Perennials and Groundcovers: Latin Name Common Name Size Flowers Leaf color Other attributes Zone Culture Aconitum sp. Monkshood 2-4’ Varies but typically blue Green Many species and cultivars available. Bulbous root is poisonous if eaten. 3-7 Full sun to afternoon shade, well drained soil, and cool locations Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegata’ Bishop’s Goutweed 6-9” White, late spring Light green with white margins Invasive, good for difficult locations. 2-8 Sun or shade, best in part shade. Grows in any soil. Alchemilla sp. Lady’s Mantle Varies with species Chartreuse, in spring Light green, pubescent. Palmate shaped leaves. 3-7 Afternoon shade. Moist soils, dry soils stunt growth. Anemone blanda Grecian Windflower 6-8” Blue, white and rose, early spring Greenish blue fern-like foliage Can self sow. corms in fall after soaking in water overnight to increase establishment. 4-7 Partial shade, moist soil. Amend soil with organic matter. May need winter protection Anemone x hybrida Hybrid or Japanese Anemone 2-4’ White or pink, late summer to fall Dark green foliage Many cultivars available for desired flower color, some with semi-double blooms 4-8 Afternoon shade, fertile moist, soil, can be slow to establish Anemone hupehensis var. japonica Japanese Anemone 2-3’ Pink, late summer to fall Dark green foliage Many cultivars available. Often confused with A. x hybrida cultivars 4-8 Afternoon shade, fertile, moist, soil Anemone sylvestris Snowdrop Anemone 10-18’ White, fragrant, spring Light green Can be invasive. Showy woolly white fruit 4-7 Partial shade. drained
Anemone tomentosa (vitifolia) ‘Robustissima’ Grapeleaf Anemone 18-36” Mauve-pink flowers, in fall foliage, minimal foliar diseases Spreads 4 Partial shade to full sun. Anemonella thalictroides Rue-Anemone 8-10” White to pink in early spring. (doesn’t have petals, but petal-like sepals) Blue-green basal foliage, very fine and dainty. Goes dormant after setting seed. 4-8 Partial shade, moist soils. Does not tolerate dry soils. Angelica archangelica Angelica 4-6’ Chartreuse flowers in summer Showy seed heads. Edible foliage and stems can be used in teas, salads, preserves, etc. 4-9 Biennial or short lived perennial Semi-shade shade in rich, moist soil Anthriscus cerefolium Chervil 18-24” Tiny white flowers in summer Lacy, fern-like foliage. Foliage is anise flavored, is edible or good in teas. Red fall color. Annual, can reseed Filtered moist soils. Prefers cool weather. Aquilegia sp Columbine Varies with species Early summer, flower color varies with species and cultivars Fine green foliage Can be short-lived but will reseed. Different cultivars will hybridize freely. 3-8 Partial shade, moist, well-drained soil Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry or Kinnikinick 6-12” White to pink bell shaped, in spring, often hidden by foliage Evergreen foliage, glossy Native to Utah, understory groundcover, Red berries in late summer. 2-5/6 Full sun to partial shade, prefers infertile soils drained
Asarum sp. Wild Ginger Varies 4-8” Dark red, but hidden by foliage Dark glossy 4-7 Full shade, moist, well soils, slightly acidic Bergenia cordifolia Bergenia 12-15” Rose-pink flowers on upright stalks. Large glossy, green, basal, foliage Rabbits love to eat the foliage. 5-7 Afternoon shade, moist, well-drained soil. Does not tolerate wet soils. Brunnera macrophylla Siberian Bugloss 12-18” Blue, spring Light green basal foliage Cultivars available with variegated foliage 3-7 Afternoon shade, moist soils Campanula cochlearifolia Fairies’ Thimbles 4-6” Light blue flowers in summer Green Easy to grow, mat forming plant 5 Afternoon shade and well drained soils. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Plumbago or Leadwort 8-12” Blue flowers in late summer to fall. Green foliage, red fall color. The blue flowers against the red fall foliage are quite striking. 5-8 Partial moist, well soil. Cimicifuga sp. Bugbane Varies with species, 2 or 3’ to 6’ or more Sprays of small white flowers, spring Green, Some cultivars have purplish foliage. Finely divided foliage. Can be slow to establish. 3-7 Shade, moist, rich, acidic soils. Convallaria majalis Lily of the Valley 6-12” Fragrant white bells in early spring. Green Spreading. ‘Fortin’s has larger flowers and showy red fruit in fall 2-5 Partial shade, consistently moist locations Corydalis flexuosa Corydalis 12-15” Blue, spring to early summer. Fine blue-green foliage Dies back in summer after seeding. 5-8 Part requires well-drained soils. Prefers cooler
temperatures, and basic or neutral soil pH. Corydalis lutea Corydalis 9-15” Yellow, spring Fine blue-green foliage Can reseed 5-7 Sun or shade, moist soils. Prefers basic or neutral soil pH. Dicentra eximia and formosa Fringed Bleeding 9-18” White, pink or rose flowers in spring, with some re-bloom Green, or fern-like foliage D. eximia tolerates hot/wet weather better. D. Formosa is more drought tolerant. 3-9 Partial shade, moist rich soils. Dicentra spectabilis Common Bleeding Heart 18-36” Red or white flowers in spring. Very showy. on arching stems Dies back after flowering, faster in heat; plant with companions to hide the void. 2-8 Partial shade, moist soils. Digitalis sp. Foxglove Varies, 2-5’ Typically rose, purple or white on tall spikes, in summer Green foliage Many are bi-annual, living two some species are perennial. 4-7 Partial shade, moist soils with organic matter Doronicum orientale Leopard’s Bane 1-2’ Bright yellow, daisy-like, in early spring Bright green foliage Goes dormant with summer heat; plant with companions to hide the void. 4-7 Shade, moist soils. Epimedium sp. Barrenwort Varies, 8-12” Varies, usually yellow, white or pinkish, in spring Early foliage tinged pink or reddish. Fall color yellow, red to bronze. Slow to establish. Remove old foliage in spring to better enjoy flowers. 4-7 Light shade, needs humus rich soil with good drainage.
