Common name:Hollyhock
Botanical name:Alcea rosea

Hollyhocks are an old-fashioned garden favorite, and for good reason. Tall spires of open bell-like flowers bloom through the summer months, and the large, round leaves are lush and tropical-looking. Flower colors range from white through every shade of yellow, pink, lavender, and red, to nearly black. Plants may grow 2 to 8 feet, depending on variety.

Common name:Lambs' Ear
Botanical name:Stachys byzantina

Lambs' ear is a most fabulous perennial and groundcover, grown primarily for its soft, velvety leaves. It grows about a foot or so tall and spreads 2 to 3 feet. Leaves are grey-green and hairy, with the hairs giving the leaves a silvery cast. Though not really evergreen, the leaves turn a lovely buff come fall and persist well into the winter months, until buried under snow. Erect flowering stems arise May and June, with pink to lavender flowers at the terminal end. Some remove the flower stems before they bloom, but they are simple and charming. Use as a edging plant for a perennial, shrub, or foundation border, or as a ground cover. There are some named cultivars; 'Helene Von Stein' and 'Big Wave' claim to be flowerless, though in my experience they all eventually come to flower. Leaves are wonderful on wreaths (but you'll need a glue gun). There are lambs ear planted at the Washington Square Demonstration Garden.

Common name:Oakleaf Hydrangea
Botanical name:Hydrangea quercifolia

Oakleak hydrangea is a deciduous, summer blooming shrub with an irregular, rounded habit growing about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Green leaves are large and deeply lobed, and reminiscent of oak leaves; fall color is a rich burgundy. White flower clusters appear in mid summer in erect, terminal panicles; flowers slowly age to a pinkish-purple color and persist into the fall. Mature stems exfoliate to reveal a rich brown inner bark which is attractive in winter. Fabulous in the shady shrub or foundation border. Excellent cut flower. Many selections available.

Common name:Butterfly Bush
Botanical name:Buddleja davidii

Butterfly bush are an attractive summer blooming shrub, well suited for the shrub or perennial border. Varieties range from 3 to 12 feet tall; dwarf forms are as wide as they are tall, and taller forms have widths generally half to 2/3 the height. Shrubs are mounding to upright and arching. Leaves grey green to silver. Fragrant flowers are spire-like and appear in mid to late summer. Colors range through the pinks and violets, and also white, yellow, and deep purples. Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees; deer resistent.

Common name:Peony
Botanical name:Paeonia hybrids

Flowers typically bloom late spring to early summer, come in various colors, and are described as being single, double, or anemone-like. Many are fragrant and they all make lovely cut flowers. Foliage is a rich, deep green, with leaflets being elliptical to lance-like or sometimes lobed. Plants generally grow about 3 feet tall and equal or a bit wider. Use in a perennial or shrub border; they combine well with roses, daisies, garden phlox, and iris.

Common name:Mountain Flame Hummingbird Trumpet
Botanical name:Zauschneria garrettii 'Mountain Flame'

Another Z. garrettii cultivar, 'Mountain Flame' has the same brilliant orange to scarlet trumpets mid-to-late summer, and dense, light green leaves. It is taller than 'Orange Carpet,' growing about 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. It blooms earlier than Z. arizonica. A wonderful addition to the perennial border, or along the edge of a sunny shrub or foundation border. Attracts hummingbirds.

Common name:Heavy Metal Switch Grass
Botanical name:Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'

This switch grass has stiffly erect blades of metallic blue-green during the season, turning yellowish-orange in the fall, and buff in the winter. Tiny purple and orange flowers line wiry stems forming billows of color about grass clump. Grows 36 to 40 inches tall and 30 inches wide. Very attractive when planted in masses.

Common name:Peking Cotoneaster
Botanical name:Cotoneaster acutifolius

A deciduous cotoneaster with dull green leaves, small white flowers in mid to late May, and black berries in late summer persisting into autumn. The tiny leaves turn varying shades of red and orange in autumn. It grows 6 to 10 feet tall and nearly as wide.