I often get customers that ask me-Ive got a lot of shade; what can I
grow? Well, thats not such an easy question to answer! There are
many degrees of shade-from a dense shade to dappled shade to bright light.
The first thing that I advise my customers to do is to plot
their shade - actually observe the area at several times during the day
in order to determine how much sun/shade the area REALLY gets. Once that
is determined, you can use the perennial
guidelines; just remember, plants that need more sun may still
do well in the area although they will not bloom as much.
Also remember - anything planted under a tree will be competing for water
and nutrients with the tree, so it will need to be fed and watered! Lastly,
the timing of the sun’s exposure needs to be considered - morning sun
is much milder than afternoon sun, which needs to be taken into consideration
when determining the actual exposure of the area in question.
| Plant Name |
Size |
Container |
Price |
| Actaea pachypoda |
3’ ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This NATIVE is also called “Doll’s Eyes” because it in
spring it produces small flowers which are then followed by glossy white
berries with black “eyes”…very different and attractive. The foliage is
bushy and composed of large compound leaves and stays attractive all season. |
| Ajuga
‘Black Scallop’ |
3-5” |
Jumbo |
$6.95 |
This great new groundcover has glossy, near black crinkly leaves and
deep blue flowers on short spikes in spring. Hummers and butterflies love it
and deer don’t! |
| Ajuga ‘Dixie
Chip’ |
2-4” ht |
Jumbo |
$6.95 |
This adorable sport of ‘Chocolate Chip’ has brightly variegated
green, cream, rose and purple narrow foliage; forms a tight creeping mound!
Produces violet purple flowers in spring that hummers and butterflies love
and deer don’t! |
| Ajuga ‘Toffee Chip’ |
2-4” ht |
Jumbo |
$6.95 |
Another sport of ‘Chocolate Chip’ this cutie starts out a
soft brown and then matures to grey-green with creamy golden margins. |
|
| The following Lady’s Mantles are my favorite
perennials - they have beautiful foliage even when not in flower, add texture
and depth even in full shade, and have exquisite greenish yellow flowers. All
I can say about them is wow, ya gotta try some!!! |
Alchemilla ‘Gold Strike’ |
12” ht
|
jumbo
|
$8.95
|
This new Lady’s Mantle has adorable little velvety
grey-green foliage with serrated edges—a smaller version of the Lady’s
Mantle we all know and adore! Has masses of bright chartreuse flowers, is
deer resistant, can grow in full shade to full sun (with adequate moisture),
and attracts butterflies! |
| Alchemilla Erythropoda |
6-8” |
Jumbo |
$8.95 |
| The dwarf Lady’s Mantle |
| Alchemilla Mollis |
12-18” |
#1 |
$8.95 |
 With copious sprays of yellow-green flowers-will take full sun
with water. Moisture sparkles like diamonds on foliage! |
|
| These anemones are great fall bloomers - they look
delicate but sure aren’t! |
| Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’ |
40” ht in flower x 33” w |
#1 |
$8.95 |
| This plant got a good rating (none of the other Anemones got any
higher!) from the Chicago Botanic Garden trials! It blooms from mid-September
to mid-November (45+ days!) with single white flowers that have yellow
stamens. |
| Anemone ‘Pink Saucer’ |
24-30” ht |
#1 |
$8.95 |
This is the earliest blooming “fall” Anemone! She starts
to bloom early summer and continues into fall, with large, single, saucer-shaped
intense pink flowers. Needs bright to partial shade; deer resistant too! |
| Anemone ‘Queen Charlotte’ |
35” |
#1 |
$8.95 |
Semi-double, pink 3” flowers with
yellow |
| Anemone ‘Robustissima’ |
40” ht in flower x 40”w |
#1 |
$8.95 |
| This Grape Leaf Anemone got a good rating from the Chicago Botanic Garden trials too! It blooms from late August to mid-November (63+ days) with
single pink flowers. |
| Anemone Sylvestris |
12-15” |
#1 |
$8.95 |
This snowdrop anemone is a late spring bloomer with large,
pure white flowers that give way to white, woolly fruit. |
Aquilegia ‘Blackcurrent Ice’ |
9” ht
|
Jumbo
|
$7.95
|
This true DWARF Columbine has blue-green foliage and
bi-colored yellow and purple short spurred flowers. A real doll that is
rabbit resistant, attracts hummers and butterflies, and grows in bright
shade to full sun (with adequate moisture). Pair it with some dwarf Hostas
and dwarf Lady’s mantle for a garden-fairy attracting combo! |
| Aquilegia ‘Clementine Red’ |
12-18” |
#1 |
$7.95 |
A compact grower with upward facing, fuchsia red double spurless
flowers that resemble miniature Dahlias! A profuse spring bloomer that
hummers and butterflies love and deer and rabbits don’t! |
| Aquilegia ‘Lime Frost’ |
20” |
#1 |
$7.95 |
Great columbine with unique variegated foliage and purple
blooms. Butterflies and hummers love them. Also known as Aquilegia ‘Woodside
Strain.’ |
| Aquilegia ‘Spitfire’ |
12-15” |
#1 |
$7.95 |
A petite Columbine that has red-orange short spurred flowers above
nice mounded green foliage. Flower color REALLY attracts the hummers! |
|
| The following are varieties of Arisaemas (Jack-in–the-Pulpits). They have unusual flowers that consist of the spathe (hood)
that surrounds the spadix (the thick flower spike). Plant is very
tropical-looking and will elicit MANY comments! They should be grown in a
shaded, somewhat protected site in moist but well draining humusy soil (NO
wet feet!). After blooming, flowers are replaced by black seed clusters that become brilliant orange in the fall.
