Here are the plants that have first survived and now strive in my garden.

Click on the name to jump to it directly:

• Astilbe (astilbe)
• Black eyed susan (rudbeckia)
• Bleeding Heart (dicentra)
• Carpet Bugleweed (ajuga reptans)
• Carpathian Bellflower (campanula carpatica)
• Clematis (clematis)
• Coneflower, purple (Echinacea purpurea)
• Daylily (hemerocallis)
• Elephant's Ears (bergenia)
• Grape Hyacinth(muscari)
• Hens and Chickens(sempervivum)
• Honeysuckle Vine(lonicera)
• Hosta (hosta)
• Hyacynth (jacyntha)
• Impatiens(impatiens)
• Iris (iris)
• Spike Gayfeather (liatris spicata)
• Poeny (paeonia)
• Potentilla (potentilla arbuscula)
• Monkey Flower (mimulus)
• Sedum Autumn Joy(sedum spectabilis)
• Siberian Squill (scilla siberica)
• Sorbaria Sorbifolia (sorbaria sorbifolia)
• Plants to avoid

Astilbe
astilbe
astilbe (french)

= shade, part or sun
= green fern-like leaves
= plume flowers
= blooms in May-June
= 1 1/2 feet high, some 5
= perennial
= zone 4
= gets bigger and puffier

This is one you absolutely MUST have. The leaves look as delicate as a fern's, it flowers generously in the shade and is disease and bug resistant. It looks especially nice when there are more than 6 plants of the same color assembled in a group. Usually they grow to around 2 feet in height but some can come up to over 5 feet tall.
 
 
 

Black eyed susan
rudbeckia
rudbeckie (french)

= full sun
= dark, green, large leaves
= yellow daisy-like flowers
= blooms in July-August-September
= 3-4 feet high
= perennial
= zone 3
= gets bigger

One of the reliable ones for full sun areas. It blooms for a long time and the yellow color really stands out. This sturdy plant can be counted on. Must have.
 
 
 

Bleeding Heart
Dicentra
Coeur saignant (french)

= shade, part or sun
= green fern-like leaves
= heart shaped flowers
= blooms in May-June
= 1-2 feet high
= perennial
= zone 3
= gets bigger

The flowers are unusual. They are aligned on a long stem which bends under the weight. The red-pink flower is shaped like a heart. It is very hardy and forgiving of torture.

Carpet Bugleweed
ajuga reptans (latin name)
bugle rampant (french)

= sun, part or shade
= burgundy-green leaves
= small blue flowers
= blooms in May and June
= 3 inches tall
= perennial ground cover
= zone 3
= multiplies like rabbits

My favorite ground cover. It multiplies quickly to cover the earth completely. It is easy to control since the babies come from stems growing up from the plant (like a spider plant). No need to dig out roots, just snip or pull off the unwanted offspring if too much. You end up with a nice carpet of burgundy-green colored leaves. The blooming period is long, over 2 months, and is a very beautiful bleu carpet. It takes your breath away!

Campanula, bellflower
campanula rotundifolia(latin)
campanule (french)

= sun, part shade
= small slim leaves
= little purple-blue bells
= all summer
= foot high
= perennial
= zone 2
= gets puffier and puffier

This plant produces many flowers all summer long. The many delicate leaves and flowers make it look like a pillow. Some cats use it as one on occasion so don't be surprised if one morning they are all flat on the ground. Another one that is fairly disease and pest free.

Clematis jackmanii
clematis jackmanii (latin name)
clematite jackmanii (french

= sun, part shade or shade
= oval green leaves
= big deep purple flowers
= blooms June to September
= vines to be attached
= perennial
= zone 3
= longer and longer

This vine produces a large quantity of flowers for most of the summer. The jackmanii is the only hybrid that I like. The others flower for a much shorter time, aren't as plentiful and grow more slowly. Its only weakness is if it's damaged near the base of the stem during the summer, it doesn't always grow back that same year. Keep your weed eater away...
 
