Acanthus mollis 'New Zealand Gold'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Huge golden foliage on a very striking plant. Comes up very late in the Spring and although it will rarely flower in zone 5 or 6, is a magnificent and hardy foliage plant. When it does flower, a 1-1 1/2 inch flower stem shoots up from the center of the plant to about 24"-36" with unusual almost Chelone like white flowers.

Aceriphyllum rossii     [Photo: sm med lg

Acer as in Maple, what a perfect name for this genus. In the early Spring you have a long lasting spray of crisp white flowers and the foliage holds up well all the growing season. I grow it in a rich moist bed that gets a few hours of sun in mid day. Height is about 6" -12" and it forms a clump with multiple divisions of about the same size.

Aconitum lycoctonum     [Photo: sm med lg]

Interesting white flowers that explain without a doubt, why the common name for plants of this genus is "Monkshood". As I write this, I can't remember much about this plant as far as flowering time or size goes. However, I've never been disappointed by the performance of any plant in this genus or in the entire Ranunculaceae family.

Acourus graminea 'Himemasamune'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Boy, where do the Japanese come up with these names? But in spite of it's mouthful of syllables, this is one adorable little plant. Only 3"-6" tall and attractively variegated, it loves moist, boggy conditions, but will do well in any moisture retentive soil.

Acourus graminea 'Dwarf Green'

An iddy biddy selection of the popular pond side, marginal and bog plant that will actually do well in an average mulched garden soil. Only gets about 3"-6" tall.

Acourus graminea 'Dwarf Gold'

A golden form of the above.

Acourus graminea 'Ogon'

A much taller and golden - green variegated form of the two guys above. 8"-16" tall.

Actea pachypoda      [Photo: sm med lg]

The common name of this native garden beauty says a lot about the plant, "Dolls Eyes", but, that only tells you about the Autumn interest of this old timey favorite. For in the Spring you have fragrant white soft and fluffy flowers over lush green dissected foliage. Over the Summer months, these flowers slowly turn into greenish-yellow berries and as they finish out their growing season become huge, alabaster white with black dots at each tip resembling the eyes of a doll. [Photo of fruit: sm med lg] Ooops, I almost forgot to tell you about the thick brilliant red stems that attach each berry to the stem. Plants stand about 18"-24" tall and do well in rich woodland shade.

Actea rubra      [Photo: sm med lg]

Similar in stature and color to Actea pachypoda, but with red berries.

Adiantum pedatum     [Photo: sm med lg]

One of my very favorite ferns, a little slow at the starting gate, but give the "Maiden Hair" fern a year or three and she makes a beautiful display. Full shade to part sun. Height gets up to 24" and slowly forms a colony.

Adlumia fungosa      [Photo: sm med lg]

Very interesting vine in the fumariaceae family. A biennial, but don't worry, it will self-seed in abundance and be with you always. Imagine a herbaceous vine that can climb over 30 feet in a year. The foliage is very Corydalis-like and the pendulous pink blooms are very Dicentra-like, what a great combination.

Agapanthus 'Headborne hybrids'

Everyone claims that these beautiful plants are hardy to zone 6, possibly zone 5, I can't confirm that as I haven't had the time to plant them out. Stay tuned.

Agave virginica

Yes, believe it or not, we have a native Agave on the East Coast. One of the two genera in the Amaryllidaceae family in WV, see also Hypoxis, Agave virginica, sometimes known also as Manfreda virginica, was used by the Cherokee Native Americans as a cure for diarrhea. Also for treating animals for worms. In these modern times, I think that we're better off just enjoying the ornamental value of this really cool plant. From a rosette of fleshy foliage comes a 36"-72" flower scape with interesting greenish yellow flowers in mid to late Summer. Part shade to full sun.

Ajuga 'Arboretum Giant'

This name is quite appropriate. In addition to having extremely large leaves with a dark purple edge, the flower heads are the biggest that I've seen.

Ajuga 'Carol'      [Photo: sm med]

This is a sport of who knows what that I discovered in the garden of Roger and Carol Copland in Wyncote PA. It starts off the season kinda normal and then in mid season, explodes into a brilliant array of pinks, whites, reds and cream marbled variegation.

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant'

Another large cultivar. I have this ringing my pond and it provides a dramatic ground covering with very large flower heads.

Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip'

Cute little lanceolate leaves on this somewhat dwarf form of Ajuga. Lovely chocolate-colored foliage. I can't comment on the flowers yet as I've just obtained it this Summer. But the foliage is darling.

Ajuga 'Pats Selection'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Selected by esteemed plantsman and personal friend, Pat McCracken of Zebulon NC, this selection forms a very tight mat that resists penetration by weeds. The color and variegation are pleasingly variable.

Alchemilla mollis     [Photo: sm med lg]

I love the way that rain droplets bead up on the foliage of this member of the Rose family. The bright yellow flowers last for weeks in mid to late Spring. Forms a huge clump and also will give you lots of new plants from its dust like seeds. Height is 8"- 16"

Aletris farinosa

From a lovely basal rosette, in early Summer comes a 12-24" spike of unusual white flowers. Full sun to part shade. Moist to average soil.

Allium cernuum      [Photo: sm med lg]

The specific epithet refers to the nodding flower heads of this late Summer bloomer. The flower heads are about 6-18" tall and appear in a multitude of pinkish shades. Very easy to grow in full sun.

Allium maximowiczii album      [Photo: sm med lg]

Really cool clumps of delicate, bluish foliage produce the cutest little white pom poms that last quite a while in the very early Spring. Perfect for the front of the sunny border. Only 3-8" tall. Very quick to increase in clump size.

Allium pulchellum      [Photo: sm med lg]

A mid-Summer bloomer with very flowing deep pink flowers. 12" -24" tall. Perfect for mid border in full sun to part shade. Will seed in to make a dramatic colony.

