(Italian Bugloss)

The moderately compact Italian bugloss 'Feltham Pride' produces loads of azure blue flowers on bushy, coarsely foliated plants from early to midsummer. A lovely short-loved perennial for sunny well-drained gardens, Italian bugloss has branched stems covered with numerous rich royal blue flowers that will attract bees. It naturally inhabits drier, open areas, from the Mediterranean to Central Asia, where soils are sharply drained and on the poorer side. It self-sows aggressively and has become naturalized...

(Cape Bugloss)

Cape bugloss is an biennial or short-lived perennial that is a good choice for a dry, sunny locations in the garden. Often simply grown as an annual flower, this South African native has cheery bright sky blue flowers with white throats that appear on upright stems above coarsely textured lance-shaped foliage. Bees will frequent these cup-shaped flowers across the summer.

Grow cape bugloss in full sun in a moist but perfectly draining soil. Trim off spent flower stems to encourage a second flowering...

(Blue Angel Bugloss, Cape Bugloss)

Cape bugloss is an biennial or short-lived perennial that is a good choice for a dry, sunny locations in the garden. A native of South Africa, 'Blue Angel' bears summertime flowers of a deep ocean blue that appear on upright stems above coarsely textured lance-shaped foliage. Bees will frequent these cup-shaped flowers across the summer.

Grow 'Blue Angel' in full sun in a moist but perfectly draining soil. Trim off spent flower stems to encourage a second flowering cycle. It makes a good edging...

(Big Bluestem, Turkey Foot)

Big bluestem is an rugged, clump-forming perennial grass that makes a dense clump of leaves and tall flower stalks topped with distinctive seedheads in autumn. Native to a vast range across North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico, it has become quite rare in the western United States.

The blue-green stems and green leaves are relatively short throughout the summer, but with the onset of fall, the stems lengthen as the flowers emerge. Silvery-red or red-purple in color, the tiny...

(Bushy Beardgrass, Bushy Bluestem, Bushy Broom Grass)

Exceptionally showy in flower and once dried in autumn and winter, the fluffy and broom-like seed heads of bushy bluestem are worth inclusion in any garden. An upright, clumping perennial grass native to Central America and the West Indies, it will reseed itself in the landscape especially if soils are moist.

The upright grassy foliage is bluish green and semi-evergreen in very mild winter regions. From late summer to late winter, depending on climate, upright plumes of silvery white to light...

(Anemone, Harmony Blue Anemone)

This Poppy anemone, ‘Harmony Blue,’ is a tender perennial with ferny leaves and poppy-like flowers. It grows in a spreading clump that sends up a little forest of slender stalks in spring topped by open, multi-petalled blue flowers with a large, dark central disc. It is one cultivar among several in the Harmony Series, all alike except for flower colors which range from white through pink, orange and red to blue. The parent species is native to the Mediterranean region, a clue to its limited hardiness....

(Anemone, Harmony Orchid Anemone)

This Poppy anemone, ‘Harmony Orchid,’ is a tender perennial with ferny leaves and poppy-like flowers. It grows in a spreading clump that sends up a little forest of slender stalks in spring topped by open, multi-petalled light-purple flowers with a large, dark central disc. It is one cultivar among several in the Harmony Series, all alike except for flower colors, which range from white through pink, orange and red to blue. The parent species is native to the Mediterranean region, a clue to its limited...

(Anemone, Harmony Scarlet Anemone)

This Poppy anemone, ‘Harmony Scarlet,’ is a tender perennial with ferny leaves and poppy-like flowers. It grows in a spreading clump that sends up a little forest of slender stalks in spring topped by open, multi-petalled red flowers with a large, dark central disc. It is one cultivar among several in the Harmony Series, all alike except for flower colors, which range from white through pink, orange and red to blue. The parent species is native to the Mediterranean region, a clue to its limited hardiness....

(Harmony Anemone)

The Harmony series of anemones are tender perennials that are usually grown as spring annuals. The fine foliage forms small clumps in spring and is topped by large poppy-like flowers in shades of red, blue, white or pink (depending on the cultivar) accented with dark centers. A mix is also available. These hybrids have a dwarf stature and bright colors which herald in spring.

Happiest when planted in a semi-shady spot, Harmony anemones prefer rich, loamy soils and even moisture. The foliage will...

(Grecian Windflower, Greek Thimbleweed)

Grecian windflower is a diminutive spring ephemeral from southeastern Europe. In early spring its cheerful, daisy-like flowers appear on compact stems above triads of ferny three-parted leaves. The solitary blooms open wide in bright sun to reveal a central eye of yellow stamens. A white halo may rim the flower's center. Soon after bloom, plants die back for the season. They are borne from underground tuberous rhizomes that spread to form clumps. The tubers are black and irregularly shaped.

This...