Due to calcium oxalate found in the plant, corm fruit and leaves are considered poisonous and it is deer and rabbit resistant! Protect from slugs and mulch lightly in winter. Be patient, as they are not
quick growers, but once you get a mature specimen you’ll know why they’re
“gotta-haves” (yes, again!!) VERY, VERY, VERY LIMITED!!! |
| Arisaema ringens |
20” ht |
Jumbo |
$19.95 |
This Cobra Lily has a hooded green and purple striped spathe and glossy grey-green foliage. Another great
beastie for your woodsy garden! VERY limited! |
| Arisaema serratum |
24-30” |
Jumbo |
$19.95 |
This one from Japan has green and purplish brown striped hood held above
foliage that is divided into many leaflets. Exotic!! |
| Arisaema sikokianum |
12-16” |
Jumbo |
$19.95 |
This stunner has a pure white “golf-tee” shaped spadex held inside
a flared spathe that is purple and white striped. Leaves are dark green and
divided; blooms early to mid-spring. |
| Arisaema urashima |
20” ht |
Jumbo |
$19.95 |
This awesome one has one tall leaf that is divided into
many smaller leaflets, and a “whip” protruding from the hood that can hang
almost to the ground! VERY LIMITED! |
| Arisaema utile |
15” |
Jumbo |
$19.95 |
This one has a trifoliate leaf that is green with maroon veining and
a cobra-like spathe that is maroon with white stripes and held below the
leaf. Flowers in May and June and perfect in a woodsy setting! |
Aruncus ‘Guinea Fowl’ |
24” ht
|
#1
|
$12.95
|
This short Goatsbeard has outstanding ferny foliage and
MASSES of plume-shaped creamy white foliage. This one looks AWESOME all
season and is a must for bright shade to partial sun! Is deer resistant and
is a Contrary fave! |
| Aruncus ‘Misty Lace’ |
18-24” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
| This new Goatsbeard is compact and has creamy white feathery plumes
from early to mid-summer atop dark red stems. Foliage is great foil all
season! Reputedly deer resistant too! |
Aruncus Aethusifolius |
8-12” |
#1 |
$8.95 |
An
adorable miniature Goatsbeard—it blooms its little heart out, then the
foliage turns bronze in the fall. A Contrary Mary Top 10 Honorable Mention! |
| Asarum canadense |
3-4” |
Jumbo |
$5.95 |
This NATIVE Ginger is an excellent, no-brainer groundcover for
shade—has heart-shaped foliage and a funny little near black flower borne
under its leaves so it’s fertilized by the Garden Fairies! |
| Brunnera ‘King’s Ransom’ |
12” ht |
#1 |
$15.95 |
This sport of ‘Jack Frost’ features silver and gold
heart-shaped foliage; margins lighten to creamy white by summer. Same
fantastic blue flowers in spring too! |
| Brunnera ‘Looking Glass’ |
12-15” |
#1 |
$15.95 |
I carried this great Brunnera a couple of years ago and
brought it back by popular demand…I’d have to say it’s second only to ‘Jack
Frost’ on the wow-ometer!! As its foliage ages, the leaves turn solid silver
and cup downwards. The young leaves have some green veining and are lightly
silvered. Yup, I’m afraid it’s yet ANOTHER “gotta-have”!! |
| Brunnera
Macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ |
15” |
#1 |
$15.95 |
This is a STANDOUT and a
must have! Frosty, leaves with a silver overlay that resemble cracked
porcelain---a GREAT foil for any dark leaved plant, it shimmers in the shade! |
| Ceanothus
Americanus (New Jersey Tea) |
24-30” |
#1 |
$10.95 |
This native’s leaves were once used as a substitute for tea!
