(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...

(Dense Blazing Star, Gayfeather)

Blazing star is a hardy perennial that originates from eastern and central North America. This clump forming plant has long linear leaves of medium green. In summer to early autumn it bears upright spikes of purple, pink or white flowers that open from the top of the spike down. There are many cultivars that vary in height and flower color. Overall, this perennial has a tall, upright habit and may require staking. It prefers full sun and well drained, average soil. Avoid poorly drained soils as these...

(Dense Blazing Star, Gayfeather, White Spike Gayfeather)

White blazing star is a hardy perennial that originates from eastern and central North America. This clump forming plant has long linear leaves of medium green. In summer to early autumn it bears upright spikes of white flowers that open from the top of the spike down. This selection has a tall, upright habit and may need to be staked. It prefers full sun and well drained, average soil. Avoid poorly drained soils as these plants are susceptible to root rot. Blazing star is well suited to mixed perennial...

(Dense Blazing Star, Gayfeather)

Blazing star is a hardy perennial that originates from eastern and central North America. This clump forming plant has long linear leaves of medium green. In summer to early autumn it bears upright spikes of purple, pink or white flowers that open from the top of the spike down. There are many cultivars that vary in height and flower color. Overall, this perennial has a tall, upright habit and may require staking. It prefers full sun and well drained, average soil. Avoid poorly drained soils as these...

(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, Gayfeather, Kobold Gayfeather)

Kobold blazing star is a compact hardy perennial that originates from eastern and central North America. This clump forming plant has long linear leaves of medium green. In summer to early autumn it bears upright spikes of deep purple flowers that open from the top of the spike down. This selection has a shorter, tidier habit than other blazing stars and rarely needs to be staked. It prefers full sun and well drained, average soil. Avoid poorly drained soils as these plants are susceptible to root...

(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...

(Hybrid Ragwort)

Bold, coarsely-toothed leaves of The Rocket hybrid ragwort make a stunning backdrop to the black stems and lemony yellow flower spikes of summer. A moisture-loving herbaceous perennial, this hybrid was developed from plants native to eastern Asia.

Forming a clump but quite upright in its habit, 'The Rocket' has large, leathery, triangular leaves with jagged edges and teeth. Attractive already, the leaf undersides are a blackened green. In early to late summer, tall black stems rise above the...

(Big-Leaved Ligularia, Summer Ragwort)

Summer ragwort sports huge leaves, masses of yellow-orange flowers and a love for moist, shady conditions. This herbaceous perennial is native to China and Japan and forms impressive clumps in the garden. The heart-shaped to roundish, dark green leaves are produced on long petioles and are as attractive as the flowers. In summer, long stems of blooms rise well above the leaves. These hold masses of shaggy, golden daisies in flat-topped, loose clusters.

Plant summer ragwort in a site protected...