Amsonia Hubrichtiii

• Voted the 2011 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association, Amsonia hubrichtii is stunning through all four seasons. Light-blue clusters of star-shaped flowers in spring are followed by full but feathery green foliage in summer, which turns golden-yellow in autumn. Reaching a height of 3 feet, Amsonia hubrichtii is most attractive when massed in borders, gardens or open areas. Hardy for U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 9, it thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil but tolerates drier conditions once it is established. It is commonly known as blue star or Arkansas blue star.
  
  

Baptisia Australis

• Baptisia australis, also known as blue false indigo or wild indigo, grows to its full size of 3 to 4 feet tall within three years. Blue-violet flowers that bloom in spring and last three to four weeks rise above a mound of bluish-green foliage. After the blooms fade, large seed pods form that turn almost black and are prized for their ornamental value in flower arrangements. In autumn, the dried seed pods remaining on the plant create a soft rattling sound in the breeze. With a tap root and shrublike habit, a permanent location for Baptisia australis in full sun to partial shade results in low maintenance. It is drought tolerant once established.
  
  

Hakonechloa Macra "Aureola"

• The golden leaves with green stripes of Hakonechloa Macra, also known as golden hakione grass, pair beautifully with plants having dark foliage. The tendency of this ornamental grass to undulate in the breeze and reflect light makes it ideal for a drab area of the landscape or a night garden. Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, Hakonechloa macra prefers moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. It requires more sun in cooler climates and more shade in warmer ones. In autumn, the golden foliage becomes tinged with shades of pink and red. This grass requires little maintenance other then removing dead leaves in late winter or early spring.
  
  

Phlox "David"

• Long-blooming in summer, Phlox "David" produces fragrant white flower clusters that are 6 to 9 inches long and 6 to 8 inches wide. It tolerates full sun to partial shade and grows best in moist, well-drained soil. If planted in full sun, mulch around the base. Keep plants thinned to allow air circulation, and water at the base to ward off disease and pests. Remove old blossoms to encourage blooming until autumn. Hardy for USDA zones 4 to 9, Phlox "David" grows 36 to 40 inches tall. Gardeners consider it a staple of the summer flower border.
  
  

Calamagrostis Xacutiflora "Karl Foerster"

• One of the most utilized ornamental grasses is calamagrostis xacutiflora "Karl Foerster." Its deep green, shiny foliage reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet, with flower stems up to 5 feet tall. Feathery flowers of a pinkish hue appear in June. After the blooms fade, attractive, narrow seed heads of a golden tan color form and last through autumn. In mild winters, the foliage remains evergreen. Mature clumps are approximately 18 inches wide when grown in full sun to partial shade in well-drained fertile soil. The slightest breeze sets this grass into a graceful, flowing motion.
  
  

Rudbeckia Fulgida var. Sullivantii "Goldsturm"

• Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii "Goldsturm," with its golden-yellow flowers and dark brown center cone, is a popular perennial. Long-blooming, it is a low-maintenance perennial for full sun to partial shade and grows well in North America from Canada to the Southern U.S. It tolerates clay soils and mild droughts but grows best in well-drained, moist soil. Goldsturm provides maximum visual impact and durability in the landscape and is ideal for both commercial and residential landscapes. Plants 18 to 30 inches tall bloom from mid-July to October.