Perennials

Salvia spp   Other Name Garden sage   Sun Requirements full sun, part sun Bloom Period and Seasonal Color Summer in colors such as blue, purple, rose, and white   Mature Height x Spread 1 to 3 feet x 1 to 2 feet   Added Benefits Attracts beneficial, attract hummingbirds, deer resistant, drought tolerant   Salvia is a broad group of annual and perennial plants that are mainstays in the flower garden. While most gardeners are familiar with annual salvias, and we cover those in the annuals chapter of this book, there are perennial salvias as...

Phlox paniculata Other Name Tall garden phlox Sun Requirements Full sun, part sun Bloom Period and Seasonal Color Mid summer to fall in colors such as white, red, violet, purple, and bi colors Mature Height x Spread 3 to 4 feet x 1 to 2 feet   Added Benefits attracts beneficials, attracts hummingbirds, native This tall, native perennial puts on quite a summer flower show when planted in groups. This perennial is different from the creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) that hugs the ground and flowers in spring. Tall garden phlox grow up to...

Dianthus spp and hybrids   Other Name Cottage pinks   Sun Requirements Full sun, part sun   Bloom Period and Seasonal Color Spring to early fall in colors such as red, pink, white, and rose   Mature Height x Spread 6 to 24 inches x 8 to 12 inches   Added Benefits attracts beneficials, attracts hummingbirds, drought tolerant, deer resistant   While there are annual and biennial versions of pinks, such as Sweet William and carnations, the perennial species of pinks is hardy in New England and makes an excellent low...

Perovskia atriplicifolia   Other Name Azure sage   Sun Requirements Full sun   Bloom Period and Seasonal Color Mid-summer to fall in different shade of light and lavender blue.   Mature Height x Spread 1 to 4 feet x 1 to 3 feet   Added Benefits drought tolerant, attracts beneficials, deer resistant   Russian sage has become one of the new darlings for low maintenance perennial gardens. The tall airy plant has fragrant, grey-green foliage reminiscent of the Western sagebrush, with spiky lavender blue flowers. The most outstanding...