In the garden, the color blue can create a mood of calm serenity, cooling a vibrant scene and providing a spot to rest the eye. Combining it with bright colors brings depth and contrast. Some plants have near-blue flowers to fulfill these garden duties, but many hostas have near-blue foliage, which makes them indispensable in a shade garden.

Enter for a Chance to Win 3 Blue Hostas from NH Hostas this Summer!

What makes hostas blue?

Blue hostas are glaucous, meaning the leaves have a white, waxy or powdery coating (often called a “bloom”) that reflects light. Dark green foliage will appear more intensely blue than a lighter shade under this bloom. And new growth has a thicker glaucous layer than mature leaves, resulting in a bluer color.

Hostas are some of the easiest and most rewarding plants in the shade garden. They thrive in part to full shade with average soil that is kept moist but not wet. Morning sun promotes the best color because hot afternoon sun can degrade the glaucous layer and fade the blue.

Divide blue hostas to get more plants

Since hostas rarely come true from seed, your blue hosta’s seedlings won’t necessarily be blue. To ensure that you keep the color going, divide when clumps become overcrowded. And don’t be fooled by those internet posts advertising royal blue–colored hostas from seed that practically glow — it’s a scam. No blue hosta is ever that blue.

Now let's take a look at 11 hostas with naturally blue foliage — there’s more variety than you might think! 

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Best blue hostas to grow in your garden

Look for varieties marked with the American Hosta Society: Hosta of the Year Award

This designation is awarded to time-tested varieties that have shown excellent garden performance. Visit the American Hosta Society at americanhostasociety.org for the complete list.

‘Elegans’ Hosta sieboldiana

Introduced in 1905, ‘Elegans’ is a time-honored garden favorite and the parent of hundreds of cultivars of blue-foliaged hostas over the years. The large, rounded leaves emerge blue-gray in spring and turn smoky as the glaucous coating fades in summer, remaining dark green by frost. As plants age, the leaves become more corrugated, growing in thick clumps. Slow-spreading ‘Elegans’ can eventually fill a space 4 feet or larger. White midsummer flowers have a slight lavender tinge and sit just above the mound of foliage.

Since ‘Elegans’ grows up to 3 feet tall, put it in a shady border with old-fashioned bleeding heart or tulips, where it can fill in space vacated by these plants as their foliage fades in the heat of summer. It works perfectly as a low-maintenance mass planting in a tucked-away spot. Avoid companion plants with small or delicate foliage that might be overwhelmed by this hosta’s enormous leaves. Pair it with a broad-leaved brunnera to cover any bare legs.

Type: Perennial
Features: Large, rounded, corrugated blue-gray leaves, white blooms with lavender tinge in midsummer
Size: 24 to 36 in. tall (40 in. in bloom), 36 to 48 in. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

Plant companions for shade:

• Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla)
• Old-fashioned bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectablilis)
• Tulip (Tulipa spp. and hybrids)

‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’ hosta

2014 Hosta of the Year

With deep blue-green leaves nearly a foot across and cupped up to 3 inches deep, ‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’ lives up to its name by collecting water from rain or overnight dew. Indeed, I once had an elderly cat who would make his morning rounds through the hosta plants, licking water off the leaf tips and stopping for a refreshing sip from this plant’s foliar pools in particular. Not only are the leaves significantly cupped, they are also thick and heavily seersuckered, giving this plant added slug resistance. White flowers held just above the foliage draw hummingbirds in early summer.

Grow this variety as a specimen plant

‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’ needs a prominent place in the garden — grow it as a specimen plant to highlight its unique texture alone near an entryway or in a large container. Or surround it with shade-loving ground covers, such as hakonechloa, whose spiky chartreuse foliage is a striking contrast to the blue-green hosta. ‘Rozanne’ perennial geranium makes another fine companion: It has violet-blue flowers and mounding foliage that turns red in the fall.

Type: Perennial 
Features: Large dark blue-green cupped leaves with heavy seersuckering and white flowers in early summer 
Size: 18 to 24 in. tall (22 in. in bloom), 36 to 48 in. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

Shade companion plants:

• Hakonechloa (Hakonechloa macra)
• Perennial geranium (Geranium hybrid)

‘Krossa Regal’ hosta

‘Krossa Regal’ is outstanding when it blooms — its lavender flower scapes literally stand several feet above the 3-foot-tall foliage. Once those flowers are spent, cut them back so you can appreciate its unusual vase-shaped habit. Leaves are a frosty blue-green, aging to dark green as the summer heats up and often turning yellow to orange in fall. They are slightly wavy and show off deep veins.

With its unique shape, ‘Krossa Regal’ makes a perfect specimen — plant a single clump in a container alone or in the center of a shady island bed with a colorful Japanese painted fern at its base to highlight this large hosta. Site it in the back of the border with smaller variegated hostas to add color and promote the differences in habit and texture. Goat’s beard’s smaller, finer-textured foliage makes it a nice companion.

Type: Perennial 
Features: Wavy blue-green leaves with a vaselike habit, lavender flowers on tall scapes in mid- to late summer 
Size: 30 to 36 in. tall (60 to 72 in. in bloom), 36 to 72 in. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

Pairs well with:

• Goat’s beard (Aruncus dioicus)
• Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum)

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‘Blue Mouse Ears’ hosta

2008 Hosta of the Year

Like a baby bunny, ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ is sweet and adorable. But unlike the bunny, you’ll want this hosta in your garden. Growing just 6 to 8 inches tall in compact, mounded clumps of perfectly rounded leaves, it catches your eye by its shape as well as the frosty gray-green to blue-green color. The almost rubbery foliage is usually not appealing to slugs. In mid- to late summer, flower scapes rise just above the foliage and form balloon-like buds along the stem that pop open into tiny, dangling lavender bells that bees and hummingbirds love.

Use this dwarf hosta in the front of the border or containers

With its petite stature, ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ can get lost in the garden, so plant with that in mind. Set it at the front of the border in a small mass planting near low-growing companions, such as corydalis or lilyturf. It tolerates dry shade, so try it in a woodland bed with epimedium. Tuck it into a sparsely planted shady rock garden, where its whorls of leaves will look lush and soft compared to a stone background. ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ is terrific in containers, either in combination with shade-loving annuals or alone as a table centerpiece. Pop a potful in the garden to fill a space where spring bulbs have gone dormant.

Type: Perennial 
Features: Rounded blue leaves in petite mounds with lavender bell-shaped flowers in mid- to late summer 
Size: 6 to 8 in. tall (12 in. in bloom), 10 to 12 in. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

Grows well with:

• Corydalis (Corydalis lutea)
• Epimedium (Epimedium spp. and hybrids)
• Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)

‘Blue Perfection’ hosta

While most hostas have minimal scent, ‘Blue Perfection’ has H. plantaginea (often referred to as fragrant hosta) in its genealogy, so its light lavender flowers will be a delight to your nose. Unlike other hostas, ‘Blue Perfection’ keeps producing new foliage through the growing season: There are always new blue leaves to keep the color showing, even in hot summers.

