Plant Reference A--B
This list of plants and their characteristics is provided in the hopes that it will be a useful reference for our customers. Although some plant descriptions are identical to those found in the catalog, many plants in this list are not sold by the nursery and likely never will be. For a list of plants currently offered by the nursery, please refer to the Fall 2010 Catalog
Acorus gramineus 'Oborozuki'
'Oborozuki' Japanese Sweetflag
Japan, China, z. 6-9. A very attractive, evergreen, grass-like plant for moist soil to standing water. Sweetflag flowers
are insignificant, but 'Oborozuki' boasts variegated golden-green leaves which stand out at all seasons. A neat plant, it
forms a slowly expanding clump 8"-12" high and is a beautiful accent in sun or part shade.
Acorus gramineus 'Variegatus'
Variegated Japanese Sweetflag
Available for Fall 2010.
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Japan, China, z. 7-10. I love the Sweetflags: they stay where you put them, slowly expanding but never running away, always
looking fresh and tidy. This one grows 6"-12" high and has cream variegated, evergreen leaves; at a distance the plant appears
to be a shimmering pale green. A very slow growing evergreen, it requires nothing but constantly moist to wet soil—or shallow
water—and a little shade.
Adiantum pedatum
Maidenhair Fern
N. America, z. 2-8. Our most distinctive native fern, and often considered the most beautiful. One to 2' black stems support
fans of delicate, gray-green fronds which flutter in the slightest breeze. A deciduous fern, not invasive, it is lovely in
borders, under shrubs, or anywhere it can have some shade and moist but well-drained soil.
Agastache foeniculum
Lavender or Anise Hyssop
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 5-9. A prairie native growing 2'- 3' tall, Lavender Hyssop forms a bushy plant with strongly licorice-scented
foliage sometimes used to make tea. From mid-summer to frost it sports numerous cylindrical blue-violet flowerheads popular
with butterflies and hummingbirds. Prefers sun and average to dry soil; self seeds fairly vigorously but is easy to remove
if necessary.
Ageratina altissima (Eupatorium rugosum)
White Snakeroot
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 3-9. This versatile, long-blooming native breaks ground fairly late in spring but then becomes a 1'-3' tall,
full-foliaged plant bearing bright-white flowers in flat-topped clusters from late summer into fall. It will grow, and spread
readily, in part to full shade in average to wet soil, or in sun with adequate moisture. Good for naturalizing or in the
border, and a good cutting plant. One caveat: it’s poisonous to cattle—on the other hand, even deer don't bother it!
Ajuga pyramidalis 'Metallica-Crispa'
'Metallica-Crispa' Bugleweed
Europe, z. 3-8. My favorite of the Ajugas, this little gem looks like a very superior miniature spinach, with heavily crinkled
leaves of deepest bronze green with a metallic sheen. But unlike spinach, the small rosettes put forth 6"-8" stalks of indigo
flowers, much loved by bees, in late spring. In a sunny to partly shady spot in rich, moist soil it will spread—very slowly.
It will not invade lawns.
Allium cernuum
Nodding Onion
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 3-8. This dainty native onion forms a grassy clump only about 1' tall; the bloom scapes extend above it and
each is curved at the top so that the pink or lavender flower heads hang downward, like a lantern on a pole. Unusual and pretty.
It likes average, well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Bonus: The leaves can be used like chives.
Allium tuberosum
Garlic Chive
Chinese Chive
Asia, z. 4-10. A more decorative plant than the common chive (A. Schoenoprasum), garlic chive has flat, ribbon-like foliage
to 1'. In late summer/early fall it produces 20" stalks with big, round starbursts of white flowers. Very worthwhile as a
garden plant, and just as good for kitchen use as common chives.
Amelanchier canadensis
Shadbush, Serviceberry
N. America, z. 3-8. Shadbush gets its local name from the fact that its delicate silver-white flowers appear along river and
stream banks in March at about the time of the shad spawning runs. One of our earliest bloomers, it's an often multi-trunked
large shrub/small tree that may grow to about 25'. The edible purple berries produced in June give it very high wildlife
value, while its graceful form, smooth gray bark, and yellow to red fall color add to its attractiveness in the landscape.
