Cupressaceae: The Cypress Family

Cupressus sempervirens illustration by Maxfield Parrish 1903

Chamaecyparis pisifera August 2008

Juniperus chinensis December 2009

Cupressaceae (the Cypress family) is exceptionally useful in Pacific Northwest gardens. Many members of the family grow here as native plants. The Cypress family includes species of Chamaecyparis & Thuja such as Alaskan Cedar, Port Orford Cedar, & Western Red Cedar. Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ has a very graceful, open form. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana has many attractive dwarf forms such as ‘Blue Surprise,’ ‘Lutea Nana’ & ‘Somerset.’ A smaller, narrower form of Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar) is ‘Fastigiata.’ Other widely used genera of the family Cupressaceae are Cupressus, Juniperus, Thujopsis & exotic members of the genus Chamaecyparis such as Hinoki Cypress & Sawara Cypress. There are so many Junipers, I wouldn’t know where to begin. Don’t make the mistake of hating all Junipers because of the ubiquitous, sprawling Juniperus chinensis ‘Pfitzeriana.’ The Hillier Gardener’s Guide to Trees & Shrubs says Cupressus sempervirens ‘Swane’s Golden’ is 1 of the best medium-sized golden conifers for the small garden. Various forms of Chamaecyparis obtusa are popular here for their exceptional beauty. Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Boulevard’ is a nice small tree with fluffy, blue foliage.

Familiar Members of Cupressaceae

Chamaecyparis (False Cypress)

Cupressus (Cypress)

Juniperus (Juniper)

Metasequoia (Dawn Redwood)

Sequoia (Coast Redwood)

Sequoiadendron (Sierra Redwood)

Thuja (Arborvitae)

Thujopsis (False Arborvitae)

Cupressaceae for Pacific Northwest Gardens

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Blue Surprise’ (Port Orford Cedar)

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Gracilis’ (Slender Hinoki Cypress)

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’ (Dwarf Hinoki Cypress)

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ (Weeping Alaskan Cedar)

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Boulevard’ (Boulevard Cypress)

Cupressus sempervirens (Italian Cypress)

Juniperus chinensis ‘Torulosa’ (Hollywood Juniper)

Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’ (Dwarf Irish Juniper)

Juniperus conferta (Shore Juniper)

Thuja koraiensis (Korean Arborvitae)

Thuja occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’ (Arborvitae)

Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’ (Hogan Cedar)

Thujopsis dolabrata ‘Nana’ (Dwarf False Arborvitae)

Ericaceae: The Heath Family

Erica australis February 2009

 

Erica manipuliflora September 2009

Arctostaphylos columbiana April 2009

Rhododendron campylogynum January 2009

Rhododendron yakushimanum May 2009

Ericaceae is an important family of plants for Seattle gardens. Northwest natives, as well as favorites from Europe & Asia are among the ericaceous shrubs. The family was named for the genus Erica (Heath). Most members of the family have clusters of urn-shaped flowers, although some like Rhododendron have bell-shaped flowers, as though the urn had split into lobes. As a family many share a distinctive rounded form & branching pattern. They are mostly evergreen with leathery leaves. There is a great wealth of different & pleasing shrubs among Rhododendron species. The same is true of Arctostaphylos (Manzanita). These 2 thrive in very different environments. The center of Rhododendron diversity is in the moist & forested Himalayas. Manzanitas are centered in the dry chaparral of southwestern North America. Useful Northwest native plants in this family include Arctostaphylos columbiana (Hairy Manzanita), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick), Arbutus menziesii (Madrona) & Gaultheria shallon (Salal).

