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Amsonia xButterscotch™ brings a fresher, richer, healthier glow to a famous native perennial genus.Like A. hubrichtii, Butterscotch™ is in constant graceful motion in the slightest breeze. It, too, has starry blue flowers in spring. And like its more famous sibling, its billowy masses of fine, rich green foliage segue to a beautiful golden autumn color.So how is it different? Let us recount the ways:■ Leaf Color: Butterscotch’s slim leaves take on a deeper, richer golden hue in fall.

Purple is such a striking hue, Rome once decreed that only the emperor could wear it. But it’s also one of Nature’s favorite colors. She bestowed it lavishly upon numerous genera in the plant kingdom and even some in the animal (think birds and fish).Verbena ‘Homestead Purple’ straddles the annual/perennial line: Technically it’s a perennial, but it’s tender enough that in northern climes, it’s used as an annual and replaced each year.Whichever way works in your zone, it’s a worthy addition to t

The current hunger for succulent plants of all kinds has increased awareness of this tough, fascinating genus. But do folks who’ve recently discovered it realize how long it’s been in cultivation? Mankind’s love for this genus goes back centuries. The name is Latin for “always living,” a testament to its durability. In antiquity, it was used in medicine and magic. Its juicy flesh was said to heal stings and sores, much like Aloe.Some say only two things can kill a Semp: Shade, and poor drai

An artisan is one who brings both finely-honed skill and heartfelt creativity to bear on what they make. The breeders of the Artisan coneflower collection deserve the title.These are the first true F1 hybrids from seed, meaning multiple ready dates are possible. And they’re just flat-out good-looking plants with all the right qualities: Heavy flowering, compact, and uniform in flower for consistent cropping. Artisan™ Red Ombre(‘PAS1257973’)Rich red daisies age to subtle antique shades

If you grow ornamental grasses – and if not, what are you waiting for? – you probably know Sesleria autumnalis, a.k.a. “Autumn moor grass.” But have you met its equally-pretty, equally-hardy cousin Sesleria caerulea? Let us introduce you. A Scandinavian native, S. caerulea stands a cute, compact 8 – 12” tall. It’s hardy in Zones 4 – 7. “Blue moor grass” blooms in spring, with small purple panicles that mature to silvery green. The slender blades are glaucous blue on top, deep green bel