So you can enjoy the fragrance, plant ‘Blue Perfection’ around a patio or just below a raised deck where the scent can waft up to the seating area on a summer evening. A fast-growing hosta, it is a good choice for a mass planting, especially if you need it to fill in quickly. Plant it mid-border with lacy cinnamon ferns in back and a skirt of red or bronze heucherellas, such as ‘Redstone Falls’, for contrast in texture and color.

Type: Perennial 
Features: Blue foliage ages dark green with fragrant light lavender blooms in late summer
Size: 18 to 24 in. tall (41 in. in bloom), 48 to 54 in. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

Grows well with:

• Cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)
• Heucherella (Heucherella hybrids)

‘Skylight’ hosta

An extra waxy coating on its thick, slightly puckered leaves gives ‘Skylight’ its particularly light baby blue color. It also provides more slug resistance than other hostas. Growing 16 inches tall, it spreads up to 40 inches across, filling in a shady border with a luminescent glow.

Plant ‘Skylight’ in the shade of a similarly hued blue spruce. Contrast the light blue with bright orange flowers of annual Beacon^® Orange impatiens for a striking combination. Coral bells make nice companions — try peachy-orange ‘Paprika’ for a warm, spicy combo, or cool it down with ‘Obsidian’, which has near-black foliage. Enter for a chance to win a ‘Skylight’ hosta plant from NH Hostas here!

Type: Perennial 
Features: Light baby blue–colored leaves with lavender flowers in early summer 
Size: 16 in. tall (24 in. in bloom), 40 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

Grows well with:

• Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens)
• Coral bells (Heuchera hybrids)
• Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)

‘Halcyon’ hosta

The word “halcyon” signifies calm, peaceful happiness, and a garden with ‘Halcyon’ hosta can give that feeling. Its frosty blue-green foliage is cool and serene. The spear-shaped leaves are ribbed, hold their color long into the summer and are relatively slug resistant. Hummingbirds like the lavender flowers that appear in summer as well.

Long a favorite with gardeners, ‘Halcyon’ performs admirably in mass plantings under shade trees to lighten the understory. Pair it with chartreuse ‘Sun King’ aralia or lady’s mantle to give a dark corner a wow factor.

Sports of ‘Halcyon’ have gone on to become popular cultivars. A sport is a naturally occurring genetic mutation. Through tissue culture and division, these little surprises were multiplied, all with the notable blue color but often with striking variegation. ‘First Frost’ and ‘June’ are two such introductions.

Type: Perennial 
Features: Frosty blue-green, spear-shaped, ribbed leaves with lavender flowers on long scapes in summer 
Size: 18 to 24 in. tall (28 in. in bloom), 24 to 36 in. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

Grows well with:

• Aralia (Aralia cordata)
• Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis)

‘Silly String’ hosta

In the garden, ‘Silly String’ hosta has just the kind of dynamic foliage to start a party! Distinctive narrow, wavy leaves burst from compact clumps to give an electric vibe. Intense powder blue leaves become sedate blue-green later in the summer, topped by lavender flowers. Trim those off if you want to get the most visual appeal of the foliage texture, but leave them standing if you want visits from pollinators and hummingbirds.

With its unique foliage, this hosta makes a great container plant or specimen. Plant one in a tall, skinny container to emphasize its lines, rising from a bed of ligularia or male fern. Create an easy-care bed of all hostas that is a study in texture by pairing it with large-leaved dark green cultivars and small, mounding chartreuse varieties. Or grow a colorful bed by grouping ‘Silly String’ with variegated hostas, such as ‘Sagae’, which has enormous blue-green leaves edged in cream, or ‘Patriot’, which features dark green foliage with white margins.

Type: Perennial 
Features: Long, narrow blue leaves with lavender to purple blooms in midsummer
Size: 14 in. tall (17 to 27 in. in bloom), 28 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

Grows well with:

• Ligularia (Ligularia dentata)
• Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)

‘First Frost’ hosta

2010 Hosta of the Year

A sport of ‘Halcyon’, ‘First Frost’ glows in the shade with leaves that emerge bright yellow on the margins with deep blue centers in spring. As summer progresses, the yellow lightens to a creamy white. Tight, dense mounds make this hosta look tidy all year, with or without its lavender midsummer blooms.

Pair ‘First Frost’ in the middle of the border with its parent, ‘Halcyon’, to appreciate its color contrast. Highlight the blue center with a blue-flowered pulmonaria. A bit of morning sun keeps the foliage color brighter, where it will show off a cheerful spring display with blue-flowering brunnera or yellow ‘City of Haarlem’ hyacinths.

Type: Perennial 
Features: Yellow leaf margins around blue centers with light lavender flowers in midsummer
Size: 14 to 16 in. tall (28 in. in bloom), 36 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

Grows well with:

• Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla)
• Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
• Pulmonaria (Pulmonaria spp. and hybrids)

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‘Skywriter’ hosta

2025 Hosta of the Year

Not only is the foliage of ‘Skywriter’ an eye-catching steel blue, but the wide leaves have silvery undersides exposed by the wavy edges, with purple stems visible through the loose, upright habit. In summer, purple scapes hoist lavender flowers aloft to complete the look.

Plant ‘Skywriter’ as a focal point in a shade vignette to draw attention to its unique color. Highlight the purple stems with a carpet of Black Scallop bugleweed. In a spot with morning sun, combine ‘Skywriter’ with honeybush, blue fescue and a blue-flowering bigleaf hydrangea, such as ‘Nikko Blue’, to create a monochromatic border filled with dramatic texture.

Type: Perennial
Features: Steel blue leaves with silvery undersides and purple petioles, blooms are lavender on purple scapes in midsummer 
Size: 14 to 16 in. tall (30 in. in bloom), 30 in. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

Grows well with:

• Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
• Blue fescue (Festuca glauca)
• Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
• Honeybush (Melianthus major)

‘June’ hosta

2001 Hosta of the Year

‘June’ is another popular sport of ‘Halcyon’, with unusual variegated leaves whose blue-green margins bleed into a light yellow-green before brightening to golden yellow in the center. Each leaf has colorful streaks that create excitement and invite close inspection. Light lavender flowers appear in midsummer.

As with many variegated hostas, more light will give this plant better color, but avoid planting where it will be exposed to hot midday sun. Highlight its gold leaf centers by planting with yellow-flowering golden spur columbine or a low skirt of yellow archangel.

Type: Perennial 
Features: Leaves have blue-green edges that progress to yellow-green then to golden yellow in the center with pale lavender blooms in midsummer
Size: 12 to 15 in. tall (20 in. in bloom), 24 to 30 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

Grows well with:

• Golden columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha)
• Yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon)

Blue hosta plant sources

• Bluestone Perennials, bluestoneperennials.com, 800-852-5243
• Garden Crossings, gardencrossings.com, 616-875-6355
• NH Hostas, nhhostas.com, 603-879-0085

Spigelia Spigelia marilandica

Type: Perennial
Blooms: Tubular red flowers with yellow interiors bloom in early to midsummer
Light: Part to full shade
Soil: Prefers moist, rich soil; tolerates wet soil
Pests: None serious
Size: 12 to 24 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

Brighten shade gardens with this unique perennial

This is the plant for you if you’re looking for something unusual for your shade garden. Spigelia marilandica (you might also find this plant by the name of Carolina pink or Indian pink) is native to the southeastern United States and it’s starting to take off as a garden plant, and a striking one at that.

