Perennials

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are some of the easiest perennials to grow. They grow in any soil, from slightly wet to dry. They are best in full sun. They are easily divided every few years. Here are some of our 2008 Hemerocallis. Click here for more info on daylilies.

Above: Hemerocallis 'Razzamatazz' from Walters Gardens: Blooms in early to midsummer; rebloomer. Miniature daylily with 2.5" medium-purple flowers and a compact growth habit. Below: Hemerocallis 'South Seas' from Walters Gardens: 5" coral-tangerine with reddish-coral band and yellow throat. Fragrant. Multiple branching with 30-35 buds. Blooms in midsummer; rebloomer. Award winner "Designer" daylily.	Above: Hemerocallis 'Alabama Jubilee' from Walters Gardens: Huge, 7" fiery red-orange flowers with a deeper red band and gold throat. Blooms in midsummer. Holds up well in hot summer sun. Fragrant. Award winner. Below: Hemerocallis 'Strutter's Ball' from Walters Gardens: 6" deep purple; small lemon-green throat and dark purple stamens. Blooms in midsummer. Flowers last at least 16 hours each. Award winner. A "designer" daylily.

Hostas are another favorite perennial. Hostas grow best in moist, well-drained soil in shady settings. They like morning sun, but afternoon sun is usually too much for them. Shown below (Walters Gardens photos) are three of the hostas we'll sell this year. For more information on hostas, check this website.
"Maui Buttercups" is called "one of the very best yellow hostas" with bright gold, 5-inch, rounded leaves. Medium violet flowers appear on 18-inch scapes in midsummer. The plant spreads to 14 inches and grows 10 inches tall.	"Wolverine" has blue-green 10-inch-long leaves with wide gold margins. Lavender flowers appear in late summer. Spreads 40 inches; grows 15-18 inches high; scapes are 20 inches high.	"American Halo" has large, intensely blue-green leaves with wide, rippled, creamy-white margins. Masses of showy white flowers appear in early to midsummer. Spreads 60-70 inches and grows 22 inches high. Scapes are 24 inches high.

Some of Fern's Other Perennial Selections for 2008
Aconitum 'Blue Lagoon' (Monkshood) - Best in part shade; blooms mid to late summer; 10-12" tall	How and When to Divide Perennials from Clemson University
Peppermint Twist Phlox - shorter than usual plant; large striking flowers	Sidalcea ("Prairie Mallow") is best in full sun or light shade in rich, moist soil.
Stachys 'Hummelo' - best in full sun, needs good drainage, blooms in midsummer, 18-20" tall	Heuchera 'Silver Bells' (Coral Bells) - foliage color changes each season; blooms in late spring; prefer partial shade

Among the perennials we sell are selections by the Perennial Plant Association as the Perennial of the Year.

The 2008 Perennial of the Year is Geranium 'Rozanne', shown here.

Nominations for the Perennial of the Year are based on the following criteria:

1) Suitable for a wide range of climatic conditions; 2)Low maintenance; 3) Pest and disease resistant; 4) Readily available in the year of release; 5) Multiple season of ornamental interest; 6) Easily propagated by asexual or seed propagation.

Other plants chosen in past years are shown below.

What the PPA says about Rozanne cranesbill geranium:

"Large, jewel-tone, violet-blue flowers combined with deep green, lightly marbled foliage and an extended season of interest make it a 'must-have' for any garden."

It grows 20 inches high and mounds to a 24-28 inch spread. It thrives in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-draining soil. It boats exceptional heat tolerance and drought tolerance among the geraniums. To maintain peak appearance, old foliage should be cut back to 3 inches in August to promote new growth. Division is seldom required.

Leucanthemum superbum 'Becky' Shasta Daisy 2003	Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' Japanese Painted Fern 2004	Astilbe 'Sprite' Dwarf Astilbe 1994	Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' Coneflower - purple 1998
Salvia nemerosa 'May Night' Perennial Salvia 1997	Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue' Speedwell 1993	Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' Black-Eyed Susan 1999	Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' Pincushion Flower 2000