Winter Color Winter Color

Perennials

by Rod Smith

Former Iowa Certified Nurseryman and Oregon Certified Nursery Professional

© 1999-2023 Rodney A. Smith

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Click on underlined plant names to see a picture. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Plants marked PNP are included in the "Portland Native Plant" list.

Low = under 8 inches, Medium = 8 inches to 30 inches, Tall = over 30 inches

Scientific name          USDA Zone Height X Width   Description
  Common name                Water Exposure

A

Acanthus mollis 6 3' X 3' Large, shiny green leaves. Spike Grecian Pattern Plant Med. Sun-Part of lilac or rose flowers in June. Achillea millefolium 3 30" X 2' Native. White, flat flowers in sum- Common Yarrow Low Sun-Part mer. Good cut/dried flowers. PPL Achillea species 3 3' X 2' Yellow or pastel flowers heads in Yarrow Low Sun-part June-Sept. Good cut or dried. Aconitum napellus 3 4' X 18" Blue or soft pink helmet-shaped Monkshood High Sun-Part flowers July-August. Poisonous. Aegopodium podagraria variegata 1 6" X 30" Low, dense mass of light green Variegated Bishop's Weed Med. Sun-Shade leaves with white edges. Spreads. Agapanthus africanus 7 2' X 2' Evergreen. Stalks of blue or white Lily Of The Nile Low Sun-Part flowers in summer. Needs shelter. Agastache species 6 2' X 1' Attracts hummingbirds. Masses of Hyssop Med. Sun-Part red, pink or lavender flowers. Ajuga reptans 3 5" X 12" Evergreen. Blue flowers. Green Carpet Bugle Med. Sun-Part bronze purple or varieg. leaves. Alcea rosea 3 5' X 2' Biennial. Old fashioned favorite Hollyhock Med. Sun now in many colors July-August. Alchemilla mollis 3 15" X 1' Scalloped leaves hold raindrops. Lady's Mantle Med. Sun-Part Good cut greenish flowers in June Allium giganteum 4 5' X 1' Bulb. Ball-like clusters of lilac Giant Allium Med. Sun flowers in July. Alstroemeria hybrids 8 2' X 3' Orange yellow pink red and white Peruvian Lily Med. Part Sun flowers June to July. Good cut. Amaryllis belladona 6 2' X 1' Fragrant pink trumpet flowers on Naked Lady Low Sun-Part naked stalks after leaves die. Anaphalis margaritacea 3 2' X 1' Native. Gray-green leaves. Papery Pearly Everlasting High Sun white flowers in late Summer. PPL Anemone blanda 4 4" X 6" Bulb. Single blue, pink or white Windflower Low Part Sun flower in March. Anemone coronaria 6 2' X 15" Bulb. Red, blue, purple or white Wind Flower Med. Part shade flowers May and June. Good cut. Anemone huphensis 5 2' X 15" Purple to white flowers in fall. Japanese Anemone Med. Sun-Part Excellent for cut flowers. Anthemis tinctoria 4 2' X 2' Pale yellow daisies in summer. Hardy Marguerite Daisy Med. Sun Great cut flowers. Aquilegia formosa 3 2' X 1' Native. Red flowers in May to Aug. Western Columbine Low Part Sun Attracts hummingbirds. PNP Aquilegia species 3 2' X 18" Red white or blue flowers in May. Columbine Med. Sun-Shade Attracts hummingbirds/butterflies Arabis caucasica 3 4" X 1' White flowers on fleshy leaves in Rock Cress Med. Sun March to April. Good rock garden. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 2 8" X 4' Native evergreen. Pink flowers. Kinnikinnick Low Sun-Part Red berries. Good groundcover.PNP Arenaria montana 3 4" X 18" Low mound of white flowers from Montana Sandwort Med. Sun-Part March to April. Likes lime. Armeria maritima 4 10" X 1' Native evergreen. Mound of leaves. Sea Thrift Med. Sun-Part Pink or white flowers April-June. Artemisia species 3 1' X 2' Silvery leaves in many shapes. Wormwood Low Sun Yellow flowers in August. Aruncus dioicus 4 1' X 1' Native. Creamy white flowers in Goatsbeard Med. Shade-Part June and July. Asarum caudatum 4 4" X 2' Native. Large, heart shaped leaves. Wild Ginger High Shade-Part Brown flowers early Spring. PNP Asarum splendens 4 6" X 2' Large, heart shaped leaves with Chinese Ginger High Shade-Part white stripes. Tiny red flowers. Asclepias tuberosa 4 2' X 3' Bright orange flowers from July to Butterfly Weed Med. Sun September. Attracts butterflies. Aspidistra elatior 7 18" X 3' Evergreen. Strap like leaves. Cast Iron Plant Med. Shade Tolerates deep shade. Very tough. Asplenium scolopendrium 6 18" X 15" Native evergreen. Strap-like fronds Hart's Tongue Fern Med. Shade-Part with wavy edges. Aster frikartii 5 3' X 2' Large lavender blue daisies from Frikart's Aster Med. Sun May to frost if deadheaded. Aster species 4 18" X 1' Daisy flowers in many colors bloom Asters Med. Sun August to frost. Good cut. Aster tongolensis 'Wartburg' 5 1' X 1' Violet flowers with golden orange Wartburg Aster Med. Sun centers in June to September. Astilbe arendsii 3 2' X 18" Tall spikes of red pink or white Astilbe High Sun-Shade flowers from May to July. Astrantia major 4 2' X 2' Red, pink or white flowers in Masterwort Med. Sun-Part summer. Good cut or dried. Aubrieta deltoidea 4 5" X 15" Low mat of red to blue flowers in Rock Cress Med. Sun-Part March to May. Good in rock walls. Aurinia saxatilis 4 10" X 1' Evergreen. Green gray leaves with Basket Of Gold Med. Sun-Part yellow flowers from April-June.