It has a shrub-like growth habit and is covered with bright white clusters of
flowers in July and August—attracts hummingbirds that eat the small insects
that pollinate it. It also can take full sun. |
Chelone glabra |
30-40” ht
|
#1
|
$8.95
|
This NATIVE Turtlehead has shiny dark green foliage and
white flowers tinged with pink in late summer. Loves moisture and can be
pinched to maintain at a shorter height. Needs bright shade or sun (but only
with moisture). |
Cimicifuga ‘Chocoholic’ |
30” ht
|
#1
|
$14.95
|
This short, compact Snakeroot has luscious purplish-black
foliage and alluring fragrant bottle brush flowers that start pink and age
to white in late summer. A yummy plant that is deer and rabbit resistant,
attracts butterflies, and really gives the shade garden all season interest.
A collector’s plant and VERY limited! |
| Cimicifuga Simplex ‘White
Pearl’ |
36” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
| A late flowering bugbane
with pure white, fragrant bottle-brush flowers---extend your blooming season! |
| Convallaria ‘Albostriata’ |
6” |
4½”pot |
$12.95 |
Certainly not your Gramma’s Lily-of-the-Valley! This NEW and VERY,
VERY LIMITED variety has the typical gloriously fragrant white flowers with
an unusual twist…it has VARIEGATED foliage! That’s right—green foliage with
creamy white veins!!! Talk about a “gotta-have” groundcover! |
| Corydalis Cheilanthifolia |
12” |
#1 |
$8.95 |
| Foliage resembles a
delicate leaved fern, it has bright yellow flowers. Needs good drainage. |
| Corydalis Lutea |
12” |
#1 |
$8.95 |
TONS of bright yellow flowers over lacy blue foliage in late
Spring, then sporadically ALL season! ANOTHER MUST HAVE! |
| Corydalis ochroleuca |
12-15” ht |
Jumbo |
$8.95 |
This little guy has white flowers with yellow spots;
flowers most of the summer! |
Dicentra ‘Burning Hearts’ |
10-12” ht
|
Jumbo
|
$14.95
|
This new Fern Leaf Bleeding Heart has blue-grey finely
dissected foliage and STRIKING rose-red heart shaped foliage ALL SEASON!
Needs some moisture to prevent it going dormant, is deer resistant, and a
hummer attractant! A MUST for serious plant addicts! |
| Dicentra Formosa ‘Luxuriant’ |
12” |
#1
#2 |
$8.95
$12.95 |
Pink, longest blooming |
| Dicentra Spectabilis (Old-fashioned Bleeding
Heart) |
30” |
#1
#2 |
$8.95
$12.95 |
THIS is the one Grandma grew! Pink, heart-shaped flowers
May/June-may go dormant, but won’t if you keep it watered. |
| Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’ |
24-36” |
#1
#2 |
$8.95
$12.95 |
A white-flowered form of the
old-fashioned Bleeding Heart. |
| Digitalis ‘Goldcrest’ |
18” ht |
#1 |
$13.95 |
This perennial Foxglove has scads of peachy yellow
flowers with reddish freckles; blooms most of the summer! Hummers love it
and deer and rabbits don’t! Likes bright to partial shade. |
| Dracocephalum grandiflorum |
8-12” ht |
Jumbo |
$7.95 |
| This Lamium relative produces
unusual dark blue hooded flowers June thru August. Likes moist partial
shade; adored by butterflies! |
Fallopia
Japonica Variegata |
36-40” |
#1 |
$12.95 |
Bushy perennial that is REALLY outstanding! Stunning
white-splashed foliage with pink stems and shocking coral new growth, sprays
of white flowers in Aug-Sept. A Contrary Mary Top 10 pick! |
| The following ferns make great additions to your
shade gardens. None are invasive but all will provide seasons-long foliage
interest and are great contrasts to other shade-lovers. |
| Fern—Athyrium ‘Dre’s Dagger’ |
30-36” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
This Lady Fern has billowy, feathery fronds that looks like they are
reaching out to touch you…talk about texture and grace! |
| Fern—Athyrium ‘Frizelliae’ |
12-18” ht |
#1 |
$9.95 |
This Tatting Fern has unique fronds that are rolled
together—looks like beads on a necklace! Arching habit and really stands out
in your shade garden; rabbit resistant too! |
| Fern - Athyrium
‘Ghost’ (Ghost Fern) |
30” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
A “haunting” cross between a painted and a southern Lady
Fern---stunning silver fronds in rigid clump. |
| Fern - Dryopteris filix-mas ‘Crispa Cristata’ |
12-20” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
