(Pastel Patchwork Wallflower, Wallflower)

The variegated lilac, lemon, and terracotta blooms of 'Pastel Patchwork' stand in soft contrast to the brash hues of most other wallflowers. Sometimes used as an annual or biennial, this evergreen perennial produces erect spikes of fragrant cross-shaped blooms in spring. Flowering begins in late winter in mild climates, and may recur in summer and fall if conditions are cool. The calf- to knee-high flower stalks arise from dense clumps of deep gray-green lance-shaped leaves.

Like most wallflowers,...

(Wallflower)

The bright, sweetly fragrant blooms of this southern European native are a familiar spring sight (and smell) in English gardens. This herbaceous perennial is usually grown as an annual or biennial, performing its best when temperatures aren't too warm.

Low shrubby clumps of narrow, lance-shaped, bright green leaves give rise in spring to short erect stems topped with dense clusters of four-petaled blooms. Flower color may be orange, red, maroon, yellow, or ivory. Deadheaded plants often rebloom...

(Canary Island's Wallflower)

Little known but deserving notice for its beauty and drought resistance, this low evergreen shrub from the mountains of the Canary Islands makes a fine plant for dryland gardens. Bushy clumps of narrow lance shaped blue green leaves give rise to numerous spires of beautiful rose-pink flowers in late winter and early spring. The flowers have a mild sweet fragrance.

This sun-loving plant grows best in well drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. It is surprisingly cold hardy if given protection...

(Erythronium)

Elegant woodland perennials from the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, erythroniums are grown for their exquisite flowers and for their often strikingly marked leaves. Appearing in spring, the yellow, pink, white, or violet flowers nod from wiry, erect, leafless stems that may be green, purple or brown. Usually one bloom is borne per stem. Resembling small lilies, the flowers have six backswept segments that give them the appearance of taking flight. A starburst of yellow or purple anthers...

(Hybrid Dogtooth Violet, Kondo Hybrid Dogtooth Violet)

Elegant woodland perennials from the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, erythroniums are grown for their exquisite flowers and for their often strikingly marked leaves. Appearing in spring, the yellow, pink, white, or violet flowers nod from wiry, erect, leafless stems that may be green, purple or brown. Usually one bloom is borne per stem. Resembling small lilies, the flowers have six backswept segments that give them the appearance of taking flight. A starburst of yellow or purple anthers...

(Hybrid Dogtooth Violet, Pagoda Hybrid Dogtooth Violet)

Its large yellow spring flowers, handsome foliage, and adaptability to diverse climates mark 'Pagoda' as one of the showiest and most gardenworthy erythroniums. This hardy bulbous perennial is a hybrid of the western North American natives Erythronium tuolumnense and E. revolutum.

The bold, glossy green, oval leaves of 'Pagoda' arise from fleshy, brittle, conical bulbs in late winter or early spring. Plants offset freely, eventually forming large clumps. The nodding,...

(White Dogtooth Violet, White Fawnlily)

Elegant woodland perennials from the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, erythroniums are grown for their exquisite flowers and for their often strikingly marked leaves. Appearing in spring, the yellow, pink, white, or violet flowers nod from wiry, erect, leafless stems that may be green, purple or brown. Usually one bloom is borne per stem. Resembling small lilies, the flowers have six backswept segments that give them the appearance of taking flight. A starburst of yellow or purple anthers...

(Dogtooth Violet, Yellow Adder's Tongue)

An elegant hardy perennial from moist woodlands of eastern North America, yellow trout lily is grown for its exquisite spring flowers and its strikingly marked foliage. Nodding from wiry, naked stems above paired basal leaves, the solitary yellow flowers have six backswept segments that give them the appearance of taking flight. Their exteriors are brushed with maroon. A starburst of purple-brown or yellow anthers protrudes from the gaping blooms. The broadly lance-shaped basal leaves are bronze-green...

(California Dogtooth Violet, California Fawnlily)

Elegant woodland perennials from the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, erythroniums are grown for their exquisite flowers and for their often strikingly marked leaves. Appearing in spring, the yellow, pink, white, or violet flowers nod from wiry, erect, leafless stems that may be green, purple or brown. Usually one bloom is borne per stem. Resembling small lilies, the flowers have six backswept segments that give them the appearance of taking flight. A starburst of yellow or purple anthers...

(California Dogtooth Violet, California Fawnlily)

Elegant woodland perennials from the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, erythroniums are grown for their exquisite flowers and for their often strikingly marked leaves. Appearing in spring, the yellow, pink, white, or violet flowers nod from wiry, erect, leafless stems that may be green, purple or brown. Usually one bloom is borne per stem. Resembling small lilies, the flowers have six backswept segments that give them the appearance of taking flight. A starburst of yellow or purple anthers...