Spring 2008 Plant List S--Z
Salvia koyamae
Yellow Sage
Japan, z. 6-8. Yellow Sage is a rarely seen plant and one of very few Salvias which not only tolerate but require shade. Its
foliage is unusual and quite distinctive: large, soft leaves with a triangular shape and a pale apple-green color, borne on
trailing, 2' stems which weave their way through other plants in the border. Spikes of pale yellow flowers in fall enhance
the overall effect. A most elegant plant for shade and moist soil. $7.00
Salvia lyrata
Lyre-leaved Sage
N. America, z. 5-8. Stiff stalks rise 1'-2' from a handsome rosette of crinkly, spinach-like leaves with red veins to produce
tubular, palest lavender flowers in late spring/early summer. Tolerant of dry soil in sun or partial shade, this is a good
native for naturalizing at the edge of woods or in a wildflower meadow. Butterfly attractor. $5.00
Sambucus canadensis
Common Elderberry
N. America, z. 4-9. A large—to 12'
—multi-stemmed shrub with boldly pinnate foliage and plate-sized white flower heads in early summer, followed by enormous pendant
clusters of purple-black, edible berries much prized by birds. A fast grower, it may need to be cut back every other year
or so, which controls its size and shape without decreasing flower and fruit production. Sun to part shade, average to wet
soil. 2-qt: $8.00
Sanguinaria canadensis
Bloodroot
N. America, z. 3-9. One of the most beautiful, if fleeting, of our woodland wildflowers, blooming in early spring. The curiously
shaped gray-green leaves rise directly out of the ground, protectively wrapped around the buds which open into 2" flowers of purest, glistening white with golden centers. The flowers last only a few days, but the leaves remain attractive
all summer. Slowly spreads to form colonies in partial to full shade. Marvelous in woodland or shady border. $5.00
Saururus cernuus
Lizard's Tail
N. America, z. 3-9. A handsome wetland plant which adapts readily to drier soil, lizard's tail produces 2'-3' clumps of elegant
heart-shaped leaves with delightfully fragrant white flowers in early summer. The flowers form tapering "tails" with a curved tip—like question marks punctuating the dark leaves. Superb naturalized at the edge of a pond in sun or part shade, it also does
fine in reasonably moist garden soil. May need to be restrained. $5.00
Saxifraga stolonifera
Mother-of-Thousands, Strawberry Geranium
Asia, z. 5-9. Delicate appearing and well-known as a pot plant, mother-of-thousands is also a fine groundcover for moist,
well-drained soil in partial to full shade. The softly hairy leaves are veined with silver; the oddly shaped white flowers
on nearly invisible stems are tiny but long-lasting and quite effective in masses. Spreads rapidly by casting out long runners
with miniature plants at the ends. $5.00
Senna (Cassia) marilandica
Southern Wild Senna
N. America, z. 6-9. Big, bold, and beautiful! The tropical-looking Wild Senna grows explosively in hot weather, becoming
a lush, 3' to 6' fountain of fine-textured pinnate leaves, topped in mid-summer by large, long-lasting panicles of yellow
flowers. Although it likes moist soil and full sun it will also grow well, if a bit smaller, in drier soil and partial shade.
Very popular with small pollinators and unbothered by pests or diseases. $6.00
Solidago caesia
Blue-stemmed or Wreath Goldenrod
N. America, z. 3-9. Someone said once that goldenrod should be our national flower, since its more than 100 species are found
virtually throughout the nation. Some are weedy plants, but American gardeners are beginning to discover that many species
offer good garden value. Blue-stemmed goldenrod is one of the latter. Its 1'-3' purplish stems arch gracefully, neatly lined
with narrow, willow-like leaves and studded with button clusters of golden flowers in late summer/early fall. Makes an impressive
clump in sun to half shade and average soil, and will probably seed itself. $6.00
Solidago rugosa
Rough-stemmed Goldenrod
N. America, z. 3-9. The stiffly upright 3'-4' stems of Solidago rugosa spread vigorously from runners, making large clumps
and bearing arching sprays of golden flowers at their tips in late summer. Adapted to moist or dry soils, sun or part shade,
it's an excellent plant for tough sites, meadows, and large gardens where it can spread to delight butterflies and other pollinators.