This Crested Male Fern
looks edible with its frilly, almost chartreuse-green fronds. Really
different than the “average” garden fern! (Come see a great one in our
display bed!) |
| Galium Oderatum (Sweet Woodruff) |
8-10” |
Jumbo |
$5.95 |
My FAVORITE groundcover-it has bright green whorled foliage
scented like new-mown hay, masses of pure white flowers in May that are used
to flavor German May wine--- ANOTHER GOTTA HAVE! |
|
| The following are varieties of perennial
geraniums—no garden should be without some of these beauties! They not only
have unusual flowers, but attractive foliage spring thru late fall. When
determining how much sun they can take, the general rule is that the larger
foliage varieties need more shade, while the finely divided foliage can take
full sun (with watering). Some more general info: g. Cantabrigiense makes a great groundcover, has aromatic foliage and good fall color, can take
full sun; g. Cinereum needs a well-drained soil; g. Phaeum makes a
great groundcover and can tolerate dry shade; g. Pratense needs to be
deadheaded for rebloom, and, if cut back, will reblohom in fall; g. Sangiuneum is a very long bloomer, has great fall color, and can take full sun to almost
full shade. Butterflies love them all. |
| Geranium Cantabrigiense ‘Biokova Karmina’ |
10” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
Pink flowers, great foliage |
| Geranium Cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’ |
10” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
White flowers, great foliage |
| Geranium pretense ‘Dark Reiter’ |
10” ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This offspring of ‘Midnight Reiter’ has deeply scalloped
dark plum foliage and lilac blue flowers all summer—a knockout with
chartreuse hostas like ‘Corn Muffins’, ‘Maui
Buttercups’, and ‘Key West’! Deer and rabbit resistant too! |
| Geranium pratense ‘Midnight Reiter’ |
9” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
| A mounding Cransebill with very dark purple, lacy foliage and
nearly true blue flowers. A slow grower…be patient! If grown in shade,
foliage is dark green with purple highlights. |
| Geranium sang. ‘Max Frei’ |
8” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
Compact foliage with good fall color, many deep magenta
flowers. |
| Geranium Wlassovianum |
16” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
Young leaves have chocolate blotches which provide excellent
contrast to their deep purple flowers that appear in late summer. Older
leaves turn a fiery red in Autumn—great three-season interest! |
| Geranium ‘Philippe Vapelle’ |
15” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
| GORGEOUS softly hairy blue-gray leaves, with bluish-purple
flowers over a very long bloom season-he’s a must have! |
| Geranium ‘Rozanne’ |
18-20” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
A great Geranium from Blooms of Bressingham, this one has 2½”
saucer-shaped violet blue flowers early to mid-summer (and sporadically thru
fall), above deep green foliage slightly marbled with chartreuse. It makes a
great groundcover as it spreads 2-3 square feet. |
| Gillenia trifoliate |
2-3’ |
#1 |
$9.95 |
This plant is native to the eastern U.S. and is also called
Bowman’s Root, and likes moist soil to establish (although it is
drought-tolerant once established). It has very unique, cut foliage with
mahogany stems and a compact habit. The flowers are ethereal, white with red
petioles, and form way-cool seed heads. It’s also deer-resistant! |
|
| Hellebores were the 2005 Perennial Plant of the Year, and for
good reason ‘cause they are WAY-COOL! What other perennial do you know that
has evergreen foliage and blooms while there is still snow on the ground (a
real plant after our own Midwestern hearts!!) Some say that hellebores are
destined to replace hostas as the easy-care plant for the shade!! They bloom
for a very long time in the garden, and make excellent cut flowers too. Try
some—they’re well worth investing in. |
Helleborus orientalis ‘Banana Cream Pie’ |
22” ht
|
#1
|
$18.95
|
This beautiful Lenten Rose has early spring blooms of
