Flowers and foliage get most of the fanfare, but a plant with eye-catching seed heads will add interest for weeks or even months after its bloom time is over. The textures and shapes of these seed-bearing structures are delightfully diverse, ranging from alliums’ showy starbursts to plump peony pods and the feathery tassels of clematis. Our hosts and expert guest will share some favorite selections that look great after they go to seed.
Expert guest: Amanda Thomsen is a horticulturist, garden designer, and author based in suburban Chicago.
Danielle’s Plants
‘Purple Sensation’ allium (Allium ‘Purple Sensation’, Zones 3-9)
‘Kopper Kettle’ Itoh peony (Paeonia ‘Kopper Kettle’, Zones 3-8)
‘Goldsturm’ black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’, Zones 3-9)
Baptisia (Baptisia australis, Zones 3-9)
Carol’s Plants
‘Strawberry Fields’ gomphrena (Gomphrena haageana ‘Strawberry Fields’, Zones 9-11)
Tibetan clematis (Clematis tibetana, Zones 6-9)
Kamchatka sedum (Sedum kamptschaticum, Zones 3-8)
‘Blue Glow’ globe thistle (Echinops bannaticus, Zones 3-8)
Expert’s Plants
Angel’s trumpet (Datura innoxia, Zones 9-10)
Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena, annual)
Love lies bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus, annual)