Plant Reference S--Z - Lower Marlboro Nursery

Salvia koyamae

Yellow Sage

Japan, z. 6-8. 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, good as a groundcover or in containers.

Salvia lyrata

Lyre-leaved Sage

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

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.

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.

Sanguinaria canadensis

Bloodroot

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

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.

Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis

Himalayan Sweet Box

China, z. 6-8. Despite sounding more like a disease you wouldn't want to know about than a shrub, this miniature—12”-18”—evergreen is a valuable addition to a partly or fully shaded landscape. Sweet Box makes a dense, spreading mound of narrow, shining, dark green leaves. In late winter, small pinkish flowers give off an intensely sweet fragrance and are followed by small black berries. Spreading slowly by stolons, Sweet box is an excellent foundation, edging, or accent shrub.

Saururus cernuus

Lizard's Tail

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

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. An excellent plant for wet soil or standing water, it also does fine in reasonably moist garden soil. A strong grower in sun or shade, it may need to be restrained in some cases.

Saxifraga stolonifera

Mother-of-Thousands, Strawberry Geranium

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

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.

Scutellara ovata

Heart-leaved Skullcap

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

N. America, z. 4-9. An attractive, low-growing Eastern native whose blue-green leaves have an interesting metallic sheen. Spikes of small blue flowers appear in early/mid summer and retain interest even after flowering is finished. It spreads by runners, sometimes vigorously, in sun to shade, moist to dry soil, and is a good naturalizer or mixer plant among larger perennials.

Scutellaria incana

Downy Skullcap

N. America, z. 3-9. One of the prettiest and most garden-worthy of the native Scutellarias, Downy Skullcap is an erect, clump-forming perennial with neat foliage and spikes of medium blue, hooded flowers in mid/late summer. An excellent plant for miod-summer color in sun to part shade and average soil. Should be better known.

Scutellaria integrifolia

Hyssop Skullcap

N. America, z. 4-9. A wildling that does well in unpromising conditions, Hyssop Skullcap is a slender plant with atight basal rosette and 12"-16" stalks of blue oroccasionally pink tubular flowers in early summer. Tolerant of eithermoist or dry soil, sun or shade, it's good for naturalizing in sandysoil or under trees, and will self seed.

Sedum kamtschaticum

Kamchatka Sedum

Asia, z. 4-10. A good edging or rock garden plant with very neat, symmetrical rosettes of deep green, fleshy leaves only 4-6" tall and small, starry yellow flowers in summer. Spreads moderately to make a solid mat. Easy in sun or light shade, well drained soil.

Sedum ternatum

Woodland Stonecrop

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

N. America, z. 4-8. The succulent, evergreen stems of this very pretty stonecrop are only 4"-6" tall , topped with dainty white stars in mid/late spring. Unlike most Sedums, it prefers part shade and well-drained but moist soil. In the hills of the piedmont it's common on wooded, rocky slopes, its white flowers like sea foam breaking over a reef. Excellent for a rock garden or as a groundcover with other woodland natives.

Sedum ternatum 'Charles County'

This selection, which I have courtesy of the Md. Native Plant Soc., is from a population found in Southern Md.—unusual in that Sedum t. does not normally occur naturally on the coastal plain.It is somewhat distinctive in appearance, having rounder, flatter leaves than the type.

Selaginella braunii

Braun's Spikemoss

China, z. 5-10. Botanically speaking, Braun's Spikemoss is not quite a fern and not quite a moss, but it's altogether beautiful. Curving, lacy, dark green fronds covered in tiny scales rise up to 18" from creeping rhizomes and remain evergreen where winters are not too harsh. The plants expand slowly and make a lovely accent or groundcover in moist, humusy soil and partial shade. Also an attractive pot plant.

Senna (Cassia) marilandica

Southern Wild Senna

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

N. America, z. 6-9. Big, bold, and beautiful! The very tropical looking Wild Senna grows explosively in hot weather, becoming a lush, 3’ to 6’ fountain of elegant pinnate leaves, topped in mid-summer by large panicles of yellow flowers. Good as a trip to the Caribbean! Although it likes moist soil and full sun it will also grow well—and stay a bit more manageable in size—in drier soil or partial shade. Birds enjoy the seeds carried in slender pods.

Silene caroliniana 'Short & Sweet'

Wild Pink

N. America, z. 4-9. 'Short & Sweet' perfectly describes this small native Pink. Only 6”-8” tall but capable of forming a clump over 12” wide, it's covered in spring with cheerful little rose pink flowers. Great for a sunny to partly shady, well-drained spot, or among rocks.

