A strong-growing plant that needs room to move. Clear white single flowers top out at 18" from mid spring to early summer. A robust and competitive native plant that brightens up woodland edges and shady corners of the garden. Combines well with other spring-blooming perennials such as Polemonium, Sisyrinchium and Mertensia.
Red flowers with yellow centers hang like drifts of softly illuminated lanterns in April and May. Excellent as a shady rock garden naturalizer, it also is quite content in average garden conditions. Occurs naturally in rich rocky woods, north-facing slopes, cliffs, ledges, pastures, and roadside banks. Native to all states east of the Rockies, but not found in Louisiana.
Clouds of blue flowers in early fall in shade! A great naturalizer under trees, at the edge of woods, or as a filler among Hostas and Astilbes, which look pretty rough by September. Found in woods and dry meadows.
Who can resist plants with great names? Aster 'Lady in Black' is an elegant 3-4' mound of purplish-black strappy leaves smothered in red-centered tiny white daisies in late summer and early fall. A stronger, more statuesque sister of Aster 'Prince' that will thrive in average soil in sun or part shade, but shows best foliage coloration in full sun. Thousands of flowers per plant—a butterfly's dream!
Local Mid-Atlantic native of moist to wet meadows. Flowers may vary in shades of pink, purple and white and bloom in early fall, which is late August and early September here in PA.
Strong-growing and dependable, the lady ferns are great garden plants. This selection from the New England Wildflower Society features red stems, making it a great choice to combine with purple-leaved plants. Tough and easy to grow, this beauty is the right choice for perennial borders and woodlands alike. A breathtaking flush of new fronds appears in the spring, with new leaves appearing throughout the season for a continuously fresh look.
A fine-textured sedge that resembles palm fronds? How strange! Naturally occuring in moist habitats such as low, swampy woods and wet meadows, this native cool-season sedge adds textural interest to any planting.
Lustrous, deep green foliage is topped in August and September with rose pink, turtle-head-shaped flowers. Red stems persist most of the season. Bronze green early season growth is another distinctive feature.
Blooming in late summer-early fall, this vigorous native Clematis virginiana is covered in showy, sweetly-scented white flowers that are 1" across. A fine addition to fences, on trellises, or trained up trees, Virgin's bower grows 12-20' tall. Commonly found in moist, woodland edge areas east of the Mississippi, it grows well in full sun but also can tolerate dry shade.
A spectactular introduction from Itsaul Plants, this stunning little guy seems to always be in bloom. A cross between 'Zamphir' and 'Early Sunrise', it has broader fluted petals, a compact habit and an extended flowering season. Responds beautifully to cutting back, but will rebloom without it.
A 2013 All-America Selection Award Winner, and for good reason - they’re durable, easy to grow and gorgeous! A delightful mix of colors from rich purples, pinks, reds and oranges to lighter yellows, creams and whites makes a bold statement in a perennial border, butterfly garden or patio container. Drought tolerant and low maintenance, these coneflowers do not require deadheading to maintain their flower power! The spent blooms turn to seeds, providing winter food for songbirds and architectural interest.
Erigeron pulchellus var. pulchellus 'Lynnhaven Carpet'
Common Name: Robin's plantain
We love this form of E. pulchellus which has large grey-green foliage and a mat-forming habit. It thrives in a wide range of conditions and forms a tight groundcover that is less than 6" tall. An easy to grow, carefree native perennial perfectly suited for moderate sunlight to full shade.
A unique and eye-catching plant for a dry, sunny site. Slightly spiny leaves are arranged in a rosette that resembles Yucca. Flower stems shoot skyward in summer and are topped with thistle-like bluish silver flowers. An architectural addition to the perennial border or meadow. Found in moist and dry sandy soils in open woods, fields, and prairies from Virginia to Minnesota, south to Texas and Florida.
An early blooming, petite Salvia! Blooming a month earlier than the popular 'May Night', Salvia 'April Night' provides lush violet-blue blooms from spring to summer.
An upright and clump forming native grass with spiky blades of blue and green. Wispy silvery flowers bloom in late summer, followed by a spectacular display of fall color changing from green and orange to deep burgundy. Remains attractive as an architectural feature through winter.
An eastern meadow native that provides weeks of color in mid-summer. Purple flowers top bushy green plants. Found at wood's edge and in sunny meadows from New York to Arkansas.
Compact, smoky blue-gray foliage makes an attractive groundcover throughout the season. Raspberry-pink flower heads range in diameter from 6-8” and put on a dazzling display from late summer to fall. A lovely accent to cut flower arrangements. From the breeding program of Chris Hansen.
Another fantastic Mt. Cuba introduction. A stunning show of sprays of golden yellow flowers from mid-August through September. Semievergreen heart-shaped leaves. Truly an excellent groundcover and bee and butterfly charmer! Hairstreaks, sulphurs and skippers are particularly attracted to goldenrod. Monarchs visit it during their autumn migration.