Hydrangea
The blooms come in a range of colors from greenish-white to pinks and reds, blues and purples. The 'mophead' variety has a large, rounded cluster of blossoms. The arrangements of florets has a cluster of tiny flowers in the center, ringed by much larger flowers and are white and sometimes change to pink as they mature. There are over 70 varieties, average height is 2' tall.
The leaves of most hydrangeas are heart-shaped, slightly shiny and deeply veined with serrated edges. The leaves also change color in the fall, turning from bright red to deep purple.
Sedum
Although the tall sedums have been renamed 'hylotelephium,' nurseries and garden writers refer to them as sedums. However they are classified, live-for-ever plants and make a great addition to the garden. They range from 12" tall like Vera Jameson and Rosy Glow to Autumn Joy at 2' tall. All bloom late summer into fall, although flower heads form earlier in the season and take on color slowly, usually in pink tones.
Sedums are succulents. As a group, they are versatile in appearance, with the most variety occurring among the stonecrops. Yellow foliage, such as that of Sedum Angelina, to the blues and greens. Foliage can also be needle-like or round. Flowers are pink, white or yellow. Flowers in the tall sedums are in whites and shades of pink. These are deer resistant.
Russian Sage
This is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant and sub-shrub. They can reach heights of 2 to 4' tall, with square stems and grey-green leaves that yield a distinctive odor when crushed. It is best known for its flowers. The flowering season extends from mid-summer to late October, with blue to violet blossoms.
Coneflower
Flower heads are showy and quite large. The orange disk is surrounded by 10 to 20 long petals in various shades of magenta. Basal leaves on long, partly-winged stalks, leaf margin is smooth on early leaves, becoming coarsely toothed on later leaves and are broadest at the base and tapering to a pointed tip, reaching a height up to 3'. This beneficial flower does well in a variety of soils in full sun to light shade. Commonly used in native seeding mixes and is easy to establish from seed. Often blooms the second year after establishment and is a good food source for wildlife and nectar source for insects.
Tulip
These beautiful flowers are spring-blooming perennials that grow from bulbs. Depending on the species, tulip plants can be between 4 and 28" high. The tulip's large flowers usually bloom on scapes with leaves in a rosette at ground level and a single flowering stalk arising from the leaves. Tulip stems have few leaves. Larger species tend to have multiple leaves. Plants typically have two to six, some species have up to 12. The leaf is strap-shaped, with a waxy coating and are alternately arranged on the stem, these fleshy blades are often bluish-green in color. Most tulips produce only one flower per stem, but a few species have multiple flowers.
Dahlia
Related species include the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum and zinnia. There are 42 species of dahlia, with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants. Flower forms are variable, with one head per stem, The stems are leafy, ranging in height from 1 to 8' . The majority of species do not produce scented flowers. Like most plants that do not attract pollinating insects through scent, they are brightly colored, displaying most hues, with the exception of blue. The dahlia was declared the national flower of Mexico in 1963.
Hyacinth
The scent of blooming hyacinths is as symbolic of early spring as lilacs are to the late-spring garden. Hyacinth plants consist of chubby, succulent leaves arranged around a central flower spike. Florets pack the flower column in tight clusters. Hyacinth hybrids are now available in almost every color including blue, orange, pink, red and white. The double forms have rosette-like flowers that add intriguing texture. Heights range from 1 to 3'. Flower clusters are typically 3" wide.