B

Ballota nigra 'Archers Variety' 4 2' X 3' Leaves have white streaks and spots Variegated Horehound Low Sun Tiny purple flowers in summer. Baptisia australis 4 3' X 4' Spikes of small indigo blue flowers False Indigo Low Sun in summer. Attractive seeds. Bellis perennis 4 5" X 6" Red, rose, and white flowers in English Daisy Med. Sun-Part April and May. Good in lawns. Bergenia cordifolia 3 12" X 2' Evergreen. Large heart shaped Heartleaf Bergenia Med. Sun-Part leaves. Pink flowers in Spring. Boltonia asteroides 4 4' X 3' Thousands of white or pink daisies False Starwort Low Sun in August to October. Brugmansia species (Datura) 8 3-8'X 3-8' Tender perennial needs protection. Angel's Trumpet Med. Sun-Shade Large, fragrant white flowers. Brunnera macrophylla 5 15" X 1' Airy clusters of blue flowers above Siberian Bugloss High Part Shade heart shaped leaves in March-June

C

Calceolaria biflora 6 12" X 8" Evergreen. Pouch-like flowers of Pocketbook Flower Med. Shade-Part yellow and red in May and June. Camassia quamash 6 18" X 12" Native bulb. Blue flowers in Common Camas High Sun Spring. PNP Campanula species 4 1-5' X 1' Bell or star shaped flowers. Many Bellflower High Shade-Part forms and colors are available.
Canna Hybrid 7 3-6' X 2' Tall stalk with large leaves and Canna Med. Sun many colored flowers. Catananche caerulea 4 18" X 1' Gray green leaves. Deep blue flow- Cupid's Dart Low Sun ers June to August. Good dried. Ceanothus gloriosus 7 12" X 3' Evergreen. Blue flowers in late Point Reyes Ceanothus Low Sun spring. Good groundcover. Centranthus ruber 4 3' X 18" Rosy red flowers from June to Sept. Jupiter's Beard Low Sun-Part Good cut flowers. Needs drainage. Cerastium tomentosum 3 6" X 2' Evergreen. Silvery gray leaves. Snow-in-Summer Med. Sun-Part White flowers in early summer. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides 6 18" X 2' Intense blue flowers from July to Dwarf Plumbago Med. Sun-Part September. Reddish new leaves. Chelone species 5 3' X 2' Unusual white pink or red flowers Turtlehead High Sun-Part resemble a turtle's head. Chrysanthemum coccinneum 4 30" X 2' Finely divided leaves. Pink, red, Painted Daisy Med. Sun or white flowers in May. Chrysanthemum morifolium 4 2' X 3' Many colors and styles of flowers Garden Chrysanthemum Med. Sun August to frost. Good cut. Cimicifuga racemosa 4 6' X 3' Spikes of white flowers from July Bugbane, Black Cohosh High Shade-Part to Oct. Seed clusters good dried. Conradina verticillata 5 1' X 3' Aromatic leaves. Lavender pink Cumberland Rosemary Med. Sun flowers in June. Convallaria majalis 3 6" X 15" Small fragrant bell-shaped white Lily-of-the-Valley Med. Shade-Part flowers in May. Poisonous. Convolvulus cneorum 8 2' X 2' Evergreen. White or light pink Silver Bush Morn. Glory Low Sun-Part trumpet flowers May to September. Convolvulus mauritanicus 7 5" X 2' Evergreen. Lavender blue trumpet Ground Morning Glory Low Sun-Part flowers May to September. Coreopsis verticillata 4 2' X 2' Profuse yellow daisies from June Coreopsis, Tickseed Low Sun-Part to September. Cornus canadensis 1 3" X 2' Semi-evergreen. White flowers in Bunchberry Med. Sun-Shade spring. Red berries in fall. PNP Corydalis lutea 6 12" X 15" Masses of gray-green divided leaves Corydalis High Part Shade Yellow flowers June-August. Cosmos atrosanguineus 8 2' X 2' Deep brownish red flowers with Chocolate Cosmos Med. Sun chocolate or vanilla fragrance. Cotoneaster dammeri 1 5" X 6' Evergreen. White flowers in Bearberry Cotoneaster Low Sun-Shade spring. Orange berries in fall. Cotula squalida 4 2" X 1' Evergreen. Button flowers in May- Brass Buttons Med. Part Sun June. Fern-like foliage creeps. Crocosmia crocosmiliflora 4 3' X 18" Strings of orange-crimson flowers Montbretia Low Sun in July and August. Good cut. Crocus sativus 5 6" X 4" Bulb. Lilac flowers in fall. Fall or Saffron Crocus Low Sun Stigma of flower makes saffron. Crocus vernus 3 4" X 4" Bulb. White, pink, blue, or purple Dutch Crocus Low Sun-Part flowers in February to March. Cyclamen hederifolium 6 4" X 1' Leaves marbled silver and white. Hardy Cyclamen Med. Sun-Part White or pink flowers August-Oct. Cynara cardunculus 7 5' X 4' Large, toothed silvery leaves. Blue Cardoon Med. Sun violet flowers July-September.

