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Helianthemum canadense

Frostweed’s yellow flowers bloom May-June at the top of the stems and only open in sunlight. This plant does well in sandy or dry, rocky soil. It is best suited for naturalizing rather than formal landscapes. As temperatures drop in late fall, sap from the stems of this plant form ice crystals, inspiring its common name. Use in sunny areas of woodland gardens or for naturalizing. Frostweed may be difficult to find commercially. Tell your local garden center or nursery about your interest in this plant.

Gomphrena globosa

Common Globe Amaranth is a compact, heat-tolerant annual. Its clover-like flower heads in shades of purple, red, pink, and white bloom on sturdy, thick stems from June to frost. Globe Amaranth makes an excellent fresh-cut or dried flower. Use it in beds, borders, rock gardens, or containers.

Gillenia trifoliata

Bowman’s Root has loose clusters of star-like white flowers blooming on dark red stems from late spring to early summer. This makes an excellent fresh-cut flower. Attractive red sepals (outer, protective flower part) persist after the flower petals fall, and unique seed heads persist into winter. The leaves turn dark red in the fall. Plant in masses in borders or native plant gardens. Bowman’s Root is a good choice to mix with woody shrubs or perennials.

Erica carnea

Winter Heath is an evergreen plant with needle-like leaves and small, bell-shaped flowers, which bloom late winter to early spring. Its long-blooming flowers provide cheery late winter/early spring color to the yard. Cover it in winter with mulch to protect from very cold temperatures. Any pruning should be done immediately after flowering. Winter Heath is a good choice for slopes and rock gardens.

Epimedium spp.

Barrenwort not only tolerates shade, it prefers it! Attractive mounds of medium-green foliage on wiry stems spread through rhizomes (underground stems). Plants bloom in spring in a variey of flower colors (purple, pink, orange, yellow, or white). The leaves turn attractive shades of yellow, red, or bronze in the fall. The shape of the flower resembles a bishop’s hat, inspiring the common name. Plants do best in moist, well-drained soil, but will tolerate drought and competition with tree roots. Excellent choice for any shady garden area, including border-fronts, path edges, woodland gardens, rock gardens, and under trees.

Echinops ritro

Globe Thistle is a tall plant with dark green, thistle-like leaves. The golf ball-sized, blue flowers bloom July-September and are excellent for cutting and drying. This plant is tolerant of summer heat and humidity. Globe Thistle self-seeds; deadhead if you want to prevent re-seeding. Use it at the back of a perennial border or in a cut-flower garden.

Dianthus plumarius

Grass Pink is a mat-forming, flowering perennial with narrow, grass-like, gray-green leaves. It is covered with fragrant, pink flowers May-July. This plant needs good drainage and air circulation. Use in rock gardens or as an edging plant.

Delosperma spp.

Ice Plant is a long-blooming, succulent plant with excellent drought resistance. Its attractive leaves reflect light in a way that makes them appear to be covered by ice crystals. Ice Plant flowers in a variety of bright colors (shades of pink, purple, and yellow) from June-September. It requires well-drained soils, so water sparingly. Plant it in an area protected from winter winds and cold temperatures. Ice Plant makes an excellent groundcover for south- or west-facing slopes. Also use in rock gardens and as an edging plant.

Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos is an easy-care, drought-tolerant annual, which flowers prolifically. Its red, pink, or white daisy-like flowers with yellow centers bloom June to frost. Taller varieties should be staked for support when flowering. Deadhead to prolong blooming, but leave some spent flowers in the fall to provide seeds for the birds. This plant will self-seed, sometimes aggressively. Excellent choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens.

Cleome hassleriana

Cleome is an annual plant with palm-shaped, aromatic leaves and showy, fragrant flowers blooming on tall, rigid stems from summer to first frost. Flower colors are combinations of white, pink, and purple. The nectar attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, and the seeds are a food source for birds. If left on the plants, the seed pods dry and split open, dispersing seeds for next year’s growth. The seed pods can be removed to prevent aggressive self-seeding. Use Cleome in beds, back of borders, foundation plantings, wildlife gardens, and mixed in with shrubs.