Perennials For Specific Uses Julie Riley, Extension Horticulture Agent UAF Cooperative Extension Service

Perennials with Alaskan Significance
Alaskan wild iris, Iris setosa
Aleutian speedwell, Veronica grandiflora
Begonia, tuberous, Begonia X tuberhybrida (tender perennial)
Delphinium, Delphinium X elatum
Alaska forget-me-not, Myosotis alpestris
Fuchsia, Fuchsia hybrids (tender perennial)
Geranium, Martha Washington, Pelargonium X domesticum (tender perennial)
Nagoonberry, Rubus arcticus 'Kenai carpet'
Shasta daisy, Leucanthemum X supurbum 'Alaska'*


Perennials for the Front of the Border
Artemesia 'Silver Brocade', Artemesia stellariana'Silver Brocade'
Bellflower, tussock, Campanula carpatica
Bugleweed, Ajuga reptans
Coral bells, Heuchera sanguinea, H. micrantha 'Palace Purple'*
Daisy, English, Bellis perennis
Grape hyacinth, Muscari botryoides
Phlox, creeping, Phlox subulata
Pink, Cheddar, Dianthus gratianopolitanus
Pink, maiden, Dianthus deltoides
Primrose, auricula, Primula auricula
Primrose, English, Primula vulgaris (P. acaulis)
Primrose, polyanthus, Primula X polyantha*
Rockcress, purple, Aubretia deltoidea
Sea thrift, Armeria maritma
Strawberry, 'Pink Panda', Fragraria vesca
'Pink Panda' Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus (dwarf cultivars)

Perennials for Shade
(May also be grown in sun in Alaska)
Bugleweed, Ajuga reptans
Dead nettIe, Lamium maculatum
Ferns, many species
Goat's beard, Aruncus dioicus
Goutweed, Aegopodium podagraria
Hosta, Hosta fortunei, H. undt/lata
Lily-of-the-valley, Convallaria majalis
Lungwort, Pulmonaria saccharata, P. offmcinalis*
Periwinkle, Vinca minor*
Wild Geranium, Geranium erianthum

Perennials for Partial Shade
(May also be grown in sun in Alaska)
Columbine, Aquilegia spp.
Culver's root. Veronicastrum virginicum
Garden forget-me-not, lvlyosotis sylvatica
Himalayan blue poppy, Mecoflopsis betoflicijolia
Himalayan blue poppy, Meconopsis 'Lingholm'
Ligularia, narrow-spiked, Ligularia stenocephala
Ligularia, Shavalski's, Ligularia przewalskii
Meadowrue, Thalictrum aquilegifolium

Invasive Perennials, DO NOT PLANT
Butter and eggs, Linaria vulgaris
Chimney bells, Campanula rapunculoides
Common mullein, Verbascum thapsus
Creeping Charlie (ground ivy), Glechoma hederacea
Hawkweed, Pilosella aurantiaca (Hieracium aurantiacum)
Japanese knotweed, Polygonum cuspidatum
Loosestrife, purple, Lythrum salicaria . L. virgatum
Ribbon grass, Phalaris arundinacea 'Picta'
Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare
Washington orchid, Impatiens glandulijera (annual)

Aggresive Perennials
Aleutian speedwell, Veronica grandiflora
Bachelor's button, Centaurea montana
Bellflower, clustered, Campanula glomerata
Bouncing bet, Saponaria officinalis
Buttercup, creeping, Ranunculus repens
Dead nettle, Lamium maculatum
Goutweed, Aegopodium podagraria
Johnny-jump-up, Viola tricolor (usually sold as an annual)
Oxeye daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare
Sneezeweed, Achillea ptarmica
Speedwell, creeping, Veronica repens
Yellow foxtail grass, Alopecurus pratensis 'Aureovariegatus'

Perennials for Air Drying
Artemesia. Artemesia ludoviciana 'Silver King' and others
Baby's breath, Gypsophila paniculata
German satice, Goniolimon tataricum (Limoniurn tataricum, Statice tataricum)
Globe thistle, Echinops ritro
Gnaphalium sp.
Goldenrod, Solidago spp.
Iris, Iris setosa (seed pods)
Lamb's ears, Stachys byzantina*
Liatris, Liatris spicata
Money plant, Lunaria annua (biennial)
Pearly everlasting, Anaphalis triplinervis, A. margaritacea
Pussy toes, Antennaria sp.
Sea lavender, Limonium latlfolium
Sneezeweed, Achillea ptarmica
Yarrow, Achillea filipendulina, A. X 'Moonshine", A. X 'Coronation Gold'

