Annual. A waterfall of cascading, coral pink tassel flowers that will draw delighted whispers throughout summer and fall. The plants are heat tolerant, huge, and require little maintenance. Bright green leaves are also edible. Plant in tall pots so the long tassels can spill over the sides. Arching branches can also be used for cut flower arrangements. Although drought tolerant once established, regular watering will produce more flowers and induce faster growth. Plants will tolerate any soil type, provided there is good drainage.

Location: Rear border, Container, Cottage garden

Bloom Period: July to October

Height: 3-5’

Plant Spacing: 18-24”

Annual. A dramatic show-stopper that lives up to it’s equally dramatic name! Weird, wonderful, and entirely enormous, this plant won my heart last season. The wine red tassels towered over the rest of my annual bed, blooming long after others had been killed off by frost. An old-fashioned heirloom, Love-Lies-Bleeding used to be a staple in Victorian gardens. Their blooms attract pollinators, butterflies and hummingbirds. They make a terrific companion plant for eggplants, tomatoes, and other members of the nightshade family. A few branches will add a riveting element to a cut flower or dried arrangement. And this plant is edible! Young leaves can be harvested and used like spinach. The seeds are loaded with iron, calcium, and fiber, and when allowed to mature, can be dried, cooked and eaten like oatmeal, or in a risotto. Best of all, they are incredibly easy to grow! They thrive in poor to average soil, require little maintenance, and will withstand high summer heat. Ideal along a fence or trellis, they will also grow in containers, raised beds, or hanging baskets, where strong stems will support cascading tassels as they stretch 2.. 3.. 4 feet long!

Location: Rear border, Fence, Cottage garden, Showstopping container

Bloom Period: July to October

Height: 3-5’, spreading to 2’

Plant Spacing: 18-16”

Annual. A true showstopper! Plants begin to produce gracefully arching, deep red, feathery plumes in mid-summer. As the season progresses, these plumes just grow longer and crazier! Plant in groups to stunning effect, or make it a focal point in a mixed ornamental bed. An excellent cut flower, it is ideal for late summer and fall arrangements. The plumes are easily dried and can also be used for crafts. Plants are heat tolerant, huge, and easy to grow. Staking is strongly recommended. They prefer moderately fertile soil, but will tolerate any soil type, provided it is well-draining.

Location: Rear border, Cut flower garden, Container

Bloom Period: July to October

Height: 4-6’

Plant Spacing: 9-12”

Annual. This unusual, shade-loving flower is an old relative of impatiens. The main difference is in their growth habit: balsam will grow up rather than out, and the flowers form in clusters along the stalk. Plant as you would impatiens, in a shady spot looking for a burst of colour. They are heat tolerant, but keep them well-watered to ensure profuse blooming. Plants prefer rich, well-draining soil.

Location: Shady border, Mixed container, Woodland garden

Bloom Period: July to September

Height: 12-24”

Plant Spacing: 12-18”

Perennial. The quintessential butterfly magnet, milkweed will also attract bees and hummingbirds. Plants will get established in their first year and flower in their second, cheering gardeners and pollinators with their sweetly scented blooms. They are very tolerant of poor soil, drought and heat. Plants also tolerate moisture, and are a great option for clay soils.

Location: Butterfly garden, Sunny border

Bloom Period: July to September

Height: 3- 3.5’

Plant Spacing: 30-36”

Annual. A lively mix of pink, purple and white flowers on dense, feathery plants. Smaller than other varieties, ‘Apollo’ is perfect for containers.

Cosmos attract bees, butterflies and birds. The plants are self-seeding, but not invasive, and are not prone to pests or disease. They tolerate heat, drought and will grow in even the poorest soil conditions, provided that there is good drainage. This is a truly low-maintenance plant. Avoid too much fertilizer, as this can lead to lush foliage and few blooms.

Location: Mid-border, Mixed container, Landscape planting, Cottage garden

Bloom Period: June to September

Height: 18-26”

Plant Spacing: 12-15”

Annual. ‘Gloria’ is a show-off in the garden. The rose-pink petals and piercing crimson eyes will easily charm all who come to visit. Plants are heavy-blooming and self-cleaning, for an easy display of colour from early summer to frost.

