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Suggestions Wanted - Tall Sun Perennial

11 years ago

I've just planted a small Hydrangea paniculata 'Quickfire' to the right of the bay window (and to the left of Hydrangea 'Tokyo Delight') which I think will eventually fill this spot nicely. Eventually.

In the meantime, I'd like a plant that will get 5-7' tall relatively early in the season, and will stay tall & decent looking until close to frost. I think I'd prefer either something with dark flowers (purple might look nice against the light stucco) or has enough foliage to provide contrast. Flowers matter less than foliage/filling the spot. My thoughts so far have been Verbena bonariensis, Thalictrum, or tall Asiatic or Oriental lilys that I can plant behind and around the hydrangea while I wait a few years for it to grow. In a few years - when the hydrangea grows up, I'll probably move whatever I plant there to another location.

The spot gets pretty much full sun (up until last year, when I lost a peach tree, it was fairly shady, hence the hydrangea macrophylla & other shade plants nearby - I'm in the process of shifting plants in this area from mostly shade to mostly sun lovers.) The tall plant right up against the window is Joe Pye Weed - Eupatorium 'Baby Joe', though I think it's already taller than it is supposed to get & it's been wilting on hot days - I could get more Eupatorium - but it seems to want less city sun than it gets here.

My city soil is quite alkaline, though I apply a top-dressing of compost several times a season. I'd love any suggestions you may have.

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Comments (9)

denninmi
11 years ago
Looks like an ideal spot for some of the newer ornamental grasses on the market, perhaps one of the Panicums or even some kind of moderately sized Miscanthus.
Carrie B
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, denninmi. As usual, I posted and then decided I HAD to take care of it NOW! I went to the nursery and bought some hibiscus and some agastache to plant in front of it. I'll post another photo once it's planted.

Miscanthus sinensis is on Pennsylvania's exotic invasive plants list, so that one I won't plant here.
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echinaceamaniac
11 years ago
My neighbor has that Miscanthus stuff. Talk about ugly! It looks like Johnson Grass that grows rampant in cotton fields around here.
Carrie B
Original Author
11 years ago
Here's the "after." I planted an Agastache 'Blue Fortune' in front of the H. paniculata, and then two different hibiscus behind it, one is 'Fireball', which has white flowers and purplish foliage, the other is a pink flowering one with green foliage (I can't find that tag.)

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terrene
11 years ago
I can envision one of the tall and purple toned Buddleia in that spot. Perhaps a 'Black Knight' or other rich purple tone? A tall butterfly bush has a strong structural form, and would attract all manner of pollinators, which you could observe from the window.

I love Buddleia foliage over the winter, and it could be easily moved when your other perennials and shrubs fill in.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
11 years ago
Nice variety of foliage color, size and texture in that first photo.
Carrie B
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, terrene - Buddliea is on the "watch list" of Pennsylvania invasive plants, and I've weeded enough seedlings in the gardens I work in that I won't plant it.

njbabs - thanks! Now that it gets more sun, I may have to re-think those colors & textures.
terrene
11 years ago
It's good to be cautious, carrieb - I've never seen so much as a seedling here, but have heard it's invasive in warmer zones!
mistascott
11 years ago
Monkshood -- gives you the color, though the bloom doesn't come until late in the season. Super poisonous plant though, so be careful if you have kids and/or pets.

Foxgloves -- maybe too much sun but they have plenty of height.

Heliopsis -- sunflowers, will be plenty tall.

Hollyhocks -- plenty of height but biennial.

Delphinium -- can give you a nice blue/purple and some height.

Lilium

Lupines

Verbascum -- plenty of color options.

Filipendula -- probably the tallest of them all. Sort of like 6' tall astilbe.

Monarda -- 5' height, attractive flowers, loves sun.

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