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): Daucus carota ‘Dara’

Family: (Apiaceae)

(B) to 2.5′.  Queen Anne’s Lace.  Europe.  A new twist on an old-fashioned beauty.  The lacy blooms deepen color as they age to a rose-purple and eventually turn a darker red-purple. Simply lovely.  Full sun and well-drained soil.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Polanisia dodecandra

Family: (Capparaceae)

(A) to 2′.  Red-whisker Clammyweed.  Central and eastern North America.  Resembling in flower its cousin, the familiar cottage garden favourite Cleome, this easy annual makes a great filler plant in areas with lean soil and full sun.  Sticky, moist glands cover the leaves and stems and explain its common name, Clammyweed.   The pinnately compound leaves are made up of three, one-inch leaflets. The flowers are borne in a cluster of about 20 atop the stem. The individual flowers are one inch long with four, white, heart-shaped petals.  The calyx is divided into four triangular sepals that are reddish purple.  The 8 to 12 strongly exerted stamens are reddish purple and rather unequal in length, like red whiskers.  At the base of each flower is a gland that secretes a conspicuous spot of bright red nectar.  Blooms in late June and early July, followed by slender, three-inch, upright, fuzzy, bean-like capsules filled with many small, dark seeds.  Self-sows.  4 & T3

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): 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): Orlaya grandiflora

Family: (Apiaceae)

(A) to 18″.  A beautiful native of Greece with umbels of cream-coloured flowers comprised of many starry florets, each with two large outer petals.  The whole effect is reminiscent of a lace doily.  Feathery, apple-green foliage and the distinct, rough, spiny seeds are a bonus.  We love it in our spring displays.  Sun.  3 & 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

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Monarda citriodora

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(A) to 3′.  Lemon Bee Balm.  Central United States to northern Mexico.  Like the name describes, the flowers are lemon-scented.  The showy, leaf-like, pinkish bracts surround the inner, pink dotted, two-lipped, purple hooded flowers.  A bonus, the mature seedheads are attractive when dried.  Sun.  4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Consolida regalis

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(A) to 2′.  Forked Larkspur.  Mediterranean.  Panicles of delicate, long-spurred, violet-blue flowers are produced in profusion forming an airy cloud of blue.  Finely divided foliage is an added attraction.  An easy charmer.  Sun.  3, D & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Calendula officinalis

Family: (Asteraceae)

(A) to 18″.  The pot marigold of all pot marigolds.  The flowers smother the foliage throughout the growing season.  The blooms are single golden orange and add intense colour to the flower border.  It is one of our (many) favourites.  Self-sows.  Sun.  3, D & T2