Introduction
Plant Selection
Hardy, Semi-hardy, Tender
Heat and
Drought Tolerant
Shade Tolerant Annuals
Fragrant Annuals
Ornamental Foliage
Climbing Annuals
Hanging Baskets
Cut Flowers
Planting
Starting Plants
Maintenance
Insects Problems
Disease Problems
Introduction
Plant Selection
Plant Dimension Characteristics
Specific Site Conditions
Classification by Bloom Periods
Perennials That Attract Wildlife
Planting
Starting Plants
Care and Maintenance
Introduction
Plant Selection
Planting Bulbs
Purchasing Bulbs
Care & Maintenance
Introduction
Plant Selection
Mature Size
Grasses for Specific Uses
Planting Ornamental Grasses
Obtaining Plants
Care & Maintenance
Introduction
Container Selection
Soil Mixes
Container Placement
Plant Selection
Plant Care
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Perennials for Specific Site Conditions
Drought Tolerant Perennials: Some perennials can withstand hot temperatures and limited water availability and still be attractive. Below is a partial list of such plants.
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Regional Adaptation |
| Aster (native species) |
Aster spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Beach Wormwood |
Artimisia stelleriana |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Blanket Flower |
Gaillardia . grandiflora |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Butterfly Weed |
Asclepias tuberose |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Candytuft |
Iberis sempervirens |
N, SW, SC, SE |
| Coreopsis |
Coreopsis spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE |
| Globe Thistle |
Echinops ritro |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Lupine |
Lupinus spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Mullein |
Verbascum spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Orange Coneflower |
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii |
N, SW, SC, SE |
| Penstemon |
Penstemon spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Purple Coneflower |
Echinacea purpurea |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Pussytoes |
Antennaria dioica |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Red Hot Poker |
Kniphofia uvaria |
SW, SC |
| Red Valerian |
Centranthus rubber |
SW, SC |
| Rock Cress |
Arabis caucasica |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Russian Sage |
Perovskia atriplicifolia |
SW, SC |
| Sage |
Salvia officinalis |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Sea Pink (Sand Wort) |
Armeria maritime |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Silver Mound |
Artimisia schmidtiana |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Stonecrop |
Sedum spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Sundrops |
Oenothera fruticosa |
SW, SC, SE |
| Veronica |
Veronica spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE |
| Yarrow |
Achillea spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
Key to regional adaptation notes:
N = Northern Idaho valley locations in USDA zones 5 & 6, Moscow to Sandpoint.
SE = Southeastern Idaho valley locations in USDA zones 3 & 4 from Rexburg to Pocatello.
SC = South-central Idaho Magic Valley locations in USDA zones 4 & 5, Burley and Twin Falls.
SW = Southwestern Idaho Treasure Valley locations in USDA zones 5 & 6, Boise area (also Lewiston). HA = High altitude (>5,000 ft) areas of central, southeastern Idaho and similar locations elsewhere.
Perennials for Moist Conditions: Although consistently wet or moist soils are not common, especially in southern Idaho, such sites are often created artificially in the landscape. Below is a list of plants that thrive under such conditions.
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Regional Adaptation |
| Astilbe (P) |
Astilbe spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE |
| Bee Balm |
Monarda didyma |
N, SW, SC, SE |
| Bellflower |
Campanula glomerata |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Cardinal Flower |
Lobelia cardinalis |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Delphinium |
Delphinium elatum |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Globeflower (F) |
Trollius europaeus |
N, SW, SC |
| Hosta (F) |
Hosta spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Gooseneck Loosestrife |
Lysimachia clethroides |
N, SW, SC, SE |
| Ligularia (Leopard Plant) |
Ligularia spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE |
| Queen-of-the-Prairie |
Fillipendula rubra |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Rock Soapwort |
Saponaria ocymoides |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
Bellflower prefers moist soils
Shade Tolerant Perennials: Perennials can be the backbone of shade gardens. Many of these plants are native to sites where partial or full shade is prevalent. They can be valuable for situations where other plants are marginally adapted. Below is a list of perennials that thrive in partial or full shade.
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Regional Adaptation |
| Alumroot (Coral Bells) (P) |
Heuchera sanguinea |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Astilbe (P) |
Astilbe spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE |
| Autumn Fern (F) |
Dryopteris erythrosora |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Bergenia (P) |
Bergenia cordifolia |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Bishop’s Goutweed (F) |
Aegopodium podograria |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Bleeding Heart (P) |
Dicentra spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Bugleweed (F) |
Ajuga reptans |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Cardinal Flower (P) |
Lobelia cardinalis |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Columbine (P) |
Aquilegia x hybrida |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Deadnettle (F) |
Lamium maculatum |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Foxglove (P) |
Digitalis purpurea |
N, SW, SC, SE |
| Globeflower (F) |
Trollius europaeus |
N, SW, SC |
| Heuchera (P) |
Heuchera sanguinea |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Hosta (F) |
Hosta spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Japanese Painted Fern (F) |
Athyrium nipponicum |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Japanese Spurge (F) |
Pachysandra terminalis |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Liriope (F) |
Liriope spp. |
SW |
| Meadowrue (F) |
Thalictrum spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Ostrich Fern (F) |
Pteris modulosa |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Periwinkle (F) |
Vinca minor |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
| Red Barrenwort (P) |
Epimedium x rubrum |
N, SW, SC |
| Sandwort (F) |
Arenaria spp. |
N, SW, SC |
| Yarrow, Fernleaf (F) |
Achillea spp. |
N, SW, SC, SE, HA |
(P) = can withstand partial shade conditions
(F) = can withstand full shade conditions
Columbine is among shade tolerant perennials
Key to regional adaptation notes:
N = Northern Idaho valley locations in USDA zones 5 & 6, Moscow to Sandpoint.
SE = Southeastern Idaho valley locations in USDA zones 3 & 4 from Rexburg to Pocatello.
SC = South-central Idaho Magic Valley locations in USDA zones 4 & 5, Burley and Twin Falls.
SW = Southwestern Idaho Treasure Valley locations in USDA zones 5 & 6, Boise area (also Lewiston).
HA = High altitude (>5,000 ft) areas of central, southeastern Idaho and similar locations elsewhere.
Key to regional adaptation notes:
N = Northern Idaho valley locations in USDA zones 5 & 6, Moscow to Sandpoint.
SE = Southeastern Idaho valley locations in USDA zones 3 & 4 from Rexburg to Pocatello.
SC = South-central Idaho Magic Valley locations in USDA zones 4 & 5, Burley and Twin Falls.
SW = Southwestern Idaho Treasure Valley locations in USDA zones 5 & 6, Boise area (also Lewiston). HA = High altitude (>5,000 ft) areas of central, southeastern Idaho and similar locations elsewhere.
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