was the 'Black and Blue' Salvia. From early summer until late into fall this dense, upright perennial was loaded with flower spikes up to 15 inches tall. The spike itself and the calyxes covering the flower bud appear almost coal black... while the two-lipped blooms are colored a stunning cobalt blue. About the most serious maintenance I perform each summer is regularly deadheading spent blooms.

Our NGA website lists this plant as hardy to Zone 7A. The Missouri Botanical Garden still lists it as only hardy to Zone 8. I can attest, as can several gardeners in portions of Oklahoma City, that this perennial is hardy to Zone 7A. The plant in the photos is in its 10th year in the same location. [Granted, mine is on the south side of the house and is heavily mulched, fed twice a year and watered when needed in the winter.]
This plant definitely exhibits well and should be used more frequently in central Oklahoma gardens...




The 'Powis Castle' Artemisia has soft, non-glossy pewter colored foliage that provides a wonderful counterpoint to all the green leaves in this area:


In another two years the 'Heavenly Hash' Daylily will be a large, substantial and very attractive mid-summer bloomer...


I'm attempted something new this year. Just on the other side of the Dwarf Burford Holly on the left center in the first photo... I've planted three ferns. Come to think of it... I also put in one fern behind the Crimson Pygmy Barberry. I would love for this to work... but I know I'm pushing the edge of the envelope.