Zizia aurea

Golden Alexander

Golden Alexander is a member of the carrot family and is easy to grow. Although short-lived, it will self-seed and adapt to a variety of soil and light conditions. It has persisted in the Wildflower Garden in full shade for many years but is much... more

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Large cranberry

Large cranberry is a creeping shrub with small alternate oval leaves.  The delicate pink to white flower petals recurve to form a Turk’s cap and bloom in mid to late... more

Sedum ternatum 'Larinem Park' 

Wild stonecrop

A sedum for shade!  Yup, this Sedum is a beautiful low-growing groundcover for the shady garden, covered with flowers in masses of small white stars in the early spring.  This plant usually grows... more

Evergreen azalea ‘Compacta’

A long name for a short plant. The Korean azalea, Rhododendron yedoense, is one of the main sources of cold hardiness for the evergreen azaleas grown in our area. ‘Compacta’ is a dwarf selection of the otherwise large-growing species. Lavender flowers are produced... more

Rhododendron ‘Wintergreen’

Evergreen azalea ‘Wintergreen’

Polly Hill was an exceptional plantswoman from Martha’s Vineyard.  Many of Polly’s azaleas are interspecific hybrids involving an incredibly compact azalea from Taiwan called Rhododendron nakaharae. ‘Wintergreen’ has light red blooms mid-June into... more

Rhododendron ‘Pink Pancake’

Evergreen azalea ‘Pink Pancake’

Polly Hill was an exceptional plantswoman from Martha’s Vineyard.  Many of Polly’s azaleas are interspecific hybrids involving an incredibly compact azalea from Taiwan called Rhododendron nakaharae. ‘Pink Pancake’ is a flat grower,... more

Rhododendron ‘Mangetsu’

Evergreen azalea ‘Mangetsu’

A mounding, dwarf azalea selection. This cultivar, and another (‘Komo Kulshan’), is often attributed to a Japanese species called the Kyushu azalea, Rhododendron kiusianum. But azaleas are promiscuous, and this may be a hybrid. Flowers are white with purple... more

Rhododendron ‘Komo Kulshan’

Evergreen azalea ‘Komo Kulshan’

A favorite of the staff at the David G. Leach Research Station. This cultivar, and another offered this year (‘Mangetsu’), is often attributed to a Japanese species called the Kyushu azalea, Rhododendron kiusianum. But azaleas... more

Rhododendron ’Joseph Hill’

Evergreen azalea ’Joseph Hill’

Polly Hill was an exceptional plantswoman from Martha’s Vineyard. Many of Polly’s azaleas are interspecific hybrids involving an incredibly compact azalea from Taiwan called Rhododendron nakaharae. ‘Joseph Hill’ is a trailing, red-flowered evergreen shrub that makes an excellent... more

Rhododendron ‘Bowie’

Lepidote rhododendron

‘Bowie’, pronounced like “buoy”, is an intraspecific hybrid, scaly-leaved rhododendron, meaning it is the result of crossing the Appalachian native Rhododendron minus with the Florida Panhandle endemic Rhododendron minus var. chapmanii. Flip the leaves over and you’ll see tiny scales across the surface. A good... more

Rhododendron austrinum

Deciduous azalea

Rhododendron austrinum, the Florida flame azalea, is a deciduous azalea that produces clusters of yellow to orange, sweetly fragrant flowers in May. Though native to the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, and southeastern Mississippi, Rhododendron austrinum has proven... more

Rhododendron arborescens x cumberlandense ‘Camp’s Red’ Cross #13-185

Deciduous azalea ‘Camp’s Red’ Cross

Most of David Leach’s azalea hybrids have the same pedigree: Rhododendron arborescens x cumberlandense. These are some of our favorite azaleas at the David G. Leach Research Station. In 2013 Dr. Stephen Krebs remade this cross and grew out... more

Polygonatum biflorum

Great Solomon’s seal

Great Solomon’s Seal has long, arching stems that dangle cream-colored flowers in early spring. It spreads slowly by rhizomes in optimal conditions. Large purple seeds and golden leaves add interest in fall.  Great Solomon’s seal can grow in full sun if provided adequate... more

Phlox paniculata 'Laura'

Garden phlox

This garden phlox cultivar is easy to grow and purportedly mildew resistant, preferring full sun and moist, humus-rich soil. The dense flowers of phlox ‘Laura’ are deep lavender purple with a white eye and appear in later summer and will last until early fall.   ... more

Paeonia ITOH 'Canary Brilliants'

Peony ‘Canary Brilliants’

A showy mid- to late season bloomer with lush green foliage that produces long, sturdy stems of semi-double to fully double blooms with a light, spicy fragrance. Flower color ranges... more

Meehania cordata 

Creeping mint

Named for Philadelphia botanist, Thomas Meehan, creeping mint is a sturdy perennial groundcover and a great substitute for nonnative ground covers like Lamium or Ajuga. Meehania cordata has long, trailing stems run across the... more

Maianthemum stellatum 

Star-flowered Solomon’s seal

Maianthemum stellatum is a creeping rhizomatous perennial that is native to moist woods, slopes, prairies and meadows.  Each stem is topped in May-June by a 2-3″ long terminal raceme containing 6-15 white to greenish-white, 6-tepaled,... more

Carex plantaginea

Seersucker sedge

Carex plantaginea is an attractive, clump forming woodland sedge that will perform well in partly shaded moist, humus-rich woods. It can tolerate difficult dry conditions once established. The leaves are broad and semi-evergreen with a striking lime green color and puckered surface and provide a nice textural aspect in a... more

Camassia scilloides

Wild hyacinth

This flood plain and moist prairie plant is a member of the lily family and is characterized by small bulbs, like those of a small tulip in size and shape. Light blue-violet flowers begin to bloom in late May and progress from the bottom toward... more

Baptisia australis 

Blue false indigo

The perennial features bluish purple, pea-like flowers which appear in late spring. The flowers appear to sit atop a mound of bluish green foliage. It is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun and is exceptionally drought tolerant once established. Blue false... more

Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet' 

Swamp milkweed ‘Ice Ballet’ 

A white flowering version of swamp milkweed, it is easily grown in medium to wet soils in full sun but is also tolerant of average well-drained soils in cultivation.  ‘Ice Ballet’ is a compact, white-flowered form... more

Arisaema dracontium

Green dragon

Arisaema dracontium is similar to Jack-in-the pulpit, except green dragon usually has only one large, compound leaf divided into 7-15 lance-shaped leaflets.  In addition, the spadix is green and lacks the distinctive purple striping of Jack. ... more

Anemone canadensis

Canada anemone

This is a strong growing plant that needs room to move.  White single flowers bloom from mid spring to early summer.  This competitive plant is great for naturalizing a large area and will brighten up woodland edges... more

Fothergilla

Fothergilla

Fothergilla is a charming shrub native to the southeastern United States. The name of the genus, which has also become the common name, honors John Fothergill (1712-1780), a Quaker physician... more