Sun to Semi-Shade Perennials

Once we moved onto our property here in Maple Ridge in 1991 the opportunities to grow a wide range of perennials opened up.  In this grouping are the blooming beauties of the perennial world.  They range from drought tolerant Sempervivum and Sedums to the moisture loving Siberian Iris.  This is just a sampling of the plants we offer, most will be available in 11cm pots some in 9cm pots with our Daylilies and Iris in 15cm pots.

Armeria or Sea Thrift are one of those plant groups that are high value for square footage.  Most are evergreen to semi-evergreen, they remain in tight clumps and bloom for long periods of time in the summer.  They are tough, tolerating quite poor soils and drainage.

Asters are the classic fall bloomers that no garden should be without.  They provide a bit of freshness in the garden when most other plants are looking tired.  Our selections are for abundant blooms with smaller but more durable flowers that tolerate our damp falls.

Coreopsis or Tickseed are high value plants for the garden to provide colour for a long period in the summer.  The fine leaf forms like Moonbeam and American Dream are not aggressive growers so fit into most any garden size.  The shorter lived lanceolata types usually bloom themselves to death as they smother themselves in large flowers for most of the summer.  Coreopsis are tough plants tolerant of poor soils.

The queen of the garden are Delphinium, plants that are true aristocrats.   Like royalty they do need to be looked after though requiring very fertile soils, adequate watering in the summer months, staking and protection from slugs.  If looked after you should get at least two sets of blooms in the summer.  No other plant can provide the incredible blue colouring and elegant flowers of Delphiniums.

For summer interest Eryngium or Sea Hollies can't be beat.  Their flowers which are mostly bracts provide silvery blue colouring for most of the summer months.  Excellent as dried flowers or cuts they also have beautiful glossy green foliage.  These plants thrive in full sun and can tolerate poor, dry soils.

Hemerocallis or Daylilies are staples in the garden, easy to grow they are versatile garden fillers for semi-shade to full sun.  Flowers range from old fashioned golden yellow trumpet shaped to large flared with ruffled edges or doubles.  What is even better is that there are various sizes they come in from small ones reaching just 30cm in height and spread with abundant mini blooms to large 1M height and spread ones with huge waxy flowers.  Colours can range from creamy yellow to deep burgundy red with pinks and bi-colours in between, these days anything seems possible!

Of the Iris we carry Siberian Iris are the most versatile.  These plants can be grown in semi-shade to sun in most average soils to soils that flood.  Their foliage is clean and they really don't have any pest problems.  Divide every 4 years for optimum bloom.  Besides the classic violet coloured blooms there is diversity from pure white ones to sky blue and some of rose pink or royal purple.   Flowers on some can rival bearded Iris for size and they bloom later so are enjoyed more.

The large border Persicaria are really a requirement in gardens. They are easy to grow and put out more than you put into them.  They bloom all summer long with Firetail not needing any deadheading at all. 

For the sheer exotic look Phlomis are a necessity.  Structurally for the foliage and the flower shape there is nothing that compares.  They are relatively easy to grow in partial shade to full sun.  They tolerate poor soils and summer drought.  Just think shrimp bowl when you look at the flowers held in their tiers up their 1M - 2M tall stalks.

If Delphinium are the queens of the garden, Phlox are the princes.  Border Phlox are easy to grow providing they are placed in semi-shade and not let to dry out in the summer months.  They have such large flower heads and bloom for a long period in the summer that they have become a staple in our garden to provide the framework for all the other summer perennials.  Colours range from pure white to deep purple and many ranges in between of mauve, pink and bi-colour.

Sedums are essential in our sunny rockery and in our mixed plantings.  Most start blooming in late summer into the fall, looking fresh when few other plants look great.  But bloom is not the only reason we grow them, their foliage looks great too.   From spring onwards their foliage adds colour and bold texture to the garden.  Some have sea green or frosty green foliage while others have burgundy to mahogany coloured leaves.

A close relative of the Sedum are Sempervivum noted for its succulent or cacti like appearance.  We list over 30 varieties all with distinctive characteristics from smooth rounded rose like shapes to pointed and cupped leaves to ones covered in hairs or webbing.  Colouration of the foliage changes through the seasons with cold temperatures and sunlight accentuating the colours.  These changes make them excellent container plants for year round effect.  They do like full sun and well drained soils for best growth with some fertility.  Close relatives that have different flower colours and growth habits are Jovibara and Rosularia, they are just as hardy as Sempervivum and can be used like them in containers and small dry hot sunny sites. These plants are true low maintenance.

Tradescantia or Spiderwort is a very adaptable plant in the garden preferring semi-shade but can grow in full sun.  They are easy to grow in most any soil type.  These clumping plants get no taller than 60cm and will bloom all summer long.  To keep them tidy looking as the old flowering stalks pile at the base an early summer cutting back to the ground level will provide fresh foliage and new flower stalks the rest of the summer and fall.  Their triangular flowers look exotic atop their orchid like foliage and the colours range from crystalline white to neon purple.

Verbena are a favourite group of plants due to their contrasting shape compared to most mounding perennials.  Their spiky flowers are produced in early to mid summer on stiff upright plants.  Since they are tight growers they fit into the smallest garden and look good in mixed containers.  Verbena are also attractive to most pollinators and butterflies.