Perennials for Hot & Dry Conditions

The last few years, Alberta (and much of the rest of Canada) has been dealing with extreme heat and drought in the summer; this is leading gardeners and homeowners to seek out perennials that are able to cope with these conditions. We have compiled a list of some of our favourite perennials that will thrive in those sunbaked locations that don’t get a lot of moisture.

Yarrow (Achillea spp.)

Disc-shaped flowerheads available in numerous colours bloom continuously all summer. Plants form an upright, spreading patch of ferny, aromatic foliage that offers textural contrast.

Height: short to medium; front to middle of border.
Growth habit: spreading.
Growth rate: fast.
Soil quality: poor to average.
Season of bloom: all summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, long blooming, deer and rabbit resistant, salt tolerant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, naturalizing, cut flowers.
Zone 2
Recommended varieties: ‘Moonshine’ (pictured), ‘Little Moonshine’, ‘Peter Cottontail’, Desert Eve Series, Sassy Summer Series.

Hyssop (Agastache spp.)

Spikes of violet-blue flowers from summer to fall rise from upright clumps of licorice scented foliage.

Height: medium to tall; middle to back of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to fertile.
Season of bloom: midsummer to fall.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer resistant, fragrant foliage.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, naturalizing, cut flowers.
Zone 2
Recommended varieties: ‘Blue Fortune’ (pictured), ‘Golden Jubilee’.

Allium (Allium spp.)

Globe-shaped flower clusters in summer, usually in pink tones, from clumps of foliage that smells like onions when crushed.

Height: short to medium; front to middle of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: mid- to late summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer and rabbit resistant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, formal gardens, rock gardens.
Zone 2-3
Recommended varieties: ‘Blue Eddy’, ‘Millennium’ (pictured), ‘Summer Beauty’, A. cernuum, A. karataviense.

Alyssum (Alyssum and Aurinia spp.)

Mat-forming groundcover covered in bright yellow flowers in spring to early summer, with evergreen grey-green foliage. Looks great growing over rocks and retaining walls.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: mat-forming.
Growth rate: fast.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: spring to early summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer resistant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, groundcover.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Gold Kobold’, ‘Golden Spring’ (pictured), ‘Mountain Gold’.

Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)

Grown for its attractive, aromatic foliage, which in most varieties is silver coloured. Adds colour and textural contrast to the landscape.

Height: short to medium; front to middle of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming or spreading.
Growth rate: fast.
Soil quality: poor to average.
Season of bloom: summer.
Benefits: deer and rabbit resistant, fragrant foliage.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, formal gardens.
Zone 2-3
Recommended varieties: ‘Leprechaun’, ‘Silver Lining’, ‘Valerie Finnis’, Silver Mound (pictured), SunFern Olympia.

Rockcress (Aubrieta spp.)

Mat-forming evergreen groundcover will be smothered in showy flowers in spring to early summer. Looks great growing over rocks or retaining walls; available in blue, pink, red, and purple shades. Trim back after blooming to rejuvenate foliage.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: mat-forming.
Growth rate: fast.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: spring to early summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer resistant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, groundcover.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Ausblau’, ‘Blaumeise’ (pictured), Axcent Series, Rock On Series.

False Indigo (Baptisia spp.)

This legume produces spires of lupine-like flowers in summer, available in numerous colours. Interesting seed pods offer winter interest if left in fall. Forms a large, upright, bushy clump of attractive pea-like foliage.

Height: tall; back of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer resistant, winter interest, long-lived.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, formal gardens, cut flower.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Burgundy Blast’, ‘Grape Escape’, ‘Honey Roasted’ (pictured), ‘Solar Flare’, ‘Starlite’, ‘Twilite’, B. australis.

Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora)

One of the most popular perennials. Forms a tall, narrow clump which lends vertical interest to the landscape. Purplish, feathery plumes of flowers in summer turn tan in fall and offer winter interest if left in fall.

Height: tall; back of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: fertile to average.
Season of bloom: summer to fall.
Benefits: winter interest.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, formal gardens.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Avalanche’, ‘Eldorado’, ‘Karl Foerster’ (pictured), ‘Lightning Strike’, ‘Overdam’.

Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)

Mat-forming groundcover with silvery leaves that are covered in white flowers in early summer. Great contrast plant.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: mat-forming.
Growth rate: fast.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: early summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer and rabbit resistant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, groundcover.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Silberteppich’, ‘Yo Yo’ (pictured), C. tomentosum.

Threadleaf Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata)

Forms a mounding clump of needle-like foliage, smothered in showy flowers over an extended period in summer, especially when deadheaded. Offers textural contrast.

