~Jody's 2008 Perennial Picks~ Geranium 'Rozanne'-  This has become my new favorite perennial. I planted 3 gallon-size plants in a new flower bed and finished out the bed with annual 'Easy Wave" petunias. 'Rozanne' put on a show equal to the annuals and lasted from June until November! Its 2 1/2" violet/blue flowers are absolutely beautiful. The foliage is deep-green marbled with chartreuse and turns red in the fall. It seems a few others took notice...it is the 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year.  Laurentia 'Blue Star Creeper'- This plant is a real charmer! Baby blue star-shaped flowers cover this low growing perennials May-Sept. A quick growing evergreen groundcover, 'Blue Star Creeper' thrives with only a bit of morning sun or an all day blast. Perfect between stepping stones because it doesn't grow over and cover the stones and can be walked on! Also excellent for planting over bulbs or under clematis. It shades their roots without interfering with their growth. Penstemon 'Prairie Dusk'- Looking for a vibrant flower that attracts the hummingbirds and puts on a show for months at at time? This American native is easy to grow, drought tolerant and drought resistant. Its long lasting rose-purple trumpet shaped flowers make an excellent cut flower and a tremendous color statement when planted in groups. Plant in full sun and watch as hummingbirds and butterflies feast on their delicious nectar.  Yarrow 'Summer Berries'- These flowers explode with a colorful canopy of reds, pinks and pastel shades. Unlike most other yarrows, this one does not fade, even in punishing heat and sunlight. Picked fresh or used in dried arrangements, the 3" - 5" flower clusters bloom form June-Sept. Another native, yarrows thrive in heat, tolerate drought and are deer resistant. Just about the only thing you can do wrong is give this sun-lover any shade or too much fertilizer...it thrives in poor soils. Sedums and 'Hens and Chicks'- Looking for a "tough as nails" perennial with 3 season interest? Evergreen with thick, succulent type leaves these plants are extremely drought tolerant and terrific low-maintenance perennials that always look their best. In addition to rock gardens they are especially great in stone troughs, living wreaths and lately, "green roofs". At MHN we plant assortments of low-growing sedums and "hens and chicks" so you get an array of colors and textures in one pot.  Container Perennials Some perennials are well-suited for containers not only because they flower all summer but also because of the size, shape, color and texture of their leaves. Why not showcase a perennial or two in your container plantings then transplant it in your garden bed for years of enjoyment?  Here are a few great "container perennials" to consider: Agastache- 'Apache Sunset'  "Thriller" Gaura- 'Pink Fountain'  "Thriller" Lamium- 'Golden Anniversary'  "Spiller" Lysimachia- 'Golden Jenny'  "Spiller" Oenothera- 'Lemon Drop'  "Filler" Canna Lily- assorted colors (bulb)  "Thriller" Coral Bells- assorted colors "Filler"  Geranium- 'Rozanne'  "Filler" Ornamental Grass- assorted colors  "Thriller"                                              *