From the first crocuses to emerge through the spring’s melting snow, through summer’s warmth and fall’s chill, flowers satisfy our need for beauty (while feeding our allies, the pollinators!).
Aquilegia canadensis 12-24" tall. This eastern North American native features delicate red-spurred sepals with yellow petaled skirts. Blooms late May to early June. Irresistible to hummingbirds! Z3.
Baptisia australis 3-4' × same. Vibrant blue lupine-like flowers in early summer. Bushy habit and shrub-like structure once mature. Good for erosion control. Z3.
Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia 24–36" tall. Fine grassy willow-like foliage. Clusters of powder-blue florets in early summer. Best planted en masse. Z3.
Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 24-36" tall. Midsummer sprays of bright red flowers open from bottom to top on long arching bronze stems. Grows well in pots. Makes a long-lasting cutflower.
Paeonia lactiflora Early season blooms. Semi-double to double type. A symphony of coral, peach, melon and pink. Very fragrant and packed with petals. Z3.
Paeonia lactiflora Late season blooms. Fully double type. Fragrant flowers open with narrow red lines shot onto light rose-pink. One of our favorites! Z3.
Echinops ritro 3–4' tall. Luminous steel-blue spiky spheres on stiff stems with silvery green leaves. Excellent for fresh or dried arrangements. Blooms mid-to-late summer. Z3.
Zizia aurea 18-32" tall. Native wildflower is an important pollinator plant. Long bloom time, late spring to summer. Short-lived perennial spreads by seed. Z3.
Astrantia 24-28". Clump-forming perennial makes an excellent groundcover when planted en masse. Makes long-lasting cutflowers and is also a great container plant. Z4.
Eryngium yuccifolium 3-6' tall. Globe-thistle-like 1" greenish-white flowerheads. Subtle honey-like scent. North American native. Great for cutflower production. Z3.
Sempervivum Low-growing rosette-forming succulents produce runners and babies. Drought and heat tolerant. Cold-hardy too! Colorful mix of reds, greens and purples. Z3.
Iris sibirica 32" tall. Bred by legendary Maine hybridizer Currier McEwen in shades of creamy white with accents of yellow-green and buttery yellow. Early midseason to late. Z3.
Viola sororia 6-10" tall. North American native with cheery blue-purple flowers and attractive heart-shaped leaves, all edible. Larval host plant for multiple species of butterflies. Z3.