Height: short to medium; front to middle of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: all summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer resistant, long blooming.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, cut flower.
Zone 3-4
Recommended varieties: ‘Moonbeam’, ‘Sylvester’, ‘Zagreb’ (pictured).

Pinks (Dianthus spp.)

From a low mound of evergreen, often blue-tinted foliage, a profusion of clove-scented blooms erupts in spring and will rebloom if deadheaded. Newer varieties can continuously bloom all summer into the fall.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: mound-forming or mat-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average.
Season of bloom: spring to summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, long blooming, fragrant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, formal gardens.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Fire Star’, ‘Mad Magenta’, ‘Neon Star’ (pictured), ‘Kahori’, ‘Pikes Pink’, ‘Pink Fire’, ‘Stargazer’, ‘Tiiu’, Constant Beauty Series, Mountain Frost Series, Rock Series, Vivid Series.

Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)

Large daisy-like blooms with the characteristic central cone appear from upright clumps of coarse foliage in late summer to fall. One of the showiest late season bloomers; seedheads add winter interest if left up in fall.

Height: medium to tall; middle to back of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: late summer to fall.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer resistant, long blooming, winter interest, fall colour.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, formal gardens, cut flower.
Zone 3-4
Recommended varieties: ‘Green Jewel’, ‘Green Twister’, ‘Magnus Superior’, ‘Ruby Star’, ‘White Swan’, Cone-fections Series, KISMET Series (Raspberry pictured), Pow Wow Series.

Globe Thistle (Echinops spp.)

Spiky globe-shaped flowerheads, mostly in blue shades, on tall stems appear in summer. Forms a clump of grey-green thistle-like foliage. Adds textural contrast to the landscape. Seedheads add winter interest if left up in fall.

Height: tall; back of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, rabbit resistant, winter interest.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, cut flower.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Platinum Blue’, ‘Veitch’s Blue’, E. ritro (pictured).

Sea Holly (Eryngium spp.)

Long-lasting spiky steel-blue flowerheads, coupled with equally spiky, glossy leaves add a totally different texture to the landscape. Makes a very interesting dried flower.

Height: short to tall; front to back of border (depending on variety).
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: all summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, rabbit resistant, salt tolerant, long blooming.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, cut flower.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Lapis Blue’, ‘Big Blue’, ‘Blue Hobbit’, ‘Blue Star’ (pictured).

Cushion Spurge (Euphorbia polychroma)

Perfect mounds of foliage are topped with bright yellow floral bracts in early summer.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: mound-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: late spring to early summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer and rabbit resistant, salt tolerant.
Uses: borders, rock gardens, formal gardens.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Bonfire’, E. polychroma (pictured).

Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)

Ornamental grass with dwarf tufts of steel-blue foliage. Short spikes of tan flowers appear in early summer. Looks especially great in rock gardens.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: poor to average.
Season of bloom: early summer.
Benefits: deer resistant, salt tolerant.
Uses: borders, rock gardens, wildflower gardens.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Azurit’, ‘Beyond Blue’ (pictured), ‘Beyond Gold’, ‘Elijah Blue’, ‘Pepindale Blue’.

Blanketflower (Gaillardia spp.)

Native wildflower produces daisy-like blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Modern varieties have a dense mound-forming habit and bloom all summer into the fall. Short-lived plant that should be divided every few years to rejuvenate.

Height: short to medium; front to middle of border.
Growth habit: mound-forming or clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: early summer to fall.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer resistant, long blooming, salt tolerant, winter interest.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, formal gardens, cut flower.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: Arizona Series, G. aristata, SpinTop Series (Red Starburst pictured).

Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum)

Mound-forming perennial smothered in purple-pink or white flowers in summer. Versatile and reliable.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: mound-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: early to midsummer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer and rabbit resistant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, formal gardens.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Album’, ‘Max Frei’, G. sanguineum (pictured).

Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)

Clump-forming grass with graceful steel-blue foliage and feathery tan flowers in summer. Provides winter interest if not cut back in fall.

Height: tall; middle to back of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to fertile.
Season of bloom: summer.
Benefits: winter interest, salt tolerant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, formal gardens.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: H. sempervirens.

Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)

Tall scapes bear lily-like flowers in summer that each last only a day. Plants form clumps of grassy foliage. Many varieties rebloom over an extended period; some are fragrant. Available in numerous colours.