Very adaptable in sun to part shade, wet to dryish soil. 12"-16"
Amsonia hubrichtii
Arkansas Blue Star
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 4-9. Hubricht's Bluestar takes a little time to reach full size, but it's worth it, creating 3’-4’ clumps of
fine, feathery foliage, graced in mid-spring by clusters of bluish white flowers. The deep green foliage stays neat and attractive
all summer, providing an excellent backdrop for later blooming plants. Then, in fall, it turns a striking gold that holds
a long time. Average soil in sun or part shade.
Amsonia hubrichtii x illustris ?
Bluestar Hybrid
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 4-9. This appears to be a spontaneous cross between Hubricht's and Ozark Bluestar, and one which happily melds
the good qualities of both. Its fountain-like form tops out between its two parents at 4'. The foliage is narrow and feathery
with a matte luster like A. hubrichtii, capped with the showier pale blue flowers of A. illustris in late spring, and in
late fall turning lemon yellow to provide a final flare of color before hard frosts. Moreover, like both its parents nothing
much—including deer—seems to bother it. Sun to part shade, moist to dry soil.
Amsonia illustris
Ozark Bluestar
N. America, z. 4-9. Another great Amsonia, Ozark Bluestar has stiff, erect stems to 4' or more, clad in narrow, very lustrous
dark green leaves and topped in late spring by starry clusters of light blue flowers. Preferring average to constantly moist
soils and unbothered by pests, it will slowly expand to form a large clump in sun or part shade. Excellent as a single accent,
grouped as a backdrop for summer bloomers, or as a herbaceous hedge.
Amsonia montana
Dwarf Bluestar
N. America, z. 5-9. Smaller than other Bluestars at only 12-18" in height and width, Dwarf Bluestar bears dark green, oval
leaves and fat clusters of pale blue flowers in spring. A neat, mounding plant, it offers good value in and of itself
and sets off other perennials in a mixed planting. Prefers sun to part shade, average to moist soil.
Anemone quinquefolia
Wood Anemone
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 3-8. A miniature but delightful spring ephemeral. The 5-part, toothed leaves open bronze, scarcely visible
on the woodland floor , but quickly darken to green. The 1" porcelain-white flowers face cheerfully upwards, rising all of
5" on slender stems. Though small it's a spreader, capable of forming large mats in part to full shade on humusy soils—until
summer shade sends it into dormancy again.
Anemone virginiana
Thimbleweed
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 4-8. An erect 2'-3' native with large, maple-like leaves and long-stemmed, 5-petaled white flowers with prominent
golden centers. After its late spring bloom, interesting cylindrical seed heads develop which resemble thimbles—hence the
name. Unlike the better known but thuggish A. canadensis, it does not spread aggressively and thus is good for garden use
as well as naturalizing in part to full shade. Tolerates dry shade.
Anemonella (Thalictrum) thalictroides
Rue Anemone
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 4-9. A small spring-flowering woodlander with porcelain-white 1" flowers above delicate, bronzy foliage. Likes
partial/full shade and moist, well-drained soil; may go dormant in mid-summer. Dainty and long flowering, lovely in little
colonies in woodland or garden.
Antennaria plantaginifolia
Pussytoes
N. America, z. 3-9. A low, mat-forming perennial with clusters of silver-white, furry flowers—they really do resemble kittens’
toes—on single stalks in spring. In very dry weather the gray-green leaves curl to show their silver-furred undersides.
One of the few groundcovers for really dry banks in sun or shade. Butterfly host plant.
Aquilegia alpina
Alpine Columbine
Europe, z. 3-9. Deep blue, nodding flowers above 1'-2' mounds of attractive blue-green foliage. It blooms here in May and
is spectacular with azaleas. The rare and vivid color brings a touch of alpine meadow to any garden in sun or partial shade,
average soil.
Aquilegia canadensis
Wild Columbine
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 3-9. Handsome foliage and red and yellow nodding flowers on wiry stems up to 2'. Very good for naturalizing
in open woods or on shaded slopes, or for garden use. Takes sun or shade and tolerates dry soil under trees. One of our nicest
and most satisfactory wildflowers, which will seed about gently.
Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett'
'Corbett' Wild Columbine
N. America, z. 3-9. A pale yellow-flowered form of our native wild columbine, originally discovered in Corbett, Md. A little
smaller in all its parts than A. canadensis, it is a profuse flowerer, very delicate and dainty.