creamy yellow with red spots atop stiff deep green foliage. If you’ve never
tried a Hellebore, you don’t know what you’re missing, and this one is a
real winner! Looks great all season as the flowers stay for a long time and
the foliage is always perfect! VERY limited! A Contrary Top 10 Honorable Mention! |
Helleborus ‘Golden Lotus Strain’ |
18” ht
|
#1
|
$18.95
|
This Lenten Rose produces very large 3” fully DOUBLE
flowers that range from pale to bright yellow, often having red speckling or
red edges. Another FANTASTIC jewel for the shade garden; rabbit and deer
resistant (as are all Hellebores!) |
| Helleborus ‘Onyx Odyssey’ |
18-22” ht |
#1 |
$16.95 |
This Lenten Rose has HUGE (3”) DOUBLE slate black to
purple very full flowers—a real STUNNER! VERY limited; deer and rabbit
resistant too! |
| Helleborus ‘Peppermint Ice’ |
18-22” ht |
#1 |
$16.95 |
With 3” double flowers that range in color from soft pink
with peppermint veining to almost magenta, this one is a “gotta-have” for your shade garden. Just imagine the
impact if you planted it with ‘Onyx Odyssey’!!! |
|
| The following is a selection of unusual coral
bells, grown for their outstanding foliage---they really make the shade
garden, adding texture, depth, interest. They look great as foils to hostas,
or bordering a shady path. Next to Lady’s Mantle these are my favorites
(gotta haves)! |
Heuchera ‘Berry Smoothie’ |
16” foliage ht
|
#1
|
$16.95
|
This VERY LIMITED collector’s Heuchera has bright
purple-rose vigorous foliage that GLOWS in the garden! Berry, berry nice! |
| Heuchera ‘Black Beauty’ |
foliage 10” |
#1 |
$12.95 |
Another “gotta-have” I’m afraid! This one has somewhat upright
leaves that catch the light from all directions, revealing its many
dimensions of color including ruby-red! |
| Heuchera ‘Blackout’ |
6” foliage ht, 10” flower ht. |
#1 |
$12.95 |
A NEW Coral Bell that has almost jet-black, glossy, smooth rounded
foliage that forms a perfect little mound and dancey cream flowers…team it up
with a bright hosta like ‘Bright Lights’, Ice Cream’ or ‘Jaz’ for an
unforgettable combo! |
Heuchera ‘Caramel’ |
12” foliage ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
A villosa hybrid that’s a strong and vigorous grower…similar
to ‘Amber Waves’ in color but a better grower! Best grown in morning sun. A Contrary Mary Top 10 pick! |
| Heuchera ‘Christa’ |
8-10” foliage ht, 20” flower ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This one is a color-changer, starting out with new leaves that are a
rose-purple with a peach underlay, maturing to a peach with a silver overlay.
Cream flowers too! |
| Heuchera ‘Citronelle’ |
10-12” foliage ht, 14” flower ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This sport of ‘Caramel’ has citron yellow foliage with silver
undersides. Compact grower and as AWESOME as its parent! |
Heuchera ‘Electra’ |
7” foliage ht.
|
#1
|
$16.95
|
This VERY LIMITED collector’s Heuchera is a Dwarf variety
with glowing chartreuse foliage that has deep red veins. Shocking! |
| Heuchera ‘Frosted Violet’ |
foliage 12-15”, flowers 28” |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This great new intro has
burgundy-violet foliage accented by deep veining—color intensifies in the
fall. Top it off with pink pearly flowers and it’s a winner! |
| Heuchera ‘Georgia Peach’ |
Foliage 14” ht, flowers 30” ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
A villosa hybrid with glowing
peach colored foliage that has silver overlay and white flowers. Pair her
with ‘Blackout’ and ‘Obsidian’ for unbelievable impact! |
| Heuchera ‘Hercules’ |
15” foliage ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This one has very marbled green and white foliage and deep red
flowers….strong grower (what else would you expect?!) and forms a good sized
mound. |
| Heuchera ‘Key Lime Pie’ |
12” foliage ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
How could you not love this one named after my favorite
dessert! Bright chartreuse foliage looks good enough to eat! |
| Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’ |
foliage 8”, flowers 17” |
#1 |
$12.95 |
A Great NEW Heuchera color…you’ve never seen ANYTHING like it!