Trees

Arbutus menziesii (Madrona)

Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree)

Arbutus ‘Marina’

Rhododendron rex

Shrubs

Arctostaphylos columbiana (Hairy Manzanita)

Calluna vulgaris (Heather)

Comarostaphylis diversifolia (Summer Holly)

Daboecia cantabrica (Irish Heath)

Enkianthus campanulatus

Erica arborea (Tree Heath)

Gaultheria shallon (Salal)

Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)

Leucothoe walteri

Menziesia ferruginea (Fool’s Huckleberry)

Pieris japonica (Lily of the Valley Shrub)

Pernettya mucronata

Rhododendron yakushimanum

Zenobia pulverulenta

Groundcovers

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick)

Gaultheria procumbens (Wintergreen)

Daboecia cantabrica

 Daboecia cantabrica 'Rainbow' September 2008

Daboecia cantabrica 'Rainbow' & Hebe recurva September 2008

Daboecia cantabrica is a small shrub known commonly as Irish Heath. Dabeoc is an Irish saint. Cantabria is a province of Spain. Daboecia is closely related to Erica (Heath). The flowers are beautiful balloons of rich purple-pink.  They continue to bloom from spring into fall. Daboecia comes in green & variegated selections. A particularly lovely cultivar is ‘Rainbow’ with green, yellow, & a few pink leaves. Combine 'Rainbow' with dwarf conifers with yellow foliage such as Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Lutea Nana’ & Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’.  Or try plants with blue-gray foliage such as Hebe recurva for an interesting contrast.

Orange Flowers

 Kniphofia nelsonii June 2009

Berberis darwinii March 2010


Eschscholzia californica May 2009

Lilium columbianum June 2009

Tulipa batalinii ‘Apricot Jewel’ May 2009

Orange flowers bring excitement to the garden. Orange harmonizes with red & brightens purple. Use orange flowers in a blue garden for a richer experience. For an ultra-brite effect use orange & yellow flowers against red foliage.  Orange & pink flowers together make a quirky contrast. Among the most popular and useful orange flowers are Crocosmia & Kniphofia.  An orange flower that fascinated me in childhood was Lilium lancifolium.  Now I am more entranced by Tulipa batalinii ‘Apricot Jewel.

Shrubs
Berberis darwinii (Barberry): sun or shade
Chaenomeles ‘Orange Delight’ (Quince): sun
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ (Witch Hazel): shade
Rhododendron occidentale (Western Azalea): shade
Rosa ‘Strike It Rich’ (Grandiflora Rose): sun

Perennials: all for sun
Achillea millefolium ‘Terra Cotta’
Agastache aurantiaca (Hummingbird Mint)’
Antirrhinum majus ‘Golden Gate’ (Snapdragon)
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)
Canna ‘Tropicanna’
Chrysanthemum ‘Kelvin Mandarin’ or ‘Robin’
Crocosmia ‘Emberglow’
Dahlia ‘Flame’
Digitalis obscura (Foxglove)
Echinacea ‘Art’s Pride’ or ‘Sunset’ (Coneflower)
Eremurus ‘Shelford Cleopatra’ (Foxtail Lily)
Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy)
Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’
Fritillaria imperialis (Crown Imperial)
Gaillardia ‘Oranges and Lemons’ (Blanket Flower)
Geum ‘Fireball’
Gladiolus ‘Georgette’
Glaucium flavum (Horn Poppy)
Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ or ‘Wyndley’ (Sneezeweed)
Hemerocallis ‘Apricot Sparkles’ (Daylily)
Iris ’Cinderella’s Coach’
Kniphofia nelsonii (Torch Lily)
Lilium columbianum or lancifolium (Tiger Lily)
Papaver orientale ‘Allegro Vivace’ (Poppy)
Phygelius capensis ‘Salmon’s Leap’
Potentilla fruticosa ‘Mango Tango’
Ratibida columnifera (Mexican Hat)
Tulipa batalinii ‘Apricot Jewel’ or ‘Little Princess’

Groundcovers & Trailers: all for sun
Gazania ‘Tanager’
Helianthemum nummularium ‘Ben More’ (Sunrose)

Acer circinatum

 Acer circinatum

 Acer circinatum 

One of the most useful Washington native plants for Seattle gardens is Acer circinatum or Vine Maple. Acer circinatum grows in sun or shade, needs no irrigation once established. Multiple, slender trunks rise 20 to 30 feet with a 10 to 15-foot spread. The small size, slender silhouette & tolerance for shade make Vine Maple perfect for planting between houses on tight city lots. Acer circinatum is particularly charming among coniferous forest trees such as Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar) & Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir) where the rounded leaves in summer & bare branches in winter provide a wonderful contrast. In fall, Vine Maple leaves flame in red, orange & yellow providing one of the most colorful & reliable displays of color in the Pacific Northwest. The graceful upright form (somewhat like a clump of Bamboo) also makes Acer circinatum a lovely specimen tree.

