Plant Library

A yellow-flowered selection of water avens with nodding bell-shaped blooms. The lemon-yellow colour provides cheerful spring interest. Prefers moisture-retentive soil like other water avens. The nodding habit gives it graceful character.

Thrives in moist sites including stream banks and bog gardens. The yellow flowers combine well with blue spring bulbs and early perennials. More tolerant of wet conditions than most geums. The common name water avens indicates its moisture preferences. Suitable for moist woodland gardens.

With so many yellows and blues around early in the year, this pink-red selection is a real pleaser, making lovely combinations without being brash. As a bonus, one can often expect a second flowering in August or September, especially after shears take it down to ground in mid-June.

Prefers moisture-retentive soil. The soft pink-red colour provides gentle tones for spring borders. The potential for rebloom extends the season significantly. Combines well with early bulbs and emerging perennials. The nodding flowers are characteristic of water avens species.

Some know this native species by the name prairie smoke, referring to the superb long-plumed seed heads that appear shortly after inconspicuous flowers fade. En masse, these create a silver haze across meadows. The seed heads are the main ornamental feature.

Best situated in well-draining soil. Native across North America in prairies and dry meadows. The common name perfectly describes the misty seed head effect. The flowers themselves are modest but the seed display is exceptional. Suitable for rock gardens, prairie plantings, and well-drained borders.

Sturdy healthy finely serrated trifoliate leaves develop before and after blooming. Clouds of pure white flowers are held by red calyxes on red stems. Clump-forming with good fall colour display. Does not self-seed, requires no division, staking, or deadheading. Not evergreen but otherwise near-perfect.

Grows in part or full sun in any regular garden soil. Native to eastern United States. RHS Award of Garden Merit and Great Plant Pick. The combination of white flowers with red stems and calyxes is particularly striking. Easy and reliable with exceptional garden performance.

A pink-flowered form of bowman's root with all the excellent qualities of the species. Sturdy healthy finely serrated trifoliate leaves develop before and after blooming. Clouds of pink flowers held by red calyxes on red stems. Clump-forming with good fall colour display.

Grows in part or full sun in any regular garden soil. Does not self-seed, requires no division, staking, or deadheading. Not quite perfect as it's not evergreen, but very close. RHS Award of Garden Merit and Great Plant Pick for the species. The pink form adds colour variation to the typically white species.

A native coastal wildflower with resinous buds and bright yellow daisy flowers. Forms bushy clumps with aromatic foliage. The sticky buds are characteristic of the genus. Native to coastal areas from British Columbia to California on beaches and bluffs.

Requires excellent drainage and full sun. Salt-tolerant making it suitable for coastal gardens. The resinous buds have medicinal history. Drought-tolerant once established. The bright yellow flowers appear through summer. Suitable for native gardens and seaside plantings. The sticky foliage may deter some pests.

A compact selection of baby's breath with clouds of tiny white flowers creating misty effect. The reduced height makes it suitable for front-of-border positions and rock gardens. The airy flower masses provide excellent filler and textural contrast.

Requires well-drained soil and full sun. Excellent for cutting and drying. The dwarf habit eliminates sprawling issues of taller forms. The delicate flowers contrast well with bold-leaved perennials. Drought-tolerant once established. May be short-lived but often self-seeds. Thrives in alkaline soils.