It has frosted, ruffled leaves that are a shocking LIME GREEN! The flowers
are small and pure white and the plant is a vigorous grower. Needs partial to
full shade. |
| Heuchera ‘Melting Fire’ |
Foliage 10” ht, flowers 18” ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This hot new Coral bell has bright red spring foliage
that matures to deep maroon. Heavily ruffled and with great texture, it has
masses of white flowers late spring to early summer! |
| Heuchera ‘Midnight Rose’ |
Foliage 10” ht, flowers 24” ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This ‘Obsidian’ sport has smooth purple black foliage with hot pink splotches
in the spring that lighten to creamy pink as the season progresses. All I
can say is WOW! Flowers are insignificant. |
| Heuchera ‘Miracle’ |
8-10” foliage ht, 12-14” flower ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
Now this one ‘tis a REALLY different Heuchera! Again, a color-changer
with new leaves that are chartreuse with red in the center, maturing to brick
red with chartreuse edges. Pair it up with ‘Citronelle’ or ‘Tiramisu’ and
watch jaws drop!! Pink flowers. |
| Heuchera ‘Mocha’ |
16” foliage ht, 30” flower ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This is a Heuchera on steroids!!! Huge (6”+) near black foliage and
tall white flowers will sweeten up your garden! |
Heuchera
‘Obsidian’ |
foliage 10” |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This one is on Contrary Mary’s Top 10 list, so you
KNOW how wonderful it is! Shiny, broad, smooth, round leaves that are almost
glassy in texture, it was named well! The black leaves are so smooth they
almost appear to have been polished…a knock-out effect with any
golden-foliaged plant! |
Heuchera ‘Peach Flambé’ |
8” foliage ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
Striking peach-colored leaves with red overtones that have a
deep purple fall color. It is topped off with white flowers that have reddish
purple scapes…flaming! A Contrary Mary Top 10 pick! |
| Heuchera ‘Pinot Gris’ |
10” foliage ht, 18” flower ht. |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This has young foliage that is ginger colored with a silver overlay,
with mature foliage that is smoky rose with a silver overlay and purple
undersides. Cream flowers too! |
| Heuchera ‘Pistache’ |
Foliage 10” ht, flowers 18” ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
A villosa hybrid, it has lime
green to chartreuse large foliage and cream flowers. EXCELLENT with
‘Obsidian’, ‘Mocha’, and ‘Blackout’! |
| Heuchera ‘Plum Pudding’ |
Foliage 8” ht, flowers 26” ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
I used to carry this one and it was one of my faves (and a GREAT performer too!). It has large, plum
purple foliage with dark purple veining and dark undersides; white flowers. |
| Heuchera ‘Tiramisu’ |
8-10” foliage ht, 14” flower ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
How could you not LOVE this yummy Heuchera with young foliage that is
yellow with red centers, maturing to chartreuse with a silver overlay! White
flowers. |
| Heucherella ‘Alabama
Sunrise’ |
Foliage 12” ht, flower 20” ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This villosa hybrid has very
large, deeply cut brilliant gold foliage with red veining; may lighten as
weather warms up. White flowers; more tolerant of heat and humidity. Looks
great well into winter too! |
| Heucherella ‘Stoplight’ |
Foliage 8” |
#1 |
$12.95 |
Individual leaf size is up to three times larger than those of
‘Sunspot’, so you know this one is another Contrary fave! Screaming yellow,
red centered spring leaves will stop you in your tracks…summer foliage is
slightly more muted (but still amazing); also produces white flowers in
spring. |
Heucherella ‘Sweet Tea’ |
18” foliage ht.
|
#1
|
$16.95
|
This VERY LIMITED new Heucherella has HUGE orange leaves
with cinnamon centers and veins—very distinctive! |
Hypericum ‘Brigadoon’ |
15” ht |
#1 |
$12.95 |
Another one I forgot to include last year (and it sold out anyway!),
this St. John’s Wort has bright golden yellow foliage with reddish edges and
2” golden flowers late spring to early summer. Best in part to bright shade
away from drying winds…outstanding with Heucheras, Hostas and Carex! A Contrary Top 10 Honorable Mention! |
| Kirengeshoma palmata |
36-40” |
#1 |
$8.95 |
| This yellow Wax Bells has a shrub-like habit and pale yellow
nodding flowers that bloom late summer thru fall. The foliage has
maple-shaped leaves and purple stems. |
Lamium ‘Ghost’ |
10-12” ht
|
Jumbo
|
$6.95
|
This Intrinsic Perennial intro has glowing silver foliage
and bright raspberry purple flowers in the spring. A great non-invasive
groundcover with striking contrast that is deer and rabbit resistant! |
| Liriope ‘Silver Dragon’ |
10-15” ht |
Jumbo |
$7.95 |
| This Lilyturf has grass-like
green and white foliage that creeps slowly (not aggressive). Produces pale
lavender flowers in late summer; protect from drying winds. |
Lobelia siphilitica |
36” ht
|
#1
|
$8.95
|
This NATIVE has stiffly erect dark green foliage and rich
blue flowers in late summer. A great plant for the rain garden and adored by
hummers and butterflies! |
| Lysmachia ‘Aurea’ (Moneywort) |
2” |
Jumbo |
$5.95 |
Groundcover creeps and glows yellow (see photo in featured
garden). |
| Mukdenia ‘Karasuba’ |
8-12” ht |
#1 |
$13.95 |
This rare foliage plant has fan shaped foliage that start deep green and develops deep red edges as it ages.
