repeat bloomer: lavender, blue, white
Attributes: Drought tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant, fragrant, cut flower, container plant, no deadheading required, enjoyed by butterflies, hummingbirds and bees Many of us have a fascination with growing lavender. The thought of inhaling wafts of calming lavender tickles our fancy. If you live in zones 5 or colder, get over it. Lavender typically appears pretty ratty when, or if, it makes it through these winters. Better to plant catmint instead. It resembles lavender and can smell like it too when planted along with lavender dryer sheets. ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint has tried my patience with its floppy habit. Compact cultivars that grow under 18" include ‘Little Trudy’, ‘Little Titch’, ‘Cat’s Meow’ (pictured above), ‘Purrsian Blue’ and ‘Blue Wonder’. Shear back the first round of blooms after they “purr-ter out” for a second “purr-fect” show. Tuck in a fresh dryer sheet while you’re at it.
REPEAT BLOOMING DAYLILY
Hemerocallis
Zones 3 – 9 ♦ Sun to Part Sun
14" – 36"+ tall
Flowers: all colors except blue
Attributes: Drought tolerant, rabbit resistant, some fragrant varieties, container plant, salt tolerant, enjoyed by hummingbirds and butterflies, tolerates wet soil, can be planted under black walnut trees
Before reading on, if deer are relentless in your neighborhood, then kindly skip to the next flower. Daylilies are chocolate bon-bons to these brown-eyed belles. Repeat blooming daylilies bring repeat smiles. ‘Stella D’Oro’ was the original trendsetter in this category. Frankly, there are now far better choices for consistent bloom and showy flowers. ‘Pewter Pink’ (pictured above) is a new daylily that’s turning noses. Many horticulturalists claim this is the most fragrant daylily yet. This silvery pink beauty grows to 24" with blooms that can reach 7" across! ‘Early Bird Red’ has set a new flower bar record with its ability to produce three rounds (sometimes four) of bud-laden scapes (stems). ‘Early Bird Orange’ has similar bragging rights. Other repeat blooming eye-pleasers are ‘Custard Candy’ (creamy yellow with burgundy watermark), ‘Going Bananas’ (soft yellow), and ‘Baja’ (red).
TICKSEED
Coreopsis verticillata and crosses
Zones 4 – 9 ♦ Sun
12" – 28" tall
Early summer and summer flowers, some repeat bloomers: yellow, pink, white, red, salmon, bicolor
Attributes: Drought tolerant, deer resistant, cut flower, container plant, no deadheading required, enjoyed by butterflies
Move aside, broad-leaved tickseeds (Coreopsis grandiflora); I’m fed up with constantly deadheading flowers atop long wiry stems, as well as its short-lived habit. Another member of your family, thread-leaved tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata), gets my vote. These come in a wide assortment of flower colors (not just yellow) and require zippo deadheading. ‘Moonbeam’(soft yellow) is a long-time favorite. Other “trialed” and true picks of mine include ‘Mercury Rising’ (red), ‘Route 66’ (yellow and red), and ‘Redshift’ (creamy yellow with a burgundy center). ‘Zagreb’ and ‘Golden Showers’ are way too fast-spreading for my taste. (Pictured above: ‘Mercury Rising’.)
YARROW
Achillea
Zones 3 – 8 ♦ Sun
18" – 24" tall
Summer flowers: yellow, pink, red, peach
Attributes: Drought tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant, cut flower, dried flower, no deadheading required, enjoyed by butterflies
I used to consider yarrow a messy thug. Most varieties were weak stemmed and prone to wandering (yellow flowering ‘Coronation Gold’ and ‘Moonshine’ were exceptions). All that changed when I became wooed by the ‘Seduction’ series. Strong, virile stems, erupting from neat foliage clumps, produce masses of handsome, repeat blooming flowers. ‘Sunny Seduction’ (yellow), ‘Peachy Seduction’ (peach), ‘Strawberry Seduction’ (red) and ‘Saucy Seduction’ (pink) will have you swooning. ‘Pomegranate’ is another lady killer with shimmering red flowers and all of ‘Seduction’s’ fine habits. (Pictured above: ‘Strawberry Seduction’.)
Additional fabulous perennial choices: false blue indigo (Baptisia), sedum, most ornamental grasses, peony, German bearded and Siberian iris, Russian sage (Perovskia), carnations (Dianthus) and lady’s mantle (Alchemilla).
Drought Tolerant Perennials for Part Shade to Shade
BARRENWORT
Epimedium
Zones 4 – 8 ♦ Part Shade to Shade
6" – 24" tall
Spring flowers: purple, yellow, white, pink, orange, bicolor
Attributes: Drought tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant, foliage creates weed-smothering mat, good for erosion control, does well in shallow soils
Got maple trees? Get barrenwort. Barrenwort is a hardworking perennial that wins the wrestling match with tree and shrub roots for limited water and nutrients. Delicate flowers, adorning wiry stems, move gracefully in springtime breezes. It’s best to shear back the semi-evergreen leaves in late winter to fully appreciate the floral show. The elongated, heart-shaped leaves take on a lovely burgundy-red blush in spring and fall. Even better, the leaves form a reliable weed-suppressing mat. (Pictured above: ‘Bandit Plant Delight.’)
LENTEN ROSE
Helleborus
Zones 4 – 8 ♦ Part Shade to Shade
10" – 36" tall
Spring flowers: pink, red, purple, white, yellow, burgundy and bicolor
Attributes: Drought tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant, enjoyed by bees, great leathery foliage that is evergreen or semi-evergreen, cut flower, container plant, can be planted under black walnut trees