Cosmos attract bees, butterflies and birds. The plants are self-seeding, but not invasive, and are not prone to pests or disease. They tolerate heat, drought and will grow in even the poorest soil conditions, provided that there is good drainage. This is a truly low-maintenance plant. Avoid too much fertilizer, as this can lead to lush foliage and few blooms.

Location: Rear border, Landscape planting, Cottage garden

Bloom Period: June to September

Height: 3-5’

Plant Spacing: 18”

Perennial. These cheerful, easy-to-care-for plants are perfect for the beginner gardener. Low-growing, they spread into an evergreen mound with bright reddish-fuschia blooms. As a ready self-seeder, this variety can quickly form a low-maintenance ground cover. After an initial flush of flowers in late spring, plants will continue to bloom on and off throughout the summer. Drought tolerant once established, they are ideal for poor soils in hot, dry areas. Salt tolerance also makes them a great choice for coastal gardens.

Location: Front of border, Rock garden, Ground cover

Bloom Period: June/July

Height: 8”, spreading to 18”

Plant Spacing: 14”

Annual. Stunning, spidery blooms boast an array of reds, pinks and whites. Plants are compact, and versatile in the garden. Fill a room with their sweet fragrance by snipping a few stems to bring inside. Stop passersby in their tracks by planting a border at the edge of the garden. These plants are small but mighty, and once you take in their intoxicating perfume, you’ll never want to be without them again! For best results, plant in rich, well-draining soil.

Location: Border, Cottage garden, Cut flower garden

Bloom Period: June to September

Height: 16”

Plant Spacing: 6-8”

Perennial. Large, rosy-pink flowers will add cheerful colour to any landscape or border. Plants are low maintenance and easy to grow. They tolerate heat, drought and poor soil. They are excellent cut flowers and highly attractive to pollinators. They also attract beneficial insects, making them a great companion for the vegetable garden.

Location: Border, Butterfly garden, Vegetable garden

Bloom Period: July to October

Height: 36-48”

Plant Spacing: 18-24”

Perennial. A unique twist on a garden classic! This variety boasts two tiers of flowers, one above and one below its cone. These two-tiered blooms will appear in the plant’s second year.

Plants are low maintenance and easy to grow. They tolerate heat, drought and poor soil. They are excellent cut flowers and highly attractive to pollinators. They also attract beneficial insects, making them a great companion for the vegetable garden.

Location: Border, Butterfly garden, Vegetable garden

Bloom Period: July to October

Height: 36-48”

Plant Spacing: 18-24”

Annual. A mix of purple, lavender, rose, and white hues, whose flowers are known to open earlier in the day than other varieties.

Flowering Tobacco puts on a stunning display in the garden. Heavy bloomers, their 2” star-shaped flowers will fill your summer evenings with intoxicating fragrance and attract an array of hummingbirds and spectacular moths. Plants are low maintenance, easy to grow, and tolerate heat and humidity. Prefers rich, well-draining soil. Feed monthly for even more blooms.

Location: Rear border, Patio container, Landscape planting

Bloom Period: July to September

Height: 36”

Plant Spacing: 12-18”

Annual. Vivid trumpets float over large, broad leaves in a triumph for the senses. This shorter variety is ideal for patio containers. Flowers will bloom in a variety of possible shades, including blue, rose, lime, red and white.

Flowering Tobacco puts on a stunning display in the garden. Heavy bloomers, their 2” star-shaped flowers will fill your summer evenings with intoxicating fragrance and attract an array of hummingbirds and spectacular moths. Plants are low maintenance, easy to grow, and tolerate heat and humidity. Prefers rich, well-draining soil. Feed monthly for even more blooms.

Location: Patio container, Mid-border, Landscape planting

Bloom Period: July to September

Height: 20”

Plant Spacing: 12-18”

Biennial. Enormous, speckled lavender flowers that have a high probability of blooming in their first year. Plants are vigorous and well-branched. Note: While plants will still self-seed, as an F1 hybrid, ‘Camelot Lavender’ seeds will not grow true to their parents.

