Herbaceous Plants1 (Herbaceous Perennials, Annuals, Hardy Bulbs, Tender Bulbs, Landscape Grasses, and Vines)

Cold

2 Hardines Pests / Diseases & 4 / Fruit / Additional Name Soil / Climate Size Exposure s Other Problems Foliage Features Zones3

Herbaceous Perennials

Rudbeckia spp.5 3/4-9 Adaptable; will grow Aphids, powdery H: 2-9’ Full sun to Flowers – daisy-like, Native to North America in just about any soil mildew, and spots S: 1-2’ partial shade, to in heads with dark- including Minnesota; many -Eyed-Susans that is well-drained. are the most common best in full colored centers; showy; named selections and can sometimes be a sun. insect pollinated. () based on form & Coneflowers Drought tolerant. problem. Bloom Time – summer/fall and characteristics (July-September). are available; form is upright; the are Several species are native to Minnesota including hirta (black-eyed Susan, Foliage – alternate, propagated by seed and the gloriosa daisy), Rudbeckia laciniata (cutleaf or -headed coneflower), and Rudbeckia green, oval to lance-shaped, cultivars by division. Aster/Sunflower triloba (-eyed Susan); Rudbeckia fulgida var sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ (‘Goldsturm’ rough, often hairy, variously Family orange coneflower), native to the eastern and southeastern United States, but not Minnesota, toothed, sometimes lobed. is a very popular garden selection that is commonly planted in Minnesota landscapes; Fruit – an achene (think several other genera share the common name coneflower including Echinacea and sunflower “seeds”; greenish [e.g., Echinacea purpurea ( coneflower) and Ratibida pinnata (gray-headed becoming brown, purplish- coneflower); both of these species are native to Minnesota]; all of these species are members brown, gray, or nearly black; of the Asteraceae (Aster/Sunflower Family). matures in fall (September/ October).

Chrysanthemum 3/4-9 Adaptable; prefer Susceptible to several H: 1-3’ Full sun to Flowers – single (daisy-like) Native to Asia; many morifolium moist, well-drained pests with aphids, spider S: 1-3’ partial shade; to double, in various shades named selections soil, but will grow on mites, and leaf spots bloom best of , yellow, orange, (cultivars) have been most soils so long as being the most common. in full sun. , orange-, , developed based on habit, Chrysanthemum they are well-drained. , and purple, in flower characteristics, and Garden Mum heads; two types of flowers cold hardiness; form is

Hardy Mum are produced – tubular disk upright to mounded; it is flowers in the center and important to select cold variously-shaped ray flowers hardy types for Minnesota to the outside; insect landscapes including hardy pollinated. varieties developed at the Asteraceae Bloom Time – late summer/ University of Minnesota; Aster/Sunflower the species are propagated Family fall (August-October). by seed, division, and stem Foliage – leaves green, cuttings and the cultivars silvery-green beneath; lobed, by division and stem aromatic. cuttings. Fruit – an achene; matures in late summer/fall (August- October.

Hemerocallis 3-9 Very adaptable and Several including H: 1-5’ Full sun to Flowers – variously white, Native to eastern Europe spp. easy to grow; prefer aphids, spider mites, (including partial shade. yellow, , , orange, and Asia; very popular and moist, organic, slightly thrips, and several leaf flower orange-red, purple, and thousands of named acidic, well-drained diseases. stalks) bicolored or tricolored, selections (cultivars; Daylilies soils, but will grow on Eaten by deer. S: 1-3’ fragrant, in open clusters mostly of hybrid origin) most soils, regardless (cymes) on long scapes based primarily on flower of texture or pH (leafless stalks); individual characteristics (mainly (acidic or alkaline) so flowers last one day; insect , size, and bloom Liliaceae Lily long as they are well- pollinated. time) have been developed; Family drained. Bloom Time – spring/ have short, fleshy Quite drought tolerant summer (June-August; some and the form is once established. with repeat bloom). an upright to arching mound; the species is Foliage – leaves, bright propagated by seed and green, basal, strap-like. division and the cultivars Fruit – a capsule; green, by division. becoming tan; matures in fall (September/October).

Heuchera spp. 3/4-8 Adaptable; prefer Few serious, but H: 1-2.5’ Full sun to Flowers – flowers small, Native to North America moist, neutral to stem/root rot (on wet (including partial shade. bell-shaped, greenish to including Minnesota; many Coral Bells slightly alkaline soils soils), mealy bugs, and flower yellowish white, pink, - named selections that are well-drained, root weevils can stalks) pink, and red, presented well (cultivars) based on Alumroot but will grow on moist sometimes be S: 1-2’ above the mounded leaves foliage, flower, and other soils so long as they problematic. on long scapes (leafless characteristics are are well-drained and stalks); insect pollinated. available; form is a not too acidic. Bloom Time – late spring/ mounded clump; the leaves Tend to be intolerant summer (June-September). can be evergreen, but are Saxifrage Family of heavy, clay soils. generally injured during Foliage – leaves dark green, Minnesota winters and are sometimes greenish-purple, replaced by new leaves the micrantha (crevice alumroot), Heuchera sanguinea (coral bells), and Heuchera villosa (hairy alumroot) , yellow, yellow- following year; the species and Heuchera americana (American alumroot) are some of the more common species; a sampling of species and green, or -colored, are propagated by seed and hybrid cultivars include ‘Berry Smoothie’ (rose-pink, becoming rose-purple foliage, pink flowers ), ‘ Waves’ heart-shaped, mostly basal, division and the cultivars (yellow-orange foliage, -colored flowers), ‘Blackberry Ice (purple-green foliage, white flowers), ‘Caramel’ on long petioles (leaf stalks), by division. (yellow-orange leaves with rose-purple undersides, pink flowers) ‘Citronelle’ ( green foliage, ??? flowers), toothed, often with wavy ‘Hollywood’ (purple-green foliage with solver markings, orange-red flowers), ‘Midnight Rose’ (purple foliage with margins or 5 to 9 lobes and pink splotches, ??? flowers), ‘Peppermint Spice’ ( green foliage with purple veins, rose-pink flowers)‘Palace greenish-white, white, or Purple’ (bronze-purple foliage, pink flowers), and ‘Southern Comfort’ (coral-peach foliage, white flowers). silver markings. Fruit – a capsule; green, becoming tan, insignificant; matures in late summer/fall (August/October).

