Quick-Reference List for Perennial Uses
- Shade or Part-Shade
- Ajuga
- Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily)
- Aspidistra
- Canna (may not bloom, but foliage good for
texture)
- Ferns
- Ginger Lily (Hedychium)
- Heuchera (Coral bells)
- HostaIris (Dwarf crested, and the old timey "sweet
flags")
- Liriope
- Lobelia (Cardinal flower)
- Ophiopogon (mondograss)
- Pachysandra (except on Gulf Coast)
- Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox)
- Setcreasia (purple heart)
- Spigelia (Indian Pink)
- Viola (Violets)
- Tolerant of Wet Soils
- Amsonia (blue star)
- Apsidistra
- Canna
- Cyperus (umbrella sedge)
- Ironweed
- Joe-Pye Weed
- Louisiana Iris
- Lobelia (cardinal flower)
- Lythrum
- Miscanthus (ornamental grass)
- Stokesia
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- Bloom in Late Summer or Fall
- Asters
- Boltonia
- Canna
- Daylily
- Dwarf Goldenrod
- Four-o'clocks
- Ironweed
- Lantana
- Physotegia (obedience)
- Purple Coneflower
- Mexican Mint Marigold
- Ornamental grasses
- Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'
- Salvias
- Saponaria
- Verbena
- Attractive to Butterflies
- Canna
- Coreopsis
- Goldenrod
- Ironweed
- Joe-Pye weed
- Lantana (the best)
- Liatris
- Lythrum
- Monarda
- Phlox
- Purple Coneflower
- Rudbeckia
- Salvias
- Sedums
- Stokesia
- Verbena
- Yarrow
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Planting a few perennials and annuals around a hard feature such as
a bench, urn, or birdbath gives an interesting all-season scene. Mixing
groups of contrasting shapes or textures and planning for a long season
of color can make the most dramatic effect.