Enjoy gorgeous blooms and handsome foliage

At 12 to 24 inches tall, this perennial is perfect in the middle of the border. Red is an unusual color for shade perennials anyway, and these trumpet-shaped beauties with the yellow centers would draw attention anywhere. The bold-textured foliage remains clean and fresh through the growing season, so the clumps help add some structure to your garden even when plants aren’t blooming.

Attract more hummingbirds

Hummingbirds love Spigelia marilandica, and it blooms in early summer, just in time for the arrival of ruby-throated hummingbirds in many areas. Although the biggest flush of bloom is generally in June, nipping off the faded flowers can encourage sporadic reblooming through the end of summer. You can also cut it back by about a third after the first flush of blooms, which can lead to some later flowers.

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Spigelia care tips

In its native environment, you’ll find this perennial along streams and in wetlands. It prefers moist, rich soil, with plenty of organic matter, so work compost into the soil at planting time to enhance the growing conditions. This perennial prefers part shade; the more moisture it has, the more sun it can tolerate. It will do best if it has some shade during the middle of the day.

Although it’s hardy in zones 5 to 9, it can survive winters in zone 4 with a little extra protection from chopped leaves or mulch. It might even reseed if it’s happy in its location. The black seed pods that form when the flowers fade will actually fling seed several feet when they pop open.

You may find the species at your local garden center or online, but there are also a few more compact cultivars available such as: ‘Ragin’ Cajun’, ‘Little Redhead’ and ‘Apple Slices’. No matter which one you plant, you’re going to love this striking plant in your shade garden. 

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Whether you garden in the nutrient-poor red clay of the Southeast, the calcium-combined-with-clay caliche of the West or something in between, the common denominator is that clay soil is difficult to grow in. Why? Tiny particles of clay hold tightly together, slowing drainage and limiting the amount of oxygen that can reach plant roots. You’ve seen the results—anemic-looking or rotting plants.

To amend your clay soil or not?

While you can improve clay soil by amending with organic matter, such as compost, it’s not usually a practical solution for a large area. But it might help in a smaller spot, such as around your home’s foundation, where clay has sometimes been brought to the surface and compacted during construction. The old recommendation of tilling in sand will often result in an even harder, denser mess unless you get the proportions just right. Further, simply filling a planting hole with compost creates a small oasis for the roots so they may not venture outside of the hole.

The most successful solution when you want beautiful borders but have a yard full of clay soil is to choose plants that can grow in this sticky situation. Let me introduce you to some clay-tolerant beauties that are up to the challenge.

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9 Tough Perennial Plants for Clay Soil

1. Rough goldenrod (Solidago rugosa)

End your garden season on a high note with the bright yellow blooms of rough goldenrod. Flowers start in late summer, last until frost and are a hub of pollinator activity. The species has arching yellow blooms, but one of its hybrids, ‘Fireworks’ above, is an easy variety to find and has larger 18-inch-long sprays.

While some species of goldenrod are aggressive, rough goldenrod spreads slowly by rhizomes. Clay soil can help keep it in check. Goldenrod is a versatile plant that isn’t bothered by much — even deer leave it alone. And there’s no need to fertilize: Plants grow best in lean soil.

Good to know

In a five-year trial of goldenrod species at the Chicago Botanic Garden, ‘Fireworks’ was a favorite for its heavy blooming and disease resistance.

Type: Perennial 
Blooms: Upright to arching plumes packed with tiny yellow individual blooms in late summer to fall 
Light: Full sun to part shade 
Size: 18 to 36 in. tall and wide 
Cold hardy: USDA zones 4 to 9 
Source:High Country Gardens, 801-769-0300

2. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

If you want long-lasting color and interest in your garden, Russian sage is an excellent choice. Long, billowy stems are covered with velvety gray foliage and tiny lavender to blue blooms that create a cloud of soft color from summer to fall. Flowers last for several weeks, but the colorful calyx remains for months.

Although some plants can reach 5 feet tall, many newer introductions, such as ‘Sage Advice’ are shorter. This hybrid tops out at 3 feet. ‘Lacy Blue’ grows just 18 to 24 inches tall. Russian sage is drought tolerant and quite long-lived once it gets established. Plants grow best in full sun—too much shade and stems will flop. Although this perennial prefers well-drained soil, it easily tolerates heavier clay soil as well. Finally, deer and rabbits won’t bother Russian sage, but pollinators love it.

Type: Perennial 
Blooms: Long spikes of tiny lavender to blue blooms in midsummer to fall 
Light: Full sun
Size: 2 to 5 ft. tall, 2 to 4 ft. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9
Source:Great Garden Plants, 877-447-4769

3. Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)

It’s easy to take ostrich fern for granted — its elegant fronds have made it a shade-garden staple for generations. It’s virtually care-free, deer and rabbits generally leave it alone and it provides beautiful texture in deep shade. Plants can even grow in full sun if they have plenty of water.

You’ll often see ostrich fern growing in drifts because it spreads by underground rhizomes. Dense clay, especially if it tends to be dry, will often slow the spread. Learn about more types of garden ferns here.

Type: Perennial 
Foliage: Finely dissected upright to arching medium-green fronds 
Light: Part to full shade 
Size: 3 to 6 ft. tall, 5 to 8 ft. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7
Source:White Flower Farm, 800-503-9624

4. False sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)

Nothing says summer like the daisy-shaped, sunny yellow blooms of false sunflower. All kinds of insect pollinators love its cheery flowers, and birds eat the seeds. While it’s related to the annual types that are mostly grown from seed, false sunflower is a short-lived perennial that easily reseeds. If you’re growing a hybrid, new plants may or may not look like the parent, but it’s easy to pull unwanted seedlings.

False sunflower grows into a bushy upright plant, and the species has green foliage. ‘Prairie Sunset’ has deep purple stems and veins, and its yellow flowers have maroon rings in the centers. Variegated hybrids, such as ‘Loraine Sunshine’, bring colorful flowers and foliage to borders and are easy to find at the garden center. ‘Sunstruck’ above has a compact habit and a deeper flower color. Though false sunflower can grow in part shade, plants flower best in full sun.

Growing tip

Variegated false sunflower occasionally produces stems with solid green leaves that tend to be more vigorous. Cut those off at the crown so they don’t take over.

Type: Perennial 
Blooms: Daisy-shaped yellow blooms in midsummer to fall
Light: Full sun to part shade 
Size: 1 to 6 ft. tall, 1 to 4 ft. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9 
Source:American Meadows, 802-227-7200

5. Foxglove penstemon (Penstemon digitalis)

There are nearly 300 species of penstemon, the majority of which are native to western North America and Mexico. Most prefer sharp drainage and dry summers, but foxglove penstemon and its hybrids thrive even in humid weather and denser soil. Even better, deer usually give it a pass. This upright perennial is super cold hardy and blooms for about a month from late spring to early summer with small tubular blooms in pink or white. Foxglove penstemon is tolerant of clay soil but doesn’t do well in boggy conditions.