Aquilegia vulgaris
Garden Columbine
Europe, z. 3-10. The quintessential cottage garden flower and it's easy to see why, for it can be depended upon to produce
1'-3' fountains of nodding flowers in soft shades of cream, rose, blue, and purple every spring in sun or part shade and average
soil. Modern hybrids have larger flowers, but tend to act like annuals and expire after one season. A. vulgaris will last
several years and reseed well, producing new color mixes every year. A delight.
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Double Pale Blue'
Garden Columbine
Europe, z. 3-9. A charming double form of the old-fashioned "granny's bonnet," with 1 1/2" nodding flowers of palest blue,
as daintily and crisply fluted as a porcelain ballerina's skirts. A 1'-2' spring bloomer for sun or partial shade.
Aralia racemosa
Spikenard
N. America, z. 2-7. This giant cousin of ginseng is a herbaceous perennial but in summer resembles a shrub. When mature its
big, bold compound leaves can reach 6’. In addition it bears airy panicles of greenish white flowers followed in late summer
by clusters of showy wine-red berries. A striking specimen or mass planting in a woodland garden, it likes partial to full
shade and humusy soil. Does not move easily once established.
Aralia spinosa
Devil's Walkingstick, Hercules' Club
N. America, z. 4-9. Although looking like something from a primeval jungle, Hercules' Club is in fact a 10'-20' southeastern
running shrub with bare, thorny stems topped by immense pinnate leaves. In midsummer it bears beachball-sized heads of greenish
flowers ahum with nectaring insects and followed by black berries on glistening red stalks that stand out spectacularly against
the gold fall foliage—until the birds eat them. Its spread may need to be controlled and it's not for everyone,but it can
be a striking plant in sun to part shade and average soil. High wildlife value.
Arisaema triphyllum
Jack-in-the Pulpit
Indian Turnip
N. America, z. 4-9. A distinctive and beautiful woodland native. The pale green spathe, often dramatically striped in brownish
purple, arches over the spadix, giving the appearance of a figure standing in a canopied pulpit. Height 1'-3'. In fall it
produces a showy cluster of scarlet berries enjoyed by wildlife. Preferring shade and moist soil, jack-in-the-pulpit is superb
in woodland colonies or combined with ferns.
Arisaema triplyllum var. striata
This uncommon and decorative form of Jack-in-the-Pulpit appears occasionally in local populations. The dark-green leaves
are veined in white, making them stand out in shaded woodland. Quite lovely.
Aronia arbutifolia
Red Chokeberry
N. America, z. 4-9. A great multi-purpose shrub, 6'-10', with flat clusters of white flowers in spring, neat foliage that
turns a blazing crimson in fall, and red berries providing late winter food for birds.Its multiple stems are usually bare
of leaves on the lower part, giving an interesting effect when massed and permitting planting around the base. It flowers
and fruits best in full sun but is highly adaptable, thriving anywhere from woods to front lawn to seashore, and in well-drained
to wet soil. A winner!
Asarum canadense
Canada Wild Ginger
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 2-9. A deciduous native groundcover valued for its beautiful leaves—the brownish flowers are completely hidden.
The leaves are large and heart-shaped with a soft silken sheen. They rise 4"-6" from creeping, ginger-scented rootstocks which
will spread to form large mats in partial to full shade and moist soil. A wonderful companion plant for bulbs or ferns.
Asclepias exaltata
Poke Milkweed
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 4-8. An uncommon 3'-5' Milkweed with large leaves and loose, drooping heads of white flowers in early summer
that stand out like horticultural rocket bursts in the light shade it tolerates. A slow-growing clump former, it prefers
average to moist soil in sun to part shade.
Asclepias incarnata
Swamp Milkweed
N. America, z. 3-10. Not as well known as the closely related Butterfly Weed (A. tuberosa), but just as lovely, swamp milkweed
is an erect plant, 2'-4' tall, with glossy, pointed leaves and heads of pale to deep pink, complex flowers in mid-summer.
Found naturally in local swamps, it's quite happy in normal garden soil in sun.
Asclepias purpurascens
Purple Milkweed
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 3-9. Similar to Common Milkweed (A. syriaca) but prettier and more refined, Purple Milkweed tops out at 3'-4',
spreads less aggressively, and has deeper colored, reddish-purple flowerheads. An excellent butterfly and garden plant which
prefers well-drained soil in full sun, but will tolerate part shade.
