Hemerocallis ‘Daring Deception’

Hemerocallis (daylily) have arching narrow leaves and lily-like flowers.  They are tough plants and reasonably trouble free.  A couple of  favorites are ‘Stella D’Oro’, a dwarf golden yellow with a longer bloom period than most, and ‘Bitsy’, a repeat bloomer with bright yellow flowers on tall, dark stems about eighteen inches tall. Many flower colors are available including cream, orange, yellow, red, pink and raspberry as well as many bicolors.  Plant in sun or partial shade and provide regular water.

Lantana ‘Miss Huff’

Lantana ‘Miss Huff’ is hardy to ten degrees. Although it dies back in the winter, it returns with a vengeance in early summer and blooms until frost. This plant can reach six to seven feet in one season. It is very bright with yellow, orange and pink flowers that light up the garden for the entire summer. Deer don’t care for it and water needs are minimal. Another hardy lantana is “Chapel Hill”. This one is soft yellow in color and more of a mounding plant, growing to about eighteen inches high and wide.  Other varieties of lantana can be grown as annuals.

Santa Barbara Daisy

Invasive Plants or Plants for The Lazy Gardener?

It all depends on your point of view! All these perennials are hardy and colorful. and some are prolific reseeders.  Pictured is Erigeron karvinskianus (Santa Barbara daisy).  It will bloom all summer with very little care, but you have to decide if you want it everywhere or if it’s worth it to pull out the little seedlings. The same can be said for Gaura, Geranium incanum and Euphorbia wulfenii.

Penstemon ‘Firebird’

There are so many colors and sizes of penstemon hybrids.  Among the favorites are ‘Firebird’ (red), ‘Midnight’ (purple), ‘Garnet’ (fuchsia pink), ‘Thorn’ (white with a pink blush), ‘Apple Blossom’ (pink), ‘Bev Jensen’ (magenta) and ‘Raven’ (darkest purple).  A very floriferous variety on a smaller plant is ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’.  All these varieties take heat and cold and do best in full sun with average water.

Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)

Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)

This plant is often seen at houses dating back to the thirties and forties. It is extremely drought tolerant and very showy.  Colors available are orange, yellow and cream. The leaves are strap-like with flowering stems that vary from eighteen inches to five feet, depending on the variety.

Scabiosa columbaria ‘Pink Mist’

The two most popular varieties are ‘Butterfly Blue’ and ‘Pink Mist’. This perennial is possibly the longest blooming of all.  Removing the spent flowers will encourage the plants to bloom even more and keeps them looking nice.   Height is about one foot and the spread approximately eighteen to twenty-four inches.  They prefer moderate to regular water.

Shasta Daisy

The genus Chrysanthemum provides gardeners with some indispensable plants.  Shasta daisy (C. maximum) is a wonderful summer blooming perennial that is available in tall or dwarf forms.  Flowers can be single, double or somewhat shaggy.

C. hosmariense is a great little plant, growing to about eight inches tall and two feet wide.  It has finely cut, silvery foliage, profuse white flowers and requires little water.

C. parthenium (feverfew) is a charming, though very aggressive, plant.  Its small, usually white flowers and lacy foliage are very attractive, but it does reseed very freely.

And what would autumn be without the fun of C. grandiflorum in bloom?  What a way to brighten up the last days of summer and the beginning of autumn!  There are so many forms and colors from which to choose – definitely something for every garden.

Calylophus drummondii

Calylophus drummondii (Texas primrose)

Low and spreading, this plant blooms from late spring through fall. Calylophus becomes a three foot mat of papery, bright yellow flowers. It likes lots of sunshine and demands little water. It is one plant we always attempt to have on hand in the nursery and has become one of our very best sellers!

Achillea millefolium

Achillea (yarrow)

Green or gray ferny foliage and lots of colors to choose from!  White (‘Calistoga’), yellow (‘Sunbeam’ or ‘Moonshine’), crimson red (‘Red Beauty’) and orange red (‘Faust’ and ‘Terra Cotta’). They all endure the hot summers and cold winters. Water needs are low and bloom time long.