You can sometimes buy the species from specialty native plant growers. It has green leaves and grows up to 5 feet tall, making a flowery addition to the back of the border. Its hybrids tend to be smaller, and some have burgundy foliage. ‘Husker Red’ is an old favorite with white flowers and grows 2 to 3 feet tall. ‘Dark Towers’ (above) is one of its progeny with pink blooms and even darker leaves. It grows 18 to 36 inches tall. Grow plants in full sun for the darkest foliage color.

Good to know

Foxglove penstemon’s small, tubular, nectar-rich blooms are a favorite among bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Type: Perennial 
Blooms: Lavender, pink or white tubular blooms in late spring to early summer 
Light: Full sun 
Size: 2 to 5 ft. tall, 1 to 3 ft. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8 
Sources:Prairie Moon Nursery, 866-417-8156 (species); Sooner Plant Farm, 918-453-0771 (hybrids)

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6. Goat’s beard (Aruncus dioicus)

When you plant goat’s beard, you need patience — these big plants take their time to get established. But once they reach maturity, you’ll be glad you waited for the 4- to 6-foot-tall stems topped by fluffy white plumes. Consistent moisture is key to good-looking plants, and they can grow in deep shade but won’t have as many flowers as in full sun.

In ideal conditions, plants will reseed. Goat’s beard thrives in humus-rich, well-drained soil and tolerates a mix of clay and loam well but won’t survive dense clay. One thing this perennial doesn’t like is hot, dry conditions.

Type: Perennial 
Blooms: Fluffy white plumes in midspring to early summer 
Light: Part to full shade
Size: 3 to 6 ft. tall, 2 to 4 ft. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9 
Source:Prairie Nursery, 800-476-9453

7. Siberian iris (Iris sibirica)

Siberian iris blooms are often found in shades of violet, but you can also find flowers in white, yellow, pink or maroon and those with solid petals or various patterns. Care is simple: Plant in spring so the roots have time to get established in a spot with plenty of sun. Too much shade and you won’t have as many of those lovely flowers. Consistent moisture is important for healthy plants, and while Siberian iris plants grow happily in humus-rich soil, they flourish in clay to boggy sites as well.

Keep Siberian iris vigorous by dividing every few years in spring as new growth is taking off. Dig plants out of the ground and split into pieces with your spade, making sure each new division has at least three leaves. Replant at the same level they were growing and water well.

Type: Perennial 
Blooms: White, yellow, violet, blue, pink or maroon blooms in spring
Light: Full sun to part shade 
Size: 24 to 48 in. tall, 18 to 36 in. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9 
Source: Local garden centers

8. False indigo (Baptisia australis)

When it comes to easy-care, it’s hard to beat false indigo. Plant this native perennial once and you’ll have loads of pealike blooms for years without a lot of effort on your part. You could deadhead, but then you’d miss out on the deep purple seedpods at the end of the season. Several species flower in violet, white or yellow. Newer hybrids have expanded the color palette to more unusual colors (for false indigo), such as pink and burgundy.

And while the species’ long stems sometimes flop, more compact varieties such as ‘Lemon Meringue’ (above) grow to just 3 feet tall and don't have that problem. False indigo has a big taproot that burrows deeply into the soil — even dense clay. As a result, plants are very drought tolerant but also slow to get established and a challenge to divide.

Type: Perennial 
Blooms: Purple, blue, yellow, white, pink, burgundy or bicolor pealike blooms in late spring to early summer 
Light: Full sun to part shade 
Size: 2 to 4 ft. tall and wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9 
Source:Sooner Plant Farm, 918-453-0771

9. Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata)

The lavender-blue blooms of woodland phlox (also called wild sweet William) are a terrific way to brighten up shady borders with clay soil. Its loose clusters of five-petaled tubular blooms have a light fragrance and provide an early source of nectar for passing butterflies and hummingbirds.

Plant one woodland phlox and you’re sure to have more in time — stems root at leaf nodes and flowers self-seed. Once blooming is done, the green leaves provide a trouble-free ground cover. Most often you’ll find the species at garden centers, but there are a few hybrids. Although they’re usually the same height, they vary in flower color. Some easy-to-find varieties include ‘Blue Moon’, with loads of blue-violet blooms a bit larger than the species; ‘May Breeze’, with white flowers; and ‘Cloud of Perfume’, with a sweet fragrance.

Type: Perennial 
Blooms: Lavender to blue or white blooms in spring
Light: Part to full shade 
Size: 8 to 16 in. tall, 8 to 12 in. wide 
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9 
Source:Bluestone Perennials, 800-852-5243

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Eastern pasque flower (Pulsatilla patens)

Type: Perennial
Blooms: Blue-violet to nearly white in early spring
Light: Full sun
Soil: Gritty, alkaline, well-drained
Pests: None serious
Size: 6 to 12 in. tall and wide
Cold Hardiness: USDA zones 3 to 7

Welcome spring with Eastern pasque flower

At the first sign of warm weather, even when there’s still a little snow on the ground, Eastern pasque flower shows its pretty face. The 2- to 4-inch-wide blooms open in shades of blue-violet to nearly white on short stems that stretch as the flowers age. For many bees the pollen from this native perennial is the first food they find after a long winter.

Depending on the temperature, each blossom only lasts a few days. But an established clump usually has enough buds to keep the show going for several weeks. Flowers open on sunny days and close at night or when it’s cloudy. And don’t bother picking them for bouquets — they wilt as soon as you cut them.

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Enjoy unique seedheads

If you look closely at pasque flower plants, you’ll notice the fine coating of fuzz on the leaves and stems. In exposed locations, it helps protect them from cold, harsh spring winds. Wispy seedheads you see in the photo above will break into individual seeds. Some will sprout to grow new plants just like the parent.

Ideal growing conditions for Eastern pasque flower

Eastern pasque flower needs alkaline conditions, so test your soil before you plant. Then use agricultural lime around the plant to adjust the pH. If the soil stays wet, the crown will rot. That’s why this perennial’s perfect in rock gardens or tucked into stones as I’ve done in the garden planting plan below. Soil that contains lots of grit or fine gravel is ideal.

Get flowers off to a good start

When you’re shopping for Eastern pasque flower you may find it under its old botanical name Anemone patens. And whether by mail or at the garden center, odds are you’ll find only small plants or packets of seeds. That’s because a deep taproot makes it tough to transplant.

Set out plants in spring or fall, but sow seeds from summer to early fall. They need a cold period before they grow next spring. Germination is often poor, so be sure to sow more than you need. One last thing you need to know: By summer, this spring bloomer goes dormant and the foliage will disappear. Be sure to mark the spot so you don’t dig it out, and it’ll be back next year.

Spring garden layout with Eastern pasque flower

Dry-stacked stone walls are charming on their own. But fill some of the spaces with gritty soil, tuck in a few plants and when the perennials bloom it’ll be even more striking. After these early perennials finish, all but the Eastern pasque flower will have foliage that looks great nestled between the stones. See the plant list below that corresponds with the lettered illustration shown above.

