Perennials

Campanula, the common Bellflower, the name is Latin for little bell.
Despite the cute name and dainty bell-shaped blossoms, this is a very
tough and adaptable genus of plants. They can be grown as biennials,
perennials, or annuals, depending on the species and the climate. They
are native to regions spanning from the Mediteranean coast to the
arctic tundra. There are hundreds of cultivated varieties famous for
their distinctive blooms and trusted for their hardiness. They are
popular in gardens all over Europe, especially in the United Kingdom.

Pink
Octopus is a sun-loving perennial originally cultivated in Korea. The
uniquely splayed blooms defy the bell-shape characteristic of the genus
– the petals reach out to become the tentacles of the pink octopuses.
The blooms are popular with hummingbirds and other pollinators, but
deer are not attracted to them. If promptly dead-headed, this Campanula
will provide an impressive mid-summer bloom period.

Black Gamecock is probably the most popular Louisiana Iris available, a
beautiful, dark, and interesting full-sun perennial for your summer
garden. The dark purple to black flowers will bloom in June and July
for an impressive mid-summer show. Combine with other Louisiana Irises
and moisture-loving plants for a fuller effect.

This is one of those plants that solves a problem in your garden – it
will grow in that low wet area that drowns your other plants. Louisiana
Irises are perfect for bog gardens and the edges of ponds. They need
constant moisture to thrive – do not let them dry out between waterings.

Black Gamecock spreads pretty fast, creeping through your garden,
creating a wonderfully natural wild-flower look that really compliments
water features and dense green garden designs.

We'd just like to wish all of you mothers out there a Happy Mother's day. I know I will spend this weekend, letting My mother, sister, aunts, and nieces know how much they are appreciated. I've got to make a last minute stop by the garden center before I leave work this afternoon. It's a good thing my family doesn't make me do a whole lot of guessing–Wayside Gardens is a really convenient place to work when Holidays roll around. I've a got a long list of roses, perennials, annuals, and even a few fruit trees I have to pick up.

Also, we are having a 50%-off sale on select roses until Mother's Day. Some of our favorite rose varieties are included — Knockout Roses, Floribundas, Hybrid Teas, Climbing Roses and many more. This is a great opportunity to get sweet deals one beautiful summer blooms.

 

Looking for some great foliage interest in your shade or filtered sun that isn't hostas or painted ferns?  How about Lamium 'Purple Dragon?'  It's a real survivor, thriving across six zones (3-8), and it produces big, beautiful clusters of purple flowers for many weeks.  The eye-catching silvery-white leaves shade quickly to dark green around the interesting toothed edges.  This groundcover perennial is drought-resistant and evergreen, too, so you'll have this beautiful foliage year-round.

For a different look, try Kolkwitzia amabilis 'Dream Catcher'.  This Beauty Bush does well in filtered sun or part shade in zones 4-9 and is deer-resistant, so it's a great choice for many different gardens.  It's rich coppery color seasons to bright yellow in Spring and Summer, and by fall it turns a rich golden-orange with interesting dark tips.  It's amazing as a specimen, but even better in mass plantings for a really eye-drawing effect unlike any other.