Perennials For Specific Uses Julie Riley, Extension Horticulture Agent UAF Cooperative Extension Service

Perennials with Alaskan Significance Alaska wild iris, Iris setosa Aleutian speedwell, Veronica grandiflora Begonia, tuberous , Begonia X tuberhybrida (tender perennial) Delphinium, Delphinium X elatum Alaska forget-me-not, Myosotis alpestris Fuchsia, Fuchsia hybrids (tender perennial) Geranium, Martha Washington, Pelargonium X domesticum (tender perennial) Nagoonberry, Rubus arcticus ‘Kenai carpet’ Shasta daisy, Leucanthemum X supurbum ‘Alaska’*

Perennials for the Front of the Border Artemesia ‘Silver Brocade’, Artemesia stellariana ‘Silver Brocade’ Bellflower, tussock, Campanula carpatica Bugleweed, Ajuga reptans Coral bells, Heuchera sanguinea, H. micrantha ‘Palace Purple’* Daisy, English, Bellis perennis Grape hyacinth, Muscari botryoides Phlox, creeping, Phlox subulata Pink, Cheddar, Dianthus gratianopolitanus Pink, maiden, Dianthus deltoides Primrose, auricula, Primula auricula Primrose, English, Primula vulgaris (P. acaulis) Primrose, polyanthus, Primula X polyantha* Rockcress, purple, Aubretia deltoidea Sea thrift, Armeria maritma Strawberry, ‘Pink Panda’, Fragraria vesca ‘Pink Panda’ Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus (dwarf cultivars)

Perennials for Shade (May also be grown in sun in Alaska) Bugleweed, Ajuga reptans Dead nettle, Lamium maculatum Ferns, many species Goat's beard, Aruncus dioicus Goutweed, Aegopodium podagraria Hosta, Hosta fortunei, H. undulata Lily-of-the-valley, Convallaria majalis Lungwort, Pulmonaria saccharata, P. offincinalis* Periwinkle, Vinca minor* Wild Geranium, Geranium erianthum

Perennials for Partial Shade (May also be grown in sun in Alaska) Columbine, Aquilegia spp. Culver's root, Veronicastrum virginicum Garden forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica Himalayan blue poppy, Meconopsis betonicifolia Himalayan blue poppy, Meconopsis 'Lingholm'

Ligularia, narrow-spiked, Ligularia stenocephala Ligularia, Shavalski’s, Ligularia przewalskii Meadowrue, Thalictrum aquilegifolium

Invasive Perennials, DO NOT PLANT Butter and eggs, Linaria vulgaris Chimney bells, Campanula rapunculoides Common mullein, Verbascum thapsus Creeping Charlie (ground ivy), Glechoma hederacea Hawkweed, Pilosella aurantiaca (Hieracium aurantiacum) Japanese knotweed, Polygonum cuspidatum Loosestrife, purple, Lythrum salicaria , L. virgatum Ribbon grass, Phalaris arundinacea 'Picta' Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare Washington orchid, Impatiens glandulifera (annual)

Aggresive Perennials Aleutian speedwell, Veronica grandiflora Bachelor’s button, Centaurea montana Bellflower, clustered, Campanula glomerata Bouncing bet, Saponaria officinalis Buttercup, creeping, Ranunculus repens Dead nettle, Lamium maculatum Goutweed, Aegopodium podagraria Johnny-jump-up, Viola tricolor (usually sold as an annual) Oxeye daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare Sneezeweed, Achillea ptarmica Speedwell, creeping, Veronica repens Yellow foxtail grass, Alopecurus pratensis 'Aureovariegatus'

Perennials for Air Drying Artemesia, Artemesia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’ and others Baby's breath, Gypsophila paniculata German satice, Goniolimon tataricum (Limonium tataricum, Statice tataricum) Globe thistle, Echinops ritro Gnaphalium sp. Goldenrod, Solidago spp. Alaska wild iris, Iris setosa (seed pods) Lamb’s ears, Stachys byzantina* Liatris, Liatris spicata Money plant, Lunaria annua (biennial) Pearly everlasting, Anaphalis triplinervis, A. margaritacea Pussytoes, Antennaria sp. Sea lavender, Limonium latifolium Sneezeweed, Achillea ptarmica Yarrow, Achillea filipendulina, A. X ‘Moonshine’*, A. X ‘Coronation Gold’