The Fall Garden

 Panicum virgatum November 2009

 Aster novae-angliae 'Hella Lacy' October 2009
 

Acer circinatum October 2009

 Crocus kotschyanus October 2008
 

Hydrangea quercifolia October 2008

One of the rarest gardens in the Seattle area is the fall garden. Although fall is best for planting, many more plants are available in spring. Visit nurseries in early fall to see what is blooming, fruiting, or showing fall color. Many plants on this list offer interest at other times. Cornus florida (Eastern Dogwood) flowers lavishly in spring, then shows good color in Fall. Diospyros (Persimmon) offers both fruit & fall foliage color. Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree) offers a bonanza of fruit & flowers in fall. Plant it with Acer circinatum (Vine Maple) or Acer palmatum dissectum 'Garnet' (Cutleaf Japanese Maple) for an amazing show.

Trees (for fall foliage)

Acer circinatum (Vine Maple): sun or shade

Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree): sun or shade, fruit & flowers

Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Princess’ (Eastern Dogwood): sun or shade, foliage & fruit

Franklinia alatamaha (Franklin Tree): sun or shade

Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Red Ash): sun

Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree): sun

Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum): sun

Pyrus calleryana ‘Redspire’ (Flowering Pear): sun

Sorbus (Mountain Ash): sun, fruit & foliage

Shrubs (for fall foliage, except as noted)

Acer palmatum dissectum (Cutleaf Japanese Maple)

Amelanchier alnifolia (Western Serviceberry): sun or shade

Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’ (Barberry): sun

Callicarpa bodinieri (Beautyberry): sun, fruit

Daboecia cantabrica: flowers

Diospyros (Persimmon): sun, fruit & foliage

Disanthus cercidifolius: shade

Enkianthus campanulatus: shade

Hamamelis x intermedia (Witch Hazel): shade

Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea): sun or shade

Lagerstroemia hybrids (Crape Myrtle): sun

Paeonia suffruticosa (Tree Peony): sun

Punica granatum (Pomegranate): sun, fruit

Rhus typhina (Sumac): sun

Ribes sanguineum (Flowering Currant): sun or shade

Rosa rugosa (Sea Tomato): sun, fruit & foliage

Viburnum sargentii: sun

Vaccinium corymbosum (Blueberry): sun

Perennials (for sun & fall bloom, except as noted)

Andropogon gerardi ‘Big Daddy’ (Big Bluestem Grass): foliage

Anemone x hybrida (Japanese Anemone): shade

Aster

Chrysanthemum

Crocus kotschyanus or ochroleucus

Epilobium californicum (aka Zauschneria, California Fuchsia)

Gaura lindheimeri

Helenium autumnale (Sneezeweed)

Helianthus decapetalus (Sunflower)

Heliopsis helianthoides

Liriope muscari (Lily Turf): shade

Nerine bowdenii

Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass): foliage

Physalis alkekengi (Chinese Lantern): fruit

Schizostylis coccinea

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

Solidago (Goldenrod)

Tricyrtis (Toad Lily): Shade

Zauschneria californica (California Fuchsia)

Groundcovers & Trailers

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi: sun or shade, fruit

Zauschneria garrettii ‘Orange Carpet’ (Creeping Hummingbird Carpet): sun, flowers

Low-Maintenance Gardening

Neophyte gardeners seldom realize the amount of work it takes to make a successful garden. Low-maintenance is a relative term. Especially during the 1st few years, even a low-maintenance garden requires a lot of work. There is a reason that so many lots are covered with lawn & almost nothing else. Lawn requires by far the least amount of time & money. The most time-consuming chore is also the least appealing: weeding. Any new planting quickly becomes filled with weeds. Left to grow, they often choke out the new garden plants. Weed at least once a week during the 1st 2 growing seasons. Be very careful to water regularly during the summer. Inspect your watering system frequently to see that water is available for every plant. Even with this effort, some of the plants are going to die. Budget money to replace them. After 2 or 3 years things become easier, if you have prepared to keep maintenance low.

