Perennials & Biennials - Heirloom Garden Plants

Delosperma congestum syn. D. nubigenum   Iceplant  Z 5-10
Blooming machine of taxicab yellow daisies (flowers open in morning and close in afternoon) from June to September above a  carpet of succulent evergreen leaves. Leaves turn maroon during winter.

Size: 5” x 12” and spreading
Care: sun in well-drained soil.  Drought tolerant       
Native: mountains of eastern South Africa

Probably 1^st described by German botanist Rudolph Schlechter in 1898.

Delosperma cooperii syn. Mesembryanthemum cooperi Trailing iceplant Z 5-9
Blanket of brilliant magenta pink daisies carpet the ground all summer into fall over succulent, nearly cylindrical foliage. Perfect for a rock garden on a slope, groundcover and containers.

Size: 4” x 12”
Care: sun in very well-drained soil, it’s a succulent Drought tolerant
Native: So. African mountains

In Curtis’ Botanical Magazine J.D. Hooker wrote: “This is a very handsome and free-growing species … with its blue-glaucous glistening stems and foliage, and bearing a handsome purple flower. …(I)t was sent by Mr. Cooper when collecting in South Africa for Mr. Wilson Saunders, who, with his usual liberality, presented specimens to Kew.” 1877. English plant hunter Thomas Cooper (1815-1911) harvested plants in Zulu territory and Drakensberg Mountains in the mid-late 1800’s.

Delosperma dyeri   Red iceplant  Z 5-7
Real red, orange or coral daisies glow over succulent leaves from May to September – WOW.

Size: 3” x 15”    
Care: sun in very well-drained soil - perfect for rock gardens, groundcover or edging, Drought tolerant.
Native: Mountains of South Africa

Collected by D. Cotterell in 1916.   Named for Dr. Robert Allen Dyer (1900-1987) Petroria, South Africa, Director of Botanical Research Institute.       

Delphinium exaltatum Tall Larkspur, American larkspur Zones 4-8
Fabulous, lavender or purple spikes of trumpets on tall stems in July to August.

Size:  3-5' x 9"
Care: sun to part shade in moist well drained soil. Withstands winds, no staking needed. Not fussy like fancy hybrids.
Native: From Minnesota to Alabama, Wisconsin native
Wildlife value:  attract hummingbirds

Delphinium, named by Dioscorides, is Greek for “dolphin” due to the resemblance of the flower shape.  Cultivated by Jefferson at Monticello where he planted it in the NW quarter of the outer border in March 1811. 

Delphinium ‘Forester's Hybrids'    Z 4-7
Breathtaking blue spikes in June and reblooming in August.

Size:  3-4' x 12" 
Care:  sun to part shade in moist well drained soil
Wildlife value: attracts hummingbirds 

In 1933 English author George Phillips wrote (Delphiniums, their History and Cultivation): "Mr. Karl Forester, the famous hybridist of Bornheim near Pottsdam, has been cross-breeding Delphiniums for the past 16 years...  This German strain had as its original parents the species elatum, grandiflorum and Belladonna, and the ideal at which Mr. Foerster is aiming is a type with stems of a strong timbre such as will resist strong winds, and foliage perfectly immune from the attacks of mildew.  ... Mr. Foerster's race possesses the bright and pure tones of colour that have been lacking in our own strains."  Karl Forester (1874-1970) living under Nazi domination,  risked it all by keeping Jewish friends & workers.  After WW II his nursery was the only perennial supplier in East Germany. 

Delphinium grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly'  Z 4-8
Picture a dangling cornflower blue elf cap for the flower. Blooms in June and repeats if deadheaded.

Size: 3-4' x 9"
Care: sun to part shade in moist well-drained soil.
Native: Siberia, China & Japan
Wildlife value:  attracts hummingbirds

Dr. Johann Ammann sent the seeds of the species from the Imperial Academy at St. Petersburg to Peter Collinson in England in 1736. 'Blue Butterfly' selected by 1900. Gertrude Jekyll, mother of the mixed perennial garden valued 'Blue Butterfly' for its "pure blue."

Delphinium x formosum  ‘Belladonna’       Garland delphinium  Z 4-8
Sky blue graceful, short spikes of Delphinium’s elf caps bloom in June & repeat in September                                

Size:  2- 3’ x 12”                        
Care: Sun well-drained soil. Do not cut back in fall. Delphiniums have hollow stems where moisture will collect and kill the plant (crown rot) over winter.
Wildlife value: attract hummingbirds                         

Delphinium, named by Dioscorides, is Greek for “dolphin.”  In 1597 Gerard wrote that the Delphinium leaf paralyzed scorpions and all venomous beasts. D. x formosum called “the finest garden hybrid” of the early 19^th century.  It was “raised by Mr. G. Moore, a nurseryman of East Dereham, Norfolk.”  George Phillips, (1933).  ‘Belladonna’ selected in 1800’s as cutting flowers.  Blooms last long in the vase. In the July 1872 issue of The Garden Wm. Robinson called this “too seldom seen” and “a great ornament.”         

