Bushy, well-branched, with one of the longest blooming seasons, Red Valerian (Centranthus Ruber) is a popular perennial grown for its ornamental and showy star-shaped flowers. Fragrant, this border beauty is also easy to grow, fairly pest and disease free and attracts butterflies. What else to ask for? A prolific bloomer from early summer to fall, it produces abundant, rounded clusters of crimson ('Coccineus'), pink ('Roseus') or white flowers ('Albus'), rising atop a blue-green, lance-shaped foliage.

Ideal for shady areas and heavy clay, Convallaria majalis (Lily of The Valley) is a low-growing rhizomatous perennial forming a lush, spreading groundcover. Blooming for 3 weeks in mid to late spring, up to 15 sweetly scented, nodding, bell-shaped, white flowers hang along slightly arching flowering stems. Renowned for their powerful floral perfume, they rise above the handsome foliage of paired elliptic green leaves. A real charmer and an outstanding performer, Lily of The Valley is trouble-free, requires little maintenance and is deer and rabbit resistant. Long-lived, it naturalizes easily to form extensive colonies.

Highly sought after, Cosmos atrosanguineus (Chocolate Cosmos) is a tuberous perennial boasting chocolate-scented, velvety deep crimson flowers, up to 2 in. across (5 cm), from midsummer to fall. Its pinnately divided leaves are often lobed at the base and are attached to the stems by winged petioles. Fairly pest-free and low maintenance, add this charming and graceful plant to the landscape, and you will be rewarded with scores of hummingbirds and butterflies. This profuse bloomer creates a striking visual impact in the garden and looks particularly outstanding when combined with ornamental grasses such as Agrostis nebulosa or Stipa tenuissima. It is also a wonderful plant to have in containers where its fragrance can be enjoyed.

Ground-hugging, Dianthus gratianopolitanus (Cheddar Pink) is a very charming evergreen perennial which produces abundant, richly scented, rose to pink small flowers (less than an inch across) with fringed petals atop wiry stems. Rising from tufted mounds of grassy, gray-green foliage, they bloom enthusiastically in late spring with some sporadic rebloom in summer, specifically if the plants are deadheaded regularly. Easy to grow, and perfect for adding a splash of color in the garden, Cheddar Pink attracts bees and butterflies, but is ignored by deer.

Dianthus 'Laced Monarch' is a very charming modern Border Pink with double purple-pink blooms richly laced with burgundy. Elegantly rising atop a compact cushion of evergreen, gray-green foliage, the delicately fragrant blossoms are enthusiastically produced in succession from late spring to late summer, making 'Laced Monach' an awesome addition to the front of the border or patio containers. Easy to grow, it attracts bees and butterflies into the garden. Growing up to 12 in. tall and wide (30 cm)

Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus (Lemon Lily) is a remarkable and stunning addition to the garden, valued for its early bloom period (late spring to early summer) and very fragrant flowers. Its small, trumpet-shaped, lemon yellow flowers, 4 in. wide (10 cm), rise from a clump of arching, strap-shaped, green leaves. Each flower typically lasts no more than 24 hours, opening up in the early evening and closing early the following morning, possibly replaced by another one on the same scape (flower stalk) the next evening. The semi-evergreen foliage is also a lovely asset as it provides texture and color when the flowers are not in bloom. A great naturalizer, this Daylily multiplies happily!

Grown for both its lovely foliage and heavily fragrant flowers, Hosta plantaginea is a remarkable Plantain Lily. It forms an attractive, dense mound of glossy, bright green leaves, broadly oval, with parallel veins and a quilted surface, and enlivens any shady areas of the garden. They are elegantly topped in late summer and early fall with some of the largest flowers among the Hosta genus, up to 3-4 in. long (7-10 cm), and are also considered among the most fragrant of all Hostas. Opening in the evening, the trumpet-shaped, waxy, white blossoms rise on scapes up to 30 in. (75 cm) and are divinely eye-catching.