 
 

Purple coneflower
Echinacea purpurea (latin name)
echinacee (french)

= full sun
= big dark green leaves
= droopy-looking-daisy-like purple flowers
= blooms from July to September
= 3-4 feets high
= perennial
= zone 3
= bigger and bigger

Another reliable plant for the garden. Its drooping petals and large spiky hard central cone give it a special look. Its sturdyness makes it presentable at all times. Absolutely must have this one.
 
 

Daylily
hemerocallis (latin name)
hemerocalle (french)

= sun or part shade
= green, narrow, long leaves
= trumpet shaped flowers
= blooms in June-July
= about 3 feet high
= perennial
= zone 3
= multiplies like crazy

If you want an instant success story, here's your fella. One chunk of root will give you an explosion of flowers 5 years later. That hairy looking plant will give a multitudes of big flowers. There are as many varieties as a rainbow has colors. You can even have 2 or 3 colors on the same flower. Super resistant to everything, you can't kill this one. It also likes it when planted in an area that tends to collect water. The wetter the soil, the faster it grows and the faster it dries up the soil. One exception is the Stella D'Oro and the few cousins that have appeared on the market. They are smaller, need full sun and are more sensitive. Their popularity comes from the fact that it flowers all summer long.
 
 

Elephant's Ears
Bergenia
Bergenia (french)

= shade or part sun
= large thick green leaves
= in clusters
= blooms in May
= 1 1/2 feet high
= perennial
= zone 4
= gets bigger

For a spot where there is complete shade but you would still like some flowers, this is a good choice. The flowers are tiny trumpets crowded in clusters at the end of a stem. The leaves are very thick and large. In the Fall, the leaves turn bright red.

Grape hyacinth
muscari (latin name)
muscari (french)

= sun or shade
= narrow green leaves
= blue grape shaped flowers
= blooms in May
= 6 inches
= perennial
= zone 3
= multiplies quickly

This is my all time spring favorite. It comes out with its flashy blue color and last a long time. The flowers are like little marbles or grapes. Leave the flowers to mature on the plant so that they fall to the ground and start growing the very same year (without flowering, that comes next year). Since they are tiny little plants, you must plant tons of them. 50 bulbs is the bare minimum to look like a nice blue patch in your yard.

Hens and Chickens
sempervivum (latin name)
joubarbe (french)

= sun or part sun
= small and thick leaves
= unattractive flowers
= blooms in August
= ground cover 3 inches high
= perennial
= zone
= multiplies fairly quickly

This plant is excellent in very dry, sandy, hot spots. Think of it as a cactus and it will do fine. In fact, I planted them with an Opuntia, the only cactus that can survive in our area. That cactus barely survives the winter so I'm not recommending him. Never a problem with the hens and chickens though. The chubby little plant will reproduce quickly. There is a variety that is reddish instead of green. The flowers are not interesting but the plant itself is a lovely rosette.

Honeysuckle vine, Everblooming
lonicera (latin name)
chevrefeuille (french)

= sun or part sun
= green oval leaves
= pink & yellow flowers
= blooms from June to Nov.
= 10 feet vine
= perennial
= zone 2
= no multiplication

Great vine. Gives a multitude of pink and yellow flowers grouped in bunches. The very long blooming time is what sells this one. Most varieties are fragrant but not the one I have. It grows rapidly and needs a minimum of care.

Hosta
hosta (latin name)
hosta (french)

= part sun or shade
= usually green leaves
= small flowers
= blooms in June or July
= 1 to 3 feet high
= perennial
= zone 3
= multiplies in place

You MUST have this plant. It's like a disease, once you have one, you want 20 of them EVERYWHERE! It's a tough perennial that, believe it or not, grows perfectly well in complete shade. Every year it gets bigger and bigger. The foliage is the interesting part. You get nice big leaves that make it look like a big cushion. There is a multitude of varieties to choose from. Most are green but some are green with white or yellow streaks or lining and some are bluish-green or yellow. Some leaves are curled, ridged, twisted and others look like a large plate or bowl.
The flowers, which come out during the middle of the summer, are small trumpet shaped white or lilac colored bells hanging at the top of a very long stem that shoots out of the middle of the plant. After a few years, the plant having multiplied, many flower stems will come out and it can look nice but some people I know chop them off as soon as they see them appear. The only inconvenience is that snails find them good to eat so you may find small holes in the leaves. Crumbled egg shells, commercial repellent or a plate of beer to catch them can be used . If you are like me, leave them be. They won't kill your plants. I don't insist on perfection in my plants. If I'm not perfect, why should they be?