$5.00
Stylophorum diphyllum
Celandine Poppy
N. America, z. 4-8. A beautiful, very showy native whose rather large, intricately lobed leaves appear in early spring and
are quickly followed by 2"-3" golden poppy-like flowers throughout the spring and intermittently through summer if the soil doesn't dry out. The flowers
are followed by equally attractive seedpods: dangling, furry ovals of silvery green. A 10"-20" clump former, its velvety foliage is good all summer in partial sun to shade and moist soil. Easy and very nice, it will
seed about vigorously in moist soil. $5.00
Thelypteris palustris
Marsh Fern
N. America, z. 2-9. A deciduous, fast-spreading fern with finely cut, medium-green fronds 1'-2' in height. Forms a dense,
uniform groundcover in moist to wet soil, partial to full shade. $5.00
Tiarella cordifolia 'Running Tapestry'
'Running Tapestry' Foamflower
N. America, z. 3-9. The growing popularity of Foamflower, well deserved given its beautiful foliage and flowers and long
bloom period, has given rise to various named cultivars, including 'Running Tapestry'. A large-leaved, quickly spreading
runner, 10"-12" tall, with abundant white flowers in spring and medium-green leaves flecked with red, it is a fine semi-evergreen groundcover
for partial to full shade. $5.00
Tiarella wherryi
Wherry's Foamflower
N. America, z. 3-9. A beautiful, semi-evergreen groundcover for partial to full shade and moist soil. In mid-spring its slender,
6"-12" wands of creamy stars rise in profusion from mounds of velvety, maple-like leaves that open bronze and turn deep green. Very
long blooming, it is perfect as a garden edging plant or in masses under shrubs or along woodland paths. Will seed itself
and spread where happy. $5.00
Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate'
'Sweet Kate' Spiderwort
N. America, z. 3-9. A deservedly popular Spiderwort selection, 'Sweet Kate' has vivid golden-green foliage surrounding deep
blue-violet flowers—a truly striking combination. Like all Spiderworts it may go dormant in mid-summer, but just cut it to
the ground and it will be back in the fall. Part shade to sun, average to moist soil. $5.00
Tradescantia virginiana
Virginia Spiderwort
N. America, z. 3-9. Spiderwort is one of my oldest native acquaintances, because it was in everybody's backyard when I was
growing up. Impossible to treat formally, it's a backyard plant, with its 1'-2' tousled mop of leaves like long green streamers
and cheerful clusters of mostly blue-violet, sometimes rose or white flowers in early summer. An easy spreader for sun or
shade, average to moist soil, it's a casual delight. $5.00
Tricyrtis hirta 'Sinonome'
'Sinonome' Toad Lily
East Asia, z. 5-9. A very orchid-like Toad Lily with 2'-3' stems that arch gracefully in fall to display clusters of complicated
flowers between each pair of furry leaves. The flowers are white liberally splashed with dark red and always remind me of
flocked wallpaper—but in a good way. Despite their exotic looks, they're an easy, reliable perennial for part to full shade
and moist, organic soil. $6.00
Trillium luteum
Yellow Trillium
N. America, z. 4-9. Very slow growing and highly prized, Trilliums star in the woodland garden. This species bears its three
broad, handsomely mottled leaves atop 12" stalks, with stemless flowers centered in the leaves. Their three vertical, curved petals resemble pale yellow candle flames
lighting up the spring woods. Grow in organically rich soil in shade. $9.00
Uvularia perfoliata
Perfoliate Bellflower
N. America, z. 3-8. In early spring this graceful Bellflower pokes up 1'-2' through the litter of the forest floor, each leaf
pierced through by the slender, arching stems. Soft yellow bells dangle from the leaf axils. It grows easily in moist, humusy
soil and partial to full shade, making a nice addition to a collection of woodland wildflowers. $6.00
Vaccinium corymbosum
Highbush Blueberry
N. America, z. 3-8. Blueberries, particularly the cultivated varieties, are best known as fruit producers, but the wild Highbush
Blueberry is also an excellent ornamental. A multi-stemmed shrub growing 6' to 12', its new spring foliage shows lovely shades
of bronze and rose that complement the white bells of its flowers. In fall, the foliage turns a magnificent crimson. The
berries of wild plants are smaller and tarter than those of cultivated varieties, but quite edible-if you can beat the birds
to them. Highbush blueberry requires moist to fairly dry, acid soil. It does very well in woodland shade, but for best form
and lots of berries choose a spot in full sun. 2-qt: $9.00
Vernonia noveboracensis
New York Ironweed
N. America, z. 5-9. A tall and spectacular fall blooming native, whose 4'-6' stems bear terminal clusters of striking red-violet
powder puff flowers. Makes an imposing clump in full sun to partial shade and moist to wet soil. A butterfly favorite. $6.00
Veronicastrum virginicum
Culver's Root
N. America, z. 3-9. Culver's Root is a boldly architectural plant whose strong, 3'-6' stems are furnished with flat whorls
of narrow leaves and topped in summer by multiple spires of tiny white flowers. Great for massing, which emphasizes the effect
of the long, slender spires, the clumps increase in size each year but do not spread. Full sun to part shade, average to
wet soil. $6.00
Veronicastrum v. 'Lavender Towers'
A lavender-flowered form of the above. $6.00
Veronicastrum v. 'Pink Selection'
$6.00
Viburnum acerifolium
Mapleleaf Viburnum
N. America, z. 3-8. A smallish—4'-6'
—Viburnum with distinctive foliage, flat clusters of off-white flowers in early summer, and black berries attractive to birds.
An excellent wildlife and naturalizing shrub which tolerates heavy shade, its major decorative feature is its fall foliage
color: a striking mix of pink, plum and ivory. Prefers partial to full shade and average soil. 1-qt: $9.00
Viburnum dentatum
Arrowwood Viburnum
N. America, z. 2-8. A common native shrub along the entire East Coast, Arrowwood can grow to 15', though it usually tops out
at about 8' around here. Its rounded, toothed leaves and off-white flower clusters are neat and attractive, and the blue-black
berries are much favored by birds. It will grow most anywhere, in dry or wet soil, sun or shade, but shows better form in
sun. A nice hedge or screen plant, tolerant of seashore conditions, and good wildlife value. 2-qt: $8.00
Viola conspersa
American Dog Violet
N. America, z. 4-7. A pretty native violet with rather small leaves and flowers on the same stem, which is up to 8" in length. The pale lavender flowers begin blooming in early spring and continue well into summer. Good for the shady border
or woodland naturalizing. Not an aggressive spreader and one of my favorite Violets. $5.00
Viola labradorica
Labrador Violet
N. America, z. 4-8. An unusual and striking violet only 3"-4" tall, with deep purple, evergreen leaves and blue-violet flowers in spring and off and on through the summer. Beautiful as
a groundcover under shrubs or in combination with miniature daffodils or English primroses. $5.00
Viola priceana
Confederate Violet
N. America, z. 4-9. An old-fashioned favorite, 8"10" tall, it has white flowers suffused with violet which from a distance appear blue-gray—hence, I suppose, the name "Confederate" violet. Lovely for picking bunches in spring and for a groundcover under trees or shrubs. Tolerant of most conditions and
a fast spreader. $5.00