Hosta spp. 3-8 Very adaptable and A few with slugs being H: 0.5-5’ Partial shade Flowers – tubular, white to Native to Asia (China, easy to grow; prefer most common; a virus (including to shade. lavender, often fragrant, held Japan, Korea); thousands Plantain Lilies moist, organic, slightly (Hosta Virus X) is a flower well above the foliage; insect of named selections acid to neutral, well- growing concern. stalks) pollinated. (cultivars) primarily based Hosta drained soils, but will on leaf characteristics and A favorite of deer. S: 0.5-5’ Bloom Time – summer (late grow on just about any June-September). size; very popular and one soil, regardless of of the best plants for shady texture or pH (acidic Foliage – leaves various sites; form is mounded; the or alkaline) so long as to - species are propagated by Liliaceae green, sometimes variegated, Lily Family it is well-drained. seed and division and the basal; some have fairly good cultivars by division. yellow fall color.

Fruit – a capsule; green, becoming tan; matures in fall (September).

Hylotelephium 3-10 Adaptable; will grow Generally pest-free. H: 1-2’ Full sun to Flowers – white, pink, Native to eastern Europe spp. in any soil that is well- S: 1-2’ partial shade; reddish-purple in dense, flat- and Asia; form is drained. best in full topped clusters (cymes); mounded; very attractive to sun. insect pollinated. butterflies and bees, Stonecrops Drought tolerant. Bloom Time – late especially bumble bees; the Sedum species are propagated by spectabile (showy stonecrop, ice ) and summer/fall (August- October). seed, stem cuttings, and (orpine, live-forever; native to China and Korea) are the most common species; a division and the cultivars number of named selections (cultivars) from these species and hybrids between them Summer Foliage – leaves by stem cuttings and include ‘Autumn Joy’, Brilliant’, ‘Neon’, ‘Meteor’, ‘Autumn Charm’ and ‘Pink fleshy, green to blue- division. Chablis’ (variegated foliage), ‘Stardust’ and ‘Iceberg’ (white flowers), and ‘Matrona’, Orpine/Stonecrop green, alternate, opposite, or ‘Black Jack’, and ‘Bon Bon’ (purple foliage) to name a few; the Hylotelephium Family whorled. is closely related to, and was originally included in, the genus Sedum (sedum, stonecrop; flowers white, yellow, or pink) which includes several species commonly Fruit – a capsule; green, planted in Minnesota landscapes an on green roofs. becoming light brown; matures in fall (September/ October).

Iris spp. 3/4-8 Somewhat variable, Iris borer. H: 0.5-3’ Full sun to Flowers – various shades of Native to temperate regions but generally any S: 1-2’ partial shade. white, yellow, blue, , of the Northern Irises moist, well-drained and purple; insect pollinated. Hemisphere including soil; a few species Bloom Time – spring (April- North America and tolerate wet soils. June). Minnesota; there are bulbous and rhizomatous Iris sibirica (Siberian iris) and bearded iris (hybrids; dwarf, intermediate, and tall types) are most Foliage – green to bluish- types; there are thousands Iriscommonly planted in Minnesota landscapes; Iris cristata (crested iris), Iris pallida (sweet iris), green, strap-like; variegated of named selections Family Iris pumila (dwarf bearded iris), and a few other species are also grown; Iris versicolor (blue forms exist. (cultivars), many of hybrid flag iris) is a Minnesota native and grows on wet soils and in shallow water; Iris peudacoris (yellow Fruit – a capsule; green, origin; form is upright; the flag) is a very adaptable, introduced species that has escaped cultivation and is naturalized in most of becoming dark brown; species are propagated by the United States (including Minnesota) and Canada. matures in fall seed and division and the (August/September). cultivars by division.

Liatris spp. 3-9 Adaptable; prefer Generally disease and H: 2-5’ Full sun to Flowers – white or lavender- Native to North America moist, well-drained insect free. S: 1-2’ partial shade; pink in spiked heads; including Minnesota; form Gayfeathers soil, but will grow in best in full unusual in that they open is upright; grows from a just about any soil sun. from the top of the spike to (a bulb-like structure Blazing Star regardless of texture or the bottom; insect pollinated composed of stem tissue); pH (acidic to alkaline) and very attractive to bees a few selections (cultivars) so long as it is well- and butterflies. primarily based on flower

drained. Bloom Time – summer/ color and height are early fall (July-September). available; the species are Several species are native to Minnesota including Liatris aspera (rough blazing star), propagated by seed and Asteraceae Liatris cylindracea (cylindric blazing star), Liatris ligulistylis (northern plains blazing Foliage – leaves green, division and the cultivars Aster/Sunflower star), Liatris punctata (dotted blazing star), and Liatris pycnostachya (prairie blazing alternate, grass-like. by division. Family star); Liatris spicata (spike gayfeather), native to the eastern United States, is also Fruit – a tufted achene; planted in Minnesota landscapes and is a popular cut flower. matures in fall (August/September).

