Want to print or download this list? Click the link below to open a PDF version of this plant list.
These plants can be found in local nurseries, garden supply centers, and online.
Visit our Philadelphia Gardening Guide for a list of plant sources and more recommendations.
Allium are part of the onion family and have a light garlic scent. Allium 'Gladiator' have lilac purple flowers which grow in a spherical cluster atop a long stalk. 'Gladiator' can grow up to 5 feet tall with flower heads as large as 6 inches in diameter.
Allium are perennials and grow from bulbs. Allium are deer resistant but may be dangerous for pets.
Commonly called red valerian or Jupiter's beard, Centranthus ruber is a perennial that grows well in poor soils. Fragrant, star-shaped flowers grow in clusters on long stems.
Also called Cupid's dart, Catananche is a short-lived perennial. Tall stems produce blue to lavender flowers with dark centers.
A perennial commonly called Larkspur, Delphinium is prized for its ability to produce true blue flowers in early summer. Delphinium flowers grow on tall stalks. If taken care of properly, a second stalk will usually produce flowers in late summer.
'Black Knight' produces deep, midnight blue flowers. 'Black Knight' is the darkest Delphinium.
A perennial commonly called Larkspur, Delphinium is prized for its ability to produce true blue flowers in early summer. Delphinium flowers grow on tall stalks. If taken care of properly, a second stalk will usually produce flowers in late summer.
'Blue Bird' produces medium blue flowers with white centers.
'Magic Fountains Mix' is a shorter variety of Larkspur often called Candle Larkspur. They are sturdy, compact plants that can tolerate windy conditions. The dense flower spikes grow in various shades of white, blue, and purple.
Commonly called Foxglove, Digitalis is biennial and produces flowers in its second year. The leaves are used to create some heart medicines but Digitalis is highly poisonous to people and pets.
Digitalis attract hummingbirds and butterflies and is resistant to deer and rabbits.
Also known as Wallflower, Erysimum is an alpine perennial that likes full sun and is drought tolerant. Ideal for new gardeners, Erysimum is long flowering with a good scent. Erysimum is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.
'Winter Joy' is a larger Erysimum hybrid which produces bigger, lilac colored flowers.
Also known as Wallflower, Erysimum is an alpine perennial that likes full sun and is drought tolerant. Ideal for new gardeners, Erysimum is long flowering with a good scent. Erysimum is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.
'Winter Orchid' is a larger Erysimum hybrid which produces coppery-orange flowers that turn to purple as they age.
Commonly called autumn fern or Japanese Fern, Dryopteris grows in clumps that reach 2 feet tall and usually as wide. New fronds in the spring start coppery red and become green in the summer. 'Brilliance' has bright red fronds in the spring that keep their color longer into the year than other autumn ferns.
Fennel is a perennial commonly used for culinary and medicinal purposes. When grown for decoration, it can reach heights of 3 to 5 feet. Fennel is very attractive to butterflies.
Leymus arenarius is a perennial, ornamental grass. It is also called blue lyme grass. The leaves are evergreen and broad, approximately 1/2" wide and 1 to 2 feet long. Flower spikes reach 3 to 4 feet and turn beige in mid-summer.
Lyme grass can tolerate drought and cold and grows well in poor conditions. It is highly invasive.
Osteospermum is commonly known as African Daisy. It is a perennial but usually grown as an annual.
The flowers of Osteospermum typically close at night. The '4D' series has a double flower which allows the bloom to stay open day and night.
Osteospermum is commonly known as African Daisy. It is are an herbaceous perennial but usually grown as an annual. Osteospermum bloom from spring through mid-summer. The blooms are daisy-like with dark centers. They are prominent and 2-3 inches wide.
The 'Margarita' series features a longer blooming season and vibrant flowers.
Osteospermum is commonly known as African Daisy. It is an herbaceous perennial but usually grown as an annual. Osteospermum bloom from spring through mid-summer. The blooms are daisy-like with dark centers. They are prominent and 2-3 inches wide.
'Swing Purple' produces beautiful purple flowers.
'Princess Victoria Louise' is a perennial poppy. Its petals are a salmon pink with a deep purple spot at the base. It grows best in full sun so it makes an excellent border. 'Princess Victoria Louise' is great as a cut flower.
Click here for more information on 'Princess Victoria Louise'.
Penstemon is a tall, herbacious perennial. 'Dark Towers' is a clump forming Penstemon that grows up to 3 feet tall. It has pink flowers and dark wine colored foliage. Penstemon is excellent as a cut flower.
Phlox is a tall perennial that reach 4 feet tall and flower by midsummer. 'Jeana' is a longer blooming variety which produces clusters of small, lavender-pink flowers.
Phlox is highly attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Mt. Cuba Center recently tested 'Jeana' and found it to be even more attractive to butterflies than other varieties of Phlox.
Ranunculus, also called Persian buttercup, is an herbacious perennial grown from bulbs. Ranunculus produce beautiful double flowers that look like small peonies. 'Bloomingdale' is a dwarf variety only growing 8-10 inches high and 12-16 inches wide.
Salix matsudana is also known as curly willow. It's often sold as an ornamental tree or for controlling erosion. Twisted and curling branches make this Salix very attractive.
Curly willow is a highly invasive tree. Additionally, a shallow root system means Salix is often harmful to foundations, sidewalks, and septic systems.
At PHS, we've used dried curly willow to add height and dimension to our planters. Click here for more in using dried plants in outdoor decorations.
Commonly known as statice, Limonium is a drought tolerant perennial usually planted as an annual. It has tiny flowers that grow in massive clusters on stalks. Statice produces flowers from early summer until the first frost.
At PHS, we've incorporated dried statice into our planters.
The common name for Limonium is statice. Statice is a drought tolerant perennial usually planted as an annual. It has tiny flowers that grow in massive clusters on stalks. Statice produces flowers from early summer until the first frost.
Tissue culture refers to the method of propagation. Tissue culture statice are less susceptible to diseases and come in a variety of colors. Click here to learn more about plant tissue culture.
At PHS, we've incorporated dried statice into our planters.
Verbascum 'Plum Smokey' is a compact perennial plant. Under 2 feet tall, it produces flowers throughout the summer. Verbascum is deer resistant and drought tolerant. It's also attractive to butterflies.
Pansies are short lived perennials that are often planted as annuals. Flowers bloom during the spring and die as the weather gets hot. Compact, with flowers in a large variety of colors, pansies are one of the most popular plants for cool weather flower beds.