Compact and tightly mounded this colorful grass in an improvement from the species with brighter blue foliage that shows an improved resistance to rust in humid regions. Sapphire’s clumping form is well-behaved and does not spread in early summer the thin foliage is and topped with arching stems of tan flowers.

Helenium’s are native to the eastern United States and have gone through amazing transformation through hybridization. Most Heleniums start blooming in late summer but ‘Mardi Gras’ begins in late June and keeps kicking for six to eight weeks, perfect for summer appreciation. The multicolored 2″ blooms have yellow petals that are lavishly splashed with orange red. The center cones of the flowers are deep brown and are skirted by these multicolored petals, providing wild color patterns. Give this plant plenty of room in the middle or back of a border, in full sun and well-drained soil.

This selection from Summerina® features unique blooms with petals that resemble a spider mum. Long bloom time from summer through fall offers borders, containers or rock gardens a long lasting yellow/brown color combination. An intergeneric cross between two popular perennials offering the appearance of Rudbeckia with the hardiness of Echinacea.

Subtle yet effective, this tough, tolerant plant loves putting on a summer show in the back of a semi-shade perennial border from mid-June into July with spikes of pale yellow flowers with brown spotted throats. Clean, green, strap-like foliage adds to the dependable nature of this underused plant.

This native grass has graceful, blue-green foliage. Attractive tiny flowers in bright purple and orange appear on tall spikes in late summer. Its name, Sideoats Grama, comes from the way the oat-like seeds all lean to one side of the stem, despite emerging on two sides. Bouteloua makes a wonderful drought tolerant groundcover for a sunny dry location. It combines well with other sun-loving natives like Butterfly Weed, Echinacea and Black-eyed Susans. This grass grows well in many kinds of soil, including those containing clay-loam, gravel, rocky material, and sand. It is very drought tolerant and works well on gentle or moderate slopes.

In early summer, 10″ tall spikes of caramel brown flowers with yellow keels are borne on a bushy, rounded clump. The intense brown color does not fade to yellow as some other bicolor varieties do. Lush blue-green foliage forms a  bushy, rounded clump that looks great in any sunny garden. Brownie Points flowers are a favorite for many butterflies while deer tend to avoid this easy to grow perennial. Heat and drought tolerant.

Large dark green leaves that are mottled with a silver spots. The silver mottled foliage is complimented by large wide flowers that are brown, purple and cream. Evergreen foliage. Deer resistant.