Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Dianthus turkestanicus

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(P) to 12″.  China and Kazakhstan.  This gem forms mats of blue-green, fine foliage.  Fringed, pale pink, scented flowers cover the plant in mid-May.  Sun and well-drained soil.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Dicentra cucullaria

Family: (Papaveraceae)

Native perennial to 12″.  Dutchman’s Breeches.  This easily recognized spring ephemeral typically occurs on forest floors, slopes, ledges, valleys and along stream banks, emerging in March and flowering in early April.  Foliage is greyish green and deeply-cut with a fern-like appearance.   Racemes of waxy, white (infrequently tinged with pink), yellow-tipped flowers have two inflated spurs that suggest the legs of tiny pantaloons with the ankles facing upward.  Flowers are borne in pairs, drooping from leafless stems arching above the foliage.  Self-sows when happy and enjoys part to full shade in humus-rich, woodland soil.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Digitalis lanata (syn. Digitalis lamarckii)

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 3′.  Native of Turkey.  Wonderful pubescent spikes of quietly dramatic, hairy, pale beige, helmet-shaped flowers with maroon netting inside, tinged with mustard.  A large, exaggerated, white lower lip adds to the drama.  Partial shade.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Digitalis lutea

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 2-½’. Straw Foxglove. This native plant of southern Europe and North Africa readily makes itself at home in a garden. In early summer, the small, creamy yellow flowers crowd one side of their tall, slender stalks. A good, long-bloomer with glossy, dark green foliage. Readily self-sows. Sun/partial shade. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Digitalis parviflora

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 2′. Spanish Foxglove. This is a true perennial species of Foxglove, native to the mountains of northern Spain. Plants form a rosette of dark, deeply veined, green leaves bearing in early summer, tightly packed spikes of small, rusty orange-red to chocolate brown flowers on stiff, leafy, upright stems. Eye-catching. Well-drained soil. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Dipsacus laciniatus

Family: (Caprifoliaceae)

(B/P) to 7′. Cut-Leaved Teasel. Europe and Asia. Large, spear-shaped leaves with distinctive pinnately lobed edges, prominent white midribs and prickly stems. Pale green, oval porcupine-esque heads with intermittent rings of pale pink, individual florets. Invaluable in dried arrangements. Loves to self-sow and is perfect for the wild garden. Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea'

Family: (Sapindaceae)

Tender Shrub to 10′. Hopbush. New Zealand. An attractive, evergreen shrub with elliptical, wavy margined, aromatic, purple-bronze leaves. The flowers, though small, produce an abundance of winged, papery, hop-like fruits. Grown widely throughout the tropics and was used for brewing beer by early European settlers. Foliage may turn lighter green in winter or if not grown in full sun. Makes a striking conservatory plant. 3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Draba hispanica

Family: (Brassicaceae)

(P) to 3″. Spain. Mounding cushion plant with tufted, dark green, needle-like leaves. Silver-grey in colour. Yellow, four-petalled flowers appear on small, three-inch flower stalks in early spring. Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Draba oligosperma

Family: (Brassicaceae)

(P) to 4”.  Rocky Mountains.  Tufted clumps of linear, grey-green, hairy foliage bearing racemes of yellow, four-petalled flowers.  Blooms late spring and early summer.  Easy.  Sun.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Draba rigida

Family: (Brassicaceae)

(P) to 4″. Armenia. Cushion-forming, rock garden plant with tiny, green foliage rosettes. Tiny, four-petalled, yellow flowers appear at the end of delicate, two to three-inch flower stalks. Performs well in a glass house, but also lives happily outside in our Zone 5 Tufa Bed. A cheerful April/May bloomer. Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Dregea sinensis

Family: (Apocynaceae)

(TP to 9′).  We grow this fabulous vine in a pot in our Pit House.  Here, it twines around upright supports and runs along the eaves.  In June, sweetly scented, waxy, white-blushed, pale pink clusters of flowers hang down from above.  Native of China and used to be known as Wattakaka sinensis.  Shame about the name change.  What a treasure.  Sun.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Dysphania botrys (syn. Chenopodium botrys)

Family: (Amaranthaceae)

(A) to 3.5′. Feather Geranium, Jerusalem Oak. Aromatic, airy green spires of miniature, oak-like, pinnately divided foliage. An adventurous plant that winds its way through neighbours and onto paths in the most delightful way. Perfect for the flower border or herb bed. Sun. 3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Echinacea purpurea

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 3.5′.  Purple Coneflower.  North America.  Large, warm rose-purple daisies with slightly reflexed petals blooming from July into September.  A beautiful native wildflower that is at home in the garden.  Well-drained soil.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Echinops exaltatus

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 6′.  Tall Globe Thistle.  Eastern Europe to Russia.  Globular flowerheads composed of numerous, tiny, pale blue florets.  Flowerheads to 2-½ inches in diameter stand tall on sturdy, downy-white stems and mature into dense, prickly seedheads.  The bold, greyish green, thistle-like foliage forms an impressive clump.  This summer-to-fall bloomer is a magnet for bees, hoverflies and butterflies.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Echinops sphaerocephalus

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 4′. Pale Globe Thistle. Southern and Central Europe to Russia. Silvery, greyish green foliage with white, tomentose undersides accentuates the two-inch, steely, silver grey “globular” flowerheads. Easy to see why its name comes from the Greek for Hedgehog! Great for cutting and drying. Mid to late summer blooming. Sun. 4 & T2