2012 CATALOGUE: A to Z
CAROLYN’S SHADE GARDENS
325 South Roberts Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-525-4664
carolynsshadegardens@verizon.net
SPRING 2012 GENERAL CATALOGUE
Welcome to Carolyn’s Shade Gardens, a nursery specializing in perennial flowering plants that thrive without full sun and a two-acre ornamental garden open for tours. Plants are chosen to suit all types of shady areas with an emphasis on the many showy and colorful flowers that flourish in full shade. I offer an especially good selection of hellebores, snowdrops and other unusual bulbs, pulmonarias, hostas, primroses, ferns, phlox, and hardy geraniums. I also list a wide selection of over 80 hard-to-find native plants.
When you visit my nursery, you can tour my production and display beds where I grow plants completely organically in the ground. The display beds allow visitors to see the well-labeled plants in a variety of landscape settings. All my perennials are low maintenance: I never fertilize or spray (except for deer) and rarely water. Every plant on my list flourishes in the Delaware Valley area on my low maintenance regime.
The Spring 2012 Catalogue describes this season’s selections, including over 300 offerings, with over 50 new this year. Most plants are in 6 to 6.5” pots, a size much larger than you would receive through the mail. (I reuse pots so feel free to drop off round pots with the numbers 100 to 400 on the bottom and any square pots. I also reuse cardboard boxes.)
I sell most of my plants at four spring and two fall open house sales plus special events. Each open house is staffed by knowledgeable plant fanatics (thanks everyone) who can help you make choices suited to your particular landscape conditions. The open houses are social occasions for meeting friends and fellow gardeners, touring my gardens to get ideas, and buying plants.
Finally, many thanks to my loyal customers for their continued business and referrals. My business grows through referrals so please forward this email with my catalogue to all your gardening friends. Please consider recommending Carolyn’s Shade Gardens to your garden club or horticultural organization. If you wish to be added to my customer email list, just email me your full name and phone number.
I look forward to showing you my garden!
Carolyn
Carolyn’s Shade Gardens will open on March 15, 2012
2012 Spring Open House Sales, Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm (rain or shine)
A full selection of plants is available at each sale, but the following plants
will be featured (dates subject to change):
March 24
Winter Blooming Shade Plants
Hellebore Extravaganza
April 7
Bulb & Native Wildflower Day
April 14
Early Spring-blooming Shade Plants
Corydalis, Phlox, Lamium, Primroses
May 12
Spring-blooming Shade Plants
Hostas, Ferns, Hardy Geraniums
June 9
Summer & Fall Blooming Shade Plants
Turtlehead, Lobelia, Anemone, Ligularia
How to purchase plants:
- attend an open house sale or special event
- email and schedule an appointment for you or your group to shop
- schedule a tour for your gardening group—self-guided tours are free
- for garden viewing only, please come during an open house sale
Blog/Website: The best way to get information about and photos of the plants I sell is to subscribe to my blog by going to http://carolynsshadegardens.com/ and entering your email in the upper right hand corner.
Directions: For directions, please follow this link to my website, http://carolynsshadegardens.com/directions/.
Guarantee:
All plants are guaranteed to be true to name as labeled and healthy when they leave the nursery. Full refunds will be given for any plants that don’t meet these conditions if they are returned within two weeks of sale. Because I can’t control environmental aspects after sale, I do not guarantee that any specific plant will thrive in any specific environment. However, please don’t hesitate to discuss with me any problems you may encounter.
Paper Copies: Copies of the plant list are available at the nursery. If you wish to print it yourself, it is 11 pages long.
Photographs: To find a photograph, go to www.google.com, type in the Latin name of the plant including cultivar name, and click images. You will also find photos of the new plants on my website, http://carolynsshadegardens.com/, as I feature them in blog posts.
Pricing: This plant list is intended as a reference resource. Specific pricing is available by email or when shopping at the nursery.
Reference Line:
New (added or returning this year)
Light Requirements: S=Full Sun, PSH=Part Shade, FSH=Full Shade; Height; Cultural Conditions
Acanthus Bear’s Breeches
PSH 2-3’ well-drained soil, winter protection
Bear’s breeches’ 2’ long sculptural leaves and striking 3’ flower stalks provide a bold look in the garden. A. mollis has glossy, deeply lobed leaves and rosy-purple flowers. A. spinosus has thistle like leaves and purple and white blooms.
Ajuga reptans ‘Black Scallop’ Bugleweed
S-PSH 3-6” average to moist soil
Even the many spikes of deep blue flowers in late spring and early summer are outshone by the gorgeous glossy leaves, which are a burgundy so dark it is almost black. Excellent spreading groundcover with almost year round presence.
Anemone x hybrida Japanese Anemone
S-almost FSH 18” leaves/3’ flowers tough conditions
These late-blooming beauties are extremely floriferous with dozens of large, single to double flowers–in shades ranging from deep rose to white–held high above the leaves. You can count on a beautiful display from late August into November. One of my favorites!
Anemone nemorosa cultivars
European Wood Anemone
PSH-FSH 2-4” woodland conditions
European wood anemone forms dense colonies of ferny leaves in woodland sites. In April, ‘Alba Plena’ has pure white, double flowers, ‘Bractiata’ has very unusual fringed white flowers with green and blue streaks, and A. ranunculoides has yellow flowers. Rarely available for sale. New Available for the first time this year, a very limited quantity of a pink-flowered form I originally purchased from the old Heronswood. Summer dormant.
Anemone sylvestris Snowdrop Anemone
PSH 12” well-drained, organic soil
Fragrant white flowers first bloom in April and May and then rebloom sporadically from August to late November. The dark green, finely cut leaves are attractive all season.
Aquilegia alpina & A. a. ‘Alba’ Alpine Columbine
S-PSH 1-2’ easy, self-sows
The beautiful, dark blue or white (‘Alba’) flowers cover a long season from spring through summer. The attractive, light green leaves should be cut back in summer to produce lush new growth through late fall.
Aquilegia canadensis & cultivars Wild Columbine
PSH-FSH 15-36” well-drained soil, native
Wild columbine’s yellow flowers with scarlet spurs consistently attract hummingbirds to my garden from April through June. ‘Little Lanterns’ is a compact version of the species. ‘Corbett’ is a yellow-flowered form. Native to PA.
Arisaema species Jack-in-the-Pulpit
PSH-FSH 1-2’ tough woodland plant, native
A treasured spring woodland wildflower, jack-in-the-pulpit’s are enjoyed by children of all ages. A. triphyllum has three-part leaves, hooded flowers with purple stripes, and orange berries. New A. draconitum or green dragon has one leaf with up to 15 leaflets and a long dragon-like tongue extending from the flower, orange berries follow. Summer dormant, native to PA.
Arum italicum cultivars Italian Arum
S-FSH 12-18” easy
‘Pictum’ is a wonderful plant with practically year- round interest from leaves, flowers, and fruit. The arrow-shaped, evergreen leaves, which emerge in fall and last through winter, are dark glossy green marbled with silver. The flower, a light green spathe (like a jack-in-the-pulpit), is followed by bright red berries. An elegant addition to the shady border–people can’t pass mine without commenting on their beauty. ‘Tiny Tot’ is a rare miniature with distinct markings (available only through the Snowdrop Catalogue). Summer dormant.
