Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Petunia integrifolia (syn. Petunia violacea)

Family: (Solanaceae)

(A/TP) to 2′.  Violet-Flowered Petunia.  Native to the Ecuador Highlands.  This species Petunia produces 1-inch magenta-purple, funnel-shaped, single flowers with darker throats.  Flowers continuously on long branching stems that can weave through neighbouring plants or be staked for a more upright presence. Enjoys summer heat and humidity in the garden but deadhead to keep the show alive.  Can overwinter easily indoors.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Dianthus armeria

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(A/B) to 2′.  Deptford Pink. Europe. This charmer has a very slender and delicate appearance.  The narrow leaves are widely spaced and paired along the stem.  At the ends of the stems are short-stalked or stalkless clusters of deep-pink flowers that are surrounded by erect, hairy, leaf-like bracts.  The flowers are comprised of five lanceolate petals, each with irregular serrated edges and small white spotting on the upper surface.  Self sows.  Sun.  4 & T2

 

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Consolida ajacis ‘Lilac Spire’

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(A) to 3′.  A lovely Larkspur that comes true from seed for us each year.  The erect, dense spikes of rich, lilac blooms enhanced by the finely cut, delicate foliage make this treasure a “must-have” for the cottage garden.  Summer.  Self-sows.  Sun.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Browallia americana 'Alba'

Family: (Solanaceae)

(A) to 2.5′.  Exactly like the above, but with pure white blooms.  Very beautiful.  Makes a stunning display along the edge of our White Bed.  Both the white and the blue self-sow for us.  Sun/partial shade.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Amaranthus caudatus var. gibbosus

Family: (Amaranthaceae)

(A) to 5′.  Dreadlocks Amaranth.  South America. This variant of Love Lies Bleeding will bring even higher drama to your garden. It is denser and more textured than the straight species.  The woolly, wine-coloured, tassel-like panicles develop through the season into knobby ropes that cascade nearly to the ground and may require staking due to their heaviness.  A prolific self-sower, this Amaranth emerges with warm days and thrives in summer heat and humidity. This variant is a prolific self-sower that typically stays true to its unique form. The colourful blooms can be used in dried arrangements. Sun. 3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Ageratum houstonianum ‘Dondo White’

Family: (Asteraceae)

(A) to 2½’.  White Floss Flower.  Mexico and Central America.  This sturdy, taller Floss Flower sports rounded, loose clusters of many heads of white, five-lobed disc florets that float above the foliage.  En masse, the flowers create a soft fuzzy appearance and are attractive to butterflies, bees and other beneficials.  A. ‘Dondo White’ is a cultivated selection and therefore may result in some reversions to the straight species, which is blue, but we have found that most come through as white. The plants will self-sow, however for earlier blooms you may wish to start from seed indoors. We find that surface sowing in situ in our Flower Garden’s White Bed provides us with an excellent mid-to-late summer filler.  Full to part sun.  4 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Solidago bicolor

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 3′.  Silverrod.  Eastern North America.  An atypical Goldenrod that produces tiny, daisy-like flowers arranged in elongated, cylindrical clusters and have a striking appearance with white petals surrounding yellow disc florets.  So different than the more usual golden yellow clusters of the Goldenrod.  Blooming in late summer to early fall, the flower heads rise above basal rosettes of toothed, grey-green foliage.  This well-behaved native adapts well to most soil and light conditions.  Pollinators of all sorts are attracted to it and birds enjoy the seed.  Part to full sun.  4 & T2   

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Lycium barbarum

Family: Solanaceae

Hardy shrub to 8′.  Goji Berry.  China.  An edible and ornamental shrub with a dense, bushy habit. The dark green, narrow foliage varies in shape from oblanceolate to elliptic with rounded or pointed tips.  Funnel-shaped purple flowers bloom singly or in groups up to three from the leaf axils and have five reflexed lobes. Flowers are followed by eye-catching orange to red, oblong, fleshy berries with considerable nutritional value.  Valued by many as a superfood! Delicious, nutritious and attractive!  Pruning is recommended after the first growing season for best fruit yields.  Best grown in evenly moist, well-draining, sandy soil in full sun.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Solidago puberula

Family: Asteraceae

(P) to 3′.  Downy Goldenrod.  North America.  A less cultivated member of the genus, with unique, bright yellow flowers bearing eye-catching, large disk florets surrounded by strap-like ray florets, borne on leafy stems covered with fine, spreading hairs. This species has ovate, dark green glabrous foliage varying greatly in size depending on growing conditions.  Fantastic in a native or prairie garden, best in full sun to part shade.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Geum triflorum

Family: Rosaceae

(P) to 16″.  Prairie Smoke.  North America.  A wonderful choice for the native garden or rock garden, this Geum has distinct, light red, globular, drooping flowers with styles that elongate and collectively begin to resemble a hair blowing in the wind.  Rosette-forming habit, with dissected dark green foliage.  A slow growing but fantastic groundcover. Unusual and unique.  3 & T2