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
Spring 2008 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
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
N. America, z. 3-9. A prairie native growing to 3', Lavender Hyssop forms a bushy plant with strongly licorice-scented foliage,
sometimes used to make tea. In late summer it sports numerous cylindrical flowerheads popular with butterflies and hummingbirds.
Easy to please in sun or part shade and average soil, it may be short-lived but self seeds readily.
Ageratina altissima (Eupatorium rugosum)
White Snakeroot
N. America, z. 3-9. A versatile, long-blooming native, White Snakeroot breaks ground fairly late in spring but then becomes
a 1'-3' tall, full-foliaged plant which bears bright white flowers in flat-topped clusters from late summer into fall. It
will grow, and spread rapidly, 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
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
N. America, z. 4-9. A wonderfully garden-worthy perennial, Hubricht's Bluestar creates 3'-4' clumps of feathery, soft foliage,
graced in mid-spring by clusters of bluish white flowers. The billowy 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 before fading.
Great plant! Average, well-drained soil in sun to part shade.
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.
Anemone quinquefolia
Wood Anemone
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
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
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
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
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 in fact a herbaceous perennial but in summer one would take it for a shrub.
When mature its big, bold compound leaves can top out at 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
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. (Plants shipped in Fall will be dormant.)
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
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 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
N. America, z. 3-9. Similar to Common Milkweed but a little smaller at 2'-4', less aggressively spreading, and with deeper
colored, reddish-purple flowerheads. A good butterfly plant which prefers sun and well-drained soil.
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.
Aster (Eurybia) divaricatus
White Wood Aster
N. America, z. 3-8. A woodlander Aster, able to flower 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
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) laevis 'Bluebird'
'Bluebird' Smooth Aster
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) 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 patens
Late Purple Aster
N. America, z. 5-9. Another of our many desirable Asters, this one blooms late—in October here—with quantities of golden-centered blue-violet flowers on bushy, 1'-3' plants. And like all Asters, it is attractive to butterflies.
Prefers well-drained to dry soil in sun.
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 felix-femina
Lady Fern
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.
Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'
Japanese Painted Fern
Japan, z. 3-8. An unusual and very beautiful deciduous fern whose gray-green fronds appear to be inlaid with pewter. Add dark
red midribs and the effect is striking. A clump former to 18", it is much sought after both for its color and its neat, lacy form. A choice plant for partial 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
Begonia grandis 'Alba'
'Alba' Hardy Begonia
China/Japan, z. 6-9. The uncommon white-flowered form of this staple for southeastern shade gardens, 'Alba' begins blooming
in late summer, looking cool and crisp in August heat, and continues well into fall. The nodding clusters of white flowers
stand out sharply against the red-veined leaves. Part to full shade, moist soil.
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.