Plant list

A)Eastern pasque flower (Pulsatilla patens)
Perennial; blue-violet to nearly white in early spring; full sun; 6 to 12 in. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7

B)Dwarf iris (Iris ‘Photon’)
Perennial rhizome; bright yellow flowers with a small stroke of orange on the falls in spring; full sun; 8 to 12 in. tall, 6 to 10 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

C)Basket-of-gold (Aurinia saxatilis)
Perennial; bright golden yellow flowers in spring; full sun; 6 to 12 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

D)Moss phlox (Phlox subulata ‘Candy Stripe’)
Perennial; pink-striped white spring flowers; full sun; 4 to 6 in. tall, 16 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

E)Hen and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
Perennial; gray-green leaf rosettes; full sun; 1 to 3 in. tall, 1 to 5 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

See More Garden Plan Layouts:
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Epimedium

Epimedium spp. and hybrids

Type: Perennial
Blooms: Pink, white, yellow, red, burgundy, orange or lavender starburst-shaped blooms in early spring
Light: Part to full shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Pests: None serious; deer-resistant
Size: 6 to 24 in. tall, 6 to 36 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy USDA zones 4 to 9

Epimediums kick off spring!

When other perennials haven’t shown the slightest intention of emerging or are just peeking through the soil in spring, epimedium is up and at ’em. Its dainty starburst blooms create a cloud of color that draws you out to the garden even on chilly days. Once the flowers are done, there’s often a second flush of colorful spring leaves as plants begin to form a tidy mound of foliage for summer. Many varieties end the season with a brilliant fall show, and some are evergreen in mild winter areas. Easy to grow, deer resistant and drought tolerant once established, this underappreciated shade perennial has so much to offer!

Epimedium thrives in shady gardens

More than 50 species of epimedium (also called barrenwort) thrive in the woodlands and shaded rocky areas of Asia, Europe and North Africa. Most gardeners grow hybrids or the easy-to-find species available at nurseries — there are lots to choose from. Karen Perkins, retired owner of Garden Vision Epimediums, has cultivated this shade-loving perennial for decades. She says, “I love epimediums for their unique and delicate beauty, toughness and versatility. They’re easy to grow, so they work not only for beginning gardeners but also for collectors of the weird and wonderful.” Though no longer selling plants, Karen maintains her website to share all the information on different varieties and growing tips that she’s compiled over the years.

Enjoy dainty flowers with unique spurs

Epimedium is most known for its spidery blooms with long nectar- filled spurs like those of ‘Pierre’s Purple’ at left. But there are also flowers with short spurs and large sepals, such as ‘Sulphureum’, and a few, such as bell-shaped ‘Lemon Zest’, with almost no spurs at all.

There are lots of flower colors and even bicolor blooms. ‘Flame Thrower’ combines raspberry pink and pale yellow, while ‘Purple Prince’ is deep purple with white spur tips. ‘Arctic Wings’ is solid white.

Epimedium has interesting foliage in different seasons

In spring, epimedium has small leaflets that accompany the flowers, while larger, mature leaves begin to fill in from the crown. By summer, spring coloration fades and plants form a mound of pest- and disease-resistant foliage that doesn’t require pruning to maintain a neat appearance throughout the growing season. Deciduous ‘Pierre’s Purple’ (above) loses its foliage after the first hard frost, but semi-evergreen types stay colorful into early winter, and evergreen ones keep going into spring.

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Meet the epimedium family

Though not as widely known as shade classics such as hosta and impatiens, epimedium deserves more attention. It’s tougher than those charming little blooms might suggest and has a range of interesting flower and foliage colors, sizes and shapes. Although with new varieties coming to the market every year, there’s likely to be a wider selection than ever at your local garden center, you’ll still find even more options through mail-order nurseries. The three sources below have especially broad offerings.

Older varieties and species tend to have small blooms that sit below the leaves, where they’re harder to see. In recent years plant breeders have been working to develop eye-catching colors and larger, longer-lasting blooms that sit high above the foliage. Check out the lineup below to see a selection of epimediums that will look great in your shade garden!

‘Pink Champagne’ (Epimedium hybrid)

Blooms: Soft pink-spurred flower with a raspberry pink cup-shaped center in mid- to late spring
Foliage: Elongated evergreen leaves are speckled purple in spring; clumping
Size: 18 to 24 in. tall, 24 to 36 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8

‘Domino’ (Epimedium hybrid)

Blooms: Ivory-spurred flower with a maroon center cup in spring
Foliage: Elongated, spiny evergreen leaves have purple splashes in spring; clumping
Size: 18 to 24 in. tall, 24 to 36 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8

‘Sandy Claws’ (Epimedium wushanense)

Blooms: Cream-spurred flower with a yellow cup-shaped center in early spring
Foliage: Elongated, spiny evergreen leaves are deep maroon in spring; spreading
Size: 12 to 16 in. tall, spreading
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8

‘Cranberry Dancer’ (Epimedium hybrid)

Blooms: Cranberry red and yellow-spurred flower with a red center in mid- to late spring
Foliage: Serrated evergreen leaves have a bronzy overlay in spring; clumping
Size: 18 to 24 in. tall, 24 to 36 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8

‘Orange Queen’ (Epimedium x warleyense)

(Also sold as ‘Orangekönigin’)

Blooms: Unusual orange flowers in early spring
Foliage: Heart-shaped evergreen leaves blush red in spring; spreading
Size: 8 to 10 in. tall, spreading
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

‘Sulphureum’ (Epimedium x versicolor)

Blooms: Pale yellow flower center with short sepals and spurs in early spring
Foliage: Heart-shaped semi-evergreen foliage is tinted red in spring and fall; spreading
Size: 8 to 10 in. tall, spreading
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

‘Dark Beauty’ (Epimedium grandiflorum)

Blooms: White long-spurred flower with rose sepals and center in early spring
Foliage: Heart-shaped deep purple deciduous leaves in spring; clumping
Size: 10 to 12 in. tall, 10 to 18 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8

‘Lilafee’ (Epimedium grandiflorum)

Blooms: Purple-spurred flower with white tips and a purple center in mid- to late spring
Foliage: Heart-shaped deciduous leaves are dusky purple in spring; clumping
Size: 12 to 18 in. tall, 9 to 18 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8

Epimedium Plant Sources

• Dancing Oaks, dancingoaks.com, 503-838-6058
• Fieldstone Gardens, fieldstonegardens.com
• Sebright Gardens, sebrightgardens.com, 503-463-9615

Whether you have big gaps to fill or just want to test-drive some compact shrubs, this year’s new introductions deliver. Expect plenty of color and even some fragrance! And if you love hydrangeas, be sure to check out the stunning new panicle and bigleaf varieties that are sure to turn heads in your garden beds and borders.

Small Flowering Shrubs for Compact Any-Size Garden
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Autumn Kiss^® azalea (Rhododendron hybrid)

Spring and fall gardens will be outstanding with the 3-inch semidouble bicolor blooms of Autumn Kiss, which is part of the Encore^® reblooming azalea series. There’s a big show of flowers in spring, and more blooms arrive in late summer to fall.

