Miscanthus sinensis
The most common and popular of the large ornamental grasses, Miscanthus sinensis comes in many different forms and variations just to suit any garden that requires very little care and year round interest. Perhaps the oldest and most well known variety of Maiden Grass is ‘Gracillimus' (pictured here); Miscanthus sinensis are dependable plants that can thrive in poor soils and is quite drought tolerant once established. It is spectacular as a specimen or used as a large mass planting in the landscape and truly provides year round appeal (yes, even when it's cut back in spring, the sheared mounds looks very attractive!). The one fault many M. sinensis cultivars have, however, is the splaying habit they have once they mature in the season and prepare to flower in the fall. ‘Morning Light' is a variegated cultivar with a more upright habit and less prone to splitting from the center. One technique one of our librarians, Carrie Bonham, suggested is to cut back Miscanthus sinensis in mid-summer so it develops a new flush of blades that stay more compact. You lose the bloom, but the result is a clump of grasses that's far more manageable and in scale with the rest of the plants in the border. In November, the long blades of grass turn a wonderful shade of yellow and orange with the frothy maroon plumes just starting to open.
Location: Bed 8 and South Slope (see the cut-back grasses by the
Osmanthus hedge).
Family: Poaceae
Origin: Original species from Easter Asia (China, Korea, Japan)
Height: 3-6+ ft.
Spread: 3-6 ft.
Bloom Time: November
Bloom Color: Purple maroon plumes
Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium-Low moisture. Various soil conditions.
Gaillardia Commotion™ 'Frenzy'
One of the newest plants in the Soest Garden is this fiery little gem donated to us by Skagit Gardens . Gaillardia, also known as Blanket Flower, is starting to make a big splash in the horticultural market with its heat tolerance and tremendously prolific bloom. This selection along with the cultivar ‘Tizzy', which was also donated to us, possesses these qualities on top of extravagant color and visual interest all throughout the summer and fall months.
Our plants were installed in Bed 8 amongst all the other warm-hued plants in late spring and since then, they've just been churning out bloom after bloom as long as they're deadheaded. They've benefited from our rich, composted soil, the extra heat of a raised bed and they don't seem to mind being crowded amongst a golden pineapple and blue anise sage, and the fine grass-like foliage of Dierama (Angel's Fishing Rod).
Being a brand new plant and Blanket Flower's reputation of being short lived in the garden, we'll see how these new selections fare during the winter and how well they return next spring. For now, enjoy the crazy flowers and interesting seedheads this month.
Location: Bed 8
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: Garden Origin
Height: 10-15”
Spread: 1.5 ft
Bloom Time: June-November
Bloom Color: Bright red with yellow orange tips
Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium-Low moisture. Well drained soil.
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'
If there was a so called “workhorse” perennial in the late summer into fall garden, it would have to be the Perennial Plant Association's 1999 Perennial Plant of the Year Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'. Beginning in late August, these so-called Black-Eyed Susans, begin to burst into bloom atop stiff, upright stems that are perfect for cutting or leaving on the plant as the dried stems and remaining seedheads are not only striking to look at in the winter landscape, they provide food to various birds and other wildlife. They are hardy, disease and pest resistant, and so very easy to grow! A full sun garden in incomplete without this dependable perennial.
Location: Bed 8 and South Slope
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: Eastern North America
Height: 2.5-3 ft.
Spread: 3 ft.
Bloom Time: August-September
Bloom Color: Deep Yellow
Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium-Low moisture. Various soil conditions.
Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy'
Who knew such a stunning plant, originally from South Africa , could grace our gardens and add such architectural curiosity in the late summer garden. ‘Sparkling Burgundy ' was selected by Plant Delights Nursery in North Carolina and has found its way to the West Coast where gardeners have marveled at its ease of growth and overall winter hardiness. In early summer, succulent and strap-like deep purple foliage begins to emerge and looks absolutely stunning contrasting with the bright gold of Sedum ‘Angelina' (a combination I recreated in Bed 7 of the Soest Garden ). In late July, a mature clump will begin sending up stems and an inflorescence that, upon maturity, blooms and resembles a pineapple with a tuft of the same purple foliage atop the cluster of flowers. Eucomis, in general, prefer a warm location in rich, but very well drained soil. Purple leaved cultivars such as ‘Sparkling Burgundy' and the more commonly available and almost identical ‘Oakhurst' have the deepest purple color when grown in full sun.
Family: Hyacinthaceae
Origin: South Africa/Garden Origin
Height: 2.5 ft.
Spread: 3 ft.
Bloom Time: August-September
Bloom Color: Deep purple/pink
Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium moisture, well drained soil.
Eryngium ‘Sapphire Blue'
(Blue Sea Holly)
The sea hollies put on quite a show every June and July and this selection, by far, has been one of the most outstanding ever introduced to the Pacific Northwest. While many Eryngiums sulk and flower poorly in our mild and often wet Pacific Northwest conditions, ‘Sapphire Blue’ not only holds up under these conditions, it actually flowers prolifically in full blazing sun and dryish conditions once it is established making it quite drought tolerant and relatively carefree. The seedheads maintain their shape making them an exceptional cut flower (fresh or dried) for arrangements. Eryngiums are best planted where they will get full sun and well drained soil. Much like most members of this family, they resent transplanting once established because of a long tap root that develops. They hold up their stems pretty well, but when grown in richer soils, they might benefit from a little support to prevent the spikey stems from flopping.
Family: Apiaceae
Origin: Garden Origin
Height: 2.5 ft.
Spread: 2 ft.
Bloom Time: June/July
Bloom Color: Silver and later a steely grey blue
Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium-low moisture, well drained soil
Hosta ‘June'
This month’s perennial plant pick is appropriately named ‘June’. This has been one of the finest variegated Hostas ever introduced because of its exceptional color, substance and humble vigor. It is a mutation of the ever popular blue cultivar ‘Halcyon’ (in fact, you can see both varieties growing next to each other in Bed 7 to see the resemblance). Hostas are hot right now with such a diverse selection available. Traditionally thought to be staples in the full shade garden, many hostas, particularly the gold and variegated cultivars, benefit from a considerable amount of light to intensify the color of the foliage.
The beauty of ‘June’ is not only in its gold leaves streaked with a blue-green edge, but for its thickness in leaf that slugs seem to leave alone. Many visitors ask us why our hostas are so healthy and relatively “hole-free”. All Hostas in general require a good, rich soil with lots of organic matter and regular watering throughout the summer. Slugs are a nuisance in early spring when the hostas first come up. There are several different products available out there, but since we avoid using chemicals in the garden, we attribute our healthy hostas to our gravel paths which slugs can’t easily maneuver in. Slug bait or not, Hosta ‘June’ is one resilient must have for the shade OR sun garden or in a container!
photo by Carolyn Jones
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost'
“So good, it's almost too good” my friend and colleague Richie Steffen, Curator at the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden, said about this plant when it was selected as a Great Plant Pick (www.greatplantpicks.org). This is a fairly new addition to the Soest garden as part of a collection of various silver-variegated cultivars. ‘Jack Frost' is, by far, the most popular of these selections for its large heart-shaped silver leaves netted in green, profuse “forget-me-not” blooms in mid-late spring, and remarkable vigor and hardiness. It is fabulous in containers and in Bed 6 of the Soest Garden a happy clump is establishing under ornamental grasses. When grown in more shade, it is stunning growing with the silvery tones of Japanese Painted Ferns, Blue Hostas and Epimediums.
Family: Boraginaceae
Origin: Garden Origin
Height: 24” with flowers
Spread: 30”
Bloom Time: Late March-May
Bloom Color: Pale Blue
Sun: Part-Full Shade (avoid hot afternoon sun)
Water/Soil: Moist/rich-well drained. Requires minimal summer watering.
