Regional Picks: Perennial Hole Fillers – Northwest

1. ‘Georgia Blue’ Speedwell

Name:Veronica peduncularis‘Georgia Blue’

USDA Hardiness Zones:6 to 8

Size:6 inches marvelous and 1 foundation astray

Conditions : Full sun to fond shadowiness ; rich , well - drained grease

This versatile ground cover has evergreen plant foliage with burgundy shade and rich blue prime from spring to summer . It ’s a tough plant that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds but , thankfully , not rabbits . In spring , ‘ Georgia Blue ’ speedwell combines beautifully with dwarf daffodils ( Narcissusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) while later conceal their decaying foliage . In summer , it can form an attractive flatness under larger plant while trammel weed growth with its loose - conquer cushion .

2. ‘Sagae’ Hosta

Name:Hosta‘Sagae’

Zones:3 to 9

Size:3 feet improbable and wide

Conditions : Partial to full shade ; moist soil

‘ Sagae ’ hosta makes a bold statement in the shade because , although it is slow growing , a ripe lump can , in time , reach 6 feet across . A broad yellow margin on orotund heart - shaped , blue - green leaves sum up drama that few other varieties can rival . This is my favored hosta for planting alongside clumps of periwinkle English wild hyacinth ( Hyacinthoides non - scripta , Zones 4–10 ) . The just vase shape of ‘ Sagae ’ Funka earmark the spikes of English bluebell to grow unimpeded , and the hosta leaves are still unfurl when the natural spring electric-light bulb are their showiest . As the English bluebell dies down , the hosta foliage quickly covers the bare spots . During the time that the two plant are visible together , the periwinkle color of English bluebell enhances the down in the mouth tones of ‘ Sagae ’ genus Hosta .

3. Rock Soapwort

Name:Saponaria ocymoides

Zones:4 to 8

Size:6 to 8 inches magniloquent and 15 inch wide

condition : Full sunlight ; well - drained soil

This low - maintenance perennial scamper gayly under taller companions and looks perfectly at home get onto over rock walls . Unlike its taller trespassing full cousin , the common soapwort ( S. officinalis , Zones 3–9 ) , rock soapwort snuggles up nicely to its neighbor without deluge them , forming a useful weed - smothering mat . Small pink flower cover the plant in early summer , when it can bridge over the color gap between early - blooming bulbs and descend stars . As you would expect from a flora native to the Alps , its two enemies are shade and poor drain .

4. Fleabane

Name:Erigeron speciosus

Zones:2 to 8

Size:1 to 2 feet magniloquent and wide

I ca n’t say enough good things about this underutilized works . Rays of gentle flower petal in shades of gloomy surround a central yellow disc , make these 1½- to 2 - inch - extensive daisies appear like other - season aster . The blooms keep come throughout summertime , peculiarly if deadheaded on a regular basis . The compact wont of Canadian fleabane makes it the perfect hole filler among other plants that need clock time to mature . feabane mullet spreads freely without being encroaching , and it can easily be thin out or removed completely when needed . In my Zone 7 garden , the basal foliage is evergreen plant in all but the harsh of winters .

Karen Chapman is a garden designer in Duvall , Washington .

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Sagae Hosta

Photo: Bill Johnson

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