Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Ruta odorata

Family: (Rutaceae)

(P) to 2′.  Dwarf Rue.  Central Asia.  Shrubby, low branching, woody-stemmed mounds of deeply divided, blue-green, aromatic foliage.  Showy sprays of small, four-petalled, long-lasting, sulphur yellow blooms in summer.  Makes a good edging plant but be careful when handling foliage as oil in leaves can cause a rash.  This rare relative of R. graveolens has survived winters on our exposed Order Beds and is a gentle self-sower  Well-drained soil.  Sun.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Salvia lyrata

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 20″. Lyre-leaved Sage. A native of eastern North America. Leafless flower stems display hooded, purple flowers in whorls in early summer. The calyces remain ornamental after the flowers fade. An attractive yet tough plant. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Sanguisorba obtusa 'Chatto'

Family: (Rosaceae)

(P) to 4′. Japanese Burnet. An elegant plant with striking, blue-grey, toothed, pinnate foliage which is sparsely topped with white bottle brush flowers. A reliable and beautiful performer that is admired more for the foliage than flower. Midsummer. Sun. 3 & T2 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Sanguisorba officinalis

Family: (Rosaceae)

(P) to 6′.  Great Burnet.  A tall, airy herb with a mass of ¾-inch maroon drumsticks.  Basal leaves have dark green, glossy leaflets.  Quite a sight growing through our purple fennel.  We love it in the herb garden and in the flower garden.  Easy to grow in moist, rich soil.  Blooms June to October.  Sun.  3 & T2 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Scrophularia nodosa

Family: (Scrophulariaceae)

(P) to 3′. Common Figwort. Europe. Dainty brown flowers are surrounded by green sepals on racemes in branched terminal clusters. Leaves are entire, ovate, and acute. A good plant for sun/partial shade. Self-sows. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Scutellaria altissima

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 3′. Soaring Skullcap. Southeast Europe, Caucasus. Bushy perennial with light green, serrated, slightly downy, oval leaves. Numerous, one-sided racemes of many, pale blue, tubular, lipped flowers. A welcome presence in our Gravel Garden. Well-drained soil. Sun/partial shade. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Silphium terebinthinaceum

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 6′. The Prairie Dock. Tall stems of yellow daisies. The giant leaves can reach three feet in length. Rough, flat, dark green and extremely handsome leaves. Fabulous foliage plant. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Sium sisarum

Family: (Apiaceae)

(P) to 3′. Skirret, Ratbait. Europe to East Asia. Aromatic, shiny leaves with three to eleven leaflets that are lanceolate and toothed. Umbels of small, white flowers with involucral bracts. Long-blooming. Moist soil. Sun. 3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Teucrium hircanicum

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 2′. Wood Sage. This native of Persia has orchid-purple, hooded flowers with bell-shaped bracts that bloom on stiff spikes throughout summer. Aromatic, bright green leaves are ovate, notched, and puckered. Moist soil. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Thalictrum lucidum

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 5′. Shining Meadow Rue. Europe to temperate Asia. A Thalictrum with a neat twist. Shiny, angular, dark blue-green leaves have a geometric look to them. The soft, fluffy, creamy yellow panicles of flowers are quite unique. A long, summer bloomer. Sun/partial shade. 3 & T1 & Δ