Asclepias syriaca
Asclepias tuberosa
Butterfly Weed
N. America, z. 3-10. A well-known and spectacular native with flaming orange flower clusters—much visited by butterflies—on
1'-2' stalks in mid-summer, followed by ornamental seed pods. Not in the least weedy despite its common name, it likes sandy,
well-drained soil in full sun and will expand in time to make a large clump.
Ascyrum hypericoides
St. Andrew's Cross
N. America, z. 5-9. This neat little plant is technically a deciduous shrub—rarely exceeding 8" in height! It's reddish brown
stems are tightly clothed in small, light green leaves and studded in late summer with the little x-shaped yellow flowers
that give it it's name. It makes an excellent edge plant, eventually forming a clump 2 or 3 times wider than its height, and
like most shrubs can be trimmed to shape. Prefers partial shade in dry to moist soil.
Asimina triloba
Pawpaw
N. America, z. 4-8. A small—20+'—fast-growing tree offering both attractive foliage and edible fruit. The leaves are large
and tropical looking, with good yellow fall coloring. Leathery brown flowers in early spring are interesting if not showy,
and are followed by 3"-5" fruits which ripen in late fall and are very attractive to wildlife. The flavor of fruit from wild
specimens varies widely and few selected cultivars are available. So experiment! Plant a few and see what comes: you may discover
the next taste sensation! Pawpaw prefers moist, well-drained soil in either sun or shade; fruiting is heavier in sun.
Aster (Eurybia) divaricatus
White Wood Aster
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 3-8. A woodland Aster, flowering even in dry shade, A. divaricatus has neat, dark green foliage and clusters
of small, white-rayed flowers with pinkish centers borne on gracefully arching 1’-2’ stems. Produces foaming masses of bloom
for a long period from late summer into fall, and is happy in average soil, partial to full shade. It spreads thickly by
short runners and makes a good groundcover under shrubs.
Aster (Symphyotrichum) cordifolius
Blue Wood Aster
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 3-8. A 2'-4' woodland aster with bluish-green foliage and erect stems bearing large panicles of pale blue ray
flowers with gold centers in fall. An excellent Aster for partial to full shade, it naturalizes easily and is also good in
the border—but there you may want to deadhead it to prevent an excess of seedlings.
Aster (Symphyotrichum) cordifolius 'Avondale'
Blue Wood Aster
N. America, z. 3-8. A 2'-3' woodland Aster with heart-shaped leaves and erect stems bearing large panicles of pale lavender-blue
ray flowers with gold centers in late summer/early fall. An excellent Aster for part sun to full shade, it provides dependable
fall color in the garden and also naturalizes easily.
Aster (Symphyotrichum) laevis 'Bluebird'
'Bluebird' Smooth Aster
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 2-8. 'Bluebird' is a fine selection of Smooth Aster, with glaucous green foliage, a compact habit to about
4', and abundant sky blue flowers with yellow centers in fall that are a great favorite of butterflies. It does well in
sun to part shade in average soil. One of the best Asters.
Aster (Symphyotrichum) novae-angliae
New England Aster, Michaelmas Daisy
N. America, z. 4-9. "Aster" means "star" and this one is the star of the fall garden, with its 3'-4' bushy habit and masses
of blooms. Colors vary, but the one I am offering has large flowers of soft plum purple that mix well with the smaller flowered
white wood aster (A. divaricatus) or Maryland golden aster (Chrysopsis mariana), or the reddish purple of New York ironweed
(Vernonia noveboracensis). It prefers full sun and average to damp soil. Pinch in early summer to increase bloom.
Aster (Symphyotrichum) patens
Late Purple Aster
N. America, z. 5-9. Native throughout most of the Eastern U.S., this Aster is true to its common name, blooming in fall—October
here—with golden-centered violet flowers on bushy, 1'-3' plants. It prefers well-drained soil to dry soil in sun but will
tolerate a little shade, and like all Asters it is attractive to butterflies.
Aster (Symphyotrichum) patens
Late Purple Aster
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 5-9. Native throughout most of the Eastern U.S., this Aster is true to its common name, blooming fairly late
in fall—October here—with golden-centered violet flowers on bushy, 1’-3’ plants. It prefers well-drained soil to dry soil
in sun but will tolerate some shade, and like all Asters is attractive to butterflies.
