Lesser-Used Perennials

Liven up your landscape by including a few of the lesser used perennials.

The blackberry lily (Belamcanda chinensis) produces beautiful flowers in summer followed by seedpods that split open to reveal blackberry-like seeds for additional interest in the garden or dried arrangements.

Stoke's aster (Stokesia laevis) was a popular plant in the past, but not as common now. Grow this beauty in full sun and well-drained soil for best results. And include a few in your cut flower arrangements.

Heleniums, also known as Helen’s flower or sneezeweed, are adaptable to a variety of growing conditions. Many newer varieties with stronger or shorter stems are being introduced.

The fine airy flowers of Jupiter’s beard (Centranthus ruber) makes this a great filler in the garden. Allow this plant to grow and reseed throughout the garden.

And for hot dry areas consider one of the orange flowered penstemons (Penstemon pinifolius). They make a colorful focal point and attract beneficial insects to the garden.

A bit more information: Visit botanical gardens and attend local garden tours for more ideas on new and lesser used perennials for your garden. You’ll also be supporting a good cause. Most registration fees support the operation of the gardens, local beautification projects, garden education programs and charities.