Calylophus

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.

Echinacea, or coneflower, is a tough plant that blooms for a long period in summer and autumn.  Recent breeding has produced flowers of many colors and plants of varying heights.  These plants are suitable for the garden or containers.

Gaillardia is a great perennial for sunny spots.  It flowers profusely, loves heat and needs only moderate water.  Flower color ranges from yellow to orange and yellow to bicolor (as shown at left) to red.  Bloom time lasts from early summer to frost.

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. …

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…