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Bay State Perennial Farm is known for its wide selection of perennials. Plants are listed alphabetically by their latin names and can be located by clicking on the first letter of the plant name in the alphabet above.
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Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’ Starry, single blue flowers in open sprays in June-Sept. Flowers resemble Asters but are much longer blooming and plants are longer lived. Generally not a household name with most gardeners but with its many fine assets it deserves a second look. Grow in sun, in average soil. Zone 5.
Kalimeris integrifolia ‘Daisy Mae’ Abundant, small, single, white daisy-like flowers carried in open clusters atop stems clad in rich green foliage. One of the longest blooming perennials, continuing in uninterrupted bloom from June till frost. Scoffs at heat, humidity and droughty conditions and, will tolerate light shade. 2' tall. Every bit as good as it sounds. Not used nearly enough. Zone 5.
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Kirengeshoma koreana (Yellow Waxbells) 5' arching stems with waxy yellow bell-shaped blooms in July, attractive clumps of palmate foliage. Likes an acid, moist but not boggy location, zone 4. Differs from K. palmata in blooming 6 weeks earlier, growing 1-2' taller, and having more upfacing flowers whose petals curve upwards at the tips.
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Knautia macedonica Wine-red scabiosa-like flowers on 24-30" stems bloom June until frost over neat clumps of dissected foliage. Self-sows reliably. Long blooming, undemanding perennials for dry, sunny spots. A couple of plants scattered throughout the perennial border can create excitement even during the summer doldrums with flashes of vibrant color. Zone 4.
Knautia macedonica ‘Mars Midget’ Sturdier, shorter and more compact than the species with branching flower stems topped with dozens of 2” wide brilliant ruby-red flowers, June-frost. Only 16-18” tall. Zone 4.
Knautia macedonica ‘Thunder and Lighting’ A sport of K. macedonica, shorter and with unique, variegated foliage. Retains the phenomenal blooming capacity of the species which enables it to produce an endless supply of double, dark magenta flowers, June till Sept. Reaches the garden friendly height of only 12-15”.
Lamium maculatum ‘Purple Dragon' Large, dense spikes of rich purple flowers and silvery foliage. Flowers are undeniably larger and more richly colored and more effectively showcased against the silvery white leaves.
‘Pink Pewter’ Striking white and green foliage stays compact. 6in. tall pink flowers are long-blooming. Flowers in April-July. Zone 3.
‘Purple Dragon’ Dense spikes of large, rich purple, snapdragon-like flowers displayed against bright silvery foliage. Flowers are significantly larger and more richly colored. A excellent choice for injecting color into part to full shade areas. The beautiful silvery-white foliage is decorative in its own right, but add in the luscious purple flowers and you got a complete package. Best in part to full shade in average soil that’s well-drained but not droughty. Individual specimens are very effective cascading over rocks. Can also be planted in groups to form an attractive, small-scale, groundcover for shady areas. 4-8” high x 12” wide. Benefits from a hard, rejuvenating pruning in early summer. Zone 3.
‘White Nancy' Nearly all-white leaves with narrow, blue-green margins and pure white flowers. This variety is particularly dense, making it a useful weed-choking groundcover.
Lathyrus vernus 'Rose Elf' Showy reddish violet, pea-like flowers on 8in. stems in very early spring, non-climbing. Very deeply rooted so able to withstand drought. A delightful, unassuming charmer especially conspicuous for its early bloom. After flowering, foliage conveniently dies back, clearing the stage for the next performer. Zone 4.
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Lavandula (Lavender) angustifolia 'Hidcote Variety' What need be said! It’s classic English Lavender, one of the most universally recognized and cherished garden plants in ornamental horticulture. Gray foliage with deep purple fragrant blooms, summer, 18", hardiest cultivar. Needs generous amounts of lime,-impossible to add too much- and good drainage.
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Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’ This extremely fragrant form grows 24” tall and bears fat, deep violet flowers on long spikes. Blooms heavily through summer. All lavenders require full sun and average or better, extremely well drained soil with a pH of around neutral, (6.5). Lime will gradually raise the pH. Zone 5.
