Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Persicaria orientalis (syn. Polygonum orientale)

Family: (Polygonaceae)

(A) to 7′. Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate. Southeastern Asia and Australia. A spectacular, old-fashioned cottage garden favourite with lush, heart-shaped leaves and fast growing, stout, branching stems bearing in late summer flamboyant, arching, three to four inches long, pendulous, crimson-pink flower clusters. Makes an excellent cut flower too. Self-sows. Prefers moist, rich soil. Flowers from midsummer until frost. Direct sow or 3 & 7 for 3 weeks then T2.

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Reseda luteola

Family: (Resedaceae)

(A/B) to 5’. Dyer’s Rocket. Long, meandering, slender spikes of small, yellowish flowers top narrow, lance-shaped leaves. A dyer’s plant yielding flavone, used to colour textiles yellow. Long blooming and self-sows. We just love it. Sun. 4 & T2. Best in situ.

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Silene armeria

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(A) to 8″.  Sweet William Catchfly.  Europe.  Grey-green, glaucous leaves and loose clusters of tubular, bright rose-pink flowers with five notched petals.  Flowers profusely July through August.  A cheerful and easy self-sower.  An old fashioned beauty that is a mainstay in grandmother’s garden.  Sun.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Talinum paniculatum

Family: (Portulacaceae)

(A) to 2.5′.  Jewels-of-Opar.  Southeast United States to Central America.  Many slender flower stalks bear panicles of shiny, red-orange, three-part buds followed by tiny, rose-red, ¼-inch flowers containing 15-20 stamens.  Jewel-like, ruby-orange, rounded berries that eventually turn black.  Very succulent, dark green, opposite leaves add to this oddity.  Sun.  4 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Verbena bonariensis

Family: (Verbenaceae)

(A/TP) to 5′.  South American Vervain.  A great “see-through” plant for the flower border.  Bristly, dark green, stiff stems have a few, three-inch long, clasping, lanceolate leaves.  Numerous, small, rosy purple, tufted flowers cluster in flat-topped cymes.  Blooms all summer.  Gently self-sows when happy.  Sun.  3, D & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Agastache foeniculum

Family: (Lamiaceae)

Short-lived perennial to 3-½’.   Anise Hyssop.  A North American native with aromatic, anise-scented foliage.  Lavender-blue flowers appear in many-flowered verticillasters which are densely packed into showy, cylindrical, terminal flower spikes up to 6 inches long.  Mid-summer bloomer is attractive to all pollinators. Self-sows.  Sun/partial shade.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Althaea cannabina

Family: (Malvaceae)

(P) 7′. Europe. A tall, wiry plant producing lavender-pink, cup-shaped blooms with darker central eyes in the leaf axils of slender, branching stems. The palmately lobed leaves are roughly pubescent with a greyish white underside. “The whole plant is light and graceful.” (GST**). Moist soil. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia

Family: (Apocynaceae)

(P) to 3′.  Willow-Leaved Blue Star.  Southeast United States.  A lovely addition to the flower border, bearing starry, blue flowers in late spring and early summer.  It is the less erect stems and slender-leaved, willow-like foliage that makes it different from the straight species.  Lovely golden yellow colour in autumn.  Sun/partial shade. 3 & 7 for 4 weeks, then T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Angelica gigas

Family: (Apiaceae)

(B/P) to 5′. This terrific Barry Yinger introduction from Korea and Japan is a stunner. Dramatic, deep maroon, spherical flowerheads emerge from red-flushed, bulbous, leafy sheaths above glossy green, dissected foliage. The afternoon sun intensifies the colour and lends this plant another dimension. Please note, insects, especially hornets, also find it irresistible. Sun/partial shade. 3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Asclepias incarnata

Family: (Apocynaceae)

(P) to 4.5′. Swamp Milkweed. Northeast and Southeast United States. Pale pink umbels are tough, reliable, and attractive. Flowers July through September. An important butterfly plant. We love it in our Pink/Chartreuse Bed. Sun. 4 & T1