Being a new dwarf version of the Salvia ‘May Night’, the ‘Marcus’ Salvia has a compact, dense habit of growing.  Spikes of intense violet-blue flowers bloom on top of gray-green foliage.  It flowers from June to October.  Since ‘Marcus’ grows only 12” in height and has a spread of 12-18",  this well-mannered salvia can be counted on to infuse a rich violet blue into bed edges, rock gardens, and containers!

With a bushy mound of grey-green leaves, and displaying spikes of flowers in early summer, ‘Marcus’ creates a magnet for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds; deer-resistant.  Remove faded flowers to encourage repeat blooming, or simply cut back hard after flowering is finished.  ‘Marcus’ plants are reasonably drought tolerant once established, and should be planted in full sun in a moist well-drained area. 

The long lasting flowers give a good vertical interest.  For a striking color combination, try planting ‘Marcus’ in front Salvia ‘Wild Thing’.

A fine textured evergreen shrub that tolerates pruning and shearing well, the Boxwood 'Green Velvet' is a slow growing broadleaf evergreen that requires little care.  One of the favorites among northern gardeners, this boxwood is a great choice for northern locations because it will hold its green color well in the winter sun and cold conditions.  This low maintenance boxwood only requires well-drained soil and prefers shading; plant in a sheltered location to protect it from cold winters and strong winds. 

Often used as a border or hedge, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and a spread of 3' and does add color and texture to the landscape.  It will grow naturally to a semi-spherical shape but lends itself well to shaping.  With a vigorous growth habit, and low dense foliage, 'Green Velvet' allows you to create a variety of looks for your garden design.  Plant 'Green Velvet' in full shade to part sun, in a well-drained area.  Avoid cultivating around this perennial plant because it prefers to have its shallow roots left undisturbed!  Remove dead and damaged branches annually to improve the air circulation.  

A large-flowered variety, 4-6" in diameter, Clematis 'Malaya Garnet' displays pale pink petals that add a pop of color with a contrasting crimson central bar; pink tipped filament rests in the center of this clematis.  Clematis 'Malaya Garnet' has its first flush of flowers appearing on the previous year's growth in May to June.  This is followed by a second flush of flowers appearing on the new growth in September and October, making it a double delight to have in your garden!  These blooms are likely to be smaller than the first ones. 

The time to prune this clematis is in late winter or early spring.  Dead and weak shoots should be removed and the remaining shoots cut back to 6-9 inches above a couple of well-developed buds.  Clematis 'Malaya Garnet' needs a supporting structure to grow properly and is easy to grow in a rich, porous, alkaline soil, with plenty of room for the roots to spread.

Clematis can be grown in full sun or light shade, but its base and roots must be completely shaded.  You may need to plant a small shrub or large perennial directly in front of its rootball to keep it cool and shaded.  A thick layer of mulch will also help keep the soil moist.  Clematis 'Malaya Garnet' is a very reliable performer once established, but takes a season or two.  This perennial is also a good choice for a container.

One of the showiest blue flowers, the Gentiana 'True Blue' bears large, two-inch-long, upward-facing, true-blue bell flowers.  During the middle to late weeks of summer, when the hot-colored flowers are at their best in the garden, this brilliant blue gentian presents a striking contrast.  The blooms appear up and down stems of medium green, lance-shaped leaves from midsummer into early fall.  Gentian flowers open 1 to 2 at a time during the daylight hours, but will sometimes remain closed during overcast weather.   'True Blue' is a lovely "true" blue perennial that has smooth, green, lance-shaped leaves; hummingbirds and butterflies love this flower!

As with other perennials, gentian is benefited by an application of compost.  It does not like to have its roots disturbed, so it’s best to be sure of permanent garden site before planting.  Ideal in a rock garden, as a border edging plant, or in a bright woodland, this Gentian tends to grow best in cooler zones with mild summers.   'True Blue' can grow in the garden right along with other perennials and is perfect for a rock garden.   It is equally effective in a mixed perennial border or great for the middle of the flower bed.

It prefers full sun to part shade and should be protected from the afternoon sun in regions with hot, humid summers.  Plant it in well-drained, sandy loam to loam soil with average to consistent moisture.  It reaches a height of 18-14 inches and thrives in zones 4-7.   As a gift, the gentian flower is pretty unique. These unusual looking, brilliantly hued flowers are often given as an alternative to the traditional rose or daisy.

Geranium 'New Hampshire Purple' is a clump-forming perennial which forms a spreading mound of foliage that typically grows to 12" tall but spreads to 18" wide.  It features 5-petaled, deep magenta flowers (3/4" diameter) and deeply-lobed, dark green leaves.  This perennial blooms on and off all summer long over slowly spreading mounds of finely dissected foliage.  Geranium 'New Hampshire Purple' has green deeply notched leaves that turn a crimson-red in the fall.  'New Hampshire Purple' will adjust easily to both hot summer and cold winter climates, but in cooler northern regions it may bloom all summer; primarily blooms in May and June in hot summer climates.  

