Winterless-post: favourite perennials

As we stagger through the seemingly interminable ordeal that is winter in Nova Scotia, it’s sometimes hard to remember what our yards looked like when it was sweet summer. While this seems to have been a particularly long and gruesome winter, we’ll make it through to spring again soon. I keep telling myself the pulmonaria will be blooming before we know it,

This is the time of year when plant breeders begin ramping up the excitement by unleashing scores of new cultivars on a gardening public eager to try different plants. I’m as keen to experiment as anyone, but I also have plants that are such proven performers in our garden, I’d never think about casting them out in favour of some sweet new thing with a fancy plant patent and complex name. Many of us love to push the zone by trying plants that aren’t reliably hardy, but we also like to grow plants that come back reliably, year after year, like dear friends. That doesn’t mean they won’t, occasionally fail to thrive or even expire, but no plant is foolproof unless it’s plastic.

Submitted for your approval, some of my favourite perennials.

Asclepias. There are several different species of butterfly weeds, or milkweeds, but I love them all because they are the larval food plant for the monarch butterfly. If you want monarchs around, you need milkweed species. It’s that simple. Granted, the plants will get chewed, but so what? I'd rather have chewed leaves than no monarchs.

Astilbe. Even when not in bloom, these plants are terrific because their foliage is very handsome and lacy, and some plants have leaves and stems tinted a contrasting colour. Astilbes like shade, but can take some sun, provided wherever you situate them is a bit on the moist side. This is 'Colorflash Lime', which has brilliant gold foliage in the spring that gradually turns a bright green. 

Astrantia. Masterwort seems to be a too-well-kept secret, because so many people look blankly at me when I rave about it. Those of us who have it, tend to love it for its long period of bloom, graceful little flowers in white, rose, red, tints of green, and for sure it is totally beloved by pollinators. 

Baptisia. Sometimes called blue false indigo, it should be called patience plant, because it takes three or four years to establish and begin flowering. However, the bright green foliage is very handsome on this perennial, and the lupin-like flowers (it’s a lupin and pea relative) are beautiful and long-lasting. This cultivar is called Twilight Prairie Blues.

Bluestar (Amsonia) is another of those underutilized perennials, and I don't know why. It's among the most easy-care plants in my garden; I've never had to divide my plants, they are unbothered by disease and just grow quietly. A little late to emerge in spring, but then they put on this display of dainty blue stars, followed by bright gold foliage in autumn. The species Amsonia hubrichtii is perennial of the year this year, an excellent choice.

Campanula. My favourites are the peach-leafed bellflowers, which grow in nice clumps and will rebloom if deadheaded. Some bellflower species are prone to roaming, so check labels to be sure you haven’t picked one that will outgrow its location.  

Echinacea. Coneflowers are my “desert island perennial” a must-have plant in our garden. The bees and butterflies tend to agree, because they love these flowers as a source of nectar. I love the new-fangled cultivars, both double and single, but I still love the species for their clean, elegant lines and strong stems.

Cranesbill or hardy geranium (Geranium) – These are well behaved plants, most with highly attractive foliage as well as flowers in a wealth of colours from white to blue to hot pink to nearly black. Some have foliage that is deep chocolate brown or nearly black, such as G. ‘Okey Dokey’.

Euphorbia. The flowers of euphorbias aren't what excite us; it's the colourful bracts that surround the tiny flowers that rock our world, such as this 'Bonfire' cushion spurge. Think of poinsettias, and you'll know exactly what I mean.  One thing to be aware of is the milky sap that exudes from broken stems or leaves—it’s not good to get in your eyes or on skin. Trust me on this. 

Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla) – If this plant never flowered, I’d still grow it and recommend it to others, and anyone who has ever seen its scalloped leaves festooned with jewel like water droplets knows exactly why. The flowers are delicate sprays of tiny, green-yellow blossoms, long-lasting in our garden, and eye-catching in bouquets.

Monkshood (Aconitum) – I’ve often seen garden writers recommend growing monkshood if you’re thwarted by delphinium, because monkshood is a tougher plant.  It also blooms later in the season, at least in our garden, and comes in several attractive colours. The only caveat is that all parts of the plant are toxic, so shouldn’t be planted where dogs or young children might bother the plants. (Cats seem to know better). 

Sea holly (Eryngium) – In our garden, this is a real bee-magnet. The easiest one to grow is E. planum, the flat sea holly, which selfseeds gently and produces vast sprays of brilliant blue, long-lasting florets that make excellent cut flowers. 

Widow’s Tears (Tradescantia) – Another durable, easy care plant, although there are several older types that tend to spread rather than grow in polite clumps. Flowers come in shades of purple, white and deep magenta, and recent cultivars also sport bright gold foliage.

Naturally, there are many, many more beloved plants in my garden; how many of these are in your plantings?

Notice no snow pictures were posted, out of respect for the winter-weary who are getting the Woodchuck Whallop storm.