Perovskia

Centranthus, or Jupiter’s beard, is a great perennial, but be prepared for its rather vigorous self-sowing.  It is very tolerant of most conditions and needs little water.  Flower color ranges from crimson to pink to lilac to white, with a very long bloom period.  Gophers do not seem to like it, perhaps because of its…

Phlomis, or Jerusalem sage, is not a true sage, but it has similar requirements.  It needs little water, good drainage and is tolerant of heat.  Leaves are woolly and flowers can be either yellow (P. fruticosa) or pink (P. purpurea).  Phlomis generally grows to about four feet tall and wide.

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.

Nepeta, or catmint, is a very useful little plant.  Most varieties get about a foot tall, but ‘Six Hills Giant’ can grow to three feet.  Grey-green leaves and spikes of purple flowers are characteristic.  Bees love Nepeta and deer tend to leave it alone.  N. cataria is catnip, the herb of choice for many cats. …

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…

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,…