Paeonia spp. 3-8 Adaptable; prefer Generally pest free; H: 2-4’ Full sun to Flowers – solitary, large, Native to temperate regions well-drained, fertile, botrytis blight can S: 2-4’ partial shade; single to double, white, pink, of central and eastern Asia, slightly acidic, loamy sometimes be a problem. flower best reddish-purple, very showy, southern Europe, and soils, but will grow on Deer and rabbit resistant. in full sun. fragrant; insect pollinated. western North America; most soils so long as Bloom Time – late spring form is rounded, shrub- they are well-drained. (June) like; the species are propagated by seed and Paeoniaceae Foliage – leaves dark green; division and the cultivars Family Most peonies are of hybrid origin with (Chinese/common peony) alternate, compound with by division. lobed leaflets. as one of the parents; Paeonia tenuifolia (fernleaf peony) has finely divided foliage and red flowers; Paeonia suffruticosa (tree peony) has woody stems. Fruit – a follicle; green, becoming brown; matures in fall (August/September).

Annuals

Antirrhinum 9-11 Adaptable; prefer Generally pest free; rust. H: 6-48” Full sun to Flowers – showy, pea-like, Native to the majus well-drained, fertile Aphids, and spider mites S: 4-12” partial shade. in various , Mediterranean region; a soils. can sometimes be a yellow, orange, pink, tender perennial that is not

problem. lavender, and red, sometimes cold hardy in Minnesota; Snapdragon bicolored, in elongated, grown as an annual in terminal clusters (); Minnesota; form is upright insect pollinated. oval; quite a few named

Bloom Time – summer/fall selections (cultivars) have Scrophulariaceae (June-October); removing been selected based on Figwort Family the old flower clusters height and flower (deadheading) enhances characteristics; propagated continued bloom. by seed. Foliage – leaves medium to dark green, opposite, lance- shaped. Fruit – a capsule; green, becoming tan; matures in fall (July-October).

Begonia spp. 10-11 Prefers moist, but Powdery mildew and a H: 6-36” Full sun to Flowers – showy, single or Native to tropical and well-drained, organic, variety of leaf spots are S: 6-24” partial shade. double, white, pink, yellow, subtropical areas in Africa, Begonias fertile soils. most common. orange, or red, sometimes Asia, and Central and bicolored, in axillary clusters South America; tender (cymes); insect pollinated. perennials that are not cold Bloom Time – summer/fall hardy in Minnesota; grown Many species, including an ever increasing variety of hybrids, are commercially as annuals in Minnesota; Begoniaceae until frost (June-October). available including the commonly planted Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum form tends to be upright to Begonia Family (wax or bedding begonia) and others (Begonia ×; angel wing, dragon wing, and Foliage – variable; leaves rounded, or arching; a others); none of these species develop the underground storage stuctures alternate, rounded to wing- number of cultivars have (tuberous stems; ) that are produced by Begonia × tuberhybrida (tuberous shaped and asymmetrical, been selected based habit begonia; see the tender bulbs section. fleshy to leathery, various and foliage and flower shades of green, sometimes characteristics; some reddish-purple to bronze, species are primarily dull or shiny, sometimes grown for their foliage; the textured and variously species are propagated by mottled or variegated. seed and the cultivars by Fruit – a winged capsule; stem cuttings; seeds require green, becoming greenish- light to geminate. tan; matures in summer/fall (July-October).

Impatiens spp. 10-11 Adaptable so long as Slugs. H: 6-36” Full sun to Flowers – showy, variable, Native to the Northern adequate moisture is Eaten by rabbits and S: 6-36” shade; need single or double, white, pink, Hemisphere, including available; prefer deer. adequate lavender, , or red; North America (including organic, moist, but moisture in insect pollinated. Minnesota) and in tropical Patience Plant well-drained soils. full sun. and subtropical areas in Bloom Time – spring to frost (June-October). east Africa and Asia; the Impatiens balsamina (southern Asia; garden/rose balsam, touch-me-not), Impatiens hawkeri (Papua genus includes annuals and New Guinea, Solomon Islands; New Guinea impatiens), and several hybrids are some of the most Foliage – leaves light to dark tender perennials that are commonly planted species; (jewelweed, orange jewelweed, touch-me-not) and green, pale green beneath; not cold hardy in Impatiens pallida (pale/yellow jewelweed/touch-me-not) are annuals and Minnesota natives. alternate, toothed. Balsam Family Minnesota; the tender Fruit – a capsule; green; perennials are grown as Impatiens walleriana (impatiens, busy Lizzie, sultana), an east African species, and one of the most popular bedding matures in summer/fall annuals in Minnesota; plants in Europe and the United States, is susceptible to impatiens downy mildew, a new and devastating disease; New (August/September) and propagated by seed and Guinea impatiens and several hybrids, including SunPatiens® and Bounce™ & Big Bounce™ impatiens are resistant. opens explosively to expel stem cuttings. the seeds; insignificant.

Pelargoniun × 10-11 Adaptable; prefers Stem and root rots on H: 12-24” Full sun to Flowers – showy, single or Of hybrid origin from hortorum moist, well-drained wet soils, leaf spots, S: 12-24” partial shade. double, white, pink, species that are primarily soils with a neutral to botrytis blight, spider lavender, or red in dense native to South Africa; a slightly alkaline pH. mites, but few are clusters (umbels); insect tender perennial that is not Bedding Geranium significant if grown well. pollinated. cold hardy in Minnesota; Zonal Geranium Bloom Time – spring until a grown as an annual in

hard frost (June-October). Minnesota; a very popular garden plant; the species is Foliage – leaves medium to propagated by seed and the Geraniaceae dark green, opposite, cultivars by cuttings. rounded with scalloped Geranium Family edges, toothed, often with colored zones. Fruit – a capsule; green, becoming tan when mature; matures in summer/fall (July-October); typically removed as the dead flowers are unattractive.

