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GARDEN
The right perennial in the right place—for WNY
By Sally Cunningham
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Rudbeckia “Herbstonne.” Photo by Elizabeth Licata.
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It’s a joy to recommend perennials, like savoring the dessert list after dinner. I love just thinking about them. Then it’s painful. How can I narrow down the list?
Personally, I have low sales resistance. New plants call to me, creating a situation where my own garden is little more than a collection of irresistible plants. Even if they haven’t all convinced me of their worth yet, I let them grow in case they’re better next year. And then new cultivars enter the market every year, each plant touted as the best yet.
It’s tough for all of us to choose, but here are some criteria for a top 25 that are right for our conditions.
1. These plants will survive zone 5 winters, wet springs, and some summer humidity. They tolerate clay soils, although all do better with compost mixed into the soil.
2. They’re big enough to see and attractive for an extended period. They either bloom a long while (for a perennial) or rebloom if you cut them back. Most have attractive foliage, seed-heads, or fall color.
3. All are plants that have been proven over time. This article is not about the “hottest/newest.” I’ve included old workhorses like goatsbeard (aruncus) that too many people still don’t know about. For tried-and-true plants, I’m suggesting the genus or species because they’re all good, but in other cases I’m passing on cultivars (hybridized plants) that are strongly recommended by trustworthy organizations such as the American Hosta Growers Association, the Perennial Plant Association (PPA), or by my personal experience.
4. All are my personal favorites. Gardeners and garden writers have biases, and our tastes change as we evolve. Many other perennials would be worthy of this list (and maybe you’ll tell me which ones I left out). But it’s my list and I asked myself, “What couldn’t I do without in my own garden?”
Like all plants, these have site and soil requirements. Assume that these plants need part to full sun (four to six hours of direct light), unless I tell you otherwise. They all need watering during severely dry periods, especially during the first years of establishment. Heights shown are approximate; species and cultivars vary.
High Performance Perennials: Sally’s Top 25
Aconitum (monkshood) cultivars: deep blue flowers from late summer onward; 3.5 ft. Tolerates some shade. Caution—poisonous.
Alchemilla mollis (lady’s mantle): Lime green foliage in spring with even brighter green flowers; 18 in. Spreads easily; great groundcover; controllable. If it gets floppy or dull, cut it back radically for a fresh round of prettiness.
Anemone x hybrida (Japanese anemone): White or pink, 3.5 ft. Must-haves for late summer flowers.
Aruncus dioicus (goatsbeard): Old garden staple for shade, 4 ft.; not used enough. I call it “the poor woman’s shrub.” The dwarf version, A aethusifolius, has exquisite foliage.
Arum italicum (Italian arum): Strong orange shoots of berries in fall, and deep green, richly textured foliage other times, 18 in. Shade tolerant; plant as a bulb.
Aster ericoides ‘Snowbank’: Cutest short groundcover; a mass of white in fall.
Campanulas (bellflowers): ‘Blue Waterfall,’ ‘Blue Clips,’ and their sisters. Many spread easily; some aggressive, 6 in. to 2.5 ft. Some shade tolerance.
Cimicifuga ramosa (snakeroot, bugbane): Tall (typically 5 ft. or more), with lacy foliage. Cultivars ‘Brunette’ and ‘Hillside Black Beauty’ have dark stems or foliage. Damp shade preferred.
Crocosmia: Strappy foliage and dramatic sprays of orange-red flowers in summer; 4 ft. It’s a star of Garden Walk Buffalo—you’ll want it.
Filipendula: Jagged foliage and fluffy pink plumes (variegated cultivar with white flowers). Spreads easily; tolerates light shade. 4 to 5 ft. (On my personal Top 3 list.)
Hakanochloe macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone grass): Gold-striped grass, loves shade, about 1 ft. tall. May require a protected site in Zone 5. Slow grower at first, but if you’re lucky the clump becomes astounding.
Helleborus (Lenten rose, Christmas rose): Long-lived, essential plant for shade; first to bloom (pastel colors) as winter wanes; foliage to 2 ft. Deer avoid it.
Hemerocallis (daylily): Entire books are written and careers made on daylily cultivars; essential in summer garden. Better repeat bloomers appear each year.
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Hosta photo by Mike Shadrack.
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Hostas—
America’s favorite perennial
Possibly the most versatile perennial, Hostas can suit large spaces or small, from shade to sun, with minimal care. There are thousands of cultivars to choose from. According to expert Mike Shadrack, ‘June’ (pictured) is one of the most popular, and a superior performer. Recently, the Hosta Growers of America have named ‘First Frost’ (a sport or offspring of ‘June’) the best new hosta selection.
Watch for it!
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Hostas (see sidebar)
Monarda: Hummingbird magnets. From 9 in. to 3 ft.; form strong clumps in summer, with red, coral, magenta flowers. Provide air circulation to avoid powdery mildew (many resistant cultivars).
Penstemon ‘Husker Red’: Forms sturdy upright clump with maroon leaves and white flowers, 2.5 ft.
Rodgersia: Arresting foliage and plume-like flowers. R. aesculifolia has huge leaves like those of the horse chestnut; grows to 3.5 by 3.5 ft. plant. Thrives in shade; must have moist soil (also in my personal Top 3).
Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstonne’: Giant beauty (to 9 ft.), mass of yellow—impressive!
Sedum spurium ‘John Creech’: from the huge genus Sedum that provides so many garden staples. This one is an unbeatable ground cover; pink flowers and attractive all season.
Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’ (lambs’ ears) and S. officinalis ‘Hummelo’: Two different plants; both worthy. Classic lambs’ ears spreads easily; the soft, grey texture takes many important roles. ‘Hummelo’ is a handsome clumping plant with soft green, wrinkled leaves and pinkish-lilac flowers.
Poligonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (variegated Solomon’s seal): An easy-spreading, elegant shade plant. 2 ft.
Tanacetum vulgare ‘Isla Gold’: Gold-leaved beauty, to 3 ft.; behaves itself better than the species. Bright foliage claims the spotlight.
Thalictrum (Meadow rue): Fluffy flowers and pretty leaves, 3-5 ft. Try T. rochebrunianum ‘Lavender Mist’ (in my personal Top 3 favorites).
Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s root): Strong white or pink spikes (3 to 5 ft.); deserves much more use than it has.
Vernonia noveboracensis (New York ironweed): Native species 8 ft. tall with huge purple flower heads; cultivar ‘Iron Butterfly’ half the size. Gorgeous late summer color—get to know it!
And the 25 left behind…
Then there are the dependable Shasta daisies, Jacob’s ladders, lobelias, veronicas, salvias, and coneflowers—not to mention ‘Rozanne’ geraniums forming a sea of purple, or the wondrous colors of heucheras. There are probably a few of your top 25 that aren’t included on this list, but any of these plants have the stuff to be stalwart citizens of your perennial garden for years to come.
Horticulturist Sally Cunningham is a CNLP, garden book author, consultant for Lockwood’s Greenhouses, a WNY media expert on gardening, and is currently coordinating the National Buffalo Garden Festival with the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors’ Bureau.
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