Lavandula x intermedia ‘Hidcote Giant’ Very large, light violet flower heads on long stems, (not to be confused with L. angustifolia 'Hidcote Variety'). Grows up to 30" tall. Blooms in summer. Zone 5.
Leucanthemum superbum ‘Banana Cream’ 4" flowers open lemon yellow, then brighten to light butter yellow as they mature, and many auxiliary buds ensure an ample supply of flowers right through the summer. Compact and vigorous growing. 15-18" high. Zone 5.
Leucanthemum superbum ‘Becky’ A large flowered shasta daisy with big, bold and beautiful, single white flowers in June and July, and into Oct. if deadheaded. Grows 36-42” tall. Shiny green foliage, excellent cut flower. A staff and customer favorite! 2003 Perennial Plant of the Year. Grow in sun, in rich, moist but well-drained soil. Zone 3.
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Leucanthemum superbum ‘Lacrosse’ New Pure white daisies with fluted, trumpet-shaped petals around large gold centers. A new look for Shasta Dasies. Compact, well-branched habit, only 12" high and wide. Long blooming through summer. Zone 5.
Leucanthemum superbum ‘ Old Court Variety’ New A unique form with narrow, curled white petals surrounding a yellow central disc. Attractively wild and unkempt looking, like Phyllis Dillers hair on a good day! Flowers heavily with bloom beginning in June and continuing through summer. Stems up the 3' tall which makes them excellent for larger arrangements. Easy to grow, different looking and fun to have in the border. Zone 4.
Leucanthemum superbum'Snowcap' 8-10in. stems bear large, single daisies in late spring and summer.
Leucanthemum superbum ‘Sonnenschein’ A color breakthrough for Shasta daisies, this new cultivar has large, creamy yellow flowers! The large, 3-4in. flowers are single, semi-double and double, blooming mid summer on 30-36in. stems. Zone 4.
Liatris spicata ‘Floristan White’ Tall spikes bloom from the top down in the form of showy, white, button-like flowers in summer. Bloom begins in early summer and continues for several weeks. Cutting off spent flowers will result in some extended bloom. The tall, very slender, large white flower spikes infuse a definite drama and vertical element to the border, and, they're one of the best perennials for cutting. Provide average or better, moist but drained, not droughty, soil, in sun. Zone 3.
Liatris spicata‘Kobold' Bright, rosy lavender spikes open from top to bottom on strong vertical stems that lend sharp structural contrast to more relaxed, mounding companions. Very effective in the mixed sunny border where it blooms for several weeks in summer, 30” tall. An excellent cut flower. Attracts butterflies. Zone 4.
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LIGULARIA dentata 'Brit-Marie Crawford' Glossy chocolate-maroon foliage and broad clusters of large, orange -yellow daisies, 40", zone 4. Darkest foliage yet.
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‘Osiris Cafe Noir’ Thick, leathery, deep purplish black leaves transition to shades of bronze and then to light green at maturity. Grows to 24" tall and 20" wide. Yellow flowers bloom on stems up to 45" high in mid to late summer. Best result in sun to part shade with rich, moisture retentive soil that's well drained. Looks great when combined with the Japanese Forest Grasses. Zone 4.
'Osiris Fantasie' Rich, dark green, heart-shaped leaves with wavy, deeply serrated edges showing off the burgundy undersides. Interesting dark purple stems and yellow flowers that bloom just above the foliage in late summer. Foliage grows to 24ins. tall. Zone 4.
stenocephala ‘Little Rocket’ A more compact form of 'The Rocket' with thicker foliage that is less prone to flagging in the hot sun. Foliage to 20" high with flower spikes rising 1-2' higher. Despite it's resistance to flagging, like all Ligularia, this cultivar has high moisture requirements and will only reach it's majestic potential when planted in consistently moist soil. Plant in sun with lots of moisture or in part shade where moisture requirements are somewhat reduced. Zone 4.
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Ligularia stenocephala 'The Rocket' Stately gold spikes bloom in late summer over large clumps of toothed, heart-shaped green leaves, to 3'. Requires either constant moisture or afternoon shade or else foliage wilts dramatically, but will recover as temperatures cool. Zone 5.
