Callirhoe involucrata
Prairie Winecups
Prairie Winecups grows as a low mounding form composed of trailing stems. Rich green leaves are deeply lobed. Flowers do put you in mind of cups of wine—cup-shaped, magenta to purple, brilliant in the sun. In hot summer regions locate plants where they will receive afternoon shade. Not fussy regarding soil as long as it is well drained. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Calylophus hartwegii var. fendleri
Calylophus, Sundrops
Calylophus produces masses of large yellow flowers, blooming for a long period in spring. Excellent in rock gardens. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Centaurea cineraria
Dusty Miller
Dusty Miller is grown for its silvery white, velvety leaves with roundish lobes rather than its flowers. Compact growth habit; it is in perfect contrast next to green-foliaged plants. In hot summer regions locate plants where they will receive afternoon shade. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Centaurea montana
Perennial Bachelor Button
Perennial Bachelor Button grows as a compact, clumping form. Flowers look similar to those of cornflower. Leaves are leathery, reaching several inches long. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Centranthus ruber
Red Valerian
This is an old-fashioned perennial, often used in borders. Grows as a shrubby clump and reseeds readily. Selections with white, red or pink flowers are available. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Cerastium tomentosum
Snow-in-Summer
This is a versatile but short-lived perennial groundcover. Grows 6 to 8 inches high and spreads rapidly to 2 feet or more. Silvery gray leaves serve as background for the profuse white flowers. Accepting of tough conditions, including poor,dry soils. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Chamaemelum nobile
Roman Chamomile
Use Roman Chamomile as a small area groundcover, edging or between stepping stones. Foliage is fragrant when crushed. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Chrysactinia mexicana
Damianita
The tiny, daisylike, golden yellow flowers of Damianita are fragrant. Use close-up by entrances and traffic areas. Mounding growth habit. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Chrysanthemum x morifolium
Garden Chrysanthemum, Hardy Mum
Plant Garden Chrysanthemum from containers in late summer to early fall. Available in a wide range of colors and flower forms, including daisy, pompon, anemone, spider and more. This is the traditional, easy-to-grow, fall-bloomer. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Clivia miniata
Kaffir Lily
This is a good choice for a flowering perennial selection in a shady, subtropical garden. Excellent when grown in containers. Cold-tender at freezing temperatures; provide protection from cold in these regions. 'Aurea' has light yellow flowers. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Convallaria majalis
Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley is an excellent choice as a low-growing, spreading perennial groundcover in a shady, woodland-themed location. Fragrant, dainty, bell-shaped flowers bloom in early spring. Be aware that all plant parts are poisonous. Plantings spread by rhizomes, so it tends to be invasive. Selection shown in photos is 'Albostriata'. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Convolvulus cneorum
Silver Bush Morning Glory
The mounding form of Bush Morning Glory works well as a groundcover. Attractive trailing from a container. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Convolvulus mauritanicus
Ground Morning Glory
Ground Morning Glory has a trailing growth habit that allows plants to spread to fill space. Plant in full sun only. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Cordyline australis
Giant Dracaena
This yuccalike plant can serve just about any landscape function, depending on its age and how it is maintained. Young plants present as a fountain of long, straplike leaves. Tiny fragrant flowers bloom in clusters in late spring. With time, it can become a tree form with tall, slender, upright trunks. Selections are available in a wide range of dramatic foliage colors. Canopy coverage: 113 square feet.
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Coreopsis lanceolata
Lanceleaf Coreopsis
The profuse yellow flowers of Lanceleaf Coreopsis put on quite the show during spring and summer. Flowers are good for cutting, so enjoy them indoors in bouquets as well as in the landscape. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Coreopsis verticillata
Sunray Coreopsis
Sunray Coreopsis is blessed with a long, colorful bloom period. 'Zagreb' is an improved selection. Accepting of drought. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Cuphea llavea
Bat-faced Cuphea
Bat-faced cuphea is true to its name—the unusual flowers look much like the face of a bat. In hot-summer areas, locate where plants will receive afternoon shade. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Datura wrightii
Sacred Datura, Jimson Weed
First, a word of caution: All plant parts are poisonous. Avoid planting if children frequent planting areas. This is a rough, rank-smelling plant with large, coarse leaves and stunning, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom at night, at home in a moonlight garden. Commonly volunteers in disturbed areas. Plant from seed in late winter to early spring to avoid frost. Can be a short-lived perennial in mild-winter regions. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Dianella tasmanica
Tasman Flax Lily
A grasslike perennial. Plants can become invasive if located near well-irrigated planting beds. ‘Variegata’ (see photo) is often a preferred choice with leaves that feature wide white stripes along its margins, adding brightness to shady corners. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Dietes bicolor
Peacock Flower
The irislike flowers bloom on top of tall stems. Flowers are large—to 3 inches across—with distinctive marks or spots. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Diplacus longiflorus
Southern Monkey Flower
Large flowers of this Monkey Flower are an attraction. Flower color is variable. Better with some afternoon shade in hot summer areas. Also see Mimulus aurantiacus. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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