D

Dahlia hybrids 8 2-6'X 2-4' Tuber. Many colors and forms. Dig Dahlia Med. Sun-Part or cover with mulch in the Fall. Delosperma cooperi 6 4" X 18" Evergreen. Succulent foliage with Ice Plant Low Sun magenta daisies July to September Delphinium hybrids 3 3-6' X 2' Tall spikes of blue, lavender, or Larkspur Med. Sun white in June. Good cut. Dianella tasmanica 7 2' X 2' Evergreen. Blue/purple flowers in Flax Lily Med. Sun-Part spring. Blue-green leaves. Dianthus species 4 1-3' X 1' Low mound or tall cut flower in Carnation or Pinks Med. Sun-Part pink, red and white May to July. Diascia species 7 10" X 2' Low spreading plant with pink flow- Twinspur Low Sun-Part ers from June to September. Dicentra formosa 3 12" X 18" Native. Dark fern-like leaves. Western Bleeding Heart Low Shade-Part Pink flowers April to June. PNP Dicentra spectabilis 3 30" X 3' Dainty pink or white flowers in Bleeding Heart Med. Shade-Part April to June. Dierama pulcherrimum 7 5' X 5' Sword-like leaves. Purple to white Wand Flower High Sun bell-shaped flowers May-June. Dietes bicolor 8 18" X 15" Iris-like leaves with yellow and African Iris Med. Sun-Part maroon flowers spring to fall. Digitalis purpurea 4 4' X 1' Spike of white to pink spotted Pink Foxglove Med. Part shade flowers. Leaves are poisonous. Doronicum cordatum 4 18" X 12" Low mound. Yellow daisy flowers on Leopard's Bane Med. Part Shade tall stems April-June. Good cut.

E

Echinacea purpurea 4 2' X 3' Showy flowers of drooping purple Purple Coneflower Med. Sun-Part petals in summer. Echinops exaltatus 4 3' X 1' Coarse, prickly, gray-green leaves. Globe thistle Med. Sun Steel blue flowers July to Sept. Endymion non-scriptus (Scilla) 4 15" X 12" Bulb. Spikes of blue white or pink Wood Hyacinth Med. Sun-Part flowers in May. Easy to grow. Epimedium grandiflorum 4 1' X 3' Evergreen. Red white pink or Bishop's Hat Med. Part Shade violet flowers. Bronze leaves. Erigeron species 7 18" X 1' Aster-like white, lavender or pink Fleabane Med. Sun-Part flowers August to frost. Native. Erodium reichardii 6 5" X 1' Evergreen. Tough low creeper with Cranesbill Med. Sun-Part many flowers May to October. Eryngium amethystinum 4 2' X 1' Thistle-like plant. Steel blue or Sea holly Low Sun amethyst flowers July to Sept. Erysimum linifolium 6 2' X 2' Yellow to purple flowers all summer Wallflower Med. Sun-Part long. Eschscholzia californica 1' X 2' Yellow, pink, or white poppies all California Poppy Low Sun summer. Remove dead flowers. Eucomis comosa 7 3' X 3' Large, strap-like leaves with tall Purple Pineapple Lily Med. Sun-Part bloom resembling a pineapple. Eupatorium maculatum 4 5' X 3' Narrow leaves with showy chartreuse Joe Pye Weed Med. Sun-Part bracts. Blooms from July to Sept. Euphorbia species 6 2' X 2' Green to purple leaves. Chartreuse Spurge Low Sun to burgundy flowers. Euryops pectinatus 8 5' X 3' Bright yellow daisy-like flowers Golden Shrub Daisy Low Sun March-October. Needs protection.

F

Felicia amelloides 9 18" X 4' Sky-blue, yellow-centered daisies Blue Marguerite Med. Sun all summer. Fragrant leaves. Fern, Adiantum pedantum 2 18" X 18" Fronds fork in finger-like pattern Western Maidenhair Fern High Shade-Part on slender black stems. Fern, Athyrium filix-femina 4 2' X 2' Fine double cut leaves arch up and Lady Fern Med. Shade out. PNP Fern, Athyrium nipponicum 4 10" X 15" Deciduous. Green with silver-gray Japanese Painted Fern Med. Shade-Part on burgundy stems. Fern, Blechnum spicant 7 2' X 2' Low spreading sterile fronds and Deer Fern Med. Shade upright fertile fronds. PNP Fern, Cyrtomium falcatum 8 2' X 2' Evergreen, but tender at 25 degrees Holly Fern High Shade-Part Does well indoors. Fern, Dicksonia antarctica 9 12' X 15' Evergreen. 6' arching fronds. Tasmanian Tree Fern High Shade Protect from frost. Fern, Dryopteris erythrosora 6 18" X 18" Evergreen. New fronds are coppery Autumn Fern Low Shade-Part red, mature to green. Fern, Dryopteris expansa 4 2' X 2' Finely divided upright fronds die Wood Fern Med. Shade-Part down in winter. Fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris 4 3' X 2' Tall deciduous fronds with shorter Ostrich Fern High Shade-Part evergreen fronds. Fern, Osmunda cinnamomea 4 4' X 3' Long bluish-green and reddish-brown Cinnamon Fern High Shade fronds emerge in spring. Fern, Osmunda regalis 4 4' X 4' Large, handsome fronds die down in Royal Fern High Shade winter. Fern, Polystichum munitum 6 3' X 3' Native evergreen. Excellent for Western Sword Fern Low Shade woodsy area. Tolerates dry. PNP Fern, Polystichum polyblepharum 6 2' X 2' Evergreen. Fronds unfurl backwards Tassel Fern High Shade-Part creating a tassel. Fern, Polystichum setiferum 6 2' X 2' Evergreen. Low spreading, finely Alaskan Fern Med. Shade-Part cut fronds. Filipendula palmata 4 3' X 2' Tiny pink flowers in tall umbels, Siberian Meadowsweet Med. Sun-Shade June to August. Good cut. Fragaria 'Lipstick' 4 4" X 24" Evergreen groundcover. Large, rose Lipstick Strawberry Med. Sun-Part colored flowers in Spring. Fragaria chiloensis 4 6" X 1' Native evergreen groundcover. White Wild Strawberry Med. Sun-Part flowers in spring. Red berries. Freesia species 3 15" X 1' Bulb. Fragrant flowers in many Freesia Med. Sun-Part colors in May. Good cut flower. Fritillaria species 5 2-4' X 1' Bulb. Unusual flowers of orange, Fritillaria Med. Sun-Part yellow or checkered purple/white. Fuchsia magellanica 4 3' X 3' Native. Red, white and violet flow- Hardy Fuchsia High Part Shade ers on rounded bush July to frost