Allium pulchellum album

A white form of the above species.

Allium tricoccum      [Photo: sm med lg]

One of the most interesting native plants in these mountains, "Ramps" as they are known locally are a wonderful medicinal plant. They are a known blood purifier and once you have put them on a pizza, you'll be hard pressed to enjoy pizza sans "Ramps" again. Very sexy lily-like foliage in the early Spring, gives way to white silver dollar sized flowers that set umbels of shiny black seeds when pollinated. Very easy to grow in the wild shade garden.

Allium triquetrum

A tall, late Winter, early Spring bloomer with white, pendulous, Lily like, almost Galanthus like flowers with green stripes on 12-18" stems . A very vigorous grower to say the least.

Allium virguncule splendens      [Photo: sm med lg]

Dynamite dwarf plant from Japan. Double purple flowers on a 3-6" fine textured plant in September and October. Useful in the front of the border to provide color when everything else is turning brown.

Alstroemeria psittacina      [Photo: sm med lg]

From the mountains of Brazil comes this hardy species of one of the most popular cut flowers ever grown. I've grown it in my zone 5 garden for over 10 years now, and its made a lovely colony of light green foliage about 8-12" tall. In early Summer it starts its long period of bloom, producing volumes of reddish, slightly upfacing, trumpet like flowers spotted with green and brown.

Anemone ranunculoides     [Photo: sm med lg]

Bright yellow Buttercup flowers over foliage reminiscent of ferns in the genus Botrychium. Blooms in early Spring. I don't have much experience with this cool little plant yet, but is seems hardy, vigorous and easy.

Anemonella thalictroides      [Photo: sm med lg]

One of my favorite little plants in my favorite family, Ranunculaceae. This is also one of the first plants to bloom in the Spring. With it's delicate Anemone-like foliage and its long lasting white blooms, its perfect for the semi-shady rock garden or the wild shade garden. Height is only 4"- 8" and it will reseed around to form a colony very quickly.

Anemonopsis macrophylla     [Photo: sm med lg]

Very interesting plant, this visitor from Japan. The flowers take on a look that can be described as almost porcelain like on very tall (12"- 24") wiry stems. They're pendulous with a very unique round shape in the center. Foliage holds up well all year. Flowering is in late Summer to early Autumn over a very long period.

Angelica gigas

Angelica polymorpha      [Photo: sm med lg]

Whoa, talk about a specimen or statement plant! This unusual species is bound to stop visitors to your garden dead in their tracks. Its ?? thick zigging, zagging stem grows to ??" tall and produces multiple branches to form a plant ??" wide. And each of these branches terminate in an umbel of creamy white flowers. I'm not sure if this is a biennial or monocarpic species, but when its finally done flowering itself silly, you will have more than enough seeds for all of your gardening buddies.

Antennaria plantaginifolia

A great groundcover plant for the edge of the shade or woodland garden. Just a few inches tall with silvery white hairy foliage and a multitude of white fluffy flowers.

Antenneron filiforme variegata      [Photo: sm med lg]

A native of Japan, and bearing a close resemblance to Tovara, with stable, attractive, creamy white variegation, you'll have a 24" clump in no time. Interesting small flowers in red or white form along its slender wiry stems that reach up another 12" above this 16"-24" plant.

Aplectrum hymale      [Photo: med lg]

Dynamite native woodland orchid that has a 7" pleated, silvery striped leaf all Winter, hence the specific epithet hymale. In late Spring, early Summer, its goes bye bye and the tuber gives you a pencil think stem of purplish brown orchids which in turn become attractive, pendulous brown seed pods. After they drop the leaf comes back. Something for almost every day of the year. Each tuber produces a new tuber and if you keep removing them and replanting them, you'll have a nice little colony in a few years. Native Americans used the tubers to make a putty like glue to repair broken pottery, musta been the first crazy glue. [Article: The first American Crazy Glue]

Aquilegia 'Blackie'     [Photo: sm med lg]

While these "Double" flowers are not as true black as, let's say, Viola "Molly Sanderson", they are by far the darkest colored flowers that I've ever seen on an Aquilegia. Also interesting is the angle that

Aquilegia clematiflora     [Photo: sm med lg]

This has to be one of the coolest, if not THE coolest Aquilegia. A combo of two of my favorite Genera in my favorite plant family. Unfortunately, I lost the only plant, so I won't go on about it too awful much here. Stay tuned, I will get it back sometime soon.

Aquilegia 'Old English Pink'      [Photo: sm med lg]

I originally scored these seeds from a special interest group of the British Hardy Plant Society. The foliage is rich and full and has a very formal, glaucus appearance. The flowers stems, and there are an abundance, shoot up another 12"-18" above the plant which stands 8"-12" on its one. Great color combo of the burgandyish pink and the bluish green foliage.

Aquilegia canadense      [Photo of flower: sm med lg]   [Photo of foliage: sm med lg]

What more can I tell you about this old favorite. Variable shades of red and yellow flowers on lovely dissected foliage. Self sown seedlings abound to form a wonderful drift of early Spring color in full sun or part shade on 12" - 18" plants.

Aquilegia flabellata nana pumila alba

Well if that isn't enough of a mouthful to spit out, you should know about Diana Reek of Collector Nurseries named cultivar, Aquilegia flabellata nana pumila alba 'Rama Lama Ding Dong' A dwarf white Columbine for the front of the border or the rock garden. 8"

Aquilegia sp. 'Double White'      [Photo: sm med lg]

12" tall. I should probably ask Dan Heims to come up with some outrageously cool name for this plant like Vanilla something or other, but I'm satisfied just to call it a double white Aquilegia for now. Nice foliage with an interesting flower shape and form. 16"-24" tall, add another foot during flowering.