Aruncus aethusifolius Dwarf Goatsbeard
PSH-FSH 12” average to dry soil
I grow this plant as much for its finely cut, ferny leaves as for the delicate white plumes that cover it from late May to early July. The leaves turn a beautiful yellow in fall and nicely set off the orange seedheads.
Aruncus dioicus Goatsbeard
PSH-FSH 4-6’ slow to establish, native
Goatsbeard performs more like a shrub in the garden, sending up huge, creamy-white, feathery plumes in early summer. The ferny, compound leaves provide excellent texture and remain attractive all season. Native to PA.
ASARUM: Wild-gingers are a wonderfully elegant accent plant for the shade garden and an excellent slowly spreading groundcover. Plant in PSH-FSH and well-drained, organic soil.
A. canadense (Wild), 6”, gray-green, heart-shaped leaves, excellent groundcover, native to PA.
A. europaeum (European), 3”, shiny, round leaves, evergreen.
A. splendens (Chinese), 6”, silver-splashed leaves.
Aster cordifolius Blue Wood Aster
PSH-FSH 2-3’ average to dry soil, native
Blue wood aster produces a beautiful blue haze in the fall. Use it as a specimen to cover up tired hosta or for naturalizing in dry woods. The gray-green leaves have attractive purple highlights. Native to PA.
Astilbe cultivars Astilbe
PSH 18-24” average to wet soil
Astilbes are great all-purpose shade plants. My cultivars have snow-white (‘Deutschland’), rose (‘Hennie Graafland’), and ruby red (‘Red Sentinel’) plumes in May and June. Other cultivars will also be available.
Astilbe chinensis & ‘Pumila’ Chinese Astilbe
PSH 12-24” takes heat and drought
Chinese astilbe extends the astilbe palette by doing well in hotter conditions and blooming later. It sends up raspberry plumes in July and August, which form long-lasting ornamental seedheads. Its attractive, dark green leaves are mat-forming. ‘Pumila’ is a dwarf form.
Begonia grandis & B. g. ‘Alba’ Hardy Begonia
PSH-FSH 2-3’ average to moist soil
Hardy begonia is the ultimate shade plant. It has pink or white (‘Alba’), begonia-like flowers from August through October surrounded by silver-speckled leaves with red highlights. The seedheads are also pink and, along with the red stems, remain ornamental into late November. It does not come up until May.
Brunnera macrophylla & cultivars Siberian Bugloss
PSH-FSH 12-18” average to dry soil, very adaptable
Grow brunnera for its beautiful blue forget-me-not flowers in April and May and its large heart-shaped leaves. It is very tough and multiplies in my woodland. I also offer a selection of the best variegated cultivars including ‘Jack Frost’, ‘Variegata’, and ‘Dawson’s White’.
Camassia leichtlinii ‘Coerulea’ Camassia
S-FSH 2-3’ adaptable to clay soil, US native
Camassia is one of the most striking and admired plants in my woodland. In May, it produces an upright stalk loaded with starry slate blue flowers held well above its elegant, vase-shaped leaves. Summer dormant.
Campanula Bellflower
S-PSH 4-8” spreading
Great plants for edges, rock gardens, or walls, bellflowers are covered with hundreds of lavender-blue blooms in late spring through early summer. ‘Blue Waterfalls’ has a cascading habit and produces an abundance of flowers. C. poscharskyana spreads to form a mat and can take almost full shade.
Carex cultivars Native Sedge PSH-FSH 10-24” easy, native
I have recently discovered how well native sedges do in my tough woodland conditions and the beautiful colors they add. ‘Bunny Blue’ has wide silvery blue leaves that remain ornamental for most of the winter, native from Ohio west. ‘Oehme’ has gold-edged green leaves and an unusual form resembling a miniature palm tree, native to PA.
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Plumbago
S-almost FSH 9-12” easy, groundcover
Plumbago weaves through all the sunny and shady beds on the front side of my house, taking over from the spring bulbs as they fade. Mid-summer through fall, brilliant blue flowers top the bright green leaves, which turn deep red in autumn—a striking groundcover.
Chasmanthium latifolium Northern Sea Oats
S-FSH 3’ easy, self-sows, native
This shade-loving ornamental grass is grown for its beautiful oat-like spikes, which form in July on delicately arching stems and remain attractive until the following spring. Great orange fall color and excellent winter interest. Native to PA.
Chelone lyonii & C. l. ‘Hot Lips’ Pink Turtlehead
PSH 2-4’ average to wet soil, native
One of the most beautiful sights in my fall garden is the pink turtlehead in bloom. The shiny, dark green leaves set off the tubular pink blooms perfectly. Pale green seedpods are quite ornamental into November, native to eastern US.
Chionodoxa forbesii Glory-of-the-Snow
S-FSH 5-8” easy
Winterthur has beautiful naturalized masses of glory-of-the-snow in its woodlands, and my patch is spreading nicely under my star magnolia. In early spring, upward-facing, starry sky blue flowers with a white center cover the ground. ‘Pink Giant’ is a very vigorous pink-flowered form. Summer dormant.
New Cimicifuga (Actaea) racemosa Black Cohosh
PSH-FSH 4-6’ organic soil, native
More like a shrub than a perennial, black cohosh creates a dramatic effect in the late summer woodland garden with its 1 to 2’ long creamy-white flowers on 4 to 5’ stems, beautiful fragrance, and attractive foliage. Native to PA.
Convallaria majalis cultivars Lily-of-the-valley
PSH-FSH 6-8” easy to grow
I finally have enough of these two rare lily-of-the-valleys to offer some for sale. ‘Rosea’ has pink flowers and green leaves, and ‘Albostriata’ has white flowers and striking yellow-striped leaves.
CORYDALIS: Corydalis are ideal shade plants. They all grow in PSH to FSH and well-drained to dry soil (although they seem to grow everywhere in my garden). They are very long-blooming and have beautiful leaves that often remain ornamental through winter (note that C. solida goes dormant immediately after flowering).
C. cheilanthifolia (Fern-leafed Corydalis), 10”, bright yellow flowers in spring and ferny, bronze leaves.
C. lutea (Yellow Corydalis), 15”, fragrant yellow flowers all season and blue-green, finely divided leaves.
C. solida ‘Beth Evans’, 6”, striking pink tubular flowers above glaucous ferny leaves, reliable, summer dormant, very rare.
C. solida ‘George P. Baker’, 6”, eye-catching bright coral red flowers over feathery leaves, summer dormant, very rare.
C. solida subsp. incisa, 6”, bluish violet flowers in early spring, summer dormant, very rare.
C. tashorii, 18-24”, arching, ferny, powder blue leaves and many pale yellow flowers in spring.
Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’ Snow Crocus
S-FSH 4-6” well-drained
‘Ruby Giant’ is an uncommon very early-blooming crocus with striking violet-purple flowers. Naturalizes. Very rodent resistant.
CYCLAMEN: The flowers and leaves of hardy cyclamen look exactly like miniature florist cyclamen. The unusual leaves come up in late summer and are round and dark green with elegant silver markings. Hardy cyclamen are ornamental through winter and disappear during summer. They grow in PSH to FSH and very well-drained soil (even between roots).
