i have my Russian Sage planted among my herb bed (lavender, thyme, and Coreopsis 'moonbeam'). Dianthus fits that color scheme too. What about a smaller ornamental grass? Everything I plant has to be highly deer resistant, so definitely possible to have a beautiful garden with deer. (Roses are definitely not remotely deer resistant in my experience though.) Happy gardening!

I am surprised to hear that anyone would have a problem with Perovskia. I've grown it in my garden for over 8 years and I have only seen about 3 seedlings in all that time. It hasn't really outgrown it's space and seems to be a very well behaved perennial. I have moved it a few times and it moves quite well if you follow the usual recommendations. I would agree that it isn't always easy to fit it into a perennial bed design. It looks better to me in a casual fall display area. It also really needs full sun or it flops some. I just moved two of mine in late summer to try it in a new full sun location with grasses and gallardia, sedums, echinacea, fall mums and asters. I am looking forward to next year to see how it all works out. pm2

Yes, in response to the previous follow-up, they are difficult to transplant, let alone divide. But water often (make sure soil drains well), and they will do well. Companions. I put them throughout the garden, because the deer don't eat them. Coreopsis vert. 'Moonbeam with Malva fastiagata look great with Perovskia (an idea from White Flower Farm); next to Berberis thun. 'Crimson Pygmy' or any other red-leaved Barberry. Echinacea (cone flowers), either pink or white, are good companions. So are late-blooming Leucanthemums (daisies) with Salvia s. 'May Night' and/or Delphinium grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly'. Liatris 'Kobold' is good, too. You might be getting the idea here that Perovskia a. goes with almost anything. It almost does.

Hi Transplant, Where are you on the south end? If you're east, there's Tagawa Garden Center just north of Parker on Parker Road about 2 miles south of Arapahoe Road (on the west side). I just checked their website, and they seem to have a pretty good basic collection of perennials. I was surprised, though, that their perennial list only has the genus and not the species for most of their plants which makes it pretty hard to use if you're looking for something very specific (they do list variety names for many of them). The sedum's, for instance, if you don't know the variety name, you can't tell if it's an upright sedum or a groundcover one. When shopping in person, of course, this wouldn't be a problem---and I assume the tags with their plants show the species. They will definitely be the best thing on the south end of town and unless you're looking for some of the more unusual things, I think you'll be happy with what they have and the quality--they grow many of their own plants at their wholesale location in Brighton. However-----if you're on the southWEST side of town, I still recommend you head up to Timberline! Or if you're south-central, head straight up I25 to the 58th Avenue exit for Paulino's. Both will have a more complete selection than Tagawa's and both also grow much of their own stock on location. Paulino's, by the way, has their perennials at 40% off now, and I assume Timberline has theirs on sale too, but I don't know how much off. You should be able to find most of the things in the High Country catalog at Timberline or Paulino's. I have all the catalogs, but I don't buy mail order unless I absolutely have to. I want to be able to look at the plant--and roots--before I pay for it! Happy shopping, Skybird