In the fall, foliage turns a brilliant fire engine red. Also produces starry
white flowers in spring. Needs bright to partial shade; VERY limited! |
Omphalodes ‘Starry Eyes’ |
10” ht
|
Jumbo
|
$8.95
|
This Navelwort is semi-evergreen with beautiful lush
foliage and masses a tiny blue forget-me-not type flowers in spring.
Tolerates dry shade and doesn’t like a lot of wind. |
| Oxalis rosea |
8-10” |
#1 |
$8.95 |
This Pink Wood Sorrel has vivid green clover foliage and bright pink
flowers all summer if kept moist (not wet!)! Does not set seed; butterflies
love it! |
| Pinellia pedatisecta |
4-6” ht |
jumbo |
$7.95 |
This is a cousin to Jack-in-the Pulpits, and has
arrow-shaped foliage and long, bizarre spadixes. A
reseeder; guaranteed to draw your garden visitors
and elicit comments! |
| Polemonium c. ‘Album’ |
24” ht |
#1 |
$9.95 |
| This Jacob’s Ladder has great foliage and white flowers
in spring to early summer; will re-bloom if deadheaded. Butterflies LOVE it! |
| Polemonium ‘Bressingham Purple’ |
15-18” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
This great Jacob’s Ladder has deep purple foliage (more
intense in more light) and light blue flowers for a long time in late
spring/early summer. |
Polemonium ‘Heaven Scent’ |
18-24” |
#1 |
$12.95 |
This Jacob’s Ladder has ferny green foliage that has deep purple
highlights in spring and fragrant blue flowers. Likes partial shade best;
deer resistant! A Contrary Mary Top 10 Honorable Mention! |
Polemonium ‘Stairway to Heaven’ |
12-18” |
#1 |
$13.95 |
A NEW variegated Jacob’s Ladder that is
reputed to be MUCH hardier and MUCH more vigorous than ‘Brise d’Anjou’, it
has white leaved margins that are also tinged with pink. VERY LIMITED
QUANTITIES!! A Contrary Mary Top 10 pick! |
| Polygonatum humile |
8” |
#1 |
$8.95 |
A true fairy garden plant, this miniature Solomon’s Seal is
DARLING! It slowly colonizes and is a natural companion to mini hostas…it
awwww-inspiring! |
| Polygonatum odoratum |
18-24” |
#1 |
$8.95 |
| This native Solomon’s Seal colonizes nicely in a woodland
setting. It has soft, green leaves on tall, graceful stalks and long white flowers
that dangle from underneath the leaves in early spring. |
| Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ |
18-24” |
#1
#2 |
$8.95
$15.95 |
A great VARIEGATED Solomon’s Seal, it has elegant, arching
green leaves with white edges and dangling white flowers. Foliage turns
golden in the fall and is a real eye-catcher in the woodland garden. Reputed
to be deer-resistant, and hummingbirds love it! |
| Pulmonaria ‘Majeste’ |
12” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
A fantastic Lungwort with narrow, silver-grey foliage that
REALLY stands out in the shade. |
| Pulmonaria ‘Mrs. Moon’ |
10-12” ht |
#1 |
$9.95 |
This Lungwort has darling green foliage with silvery/grey
freckles; magenta pink buds open to blue blooms in spring! Hummers adore it;
deer and rabbits don’t! |
Pulmonaria ‘Polar Splash’ |
9” ht |
#1 |
$9.95 |
This showy Lungwort has dark green foliage with bright
silver polka dots; blooms blue flowers changing to pink in spring. Tolerates
more sun than most Lungworts and is shunned by deer and rabbits but adored
by hummingbirds! |
Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’ |
12” ht |
#1 |
$9.95 |
This beauty has narrow foliage that is dark green with
silver spots and VERY showy raspberry pink flowers in late spring. |
| Rodgersia ‘Chocolate Wings’ |
20” ht |
#1 |
$16.95 |
| This is a stand-out foliage plant! Has deep bronzy-chocolaty colored leaves that look
like Horse Chestnuts, and Astilbe-like white
flowers in spring. Likes moist soil; VERY limited! |
| Salvia koyamae |
30” ht |
#1 |
$8.95 |
| This Sage has HUGE heart shaped deep green foliage and
