There’s nothing more beautiful than a patch of bee balm blooming in a summer garden, with various birds, bees, and butterflies dancing around its numerous flower heads. With a little care and patience, bee balm can become a yearly staple in anyone’s perennial garden. About Bee Balm Named for Nicholas Monardes, a Spanish botanist who… Read More
Made for the Shade (and some sun), this versatile perennial has been stealing the spotlight from hosta which for years has reigned as the shady perennial champion. Maybe it’s because of their vast array of foliage colors, or the different combinations of variegated color on their leaves. Maybe it’s the pretty flower spikes that bloom… Read More
Astilbe (also known as false goat’s beard or false spirea) is a perennial all-star for the shade garden. These hardy perennials sport large, fern-like foliage that is very attractive during the growing season, highlighted by feathery plumes of flowers that bloom through the spring and early summer. Astilbe is one of the few perennials that… Read More
From Garden Talk with Doug by our own Doug Hensel, May 2013 This article is inspired by our beautiful, extensive selection of hostas that we have in our nursery. Walking through the aisles of hostas, I realize just how much I admire this perennial and how I enjoy showing them off to customers. I have… Read More
Lavender is one of our favorite perennials, and for very good reason! Lavender is considered an herb because of its fragrance. All parts of the plant are strongly aromatic. Sprigs of lavender brought inside the house can provide a soothing aromatic scent. It is easy to care for when planted in full sun with well-draining… Read More
Perennial salvias are a great, hardy perennial that blooms for long periods from mid to late-spring. A distant cousin of plants like catmint (Nepeta) and bee balm (Monarda), salvias have slightly fragrant flower stalks which lend to the plant’s deer resistance. They’re mainly known for their deep purple bloom color, but varieties have been introduced… Read More
Perennial ferns are the perfect addition to any shade garden. They come in various shapes with interesting foliage looks and colors which pair well with other shade-loving perennials such as hosta, heuchera (coral bells), astilbe, and many others. They are one of the few shade perennials that are deer-resistant, making them a must-have for any… Read More
Spirea is a shrub that has stood the test of time, and for good reason. These unique shrubs provide a wide range of flowering times, foliage colors, and growth habits, making them useful as an accent planting, hedge, or border planting. Flower times vary between varieties, but flowers are common from spring to early summer…. Read More
There is nothing quite like the classic look of a perennial dianthus plant. Their bluish-grey, grass-like foliage is particularly showy throughout the growing season, and different varieties have different foliage growth habits, from mounding to slightly trailing. Their small, carnation-like blooms cover the plant throughout the spring and early summer. Colors range from whites and… Read More
Hellebores have become incredibly popular in the past few years due to their unique bloom time and the low maintenance required for this winter-blooming, evergreen perennial. Hellebores thrive in rich, well-drained soil. They are excellent for bringing color to garden borders, under deciduous trees, or between other shrubs. They can handle full shade locations but… Read More