Hyacinth
hiacyntha (latin name)
jacynthe (french)

= sun or part shade
= few narrow green leaves
= big pompom of a flower
= blooms in May
= 6-8 inches
= perennial
= zone 3
= does not multiply

This little plant is a bulb that is always welcomed in the spring. Not only is the flower beautiful but it has a very nice perfume that is quite strong in the evening. Since they are small, you must plant in large numbers. They come in brilliant colors.

Impatiens
impatients walleriana(latin name)
impatiente (french)

= part shade or shade
= green leaves
= many flowers, many colors
= all summer
= 1 foot high and 6 inches wide
= annual
= zone= 1
= gets bigger quickly

The impatiens are ideal annuals to plant in shade. They will produce a constant stream of flowers all summer. Drainage is important or else you end up with skinny stems with a couple of leaves and a flower at the tip. There is a rainbow of colors to choose from. Wonderful!

Iris
iris X germanica(latin name)
iris (french)

= sun or part sun
= long fanned green leaves
= huge flowers
= blooms in June
= 2 to 3 feet tall
= perennial
= zone 2
= multiply moderately

Irises are wonderful to look at. You MUST have this one. Although they come in many colors, the prettiest and by far the most popular is the purple one. The leaves grow into sharp knife-like blades that arrange themselves in a fan. Both flowers and foliage are decorative. The plant likes being in a wet soil too.

Spike Gayfeather
liatris spicata (latin name)
liatride (french)

= sun
= green "cat tails"
= rods of pink flowers
= blooms in July-August
= 3-4 feet high
= perennial
= zone 3
= gets larger and larger

The appearance is very different from the other plants. It really looks like many cat tails sticking out of the ground. The color of the flowers are purple or pink. When in bloom, the stems simply produce f lowers instead of leaves. Nice bright colorful rods to enjoy.
 
 

Peony
paeonia officinalis (latin name)
pivoine (french)

= sun or part shade
= green lobed leaves
= big pompom flowers
= blooms in May
= bush of 3 feet
= perennial
= zone 2
= gets bigger and fluffier

I love the peonies. Another one you must have. They have a strong wonderful perfume, make perfect cut flowers and their leaves are great to support and add greenery to bouquets of cut flowers. The only down side is that they are well loved by ants. They don't destroy the plant but visit it in large numbers. Expect a few to come out of the flowers when you bring them in. The more there is sun, the more flowers you get. They come in pink, red and white. The pink variety gives a much better performance than red or white ones: bigger, more flowers and stronger scent.

Potentilla
potentilla aurea(latin name)
potentille (french)

= sun or part sun
= tiny leaves
= small yellow flowers, some red or orange varieties
= blooms June to October
= bush
= 2 feet high
= zone 5
= no multiplying

This bush is always in bloom. It is dependable. No bugs, low water requirement, no need to trim or support it in any way. The yellow variety is by far better than the other ones which stay small and produce less flowers. Good bush to use as mini-hedge.

Monkey Flower
mimulus (latin name)
mimulus (french)

= sun, part-shade
= green leaves
= velvety flowers
= all summer
= 8 to 10 inches high & wide
= annual
= zone 1
= flowers become abundant

The flowers come abundantly and look like they are made of velvet. The background color of the flower contrast deeply with the color of the freckles. Makes a very nice colorful carpet.

