Helianthemum cultivars
Sun Rose
Sun Rose has multiple uses in the landscape: as a shrubby perennial, summer color plant and groundcover. Flowers come in many colors. Prune dead branches to renew in late winter to early spring. Be ready to protect plants during winter in cold regions. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Helianthus maximilianii
Maximilian Sunflower
Maximilian Sunflower is a perennial typically grown as an annual. Start from seeds in the spring. It grows quite tall, to 6 feet or more, so place at back of plantings or border. Produces profuse numbers of daisylike flowers up to 3 inches across. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Hemerocallis hybrids
Daylily
Daylilies are available in a wide range of plant forms and types, from evergreen, semievergreen or deciduous. Flower colors and sizes are available in selections too numerous to mention. Check locally. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Heuchera sanguinea
Coral Bells
Flowers of Coral Bells bloom above leaves on delicate spikes. It's a good, low-growing understory plant, particularly for a woodland effect. In addition to this species, there are many improved selections available in a range of leaf and flower colors. Check locally. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Hibiscus moscheutos
Rose Mallow
Rose Mallow is a shrubby perennial that can reach up to a towering 8 feet high. However, most hybrids fall into the 4-foot-high range. Very large flowers up to 12 inches across in a range of bright colors is a primary attraction. Dies to the ground in winter. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Hosta cultivars
Hosta, Plantain Lily
Hostas are primarily grown for the brilliant colors of their leaves. They are ideal in shady and partially shady locations beneath shrubs and trees. Hundreds of selections are available in a range of sizes. Canopy coverage: 7 to 20 square feet.
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Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon'
Chameleon Plant
Chameleon Plant typically produces heart-shaped leaves adorned with multiple splashes of pink, red, yellow and cream. Plants spread by rhizomes and can be invasive, so plan controls accordingly. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Iberis sempervirens
Evergreen Candytuft
Easy-to-grow perennial or groundcover. Flowers are profuse and pure white. Lower-growing, more compact selections are available, such as 'Snowflake' and 'Alexander's White'. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Impatiens species
Impatiens
Impatiens are the go-to choice for color in the shade, even full shade. Can be grown as a perennial in frost-free regions, but usually grown as a bedding plant annual. Set out from nursery packs or containers in spring.
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Iris pallida 'Variegata'
Variegated Sweet Iris
The variegated leaves of Variegated Sweet Iris are showy with distinctive vertical bands of yellow and light green. The flowers are fragrant, borne above these leaves on sturdy stems. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Iris missouriensis
Rocky Mountain Iris
Rocky Mountain Iris is native to the U.S. It does best in improved soil that is kept moist during the growing season. Plantings naturally spread via its rhizomes, so they require division on a regular basis. Rhizomes are poisonous. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Iris x germanica
Bearded Iris
There are extremely wide range of Iris selections available, in many colors and sizes. Select carefully according to specific space and exposures; better with some shade in hot climates. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Lamium maculatum
Dead Nettle
A good choice for a shady location. Especially effective when "lighting up" a shadowy border due to its light colored foliage and flowers. Remains evergreen in mild climates. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'
English Lavender
English Lavender is the most common Lavender and considered to be one of the easiest to grow. Flowers are highly fragrant. The species is shrublike and reaches 3 feet high and as wide. 'Munstead' is a dwarf form that grows to 1-1/2 feet high and as wide. Also look for 'Hidcote', with deep purple flowers. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Lavandula dentata
French Lavender
You can identify this lavender by its square-toothed leaves. Flowers of French Lavender are typically short and lavender-purple in color. Flowers bloom for a long period in mild-winter regions. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'
Blue Lavandin
This lavender is a hybrid between two Lavender species. Form is more mounding and with branching stems compared to other species. A heat-tolerant selection. 'Grosso' is highly fragrant, and is widely grown commercially in France. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Leucanthemum x superbum
Shasta Daisy
Large white flowers with yellow centers make Shasta Daisy a featured flower in an old-fashioned perennial border. Excellent flowers for cutting. The selection 'White Knight' is smaller and more compact, but tends to be short-lived. Many improved selections are now available that are superior to Shasta Daisy; check with your nursery. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Liatris spicata
Spike Gayfeather
Gayfeather is a forgiving plant that is easy to grow. Leaves are grasslike and form as a clump at the base of the plant. Spikelike flowers rise vertically above leaves in summer. Plant in well drained soil. 'Kobold' is an improved selection. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Lilium cultivars
Lily
Easter lilies are a well-known holiday tradition, but Lily species and cultivars number in the hundreds and are available in a wide range of sizes and flower colors. Plant from bulbs in spring or fall in well prepared soil. Canopy coverage: 3 to 28 square feet.
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Linum lewisii
Blue Flax
Blue Flax is a short-lived perennial wildflower. Sow seeds directly where you want plants to grow in the fall. Reseeds readily to extend plantings. Additional water extends bloom period. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Lobelia erinus
Lobelia
Lobelia is a cold-tender perennial grown as an annual. It is low-growing and offers flowers in pleasing shades of blue. Nice when used in containers to drape over the edges. Can sometimes reseed to extend plantings.
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