Rules for Low-Maintenance Gardens

1 Plant lots of shrubs. Next to lawn, they are the least trouble. They grow fairly quickly to shade & cover the ground. Most weed seeds sprout only in ground open to sunlight.

2 Plant lots of groundcovers. Not only do they shade the ground, but they compete for space with weeds. Leave no ground uncovered.

3 Cover any remaining open ground with mulch. Bark mulch does a good job of weed suppression until groundcovers get a chance to grow.

4 Plant few perennials. They require staking, dead-heading, cutting back & dividing. Choose perennials that don’t require staking, dead-heading, or dividing.  They all require cutting back.

5 Be careful what you plant under trees. Falling leaves, branches & debris can smother plants. Avoid planting perennials (except for bulbs) small shrubs & evergreen conifers under large trees. Use large shade-loving shrubs with perennial shade-loving groundcovers beneath them.

6 Avoid hybrid roses.  They are prone to disease & require constant pruning.

7 Avoid hedges or anything that needs to be clipped.  A fence is much less trouble.

8 Don’t plant next to lawn without a barrier. Grass is very invasive.

The Yellow Garden

 Hemerocallis ‘Hyperion’ June 2009

  Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Lutea Nana’ August 2008

Narcissus 'King Alfred' March 2010

Weigela florida ‘Rubidor’ May 2009

Erythronium tuolumnense March 2010

Yellow flowers are bright & happy. I remember walking in the heath in the Orkney Islands in early May. Primula vulgaris was blooming along the edges of the paths. Not only did I learn the origin of the primrose path, but it was a cheerful sight in that cold & bleak climate. In my own garden, I am cheered in January by the sulfur blossoms of Euphorbia rigida. I thrill to Narcissus ‘King Alfred’ 4 to 6 weeks later.  Non-gardeners & neophyte gardeners often dislike yellow foliage. When I first saw Dicentra spectabilis ‘Gold Heart’ I thought it looked like celery left in the refrigerator too long. But gold & yellow foliage grow on a gardener. The soft lemony foliage of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Lutea Nana’ is very pleasing. The brassy gold of Thuja occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’ is outstanding in Winter. A yellow garden might be the happiest place on Earth.  Mix in orange flowers to blend, blue flowers to contrast.

Trees
Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum' (Golden Fullmoon Maple): gold foliage

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Lutea’ : yellow foliage

Gleditzia triacanthos inermis ‘Sunburst’ : yellow new foliage

Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’ : yellow foliage

Thuja plicata ‘Aurea’ : gold foliage

Shrubs

Berberis thunbergii 'Aurea' (Japanese Barberry): yellow foliage
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Lutea Nana’ (Dwarf Port Orford Cedar) Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’ (Dwarf Hinoki Cypress): yellow foliage, evergreen
Choisya ternata 'Sundance' (Mexican Orange): yellow foliage, white flowers, best in part or light shade, evergreen

Hebe ochracea: gold foliage, evergreen

Hypericum 'Hidcote' : yellow flowers

Juniperus chinensis ‘Gold Cone’ (Chinese Juniper): gold new growth, evergreen
Pinus contorta 'Chief Joseph' (Dwarf Lodgepole Pine): yellow foliage, evergreen
Platycladus orientalis 'Aurea Nana' (Oriental Arborvitae): yellow foliage, evergreen

Spiraea japonica ‘Goldmound’ (Japanese Spiraea): gold foliage, pink flowers, Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon': yellow foliage, white flowers
Sambucus racemosa 'Plumosa Aurea', Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland Gold' (Red Elderberry): yellow foliage, white flowers, red fruit
Santolina virens (Green Lavender Cotton): yellow flowers, evergreen

Taxus baccata ‘Aurea’ : gold foliage, evergreen
Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Globe', Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold', Thuja occidentalis 'Sunkist', Thuja occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’ (Arborvitae): gold foliage, evergreen

Viburnum opulus ‘Aureum’: yellow foliage, white flowers

Weigela florida ‘Rubidor’: yellow foliage, red flowers

Perennials: all with yellow flowers, except as noted

Achillea ‘Moonshine’

