4'H or Larger Perennials

Jack in the Bush or Crucita is truly one of the very best butterfly plants! The nectar rich, light blue to purple, flat topped flower clusters make perfect landing platforms for pollinators of all shapes and sizes. Crucita can be found in flower as early as mid summer to late fall. Caterpillar host: Rounded Metalmark. Item# 10670.

The spring and summer clumps of yellow-green foliage are accented with and tipped with red and in late summer tall, 4-1/2-5-1/2' high, sturdy spikes of decorative reddish seed heads are produced. As fall approaches the foliage becomes red and then deepens into fiery scarlet. Dancing Wind Big Bluestem, a selection of Andropogon gerardii, has a slightly shorter, sturdier upright habit than the species with excellent fall color. The species is native throughout much of the eastern 2/3's of the US and is a clumping to slowly spreading rhizomatous grass whose seeds are utilized by a number of seed eating birds. Provide a full to mostly sunny site with an average to well-drained, acidic soil for the deepest foliage colors and optimum vigor. Plants are in their best form when grown in a low fertility soil. Caterpillars: Arogos Skipper and Delaware Skipper. Photos courtesy of Brent Horvath, Intrisic Perennial Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12852

The huge 8-9" wide ruffled white flowers sporting darker pink veining with a dark burgundy eye shine like spotlights against the foil of dark burgundy to near black foliage and are produced throughout summer. A top performing selection, Dark Mystery Hardy Hibiscus is a vigorous and reliable clump forming perennial Hibiscus with a good branching habit. It is sure to be a star in almost any garden or landscape! Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, Dark Mystery is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating a knockout display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12060

This heirloom has long been a popular favorite among Southern gardeners! Clusters of 4-6" fully double, bright pink, peony-like flowers are born in late summer and into fall. The Double Pink Confederate Rose is a large deciduous shrub in mild climates or a vigorous perennial in the colder portions of its range. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Tough, easy, and reliable! Item #386.

Clusters of 4-6" fully double peony-like flowers open white and quickly change to pink and to near red by the day's end creating the 3 color effect of this cultivar's Tricolor name. The Double White Confederate Rose begins it show in late summer and lasting into fall. A large deciduous shrub in mild climates or a vigorous perennial in the colder portions of its range. Tough, easy, and reliable! This heirloom has long been a popular favorite among Southern gardeners! Item# 389. 

Dr. Seuss produces clusters of large, sweetly fragrant trumpets that open yellow, deepen to a gold, and finally to orange as they age. Angel's Trumpets are fast growing tropical shrubs that act-like dieback perennials in the northern parts of their range but readily return from the roots in spring. They also make easy to enjoy container plants that can be overwintered indoors. Item# 911.

The strong fragrance and extra large, deep pink, long-lasting flowers make Ecuador Pink one of the very best pink Angel's Trumpets! Angel's Trumpets are fast growing tropical shrubs that act-like dieback perennials in the northern parts of their range but readily return from the roots in spring. They also make easy to enjoy container plants that can be overwintered indoors. Item# 411.

This Almost Eden exclusive introduction boasts clusters of glowing deep reddish orange 2" upward facing tubular blooms that are perfect for hummingbirds and butterflies. Flowering from summer and often well into winter this hardy heat and sun-loving tropical can be grown as a shrub, vine, espalier, or can even be trained into tree forms. Where not hardy it makes an easy container plant. Item# 9565.

Long white fragrant trumpets are held on tall sturdy stems in mid to late summer. One of the tallest lilies that may reach 7' or more. Extremely easy to grow and readily naturalizes. A favorite pass-along heirloom that will adorn your garden for years to come. The Formosa or Phillipine Lily attracts a variety of pollinators including Hummingbird Moths and so makes an excellent addition to the Moon/Moth garden with it's large showy white flowers. Item# 9521.