G

Gaillardia grandiflora 3 2' X 2' Daisy-like flowers of yellow, red, Blanket Flower Low Sun orange and maroon June to frost. Galanthus nivalis 3 8" X 8" Bulb. Dainty white bells in Feb. to Snowdrop Med. Shade-Part March. Naturalizes under trees. Galium odoratum 4 8" X 2' Small white flowers on dense mat Sweet Woodruff Med. Shade of green from May to August. Gaultheria procumbens 3 6" X 18" Native evergreen. Pink bell flowers Wintergreen Med. Sun-Shade in spring. Red edible berries. Gaultheria shallon 6 2' X 3' Native evergreen. Pink flowers in Salal Med. Sun-Shade spring. Black edible berries. PNP Gaura lindheimeri 7 18" X 2' Pink buds open into white flowers Gaura Low Sun like white butterflies June-Sept. Gentiana species 3 1' X 1' Dark blue flowers in July to Sept. Gentian High Sun Needs good drainage & acid soil. Geranium species 4 2' X 2' Small to large cut leaves. White to Cranesbill Geranium Med. Sun-Part purple flowers in summer. Geum coccinium 4 1' X 1' Stems of red to copper flowers Geum, Grecian Rose Med. Sun-Part above divided leaves in summer. Gomphrena globosa 4 10" X 1' Rounded flower heads in red, purple Globe Amaranth Med. Sun-Part and white. Excellent dried. Goniolimon tataricum 4 1' X 1' Many branched white flower-head in German Statice Low Sun July-August. Excellent dried. Grass, Acorus gramineus 5 12" X 18" Grass-like leaves resembles tiny Sweet Flag High Sun-Part iris. Likes lots of water. Grass, Arrhenath. elatius bulb. 4 12" X 18" Narrow leaves boldly edged with Bulbous Oat Grass Med. Sun-Part white. Grass, Calamagrostis acutiflora 4 4' X 3' Tall grass with feathery tops. Feather Grass Med. Sun Golden yellow in the Fall. Grass, Carex buchananii 5 2' X 3' Grass-like clumps of reddish bronze Fox Red Curly Sedge High Sun-Part with curly tips. Moist soil. Grass, Carex morrowii expallida 5 12" X 18" Drooping leaves striped with white. Variegated Japane. Sedge High Sun-Part Prefers moist soil. Grass, Carex obnupta 30" X 30" Native evergreen. Great for erosion Slough Sedge High Sun-Shade control. Spreads easily. Grass, Carex testacea 6 16" X 1' Fine blades turn almost orange in Orange Sedge High Sun-Shade sun, olive green in shade. Grass, Carex tumulicola 8 18" X 18" Native evergreen grass. Tuft of Berkeley Sedge Med. Sun-Part narrow green leaves. PNP Grass, Cortaderia sell. 'Pumila' 5 5' X 6' Large clump of grass with white or Ivory Feathers Pampas Gr Any Sun-Part pink plumes in fall. Grass, Deschampsia caespitosa 4 18" X 12" Native. Dark green clump of grass. Tufted Hair Grass High Sun-Part Seed stalks produce plantlets.PNP Grass, Elymus glaucus 4 2' X 2' Native. Dense clumps of blue grass. Blue Wild Rye Low Sun blue grass. PNP Grass, Festuca ovina 'Glauca' 4 10" X 10" Evergreen. Low clumps of fine blue Blue Fescue Grass Low Sun-Part grass. Needs good drainage. Grass, Hakonechloa macra 5 10" X 18" Graceful slender leaves with gold Japanese Forest Grass High Shade stripes. Spreads slowly. Grass, Helictotrichon semperv. 4 2' X 2' Evergreen. Mound of blue grass. Blue Oat Grass Med. Sun Grass, Imperata cylindr. 'Rubra' 5 18" X 18" Top half of stems are blood red. Japanese Blood Grass Med. Sun-Part Purplish in winter. Grass, Juncus effusus 5 2' X 2' Native evergreen. Tolerates wet Soft Rush High Sun-Part soil. J. e. Spiralis is twisted. Grass, Miscanthus sinensis 5 5' X 4' Tall, graceful grass. Tan or brown Japanese Maiden Grass Med. Sun-Shade in winter. Grass, Molinea caerulea 4 5' X 4' Dark green grass. Turns yellow in Moor Grass Med. Sun fall. Grass, Panicum virgatum 4 4' X 3' Blue to red blades in summer. Airy Switch Grass Med. Sun seed heads in fall. Grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides 5 3' X 3' Dense, rounded clump topped with Fountain Grass Low Sun-Part purple flower stalks. Likes dry. Grass, Pennisetum seta. 'Rubrum' 6 4' X 3' Dense, rounded clump topped with Purple Fountain Grass Low Sun-Part purple flower stalks. Likes dry. Grass, Scirpus cernuus 8 8" X 8" Drooping green threadlike leaves Fiber Optic Grass High Part Shade with brown tip. Good in pots. Grass, Scirpus cernuus 9 10" X 10" Small white seed on tip of each Fiber Optic Grass High Sun-Part blade. Grass, Stipa gigantea 6 6' X 6' Clumps of 3' leaves with 6' tall Giant Feather Grass Med. Sun and wide yellowish seed heads. Grass, Stipa tenuissima 7 2' X 2' Deciduous. Soft, fine, bright green Mexican Feather Grass Med. Sun foliage. Gunnera manicata 7 8' X 6' Huge leaves with prominent veins. Dinosaur Plant High Part shade Tiny red fruit. Needs rich soil. Gypsophila paniculata 4 3' X 3' Tiny pink flowers on branched stems Baby's Breath Med. Sun July to October. Good cut.

