Perennials - Earth Tones Native Plant Nursery

Perennials

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Botanical Name	Common Name	Description
Aconitum	Monkshood	The unusually-shaped flowers make a great shade accent. Upright spikes of blue, hooded flowers. Loves rich woods. Prefers rich, moist soil and a cool, part sun to shady garden. 3 to 5 feet.
Actaea americana (Cimicifuga)	American Bugbane	A bugbane with finely cut foliage that goes nicely with the tall wands of white, fluffy, bottle-brush flowers in late summer through fall. Red berries add color in winter. Prefers a shady garden with rich soil. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall. An Earth Tones favorite!
Actaea pachypoda	Doll’s Eye, Baneberry	Very early white flowers morph into white berries, with a striking black ‘pupil’ that gives the plant its common name. The ‘eyes’ may last four to six weeks in late summer to fall. Prefers a shady garden, rich soil. Grows 12 to 18 inches tall.
Actaea racemosa	Black Cohosh	A popular spring bloomer, with attractive foliage that persists through the season, and red berries on a tall stalk. Plant in rear of the shade garden. The leaves form a dense mound about 2 ft tall with tall spikes of flowers 4 ft tall. Prefers a shady garden with rich soils.
Actaea rubra	Red Baneberry	Flowers appear in an attractive fairy wand. True to the common name, bright red berries come out in the fall. Prefers shady sites and rich soil. 2 to 3 feet tall.
Allium cernuum	Nodding Onion	Delicate flowers in summer that start out white and change to pink. Does very well in rocky, dry places other plants can’t tolerate. Deer tend to avoid the oniony foliage. Prefers rich, yet well drained soils and full sun, and reaches 12 to 16 inches in height.
Allium tricoccum	Wild Leek, Ramps	This interesting bulb has foliage that emerges in early spring and goes quickly dormant. The pretty, little, white flower then pops up on a long, single stalk, turning into a head of lovely berries. The roots and leaves of this plant have been enjoyed as a delicacy for centuries. Before harvesting, it is best to read up on how American Indians harvested these sustainably by replanting the bulb tip, as they are slow growing. Prefers moist, wooded locations. 6 to 8 inches tall.
Amsonia hubrichtii	Hubrict’s Bluestar	A fantastic bluestar, with feathery foliage that turn brilliant reds and yellows in the fall. Azure flowers in late spring. 1 to 2 feet tall. Prefers sun to part sun and average soil.
Amsonia tabernaemontana	Bluestar	An infusion of sky-blue just during that time when there is a lull between spring and summer blooms. Lovely, star-shaped flowers, even in dry conditions. A nicely compact growth habit as well, staying below 36 inches. Sun to part shade, average to dry soil. Foliage turns bright yellow in the fall.
Anemone canadensis	Meadow Anemone	This super-hardy plant can be found all the way up to the arctic circle. Loads and loads of white flowers May through June. A robust plant good for the woods’ edge or in meadows. Moist to average soils. Grows about 18 inches tall. Sun to shade.
Anemone virginiana	Thimbleweed	A sweet, little, 12 to 30 inches, species that loves open woods and dry meadows alike. The white, late summer flowers are inconspicuous, but grow into interesting, thimble-shaped seed heads. Can take sun to shade and moist to dry.
Anemonella thalictroides	Rue Anemone	A tiny, delicate plant, which none the less blooms for almost a month in the early spring. Forms a nice clump, and the feathery foliage persists through the season as an attractive groundcover. Grows only 5 to 9 inches tall. Enjoys open woods, and moist, well drained soils. Very Sweet! Looks like a mini version of meadow rue.
Apocynum cannabinum	Indian Hemp	A tall, striking plant that loves the sun. Clusters of tiny, off-white flowers in summer are a nice contrast with the red stems and waxy bloom of the foliage. Commonly mistaken for milkweed. Used by American Indians to make string and ropes. Present from shores to thickets. 1 to 3 feet high, sun to part shade, well drained soil. In the right conditions this can be aggressive, so make sure you have loads of space.
Aquilegia canadensis	Columbine	A spring favorite, for us and the hummingbirds. The red color and delicious nectar make columbine a popular food source for our local hummers. Does nicely in a formal bed, or in more rocky conditions. Prefers well drained, drier soils. Will be happy in sandy soils too. 8 to 12 inches tall, and likes sun to partial shade.
Aralia racemosa	American Spikenard	This plant brings something to the shade garden all season. White flowers in long branching clusters in summer, which then shows purple berries in fall. 3 to 6 ft tall. Part sun to shade, average garden soil. Great for filling in large areas.
