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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 additio

Cheerful, sun-loving and easy to grow – what’s not to like? Award-winning British breeder David Tristram (UK) gave the world’s gardeners many lovely varieties in multiple species. These two are probably his best-known and most widely-distributed work.‘Butterfly Blue’ was the Perennial Plant Association’s choice for Perennial Plant of the Year in 2000. ‘Pink Mist’ was bred specifically to keep it company. Both perform best in full sun, and in slightly moist but well-drained soil. Once establ

The name says it all: Pink and sweet like bubblegum, upright and bright like a candle!Bubblegum Candles brings a tasty POP! of color to the sunny garden. Its reblooming character means it keeps its flavor for a long time. Just 8” tall by 10” wide, this diminutive powerhouse bursts in borders and crackles in containers. The explosion of eye-candy color is neatly nestled above toothy, rich green leaves for a delicious show.Bring some sweet temptation to your perennial lineup with Bubblegum C

Gaillardia aristata SpinTop™ Series SpinTop varieties feature large, richly hued flowers with toothy-tipped petals from spring to fall. The excellent basal branching habit makes them tight and compact for perfect garden center presentation. It adds up to handsome, cheerful finished pots that travel smoothly from bench to cart to cash register. And long-flowering performance in the garden encourages repeat sales. All SpinTop varieties stand 12” tall and are hardy in USDA Zones 3 – 10.

The word “Low” does not describe the height of this lovely, fragrant perennial. It stands 2½ – 3’, which makes it a good fit mid-border, or even back-of-the-border in smaller settings. It brings a cheerful, informal look to plantings of any size. Rather, the name honors the owner of the Irish garden where ‘Walker’s Low’ originated – where its soft mounds of gray-green foliage and loose spikes of lavender-blue flowers, from late spring well into summer, were first appreciated. ‘Walker’s