Type: Shrub
Best features: Semidouble bicolor blooms in spring and fall
Light: Full sun to part shade 
Size: 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 6 to 10 
Introducer:Encore Azalea
Source: Local garden centers

Bellini^® Cherry crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

For gardeners without a lot of room, this new crape myrtle is a great choice, providing loads of red blooms in midsummer to fall. The Bellini series is cold hardy to zone 5. It may die to the ground in harsh winters, but stems will regrow and flower in spring.

Type: Shrub
Best features: Lots of long-lasting red blooms on a compact plant
Light: Part to full shade
Size: 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 5 to 10
Introducer:Star^® Roses and Plants
Source: Local garden centers

Spring Sizzle^® panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)

Earlier to bloom than most panicle hydrangeas, Spring Sizzle has crisp white flowers that mature to deep red even in mild winter areas where they don’t typically get that late-season flush of color. Sturdy red stems keep the flowers up off the ground where you can enjoy them. Dried blooms from Spring Sizzle are especially great for using in dried arrangements or decor, as they keep their gorgeous red hue.

Type: Shrub
Best features: White flowers that mature to deep red in late summer 
Light: Part to full shade
Size: 4 to 6 ft. tall, 4 to 5 ft. wide 
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 8
Introducer:First Editions^® Shrubs & Trees
Source: Local garden centers

Centennial Ruby^™ bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

The ruby red mophead blooms of this new bigleaf hydrangea are real showstoppers! They start in late spring and keep going until early fall. The color deepens as the bloom ages so you have different shades of red on one plant.

Type: Shrub
Best features: Ruby red flowers on a bigleaf hydrangea
Light: Part shade
Size: 3 ft. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 4 to 9
Introducer:Monrovia^®
Source: Local garden centers

Spice Cowboy^™ Koreanspice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii)

Spice Cowboy takes the fragrant white blooms of Koreanspice viburnum up a notch with 4-inch snowball-like blooms. In fall the foliage turns red, yellow and orange so you get a multiseason show with this stunning shrub.

Type: Shrub
Best features: Large fragrant flowers and beautiful fall foliage
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 6 to 10 ft. tall, 4 to 5 ft. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 4 to 8
Introducer:Proven Winners^®
Source:Sooner Plant Farm, 918-453-0771

After checking out the coolest new plants coming in 2026, our editors rounded up their top picks — many we got to grow ourselves with great results. This year’s lineup is loaded with show-stopping annuals and tender perennials that shine in planters, borders, and anywhere you need a pop of color. Tender perennials often get treated like annuals, but if you live where they’re hardy, you get to enjoy them more than one season.

Keep scrolling to meet this standout group of introductions, starting with part-shade favorites including a unique group of pretty new petunias and moving into stunning full-sun options.

Besties^™ Dynamic Bicolor cape daisy (Osteospermum ecklonis)

These cool-season flowers have a beautiful blend of orange, purple and yellow on each bloom. Though the flowering slows a little in summer’s heat, these plants keep going strong and take off again in fall.

Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Lots of heat-resistant flowers 
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 8 to 10 in. tall, 12 to 14 in. wide 
Cold hardy: USDA zones 9 to 11
Introducer:Danziger
Source: Local garden centers

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‘Pink Ribbons’ coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)

Part of the Terrascape series, ‘Pink Ribbons’ thrives even in full sun, though the color is a bit brighter in part shade. Flowers don’t show up until late in the season, so you probably won’t need to deadhead.

Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Colorful sun-tolerant foliage with late blooms
Light: Full sun to part shade 
Size: 18 to 26 in. tall, 18 to 20 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 10 to 11
Introducer:Kientzler North America
Source: Local garden centers

Venti^™ PinkBurst dahlia (Dahlia pinnata)

You won’t run short of these anemone-shaped flowers in the garden or in your vase. Venti PinkBurst has loads of blooms from late spring to frost. Deadheading keeps plants tidy and encourages more flowers.

Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Lots of anemone-style blooms
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 16 to 18 in. tall, 14 to 16 in. wide 
Cold hardy: USDA zones 8 to 10
Introducer:Selecta One^®
Source: Local garden centers

Learn more about Venti PinkBurst!

Join Senior Editor Sherri for an exclusive tour of Ball Horticulture’s test gardens as she checks out one of their exciting new 2026 introductions — the Venti Pinkburst dahlia from Selecta One! This standout variety delivered nonstop blooms from late spring to first frost in our test garden, featuring fun, frilly flowers with a unique anemone-style center.

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Big EEZE Pink Panther geranium (Pelargonium hybrid)

For big flowers and easy-to-grow plants, this new color in the Big EEZE annual geranium series is a sure bet. Those bright pink blooms keep going even when summer is hot and humid. Deadheading helps tidy up plants and make room for new flowers.

Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Heat- and humidity-tolerant plants with eye-catching pink flowers
Light: Full sun to part shade 
Size: 12 to 18 in. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 10 to 11
Introducer: Dümmen Orange^®
Source: Local garden centers

Amazing New Petunia Introductions for 2026

Petunias are a mainstay of container gardens. Here are a few new varieties that you won’t want to miss!

Amazonas^™ Plum Cockatoo (Petunia hybrid)

Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Ruffled green petals with a deep purple center
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 12 to 14 in. tall, 14 to 18 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 10 to 11
Introducer: Danziger
Source: Local garden centers

Supertunia Mini Vista^® Pink Cloud (Petunia hybrid)

Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Masses of small, 1¼-in. vibrant pink blooms with ruffled petals and super heat tolerance
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 6 to 12 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 10 to 11
Introducer: Proven Winners^®
Source: Local garden centers

Main Stage^™ Burgundy Sky (Petunia hybrid)

Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Large burgundy blooms with a scattering of yellow speckles (hot temperatures result in more solid-colored flowers)
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 12 to 16 in. tall, 24 to 36 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 10 to 11
Introducer:Selecta One
Source: Local garden centers

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Full Sun Annuals & Tender Perennials

Linen zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

The warm flaxen tones of this new zinnia have just a hint of pale pink to peach on 4- to 5-inch blooms. This color is easy to work into the garden or in a summer bouquet. As the blooms age, the pink and peach hues intensify. Seeds are easy to start indoors or direct-sow outdoors in spring when all danger of frost has passed.

Type: Annual
Best features: A fascinating new flower color for zinnias; deer-resistant
Light: Full sun
Size: 30 to 40 in. tall, 9 to 12 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 2 to 11
Introducer & Source:Johnny’s Selected Seeds, 877-564-6697

‘Knight’s Armour’ dahlia (Dahlia hybrid)

Ready for some drama in your late-summer borders? Give 11-inch ‘Knight’s Armour’ a look. These double white “dinnerplate” blooms streaked with red-purple are real head-turners. Every bloom has a different pattern — some may even be solid white.

Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Dramatic flowers with lots of variety
Light: Full sun
Size: 48 to 60 in. tall, 15 to 18 in. wide 
Cold hardy: USDA zones 8 to 12
Introducer & Source:Swan Island Dahlias, 800-410-6540

PeekABoo Burgundy verbena (Verbena hybrid)

We loved this new color in the PeekABoo series! Large, 3-inch-deep burgundy blooms with a white center keep containers colorful. There are five other colors in the series to try: Red, Pink, Lilac, Lavender and Indigo.

Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Large 3-in. burgundy blooms; deer-resistant
Light: Full sun
Size: 12 to 15 in. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 7 to 10
Introducer:Westoff
Source: Local garden centers

‘Tora Red’ painted tongue (Salpiglossis sinuata)

Upright, strong-growing plants produce a bouquet of trumpet-shaped blooms etched with burgundy swoops and blushed red with yellow throats. Painted tongue plants perform best when night temperatures are around 60 degrees F and in moist, well-drained soil.

Type: Annual
Best features: Upright, vigorous plants with red-tinted patterned blooms
Light: Full sun
Size: 18 to 24 in. tall, 12 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 2 to 11
Introducer & Source:Select Seeds, 800-684-0395

Firedup^™ Coral dipladenia (Dipladenia hybrid)

Part of the Sun Parasol^® series, Firedup Coral has a pinwheel flower shape instead of overlapping petals like other dipladenias. Its upright habit fits easily in containers, and the coral-colored flowers with yellow centers provide reliable interest from late spring until frost.

Type: Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Best features: Pinwheel-shaped coral flowers all season
Light: Full sun
Size: 20 to 24 in. tall, 12 to 16 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 10 to 11 
Introducer:Suntory Flowers
Source:Garden Crossings, 616-875-6355

We’ve researched the new plant offerings for 2026 and have found this year’s top picks for new sun perennials are a flowery bunch in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes. Even better, many of them are deer resistant! You’ll notice that the trend in compact varieties hasn’t slowed down, so whether you have a small garden or are running out of room in a big border, these smaller versions perennials will expand your plant palette. Let’s take a look at some fascinating new plant introductions for 2026.

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‘Sundial’ false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)

The centers of these golden-yellow blooms glow red when they first emerge, then mature to solid yellow, so each plant has a mix of colorful flowers in mid- to late summer. This color combination really pops against the burgundy foliage of the smokebush (Cotinus coggygria) above.

This drought-tolerant native perennial has an upright habit with rich olive green foliage that takes on a deep purple tone when it first emerges. ‘Sundial’ has excellent resistance to powdery mildew.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Vibrant golden yellow flowers with red centers; deer resistant
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 48 to 54 in. tall, 40 to 46 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 9
Introducer:Walters Gardens, Inc.
Source:Bluestone Perennials, 800-852-5243 

Skyward^™ Light Pink speedwell (Veronica hybrid)

More compact than other veronica varieties, Skyward Light Pink has clusters of spikes starting in late spring, and they keep going through summer, enticing lots of pollinators.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Compact plants covered in lilac blooms; deer resistant  
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 14 to 18 in. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 4 to 9
Introducer:Darwin Perennials^®
Source: Local garden centers

Learn more about Skyward speedwell

Take a closer look at Darwin Perennials new introduction, Skyward Speedwell (Veronica hybrid), on our tour at their test gardens last summer. With its branching spiky blooms, this variety is easy to create long-lasting waves of color for your border or container plantings.

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‘Passion Hearts’ fernleaf bleeding heart (Dicentra hybrid)

This low-growing perennial is tougher than it looks, putting on quite a show near the front of the border. Its ferny blue foliage is topped off with an abundance of heart-shaped bicolor pink blooms in spring, but it doesn’t stop there. Flowers keep coming through summer, even in the heat.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Bicolor blooms from spring to fall; deer resistant
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 18 to 24 in. tall, 26 to 28 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 9
Introducer:Walters Gardens, Inc.
Source:Sooner Plant Farm, 918-453-0771

Win a Box of New Plants From Proven Winners This Spring!

Sign Up for the Proven Winners New Plant Sweepstakes Here!

Orange Sparkler dianthus (Dianthus hybrid)

Part of the Scent First^® series, this fragrant dianthus has unusual orange blooms with hot pink flecks in spring and makes a great cut flower. It reblooms off and on through summer, with silver-blue foliage to keep the garden interesting when the flowers take a break.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Fragrant blooms in a unique color for dianthus; deer resistant
Light: Full sun
Size: 10 to 12 in. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 5 to 9
Introducer:PlantHaven International, Inc.
Source: Local garden centers

‘Prairie Princess’ ironweed (Vernonia hybrid)

With its smaller size and sturdy stems, this new ironweed doesn’t splay open like the species. Its upright stems are covered in late-summer to early-fall blooms, making it a late-season pollinator favorite.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Small rosy purple aster-like flowers on compact plants; deer resistant; North American Native
Light: Full sun
Size: 26 to 30 in. tall, 30 to 36 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 4 to 9
Introducer:Proven Winners^®
Source:Garden Crossings, 616-875-6355

‘Violets Are Blue’ delphinium (Delphinium elatum)

The large blue-violet blooms with a white “bee” in the center will turn heads. The biggest flush of flowers is in early summer, but plants rebloom into early fall. Though the stems are sturdy, staking is still a good idea in windy spots.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Dramatic blue-violet blooms on tough plants; deer resistant
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 30 to 36 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide 
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 7
Introducer:Proven Winners^®
Source:Sooner Plant Farm, 918-453-0771

‘JoJo’ Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium fistulosum)

At 4 feet tall and wide, this new compact Joe-Pye weed is easy to work into just about any garden. The fluffy flowers, made up of tiny individual double blooms, are sterile, so there’s no worry about reseeding.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Compact plants with double blooms that won’t reseed; deer-resistant
Light: Full sun
Size: 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 4 to 8
Introducer:Plants Nouveau
Source:Sooner Plant Farm, 918-453-0771

‘Opal’ threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)

The sweet little blooms on this threadleaf coreopsis put on a show that changes with the seasons. Flowers start in late spring and keep going until frost, blushing deep pink in cooler weather and having more white in warm temps. The powdery mildew–resistant foliage stayed fresh and green all season in our test garden.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Small, season-changing, white flowers with blushes of pink in cool weather; deer resistant
Light: Full sun
Size: 12 to 14 in. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 5 to 10
Introducer:Terra Nova^® Nurseries, Inc. 
Source: Local garden centers

‘Golden Needles’ prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

When you want a spotlight of foliage in the border, this new prairie dropseed does the job. It starts out golden yellow in spring and matures to chartreuse by midsummer. Airy flower stems reach 3 feet tall. You’ll get the best foliage color in full sun.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Showy golden yellow foliage that matures to chartreuse; deer resistant
Light: Full sun
Size: 18 in. tall, 36 in. in bloom, 18 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 9
Introducer:Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, Inc.
Source: Local garden centers

Red Angelina™ sedum (Sedum hybrid)

Check out this cool new sedum that looks and grows like ‘Angelina’ but has red foliage! The deepest red shows up in spring and fall when temperatures are cooler. Plants develop a bit of green during the hottest part of summer. Yellow flowers open in late spring. Use it as an eye-catching accent near the front of the border to fill in gaps between other taller perennials.

Type: Perennial
Best features: A vigorous ground-cover sedum with deep red foliage 
Light: Full sun
Size: 3 in. tall, 18 in. wide 
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 9
Introducer:Garden Solutions
Source: Local garden centers

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This time of year is great for dreaming and making plans for the upcoming season. Everyone has tried-and-true favorites, but leaving space for a few new plants is always a good idea — you might just find one that performs even better than your old standbys in this batch of new shade perennial introductions.