H

Helenium autumnale 4 3' X 3' Daisy-like flowers of red, yellow, Sneezeweed Low Sun copper Summer to early Fall. Helianthemum nummularium 4 6" X 1' Red, orange, yellow, pink, peach, & Sunrose Low Sun white flowers in June to August. Helianthus species 4 5' X 2' Tall stalk with yellow flowers from Sunflower High Sun July to September. Good cut. Heliopsis helianthoides 3 3' X 3' Deciduous. Large yellow flowers in Ox Eye High Sun summer. Needs well drained soil. Heliotropium arborescens 9 4' X 4' Tender perennial. Very fragrant Heliotrope High Sun-Part blue flowers in summer. Helleborus foetidus 4 18" X 1' Evergreen. Lacy light green leaves. Bear's Foot Hellebore High Shade-Part Pale green flowers Jan-Apr. Helleborus niger 4 18" X 1' Evergreen. Dark green leaves. White Christmas Rose High Shade-Part flowers turn purplish. Dec-April. Helleborus orientalis 4 18" X 1' Evergreen. Dark green leaves. White, Lenten Rose High Shade-Part pink, red, yellow, green flowers. Hemerocallis hybrids 3 3' X 2' Yellow orange bronze red or white Daylily Med. Sun flowers May to October. Easy care Herniaria glabra 5 2" X 1' Tiny green leaves turn bronzy in Green Carpet Med. Sun-Shade winter. Good groundcover. Hesperis matronalis 5 3' X 2' Old fashioned plant. Fragrant lav- Dame's Rocket Med. Sun-Part ender or pink flowers May-June. Heuchera sanguinea 4 15" X 18" Evergreen. Tall stalks of dainty Coral Bells Med. Sun-Part coral flowers in April-August. Heucherella tiarelloides 4 1' X 2' Hybrids between Heuchera and Tia- Foam Flower Med. Part shade rella. Colorful foliage. Hibiscus moscheutos 4 5' X 5' 8" red, pink, rose or white flowers Rose Mallow Med. Sun from June until frost. Hosta species 3 30" X 18" Colorful leaves with tall stalks of Hosta Med. Shade-Part lavender flowers. Bait for slugs. Hyacinthus orientalis 4 8" X 6" bulb. Very fragrant spikes of blue, Hyacinth Low Sun-Shade white, or purple in April to May. Hypericum calycinum 7 12" X 2' Evergreen. Large yellow flowers St. Johns Wort Med. Sun-Shade in summer.

I

Iberis sempervirens 4 8" X 1' Evergreen. White flowers in April Candytuft Low Sun cover low mound of small leaves. Incarvillea delavayi 5 3' X 2' Clusters of 3" long purple trumpet Hardy Gloxinia Med. Sun-Part in May-July. Iris "Dutch Hybrid" 5 8" X 5" Bulb. Slender stalks topped by iris Dutch Iris Med. Sun-Part flower in many colors in April. Iris ensata 4 3' X 2' Large white, lavender, purple or Japanese Iris High Sun-Part blue flowers in May. Wet or dry. Iris hybrids 4 3' X 2' Many sizes and colors of flowers in Bearded Iris Med. Sun May and June. Iris sibirica 3 3' X 2' White, yellow, lavender, purple or Siberian Iris High Sun-Part blue flowers in May. Wet or dry. Iris tenax 5 15" X 18" Oregon iris Low Sun-Part or white. Drought tolerant. PNP

K

Kirengeshoma palmata 4 4' X 3' Palmate leaves with yellow flowers Yellow Waxbells Med. Shade-Part in August. Kniphofia uvaria 6 3' X 2' Spikes of orange-red flowers June Red Hot Poker Low Sun to August. Attracts hummingbirds.