C. coum, pink flowers in spring; small, round wintergreen leaves marked with silver.
C. hederifolium, pink flowers in fall; large, unusually shaped and beautifully marked wintergreen leaves.
Dicentra eximia & hybrids Wild Bleeding-heart
PSH-FSH 12-18” well-drained soil, native
Wild bleeding-heart flowers nonstop from April to November. The blooms are pink, and the gray-green leaves are fine-textured and ferny. Native to PA. ‘Luxuriant’ is a vigorous native hybrid with substantial dark pink flowers.
Dicentra spectabilis & cultivars Bleeding-heart
PSH-FSH 2-3’ tolerant of many conditions
In May and June, bleeding-heart produces arching wands of pink and white or pure white (‘Alba’) heart-shaped flowers. With its shrub-like stature, it is breathtaking in full bloom. Its blue-gray, bright green (‘Alba’), or golden (‘Gold Heart’) leaves and fine texture provide a beautiful background.
Disporum sessile ‘Variegatum’
Variegated Japanese Fairy Bells
PSH-FSH 12-18” easy, spreading
You have been asking for this plant for years, and I finally have enough to sell. It looks like a dark green and white striped Solomon’s seal with elegant pendent flowers. Spreads to form colonies even in dry shade.
Doronicum pardalianches Leopard’s Bane
PSH-FSH 24-30” biennial woodland plant
Unlike other leopard’s banes, this species produces seedlings to return reliably year after year in my woodland. Very clean fuzzy green leaves are topped by cheerful yellow daisies in mid-spring in full shade. Excellent for naturalizing under trees, very rare.
EPIMEDIUM: Epimediums are great for dry shade and make very effective groundcovers. They are also beautiful front-of-the-border specimens for early spring. Their heart-shaped, usually evergreen leaves provide almost four-season interest, including lovely fall color. PSH-FSH, well-drained to dry soil.
E. grandiflorum ‘Lilafee’, 8”, purple flowers with white highlights over chocolate purple leaves, excellent purple fall color.
E. x perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten’, 12”, very intense yellow flowers and beautiful uniform evergreen leaves.
E. pinnatum subsp. colchicum, 10”, bright yellow flowers with red spurs over evergreen leaves.
E. x rubrum, 10”, crimson flowers with white spurs and attractive red-highlighted leaves.
E. x warleyense, 8”, bright orange flowers over evergreen leaves.
E. x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’, 12”, yellow and white flowers that look like miniature daffodils and glossy, red-highlighted leaves.
Eranthis hyemalis Winter Aconite
S-FSH 3-4” naturalizes
Winter aconite is a winter-blooming plant with bright yellow buttercup flowers surrounded by an elegant collar of fringed leaves. It is easy to grow once started, but hard to start from bulbs—these are my own plants sold “in the green” (available only through Snowdrop Catalogue). Very rare.
Erythronium x ‘Pagoda’ Dogtooth-violet
PSH-FSH 6-12” average to moist soil, US native
Dog-tooth violets thrive in my woodland and now they are naturalizing. In spring, each plant bears many elegant, nodding, lily-like flowers held on slender stems above mottled, glossy green leaves. E. x ‘Pagoda’ is a vigorous western US native hybrid with lovely pale yellow flowers on multiple stems. Summer dormant.
FERNS
Ferns are a staple of the shade garden and some of my favorite plants. For a great selection, visit my Fern Sale on Saturday, May 12, 10 am to 3 pm. Ferns like average to moist soil and PSH to FSH.
Adiantum pedatum (Maidenhair), 12-18”, lacy, blue-green fronds with an elegant, circular branching pattern held aloft by wiry black stems, native to PA.
New Athyrium angustum forma rubellum (Northern Lady Fern), 16-36”, similar to regular lady fern but creeping, red stem contrasts nicely with the lacy green fronds, native to PA.
Athyrium x ‘Branford Rambler’ (Running Painted), 12-18”, bright green fern with beautiful red highlights, runs slowly to form effective groundcover.
Athyrium “Carolyn’s Shade”, 18”, a vigorous cross between Japanese painted and lady ferns occurring naturally in my garden.
Athyrium ‘Dre’s Dagger’ (Victorian Lady), 18-24”, remarkable dagger-like green fronds and an upright habit make this fern stand out in my woodland.
New Athyrium filix-femina ‘Minutissimum’ (Dwarf Lady Fern), 3-6”, perfect miniature of the species, which is native to PA.
Athyrium x ‘Ghost’ (Ghost), 18-24”, stunning silver-white fronds make this fern stand out in shade.
Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ (Japanese Painted), 18-24”, gorgeous, purple-highlighted, silver fronds, one of my favorites, 2004 Perennial Plant of the Year.
Athyrium niponicum ‘Regal Red’, 12-18”, dark red midribs and leaf stems surrounded by silver.
Cyrtomium falcatum (Japanese Holly), 12-24”, very unusual glossy dark green fronds resembling holly, vase-shaped habit, drought tolerant, evergreen.
Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Hay-scented), 10-18”, fast-spreading mats of bright green fronds, native to PA
Dryopteris x australis (Dixie Wood Fern), 4-5’, great vertical accent for shade gardens, glossy semi-evergreen fronds, native just south of PA.
Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’ (Autumn), 18-24”, bright red, long-lasting new growth followed by shiny dark semi-evergreen leaves.
Dryopteris filix-mas (Male), 2-3’, lustrous dark green fronds with upright habit, evergreen, native to PA.
Dryopteris goldiana (Giant Wood Fern), 3-4’, graceful arching fronds spread slowly by rhizomes to form elegant stands, native to PA.
Matteuccia pensylvanica (Ostrich), 2-5’, elegant vase-shaped habit, arching, green sterile fronds and cinnamon fertile fronds for winter interest, native to PA.
Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive), 12-18”, freely running with broad, smooth fronds, native to PA.
Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon), 2-4’, tall and arching with elegant vase-shaped habit, native to PA.
Osmunda regalis (Royal), 2-4’, unusual pale green, smooth fronds, stately upright habit, native to PA.
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas), 18-24”, excellent evergreen for the shade garden with glossy, dark green fronds year-round, native to PA.
Polystichum polyblepharum (Tassel), 1-2’, glossy dark green fronds arching from crown, evergreen.
Fritillaria meleagris & ‘Alba’ Checkered-lily
PSH-FSH 6-12” easy, self sows
A wonderful woodland plant, this easy fritillaria blooms in April and May with large, checkered purple or pure white (‘Alba’) flowers. The nodding, bell-shaped blooms are an excellent companion for hellebores. Naturalizes. Summer dormant.
GALANTHUS: Snowdrops are naturalized throughout my garden, and I still can’t have enough. The wonderfully honey-scented, white flowers appear by the hundreds from October through March and never cease to fascinate me. Great companion plants for hellebores. S to FSH; 4-10”; summer dormant. To view my 2012 Snowdrop Catalogue, including photographs and full descriptions, click here: http://carolynsshadegardens.com/2012-snowdrop-catalogue/. Most varieties are available only by preordering from the catalogue. Snowdrop seminars in Charles Cresson’s garden will also be offered.
‘Atkinsii’: elegant elongated white flowers—an English classic; vigorous.
New ‘Brenda Troyle’: well-proportioned, rounded flowers with large, flared outer segments, strong fragrance of honey.
New ‘Dionysus’: a famous Greatorex double with heart-shaped markings and a tightly packed dark green rosette with white edging.
