Maples with Coloured Foliage

Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ – This RHS Award of Garden Merit winner has long been a standard shade tree with its distinct crimson-purple foliage (leaves about 7″ wide), with the leaf colour persisting through summer. It was originally a seedling of Acer platanoides ‘Schwedleri’ and forms a rounded tree with a very dense canopy. Grows 35′ high by 25′ wide. Hardy to zone 3.

Acer negundo ‘Kelly’s Gold’ – This Manitoba or Boxelder Acer features very un-maple-like compound foliage of golden-yellow (in spring), maturing to chartreuse by summer. The new stems are an attractive green covered with a greyish-white bloom. Tolerates part to full sun and produces yellow foliage tones in autumn. Grows 18-30′ high by 15-20′ wide. Hardy to zone 4.

Acer circinatum PACIFIC PURPLE (syn. ‘JFS-Purple’) – A newer cultivar of Vine Maple with bronzed new growth that shifts to a deep purple in the summer heat. It is usually grown as a multi-stemmed form and features bronze-orange autumn tones when grown in part to full sun. The stems and petioles are also reddish-purple. Grows 12-15′ high by 8-12′ wide. Zone 6.

Acer platanoides ‘Princeton Gold’ (syn. ‘Prigo’) – This golden-leaved Norway Maple was introduced in 1987 after being discovered in a block of green seedlings. The new foliage emerges a bright golden-yellow and tones down by summer, with leaf scorch being common in younger specimens or during periods of extreme heat. Grows 45′ high by 40′ wide. Hardy to zone 3.

Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ – This cultivar of Japanese Maple has finely divided leaf lobes with delicate serrations. The leaves emerge a deep red colour in spring but eventually fade to a bronze-green by summer – shifting back to bright red in autumn. ‘Atropurpureum’ has an upright vase-shaped growth habit. Tolerates air pollution. Grows 20′ high by 15-18′ wide. Zone 5.

Fuchsia

Fuchsia ‘Deep Purple’ (Garrett 1989) – A trailing form with huge blooms of recurved white (to the palest of pink) sepals and a ruffled double purple corolla. It blooms continually from late spring through to the hard frosts in autumn. ‘Deep Purple’ makes a spectacular hanging basket specimen with its pendulous form. Grows 12″ high by 16-18″ wide. Hardy to zone 9.

Fuchsia ‘Eden Rock’ (Mitchinsin 1886) – This upright bush-form fuchsia has nicely contrasting pinkish-red sepals and a semi-double corolla of violet-blue that fades to magenta. It is floriferous (blooming spring through to fall) and will occasionally overwinter outdoors in a sheltered site. Good in small to medium sized containers. Grows 12-24″ high by 24″ wide. Zone 8.

Fuchsia ‘Flying Cloud’ (Reiter 1949) – As the name implies, this trailing variety makes for an impressive hanging basket in shade to part shade exposures. It features large blooms of pink-flushed white sepals (often with pale green tips) and a double corolla, which contrast nicely against the dark green foliage. Can be trained to standard form. Grows 20-24″ high and wide. Zone 9.

Fuchsia ‘Beacon Red’ – An upright or bush form with abundant pendulous blooms of cherry red sepals and a single reddish-pink corolla. ‘Beacon Red’ flowers from late spring through to the hard frosts and should be overwintered in a frost-free greenhouse. It is a good choice to use in-ground as a feature plant in mixed shade borders. Grows 18-24″ high and wide. Hardy to zone 9.

Fuchsia ‘La Campanella’ (Blackwell 1968) – An RHS Award of Garden Merit winner with pendulous flowers of white to pink-tinged sepals and a deep violet (becoming lighter with age) semi-double corolla. ‘La Campanella’ is a self-branching trailing form and makes a superb hanging basket specimen. Abundant smaller blooms. Grows 18″ high and wide. Hardy to zone 9.

Rambler Roses

Rosa ‘American Pillar’ (Van Fleet 1902) ([R. wichurana x R. setigera] x seedling) – A once-blooming rambler with masses of single carmine-pink flowers (about 2.25″ wide) accented with a white eye and golden stamens. These are borne over glossy deep green foliage in late spring or early summer. Will tolerate partial shade. Grows 13 to 15 feet high. Hardy to zone 5.

Rosa ‘Bobbie James’ (Sunningdale Nursery 1961) (hybrid wichurana) – This RHS Award of Garden Merit winner features large clusters of creamy-white semi-double flowers (that are highly fragrant) in early summer. It is once-blooming with individual flowers being about 2″ wide. Great for training over garden sheds. Grows 20-30′ high. Hardy to zone 5.

Rosa SOARING FLIGHT – A hard to find repeat-blooming modern rambler rose that was introduced in 1996. It features large 3-inch wide semi-double to double lightly fragrant blooms of salmon-pink with gold to apricot centers – flowering continually into autumn. These are borne over deep green, disease resistant foliage. Grows 12 to 15′ high. Hardy to zone 5.

