Begonias

• Begonia is a diverse genus of tropical and subtropical perennials. Some gardeners grow species for their ornamental foliage, others for their colorful and diverse flowers. Begonia flowers range from large, showy and ornamental individual blossoms to small clusters of dozens of flowers. Wax begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) cultivar 'Challenger' bears showy flowers in red, white, pink or rose set against green and bronze foliage. 'Pizzazz Series' wax begonia cultivars present the same colors. Hardy begona (Begonia grandis) bears small clusters of drooping flowers in pink and white and has green foliage. Begonia species are low-maintenance plants. They flourish in part shade in very warm regions (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10 to 11). Hardy begonia will tolerate Zones 6 to 9.
  
  

Yarrow

• Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial species of the yarrow genus (Achillea) and the daisy (Asteraceae) family. The plant reaches a mature height of 1 to 3 feet and is suited to growth in Zones 3 to 9, making it a diverse species. In its standard form, common yarrow bears white flowers and green foliage. However, hundreds of cultivars created through crossbreeding of countless yarrow species bear flowers in a variety of colors. 'Fire King' has red flowers, 'Paprika' has orange-red flowres, 'Fanal' has red flowers with yellow centers and 'White Beauty' has pure white flowers. All sport green foliage. Yarrow is a weed. Online resource Floridata warns that without close maintenance it can prove invasive and take nutrients, water and light from other nearby, less-aggressive species.
  
  

Peony

• Peony (Paeonia) is a genus of flowering plants. It is the only genus belonging to the Paeoniaceae family. Peony species are native to Asia but are grown by gardeners throughout the world. University of Vermont Professor Leonard Perry attributes the popularity of peonies to their beautiful spring flowers and hearty summer foliage. As hardy perennials, peonies flower for many years with minimal maintenance. Herbaceous peony species present flowers in white, yellow, cream, pink, rose, and deep red, while tree peonies bear yellow, pink, white, rose, crimson, scarlet, purple, and deep purple flowers. Foliage is usually green. Peonies flourish in well-drained soil and full sun exposure. A 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 fertilizer at a rate of 3 to 4 lbs. per 100 square feet promotes optimal growth.
  
  

Mums

• Mums (Dendranthema x grandiflorum) and the many cultivars thereof are grown in gardens throughout the world. Cultivation of the flowering plant goes back 2,000 years in China and 1,000 in Japan, where it is the national flower. Chrysanthemums bear green foliage and flowers in white, red, yellow, pink and bronze. Although no single plant bears red and white flowers, cultivars of different colors are often combined in the garden. White mum cultivars include 'Encore,' 'Illusion,' 'Nicole' and 'Tolima.' 'Bravo,' 'Minngopher' and 'Remarkable' are red cultivars. Mums can be grown as annuals or perennials. In areas with heavy frost and cold winters, plants will die at the end of each growth cycle. However, if maintained vigilantly with adequate sunlight and water in warm climates, specimen will continue to flourish for a number of seasons.
  
  

Roses

• The rose (Rosa) genus comprises approximately 150 perennially flowering shrubs. A diverse genus with myriad cultivars, Rosa contains species presenting flowers in red, pink, white and lavender, all with green foliage. Among the many species suited for garden growth are Rosa grandiflora, the compact polyantha rose (Rosa ---rehderiana), European roses (spp) and Chinese rose (Rosa chinesis). Cultivars of each of these flowers bear roses in red and white. The 'Mozart' hybrid musk rose cultivar (Rosa 'Mozart') bears flowers with red petals and a white center. Roses require special attention from gardeners. Species are easily out competed by the roots of other plants and should be planted in well-drained, moist, mildly acidic of neutral soil, preferably in a raised, independent bed. Roses flourish with regular feeding and full sun exposure.
  
  

Other Plants

• Species of the Lantana genus bear green foliage alongside red and white flowers. However, gardeners should be aware that Lantana is an invasive genus of ground cover plants requiring careful maintenance. Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) is a flowering shrub with green foliage and flowers in red, white, lilac and pink. Species of the perennial genus Dianthus present flowers in red, white and pink in the fall and spring. Specimens have green foliage. The carnation (Dianthus Caryophyllus) flowers in winter.