(Limestone Wild Petunia, Wild Smooth Petunia)

Across the central eastern United States, partially sunny to dappled shade openings in woodlands or grasslands are home to the limestone wild petunia. This upright, sometimes branching perennial produces lavender-plum and white flowers from very late spring to fall, depending on climate. Fall frosts kill the plant back to its roots.

The green leaves are large pointed ovals that occur in opposite pairs along the square stems. Flowers arise at the base of the leaves. Usually two develop and are...

(Garden Sorrel, Profusion™ Garden Sorrel)

This non-flowering selection of garden sorrel produces tender, tangy new leaves from spring to fall. They make a sprightly addition to salads and sauces, and are rich in vitamin C. Profusion garden sorrel was introduced by Richter's Herbs of Goodwood, Ontario.

Garden sorrel is a clumping, tap-rooted, Eurasian perennial grown for its lush rosettes of large, tasty, arrowhead-shaped leaves. A prolific self-sower, it typically produces branching clusters of inconspicuous reddish-green flowers in...

(Red Sorrel, Sheep Sorrel, Sour Weed)

A familiar weed of waste places and gardens, this creeping herbaceous perennial originated in Eurasia but is naturalized worldwide.

The small, smooth, arrowhead-shaped leaves of this hardy perennial are borne in rosettes. Plants spread via threadlike underground rhizomes to form large colonies. The leaves contain sour-tasting oxalates that render them unpalatable (and potentially toxic) to cattle. Spikes of insignificant flowers appear on short, upright stalks from spring to late summer. Plants...

(Curly Dock, Sour Dock, Yellow Dock)

This rosette-forming perennial is a common weed over much of the temperate world. It has long been used as a medicinal plant in its native Europe.

Rosettes of glossy-green, narrow, lance-shaped leaves with conspicuously rumpled edges emerge in spring. The leaves may become purple-tinged in summer. Plants grow from a stout taproot that produces new plants if severed. In late spring to midsummer, depending on climate, curly dock produces tall sturdy stems lined with numerous small, greenish flowers....

(Bloody Dock, Redvein Dock, Wood Dock)

Redvein dock is a tap-rooted, clump-forming perennial native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. Its crinkled, tongue-shaped, bright green leaves are conspicuously creased with indented, maroon veins. Panicles of small brownish flowers appear in summer and should be removed to prevent self-sowing. Redvein dock likes sun and tolerates most soils. It makes a good foil for yellow- and red-flowered perennials such as tickseed and helenium.

(Awl-leaf Pearlwort, Irish Moss)

Awl-leaf pearlwort is a mat-forming evergreen perennial native to Europe. Its moss-like carpets of rich green, pointed leaves are spangled in summer with tiny white flowers. It prefers moist, well drained soil with protection from hot sunlight. Tolerant of foot traffic, it makes a great choice for planting between stepping stones.

(Awl-leaf Pearlwort, Golden Pearlwort, Irish Moss)

Awl-leaf pearlwort is a mat-forming evergreen perennial native to Europe. Its cultivar 'Aurea' forms moss-like carpets of pointed yellow-green leaves. Small white flowers appear in summer. It prefers moist, well drained soil with protection from hot sunlight. Tolerant of foot traffic, it makes a great choice for planting between stepping stones.

(Optimara™ African Violet)

Optimara African Violets were discovered near Usambara Mountains of East Africa /Tanzania. The name Optimara itself is a trademarked blend of the word "optimum" and the name of this mountain range (Usambara).

Perennial in its native climate, African violets are widely grown around the world as house plants. The Optimara group consists of numerous series and varieties, of African violets, that range from large standards to miniatures. The plant is rosette in form with fleshy leaves. Some produce...

(Ornamental Sage)

This gorgeous yet tough dryland sage produces some of the most charming flower spikes that are equally attractive after they bloom. It is a hybrid of two Southern California native species, both highly drought resistant and capable of surviving without rain for up to ten months. Both species and hybrid prefer hot slopes or very well drained porous soils to prevent root rot. This is a semiwoody plant that produces a spreading shrubby form capable of covering a large area over time.

This sage...

(Eveline Salvia, Ornamental Sage)

A hybrid sage selected by renowned Dutch plantsman Piet Oudolf, this hardy herbaceous perennial bears numerous knee-high spikes of whorled two-lipped lavender-pink flowers from spring into early summer. They rise from bushy rounded clumps of large scalloped light-green leaves that emit a sage-like odor when bruised. The flowers attract bees and butterflies.

Plant this perennial in full sun and well drained moderately fertile soil. Combine it with campanulas, Siberian iris, hardy geraniums, and...