G. elwesii: giant white flowers with green inner segments in January, broad, glaucous leaves, naturalized throughout Winterthur.
G. elwesii ‘Potter’s Prelude’: similar to the species but blooms November to January, free-flowering and vigorous cultivar, extremely rare.
New ‘Hippolyta’: large and vigorous Greatorex double with very neat rounded flowers, the cupped outer segments flare away from the tightly compact inner rosette, a charming combination.
‘Magnet’: heavy flowers swaying in the breeze on long thin stems make this snowdrop unique, rare.
G. nivalis: white flowers with green markings, best naturalizer.
G. nivalis ‘Blewbury Tart’: outstanding and distinctive outward-facing double snowdrop with three narrow outer segments clasping the inner dark green tart-like rosette.
G. nivalis ‘Flore Pleno’: lovely double white.
New G. nivalis ‘Tiny’: rare diminutive form of G. nivalis, narrow leaves and elfin stature are quite charming in a clump, vigorous.
G. nivalis ‘Viridapice’: white with prominent green markings inside and out, vigorous.
‘Ophelia’: best known and earliest flowering Greatorex double, rounded, tightly double flowers with a prominent, broad, dark green u-shaped marking.
New G. plicatus subsp. byzantinus: the prominently marked flowers and the unusual pleated leaves make a stunning combination, stock from Winterthur planted by Henry Francis du Pont in the 1930s.
G. reginae-olgae: very rare October flowering snowdrop similar in appearance to G. nivalis.
‘S. Arnott’: large rounded flowers with heart-shaped green marking on the tip of the inner segment, considered one of the classic snowdrops of all time.
G. ‘White Dream’: similar to G. nivalis with more prominent flowers and more striking leaves; vigorous, multiplies rapidly.
G. woronowii: late-blooming white flowers with green markings on the inner segments, glossy green leaves.
Galium odoratum Sweet Woodruff
PSH-FSH 6” average to dry soil
Sweet woodruff is an excellent groundcover for shady gardens. In April and May, fragrant white flowers cover the area. The glossy, whorled leaves provide a great understory for bulbs and perennials.
HARDY GERANIUMS
Hardy geraniums are a must for the late spring garden with a few cultivars flowering until frost. Beautiful and prolific flowers paired with sculptural and often colorful leaves make them standout as specimen plants. Fall color is an added bonus for many varieties. For a great selection, including many not listed here, visit my Hardy Geranium Sale on Saturday, May 12, 10 am to 3 pm. All the cultivars I offer are easily grown in S-PSH.
G. x cantabrigiense ‘Biokova’, 6-10”, white flowers with pink highlights in late spring, spreads to form groundcover, excellent red to orange fall color.
G. x cantabrigiense ‘Karmina’, 6-10”, carmine rose flowers in late spring, spreads to form groundcover, excellent red to orange fall color.
G. macrorrhizum ‘Album’, 12”, white flowers in spring, fragrant leaves with red fall color.
G. macrorrhizum ‘Bevan’s Variety’, 12”, deep pink flowers in spring, fragrant leaves with red fall color.
G. macrorrhizum ‘Ingwersens Variety’, 12”, pale pink flowers in spring, fragrant leaves with red fall color.
G. maculatum ‘Espresso’, 10-12”, lavender pink flowers in spring and chocolate leaves, very hardy, native to PA.
G. phaeum ‘Samobor’, 18-24”, elegant dark maroon flowers in late spring, maroon variegated leaves.
G. ‘Rozanne’, 15-18”, ever-blooming large violet blue flowers with striking white centers appear from late spring to frost, chosen as the 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.
G. sanguineum ‘Max Frei’, 6”, dark rose flowers late spring through summer, compact habit, red fall color.
Hakonechloa macra Japanese Forest Grass
PSH-FSH 18-24” easy, winter interest
One of the best grasses for shade, Japanese forest grass forms an elegant, cascading mound that spreads very slowly by rhizomes even in full shade. ‘All Gold’ has brilliant gold color all summer. ‘Aureola’ has bright yellow leaves with green stripes.
HELLEBORES
Hellebores are wonderful–their leaves are evergreen, their flowers are striking, they bloom in winter, their form is elegant, and deer don’t touch them. I offer both hybrid hellebores and species hellebores. Although the hybrids are better known, I find the species very exciting with an amazing variety of flowers and foliage. Judge for yourself at my Hellebore Extravaganza Sale on Saturday, March 24, 10 am to 3 pm, when you see my display beds in all their glory!!! Look for an email offering my fifth annual hellebore seminars.
CULTURE: Hellebores are some of the toughest plants in my garden, thriving in every location from sun to full shade (even cracks in the pavement) as long as they are well-drained, but if you want to spoil them use plenty of organic matter.
HYBRID HELLEBORES: Their large, nodding white, cream, yellow, pink, red, bluish, purple, slate, black, lime-green, or spotted flowers opening in February and remaining ornamental for many months make the hybrids the showiest and most popular of the hellebores. Their unique multi-part leaves are shiny dark wintergreen and last until new growth in spring. They are very easy to grow. I planted mine by the front steps so the early flowers can brighten cold winter days. One of the most noticed plants in my garden. No wonder the Perennial Plant Association chose them as the 2005 Perennial Plant of the Year
Singles:
“Carolyn’s Select”: my own mature, blooming plants, selected by color, priced by quality and size.
“Lady Series”: plants grown from seed selected by flower color, 90% true to color, ‘Blue Lady, Blue Metallic Lady, Picotee Lady, Pink Lady, Red Lady, White Lady, White Spotted Lady, & Yellow Lady’.
New ‘Gold Finch’, rounded petals of buttery yellow spotted with red flecks.
New ‘Painted Bunting’, white flowers with a bold burgundy red central star, radiating red veins, and red picotee edge.
New ‘Phoenix’, apple green flowers edged in burgundy and with burgundy center.
New ‘Pink Tea Cup’, early-blooming soft blush pink flowers reminiscent of cherry blossoms.
New ‘Raspberry Mousse’, two-tone pale rose flowers with creamy white veins, dark rose edges and reverse.
New “Black”, striking near black flowers with a perfect rounded shape.
New “Slate”, slate gray petals with a metallic sheen, burgundy highlights in center and veins, very desirable.
New ‘Velvet Lips’, bright wine-red flowers with a soft creamy-yellow center and a shiny darker reverse.
Doubles:
‘Double Integrity’, large double white flowers.
New “Double Purple”, dark purple-black flowers.
New “Double Rose”, dark rose flowers.
New ‘Elegance White’, white with bold purple-red spots.
New ‘Phoebe’, gorgeous pink peony-like flowers dusted with red freckles.
SPECIES HELLEBORES: The hybrids are only part of the hellebore story—there are 15 species hellebores (plus their crosses), many of which are highly desirable plants. Preorders are recommended.
Helleborus argutifolius (Corsican Hellebore), 18-24”, large clusters of exotic, pale green and yellow flowers in spring; beautiful, wintergreen foliage is glossy gray and marbled with ivory; distinctive fringe surrounds the stiff, three-part leaves; site to protect from winter winds; takes sun.