Arisaema amurense

From the Amur Peninsula, this "Jack in the Pulpit" sort of resembles our Arisaema triphyllum in flower in shape and form, but has five leaflets instead of three. Interesting and variable markings on the spathe and easy to grow in full shade to part sun.

Arisaema candidissimum      [Photo: sm med lg]

Many folks insist that there is a fragrance emanating for the unusual and only pink flowered Arisaema, but I've never detected any. Very large leaves on a 12" - 24" plant. As with all of the Arisaemas, full shade to part sun, good rich soil produce the best plants.

Arisaema ciliatum      [Photo: sm med lg]

Tall and slender and very oriental in appearance is the best way for me to describe this one. At the top of the 24" - 36" stem the leaf radiates out in a dozen or more directions with very slender leaflets. The brilliant red clusters of berries produced in the Autumn can sometimes weight the plant down and you may want to stake it before the seed heads mature.

Arisaema dracontium

Our native "Green Dragon" can get quite tall if given the moist, rich soil and shade that it loves. It's very easy to grow and puts out a very large spathe with a single five bladed leaf. A mature plant can grow up to 4 feet tall under favorable conditions.

Arisaema ringens

Blackest of black huge spathe on this Asian monster. Plants are 12" - 24" when in flower and you get the true feeling of why this genus is referred to as "Cobra Lilies" when you see her in flower. The foliage is also huge and looks kinda like a mutated clover leaf. Easy to grow in full shade to part sun.

Arisaema tortuosum      [Photo: sm med lg]

Sometimes known as Arisaema helleborifolium, so you know why this is one of my favorites. It's risen to over 4 feet in my garden with the most unusual markings on its thick, firm stem. The flowers are huge as are the seed heads. The foliage really does resemble Hellebore foliage and no special care is required to grow it. Mine are quite happy in full shade under an Oak tree.

Arisaema triphyllum      [Photo: med lg]

Our three leaved native "Jack In The Pulpit" provides 3 seasons of interest in the shade garden as its early Spring blooming, unique flowers turn into striking heads of red berries in the fall. I've seen plants reach up to 36" in height under ideal conditions. Typically they are 12" - 24" tall.

Arisarum proboscideum      [Photo: sm med lg]

"The Mouse Plant" is a very prolific member of the Aroid family. A single plant in a 2" pot multiplies eight fold in a year. A cute flowering spathe with a long mouse like tail in early Spring over 3" dark green, aroid foliage.

Armeria alliaceae

Nice tight clump, tighter than most of the Armeria species or selections that I've seen. The usual kind of pink flowers, but what makes this plant unique is the bright red color at the base of the new growth.

Artemesia lactiflora      [Photo: sm med lg]

Not one of those invasive running Artemesias, this is a medium green clump forming species from China. 24-36" tall in flower with sprays of milky white flowers in late Summer when there really isn't much else blooming. Grows equally well in sun or shade.

Artemesia lactiflora 'Guizho'

A form of the above species with red petioles, darker and more dissected foliage, whiter blooms.

Arum dioscoridis

Somewhat similar to the Arum listed below, but produces a dramatic black mottled spathe in the Spring. Sort of a scary looking flower with a rather unpleasant scent. But well worth growing. I haven't had a chance to grow it outside yet, I'm assuming that its only slightly less hardy than A. italicum,

Arum italicum 'Pictum'

In the U.K., these babies are referred to as "Cuckoo Pint" or "Lords and Ladies". In the US, most gardeners don't even know them. They've been hardy here for many years. Lovely 4-8" silvery marbled leaves, interesting flowers and brilliant clusters of bright red berries in the Autumn.

Aruncus dioicus

Asarum canadense      [Photo: sm med lg]

The East Coast native herbaceous wild ginger has long been a favorite of many a shade garden. I've had foliage as big as your head when grown in rich moist soil with lots of organic matter. Curious flowers produce lots of seeds to soon make an impenetrable mat of snaking rhizomes that will exclude even the most pernicious weeds. The roots can be used as a substitute for the culinary ginger in cooking. [Article: Walking Gingerly through the Woods]

Asarum caudatum      [Photo: sm med lg]

This is the West Coast counterpart to the above and is somewhat similar in form and stature. I must take the time to closely compare the two. [Article: Walking Gingerly through the Woods]

Asclepias tuberosa      [Photo: sm med lg]

Brilliant orange, late Summer blooms over attractive dark green foliage attracts Butterflies and other pollinators. 18-24" tall. Full sun to part shade.

Asimina triloba      [Photo: sm med lg]

[Article: A Tropical Tree for the Temperate Zone]

Asplenium platyneuron

A darling little fern that grows in rich moist woodland conditions, but is adaptable to almost any garden setting that can offer it at least a half day of shade. 3"- 6" tall, slender upright fronds that are a deep dark green.

Aster concolor      [Photo: sm med lg]

Aster 'Purple Dome'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Dick Lighty of The Mount Cuba Center in Greenville Delaware spotted this dwarf form of Aster novae angliae along a Pennsylvania roadside. It blooms in late Summer with dark purple flowers with yellow centers. And instead of the typical 5'-6' height, only reaches 8"-14" tall. Ideal for the front of the border.

Aster tataricus      [Photo: sm med lg]

If you're on the lookout for something to liven up your garden from mid-Autumn to mid-Winter, you need this guy. He's a tall one from the Tatar Mountains in Russia and blooms his head off with medium sky-blue flowers on 5-7 foot stems from October till those killing freezes. Very, very vigorous.

Astrantia 'Shaggy'     [Photo: sm med lg]

Not sure why people make such a big deal about this cultivar of Astrantia major. I don't consider it to be any different than the species, unless my clone is misnamed. However, Astrantia major as a species is a very cool plant and has a place in virtually any garden.

