From the first crocuses to emerge through the spring’s melting snow, through summer’s warmth and fall’s chill, flowers satisfy our need for beauty (while feeding our allies, the pollinators!).
Syringa vulgaris Deep bluish-purple lilac with the biggest florets around: each single flower can reach up to 1½" wide! “So large they hang like clusters of immense grapes.” Z3.
Dicentra formosa 14-20" tall. Heart-shaped blossoms in late spring. With good moisture, the lacy foliage look nice all season. Full to dappled shade. Z3.
Syringa vulgaris 12x8'. Dazzling pearly lavender-pink buds open to delicate double light pink-shaded white flowers tinged with lavender. Long bloom period. Z3.
Rosa gallica 2-4' x 3-4'. Low-growing rose with strongly scented double flowers. Crimson buds open pink and gradually turn violet then soft silvery grey. Nearly thornless. Z4.
Hosta Very large oval blue-green leaves, up to 16" long and 12" wide! Pale lavender flowers bloom midsummer. Foliage develops best blue color in light shade. Z3.
Rosa gallica 5x5'. Classic old garden rose with large deep pink strongly aromatic flowers. Jaw-dropping beauty! Petals hold on in bouquets. Robust, hardy, easy to grow. Z4.
Rosa centifolia 4-5' x same. Gorgeous fragrant crimson double blooms, loaded with flowers June-July. Tiny globular glands on calyx and sepals looks like moss! Z4.
Kniphofia uvaria 36-48" tall. A tropical-looking riot of fiery red-orange fading to coral and soft white tubular inflorescences. Breathtaking and playful. Makes an unusual accent in cutflower arrangements. Z5/6.
Rosa rugosa 4-5' x 5-6'. Large clusters of loose double fuchsia flowers with spicy fragrance. Vigorous wide-spreading habit. Large hips. Disease resistant. Z4.
Geranium sanguinium 4-9" tall. Magenta cups with purple-blue anthers cover tidy deep green lacy foliage. Compact form works well in containers. Considered more drought tolerant than others in the genus. Z3.
Syringa × tribrida 6-9' x same. Masses of dark reddish-pink buds open to lovely fragrant single deep pink blossoms after most other lilacs have faded. Plant as a specimen rather than in a hedge. Z3.
Syringa vulgaris 12x12'. Very fragrant large pure white double flowers in thick clusters. Slightly open wide-growing shrub. Beautiful accent for pinks and purples. Z3.
Rosa alba 5-6' x same. Classic alba variety with clusters of white fragrant highly double 2–3" blossoms, sometimes with more than 200 petals per flower! Z4.
Achillea millefolium 24-28" tall. Charming bright magenta-violet flower clusters. Sturdy and upright, sports its vibrant color for a long bloom season, even in the heat.
Syringa vulgaris 10' x same. Smallish clusters of exceptionally fragrant single light lavender-blue blooms. Blooms early and quits late. Can spread to form a massive shrub. Z3.
Syringa vulgaris 10' x same. Very fragrant large single reddish-purple blooms, with each petal edged in pure white. Unique and beautiful! Upright rounded open form. Z3.
Hosta 18" tall and 36" wide. Rounded heavily corrugated blue leaves with wide chartreuse margins. White flowers smoked with lavender. Holds its margin color well through the season. Z3.