H. x ballardiae, 12-15”, a cross between Christmas rose and H. lividus, vegetatively propagated; copious large, outward-facing, flowers December to March:
New x b. ‘Cinnamon Snow’, pink buds open to creamy white flowers suffused with warm rose and cinnamon, dark cinnamon rose petal reverse, shiny dark green foliage with ruby red stems.
x b. ‘Pink Frost’, burgundy buds open to outward facing soft pink blooms that darken to deep pink with age, blue-green silver-marbled leaves with red veins and stems.
H. cyclophyllus (Grecian Hellebore), 12-15”, fragrant flowers bloom in abundance in late winter and are a showy golden green, sold in bloom.
H. dumetorum, 8-12”, wonderful smaller hellebore with starry green flowers and narrow feathery leaves, sold in bloom.
H. dumetorum subsp. atrorubens, 12-15”, from Arrowhead Alpines, dark rose flowers, sold in bloom.
H. x ericsmithii ‘Silvermoon’, 15-18”, the best characteristics of three species (Corsican, Christmas rose, and H. lividus); red stems, silvery marbled leaves, and large, outward-facing, pink-tinged, creamy white flowers aging to dusky rose from mid-January through March make this a rare and desirable cross, vegetatively propagated, vigorous in the garden.
H. foetidus (Bearsfoot Hellebore), 18-24”, one of the most unusual and desirable plants in my garden; spidery, completely wintergreen leaves are topped by showy pale green flower buds in November; chartreuse buds and then flowers are ornamental throughout winter and on into May; has the effect of a miniature rhododendron in the garden!
Helleborus x ‘Ivory Prince’: vigorous species cross (Christmas rose, H. x nigercors, and H. x ericsmithii) with gorgeous dusty-rose buds from January to March followed by beautiful outward-facing ivory flowers over silver-marked leaves with burgundy highlights—be sure to see it in my garden.
H. multifidus (Lacy Hellebore), 15”, toothed leaves cut into many segments, creating a lovely, lacy effect; attractive yellow-green flowers, sold in bloom.
H. niger (Christmas Rose), 12”, large white, outward-facing blooms and blue-green 5-part leaves:
New n. ‘Double Fantasy’, this double Christmas rose is so rare that I have only seen it once, but now, thanks to a tissue culture nursery in Japan, you can add this gorgeous, pure white, double-flowered hellebore to your winter garden; the blooms on this outward-facing, profusely flowering cultivar are beautifully set off by the dark, bluish green leaves in late winter.
n. ‘Jacob’, the earliest to flower of my Christmas roses beginning in early November and lasting until May, neat compact habit.
New n. ‘Josef Lemper’, flowers shortly after ‘Jacob’ in mid-November, a larger plant with larger flowers.
n. ‘Praecox’, multitude of bright white outward-facing flowers starting in January, vigorous and very floriferous cultivar.
H. x nigercors, a cross between Christmas rose and Corsican hellebore; vegetatively propagated; copious large, outward-facing, white flowers:
x n. ‘Honeyhill Joy’, 12”, honey-colored flowers and unusually handsome, glossy, dark green leaves.
x n. ‘Green Corsican’, 18”, creamy white flowers aging to a lovely green, gold-veined leaves, outstanding in my garden.
H. odorus (Fragrant Hellebore), 18”, fragrant, lime-green flowers in late winter and stiff, silvery leaves, sold in bloom.
H. orientalis subsp. abchasicus (Lenten Rose), 18”, this is the true Lenten rose, not a hybrid; subspecies characterized by red-tinted flowers often spotted with purple nectaries, very rare, sold in bloom.
H. purpurascens (Purple Hellebore), 12”, gorgeous cup-shaped flowers of smoky plum, very early blooming, deciduous.
New H. x ‘Snow White’ (aka ‘Snow Bunting’), the Yokoyama nursery in Japan has achieved the first ever cross between Christmas rose and hybrid hellebores to produce this gorgeous early-blooming pure white hellebore with large, flat, outward-facing flowers; easy to grow like all the hybrids but easy to see the flowers too!
H. viridis (Green Hellebore), 12”, earliest and longest flowering hellebore with true green flowers, sold in bloom.
Heuchera cultivars Coral Bells
PSH-FSH 12-18” drought tolerant, native
Who can resist the kaleidoscope of colors that heuchera leaves add to the garden or containers? If only all the beautiful plants thrived equally well in our mid-Atlantic conditions. I offer the best plants for our region, which have been bred from heat and cold tolerant heucheras native to PA.
H. villosa ‘Autumn Bride’, very large fuzzy green leaves, substantial white flowers, the cultivar that started it all!
New ‘Berry Smoothie’, amazing spring color of rose-pink ages to a dark rose maintained year round, soft pink flowers, bold habit, excellent for containers.
New ‘Blackout’, large, shiny, purple-black leaves and white flowers—the best black cultivar, compact habit.
New H. villosa ‘Bronze Wave’, large shiny purple-bronze leaves, far superior to ‘Palace Purple’, fall-blooming.
‘Caramel’, peach-amber-pink leaves, pink flowers, huge and vigorous.
‘Citronelle’, lime green leaves, creamy white flowers, ornamental 365 days a year.
‘Frosted Violet’, dark purple and silver leaves, pink flowers, winter interest.
New H. americana ‘Green Spice’, gray-edged silver leaves with maroon veins, white flowers, pumpkin orange fall color.
H x villosa ‘Mocha’, chocolate brown leaves with lighter purple highlights, white flowers.
New x Heucherella Foamy Bells
S-FSH 8-12” excellent in containers, parents native
A cross between native coral bells (Heuchera) and native foamflower (Tiarella), heucherellas open up a whole new native palette. ‘Stoplight’ has large 4” wide screaming yellow leaves with red centers and white flowers. ‘Solar Eclipse’ has broadly scalloped red leaves delicately outlined in lime green, white flowers, and an excellent habit.
HOSTAS
Hostas are easy and reliable. They come in thousands of sizes and colors to suit all garden designs. I carry a representative sample of economically priced cultivars as well as choice specimens for connoisseurs. PSH to FSH, summer blooming. They are described below by name, height, leaf color, and flower color if not lavender. Click http://www.hostalibrary.org/index.html & http://www.shadyoaks.com/GeneratedItems/Pages/Hosta_of_Year.html for photos. For a great selection, don’t miss my Hosta Sale on Saturday, May 12, 10 am to 3pm. I always have new cultivars that are not listed here! Earlier in May I will be holding my third annual “Hosta Blowout” of my excess plants—participants love it.
“Little” Hostas:
There has been a lot of interest recently in smaller hostas, and I must admit I’m addicted. You can fit so many different cultivars in the miscellaneous nooks and crannies of your garden, and they’re so cute—perfect for the collector. I have decided to list these hostas separately as “little” hostas (I don’t want to offend hosta aficionados by calling a dwarf a miniature by mistake). The sizes are approximate. The inclusion of “Carolyn’s” indicates my own selection. If you are interested in receiving these little hostas mail order, click here:
New ‘Alakazaam’: 4”, stoloniferous, green leaves with ruffled creamy-white border.
‘Blonde Elf’: 4”, elegant habit, narrow gold leaves.
‘Blue Mouse Ears’: 6”, tight clump of round and cupped distinctly blue leaves, rubbery texture repels slugs, 2008 Hosta of the Year.
“Carolyn’s Chalkstripe”: 8”, small green hosta with a distinctive white stripe.
