Lily-of-the-Valley
This sweetly scented ground cover is an old-fashioned favorite. A standby for shade, it can spread quickly.
Note: All parts of lily-of-the-valley are poisonous.
Plant Name: Convallaria majalis
Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 1 foot tall; clumps can spread several feet wide
Zones: 2-7
Grow it with: Lily-of-the-valley looks great as a carpet under taller plants such as bleeding heart.
Iceberg Rose
One of the most dependable roses, 'Iceberg' produces clusters of fragrant, creamy-white blooms all summer and fall .
Name: Rosa 'Iceberg'
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide
Zones: 5-9
Plant it with: 'Iceberg' pairs perfectly with any other type of rose, as well as lavender (Lavandula ) and catmint (Nepeta ).
Annabelle Hydrangea
Annabelle hydrangea is one of the easiest types to grow. It blooms in midsummer producing large, pure white clusters that are perfect for cutting.
Plant Name: Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
Growing Conditions: Part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 5 feet tall and wide
Zones: 3-9
Plant it with: 'Annabelle' is a perfect partner for bigleaf hydrangeas or oakleaf hydrangeas.
Japanese Anemone
A great cut flower for the fall garden , Japanese anemone produces cup-shaped blooms in shades of pink and white. It can be a bit of spreader; plant it where it has plenty of room to grow.
Plant Name: Anemone hybrida
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 5 feet tall; clumps can spread several feet across
Zones: 4-8
Plant it with: Anemones make great companions for goldenrods, as well as tall varieties of aster.
Lilac
You don't have to rely on only annuals and perennials for beautiful flowers. Many shrubs -- including lilac -- also offer beautiful blooms.
Plant Name: Syringa selections
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 20 or more feet tall and wide
Zones: 4-8
Plant it with: Most lilacs grow large enough that they don't accommodate a plant partner. Try dwarf selections with peonies or shrub roses for a beautiful spring combination.
Calla
Another favorite cut flower, calla is a tender plant with elegant, vase-shaped flowers. White is the classic color , but you can also find callas in shades of yellow, orange, pink, and purple.
Plant Name: Zantedeschia selections
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist soil
Size: To 3 feet tall
Zones: 8-10, depending on selection
Plant it with: Callas look beautiful with the full flowers of double dahlias and accent the tropical feel of dwarf cannas.
Cup Flower
Cup flower is a fantastic plant for adding fine texture to the front of the border or in containers . It produces white, lavender, or purple flowers all summer long over ferny foliage.
Plant Name: Nierembergia caerulea 'Mont Blanc'
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: To 1 foot tall and wide
Zones: 7-10, but often grown as an annual
Plant it with: Annual vinca (Catharanthus ), which has similar flowers but a coarser texture.
Sweet Autumn Clematis
Sweet autumn clematis is sure to fill your entire garden with its sweet scent at summer's end. This vigorous vine needs a sturdy support to climb on.
Plant Name: Clematis terniflora
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil
Size: Climbs to 20 feet or more
Zones: 4-9
Plant it with: This fast-growing vine doesn't play well with others; let it cover its support all on its own.
Shasta Daisy
One of the most cheerful perennials, Shasta daisy offers simple flowers with sunny yellow centers for most of the summer.
Plant Name: Leucanthemum x superbum
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil
Size: To 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide
Zones: 5-8
Plant it with: Silvery lamb's ears (Stachys byzantina ) makes a perfect foil for Shasta daisy.
Annual Vinca
Annual vinca has a decidedly tropical look with its saucer-shaped flowers in saturated shades of red, rose, pink, and purple. The white varieties stand out best, though.
Plant Name: Catharanthus roseus
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Size: to 18 inches tall and wide
Zones: 10, but usually grown as an annual
Plant it with: Grow annual vinca as an upright contrast to trailing calibrachoa or mini petunias.
Queen Anne's Lace
This easy-growing cut flower offers umbrella-shaped clusters of lacy blooms in mid to late summer. A relative of the carrot, it has a taproot and doesn't transplant well, but it reseeds gregariously.
Plant Name: Daucus carota
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Size: To 4 feet tall and 1 foot wide
Zones: Biennial in Zones 4-8
Plant it with: Queen Anne's lace has a lot of charm; plant it with other cottage-garden plants such as foxglove (Digitalis ) or zinnia.
Immortality Iris
Tall bearded irises are great garden plants , but varieties like pure-white 'Immortality' are must-haves because they often rebloom again in late summer.
Plant Name: Iris 'Immortality'
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Size: To 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide
Zones: 3-9
Plant it with: Peonies such as 'Krinkled White' for a knock-out combination.
Datura
This beautiful annual is great for evening gardens; its perfumed white trumpet-shaped flowers open at dusk and remain open until dawn.
Note: All parts of this plant are extremely poisonous
Plant Name: Datura meteloides
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it is quite drought tolerant.
Size: To 3 feet tall and wide
Zones: Annual
Grow it with: Evening primrose (Oenothera ), which also blooms at night.
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