We all have favorite plants… including the staff at Pasquesi Home & Gardens. We are exposed to a huge number of plants as they arrive in the greenhouse each season. Many plants have become favorites from personal gardening experiences and others might begin as recommendations from friends or customers. A good plant is similar to a good recipe, as it endures the test of time. Hopefully, these perennial suggestions will encourage a new discovery for your own garden.
1. Coral Bells ‘Paris’ (Huechera hybrid )
This Huechera is a native to North America and is bred from the classic Coral Bells seen in many of our grandmothers’ gardens. This free-flowering, shorter cultivar produces a large cloud of rose-pink bells on 10″ stems. It’s also the first Coral Bells to bloom in spring!
Light: Filtered sun, partial shade
Bloom time: Late spring through summer
Size: Foliage mounds 7″ tall x 14″ wide… (with flowers, up to 14″ tall)
Water: Water regularly… weekly or more often in extreme heat.
Pollinators: Butterflies, hummingbirds
2. Meadow Sage ‘Blue Marvel’ (Salvia nemerosa ‘Blue Marvel’)
‘Blue Marvel’ is a great salvia because of its bright, violet-blue flowers and shrub-like, compact habit. The large flower spikes sit on top of upright stems of gray-green foliage. But most importantly for many gardeners, the leaves are deer- and rabbit-resistant. Pair with other Salvia varieties that bloom earlier or later.
Light: Full sun
Bloom time: Early spring to autumn
Size: 10-12″ tall x 12″ wide
Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings.
Pollinators: Highly attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, beneficial insects & birds.
3. Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia)
A delightful first flower of spring! This early blooming, North American native can be found in open woodland, prairies & meadows. The Shooting Star grows best in partial shade, but can tolerate full sun in cooler zones and full shade as long as the soil is moist (but not wet) in the spring. The rocket-shaped flowers bloom white or pink and only last a few weeks. The foliage disappears into dormancy before the end of June.
Light: Partial shade or some sun
Bloom time: Early spring
Size: 10-14″ tall x wide
Water: Keep moist in well-draining soil
Pollinators: Bumblebees and native bees
4. Black Chokeberry (Aronia melonocarpa)
This multi-stemmed, small to medium-sized shrub has an upright, mounded habit. Small clusters of white flowers bloom in May, followed by edible, purple-black fruit. The dark-green foliage turns reddish-purple in the fall. This species is native to the Chicago region.
Light: Full or partial sun
Bloom time: May
Size: Small shrub: 3-5′ tall; Medium shrub: 5-8′ tall
Water: Prefers wet, acidic soil but can tolerate drought once established.
Pollinators: The fruit is eaten and seeds are spread by a number of birds species, usually in mid- to late winter.
5. Sweet Iris Variegated (Iris pallida ‘Variegata’)
Green and gold striped leaves will brighten any garden! Light lavender-blue, bearded flowers have a soft, sweet fragrance. They’re excellent plants for the front of the border where their spear-shaped foliage can be seen up close. The variegated sweet iris is especially beautiful in clusters around water features or as a stand out in rock gardens.
Light: Thrives in full sun, however this one is more shade tolerant than other iris species.
Bloom time: Spring
Size: 2′ tall (taller with flower stalks) x 36-40″ wide
Water: Keep soil moist to wet. Tolerates short periods of dry spells.
Pollinators: Bees are the main pollinators. While butterflies and hummingbirds may visit the flowers, they are not as effective at transferring pollen.
Thumbs up! Deer resistant
6. Sea Holly ‘Blue Star’ (Eryngium alpinum ‘Blue Star’)
If you are looking for a unique perennial, this particular Sea Holly with its deep blue color and spiky foliage texture is an interesting choice. The single, cone-shaped, thistle-like, blue flowerheads (approx. 2″ long) have densely packed tiny, blue flowers. Each flowerhead is surrounded by attractive & spiny, blue bracts which reach outward and upward from the bottom of the flowerhead. The flowers, bracts, stems and leaves of the ‘Blue Star’ are a more intense blue than what is found on the straight species.
Light: Thrives in full sun but tolerates light shade. The brightest blue color is the result of full sun and cool nights… perfect for sunny gardens that are closer to the lake.
Bloom time: July to August
Size: 30-36″ tall and 18″ wide
Water: Dry to medium. Tolerates dry soil and drought.
Pollinators: Offers a good source of pollen and nectar to attract bees, butterflies and insect pollinators.
Tip: Since these plants grow from a taproot, they don’t transplant well. It’s best to leave them undisturbed once the plant is established.
Happy gardening from the Pasquesi Staff!
