Noted for its large, brilliant crimson flowers, Papaver commutatum 'Ladybird' (Poppy) is a very popular annual flower, featuring showy, bowl-shaped, vibrant red flowers, 3 in. wide (8 cm), with a large black spot at the base of each petal. A prolific bloomer, each poppy may bear up two dozen or more flowers at a time. Borne on erect, long hairy stems, they rise atop the low, neat foliage of oval, regularly lobed leaves. Blooming from late spring to early summer, the flowers give way to ornamental seedpods, thereby extending the season of interest of this plant to fall and winter. Besides, they become seed treats for birds in the dull winter landscape. An exceptional annual that will add a bright color splash in your landscape without requesting any maintenance!

A favorite of many gardeners, multiple award-winner Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' is a striking ornamental onion with perfectly round flowerheads, 3 in. wide (8 cm), packed with dozens of small, star-shaped, rich violet-lilac flowers. They are borne atop sturdy stalks, which arise from a group of 6 to 8 handsome, blue-green leaves. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this spectacular Allium enjoys long-lasting blooms and makes outstanding cut flowers that will last for 2 weeks.

Providing architectural height to borders, Digitalis purpurea 'Pam's Choice' (Common Foxglove), is an eye-catching biennial or short-lived perennial, which forms tall spires of pendulous, funnel-shaped, pure white flowers heavily spotted with maroon purple in the throat. Blooming profusely from late spring to mid-summer, they are attractive to hummingbirds, which hover near the tubular blossoms, and to birds that flock to the seedheads in the fall. The plant forms a low rosette of coarse, hairy leaves in the first year, bursting into flower the second spring, then setting seed and usually dying. Offering a long-lasting floral display, this eye-catching plant naturalizes well, as it self-sows freely, and creates lovely colonies in the landscape.

Well-known as a decoration for puddings and cakes, Angelica archangelica is a tall, aromatic, perennial herb with attractive, rounded umbels, up to 4-6 in. across (10-15 cm), of white or greenish tiny flowers in early summer. The flower umbels are borne on bright green, hollow stems, which are sometimes tinged with purple, and give way to seeds that ripen in late summer. They rise above a foliage of bright green leaves, 2 ft. in length (60 cm), which are made up of three finely toothed leaflets and make a pretty backdrop for other plants. Blooming profusely from early to mid-summer, this plant is a biennial that produces foliage in the first year and flowers in the second year. Plants may last a third or fourth year, especially if you remove flowers.

Exuding a strong scent of chocolate, multiple award-winning Iris 'Dusky Challenger' is a rich dark beauty that commands the attention in the garden with its gleaming, dark purple-violet, ruffled, silky flowers providing an awesome contrast with lighter-colored perennials. Its huge blossoms, up to 8 in. (20 cm), are held high on sturdy stems and rise elegantly up to 39 inches high (98 cm). A profuse bloomer, it produces up to 8-13 buds per stem for a glamorous display. Won many awards including the American Dykes Medal, which is one of the highest awards judged by the American Iris Society.

Noted for its tall stature and sweet fragrance, award-winner Iris 'Absolute Treasure' is a very impressive bearded iris with heavily ruffled sky blue standards floating above slightly paler falls and pleasantly contrasting with the white beard white, tipped gold. A definite diva in the spring garden. Won many awards including the Wister Medal. 42 inches tall (105 cm).

Lychnis Coronaria (Rose Campion) is an evergray perennial that deserves a spot in the landscape. Very attractive with its erect, white-gray flowering stalks covered with a profusion of glowing magenta, pale pink or white trumpet-shaped flowers, it enjoys a long season of interest, is easy to grow, trouble free and not too fussy about soils or exposure. Grown as much for its decorative and abundant 1 inch flowers in bloom from late spring to late summer as for its basal rosette of woolly, silver-gray leaves which provides interest in the winter garden, it requires little maintenance, is drought tolerant and deer resistant.

Displaying delightful and abundant flowers for months, Centaurea cyanus, commonly known as Cornflower or Bachelor's Button, is a particularly captivating annual plant. It features typically double, daisy-like flower heads in shades of blue, pink, lavender, white, and maroon. Profusely blooming from late spring to late summer (if deadheaded), these cheerful flowers stand tall on stems adorned with lance-shaped, gray-green leaves. Attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators and beneficial insects, Cornflowers are excellent choices for both cutting and drying.