Rosa ‘Ghislane de Feligonde’ (Turbat & Compagnie 1916) (‘Goldfinch’ x seedling) – Apricot buds open to musk scented creamy flowers (with a hint of pink in cooler weather) starting in June-July and repeating occasionally through to autumn. She is nearly thornless and is shorter in stature. Healthy mid green foliage. Grows 8-10 feet high. Hardy to zone 6.

Rosa ‘Veilchenblau’ (syn. ‘Violet Blue’, ‘Blue Rambler’, ‘Blue Rosalie’) (Schmidt 1909) ( ‘Crimson Pirate’ x ‘Souvenir de Brod’) – A must-have rambler with clusters of semi-double deep magenta blooms (with a white eye) fading to dark violet, with a sweet fruity citrus scent. It is once-blooming  and colours better in partial shade. RHS Award of Garden Merit. Grows 12-15′. Zone 5.

Purple-Flowered Rhododendrons III

Rhododendron ‘English Roseum’ (sport of ‘Roseum Elegance’) – A large-growing Rhododendron cultivar which makes an excellent informal hedge, much in part to its dense growth habit. It features trusses of lavender-pink flowers emerging from purplish-buds, with some light yellow spotting on the blooms. Generally flowers in May. Grows 6-8′ high and wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Rhododendron ‘Ilam Violet’ (R. augustinii ‘Electra Group’ x R. russatum) – This rhododendron makes up for its smaller April to May trusses with intense deep violet-blue flowers that really catch the eye. The thin dark green leaves also turn a bronze colour during the colder winter weather. This 1947 introduction requires good soil drainage. Grows 4-6′ high by 4′ . Zone 6.

Rhododendron catawbiense ‘Boursault’ – The large trusses of lavender blooms (emerging from violet buds) are nicely accented with light orange spotting. It is another hardy, easy to grow Rhododendron which is a consistent performer in colder regions. ‘Boursault’ also features mid green foliage that is sun tolerant with even soil moisture. Grows 5-8′ high and wide. Zone 5.

Rhododendron ‘Edith Bosley’ (‘Dexter’s Bosley #1035’ x ‘Lee’s Dark Purple’) – ‘Edith Bosley’ bears ruffled dark reddish-purple blooms (usually in May) that are hard to miss in any garden. It is extremely cold hardy and has attractive deep green foliage. This Rhododendron is considered to be an improvement of ‘Purple Splendor’. Grows 4′ high and wide. Hardy to zone 4 (with shelter).

Rhododendron ‘Bariton’ (‘Arthur Bedford’ x ‘Purple Splendor’) – This German hybrid by Hans Hachmann bears large rounded trusses of violet-purple flowers with strong burgundy-red spotting and white-stemmed stamens. It blooms from mid to late spring over pointed, deep green foliage. Prefers a part sun exposure. Grows 5-7′ high by 4-6′ wide. Hardy to zone 6.

Feature Perennials

Achillea millefolium ‘Angelique’ – Considered by many to be the best red-flowered Yarrow currently on the market and a guaranteed butterfly magnet. This drought tolerant perennial (once established) prefers a full sun sun exposure with good soil drainage. Try combining with the pale yellow Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’. Grows 20-24″ high by 24″. Zone 3.

Eryngium ‘Sapphire Blue’ – A highly popular cultivar of Sea Holly with thistle-like steel blue flowers and spiny foliage that keeps the deer at bay. It begins flowering in early summer and makes a great, long-lasting cut flower. ‘Sapphire Blue’ prefers full sun and must have sharp drainage or it rots out in our wet coastal winters. Grows to 28″ high by 18-24″ wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Persicaria microcephala ‘Red Dragon’ – Okay, I’ll admit that this beautiful foliage plant is a bit of a spreader, but you would be hard-pressed to find more beautiful leaves – with a tapered burgundy-red overlaid with a silvery-pink chevron and a dark bronze base. The tiny white flowers are insignificant and it can also be grown in a pot. Grows 24″ high by 30-40″+. Zone 6.

Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ (syn. ‘Tim’s Tangerine’) – A floriferous new cultivar of Avens with bold tangerine coloured blooms (often with a reddish-orange picotee) on tall airy stems. It is a sterile form and puts all its energy into flowering from late spring through to midsummer. The finely cut green foliage somewhat resembles a strawberry plant. Grows 30″ high by 18″. Zone 4.

