Low = under 8 inches, Medium = 8 inches to 30 inches, Tall = over 30 inches
Low Summer Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Aegopodium podagraria variegata 1 6" X 30" Low, dense mass of light green
Variegated Bishop's Weed Med. Sun-Shade leaves with white edges. Spreads.
Alchemilla mollis 3 15" X 1' Scalloped leaves hold raindrops.
Lady's Mantle Med. Sun-Part Good cut greenish flowers in June
Artemisia species 3 1' X 2' Silvery leaves in many shapes.
Wormwood Low Sun Yellow flowers in August.
Aruncus dioicus 4 1' X 1' Native. Creamy white flowers in
Goatsbeard Med. Shade-Part June and July.
Aster tongolensis 'Wartburg' 5 1' X 1' Violet flowers with golden orange
Wartburg Aster Med. Sun centers in June to September.
Cerastium tomentosum 3 6" X 2' Evergreen. Silvery gray leaves.
Snow-in-Summer Med. Sun-Part White flowers in early summer.
Conradina verticillata 5 1' X 3' Aromatic leaves. Lavender pink
Cumberland Rosemary Med. Sun flowers in June.
Convolvulus mauritanicus 7 5" X 2' Evergreen. Lavender blue trumpet
Ground Morning Glory Low Sun-Part flowers May to September.
Corydalis lutea 6 15" X 15" Masses of gray-green divided leaves
Corydalis High Part Shade Yellow flowers June-August.
Delosperma cooperi 6 4" X 18" Evergreen. Succulent foliage with
Ice Plant Low Sun magenta daisies July to September
Diascia species 7 10" X 2' Low spreading plant with pink flo-
Twinspur Low Sun-Part wers from June to September.
Erodium reichardii 6 5" X 1' Evergreen. Tough low creeper with
Cranesbill Med. Sun-Part many flowers May to October.
Eschscholzia californica 1' X 2' Yellow, pink, or white poppies all
California Poppy Low Sun summer. Remove dead flowers.
Fern, Athyrium nipponicum 4 10" X 15" Deciduous. Green with silver-gray
Japanese Painted Fern Med. Shade-Part on burgandy stems.
Gentiana species 3 1' X 1' Dark blue flowers in July to Sept.
Gentian High Sun Needs good drainage & acid soil.
Geum coccinium 4 1' X 1' Stems of red to copper flowers
Geum, Grecian Rose Med. Sun-Part above divided leaves in summer.
Gomphrena globosa 10" X 1' Rounded flower heads in red purple
Globe Amaranth Low Sun-Part and white. Excellent dried.
Goniolimon tataricum 4 1' X 1' Many branched white flower-head in
German Statice Low Sun July-August. Excellent dried.
Grass, Acorus gramineus 5 12" X 18" Grass-like leaves resembles tiny
Sweet Flag High Sun-Part iris. Likes lots of water.
Grass, Arrhenath. elatius bulb. 4 12" X 18" Narrow leaves boldly edged with
Bulbous Oat Grass Med. Sun-Part white.
Grass, Carex testacea 6 16" X 1' Fine blades turn almost orange in
Orange Sedge High Sun-Shade sun, olive green in shade.
Grass, Hakonechloa macra 5 10" X 18" Graceful slender leaves with gold
Japanese Forest Grass High Shade stripes. Spreads slowly.
Grass, Ophiopogon japonicus 5 8" X 10" Evergreen. Dark green tufts like
Mondo Grass Med. Sun-Shade grass. Lilac flowers in summer.
Grass, Ophiopogon planisca. 'Nig 5 10" X 2' Evergreen. Glossy black leaves.
Black Mondo Grass Med. Sun-Part Lilac flowers in late summer.
Grass, Scirpus cernuus 9 10" X 10" Small white seed on tip of each
Fiber Optic Grass High Sun-Part blade.
Helianthemum nummularium 4 6" X 1' Red, orange, yellow, pink, peach, &
Sunrose Low Sun white flowers in June to August.
Hypericum calycinum 7 15" X 2' Evergreen. Large yellow flowers
St. Johns Wort Med. Sun-Shade in summer.
Lamium maculatum 4 6" X 2' Silver leaves. Pink or white
Deadnettle Med. Part Shade flowers in May-July.
Leptinella squalida 5 1" X 1' Evergreen. Gray to black fern like
Brass Buttons Med. Sun-Shade leaves. Tolerates foot traffic.
Linum lewisii 5 15" X 12" Native. Delicate blue flowers on
Blue Flax Low Sun slender stalks. Drought tolerant.
