Bleeding Heart
(Dicentra Spectabilis)
(Dicentra Spectabilis)
Bleeding Hearts are herbaceous perennials native to Asia, noted for their heart-shaped pink and white flowers that dangle gracefully from arching stems in spring. They prefer part shade and moist, well-drained soil. Bleeding hearts are popular in woodland gardens and shady borders. Though primarily ornamental, they have been used in traditional medicine; however, they are toxic if ingested and should be handled with care.
Dragon’s Blood Stonecrop
(Sedum Spurium 'Dragon's Blood')
(Sedum Spurium 'Dragon's Blood')
Dragon’s Blood Stonecrop is a hardy, ground-hugging succulent with fleshy green leaves that turn red in cool weather and produce clusters of bright red-pink flowers in mid to late summer. It grows in full sun and dry, well-drained soil, making it ideal for rock gardens, green roofs, or borders. Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, it is primarily ornamental but supports pollinators.
Marie Victorin Rose
The Marie-Victorin Rose is a hardy Canadian shrub rose developed for cold climates. It features large, fragrant, double blooms in soft pink that appear repeatedly from summer to frost. This rose grows well in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil and offers strong disease resistance. It is used ornamentally in borders and rose gardens, prized for its classic rose form and long-lasting flowers.A part of the Explorer series, is named in honor of Canadian botanist Frère Marie-Victorin, a brother in the Écoles chrétiennes community.
Perennial Heliotrope
(Heliotropium Arborescens)
(Heliotropium Arborescens)
Perennial Heliotrope is a tender perennial in warmer climates, grown for its clusters of fragrant, deep purple or white flowers that smell like vanilla or cherry pie. Native to South America, it thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Used in containers and borders, it attracts butterflies and bees. Some species were historically used in folk remedies, but the plant contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids and should not be ingested.
Variegated Ornamental Grass
Variegated ornamental grasses are cultivated for their striking striped foliage, often in green and white or green and yellow. Species like Miscanthus sinensis or Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Overdam' are popular choices. These grasses add texture and vertical movement to the garden. They grow best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Used as accents, screens, or in mass plantings, variegated grasses are low-maintenance and provide year-round interest, especially in fall and winter when seed heads persist.
Pasque Flower
(Pulsatilla Vulgaris)
(Pulsatilla Vulgaris)
Pasque Flower is a spring-blooming perennial with silky, bell-shaped flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white, followed by decorative seed heads. Native to Europe, it prefers full sun and well-drained, sandy soil. It’s valued for its early bloom and delicate, ferny foliage. Traditionally used in herbal medicine (though toxic if ingested raw), it is best appreciated as an ornamental in rock gardens and alpine beds.