Agapanthus

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…

Tulbaghia, or society garlic, is an evergreen perennial with narrow green or green and white variegated leaves.  Clusters of small lavender flowers top stems that are one to two feet tall.  Provide regular water.  Because of the garlicky odor of the leaves, deer tend to leave it alone.

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.

Coreopsis adds a lovely bit of color to the garden.  These are tough plants that need little to moderate water and they seem to bloom almost endlessly, especially if deadheaded.  They also tend to self-sow, so be prepared for either even more color or a bit of weeding.

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 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…