Shasta Daisy

Shasta daisies bring classic garden charm with their bright white petals and sunny yellow centers. They also make excellent cut flowers and attract butterflies throughout the summer.

Plant Name: Leucanthemum x superbum

Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil

Size: Up to 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide

Grow It With: Russian sage

Zones: 5-8

Dahlia

Dahlias are beautiful, vibrant perennials that come in a wide range of colors and forms, from sunny yellows and deep burgundies to petite button-sized blooms and large flowers. Their extensive variety gives each garden a distinctive appeal.

Plant Name: Dahlia selections

Growing Conditions: Full sun and consistently moist, well-drained soil

Size: Up to 6 feet tall and 2 feet wide

Grow It With: Liatris

Zones: 8-10

Sword Fern

Sword ferns are ideal for shaded landscapes. They offer lush, arching fronds that stay evergreen year-round, enhancing garden texture and structure.

Plant Name: Polystichum munitum

Growing Conditions: Rich, fertile, well-drained soil with deep or partial shade

Size: Up to 3 feet tall and wide

Grow It With: Variegated hostas

Zones: 3-8

Solomon's Seal

Solomon's seal features an elegant arching form and bell-shaped flowers that bloom in summer. Despite its delicate appearance, it is a hardy choice for shade gardens and gradually forms large colonies, making it ideal for filling shaded areas where grass struggles.

Plant Name: Polygonatum odoratum

Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil

Size: Up to 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide

Grow It With: Ferns and hostas

Zones: 3-8

Evening Primrose

Evening primroses add dynamic beauty to the garden with trumpet-shaped flowers in white, pink, or yellow. Some varieties open their blooms at different times of the day, while evening primroses can glow beautifully under moonlight.

Plant Name: Oenothera selections

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: Up to 3 feet tall and wide

Grow It With: 'Rozanne' perennial geranium

Zones: 3-8

Wild Ginger

Wild ginger features attractive kidney-shaped, dark green leaves that cover the ground, while its springtime flowers remain discreetly hidden. Its name comes from the ginger-like fragrance released when you brush against its roots. Wild ginger is not edible and should not be used as a ginger substitute.

Plant Name: Asarum caudatum

Growing Conditions: Full shade and moist, well-drained soil

Size: Up to 12 inches tall and wide

Grow It With: Toad lily

Zones: 3-8

Cardinal Flower

Cardinal flower produces stunning, bright red blooms that stand out in the garden. This perennial blooms in late summer and attracts hummingbirds with its vibrant flowers.

Plant Name: Lobelia cardinalis

Growing Conditions: Adaptable to sun or shade and moist soil

Size: Up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide

Grow It With: Low-growing petunias

Zones: 2-8

Lupine

Lupines add striking vertical interest to gardens with their tall flower spikes. They are available in a wide range of colors, including blue, purple, pink, red, orange, yellow, and white.

Plant Name: Lupinus spp.

Growing Conditions: Moderately fertile, light, slightly acidic soil and full sun or partial shade

Size: Up to 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide

Grow It With: Viburnum

Zones: 5-8