Aster (Symphyotrichum) puniceus
Purple-stemmed Aster
N. America, z. 4-7. A big—3'-6'—wetland Aster whose stout stems rise from bright green crowns to bear clouds of pale blue
flowers in early/mid fall. A beautiful plant that needs room—best for naturalizing in moist to wet soil, full sun to part
shade. Good butterfly plant.
Aster ericoides
Heath Aster, Frostweed
N. America, z. 3-8. This native gets its common names from its needle-like upper leaves and late fall blooming habit. It tends
to be ignored as a garden subject because in the dry fields and wood edges where it occurs naturally it's often rather wispy
and weedy. However, given slightly better growing conditions it forms a dense, shapely 2'-3' mound smothered in thumbnail
sized white flowers lasting very late into fall. I love it—enough to put up with its habit of seeding about vigorously. Sun
to part shade, average to moist soil.
Aster sp.
Aster tataricus
Tartarian Aster
Asia, z. 3-8. One of the tallest Asters. Basal clumps of 1' long, leathery leaves give rise to sturdy 5'-7' stalks bearing
mounded heads of lavender flowers with yellow centers in mid/late fall. Vigorous, long-blooming, and trouble free in full
sun to part shade, average to dry soil.
Athyrium angustum
Northern Lady Fern
N. America, z. 2-9. A beautiful, erect growing fern whose delicately cut fronds are frequently set off by wine-red stems.
It produces a 1'-3' clump which grows slowly larger but does not spread, making it a good choice for a partly shaded border
as well as for naturalizing.
Athyrium filix-femina
Lady Fern
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 2-9. A beautiful, erectly growing fern whose delicately lacy fronds are frequently set off by wine-red stems.
The crown forms a slowly expanding 1'-3' fountain but does not spread by runners, making it a good choice for a partly shaded
border as well as for naturalizing in average to wet soil.
Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'
Japanese Painted Fern
Available for Fall 2010.
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Japan, z. 4-9. An unusual and beautiful deciduous fern whose gray-green fronds appear to be inlaid with pewter. Add dark
red midribs and the effect is striking. A slow-spreading clump former only 12”-15” tall, it is prized for its color and neat,
lacy form. A wonderful plant for part to full shade and reasonably moist soil.
Baccharis halimifolia
Groundselbush
N. America, z. 5-9. Native to mid-Atlantic coastal marshes, the groundselbush is a large—to 12'—fast-growing, deciduous shrub
with leathery, gray-green leaves, greenish stems in winter, and a rounded form. It is an excellent shrub for the seashore,
on either swampy ground or dunes, since it tolerates wet soil, drought, and salt. In fall, the silky seedheads make the whole
bush appear covered with shining silver fluff—very striking. Female plants are said to be showier than males, but mine are
as yet unsexed.
Begonia grandis (evansiana)
Hardy Begonia
Available for Fall 2010.
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China/Japan, z. 6-9. An exotic, tropical-looking beauty which is fully hardy and astonishingly tough. One to 2' stems emerge
quite late in spring bearing wing-shaped leaves, velvety green on top with prominent, deep red veins on the underside. Small,
soft pink flowers dangle gracefully from mid-August until frost. A "must-have" plant for partly to fully shaded gardens,
and a good container plant. It will seed itself readily in moist, organic soil, but unwanted offspring are easy to pull;
otherwise carefree. Shipped only in fall.
Begonia grandis 'Alba'
'Alba' Hardy Begonia
Available for Fall 2010.
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China/Japan, z. 6-9. White-flowered form of the above. Quite a lovely contrast between the pure white blooms and the red-veined
leaves.
Belamcanda chinensis
Blackberry Lily, Leopard Lily
China, z. 5-10. Stiff, 2' fans of iris-like leaves produce stems bearing 2" open-faced flowers of orange speckled with crimson
in mid-summer. The flowers are followed by clusters of shiny black seeds resembling blackberries—nice for dried arrangements.
Robust and easy in average soil, full sun to partial shade.
Boltonia asteroides 'Pink Beauty'
Boltonia
N. America, z. 3-10. A 4'-5' bushy plant with attractive, gray-green foliage, 'Pink Beauty' Boltonia is completely covered
with small, light pink Aster-like flowers in late summer/early fall. Likes sun and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions.
Easy and very nice.