Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Verbascum blattaria f. albiflorum

Family: (Scrophulariaceae)

(B) to 4′. Moth Mullein. A native to Eurasia. Pure silky white, five-petalled, one-inch wide flowers with woolly mauve stamens grace long spikes. Glossy, rounded, lobed leaves are dark green and form basal rosettes. Blooms in midsummer. Well-drained soil. Sun. 4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Talinum paniculatum 'Aureum'

Family: (Portulacaceae)

(A) to 2.5′.  Jewels-of-Opar.  Southeast US 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 to 20 stamens.  Jewel-like, ruby-orange, rounded berries that eventually turn black.  The bright yellow-green, fleshy leaves make this a “must-have” in the yellow border.  Sun.  4 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Nicotiana langsdorffii

Family: (Solanaceae)

(A) to 4′. Brazilian Tobacco. One-inch-long chartreuse flared tubular flowers with striking blue stamens dangle from many branched stems. Blends fabulously in any border. Blooms from summer until frost. Happily self-sows. Sun. 4 & T2

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): Bupleurum rotundifolium

Family: (Apiaceae)

(A) to 18″. A carefree border plant. The Euphorbia-like flower is neon yellow surrounded by green bracts. Glaucous foliage is similar to that of Eucalyptus. Self-sower. Sun/partial shade. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Euphorbia lathyris

Family: (Euphorbiaceae)

(B) to 3.5′. Caper Spurge or Mole Plant. Mediterranean. Upright, unbranched, red stems thickly covered with stiff, glaucous, blue-green leaves. In the second year it produces a fantastic, branching inflorescence of vivid chartreuse-green blooms with enormous horned, green bracts, followed by spongy, grey-brown seed capsules. Reputed to keep moles at bay. Self-sows. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Emilia coccinea

Family: (Asteraceae)

(A) to 3′.  We love this selection of Tassel Flower.  A native of Tropical Africa that produces a profusion of orange to scarlet, thistle-like flowers in terminal corymbs.  Best if inter-planted or grown closely together.  A real beauty in our Red/Orange/Yellow Bed.  Sun.  3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Cynoglossum wallichii

Family: (Boraginaceae)

(A) to 3.5′. Central and South Asia. Small, cerulean blue flowers bloom on long, terminal, scorpioid cymes. Leaves are elliptic, glaucous, and ribbed. The seed nutlets form a tenacious burr. Unique and architectural. Sun. 3, D & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Cynoglossum officinale

Family: (Boraginaceae)

(B) to 3′.  Hound’s Tongue.  Europe.  Greyish green, silky foliage remains basal the first year.  Branched, one-sided cymes are covered with delicate, bell-shaped blooms of a dark, muted reddish purple.  Traditionally used to treat leg ulcers, bites, and minor injuries.  This herb can be now found naturalized around older settlements.  Sun.  Well-drained soil.  3, D & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Cynoglossum amabile ‘Mystery Rose’

Family: (Boraginaceae)

(A) to 2.5′. We love this plant. This wonderful selection is smothered in dusty pink blossoms. A joy in the border. Sun.  3, D & T2