Rudbeckia, or black-eyed Susan, is a tough plant that blooms summer and autumn. Nearly all have flowers in the yellow and orange range. ‘Indian Summer’ has a dark brown center while ‘Irish Eyes’ has a green center. ‘Goldsturm’ is a reliable perennial. variety with somewhat smaller flowers and dark centers.
Gaura is a lovely, airy plant with either pink or white flowers that vaguely resemble butterflies. Foliage is usually green, but some newer varieties have reddish foliage. Plant size varies from about two feet to four feet. Gaura can self-sow vigorously under the right conditions, but it is so long blooming (late spring to frost) that…
Spring blooming bulbs such as narcissus, iris and tulips arrive in September. Paperwhites, a small white flowering form of narcissus, are always popular for forcing for Christmas bloom. Crocus, a true harbinger of spring, are some of the earliest bulbs to bloom in late winter and early spring. Also available are ranunculus, Dutch iris, freesias, Amaryllis belladonna (naked lady),…
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,…
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.
Aquilegia, or columbine, has lovely lacy foliage with flowers that rise above the leaves. There are many flower colors available, all of which attract hummingbirds. It blooms in spring and early summer and prefers shade, especially in the afternoon. Regular water and well-drained soil are its primary requirements.
Agapanthus, or lily of the Nile, can be evergreen or deciduous, one foot tall or four feet tall, white or blue flowered. There are several shades of blue, from pale to dark blue-violet. It has green, strap-like leaves with round clusters of flowers rising above the foliage on bare stems. It can take sun to…