Achillea millefolium (Common Yarrow) Asteraceae

Achillea hybrid example (most are crosses from A. millefolium and A. clypeolata.

• Prefer average to poor, well-drained soils.
• Very drought-tolerant perennial
• Best to divide every 3-5 years.
• Cut back after first flowering to encourage later bloom.

Achillea "Coronation Gold" (cross from Fernleaf Yarrow, A. filipendulina and A. clypeolata.

Achillea "Moonshine" with Salvia x superba "Ostfriesland" (classic, much used combo)

• Also new Galaxy Series with larger flowers and pastel colors (German hybrids) "Appleblossom", "Paprika", etc.

Amsonia tabernaemontana (Blue Star) Apocynaceae (native)

• Prefers fertile, organic, well-drained soil.
• Will tolerate light shade.
• Helps to cut back to 8" after flowering to get denser plant. Fall color of A. hubrectii

Anemone x hybrida "September Charm" (Japanese Anemone) Ranunculaceae

• Prefer deep, organic soils.
• Will grow in partial shade.
• Also closely related (may be same) A. hupehensis.

Anemone tomentosa "Robustissima" (Japanese type, fall flowering)

Armeria maritima "Vindictive" (Sea Pink, Sea Thrift) Plumbaginaceae

• Great for the rock garden.
• Prefers dry, infertile, gravelly soils.
• Good winter drainage critical to success (pea stone).
• Benefits from evergreen winter mulch.

Artemisia ludoviciana "Silver Frost" (White Sage) Asteraceae

• All (except A. lactiflora, White Mugwort) prefer well-drained, infertile soils.
• Benefit from periodic rejuvenating pruning.
• Benefit form an evergreen winter mulch.
• Rust may be a problem (not at IES).

Artemisia schmidtiana (Silvermound Artemisia)

• Also A. absinthium, Common Wormwood; and popular A. x "Powis Castle".
• All grown for foliage except White Mugwort (lactiflora) for flowers.

Aruncus dioicus (Goatsbeard) Rosaceae (native)

• Dioecious, male flowers best.
• Prefers moist, organic soils.
• Will tolerate light shade.
• Benefits from a summer compost mulch.
• Also A. aethusifolius a dwarf Goatsbeard growing less than 12" tall.

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) Asclepiadaceae (native)

• Resents transplanting so find "permanent" home.
• Prefers loose, gravelly, dry, infertile soils. Full sun.
• Slow to emerge in spring.

Asclepias tuberosa "Yellow Baby"

Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) (native)

• Native to low-lying meadows.
• Will grow in "ordinary" soil and is surprisingly drought-tolerant.

Aster novae-angliae "Barr's Pink" (New England Aster) Asteraceae (cultivar of native)

• Prefers soils with average fertility and excellent drainage (especially winter).
• Pinch tall varieties in spring to get bushier plant and avoid staking.
• Benefits from periodic dividing (3-4 years).
• Also other great natives: A. laevis, the Smooth Aster; A. lateriflorus, the Calico Aster; and A. divaricatus, the White Wood Aster which tolerates shade and dry conditions and self-seeds freely, really grow-anywhere. And the closely related NY Aster, A. novae-belgii.

Aster novae-angliae "Hella Lacy" with Miscanthus sinensis "Silver Feather"

Aster novae-angliae "Alma Potschke"

Aster novae-angliae "Harrington's Pink"

Aster x frikartii (Frikart's Aster) May be the best of the lot.

Astrantia major (Masterwort) Apiaceae with Stachys grandiflora "Rosea Superba"

• Prefers well-drained, organic soils.
• Will tolerate light shade.

Belamcandra chinensis (Blackberry Lily) Iridaceae

• Easy to grow, carefree perennial.
• Will self-seed freely.

Centranthus ruber "Roseus" (Red Valerian) Valerianaceae

• Long blooming, low maintenance perennial.
• Prefers good drainage and low fertility.
• Only drawback is that it is somewhat short lived, so periodically divide.

Centranthus ruber "Albus"

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (Plumbago) Plumbaginaceae

• Prefers average to rich, well-drained (especially winter) organic soils.
• Will do well in partial shade.
• Benefits from a winter mulch.
• Excellent late season and long blooming border groundcover.