“Carolyn’s Gold”: 4”, small, rounded pure gold.
“Carolyn’s Little Nicky”: 6”, narrow blue leaves, graceful form.
“Carolyn’s Tiny Gold”: 3”, petite narrow gold leaves, very limited supply.
‘Cracker Crumbs’: 4-6”, shiny gold leaves with a dark green margin, grows quickly to 12” wide specimen
‘Elsley Runner’: 2”, green leaves–an even tinier selection from H. venusta.
New ‘Frosted Mouse Ears’: 7”, round, blue-green leaves are surrounded by a wide creamy white border, an exciting addition to the Mouse Ears Collection.
‘Holy Mouse Ears’: 6”, all the wonderful attributes of the Mouse Ears Collection with unique yellow to creamy white center and blue margin.
‘Lemon Lime’: 4-6”, yellow, lance-shaped leaves.
New ‘Lakeside Cupcake’: 5”, round, cupped leaves with ivory centers blue-green margins, near white blooms.
New ‘Little Miss Sunshine’: 4”, golden yellow leaves with very wavy margins and red stems, tolerates sun.
New ‘Little Sunspot’: 5”, bright gold, heart-shaped leaves with vivid dark green border, near white flowers.
‘Little Treasure’, 6”, thick, pointed blue-gray leaves with creamy center.
‘Little Wonder’: 5”, dark green leaves with creamy white edges streaking into the center.
‘Mighty Mouse’, 7”, round blue-green leaves with yellow border, latest addition to Mouse Ears Collection.
‘Pixie Vamp’: 7”; heart-shaped leaves with green center framed by 1/2” wide creamy-white border, elegant mahogany stems on compact flowers.
‘Rock Princess’: 1-2”, tiny green.
‘Shining Tot’: 3”, very shiny, deep green leaves.
New ‘Sparkler’: 6”, very showy variegation, narrow leaves with mixed green and cream stripes.
New ‘Surfer Girl’: deep green leaves are sharply pointed, deeply rippled, and very shiny, stoloniferous.
‘Twist of Lime’: 5”, bright guacamole green leaves with emerald green borders, elegant.
H. venusta: 2-3” miniature wavy green leaves.
“Larger” Hostas:
‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’: 20”, powder blue, deeply cupped leaves, white flowers, extraordinary specimen.
‘August Moon’: 20”, yellow leaves, white flowers.
‘Blue Angel’: 2-3’, huge blue leaves, white flowers.
‘Blue Cadet’: 12”, blue, heart-shaped leaves.
New ‘Bressingham Blue’: 12”, cupped and wavy blue leaves, great texture, large white flowers.
“Carolyn’s Malex”: 10”, narrow yellow leaves.
‘Earth Angel’: 2-3’, huge, heart-shaped blue leaves with wide creamy border, sport of ‘Blue Angel’, 2009 Hosta of the Year.
‘El Nino’: 18”, very blue leaves surrounded by bright white border, sport of ‘Halcyon’.
‘Fantasy Island’: 8”, wide green margin streaking into creamy yellow leaf center, pink flower stems.
‘First Frost’: 18”, exceptional specimen with blue leaves and gold margin, 2010 Hosta of the Year.
‘Fragrant Bouquet’: 20”, apple with yellow margin, fragrant white flowers in fall, 1998 Hosta of the Year.
New ‘Fragrant Queen’: 15”, rounded, glossy, dark green leaves, with a very wide ivory border, fragrant.
‘Frances Williams’: 2’, blue-green, puckered leaves with gold margins, white flowers.
‘Great Expectations’: 30”, yellow leaves with blue and light green margins, white flowers, aristocratic.
‘Guacamole’: 2’, avocado with wide dark green edge, fragrant flowers, stunning, 2002 Hosta of the Year.
‘Halcyon’: 15”, elegant sturdy blue leaves.
‘June’: 20”, thick gold leaves with blue and green margins, gorgeous, 2001 Hosta of the Year.
‘Kabitan’: 10”, narrow gold leaf with green edge.
‘Krossa Regal’: 2-3’, frosty blue leaves, upright habit.
New ‘Liberty’: 30”, narrow blue-green center with very wide yellow margin changing to cream in summer, semi-upright habit, 2012 Hosta of the Year.
H. montana ‘Aureomarginata’: 27”, huge wedge-shaped green leaves with irregular yellow margins, majestic vase-shaped habit.
New ‘Orange Marmalade’: 18”, striking yellow-orange center with dark green edge, excellent specimen.
New ‘Paradigm’: 12”, corrugated, glossy gold foliage with wide dark blue border, 2007 Hosta of the Year.
‘Paul’s Glory’: 20”, gold heart-shaped leaves with blue-green streaked margin, spectacular specimen in my garden, 1999 Hosta of the Year.
H. plantaginea ‘Grandiflora’: 20”, glossy light green leaves, upright stalks of 10-15 pure white, lily-shaped flowers, each 5” x 3”, magnificently fragrant in fall!
‘Praying Hands’: 14”, twisted and vertical leaves like pitcher plant, green with narrow yellow margin, excellent container specimen, 2011 Hosta of the Year.
‘Regal Splendor’: unbelievable specimen with cream edged frosted blue leaves, 2003 Hosta of the Year.
New ‘Remember Me’: 12”, most requested hosta in my garden with yellow to ivory center and swirling blue-green margin, sales benefit Komen Foundation.
‘Sagae’: 30”, frosty blue leaves with creamy yellow margins, vase-shaped habit, 2000 Hosta of the Year.
New ‘Saint Elmo’s Fire’: 18”, emerges bright yellow with a thin white margin, fades to green but the next flush is yellow for an unusual two-tone effect.
‘Serendipity’: 10”, blue, heart-shaped leaves.
‘Stained Glass’: 15”, brilliant, glossy gold leaves with dark green margins, near-white fragrant flowers, 2006 Hosta of the Year.
New ‘Striptease’: 20”, mysterious thin white strip dancing between the chartreuse center and the dark green margin, very unusual, 2005 Hosta of the Year.
‘Sum & Substance’: 2-3’, immense gold leaves, beautiful specimen, 2004 Hosta of the Year.
H. tokudama ‘Aureonebulosa’: 12”, gold swirled, cup-shaped leaves with green margins, white flowers.
H. tokudama ‘Flavocircinalis’: 12”, gorgeous swirls of yellow, pale green, and blue, white flowers.
New ‘Tropical Storm’: 10”, thick, rounded, cupped and textured leaves of medium green with a wide yellow margin.
Hypericum St. John’s Wort
S-PSH 12” & 30” well-drained
H. calycinum has velvety, blue-green leaves topped with large exotic yellow flowers in early summer. Its creeping habit and winter green foliage make it a great groundcover. H. calycinum ‘Briggadoon’ adds striking gold leaves to an already desirable plant.
Iris cristata & ‘Alba’ Dwarf Crested Iris
PSH-FSH 6” well-drained soil, native
Dwarf crested iris spreads out to make a large patch of small sword-shaped fans. In May, dainty blue or white (‘Alba’) flowers with yellow crests cover the ground like a swarm of butterflies. A gorgeous specimen for small shade gardens. Native to PA.