Silene dioica (Lychnis dioica)

Red Campion

Europe, z. 6-9. An old cottage garden flower, naturalized in parts of the East Coast. A plump mound of basal foliage produces numerous 2'-3' stalks bearing showers of 3/4" bright pink, scalloped flowers in late spring. As they fade, cut stalks back almost to basal foliage to encourage new bloom. A good border plant in sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Will probably self sow.

Sisyrinchium 'Suwanee'

'Suwanee' Blue-eyed Grass

N. America, z. 7-9. Found in Florida and introduced to the trade by Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery, 'Suwanee' is distinctive enough that its exact place among the Blue-eyed Grasses is still uncertain. Meanwhile its a very pretty little plant, with 8” tufts of of glossy, grass-like leaves and quantities of pale blue starflowers in late spring. The foliage holds up well once bloom is finished. Happy in well-drained to moist soil, sun to part shade.

Sisyrinchium 'Suwannee'

'Suwannee' Blue-eyed Grass

N. America, z. 7-9. Found in Florida and introduced to the trade by Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery, 'Suwannee' is distinctive enough that its exact place among the Blue-eyed Grasses is still uncertain. In the meantime it's a pretty little plant, with 8” tufts of glossy, grass-like leaves and quantities of pale-blue starflowers in late spring. The foliage holds up well once bloom is finished. Happy in well-drained to moist soil with a bit of lime, sun to part shade.

Sisyrinchium graminoides

Blue-eyed Grass

N. America, z. 3-9. This miniature member of the Iris family produces narrow, grass-like blades 4”-10” long, from whose apex the ½” star-shaped blue flowers emerge in late spring/early summer. Prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, but will tolerate a wide range of conditions. A pretty rock garden or edging plant, and nice for naturalizing among spring bulbs. Spreads by seed where happy.

Solidago caesia

Blue-stemmed or Wreath Goldenrod

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

N. America, z. 3-9. It's been said Goldenrod should be our national flower, since its more than 100 species are found virtually throughout the nation. Many are weedy plants, but some species offer good garden value. Blue-stemmed Goldenrod is one of the latter. Its 1′‑2′ 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 elegant clump in sun to half shade and average soil, and will probably seed around some.

Solidago flexicaulis

Zigzag Goldenrod

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

N. America, z. 3-8. Zigzag Goldenrod is so named for the yellow-flowering stems that angle back and forth between leaf nodes to a height of about 2'. A woodland native that will tolerate either shade or sun, moist or dry soil, it spreads by runners, making it a good choice to naturalize on a bank to prevent runoff.

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.

Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'

'Fireworks' Rough-stemmed Goldenrod

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

N. America, z. 3-9. This deservedly popular cultivar of a common species is a robust, upright plant to 4' or more, and spreading as widely as you let it. Its size and dense, dark green foliage give it great presence in a sunny border and its mid/late-summer flowers, bursting out in golden streaks, are spectacular. A big, easy-to-please plant for sun to part shade, moist to dry soil.

Spigelia marilandica

Spiranthes odorata 'Chadds Ford'

'Chadds Ford' Lady's Tresses

N. America, z. 5-9. An attractive, late-blooming native orchid with slender basal leaves and a single stalk of small white, scented flowers which spiral up their stem with geometric regularity. Easy to please in rich, moist to wet soil, sun or shade, it will spread to form colonies.

Spirea tomentosa

Steeplebush, Hardhack

N. America, z. 3-8. A 2'-5' deciduous shrub with upright stems and medium foliage. In mid to late summer the stems are topped with slender, pointed clusters of pink flowers. Informal in appearance, Steeplebush is best among other shrubs or tall perennials in a sunny spot with average to wet soil. It can also be used as a hedge and cut back in winter to maintain a desired height.

Stewartia ovata

Mountain Stewartia

N. America, z. 5-8. This beautiful native cousin of the Camellias forms a slender, erect small tree to about l5', with smooth bark and neat, clean foliage. In spring it bears large white flowers, usually golden-centered, resembling a single-flowered Camellia. In fall the leaves turn a clear gold. A choice specimen plant, it is slow and difficult to propagate and thus seldom offered, but it is not difficult to grow if given moist but well-drained, humusy soil and light shade. A very distinguished plant for a special place in the landscape.