Height: short to tall; front to back of border (depending on variety).
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to fertile.
Season of bloom: summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, rabbit resistant, salt tolerant, fragrant, long blooming.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, formal gardens.
Zone 2-3
Recommended varieties: ‘Bakabana’, ‘Barbara Mitchell’, ‘Bela Lugosi’, ‘Born to Run’, ‘Catherine Woodbury’, ‘Chicago Apache’, ‘Gentle Shepherd’, ‘Golden Zebra’, ‘Hyperion’, ‘Joan Senior’, ‘Lavender Blue Baby’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘Night Embers’, ‘Pardon Me’, ‘Primal Scream’, ‘Siloam Double Classic’, ‘South Seas’, ‘Stella d’Oro’, ‘Storm Shelter’, ‘Strawberry Candy’, Happy Ever Appster Series (Happy Returns pictured).

Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

A woody evergreen groundcover that is smothered in white, cone-shaped flowers over an extended period in spring to early summer. Trim back after blooming to rejuvenate foliage; do not cut back in fall.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: mound-forming or mat-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average.
Season of bloom: spring to early summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer and rabbit resistant, long blooming.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, groundcover.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Purity’, ‘Snowflake’, Snow Cone Improved, Snowsurfer Forte (pictured).

Bearded Iris (Iris spp.)

Bearded irises have some of the most colourful flowers of any perennial, and they are available in almost any colour combination you can imagine. With miniature, dwarf, intermediate, and tall varieties available, there is a size profile for any location. Plant with the rhizomes slightly exposed and divide every 3-4 years in August or September to rejuvenate.

Height: short to tall; front to back of border (depending on variety).
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to fertile.
Season of bloom: spring to early summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer and rabbit resistant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, cut flower.
Zone 2-3
Recommended varieties: ‘Argentea Variegata’, ‘Attitude Adjustment’, ‘Aureo Variegata’, ‘Batik’, ‘Blackwater’, ‘Blue Denim’, ‘Breakers’, ‘Edith Wolford’ (pictured), ‘Immortality’, ‘Oh Wow’, ‘Savannah Sunset’, ‘Superstition’, ‘That’s All Folks’, ‘Tiny Clown’, ‘Wrap Her Up’.

Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)

The classic daisy with yellow-eyed white flowers from a clump of deep green foliage. Modern breeding has given us fancy double and frilly forms as well. Deadhead to prolong the bloom period.

Height: short to tall; front to back of border (depending on variety).
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to fertile.
Season of bloom: summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, long blooming.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, cut flower.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Becky’ (pictured), ‘Snowcap’, Sweet Daisy Series.

Bitterroot (Lewisia spp.)

This power blooming little succulent should be in every sunny garden! From small rosettes of evergreen foliage erupt large, showy flowers (available in several colours) in spring to early summer. Some varieties will sporadically rebloom in summer. Plant in sharply drained soil with the crowns sitting on sand.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average.
Season of bloom: spring to early summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators.
Uses: borders, rock gardens.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Little Mango’, ‘Little Plum’, ‘Little Raspberry’, ‘Lovedream’ (pictured), Constant Comment, Elise Series, Jubilee Hybrids.

Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

Spikes of bottlebrush flowers in the second half of summer, in shades of purple, pink, and white. Forms a clump of grassy foliage.

Height: medium to tall; middle to back of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer resistant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, formal gardens, wildflower gardens, cut flower.
Zone 2-3
Recommended varieties: ‘Floristan White’, ‘Kobold’ (pictured), L. ligulistylis, L. punctata, L. spicata.

Sea Lavender (Limonium latifolium)

Airy sprays of soft lavender flowers in summer above a low rosette of strap-shaped leaves. Makes a nice substitute for common baby’s breath (which is a noxious weed) as a cut or dried flower.

Height: medium; front to middle of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer resistant, salt tolerant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, cut flower.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: L. latifolium.

Flax (Linum spp.)

Mounds of fine-textured grey-green foliage are topped with loads of small flowers over an extended period in late spring to summer. The classic colour is blue, but white and yellow varieties are also available. Short-lived, so allow to self-seed.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: mound-forming or clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: late spring to summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer and rabbit resistant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, wildflower gardens, naturalizing.
Zone 2-3
Recommended varieties: ‘Album’, ‘Compactum’, ‘Sapphire’, L. lewisii (pictured).

Catmint (Nepeta spp.)

Masses of violet-blue flowers will cover a mound of aromatic, grey-green foliage all summer long. A real magnet for bees.

Height: short to medium; front to middle of border.
Growth habit: mound-forming or clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: all summer to fall.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer and rabbit resistant, fragrant flowers and foliage, long blooming.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, formal gardens.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Cat’s Pajamas’, ‘Chartreuse on the Loose’, ‘Kitten Around’ (pictured), ‘Neptune’, ‘Prelude Blue’, ‘Purrsian Blue’, ‘Whispurr Blue’, ‘Whispurr Pink’.