Iris versicolor Blue Flag
S-PSH 3’ average to wet soil, native
The perfect plant for edges of streams and ponds, blue flag will also prosper in average garden conditions. Its bluish purple iris blooms are a wonderful vertical element in May and June and make excellent cut flowers. Native to PA.
Jeffersonia diphylla Twinleaf
PSH-FSH 8-12” woodland conditions, native
Another legendary and hard-to-find Eastern native, twinleaf blooms in April. White flowers top blue-green leaves on long wiry stems, each leaf divided to look like two—very unusual. Native to PA.
Lamiastrum galeobdolon ‘Herman’s Pride’
Yellow-archangel
PSH-FSH 12” easy, non-spreading
‘Herman’s Pride’ forms a beautiful silver mound in the most difficult shade gardens. Its narrow, silver-flecked leaves are quite striking especially in combination with the yellow flowers in late spring. Well-behaved.
Lamium maculatum ‘Shell Pink’ Lamium
S-PSH 8” easy
‘Shell Pink’ is my favorite lamium cultivar because, from April into December, thousands of pink blossoms cover my patch. The dark green leaves with their elegant, silver center stripe show off the flowers to perfection and are ornamental through winter.
Leucojum aestivum Summer Snowflake
S-FSH 24-36” easy, naturalizes
In late April, “summer” snowflake produces upright flower stalks sporting many nodding white flowers with green tips like snowdrops on steroids. Great cut flower alternative to daffodils, tolerates wet sites.
LIGULARIA: Ligularias (Leopard Plant) are different–they are tall, they love FSH, they bloom in summer, and their leaves are big, bold, and tropical looking—a great contrast to dainty woodland plants. PSH-FSH, average to moist soil.
L. dentata ‘Desdemona’, 2-3’, orange-yellow daisies and huge, round, ruby-purple leaves.
L. dentata ‘Othello’, slightly smaller than ‘Desdemona’ with similar flowers and leaves.
L. stenocephala ‘The Rocket’, 4-5’, heart-shaped, fringed leaves are topped by exploding 5’ plumes of yellow flowers in summer.
Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower
PSH-FSH 3-4’ average to wet soil, native
I’ll admit it, I love this plant. The many scarlet flowers on tall spikes open over a long period of time in summer and fall. They can be seen from a great distance and attract hummingbirds. The glossy, dark green leaves have red highlights and turn an unusual pink-red in fall. Naturalizes in moist areas. PA native.
Lobelia siphilitica Great Blue Lobelia
S-PSH 2-3’ easy, native
This lobelia has all the charms of Cardinal Flower but with violet-blue flowers and lighter pure green leaves. It blooms slightly longer and takes more sun. PA native.
Mertensia virginica Virginia Bluebells
PSH-FSH 20” organic soil, native
One of our best native wildflowers, Virginia bluebells have beautiful porcelain blue flowers in April and May. The unusual leaves come up dark purple, change to gray-green, and go dormant when it gets hot. Native to PA.
Muscari Grape-hyacinth
S-FSH 4-8” any soil, naturalizes
Grape-hyacinth is a beautiful plant for mid-spring interest, and its more unusual varieties really catch your eye in the shade garden. M. armeniacum is a striking cobalt blue. M. latifolium has magical two-tone pale blue and deep blue flowers. Summer dormant.
NATIVE PHLOX
The more kinds of phlox I try, the more I want. You just can’t beat this genus for flowers, unsurpassable fragrance, and versatility—there’s a phlox for every cultural condition and every garden need—and they’re native. (Please note that mildew is only a concern with garden phlox, Phlox paniculata.)
Native Phlox for Sun to Part Shade:
P. divaricata (Wild Sweet William) 8-10”, blooms April to June, fragrant, semi-evergreen, spreading. Native to PA.
‘Blue Elf’: blue flowers, compact.
New ‘Blue Moon’: rich blue-violet color.
‘Laphammi’: lavender-blue flowers.
‘May Breeze’: steel white flowers.
P. glaberrima ‘Morris Berd’ (Smooth Phlox), 18-24”, velvety pink flowers with silver highlights, late spring to early summer, magical! Native just south of PA.
Phlox x ‘Minnie Pearl’, 18-24”, blooms late spring well into summer, the multitude of bright white flowers and glossy green leaves make this an exciting new phlox. Native to PA.
P. paniculata (Garden Phlox), 3’, blooms summer through fall, fragrant, attracts butterflies, mildew resistant cultivars, including ‘David’, ‘David’s Lavender’, ‘Blue Paradise’, ‘Laura’, ‘Nicky’, ‘Starfire’, and ‘Pixie Miracle Grace’. Native to PA.
Native Phlox for Part Shade to Full Shade:
Phlox stolonifera (Creeping Phlox), 3-6”, blooms from March to May, mat-forming, wintergreen leaves make an excellent groundcover, great for dry shade. Native to PA.
‘Blue Ridge’: blue flowers.
‘Bruce’s White’: white flowers yellow eye.
‘Pink Ridge’ & ‘Home Fires’: pink flowers.
‘Sherwood Purple’: purple flowers, vigorous
Podophyllum peltatum Mayapple
PSH-FSH 12-18” woodland conditions, native
Beloved by children, this eastern US native forms large colonies of deeply divided, umbrella-like leaves in deep shade. Although the showy white flowers are hidden underneath, their glorious scent fills the woods in April. Can spread rapidly, summer dormant, native to PA.
Polemonium reptans cultivars Jacob’s Ladder
PSH-FSH 12” easy, native
This beautiful woodland plant has many clusters of pure blue (‘Blue Pearl’) flowers in April and May followed by chartreuse seedpods so ornamental they are often mistaken for the blooms. The seedpods contrast nicely with the ferny, wintergreen leaves. ‘Stairway to Heaven’ is a stunning variegated selection introduced by the New England Wildflower Society—to quote Dale Hendricks, “Imagine, a variegated polemonium that actually lives!!!” PA native.
Polygonatum odor. ‘Variegatum’ Solomon’s Seal
PSH-FSH 18-24” easy
New shoots emerge ivory with red highlights. Later, the arching red stems hold soft green leaves edged in cream. In April and May, fragrant white bells hang below the leaves followed by blue-black fruit.
Primula japonica Japanese Primrose
PSH-FSH 20” average to wet soil, self-sows
The blossoms of Japanese primrose are whorled in 4 to 6 tiers held erect above the leaves. My plants have pink, magenta, or white flowers in May and June. The rosette of 6 to 10” long leaves is bright green.
Primula kisoana & P. k. ‘Alba’ Primrose
PSH-FSH 6-8” organic soil
This very rare primrose flowers in May and June with velvety rose-colored or white (‘Alba’) blooms over its unusual, fuzzy, lobed leaves. Naturalizes among the rocks along my woodland path.
Primula x polyantha ‘Old Brick Reds’
English Primrose
PSH-FSH 6” average to moist soil
Red flowers with a yellow eye can appear as early as the end of March and last into May. The rosette of wintergreen leaves is bright green. This primrose is very easy to grow and multiplies rapidly.
Primula sieboldii Japanese Woodland Primrose
PSH-FSH 12” moist to dry soil, easy, spreading
This foolproof primrose grows anywhere and sports numerous exquisite, filigreed deep pink (species), pink (‘Cover Girl’), white (‘Snowflake’), or white with pink edges and reverse (‘Isotaka’) flowers atop upright stems in mid-spring. Highly prized in Japan where there are over 500 different cultivars avidly collected by gardeners. I will also be selling divisions from my own collection, many un-named. Rare, summer dormant.
