Aralia californica Pinckneya dark blue-green border

dark blue-green border

and Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'

The foliage is further highlighted from August through September with an abundance of cymes of blue flowers

habranthus-like flowers

solitary rosette of glaucous blue leaves

Aralia californica Pinckneya dark blue-green borderAralia californica is a little known, deer resistant perennial aralia (ginseng cousin) that is the only member of the family with a California address, with a vacation residence in Oregon. In the wild, it can be found in moist canyons and streambanks below 6,000' elevation, where it grows in acidic humus. In the garden, it forms an amazing 8' tall x 8' wide perennial. The tall deciduous stalks are adorned with 3' long, pinnate leaves, and topped in