Article: Sun, shade: Perennials are forever.(Metropolitan)(Life/Home)(Gardening)

I once asked an artist what her favorite color was. Her answer disappointed me.

"I like them all," she said.

Remembering that conversation, I was not optimistic recently when I asked John Peter Thompson what his favorite perennial was. Actually, I asked him for two favorites - one for sun and one for shade.

Mr. Thompson didn't disappoint. Right away, he came back with, "hibiscus, hands down." That's for sun. For shade? "Hosta's always the easy answer," he said. A slight pause. Then he added, "I think I would say helleborus."

Mr. Thompson is chief executive officer of Behnke Nurseries, based in Beltsville. His ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!