L

Lamium maculatum 4 6" X 2' Silver leaves. Pink or white Deadnettle Med. Part Shade flowers in May-July. Lavandula species 6 3' X 3' Evergreen. Gray leaves with fra- Lavender Low Sun grant lavender flowers July-Aug. Lavatera thuringiaca 6 5' X 5' Evergreen. Hollyhock like pink Tree Mallow Low Sun flowers all summer. Leontipodium alpinum 3 6" X 8" White woolly leaves. Flowers and Edelweis Med. Sun-Part floral leaves in May to July. Leptinella squalida 5 1" X 1' Evergreen. Gray to black fern like Brass Buttons Med. Sun-Shade leaves. Tolerates foot traffic. Leucanthemum x superbum 4 2-4' X 2' Large white single or double Shasta Daisy Med. Sun-Part flowers May to October. Good cut. Leucojum vernum 6" X 6" Bulb. Clusters of white bells in Snowflake Med. Shade March. Naturalizes under trees. Lewisia cotyledon 4 10" X 5" Evergreen. Pink to orange flowers Siskiyou Lewisia Low Sun-Part in May-Aug. above rosette leaves. Liatris spicata 3 2' X 1' Narrow plume of fluffy rose-purple Spike Gayfeather Low Sun flowers July-Sept. Excellent cut. Libertia peregrinans 7 18" x 18" Narrow leaves are bright orange on New Zealand Iris Med. Sun-Shade the edges. White flowers Spring. Ligularia dentata 4 3' X 30" Large heart-shaped red leaves with Golden Ray Med. Shade-Part yellow flowers August to Sept. Ligularia tussilaginea (Farfugiu 8 2' X 2' Thick leaves with yellow spots. Leopard Plant Med. Sun-Part Yellow flowers. Good indoors. Lilium asiatic hybrids 4 3' X 18" Many colors of very fragrant Asian Lily Med. Sun flowers in late summer. Good cut. Limonium latifolium 4 2' X 18" White and blue or pink flowers from Sea Lavender Low Sun May to July. Needs good drainage. Linaria purpurea 3' X 1' Purple snapdragon-like flowers all Toadflax Med. Sun summer and fall. Linum lewisii 5 15" X 12" Native. Delicate blue flowers on Blue Flax Low Sun slender stalks. Drought tolerant. Linum perenne 5 18" X 12" Profuse light blue flowers May to Perennial blue flax Low Sun September. Fern-like leaves. Liriope species 5 15" X 18" Clumps of grass-like leaves with Lilyturf Med. Shade-Part spikes of blue flowers July-Oct. Lithodora diffusa 5 5" X 3' Evergreen. Brilliant blue flowers Lithospermum Med. Sun-Part May to July. Likes good drainage. Lobelia cardinalis 5 3' X 1' Flame red flowers in June-July at- Cardinal Flower Med. Sun tract hummingbirds & butterflies. Lupinus hybrid 3 30" X 18" Stately flower spikes up to 1' from Hybrid Lupine Med. Sun June to August. Good cut flowers. Lychnis coronaria 6 2' X 18" Silky white foliage. Magenta to Rose campion Low Sun-Part crimson flowers from May to July. Lysimachia nummularia 3 6" X 3' Evergreen. Yellow flowers in Creeping Jenny High Shade-Part summer. Good groundcover.

M

Matricaria recutia 8" X 1' Fine cut fern-like leaves with Feverfew, Chamomile Low Sun white & yellow flowers June-July Mazus reptans 5 2" X 18" Evergreen groundcover. Blue flowers Mazus Med. Sun-Part in spring. Moist well drained. Meconopsis betonicifolia 4 3' X 18" Sky blue poppies on a tall leafy Himalayan Blue Poppy Med. Shade-Part stem in June to July. Mentha requienii 5 1" X 1' Evergreen. Very low. Very fragrant Corsican Mint High Shade-Part when bruised or crushed. Mertensia virginica 3 20" X 1' Native. Pink turning to blue petti- Virginia Bluebells Med. Shade-Part coat flowers in April and May. Monarda didyma 4 2' X 18" White, scarlet, or purple flowers Bee balm, Bergamot Med. Sun June-August attract hummingbirds. Muehlenbeckia axillaris 3 5" X 15" Evergreen groundcover. Translucent Creeping Wire Vine Med. Sun-Part white fruit with black seeds. Muscari armeniacum 4 6" X 6" Bulb. Bright blue flowers on 6" Grape Hyacinth Low Sun-Part spikes in March and April. Myosotis sylvatica 3 8" X 8" Blue, pink, or white flowers May to Forget-Me-Not Med. Sun-Shade September. Spreads easily.

N

Narcissus species 4 2' X 1' Bulb. Yellow, orange, or white flow- Daffodils Low Sun-Part ers in March to April. Easy. Nepeta faassenii 4 3' X 2' Violet blue flowers above blue-gray Catmint Low Sun-Part leaves July to September.

O

Oenothera missouriensis 5 6" X 16" Large, light yellow flowers May to Missouri Primrose Low Sun-Part September. Good groundcover. Ophiopogon japonicus 6 8" X 10" Evergreen. Dark green tufts like Mondo Grass Med. Sun-Shade grass. Lilac flowers in summer. Ophiopogon planisca. 'Nigra' 5 10" X 2' Evergreen. Glossy black leaves. Black Mondo Grass Med. Sun-Part Lilac flowers in late summer. Osteospermum barberae 4 12" X 18" Purple flowers from fall to spring. African Daisy Med. Shade-Part Needs good drainage. Oxalis oregana 3 7" X 30" Native groundcover for shade. White Wood sorrel Med. Shade-Part flowers April-June. PNP