Begonia evansii      [Photo: sm med lg]

A hardy Begonia?? Of course. And although it over winters from the rootstock in zone 5 and possible colder, it is very late to emerge in the Spring and very easy to over plant. Preferring moist shade it'll grow up to 30" tall with pink or white flowers. Bulbils are produced in the axils and drop to the ground to sprout the following year. A colony is formed rather quickly and can be quite dramatic.

Begonia evansii alba      [Photo: sm med lg]

Bergenia ciliata      [Photo: med lg]

Caltha palustris     [Photo: sm med lg]

OOOPS, a lousy picture of a great plat. Remind me sometime to reshoot it in focus. In the meantime, know that although the "Marsh Marigold" loves moisture it grows well in average garden soil. The moister the soil, the more sun she can take.

Camassia scilloides

Star like bluish flowers on a 12" to 18" stem. Full shade to part sun, prefers rich organic soil.

Campanula 'Constellation'      [Photo: sm med lg]

I was given this plant by the man who literally wrote the book on Campanulas, Peter Lewis in the UK. It forms a short (3-6") dense mound of dark green toothed foliage and during the Summer months is covered with pointed starry like deep blue flowers.

Campanula 'Dicksons Gold'

Similar to the above except the foliage is a light golden color and the flowers are pale blue. A delightful combination. Not nearly as strong a grower as C. 'Constellation' as there is a definite lack of chlorophyll, but well worth growing for that highly desirable shade of pale blue.

Campanula 'Dwarf Tornado'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Named in honor of my vertically challenged, yet incredibly dynamic friend, Stephanie Cohen, C. 'Dwarf Tornado' blooms about a month after C. glomerata and is somewhat similar in form, yet much shorter overall. Its deep blue flower last for weeks on 3"-8" plants.

Campanula glomerata 'Joan Elliott'      [Photo: sm med lg]

One of the earliest blooming of all the Bellflowers and easy as pie. Forms a tight colony as it spreads slowly. Rich dark blue flowers on 12"-24" plants. Full sun to part shade.

Campanula takaesimana     [Photo: sm med lg]

A very vigorous visitor from Japan to say the least. Really neat bells in a creamy white with a cranberry tinge at the base. Full sun to part shade, average moisture. Plants are about 12" tall, adding about another 12" while in flower in mid Summer.

Campanula trachellium

Tall spikes of trumpet shaped flowers in mid-Summer. 24"-36" tall. Nice arrow shaped, slightly dentate foliage. Self seeds to form a pleasant colony. Full sun to part shade.

Campanula trachellium 'Bernice'      [Photo: sm med lg]

A double flowered selection of the above described species.

---

Carex species
There are currently over 150 different Carex species under evaluation here. Many are long time proven plants, but most are species that are not in commercial cultivation anywhere else. Some of the most popular are Carex elata 'Bowles Golden', Carex morrowii var., Carex siderostricta var., Carex flacca, Carex Speciosa 'The Beatles' and Carex muskingumensis. Some of the newer ones are, Carex hordesticha, Carex demissa, Carex divulsa, Carex leporina, Carex flava, Carex phyllocephela, Carex bohemica, Carex sylvatica, Carex frankii, Carex flaccosperma, Carex remota etc. etc.

Virtually every imaginable shape, size and texture is represented. Carex are extremely easy to grow, have a very important place in the garden, and should not be overlooked.

Carex Nigishiki???

Carex chabertii

One of my proudest discoveries! Really sharp looker. Interesting vase like habit of flowing fine textured foliage. Forms a large clump very quickly. Interesting seed heads reach out another ??"" as they flow away from the center of the plant. I have a row in full sun and its doing wonderful. I haven't tried it in shade yet, but it seems that most Carex species are quite adaptable.

Carex conica variegata      [Photo: sm med lg]

Tight little clumps of variegated foliage, completely stable. Great in the front of the sunny border. 3-6" tall and flowing.

Carex elata 'Bowles Golden'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Carex flacca     [Photo: sm med lg]

This fine textured, bluish-green grass-like plant is a very vigorous sedge. It grows equally as in full shade as it does in full sun. Height is 4"-8" and it spreads quickly, but controllably by rhizome.

Carex grayii      [Photo: sm med lg]

An 18-24" tall clump of coarse textured grassy foliage about the same diameter. Prefers, but doesn't demand a moist shady site. Grows well in full sun in average soil. In late Spring and early Summer, curious flowers produce tall stems of mace like seeds heads that are useful green in cut flower arrangements and dry in dried flower arrangements.

Carex hachijoensis 'Evergold'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Of all the variegated Carexes that are coming on the market now, this is the most vibrant. The brilliant variegation seems to be 100% stable. The blades and very wide (????) and the plant forms a nice clump, ????, Full sun or part shade doesn't seem to matter.

Carex muskingumensis      [Photo: sm med lg]

Known as the "Palm Tree Sedge", this Great Lakes native is one of the tallest Carex species in cultivation. It's graceful weeping like foliage and height make it a natural for the middle of a sunny border or as a stand alone statement plant just about anywhere in the garden.

Carex otrubae

Carex phyllocephela

Carex siderosticha variegata     [Photo: sm med lg]

With its wide, almost Hosta-like foliage, this sedge will fill in an area at a medium pace. I love it's flowing habit and it rally looks good at the edge of a railroad tie or a rock wall. Sun or shade. 100% stable variegation.6" -12" tall.

Carex 'The Beatles'     [Photo: sm med lg]

I know I use the word "Adorable" much too frequently to describe plants, but if you can come up with a better word to describe this adorable little plant, my hat is off to you. This "moppy" plant makes a fine groundcover as its swirly foliage sweeps around, gracefully flowing on the ground below its crown. I'd love to see a whole lawn carpeted in it as it would mean no mowing, the height rarely exceeds 3"-5". Probably showing my age by understanding that this plant was named for "The Fab Four" and I'm sure that some of you weren't even born in 1964 when the Beatles made their debut on the Ed Sullivan show, so bear with me here. Full sun to full shade, moist to average soil, ANOTHER "Idiot Proof" plant.

