Lysimachia punctata ‘Alexander’ (PP#10598) - Variegated Circle Flower

An old-fashioned favorite has magically turned up with creamy white edges to its leaves!  The foliage effect is so dramatic and satisfying that the yellow flowers in June and July seem more like an added bonus than the main reason to grow the plant.  Although content with partial shade, ‘Alexander’ prefers full sun in rich, humus-laden soil.  It would appreciate a modicum of extra moisture during periods of extreme heat or drought.  We’re sorry to say we don’t know who Alexander is.  Maybe you can enlighten us. Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 3-8 Spacing: 24" Growth Rate: Moderate Water Needs: Moist, well drained organic soil

Oenothera fremontii ‘Lemon Silver’ - Evening Primrose

The most striking feature of this native southwestern plant is its elongated, non serrated silver foliage that forms low growing spreading mats.  Its silver dollar size, pale lemon flowers are an additional bonus throughout the summer.  Easy to grow and carefree.  Try it as a ground cover on a sunny bank too steep to tend lawn.  It is curiously glorious and amazingly drought tolerant. Sun Exposure: Full Sun Cold Hardiness: Zone 5-9 Spacing: 12" Growth Rate: Moderate Water Needs: Sandy, well drained soils preferred

Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’ (PPAF) - Oriental Fountain Grass

Discovered by David Skwiot of Sunny Border Nurseries, Inc., and named for his daughter, Karley Rose, this elegant new fountain grass forms a uniform clump of arching, deep green blades that erupt into intense, smoky rose-purple flowers from late May to frost.  The graceful, fountain-like form will provide a stunning center-of-focus in the perennial garden or can be used en masse  to cover an entire area.   This grass prefers full sun and well-drained, sandy loam and grows 36-40 inches tall.  It has no particular pest or disease problems. Sun Exposure: Full Sun Cold Hardiness: Zone 5-9 Spacing: 18-24" Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast Water Needs: Evenly moist, well drained sandy loam soil

Penstemon digitalis ‘Rachel’s Dance’ - Beard Tongue

‘Rachel’s Dance’ is our native beard tongue but with bright purple-red foliage all year, (yes, even in winter).  In mid to late spring it sends up multiple mahogany red stems which bear a profusion of white foxglove-like flowers with a hint of pink.  It’s only two thirds the height of its wild parent or about 20 inches, forming a statuesque column when in flower.  This is a great contrast plant for your border with all-season visual interest. Sun Exposure: Full Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 3-9 Spacing: 12" Growth Rate: Moderate Water Needs: Drought tolerant

Phlox paniculata ‘Blue Paradise’ - Summer Phlox

‘Blue Paradise’ has vivid violet-blue panicles of florets in the bright morning sun.  By afternoon’s sun the color appears transmuted to smoky blue yet by next morning it regains its original color intensity.  ‘Tis a curiosity!  Its stems are relatively short, about 30 inches, and it has been remarkably free of that phlox nemesis, powdery mildew.  Try mulching it with limestone chips and always remove last years dead foliage.  The plant will love you for it and you’ll love it in return. Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun Cold Hardiness: Zones 3-8 Spacing: 24" Growth Rate: Moderate Water Needs: Moist, well drained soil