Perennials Trial Report

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
2023–2024

JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

Mark Weathington
Director

Bernadette Clark
Agricultural Research Technician

Department of Horticultural Science
JC Raulston Arboretum

Table of Contents

General Introductory Notes and Acknowledgements
Understanding Our Data
Climate Graphs
Plant Material Sources
Results

General Introductory Notes and Acknowledgements

The Perennials Trial are located adjacent to the Color Trials at NC State University within the JC Raulston Arboretum (JCRA) in Raleigh. The JCRA is a ten and a half acre site administered by the Department of Horticultural Science and located on 35° 47'N latitude, longitude 78° 42' W, with an elevation of 400'.

Plants to be entered into our trials are received in one of three ways—seeds, rooted cuttings/plugs or finished plants/pot. Virtually all are grown within controlled greenhouse environments prior to placement in protected outdoor structures for hardening off. Plant spacing in the trials is based on the estimated mature size of entrant that fits to a 4' × 4' area or by the number of plants sent. Each entry is evaluated for two complete calendar years, being removed after the spring flush in year three. After the plants are established, they are evaluated for hardiness and landscape performance with ratings regularly taken.

Acknowledgements

We thank the vegetative and seed companies that participate in our trials. The services we provide would not be possible without the cooperation and support of these companies. We appreciate this confidence and trust and we look forward to continuing our partnership.

Lastly, we are thankful to other departmental staff and the volunteers of the JC Raulston Arboretum who assisted in transplanting and maintaining the plants … we couldn't have done it without you all!

Participants

2022

All America Selections
Darwin Perennials
Proven Winners

2023

All America Selections
Danziger
Darwin Perennials
Proven Winners
Terra Nova Nurseries

We also thank the following companies for their support of material donations:

• BASF, 26 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
• Sun Gro Horticulture, 4731 Homestead Place, Matthews, NC 28104

Understanding Our Data

Cultural Data

Trials are conducted in amended beds. Prior to planting, beds are fertilized with 10-10-10 granular fertilizer and tilled. All plant material is mulched with composted leaf mulch to a 2"–3" depth after planting. Pre-emergent herbicides are used at the initial planting and repeated each subsequent spring/summer season. Hand weeding is done at all other times. Later in the season, a post-emergent herbicide application along the edge of the beds was done on an as needed basis. An in-ground irrigation system delivers 1"–1.5" of water to the beds each week. Plant height and width measurements (recorded in inches) are taken during the growing season. Data was collected from a representative plant, not the largest or the smallest but an average plant. Dormant plants were cut back in the fall/early winter to clean up the area and reduce overwintering habitat for insects and diseases.

Evaluations

The purpose of our perennials trial is to evaluate the plant material under conditions unique to our location. Our summer growing conditions are typically hot temperatures with high humidity. There is little nighttime temperature relief/recovery; average summer nighttime temperatures can be in the 70s. During our winters we can experience wide and rapid fluctuations in temperatures. Irrigation is required all season.

What do we look for?

• General Plant Growth – healthy appearance, attractive foliage, uniform growth
• Flowers – floriferousness, bloom duration, uniform color, does it hold up after a heavy rain
• Pests and diseases – any visible evidence of damage: distorted or chewed foliage
• Heat tolerance – do the flowers and plants hold up in the heat, does the flower color fade or stripe
• Hardiness (survival) – determined (in the spring) by the number of plants that made it through or emerged after the winter

Installation Date

Most entries were planted into their permanent trial location on:

• 2022 entries on May 17, 2022
• 2023 entries on May 09, 2023

Entries that Did Not Survive

Died 2022

Brunnera (Alexandria)
Heuchera (Ruby Tuesday)
Lysimachia alfredii (Night Light)

Died 2023

Oenothera (Evening Sun)
Penstemon (Rock Candy Purple)
Salvia (Silver Scent)
Polemonium (Golden Feathers)

The best way to really evaluate our trials is to come in person. The JCRA is open 365 days a year.

