Perennials

Common Name: Feather Reed Grass, Ornamental Grass

Perennial Plant of the Year for 2001. This is a cool season, clumping grass with a compact, erect growth habit. It is especially prized in the north where the magnificent, wheat-like seed heads appear in late spring and last all season long.

'Karl Foerster' provides a great backdrop for lower growing, flowering perennials throughout the year. It is also useful for screening purposes and will not reseed. A good choice for heavy clay soils.

Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'

Common Name: Gayfeather, Blazing Star

Seed Form

Bright, rosy lavender flower wands open from top to bottom in early summer, appearing to glow at the tips. Narrow, opposite leaves are up to 10 inches long at the base of the plant and decrease in length up the stems.

In all, Liatris is a very strong vertical accent and 'Kobold' is one of the best selections available for border gardens. It is a staple item for cutting gardens; it adds a bright, vertical element to bouquets.

Flower spikes of indigo-blue in midsummer. Full sun and moist, well drained site are ideal. Height: 18" Width: 18" Zone: 3

Image courtesy of Walters Gardens.

Favorite flowering perennial. Large clumps of grass-like leaves are highlighted by lavender purple flowers on tall stems. This smaller growing selection reblooms throughout the summer months. Height: 18" Width: 18-24" Zone: 3

Images courtesy of Walters Gardens

Hosta of the year 2011

• Like no other hosta; definitely a collector's item
• Upright, narrow, tightly folded leaves resemble hands folded in prayer
• Dark green leaves are heavily rippled with very narrow, gold margins
• Leaves have a matte finish above but are folded, revealing their shiny undersides
• Lavender flowers on 18" scapes are abundant in late summer

Hostas are exceedingly popular perennials in today's gardens due to their versatility in the landscape. Their subtle colors, tall flower scapes, and broad, coarse leaves fill a niche in garden designs that few other plants can achieve. Their large leaves provide excellent coverage for dying bulb foliage. Hostas also grow well in city environments where the air may be polluted by car exhaust, etc.

Premium Hostas

This premium hosta variety is part of a group of the finest hostas available today. To be considered a premium hosta, plants must perform superbly in many zones. They must also exhibit exemplary garden presence and performance, have a long season of appeal in the landscape, have leaves of good substance, and demonstrate a greater resistance to common garden pests.

Extremely large, 5" ivory white flowers, this later blooming white variety will certainly turn your head when it blooms in early summer. Height: 33" Width: 18-24" Zone 3

Images courtesy of Walters Gardens