perennial

L. punctat – Whorles loosestrife – Golden Loosestrife – Garden Loosestrife – This vigorous, erect, rhizomatous, softly hairy herbaceous perennial found from Central and Southern Europe to Turkey grows 3′ feet tall and 2′ feet wide. It produces opposite or whorled, elliptic to lance shaped, mid green leaves, to 3″ long. In mid and late summer it bears whorls of starry shaped yellow flowers, to 1″ across. May become invasive.

Grow in humus rich, preferably moist but well drained soil that does not dry out in summer, in full sun or partial shade. Tall species may need support. Divide in spring or autumn.

Zones 4-8

Veronicas are easily grown. The alpine and rock garden grow well in poor to moderately fertile, well drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Protect those with felted leaves from excessive winter moisture. Grow border veronicas in loamy, moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Grow V. beccabunga in wet soil, or in water to 5” deep. Divide perennials in autumn or spring.

Zone 4-8

There is a sole species of an erect perennial in this genus. It is found naturally occurring in conifer woods on moist, acidic soil in southeastern USA. It produces evergreen, simple, smooth leaves which are smooth edged, or sometimes with spines toward the bases, and form basal rosettes. The long lasting, colorful, terminal, corn flowers-like flowers are borne from late summer to fall, either solitary or in few to many flowered corymbs, they are good for cutting. Grow in a warm position in a herbaceous border.

Grow in light, fertile, moist but well drained, acidic soil in full sun or part shade. Liable to rot in damp, heavy soils. Provide support. Deadhead to prolong flowering. Divide in spring.

Prone to leaf spots and caterpillars.

S. laevis ‘Klaus Jelitto’ – Stokesia cyanea – This rosette forming, evergreen perennial from Southeastern USA, grows 24″ tall and 18″ wide. It produces elliptic to lance shaped, mid green basal leaves, to 8″ long, slightly spiny near the bases, and with conspicuous, pale greenish white midribs. From mid summer to early autumn, upright stems, with smaller, stalkless leaves, bear solitary, terminal, cornflower-like flowers, to 4″ across, these have spreading, fringed petals in light blue with whitish blue in the centers.

Zones 5-9

Zones 6-9

perennial

H. helianthoides – This clump forming perennial found from Ontario to Florida and Missouri grows 3-6′ feet tall and 2-3′ feet wide. It produces ovate to lance shaped, toothed, almost hairless, 3 veined, mid green leaves, to 6″ long. From mid summer to early autumn from branched stems it bears numerous, long stalked, single to double flowers, 1 ½-3″ across, with golden yellow petals and centers.

Easily grown in moderately fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Divide every 2-3 years to maintain vigor. Taller species and cultivars may need support. Deadhead regularly.

zones 4-9

There are about 7 species of clump forming, cormous perennials, in this genus. They occur in grassland in South Africa. They produce erect, linear-lance shaped, bayonet shaped leaves are mostly ribbed or sometimes pleated, mainly mid green, sometimes pale green or brownish green, usually 24-36″ long. They are grown for their funnel shaped, brightly colored flowers, borne in mid and late summer atop of often branched spikes on wiry stems. Grow at the edge of a shrub border or in clumps in herbaceous border. They make excellent cut flowers.

Plant 3-4″ deep in spring, in moderately fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained soil in sun or partial shade,. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring to maintain vigor.

Prone to spider mites.

Zones 6-9

Zones 4-8

Zones 4-8

Zones 4-8