Anemone nemorosa x nermosa 'Vestal'
Another early season charmer, this sweet little ground hugger has captivated avid gardeners for years and we’re fortunate to have several clumps of this spring ephemeral under the new Shade Bed under the large Oak in the Soest Garden. Topping out at only 6 inches in height and forming a clump about a foot wide, the tight buds burst into pure white with a single row of guard petals encasing a central tuft of frilly pompoms. When not in bloom, this plant is almost inconspicuous as the early foliage is often difficult to detect and, after flowering, the plants lay dormant over the summer not coming up until the following spring.
Anemone nermosa can take a few seasons to settle in after planting. Known as the "Wood Anemone" because of its stick-like rhizome, these thrive best in part sun with adequate moisture. However, these have also thrived underneath the Oak for years with very little irrigation. As delicate-looking as these plants are, they are adaptable and relatively carefree once they’re established.
Family: Ranunculaceae
Origin: Garden Origin
Height: 4-6 inches
Spread: 10-12 inches
Bloom Time: Late March-April
Bloom Color: Pure White
Sun: Part Sun
Water/Soil: Moist-well drained. Fairly drought tolerant once established.
Viola odorata 'Lianne' 
The charmingly dainty Sweet Violet seems to have disappeared off the list of garden perennial favorites over the years. Having garnered the reputation of seeding themselves aggressively and being difficult to eradicate from lawns, many gardeners have come to despise violets. But modern gardeners are missing out by overlooking violets long history, their early spring show, and of course, their richly scented blooms that are best admired by taking gentle whiffs like Victorian young ladies were taught to smell their nosegays.
When I started working in the Soest Garden, I was tempted to rip out a large patch of this Viola thinking that it was the straight species, V. odorata, but studying the brochure, I found that it was a named selection of the species that had intentionally been planted.
‘Lianne’ is an old cultivar dating back to the early 1900’s. It was selected for its compact habit, vivid violet/blue color, long bloom period and its delicious fragrance that permeate the path between Bed 2 and 3 where small clumps have established. On top of these tremendous qualities, I’ve also noticed that it hasn’t really seeded itself in any of the other beds in the Soest Garden.
Family: Violaceae
Origin: Garden Origin
Height: 4-6”
Spread: 1.5-2ft.
Bloom Time: Late January-Mid March
Bloom Color: Violet/Blue
Sun: Part Sun-Full Shade
Water/Soil: Moist with a lot of organic matter.
Calluna vulgaris cultivars
Each winter, as most perennials are cut back lying dormant before spring, these ground-hugging shrubs take center stage as their foliage burst into dramatic colors that always seems to stop visitors along the main path of the Soest Garden. Planting these in rockeries in blazing full sun helps to enhance the coloration so they are exceptional evergreen plants for difficult places. Several cultivars have spectacular spring new growth and are often pruned in the fall to enhance this show come spring. Heathers are very hardy and quite long lived requiring very little maintenance once established. They benefit from regular annual pruning in the fall or early spring to keep them going strong. In the landscape, they are best planted in masses to truly appreciate their color and impact. Combining them with perennials can be challenging, but not impossible. Several blue spring blooming bulbs such as Crocus, Muscari, Camassia, and Scilla growing through the dwarf, compact varieties would be a spectacular contrast.
Cultivars growing in the Soest Garden: ‘Cuprea’. ‘Dark Beauty’, ‘Flamingo’, ‘Gold Haze’, ‘Kerstin’, ‘Red Fred’, ‘Robert Chapman’, ‘Wickwar Flame’, ‘Con Brio’, ‘Firefly’.
Family: Ericaceae
Origin: Garden Origin Selections/Wild forms are found throughout Europe and Asia Minor.
Height: 1-3ft.
Spread: 3 ft.
