Red Dragon

The Persicaria ‘Red Dragon’ is a wonderful variety in the Persicaria family. With its superb, variegated maroon leaves with burgundy heart shaped centers and a white chevron, it has a plant height of 2’ and a spread of 18-23”. The flowers are white and bloom in June and July, but this plant is more noted for its foliage. It does need a well-drained area, making sure it is not over watered. ‘Red Dragon’ will look great in any perennial garden, in mixed container, woodland edge or near ponds and streams.

The Obedient Plant Physostegia ‘Variegata’, 'Physostegia virginiana', has bright white spiked flowers that are 36” tall and a plant spread of 18-24”. ‘Variegata’ blooms from June to September and the waxy, green leaves have bright white margins that makes this plant a little different from other white blooming perennials. Use ‘Variegata’ in borders, mixed plantings, massed plantings (especially to separate other colors), in large containers or as cut flowers. Try darker colors such Hemerocallis ‘Little Business’, Platycodon ‘Balloon Flower’ or Veronica ‘Royal Candles’ as a contrast.

The Platycodon ‘Sentimental Blue Balloon Flower’, Platycodon grandiflorum, is a low growing perennial with blue, balloon like flowers that bloom in late May until August. (The flowers should be deadheaded to increase bloom time.) Use ‘Sentimental Blue’ as a cut flower, as a border in a perennial garden or with Cerastium ‘Snow in Summer’. Platycodon is pest resistant and needs very little care. It is late to come up in the spring, so make sure to mark its location.

The Stachys ‘Lamb’s Ear’, Stachys byzantina, is known for its soft, fuzzy, silvery green foliage. ‘Lamb’s Ear’ has a plant height of 8” and a spread of 12-24” and blooms in mid-summer. (Lamb’s Ear is not known for its flowering, but however its foliage.) It is useful in the border or as a ground cover. It will add texture and color in rock gardens and looks wonderful with Veronica ‘Goodness Grows’, Tradescantia ‘Concord Grape’ or other purple blooming perennials.

The Aster ‘Klaus Jelitto Stoke’s’ Aster, Stokesia laevis, has leathery, strap-like leaves that form a clump at the base with large daisy-like flowers at the end of the stem. The powdery blue flowers bloom from July until frost have a plant height of 18” and a plant spread of 18-24”.‘Klaus Jelitto Stoke’s’ Aster will do best in a full sun area with morning shade and well-drained soil. To increase bloom time, deadhead after the first initial flowering.