Liriope species 5 15" X 18" Clumps of grass-like leaves with
Lilyturf Med. Shade-Part spikes of blue flowers July-Oct.
Lysimachia nummularia 3 6" X 3' Evergreen. Yellow flowers in
Creeping Jenny High Shade-Part summer. Good groundcover.
Matricaria recutia 8" X 1' Fine cut fern-like leaves with
Feverfew, Chamomile Low Sun white & yellow flowers June-July.
Muehlenbeckia axillaris 3 5" X 15" Evergreen groundcover. Translucent
Creeping Wire Vine Med. Sun-Part white fruit with black seeds.
Oenothera missouriensis 5 6" X 16" Large, light yellow flowers May to
Missouri Primrose Low Sun-Part September. Good groundcover.
Potentilla verna nana 3 4" X 1' Yellow flowers in summer.
Dwarf Potentilla Med. Sun
Pratia pedunculata 4 3" X 1' Evergreen. Blue star-like flowers
Blue Star Creeper Med. Sun-Part in late spring and summer.
Pulmonaria species 4 1' X 18" Dark green leaves with white spots.
Lungwort Med. Shade-Part Deep blue flowers in June & July.
Sedum species 4 3" X 1' Evergreen. Heat and drought resis-
Creeping Stonecrop Low Sun-Part tant. White to purple flowers.
Sempervivum species 3 6" X 12" Rosettes of green and purple leaves
Hen and Chicks Low Sun-Part Red or yellow flowers in summer.
Stachys byzantina 4 1' X 2' Soft, white, wooly leaves. Small
Lamb's Ear Low Sun-Part purplish flower spikes in June.
Thymus species 4 4" X 1' Aromatic leaves with tiny red to
Thyme Low Sun-Part blue flowers. Good groundcover.
Trifolium repens 'Dark Dancer' 4 4" x 1' Evergreen groundcover. Low mat with
Dark Dancer Clover Med. Sun-Part dark spots on leaves. White flwrs
Tritelaia hyacinthina 4 15" X 15" Native bulb. Clusters of white/pur-
White Brodiaea Med. Sun plish flowers in June-July.
Zauschneria species 3 5" X 18" Deciduous. Orange scarlet flowers
California Fuchsia Low Sun-Part in summer attract hummingbirds.
Medium Summer Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Achillia millefolium 3 30" X 12" Native. White flat flowers in sum-
Common Yarrow Low Sun mer. Good dried flowers.
Agapanthus africanus 7 2' X 2' Evergreen. Stalks of blue or white
Lily Of The Nile Low Sun-Part flowers in summer. Needs shelter.
Agastache species 6 2' X 1' Attracts hummingbirds. Masses of
Hyssop Med. Sun-Part red, pink or lavender flowers.
Alstroemeria premium 8 2' X 3' Orange yellow pink red and white
Peruvian Lily Med. Part Sun flowers June to July. Good cut.
Anaphalis margaritacea 3 2' X 1' Native. Gray-green leaves. Papery
Pearly Everlasting High Sun white flowers in late Summer.
Anthemis tinctoria 4 2' X 2' Pale yellow daisies in summer.
Hardy Marguerite Daisy Med. Sun Great cut flowers.
Aquilegia formosum 3 2' X 2' Native. Red flowers in May to
Red Columbine Low Part Sun August. Attracts hummingbirds.
Asclepias tuberosa 4 2' X 3' Bright orange flowers from July to
Butterfly Weed Med. Sun September. Attracts butterflies.
Astilbe arendsii 3 2' X 18" Tall spikes of red pink or white
Astilbe High Sun-Shade flowers from May to July.
Astrantia major 4 2' X 2' Red, pink or white flowers in
Masterwort Med. Sun-Part summer. Good cut or dried.
Ballota nigra 'Archers Variety' 4 2' X 3' Leaves have white streaks and spots
Variegated Horehound Low Sun Tiny purple flowers in summer.
Campanula species 4 1-5' X 1' Bell or star shaped flowers. Many
Bellflower High Shade-Part forms and colors are available.
Catananche caerulea 4 18" X 1' Gray green leaves. Deep blue flo-
Cupid's Dart Low Sun wers June to August. Good dried.
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides 6 18" X 2' Intense blue flowers from July to
Dwarf Plumbago Med. Sun-Part September. Reddish new leaves.
Convolvulus cneorum 8 2' X 2' Evergreen. White or light pink
Silver Bush Morn. Glory Low Sun-Part trumpet flowers May to September.
Coreopsis species 4 18" X 18" Profuse yellow daisies from June
Coreopsis, Tickseed Low Sun-Part to September.
