perennial plants
Perennial plants are herbaceous plants which die back to the ground during winter and grow back in spring. Some can be left undisturbed for years while others need to be divided every few years to maintain their vigour. You can find a perennial plant for any situation, whether it's a stone wall or a shady corner. Some are grown for their flower displays, others for their beautiful foliage. Evergreen perennials and half-shrubs are included in this category.
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Salvia - Sage
Salvia is the largest genus in the family Lamiaceae, with roughly 1000 species native to Eurasia and America. There are three distinct distribution areas, Central- and South-America, Central-Asia and the Mediterranean and E-Asia. Most species need a warmer climate than Iceland has to offer, but at least two species are hardy here.
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Salvia hians
Sanguisorba - Burnet
Sanguisorba, is a genus of about 30 species in the rose family, Rosaceae, distribitued around northern temperate regions. They are herbaceous plants or shrubs with clusters of small flowers. They grow best in moist soil and a sunny position.
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Sanguisorba obtusa
Saponaria
Saponaria is a genus in the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, native to Europe and Asia. The latin name means soapy sap, which refers to the saponin content of the sap, which foams like soap. At least Saponaria ocymoides has been used to make liquid soap by soaking the leaves in water. Most species have white or pink flowers. They grow in different conditions, some are good rock garden plants that need dry, sun baked soil, while others are taller and prefer moist soil.
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Saponaria ocymoides
Saxifraga - Rockfoils
Saxifraga is the largest genus of the Saxifragaceae family with roughly 440 species spread around temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. The latin name means stone breaking which could refer to many species growing in rock crevices at high altitudes. Other species are larger and grow on moist meadows, but most species, even those growing on cliffs, grow where there is some moisture. A few species are native to Iceland.(*)
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Saxifraga x arendsii
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Saxifraga cotyledon *
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Saxifraga x urbium
Scabiosa - Pinkcushions
Scabiosa is a genus in the Caprifoliaceae family. Their native habitats are dry grasslands and mountainsides, often in calcium rich soil. They can however grow in any garden soil, but thrive best given enough sunshine.
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Scabiosa lucida
Scutellaria - Scullcaps
Scutellaria, is a genus in the family Lamiaceae with a global distribution, mainly in temperate regions. Several species in this genus have been used in herbal medicine.
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Scutellaria altaica - hæðaskjaldberi
Sedum - Stonecrop
Sedum, is a large species of close to 600 species in the family Crassulaceae, with a wide distribution around the northern hemisphere. They are herbaceous or shrubby plants with thick, water storing leaves, very drought tolerant and thrive best in sun.
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Sedum acre
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Sedum album
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Sedum oreganum
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Sedum sp
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Sedum spathulifolium
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var. purpureum
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Sedum spurium
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Sedum telephium (Hylotelephium telephium)
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ssp. fabria
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'Novem'
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Semiaquilegia - False columbine
Semiaquilegia is a small genus in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, closely related to columbines (Aquilegia). The difference between them is that false columbines lack the spurs that columbine flowers have. Two species are grown as garden plants, both are native to China.
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Semiaquilegia ecalcarata
Semiaquilegia - False columbine
Semiaquilegia is a small genus in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, closely related to columbines (Aquilegia). The difference between them is that false columbines lack the spurs that columbine flowers have. Two species are grown as garden plants, both are native to China.
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Semiaquilegia ecalcarata
Semiaquilegia - False columbine
Semiaquilegia is a small genus in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, closely related to columbines (Aquilegia). The difference between them is that false columbines lack the spurs that columbine flowers have. Two species are grown as garden plants, both are native to China.
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Semiaquilegia ecalcarata
Silene - Catchflies
Silene is the largest genus of the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, with a global distribution, the greatest number of species in the northern hemisphere. The prefert to be on the sunny side of life, many low growing species are excellent rock garden plants. One species is native to Iceland.(*)
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Silene dioica
Soldanella - Snowbells
Soldanella, is a small genus in the primrose family, Primulaceae, native to mountain areas in Europe. They grow in moist meadows, woodlands and rocky mountainsides.
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Soldanella montana
Soldanella - Snowbells
Soldanella, is a small genus in the primrose family, Primulaceae, native to mountain areas in Europe. They grow in moist meadows, woodlands and rocky mountainsides.
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Soldanella montana
Stachys - Hedgenettles
Stachys is one of the largest genera in the Lamiaceae, family with 300-450 species most of which are native to temperate regions. The flowers are born in long flower spikes.
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Stachys grandiflora
Swertia
Swertia is a genus in the gentian family, Gentianaceae. Most are alpine which often grow in wetlands and meadows so they grow best in moist soil.
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Swertia perennis
Symphyandra
Symphyandra is a small genus in the bellflower family, Campanulaceae, closely related to bluebells (Campanula). Most are biennial and the majority are native to the Balkan peninsula and W-Asia.
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Symphyandra wanneri