Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Caryopteris divaricata

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 5′.  Bluebeard.  A native plant of the Himalayas.  Splendid spikes of violet-blue, wide open, hooded flowers with a dab of white in the throat.  Light green leaves are ovate, acute and oddly aromatic.  An accommodating, tough plant.  Blooms in September.  Sun.  3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Centaurea dealbata

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 3′. Persian Knapweed. Caucasus. Erect, branched, leafy stems with finely divided, grey-green, pinnatisect leaves with grey, woolly undersides. The attractive green, scaly, involucre of bracts with black bristles supports the lilac-pink, pale centred ‘bachelor’s buttons’. Blooms early to mid-summer. Sun/partial shade. Well-drained soil.  3, D & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Cephalaria leucantha

Family: (Caprifoliaceae)

(P) to 5′. Southwestern Europe. A more delicate relative of the Giant Scabiosa with showy, soft white, pincushion flowers on long thin stems that rise well above a rosette of low growing leaves. The pinnatifid leaves are silvery, grey-green with the characteristically chiseled & fern-like appearance. Bloom July onward. Makes a delightful cut flower. Sun/partial shade. 3 & T2 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Chelidonium majus var. laciniatum (syn. Chelidonium 'Bowles' Variety')

Family: (Papaveraceae)

(P) to 2.5′.  A special selection of the Celandine Poppy with deeply lobed leaves and loads of summer-blooming, double golden yellow flowers that brings excitement to a shady garden.  Bright orange sap may irritate skin.  Partial shade. 3 & 6A

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Clematis integrifolia

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 3′.  Solitary Clematis.  Central Europe and Asia.  This upright, non-climbing Clematis has rich, indigo-violet, nodding, urn-shaped flowers with four twisted  sepals and creamy anthers.  Attractive, feathery seedheads follow and persist.  Blooms May to July.  Sun.  3 & 7 for 8 weeks, then T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Codonopsis pilosula

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(P) to 6′. Dang Shen, Poor Man’s Ginseng. Northern China. A vigorous, vining plant with purple flushed, greenish yellow, nodding bells. Thick, tuberous roots are used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic, similar to Ginseng. Midsummer. Well-drained soil. Sun/partial shade. 5 & 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): 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

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Elsholtzia stauntonii

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 5′. Chinese Mint-Shrub. China. A bushy, deciduous sub-shrub with fragrant, ovate-elliptical, coarsely toothed leaves. Branched panicles of dense, eight-inch, spike-like, lilac-purple clusters formed of two-lipped flowers with long, prominent stamens. Blooms late summer through autumn. Cut down in early spring as it grows much like Lespedeza, blooming on new growth. Well-drained soil. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Eryngium caeruleum (syn. E. caucasicum)

Family: (Apiaceae)

(P) to 4′. This Sea Holly is native to the Caucasus and Central Asia. Metallic blue thistles with matching spiky bracts are borne on stiff, forked branches. Both the stems and prickly leaves have an attractive bluish colour as well. A lovely plant. Blooms July to August. Well-drained soil. Sun. 3 & 6 & Δ