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Hi Reader,

I've been re-reading Rosemary Verey's Making of a Garden. It's a book filled with great garden design advice.

This week I'm sharing a list of ground covers and long blooming perennials that Rosemary Verey describes in her book.

These plants make great additions to our Midwest gardens.

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Ground Covers &
Long Blooming Annuals

Rosemary Verey wasn't interested in just vertical elements. Throughout the book, we read about the 'layering of plants'. Creating individual moments in the garden to enjoy.

She explains that she likes to have a focal point at the end of each border.

She relied heavily on ground covers to create interest and to keep weeds in check.

Here's a look at a few of the ground covers and long blooming plants that she recommends throughout her book.

Lamium maculatum

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Plant type: Perennial ground cover​
Light: Mostly Sunny to Full Shade
​Growing zone: 3 to 8
​Bloom time: Late Spring to Early Summer
​Size: 8 inches tall, space 16 inches apart
​Features: Colorful foliage, deer & rabbit resistant
​Note: Avoid dry soil with full sun
​Patents: PP11,122 purple, no patent on the white variety, PP11,783 golden anniversary
​Available to purchase: Check all varieties at Bluestone Perennials​

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Geranium sanguineum

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Plant type: Perennial groundcover​
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
​Growing zone: 3 to 8
​Bloom time: May, June, July, August, September
​Size: 8 to 12 in tall, 18 to 24 in wide
​Features: Colorful foliage in autumn, deer & rabbit resistant
​Note: Can become aggressive spreader under some conditions
​Available to purchase: Midwest Meadows​

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lobelia siphilitca
(blue cardinal flower)

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Plant type: Perennial​
Light: Mostly Sunny to Full Shade
​Growing zone: 3 to 9
​Bloom time: Mid-Summer to Early Fall
​Size: 24 to 36 inches tall , space 12 inches apart
​Features: Deer resistant, attracts pollinators, shade tolerant
​Note: Prefers fertile, evenly moist soil.
​Available to purchase: Bluestone Perennials​

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Lobelia Vedrariensis
(cardinal flower)

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Plant type: Perennial​
Light: Mostly Sunny to Full Shade
​Growing zone: 3 to 8
​Bloom time: Mid-Summer to Early Fall
​Size: 24 to 36 inches tall , space 12 inches apart
​Features: Deer resistant, attracts pollinators, wet site tolerant
​Note: Prefers fertile, evenly moist soil.
​Available to purchase: Bluestone Perennials​

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Salvia azurea (blue sage)

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Plant type: Perennial​
Light: Full to Partial Sun
​Growing zone: 4 to 9
​Bloom time: Mid-Summer to Early Fall
​Size: 5 feet tall! , space 18-24 inches apart
​Features: Deer resistant, attracts pollinators
​Note: Native to lower 48 states
​Available to purchase: Prairie Moon Nursery (seeds)​

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Thymus praecox 'Coccineus'

Plant type: Perennial​
Light: Full Sun
​Growing zone: 4 to 9
​Bloom time: Late Spring to Mid-Summer
​Size: 4 inches tall, 18 inches wide
​Features: Deer resistant, attracts pollinators
​Note: Drought tolerant, easy care, attracts butterflies
​Available to purchase: Park Seed (plants only, no seed)

I'd love to hear if you have any additions to this list. That's it for this week's newsletter. Thanks for being here.

Happy Gardening,
Sue