Perennial Groundcovers Bugleweed, Ajuga reptans Creeping Jenny, Lysimachia nummularia Goutweed, Aegopodium podagraria Lily-of-the-valley, Convallaria majalis Nagoonberry, Rubus arcticus ‘Kenai carpet’ Periwinkle, Vinca minor* Phlox, creeping, Phlox stolonifera

Phlox, moss, Phlox subulata Snow-in-summer, Cerastium tomentosum Speedwell, Aleutian,Veronica grandiflora Speedwell, creeping, Veronica repens Thyme, woolly, Thymus pseudolanginosus

Hard-to-Transplant Perennials Baby's breath, Gypsophila paniculata Lupines, Lupinus 'Russell hybrids'* Monkshood, Aconitum napellus, A. X bicolor Poppy, Oriental, Papaver orientale Sea lavender, Limonium latifolium

Perennials for Cutting (But some gardeners will cut anything) Alaska wild iris, Iris setosa Baby's breath, Gypsophila paniculata Bellflower, Campanula latifolia Peach-bells, Campanula persicifolia Blazing star, Liatris sp. Catmint, Nepeta X faassenii Columbine, Aquilegia spp. Delphinium, Delphinium spp. Leopard's bane, Doronicum caucasicum Lily, Lilium, Asiatic hybrids, L. lancifolium, L. pumilum Lupine, Lupinus ‘Russell hybrids’ Maltese cross, Lychnis spp. Monkshood, Aconitum napellus, A. X bicolor Obedient plant, Physostegia virginiana Peach-bells, Campanula persicifolia Peony, Paeonia spp. Poppy, Iceland, Papaver nudicale (sear stems) Poppy, Oriental, Papaver orientale (sear stems) Shasta daisy, Leucanthemum X superbum* Scabiosa, perennial (pincushion flower), Scabiosa atropurpurea Speedwell, spike, Veronica spicata Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus Wormwood, Artmesia spp.

Perennials to Grow Between Stepping Stones Aleutian speedwell, Veronica grandiflora Johnny-jump-up, Viola tricolor Pink, maiden, Dianthus deltoides Pussytoes, Antennaria spp. Thyme, Thymus serpyllum ‘Coccineus’ Thyme, woolly, Thymus pseudolanuginosus Veronica, creeping, Veronica repens

Perennials with a Second Bloom (Occurs late in season) Bachelor’s button, perennial, Centaurea montana Trollius, Trollius europaeus Oriental poppy, Papaver orientalis Phlox, creeping, Phlox subulata

Perennial Grasses Blue oat grass, Helictotrichon sempervirens Manna grass, variegated, Glyceria maxima var. variegata Red flame grass, Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpurascens' Sweet grass, Hierochloe odorata Tufted Hair Grass, Deschampsia cespitosa Vanilla grass, Anthoxanthum odoratum Wild rye, Leymus arenarius, (Elymus mollis) Yellow foxtail grass, Alopecurus pratensis 'Aureovariegatus'

Big, Bold Perennials Berginia, Berginia crassifolia, B. cordifolia (bold but short) Cup plant, Silphium perfoliatum Goat’s beard, Aruncus dioicus Hollyhock, Alcea rosea (many are biennial)* Inula, giant, Inula magnifica Iris, yellow flag, Iris psuedacorus Ligularia, bigleaf, Ligularia dentata* Ligularia, narrow-spiked, Ligularia stenocephala Ligularia, Shavalski’s, Ligularia przewalskii Meadowrue, Thalictrum delavayi, T. dipterocarpum, T. rochebrunianum, T. speciosissimum (Not T. aquilegifolium) Meadowsweet, Filipendula rubra, F. ulmaria, Plume poppy, Maclaeya cordata, M. microcarpa Scabious, giant, Cephalaria gigantea* Sea kale, Crambe cordifolia* Siberian bugloss, Brunnera macrophylla (bold but short) Sinacalia tanguitica (Ligularia tangutica)

