(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...

(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...

(Broomsedge, Broomsedge Bluestem)

Broomsedge bluestem is a perennial, clump-forming warm-season grass that sends up seedstalks topped with coarse seedheads in autumn. Itis native to the dry fields and open woodlands of the eastern United States. Autumnal frosts and sunshine will turn the entire plant a warm, orange-tan or brown, and the small hairs of the seeds are stunning when the glow in low-angle sunlight. Skipper butterflies lay their eggs on the grass's leaves, and birds eat and spread the seeds, which sprout readily, making...

(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 anthers. A white halo may rim the flower's center. Soon after bloom, plants die back. They are borne from underground tuberous rhizomes that spread to form clumps. The tubers are black and irregularly shaped.

This wind-tolerant...

(Blue Greek Thimbleweed, Grecian Windflower, Greek Thimbleweed)

A selection of Grecian windflower, ‘Blue Shades’ is a ground-hugging hardy perennial that blooms showily in early spring with upward-facing daisy-like blue flowers that have gold centers. Descended from a native of Turkey and southeastern Europe, it is a spring ephemeral that grows and flowers quickly and goes dormant quickly, living on in its small black tubers. The soft, ferny, slightly hair leaves emerge in early spring and are soon followed by the short flower stems.

Grow this perennial in...