Bloom Time: Late summer-Early Fall
Bloom Color: Pale rose pink
Sun: Full Sun (can tolerate some shade)
Water & Soil Requirements: Moist, well drained, acidic soils. Low fertility.
Yucca flaccida ‘Golden Sword’ 
An absolute standout year round, these highly architectural, evergreen plants light up the dark winter landscape with its steely gray green foliage and the dramatic fluorescent yellow stripe down each sword-like leaf.
Withstanding poor soils and incredibly drought tolerant once established, it also performs well in containers combined with other evergreen perennials such as Heuchera and red-leafed Euphorbia. It also looks stunning with the vertical spikes of blue Veronica come summer.
This selection is a Great Plant Pick and is sure to perform well here in the Pacific Northwest!
Family: Agavaceae
Origin: Garden Origin
Height: 2-3ft.
Spread: 3-4ft.
Bloom Time: Summer
Bloom Color: Cream white
Sun: Full Sun
Water/Soil: Medium/minimal moisture, well drained.
Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpurescens'
Traditionally used as an herb, bronze leaf fennel has been a favorite among perennial gardeners for many years because of its airy texture, soft smoky color, anise-aroma, the height it can reach making it a stand out in the garden.
The main drawback of this plant for many gardeners is its invasive potential in the landscape. When allowed to set seed, one will spend endless hours eradicating them if seedlings are allowed to establish because they have a long taproot (being in the carrot family).
During a visit to a colleague’s garden this fall, I was struck by a plant that reminded me of bamboo or horsetail. I immediately assumed that it was some rare New Zealand or South African plant he had just acquired and has refused to share a piece of it with me, but when I read the label, I was blown away! It was Bronze Leafed Fennel!
He had stripped the stems completely of the seed heads and wilting leaves revealing chalky blue-green stalks that looked so architectural and visually appealing at this time of the year. So, I took some time and did the exact same thing to our specimen here in the Soest Garden. If this technique were performed earlier, I could have prevented the plant from seeding itself around.
Family: Apiaceae
Origin: Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region
Height: 5-8ft
Spread: 3-5ft.
Bloom Time: Summer
Bloom Color: Lime green/chartreuse
Sun: Full Sun/Part Shde
Water: Medium/minimal moisture, well drained.
Chrysanthemum ‘Apricot’
Chrysanthemums or simply “mums” have always been frowned upon by savvy gardeners for being so common, disposable and overused. However, when sophisticated gardeners come across ‘Apricot’ in the Soest Garden, nothing else makes them fall to their knees begging to have this profusion of bloom and warm delicate color in their autumn landscape. Starting in mid-October, deep pink buds burst open like a fireworks display of peachy pink petals and continue through frost! Somewhat difficult to come by in the trade, it’s worth seeking out for a spectacular specimen in the garden or a “weaver” in between plants such as Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, Phormiums (New Zealand Flax), and various ornamental grasses.
Family: Asteraceace
Origin: Garden Origin
Height: 1.5ft
Spread: 2-3ft.
Bloom Time: Mid-October-
Bloom Color: Apricot/Peach Pink
Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium/minimal moisture, well drained.
Sedum 'Herbstfreude’
Known in the trade as Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, it certainly lives up to that name come fall. This “tough as nails” perennial thrives in fully exposed sites, poor soil with very little irrigation once established. Another beautiful quality about this plant is its winter interest as the leaves fall and you’re left with the dried slim stems and clusters of flowers that persist until basal new growth commences in the spring. Now, that’s year round interest for you!
Family: Crassulaceae
Origin: Garden Origin
Height: 2-2.5ft.
Spread: 3 ft.
Bloom Time: Peak color and bloom: Late September.
Bloom Color: Deep pink-red
Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium/minimal moisture, well drained.
Actaea simplex ‘Brunette’ and ‘Black Negligee’
Black-Leafed Snakeroot/Bugbane
Formerly called Cimicifuga, these sexy dark-leafed selections have taken the perennial garden world by storm with its elegant form and architectural habit in the garden.