Perennials with Silver Foliage Artemesia ‘Silver Brocade’, Artemesia stelleriana ‘Silver Brocade’ Artemesia ‘Silver King’, Artemesia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’ Artemesia ‘Valerie Finnis’, Artemesia ludoviciana ‘Valerie Finnis’ Artemesia ‘Silver Mound’, Artemesia schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’ Lamb's ears, Stachys byzantina* Licorice plant, Helichrysum petiolare (tender perennial) Pearly everlasting, Anaphalis triplinervis, A. margaritacea Rose campion, Lychnis coronaria (biennial) Spotted dead nettle, Lamium maculatum ‘Silver Beacon’, ‘White Nancy’

Woolly speedwell, Veronica incana Woolly thyme, Thymus pseudolanuginosus

Perennials with Red/Purple Foliage Bugleweed, Ajuga reptans ‘Atropurpurea’, A. r. ‘Bronze Beauty’, A. r. ‘Burgundy Glow’ Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis (red)* Coral bells, Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’ and other cultivars* Dahlia, tuberous, Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ (tender perennial) Fuchsia, Fuchsia triphylla ‘Gartenmeister Bonstadt’ (tender perennial) Ligularia, Ligularia dentata ‘Othello’* and ‘Desdemona’* Sage, purple garden, Salvis officinalis ‘Purpurascens’ (tender perennial) Violet, Labrador,Viola labradorica ‘Purpurea’* Beard tongue, Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (red) Maltese cross, Lychnis X arkwrightii ‘Vesuvius’ Lysimachia ciliata ‘Atropurpurea’ Plantago major ‘Atropurpurea’

Perennials with Blue-Green Foliage Amethyst sea holly, Eryngium amethystinum Blue oat grass, Helictotrichon sempervirens Hosta, Siebold, Hosta sieboldiana, H. sieboldiana ‘Frances Williams’ (blue leaves with golden edges) Hosta fortunei ‘Aoki’, H. f. ‘Hyacinthina’ Sea kale, Crambe maritima Wild rye, Leymus arenarius, (Elymus mollis)

Perennials with Yellow Foliage Feverfew, golden, Tanacetum parthenium ‘Aureum’* Hops, golden, Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’* Marjoram, golden, Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’ and other cultivars Veronica prostrata ‘Trehane’ Hosta, Hosta fortunei ‘Albopicta’, H. f. ‘Aurea’, H. sieboldiana ‘Golden Sunburst’, H. fortunei ‘Aureo-marginata’, H. sieboldii ‘Kabitan’ Creeping Jenny, golden, Lysmachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ Dead nettle, spotted, Lamium maculatum ‘Aureum’

Perennials with White in their Foliage Goutweed, Aegopodium podagraria Hosta, many species and cultivars (Hosta crispula, H. fortunei ‘Albo-marginata’, H. undulata ‘‘Albo-marginata’, H. undulata ‘Medio-picta’) Manna grass, variegated, Glyceria maxima var. variegata Spotted dead nettle, Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ Variegated obedient plant, Physostegia virginiana ‘Variegata’

Strange and Unusual, but True Scabious, giant, Cephalaria gigantea (C. tatarica)* Sea kale, Crambe cordifolia*

Perennials for the Rock Garden Baby's breath, creeping, Gypsophila repens* Basket-of-Gold, Aurinia saxatilis (Alyssum saxitile) Bellflower, tussock, Campanula carpatica Goat’s beard, miniature, Aruncus aethusifolius

Hens and chicks, Sempervivum tectorum, Sempervivum spp. Lewisia, Lewisia tweedyi, L. cotyledon Orpine, Hylotelephium telephium (Sedum telephium) Oxalis, Oxalis adenophylla Pasque flower, Pulsatilla patens, P. vulgaris Penstemon, shrubby, Penstemon fruticosus Pink, Cheddar, Dianthus gratianopolitanus Pink, moss, Phlox subulata Pussytoes, Antennaria spp. Rockcress, Arabis caucasica Rockcress, Aubritia deltoidea, A. X cultorum Saxifrage, aizoon, Saxifraga paniculata Saxifrage, mossy, Saxifraga X arendsii ‘Flower Carpet’ Sea thrift, Armeria maritima Sedum, Sedum album Sedum, Sedum spurium ‘Dragon's blood’ Snow-in-Summer, Cerastium tomentosum Speedwell, woolly, Veronica incana Stonecrop, Sedum acre, S. middendorffianum, S. kamtschaticum, Hylotelephium spectabile (Sedum spectabile), H. X ‘Autumn Joy’, H. X ‘Vera Jameson’ Thyme, Thymus serpyllum ‘Coccineus’ Thyme, woolly, Thymus pseudolanginosus

