Plant Library

A survivor of winters without negative effects despite foolish name. Dense and stocky habit that is truly short on true form. Bright chartreuse flowers start to develop on last year's growth when temperatures reach double digits in March. Year-round attractive profile maintained when older flowering stems are removed.

Surviving is not equal to looking good after cold winters but this selection has proven reliable. Only oldest plants in gravelly soil gave up during extreme winter. Requires excellent drainage especially winter drainage. Evergreen providing year-round structure. Warning: poisonous milky sap requires gloves.

Flowering spurge is a native from southern Ontario south to central and eastern United States but undeservedly rare in Canadian gardens. A slowly developing well-behaved rhizomatous species forming open groups of branched stems dotted with clouds of small clean-white flowers resembling gypsophila from distance.

Prefers sunny spot with well-draining soil. Does not mind dry soils. The white flowers create airy effect. Native habit makes it suitable for naturalistic plantings. The rhizomatous spread is slow and manageable. Warning: poisonous milky sap. The common name tramp's spurge refers to roadsides habitat.

A selection of swamp spurge forming large lush clumps with acid-yellow flowers appearing on high-energy stems in mid-spring. Overgrown by foliar stems sprouting from below flowers when July arrives. Foliage remains attractive throughout summer and fall. Warning: all parts poisonous.

Requires consistent moisture unlike many euphorbias. The large scale suits back of borders. The yellow bracts create bright spring display. The foliage takes over after flowering extending ornamental period. Deer-resistant due to toxic sap. Wear gloves when handling. The swamp spurge name indicates moisture requirements.

A clump-forming spurge with acid-yellow flower bracts in spring creating bright mounds of colour. The true flowers are insignificant but the chartreuse bracts are prominent and long-lasting. Forms neat rounded clumps with good fall colour. Warning: all parts poisonous with milky sap.

Thrives in sun with well-drained soil. The bright spring colour is exceptional. Fall foliage develops orange and red tones. Deer-resistant due to toxic sap. The rounded habit suits front to middle borders. Long-lived and reliable once established. Wear gloves when handling to avoid skin irritation from sap.

A hybrid aster with violet-blue flowers appearing in late summer and fall. Forms clumps with attractive foliage that remains healthy through the season. The late flowering provides valuable autumn interest when many perennials have finished.

More mildew-resistant than many asters. The hybrid vigor provides robust growth and abundant flowering. Suitable for autumn borders and naturalistic plantings. The violet-blue flowers attract late-season butterflies and pollinators. The healthy foliage distinguishes it from mildew-prone asters.