The fine fern-like foliage emerges a deep green that ultimately deepen in color as the summer progresses and by late summer, strong erect stems catapult spikes of curvy, voluptuous, creamy-white blooms that have a soft fragrance.
Not only are visitors attracted to these stunning plants, but wildlife as well! Butterflies have been spotted in the garden landing ever so softly atop the opening buds.
‘Brunette’ (pictured here) can be found in Bed 2 and just across the hedge in the brand new Fragrance Garden, you can see (and smell!) densely planted rows of ‘Black Negligee’.
Family: Ranunculaceae
Origin: Garden Origin
Height: 4-6.5 ft.
Spread: 3 ft.
Bloom Time: Late August-September
Bloom Color: Cream White
Sun: Full Sun/Part Shade
Water: Medium moisture, well drained soil.
Geranium ‘Rozanne’
One of the most exciting of hardy geraniums to be introduced in the last decade, Geranium ‘Rozanne’ has many of the qualities a great perennial plant should have. A single specimen can act as a billowy groundcover of maple-like, light green foliage smothered with two inch pale blue flowers with a lavender center all throughout the summer months. From our Blooms of Bressingham trials, I took a division in early spring and planted it close to the dry river rocks in Bed 6 where the soothing color represents a stream of cool running water. Readily available in nurseries and a Great Plant Pick!
Family: Geraniaceae
Origin: Garden Origin
Height: 1.5 ft.
Spread: 4-5 ft.
Bloom Time: late June-Fall
Bloom Color: Pale Blue
Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium moisture, well drained soil.
Romneya coulteri
Matilija Poppy
Probably the most asked about plant at this time of year with it’s crepe like white petals and bright yellow stamens, it almost a resembles a profusion of fried eggs sunny-side up!
With grey green foliage to set off the blooms, it makes a dramatic statement in the perennial bed as it towers up to 8 feet in height and continuously blooms for several weeks.Romneya highly resents transplanting, but it is very easy to care for and quite drought tolerant. It can form massive clumps and send out many runners, but for some reason, it’s somewhat difficult to propagate. Perhaps that’s why you don’t often see it offered. If you can find a source for one, they are otherwise very easy to care for and quite drought tolerant once established.
Family: Papaveraceae
Origin: California, USA
Height: 6-8ft
Spread: 5-7 feet
Bloom Time: June July
Bloom Color: White
Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium moisture, well drained soil
Stipa gigantea
Beds 5 and 6 hold two large specimens of an ornamental grass that has always been an eye-catcher come June. Giant Feather Grass is a native to Spain and Portugal. It thrives is mild areas and withstands drought and heat once established. The plants are architecturally appealing by themselves or as a companion plant adding a fine, airy texture for interest through the summer, fall and even winter months! A Great Plant Pick!
Allium schubertii 
Ornamental tumbleweed onion
One of Ciscoe Morris’s picks is this early summer sparkler that’s starting to bloom as we speak.Bed 6 is home to several flowering onions that begin to open in late may, but this species is the most impressive of all with it’s huge “beach ball” size inflorescence composed of over 200 florets. What’s striking of all is the fact that when the entire seedhead dries, it is still highly ornamental in the garden and, yes, looks like a starry tumbleweed, but far more decorative.
Family: Alliaceae
Origin: Eastern Mediterranean
Height: 1 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: May-June, dried flowerhead can persist year round.
Bloom Color: Purple/pink
Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium moisture, well drained soil
Pulmonaria ‘Roy Davidson’
Lungwort
Beds 2 and 3 are knitted together with this stunning early spring charmer! It is in full bloom this week (and has been since mid-March) with a profusion of baby blue flowers atop silver stippled grey green foliage
Family: Boraginaceae
Origin: Garden Origin
Height: 0.75 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: March-April
Bloom Color: Pale blue
Sun: Part to full shade
Water: Medium wet