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With more than 600 varieties and Alaska's absolute ideal growing conditions for about 250 of these varieties, it's no surprise Primula continues to be our No. 1 seller. From just a few inches tall to more than three feet, from the lightest yellows to the brightest reds -- and of course there's the fantastic foliage -- Primula are my favorites, too. And with more than 800 varieties of other plants at our place on almost any given day, that says a lot. Pictured is Primula 'Cortusoides,' P. auricula, P. sieboldii and P. alpicola.

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Every garden needs a spiky plant to add interest. With only a few plants fitting the bill, Iris quickly become a first, easy choice. Iris pumilus with heights of about eight inches to well over four feet for the wonderful sibirica varieties, and in all the colors of the rainbow, surely there's a spot in your gardens for a few iris. Pictured is Iris pumilus 'Betsy Boo' and Saxafraga arendsii 'Peter Pan.'

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We like this one so much we have a whole path lined with about 40 varieties. Hosta have been moving up the charts for the past five years as Alaskans learn how easy they are to grow. The appearance of a huge distinct hosta leaf combined with an Iris pumilus or one of the creeping phlox makes a definite statement. Sizes range from just a few inches to four feet across and leaf colors range from solid greens to marbled greens and creams, to distinct margins.

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Another no brainer! Wonderful ground covers, super easy to grow, nice range of colors, easily propagated (spreading nicely), are just a few reasons why this one has been in the Top 20 for the past six years. Of course, I have tons of the creeping sedums but I really think my favorite this year was the taller 'Autumn Fire' or 'Autumn Joy.' And yes, it is a real autumn joy. The bees and butterflies love these plump pink-purple blooms almost as much as I do. The taller sedums can provide a shrub-like appearance for back of the border or as I enjoyed in England a few years ago, used as hedging material. Pictured is Sedum kamtschaticum 'Variegatum' in our rock garden.

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Looking for romance? Looking for memories? Looking for height and color? How about something with a really long blooming period and later in the season? Look no farther. The newer L.A. Hybrids give us one more option with their extremely sturdy stems and deep, intense, colors. Pictured is Lilium 'Gironde.'

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In the past some folk thought vines were only for the experienced gardener. That myth has been expelled with the introduction of all the newer, easier-to-grow and hardier varieties. In Estonia at the Tallinn Botanical Gardens I saw a phenomenal hedge of Clematis 'Anita,' a beautiful white 'Tangutica,' another of 'Cecile,' a C. macropetela and a labyrinth of Clematis 'Spirit.' And then there are the silver seed heads that hang around all winter. Check out our Clematis section here on the web site for growing instructions and pictures. Pictured here is Clematis 'Baltyk.'

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For many years these were No. 1 on our hit parade but as the "mystique" has evaporated and everyone has learned they really aren't that hard to grow, they've come down a notch or two. Neverless, there is nothing that can compare to a clump of this magnificent beauty. It's pretty common these days with a mature plant to have 50 blooms. Sorry, Dorothy, you can't grow these in Kansas or anywhere else that gets above 80 F in summers. Pictured are blue poppies in mixed a border with Mertensia and Lilium. Photo courtesy Brenda's Gardens by Design.

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I'm totally excited to see one of my absolute favorites creep up the chart. There are so many varieties and more being "invented" every year because they truly are great plants. Here in Alaska we don't have to worry too much about the shade part because of our cool summers. Just make sure the roots get plenty of water and you're set. I've seen some clumps of Ligularia przewalskii grow to eight feet tall and wide so plan a big space. Pictured is Ligularia 'Desdemonda.'

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I'm sorry, but if you don't have a Delphinium in your garden, you do not have an Alaskan garden! You may think they're too tall and require too much staking and maintenance. Not true. The new Millennium series do not require staking as do some other shorter varieties. Besides, building a permanent staking system isn't that hard, really. They're great at the back of the garden or anywhere you want to make a statement. The colors are practically endless and more coming every year. It's true that some of the newer outstanding varieties don't come back forever but they are still worth it. I plant one new Delphinium in my beds every season to compensate for the shorter lives.

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It took a few years for folks to catch on to the benefits of Veronica. They really don't look that great at the nurseries in pots but when you see them at their maturity in someone's garden, you're hooked. Colors of whites, pinks and purples, late and long bloomers, from eight inches to about 30 inches tall, and very well behaved in the gardens, are a few reasons this one is moving up the charts Pictured is Veronica 'Eveline.'