~Jody's 2009 Perennial Picks~ Geranium ‘Rozanne’- Once again this perennial has made my “favorites” list.  Why?  I love its intense violet-blue flowers that just keep coming from early summer to the very last frost.   It is not picky about soil type, has no serious disease or insect problems, is heat tolerant, and can be used in the garden or in a container.  It prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade.  A truly great plant! Gaura ‘Siskiyou Pink’- A wonderful, carefree, drought tolerant perennial that should be in every garden.  Gaura has delicate maroon buds that open to bright pink flowers from spring to early winter.  Butterflies love this plant with flowers that look like the butterfly itself.  Spectacular in a container too, where its flower-coated airy stems naturally arch like a fountain.   Agastache ‘Tutti Frutti’- Aptly named for its fruit-scented foliage, 'Tutti Frutti' has grey leaves that combine well with its raspberry-red flowers blooming from summer to late fall.  An erect and bushy plant, Agastache, adapts well to container uses as well as in the garden.   Hummingbirds will flock to the flowers and Goldfinches love the seed.  Another carefree and drought tolerant perennial! Echinacea ‘Double Decker’- Looking to add a little whimsy to the garden?  This coneflower sprouts an extra set of petals atop the cone, in a most amusing and charming “cap”, as if another set of petals have flown in and perched on top. It is a sturdy and carefree perennial, blooms from early summer to frost, adapts to all soil conditions, and is a long lasting cut flower.  Quite a conversation piece!  Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’- This is an easy-to-grow, tough, drought and heat tolerant, low-maintenance plant.  The stunning blue flowers contrast with the reddish green foliage in the spring turning to bronze/green in the fall.   Although it grows vigorously and spreads to form a dense, compact mat, it’s not aggressive or invasive.  Excellent planted under spring bulbs or in a container.                    *