Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Dianthus knappii

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(B/P) to 16″.  A unique, yellow flowered Dianthus native to scrubby hillsides and dry, grassy meadows in the Western Balkans.  Dense, terminal clusters of soft lemon yellow flowers on slender, nodding stems.  Loose, grassy clumps of narrow, pale green foliage.  A short-lived perennial that often dies after blooming, best treated as biennial.  Blooms in midsummer.  Well-drained soil.  Sun/partial shade.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Tanacetum niveum

Family: (Asteraceae)

(TP) to 2-½’.  Silver Tansy.  A short-lived perennial with silver-grey, deeply cut, fragrant foliage that is covered with masses of ½ inch, white, daisy-like flowers with yellow centres.  Midsummer.  Delicate yet striking.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Dianthus japonicus

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(B/P) to 2′.  Hama-nadeshiko, Japanese Dianthus.  Japan and East Asia.  From lush rosettes of thick, glossy, narrowly ovate basal leaves emerge leafy stalks topped with dense clusters of vivid rosy-purple, five-petalled, toothed blooms.  Extremely floriferous the second year from seed and may be somewhat biennial.  Persistent winter foliage develops attractive, rich burgundy overtones.  Not your typical “Pink.”  Blooms midsummer till fall.  Well-drained soil.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Mirabilis jalapa Salmon

Family: (Nyctaginaceae)

(A/TP) to 3′.  Four o’Clock, Marvel of Peru.  A lovely selection that is perfect in our Peach Bed of the Flower Garden.  Bright green foliage and delightful salmon flowers with a pink centre.  Sun/partial shade.  4 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Salvia sclarea

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(B) to 3′.  Clary Sage.  Europe to C Asia.  First year rosettes are comprised of substantial, grey-green, rough-textured, ovate to oblong leaves to nine inches.  The following summer brings many upright, pink-tinged flower stems clothed with large, showy, white tinged-rosy-purple bracts which hold the small, blue and white hooded flowers.  Self-sows to keep an ongoing biennial balance with simultaneous first year rosettes and flowering plants.  A very architectural, aromatic and showy plant that needs little care.  Full sun, average garden soil.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Borago officinalis

Family: (Boraginaceae)

(A) to 2′.  Common Borage can, according to John Gerard’s Herbal, “make men and women glad and merry, driving away all sadnesse, dulnesse and melancholy.”  Whilst the clusters of bright blue and white, star-like flowers in spring and summer will certainly bring a smile to even the most curmudgeonly of gardeners.  Borage is also cultivated mainly for its cucumber-flavoured leaves and flowers, used as a garnish for salads, and is a vital ingredient in Pimms No. 2, the drink of Wimbledon.  Sun.  3 & T1

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Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Ammobium altatum

Family: (Asteraceae)

(A) to 3′.  Winged Everlasting.  Although a perennial in Australia, we treat this tender perennial as an annual.  The pure white, stiff, papery ray florets are short and layered and surround bright yellow, central discs. Unusual greyish green stems are flat and winged along the edges.  Flowers are in abundance throughout the season.  An interesting and easy to grow annual that dries beautifully.  Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'

Family: (Boraginaceae)

(A) to 2′.  Honeywort.  Mediterranean.  Fleshy, blue-green leaves with white mottling, spiral up the stem, gradually turning to purple.  Colourful bracts surround clusters of small, rich purple-blue, tubular, nodding flowers with cream interiors.  Simply lovely.  Sun.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Salvia coccinea 'Brenthurst'

Family: Lamiaceae

(A/TP) to 2.5′.  A cool-coloured cousin of the red bedding Salvia with numerous spikes of bicoloured,  lipped blooms.  The pale whitish pink upper hoods and three lobed, deeper pink lower lips contrast nicely against the dark tinted calyces and stems.  Blooms late summer and lasts until frost.  Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Monarda punctata

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(A) to 3′.  Horse Mint.  Native to the Great Plains of the United States.  Dense whorls of pale yellow, hooded flowers spotted with purple-brown.  Each whorl is surrounded by large, pink-tipped, green bracts.  The narrow, toothed leaves have a grey cast.  A very showy plant.  Sun.  4 & T1