Dianthus ‘Starburst’ – What this Border Pink lacks in size it most certainly makes up for with its stunning semi-double blooms of pale pink overlaid with the pattern of a half walnut shell in a deep cherry colour. The fragrant flowers are borne from late spring into summer, over bluish-green grass-like foliage. Makes a great cut flower. Grows 4-8″ high by 8-10″ wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Peonies II / Paeonia

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ (Calot 1856) – This RHS Award of Garden Merit winner is an herbaceous perennial with fragrant double white blooms accented with a creamy-yellow center, borne from May to June. Introduced in 1856, this heirloom makes an excellent cut flower and has deeply divided mid green foliage. Grows 36″ high and wide. Hardy to zone 3.

Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Houki’ – A classic Tree Peony with fragrant deep red semi-double terminal blooms (about 8″ across) with contrasting bright yellow stamens. The segmented pale green leaves are borne on pink-tinted stems that are eventually supported by a woody structure that remains above ground after leaf drop. Grows slowly to 4′ high and wide. Hardy to zone 4.

Paeonia x (Itoh) ‘Sequestered Sunshine’ (Anderson 1999) – An Intersectional or Itoh Peony, with this class being being named after Toichi Itoh – the first person to successfully cross herbaceous and tree peonies in the 1940’s. ‘Sequestered Sunshine’ features clear yellow single to semi-double blooms (up to 10″ across) held on strong stems. Grows 30″ high and wide. Zone 4.

Paeonia x (Itoh) ‘Lafayette Escadrille’ (Pehrson / Seidl 1989) – This Itoh peony is a cross between herbaceous and Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) but is still herbaceous in nature. The large semi-double to single blooms are a deep red (nicely contrasted by golden yellow stamens) and take on a Tree Peony form. Good overall vigor. Grows 32-40″ high and wide. Hardy to zone 4.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Top Brass’ (Klehm 1968) – A double bomb type herbaceous peony with unusual fragrant blooms of white petals, a ruffled creamy-yellow center and pale pink ‘bomb’ petals emerging from these. It takes about 3 years to mature before the full flower form develops (immature bloom shown). Received gold medal from American Peony Society. Grows 28-39″. Zone 3.

Hanging Basket Options

Calceolaria integrifolia (syn. Calceolaria rugosa) – The Pocketbook Plant is a common sight in hanging baskets, with this species being native to Chile and Argentina. The compact cultivar shown is ‘Golden Mystery’ (grows 8″+ high) and like the species bears clusters of inflated bright yellow flowers that look great with dark purple petunias. Species grows 4-6′ where hardy. Zone 8.

Diascia ‘Morning Mist Dark Orange’ – This cultivar of Twinspur is a good choice to add a shot of bright orange to mixed hanging baskets. ‘Morning Mist Dark Orange’ blooms from late April through to September and features larger individual flowers than most Diascia, borne over lightly serrated lance-shaped green foliage. Grows 8-12″ high by 18-24″ wide. Annual in coastal BC.

Petunia x hybrida RED FOX ‘Queen Bee’ – A newer Petunia hybrid that really lives up to her name with a profusion of velvety burgundy-red blooms highlighted with a crisp yellow star. This one is so floriferous and easy to grow that it makes a great solitary hanging basket planting. Prefers part to full sun with even soil moisture. Grows 12-14″ high and wide. Annual in coastal BC.

Lobelia erinus ‘Hot Tiger’ (syn. ‘Hot Tiger Bicolor Blue/White) – Part of the Hot Series of heat-tolerant bedding Lobelia which is in prime blooming form from May through to August. ‘Hot Tiger’ bears unusual cascading bicolor flowers of sky blue with a prominent white eye and darker indigo blotches, set against fine green foliage. Grows 8-12″ high by 20″ wide. Hardy to zone 9.

Calibrachoa SUPERBELLS ‘Lemon Slice’ – The newest member of Proven Winner’s SUPERBELLS Series features bicolor beach umbrella blooms of neon yellow and white from late spring to the first frosts. These are nicely contrasted by the bright green foliage, with an overall appearance of a miniature petunia. Self-cleaning. Grows 6-10″ high by 12-24″ wide. Hardy to zone 9.

Evison’s Container Clematis

Clematis AMETHYST BEAUTY (syn. ‘Evipo043’) – This 2010 introduction produces 6″ wide blooms of amethyst purple and it pairs beautifully with the large white flowers of Clematis HYDE HALL (syn. ‘Evipo009’). AMETHYST BEAUTY blooms from early to late summer and prefers a part to full sun exposure. Pruning Group C. Grows 4 to 6 feet high. Hardy to zone 4.

Clematis REBECCA (syn. ‘Evipo016′) – A showy, compact Clematis that is named after Raymond Evison’s daughter and features huge 5-7″ wide blooms of an eye-catching reddish-purple, nicely contrasted by purple-streaked yellow stamens. This 2008 introduction flowers from May to June, with a repeat in summer. Pruning Group B. Grows 6-8’ feet high. Hardy to zone 4.