Cosmos atrosanguineus 8 2' X 2' Deep brownish red flowers with
Chocolate Cosmos Med. Sun chocolate or vanilla fragrance.
Dietes bicolor 8 18" X 15" Iris-like leaves with yellow and
African Iris Med. Sun-Part maroon flowers spring to fall.
Erigeron species 7 18" X 1' Aster-like white, lavender or pink
Fleabane Med. Sun-Part flowers August to frost. Native.
Eryngium amethystinum 4 2' X 1' Thistle-like plant. Steel blue or
Sea holly Low Sun amethyst flowers July to Sept.
Erysimum linifolium 6 2' X 2' Yellow to purple flowers all summer
Wallflower Med. Sun-Part long.
Eucomis comosa 7 3' X 3' Large, strap-like leaves with tall
Purple Pineapple Lily Med. Sun-Part bloom resembling a pineapple.
Felicia amelloides 9 18" X 4' Sky-blue, yellow-centered daisies
Blue Marguerite Med. Sun all summer. Fragrant leaves.
Fern, Adiantum pedantum 2 18" X 18" Fronds fork in finger-like pattern
Western Maidenhair Fern High Shade-Part on slender black stems.
Fern, Blechnum spicant 7 2' X 2' Low spreading sterile fronds and
Deer Fern Med. Shade upright fertile fronds.
Fern, Dryopteris expansa 4 2' X 2' Finely divided upright fronds die
Wood Fern Med. Shade-Part down in winter.
Fuchsia magellanica 6 3' X 3' Red, white, and violet flowers on
Hardy Fuchsia High Part Shade rounded bush July to frost.
Gaillardia grandiflora 3 2' X 2' Daisy-like flowers of yellow, red,
Blanket Flower Low Sun orange and maroon June to frost.
Gaura lindheimeri 7 18" X 2' Pink buds open into white flowers
Gaura Low Sun like white butterflies June-Sept.
Geranium species 4 2' X 2' Small to large cut leaves. White to
Cranesbill Geranium Med. Sun-Part purple flowers in summer.
Grass, Carex buchananii 5 2' X 3' Grass-like clumps of reddish bronze
Fox Red Curly Sedge High Sun-Part with curly tips. Moist soil.
Grass, Deschampsia caespitosa 4 18" X 12" Native. Dark green clump of grass.
Tufted Hair Grass High Sun-Part Seed stalks produce plantlets.
Grass, Elymus glaucus 4 2' X 2' Native. Dense clumps of blue grass.
Blue Wild Rye Low Sun blue grass.
Grass, Helictotrichon semperv. 4 2' X 2' Evergreen. Mound of blue grass.
Blue Oat Grass Med. Sun
Grass, Imperata cylindr. 'Rubra' 5 18" X 18" Top half of stems are blood red.
Japanese Blood Grass Med. Sun-Part Purplish in winter.
Grass, Stipa tenuissima 7 2' X 2' Deciduous. Soft, fine, bright green
Mexican Feather Grass Med. Sun foliage.
Hosta species 3 30" X 18" Colorful leaves with tall stalks of
Hosta Med. Shade-Part lavender flowers. Bait for slugs.
Lavandula species 6 2' X 3' Evergreen. Gray leaves with fra-
Lavender Low Sun grant lavender flowers July-Aug.
Leucanthemum x superbum 4 2-4' X 2' Large white single or double
Shasta Daisy Med. Sun-Part flowers May to October. Good cut.
Liatris spicata 3 2' X 1' Narrow plume of fluffy rose-purple
Spike Gayfeather Low Sun flowers July-Sept. Excellent cut.
Limonium latifolium 4 2' X 18" White and blue or pink flowers from
Sea Lavender Low Sun May to July. Needs good drainage.
Linum perenne 5 18" X 12" Profuse light blue flowers May to
Perennial blue flax Low Sun September. Fern-like leaves.
Lupinus hybrid 3 30" X 18" Stately flower spikes up to 1' from
Hybrid Lupine Med. Sun June to August. Good cut flowers.
Monarda didyma 4 2' X 18" White, scarlet, or purple flowers
Bee balm, Bergamot Med. Sun June-August attract hummingbirds.
Parahebe perfoliata 7 2' X 3' Evergreen. Bluish-gray foliage.
Digger's Speedwell Med. Sun-Part Blue-violet flowers May-August.
Penstemon species 5 2' X 2' Soft pink to deep purple flowers
Penstemon, Beard Tongue Low Sun June-Sep. Attracts hummingbirds.
Phlox paniculata 4 2' X 2' Many colors available, some with a
Summer Phlox Any Sun contrasting eye.