Sedum Autumn Joy
sedum spectabilis (latin)
feux d'automne (french)

= sun or part shade
= thick green leaves
= red, some pink ones
= October
= 11/2 feet high
= perennial
= zone 3
= no multiplication

This plant is drought, disease and pest free. You can depend on it to give you red flowers in the Fall when most plants have called it quits. Its only down side is that most of the year it looks like broccoli.

Siberian Squill
Scilla siberica (latin name)
scille (french)

= sun, part sun and shade
= small, slim green leaves
= cluster of blue flowers
= April
= 6 inches
= spring bulb
= zone 2
= multiplies rapidly

The very first one to flower in the spring at my place, it offers a spectacular sight when a large number is present in the grass. Be careful to plant it away from your neighbor's yard, the seeds can reach a long distance. The tiny bulbs stay in the ground once planted and thrive.

Sorbaria sorbifolia
Sorbaria sorbifolia (latin)
sorbaria (french)

= sun, part shade and shade
= green fern like leaves
= white fluffy flowers
= blooms in August
= 6 feet high
= bush
= zone ?
= does not multiply

This big creature is perfect as a screen in the shade. He's big and grows fast. The flowers are big, creamy-white feathers that are nice. The leaves look like a fern's and they turn bright red in the fall.
 
 

The following green things are on my black list. Needless to say that all but one picture is from elsewhere because, in my garden, they didn't make it.
 

• Trumpet Vine (campsis radicans)
• Blue Hydrangea (hydrangea)
• Finicky roses (rosaceae)
• Fruit trees, except prune tree (prunus)
• Rhododendrons (rhododendron)

Trumpet Vine
campsis radicans
Bignone (french)

It has a terrible time in our climate zone. Mine survived but not a single flower has been seen. It is but a crooked branch half lying on the ground...
 
 

Blue Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla Nikko blue
hydrange bleu Nikko blue

It was meant for naturally acidic soil. The flowers are supposed to be big blue pompoms. They sell stuff that is supposed to keep it a nice shade of blue. It will kill your plant eventually... and it won't even be blue. (The picture is not a Nikko blue but it looks like it although a different color)
 
 

Finicky roses
rosea
rosier (nom francais)

Unless it specifies that it is zoned at 4 or lower, forget about roses. They don't like our winters, period. The only ones worth planting are the ones Canada has developed. There are two series called Explorateur and Parkland which are well adapted to our climate. I have planted a couple now, Champlain and William Baffin and both are doing very well so far (after only one mild winter, must wait and see when it's a tough season though to see if they are really worth putting in my "perfect plants" section).
 
 

Fruit Trees, except prune
prunus and malus except prunus
Arbre fruitier, excepte le prunier (francais)

Fruit trees are frustrating. Bugs just love them. I don't want to saturate my yard with carcinogens but nothing else can get these little insects from going in every single apple and pear than comes out of the tree no matter how many fruits there are. The birds will devour every cherry and blueberry as soon as they are on the verge of ripening. As if this is not enough, you have fungus attacking both leaves and fruits. Even damp soil will kill your tree in less than a season. Don't get me started with the caterpillars... One advantage is that the wood has a nice scent went you are burning the logs from the tree you had to put down because the disease crippled it. Nope, not worth it.
 
 

Rhododendron
rhododendron
rhododendron (nom francais)

This bush will drive you crazy with envy in the nursery when in bloom. The flowers are absolutely the most spectacular I have ever seen on a plant. The problem is that you will not get the same result in your yard... EVER! No one agrees on what you are supposed to do with it in winter. Whatever you do, many leaves (which stay on the plant all winter) will curl, turn brown and fall off. The big chubby flower buds formed in the fall? Most will drop off. You end up with a bush that is totally naked in the 2/3 bottom part and has some leaves, but no flowers, on top. Planting another plant next to it to hide the lower branches means you are mostly restricted to plant an azalea because it is one of the rare ones you can plant in acid soil, is not too fussy and that will agree with the Rhododendron. Add all the acid stuff that you want in the soil, it will not be happy. Forget about this one.