft lavender-blue flowers appear on this polemonium in late spring. A North American native species.

Asexual propagation is prohibited.

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Polystichum acrostichoides

Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas Fern

Very popular for arrangements during Christmastime. This fern's fiddleheads are often called Santa's boot and luckily, can be planted outside and harvested during the winter as it is cold tolerant! Deer resistant.

It will grow in almost any condition and is a native to eastern North America.

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Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash'

Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash'

Lungwort

'Raspberry Splash' lives up to its name in terms of color with bright red-pink blooms atop silver foliage. Blooms in the spring and maintains its attractive foliage year-round. Deer hate it, hummingbirds love it. Mildew resistant.

Asexual propagation prohibited.

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Pulmonaria 'Trevi Fountain'

Pulmonaria 'Trevi Fountain'

Lungwort

Pulmonaria 'Trevi Fountain' has dark green foliage with attractive silver splotches that give way in very early spring to a profusion of pink flowers that mature to dark blue.

Asexual propagation prohibited.

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Rudbeckia hirta 'Autumn Colors'

Rudbeckia hirta 'Autumn Colors'

Gloriosa Daisy

'Autumn Colors' is a sturdy, dark-eyed daisy that comes in autumn shades of bronze, red and gold, blooming mid-summer through fall. Rudbeckia makes an excellent cut flower.

Rudbeckia hirtas are often short-lived perennials that are sometimes grown as annuals. Not guaranteed winter-hardy, but often reseeds.

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