Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Tradescantia subaspera

Family: (Commelinaceae)

(P) to 3′. Zigzag Spiderwort. Missouri. Broader leaves and the distinctive zigzag stem set it apart from the old faithful T. virginiana. Terminal clusters of numerous flower buds open daily to large, violet blue, three-petalled flowers that are highlighted by the yellow anthers atop long, hairy, blue filaments. We cut the foliage in half after flowering to prevent flopping and encourage new growth and possible repeat blooms. After cutting back a viscous secretion is released from the stem, which hardens to become thread-like and silky-like the web of a spider. Ours is growing on the Order Beds in full sun and good soil. A long bloom time from May to August. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Verbesina virginica

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 6′.  Frostweed, Virginia Crownbeard.  Southeastern US.  From a distance, the many loose, open corymbs of small flowers look like white “daisies.”  On closer inspection the flowers are comprised of up to five oblong and notched, pistillate ray florets and many white central disc florets with five prominent, exserted, purple anthers.  The pubescent, winged stems are interesting with their up to six-inch long, downy, alternate, oblong-lanceolate leaves with serrated margins.  Each stem has soft, fleshy green flanges running longitudinally down its length. When winter weather brings ice, the stems exude water that freezes into fascinating shapes, hence its common name.  Blooms late summer.  Often seen along roadsides and open places.  An important late season nectar plant for pollinators.  Well-drained soil.  Sun/partial shade.  4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Vernonia arkansana (syn. V. crinata)

Family: (Asteraceae)

P) to 5′.  A statuesque Ironweed from the Ozark region of Missouri, producing tufts of fuzzy, deep purple, rayless flowers in late summer on tall, strong stems covered in minute fine white hairs with long, lance-like leaves in large whorls.  Moist soil.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & T1 for 3 months, then T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Vernonia noveboracensis

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 6′.  New York Ironweed.  Terminal clusters of fuzzy, thistle-like deep purple florets bloom in late summer.  Strong stems have whorls of alternate, lanceolate, pointed leaves.  Earns its name because of its “iron-like” qualities – tough stems, the rusty-tinged colour of fading flowers and the rusty colour of the persistent, ripe seed heads.  Moist soil.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & T1 for 3 months, then T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Allium caeruleum (syn. Allium azureum)

Family: (Alliaceae)

Hardy bulb to 2.5′. Siberia, Turkestan. Rich azure blue flowers form a small head atop upright stems. Blooms late spring/early summer. Very sweet. Sun. 3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Alyssoides utriculata

Family: (Brassicaceae)

Subshrub to 14″. Bladder Pod. Mountains of Europe. Alpine with succulent, matte green leaves and panicles of fragrant, bright yellow, mustard-like flowers, which bloom with Phlox, Alyssum and Saxifraga moschata. Later on, interesting ovoid, inflated seedpods emerge and eventually fall apart to reveal their inner, translucent septum with seeds attached resembling a miniature Honesty plant. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Anthyllis vulneraria var. coccinea

Family: (Fabaceae)

(P) to 6″. Kidney Vetch. Basal rosettes of deep green, paddle-shaped leaves with very light margins. Flowers are clustered, each containing a pale yellow tube with red lips. Flower stalks to eight inches tall and pale purple in colour. Blooms in May and June. Self-sows. Sun. 2B & 3 & 7 for 4 weeks, then T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Aquilegia flabellata var. pumila

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 12″. Japan. Short-spurred, pale lilac-blue flowers, often with paler or white markings. Rather compact growth and rounded, glaucous foliage. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Arabis ferdinandi-coburgii

Family: (Brassicaceae)

(P) to 4″. Rockcress. Southeastern Europe. An easy growing, mat-forming perennial spreading up to 12 inches wide. Flowering white in clusters in early spring on five-inch stalks. A plant for sun or part shade in well-drained soil. 4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Campanula alliariifolia

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(P) to 2′. Ivory Bellflower. “A clump-forming plant with attractive, heart-shaped green leaves forming a base to the erect wiry stems from which shapely cream bells nod along their entire length.” (GST**). We love this plant in our Gravel Garden. Sun. 4 & T2