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(Iris germanica)
A classic old-time ‘pass-along’ plant, we love the big showy flowers of bearded iris even if the season is short. They make up for it with sturdy, evergreen sword-shaped foliage that provides a good foil to fuzzier plants in the border. Fragrant and romantic, they will multiply in full sun or very light shade and last for years. Don’t cover the rhizomes with soil or mulch; when planted too deeply they will make leaves but not bloom. Prefer drier soils. Some varieties are alleged to re-bloom in the fall; although we haven’t seen consistent results ourselves, we keep hoping!

(Piper auritum, Root Beer plant)
Large, velvety leaves on stalks that can reach 4’-5’ tall make a bold statement in a shady planting. An aromatic tropical herb, the leaves of hoya santa are used to wrap fish or meats for steaming; Paula Lambert also wraps goat cheese in the leaves to impart the slightly licorice/root beer flavor to the cheese. Dies back in the winter but returns reliably each year.

(Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana)
Native to Big Bend but grows well here. This columbine is tall, sturdy and usually evergreen, with large yellow cockspur-shaped flowers in March and April. A short-lived perennial, it will reseed and hybridize with other columbines if planted close to them. Needs shade and regular moisture, prefers acidic soil.

(Helleborus orientalis, Helleborus hybridus)
A fantastic evergreen perennial that blooms in midwinter–hence the names Christmas rose or Lenten rose. Hellebores, unlike many shade-loving perennials, don’t mind our alkaline soil and water and are quite drought-tolerant once they get going. Flowers come in shades of white, pink, dark maroon, red and various spots; there are even several green-flowered types if that is your taste. Native to Europe, where they have naturalized in ruins of old monasteries and herb gardens.

(Alpinia zerumbet)
Needs a little babying—plenty of moisture and good organic soil—but variegated ginger will reward you with big splashes of cream and gold variegation in a shady border. Although the light pink flowers are not fragrant like other gingers, the foliage gives off a sweet scent when crushed.