Petunia × 10-11 Adaptable; just about Botrytis blight, tobacco H: 8-24” Full sun to Flowers – very showy, Of hybrid origin involving hybrida any well-drained, soil. mosaic virus, Attacked S: 8-12” partial shade; solitary in the axils of the several species that are by a variety of insects flowers best leaves, single or double, native to South America; and diseases including in full sun. funnel-shaped, in various form is rounded to trailing; Petunia downy mildew, aphids, shades of white, yellow, thousands of selections Garden Petunia and spider mites. pink, blue, purple, and red, (cultivars) have been sometimes bicolored, selected based on form and sometimes with wavy or floral characteristics; scalloped margins, fragrant; propagated by seed. Solanaceae insect pollinated. Some petunias can become Potato/Nightshade Bloom Time – spring, leggy and ratty looking by Family summer, fall until a hard late summer; cutting the frost (June-October); plants back can promote removing the spent flowers new growth and rejuvenate promotes continued bloom. them for the rest of the Foliage – leaves alternate, season. medium to dark green, pubescent (fuzzy). Fruit – a capsule; green, becoming light brown when mature; matures in summer/fall (July-October); insignificant.

Plectranthus 10-11 Prefers moist, but Attacked by a variety of H: 8-24” Full sun to Flowers – small, various Native to tropical areas of scutellarioides well-drained, organic, insects and diseases S: 8-12” partial shade. shades of lavender-blue, in southeast Asia, India, fertile soils. including downy long vertical terminal Africa, and Australia; mildew, aphids, and clusters (verticillasters; the tender herbaceous Coleus spider mites. typical of the perennials that are not cold Garden Coleus mint family) whorls of hardy in Minnesota; grown Painted Nettle flowers - actually a pair of as annuals in Minnesota; opposite cymes - variously primarily grown for their stacked on a central stem); interesting foliage; the Botanists seem to be having trouble making up their minds about the scientific/botanical insect pollinated. flowers should generally be name for the plants that are commonly referred to as garden coleus or simply coleus; removed to keep the plants Lamiaceae Plectranthus scutellarioides is currently the accepted scientific/ for these Bloom Time – summer/fall looking good; propagated Mint Family plants; historically several other names have been applied to this species including Coleus until frost (June-October). by seed and stem cuttings. blumei, Coleus × hybridus, and, more recently. Solenostemon scutellarioides; these names Foliage – variable in shape are now considered synonyms. and color; leaves opposite, typically multicolored in shades of green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and red. Fruit – a nutlet; green, becoming light brown; matures in summer/fall (August-October); typically removed as removing the flowers is recommended.

Tagetes spp. 9-11 Adaptable; will grow Few insect or disease H: 6-36” Full sun. Flowers – showy, in various Native to North (Mexico), on most soils so long problems; spider mites S: 4-18” shades of white, yellow, Central, and South Marigolds as they are well- and aster are orange, and reddish-brown, America; the genus drained. most common. sometimes bicolored, in includes annual and tender Tolerant of high pH terminal heads; insect perennials, but only the (alkaline) soils and pollinated. annuals are commonly grown in Minnesota; form Asteraceae drought. Bloom Time – spring to frost (June-October). is upright to rounded; there Aster / Sunflower are hundreds of named Family Foliage – leaves dark green, erecta (American/Mexican/Aztec/African ), Tagetes patula (French selections (cultivars) based opposite, pinnately marigold), and Tagetes tenuifolia (signet marigold) and hybrids among these and other primarily based on habit compound, with narrow, species are the most common. and floral characteristics; toothed leaflets, aromatic. propagated by seed; Fruit – an achene; green, sometimes reseeds in becoming tan with a black protected locations. stripe with a fringed cap; matures in one year in fall (August-October).

Viola × 6-9 Adaptable; prefers Leaf spots, stem rot, H: 4-10” Full sun to Flowers – showy in various Of hybrid origin from wittrockiana moist, but well- slugs, aphids, and S: 4-15” partial shade. shades of white, yellow, species native to Europe drained, soils that are cucumber mosaic virus orange, and purple, and Asia; short-lived, rich. can occur. sometimes bicolored, tender perennials that Pansy fragrant; insect pollinated. typically are not cold hardy Garden Pansy in Minnesota; grown as Viola tricolor (Johnny-jump-up), one of the parents of pansies, is a short-lived perennial Bloom Time – spring-fall annuals in Minnesota and that commonly reseeds in gardens; the genus Viola also includes the violets which are (May-October), but prefer often planted in the spring perennials and common in Minnesota landscapes (several species are native to Minnesota). cool weather and suffer and and again in the fall; can may stop blooming during Violaceae the heat of the summer. sometimes overwinter in Family Foliage – leaves medium Minnesota with ample and green; basal and rounded to reliable snow cover; edible; lance shaped, with rounded propagated by seed. teeth alternate with regular, pointed lobes and sinuses that extend about half way to the center vein. Fruit – a capsule; green, becoming brown; matures in late spring to fall (June- October); insignificant.

6 Hardy Bulbs spp. 3-8 Perform best on sandy A few, but generally not H: 4-6” Full sun to Flowers – showy, various Native to central and loam soils, but will serious. S: 4-6” partial shades of white, yellow, southern Europe; spring grow on most soils so Squirrels, chipmunks, shade; best blue, and purple; sometimes ephemerals; the “bulb” long as they are well- and mice may eat the in full sun. with purple stripes and (underground storage drained. corms and rabbits may sometimes bicolored, borne structure) is a tuberous singly or in loose clusters stem (corm); the corms are eat the flowers and foliage. (cymes); the flowers close at planted in the fall Iridaceae night and tend to remain (September/October); the Iris Family closed on cloudy days; insect species are propagated by pollinated. seed and division and the The species of crocus that are most commonly planted in Bloom Time – early spring cultivars by division. Minnesota include Crocus chrysanthus (golden crocus) (late March-early May). and (Dutch crocus) and their hybrids. Foliage – leaves basal, linear, grass-like, light green with a white stripe down the center. Fruit – a capsule; inconspicuous; matures in late spring (May/June).