Polemonium caeruleum 4 2' X 1' Clusters of sky blue flowers above
Jacob's Ladder High Sun-Shade ladder-like leaves June to August
Rudbeckia hirta 3 30" X 2' Large yellow flowers with brown
Black Eyed Susan Med. Sun center from June to October.
Salvia species 7 1-3' X 2' Narrow gray-green leaves. Fragrant
Garden Sage Low Sun-Part blue or pink flowers June-August.
Santolina chamaecyparissus 7 18" X 2' Silvery-gray, finely divided leaves
Lavender Cotton Low Sun are fragrant when crushed.
Scabiosa columbaria 5 18" X 18" Blue, pink or white flowers June to
Pincushion Low Sun-Part frost. Good cut or dried.
Solidago species 5 2' X 18" Large clusters of golden yellow
Goldenrod Med. Sun-Part flowers July to October.
Stokesia laevis 5 18" X 18" Aster-like flowers of blue, violet,
Stokes Aster Med. Sun or white in June to September.
Tanacetum coccineum 5 30" x 18" Pink to red daisies in June-July.
Painted Daisy Med. Sun Natural insecticide.
Tradescantia virginiana 3 18" X 18" Arching branches with white or blue
Spiderwort High Part Shade flowers in summer.
Veronica species 4 2' X 1' Deep blue or red flower spikes.
Speedwell Med. Sun-Part 'Red Fox' is good for cut flowers
Tall Summer Perennials
Scientific name USDA Zone Height X Width Description
Common name Water Exposure
Acanthus mollis 6 3' X 3' Large, shiny green leaves. Spike
Grecian Pattern Plant Med. Sun-Part of lilac or rose flowers in June.
Achillea species 3 3' X 2' Yellow or pastel flower heads in
Yarrow Low Sun-Part June-Sept. Good cut or dried.
Aconitum napellus 3 4' X 18" Blue or soft pink helmet-shaped
Monkshood High Sun-Part flowers July-August. Poisonous.
Alcea rosea 3 5' X 2' Biennial. Old fashioned favorite
Hollyhock Med. Sun now in many colors July-August.
Allium giganteum 4 5' X 1' Bulb. Ball-like clusters of lilac
Giant Allium Med. Sun flowers in July.
Baptisia australis 4 3' X 4' Spikes of small indigo blue flowers
False Indigo Low Sun in summer. Attractive seeds.
Brugmansia species (Datura) 8 3-8'X 3-8' Tender perennial needs protection.
Angel's Trumpet Med. Sun-Shade Large, fragrant white flowers.
Canna species 7 3-6' X 2' Tall stalk with large leaves and
Canna Med. Sun many colored flowers.
Centranthus ruber 4 3' X 18" Rosy red flowers from June to Sept.
Jupiter's Beard Low Sun-Part Good cut flowers. Needs drainage.
Cimicifuga racemosa 4 6' X 3' Spikes of white flowers from July
Bugbane, Black Cohosh High Shade-Part to Oct. Seed clusters good dried.
Crocosmia crocosmiliflora 4 3' X 18" Strings of orange-crimson flowers
Montbretia Low Sun in July and August. Good cut.
Cynara cardunculus 7 5' X 4' Large, toothed silvery leaves. Blue
Cardoon Med. Sun violet flowers July-September.
Dahlia hybrids 2-6'X 2-4' Tuber. Many colors and forms. Dig
Dahlia Med. Sun-Part or cover with mulch in the Fall.
Echinacea purpurea 4 2' X 3' Showy flowers of drooping purple
Purple Coneflower Med. Sun-Part petals in summer.
Echinops exaltatus 4 3' X 1' Coarse, prickly, gray-green leaves.
Globe thistle Med. Sun Steel blue flowers July to Sept.
Eupatorium maculatum 4 5' X 3' Narrow leaves with showy chartreuse
Joe Pye Weed Med. Sun-Part bracts. Blooms from July to Sept.
Fern, Athyrium filix-femina 4 2' X 2' Fine double cut leaves arch up and
Lady Fern Med. Shade out.
Fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris 4 3' X 2' Tall deciduous fronds with shorter
Ostrich Fern High Shade-Part evergreen fronds.
Fern, Osmunda cinnamomea 4 4' X 3' Long bluish-green and reddish-brown
Cinnamon Fern High Shade fronds emerge in spring.
Fern, Osmunda regalis 4 4' X 4' Large, handsome fronds die down in
Royal Fern High Shade winter.
Filipendula palmata 4 3' X 2' Tiny pink flowers in tall umbels,
Siberian Meadowsweet Med. Sun-Shade June to August. Good cut.