Perennial Groundcovers
Bugleweed, Ajuga reptalls
Creeping Jenny, Lysimachia nummutaria
Goutweed, Aegopodium podagraria
Lily-of-the-valley, Convallaria majalis
Nagoonberry, Rubus arctieus 'Kenai carpet'
Periwinkle, Vinca minor*
Phlox, creeping, Phlox stalonifera
Phlox, moss, Phlox subulata
Snow-in-summer, Cerastium tomentosum
Speedwell, Aleutian, Veromica grandiflora
Speedwell, creeping, Veronica repens
Thyme, woolly, Thymus pseudolanginosus

Hard-to- Transplant Perennials
Baby's breath, Gypsophila panieulata
Lupines, Lupillus 'Russell hybrids"
Monkshood, Aeollitum Ilapellus, A. X bicolor
Poppy, Oriental, Papaver orientale
Sea lavender, Limonium tatifolium

Perennials for Cutting (Some gardeners will cut anything)
Alaska Wild Iris, Iris setosa
Baby's breath, Gypsophila paniculata
Bellflower, Campallula latifolia
Peach-bells, Campanula persieifolia
Blazing star, Liatris sp.
Catmint, Nepeta X faassenii
Columbine, Aquilegia spp.
Delphinium, Delphinium spp.
Leopard's bane, Doronicum caucasicum
Lily, Lilium, Asiatic hybrids, L. lancifolium. L. pumilum
Lupine, Lupillus 'Russell hybrids'
Maltese cross, Lyehnis spp.
Monkshood, Aconitum Ilapellus. A. X bicolor
Obedient plant, Physostegia virginiana
Peach-bells, Campallula persieifolia
Peony, Paeollia spp.
Poppy, Iceland, Papaver Iludieale (sear stems)
Poppy, Oriental, Papaver orientale (sear stems)
Shasta daisy, Leucanthemum X superbum*
Scabiosa, perennial (pincushion flower), Scabiosa atropurpurea
Speedwell, spike, Veronica spicata
Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus
Wormwood, Artmnia spp.

Perennials to Grow Between Stepping Stones
Aleutian speedwell, Veronica grandifiora
Johnny-jump-up, Viola tricolor
Pink, maiden, Dianthus deltoides
Pussy toes, Antennaria spp.
Thyme, Thymus serpyllum 'Coccineus'
Thyme, woolly, Thymus pseudolanuginosus
Veronica, creeping, Veronica repens

Perennials with a Second Bloom (Occurs late in season)
Bachelor's button, perennial, Centaurea montana
Trollius, Trollius europaeus
Oriental poppy, Papaver orienlalis
Phlox, creeping, Phlox subulata

Perennial Grasses
Blue oat grass, Helictotrichon sempervirens
Manna grass, variegated, Glyceria maxima var. variegata
Red flame grass, Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpurascens'
Sweet grass, Hierochloe odorata
Tufted Hair Grass, Deschampsia cespitosa
Vanilla grass, Anthoxanthum adoraturn
Wild rye, Leymus arenarius, (Elymus mollis)
Yellow foxtail grass, Alopecurus pratensis 'Aureovariegatus'

Big, Bold Perennials
Berginia, Berginia crassifolia, B. cordifolia (bold but short)
Cup plant, Silphium perfoliatum
Goat's beard, Aruncus dioicus
Hollyhock, Alcea rosea (many are biennial)*
Inula, giant, Inula magnifica
Iris, yellow flag, Iris psuedacorus
Ligularia, bigleaf, Ligularia dentata*
Ligularia, narrow-spiked, Ligularia stenocephala
Ligularia, Shavalski's. Ligularia przewalskii
Meadowrue, Thalictrum delavayl, T. dipterocarpum, T. rochebrunianum, T. speciosissimum (Not T. aqui/egifolium)
Meadowsweet, Filipendula rubra, F. ulmaria.
Plume poppy, Maclaeya cordata, M. microcarpa
Scabious, giant, Cephalaria gigantea*
Sea kale, Crambe cordifolia*
Siberian bugloss, Brunnera macrophylla (bold but short)
Sinacalia tanguitica (Ligularia tangutica)