Caryopteris divaricata

Caulophyllum thalictroides      [Photo: sm med lg]

Lovely bluish green foliage on this East Coast woodland native show off its small but unique yellowish brown flowers in early Spring. The foliage holds up very well as the large dark blue berries mature over the Summer.

Centauria macrocephala      [Photo: sm med lg]

I love the papery feel of the blonde sepals that sheathe and support the brilliant yellow flower.   [Photo of flower: sm med lg] A very easy plant for the mid to back of the sunny border as they can grow from 24"-36" tall.

Chaerophyllum hirsutum roseum      [Photo: sm med lg]

This low growing umbellifer from Europe is a very perennial reliable bloomer. It has nicely dissected foliage and umbels of light pink flowers in early Spring. Height is about 8"-16" tall.

Chamaelirium luteum      [Photo: sm med lg]

12" - 24" spikes of soft fluffy white flowers from a tight basal rosette on this native woodland plant. Male and female flowers are produced on separate plants.

Chelone glabra

The white form of the "Pink Turtlehead".

Chelone lyonii      [Photo: sm med lg]

Chimaphila maculata

Chrysanthemum nipponicum

Who knows anymore?? Chrysanthemum, Leucanthemum, Dendranthemum, the taxonomists have been hard at work confusing us with more revisions. I've always called this cool plant with succulent foliage Chrysanthemum. It has large daisy like flowers in mid to late Summer.

Chrysanthemum Venus     [Photo: sm med lg]

Give this Autumn blooming plant plenty of room because she is a very fast grower. The salmon colored flowers last for weeks at a time when there is not much else going on in the garden. A tall plant at 24" or so. Full sun to part shade.

Cimicifuga japonica

The Asian counterpart of our native listed below is only about 18" - 24" tall, besides being shorter in stature, the leaves resemble a cross between Oak and Maple leaves and are quite lovely. Flower spikes and times are somewhat similar.

Cimicifuga racemosa

Our native "Black Snakeroot" or "Black Cohosh" can grow as tall as 6 feet. I've even seen it shoot up to 9 feet at Rainforest Gardens in British Columbia. I love the fragrance of its long spikes of fluffy white flowers in mid Summer. Easy to grow in full to part shade.

Cimicifuga ramosa 'Brunette'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Slightly shorter than C. racemosa, but taller than C. japonica, the almost black, beautifully dissected foliage of this named cultivar, is a plant that's never failed to stop traffic along the border in my garden, where its comfortably made itself at home. I can't say whether the flowers are whiter than all of the other Cimicifugas, or its just the contrast with the foliage. The flowers even smell more fragrant.

Claytonia caroliniana

Named for one of our early American botanists, John Clayton (1693-1773), who lived in Virginia, "Carolina Spring Beauty" as it is known in these here parts lives up to that common name. One of the earliest of wildflowers, it blooms for weeks in early March before it goes dormant in mid Spring. The flowers are white or pink with darker pink stripes. All Claytonia species prefer rich moist soils and light shade and are tasty additions to that wild foraged salad. C. caroliniana has ovate lanceolate foliage and grows into a plant about 3-6" tall. A good companion plant would be ferns as they start unfurling their fiddle heads around the same time that Claytonia is going beddy bye.

Claytonia sibirica      [Photo: sm med lg]

Unlike our two native, extremely ephemeral, East Coast Claytonias, or as they are appropriately known, "Spring Beauties", what you get here is a remarkable little plant that will just flower itself silly. Beginning in early Spring and going all the way through Summer and into Autumn, not only is the foliage supple and perpetual, but the small pink and white striped flowers just keep on a comin'. Self-seeding is welcomed and not a nuisance. Plants get up to about 6" and prefer moist shade.

Claytonia virginica

Similar in culture and flower as Claytonia caroliniana, but with more elongated and narrow foliage.

Clintonia umbellulata      [Photo: sm med lg]

Let's be adults here and resist all of the Monica Lewinski jokes as we break into discussion of "Clintons Lily" Named for DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828 and a Governor of the State of New York), not Wild Bill Clinton (1946-?) and Prez of the US. Really cool, globular black berries follow umbels of bright white flowers on 6" to 16" stems. This species is stoloniferous and will make a tidy little display clump in just a year or two. She prefers a moist, cool root run in humusy rich soil.

Clematis stans     [Photo: sm med lg]

Small, but adorable little pendulous, violet- lavender flowers in late Summer with recurved petals on a shrubby, erect plant. I got the seeds from the Ofanu Botanic Garden in Kanagawa prefecture Japan. It's growing very well in full shade under a Dogwood tree. Very interesting.

Clintonia borealis     [Photo: sm med lg]

Similar in stature and habit as Clintonia umbellulata, which is described below. Flowers and goes dormant about a month earlier. Lovely yellow flowers.

Codonopsis lanceolata, ovata etc.      [Photo: sm med lg]

I say etc. here because I'm muddled in a very confused nomenclature situation. It seems that the species that I've been growing as C. ovata is not C. ovata. according to leading Codonopsis authority, Paul Kneebone, it's?????. He doesn't even know but he thinks that its very interesting and unusual. Anyway, what are Codonopsis?? It's a genus of about 32 species of climbing plants in the Campanulaceae family native to Central and Eastern Asia. They seem hardy and easy enough to grow, so stay tuned as this mystery genus unfolds.

Conopholis americana     [Photo: sm med lg]

This is here for educational purposes only as I have tried several times to grow these interesting tree root parasites in the garden with no success. I've also ruined a chainsaw chain and bar trying to get the root out of the ground. If anyone has mastered this plant, I'd love to hear about it.

Convallaria montana

Our Native counterpart to the early flowering Spring favorite, "Lily of the Valley". A much more graceful plant when compared to its European cousin, with a graceful arching flower stem. 4-8" tall and sometimes a shy flowerer, but well worth growing.