Arisaema triphyllum	Jack-in-the-Pulpit	A familiar plant with a truly unusual flower. When mature the ‘flower’ forms a large striped brown and green-hooded spathe. Fruit in fall are bright red berries in clusters. This plant looks practically tropical. Large foliage makes a dramatic addition to beds and woods after the flowers are finished. Moist, organic soils. Great for the shady garden. Grow 12 to 24 inches depending on site conditions.
Aruncus dioicus	Goats Beard	One of our favorites for shade gardens. Huge plumes of white flowers in late spring. Great source of nectar for a myriad of insects. Grows in part sun to shade. Will grow up to 6 feet and enjoys moist soils.
Asarum canadense	Wild Ginger	A short, reliable groundcover for the shade. Burgundy flowers appear under heart-shaped leaves, and are pollinated by ants. The roots are used as a flavoring, much like culinary ginger. Moist well drained soils in shade. Eight to ten inches tall.
Asclepias incarnata	Swamp Milkweed	Beloved by butterflies! This is a great way to attract butterflies to your flower bed or wet meadow or pond. Choice of white or pink flowers in summer. These plants like evenly moist to wet soils and sun. Two to four feet tall.
Asclepias syriaca	Common Milkweed	The easiest of the milkweeds to grow. A lovely, pink flower that the butterflies and others love. Flowers were once used to make wine. The largest of the milkweeds, at 3 to 5 feet. Needs large areas, can be too aggressive in small gardens. Moist to dry soils, full sun.
Asclepias tuberosa	Butterfly Weed	The quintessential butterfly weed. The brilliant orange summer flowers are the favorite food of monarch and queen butterflies. If you see a colorfully striped caterpillar on this milkweed, let it stick around. This the larval stage of the monarch. Prefers a sunny site with rich, well drained soils. Will grow to 1 to 3 feet tall.
Asclepias verticillata	Whorl Milkweed	An interesting milkweed with green and purple flowers. Thin, needle-like leaves are arranged in an elegant swirl up the stem. Very attractive to butterflies. A smaller milkweed, growing up to 2 feet. Sun to part sun, with average to dry soil.
Aster cordifolius	Blue Wood Aster	The lovely, blue stars of asters in the autumn woods is one the finest sights in New England. Let them run wild in the woods! Grows to 3 feet. Part sun to shade, with average to dry soil.
Aster divaricatus	Wood Aster	Fall blooming aster with a spray of small, delicate daisy-like, white flowers. Moist to dry soils, can handle harsh conditions. 18 inches tall. Good for a shady to partially shady gardens. Loves dry shade. We love mixing white and blue wood asters for extra wonderful color in the fall.
Aster laevis	Smooth Aster	Strong purple color in late fall. Moist to dry soils, 1 to 3 feet tall. Sun to part sun. Lovely with blue-gray leaves. Plant with coneflowers and goldenrod for a great fall display.
Aster lateriflorus	Calico Aster	An aster that puts on a delicate fall display in your wooded area. Tiny, white flowers top the 1 to 3 foot stems. Likes part sun to shade, and average soil.
Aster linariifolius	Stiff Aster	This is one of our favorites. At only 1 to 2 feet, the mounding habit of this thick, stiff-leaved aster is a winner. Loads of bright purple flowers cover it in fall. Looks especially good in a rock garden or at the edge of a border. Sun and average to dry soil conditions.
Aster macrophyllus	Big-leaved Aster	Named for its large, heart-shaped foliage. Clumps together to form a low groundcover in the shade that puts up a light blue flower in the fall. 12 to 15 inches. Likes average soil, and part sun to shade.
Aster novae-angliae	New England Aster	A meadow plant that packs a punch. Good in moist, open fields with violet to purple or rose-colored flowers in fall. Will grow 2 to 6 feet. Sun to part sun. Plant with your fall garden in mind. One of the showiest.
Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’	New England Aster	A more compact version of the New England aster, with all the brilliant color. grows to to two feet. Full sun to part sun, average soil.
Aster novi-belgii	New York Aster	A New England favorite. These asters seem to glow with an especially vivid purple, set off by the dark green foliage. At 1 to 3 feet tall, they are great to mix in with taller asters and other fall bloomers. Prefers a sunny area, with average, well drained soil.
Aster umbellatus	Stiff Aster	An aster with a white, flat-topped umbel of flowers. Mix in with purple aster for more varied fall color. Likes average to dry soils, and sun to part sun. 2 to 4 feet tall.