Perennials with Silver Foliage
Artemesia 'Silver Brocade'. Artemesia stelleriana 'Silver Brocade'
Artemesia 'Silver King', Artemesia ludoviciana 'Silver King'
Artemesia 'Valerie Finnis', Artemesia ludoviciana 'Valerie Finnis'
Artemesia 'Silver Mound', Artemesia schmidtlana 'Silver Mound'

Lamb's ears, Stachys byzantina*
Licorice plant, Helichrysum petiolare (tender perennial)
Pearly everlasting, Anaphalis triplinervis, A. rnargaritacea
Rose campion, Lychllis coronaria (biennial)
Spotted dead nettle, Lamium maculatum 'Silver Beacon', 'White Nancy'
Woolly speedwell, Verollica illcana
Woolly thyme, Thymus pseudolanuginosus

Perennials with Red-Purple Foliage
Bugleweed, Ajuga reptans 'Atropurpurea', A. r. 'Bronze Beauty', A. r. 'Burgundy Glow'
Cardinal flower, Labelia cardinalis (red)*
Coral bells, Heuchera micra1ltha 'Palace Purple' and other cultivars'
Dahlia, tuberous, Dahlia 'Bishop of L1andaff' (tender perennial)
Fuchsia, Fuchsia triphylla 'Gartenmeister Bonstadt' (tender perennial)
Ligularia, Ligularia dentata 'Othello" and 'Desdemona"
Sage, purple garden, Salvis officinalis 'Purpurascens' (tender perennial)
Violet, Labrador, Viola labradorica 'Purpurea"
Beard tongue, Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' (red)
Maltese cross, Lychnis X arkwrightii 'Vesuvius'
Lysimachia ciliata 'Atropurpurea'
Plantago major 'Atropurpurea'

Perennials with Blue-Green Foliage
Amethyst sea holly, Eryngium amethystinum
Blue oat grass, Helictotrichon sempervirens
Hosta, Siebold, Hosta sieboldiana, H. sieboldiana 'Frances Williams' (blue leaves with golden edges)
Hosta fortunei 'Aoki', H.f. 'Hyacinthina'
Sea kale, Crambe maritima
Wild rye, Leymus arenarius, (Elymus mollis)

Perennials with Yellow Foliage
Feverfew, golden, Tanacetum parthenium 'Aureum'*
Hops, golden, Humulus lupulus 'Aureus'*
Marjoram, golden, Origanum vulgare 'Aureum' and other cultivars
Veronica prostrata 'Trehane'
Hosta, Hostafortunei 'Albopleta', H.f. 'Aurea', H. siebaldiana 'Golden Sunburst', H. fortunei 'Aureo-marginata', H. sieboldii 'Kabitan'
Creeping Jenny, golden, Lysmachia nummularia 'Aurea'
Dead nettle, spotted, Lamium maculatum 'Aureum'

Perennials with White in their Foliage
Goutweed, Aegopodium podagraria
Hosta, many species and cultivars (Hosta crispula, H. fortunei 'Albo-marginata',
H. undulata "Albo-marginata', H. undulata 'Medio-picta')
Manna grass, variegated, Glyceria maxima var. variegata
Spotted dead nettle, Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy'
Variegated obedient plant, Physostegia virginiana 'Variegata'

Strange and Unusual, but True
Scabious, giant, Cephalaria gigantea (C. tatarica)*
Sea kale, Crambe cordifplia*

Perennials for the Rock Garden
Baby's breath, creeping, Gypsophila repens*
Basket-of-Gold, Aurinia saxatilis (Alyssum saxitile)
Bellflower, tussock, Campanula carpatica
Goat's beard, miniature, Aruncus aethusifolius
Hens and chicks, Sempervivum tecrarum, Sempervivum spp.
Lewisia, Lewisia tweedyi, L. cotyledon
Orpine, Hylotelephium, telephium (Sedum telephium)
Oxalis, Oxalis adenophylla
Pasque flower, Pulsatilla patens, P. vulgaris
Penstemon, shrubby, Penstemon fruticosus
Pink, Cheddar, Dianthus gratianopolitanus
Pink, moss, Phlox subulata
Pussy toes, Antennaria spp.
Rockcress, Arabis caucasica
Rockcress, Auhritia deltoidea, A. X. cultorum
Saxifrage, aizoon, Saxifraga paniculata
Saxifrage, mossy, Saxifraga X arendsii 'Flower Carpet'
Sea thrift, Armeria maritima
Sedum, Sedun album
Sedum, Sedum spurium 'Dragon's blood'
Snow-in-Summer, Cerastium fomentosum
Speedwell, woolly, Veronica incana
Stonecrop, Sedum acre, S. middendorffianum, S. kamtschaticum, Hylotelephium spectabile (Sedum spectabile). H. X 'Autumn Joy', H. X 'Vera Jameson'
Thyme, Thymus serpyllum, 'Coccineus'
Thyme, woolly. Thymus pseudolanginosus