Aurinia saxatilis

Chrysanthemum parthenium ‘Aureum’ : yellow foliage

Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Sunburst' or ‘Sunray’

Dicentra spectabilis ‘Gold Heart’: yellow foliage

Digitalis lutea

Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten’

Erythronium tuolumnense

Euphorbia

Helenium autumnale

Hemerocallis ‘Hyperion’: fragrant

Kniphofia ‘Little Maid’

Ligularia stenocephala ‘The Rocket’

Narcissus ‘King Alfred’ or ‘Tete-a-Tete’

Paeonia ‘Claire de Lune’

Primula vulgaris

Tulipa tarda or turkestanica

Groundcovers

Sedum aizoon: yellow flowers

Sedum ‘Angelina’: yellow foliage & flowers

Hypericum cerastioides: yellow flowers

The Blue Garden

 

Crambe maritima August 2008

Rosa glauca June 2009

Campanula carpatica May 2009

Eryngium planum August 2010

Hebe recurva March 2010

Here is a list of blue plants for Seattle, the Pacific Northwest & USDA Zone 8. Use it to find blue flowers & plants with blue, gray or silver foliage. Blue is soft & soothing. Most blue foliage is somewhat gray. Blue-gray foliage often has a fluffy, feathery look. Blue & gray look very handsome with red, contrast nicely with yellow. Blue flowers work well with gray foliage, because there is just enough contrast to make them visible, yet they also blend nicely. Purple, pink & white flowers go well with blue. Blue is calm & accepts diversity. Many plants with blue-gray & gray foliage have yellow or white flowers. Blue-gray, gray & silver foliage are tasteful additions to a white garden, especially when these plants have white flowers. Plants with blue-gray or gray foliage & yellow flowers are perfect for a blue & yellow garden, an arresting combination.  The terms glaucus, glauca & glaucum mean that the plants have a fine, whitish, powdery coating, usually on the leaves, but fruits can also be glaucus.  Xeric plants don't usually need irrigation.  This list is meant to introduce you to these plants & give basic information.  Further research will be needed to find sizes & specific horticultural requirements.

Trees: all for sun

Abies concolor 'Candicans' (White Fir) Abies pinsapo 'Glauca' (Spanish Fir) Abies procera 'Glauca' (Noble Fir): all with blue-gray foliage, evergreen conifers.

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca' (Blue Atlas Cedar): blue foliage, large evergreen conifer.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Pembury Blue’ (Port Orford Cedar) Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Boulevard’ (Boulevard Cypress): blue foliage, evergreen conifers.

Cupressus arizonica glabra ‘Blue Ice’ (Arizona Cypress): blue foliage, evergreen conifer, xeric.

Juniperus scopulorum 'Blue Heaven' (Rocky Mountain Juniper): blue foliage, xeric; Juniperus scopulorum 'Skyrocket' (Rocky Mountain Juniper): blue gray foliage, very narrow, xeric; Juniperus virginiana 'Glauca' (Eastern Red Cedar): silver-gray foliage; all evergreen conifers.

Picea breweriana (Brewer Spruce): blue-green foliage, purple cones; Picea pungens 'Moerheim' & Picea pungens 'Thomsen' (Colorado Blue Spruce): blue foliage; evergreen conifers.

Pinus kwangtungensis (Chinese White Pine) Pinus parviflora 'Tempelhof' (Japanese White Pine): blue foliage, evergreen conifers.

Pyrus salicifolia ‘Pendula’ (Weeping Willowleaf Pear): silver-gray foliage, white flowers

Sequoia sempervivum ‘Filoli’ (Coast Redwood): blue foliage, large evergreen conifer

Shrubs

Abies concolor 'Compacta' (Dwarf White Fir) Abies lasiocarpa 'Compacta' (Dwarf Alpine Fir): blue-gray foliage, evergreen conifers.

Caryopteris x clandonensis (Blue Mist) Caryopteris incana (Bluebeard): blue flowers, sun.

Ceanothus impressus 'Vandenberg' (Santa Barbara Mountain Lilac) Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Victoria' aka 'Skylark' (Blue Blossom): xeric, showy bloom, not long-lived, these 2 are the most commonly grown in Seattle, others may suffer frost damage.