Fragrant Perennials Beebalm, Monarda didyma* Berginia, Berginia cordifolia, B. crassifolia Catmint, Nepeta X faassenii Primula, Primula florindae Primula, Himalayan, Primula sikkimensis Primula, Primula veri* Daylily, Hemerocallis flava Garden Phlox, Phlox paniculata Grape hyacinth, Muscari botryoides Hyacinth, Hyacinthus orientalis Iris, Iris reticulata, I. danfordiae* Lily leek, Allium moly Lily, coral, Lilium pumilum Lily, Oriental, L. hybrids* Lily-of-valley, Convallaria majalis Peony, Paeonia lactiflora, P. officinalis, P. hybrids Pink, Cheddar, Dianthus gratianopolitanus Pink, cottage, Dianthus plumarius Pink, Maiden, Dianthus deltoides Plantain lily, fragrant, Hosta plantaginea Primrose, auricula, Primula auricula Primrose, English, Primula vulgaris (P. acaulis) Primrose, orchid, Primula vialii Primrose, polyanthus, Primula X polyantha* Rockcress, Arabis caucasica Scabiosa, Scabiosa cacasica Sweet Rocket, Hesperis matronalis (can also be biennial) Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus (some) Upright virgin’s bower, Clematis recta

Late Flowering Perennials

Baby's breath, Gypsophila paniculata Beebalm, Monarda didyma* Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis*+ Cone flower, Echinacea purpurea*+ Coreopsis, Coreopsis verticillata*+ Culver's root, Veronicastrum virginicum Dahlia, Dahlia cultivars (tender perennial) Daylily, Hemerocallis spp.+ Red flame micanthus, Micanthus sinensis ‘Purpureus’+ Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea* (biennial; first year plants started early) Garden phlox, Phlox paniculata+ German garlic, Allium senescens var. glaucum* Gladiolus, Gladiolus X hortulanus (tender perennial) Globe thistle, Ecinops ritro Goldenrod, Solidago spp. Loosestrife, gooseneck, Lysimachia clethroides+ Hollyhock, Alcea rosea (some biennial)+ Hosta, Hosta fortunei, H. undulata Lily, Oriental, Lilium hybrids+ Lily, tiger, Lilium lancifolium, Meadowrue, Thalictrum delavayi, T. dipterocarpum, T. rochebrunianum, T. speciosissimum (Not T. aquilegifolium) Meadowsweet, Filipendula rubra, F. ulmaria, F. vularis Michaelmas daisy, Aster novi-belgii*+ Monkshood, Aconitum napellus, A. X bicolor Obedient plant, Physotegia virginiana Rusty Foxglove, D. ferruginea (often biennial)*+ Sea Lavender, Limonium latifolium+ *May not be hardy in all locations. +May be too late to flower in some years.

Perennials Which Readily Reseed Bachelor’s button, perennial, Centaurea montana Bluebells, Mertensia paniculata Columbine, Aquilegia spp. Delphinium, Delphinium X elatum English daisy, Bellis perennis (biennial) Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium Garden forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica Johnny-jump-up, Viola tricolor Lily, tiger, Lilium lancifolium Pink, maiden, Dianthus deltoides Poppy, Iceland, Papver nudicale Sweet rocket, Hesperis matronalis (biennial)

Perennials That Like Moist Soil Alaska wild iris, Iris setosa (moist or wet) Bellflower, clustered, Campanula glomerata Bluebells, Mertensia panicultata (moist or wet) Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis* Cowslip, giant, Primula florindae* Cowslip, Himalayan, Primula sikkimensis* Creeping Jenny, Lysimachia nummularia Ferns, some Goat's beard, Aruncus dioicus