Fragrant Perennials
Beebalm, Monarda didyma*
Berginia, Berginia cordifalia, B. crassifolia
Catmint, Nepeta X faassenii
Primula, Primula florindae
Primula. Himalayan, Prlmula slkkimensis
Primula, Primula veri*
Daylily, Hemerocallis flava
Garden Phlox, Phlox paniculata
Grape hyacinth, Muscari botryoides
Hyacinth, Hyacinthus orientalis
Iris, Iris reticulata, I. danfordiae*
Lily leek, Allium moly
Lily, coral, Lilium pumilum
Lily, Oriental, L. hybrids*
Lily-of-valley, Convallaria majalis
Peony, Paeonia lacriflora, P. officinalis, P. hybrids
Pink, Cheddar, Dianthus gratianopolitanus
Pink, cottage, Dianthus plumarius
Pink, Maiden, Dianthus deltoides
Plantain lily, fragrant, Hosta plalltagillea
Primrose, auricula, Primula auricula
Primrose, English, Primula vulgaris (P. acaulis)
Primrose, orchid, Primula vialii
Primrose, polyanthus, Primula X polyantha*
Rockcress, Arabis caucasica
Scabiosa, Scabiosa cacasica
Sweet Rocket, Hesperis matronalis (can also be biennial)
Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus (some)
Upright virgin's bower, Clematis recta

Late Flowering Perennials
Baby's breath, Gypsophila palliculata
Beehalm, Monarda didyma*
Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis*+
Cone flower, Echinacea purpurea*+
Coreopsis, Coreopsis verticillata*+
Culver's root, Veronicastrum virginicum
Dahlia, Dahlia cultivars (tender perennial)
Daylily, Hemerocallis spp.+
Red flame micanthus, Micanthus sinensis 'Purpureus'+
Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea* (biennial; first year plants started early)
Garden phlox, Phlox palliculata+
German garlic, Allium senescens var. glaucum*
Gladiolus, Gladiolus X hortulanus (tender perennial)
Globe thistle, Ecillops ritro
Goldenrod, Solidago spp.
Loosestrife, gooseneck, Lysimachia clethroides+
Hollyhock, Alcea rosea (some biennial)+
Hosta, Hosta fortunei, H, undulata
Lily, Oriental, Lilium hybrids+
Lily, tiger, Lilium lallcifolium,
Meadowrue, Thalictrum delavayi. T. dipterocarpum, T. rochebrunianum, T. speciosissimum (Not T. aquilegifolium)
Meadowsweet, Filipenduta rubra, F. ulmaria, F. vularis
Michaelmas daisy, Aster novi-belgii* +
Monkshood, Aconitum napellus, A. X bicolor
Obedient plant, Physotegia virginiana
Rusty Foxglove, D.ferruginea (often biennial)*+
Sea Lavender, Limonium latifolium+

*May not be hardy in all locations.
+May be too late to flower in some years.

Perennials Which Readily Reseed
Bachelor's button, perennial, Centaurea montana
Bluebells, Mertensia paniculata
Columbine, Aquilegia spp.
Delphinium, Delphillium X elatum English daisy, Bellis perellnis (biennial)
Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium
Garden forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvarica
Johnny-jump-up, Viola tricolor
Lily, tiger, Lilium lanclfolium
Pink, maiden, Dianthus delloides
Poppy, Iceland, Papver nudicale
Sweet rocket, Hesperis maltronalis (biennial)