Desmanthus illinoensis  Prairie mimosa, Illinois bundleflower    Z 5-9
This legume bears round heads of frilly white flowers that turn to interesting spherical seed pods persisting all winter.  Sensitive plant-like foliage, touch and sunlight cause leaves to fold.   

Size: 4’ x 3’    
Care: sun in moist well-drained to dry soil.  Looks like a shrub but is a perennial. 
Native:  Ohio to Florida and west to New Mexico
Wildlife value: Seeds are food for birds including the Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, and Greater Prairie Chicken.

Desmanthus  is Greek meaning “bundle flower” because the bunched flowers looked like a bundle.  Pawnee, Omaha & Ponca children used seed pods with dried seeds as rattles.  Pawnees relieved itching with the boiled leaves.  First collected by French plant hunter Michaux in the late 1700’s.

Dianthus arenarius  Sand pink  Z 3- 8 
Dense clump of grassy leaves. In early to midsummer fragrant, deeply fringed white blooms.

Size: 6-12” x 9-12”   
Care: sun in well-drained to moist well-drained soil.  Deer resistant
Native: Europe from Finland to Yugoslavia

Theophrastus named Dianthus in the 4^th century B.C., meaning “Jove’s flower.” Arenarius from Latin for “sand,” referring to fact that plant grows in sandy soil.  This species in gardens before 1753

Dianthus barbatus Sweet William   reseeding BIENNIAL Z 4-8
Big, showy flower-heads in June  of various colors and bicolors including pink, crimson and white

Size: 12" x 8"
Care: Sun in moist well_drained soil. Deer resistant.
Native: Eastern Europe

Theophrastus named Dianthus in the 4^th century B.C., meaning "Jove’s flower." Barbatus is Latin for "bearded" referring to hairs on the petals. "Sweet William" possibly named for William, Duke of Cumberland, leader of the English army that defeated the Jabobites in 1746. Clove scented blossoms used for strewing herbs in Middle Ages to mask odors. Considered a novelty in 1400’s but then became a favorite cottage garden plant. "These plants are not used either in meate or medicine, but esteemed for their beautie to decke up gardens, the bosomes of the beautifull, garlands and crownes for pleasure." Gerard. Grown by Henry VIII in 1530’s at Hampton Court and by Jefferson at Shadwell, Jefferson’s birthplace.

Dianthus carthusianorum Clusterhead Pink Z 5-9
Rosy carmine pink flowers atop wiry stems from June until frost

Size: 16" x 8"
Care: Full sun moist well-drained to well-drained soil.  Deer resistant & drought tolerant
Native: Central and southern Europe
Wildlife value:  attract hummingbirds

Clusterhead pink may have come into gardens with the Carthusian monks in the 1100's. American gardens since 1800's.
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Dianthus deltoides   Maiden pink      Z 3-9
Petite, jagged-edged petals bloom May-June & longer if deadhead   bright pink or white

Size:  8”x 12”     
Care:  Full sun well-drained soil, slightly alkaline    
Native:  Scotland to Norway

Theophrastus named Dianthus in the 4^th century B.C., meaning “Jove’s flower.”  The common name “pink” is from “pinct” referring to the jagged edge of the petals. Deltoides refers to the inverted V-shaped pocket at the base of the petals.  In 1629 John Parkinson described the Dianthus:”There remain divers sorts of wild or small Gilloflowers (which wee usually call Pinkes) to be entreated of, some bearing single, and some double flowers, some smooth, almost without any deepe dents on the edges, and some ragged, or as it were feathered.  Some growing upright like unto Gilloflowers, others creeping... some of one colour, some of another, and many of divers colours.”  D. deltoides 1^st identified in 1671 by Pinax. In cultivation in the U.S. since 1800.

Dianthus gratianopolitanus Cheddar pink Z 3-8
Summer, deep pink, fragrant flowers atop 6" tall mounds of slender, silvery blue foliage.

Size: 6" x 16"
Care: Sun, moist well-drained to well-drained soil. Deer resistant.
Native: Northwest and central Europe

Theophrastus named Dianthus in the 4^th century B.C., meaning “Jove’s flower.”  The common name “pink” is from “pinct” referring to the jagged edge of the petals.  Name "cheddar" from the Cheddar Gorge in England. American cultivation since 1800's. Received England's Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit.

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Dicentra spectablis Alba White bleeding heart Z 3-9
May - June legendary sprays of dangling alabaster, heart shaped blossoms. One of the best.

