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): Aster tataricus

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 7′.  Tatarian Aster.  Siberia.  Tall, long-blooming Aster with glorious, loose sprays of bold, lilac-blue daisies with yellow centres.  Dense clusters of wide, lance-shaped leaves.  Tough, durable plant that will thrive in a variety of conditions.  No staking needed, blooms late – September and October and well worth the wait.  Sun/partial shade. 3 & 6 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Baptisia australis

Family: (Fabaceae)

(P) to 4.5′. False Indigo. Eastern United States. Great foliage plant forming large clumps of glabrous foliage on stiff, upright stems. The blue, pea-like flowers bloom in loose racemes in midsummer. Big, black, rattling seedpods remain throughout the winter. Sun. 2A & 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Baptisia leucantha

Family: (Fabaceae)

(P) to 3′. White Wild Indigo. Grows in dry woods from North Carolina to Florida. A sparsely branched, bush-like, herbaceous perennial with trifoliate, bluish-green, glaucous leaves. Dark flower stems give rise to erect racemes of small, white, pea-like flowers, up to two feet in length. Blooms in spring. The large, oblong, inflated seed pods are initially green but turn black, extending the show. Sun/partial shade. 2A & 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Campanula latifolia 'Alba'

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(P) to 5′. Great White Bellflower. Stunning. Large bells of pristine white clusters along a very upright stem. A “show-stopper” in the white garden. Blooms in June and July. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Campanula trachelium Mix

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(P) to 3.5′. Nettle-leaved Bellflower. Europe, North Africa, Siberia.  Spikes of blue-purple to lilac to white bells decorate the numerous, leafy stems. Nettle-like foliage. Blooms simultaneously with the roses, a perfect complement. Sun/partial shade. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Caryopteris divaricata

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 5′.  Bluebeard.  A native plant of the Himalayas.  Splendid spikes of violet-blue, wide open, hooded flowers with a dab of white in the throat.  Light green leaves are ovate, acute and oddly aromatic.  An accommodating, tough plant.  Blooms in September.  Sun.  3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Centaurea dealbata

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 3′. Persian Knapweed. Caucasus. Erect, branched, leafy stems with finely divided, grey-green, pinnatisect leaves with grey, woolly undersides. The attractive green, scaly, involucre of bracts with black bristles supports the lilac-pink, pale centred ‘bachelor’s buttons’. Blooms early to mid-summer. Sun/partial shade. Well-drained soil.  3, D & T2

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