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula' (Weeping Atlas Cedar): blue foliage, evergreen conifer.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Blue Surprise’: surprisingly blue foliage, sun, evergreen conifer

Elaeagnus commutata (Silverberry): silver foliage, silver fruit, small yellow flowers, sun, xeric.

Hebe recurva, Hebe topiaria: blue-gray foliage, white flowers, sun, evergreen

Hydrangea macrophylla 'All Summer Beauty', Hydrangea macrophylla ' Blue Wave', Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Blue Billow’, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer', Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’ (Bigleaf Hydrangea including Lacecap & Mophead): & other culvivars, blue flowers, part shade, in alkaline soil flowers will be pink.

Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star': silver-blue foliage, Juniperus squamata 'Loderi': blue-green foliage, Juniperus squamata 'Chinese Silver': silver-blue-green foliage; all for sun, evergreen conifers

Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) Lavandula dentata (French Lavender): blue flowers with silver-gray foliage, sun, xeric.

Lithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides (Dwarf Tanoak): blue-green foliage, evergreen.

Picea pungens 'Globosa', Picea pungens 'Montgomery' & Picea pungens 'Procumbens' (Dwarf Colorado Blue Spruce): blue foliage, evergreen conifer.

Rhododendron 'Blue Peter': blue flowers, shade, evergreen.

Rosa glauca: blue foliage with pink tinge, pink flowers, sun.

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Tuscan Blue': & other cultivars, blue flowers, sun, xeric, evergreen, culinary herb.

Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavender Cotton): silver foliage, yellow flowers, sun, xeric

Senecio greyi (aka Brachyglottis 'Sunshine'): gray foliage, yellow flowers, evergreen

Perennials: all with blue flowers, except as noted

Agapanthus campanulatus, Agapanthus ‘Headbourne Hybrids’, Agapanthus ‘Midnight Blue’, Agapanthus ‘Peter Pan’ (Lily of the Nile): & other cultivars, these are all derived from Agapanthus campanulatus, the only reliable hardy species in USDA Zone 8, sun.

Allium azureum (Ornamental Onion): sun, xeric.

Baptisia australis (False Indigo): sun, tolerates some dryness.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost': shade, silvery leaves & blue flowers, shade.

Campanula glomerata (Clustered Bellflower) Campanula lactiflora, Campanula latifolia, Campanula latiloba, Campanula persicifolia (Peachleaf Bellflower): & other species, many cultivars, sun.

Camassia cusickii, Camassia leichtlinii, Camassia quamash (Camas): sun, xeric.

Chionodoxa luciliae (Glory of the Snow): sun.

Clematis integrifolia: sun, not a vine

Corydalis ‘Blue Panda’: shade, needs moisture.

Crambe maritima (Sea Kale): blue-gray foliage, white flowers, sun, xeric.

Crocus chrysanthus ‘Blue Pearl’: sun.

Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon): silver-gray foliage, blue flowers, sun.

Deinanthe caerulea: shade, needs moisture.

Delphinium 'Blue Tit', Delphinium 'Fanfare', Delphinium 'Leonora': sun, needs staking.

Echinops ritro (Globe Thistle): sun, xeric

Erigeron glaucus (Beach Aster) Erigeron speciosus (Showy Fleabane): xeric

Eryngium alpinum, Eryngium amethystinum, Eryngium bourgatii, Eryngium planum (Sea Holly): sun, xeric

Euphorbia characias, Euphorbia nicaeensis, Euphorbia rigida (Spurge): gray foliage, yellow flowers, xeric

Festuca ovina ‘Glauca’ (Blue Fescue): blue foliage

Gentiana affinis, Gentiana cruciata, Gentiana septemfida, Gentiana tianschanica, Gentiana verna (Gentian): many species, sun, some need moisture.

Geranium himalayense, Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’, Geranium 'Rozanne' (Cranesbill): sun or shade

Hepatica americana, Hepatica nobilis (Liverwort): shade.

Hyacinthus orientalis 'Blue Jacket', Hyacinthus orientalis 'Blue Pearl', Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Delft Blue’ (Dutch Hyacinth): sun.