'New Hampshire Purple' is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.  It tolerates some drought, but prefers and spreads best in moist, humusy soils with good drainage.  Side stems of this geranium may be removed at any time to control spread.  This cranesbill is one of the most vigorous hardy geraniums and is ideal for the front of a sunny border, although it will cope with a fairly shady spot.

Though it prefers moist, well-drained soil, it will also tolerate periods of drought once established.  For this reason, it is a good choice for southern gardens.  It is best to lift and divide large colonies in spring.  Their carefree growing habits make them an ideal low maintenance plant that will grow anywhere and provide years of beauty!

The Tiarella 'Sugar and Spice' certainly takes the realm of foam flowers to an entirely new level!  With its wide adaptability, colorful foliage, and sparkling flower display, 'Sugar and Spice' provides true multi-seasonal appeal.  It has dramatic, lacy leaves that are painted with heavily marked dark centers.   They have a shiny appearance that almost appears to be lacquered!  

Blooming in profusion in spring, 'Sugar and Spice' flowers are white with a unique pink frosting;  lightly fragrant, frosted pink with a white interior.  Foam Flowers are close cousins to the coral bells, with similar sprays of flowers over a low clump of foliage.  When planted in groups, they make outstanding ground covers with their wonderfully marked leaves and evergreen winter foliage.  This perennial tolerates dry shade after established, and it requires little maintenance once planted

'Sugar and Spice' will do best in full shade and needs average to moist soil.  It grows 8-14 inches tall in zones 4-9.  Try planting this popular perennial with Lamium ‘White Nancy’, Hosta ‘Patriot’ or ‘Japanese Painted Fern’.  It can be mingled with other shade loving plants, and makes a colorful ingredient for containers too.

Its large purple blooms, combined with a vigorous habit, makes the  Rock Cress 'Axcent Antique Rose' an excellent addition to any garden, especially a rock garden; also can be used for cascading over walls, for edging, a ground cover, or in alpine containers.  Rock Cress 'Axcent Antique Rose' has a very long bloom time and an outstanding tolerance to heat and disease. 

When planting, keep the area around this Rock Cress well-drained by adding a light layer of gravel on top of the soil.  'Axcent Antique Rose' prefers moist soil and full sun to partial shade.  This plant grows 4-6 inches tall and does well in zones 4-9.  Shear the plant back after it blooms, using a garden scissors or bypass pruners.  You may then get another round of flowers in summer; shearing also keeps the plant looking tidy.

The Rock Cress forms a low carpet of evergreen leaves, literally smothered by flowers for several weeks.  It is one of the best known rock garden plants, well suited for covering large areas, and for trailing over walls.  Use this perennial as an edging plant for paths and for combining with other Herbaceous plants.

Saxifraga 'Touran Neon Rose' is a good choice for the partially shaded screen garden, wall or alpine trough.  It forms a low evergreen cushion or mound of bright green leaves, bearing short stems of upfacing, cup-shaped bright-pink flowers in spring.  It has an excellent growth habit and grows very well in partially shaded rock gardens.  Its compact foliage allows for a better habit and fewer disease issues.  Blooming from March until May, this perennial begins with its beautiful deep pink flowering in early spring and creates a wonderful ground cover all summer.  Also plant in containers or borders and enjoy the 'Neon Rose' vibrant rose pink colors.

Growing 3-6 inches tall in zones 3-9, 'Touran Neon Rose' requires a cool moist location; shear lightly after blooming to remove the flower stems and encourage compact new growth.  A light top-dressing of sand right after flowering will help to keep the clumps tight and free from root-rot.  Do not prune back in autumn or spring.   Don’t worry about those garden pests, this beauty is rabbit and deer resistant!

The  'David's Lavender' Phlox offers a new color in summer phlox with lots of flower power!  It is a spectacular new sport of the Phlox 'David'.  'David's Lavender' has all of the disease resistance of 'David', and produces flowers of deep lavender pink.  'David's Lavender' exhibits the same exceptional mildew resistance as its parent and boasts jumbo 8" flower heads that are packed with numerous half inch lavender-pink flowers.

Thriving in organic, moist to moderately dry in sun to light shade, 'David's Lavender' is tolerant of drought once established; grows best in full sun.  Give this plant good air circulation and keep well watered to reduce growth of powdery mildew.  This plant benefits from occasional fertilization. 

The flowers are fragrant and showy, with brilliant non-fading colors, and they attract butterflies and hummingbirds.  ‘David’s Lavender’ is an upright, conical perennial that typically grows in a clump to 2-3’ tall on stiff stems.  The foliage is dense and compact with deep green, lance-shaped leaves with prominent veins.  This phlox is excellent for perennial borders, corners, and for cut flowers.  Plant about 18-20" apart in rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade.

