‘Eveline’ long-leaf speedwell

Name: Veronica longifolia ‘Eveline’

Zones: 4 to 8

Size: Up to 20 inches tall and 18 inches wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; rich, moist, well-drained soil

We’ve all done it: We’ve tried to grow salvias in spots without enough sunlight or too much moisture, and all we’re left with are leggy plants that flop over as the summer rolls on. Not so with ‘Eveline’ long-leaf speedwell. Deep violet flowers, which attract many pollinators, continue blooming all summer long atop sturdy plants that will take a bit of shade and moisture. It is easy to grow, is reliable, and has tall blossoms that are wonderful in cut-flower arrangements. As an added bonus, its foliage turns reddish purple as cool weather sets in.

Foam flower

Name: Tiarella cordifolia and cvs.

Zones: 3 to 8

Size: 6 to 12 inches tall and 1 foot wide

Conditions: Partial to full shade; moist, fertile soil

The landscapes of my youth were carpeted with the dark green of pachysandra, a boring, aggressive ground cover with insignificant flowers. It’s time to look in a new direction, and foam flower is the way. Native to the eastern United States, foam flower is semi­evergreen and spreads by stolons. Its flowers bloom in spring with a pinkish tint that fades to white, and they are an early-season source of nectar for pollinators. The maplelike foliage is wonderfully coarse in texture and turns deep burgundy during cold months. This is a low-maintenance plant with multiseasonal interest, and it’s a wonderful choice for the shade garden.

Scott Hokunson owns Blue Heron Landscape Design in Granby, Connecticut.

Photos, except where noted: Michelle Gervais, courtesy of Scott Hokunson, Bill Johnson, Jennifer Benner, Susan A. Roth