(Hollyhock, Queeny Purple Hollyhock)

Queeny purple hollyhock is a compact, upright, herbaceous perennial that originates from western Asia. In summer, rosettes of characteristically rough, hairy leaves give rise to short, upright leafy stalks lined with show-stopping, semi-double flowers of rich rose-purple that are highly attractive to butterflies and bees. Hollyhock thrive in moderately fertile, well drained soil and flower best in full sun. It is a great old-fashioned flower that makes an excellent addition to mixed borders and large...

(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)

(Common Lady's Mantle)

(Colicroot, Unicorn Root, White Colicroot)

A white flower spike that looks like a unicorn's horn jutting up from the ground is a highlight of the white colicroot. This herbaceous perennial is native to the eastern United States and Ontario, Canada. It grows in moist peaty, gravelly or sandy habitats around the southern Great Lakes or from eastern Texas up to New England on the eastern side of the Appalachians. It naturally grows in pinelands, bogs, ditches and wet grasslands. Up until the 19th century, roots of colicroot plants were dug up...

(Colicroot, Yellow Colicroot)

An ankle- to shin-high flower stem carrying bright yellow blossoms above a foliage rosette is indicating of the yellow colicroot. This herbaceous perennial is native to the American Southeast, from Savannah, Georgia to New Orleans and south to the Florida Keys. It naturally grows in pinelands, bogs, wet ditches and seasonally flooded prairies.

The leaves arise from the ground to create a basal rosette of attractive light green leaves. Leaf blades are narrow, pointed lances with parallel veins,...

(Colicroot, Southern Colicroot)

A rather diminutive rosette of bright green leaves is overlooked until the southern colicroot produces a tall flower stem by late spring. This herbaceous perennial is native to the American Southeast, from southernmost Mississippi to northern Florida's and southern Georgia's Atlantic coast. It naturally grows in moist pinelands, damp grasslands and roadside ditches. Up until the 19th century, roots of these plants were dug up and used as medicine to treat colic.

The leaves arise from the ground...

(Colicroot)

A weed-like rosette of bright green leaves is overlooked until the colicroot produces a wiry flower stem in spring. This herbaceous perennial is native to the American Southeast's coastal plain, a naturally occurring hybrid between the southern colicroot (Aletris obovata) and yellow colicroot (Aletris lutea) where their natural ranges overlap. It naturally grows in moist pinelands, damp grasslands and roadside ditches. Up until the 19th century, roots of these plants were dug up...

(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...