3. BLUE MILKWEED
AMSONIA HUBRICHTII
ZONES 4-9
This is a large, shrub-like perennial that blooms in May with a pale, star-shaped blue flower; however, the real show starts when the feathery, blue-green, thread-leaf foliage turns golden brown in the autumn. It is very reliable, grows three feet tall and three feet wide, and deer leave it alone.
4. SEVEN SONS FLOWER
HEPTACODIUM MICONIOIDES
ZONES 5-9
This plant matures to be a large, multi-stem shrub—or small tree, depending on your perspective—with peeling bark. White, jasmine-like flowers bloom in late summer, but the real show happens once those flowers fall off. In September, the sepal (the flower structure that remains) turns to a vibrant red and looks like it is blooming all over again! This one thrives in full sun to part shade and grows 12 to 15 feet tall.
