Underused Perennials for the Northwest

1. Hardy Begonia

Name:Begonia grandis

Zones:6–9

Size:24 to 30 column inch improbable and wide

Conditions : good morning sun or dappled shade ; systematically moist , well - drain soil

Native Range : Japan and China

Hardy begonia lends a tropical tactile property to the shade garden and is surprisingly tolerant of freezing temperatures . Succulent shoots seem in recent spring with bold , deep green leaves that often have carmine to burgundy tones on the underside . wafture of pinkish flowers , dangling in clustering , dot the vigorous patch from midsummer well into fall . When return frosts collapse the plant , bequeath the detritus in post and top it with a light layer of mulch . minuscule bulbil will form along the stem and sprout to form new plants next spring .

2. Variegated Japanese Iris

Name:Iris laevigata‘Variegata’

Zones:5–9

Size:3 foot tall and 3 to 4 feet panoptic

condition : Full sun to fond shade ; average to slopped soil

Native Range : Japan

This is one of the best variegated irises you’re able to grow . In early spring , foliage with primrose yellow and gullible stripes emerges from the ground . As the leaves get on , they become a brilliant pale cream against a strong green . In late leaping to early summer , richly colour midnight downcast – purple flowers open above the showy leaves . This vigorous perennial grows well in average garden soils but will also tolerate pixilated , waterlogged sites .

3. ‘Bevis’ Soft Shield Fern

Name:Polystichum setiferum‘Bevis’

Size:3 feet marvelous and 3 to 4 feet broad at due date

Conditions : Light to dappled shade ; rich , well - drained territory with regular tearing during ironic weather condition

Native Range : survival of a European specie discovered in a hedge row in Devon , England , in 1876

During the Victorian Era , hundreds of fern cultivars were selected and make . Most of them were lost , but fortunately , one of the most beautiful of these course pull through . ‘ Bevis ’ is a uninventive survival of the fittest , and coveted partitioning were shared and sold for 140 yr until modern micropropagation made it more well available . refined , lacy fronds form a graceful arc mound of leafage . On matured plants , each lance - shape folio stop in a plaited tip , sum up to its ornamental glory .

4. ‘Boone’ Gladiolus

Name:Gladiolus‘Boone’

Size:4 feet tall and 1 understructure wide

condition : Full sunshine ; well - drained dirt with casual auxiliary water during ironical weather condition

Native Range : Possible loanblend of an African species discovered in Boone , North Carolina

This unfearing gladiolus is a beautiful and tough heirloom cultivar . In other spring , lean spiky green leave of absence emerge from the ground , followed in too soon to midsummer by gorgeous , apricot orange flowers with full-bodied golden yellow undertones . The tips of the petals and deep portions of the throat are highlighted in dish . A prolific raiser , ‘ Boone ’ produces multiple underground bulbs ( actually corm ) that form thick clump over time .

Richie Steffen is executive director of the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden in Seattle .

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Boone Gladiolus

Photo: Jennifer Benner

Underused Perennials for the Northeast

Underused Perennials for the Northern Plains

Underused Perennials for the Midwest

Underused Perennials for the Southern Plains

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Hardy Begonia

Photo: Jennifer Benner

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