Coreopsis verticillata "Zagreb" (Thread-Leaf Coreopsis) Asteraceae (cultivar of native)

• Prefers well-drained, low fertility soils
• Extremely drought tolerant perennial.
• Best if divide periodically (3-5 years).

Coreopsis verticillata "Moonbeam"

Coreopsis grandiflora "Goldfink" (Lance Coreopsis) (cultivar of native)

• Compact cultivar of the native
• Also C. tripteris, the Tall Coreopsis.

Coreopsis rosea (Pink Tickseed) (native)

Echinacea purpurea cultivar (Purple Coneflower) Asteraceae (cultivar of native)

• Prefers well-drained, "ordinary" garden soil.
• Will perform well for years without division.

Echinacea purpurea "White Swan"

• White cultivars not as vigorous or prolific as the species and purple cultivars.
• Mildew may be a problem (not in IES garden).

Echinacea purpurea "Kim's Knee High" at Sunny Border Nursery

Echinops ritro "Veitch's Blue" (Globe Thistle) Asteraceae

• Easy to grow, long lived perennial.
• Only requires "ordinary" soil with good drainage.
• Also E. ritro "Taplow Blue" et. al. (not as dark as "Veitch's Blue").

Eryngium amethystinum (Amethyst Sea Holly) Umbelliferae with Crocosmia ssp.

• Requires sandy-gravelly, dry, infertile soils with good drainage.
• Also E. bourgatti (Dwarf Sea Holly); E. yuccifolium, the native Rattlesnake-Master, are very good.

Eupatorium maculatum "Gateway" (Joe-Pye Weed) Asteraceae (cultivar of native)

• Prefer well-drained, organic soil.
• Pinch in spring to reduce height and increase lateral breaks (especially E. coelestinum).
• Surprisingly drought tolerant despite being a lowland species. Xeriscape plant.
• Also other natives: E. purpureum, and E. fistulosum (Sweet and Hollow Joe-Pye-Weed).

Eupatorium rugosum (White Snakeroot) (native)

Eupatorium coelestinum (Mist Flower, Hardy Ageratum) (native)

Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Euphorbia) Euphorbiaceae with Viola labradorica

• Prefers well-drained, infertile soils.
• Note sap is poisonous and causes skin irritations.
• Also E. griffithii, which will tolerate moisture. Cultivar "Fireglow" excellent.

Euphorbia polychroma (Cushion Spurge)

Filipendula rubra "Venusta" (Queen-of-the-Prairie) Rosaceae (native)

• Prefers moist, organic soils, but is surprisingly drought-tolerant.
• All very fragrant.
• Will grow in partial shade.
• Benefits from an evergreen winter mulch.
• Also F. vulgaris, Dropwort (excellent cultivar "Flora-Pleno") and F. ulmaria (Queen-of-the-Meadow, European Meadowsweet), white.

Helenium autumnale (Common Sneezeweed) Asteraceae (native)

• Prefers well-drained, moist, organic soil, but surprisingly drought-tolerant.
• Benefits from a spring pinch. Divide every 3 or so years.
• Excellent new German hybrids ("Brilliant", "Bruno", etc.)
• Also H. hoopesii, which is orange and more drought tolerant.

Heliopsis helianthoides ssp. scabra "Golden Plume" (False Sunflower) Asteraceae (cultivar of native)

• Very drought tolerant perennial. Prospers in "ordinary", well-drained garden soil.
• Also native H. scabra (Rough False Sunflower).

Helianthus divaricatus (Woodland Sunflower) Asteraceae (native)

• Local native sunflower introduced into IES garden.
• Very drought-tolerant.
• Also H. decapetalus (Thin-Leaf Sunflower) native suitable for the garden.

Helianthus salicifolius (Willow-Leaf Sunflower) (native)

• Local native sunflower introduced into IES garden.
• Also very drought-tolerant perennial.

Inula magnifica (Inula) Asteraceae with Ligularia stenocephala "The Rocket"

• CW by CA staff in Caucasus.
• Low maintenance perennial with huge flowers.
• Prefers well-drained soils; very drought-tolerant.
• Also I. ensifolia, the Sword-Leaf Inula.