P

Pachysandra terminalis 5 8" X 1' Evergreen. White flower spikes. Japanese Spurge High Shade-Part Dark green leaves. Groundcover. Paeonia lactiflora 4 2' X 2' Ever popular plant in many colors Bush Peony Med. Sun-Part in May. Good cut flowers. Paeonia suffruticosa 6 5' X 5' Large flowers up to 1' across in Tree Peony Med. Sun-Part many colors in May. Some double. Papaver nudicaule 2 15" X 10" 3-4" flowers in many colors from Iceland Poppy Low Sun-Part April to September. Good cut. Papaver orientalis 3 3' X 18" Large hairy divided leaves. 3-6" Oriental Poppy Low Sun-Part flowers in May to June. Parahebe perfoliata 7 2' X 3' Evergreen. Bluish-gray foliage. Digger's Speedwell Med. Sun-Part Blue-violet flowers May-August. Penstemon species 5 2' X 2' Soft pink to deep purple flowers Penstemon, Beard Tongue Low Sun June-Sep. Attracts hummingbirds. Perovskia atriplicifolia 5 4' X 3' Gray-green leaves. Violet blue Russian Sage Low Sun flower spikes July to Sept. Phlomis fruticosa 6 4' X 3' Silver-gray leaves. Yellow flowers Jerusalem Sage Low Sun attract bees and butterflies. Phlox paniculata 4 2' X 2' Many colors available, some with a Summer Phlox Any Sun contrasting eye. Phlox subulata 3 4" X 1' Evergreen. Dense mat of color in Creeping Phlox Med. Sun May-June. Needs good drainage. Phormium tenax 8 2-5' X 8' Dramatic clumps of strap-like leaves New Zealand Flax Any Sun-Part with red flowers. Salt tolerant. Phygelius capensis 7 3' X 3' Red, coral, pink or yellow tubular Cape Fuchsia Low Sun-Shade flowers all summer. Physostegia virginiana 3 3' X 2' Tall spikes of pink or white flow- Obedient Plant Med. Sun-Part ers in late summer. Platycodon grandiflorus 4 3' X 2' Balloon-like buds open to blue pink Baloon Flower Med. Part Shade or white flowers June to August. Plumbago auriculata 9 5' X 8' Semi-evergreen. White to blue Cape Plumbago Low Sun flowers April until frost. Polemonium caeruleum 4 2' X 1' Clusters of sky blue flowers above Jacob's Ladder High Sun-Shade ladder-like leaves June to August Polygonatum biflorum 3 30" X 2' Pairs of greenish white flowers on Solomon's Seal Med. Shade-Part arching stems. Blue-black berries Potentilla verna nana 3 4" X 1' Groundcover. Yellow flowers in Dwarf Potentilla Med. Sun summer. Pratia pedunculata 4 3" X 1' Evergreen. Blue star-like flowers Blue Star Creeper Med. Sun-Part in late spring and summer. Primula species 5 6" X 6" Hardy flowers in late winter in Primroses High Sun-Part many colors. Needs good drainage. Pulmonaria species 4 1' X 18" Dark green leaves with white spots. Lungwort Med. Shade-Part Deep blue flowers in June & July. Pulsatilla vulgaris 5 1' x 1' Low mound of feathery leaves. Pasque Flower Med. Sun-Part Violet flowers in spring.

R

Ranunculus asiaticus 4 15" X 1' Large yellow, orange, red, pink, or Persian Ranunculus Med. Sun white flowers in April to June. Raoulia australis 7 3" X 1' Evergreen groundcover. Tiny gray Raoulia Med. Sun leaves. Needs perfect drainage. Ratibida pinnata 4 4' X 2' Yellow ray flowers with brown cent- Prairie Coneflower Med. Sun ers. Rheum palmatum 3 4' X 3' Deciduous. Green, bronze & dark red Ornamental Rhubarb High Sun-Part leaves. Red flower stalks in May. Rhodohypoxis baurii 4 4" X 4" Mass of rose red flowers in spring Rhodohypoxis Med. Sun and summer. Good rock garden. Rodgersia aesculifolia 5 5' X 3' Creamy white flowers late spring to Rodger's Flower High Shade-Part early summer. Huge fingered leaf. Romneya coulteri 4 6' X 3' Fragrant large white flowers May Matilija Poppy Low Sun to July. Good cut flowers. Rosmarinus officinalis 8 2' X 5' Aromatic leaves with blue flowers Rosemary Low Sun in spring. Needs good drainage. Rubus pentalobus 6 6" X 3' Evergreen groundcover. Small white Creeping Raspberry Low Sun-Part flowers. Edible fruit. Rudbeckia hirta 3 30" X 2' Large yellow flowers with brown Black Eyed Susan Med. Sun center from June to October.

S

Sagina sublata 4 2" X 1' Dense mat of dark green with small Irish Moss Med. Sun-Part white flowers in spring. Sagina sublata 'Aurea' 4 2" X 1' Dense mat of light green with small Scotch Moss Med. Sun-Part white flowers in spring. Salvia species 7 1-3' X 2' Narrow gray-green leaves. Fragrant Garden Sage Low Sun-Part blue or pink flowers June-August. Santolina chamaecyparissus 7 18" X 2' Silvery-gray, finely divided leaves Lavender Cotton Low Sun are fragrant when crushed. Saponaria species 3 1' X 3' Dark, oval leaves with pink flowers Soapwort Low Sun in spring. Good groundcover. Saxifraga species 4 1' X 18" Small white star-like flowers with Rockfoil Med. Shade-Part a reddish tinge in April-June. Scabiosa columbaria 5 18" X 18" Blue, pink or white flowers June to Pincushion Low Sun-Part frost. Good cut or dried. Scaevola aemula 9 6" X 3' Evergreen. Lavender blue flowers Fan Flowers Med. Sun almost all year. Good groundcover Schizostylis coccinea 7 2' X 2' Cup-shaped red to pink flowers over Kaffir Lily Med. Sun-Part iris-like leaves in fall. Sedum oreganum 7 3" X 1' Native evergreen groundcover. Oregon Stonecrop L-M Sun Yellow flowers in summer. PPL Sedum species 4 3" X 1' Evergreen. Heat and drought resis- Creeping Stonecrop Low Sun-Part tant. White to purple flowers. Sedum species 4 18" X 15" Succulent leaves with large pink, Fall Sedum Low Sun-Part red, or orange flowers in fall. Selaginella kraussiana 7 2" X 1' Evergreen. Dense mat with great Spikemoss High Part Shade color in shade gardens. Sempervivum species 4 6" X 12" Rosettes of green and purple leaves Hen and Chicks Low Sun-Part Red or yellow flowers in summer. Senecio greyi 8 3' X 3' Evergreen. Silvery leaves with Daisy Bush Low Sun yellow daisy flowers in summer. Sidalcea malviflora 6 3' X 2' Pink or red flowers resemble holly- Checkerbloom Med. Sun-Part hocks. Attracts hummingbirds. Silene species 5 12" X 15" Groundcover. Magenta to cream flow- Moss Campion Med. Sun-Part ers in spring. Sisyrinchium angustifolium 3 1' X 1' Green or bluish leaves. Purple & Blue-eyed Grass Med. Sun yellow flowers in May to June. Sisyrinchium idahoensis 2 12" X 12" Native. Thin, grass-like leaves. Idaho Blue-eyed Grass Low Sun Purple flowers on tip of stalk. Smilacina racemosa 3 3' X 1' Tall plumes of fuzzy white flowers. False Solomon's Seal High Shade-Part Red & white speckled fruit. PNP Soleirolia soleirolii 7 1" X 1' Evergreen. Dense mat. Tolerates Baby Tears Med. Shade foot traffic. Solidago species 5 2' X 18" Large clusters of golden yellow Goldenrod Med. Sun-Part flowers July to October. Stachys byzantina 4 1' X 2' Soft, white, woolly leaves. Small Lamb's Ear Low Sun-Part purplish flower spikes in June. Stokesia laevis 5 18" X 18" Aster-like flowers of blue, violet, Stokes Aster Med. Sun or white in June to September.