Average Monthly Precipitation and Temperature

The 2023 summer season growing conditions started with a cooler and drier May than normal. We had many cloudy days (72% of the month), which helped keep temperatures down. June continued this cooler and drier trend until the later part of the month when we experienced multiple days of heavy rains. Summer finally arrived in July. The heat set in and there was no reprieve. We had record setting nighttime lows that left little to no recovery time for the plants. July 2023 was our fifth warmest July on record (records kept since 1887.) August was a continuation of July. We had temperatures at 90°F and higher for a 19 day period. The rainfall was scarce but when it did rain, it often was very heavy. September after opening with a blast of heat settled into a pattern of comfortable temperatures. The soaking rain we got from Tropical Storm Ophelia (3.12") helped us end the month on the plus side. Our greatest amounts of rainfall occurred on July 10 (2.40") and September 24 (3.12"). Our first 90-degree day occurred on June 16 (91°F). July had the most 90°F days at 27 days. We had one 100°F day on August 25.

A recap of our winter: October and November were dry. On November 2, we had our first frost event with 5 nights below freezing this month. The 3 months of climatological winter (December through February) were overall warm and wet. In December, we experienced many rainy days with periods of heavy rainfall, on December 11 (3.65”) and December 18 (3.33”). During December, we were below freezing on 13 nights and January 15 nights. The coldest night of the season was 17°F on January 17. February was warmer and dryer than normal. On February 28 when the temperature reached 77°F, we set a new daily record high temperature. Our winter was snow-free.

March was warm (no nighttime temperatures below freezing) and wet. April was dry, only 1.7” rainfall the entire month, coupled with warmer than normal temperatures. Temperatures were in the 80s on eleven occasions- April 1, 2, 14-19, and 28-30. The hottest being 88°F on April 30.

Seed and Plant Material Sources

All America Selections, 5201 Walnut Avenue, Suite 3, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Danziger, 3405 Taft St., Conklin, MI 22071
Darwin Perennials, P.O. Box 335, West Chicago, IL 60185
Proven Winners, 1021 River Ridge Lane, Saint Thomas MO 65076
Terra Nova Nurseries, 10051 S. Macksburg Road, Canby, OR 97013

Please get in touch with these companies if you have specific questions regarding individual species and cultivars.

Trial Results

Perennials Planted in 2022

Achillea millifolium
Milly Rock Yellow Terracotta Improved yarrow

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2022

Height

16"

Spread

21"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Compact, mounding habit; fern-like foliage; plants are covered with attention-getting clusters of golden-yellow/orange flowers; great all season flower display, bloomed from May through October; attracts pollinators; heat and drought tolerant.

Coreopsis verticillata
Candlelight tickseed

Company

Proven Winners

Year Planted

2022

Height

24.5"

Spread

24"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Clear, soft yellow single flowers; bloomed from late-June to end of October; prolific bloomer; heat tolerant.

Gaillardia
Sunset Gold Dust blanket flower

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2022

Height

13"

Spread

19"

Number Planted

4

Survival

100%

Comments
Large, single daisy-like, yellow flowers cover the compact mounded plants; great flower power- bloomed from May through the end of October; good for pollinators; heat and drought tolerant.

Gaillardia '22P-02'
blanket flower

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2022

Height

13"

Spread

20"

Number Planted

9

Survival

78%

Comments
Mounds of green leaves covered in orange- yellow flowers; prolific and continuous bloomer- from May through the end of October; attracts pollinators; heat tolerant; drought tolerant.

Heliopsis
Punto Rosso ox eye sunflower

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2022

Height

20"

Spread

22"

Number Planted

9

Survival

22%

Comments
Single, yellow colored flowers with red cone center on compact plants; started blooming in June and finished by end of August; heat tolerant; not as vigorous as other heliopsis.

Heliopsis '22P-05'
ox eye sunflower

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2022

Height

17"

Spread

22"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Compact plants that are heat tolerant; good branching; lots of flowering; single flowers of attractive deep yellow color; blooms from mid-May through September.

Hibiscus '21P03'
mallow

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2022

Height

30"

Spread

32"

Number Planted

5

Survival

100%

Comments
This plant continues to garner praise and compliments; beautiful, overlapping pink petals with dark red veins contrast with the burgundy foliage; bloomed from July to the end of September; more than thrives in the heat- it shines!

