(Cliff Maids, Siskiyou Lewisia)

These seed-grown plants of Lewisia cotyledon bloom in sunset tones of yellow, peach, red, salmon, and pink. A fragile-looking but tough-natured evergreen perennial from the Northwest United States, L. cotyledon is grown for its handsome evergreen leaves and its showy sprays of dainty, colorful flowers.

Plants form flat rosettes of fleshy, oval to club-shaped, medium-green leaves that arise from a plump, starchy taproot. The leaves may have smooth or toothed margins....

(Sierra Lewisia)

A pretty alpine plant, Sierra lewisia displays a rosette of narrow foliage that nestles white to medium pink blossoms from midsummer to early autumn. An evergreen perennial native only to the Sierra Nevada range in east central California in the United States, it requires specific growing conditions for success.

The foliage is a low, broad rosette of narrow to lance-shaped leaves, gray-green in color but often with reddened edges, and more yellow-green during cool months. In midsummer to early...

(Blue Lyme Grass, Sand Ryegrass)

The striking steel blue or blue green foliage of blue lyme grass makes this one of the most memorable of ornamental grasses. The open habit of the clumping plant indefinitely spreads by rhizomes (underground stems), and is native to Europe and west-central Asia. The foliage is coarse, colored a powdery blue, blue-green or even gray, with individual blades that are flat, linear and slightly arching. During summer, atop stems above the foliage, a cluster of tiny flowers forms an upright spike that...

(Blue Dune Lyme Grass, Sand Ryegrass)

The obvious steel blue foliage of blue lyme grass cultivar 'Blue Dune' brings amazing color and texture to the garden. The open habit of the clumping plant spreads indefinitely by rhizomes (underground stems), and is native to Europe and west-central Asia. The foliage is coarse, colored a striking powdery or steel blue, with flat, linear and slightly arching leaf blades. During summer, atop stems above the foliage, a cluster of tiny flowers forms an upright spike that will turn beige when fully ripe...

(Button Snake Root, Dwarf Blazing Star, Small-flowered Blazing Star)

A compact, fine-foliaged perennial, small-flowered blazing star attracts butterflies on its rosy-violet blossoms in mid- to late summer. An herbaceous wildflower native to the sunny soils of America's southern Appalachian Mountains, it is a tough plant that tolerates drought, heat, and poor soils.

The bright to medium green leaves on this blazing star are short and needle-like upon wiry stems. In mid- to late summer the stem tips fill with rosy buds and open from top to bottom in rosy-violet...

(Dense Blazing Star, Gayfeather)

Blazing star is a hardy perennial that originates from eastern and central North America. This clump forming plant which grows from tuberous roots has long linear leaves of medium green. In summer to early autumn it bears upright flower spikes which bloom from the top down; ‘Floristan White’ has white blooms. Fuzzy seeds follow the flowers and are attractive to birds. Usually, this perennial has a tall, upright habit and may require staking however ‘Floristan White’ is a dwarf selections with stout...

(Dense Blazing Star)

Blazing star is a hardy perennial that originates from eastern and central North America. This clump forming plant which grows from tuberous roots has long linear leaves of medium green. In summer to early autumn it bears upright flower spikes which bloom from the top down. Liatris spicata f. montana has purple to lavender blooms held on dwarf plants with broader leaves and short flower spikes. Fuzzy seeds follow the flowers and are attractive to birds.

Plant Liatris in full...

(New Zealand Iris)

A grass-like tender perennial native to New Zealand, New Zealand Iris develops erect evergreen clumps of foliage and produces small white flowers in spring or early summer and pretty yellow berry-like pods that last up to three months into fall. It is best grown in containers, moist rock gardens or nestled in a flower border. It can also be planted in sweeps as a sunny ground cover.

This pretty everygreen has grassy upright leaves that fan out in dense clumps. In the spring or early flowers...

(Goldfinger New Zealand Iris, New Zealand Iris)

The striking gold variegated foliage of Goldfinger will light up any sunny garden space. The warm leaves have highlights of gold, orange and thin stripes of green. In spring or early summer, starry white flowers are produced among the compact fan-like clumps of upright foliage. This exceptional variety was bred by Mark Dean of New Zealand.

A grass-like tender perennial native to New Zealand, New Zealand Iris develops erect evergreen clumps of foliage and produces small white flowers in spring...

(New Zealand Iris, Taupo Blaze New Zealand Iris)

A grass-like tender perennial native to New Zealand, New Zealand Iris develops erect evergreen clumps of foliage and produces small white flowers in spring or early summer and pretty yellow berry-like pods that last up to three months into fall. It is best grown in containers, moist rock gardens or nestled in a flower border. It can also be planted in sweeps as a sunny ground cover.

This pretty everygreen has grassy upright leaves that fan out in dense clumps. In the spring or early flowers...