Lobelia siphilitica

Lobelia siphilitica (great blue lobelia)

Lobelia siphilitica is a clump forming perennial that thrives in a moist location.  It adapts well to different light conditions like sun or shade as long as it has consistent moisture.  The tubular blue flowers start to bloom in July and continue into September.  Hummingbirds are enticed by these flowers. ... more

Kirengeshoma palmata

Kirengeshoma palmata (yellow wax bells)

Yellow wax bells is a large shade-loving herbaceous perennial native to mountainous areas of Japan and Korea. It offers a shrub-like habit, coarse texture, and pale-yellow flowers from late summer to early fall. This elegant plant in the... more

Bergenia ‘Winterglut’

Bergenia ‘Winterglut’ (pigsqueak)

Pig squeak, named because of the noise produced by rubbing a leaf between thumb and finger, is a clump-forming perennial which is primarily grown as a ground cover and features large rosettes... more

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern)

One of the easiest and most rewarding hardy ferns, this selection performs well in any rich, evenly moist soil. It forms a compact clump of fronds, dark green in colour, overlaid in olive and silvery-pewter, with contrasting... more

Athyrium otophorum

Athyrium otophorum (eared lady fern)

Athyrium otophorum, commonly called eared lady fern, is a deciduous, Asian woodland species which typically grows to 18″ tall and features erect, triangular, dusky green fronds with dark burgundy stems. Young pale green fronds emerge throughout the growing... more

Astilbe ‘Deutschland’

Astilbe ‘Deutschland’ (astilbe)

 Plants are characterized by graceful, fern-like mounds of mostly basal leaves.  Plumes of snow white, feathery flowers create a very showy landscape accent in moist areas in a shaded to dappled shade setting. ‘Deutschland’, a hybrid cultivar of Japanese... more

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

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 vaseyi ‘Spring Spangle’

Deciduous azalea ‘Spring Spangle’

This is a deciduous azalea that produces clusters of pink flowers in mid-spring and has wonderful red-purple fall color. Can take sun or shade. An excellent azalea for our area. Only... 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

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

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

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

Hydrangea quercifolia

Oakleaf hydrangea

This outstanding shrub is native to the southeastern U.S. where it inhabits moist wooded slopes, ravines, and the banks of streams. Hydrangea quercifolia is one of two hydrangeas native to... more

Vaccinium corymbosum

Highbush blueberry

Blueberries are members of the heath family (Ericaceae). Vaccinium corymbosum has significant value for wildlife and for enhancement of our landscape. Its rhododendron and azalea cousins may have very showy... more