Achillea 'Moonshine'
Moonshine Yarrow
Slightly smaller in stature, Moonshine Yarrow is a popular Achillea hybrid. Long bloom period. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Achillea filipendulina 'Coronation Gold'
Fernleaf Yarrow
The delicate fernlike leaves of Fernleaf Yarrow create an attractive background for its clusters of yellow-gold flowers. Display flowers fresh or dried in arrangements. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Achillea millefolium
Common Yarrow
In hot-summer climates, expect an easier time when growing Yarrow if plants receive afternoon shade. Effective small area groundcover or in rock gardens. Many improved selections such as 'Paprika', shown, and 'Summer Pastels', are available; check locally. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Achillea tomentosa
Woolly Yarrow
Plant Woolly Yarrow where it will receive afternoon shade in hot-summer climates. Effective small area groundcover or in rock gardens. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Aeonium arboretum
Aeonium
An easy to grow succulent that is a prime choice along the coast. Provide with afternoon shade in warm inland regions. Not overly tolerant to cold, container culture is a good option to enable moving it to a sheltered location before winter frosts. Many selections are available. See 'Zwartkop', which is described in this database. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Agapanthus praecox orientalis
Lily of the Nile
Flowers of Lily-of-the-Nile are borne on stems to 5 feet high. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates. 'Albus' features white flowers. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Agastache cana
Double Bubblemint
This perennial provides both fragrant foliage and flowers. The summer blooms smell like bubblegum. Upright, clumping form. Provide with soil that is well drained. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Agastache foeniculum
Anise Hyssop
Anise Hyssop is a clump-forming perennial with fragrant foliage. It is often used in teas, jellies and potpourris. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Agastache rupestris
Hummingbird Mint
All plant parts of Hummingbird Mint are fragrant, described as smelling like licorice and mint. Flowers bloom for a long period. A Plant Select selection. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Ajuga reptans
Carpet Bugle, Ajuga
This versatile groundcover is one of the best for small-space coverage in shady locations. Growing just a few inches high, it will accept some sun, except in the desert. Partial shade with regular water would be the best prescription. Spikes of blue flowers bloom in spring and summer. Many selections are available with different foliage and flower colors. Ajuga spreads by runners when moisture is available. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet or more.
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Alcea rosea
Hollyhock
This is an iconic "grandma's garden" perennial or biennial often grown as an annual. It is old-fashioned but still fun to grow. Consider it a back-of-the-border plant due to its height, what can reach more than 6 feet. Available in a wide range of flower colors. Reseeds readily to extend plantings.
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Anigozanthos hybrids
Kangaroo Paw
A dramatic perennial that is sure to catch your eye due to its height, color and unique, clawlike, fuzzy flowers that grow on top of tall stems. Leaves are strap-shaped. 'Big Red', shown in photos, is a popular selection. 'Harmony', yellow flowers, is also shown here. Also look for the Bush Gems series in a range of colors. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Aquilegia chrysantha
Golden Columbine
Golden Columbine is considered one of the best of the columbines, with a long bloom period of large dramatic flowers. This group of perennial wildflowers is at home in a woodland type garden, accepting some shade. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Arctotis hybrids
African Daisy
This is a good example of seeking out plants by their botanical rather than common name. Many plants native to South Africa are known as African Daisy. A perennial, but may be best grown as an annual, depending on your location. Wide range of flower colors; useful for color displays or as a short-lived groundcover. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Argyranthemum frutescens
Marguerite
Marguerite is a shortlived, flowering perennial sometimes grown as an annual. Plant in the fall for spring flowers. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri'
Asparagus Fern
Asparagus Fern is often used as a hanging, draping plant. Bright red berries are attractive against the bright green needlelike leaves. 'Myers' is a related selection with long, fluffy, foxtail stems. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Aurinia saxatilis
Basket-Of-Gold
Basket-Of-Gold is a compact and mounding perennial to 1 foot high or less. Flowers bloom early in spring. Look for 'Gold Ball'. Plant in soil with good drainage. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Baileya multiradiata
Desert Marigold
Desert Marigold puts forth profuse perennial color that requires little care. Reseeds easily to extend plantings, a particularly nice bonus for naturalistic gardens. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Baptisia australis
Blue False Indigo
Blue False Indigo is a clumping perennial with indigo-blue flowers that look similar to those of sweet peas. They bloom on spikes above the oval leaves; interesting inflated seed pods follow. Drought resistant and tolerant of poor soils. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Bergenia cordifolia
Heartleaf Bergenia
Heartleaf Bergenia is a slow-spreading, clumping perennial that does best in shady locations. The thick, leathery leaves are large, up to 10 inches long and 8 inches wide. Dark pink flowers are borne on sturdy stems 1 foot or more high above the leaves, which grow in a rosette form. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Berlandiera lyrata
Chocolate Flower
A major appeal of this perennial is the scent of the flowers—it is very similar to the fragrance of chocolate. Leaves are an interesting color combination of green above and gray beneath. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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