The feathery flower plumes of Astilbe will light up shady areas in your garden, especially when several plants are grouped together. In June bright white, airy plumes on wiry stems rise above dense, shiny clumps of foliage. It does best planted in areas sheltered from hot sun in evenly moist soil. Deer and rabbit resistant.

Fountain Grass is an excellent all-season performer which looks great planted alone or used in groups to add fabulous texture and winter interest to mixed borders. Graceful, slender dark green leaves form a perfect round mound. In early summer silvery to pinkish white bottlebrush-like flowers spray like a fountain outward from the foliage, hence the common name. The flowers gradually turn a tan color and are effective until early winter. In early spring, before new growth emerges, cut foliage back to a few inches.

Blue Hill is noted for its softly colored flowers and long season of bloom. Spikes of lilac blue flowers rise above clumps of dense, gray-green foliage in June, lasting for several weeks and attracting many butterflies and pollinators. Plant in groups to maximize the fantastic floral display. Good companions include Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum) and Pink Tickseed (Coreopsis). Removing faded flowers really helps to extend the blooming period.

Known for its attractive foliage and long-lasting flower spikes, East Friesland injects color and drama into the summer garden. Violet blue spikes, lighter in color than those of May Night and Caradonna, rise above clumps of gray-green foliage in June, the butterfly-friendly flowers lasting for several weeks. Snipping the spent blooms further extends the flowering time.

Biokovo Cranesbill has masses of beautiful shell pink flowers with rose eyes at the ends of the stems from late spring to late summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its deeply cut lobed palmate leaves are dark green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous Indian red in the fall. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.

An easy-to-grow white version of the Native Coneflower (Nativar) with less droopy flower petals and a more richly colored central cone. Daisy-like creamy white flowers with a coppery red cone bloom from June to September, attracting butterflies and birds. Great with sun-lovers Butterfly Bush (Buddleaia), Daylily (Hemerocallis), Goldenrod (Solidago), Phlox and ornamental grasses. Leave plants standing over the winter so birds can enjoy the seeds!

This tough little ornamental grass actually prefers hot, dry situations! Compact mounds of powder blue, fine-textured foliage make this effective as an edging plant or as a color accent in the rock garden, containers or raised beds. Declines in wet soil and excessive humidity.

Mature Height: 6-12 inches

Mature Width:  6-12 inches

Sunlight: Full sun

Soil Conditions: Well drained soil

An easy to grow improvement on the Native Coneflower (Nativar) Magnus' flower has less droopy petals and a more richly colored central cone. Daisy-like rosy lavender flowers with a coppery red cone bloom from June to September, the flowers attracting butterflies and birds. Great with sun-lovers Butterfly Bush (Buddleaia), Daylily (Hemerocallis), Goldenrod (Solidago), Phlox and ornamental grasses. Leave plants standing over the winter so birds can enjoy the seeds!

Cool, gray-green leaves on arching burgundy stems add soft texture and unique color to shady areas and woodland gardens. Easy to grow in moist, compost-rich soil. For brightest leaf color avoid heavy shade.

Cute-as-a-button Astilbe is deceptively tough and blooms later than most. It's low, compact form makes it an excellent groundcover for shady areas. Sprays of delicate-looking, shell pink blooms in July float above deep green, shiny leaves which are bronze-tinted in spring. Combines well with other shade and moisture lovers such as Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera), Mini Hosta and Japanese Painted Fern.