Hyacinthus 3-7 Perform best on moist, None that are serious. H: 6-12” Full sun to Flowers – showy, in various Native to southeastern orientalis sandy soils, but will S: 6-12” partial shade; shades of white, yellow, Europe and far western grow on most soils so best in full pink, red, blue, and purple, Asia (Mediterranean long as they are well- sun. in cylindrical clusters region); spring ephemerals; Hyacinth drained; mulching in (racemes) on stout scapes the underground storage Garden Hyacinth winter can be (leafless stalks); very structure is a true bulb beneficial. fragrant; insect pollinated. (specifically a tunicate Bloom Time – early spring bulb; bulbs with a papery (late March/April). covering); many named selections (cultivars) are Liliaceae Foliage – leaves dark green, available; the bulbs are Lily Family basal, strap-like, and cupped planted in the fall inward longitudinally. (September/early October); Fruit – a capsule; green, the species are propagated Sometimes placed in becoming light brown; by seed and division and the Hyacinthaceae matures in late spring the cultivars by division. (Hyacinth Family) (May/June). and more recently in Hyacinths tend to be short- the Asparagaceae lived in the landscape. (Asparagus Family) Hyacinths are often forced indoors in the winter and spring.

Lilium spp. 3/4-9 Perform best on moist, Few that are serious; H: 1-7” Full sun to Flowers – funnel-shaped, Native to Europe, Asia, slightly acidic, sandy aphids and viruses can S: 1-3” partial shade; showy, in various shades of and North America Asiatic Lilies loam soils, but will sometimes be most white, yellow, orange, pink, including Minnesota; the grow on most soils so problematic. perform best red, purple, and maroon, underground storage Garden Lilies in full sun. long as they are well- Eaten by deer. often speckled, terminal, structure is a true bulb drained. borne singly or in clusters (specifically a scaly or (racemes or panicles); non-tunicate bulb; bulbs fragrant; insect pollinated. with exposed, overlapping Liliaceae Bloom Time – summer leaf bases/scales that lack Lily Family the papery covering seen in Species native to Minnesota include Lilium michiganense (Michigan Lily) and (June-September). tunicate bulbs); many Lilium philadelphicum (wood lily); other species that are grown in Minnesota Foliage – leaves dark green, named selections landscapes include Lilium martagon (martagon lily; grows in partial shade) and lance-shaped, alternate or a variety of hybrid lilies including the Asiatic hybrids which include hundreds (cultivars) based on size whorled. and flower characteristics of cultivars and are generally easy to grow. Fruit – a capsule; green, are available; the bulbs are becoming brown; matures in planted in the fall late summer/fall (September/October); the (September/October). species are propagated by seed and division and the cultivars by division; lilies can also be propagated from bulb scales and some produce small daughter bulbs (bulbils) above ground in the axils of their leaves.

Narcissus spp. 3/4-9 Prefer neutral to Generally pest free with H: 6-24” Full sun to Flowers – distinctive, showy, Native to the slightly acidic, well- bulb rots being most S: 4-12” partial shade. with six floral leaves Mediterranean region Daffodils drained soils. common and usually on surrounding a central (southwestern Europe, far poorly drained soils. trumpet, in various shades of western Asia, and northern Deer and rabbit resistant. white, yellow, orange, and Africa; spring ephemerals; salmon-pink, sometimes the underground storage bicolored, borne singly or in structure is a true bulb Amaryllidceae clusters (umbels) at the tips (specifically a tunicate Amaryllis Family of relatively long scapes bulb; bulbs with a papery (leafless stalks); often covering); most of the fragrant; insect pollinated. cultivated varieties are of Bloom Time – spring hybrid origin and (May/June). thousands of named selections (cultivars) are Foliage – leaves basal, green available primarily based to bluish-green, strap-like. on size and flower Fruit – a capsule; green, characteristics; the bulbs becoming brown; matures in are planted in the fall late spring/early summer (September/early October); (June). the species are propagated by seed and division and the cultivars by division. Daffodils are a popular cut flower and are sometimes forced as potted plants in early spring.

Tulipa spp. 3/4-8 Perform best in loamy Several leaf spots, H: 6-36” Full sun to Flowers – very showy, with Native to southeastern soils that are well- blights, and bulb rots, S: 6-12” partial shade; six floral leaves, in various Europe, western and Tulips drained, but will grow but usually not serious. best in full shades of white, yellow, central Asia, and northern in most soils so long Eaten by deer and sun. orange, pink, red, and purple Africa; spring ephemerals, as they are well- rabbits. (just about every color the underground storage drained; tulips do not imaginable except blue), structure is a true bulb compete well with the sometimes bicolored or (specifically a tunicate Liliaceae roots of trees and tricolored, borne singly or in bulb; bulbs with a papery Lily Family shrubs. clusters (umbels) at the tips covering); hundreds of of relatively long scapes species and thousands of (leafless stalks); often cultivars; although fragrant; insect pollinated. perennial by nature, most Bloom Time – early spring tulips planted in the United (April/May). States perform as biennials or short-lived perennials as Foliage – leaves primarily a result of less than ideal basal, medium green to growing conditions; the bluish-green, broadly strap- bulbs are planted in late like, often with wavy edges, fall (October/early and sometimes with purple November) just before the mottling. soil freezes. Fruit – a capsule; green, Tulips are a popular cut becoming brown; matures in flower and are sometimes late spring/early summer forced as potted plants in (May/June). early spring.

