A Pretty Summer Border Idea with Irises, Astrantia and Grasses

Noted for the dark velvety texture and great substance of its beautifully formed and lightly ruffled flowers, award-winning Iris 'Black Swan' adds drama in the garden with its deep purple standards and dark purple, almost black falls. Its thick, wide beard, created by a blending of purple and yellow hairs, gives depth and richness to the lustrous dark flowers. This Tall Bearded Iris rises up to 36 inches high (90 cm) atop a lovely sword-shaped, gray-green foliage which will continue to add interest in the landscape after flowering is over. One of the largest and most spectacular black irises

One of the darkest-flowered Astrantias, Astrantia major 'Claret' (Masterwort) features dramatic clusters of tiny, deep ruby-red flowers crowded together in a dome-shaped flowerhead, just like pins on a cushion. They are surrounded by an elegant ruff of long papery bracts. The distinctive blooms are borne on nearly black stems, well above the rosette of lush, deeply cut, mid-green leaves that are adorned with burgundy around the edges when young.

One of the few ornamental grasses that grows well in moderately shady locations, Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted Hair Grass) is a clump-forming, cool season, semi-evergreen grass forming a low and dense tussock of narrow, dark green leaves, up to 18 in. tall (45 cm). In early summer, elegant clouds of delicate feathery panicles of purplish-green to tawny flowers emerge on arching stems rising 3 ft. (90 cm) above the foliage. They sway gracefully in the slightest breeze and persist well into winter. Spectacular when backlit by the rising or setting sun!

A fabulous hybrid peony with a unique coloring, award-winner Peony 'Buckeye Belle' is one of the most sought after peonies! Imagine semi-double, velvety blossoms of the deepest and darkest red, almost chocolate, with large outer petals surrounding narrow inner petals interspersed with sparkling golden staminodes. Irresistible! Perfectly formed, they are borne in profusion on strong, erect stems and do not need staking. Quite short with a neat, compact habit, it is a marvelous accent plant. Up to 18-24 in. in height (45-60 cm). Early Season Peony. American Peony Society Gold Medal

Multiple award-winner, Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is a favorite of many gardeners for its unique, glowing dark purple stems and stunning, vertical spikes of rich, violet-blue flowers appearing in late spring or early summer. Very striking when in bloom, they last for weeks and bring strong color and form to the landscape. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, this Salvia is a real magnet for butterflies, hummingbirds and bees! Reliable and compact, it grows in round clumps of gray-green, aromatic foliage up to 18-24 in. high (45-60 cm) and nearly as wide.