Coreopsis 'Moonbeam'     [Photo: sm med lg]

One of the easiest plants in the world to grow and a fine plant to boot. Bright yellow flowers over fine textured foliage for weeks in mid Summer. 12" -24 " tall, full sun to part shade, almost any soil will be tolerated.

Corydalis flexuosa 'China Blue'      [Photo: sm med lg]

I've got a love/hate relationship with this plant. The lovely dissected foliage is quite attractive, the flowers are a blue that gardeners would kill for and the fragrance, oh the fragrance. But I can't seem to keep it alive in the garden. Everyone that I talk to has the same problem, yet they keep buying it year after year by the thousands. I know that it needs moist shade and can tolerate dry during its Summer dormancy, but.... think that most gardeners would do well to grow it as an annual or tender perennial that you bring a small piece of inside for the Winter. It does well in a pot and will increase so rapidly that all of your friends will have a pot before you know it.

Corydalis incisa      [Photo: sm med lg]

An almost indescribable shade of lavender with dark purple tips is the best way that I can describe the flowers of this bulbous, biennial Corydalis species. The foliage is soft and very dissected, somewhat glaucous and kind of delicate. Lament not that it isn't perennial, as it will set copious amounts of shiny black seeds and you will never be without it. Plants are about 8-12" in flower. They seem to do equally as well in sun or shade.

• Further information about about hardy Cyclamen
• Cultural information on Cyclamen hederifolium and Cyclamen coum.
• Information about Cyclamen species.
• Cultural information for commercial growers of hardy Cyclamen.

Cyclamen cilicium

A hardy species with flowers somewhat similar to Cyclamen hederifolium and leaves somewhat similar to Cyclamen coum.

Cyclamen coum      [Photo: sm med lg]

Similar to C. hederifolium, described below, with the exception of a more rounded leaf and even more variable flower color, this species flowers after the foliage appears, usually in November in my garden, and continues through the end of the year.

Cyclamen hederifolium      [Photo: sm med lg]

Where do I begin talking about a group of one of the easiest to grow, most misunderstood plants ? If I can only use one word it would be DRAINAGE! Especially during their short Summer dormant period. What other plant gives you beautiful pink and white pendulous flowers in September and Octpber and spectacular silvery mottled, immensely variable foliage all Winter? Plant with the bulbs slightly above soil level under a tree for shade and drainage and you'll soon have a huge colony.

Cymophyllus fraseri      [Photo: sm med lg]

Once at home in the genus Carex, this shade loving, unique plant now has its own monotypic genus. The up to 2" wide 12-24" long dark green, glossy leaves are a great Hosta companion in your rich moist shade garden. In early Spring, they send up interesting large white, fluffy flowers that resemble Sanguisorba.

Cypripedium acaule     [Photo: sm med lg]

Another plant here for educational purposes only. I don't know anyone that has successfully grown this plant in the garden. Seems that there is a primitive mycorhizal fungal relationship with soil fungi. If you see this plant in the wild, enjoy it, but leave it alone.

Cypripedium parviflora pubescens     [Photo: sm med lg]

The small flowered Yellow Lady Slipper is easy to grow in the garden. Although we don't have it in production, we have several friends that offer it. It can be visited in our display gardens in mid Spring.

Cypripedium reginae     [Photo: sm med lg]

The Showy Lady Slipper is easy to grow in the garden. Although we don't have it in production, we have several friends that offer it. It can be visited in our display gardens in mid Spring.

Cyrtanthus elatus

Once known as Vallota speciosa, this Amaryllis family member is a tender perennial that when grown as a houseplant, quickly fills a pot and flowers a couple of times a year with pinkish - Not hardy here in zone 5, in fact I don't know what the hardiness is of this cool little "Houseplant". We grow it in a 6" pot that it fills in a matter of months, once the pot is full it will commence to flowering several times a year and producing copious amounts of new bulbs that can be easily peeled off and given to friends. Huge, red Amaryllis-shaped flowers last for quite a long time with several flowers per stem.

Cyrtanthus elatus     [Photo: sm med lg]

Delphinium tricorne      [Photo: sm med lg]

A lovely dwarf, ephemeral "Larkspur" for the front of a woodland border. Plants form sort of a mound of dark green dissected foliage and shoot up dark purple flower spikes in early Spring. They never need staking and go dormant after spilling their cargo of seed.

Dentaria diphylla

The common name, "Toothwort" (get it dent=teeth, huh?) is appropriate as the foliage is quite toothed. A very nice clump is formed in full sun or full shade. Pinkish white flowers are held about 3" to 6" above the 12"- 18" plant. Although an early Spring bloomer, the plant hangs around and keeps up its good looks all the growing season long.

Dentaria laciniata

Cousin to the above species, this is a bit more ephemeral. But the foliage is finely dissected and is quite lovely as it whorls itself around the stem.

Deschampsia caespitosa 'Northern Lights'

Interesting clumps of variegated grassy foliage. This is a very new introduction and I haven't had much experience with it, but, as a rule they are idiot proof plants to grow. Rarely reverts. 6"-12" tall.

Dianthus andronatii

Probably the tallest Dianthus species that I have ever imagined. Picture florescent pink flowers atop 36-48" stems emanating from a clump of finely textured, glaucous foliage.

Dianthus japonicus      [Photo of flower: sm med lg]   [Photo of foliage: sm med lg]

Most everyone that's seen this plant has failed miserably in the identification of even its family. With 3" long, 1/2" wide, dark, evergreen, glossy, wax-like foliage, this plant continues to confound and amaze. If that weren't enough, stand back in early Summer as it produces large heads of pink flowers that last for weeks. As with most Dianthus, this species is a perennial, but short-lived plant although it self-sows into a lovely colony and will be around for years.