Evening Primrose (Oenothera spp.)

Large flowers open only at night in some species, though most commercially available varieties are day-blooming. Blooms are normally yellow or pink, appearing on a mound or mat of grey-green foliage. Divide every 3 years to rejuvenate.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: mound-forming or mat-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: all summer to fall.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer resistant, long blooming.
Uses: borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, groundcover, naturalizing.
Zone 3 (listed varieties below)
Recommended varieties: ‘Shimmer’ (pictured), ‘Silver Blade’, O. missouriensis.

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia spp.)

Native cacti that form a mat of short pads covered in sharp spines. Large, showy flowers appear in the first half of summer and are followed by edible fruits. While wild forms have yellow blooms, cultivars are available with a range of flower colours.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: mat-forming.
Growth rate: slow.
Soil quality: poor to average.
Season of bloom: early to midsummer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, edible, rabbit resistant, native plant.
Uses: borders, rock gardens, wildflower gardens, groundcover.
Zone 2 (varieties listed below)
Recommended varieties: ‘Alberta Sunset’, ‘Claude Arno’, ‘Namao Rose’ (pictured), ‘Pony’, O. fragilis, O. polyacantha.

Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)

Prairie native sod-forming grass which plumes in late summer. Blue-green foliage turns smoky red in fall in most varieties. Provides winter interest if not cut down in fall. Divide every 3 years to rejuvenate.

Height: tall; back of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: late summer to fall.
Benefits: deer resistant, fall colour, winter interest, salt tolerant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, formal gardens.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Blood Brothers’, ‘Heavy Metal’, ‘Little Red Gem’, ‘Northwind’ (pictured), ‘Shenandoah’.

Beardtongue (Penstemon spp.)

Clump-forming, mat-forming, or shrubby perennials that may bloom in spring or summer depending on type. The tubular flowers, normally in shades of blue, purple, or pink, attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Some varieties have red-tinged foliage that looks great all season. Some species are native to Alberta.

Height: short to tall, front to middle of border (depending on variety).
Growth habit: clump-forming or mat-forming (depending on variety).
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average.
Season of bloom: spring to early summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, salt tolerant, native (some).
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, wildflower gardens, groundcover, cut flower.
Zone 3 (varieties listed below)
Recommended varieties: ‘Midnight Masquerade’, ‘Onyx & Pearls’ (pictured), ‘Prairie Dusk’, ‘Prairie Jewel’, P. fruticosus, P. fruticosus var. scouleri, Pristine Series.

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Shrubby perennial with silvery aromatic foliage which produces airy sprays of violet-blue flowers in late summer to fall. Do not cut back in fall; trim stems back to where budding is occurring in spring.

Height: medium to tall; middle to back of border.
Growth habit: shrubby.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: late summer to fall.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, fragrant flowers and foliage, salt tolerant, deer resistant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, formal gardens, cut flower.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Bluesette’, ‘Blue Jean Baby’, ‘CrazyBlue’, ‘Lacey Blue’, ‘Little Lace’, ‘Prime Time’ (pictured), ‘Rocketman’.

Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Mats of evergreen, need-like foliage are covered in fragrant flowers in spring to early summer. Normally available in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Looks great trailing over rocks and retaining walls.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: mat-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average.
Season of bloom: spring to early summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, fragrant, salt tolerant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, formal gardens, groundcover.
Zone 2
Recommended varieties: ‘Candy Stripe’, ‘Emerald Blue’, ‘Emerald Pink’, ‘Eye Caramba’, ‘Eye Shadow’, ‘McDaniel’s Cushion’, ‘Phlox Trot Pink’, ‘Snowflake’, ‘Violet Pinwheels’ (pictured), Rocky Road Series, Spring Series.

Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera)

Also called Mexican hats, this Alberta native produces a clump of grey-green divided foliage, topped with adorable yellow or red blooms with raised central cones in summer to fall. Seedheads provide winter interest if left up in fall.

Height: medium; middle of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: midsummer to fall.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, winter interest, native, long blooming.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, cut flower, naturalizing.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Red Midget’, R. columnifera (pictured).

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.)

Tidy clumps of coarse foliage are topped with large, daisy-like, bright yellow flowers with black eyes in summer to fall. Seedheads provide winter interest if left up in fall. Divide every 3-4 years to rejuvenate.

Height: medium to tall; middle to back of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: midsummer to fall.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, winter interest, fall colour, long blooming.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, formal gardens, cut flower.
Zone 3 (varieties listed below)
Recommended varieties: ‘Goldsturm’ (pictured), ‘Goldquelle’, ‘Herbstonne’.

Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)

Tidy, mounding clumps of aromatic foliage give rise to spikes of showy blooms in the first half of summer; deadhead and you will get a second show a few weeks later. Available in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Nearly trouble-free.

Height: short to medium; front to middle of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average.
Season of bloom: summer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer and rabbit resistant, fragrant flowers and foliage, long blooming, salt tolerant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, formal gardens, cut flower.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Blue by You’, ‘Blue Marvel’, ‘Caradonna’, ‘Dark Matter’, ‘May Night’, ‘Midnight Rose’, ‘Rose Marvel’, ‘Sky Blue Marvel’, ‘Spring King Mini’, Color Spires Series (Violet Riot pictured).

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Native sod-forming grass with attractive blue-green foliage which turns a smoky reddish-purple colour in fall. Reddish plumes of flowers appear in late summer; seedheads provide winter interest if left up in fall. This grass is very late to emerge in spring and should be divided every 3-4 years to rejuvenate.

Height: medium to tall; middle to back of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: poor to average.
Season of bloom: late summer to fall.
Benefits: deer resistant, fall colour, winter interest, salt tolerant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, formal gardens, wildflower gardens.
Zone 3
Recommended varieties: ‘Carousel’, ‘Chameleon’, ‘Shining Star’, ‘Smoke Signal’, ‘Standing Ovation’ (pictured).

Stonecrop (Sedum spp.)

Hardy succulent with a mounding or mat-forming habit depending on variety. Upright types have very showy flowerheads in fall which are an important source of late season food for bees. Many varieties have colourful foliage as well.

Height: short to medium; front to middle of border.
Growth habit: mounding or mat-forming (depending on variety).
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: late summer to fall (most varieties).
Benefits: attracts pollinators, rabbit resistant, fall colour, salt tolerant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, formal gardens, rock gardens, groundcover, cut flower.
Zone 2-3 (varieties listed below)
Recommended varieties: ‘Autumn Charm’, ‘Autumn Fire’, ‘Autumn Joy’, ‘Back in Black’, ‘Class Act’, ‘Elsie’s Gold’, ‘Fuldaglut’, ‘John Creech’, ‘Little Miss Sunshine’, ‘Matrona’, ‘Mr. Goodbud’ (pictured), ‘Thunderhead’, ‘Touchdown Teak’, ‘Tricolor’, ‘Xenox’, Mojave Jewels Series, Rock ‘n Round Series, SunSparkler Series, S. divergens, S. ewersii.

Hens & Chicks (Sempervivum spp.)

This hardy succulent gets its common name from the habit of the rosettes of evergreen foliage: the largest and oldest rosette (the hen) is surrounded by smaller, younger ones (the chicks), forming a tight cluster. Mature rosettes flower in summer before dying off, to be replaced by younger ones. Available with numerous attractive foliage colours, these are ideal for planting between rocks and are one of the easiest perennials to grow.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: clump-forming or mat-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: summer.
Benefits: deer resistant, fall colour.
Uses: borders, rock gardens, trough gardens, naturalizing.
Zone 2
Recommended varieties: ‘Compte de Cognae’, ‘Jeanne d’Arc’, ‘Mrs. Giuseppi’ (pictured), ‘Pacific Blue Ice’, ‘Pacific Shadows’, ‘Pacific Trails’, ‘Reinhardt’, ‘Royal Ruby’, ‘Sirius’, Chick Charms Series, Colorockz Series, S. arachnoideum.

Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina)

A popular groundcover with felted silvery foliage. The insignificant pink flowers are normally cut off to keep the plant looking its best.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: spreading.
Growth rate: fast.
Soil quality: average to poor.
Season of bloom: summer.
Benefits: rabbit and deer resistant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, groundcover, naturalizing.
Zone 2
Recommended varieties: ‘Helen von Stein’ (pictured), ‘Silver Carpet’.

Creeping Thyme (Thymus spp.)

Perhaps the most popular groundcover. Its mats of evergreen aromatic foliage take a lot of foot traffic, so it is commonly used between stepping stones and even as a lawn substitute. Masses of pink or white flowers appear in midsummer.

Height: short; front of border.
Growth habit: mat-forming.
Growth rate: medium.
Soil quality: average.
Season of bloom: midsummer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators, deer resistant, tolerates high foot traffic, fragrant, salt tolerant.
Uses: borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, formal gardens, naturalizing, pathways, lawn substitute.
Zone 2
Recommended varieties: ‘Albiflorus’, ‘Bressingham’, ‘Coccineus’ (pictured), ‘Elfin’, ‘Pink Chintz’, T. neiceffii, T. pseudolanuginosus.