Iberis sempervirens
Whiteout candytuft

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2022

Height

6"

Spread

18.5"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Uniform, compact plants with clear white flowers that bloomed from late winter into June; easy to grow; good for borders.

Iberis sempervirens '22P-01'
candytuft

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2022

Height

6"

Spread

19"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
An abundance of clear white flowers cover the uniform, compact plants; late winter -early spring bloomer- stopped blooming by end of May; good as an edge/border plant; low maintenance.

Kniphofia uvaria 'Glowstick'
red-hot poker

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2022

Height

21.5"

Spread

25"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
A profusion of gorgeous bright yellow spikes held above the grass-like foliage; blooms covered the plants from May through October (sporadic flowering in the late summer months); good for pollinators; heat tolerant; easy to grow.

Penstemon
Rock Candy Ruby beardtongue

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2022

Height

8.5"

Spread

11.5"

Number Planted

9

Survival

22%

Comments
Lots of dark pink colored bell-shaped flowers; bloomed May through September; tight clumps of green foliage; great for pollinators; easy to grow.

Penstemon '22P-03'
beardtongue

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2022

Height

7.5"

Spread

14"

Number Planted

9

Survival

56%

Comments
Lots of bright pink colored bell-shaped flowers on compact clumps of green foliage; bloomed from May through June with sporadic flowering in the late summer months; great for pollinators.

Sedum
Diamonds Yellow stonecrop

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2022

Height

9"

Spread

24"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Bright yellow flowers that bloomed on interesting red-colored stems; mounded plants with dark green foliage; an easy to grow groundcover.

Sedum
What a Doozie stonecrop

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2022

Height

5.5"

Spread

15"

Number Planted

8

Survival

88%

Comments
Provides season-long interest; attractive green and white variegated foliage with hints of pink; spreading plant habit; drought tolerant; easy to grow.

Sempervivum
Jade hens and chicks

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2022

Height

4"

Spread

7"

Number Planted

5

Survival

100%

Comments
An easy to grow succulent; rosette growth habit; interesting jade-green and deep red foliage; drought tolerant- we added Stalite® to the soil to prevent rot.

Sempervivum '22P-04'
hens and chicks

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2022

Height

4.5"

Spread

8"

Number Planted

6

Survival

100%

Comments
A succulent that forms large rosettes; interesting foliage color- green with hints of golden orange and dark red; drought tolerant; low maintenance; we added Stalite® to the soil to prevent rot.

Veronica longifolia
Skyward Blue speedwell

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2022

Height

21"

Spread

28"

Number Planted

9

Survival

44%

Comments
Compact, upright habit; very florific, loaded with blue flowers; blooms all season long, from May through September; great for pollinators; low maintenance.

Veronica longifolia
Skyward Pink speedwell

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2022

Height

19"

Spread

21"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Bright pink flowers cover the compact plants; long blooming, from May through October; upright plant habit; magnet for pollinators; low maintenance.

Perennials Planted in 2023

Agastache 'Pink Pearl'
anise hyssop

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

13"

Spread

13"

Number Planted

9

Survival

22%

Comments
Deep pink-rose colored tubular flowers; bloomed from May through October; uniform plant growth; low maintenance; great pollinator plant- bees love it.

Caryopteris ×clandonensis
Emerald Crest bluebeard

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

18"

Spread

14"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Dense clusters of blue flowers adorn the deep green glossy foliage; flowered in June then in September and October; mounding habit; good for pollinator.

Caryopteris ×clandonensis
Gold Crest bluebeard

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

15.5"

Spread

17"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Slightly taller than Emerald Crest; glossy, chartreuse colored foliage; mounding habit; blue flower clusters; flowered from mid-August into October.

Centaurea ragusina
Silver Swirl knapweed

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

8"

Spread

13"

Number Planted

9

Survival

56%

Comments
Mounding habit; beautiful, silvery-white colored leaves brighten up any spot in a garden; no flowers yet; good plant for edging; low maintainence.