Perennials That Like Moist Soil
Alaska Wild Iris, Iris selosa (moist or wet)
Bellflower, clustered, Campanula glomerata
Bluebells, Mertensia panicullata (moist or wet)
Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis*
Cowslip, giant, Primula florindae*
Cmvslip, Himalayan, Primula sikkimensis*
Creeping Jenny, Lysimachia nummularia
Ferns, some
Goat's beard, Aruncus dioicus
Iris, yellow flag, lris psuedacorus
Ligularia, Ligularia przewalskii, L. stenocephala. L. dentata*
Loosestrife, yellow, Lysimachia punctata
Marsh marigold, Caltha paluslris (moist or wet)
Meadowsweet, Filipendula rubra, F. ulmaria
Obedient plant, Physostegia virginiana

Alaskan Wildflowers Commonly Used in the Garden
Bluebells, Mertensia paniculata
Bunchberry, Cornus canadensis
Chocolate lily, Frittilaria camschatcensis
Columbine, Aquilegia formosa
Fireweed, Epilobium angustifolium
Goat's beard, Aruncus dioicus
Jacob's ladder, Polemonium acutiflorum, P. boreale, P. pulcherrimum
Lupine, Lupinus arcticus, L. nootkatensis
Monkshood, Aconitum delphinifolium
Pasque flower, Pulsatilla patens
Poppy, Alaska, Papaver alaskanum
Poppy, Hulten's, Papaver hultenii
Poppy, Macoun's, Papaver macounii
Poppy, pink, Papaver alboroseum
Pussy toes, Antennaria sp.
Shooling star, Dodecatheon pulchellum, D.frigidum
Twinflower, Linnaea borealis
Wild geranium, Geranium erianthum

Bulbs
Chequered lily, Fritillaria meleagris
Crocus, Crocus hybrids*
Crown Imperial, Fritillaria imperialis*
Daffodils & narcissus, Narcissus spp.
German garlic, Allium senescens var. glaucum
Giant Onion, Allium giganteum*
Glory-of-the-snow, Chionodoxa luciliae, C. sardensis
Grape hyacinth, Muscari botryoides
Hyancinth, Hyacinthus orientalis*
Iris, Iris reliculata, I. danfordiae*
Lily leek, Allium moly
Siberian squill, Scilla siberica
Snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis*
Squill, striped, Puschkinia scilloides*
Tulips, Tulipa hybrids, T. tarda, T. praestans
Windflower, Grecian, Anemone blanda*
Winter aconite, Eranthis X tubergenii*. E. hyemais*

Perennials Visited by Butterfies
Catmint, Nepeta X faassenii
Catmint, Nepeta nervosa
Dianthus, Dianthus spp.
Garden forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica
Garden Phlox, Phlox paniculata*
Jacob's iadder, Polemonium spp.
Liguiaria, Ligularia spp.
Lupine, Lupinus hybrids & species
Maltese cross, Lychnis spp.
Phim, moss, P. subulata
Sweet Rocket, Hesperis matronalis (biennial)

Perennials Flowering for a Long Time (Dead flowers must be removed for long season bloom.)
Bachelor's button, perennial, Centaurea montana
Bellflower, tussock Campanuala carpatica
Bleeding heart, Dicentra spectabilis
Bleeding heart, fringed, Dicentra eximia, D. 'Luxuriant'
Catmint, Nepeta X faassenii
Chinese delphinium, Delphinium grandiflorum
Iceiand poppy, Papver nudicaule
Pink, cottage, Dianthus plumarius
Pink, maiden, Dianthus deltoides
Shasta daisy, Leucanthemum X superbum*
Sneezeweed, Achillea ptarmica

Biennials
Canterbury Bells, Campanuala medium*
Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea*, D.ferruginea* (sometimes perennial)
Hollyhock, Alcea rosea* (sometimes perennial)
Money plant, Lunaria annua*
Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus (sometimes perennial)
Verbascum bombyciferum
Garden forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica (sometimes perennial)
Rose campion, Lychnis coronaria
Sweet Rocket, Hesperis matronalis (sometimes perennial)

Perennial Vines
Clematis alpina
Clematis, Jackman, Clematis X jackmanii*
Clematis, Siberian, Clematis macropetala
Clematis, solitary, Clematis integrifolia
Clematis, yellow, Clematis tangutica
Hops, Humulus lupulus* (sometimes grown as an annual)
Kiwi, Actinidia kolomikta (woody)
Trumpet honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens* (woody)
Upright virgin's bower, Clematis recta, C. recta 'Purpurea'
Virginia creeper, Panthenocissus virginiana* (woody)

* May not be hardy in all locations.

Revisions 2/07