Dianthus kitabelii      [Photo: sm med lg]

You'd think that you were looking at a difficult to grow, rock garden plant when you see this baby. A 8"-12" cushion of tiny bristly foliage that sends up lotsa 6" stems of extremely fragrant, pure white flowers in late Spring. But noooo, its happy just about anywhere.

Dicentra canadense      [Photo: sm med lg]

Called "Squirrel Corn" by the mountain folk because the little round tubers that they grow from look like corn kernels. It's ephemeral, finely-cut glaucous foliage shows off the interesting creamy white, pendulous, fragrant flowers in early April through mid to late May.

Dicentra cucullaria      [Photo: sm med lg]

Somewhat similar to the above but with larger, very interestingly shaped pendulous flowers. Both species are ideal for the front of the woodland border, but should be interplanted with other types of plants due to their early disappearing act.

Dicentra eximia      [Photo: sm med lg]

This species of Dicentra is more suited to the sunnier areas of the garden. I grow it in full sun and also in a part sun bed. It seems to flower at varying intervals throughout the Summer. Plants grow to about 12-18" and have very interesting pendulous flowers in varying shades of pink and red. Their shiny black seeds are easy to germinate and before you know it you will have an impressive stand.

Digitalis parviflora      [Photo: sm med lg]

A perennial "Foxglove" that grows from a 6"-10" plant with flowing dark green foliage. In early Summer each plant sends up a slender spike of brilliant yellow, small pendulous flowers. It flowers for quite an extended period and will self seed graciously to form a lovely colony.

Diphylleia cymosa

Stand back and give this fellow some room, especially if your soil is moist and rich. Impressive, large scalloped leaves on 18-24" stems. Small white flowers in early Spring followed by dark berries. Foliage holds up well all season long. Prefers cool, really moist shade, but will do well in the average shade garden.

Disporopsis pernyii      [Photo: sm med lg]

Very interesting plant from the Himalayas. The two clones that we are producing are from Elizabeth Strangman at Washfield Nursery in Kent, England. One has clear white pendulous Disporum like flowers below the horizontally weeping sprays of dark green glossy foliage and the other form has dark stripes on the flowers. Plants grow to ??" tall and form a clump of 6-12 plants in a year or two.

Disporum lanuginosum

Nodding greenish yellow bell shaped flowers on a 12" 36" plant in mid Spring. light green, deeply veined foliage. Neat orange berries in late Summer through Autumn. Loves moist woodland conditions.

Disporum maculatum      [Photo: sm med lg]

What a great delight for very early Spring. Creamy white, frilly flowers festooned with fine chocolate speckles. After the flowers set seed the plant is adorned with pendulous red berries. Plants are 12-18" tall and prefer average to moist woodland conditions.

Disporum sessile variegata

Similar in habit and cultural requirements to the above Disporum species. However this variegated form of the Asian species is sort af aggressive. The drier the soil the less vigorously it will behave.

Diuranthera major      [Photo: sm med lg]

A hardy "Spider Plant"??? Yep, not only is this Chlorophytum (Hanging basket house plant) relative, hardy from the rootstock, but it will seed around and form a really cool colony of plants with long narrow foliage and thick stems of unusual white flowers with yellow anthers.

Dodecatheon meadia

Fragrant, white pendulous flowers resemble "Shooting Stars", hence the common moniker. A very early Spring bloomer fades away into the sunset once the upfacing capsules of seeds ripen to a rich brown color. This Primrose relative is very easy to grow from seed. Flower stalks emanate from a basal rosette and reach up 12-18". A large colony is quite a statement.

Dodecatheon meadia alba     [Photo: sm med lg]

Dorycnium hirsutum

Soft, silvery, furry foliage grace this sun loving, drought tolerant Mediterranean native. In the late Summer it is covered with pinkish white flowers. I'm not 100% confident about the hardiness, although it may have been in too moist a location to survive more than a few years.

Drosera rotundifolia     [Photo: sm med lg]

While carnivorous plants are not currently in our repertoire, I couldn't resist showing you this adorable little "Sundew" This was photographed in a bog of billions of them at the "Dolly Sods', a great natural area here in WV.

Echinacea purpurea

Echinops 'Arctic Glow'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Large white globular flowers on 24-30" stems. The lower part of the foliage starts getting a little ratty in mid Summer as the plant comes into flower. I recommend planting it in mid border so that something a little shorter can skirt the lower part of the plant.

Erythronium americanum      [Photo: sm med lg]

The first Wildflower that I learned when I moved to West Virginia and started exploring the woods around my farm. Brilliant yellow nodding flowers over supple, interestingly mottled foliage. Blooms March through April. 3-6" tall. Full shade to part sun.

Euonymus fortuneii 'Kewensis'

Adorable little "micro foliage" on a creepy crawly little plant that's a perfect ground cover in a rock garden or just about anywhere.

Eupatorium cannabinum 'Flore Plena'      [Photo: sm med lg]

This European "Joe Pye Weed" has lovely Marijuana-like foliage, unfortunately without the THC. We'll bail you out if you get busted with it, but no matter how naive your local fuzz is, when they see the double pink flowers that are sterile and last for weeks and weeks they'll ????????????.

Eupatorium fistulosum      [Photo: sm med lg]

Euphorbia 'Chameleon'

Dark burgundy foliage provides a great foil for the small yellow flowers on a 12" -24" plant. Self seeding can be a slight nuisance, but the seedlings pull up very easily.

Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow'      [Photo: sm med lg]      [Photo of flower: sm med lg]

Give this baby plenty of room as it loves to sprawl. The brilliant orange Poinsettia like flowers seemingly last for months as they slowly fade. Good cut flower.

x Euphorbia 'Jessie'      [Photo: sm med lg]

An interspecific cross between E. griffithii 'Fireglow' and E. polychroma with the best attributes of both in a totally different and unique plant. Erect stems up to 36" with brilliant yellow bracts, so intense that the color bleeds on to the upper leaves. But....the real kicker is the bright perfectly formed orange margin around each of the bracts. In tissue culture now, and multiplying quite well, thank you, it will be available to flower for you this Summer in limited quantity. Click for further information.

