Plant Library

An evergreen native sedum forming mats of fleshy, purple-brown rosettes with some white dusting. Small yellow flowers appear on short stems in summer, rising just above the foliage. The fragile mats cling to cliffsides and shallow soils in their native habitat on the Gulf Islands and Pacific coast.

Thrives in sun with excellent drainage and tolerates some shade but colours best with sun exposure. Well-suited to rockeries and shallow dishes on sunny patios. The evergreen rosettes provide year-round interest and the plant is notably drought-tolerant. Native to western North America. Requires very well-drained conditions to prevent rot.

A substantial sedum forming sturdy clumps of glaucous, fleshy foliage topped with flat heads of bright rose-pink flowers in late summer and autumn. The flower heads attract butterflies and beneficial insects in great numbers and age to rich rust tones that persist through winter.

Thrives in sun with well-drained soil and is notably drought-tolerant once established. The upright habit and sturdy stems require no staking. Suitable for borders, gravel gardens, and containers. The flowers are excellent for cutting and the seed heads provide winter interest. Easy to grow and long-lived with minimal maintenance required.

Finely textured foliage grows in layers, forming beautiful mounds of the softest green imaginable. Ribbed stems, often with reddish-bronze flush, develop elegant sheathed buds from which white umbels emerge in late summer. The overall effect is delicate and refined, earning it the nickname 'Queen of umbellifers.'

Prefers rich but well-draining soil. Best planted between lower or medium-sized neighbours so the full beauty can be appreciated. The foliage forms attractive mounds before flowering and the white umbels create an elegant display. May be affected by slugs in spring and black aphids in summer but the beauty justifies the vigilance. Takes time to establish fully.

A compact relative of knapweed with finely textured, deeply cut dark green leaves forming dense masses from slowly spreading rhizomes. The foliage is stiff but not prickly. Intensely branched stems develop pointed dark green buds in summer that swell in early autumn and open to small purple-pink cornflowers.

The stems and flower buds dry well and remain effective through winter until the following spring. Thrives in full sun with average soil that has good drainage but benefits from compost to retain moisture. The slowly spreading habit and winter interest make it valuable for front of borders. Native to northern Spain and southern France.

A tall prairie perennial with impressive height and deep roots that can extend down several metres. Large, sunflower-like yellow flowers appear at the tops of sturdy stems in late summer. The substantial foliage and strong stems create bold presence in the garden.

Plants are long-lived and take several years to establish fully as the deep root system develops. Once mature, they are extremely drought-tolerant and require minimal maintenance. Best suited to back of border positions where height and late summer interest are valued. Native to southeastern United States. The deep roots make established plants difficult to move.

A taller blue-eyed grass native to the Pacific coast forming clumps of narrow, iris-like foliage. Small, star-shaped yellow flowers appear on branching stems in late spring and summer. Plants thrive in consistently moist soils and can tolerate wet conditions that many sisyrinchiums cannot.

Suitable for bog gardens, pond edges, and moist borders where the bright yellow flowers and upright habit provide interest. Native to coastal areas from British Columbia to California. May self-seed in moist, open sites. The tolerance of wet soils distinguishes this from most other blue-eyed grasses.

A native blue-eyed grass forming tufts of narrow, grass-like foliage with small, star-shaped flowers in shades of blue-violet appearing on short stems in late spring and early summer. The flowers open in sun and close at night or in cloudy weather. Plants self-seed gently in appropriate conditions.

Thrives in sun with well-drained soil. Suitable for rock gardens, meadows, and naturalistic plantings where the delicate flowers and grass-like foliage add fine texture. Native to western North America from British Columbia to California. The modest spreading habit makes it suitable for smaller gardens.

A compact goldenrod with pale yellow blossoms featuring slightly darker centers appearing in dense sprays atop short, sturdy stems. The tidy habit and soft colouration make it more refined than many goldenrods. The flowers attract crowds of insects seeking nectar.

Thrives in sun or part shade with average soil. Excellent for cutting and combines effectively with grasses such as Molinia and Calamagrostis. The compact size makes it suitable for smaller borders and the non-invasive habit eliminates concerns about spreading. A great nectar plant for late summer pollinators.