Graf Growers

Perennials for Tough Spaces

Sometimes we have spots in our garden that are just troublesome. Here is how we like to approach solving garden problems!

Identify what type of garden space you have. Is it always wet even when we are not receiving consistent rainfall? Does the space dry out quickly because there is no shade and a lot of wind? Figure out what is happening in your space by observing your garden at different times throughout the day and week. Then use the lists below to identify what type of plant will work best in your garden.

If you have clay or sandy soil, you should amend it with plenty of organic matter. We recommend using organic sweet peet, peat moss, or composted manure!

Here are lists of tough perennials to help you solve your garden challenges.

 
PLANTS FOR MOIST TO WET AREAS:
Shaded Areas:
  • Astilbe
  • Snakeroot Bugbane Cimicifuga
  • Bleeding Heat Dicentra
  • Japanese Iris Iris ensata
  • Ostrich Fern Matteuccia pensylvanica
Sunny Areas:
  • Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
  • Milkweed Asclepias
  • Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria
  • Spiderwort Tradescantia
  • Globeflower Trollius eurapaeus
DROUGHT TOLERANT PLANTS:
Shaded Areas:
  • Deadnettle Lamium
  • Lilyturf Liriope
  • Helleborus
  • Hosta
  • Coralbells Heuchera
  • Bungleweed Ajuga
Hellebores
Sunny Areas:
  • Blanket Flower Gaillardia
  • Ice Plant Delosperma
  • Cranesbill Geranium
  • Stonecrop Sedum
  • Ornamental Grass
PLANTS FOR SUNNY, DRY AREAS:
  • Yarrow  Achillea
  • Sea Thrift Armeria maritimia
  • Silver Mound Artemesia
  • Butterfly Flower Asclepias tuberosa
  • False Indigo Babtisia australis
  • Coreopsis
  • Threadleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis verticillata
  • Globe Thistle Echinops ritro
  • Spurge Euphorbia
  • Blanket Flower Gaillardia grandiflora
  • Daylily Hemerocallis
  • Lavender Lavandula
  • Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa
  • Phlox
  • Russian Sage Perovskia
  • Stonecrop Sedum
  • Hens and Chicks Sempervivum
  • Lamb’s Ears Stachys Byzantina
  • Cranesbill Geranium
  • Sedum varieties
Phlox
PLANTS FOR FULL SHADE:
  • Deadnettle Lamium
  • Lilyturf Liriope
  • Helleborus
  • Hosta
  • Coralbells Heuchera
  • Bungleweed Ajuga
PLANTS FOR PARTIAL SHADE:
  • Lady’s Mantle Alchemilla mollis
  • Japanese Anemone Anemone x hybridia
  • Astilbe
  • Columbine Aquilega
  • Brunnera
  • Bleeding Heart Dicentra
  • Coral Bells Heuchera saguinea
  • Japanese Forest Grass Hakonechloa

We hope that these suggestions will help you fill even the harshest of places in your yard with plants that bring you joy! If you have any further questions, we would love to assist you in-store. Come see us! 

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