Perennials That Are 12 Inches Tall

Blue

• If blue's your hue, several perennials reach right around 12 inches tall to suit your desire. "Blue Hobbit" dwarf sea holly (Eryngium planum "Blue Hobbit") grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 11 and reaches 8 to 12 inches tall. The spiny blue flowers are ideal for cutting or adding interest to containers and beds. Another blue choice is dwarf lily of the Nile (Agapanthus africanus "Peter Pan"), which grows in USDA zones 8 through 11 reaching 8 to 12 inches tall with flower stalks that reach up to 18 inches. If you're after something a bit more delicate-looking, Lucerne blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium "Lucerne"), which grows in USDA zones 5 through 9, reaches 6 to 12 inches tall and looks like clumps of grass adorned with blue flowers.

Yellow

• Whether it's sunshine-yellow or toned-down, buttery-yellow, a few plants with yellow blooms grow to around the height you're after. Thriller lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis "Thriller") grows quickly to 12 inches tall. Sprays of bright yellow flowers complement the deeply scalloped foliage during the summer. "Thriller" grows in USDA zones 3 through 9. If you're after cutting flowers for display, consider yellow Peruvian lilies such as "Daniela" (Alstroemeria x "Stapridani"), which grows in USDA zones 8 through 11. The 2-inch flowers are soft yellow with, like most Peruvian lilies, darker stripes. "Daniela" grows quickly to 10 to 14 inches tall.

Red

• Deep, passionate red is common among landscape flowers and the around-12-inch crowd has more than a few red contenders. "Cherry Frost" African daisy (Arctotis hybrid "ARC 245"), which grows in USDA zones 8 through 11, offers reddish blooms during spring and summer and grows between 10 and 16 inches tall and wide. "Heart Attack" sweet William (Dianthus barbatus "Heart Attack") has deep red blooms and grows 6 to 12 inches tall. This variety is ideal as a border in flower beds and also for a cutting garden. "Heart Attack" grows in USDA zones 4 through 9.

Dramatic Foliage

• Dramatic foliage can lend greatly to your garden design, adding interest even when the plant isn't in bloom. The native coral bells (Heuchera spp.) typically grow in USDA zones 4 through 9, although different species and cultivars may vary. The leaves of coral bells often have deep, boldly colored veins and come in shades of green, red, purple, orange and yellow. Many grow around 12 inches tall with tall, dainty flowers that tower above the foliage. Dramatic ferns, such as "Pewter Lace" painted fern (Athyrium niponicum "Pewter Lace" P.P. #15721) grows in USDA zones 5 through 8. "Pewter Lace" grows up to 15 inches tall and has silvery foliage with dark, bluish-green ribs.