Sagina subulata

Moss, Irish

S-PSH

2"

April-May

White

This plant forms a dense mat of mossy green foliage. It makes an interesting ground cover and looks great growing between patio stones.

Salvia nemorosa 'Blue Hills'

Sage, Blue Hills Meadow

S

12-36"

June-September

Blue

Slender spikes of blue flowers all summer make this an excellent perennial for borders or beds.  It is a tough drought resistant plant.  Removing spent flowers will encourage re-blooming.

Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'

Sage, Caradonna Meadow

S

24-32"

June-September

Violet

A reliable Meadow Sage, Caradonna has blooms that look similar to May Night. It is taller than that cultivar, however. Removing spent flowers will prolong the blooming period of this perennial.

Salvia nemorosa 'Marcus'

Sage, Marcus Meadow

S

8-12"

June

Violet/Blue

Dwarf plants are very popular, and this particular dwarf seems to be destined for greatness.  It is essentially a smaller form of its award-winning cousin May Night.

Salvia nemorosa 'May Night'

Sage, May Night Meadow

S

15-18"

May-July

Violet

The 1997 Perennial Plant of the Year.  It produces violet-blue flower spikes on top of sturdy, compact plants.  A favorite of many gardeners because of its toughness.  Removing spent flowers will encourage re-blooming.

Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain'

Sage, Purple Rain Hardy

S

18-24"

June-September

Purple

This plant is covered with lush smoky purple flowers from June through September. This variety is considered dwarf since it only grows to 24".  It looks great with silver foliage plants.

Saponaria ocymoides

Soapwort, Rock

S

8-10"

May-June

Pink

This plant is completely covered with flowers when in bloom. It is excellent for rock gardens and crevices or anywhere it has room to creep.

Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue'

Pincushion Flower, Butterfly Blue

S-PS

15-18"

May-November

Lavender

The Perennial Plant of the Year in 2000.  A profuse bloomer with a neat compact habit, butterflies love this plant.  This plant is a profuse bloomer when the spent flowers are removed.

Scabiosa columbaria 'Pink Mist'

Pincushion Flower, Pink Mist

S-PS

15-18"

May-November

Pink

This plant is a sport of Butterfly Blue with pink flowers.  It is a tough, drought tolerant plant, but does not do well in wet locations.  Removing spent flowers will lengthen bloom time.

Sedum cauticola 'Lidakense'

Stonecrop, Lidakense

S

4-6"

August-September

Rose/Red

Lidakense is a very compact Stonecrop. It makes a great ground cover in hot sunny locations.

Sedum sieboldii 'Ruby Glow'

Stonecrop, Ruby Glow

S

6-12"

September-October

Rose/Red

An attractive dark red foliage plant, this perennial produces dark red flower heads in late summer through the fall.

Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood'

Stonecrop, Dragon's Blood

S

4-6"

June-July

Rose/Red

This Sedum distinguishes itself with bright red flowers in the summer.  Its foliage is green tinged with a purplish bronze color.  This plant is a spreader, but it is not as vigorous as some of its relatives.

Sedum spurium 'Fuldaglut'

Stonecrop, Fuldaglut

S

3-5"

August-September

Red

The red-orange foliage on this low growing groundcover is great in rock gardens or in the front of borders.  Excellent for hot, dry locations.

Sedum ternatum 'Larinem Park'

PSH

6"

May-June

White

A low-growing variety of Sedum, this plant makes a nice groundcover.  This plant does well in some shade, which is rare among Sedum.

Sedum x 'Autumn Fire'

Stonecrop, Autumn Fire

S

18-24"

August-September

Rose/Red

A new and improved version of Autumn Joy Sedum.  This cultivar maintains its flower quality for a longer period of time.  Excellent as a specimen or mass planting.

Sedum x 'Autumn Joy'

Stonecrop, Autumn Joy

S

18-24"

September-October

Rose/Red

This plant has large plate-like flower heads that attract butterflies. The flower heads can be left standing all winter as decorative landscape.  It is an easy-to-care-for perennial.

Sedum x 'Frosty Morn'

Stonecrop, Frosty Morn

S

18-24"

August-October

Pink

White borders around the leaves make this plant attractive well before it flowers in late summer.  It provides a nice foliage contrast with other Sedums.

Sedum x 'Matrona'

Stonecrop, Matrona

S

24-30"

August-September

Rose/Red

This is an upright sedum that has blue/maroon foliage and large flower heads.  It is a very dependable plant, tough and rugged.

Sedum x 'Vera Jameson'

Stonecrop, Vera Jameson

S

6-12"

September-October

Rose/Red

A neat and compact form of Sedum, this plant gets a red flower in the early fall.  Works well as a groundcover because it is able to handle adverse conditions.

Sempervivum sp.

Hens and Chicks

S

4-6"

July

Red

This is an old-fashioned garden favorite.  Very easy to grow, it seems to have been around forever.  The flower is red; the foliage is green and quite unique.

Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'

Goldenrod, Fireworks

S-PS

36-48"

August-September

Yellow

A flexible plant, this Goldenrod can handle wet/dry locations in sun/part shade.  It is not weedy  like the straight species.

Stachys byzantina

Lamb's Ear

S-PS

12-15"

None

Silver

This is one perennial that is grown with no regard to its flower.  Lamb's Ear earns its right to be in the garden by producing thick, hairy  ornamental leaves.  It has a tendency to fade in the late summer.

Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears'

Lamb's Ear, Big Ears

S-PS

18"

June-July

Purple

This large-leafed perennial has thick, hairy, silver foliage, and gets purple flowers during the summer.  Also called Stachys 'Helen von Stein'.