Appreciated for its intense fragrance, award-winner Lilium 'Regale' is a majestic Lily with huge (6 in or 15 cm long), glistening pure white trumpets facing outward, golden throats and pinkish-purple streaks on the outside. On a still evening, nothing can match the sweet fragrance emanating from its abundant blossoms - up to 25 blossoms per stem for a spectacular long-lasting display. Plant it near a patio and enjoy its intoxicating fragrance!

Native to eastern North America, Phlox divaricata (Woodland Phlox) is a semi-evergreen, spreading wildflower which creates mats of abundant, open clusters of slightly fragrant flowers in mid to late spring. Each scented, saucer-shaped flower features five, flat, notched, petal-like lobes in shades of lilac, rose or blue. Borne at the tip of hairy and sticky stems, they rise enthusiastically above the lance-shaped foliage. A creeping perennial, Phlox divaricata grows only 9-12 in. tall and wide (22-30 cm) and can form large colonies over time, creating a beautiful flower carpet.

Vigorous and bushy, Romneya coulteri (Californian Tree Poppy) is a spectacular shrub-like perennial that gets covered with apricot scented, large flowers, measuring up to 9 in. across (22 cm). Each flower features 5-6 crepe paper, crinkled, pure white petals surrounding a glowing ball of golden stamens. They are borne on thick stems adorned with deeply cut, attractive gray-green leaves. This beautiful California native typically blooms from late spring to early summer, or to late summer if watered, and dies back nearly to the ground by fall.

Deliciously scented, Viola odorata (Sweet Violet) is an indispensable perennial for the shade garden. Blooming in late winter and early spring, it provides attractive foliage, fragrance, and color at a season when few other plants are at their peak. Short spurred, the delicate flowers are predominantly dark blue or purple but lilac, pale rose or white variations are also frequent. The sweet-scented flowers arise from the attractive evergreen foliage of heart shaped, slightly downy, dark green leaves. A brilliant way of coloring shady areas!

An essential component of many bouquets thanks to their long vase life (over 2 weeks), Peruvian Lilies (Alstroemeria) are striking beauties that also deserve a spot outdoors. Borne in loose clusters, their 2 in. (5 cm) exotic blossoms are often streaked or freckled and are available in a fabulous range of colors. Resembling lilies with their attractive trumpet-like flowers, they do not grow from true bulbs but rather grow from tuberous roots which spread outward, gradually increasing the plant size each year.

Blooming well before the fat Dutch Crocus (Crocus vernus), Crocus chrysanthus (Snow Crocus) pokes through the bare earth or snow to cheer gardeners and capture their heart. This crocus produces smaller flowers than those of the familiar 'Dutch crocuses' but in greater numbers. This species is also noteworthy for its unusual color blends, not found in the larger hybrids. Many cultivars have bicolored petals and a striking yellow center. They make the most dramatic appearance when planted in clumps of one color and bloom so profusely and brilliantly that even small clusters can be seen from a distance.

Rich and heavily fragrant, hyacinths are spring-flowering bulbs that produce gorgeous red, pink, orange, salmon, yellow, purple, white or blue spike-like flowers that mostly cover their stem with a multitude of florets or bells. Floating atop erect, lance-shaped bright green leaves, these beauties bloom once each year in early to mid spring and last about 2 weeks, depending on the weather. 

Peonies are a classic ingredient of the perennial border and have been cultivated for over 2000 years. Beloved for their abundant blooms, the beauty of their exquisite flowers, their delightful fragrance, and their bold foliage changing shades over the seasons, peony flowers add a dazzling splash of color in the landscape. Virtually carefree once established, they live for generations, are deer-proof, and produce some of the best cut flowers - making them one of Nature's loveliest perennials! Peony bouquets are a favorite of florists and many brides-to-be.

With its showy, sweetly fragrant flowers and long blooming season throughout the summer until early fall, Phlox paniculata is a garden classic that is considered by many as the backbone of summer borders. Their full round heads of white, lavender, pink, rose, red and bi-color blossoms sway attractively in the breeze, adding a gentle fragrance that is always welcome. Rich in nectar, they are visited by hummingbirds, butterflies, and birds that adore them! And so should you!