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Linaria purpurea (Toadflax) 3-4' spikes, the top half of which are encircled with multitudes of tiny, delicate flowers in shades of pink or purple. Excellent filler plants, especially attractive when randomly scattered throughout the garden. Short lived, but they self-seed reliably and once you have them, they're sure to return somewhere in the garden year after year. Hot sun and well drained soil. Zone 5. June availability.
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Linum perenne ‘Nanum Sapphire’(Blue Flax) 8-10ins stems bear ¾in. azure blue flowers for up to 12 weeks starting in late spring. Stems appear fragile but are surprisingly sturdy if soil is well drained. Leaves are blue-green, narrow, almost needle-like. Plant in full sun in average soil with sharp drainage,- will languish in wet places. Planted singly, linum struggles for attention. In groups of at least three or more, they create a spectacle of airy, misty blue flowers all summer. Zone 5.
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Liriope (Lilyturf) An indestructible groundcover, Liriope spreads quickly in almost all soil and light conditions, providing that the drainage is adequate. Can be mowed in the early spring if winter is unkind to the evergreen foliage. Some varieties are listed as zone 6, but it has been our experience that, as a group, they're perfectly hardy in zone 5 and, in the case of L. spicata, even zone 4.
spicata ‘Silver Dragon’ Narrow, blue-green, grass-like, blades prominently edged in silver form dense, weed-choking carpets. Disease resistant and drought tolerant. A good choice for planting over tree roots. Its beautiful foliage creates a stunning backdrop for the sizzling hot, rich purple flower spikes that appear in late summer. 10” high, thickly spreading. Will grow in sun with moisture but part to full shade is best and water requirements are lower. Zone 4.
Lithodora diffusa ‘Grace Ward’ New 6" high with prostrate branches covered in sky blue flowers during May and June. Requires acid, organic, moist, well drained soil which makes them excellent companions for heaths and heathers. Tender. Will not make it through our zone 5 winters but worth growing annually for its beguiling true blue flowers.
Lobelia Breeding programs over the last few years have produced a gorgeous array of hybrid cardinal flowers, in rich colors from clear pink to velvety dark purple and red jewel-tones. These striking plants bloom in late summer in sun or part shade, and prefer a moist rich soil. Cutting back spent flowers encourages additional side shoots to bloom, so the display lasts a good long time. They are hardy to Zone 4, but winter mulch is prudent to prevent frost heaving. Our native cardinal flowers, Lobelia cardinalis and Lobelia siphilitica, (parents to the new hybrids) are excellent garden plants and self-sow freely (particularly L. siphilitica) when they like where they are planted.
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Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) Weather in the wild or in the garden, the scarlet red spikes of L. cardinalis are breathtakingly vivid, all the more so because they bloom after the spring and early summer bloomers have begun to fade. 3’ high, possibly to 4’, in rich, evenly moist soil in part shade. Plants can do well in full sun but only if soil is rich and reliably moist through the season. A beautiful native that’s always a thrill to happen upon in the wild. Zone 3.
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Lobilia cardinalis ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ A distinctive Lobelia cardinalis selection with leaves that are initially deep burgundy then, as the season progresses, becoming deep green on top while retaining burgundy coloring on the undersides. Quick to establish in the garden and early to flower with blooms beginning to show by the end of June. Performs well in sun in average garden soil with consistent moisture. 3’ high. Zone 4.
Lobelia siphilitica ‘Alba’ Erect, leafy stems 30-36" tall topped with dense racemes of white flowers for many weeks in mid summer. Though individual plants are somewhat short-lived, it's a reliable self-seeder so there are always lots of fresh young plants ready to take over as older plants fade. Thrives on a range of soil types from quite dry to moist with the ideal site being organic soil that's moist but well-drained, in part to full shade. So easy to grow and one that offers a ready source of color for the shade garden. Zone 5.
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siphilitica 'Blue Selection' Identical to the above described white form, except with bright blue flowers.
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Lobelia x speciosa ‘Red Beauty’ 2-3’ spikes of beautiful, pinkish red flowers in late summer. Stems are strong and stiffly upright ensuring a prominent verticle focus in a mixed, late season border or in a partially shaded woodland garden. Zone 3.