Stokesia laevis

Stoke's Aster

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

N. America, z. 5-9. A southeastern native, Stokes' Aster is justly popular for its large—2”-3”—and beautiful lavender blue flowers borne in early summer on long stems above rather flat basal rosettes of thick leaves. A sturdy, long-lived perennial that likes sun and well-drained soil, it's an easy care choice for the garden and a good cutting flower.

Stylophorum diphyllum

Celandine Poppy

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

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.

Symplocarpus foetidus

Skunk Cabbage

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

N. America, z. 3-7. Straight from Jurassic Park comes the primeval looking Skunk Cabbage, with its immense, vivid green leaves and knobby spadix—hard to think of it as a flower—covered by a thick olive-green hood streaked with brown and red glaze. The earliest native to bloom here, it transforms shady, wet spots into exotic jungle for awhile, then goes dormant by midsummer, leaving only its seedheads lying like hand grenades half buried in the ground. Altogether impressive. Slow growing and long-lived, it requires nothing but constantly moist to wet soil and some shade. Outdoors its ill-famed smell is negligible or nonexistent—but I don't recommend it as a houseplant.

Taxodium distichum

Common Baldcypress

N. America, z. 4-10. This ancient tree was once common in the Southeast, but was heavily logged for its strong, very rot-resistant wood and now occurs naturally only in small, scattered stands—one of which is here in Calvert County. But while it may no longer be an important timber tree, it is a fine large ornamental of narrowly pyramidal form, 50'-100' tall, with attractive reddish bark and short, soft needles. It's called Baldcypress because unlike most conifers it loses its needles in winter—but the bonus is a beautiful russet color in fall. Famous for its ability to grow in standing water with the aid of its protruding "knees," it's also quite happy in reasonably moist, acid soil—where it will not form knees—in sun or part shade.

Tellima grandiflora

Fringecups, False Alumroot

N. America, z. 3-8. This Northwest relative of Alumroot (Heuchera spp.), produces softly furry 8"-12" mounds of foliage, and above them slender wands of small, greenish-white flowers with fringed petals—and an exquisite scent. The scent makes Tellima a match for more spectacular spring bloomers, and one well worth planting as a specimen in the border or as a deciduous groundcover in partial to full shade and moist soil. If happy it may seed about to perfume the whole garden.

Teucrium canadense

American Germander, Wood Sage

N. America, z. 3-10. Although wood sage is found locally in marshes, it adapts readily to the garden, even in dryish soil. A member of the mint family, it has crisp, bright green leaves that smell musky when crushed and typical mint flowers: 4"-6" spikes of small, tubular flowers, pale pink. A vigorous spreader, best for naturalizing in a spot with full sun, perhaps combined with ornamental grasses.

Thalictrum polygamum

Tall Meadow Rue

N. America, z. 3-8. An airy, graceful native, 3'-6' tall, with lovely foliage very like a Columbine and loose heads of 1/2" white powder-puff flowers in early summer. Although it occurs naturally in swampy areas, it is happy in anything from average soil to standing water in sun or shade. A clump-forming plant, fine either in the border or naturalized, and a good candidate for rain gardens.

Thelypteris noveboracensis

New York Fern

N. America, z. 4-8. A deciduous. colony-forming fern with fine-textured fronds from 1'-2'. A good spreader and fairly drought tolerant. Nice for woodland slopes.

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.

Tiarella c. 'George Schenk'

'George Schenk' Foamflower

N. America, z. 3-9. Another cultivar, this one selected for its relatively pink flowers which are nicely set off by medium-sized dark green leaves. A slow grower that doesn't run.

Tiarella cordifolia 'Running Tapestry'

'Running Tapestry' Foamflower

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

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.

Tiarella cordifolia 'Slickrock'

'Slickrock' Foamflower

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

N. America, z. 3-9. A fine creeping plant with superior foliage and candles of pinkish cream flowers in spring. The cultivar 'Slickrock' was selected from the wild for its very elegantly shaped leaves—like fine jewelry. A small plant, only 4"-8" tall, it is nonetheless a rapid spreader in moist soil and partial to full shade.

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.

Tiarella wherryi (cordifolia var. collina) 'Oakleaf'

Foamflower

N. America, z. 4-8. 'Oakleaf' is a fast-growing, non-running Foamflower with deeply cut leaves bearing maroon markings and quantities of pinkish flowers in spring. Only 6"-8" tall in leaf, it may exceed 12" in bloom. A great specimen or massing plant for partial/full shade and moist soil.

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.

Tradescantia sp.

