Perennial Plants

Perennial plants cover a wide range of species and types from small to large. You can find a perennial to fit into any space, any type of soil or sun . Perennial plants can be found for container gardens, rock gardens, for under large shade trees--wherever there is an empty space, there is a perennial that will fill the bill.

Windflower

Windflower (Anemone coronaria) is also known as poppy anemone and lilies of the field and is hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 10. It grows up to 1-1/2 feet tall and 3/4 feet wide. The plant produces medium-green, compound leaves and blue, red or white flowers with black centers that resemble a poppy and bloom from April through June. Plant windflower in full sun or partial shade and a moist soil.

Butterfly Weed

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is also known as butterfly milkweed and pleurisy root. The plant is a favorite food source for several species of butterflies. Butterfly weed grows up to 2 feet tall, dies back in the winter and re-appears the following spring. The plant produces orange or red flowers growing in clusters and blooming in mid-summer. The flowers are followed by green seed pods containing fluffy pink seeds that are spread by the wind. Plant in full sun or partial shade and a moist to dry soil.

Red Valerian

Red valerian (Centranthus ruber) is native to Europe, northern Africa and Asia Minor and is hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8. The plant grows from 1-1/2 to 3 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet. It features small, star-shaped, red, fragrant flowers that grow in clusters at the top of the stems, bloom from May until first frost and are followed by fluffy, dandelion-like seeds. The leaves are gray-green, oval or lance-shaped and up to 4 inches long. Red valerian is also known as Jupiter's beard and likes full sun or partial shade and a moist soil.

Sneezeweed

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) grows from 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. The plant grows as a clump featuring daisy-like flowers with yellow petals and lighter yellow center ball-shaped disks that are taller than the petals. The flowers bloom from late summer into autumn along with dark-green leaves up to 6 inches long. Sneezeweed is hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8