6 Tender Bulbs

Begonia × 9-11 Prefer organic, moist, Powdery mildew H: 1-2’ Partial shade Flowers – very showy, single Native to Brazil; tender tuberhybrida acidic, well-drained Eaten by deer. S: 1-2’ to shade; or double in various shades perennials; the garden soils. flower best of white, yellow, orange, types are complex hybrids in partial pink, and red; insect involving quite a few Tuberous Begonia shade. pollinated. species; the “bulb” Bloom Time – summer/fall (underground storage until frost (June-October). structure) is a tuberous stem (corm); grown as Foliage – leaves variable; annuals or the corms are Begoniaceae medium to dark green, dug up and stored at above Begoinia Family sometimes with lighter freezing temperatures for veins, asymmetrical at the replanting the following base, with large, irregular year; the species are teeth. propagated by seed and Fruit – a winged capsule; cuttings and the cultivars green, becoming tan when by cuttings; begonias can mature; matures in late also be propagated by leaf summer/fall (September/ and leaf-piece cuttings. October).

Canna × 8-10 Prefer, fertile, moist, Rust, viruses, slugs, and H: 2-6’ Full sun. Flowers – various shades of Native to tropical and generalis well-drained soils, but Japanese beetles can be S: 1-2’ white, yellow, orange, pink, subtropical regions of will grow on most problematic, but usually and red, sometimes North, Central, and South soils so long as they are not serious. variegated or speckled, in America from the southern Canna are not too wet. terminal clusters (spikes, United States to northern racemes, or panicles). Argentina; tender perennials; the garden Bloom Time – mid to late summer (August/ types are hybrids derived Cannaceae Depending on the variety, cannas may be started from seed or rhizomes September). primarily from crosses Canna Family started indoors in late April and planted outdoors after the danger of involving several species; frost has passed in mid to late May. Foliage – leaves large, the “bulb” (underground broad, typically bright green, storage structure) is a but sometimes bluish-green, ; ; grown as bronze, maroon, or annuals or the rhizomes are variegated/ streaked with dug up and stored at above yellow, orange, pink, or freezing temperatures for reddish-purple, alternate, and replanting the following emerge rolled up and then year; hundreds of named unfurl. selections (cultivars) are Fruit – a warty capsule; available based on size and green, sometimes reddish- flower and foliage purple, becoming brown characteristics; the species when mature; matures in late is propagated by seed and summer/fall (September/ division and the cultivars October). by division.

Dahlia spp. 8-10 Prefer, organic, fertile, Susceptible to a variety H: 1-8’ Full sun to Flowers – tremendous Native to Mexico and is the moist, well-drained of fungal and bacterial S: 1-3’ partial shade. variability in form, size, and national flower of Mexico; Dahlias soil. pests, several viruses, color; various shades of tender perennials grown as and aphids and spider white, yellow, orange, pink, annuals in Minnesota; the mites. red, lavender, and purple and garden types are hybrids bicolored in heads. primarily derived from three species (Dahlia Bloom Time – summer/fall Asteraceae until frost (June-October). coccinea, Dahlia pinnata, Aster/Sunflower Foliage – leaves green, and Dahlia rosea); the Family opposite or whorled, simple “bulb” (underground to pinnately compound with storage structure) is a an odd number of leaflets, tuberous root that must be toothed. dug up and stored at above freezing temperatures for Fruit – an achene, tufted or replanting the following not; green, becoming year; thousands of named greenish-tan when mature; selections (cultivars) are matures in late summer/ fall available based on size and (August-October). flower characteristics; the species are propagated by seed and stem cuttings and the cultivars by stem cuttings.

7 Landscape Grasses

Andropogon 3-9 Adaptable; prefers Few pests. H: 3-10’ Full sun to Flowers – showy, purplish, Native to central and gerardii moist, fertile, well- S: 1-2’ partial shade; in terminal, branched, eastern North America drained, sandy to clay best in full turkey-foot-like clusters including Minnesota where soils. sun. (racemes); wind pollinated. it is native throughout the Big Bluestem Quite drought tolerant Bloom Time – summer state; an upright, clump- Turkeyfoot once established. (August/September). forming, warm-season grass that is easy to grow; Foliage – leaves green to propagated by seed. blue-green, becoming purple Poaceae to reddish-purple in fall. Grass Family Fruit – a caryopsis; green, becoming tan when mature; matures in late summer (September/October).

Calamagrostis × 3-9 Adaptable; prefers Few pests; rust can H: 3-4’ Full sun to Flowers – fairly showy, Of hybrid origin from acutiflora moist, well-drained sometimes be a problem. S: 1-2’ partial shade; green, in long, narrow species native to Europe soils. best in full terminal, branched clusters and Asia; an upright, sun. (panicles); wind pollinated. clump-forming, cool- Feather Reed Grass season grass that is easy to Bloom Time – spring (June). A hybrid between Calamagrostis arundinacea (reed grass; native to Europe and Asia) and grow; stays upright during

Calamagrostis epigejos (wood small-reed; native to Europe, Asia, and eastern Africa); ‘Karl Foliage – leaves bright green the winter; propagated by Foerster’ is very popular and the most commonly planted ; other cultivars include and emerge sooner than seed and division. Poaceae ‘Overdam’ and ‘Avalanche’ which have variegated leaves; Calamagrostis brachytricha those of the warm season Grass Family (Korean feather reed grass; hardy to Zone 4) is much less common, but is more shade grasses. tolerant and has pinkish flowers and larger, showier, more feathery seed heads. Fruit – a caryopsis; green, becoming tan when mature; matures in summer (August/ September).

Panicum 3/4-9 Very adaptable; will Few pests. H: 3-6’ Full sun. Flowers – showy, pinkish- Native across most of virginicum grow on just about any S: 1-2’ tan, in large, airy, terminal, North America including soil. branched, conical clusters Minnesota where it is (panicles); wind pollinated. native throughout most of Switchgrass Tolerates clay soils, drought (once Bloom Time – summer the state; an upright to Panicgrass established), and (August/September). arching, warm-season, clump-forming grass tope short-term, seasonal Foliage – leaves green to flooding with airy seed heads; blue-green, becoming propagated by seed and Poaceae yellow, purple, or reddish- division. purple in fall. Grass Family A number of named selections (cultivars) are available – examples include ‘Heavy Metal’ (blue-green foliage and yellow fall color), ‘Northwind’ (dense, upright habit with blue- Fruit – a caryopsis; green, green foliage), ‘Prairie Sky’ (upright habit with greenish-blue foliage), ‘Rostrahlbusch’ becoming tan when mature; (upright, red fall color), and ‘Shenandoah’ (reddish-purple streaked foliage). matures in late summer/fall (September/October); seed heads persist during the winter.