Foxgloves are easy to grow, vertical accents to spruce up low light areas. Tubular flowers form on magnificent spires, and are an absolute hummingbird magnet. Cutting the main flower spike will produce side shoots that bloom into fall. As a biennial, Foxglove usually do not flower in their first year. In their second year they will bloom beautifully, self-seed generously, and then die. Because of this life cycle, successive plantings over two seasons will ensure you have Foxglove blooming in your garden for many years to come. They perform best in rich, well-draining soil that is acidic, making them an excellent choice to place near coniferous trees.

Location: Rear border, Shaded bed, Woodland garden

Bloom Period: June to July

Height: 3.5-4’, spreading 24-30”

Plant Spacing: 18-24”

Biennial. Tall pink spires speckled with maroon. Plants are vigorous and well-branched. Reliable first-year flowering, and will bloom heavily in their second year. Note: While plants will still self-seed, as an F1 hybrid, ‘Camelot Rose’ seeds will not grow true to their parents.

Foxgloves are easy to grow, vertical accents to spruce up low light areas. Tubular flowers form on magnificent spires, and are an absolute hummingbird magnet. Cutting the main flower spike will produce side shoots that bloom into fall. As a biennial, Foxglove usually do not flower in their first year. In their second year they will bloom beautifully, self-seed generously, and then die. Because of this life cycle, successive plantings over two seasons will ensure you have Foxglove blooming in your garden for many years to come. They perform best in rich, well-draining soil that is acidic, making them an excellent choice to place near coniferous trees.

Location: Rear border, Shaded bed, Woodland garden

Bloom Period: June to July

Height: 3-4’, spreading 18-24”

Plant Spacing: 24”

Biennial. Gorgeous, creamy-peach trumpet blooms will completely encircle stems in their first season. Removing flower spikes will then ensure another heavy bloom in the following year. They are well-suited for containers, growing even in small patio pots. They are also very attractive in mixed borders or mass plantings along a pathway or fence. Note: While plants will still self-seed, as an F1 hybrid, ‘Dalmatian Peach’ seeds will not grow true to their parents.

Foxgloves are easy to grow, vertical accents to spruce up low light areas. Tubular flowers form on magnificent spires, and are an absolute hummingbird magnet. Cutting the main flower spike will produce side shoots that bloom into fall. As a biennial, Foxglove usually do not flower in their first year. In their second year they will bloom beautifully, self-seed generously, and then die. Because of this life cycle, successive plantings over two seasons will ensure you have Foxglove blooming in your garden for many years to come. They perform best in rich, well-draining soil that is acidic, making them an excellent choice to place near coniferous trees.

Location: Rear border, Shaded bed, Woodland garden

Bloom Period: June

Height: 2-3’

Plant Spacing: 12-18”

Perennial. Unusual, dramatic, and an absolute pollinator magnet! Large, 3” blooms attract bees, butterflies, and birds. Long, straight silver stems provide a splendid contrast to any perennial bed, but the glowing blue orbs create a particularly ethereal effect over white and green hues. They are long-living perennials, living 10 years or more, and are not invasive. They make beautiful, unique additions to fresh cut or dried arrangements. Globe Thistles are an extremely low maintenance addition to the garden. They thrive in poor, sandy, dry soil. Average water will bring the most flowers.

Location: Sunny border, Perennial bed, Cut flower garden

Bloom Period: July/August

Height: 3-4’

Plant Spacing: 18-24”

Annual. Watch dozens of brightly-coloured globes dance over felted green leaves. ‘Las Vegas’ brings a light and airy quality to your garden, appearing in a mix of plum, pink or pure white. They are an easy addition to an annual bed, blending effortlessly with bolder flowers like petunias and marigolds.

Gomphrena thrive in areas with full, hot sun, receiving a “Flameproof” certification by the Dallas Arboretum for their top performance in extreme heat. Their prolific blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and make long-lasting fresh cut flowers which retain their colour when dried. Their effect is most striking when planted in groups. Easy to grow in any well-drained soil.