Primula veris English Cowslip
PSH-FSH 10” average to moist soil
The English cowslip is a lovely reliable primrose with upright stalks of nodding butter yellow flowers. I have had mine for years.
PULMONARIA
Pulmonarias (Lungwort) have strikingly beautiful leaves all season long and usually well into winter, and deer don’t eat them. They bloom very early in the spring, just after the hellebores, and are sometimes still going in June. Their flowers are a rainbow of colors–white, shell pink, coral, raspberry, pale blue, deep blue. Most cultivars are 12-15” tall. PSH-FSH.
‘Benediction’, startling midnight blue flowers and very dark green leaves with few spots.
‘Bertram Anderson’, dark blue flowers and very narrow 12” long silver-spotted leaves.
‘Blue Ensign’, dark blue flowers and forest green unspotted leaves.
“Carolyn’s Crosses”, seedling crosses of all my cultivars, each a unique and beautiful individual.
‘Diana Clare’, violet-blue flowers and narrow all silver leaves, holds up well in heat and drought.
‘High Contrast’, large pink and blue flowers over bright silver and green leaves, heat resistant.
‘Majeste’, compact sprays of pink and blue flowers and gorgeous almost solid silver leaves.
‘Raspberry Splash’, raspberry flowers and distinctive narrow spears of dark green, silver-spotted leaves.
‘Roy Davidson’, powder blue flowers and narrow, elegantly speckled leaves.
P. rubra ‘Redstart’, early blooming coral flowers set off by elongated, lime-green leaves.
‘Silver Bouquet’, large pink to violet flowers and silver splashed narrow leaves.
‘Trevi Fountain’, cobalt blue flowers and brightly spotted leaves, magnificent specimen.
Pulsatilla vulgaris ‘Papageno’ Pasque Flower
S-PSH 8-12” well-drained soil essential
Pasque flower’s finely divided, fleecy, silver-green leaves are almost as attractive as its large, silky, fringed flowers. ‘Papageno’’s usually double flowers are white, red, blue, or purple. It blooms in early spring and produces ornamental, feathery seed heads.
Puschkinia scilloides Striped-squill
S-FSH 4-6” easy
Another spring ephemeral for naturalizing in your shady woods, striped-squill has starry pale blue flowers with a dark blue center stripe massed in groups of 20 or more per stem. Enchanting in early spring and rarely seen in gardens, it thrives in my shrub border. Summer dormant.
Sanguinaria canadensis & ‘Multiplex’ Bloodroot
PSH-FSH 8-10” organic soil, native
The unusual blue-gray, lobed leaves cradle the buds as they come out of the ground and then open to reveal pure white, anemone-like flowers. ‘Multiplex’ has the most beautiful double white flowers I have ever seen. Spreads slowly to form a colony. Native to PA.
SCILLA: Scilla or squill are very well-adapted to our climate and will naturalize freely in almost any soil and light conditions. S-FSH, summer dormant.
New S. bifolia: 4”, bright blue-lilac flowers with pale blue centers in March.
S. campanulata ‘Excelsior’ (Spanish Bluebells), 10-12”, multiple stalks of 10 to 30 sky blue bells in May, clumps increase rapidly, grows anywhere.
S. campanulata ‘Queen of Pinks’ (Spanish Bluebells), 10-12”, pink flowers, less vigorous.
S. mischtschenkoana (Tubergen Squill), 6-8”, starry pale blue flowers with an elegant blue center stripe in late winter, shiny bright green leaves.
S. siberica (Siberian Squill), 4-8”, nodding, startlingly intense blue flowers in very early spring.
Senecio aureus Golden Groundsel
PSH-FSH 12” easy, evergreen groundcover, native
Golden groundsel loves full shade! The large, leathery, dark green leaves have purple highlights and provide bold texture. In May and June, flower stalks loaded with fragrant, bright yellow blossoms shoot up above the leaves. Spreads quickly even in dry shade. Native to PA.
Spigelia marilandica Indian Pink
PSH-FSH 1-2’ well-drained soil, native
In June, upright sprays of trumpet-shaped scarlet flowers flare to reveal their canary yellow interior, attracting hummingbirds like a magnet. Glossy green leaves. Native just south of PA.
Spiranthes odorata Fragrant Lady’s Tresses
S-PSH 12-18” grows best in moist soil, native
This native orchid thrives in moist soil. From early fall to frost, long-lasting, fragrant white flowers spiral up the many flower spikes ringed at the base by the linear leaves. Native to PA.
Stylophorum diphyllum Celandine Poppy
PSH-FSH 8-10” easy, native
Celandine poppies really brighten up my woodland garden in April and May with their large, yellow flowers. Their finely cut leaves are attractive all season. They look great with Jacob’s ladder or Virginia bluebells. Native to PA.
Tiarella cultivars Foamflower
PSH-FSH 12” organic soil, native
I offer a selection of the best of the many foamflowers, including my favorites, ‘Brandywine’, ‘Elizabeth Oliver’, ‘Lace Carpet’, ‘Oakleaf’, ‘Running Tapestry’, and the “River Series” of ground covering foamflowers. They all produce hundreds of fragrant, white to pale pink blooms from April to June. The leaves have distinctive red highlights in fall. Native to PA.
Tricyrtis Toad-lily
PSH-FSH 18-24” well-drained, average soil
Toad-lilies have many orchid-like flowers held aloft on upright to arching stems late summer through fall. Their unusual leaves are shiny and often spotted. ‘Samurai’ has purple flowers with dark purple spots set off by gold-edged leaves. ‘Sinonome’ has ruby-spotted white flowers, lovely arching habit, blooms through October.
Veronica cultivars Creeping Speedwell
S-PSH 4-6” spreading groundcover
Semi-evergreen leaves with burgundy highlights in spring and fall spread to form a delicate groundcover that is excellent for edging beds. The long-flowering lavender-blue (‘Waterperry Blue’) or bright blue (‘Georgia Blue’) blooms appear from mid-spring into fall. Although the plastic tag says full sun, I grow mine in an east facing location under a Japanese maple.
VIOLA: I have a weakness for violets and have been collecting as many kinds as I can find in a variety of colors. They are easy to grow in any soil and often make a great groundcover, even under walnuts. PSH-FSH, 4-6”, self-sow.
Viola ‘Heartthrob’, I fell in love with this plant the moment I saw it—elongated, heart-shaped lime-green leaves with a deep burgundy center—great for containers or the front of the border.
V. labradorica (Labrador Violet) (V. riviniana purpurea?), large flush of lavender flowers in spring, reblooms reliably until heavy frost, beautiful dark purple leaves.
V. pubescens (Yellow Violet), bright yellow flowers, native to PA.
V. species—pink form (Pink Violet), clear pink flowers—very unusual.
V. striata (White Violet), pure white flowers, spreads quickly to form excellent groundcover, native to PA.
New V. walteri ‘Silver Gem’ (Prostrate Blue Violet), introduced by Mt. Cuba, this violet forms a dense tidy mat of silver leaves topped by lavender flowers in March and reblooming into fall, very drought tolerant, native just south of PA.
