My North Creek Nurseries Wish List

A fantastic native with large, fine-textured feathery blooms in late Spring. Though closely related to Spiraea, goat's beard more closely resembles a giant Astilbe. When happy, Aruncus can be a formidable garden plant, reaching a spread of 6 feet or more. It is lovely when used at woods edge and it can provide a dense screen beneath a high canopy.

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!

Bunny Blue® is a low growing, evergreen, native sedge with silver-blue foliage. Use as a ground cover or specimen plant for moist to average shady areas. 

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. 

A versatile native grass with bamboo-like foliage and delightful nodding seed heads that rustle in the breeze from late summer to winter. It grows in most sites and is a quite vigorous groundcover when given consistent moisture and sun. It is better behaved in average garden conditions and in shade. A unique cut flower in fresh or dry arrangements.

Dryopteris x australis is a natural hybrid (D. celsa x ludoviciana) found in wild populations from Louisiana to Virginia, but is a superb garden plant as far north as Zone 5. It is taller than either parent and a formidable addition to the garden.

Another great selection for the East Coast bred by Charles Oliver of the Primrose Path. With its H. villosa heritage, it is vigorous and long-lived. Stunningly beautiful velvety purple leaves with darker veins are topped with pale pink pearl-like flowers in late spring. Definitely one of our favorites!

A bright new foliage color for shady sites! Golden yellow, oval leaves with reddish edges support 2" gold flowers with pincushion-like center clustered stamens in late spring and early summer. You will hardly notice the flowers in the sea of gold foliage. This plant is most content in cooler areas away from drying winter winds, although once established it is quite tough.

This delightful selection of our native crested iris came to us from Don Shadow in Winchester, TN. 'Tennessee White' is a vigorous spreader and prolific bloomer, covering the fan-like foliage with brilliant white flowers in spring, each accented with delicate yellow crests. Its late spring show starts earlier and lasts longer than the other selections we've tried.

A seed cultivar with upright silver stems covered in a mist of lavender-blue flowers. The perfect plant to intermingle textures in flower borders, it is tough as steel and adds cool color through the late summer. A favorite of butterflies and bumblebees, avoided by deer, and able to withstand the baking and sweltering temperatures of summer—what’s not to like?

A long-hoped-for color break in garden Salvia. Ernst Pagels selected it for bluer flowers and compact habit. Insect and disease resistant, long flowered and tough as its brethren to follow. Attracts birds, butterflies and bees.

A dense mat of conifer-like blue foliage forms a tight, weed resistant groundcover in any sunny location. In June deep mauve pink stems rise to 10" and are topped with brilliant yellow flowers. 'Blue Spruce' grows quickly and is easy to maintain even in the most unwelcome of sites. Great for rock walls, green roofs, walkways and containers. Evergreen in warmer zones.

Chris Hansen has done it again! Lime green foliage with a crisp, contrasting red edge. Hot pink flower heads last for weeks through late summer into fall, and don't flop or fade! A perfect addition to the front of the perennial border, and works great in containers.