Perennials

Perennials

Our enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable perennials team is here to answer your questions and help you choose the best perennials for your situation. There’s always something in bloom for sun, shade, butterflies, birds or deer resistance  as well as a variety of bulbs for your space.

Stroll through our time-tested favorites and introduce yourself to the newest varieties. We garden with perennials too; we love them and it shows!

Muhlenbergia reverchonii 'Undaunted?'

Airy reddish-pink blooms. Fine textured foliage. USDA 5-10

Muhlenbergia reverchonii 'Undaunted?'

Plant Height: 18 inches

Flower Height: 30 inches

Spacing: 18 inches

Sunlight: full sun, partial shade

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Brand: Plant Select

Description:
A native mounding grass with very fine green foliage; airy plumes of minute ruby flowers in fall, appear like reddish fluffy clouds that dry after frost, and remain attractive through winter; breathtaking planted in masses; adaptable and hardy

Ornamental Features:
Undaunted Ruby Muhly Grass features airy plumes of ruby-red flowers rising above the foliage from late summer to mid fall. The rose seed heads are carried on showy plumes which fade to tan over time, which are displayed in abundance from late fall to late winter. Its grassy leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes:
Undaunted Ruby Muhly Grass is a dense herbaceous perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration:

- Self-Seeding

Undaunted Ruby Muhly Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications:

- Mass Planting
- Rock/Alpine Gardens
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover
- Container Planting

Planting & Growing:
Undaunted Ruby Muhly Grass will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 30 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Undaunted Ruby Muhly Grass is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It can be used either as 'filler' or as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, depending on the height and form of the other plants used in the container planting. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

Muhlenbergia capillaris 'White Cloud'

Plant Height: 3 feet

Flower Height: 4 feet

Spread: 3 feet

Sunlight: full sun, partial shade

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Other Names: Gulf Muhly

Description:
A mounding grass with very fine, glossy green foliage; airy plumes of white flowers in fall gives one a sense of fluffy clouds, that will eventually fade to tan seed pods in late fall and winter; breathtaking planted in masses

Ornamental Features:
White Cloud Muhly Grass features airy plumes of white flowers rising above the foliage from late summer to mid fall. The tan seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance in late fall. Its glossy grassy leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes:
White Cloud Muhly Grass is a dense herbaceous perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

White Cloud Muhly Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications:

- Mass Planting
- Rock/Alpine Gardens
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover
- Container Planting

Planting & Growing:
White Cloud Muhly Grass will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity extending to 4 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for poor, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

White Cloud Muhly Grass is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Pink Muhly Grass | Airy pink blooms. Fine, threadlike foliage. Native. USDA 5-9

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Airy pink blooms. Fine, threadlike foliage. Native. USDA 5-9

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Airy pink blooms. Fine, threadlike foliage. Native. USDA 5-9

Festuca glauca 'Boulder Blue'

Height: 8 inches

Spread: 10 inches

Sunlight: full sun

Hardiness Zone: 3a

Other Names: Festuca ovina var. glauca

Description:
Heat and Drought tolerant once established, this selection produces beautiful bushy mounds of blue-gray grass-like foliage with tan colored spikes rising above in the summer; excellent performance in containers, borders and garden beds; low maintenance

Ornamental Features:
Boulder Blue Fescue is primarily valued in the garden for its interestingly mounded form. Its attractive grassy leaves remain steel blue in color throughout the year. The tan seed heads are carried on spikes from mid summer to late fall.

Landscape Attributes:
Boulder Blue Fescue is an herbaceous evergreen perennial grass with a mounded form. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Boulder Blue Fescue is recommended for the following landscape applications:

- Rock/Alpine Gardens
- Border Edging
- General Garden Use
- Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
- Container Planting

Planting & Growing:
Boulder Blue Fescue will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 8 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to dry locations, and dislikes excessive moisture. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Boulder Blue Fescue is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a canvas of foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

Helictotrichon sempervirens

Blue-green foliage with long fronds. Compact, bushy habit. USDA 4-8

Penstemon digitalis

Tubular shaped white flowers cover the tops of erect blooming stems, standing tall over top of clumping mounds of lance-shaped dark green leaves. Height 3-4'.

Penstemon attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. Prefers average, dry to medium well drained soil. Avoid wet poorly drained soil as it will rot. Drought tolerate when established. Deer and rabbit resistant.

- USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 3-8
- Exposure: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Bloom Time(s): April-June

Alchemilla mollis

Clumping ruffled foliage and chartreuse blooms. Self-Seeding. Full sun to full shade. USDA 3-8

Tiarella cordifolia

Plant Height: 6 inches

Flower Height: 12 inches

Spacing: 18 inches

Sunlight: partial shade full shade

Hardiness Zone: 3a

Ornamental Features:
Creeping Foamflower has masses of beautiful spikes of lightly-scented white star-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from mid spring to mid summer, which emerge from distinctive shell pink flower buds, and which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its lobed leaves are green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous deep purple in the fall.

Landscape Attributes:

Creeping Foamflower is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration: Spreading

Creeping Foamflower is recommended for the following landscape applications:

- Mass Planting
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover

Planting & Growing:

Creeping Foamflower will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity extending to 12 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by division.

Tiarella 'Elizabeth Oliver'

Plant Height: 10 inches

Flower Height: 15 inches

Spacing: 12 inches

Sunlight: partial shade full shade

Hardiness Zone: 4a

Description:
Large, deeply lobed green leaves with burgundy spines in the center form a neat mound of foliage; pink flower buds open to reveal the foamy white flowers on graceful spikes that persist for weeks; shade tolerant and excellent for under canopy groundcover

Ornamental Features:

Elizabeth Oliver Foamflower has masses of beautiful spikes of lightly-scented white bell-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from mid spring to mid summer, which emerge from distinctive shell pink flower buds, and which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive glossy lobed leaves remain emerald green in color with pointy burgundy spines throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes:

Elizabeth Oliver Foamflower is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Elizabeth Oliver Foamflower is recommended for the following landscape applications:

- Mass Planting
- Rock/Alpine Gardens
- Border Edging
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover
- Container Planting
Planting & Growing:

Elizabeth Oliver Foamflower will grow to be about 10 inches tall at maturity extending to 15 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 14 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Elizabeth Oliver Foamflower is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

Alchemilla mollis

Alchemilla mollis

Tiarella cordifolia 'Running Tapestry'

White blooms. Red speckled foliage. Groundcover. Native. USDA 4-8