Coreopsis grandiflora
Solanna Sunset Bright showy tickseed

Company

Danziger

Year Planted

2023

Height

9.5"

Spread

13"

Number Planted

9

Survival

44%

Comments
Well branched, uniform plants; mounding habit; single, golden colored flowers with a red eye; bloomed from late-June to end of October; prolific bloomer; attracts bees and other pollinators; heat tolerant.

Coreopsis
Nova Jewel tickseed

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

15"

Spread

17"

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
Clear, single soft yellow flowers rimmed with purple; bloomed from late-June to end of October; prolific bloomer; died winter 2023-2024.

Crocosmia
Nova Gold Dragon montbretia

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

14"

Spread

11"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Upright plant habit; beautiful stalks of golden and deep orange flowers; flowered in July and August; attracts pollinators.

Echinacea purpurea 'Green Twister'
coneflower

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2023

Height

4"

Spread

7"

Number Planted

9

Survival

56%

Comments
Well branched plants grown from seed; dark green foliage; mounding habit; very sporadic flowering on few plants this first year; flower color- mostly lime green with magenta on lower part of petal; low maintenance.

Echinacea purpurea 'Sombrero Adobe Orange'
coneflower

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

12.5"

Spread

14"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Bright orange flowers top dark green foliage; continuous flower power; flowered from May into October; easy to grow; pollinators loved the flowers and the birds loved the seeds.

Echinacea purpurea 'Sombrero Rosada'
coneflower

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

7"

Spread

14"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Well branched, mounding plant habit; single flowers of pinkish-red petals with a dark center; continuous bloomer- flowered from June into October; can be used for cuts; attracts pollinators; don't remove spent flowers as the birds love the seed; low maintainance.

Echinacea purpurea 'Sombrero Salsa Red'
coneflower

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

8"

Spread

12"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Bright red single flowers- note the attractive overlapping petals; mounding plant habit; dark green foliage; outstanding flower power- flowered from May into October; can be used for cuts; easy to grow; pollinators loved the flowers and the birds loved the seeds.

Echinacea
Cara Mia Carmine coneflower

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

12"

Spread

12"

Number Planted

9

Survival

44%

Comments
Double flowers with bright cherry-red colored petals; flowered from mid-June through mid-September; uniform and compact; full dense plants; low maintenance; attracts bees and other pollinators.

Echinacea
Cara Mia Coral coneflower

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

12.5"

Spread

14"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
A stunner all season long; dense compact plants loaded with unique flowers- peach colored petals; sturdy stems- good for cutting; flowered from mid-June through late-September; uniform mounding plant habit; attracts bees and other pollinators.

Echinacea
Cara Mia Sands coneflower

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

14"

Spread

12.5"

Number Planted

9

Survival

78%

Comments
Dense, compact plants loaded with double flowers- white petals with green center that turns to a light creamy yellow; sturdy stems- good for cuts; flowered from mid-June through September; uniform mounding plant habit; attracts bees and other pollinators; low maintenance.

Echinacea
Cara Mia Seashell coneflower

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

5"

Spread

7"

Number Planted

9

Survival

33%

Comments
Large, double flowers with bright pink petals and green eye; flowered from July through September; sturdy stems- good for cuts; uniform mounding plant habit; low maintenance; attracts bees and other pollinators.

Echinacea
Cara Mia Spicy coneflower

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

14.5"

Spread

17"

Number Planted

9

Survival

11%

Comments
Double flowers with unique reddish-pink petals; uniform mounding plant habit; flowered from late-June through early-September; easy to grow; attracts bees and other pollinators; can be enjoyed inside as cuts!

Echinacea
Double Scoop Orangeberry Deluxe coneflower

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

12"

Spread

15"

Number Planted

9

Survival

78%

Comments
Double flowers with attractive deep orange and red petals; uniform mounding plant habit; flowered from mid-June through late-September; attracts bees and other pollinators; can be used for cuts; easy to grow.

Echinacea
Double Scoop Raspberry Deluxe coneflower

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

14"

Spread

18"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Well-branched plants; mounding, upright plant habit; double flowers with dark pink petals; flowered all June through early-October; easy to grow; attracts bees and other pollinators.

