Whether you're planting a new flower garden, renovating an old one or just adding a handful to complement an existing bed, vertical plants may be just what you're looking for. While both are considered annuals, they can often be grown as perennials in many parts of California. No spire garden would be complete without delphinium and foxglove. Delphiniums are known for their arresting blue steeples of summer flowers. Flower spikes reach 6 feet high and spread 2 feet.
Foxgloves feature individual florets that resemble the fingers of a glove.
The funnel-shaped flowers have exotic spots and freckles as a means of attracting bees for pollination. Plants grow 3-4 feet high and spread a foot. More about vertical flowers can be found on the Graceful Gardens web site . To order some of the flowers discussed, take a look at the Whiting Nursery newsletter. Other vertical flowers are available at Plant Delights Nursery .