Those of you who love Virginia bluebells as much as we do will adore their Asian cousin. Its flower stems are not as tall as our native but otherwise the blooms are identical. What makes this disjunct (counterpart) unique is that it doesn't go summer dormant like ours does. In fact, it forms a lovely mound of the most enticing oval leaves that are pale blue-gray. It would be worth growing for that effect even if it had no flowers which, of course, it does. Try using it in the front of your sunny border to define visually where the lawn ends and your garden plants begin.

Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
Cold Hardiness: Zones 5-7
Spacing: 12-18"
Growth Rate: Moderate
Water Needs: Prefers moist, well drained soil

This great new plant was introduced by the Morden Experiment Station in Manitoba, Canada. It is only 12-15" tall with dense, crinkly foliage and an inexplicably glossy leaf surface making it quite mildew resistant, a problem with many Monardas. Unlike its sometimes straggly or invasive bigger brothers, 'Petite Delight' is clump forming and very slow to spread on its own (though it can easily be divided if you wish to have more). Its compact habit makes it ideal for the front of the border or simply as a drift entirely on its own. Its rose-lavender flowers in mid summer contrast beautifully with its deep green, crinkly foliage.

Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun
Cold Hardiness: Zone 2-8
Spacing: 18"
Growth Rate: Slow
Water Needs: Prefers moist, well drained soil

This Asia Minor native is also known as "navelwort". We don't want to know why. We do know that it'll bloom almost all growing season in a moist area such as in a bog, a seep or next to a pond. Its pastel lilac-blue color is exquisite, like a reflection of the evening sky. In the right area of your garden, 'Lilac Mist' will function as a groundcover, providing a carpet of delicate blue from May to September. In your garden it will contrast nicely with other moisture loving plants such as the cardinal flower and Japanese primroses. (Note: Please think twice before inviting your neighbors over to see your "navelwort.") .

Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
Cold Hardiness: Zones 6-8
Spacing: 12-18"
Growth Rate: Moderate
Water Needs: Prefers moist, well drained soil.

Native to high mountain marshes of Asia Minor, this groundhugging gem will prefer a moist run-off area or a pond's edge. The flowers of this cultivar differ from the wild form in that their typical sky blue petals are encircled by a distinct white margin. The overall effect of the flowers is clearly heightened by this strong white outline. Found in Asia, developed in Europe and brought to America for the first time, this all season-blooming plant deserves a spot in your garden. (A word of caution: Because this plant has received such an abundance of garden magazine attention, please be careful about showing it to too many people. Someone may sneak back at night and steal it.).

Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
Cold Hardiness: Zones 6-8
Spacing: 12-18"
Growth Rate: Moderate
Water Needs: Prefers moist, well drained soil.

Yes, you can eat the leaves of this plant! The flavor will be milder than the forms selected for herbal use but, nonetheless, quite tasty. But why would you eat such a beautiful plant? This 9" tall, elliptical bush bears numerous gray-green, oval leaves and is capped by the most magically unique, pink flowers all summer. These blooms resemble those of hops (although totally unrelated) and dangle gracefully from short stems born well above the bush itself. 'Kent Beauty' works equally well as a border edger or as a dwarf hedge in your formal herb garden. Please remember that it wants dry, well-drained soil and full sun.

Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun
Cold Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Spacing: 12"
Growth Rate: Moderate
Water Needs: Prefers moist, well drained soil.

Developed in the Minsk Botanical Gardens sometime during the "cold war", this eye-catching new cultivar was found and named by our Dutch agent, Luc Klinkhammer, during one of his several forays into Russia after the fall of the "iron curtain". It is supposed that this hybrid was bred from stock supplied to the botanical garden by the legendary German hybridizer, Karl Foerster, prior to World War II. The plant bears huge panicles of royal purple flowers but each floret has a distinct white star in its center. Only three feet tall and very mildew resistant, this dark beauty will provide an entrancing visual impact in your garden.

Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Cold Hardiness: Zones 3-9
Spacing: 12-18"
Growth Rate: Moderate
Water Needs: Prefers moist, well drained soil

Also known as moss pinks or ground phlox, this cultivar is buried in hot pink flowers from late April through May. Unlike its relatives which remain monotonously green the rest of the year, 'Laurel Beth' is brightly variegated! Its fir-like, needle leaves are half white and half green, creating an interesting "op art" effect and providing visual interest throughout the growing season. This plant will make a useful groundcover on any sunny bank too steep to mow or as a centerpiece of your rock garden. It is patented and can't be propagated for sale without a license.

Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Cold Hardiness: Zones 3-9
Spacing: 12-18"
Growth Rate: Moderate
Water Needs: Prefers moist, well drained alkaline soils