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Mighty^™ Max Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis)

You can’t miss these dramatic astilbe blooms! Fluffy vibrant pink 9- to 12-inch flowers rise on stems up to 4 feet tall in late spring to early summer. The plants are larger than most varieties too. Give astilbe some shade, and keep the soil moist for healthy-looking plants.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Big flowers on big plants; Deer-resistant
Light: Part to full shade
Size: 36 to 48 in. tall, 40 to 48 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 8 
Introducer:Growing Colors^™
Source: Local garden centers

‘Chance Encounter’ hosta (Hosta hybrid)

The powdery blue leaves with a wide margin on this new hosta will keep your shade garden interesting all season. The margin starts out apple green and matures to golden yellow with a watermark halo (a light design) where the center and margin meet. ‘Chance Encounter’ has white flowers in early summer.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Color-changing foliage with a unique watermark halo
Light: Part to full shade
Size: 12 to 16 in. tall, 36 to 42 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 9
Introducer:Proven Winners^®
Source:Great Garden Plants, 877-447-4769

‘Pink Stardust’ heucherella  (Heucherella hybrid)

If you’ve had trouble with rust infecting your heucherella, give ‘Pink Stardust’ a try. This disease-resistant variety has silvery mint green foliage and star-shaped pink flowers. It blooms from late spring through fall with deadheading.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Disease-resistant foliage with lots of pink flowers
Light: Full sun to full shade
Size: 6 in. tall, 14 in. in flower, 12 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 4 to 9
Introducer:Terra Nova^® Nurseries, Inc.
Source: Local garden centers

Summer Haze coral bells (Heuchera hybrid)

The flowers of this new series of coral bells make a big impact in shady borders. Long 22- to 25-inch stems rise over the mounded foliage with larger-than-usual individual flowers that also make good cut flowers. There are three colors in the series: White, Light Pink and Dark Pink.

Type: Perennial
Best features: Compact plants with impressive blooms; Deer-resistant
Light: Part to full shade
Size: 7 to 9 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 5 to 9
Introducer:Must Have Perennials^®
Source: Local garden centers

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Hollyhock

Alcea spp. and hybrids

Type: Biennial or perennial
Blooms: All colors except blue in early to late summer
Light: Full sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Pests: None serious
Size: 5 to 9 ft. tall, 1 to 2 ft. wide
Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

Grow cottage garden classic: Hollyhocks

Some flowers never seem to go out of style. Take hollyhocks for example — you can use them in so many ways. They look picture-perfect next to a picket fence, adding structure to the homespun jumble of a cottage garden. Tall and stately, they make an eye-catching focal point along a rustic wall (the group above has reseeded there for years). Or add them to the back of a flowery border along with the selections in “Plants to Pair with Hollyhocks in the Garden” below. There are even dwarf varieties you can tuck in at the front of the border or grow in large containers.

Hollyhocks can be biennial or perennial

Most older hollyhock varieties are biennial, so they’ll produce a rosette of foliage the first year and bloom the second. But some species and many newer hybrids are perennial (though usually short-lived) and may bloom the first year. Whatever you get, plants reseed easily, so once you’ve planted some you’re sure to get plenty more just by letting them do their thing (even though the new generation may not look exactly like the ones you started with.) Let’s take a look at some of the beautiful varieties you’ll find and discover some tips for growing them.

Did you know?

Pollinators are frequent visitors when hollyhocks are around. Bees love their blooms and so do butterflies. In fact, you may even find the caterpillars of painted ladies and common checkered skippers munching on the foliage. Hollyhock is a favorite plant for these species to lay eggs on.

Plants to pair with hollyhocks in the garden

• Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
  Purple-pink or white blooms arrive in early summer and reseed, too, creating an easy-care combo. Coneflower grows 1 to 4 ft. tall, 1 to 3 ft. wide and is cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9.
• False sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)
  Add another easy-care butterfly magnet to the back of the border with the yellow daisy-shaped summer blooms of false sunflower. Plants grow 1 to 6 ft. tall and 1 to 4 ft. wide and are cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9.
• Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata)
  Contrast dome-shaped garden phlox with spiky hollyhocks for instant drama. Garden phlox flowers in pink, magenta, red, lavender, purple or white and grows 12 to 48 in. tall and 12 to 36 in. wide. Plants are cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9.
• Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale)
  Hollyhock will cover the empty spot left when Oriental poppy goes dormant. Oriental poppy has orange, red, white, purple, pink or burgundy blooms and grows 18 to 40 in. tall and 15 to 24 in. wide. It’s cold hardy in USDA zones 2 to 9.
• Shrub rose (Rosa hybrid)
  Shrub roses produce loads of blooms in late spring to frost, providing plenty of color even when hollyhocks are fading. Plants grow 1 to 6 ft. tall and 2 to 6 ft. wide and are cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 10.

How to grow gorgeous hollyhocks

The group of hollyhocks in the first photo above is typical of the color range you’ll find when hollyhocks reseed. But if you want a single color or double blooms, this old favorite won’t let you down. There are lots of varieties to choose from — the gallery above gives you an idea of what’s available.

Many hollyhock hybrids bloom prolifically the first or second year and then get spindly and die out. But there are some species and hybrids with a lengthier lifespan — 3 to 4 years and even longer. ‘Mars Magic’ is one of those long-lived varieties. It blooms the first year from seed with single red flowers and grows 5 to 6 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. Russian hollyhock (Alcea rugosa) and figleaf hollyhock (Alcea ficifolia) species also tend to last for years. They have single yellow blooms with foliage that’s deeply lobed. Russian hollyhock grows 5 to 9 ft. tall and 1 to 2 ft. wide. ‘Las Vegas’ is a figleaf variety in a mix of colors on 5- to 6-foot-tall plants.

While 6-foot-tall ‘Blacknight’ is more typical in size for hollyhocks, there are also smaller varieties, such as 30-inch-tall ‘Queeny Purple’. Chater’s Double Pink is an antique series that’s reliably double, and ‘Halo Blossom’ is part of the rust-resistant, reblooming Halo series and grows 5 to 8 ft. tall.

Hollyhock plant sources

• Annie’s Annuals | 888-266-4370
• Select Seeds | 800-684-0395
• Swallowtail Garden | 877-489-7333

Hollyhock plant care

Hollyhocks need full sun and well-drained fertile soil. Regular moisture when plants are blooming and a slow-release plant food in spring will ensure you have picture-perfect plants.

Don’t worry about deadheading unless you want to prevent reseeding or tidy things up. Tall varieties will stay upright better if you stake the long stems.

You Might Also Like:
How to Save & Grow Hollyhock Seeds
Old-Fashioned Flowers
Mix & Match Guide to the Perfect Cottage Garden Style

Common problems with hollyhocks

Rust is a common hollyhock problem that you can see in the photo above. It spreads to cover the leaf but won’t usually kill plants. To minimize the problem, grow resistant varieties and water at ground level so the foliage doesn’t get wet. Moisture encourages the spread of this fungal disease.