Knautia macedonica (Knautia) Dipsacaceae

• Care-free, long-flowering perennial.
• Best to interplant with supporting companion plants.
• Also K. arvensis

Lavendula angustifolia (English Lavender) Lamiaceae

• Drainage critical to the success, especially winter (topdress with pea stone).
• Prefers dry soil.
• Cut back in spring just above last year's point of growth.
• Excellent cultivars: "Hidcote" (deep, violet blue); "Munstead" (early, compact).

Limonium latifolium "Robert Butler" (Statice) Plumbaginaceae

• Very adaptable, prefers sandy, gravelly soil.
• Very drought-tolerant.
• Doesn't like to be disturbed.
• Will grow in partial shade.

Liriope spicata (Creeping Lily-Turf) Liliaceae

• Tough, durable, grow-anywhere perennial groundcover.
• Mow in spring to benefit new growth.
• Hardier than L. muscari (Blue Lily-turf).

Malva moschata (Musk Mallow) Malvaceae

• Long blooming, freely self-seeds.
• Only drawback is it is relatively short-lived.
• Prefers rich, organic, well-drained soil.
• Also M. alcea, Miniature Hollyhock is very drought-tolerant. "Fastigiata" excellent cultivar.

Nepeta x faassenii (Faassen's Catmint) Lamiaceae

• Prefers well-drained, low fertility soils.
• Sterile.
• Also N. mussinii, the Persian Catmint (not as floriferous). Paeonia tenuifolia (Fernleaf Peony) Ranunculaceae
• CW by CA staff in Caucasian Mountains.
• Prefers deep, organic, well-drained soil.
• Very resistant to Gray Mold.
• Does go dormant in mid to late summer.

Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) Lamiaceae

• Extremely durable, drought-tolerant subshrub.
• CW by CA staff in Russia.
• Prune to viable wood in early spring.

Physostegia virginiana "Pink Bouquet" (False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant) Lamiaceae

• Prefers soils of average fertility, slight acidity.
• Will tolerate light shade.
• Benefits from periodic division to check it's spread.

Platycodon grandiflorus (Balloon Flower) Campanulaceae with Liatris ssp.

• Very tough, easy to grow perennial.
• Very adaptable and drought-tolerant.
• Will quickly form colony, although not invasive.

Platycodon grandiflorus white cultivar

Platycodon grandiflorus double white cultivar

Platycodon grandiflorus dotted or water-mark flowered cultivar

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Narrow-Leaf Mountain Mint) Lamiaceae (native)

• Another indigenous native introduced into the garden.
• Prefers average to low fertility, well-drained, gravelly soil.
• Very drought-tolerant. Xeriscape plant.

Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii "Goldsturm" (Black-Eyed Susan, Coneflower)

• Asteraceae (cultivar of native)
• Compact, floriferous cultivar of the native R. fulgida, the Orange Coneflower.
• Prefers "ordinary", well-drained garden soil.

Rudbeckia nitida "Herbstsonne" (Shining Coneflower) (cultivar of native)

• Winter hardy despite botanical reference listing.
• Also the double-flowered cultivar "Goldquelle".

Rudbeckia laciniata (Cut-Leaf Coneflower) (native)

• Lowland species with surprising drought-tolerance.
• Also natives R. triloba (Three-lobed Coneflower), and R. maxima (Great Coneflower), and Ratibida pinnata (Grey-Headed Coneflower) which are very drought-tolerant. Xeriscape plants.

Salvia x superba "East Friesland" (Perennial Sage) Lamiaceae

• Prefers well-drained, organic soils.
• Very drought-tolerant perennial.
• Many cultivars (especially German hybrids), "May Night", "Blue Queen", etc.
• Also native Blue Sage, S. azurea, a great drought-tolerant Salvia. Variety grandiflora best.

Sedum "Autumn Joy" (Showy Stonecrop) Crassulaceae

• Prefers well-drained, loose soil of "average" fertility.
• Cross between S. spectabile and S. telephium.
• Also rock garden, ground-cover Sedums: S. spurium (Two-Row Stonecrop), S. kamtschatium, and S. sexangulare among others. Sedum spectabile "Carmen" Many excellent cultivars of Showy Stonecrop.

Sedum "Matrona" Sempervivum cultivar (Hens-and-Chicks) Crassulaceae

• Prefers well-drained, low-fertility soil.
• Benefits from evergreen winter mulch.
• Most crosses from European Houseleek, S. tectorum
• Also the Cobweb Houseleek, S. arachnoids with leaf tips connected with cobweb-like hairs.

