Tag Archives: perennial

Helichrysum argyrophyllum is a tough and beautiful groundcover. Awesome for spilling over rocks, walls or for edging and containers, the small glistening, almost metallic, ever-silvery leaves and stems of this South African native construct a solid, trailing and ground-hugging mat. And even awesomer, from mid-Summer thru Fall it almost covers itself with showy little canary-yellow “strawflowers” that last for months …

Many gardeners have learned the value of Cuphea for summer long flowers. We value them not only for the small, attractive flowers, but also for the hummingbirds, butterflies, and nectar-feeding insects that swarm around them. Aka Bat-Face Cuphea, St. Peter’s Plant, Tiny Mice, Bunny Ears, Cuphea llavea. Cuphea is a family of plants containing about 115 species according to the …

Walker’s Low Flower, aka Catmint. Catmint is one of the toughest perennials you can grow. It’s a proven performer during hot, dry weather, and the silvery foliage and blue flowers look great most of the season. Deadhead or cut back hard after first flush of bloom to encourage more flowers. Average, well-drained soil is usually sufficient. Tall types may need …

You can’t get any easier to grow than Linaria purpurea. Slender spikes of tiny violet-blue snapdragon-like flowers over narrow, whorled, blue-grey leaves light up many an old garden. Blooms all Summer in full sun or part shade. Fairly drought tolerant once established & it reseeds! To 3’ high & 1’ wide, it looks good in groupings. Native to southeastern Europe.

Attractive, light yellow iris-like flowers with vivid maroon blotches loom on stiff stalks over neat clumps. Fire resistant. Fortnight lily are evergreen perennials with spreading fans of stiff, leathery sword shaped leaves up to 2 ft in length but only 0.75 in wide. Be aggressive in your pruning of them. The upright clumps of leaves are held in a vertical …

Pepino Dulce produces fruit that are the size of a large goose egg with a cream-colored rind that usually has beautiful purple stripes. I will give you time to look up the size of a goose egg. It has a sweet, mild flesh that is somewhat melon-like. Used fresh in salads or cooked. Beautiful, glossy ornamental plants require a very long …

The name Dianthus is from the Greek words dios (“god”) and anthos (“flower”), and was cited by the Greek botanist Theophrastus. The color pink may be named after the flower, coming from the frilled edge of the flowers: the verb “pink” dates from the 14th century and means “to decorate with a perforated or punched pattern”. Ecology: Dianthus species are …

Coleus is a pretty foliage plant , Solenostemon scutellarioides   Family: Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Solenostemon (sol-en-oh-STEM-on) (Info) Species: scutellarioides (skew-tell-ar-ee-OH-ih-deez) (Info)   Synonym:Coleus blumei Synonym:Coleus scutellarioides   Category: Annuals Tropicals and Tender Perennials   Height: 12-18 in. (30-45 cm) 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)   Spacing: 9-12 in. (22-30 cm)   Hardiness: USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) …

Chives are an easy addition to the Sunnyvale garden. It’s great to cut a few stalks with scissors and add them to your baked potatoes or other dishes. You can add them to herb boxes, pots, or in the ground. They are perennials (with adequate care).

Black eyed Cuphea, Tri-coloured Cuphea, Cuphea cyanea. Cuphea is attractive to bees and hummingbirds.   Family: Lythraceae (ly-THRAY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Cuphea (KYOO-fee-uh) (Info) Species: cyanea (sy-AN-ee-uh) (Info)   Category: Shrubs, Tropicals and Tender Perennials   Height: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm)   Spacing: 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)   Hardiness: USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to …