Echinacea
Double Scoop Strawberry Deluxe coneflower

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

10.5"

Spread

14"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Well branched, upright plant habit; flowers are doubles; dark red petals with an intense dark center; flowered from late-June through September; can be used for cuts; easy to grow; attracts bees and other pollinators.

Echinacea
Double Scoop Watermelon Deluxe coneflower

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

11"

Spread

15"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Outstanding flower power; double flowers with hot pink petals; flowered from late-May through September; upright plant habit; sturdy stems- good for cuts; attracts bees and other pollinators; easy to grow.

Echinacea '23P01'
bicolor coneflower

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2023

Height

15.5"

Spread

13"

Number Planted

9

Survival

78%

Comments
Large, unique bicolored, single flowers; striking flower color- magenta petals with lime green tips; flowered from July through early-September; attracts bees and other pollinators; sturdy stems- good for cuts; low maintenance.

Echinacea '23P02'
double coneflower

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2023

Height

12.5"

Spread

14"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Upright, compact plant habit; prolific and continuous bloomer; flowered from July through October; attractive bright pink colored flowers; thrived in our heat and humidity; pollinators loved the flowers.

Echinacea 'Prima Berry'
coneflower

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

9.5"

Spread

11"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Uniform, mounding plant habit; single flowers of deep pink petals with a dark center; continuous bloomer- flowered from July through early October; low maintenance; pollinators loved the flowers.

Echinacea 'Sunny Days Ruby'
coneflower

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2023

Height

13"

Spread

13"

Number Planted

9

Survival

78%

Comments
Double flowers with petals of deep ruby-red; a long-time bloomer- flowered from May through mid-September; uniform mounding plant habit; attracts bees and other pollinators (don't remove spent flowers, the birds like the seeds); low maintenance; as with all coneflowers, can be used for cuts.

Erysimum
Sunstrong Orange Improved wall-flower

Company

Danziger

Year Planted

2023

Height

9"

Spread

12.5"

Number Planted

9

Survival

33%

Comments
Tidy, compact plants; mounding habit; attractive clusters of tangerine flowers cover foliage; lots of flower power; bloomed from June through September; low maintenance; pollinator friendly.

Gaura lindheimeri
Steffi Dark Rose Improved wand-flower

Company

Danziger

Year Planted

2023

Height

13"

Spread

19"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Compact, mounding habit; beautiful upright spikes of dark rose-pink flowers- the deepest pink I've seen; long-blooming- June through September; heat tolerant; low maintainance.

Geum
Tempo Rose geum

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

3"

Spread

7.5"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Full sun: plants are struggling; compact, mounding habit; attractive lobed green foliage; rose-pink flowers held upright; bloomed in early- spring; rabbit resistant.

Geum
Tempo Rose geum

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

4"

Spread

6"

Number Planted

6

Survival

100%

Comments
Shade growing: continue to perform better (slightly) than those in full sun; compact, mounding habit; attractive lobed green foliage; rose-pink flowers held upright; bloomed in early-spring; rabbit resistant.

Kniphofia 'Rocket Jr'
red-hot poker

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

15"

Spread

15"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Upright, clumping habit; uniform and compact; eye-catching flower spikes of deep orange with yellow; bloomed from July through September; beautiful as mass planting; rabbit resistant.

Lavandula angustifolia
Layla Presto Blue lavander

Company

Danziger

Year Planted

2023

Height

7"

Spread

6"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Compact, upright habit; well branched; silver-grey foliage (new growth is green); large, fragrant, blue-purple flowers; flowered from May through September; attracts pollinators.

Leucanthemum superbum
Banana Cream/Cream II daisy

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2023

Height

10"

Spread

12"

Number Planted

9

Survival

78%

Comments
Dark green foliage; sturdy, thick stems; flowers are soft yellow color that brighten to white; prolific flowering; flowered from July through September.

Leucanthemum '23P03'
daisy

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2023

Height

8"

Spread

10"

Number Planted

9

Survival

22%

Comments
Uniform mounds of deep green foliage; flowers are bright yellow that soften to a pale yellow; flowered from mid-July until mid-September.

