A dramatic plant in any landscape, it has dark green, toothed, spiky basal leaves. In early summer, it will grow a 3-4' tall flower spike. The blooms on the spike resemble a white snapdragon flower, with a purplish hood topping the white throats. Grows best in average soil, in sun or partial shade. - Zone 5
Large, rosy-purple flower heads appear on strong, 20" stems in July. The strap-like, glossy green leaves stay green for several months. Best in full sun. Deer and rabbit proof! - Zone 5
This variety has delicate-looking, needle-type, green foliage with steel-blue flowers in late spring. The foliage turns a beautiful gold color in the fall. Growing 3-4' tall this carefree plant will grow in average soil and return every year. It is best grown in full sun or partial shade. - Zone 4
Short, compact Anemones produce a ton of blooms in late summer-early fall. At one third the height and twice the flower power of older varieties, these little beauties are perfect for tucking into the front of the border. Annual plantings looking tired? Yank them out and put in some Pretty Ladies. Mums not surviving the winter? These Ladies are much tougher! - Zone 5
'Pretty Lady Diana' - Single deep pink
'Pretty Lady Emily' - Double light pink
'Pretty Lady Julia' - Double dark rose
'Pretty Lady Maria' - Single white
Joe Pye Weed can look pretty boring when it's not in bloom. 'Pink Frost' has a color combination that really pops: dark green foliage with wide yellow edges. Small clusters of deep pink flowers appear in late summer and fall. Grows 30-36" tall making it perfect for the back or middle of the border. Best in full sun or part shade. - Zone 4
Perfect low growers for dry shade, these Epimediums have small flowers that resemble tiny columbine blooms. They bloom early when there isn't much else in flower. They have heart-shaped green leaves on wiry stems which give them a bit of a delicate look. Bishop's Hat are very hardy and can handle dry shady areas once established. They come in red, yellow, and white blooms. - Zone 4
Stiff, upright leaves are boldly variegated with green and white. Bluish-lavender flowers emerge in late spring. Foliage is pest-resistant and stays attractive through the summer. Does well in most soil growing 18-24" tall. - Zone 4
This compact plant packs a lot of flower power! Aster-like, pale blue blooms cover this plant all summer long. Grows 12-18" tall and takes full sun or partial shade. - Zone 5
Petite, daisy-type white flowers cover the mound of foliage all summer long. Heat and drought tolerant and easy to grow in well-drained soil. Grows 24" tall. - Zone 5
Deep red, ball-shaped blooms are borne on wiry stems above the dissected green foliage. Blooms most of the summer. Prefers full sun and grows 18" tall. May naturalize in the garden by self-seeding. - Zone 5
A Liatris that doesn't fall over! This dwarf variety has the same purple flower spikes as 'spicata', except they are much smaller, and more numerous. Makes a great addition to any fairy garden as it only grows 18-24" tall. Best in full sun or partial shade. - Zone 4
A hardy, native cactus for the Midwest. Flat, bunny-ear type pads have tiny inconspicuous spines. Beautiful yellow blooms appear on the top of the pads in early summer, followed by edible reddish fruit. Grows best in dry, rocky soil with good drainage. Grows 12-18" tall. - Zone 5
This Phlox grows a bit taller than creeping phlox and blooms a bit later. Loads of fragrant, blue flowers appear in late April-early May. Grows 12" tall with a spreading habit and can handle some shade. Prefers Sun or part shade. - Zone 5
An alternative to the popular Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' which can grow to a height of 3', 'Little Suzy' has a maximum height of 18". Blooms most of the summer with the same golden yellow, daisy-type flowers, but has a more refined growth habit. Excellent disease resitance. - Zone 3.
This little guy will give you lots of bright yellow blooms in late summer and early fall. Medium green foliage maintains a compact 8-10" in height and will thrive in full sun or partial shade. - Zone 5
Neat, compact clumps of textured green leaves grow 6" in height. In June the plants send up 24" stalks of carmine-rose flower clusters. Blooms for six weeks or more. Prefers full sun and thrives in ordinary soil.
Vernonia lettermannii (Iron Butterfly)
This delicate-looking perennial is one tough cookie! It has narrow, needle-like green foliage similar to Amsonia hubrechtii. Grows 30-36" tall with purple flower clusters forming at the top of its foliage. A fall bloomer, making it a perfect companion plant to anemones and mums. Thrives in full sun. - Zone 4
This large perennial has a shrubby appearance and produces long, veronica-type flower spikes of lavender-colored blooms in mid-summer. A tough plant that grows 4-5' in full sun. - Zone 3
This little violet was aptly named. It has small purple leaves with a heavy silver overlay on top. The small purple flowers emerge in spring, continue sporadically in summer and providing more blooms in fall. Perfect for edging or tucked into rock gardens. Grows just 3-5" tall in shade or part shade. - Zone 5
