Favorites in a Designer's Garden

Boston ivy

Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata).
Native to China, Boston ivy is a deciduous, self-clinging vine with large (to six inches across) glossy green leaves that turn a brilliant orange to deep red in autumn. Blue-black berries occur in late spring and are attractive to birds and bees. This fast-growing vine is hardy from USDA Zones 4 to 10 but does best in climates with cool summer nights. Don’t confuse this plant with evergreen English ivy which clings much tighter to a surface. Boston ivy is, however, a rampant grower.
How to use it: An excellent cover for masonry walls to provide a cooling effect in summer and brilliant fall color. The tracery of the bare branches in winter is also attractive.
Cultivation: Grow in any ordinary garden soil. Trim back anytime as needed.
Source: Nature Hills Nursery

Beardstongue (Penstemon sp.).
This genus contains some of the most beautiful of all North American perennials and is native from Alaska to Guatemala. The mostly tubular flowers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Foliage and habit are equally varied, ranging from evergreen, pine-like, feathery to broad-leaved. The blue-flowering species in Duncan's garden is from the surrounding area. Many garden hybrids are available, and, depending on the variety, can be a few inches high to three feet tall. Penstemons can be hardy only in USDA Zones 7 to 9 or can extend to Zones 3 and 4, depending on variety.
How to use it: Grow penstemons for color (blue, salmon-red, white, light violet-blue, pale pink, burgundy, dark purple-blue, red with a white throat, coral pink or bright red). Many are highly attractive to hummingbirds. A short penstemon can be an excellent groundcover; a tall penstemon can serve as a spiky accent to borders.
Cultivation: Grow in full sun in well-drained soil. Do not mulch with organic matter. Fertilizer is not necessary.
Source: Joy Creek Nursery

Pineleaf penstemon (Penstemon pinifolius).
Here's one of the many variations on the penstemon theme. This small semi-woody perennial, so named because its foliage resembles pine needles, has brilliant red flowers and is native to the southwestern U.S. The habit is low, spreading and shrubby. The narrow, tubular flowers, each an inch or more long, occur from June to September. Hardy in Zones 7 to 9. Many penstemons don't tolerate the excessive heat and humidity of the southeastern U.S.
How to use it: This is an excellent groundcover year-round. Plant where you want a cover of green foliage and, in summer, bright orange-red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Also great for rock gardens.
Cultivation: Plant in full sun in gravelly soil. Removing spent flowers will increase blooms.
Source: Goodwin Creek Gardens

Lavender 'Hidcote Blue'

English lavender 'Hidcote Blue' (Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote Blue').
Lavender is an aromatic herbaceous perennial that's often evergreen (with gray-green leaves) where the climate permits and bears whorled clusters on 18-inch spikes. In the species, flower color can vary from pale lavender to dark purple. 'Hidcote Blue' is a compact variety (to one foot tall) with silvery-gray foliage and dark violet flowers. Hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 9. Lavender is native to the regions around the Mediterranean Sea.
How to use it: Plant in containers or at the edge of flower borders or in an herb garden. Excellent for drying.
Cultivation: Lavender needs full sun and excellent drainage. Shear back by a third in late winter to keep the plants tidy.
Source: Wit's End Growers