Iris 'Blue Magic' (Dutch Iris) Iris douglasiana (Doulgas Iris): xeric; Iris missouriensis, Iris reticulata 'Harmony', Iris sibirica 'Bennerup Blue' (Siberian Iris) Iris tenax (Oregon Iris): many species & cultivars with blue flowers, sun.

Limonium latifolium (Statice): sun.

Lupinus x hybridus 'Gallery Blue', Lupinus perennis, Lupinus polyphyllus (Lupine): sun.

Meconopsis betonicifolia (Himalayan Poppy) Meconopsis grandis, Meconopsis x sheldonii: shade, needs moisture, can be difficult to grow.

Mertensia ciliata (Mountain Bluebell) Mertensia pulmonarioides (Virginia Bluebells): shade, needs moisture.

Muscari armeniacum, Muscari latifolium, Muscari neglectum, Muscari paradoxum (Grape Hyacinth): sun or part shade.

Myosotis scorpioides (Perennial Forget-Me-Not): part shade

Nepeta clarkei, Nepeta x faassenii, Nepera sibirica (Catmint): & other species, sun.

Omphalodes cappadocica, Omphalodes verna: shade, needs moisture.

Platycodon grandiflorus (Balloon Flower): sun.

Penstemon heterophyllus, Penstemon montanus, Penstemon serrulatus, Penstemon procerus, Penstemon strictus, Penstemon virens (Beardtongue): & other species, sun, many are xeric.

Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage): gray foliage & blue flowers

Prunella grandiflora, Prunella vulgaris (Self Heal): sun.

Pulmonaria angustifolia, Pulmonaria longifolia, Pulmonaria saccharata (Lungwort): & cultivars, shade

Salvia nemorosa 'Superba', Salvia x sylvestris 'Mainacht' (Sage): & other species, sun.

Scilla peruviana: sun, xeric, from Spain not Peru.

Scutellaria alpina, Scutellaria baicalensis, Scutellaria resinosa (Skullcap): sun.

Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ears): gray foliage, pink flowers, sun, xeric.

Tradescantia virginiana 'Zwanenburg Blue' (Spiderwort): sun or part shade.

Triteleia laxa 'Queen Fabiola': sun, xeric.

Veronica spicata (Speedwell): many cultivars, sun.

Groundcovers & Trailers

Ajuga reptans (Carpet Bugle): many cultivers, blue flowers, sun or part shade.

Campanula carpatica (Carpathian Harebell) Campanula portenschlagiana (Dalmatian Bellflower) Campanula poscharskyana (Serbian Bellflower): blue flowers

Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in Summer): gray foliage, white flowers, short lived.

Convolvulus sabatius (Ground Morning Glory): blue flowers, sun.

Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spruge): blue-gray foliage, yellow flowers, sun, xeric

Hebe glaucophylla: blue-gray foliage, white flowers, Hebe x pimeleoides: blue-gray foliage, blue flowers, Hebe pinguifolia 'Pagei': blue-gray foliage, white flowers; all for sun, low evergreen shrubs with creeping stems.

Juniperus conferta 'Pacific Blue' (Shore Juniper) Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip' (Creeping Juniper) Juniperus squamata 'Blue Carpet': blue foliage, sun, low evergreen shrubs with creeping stems.

Lithodora diffusa: blue flowers, sun, xeric.

Pratia pedunculata (Blue Star Creeper): sun.

Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’ (Trailing Rosemary): sun, low evergreen shrub with creeping stems.

Sedum anacampseros: blue-green foliage, pink flowers, sun; Sedum dasyphyllum: blue-green foliage, pink flowers, sun; Sedum forsterianum: blue-green foliage, yellow flowers, shade or part-shade; Sedum obtusatum: blue-green foliage, cream flowers, sun; Sedum oregonense: blue-green foliage, yellow flowers, sun; Sedum reflexum 'Blue Spruce': blue-green foliage, yellow flowers, sun; all xeric.

Veronica pectinata, Veronica peduncularis 'Georgia Blue', Veronica prostrata 'Heavenly Blue': blue flowers, xeric.