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Rudbeckia fulgida – Goldsturm – Black Eyed Susan

One of the Black Eyed Susans chosen in 1999 as Perennial of the Year. It has a long season of bloom with deep yellow flowers and sturdy upright habit. The dark brown central cone can be left during winter to provide food for small birds. If you do not want them to reseed , cut back in the fall. .Makes a good cut flower.

Sun, Average Soil, Late Summer, 18-24” Tall, Spread 18-24”, Zones 4-10

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Senecia aureus – Golden Groundsel

This plant is a smooth herb with slender stems. The basal leaves are heart shaped and often purplish beneath. The lower stem leaves are lance shaped. The flower heads, about 1” broad, consists of yellow ray flowers.

Sun/Semi, Moist Soil, Summer, 12- 18” Tall, Spread 12-15”, Zones 3-9

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Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ – Fireworks Goldenrod

An outstanding recent selection  with plants that form a bushy, upright clump of dark green leaves, with large heads of golden-yellow flowers. This flower will do well in a sunny spot in your garden with no fear of it taking over. Clumps may be divided in early spring. It is attractive to butterflies and tolerates hot, humid summer regions. Its flowers do not cause allergies as sometimes thought. Clumps can be divided in early spring.

Sun, Average Soil, Fall, 30-40” Tall, Spread 23-29”, Zones 4-9

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Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’ – Heart-leaf Goldenrod

It was selected a number of years ago for its outstanding display of golden-yellow flowers as among the best of the garden forms of Goldenrod. Plants have a bushy  compact habit, useful as an edging in late summer borders. It helps to choose a moist, sunny area to grow these. Tolerates hot, humid climates. Flowers are attractive to butterflies.

Shade/semi, Average Soil, Late Summer, 18-23” Tall Spread 18-23”, Zones 4-9

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Tiarella cordifolia ‘Running Tapestry’ – Foamflower

This is a close cousin to Coral-bells, with similar sprays of airy flowers. This selection has heart-shaped green leaves with red veins, and clouds of white flowers. This variety has a running habit unlike many of the newer selections, which makes it useful as a spreading groundcover for shady areas. The foliage turns bronzy-red in winter and it is an evergreen.

Shade, Average Soil, Summer, 8-12” Tall, Spread 18-23”, Zones3-9

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Tiarella cordifolia ‘Brandywine’ – Foamflower

This is one of the most vigorous growers of the Tiarellas. It has glossy leaves with bronze in the fall and winter. Its creamy white flowers last for 6-8 weeks. It forms a robust clump with short runners in spring and fall. Needs rich well-drained soil.

Shade/Semi, Moist Well-Drained Soil, Spring, 12-18” Tall, Spread 12-18”, Zones 4-8

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Tiarella cordifolia ‘Oakleaf’ – Foamflower

One of the best of the new generation of foamflowers. It is a long-blooming clumping plant with pretty shaped leaves, light pink flowers and bronze new spring growth. Prefers moist, rich soil in full to part shade. This one spreads more slowly than others.

Shade/Semi, Moist Rich Soil, Spring, 12-18” Tall, Spread 12-18”, Zones 4-8

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Tricyrtis hirta ‘Miyazaki’ – Japanese Toad Lily

Toad-lilies are rather bizarre, but rewarding plants for late season in the shady garden. It forms an attractive green mound and starfish-like flowers appear in late summer pale mauve with purple spotting. Since they are one of the last perennials to bloom, they give gardeners something to be excited about. Divide plants in early spring. Good in borders or containers.

Shade/semi, Average Soil, Fall, 18-23” Tall, Spread 18-23”, Zones 4-9

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Tradescantia ‘Snowcap’ – Spiderwort

A long blooming perennial that will tolerate shade to semi-shade. This Spiderwort has

1-2 in. wide white triangular shaped flowers atop 15-18 in. stems.  Prefers moist well drained soil, the wetter the soil is the more sun it can tolerate.  These will make nice clumps in a few years that can easily be divided.  In the right conditions these can bloom up to 8 weeks.

Shade to Semi-shade, Moist, Summer, White, Zones 3-9

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Veronica ‘Red Fox’- Speedwell

This is a good selection for small spaces or the front of a border. Bright fuschia-pink flowers appear over a 5-week period. Butterflies love their sweet nectar. You can amend with generous amounts of organic matter to improve performance. Deadheading will promote additional blooms.

Sun, Average Soil, Summer, 12-15” Tall, Spread 12-15”, Zones 4-8

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Viola cucullaria ‘ Purple Showers’ – Purple Violet

This is a clump forming Violet with large 2” long slightly fragrant flowers. Its bright clear purple color creates a dramatic impact in the spring garden. It blooms heavily from late to early summer and sporadically throughout the summer in cooler zones. Deadheading promotes blooming. Good as a groundcover.

Shade, Average Soil, Spring/ Summer, 6-8” Tall, Spread 8-12”, Zones 4-8

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Vinca minor ‘Illumination’ – Variegated Periwinkle

 Periwinkle has always been a great shade groundcover, and this selection has bright golden leaves edged in green, with blue flowers appearing in the spring.  The foliage will really brighten up a shaded area.  A moderate spreader, perhaps a little slower than the green leaf Vinca.  Once this gets established dry shade is no problem.

Shade to Semi-Shade, Average, Spring, Blue/Evergreen Groundcover, 4-6 in. Tall, Zones 3-9

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