Grass, Stipa gigantea 6 6' X 6' Clumps of 3' leaves with 6' tall
Giant Feather Grass Med. Sun and wide yellowish seed heads.
Gunnera manicata 7 8' X 6' Huge leaves with prominent veins.
Dinosaur Plant High Part shade Tiny red fruit. Needs rich soil.
Gypsophila paniculata 4 3' X 3' Tiny pink flowers on branched stems
Baby's Breath Med. Sun July to October. Good cut.
Helenium autumnale 4 3' X 3' Daisy-like flowers of red, yellow,
Sneezeweed Low Sun copper Summer to early Fall.
Helianthus species 4 5' X 2' Tall stalk with yellow flowers from
Sunflower High Sun July to September. Good cut.
Heliopsis helianthoides 3 3' X 3' Deciduous. Large yellow flowers in
Ox Eye High Sun summer. Needs well drained soil.
Heliotropium arborescens 9 4' X 4' Tender perennial. Very fragrant
Heliotrope High Sun-Part blue flowers in summer.
Hemerocallis hybrids 3 3' X 2' Yellow orange bronze red or white
Daylily Med. Sun flowers May to October. Easy care
Hibiscus moscheutos 4 5' X 5' 8" red, pink, rose or white flowers
Rose Mallow Med. Sun from June until frost.
Kirengeshoma palmata 4 4' X 3' Palmate leaves with yellow flowers
Yellow Waxbells Med. Shade-Part in August.
Kniphofia uvaria 6 3' X 2' Spikes of orange-red flowers July
Red Hot Poker Low Sun to August. Attracts hummingbirds.
Lavatera thuringiaca 6 5' X 5' Evergreen. Hollyhock like pink
Tree Mallow Low Sun flowers all summer.
Ligularia dentata 4 3' X 30" Large heart-shaped red leaves with
Golden Ray Med. Shade-Part yellow flowers August to Sept.
Lilium asiatic hybrids 4 3' X 18" Many colors of very fragrant
Asian Lily Med. Sun flowers in late summer. Good cut.
Linaria purpurea 3' X 1' Purple snapdragon-like flowers all
Toadflax Med. Sun summer and fall.
Lobelia cardinalis 5 3' X 1' Flame red flowers in June-July at-
Cardinal Flower Med. Sun tract hummingbirds & butterflies.
Meconopsis betonicifolia 4 3' X 18" Sky blue poppies on a tall leafy
Himalayan Blue Poppy Med. Shade-Part stem in June to July.
Nepeta faassenii 4 3' X 2' Violet blue flowers above blue-gray
Catmint Low Sun-Part leaves July to September.
Papaver orientalis 3 3' X 18" Large hairy divided leaves. 3-6"
Oriental Poppy Low Sun-Part flowers in May to June.
Perovskia atriplicifolia 5 4' X 3' Gray-green leaves. Violet blue
Russian Sage Low Sun flower spikes July to Sept.
Phlomis fruticosa 6 4' X 3' Silver-gray leaves. Yellow flowers
Jerusalem Sage Low Sun attract bees and butterflies.
Phormium tenax 8 2-5' X 8' Dramatic clumps of straplike leaves
New Zealand Flax Any Sun-Part with red flowers. Salt tolerant.
Phygelius capensis 7 3' X 3' Red, coral, pink or yellow tubular
Cape Fuchsia Low Sun-Shade flowers all summer.
Physostegia virginiana 3 3' X 2' Tall spikes of pink or white flow-
Obedient Plant Med. Sun-Part ers in late summer.
Platycodon grandiflorus 4 3' X 2' Balloon-like buds open to blue pink
Baloon Flower Med. Part Shade or white flowers June to August.
Plumbago auriculata 9 5' X 8' Semievergreen. White to blue
Cape Plumbago Low Sun flowers April until frost.
Ratibida pinnata 4 4' X 2' Yellow ray flowers with brown cen-
Prairie Coneflower Med. Sun ters.
Romneya coulteri 4 6' X 3' Fragrant large white flowers May
Matilija Poppy Low Sun to July. Good cut flowers.
Senecio greyi 8 3' X 3' Evergreen. Silvery leaves with
Daisy Bush Low Sun yellow daisy flowers in summer.
Sidalcea malviflora 6 3' X 2' Pink or red flowers resemble holly-
Checkerbloom Med. Sun-Part hocks. Attracts hummingbirds.
Verbascum species 5 3' X 1' White wooly leaves. Yellow or
Mullein Low Sun-Part purple flowers in summer.
Xerophyllum tenax 3 5' X 3" Native evergreen. Grass like leaves
Beargrass Low Sun-Part and creamy plume flowers.