Euonymus fortunei Wintercreeper Euonymus 4-6’ Not showy. Cultivars with variegated leaves. Great groundcover 4-8 Tolerates sun or shade, does not tolerate wet swampy conditions. Filipendula sp. Meadowsweet Varies with species, 2-6’ Pink or white, in summer Dark green foliage of foliage burn if the soil is too dry 3-7 Full sun to part shade, moist soils Galium odoratum Sweet Woodruff 4-9” White, in spring Green Spreading groundcover. Flowers and leaves used in May Wine, teas, potpourri’s, etc. 4-7 Shade, moist soils. Gaultheria procumbens Creeping Wintergreen 6” Pinkish white in summer Green glossy leaves, fragrant when crushed, reddish color in winter Creeping groundcover. Showy red fruits in late summer/fall 3 Partial shade, acidic moist soils high in organic matter. Geranium sp. Hardy Geranium Varies, 6” to 3’ Pink, purple, shades, in summer Green G. macrorrhizum and phaeum tolerate dry soils. Varies 4-7 Afternoon shade, moist well-drained soils. Geranium viscosissimum Sticky Purple Geranium 1-2” Pink to purple flowers from late spring through summer. Foliage has red fall color. Utah native at 6,000 to 10,500’. All plant parts are sticky. 2 Prefers light shade, moist to dry soils. Hakonechloe sp. Japanese Forest Grass or Hakone Grass 1’ NA Medium green, arching foliage. Bronze fall color. Cultivars have variegated foliage 6-7 Partial shade, needs winter protection.
Helleborus foetidus Bearsfoot Hellebore 18-24” Greenish, in spring Dark green foliage, all year; its best attribute! Flowers scent can be slightly unpleasant. 5-9 Partial shade, well drained soil. Helleborus niger Christmas Rose 12-18” White, in Winter/early spring Dark green Doesn’t tolerate extremes. Cut old foliage before blooming 3-8 Shade, slightly alkaline soils, consistently moist, well drained soils Helleborus orientalis Lenten Rose 15-18” rose and purple, in early spring Dark green Cut old foliage before blooming. Less culturally picky. 4-9 moist soils Heuchera sp Coral Bells, Alumroot Varies Varies, white to pink or red, early summer Varies with cultivar Many species available and many cultivars with a multitude of plant/leaf sizes and colors. 4-9 Partial shade Hosta sp. Plantain Lily Varies with species, 6” to 3’+ White or purple, some fragrant, often grown for foliage only Varies with cultivar; solid or variegated, in blue, green, gold, and white. Hundreds of cultivars available, Deer and slugs can cause foliar damage 3-8 Shade, rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ Chameleon Plant 9-15” in summer. White, pink & red variegated. Can revert back to green. Great groundcover for wet areas; can be invasive in wet soils. Grown for foliage color. 3-8 Sun to part shade. Requires abundant moisture; dry soils will cause dieback.