Spiderwort

N. America, z. 4-9. I'm not sure which of the many and identity-challenged Spiderworts this may be, but it's a nice plant, so who cares? The long ribbon-like leaves are a little narrower than those of Virginia Spiderwort, and the clustered flowers a little smaller—but they're the hottest of hot pinks. The combination of bright green and vivid pink stands out very well in the garden. Sun to shade, average to moist soil; may go temporarily dormant in midsummer.

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.

Tricyrtis Hybrids

Toad Lily

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

East Asia, z. 5-9. The delightfully named Toad Lilies—why I don't know—are graceful fall bloomers with lush, softly hairy foliage on 2’ arching stems. The unusual, complex flowers of white heavily spotted with blue or purple are beautifully displayed in the leaf axils. They bloom late into the fall and spread slowly to form large clumps, but don’t run about. Very desirable in partial to full shade and moist soil.

Tricyrtis hirta 'Alba'

'Alba' Toad Lily

Japan, z. 5-9. An unspotted, pure white form of the above with pink stamens. Looks like an orchid—truly beautiful!

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.

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; may need protection from deer.

Trillium sp.

Trillium, Toadshade

N. America, z. 4-8. This representative of a large and variable group of woodland species grows 12"-16" tall and has slightly drooping, attractively mottled leaves. Its three vertical petals range from butterscotch yellow to reddish bronze and curve protectively around the cinnamon-brown anthers. A sturdy grower that can expand steadily, if slowly, but it must be protected from deer.

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.

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.

Verbascum blattaria

Moth Mullein

Europe, Asia, z. 2-9. This tough Eurasian, naturalized over much of N. America, is a handsome addition to the garden. Its flat, highly sculpted rosettes of purple tinged leaves provide interest all winter. In early summer it puts up slender, 1'-3' spires of white or pale yellow flowers which open in the evening—so moths can pollinate them—and stay open until the following midday. A true biennial, moth mullein will die after flowering, but will likely self-sow in the garden. It likes well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.

Vernonia noveboracensis

New York Ironweed

N. America, z. 5-9. A tall and spectacular fall blooming native, whose 4’-6’ stems bear clusters of striking red-violet powderpuff flowers over deep green foliage. An imposing plant for full sun to a little shade and moist to wet soil, and a prime butterfly favorite.

Veronicastrum virginicum

Culver's Root

Available for Fall 2010. Click here to go to the Catalog.

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.

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.

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.

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. All of our native Violets are important host plants for fritillary butterflies.

Viola cucullata 'Freckles'

Marsh Violet

N. America, z. 4-8. A charming cultivar of our blue marsh violet with very pale blue flowers liberally sprinkled with purple flecks. Once its spring bloom is finished the deep green, shiny leaves expand to form a neat 1' mound. A strong grower for partial to full shade and average to damp soil, it can be naturalized in moist shade or near water.

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.

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.

Viola rotundifolia

Round-leaved Yellow Violet

N. America, z. 3-8. V. rotundifolia opens its cheerful flowers, which are not "violet" at all but bright yellow with black veins in the throat, in early/mid spring. A small plant, 4"-8" tall, it contrasts nicely with more traditionally colored violets such as V. conspersa and V. striata, or with other spring wildflowers. It is not invasive but will self-sow once established in average to moist soil, sun or shade.

Viola striata

Cream Violet

N. America, z. 4-8. Appropriately named, the flowers of V. striata are not white but soft cream, with light purple veining in the throat. Like V. conspersa, it has small, heart-shaped leaves which remain neat and compact, but will form a clump 1’ tall and around. Not invasive, although it may seed about a bit, it is an attractive violet for naturalizing in a shady area.

X Pardancanda norrisii

Candy Lily

Of garden origin, z. 5-10. A hybrid descended from the orange-flowered blackberry lily (Belamcanda chinensis), candy lilies are very similar in form, with erect fans of rather pale green, sword-like leaves and the same open-faced, 6-petaled flowers, but they bloom in subtly mixed shades of cream, yellow, peach, red, and purple, often maroon spotted or bicolored. Blooming from mid to late summer, they are an excellent border plant in average soil, sun to partial shade. Very nice.

Yucca filamentosa

Adam's Needle

N. America, z. 4-10. It looks like a desert plant with its sword-like gray-green leaves edged with curling fibers—threads for the "needles" formed by the spiny leaf tips—but this Yucca is actually a southeastern native. Evergreen and shrublike, the foliage makes a wonderful large accent alone or in groups, and the massive 4'-6' spikes of ivory bells in July are spectacular. It revels in sites too hot and dry for most plants—try it in combination with prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa) in a sun-baked spot.