These beautiful and useful plants are some of the toughest and hardiest known to horticulture. They bloom for weeks and in combination they'll provide color and interest all season long.
As always, tropical, mild winter, and Chicago winter hardy plants comprise the list.
|
Plant |
Attribute |
Hardiness |
|
|
|
|
|
Regent Serviceberry(Amelanchier 'Regent') |
Deciduous shrub to 36". Hardy shrub produces lightly scented flowers in spring, colorful tasty berries in summer, and russet toned foliage in autumn. |
Mild to cold winters. Temperate climates |
 |
|
Deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub to 24". Blooms continuously during growing season under ideal conditions. Prune severely to rejuvenate. |
Mild to cold winters. Temperate climates |
|
Basket-of-Gold(Aurinia saxatile) |
Evergreen to semievergreen perennial or low shrub. Covered in sweetly fragrant, bright yellow flowers in spring. Silvery foliage attractive. |
Mild to cold winters. Temperate climates |
|
Columbine (Aquilegia cultiavrs) |
Perennial to 36". Colorful, intricate flowers. Thrives in harsh conditions. Species are short-lived but prolific re-seeders. Cultivars may not set seed, but blooms longer and may re-bloom. |
Mild to cold winters. Temperate climates |
|
Asiatic Lily(Lilium cultivars) |
Bulbous perennials to 48". Large vivid flowers. Disease resistant. Drought tolerant. Forms large clumps. Propagation from bulblets and division. LA hybrids included. |
Mild to cold winters. Temperate climates |
|
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) |
Aromatic sub-shrub to 24" with terminal spikes of small purple flowers. Extremely hardy. Used as culinary flavoring and in potpourris. Attracts pollinators to its nectar-rich flowers. |
Mild to cold winters. Temperate climates. |
|
Goblin Flower(Gaillardia 'Frenzy') |
Perennial to 36". Bright red flowers produced throughout season. Deadheading helps maintain flowering. |
Mild to cold winters. Temperate climates. |
|
Pepper (Capsicum annuum) |
Mid sized, tender perennial grown as an annual. Banana and chile peppers usually produce more for the home gardener than bell types. Drought tolerant. |
Warm winters. Tropical to subtropical climates. |
|
Moss Rose(Portulaca grandiflora) |
Creeping annual with succulent leaves. These low maintenance plants bring a riot of color to containers or low borders from summer to frost. Full sun. Drought tolerant. |
Mild winters. Subtropical climates. |
 |
|
Small half hardy bulbs with flushes of vivid flowers throughout growing season. Heavy rains prompt more blooms. |
Mild winters. Sub-tropical climate. |