In late summer, this upright, clumping sedum is loaded with large flower heads which open to reveal rich, rose-pink, star-shaped flowers that bloom steadily until frost.  Sedum 'Maestro' is a lovely compact sport of Sedum 'Matrona' with attractive glaucous blue-green foliage.  The large leaves extend from bright purple stems that keep their color all season long.  Sedum 'Maestro' retains its tidy, mounded shape every year and does not open up in the center like other sedums do over time.  This sedum is bound to be a very popular perennial in years to come!

'Maestro' performs best in full sun in moist, well-drained soils, and it is extremely urban tolerant.  Sedum can be grown in highly stressful sites around rocks with thin, poor, or very dry soils, of various pH, low fertility, extreme heat, and drought; thick, succulent leaves which can store water, allow established sedum to withstand periods of drought.  Plant with asters or coneflowers for a wonderful autumn display.  'Maestro' is the perfect size for containers or the front to middle of the flower border.  If left standing, stems and flower heads provide winter interest and food for birds.  It attracts butterflies and bees, and bunnies won't nibble on these so you'll have some standing through the winter snows.

With stunning colored blossoms lasting up to 4 weeks, the Daffodil 'Jetfire' is a must for your spring garden!  It is a fall planted bulb, a unique free flowering variety, and has lovely orange-red cups surrounded by backwards curved petals.  This strong performer is excellent for naturalizing, and it will come back more lush and beautiful each year.  'Jetfire' bulbs, once planted, can remain in the ground for many years.  They will multiply and produce the most abundant flowering results in the 2nd and 3rd year.

'Jetfire' is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.  It does best in organically rich, sandy loams that drain well.  Plant the fall bulbs 4-6" deep and 3-6” apart in fall.  The flowers usually face the sun, so bulbs should be grown with any shade areas at the rear of the planting. 

Daffodils can be left undisturbed for a number of years.  If necessary, very large clumps of bulbs can be lifted as soon as the leaves wither, and then they can be divided and replanted as soon as possible.  After flowering, let the leaves yellow before cutting them back.  The plants are deer, rabbit, and squirrel resistant.  'Jetfire' bulbs are best planted in quantities, so use them in groups for beds, borders, wild gardens, open woodland areas, or in front of shrubs or massed under trees.

Being part of the popular Seduction series, Yarrow 'Sunny Seduction' is known for its sturdy, compact growth, disease resistance, long bloom period, and interesting flowers.  'Sunny Seduction' produces large, bright yellow flower heads that enhance companion plantings and makes a dramatic statement to a flower garden!

A prolific bloomer from June to August, 'Sunny Seduction' is a great choice for mass plantings. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate poor soil conditions, but does best in lean, dry to medium wet, well-drained soil; adaptable to almost any soil as long as it has adequate drainage.   Allow 'Sunny Seduction' to dry between waterings.  This yarrow should be planted in full sun and is tolerant of hot humid summers.  

Deadhead and cut back to promote continuous flowering and a tidy plant.  It can be divided in spring or fall, about every three or four years.  Leave any fresh fall foliage to overwinter.  For an attraction to butterflies, one can’t go wrong with this plant!   It is also rabbit and deer resistant.  With its fern-like foliage, the Yarrow has an aromatic smell when crushed and makes excellent cut and dried arrangements.

The Cotoneaster 'Peking'  (which is pronounced "ko-tony-aster") is a fast growing, erect shrub with slender spreading branches and reaches a height of 5-7 feet and a width of 4-5 feet.  It has its most active growth period in the spring and summer, but displays yellow to red fall foliage.  The 'Peking' shrub performs well in moist, well drained soils and prefers partial shade to full sun.  This deciduous cotoneaster shrub needs little maintenance once established.

The 'Peking' Cotoneaster may be appreciated more for its dark green foliage than its blossoms.  The small flowers are white to pinkish.  The greatest bloom is usually observed in the mid spring, with fruit and seed production starting in the summer and continuing until fall.  Three-eighth inch ornamental black berries ripen in September and persist through mid-winter. Attracting birds, these berries are appreciated by some song birds such as the Robin and Catbird.  Use this perennial in the landscape for hedges, screens, and groupings.  This cotoneaster shrub offers a nice example of a plant with four season interest.

An old fashioned favorite, the Hardy Tall Phlox 'David' was the Perennial of the Year in 2002!   What sets this Phlox apart from other non-award winning Phlox is the exceptionally large flower heads of pure white, and its mildew resistant green foliage.  If you haven't planted a tall phlox, you will enjoy the display of white giant sparkling clusters of mildew resistant flowers that Tall Phlox 'David' offers. This phlox is one of the finest Hybrid Phlox varieties available.  It blooms in profusion with huge 5-6" flower heads all summer.  The flowers are fragrant and showy, with brilliant non-fading colors.

Blooming in July and August, it grows  2-3' tall.  This lovely plant is excellent for perennial borders, corners, and for cut flowers.  The foliage is dense and compact with deep green, lance-shaped leaves with prominent veins.  Plant about 18-20" apart in rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade.  Deadheading can prolong bloom time and it is a heavy feeder.  To force side shoots and secondary blooms, pinch out main flower head when it starts to decline.  Butterflies love it!