The Fragrant White Mistflower produces clusters of fragrant, white, nectar-rich flowers in fall just as the Monarch butterflies are migrating southward. The flowers attract a large variety of pollinators including bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other garden beneficials. This shrubby perennial native of the Edwards Plateau is a tough hombre that is moderately drought resistant and can develop into a somewhat woody shrub. Item# 11358

Large white trumpets heavily edged in a deep rich pink skirt, hang in loose clusters from this large tropical shrub. Angel's Trumpets are fast growing tropical shrubs that act-like die-back perennials in the northern parts of their range but readily return from the roots in spring. They also make easy to enjoy container plants that can be overwintered indoors. Item# 424.

Large clusters of dense frilly purple flowers are borne from mid-summer to fall on this tall vigorous native perennial. An excellent choice for the back of the border where the butterflies and bees can enjoy it. Commonly found in moist clay soils but will do fine in average garden soils. Item# 9257.

Massive spikes of crimson blooms, to 24" high and 16" wide, are held above the large, tropical, heart-shaped leaves. Blooms throughout summer and into fall. A tough old Heirloom that will slowly spread by underground runners finding its way to the perfect garden position. In freeze free climates the Japanese Glory Bower can grow into an 8-12' high shrub with flowers on every branch. An excellent plant for long tongued pollinators but especially hummingbirds and larger butterflies. Item# 1048.

The most floriferous Esperanza that we grow! Gold Star Esperanza produces an endless display of large clusters of large golden yellow, lightly fragrant trumpets from late spring to frost. This Greg Grant selection is the standard by which all other Esperanza's are judged. Hardy, heat and sun loving, and with a nicely branched habit Gold Star Esperanza is great for tropical settings in containers and in the garden. Attracts pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Item # 9902

10" golden yellow flowers that resemble a lotus when first opening, sit atop nearly leafless thick sturdy stems and last for months on mature plants. When young the plants look just like dwarf bananas with long rounded medium-green tropical foliage. This is tough, hardy, and easily grown, tightly clump forming rhizomatous tropical. After flowering is finished the mature plant produces a multitude of pups and then dies making way for the young plants which should flower in their 2nd or 3rd year. Item# 9578.

The tall dense spikes of golden yellow flowers and seedheads are held well above the fountaining clump of wide olive green foliage on sturdy 6' high stems beginning in early August and are showy throughout winter. Golden Sunset® Yellow Indiangrass, a University of Minnesota selection of Sorghastrum nutans,  was selected for its early flowering, sturdy stems that do not fall over or lodge and last through winter, as well as for its reliable zone 3 cold hardiness. it has received high marks in trials and has been in development for about 15 years. This is a wonderful refinement for this showy native grass making it a useful addition to both formal and informal garden and landscape settings. The seed heads provide fodder for songbirds and other wildlife and the foliage is utilized by the Pepper-and-Salt Skipper butterfly as a caterpillar host plant. Provide a full to mostly sunny site optimally in a well-drained loamy soil with average moisture but the plants are fairly adaptable to soil types and are drought resistant once fully established. When not in 'flower' the grass itself is about 3' x 3'. Plants may top out at about 4-5' high the first two years of establishment. Images courtesy of the University of Minnesota. Item# 12850

Large, double to triple flowered or more, intensely fragrant, long lasting flowers open a soft primrose yellow and age to a golden yellow to near orange. Goldflame's rich perfume lasts into the morning and is sure to turn heads and attract the local hummingbird moth population! It begins flowering at 4-5' high making it well adapted to container culture. Angel's Trumpets are fast growing tropical shrubs that act-like die-back perennials in the northern parts of their range but readily return from the roots in spring. Item# 11078

Few plants can consistently attract as many butterflies as this Lantana making the plant appear alive with these fluttering wonders, especially in summer and fall. Grandpa's Pumpkin Patch Lantana produces yellow centered clusters of brilliant pumpkin orange flowers from late spring to frost on this vigorous Lantana that can certainly keep up with New Gold for flowering ability. Item# 9605

The huge, to 6", golden, daisy-like blooms with tall dark brown cones or eyes are held on tall sturdy stems which can grow to 7' or more! A tough and hardy, native perennial. Great for pollinators. The large attractive soft, blue-green foliage makes a nice garden accent and is at its prime in winter and spring. Selected as 2019 Missouri Botanic Gardens Plant of Merit selection. Item# 1152