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!).
Syringa vulgaris Deep bluish-purple lilac with the biggest florets around: each single flower can reach up to 1½" wide! “So large they hang like clusters of immense grapes.” Z3.
Syringa vulgaris 7×8' Deep purple buds followed by fragrant shimmering single blooms of deep blue-purple backed by a light silver-lilac. Unusual and very nice. Z3.
Dicentra formosa 14-20" tall. Heart-shaped blossoms in late spring. With good moisture, the lacy foliage look nice all season. Full to dappled shade. Z3.
Syringa vulgaris 12×8'. Dazzling pearly lavender-pink buds open to delicate double light pink-shaded white flowers tinged with lavender. Long bloom period. Z3.
Hosta Very large oval blue-green leaves, up to 16" long and 12" wide! Pale lavender flowers bloom midsummer. Foliage develops best blue color in light shade. Z3.
Rosa gallica 2-3' × 3-4'. Highly fragrant dark purple-burgundy double 3" blooms in midsummer. Can be dried whole. Less thorny than other roses. Rugged and easy to grow. Z3/4.
Rosa gallica 5×5'. Classic old garden rose with large deep pink strongly aromatic flowers. Jaw-dropping beauty! Petals hold on in bouquets. Robust, hardy, easy to grow. Z4.
Rosa rugosa 4-5' × same. Semi-double very large 3-4" magenta flowers with lemony scent. Blooms all summer and into fall. Large orange-red edible hips. Z2.
Rosa 3-4' × same. Small lightly fragrant red blooms are fringed like carnations. Very unusual and attractive with a long bloom season, often going until frost. Upright arching yet compact form. Z3.
Rosa rugosa 6-7' × 7-10'. Large clove-scented blooms begin early summer and rebloom in fall. Prolific giant red-orange hips. A productive cultivar for herbalists. Z3.
Rosa 6-7' × same. One of the best climbing or long-caned varieties for colder climates. Vivid velvety deep red-pink semi-double blooms with spicy fragrance. Repeat bloomer. Z3.
Rosa alba 5-6' × same. Highly fragrant 3" very double pale pink flowers bloom profusely late June into July. Sometimes more than 200 petals per flower. Z4.
Geranium sanguinium 4-9" tall. Magenta cups with purple-blue anthers cover tidy deep green lacy foliage. Compact form works well in containers. Considered more drought tolerant than others in the genus. Z3.
Syringa × tribrida 6-9' × same. Masses of dark reddish-pink buds open to lovely fragrant single deep pink blossoms after most other lilacs have faded. Z3.
Syringa vulgaris 10×10'. Creamy buds and very thick double white blooms. One of the oldest named varieties from one of the most famous of all lilac breeders. Z3.
Syringa vulgaris 12×12'. Very fragrant large pure white double flowers in thick clusters. Slightly open wide-growing shrub. Beautiful accent for pinks and purples. Z3.
Rosa alba 5-6' × same. Classic alba variety with clusters of white fragrant highly double 2–3" blossoms, sometimes with more than 200 petals per flower! Z4.
Achillea millefolium 24-28" tall. Charming bright magenta-violet flower clusters. Sturdy and upright, sports its vibrant color for a long bloom season, even in the heat. Z3.
