Perennials

All perennials remain in the garden for at least three years, however, since most plants are not established the first year, data generally begins after the first winter. We compile information on:

  1. time of first flower,
  2. duration of flowering,
  3. height,
  4. and foliar health.

We also provide comments as the plants mature throughout the season. Accompanying these data is a photograph of the flower and plant habit.

You can see our very top picks for each year under Classic City Awards.

Botanical Name     Common Name
A B C D E F-G H I J-L M-O P Q R S T U-Z
Abelia grandiflora 'Silver Anniversary'
Common Name:
Abutilon  'Fairy Coral Red'
Common Name: Parlor Maple
Acer palmatum 'Ryusen'
Common Name:
2009 is the first trial year for this perennial.
Achillea millefolium 'Pink Grapefruit'
Common Name: Yarrow
Achillea millefolium 'Pomegranate'
Common Name: Yarrow
Achillea millefolium 'Saucy Seduction'
Common Name: Yarrow
Achillea millefolium 'Strawberry Seduction'
Common Name: Yarrow
Achillea millefolium 'Summer Berries'
Common Name: Common Yarrow
Achillea millefolium 'Sunny Seduction'
Common Name: Yarrow
Achillea millefolium 'Wonderful Wampee'
Common Name: Common Yarrow
Agapanthus africanus 'Peter Pan'
Common Name: Lily-of-the-Nile
Agapanthus praecox 'Storm Cloud'
Common Name: Lily-of-the-Nile
Agastache  'Cotton Candy'
Common Name: Hummingbird Mint
We LOVE Agastache!!! Not only is it drought tolerant, but it's deer resistant as well. And an added bonus: it smells like licorice (not cotton candy).
Agastache aurantiaca 'Raspberry Summer'
Common Name: Hummingbird Mint
Agastache mexicana 'Sangria'
Common Name: Mexican Giant Hyssop
Agave americana
Common Name: Century Plant
Agave lophantha 'Splendid'
Common Name: Hardy Agave
Agave medio variegata
Common Name:
Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop'
Common Name: Common Bugle Weed
Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Gold'
Common Name: Common Bugle Weed
Ajuga reptans 'Toffee Chip'
Common Name: Common Bugle Weed
Allium aflatunense 'Lucy Ball'
Common Name: Persian Onion
Allium gigantea
Common Name:
Allium triquetrum
Common Name: Three-Cornered Onion
Amsonia hubrichtii
Common Name: Arkansas Amsonia
This perennial has truly amazing fall color consisting of hues of orange, chartruese, green and yellow. Stake up the stalks for an ultimate display. This amsonia continues to provide us with a beautiful show year after year.
Amsonia rigida
Common Name: Stiff Blue star
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Common Name: Blue Star
Anemone  'Little Princess'
Common Name:
2009 is the first trial year for this perennial.
Anemone  'Party Dress'
Common Name:
Anemone tomentosa 'Robustissima'
Common Name: Grape-leaf Anemone
Anemone x hybrida 'Avalanche'
Common Name: Hybrid Anemone, Japanese Anemone
Anemone x hybrida 'Pamina'
Common Name: Double Japanese Windflower
Anemone x hybrida 'Serenade'
Common Name: Hybrid Anemone, Japanese Anemone
Aquilegia alpina
Common Name: Alpine Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis 'Canyon Vista'
Common Name: Canadian Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett'
Common Name: Canadian Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns'
Common Name: Canadian Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis 'Pink Lanterns'
Common Name: Canadian Columbine
Aquilegia x caerulea 'Oragami Blue and White'
Common Name: Columbine
Aquilegia x hybrida 'Fairtytale Violet'
Common Name: Hybrid Columbine, Japanese Anemone
Aquilegia x hybrida 'Spring Magic Mix Improved'
Common Name:
Aquilegia x hybrida 'Spring Magic Rose and Ivory'
Common Name: Hybrid Columbine
Aquilegia x hybrida 'Spring Magic White'
Common Name: Hybrid Columbine
Aristolochia gigantea
Common Name: Dutchman's Pipe
Aruncus dioicus 'Whirlwind'
Common Name:
Aruncus hybrid 'Misty Lace'
Common Name: Hybrid Goatsbeard
Aster divaricatus 'Eastern Star'
Common Name: White Wood Aster
Aster laevis 'Blubird'
Common Name:
Aster novae-angliae 'English Countryside'
Common Name: New England Aster
'English Countryside' blooms again here in the autumn. The second showing is usually much more impressive and fuller, this year beginning on September 16th.
Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies'
Common Name: Aromatic Aster
Aster tataricus 'Blue Lake'
Common Name: Tatarian Aster
Astilbe  'Diamonds and Pearls'
Common Name:
Astilbe  'Heart and Soul'
Common Name:
Astilbe x arendsii 'Burgundy Red'
Common Name:
Astilbe x arendsii 'Color Flash'
Common Name: Hyrid Astilbe
Astilbe x arendsii 'Darwin's Dream'
Common Name:
Astilbe x arendsii 'Radius'
Common Name: Hybrid Astilbe
Athyrium  'Silver Falls'
Common Name:
Athyrium nipponicum 'Pewter Ice'
Common Name:
Athyrium nipponicum 'Wildwood Twist'
Common Name: Painted Fern