Lobelia x gerardii ‘Vedrariensis’ Exceptionally vivid, violet/purple flowers mark this lobelia as something special. It's the fortuitous result of a cross between L. cardinalis and L. siphilitica exhibiting strong hybrid vigor with tall, strong flower stems that do not require staking, an extended bloom period plus a general tolerance of less than perfect conditions. In mid summer rich, violet flowers begin opening and continue to bloom for four weeks or more. Flower color is much more intense than that of L. siphilitica and in mixed plantings the difference is immediately apparent. Plants are consistently longer lived than either parent. A wonderful plant for adding strong color to the part to full shade garden. 3, possibly 4' tall. Zone 3.
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Lupine (Lupine) Few plants evoke the emotional response of Lupine, especially strong amongst vacationers to the Maine coast who’ve seen the drifts of native populations that thrive in the bright sun and cooler summer temperatures found further north of here and at higher elevations. Where summers are hot and humid, lupine should be located behind camouflage plants so that when flowering finishes, the remaining tired-looking foliage will be hidden from view.
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Lupine perennis This native of the eastern half of the U.S. is well adapted to New England conditions, with blue flowers blooming in early summer for several weeks. Plants usually go dormant after flowering so they should be placed behind companions that will conceal them in late summer. Fairly reliable self-seeders. 20-30" tall. Give average, well-drained, acid soil in sun. Zone 3.
Lupinus polyphyllus Gallery series ‘Gallery Blue' Dwarf, compact plants with large blue flower spikes.
Lupinus Westcountry™ series New This series is bred for striking bicolor flowers that open simultaneously along the whole length of the flower stalk. Colors are sharply delineated beyond what’s commonly seen in Lupine. Very special. Seeing is believing. 3-5’ tall. Zone 3.
‘Gladiator’ New Orange with yellow centers.
‘Manhattan Lights’ New Grape purple and soft yellow.
‘Masterpiece’ New Magenta purple with orange flecks.
‘Tequila Flame’ New Red with yellow centers.
Lychnis arkwrightii 'Lingai Orange' Vivid orange/red flowers over chocolate-burgundy foliage. 10ins. high. Blooms May-June. Very bright in both foliage and flower and benefits form being combined with more subtle yellow, white and even blue tones. 1’ tall. Zone 3.
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Lychnis chalcedonica (Maltese Cross) An old fashioned cottage garden plant with scarlet orange flowers on long stems. Bright and cheery, long lived and easy to grow in average soil in full sun. Very effective when interplanted with orange, white and yellow companions. 3’ tall, blooms June into July,- dead heading extends the blooms. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, in fact, on several occasions I’ve found myself nose to beak with hummingbirds as I weeded around these plants. Zone 2.
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Lychnis coronaria 2” wide, hot magenta embers burn against a background of silvered, felted leaves, June into August. Brilliantly colored, prolific bloomers that are easy to take for granted because of their carefree nature. Though biennial, they are eager self-seeders that can be counted on to sustain a fresh crop of blooming plants over the life of the garden. If too many seedlings are produced, the extras are easily thinned. Plants thrive in deplorable conditions, requiring only average, well drained soil and hot full sun. 18-24” tall. Zone 4.
Lysimachia cletheroides (Gooseheck Loosestrife) 2-3' tall, erect stems bearing 10-12", pure white spikes angled in such a way as to resemble gaggling goosenecks about to be stuffed for foie gras. This is an architectually pretty plant, especially when clumps develop some mass, with all the flower spikes "honking" in the same direction, looking like an actual flock of geese, noisily passing through the garden. It will take no time at all for clumps to develop considerable size and, while the flowers are truly attractive, excellent for cutting and, long blooming,(July-September), the plants exuberant spread must be checked or it will expand into the garden at an alarming rate, at the expense of its better behaved neighbors. I find that the easiest way to keep it under control is to dig out and discard half the clump, annually. It's indestructible and looks good all season. I've seen large, pure stands in the middle of lawns, kept under control with a lawnmower, and they looked terrific! Sun, average soil. Zone 4.
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