produces yellow flowers in September and October…quite a spectacle in the
fall! Of course. Butterflies and hummers love it and deer don’t! |
| Sanguinaria canadensis |
10” |
#1 |
$8.95 |
This native Bloodroot is a member of the Poppy family and
blooms from March to May in the woods. It has a solitary white flower with a
golden-orange center and bluish-green, palmately scalloped, unique leaves. A
must for a native shade garden! |
| Stylophorum diphyllum |
18” ht |
#1 |
$8.95 |
This NATIVE Celandine or Wood Poppy has large, lobed,
Oak-like foliage and produces showy, poppy-like, clear yellow flowers
primarily in spring, followed by light green spiny fruits. Will re-bloom in
fall if given adequate moisture and will also colonize. If too dry it will
go summer-dormant. Nice plant! |
|
| All right, I promise this is the last time I say
this (at least about perennials!), but foam flowers are among the best plants
I know!! They have outstanding foliage and are a must in every garden. |
| Tiarella ‘Spring Symphony’ |
10” |
#1 |
$10.95 |
I can’t believe this plant - it has
compact, “painted” leaves and outstanding pink flowers that rebloom - DOES IT
EVER! in my own garden it bloomed May-June, THEN ON & OFF AGAIN ’TIL LATE
FALL! |
| Tiarella ‘Sugar & Spice’ |
8” foliage ht, 13” flower ht |
#1 |
$10.95 |
This foam flower is a clump former and has glossy, deeply dissected
foliage with prominent dark centers and fragrant pink and white flowers from
early spring to early summer. Deer resistant! |
| Tradescantia ‘Little Doll’ |
15-18” ht |
#1 |
$8.95 |
| This Spiderwort has violet-blue flowers all summer and a
compact growth habit. Likes partial shade and moist soil; beloved by
butterflies! |
| Tradescantia ‘Sweet Kate’ |
12-14” |
#1 |
$8.95 |
This Spiderwort prefers partial shade and has linear,
grass-like chartreuse foliage and blue flowers almost all summer. Can
tolerate soggy soil. |
|
These next plants are toad lilies (great name,
huh?!) They grow in deep shade and have flowers that look like orchids!!!
Great for fall bloomers; however, they won’t eat your slugs like other toads
will. |
Tricyrtis ‘Gilt
Edge’ |
24” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
Another great Toad, this one has creamy-yellow edged leaves
that give it great interest even when not in bloom. In the fall, the
magnificent white, heavily spotted flowers appear. WOW! A Contrary Mary
Top 10 pick! |
| Tricyrtis ‘Shirohotogisu’ |
24” ht |
#1 |
$9.95 |
| This Toad has medium green spotted foliage and clear
white flowers along each stem in fall. A Contrary Mary fave! |
| Tricyrtis Hirta ‘Variegata’ |
18” |
#1 |
$9.95 |
This toad lily has bright green leaves edged with a thin white
line and pinkish flowers with dark spots in the fall. |
| Trillium grandiflorum |
12-18” |
4½” pot |
$9.95 |
| This Wake Robin has the largest flowers that are upward facing and
pure white! It likes moist (not wet) shade to partial shade
in loamy soil (woodsy setting!) and blooms in April to May. VERY,
VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES !!! |
| Trillium luteum |
12-15” |
4½” pot |
$10.95 |
This NATIVE has lemon yellow flowers above silver and bronze mottled
foliage! It also likes moist (not wet) shade to partial shade
in loamy soil (woodsy setting!) and blooms April to May. VERY,
VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES !!! |
| Viola ‘Black Magic’ |
6-8” ht |
Jumbo |
$7.95 |
This produces a TRUE black flower with a bright yellow
eye in spring, re-blooming again in fall if deadheaded. A clump former that
is NOT invasive! |
| Viola ‘Etain’ |
6-8” ht |
Jumbo |
$7.95 |
Another little charmer with LARGE (2”) lemon yellow
flowers that have lavender purple and orange eyes and are sweetly fragrant. Will
bloom all summer! |
| |