Location: Sunny border, Mixed container, Landscape planting, Cut flower garden

Bloom Period: July to September

Height: 18-28”, spreading to 20”

Plant Spacing: 12-18”

Annual. Beloved for their vivid, lipstick-red colour, these plants add a spectacular flair to the landscape and the vase. A top garden performer and an exceptional cut flower.

Gomphrena thrive in areas with full, hot sun, receiving a “Flameproof” certification by the Dallas Arboretum for their top performance in extreme heat. Their prolific blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and make long-lasting fresh cut flowers which retain their colour when dried. Their effect is most striking when planted in groups. Easy to grow in any well-drained soil.

Location: Sunny border, Mixed container, Landscape planting, Cut flower garden

Bloom Period: June to October

Height: 18-24”

Plant Spacing: 10”

Annual. Glowing, bright rose blooms add cheerful whimsy to the garden or vase. A top garden performer and an exceptional cut flower.

Gomphrena thrive in areas with full, hot sun, receiving a “Flameproof” certification by the Dallas Arboretum for their top performance in extreme heat. Their prolific blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and make long-lasting fresh cut flowers which retain their colour when dried. Their effect is most striking when planted in groups. Easy to grow in any well-drained soil.

Location: Sunny border, Mixed container, Landscape planting, Cut flower garden

Bloom Period: June to October

Height: 18-24”

Plant Spacing: 10”

Annual. A unique an interesting variety. Arching stems produce nodding blooms in blue-purple hues. An excellent cut flower, and positively adored by bees!

Plants tolerate both heat and drought. They will grow in any soil type, provided it is well-draining.

Location: Border, Container, Vegetable garden

Bloom Period: July to September

Height: 24-36”

Plant Spacing: 12”

Perennial. Incorporating native flowers into ornamental beds is a rising trend in garden design. With their natural hardiness and spectacular flowers, it’s easy to get excited when lupins spring into bloom. Their tall, showy spires attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. They are wonderful in a border, a coastal garden, or mass planted in a meadow. This is one plant that will flourish in sandy, nutrient-poor soils. Do not plant in areas that have been amended with compost.

Location: Rear border, Wildflower meadow, Cottage garden

Bloom Period: July

Height: 2-4’

Plant Spacing: 18-24”

Annual. A vintage variety with glowing 3-4” azure blooms on huge vines that will quickly cover a fence or trellis.

As their name implies, Morning Glories open fresh each morning. While single blooms last for only one day, faded flowers will not be missed as the vines produce an abundance of new blooms in their place. Most important for excellent blooms is a full day - 8 hours - of unfiltered sunlight. Flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. An easy to grow climber, plants can be grown in 10-12” pots, and trained up a trellis or around a tomato cage. They thrive in hot weather and tolerate drought. Plant in fertile, well-draining soil and feed monthly with a low nitrogen fertilizer.

Location: Patio container, Trellis

Bloom Period: July to September

Height: vines up to 12’

Plant Spacing: 6”

Annual. A magnificent heirloom from Bavaria, Germany, these royal purple trumpet flowers with ruby red stars have delighted gardeners for years. Fast growing, ‘Grandpa Ott’ is perfect to hide an unsightly fence or scramble through an arbour.

As their name implies, Morning Glories open fresh each morning. While single blooms last for only one day, faded flowers will not be missed as the vines produce an abundance of new blooms in their place. Most important for excellent blooms is a full day - 8 hours - of unfiltered sunlight. Flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. An easy to grow climber, plants can be grown in 10-12” pots, and trained up a trellis or around a tomato cage. They thrive in hot weather and tolerate drought. Plant in fertile, well-draining soil and feed monthly with a low nitrogen fertilizer.

Location: Patio container, Trellis

Bloom Period: July to September

Height: vines up to 8-10’, spreading 3-6’

Plant Spacing: 12”

Perennial. An award winning variety of a native North American wildflower, ‘Crystal Peak’ boasts pure white flowers on long spikes that attract an abundance of pollinators to the garden. It is a Fleuroselect Gold Medal award winner (Europe’s top prize). Flowers are self-cleaning, and do not fade or brown as they age. Their curious name comes from the fact that when plants are in full bloom, you can push the snapdragon-like blossoms to hold any position you like - a helpful trait in flower arrangements. Plants thrive in average soils and moderately moist conditions, making them an ideal choice for clay soils and waterside plantings. They will easily naturalize into the garden, but are polite spreaders, having been bred to retain their compact habit much more so than their native counterparts.