Schizachyrium 3-8 Adaptable; prefers Few pests. H: 2-3’ Full sun to Flowers – showy, purplish- Native to North America scoparium well-drained, sandy, S: 1-2’ partial shade; yellow, along long slender including Minnesota where sandy loam, or loamy best in full stems (racemes); wind it is native across most of soils. sun. pollinated. the state; propagated by Little Bluestem seed and division. Bloom Time – summer (July-September). Foliage – leaves light green Poaceae to bluish-green, becoming A number of named selections (cultivars) are available; ‘Blue Heaven’ (upright Grass Family golden-brown to copper- habit, bluish-green foliage, orange-red fall color) and ‘The ’ (upright habit, brown with silvery-white, powder-blue foliage, copper-orange fall color) are popular examples. fluffy seed heads in the fall. Fruit – a caryopsis; green, becoming tan when mature; matures in late summer/fall (September/ October).

Sporobolus 3-9 Adaptable; prefers Few pests. H: 2-4’ Full sun. Flowers – showy, delicate, Native to east-central and heterolepis moist, well-drained S: 1-2’ pinkish, in fairly compact, central North America soils. branched terminal clusters including Minnesota; a (panicles) held well above well-behaved, warm- Prairie Dropseed Drought and heat tolerant once the foliage; wind pollinated. season, clump-forming grass with a graceful, established. Bloom Time – summer/fall (August/September). mounded habit and seed Intolerant of wet sites. heads that are held well Poaceae Foliage – leaves bright above the mounded Grass Family green, fine-textured, arching, foliage; propagated by A species that is growing in popularity as a result of its becoming yellow-orange and seed. graceful habit and shorter stature; commonly planted in eventually tan in the fall. large groups as a ground cover in sunny locations. Fruit – a caryopsis; green, becoming tan when mature; matures in late summer/fall (September/October); the seed heads have an interesting, popcorn fragrance.

8 Herbaceous Vines

Ipomoea spp. 9-11 Any well-drained soil. Few that are serious. H: 8-15’ Full sun. Flowers – very showy, Native to Mexico and Quite drought tolerant usually solitary, trumpet- Central America; Morning Glories once established. shaped, in the axils of the herbaceous perennials that leaves, in various shades of are frost tender and not white, pink, purple, blue, and cold hardy in Minnesota; red, sometimes with white grown as annuals in Ipomoea batatus (sweet potato vine; a trailing vine), Ipomoea purpurea (morning glory, throats and radial stripes; Minnesota; the species that Convolvulaceae purple morning glory), and Ipomoea tricolor (morning glory, Mexican morning glory) flowers open in the morning climb, climb by twining Morning Glory are the species that are most often grown in Minnesota; other species that are sometimes and close by midday; insect stems; propagated by seed. Family grown in Minnesota include Ipomoea alba (moonflower, white morning glory; very pollinated. fragrant and blooms at night), Ipomoea × multifida (cardinal climber; leaves divided, Bloom Time – summer/fall small flowers), and Ipomoea quamoclit (cypress vine, cardinal climber; leaves (July-September). very finely divided, small scarlet flowers). Foliage – leaves variable, alternate, heart-shaped to pinnately lobed or divided. Fruit – a capsule; green, becoming tan when mature; matures in late summer/fall (August/September).

Lablab 10-11 Any well-drained soil. Japanese beetles; H: 10-20’ Full sun to Flowers – showy, white, Native to tropical Africa; a purpureus Fairly drought tolerant otherwise few that are partial shade. pink, purple, or bluish- herbaceous perennial that once established. serious; spider mites can purple, in terminal clusters is frost tender and not cold occasionally be a (racemes); insect pollinated. hardy in Minnesota; grown Hyacinth Bean problem. Bloom Time – summer/fall as an annual in Minnesota; Dolichos Bean attractive to hummingbirds until frost (June-October). Lablab Bean and other pollinators; Foliage – leaves alternate, climbs by twining stems; trifoliate with purple petioles propagated by seed. (leaf stalks).

Fabaceae Fruit – a legume; green, Pea/Bean Family becoming purple and eventually brown when mature; matures in late summer/fall (August- October).

Thunbergia alata 10-11 Prefers moist, but None serious. H: 6-8’ Full sun to Flowers – very showy, Native to eastern Africa; a well-drained, fertile partial shade; solitary in the axils of the herbaceous perennial that Black-Eyed Susan soils. best in leaves, in various shades of is frost tender and not Vine partial shade. white, yellow, and orange hardy in Minnesota, grown

Clock Vine Intolerant of excessive with dark centers (maroon to as an annual in Minnesota; heat and drought. brownish-purple; insect climbs by twining stems; pollinated. propagated by seed and

stem cuttings. Bloom Time – summer/fall Acanthaceae (July-September). Acanthus Family Foliage – leaves opposite, heart-shaped to triangular, with winged petioles, toothed. Fruit – a capsule; green, becoming tan when mature; matures in late summer/fall (August/September).