T

Syneilesis palmata 5 18" X 18" Umbrella of finely divided leaves. Shredded Umbrella Plant Low Shade-Part Light pink flowers in June-July. Tanacetum coccineum 5 30" x 18" Pink to red daisies in June-July. Painted Daisy Med. Sun Natural insecticide. Thalictrum species 5 3' X 2' Airy plants with fuzzy flowers in Meadow Rue High Sun-Part white, pink or purple. Thymus species 4 4" X 1' Aromatic leaves with tiny red to Thyme Low Sun-Part blue flowers. Good groundcover. Tiarella cordifolia 4 8" X 2' Fast spreading groundcovers. White Foamflower High Shade-Part to pink flowers. Tolmiea menziesii 7 15" X 2' Native groundcover. Tiny reddish Piggyback Plant High Shade-Part flowers. PNP Tradescantia virginiana 3 18" X 18" Arching branches with white or blue Spiderwort High Part Shade flowers in summer. Tricyrtis hirta 6 2' X 2' Purple spotted flowers in spring. Toad Lily High Shade-Part spring. Trifolium repens 'Dark Dancer' 4 4" x 1' Evergreen groundcover. Low mat with Dark Dancer Clover Med. Sun-Part dark spots on leaves. White flwrs Trillium ovatum 4 1' X 6" Native. Three leaves. White flowers Trillium High Shade-Part turn red in March. Tritelaia hyacinthina 4 15" X 15" Native bulb. Clusters of white/pur- White Brodiaea Med. Sun plish flowers in June-July. Trollius species 3 2' X 2' Deciduous. Gold or yellow flowers Globeflower High Sun-Part May-June. Tulipa species 4 6-24" X 8" Bulb. Many colors of flowers in Tulip Med. Sun-Part March to May. Needs good drainage Typha latifolia 4 6' X 4' Native bog plant. Makes thick Cattails High Sun clumps in moist soil. PNP

V

Veratrum californicum 3 5' X 2' Native. Green flowers May-June. California Corn Lily High Shade-Part Deep veined leaves. Poisonous root. Verbascum species 5 3' X 1' White woolly leaves. Yellow or Mullein Low Sun-Part purple flowers in summer. Verbena hyb. 'Homestead Purple' 6 10" X 3' Evergreen. Purple flowers spring to Homestead Purple Verbena Med. Sun fall. Good groundcover. Veronica species 4 2' X 1' Deep blue or red flower spikes. Speedwell Med. Sun-Part 'Red Fox' is good for cut flowers Vinca minor 4 1' X 3' Evergreen. Blue, white or purple Periwinkle Med. Sun-Shade flowers in spring and summer. Viola glabella 6 8" X 8" Native. Small heart-shaped flowers. Yellow Wood Violet Med. Shade-Part Small yellow spring flowers. PNP Viola odorata 6 6" X 1' Dark purple flowers and a lovely Sweet Violet Med. Sun-Shade fragrance in February to April. Viola wittrockiana 5 6" X 6" Winter pansies in many colors can Pansy Med. Sun-Shade bloom all year in part shade.

W

Waldestenia fragarioides 2 3" X 8" Evergreen. Strawberry-like plant. Barren Strawberry Med. Sun-Part Yellow flowers in spring.

X

Xerophyllum tenax 3 5' X 3" Native evergreen. Grass like leaves Beargrass Low Sun-Part and creamy plume flowers.

Z

Zantedeschia species 2 2' X 2' White, yellow or pink flowers in Calla Lily High Sun-Part May. Zauschneria species 3 5" X 18" Deciduous. Orange scarlet flowers California Fuchsia Low Sun-Part in summer attract hummingbirds.

Common and Scientific Names of Trees, Shrubs, Vines & Perennials
Perennials by Flower Season and Height
Shrubs by Flower Season and Height
Shrubs in Alphabetical Order
Tree Color by Season and Height
Trees in Alphabetical Order
Vine Color by Season and Height
Vines in Alphabetical Order



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