Location: Sloping waterside, Wildflower meadow, Coastal garden

Bloom Period: July to September

Height: 16”

Plant Spacing: 18-24”

Annual. A flush of cheerful, 1.5-2” blooms in bright, warm shades that will liven up any patio container, or create a gorgeous seasonal ground cover.

Portulaca are an ideal choice for hot, dry, sunny locations. They thrive in poor, sandy soil and plants will tolerate crowding. When grouped in a wide, shallow container, twisting branches will easily blend to produce a cloud of blooms from early summer to fall. Their low, creeping growth habit and the soft, delicate appearance of their miniature rose-like booms has rightly earned them the nickname “moss roses”. Flowers do not require deadheading, although pinching stems back every few weeks will encourage the growth of more bud-bearing branches, and thus more blooms. Ensure soil is well-draining. Fertilization is not necessary.

Location: Patio container, Drought-prone bed

Bloom Period: June to September

Height: 6-9”, spreading to 18”

Plant Spacing: 7-15”

Biennial. Large, beautiful flowers in a vivid assortment of pinks, reds and white. Sweet Williams are a terrific addition to any perennial bed that contains roses, lilacs or delphiniums. The cheerful flowers are wonderfully fragrant, make excellent cut flowers, and attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds over a very long blooming season. As a biennial, it will flower profusely in its second year, then readily self-seed to offer a future generation of unique blooms. Plants prefer rich, well-draining soil and will benefit from monthly feeding.

Location: Mid-border, Landscape planting

Bloom Period: June to August

Height: 16-24”

Plant Spacing: 6”

Annual. Make a statement with these huge, 5” blooms! Colours include pink, red, lavender and royal purple.

Zinnias will attract an abundance of butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden! Dwarf varieties are beautiful in the landscape or mixed containers, providing a flush of cheerful colour all season. Intermediate and tall varieties are outstanding cut flowers. Give the vegetable garden a boost by planting zinnias near tomatoes, potatoes and beans. Plants are very easy to grow, tolerating both heat and drought once established. For best performance, plant in rich, well-draining soil and water regularly.

Location: Rear border, Cut flower garden, Landscape planting

Bloom Period: June to September

Height: 2-3’

Plant Spacing: 9-12”

Annual. Radiant coral blooms will illuminate the garden. Flowers measure 5-6” across! ‘Magellan’ are early bloomers that flower freely all summer and into the fall for a truly outstanding garden performance. Plants are sturdy and well-branching.

Zinnias will attract an abundance of butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden! Dwarf varieties are beautiful in the landscape or mixed containers, providing a flush of cheerful colour all season. Intermediate and tall varieties are outstanding cut flowers. Give the vegetable garden a boost by planting zinnias near tomatoes, potatoes and beans. Plants are very easy to grow, tolerating both heat and drought once established. For best performance, plant in rich, well-draining soil and water regularly.

Location: Front of border, Mixed container, Landscape planting

Bloom Period: June to September

Height: 14”

Plant Spacing: 12”

Annual. Vibrant, fully-double 4-5” flowers in a lovely salmon-pink hue. ‘Magellan’ are early bloomers that flower freely all summer and into the fall for a truly outstanding garden performance. Plants are sturdy and well-branching.

Zinnias will attract an abundance of butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden! Dwarf varieties are beautiful in the landscape or mixed containers, providing a flush of cheerful colour all season. Intermediate and tall varieties are outstanding cut flowers. Give the vegetable garden a boost by planting zinnias near tomatoes, potatoes and beans. Plants are very easy to grow, tolerating both heat and drought once established. For best performance, plant in rich, well-draining soil and water regularly.

Location: Front of border, Mixed container, Landscape planting

Bloom Period: June to September

Height: 14”

Plant Spacing: 12”