(Chater's Hollyhock, Hollyhock)

Hollyhock is a tall, short-lived, herbaceous perennial native to western Asia. In summer (or as early as mid-spring in mild winter climates), clumps of large, rough, heart-shaped leaves give rise to stately, leafy stalks lined with showy rounded blooms. The flowers attract butterflies and bees. Plants in the Chater's Double group have fully double flowers and are relatively long lived.

Hollyhocks thrive in full sun and moderately fertile well drained soil. Cut back spent flower stalks to encourage...

(Lady's Mantle)

(Lady's Mantle)

Old-fashioned and delicate, lady's mantle is the ideal perennial for partial sun to shade. This compact and vigorous ornamental has scalloped sea-green leaves and effervescent plumes of chartreuse flowers that appear in early summer. Though able to tolerate short periods of drought, this plant does best when provided with evenly moist, well drained soil. The subdued flowers and foliage of this clump-forming perennial contrast well with golden hakone grass and Japanese painted fern.

(Common Lady's Mantle)

(Seashore Palm)

One of the most salt and drought tolerant palms, Allagoptera arenaria, or seashore palm, is a beautiful tropical palm from the coastal regions of Brazil. Based on fossil records, it is also regarded as the most ancient of palms, a predecessor to all others. It maintains a relatively small size, so it is suitable for dune stabilization, landscapes and containers.

Long pinnate (feather-like) leaves emerge directly from an underground stem and at many angles giving it a fluffy, mounded...

(Beau Regard Ornamental Onion, Ornamental Onion)

This excellent allium hybrid displays enormous, rosy-purple flower clusters on tall, sturdy stems in late spring to early summer. Its starry, individual florets are packed densely in rounded globes that can be as large as 8 inches (20 centimeters) in diameter, adding instant drama to mixed beds and borders. They rise from low rosettes of bold, strappy, deep green leaves that remain attractive while the plants are in flower, unlike those of many other alliums.

In autumn, plant the bulbs of ‘Beau...

(Firmament Ornamental Onion, Ornamental Onion)

This gorgeous ornamental allium graces the garden with globes of starry, silvery-purple blossoms in late spring. The rounded, softball-sized flower clusters are borne on sturdy, slender stems which rise above strappy, deep green basal leaves that emerge in spring and fade as the plants bloom.

In autumn, plant the bulbs of ‘Firmament’ in fertile, well-drained soil at a depth of two to three times their diameter. Full sun is essential, and dryish summer conditions are preferable. Plant in small...

(Gladiator Ornamental Onion, Ornamental Onion)

A hybrid of two large-flowered Central Asian alliums, ‘Gladiator’ is a bulbous perennial grown for its huge globes of starry, metallic purple, green-eyed flowers displayed in late spring to early summer. The dense, rounded flower clusters are borne singly atop tall, sturdy, bare stems which rise above deep green, broadly sword-shaped basal leaves that emerge and spring and wither as the blossoms appear.

In autumn, plant the bulbs of ‘Gladiator’ in fertile, well-drained soil at a depth of two...

(Globemaster Ornamental Onion, Ornamental Onion)

For many, ‘Globemaster’ is the standard against which all other ornamental alliums are judged. The gigantic, rounded, lavender-purple flowerheads of this hybrid are composed of small, starry, densely packed florets, and can approach the size of a volleyball. Appearing in late spring, they are borne singly on tall, sturdy stems which rise above bold, strappy, deep green basal leaves that appear in spring and fade as the plants bloom.

In autumn, plant the bulbs of ‘Globemaster’ in fertile, well-drained...

(Lucy Ball Ornamental Onion, Ornamental Onion)

This attractive hybrid allium decorates the late spring to early summer garden with dense spheres of rich rosy-purple flowers. The rounded flowerheads are composed of many small, starry, individual florets, and are approximately 6 inches (15 centimeters) in diameter. They are borne on tall, strong stems which rise above strappy, green basal leaves that emerge in spring and fade as the plants bloom.

In autumn, plant the bulbs of ‘Lucy Ball’ in fertile, well-drained soil at a depth of two to...