Euphorbia myrsinites      [Photo: sm med lg]

The bluish/green sprawling stems of this spurge resemble the old favorite house plant "Burros Tail". Brilliant flowers are produced in early Spring at the tip of each stem. I let it seed around the garden and who knows where it will pop up, wherever it does, it's welcome.

Euphorbia polychroma      [Photo: sm med lg]

Festuca 'Golden Toupee'

Soft golden yellow mounds of fine textured grassy foliage in the full sun. Slightly greener in the shade. 3-6". Average moisture.

Festuca armoricana

The "Breton Fescue" The common name was all the information that I could locate on this plant that seems to be a British native. It's really fine, "Angel Hair Pasta" like texture is a graceful addition to the front of a border. In full sun plants attain a height of about 6-9". The tan flowers in mid Summer are very interesting.

Galax urceolata

Full shade to part dun for this acid-loving East Coast native. Large, evergreen, glossy leaves and cool white flower spikes in mid Spring. Lovely fall color.

Galtonia candicans      [Photo: sm med lg]

There are three species in this South African genus, this is the most prolific. They're all easy to grow. The 8-12" long 2" wide leaves produce a 24-36 " flower spike with many pendulous white flowers in mid Summer. Full sun to part shade seems fine. Self-sown seedlings make an attractive display over the years.

Galtonia viride

Actually my favorite species in the genus. This is a smaller plant than the above, only growing 12-18" tall. Its pendulous flowers are a soft olive green color.

Gentiana fetisowii

A medium sized, 12-18" and somewhat sprawling Gentian from India I believe. A reliable, blue flowering plant for part sun and average moisture.

Gentiana tibetica      [Photo: sm med lg]

Large, strapping foliage holds up well all season and doesn't seem to garner interest from our slimy, sluggy friends. Makes a good Hosta companion. Unusual, smoky topaz flowers look good even after they are done blooming in mid-Summer.

Geranium 'Biokovo'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Copious amounts of pinkish white flowers in late Spring and then sporadically throughout the growing season over attractive somewhat dissected foliage. A former Perennial Plant Association plant of the Year.

Geranium macrorhizum 'Spessart'

This is a very fast growing selection of the species. The large foliage is fragrant and its dark purple flowers are produced in abundance. Full sun to part shade

Geranium maculatum      [Photo: sm med lg]

Our native woodland Geranium flowers in mid Spring to early Summer. It grows well in just about any soil in just about any location. The variable colored flowers range from magenta to purple on 12-18" plants. I'm on the trail of an elusive white form. Stay tuned kids.

Geranium'Walters Gift'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Very interesting garnet markings on the foliage make this a very worthwhile plant to grow even if it didn't have lovely pink and white flowers. Quick to form a nice clump and happy in full sun to part shade.

Geum 'Georgenburg'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Imagine Apricot flowers held close to attractive, evergreen foliage and you'll know this plant. In a year, you'll have a 12" clump from a 2" pot.

Gladiolus 'Green Queen'      [Photo: sm med lg]

My own selection and somewhat similar to the below described, interspecific cross. Lime green flowers, perhaps the tiniest bit showier (I hesitated to use the word gaudy as this is how I feel about most of the modern hybrids) than the species.

Gladiolus x gandavensis

In 1826 in the town of LeMoine France, Louis Van Houte crossed two species, Gladiolus natalensis with Gladiolus oppositiflorus and created the first Gladiola hybrid. What a great feat had he accomplished. For all of the amazing and sometimes gaudy hybrids that followed, this, IMHO (in my humble opinion) is still the best. A 2" pot makes a 12"-18" clump in less than 2 years of graceful iris-like foliage. In mid-Summer, dozens of 24" stems are graced with the softest yellow flowers painted with a delicate red blush in the throat. And to top all this off, its been hardy outside for over 10 years in my brutal zone 5 garden. WOW!!!

Goodyera pubescens      [Photo: sm med lg]

A cute little woodland orchid species with beautiful, silvery veined foliage and interesting spikes of small white flowers.

Hedera helix 'Gold Heart'      [Photo: sm med lg]

You won't mind pruning out an occasional reversion to all green when you see how this English Ivy cultivar glows in the shade with its golden leaf hearts. It's been quite hardy for me for well over 10 years now.

Hedera helix 'Congesta

One of the weirdest plants that I've ever grown. This erect "English Ivy" has the tiniest of leaves that are so close together, you can't even see the stem. I've never grown it outside so I can't attest to its hardiness. Though, it just may be. It is however a plant that's sure to arouse a conversation.

Hedera helix 'Japan'      [Photo: sm med lg]

Not really sure about the hardiness of this one either. Dan Heims gave me a piece of this Japanese named cultivar several years ago. I planted it outside one year and it didn't make it. I haven't gotten around to trying it again, but it makes a great hanging basket plant with its beautiful creamy white variegation.

Hedera helix 'Treetop'

This is the adult form of the species. Named by Richard Davis of Ivy Farm several years ago. It is shrub-like in appearance and supposedly hardy to zone 5. Interesting flowers and dark black berries on a 24-36" plant.

Hedyotis caerulea      [Photo: sm med lg]

Ahhhh, "Bluets". Formerly Houstonia caerulea. You can give her a new name, but she's still just as sweet as ever. Creamy blue flowers from a tight little clump in the very early Spring. Flowers shoot up about 6-9" from the basal clump. Full sun or part shade.

Hellebores are a specialty of the house. See Focus on Hellebores for articles and picture galleries of plants in our large-scale Helleborus x hybridus breeding program as well as Helleborus species.