Size: 36" x 18"
Care: Part shade to shade in moist well-drained soil.  Deer resistant. 
Native: Japan & China
Wildlife value: attracts hummingbirds

Dicentra derived from Greek dis meaning "two" and kentros meaning "spurs" because the flowers have two spurs. Spectabilis means "worthy of notice." This white form was available by 1877. Received England's Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit.

Dicentra spectablis Bleeding Heart   Z 3-9
From May through June legendary dangling, dark pink, heart-shaped blossoms along 3' tall sprays. Possibly the best spring perennial for shade.

Size: 36" x 18"
Care: Part shade to shade, moist to moist well-drained soil.   Deer resistant.
Native: China & Japan
Wildlife value: attracts hummingbirds

Dicentra derived from Greek dis meaning "two" and kentros meaning "spurs" because the flowers have two spurs. Spectabilis means "worthy of notice." A favorite garden plant in China for centuries before its discovery by Europeans. Plant hunter Robert Fortune found it growing on the Island of Chusan and sent it to the Horticultural Society of London in 1846. By 1866 the Bleeding Heart was available in America.

Dictamnus fraxinella syn. D. alba Gas plant, Burning bush Z 3-8
Magestic white or pink spikes of flowers in early summer, glossy, lemon scented leaves.

Size: 2-3' x 2'
Care: full sun to part shade in well-drained soil. Drought tolerant.
Native: Europe
Wildlife value: Attracts butterflies

Dictamnus is from the mountain Dicte, located in Crete. Popular Elizabethan cottage garden plant. Gerard called it a "gallant plant." In the 1750's Linnaeus' daughter discovered the gas plant's ability to light a fire. Grown in American gardens since the 1750's and by Jefferson at Monticello.

Digitalis ferruguina Rusty foxglove Z 4-7
Magestic, mottled rusty bells with brown speckled throats clothe the spike in mid summer

Size: 4-5' x 18"
Care: sun to part shade in moist well-drained soil.  Deer resistant
Native: Southern Europe and Balkans
Wildlife value: attracts hummingbirds

This species in garden cultivation since at least the 1590’s. In early 1900’s Liberty Hyde Bailey called foxgloves: “old-fashioned and dignified… The word ‘fox’ is often said to be a corruption of ‘folk,’ meaning the ‘little folk’ or fairies.” Foxgloves reputedly had the power to ward off witches and return children kidnapped by fairies. Grown in American gardens before 1900. Received England’s Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit. Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden Great Plant Pick.

Digitalis grandiflora Yellow foxglove Z 3-8
Early to midsummer spires of buttermilk yellow bells with brown spots inside dress the flower spike

Size: 36" x 18"
Care: Part sun, moist well-drained soil.  Deer resistant.
Native: Europe to Siberia and south to Turkey
Wildlife value:  attracts hummingbirds

The word ‘fox' is often said to be a corruption of ‘folk,' meaning the ‘little folk' or fairies.  Foxgloves reputedly had the power to ward off witches and return children kidnapped by fairies. This species common in Elizabethan cottage gardens. American garden cultivation since 1850.

Digitalis lutea  Straw foxglove, Small yellow foxglove Z 3-9
Midsummer, creamy yellow, small bells encircle the flower spike on this perennial.

Size: 24" x 12"
Care: Part shade in moist well-drained soil.  Deer resistant 
Native: Central Europe south to NW Africa
Wildlife value:  attracts hummingbirds

Liberty Hyde Bailey called foxgloves: "old-fashioned and dignified... The word ‘fox' is often said to be a corruption of ‘folk,' meaning the ‘little folk' or fairies."  Foxgloves reputedly had the power to ward off witches and return children kidnapped by fairies. D. lutea is mentioned in Gerard's Herball (1632.) Cultivated in America since the 1800's.

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Digitalis purpurea Foxglove Biennial reseeds easily Z 4-8
Early summer pink, purple or white spires of spotted bells. Beautiful.

Size: 3-5' x 24"
Care: Part shade moist well-drained soil.  Deer resistant
Native: Great Britain,west and central Europe east to Scandinavia, often escapes.

Druids were fond of Foxglove because it flowered at the same time as their midsummer sacrifice. First described by German physician and botanical author Leonhard Fuchs (1501-1566). Cultivated in Medieval gardens. The plant's use as a heart stimulant was discovered in 1775 by English physician William Withering. The word ‘fox' is said to be a corruption of ‘folk,' meaning the ‘little folk' or fairies," having the power to ward off witches and return children kidnapped by fairies.  Cultivated in America since 1700's, with the first documented reference of American cultivation in 1748 by Peter Kalm, a student of Linneaus and a Swedish botanist who explored colonial America for plants. Pressed specimen in Emily Dickinson's herbarium.

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