1 Herbaceous Plants – herbaceous plants include annuals (plants that complete their life cycle – germinate from seed, grow, flower, set seed, and die – in one growing season), biennials (plants that complete their life cycle in two growing seasons), and herbaceous perennials (plants that live for more than two years); annuals die after they have flowered and set seed or at the end of the growing season and new plants grow from seed each year; biennials produce a rosette of foliage the first year and flower, set seed, and die the second year; some herbaceous perennials live for many years without flowering and then flower, set seed, and die, while others flower and set seed each year for many years; although a few are evergreen, the tops of most herbaceous perennials die back during the winter and regrow from below ground each year; herbaceous plants may have a single stem or multiple stems (clump forming) and some are trailing or climbing vines; some herbaceous perennials that are not hardy in Minnesota are grown as annuals.

2 Name – Scientific/Botanical and Common Name(s).

3 Zones – USDA Cold Hardiness Zones; Zone 1 / < 50°F, Zone 2 / -40 to -50°F, Zone 3 / -30 to -40°F, Zone 4 / -20 to -30°F, Zone 5 / -10 to -20°F, etc..

4 Size – H = Height; S = Spread.

5 spp. – spp. is the abbreviation for multiple species (species plural; where the author is referring to more than one species within a genus); sp. is the abbreviation for a single species (species singular; where the author is referring to a particular plant (one species), but where the specific species is unknown or not important relative to the information being presented).

6 Hardy/Tender Bulbs – the term bulb is a generic term for a variety of underground food storage and resting structures produced by plants for future growth after a dormant period (winter in Minnesota); hardy bulbs are herbaceous perennials that produce underground storage structures with dormant buds that function as food storage (food reserves), reproductive (vegetative reproduction), and survival structures during dormant periods when the weather conditions are adverse to plant growth (winter, when temperatures are not conducive to growth in cold climates like Minnesota’s and summer, fall, and winter for spring ephemerals that grow in woodland ecosystems; spring ephemerals complete their annual growth and reproductive cycle in the early spring when light is abundant before the tree canopy leafs out and then go dormant until the following spring; in warmer climates, the dormant period typically corresponds to the dry season); plants that produce these types of underground storage structures are called geophytes (geo = earth, phyte = plant; earth plants) and the underground storage structures – rhizomes (fleshy underground stems), stem-tubers (tuberous stems; primarily composed of stem tissue; corms are included in this group), root-tubers (tuberous roots; primarily composed of root tissue), bulbs (true bulbs; primarily composed of fleshy leaf tissue attached to a short stem called a basal plate; two types – tunicate bulbs like onions and tulips which have a protective, papery covering and scaly, also called non-tunicate or imbricate, bulbs like lilies which lack the protective tunic), and root geophytes (plants with fleshy roots that serve as the storage tissue) – are generically referred to as bulbs; tender bulbs are geophytes that are killed by freezing temperatures and will not survive a Minnesota winter unless they lifted and stored to protect them from freezing temperatures; tender bulbs are grown as annuals and new bulbs must planted each year or the “bulbs” must be dug up, stored for the winter, and replanted after danger of frost each year.

7 Landscape Grasses – landscape grasses include the members of the grass family (the true grasses – Poaceae; the bamboos are included in this group) and other grass-like plants from other families including sedges (Cyperaceae), rushes (Juncaceae), and cattails (Typhaceae) that are used in designed landscapes; they may be annuals or herbaceous perennials and include turf (lawn) grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and a variety of other species that are planted in gardens and other landscape beds.

8 Herbaceous Vines – herbaceous vines are herbaceous plants (plants with non-woody stems) that have weak stems and strong apical dominance (growth of the terminal bud inhibits the growth of lateral buds and branches resulting in a tall plant with only one or a few stems); as a result of their weak stems, vines ramble over the ground or have the ability to climb a support; herbaceous vines may be annuals, tender perennials (not cold hardy and killed during the winter), or cold hardy perennials.

Notes:

This is only a partial list (33) of the native and introduced herbaceous species that can be planted in Minnesota landscapes; a complete list would include hundreds of species and thousands of named selections (cultivars).

The crown sizes listed represent a typical range for each species; individual trees may be bigger or smaller depending on location and the resulting light and soil (fertility and moisture) conditions and cultivar; trees that are part of forest canopies or are surrounded by neighboring trees in designed landscapes tend to be taller and narrower as a consequence of crowding and stretching for light.

Remember that native plants, including herbaceous species, are an important component of native ecosystems and thereby serve as an important food source for a variety of native insects, animals, and micro-organisms (e.g., the milkweeds – Asclepias spp. – an important nectar and pollen source for native butterflies, bees, and other pollinators and the larval food source for monarch butterflies and other insects – without milkweed plants growing in the wild and in designed landscapes, some of these species, including monarch butterflies, cannot survive); and while the creatures that feed on milkweeds and other plants may be considered pests in designed landscapes, they, just like the plants themselves, are also important components of native ecosystems as food and ecosystem engineers.

Resources:

Armitage, A.M. 1989. Herbaceous Perennial Plants: A Treatise on their Identification, Culture, and Garden Attributes. Athens Press, Inc., Athens, GA

Bailey, L.H. 1976. Hortus Third: A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada. Revised and Expanded Edition. Macmillan Publishing Co., New York, NY.

Brickell, C. and J.D. Zuk. 1996. The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. DK Publishing, Inc., New York, NY.

Mathew, B. and P. Swindells. 1994. The Complete Book of Bulb, Corms, Tubers, and Rhizomes. Readers Digest Association, Pleasantville, NY.

Moyle, J.B. and E.W. Moyle. 2001. Northland Wildflowers: The Complete Guide to the Minnesota Region. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN.

Snyder, L.C. 1983. Flowers for Northern Gardens. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN.

Snyder, L.C. 1991. Native Plants for Northern Gardens. Andersen Horticultural Library, Chaska, MN.

Steiner, L.M. 2005. Landscaping with Native Plants of Minnesota. Voyager Press, Inc., Stllwater, MN.

Still, S.M. 1994. Manual of Herbaceous Ornamental Plants. Stipes Publishing Company, Champaign, IL.

Talamy, D.W. 2007. Bringing Nature Home. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, OR.

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