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

Acanthus spinosus

Acanthus spinosus (bear’s breeches)

Acanthus spinosus has shiny dark green leaves which are deeply dissected and tipped with spines (hence deer resistant). The handsome foliage adds great coarse texture to a partial shaded garden. Features pure white, snapdragon-like flowers surrounded by contrasting spiny purple bracts that last all season. Large flower spikes... 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

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

Thelypteris palustris

Marsh fern

This perennial fern has upright compound leaves whose leaflets are often slightly curved and twisted. The root system is rhizomatous and fibrous and can form dense colonies and performs as a wonderfully as a ground cover. Marsh fern... 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

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

Polygonatum pubescens

Hairy Solomon’s seal

This Solomon’s seal prefers partial sun to medium shade, moist conditions, and organic soils.  It is a wonderful spring blooming plant with white tubular flowers gracing arching stems.  Flowers give way to large blue fruit... 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 divaricata 'May Breeze' 

Woodland phlox

This plant feature oodles of white flowers in May that appear to float above narrow, pointed leaves which die back after blooming. In summer, new growth spreads along low stems and more rounded, dark green foliage appears. Plants will self-sow and create great drifts that blend well with other woodland native in... 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

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