Iris, yellow flag, Iris psuedacorus Ligularia, Ligularia przewalskii, L. stenocephala, L. dentata* Loosestrife, yellow, Lysimachia punctata Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris (moist or wet) Meadowsweet, Filipendula rubra, F. ulmaria Obedient plant, Physostegia virginiana

Alaskan Wildflowers Commonly Used in the Garden Baneberry, Actaea alba, A. rubra (very poisonous) Bluebells, Mertensia paniculata Bunchberry, Cornus canadensis Chocolate lily, Fritillaria camschatcensis Columbine, Aquilegia formosa Fireweed, Epilobium angustifolium Goat’s beard, Aruncus dioicus Jacob’s ladder, Polemonium acutiflorum, P. boreale, P. pulcherrimum Lupine, Lupinus arcticus, L. nootkatensis Monkshood, Aconitum delphinifolium Pasque flower, Pulsatilla patens Poppy, Alaska, Papaver alaskanum Poppy, Hultén’s, Papaver hulténii Poppy, Macoun’s, Papaver macounii Poppy, pink, Papaver alboroseum Pussytoes, Antennaria sp. Sedge, Carex gmelini Shooting star, Dodecatheon pulchellum, D. frigidum Twinflower, Linnaea borealis Wild geranium, Geranium erianthum

Bulbs Chequered lily, Fritillaria meleagris Crocus, Crocus hybrids* Crown Imperial, Fritillaria imperialis* Daffodils & narcissus, Narcissus spp. German garlic, Allium senescens var. glaucum Giant Onion, Allium giganteum* Glory-of-the-snow, Chionodoxa luciliae, C. sardensis Grape hyacinth, Muscari botryoides Hyancinth, Hyacinthus orientalis * Iris, Iris reticulata, I. danfordiae* Lily leek, Allium moly Siberian squill, Scilla siberica Snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis* Squill, striped, Puschkinia scilloides* Tulips, Tulipa hybrids, T. tarda, T. praestans Windflower, Grecian, Anemone blanda* Winter aconite, Eranthis X tubergenii*, E. hyemais*

Perennials Visited by Butterflies Catmint, Nepeta X faassenii Catmint, Nepeta nervosa Dianthus, Dianthus spp. Garden forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica Garden Phlox, Phlox paniculata* Jacob’s ladder, Polemonium spp.

Ligularia, Ligularia spp. Lupine, Lupinus hybrids & species Maltese cross, Lychnis spp. Phlox, moss, P. subulata Sweet Rocket, Hesperis matronalis (biennial)

Perennials Flowering for a Long Time (Dead flowers must be removed for long season bloom) Bachelor’s button, perennial, Centaurea montana Bellflower, tussock Campanuala carpatica Bleeding heart, Dicentra spectabilis Bleeding heart, fringed, Dicentra eximia, D. ‘Luxuriant’ Catmint, Nepeta X faassenii Chinese delphinium, Delphinium grandiflorum Iceland poppy, Papver nudicaule Pink, cottage, Dianthus plumarius Pink, maiden, Dianthus deltoides Shasta daisy, Leucanthemum X superbum* Sneezeweed, Achillea ptarmica,

Biennials Canterbury Bells, Campanuala medium* Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea*, D. ferruginea* (sometimes perennial) Hollyhock, Alcea rosea* (sometimes perennial) Money plant, Lunaria annua* Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus (sometimes perennial) Verbascum bombyciferum Garden forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica (sometimes perennial) Rose campion, Lychnis coronaria Sweet Rocket, Hesperis matronalis (sometimes perennial)

Perennial Vines Clematis alpina Clematis, Jackman, Clematis X jackmanii* Clematis, Siberian, Clematis macropetala Clematis, solitary, Clematis integrifolia Clematis, yellow, Clematis tangutica Hops, Humulus lupulus* (sometimes grown as an annual) Kiwi, Actinidia kolomikta (woody) Trumpet honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens* (woody) Upright virgin’s bower, Clematis recta, C. recta ‘Purpurea’ Virginia creeper, Panthenocissus virginiana* (woody) * May not be hardy in all locations. Revisions 3/19/13 JR