Clematis CHANTILLY (syn. ‘Evipo021′) – This member of the Boulevard Collection bears lightly scented (with older blooms having more fragrance) white flowers with a light pink bar and reddish-brown tipped yellow stamens – blooming from spring to late summer. When grown in a container, the roots should be shaded with low plants. Pruning Group C. Grows 3-4’. Zone 4.

Clematis PICARDY (syn. ‘Evipo024′) – A spectacular display of ruffle-petaled 3-4″ wide magenta-red flowers (with a darker reddish bar) and red-streaked yellow stamens is carried in late spring and again in summer. PICARDY is a part of the Boulevard Collection that was bred for compact growth and container culture. Pruning Group B. Grows 3-4’ high. Hardy to zone 5.

Clematis CHEVALIER (syn. ‘Evipo040′) – The blooms of CHEVALIER change from a rich purple to a mauve-blue as they fade (both with contrasting creamy yellow stamens) and it can even sport semi-double to double flowers (as shown). This 2009 introduction also has slightly twisted petals and blooms from late May to September. Pruning Group B or C. Grows 4-6’. Zone 4.

Sun-Loving Flowering Shrubs

Spiraea nipponica ‘Golden Glitter’ (syn. ‘VERSPI 1’) – This variegated sport of ‘Halward’s Silver’ features abundant rounded clusters of pure white blooms in early summer (late May into June). The new leaves emerge almost entirely gold, maturing to green with irregular yellow freckles. Contour prune after flowering. Deer resistant. Grows 3-4′ high and wide. Zone 4.

Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Obelisk’ (syn. STANDING OVATION) – An upright columnar form of Serviceberry or Saskatoonberry which is sure to be useful in edible ornamental gardens. It features white Star Magnolia-like flowers in spring, followed by abundant edible blue berries in June. The rounded green foliage shifts to orange and red in fall. Grows 12′ high by 3-4′ wide. Z2.

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Sundance’ – A deciduous shrub with five-petaled clear yellow blooms starting in late spring and continuing right through the summer. These are borne over fine-textured light green foliage that forms a tight mound. ‘Sundance’ looks great in mass plantings and is very cold tolerant. Grows 2 to 3′ high and wide. Hardy to zone 3.

Weigela florida ‘Verweig 3’ (syn. MINOR BLACK) – A sister plant to Weigela MONET with glossy new growth of burgundy-red (in spring and fall) that shifts to a deep olive green by midsummer. It bears abundant trumpet-shaped purplish-pink flowers from late May into June. This deciduous shrub works well in mixed borders or containers. Grows 2 to 3′ high and wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Ceanothus x ‘Blue Jeans’ – A hybrid California Lilac that has deer resistant deep green Holly-like foliage (borne on arching branches) and is quite drought resistant once established. It flowers late spring to early summer with pale blue flowers that are the colour of faded denim. This evergreen shrub provides shelter for wild birds. Grows 4-6′ high by 6′ wide. Zone 7.

Dianthus IV

Dianthus ‘Black Cherry Wild’ – A Proven Winners selection that is part of the FRUIT PUNCH series. It features fragrant dark burgundy-red blooms (resembling miniature carnations) with a pinkish-white picotee borne over greyish-green foliage. ‘Black Cherry Wild’ flowers from May to June, with a light repeat when deadheaded. Grows 4-6″ high by 8″ wide. Hardy to zone 4.

Dianthus ‘Kahori’ (syn. ‘Kahori Pink’) – A newer Japanese cultivar whose anglicised name translates as ‘fragrance’ in its native land. It bears fragrant bright pink single blooms (with serrated petals and a white eye) throughout late spring and summer. The mid green foliage is evergreen in coastal BC. Prefers good soil drainage. Grows 6-8″ high by 8-12″ wide. Zone 4.

Dianthus EARLY BIRD ‘Radiance’ (syn. ‘WP09 MAR05’) – A nice balance between often insignificant Pinks and floppy carnations, this member of the EARLY BIRD Series bears fully double deep crimson blooms that make good cut flowers. These are borne from spring through summer (with regular deadheading) over bluish-green foliage. Grows 6″ high by 8-12″ wide. Zone 5.

Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Wicked Witch’ (syn. ‘Red Devil’) – This sport of ‘Firewitch’ (syn. ‘Feuerhexe’) features single cherry red instead of bright pink blooms, with a spicy clove fragrance. These are produced heavily in spring with sporadic blooms into summer and early fall. The bluish-green foliage is evergreen and forms a dense carpet. Grows 6-8″ high by 12″ wide. Zone 3.

Dianthus ‘Apple Slice’ – Another member of the FRUIT PUNCH Series and a Proven Winners selection. It bears fragrant double blooms of pale pink with broad burgundy-red margins in early summer, with some repeat flowering. This cultivar also works well in container combinations given its showy flowers. Attracts butterflies. Grows 8-10″ high by 12″ wide. Hardy to zone 4.