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:Magnus Coneflower
Botanical name:Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus'

'Magnus' is a cultivar of E. purpurea, and is selected for its bright reddish pink petals that lay out flat, and don't recurve as is typical with most coneflower. Blooms mid to late summer. The plant stands about 3 to 4 feet tall and about 18 to 24 inches wide, with large, deep green leaves typical of the species. Great in perennial borders and as cut flowers, though the seed heads will attract birds and persist well into the winter, so its worth it to leave some on the plant.

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:Ravenna Grass
Botanical name:Erianthus ravennae

Ravenna grass is a fabulous ornamental grass, from its striking silhouette and silky plumes to its fall color and winter presence. Emerging mid to late spring, it clumping, upright arching mound of foliage quickly reaches 3 to 5 feet. Plume stalks begin to emerge, with silky plumes emerging mid to late summer. As temperatures cool, plumes turn pinkish and foliage takes on burgundy hues. Very winter persistent. Winter birds will love the seeds. Grows 8 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Plumes are lovely in vases.