Nepeta
Nova Blue catmint

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

6.5"

Spread

14.5"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Tidy, mounding habit; covered in small purple flowers from May through September; good for pollinators; pleasant mint fragrance to leaves.

Penstemon barbatus
Rock Candy Ruby beardtongue

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

11"

Spread

13.5"

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
Pink colored bell-shaped flowers bloomed June through July; tight clumps of green foliage; died winter 2023-2024.

Penstemon
Flock of Flamingos beardtongue

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

14"

Spread

12"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Lots of dark pink colored bell-shaped flowers; bloomed late-June to mid-July then sporadically through September; tight clumps of green foliage; great for pollinators; easy to grow.

Perovskia atriplicifolia
Crazy Blue Russian sage

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

17.5"

Spread

16"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Uniform, compact Russian Sage; silvery-green foliage is open/loose, giving the plant an open airy appearance; blue colored flowers cover the plants; blooms from June through September; heat tolerant; like other sages its foliage is fragrant. 

Polemonium
Hurricane Ridge Jacob's ladder

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

4"

Spread

5"

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
These plants struggled once the summer heat started; dark green fern-like foliage; died winter 2023-2024.

Pulmonaria
Raspberry Frost lungwort

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

5"

Spread

10"

Number Planted

9

Survival

22%

Comments
Variagated foliage brings all-year interest; grown in the shade yet struggles in our heat.

Pulmonaria
Silver Scimitar lungwort

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

6"

Spread

8"

Number Planted

9

Survival

78%

Comments
Variagated foliage (with few leaf spots/blotches) brings year-long interest to the shade garden; performs better than 'Raspberry Frost'; is not thriving in our heat.

Salvia nemorosa
Blue By You woodland sage

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

12"

Spread

16"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Uniform, compact, well branched plants; sturdy spikes of dark purple flowers bloomed from mid-May to October; great flower power; attracts pollinators.

Salvia nemorosa
Dark Matter woodland sage

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2023

Height

9"

Spread

16"

Number Planted

9

Survival

67%

Comments
Compact and well branched plants; attractive spikes of dark purple flowers; flowered from June to October; good for cut flowers; great flower power; attracts pollinators.

Salvia nemorosa
Pink Nebula woodland sage

Company

Danziger

Year Planted

2023

Height

10"

Spread

15"

Number Planted

9

Survival

33%

Comments
Uniform, compact, well branched plants; sturdy spikes of pink flowers; bloomed from June to October; good for cut flowers; great flower power; attracts pollinators.

Salvia '23P04'
sage

Company

All-America Selections

Year Planted

2023

Height

10"

Spread

9"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Uniform, compact plants; large spikes of purple flowers bloomed from June to mid-July, then sporadically into September; attracts pollinators.

Stachys byzantina
Little Lamb lamb's ears

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

3"

Spread

14"

Number Planted

9

Survival

33%

Comments
Smaller form than the Lamb's Ear you are familiar with but just as soft to the touch!; Small leaves that are a silvery-green color; low spreading habit; pink colored flower spikes are short; rabbit resistant.

Verbascum
Dark Eyes mullein

Company

Terra Nova Nurseries

Year Planted

2023

Height

6"

Spread

12"

Number Planted

9

Survival

0%

Comments
An outstanding, diminuative form of the roadside mullein!; attractive spikes of yellow with maroon center flowers; gray-green foliage forms rosettes at the base of each spike; died winter 2023-2024.

Veronica spicata
Moody Blues Dark Blue Improved speedwell

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

10"

Spread

11"

Number Planted

9

Survival

100%

Comments
Tidy, compact, upright habit; lots of flower power; covered with deep blue spikes of flowers; long blooming, from May through October; magnet for pollinators; low maintenance.

Veronica spicata
Moody Blues Dark Pink speedwell

Company

Darwin Perennials

Year Planted

2023

Height

9"

Spread

13"

Number Planted

9

Survival

89%

Comments
Compact, uniform plants; upright plant habit; great flower power- covered with dark pink flowers; long blooming, from May through October; magnet for pollinators; good plant for edging; low maintenance.