Sempervivum tectorum var. calcareum

Sidalcea malviflora "Elsie Heugh" (Miniature Hollyhock, Checkerbloom) Malvaceae (cultivar of Californian native)

• Prefers rich, well-drained, organic soil.
• Cut back after first bloom to encourage repeat blooming.
• Also cultivars "Brilliant", and "Loveliness". Also species S. candida.

Silphium perfoliatum (Cup Plant) Asteraceae (native)

• Excellent, bold, drought-tolerant native. Xeriscape candidate.
• Easily over 7' in IES garden with no staking.
• Also close relative, Compass Plant S. laciniatum (lower leaves align to N-S)

Solidago "Fireworks" (Goldenrod) Asteraceae (cultivar of native)

• Prefer good drainage, "average" garden soil.
• Very drought-tolerant. Good xeriscape plant.
• Some benefit from periodic division.
• Other good cultivars: "Cloth of Gold", "Crown of Rays".
• Also other natives: S. sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod); S caesia (Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod) which will grow in shade; S. bicolor (Silverrod); S. flexicaulis (Zig-Zag Goldenrod), also will grow in light shade; and S. spathulata, a dwarf (less than 2') Western native.

Stachys byzantina (Lamb's Ear) Lamiaceae

• Winter drainage essential for success.
• Prefers low fertility soils.
• "Silver Carpet" excellent sterile cultivar.
• Excellent border groundcover.

Stachys grandiflora "Rosea" (Big Betony) with Trollius chinensis

• Also listed as S. macrantha.
• Prefers well-drained, "ordinary" garden soil.
• Will tolerate light shade.

Stokesia laevis (Stokes' Aster) Asteraceae (native)

• One of the best low maintenance perennials. Look for cultivars "Klaus Jelitto" and "Blue Danube".
• Prefers good drainage (especially winter) and rather dry soils. Xeriscape candidate.

Telekia speciosa (Oxeye Daisy) Asteraceae

• CW by CA staff in Russia.
• Very durable, drought-tolerant perennial.
• Not invasive, strongly scented.

Thalictrum rochebrunianum (Lavender Mist Meadow Rue) Ranunculaceae

• Prefer well-drained, organic soils.
• This requires staking and is best to grow among supporting companions.
• All will tolerate partial shade.
• Benefit from an evergreen winter mulch.
• Also native Meadow Rues: T. dasycarpum (Purple Meadow Rue); T. polygamum (Tall Meadow Rue). Also non-natives: T. aquilegifolium (Columbine Meadow Rue), and T. delavayi (Yunnan Meadow Rue).

Vernonia noveboracensis (New York Ironweed) Asteraceae (native)

• Indigenous native introduced into IES garden
• Prefers slightly acid, organic, well-drained soil.
• Surprisingly drought-tolerant.
• Pinch to check height.

Veronica "Sunny Border Blue" (Speedwell) Scrophulariaceae

• Prefers well-drained (especially winter), "average" garden soil.
• Benefits from a winter evergreen mulch.
• Tolerates partial shade.
• Long blooming.
• Also V. spicata (Spiked Speedwell) and cultivars such as "Red Fox", "Goodness grows", etc.
• Also V. alpina (Alpine Speedwell); V. gentianoides (Gentian Speedwell); V. incana (Woolly Speedwell); V. latifolium (Hungarian Speedwell), "Crater Lake Blue" excellent cultivar.

Veronica longifolia "Blue Charm" (Long-Leaf Speedwell)

Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's Root) Scrophulariaceae (native)

• Excellent lowland indigenous native introduced into IES garden.
• Prefers well-drained, organic soil.
• Will tolerate light shade.

Yucca filamentosa (Yucca, Adam's Needle) Agavaceae (native)

• Prefers loose, gravelly, well-drained soil.
• Very drought-tolerant. Good xeriscape plant.
• Also Y. glauca (Soapwell), and Y. gloriosa (Spanish-Dagger)

Yucca filamentosa "Golden Sword"

Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders) Umbelliferae (native)

• Will tolerate light shade.
• Lowland species, enjoys rich, moist organic soil.
• Also Z. aptera (Meadow-Parsnip).