Iliamna rivularis Mountain Hollyhock 2-6’ Rose-pink flowers summer through fall. Utah native at 4,500 to 9,500’ Best used as a backdrop. 3 Sun or part shade. Prefers moist areas to dry shade. Lamium maculatum Spotted Nettle Varies 8-15” White, pink or reddish purple. Green with silver or white variegation Grown for foliage 4-8 Part to full shade, moist, well-drained soil Ligularia dentate Big leaf Ligularia 3-4’ Yellow-orange, in summer. Flowers wilt on hot days. green ‘kidney shaped’ leaves Some cultivars have purplish foliage. 5-8 Afternoon shade; cool locations & moist soil are imperative Ligularia stenocephala ‘The Rocket’ Narrow Spiked Ligularia 3-4’ Fragrant yellow flowers on tall spikes, in summer Large green ‘triangular shaped’ leaves Leaves wilt on hot days 5-8 Afternoon shade; cool locations & moist soil are imperative Lysimachia nummularia Creeping Jenny 4-8” Yellow, in summer Green foliage; ‘Aurea’ has Golden foliage Groundcover; spreads rapidly in moist locations 3-9 Part shade, moist conditions Lysimachia clethroides Gooseneck Loostrife 2-3’ White arching flower spike, in summer. Green, early leaves reddish Can be invasive; ample room. 3-8 Full sun to part shade, moist soils Melissa officinalis ‘Aurea’ Golden Lemon Balm 2’ Not Newer leaves golden Lemon scented leaves can be used in teas. 4-9 Partial rich, moist soil Mertensia sp. Bluebells Varies, 1-4’ Blue to pink or purple, in spring Green M. oblongifolia is one of six species native to Utah. Foliage can die back early in hot conditions. 3-8 Sun to partial shade, moist soils
Mimulus sp. Monkeyflower 1-3’ Color varies with species, summer Green Native Naturally grows along stream banks. 3 Sun to partial shade, moist soils. Pachysandra procumbens Allegheny Spurge 9-12” Foliage tends to hide flowers Green Nice groundcover, not as vigorous as P. terminalis 5-9 Partial shade, moist soils Paxistima canbyi (Formerly pachistima) Mountain Lover 12” in height, wider spread Not showy Evergreen foliage, bronzy color in cold weather Small shrub 3-7 Full sun to partial shade, moist, soils with organic matter Paxistima myrsinites (formerly pachistima) Mountain Lover 2-3’ Small purplish flowers in spring. Evergreen groundcover. Utah native at 6,000 – 10,000’ 3-4 Shade, prefers moist, well-drained soils. Penstemon cyananthus Wasatch Penstemon Varies, 2” to 3’ Blue flowers with a yellow beard. Blooms late spring to early summer Utah native from 5,000 to 11,000’ 2-3 Sun to partial shade. Needs gravelly, well draining soils. Penstemon rostriflorus Bridges Penstemon 1-2’ Orangish red to scarlet flowers in summer. Utah native from 4,000 to 9,000’ 4 Sun to partial shade. Needs rocky, well-drained soil. Penstemon whippleanus Whipple Penstemon 1-2’ Flowers in summer. Color variable: wine purple or white to blue Utah Native, from 6,000 to 11,500’ 2 Sun to light shade. Prefers moist, soils. Tolerates more moisture that some penstemons.
Polemonium caeruleum Jacob’s Ladder 18-24” Blue, pink or white, in early summer Small leaflets arranged on the stem like a ladder. Does not tolerate hot and humid conditions 2-7 Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, and cooler temperatures Polygonatum biflorum and odoratum Solomon’s Seal 1-2’ Greenish white flowers in spring. P. odoratum ‘Variegatum’ has white variegation on the foliage. 3-8 Prefers shady, cool woodland areas. Pulmonaria angustifolia Blue Lungwort 9-12” Pink buds open to bright blue flowers, in spring Solid green Foliage wilts in warmer conditions and can die back after flowering 2-7 Partial shade, moist, well-drained soils Pulmonaria longifolia Long-leaved Lungwort 9-12” Blue to purple, in spring Green, long narrow leaves, spotted variegation Tolerates heat more 3-8 Partial shade, moist, well-drained soils Pulmonaria rubra Red Lungwort 12-24” Coral to red, in early spring green 4-7 Partial shade, moist, well-drained soils Pulmonaria saccharata Bethlehem Sage 9-18” Pinkish flower buds, open to blue, spring Spotted foliage Many cultivars available 3-7 Partial shade; soils with regular moisture Sagina subulata Irish Moss 1” White, summer Green; ‘Aurea’ or Scotch Moss has golden foliage Excess moisture, and overhead irrigation can cause rot 6 Sun to part shade, well-drained soil. Aurea needs more shade. Thalictrum sp. Meadow Rue Varies by species Colored sepals, spring or summer Fine, green to blue-green Part shade, adequate moisture
Trollis x cultorum Hybrid Globeflower 2-3’ Yellow, late spring Dark green Foliage declines in mid-summer 3-6 Afternoon shade, cool locations; moist, heavy soil Veronica officinalis Common Speedwell 6-12” Blue in early summer Creeping groundcover 4-6 Partial to full shade, moist soils Vinca minor Common Periwinkle 12-18” Blue in spring Green foliage with white variegation Creeping groundcover, stems will root wherever they touch the ground 4-6 Shade and moist locations Viola sp. Violet Varies 3-12” A variety of colors, in spring Shades of green Many species and cultivars available. V. nuttallii is native. Varies 3-9 Shade, moist soil