Baptisia australis	Blue False Indigo	Showy, bright blue flowers top strong, straight stems with a grey cast in summer. Deep rooted and slow growing. Prefers rich, well drained soils and sun to part shade. 5 feet tall at maturity. Great in meadow gardens.
Boltonia asteroides ‘Pink Beauty’	Thousand Flower Aster	The hundreds of light pink flowers give this perennial its common name. Blooms August to October with a profusion of daisy-like flowers. Butterflies love to visit. Great for fall color. Good in average to dry soils, enjoys sun. 4 to 5 feet tall. Great cut flower.
Caltha palustris	Marsh Marigold	Our earliest bloomer here at Earth Tones. Bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers. Can handle a wide variety of conditions. Sun to part shade, and average to wet soil. Reaches ten inches tall.
Campanula rotundifolia	Harebell, Bluebell	A cute, little flower great in rock gardens and borders. Purple flowers like teeny, tiny bells. Sun to part shade, and average to dry soil. Grows to 15 to 18 inches.
Caulophyllum thalictroides	Blue Cohosh	The bluish cast of the foliage makes cohosh a unique plant in the shade garden. White spikes of spring flowers turn into deep blue berries that complement the foliage. Loves moist, rich soils in woodlands. Grows from 24 to 36 inches tall. It has many medicinal properties, American Indians used it to induce labor.
Chelone glabra	Turtlehead	Named for the flowers that resemble a turtle coming out of its shell. White flowers summer through fall. Finely toothed, long, slender leaves 3 to 6 inches long. Found in swamps and stream banks. 1 to 3 feet tall. Sun to part sun, average to wet soil. Butterflies love it.
Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’	Pink Turtlehead	A type of pink turtlehead selected for an especially vibrant hot pink flower. Flowers come out in late summer. At between 2 and 3 feet, this makes a great middle layer to beds and plantings. Loves sun. Can take wet feet, but will grow happily in the average garden.
Chimaphila maculata	Spotted Wintergreen, Pipsissewa	A tiny plant with an amazing flower. A bright, white flower, reminiscent of a passion flower, hangs inverted over the forest floor in mid-summer. The heavy, dark green foliage with lighter green striping is very attractive as well. Native to the dry, upland woods. 4 to 10 inches.
Chrysopsis mariana	Golden Aster	Bright, clear gold flowers in autumn. Sandy woods and barrens. Reaches between 3 and 4 feet tall. Sun and drought tolerant. Mix with purples, like blazing stars and ironweed.
Clintonia borealis	Blue Bead Lily	An adorable, shade-loving, spring ephemeral that looks like a miniature lily. The foliage makes a nice groundcover, and a rich, bright blue fruit develops in summer. This lily likes the moist woods. It has long oval-shaped dark green leaves and yellow flowers on top of a stalk in late spring.
Coreopsis lanceolata	Lance-leafed Tickseed	A tickseed with very large, bright yellow flowers. A smaller addition to the sunny border or wildflower meadow. Only 1 to 2 feet. Likes average garden soil.
Coreopsis tripteris	Tall Coreopsis	A very tall version of the coreopsis. Get the same lovely, yellow little flower up a little higher. Does well in poor, dry soil. Very strong, and a great birdfeeder. Two inch yellow blooms, July through September. 3 to 4 feet tall. Sun to part sun.
Coreopsis verticillata	Tickseed	Feathery foliage and bright, cheerful flowers. This is a popular, reliable landscaping plant. Yellow daisy-like, dainty flowers from summer till frost, prefers sun and can handle drier soils. 12 to 18 inches tall.
Cornus canadensis	Bunchberry	A dogwood only eight inches tall. A wonderful groundcover that looks like the endmost branches of the dogwood in full bloom and a cute, many-sided fruit popular with the wildlife. Blooms in spring. Prefers shade and acidic soils. Grows up to 12 inches tall.
Delphinium exaltum	Tall Larkspur	A bright splash of bluish-purple for the shade. Little fish-like flowers with a smashing color. Nectar is popular with pollinators. 3 foot + tall spikes, average to rich soils, great in bright shade.
Desmodium canadense	Showy Tick Trefoil	A member of the pea family with bright pink blooms in summer. Rows from 1 to 3 feet tall. Likes sun to full sun. Average to dry soils. Loved by butterflies.
Dicentra canadensis	Squirrel Corn	A sweet and dainty spring ephemeral with white heart shaped flowers. Lacey foliage that persists through the season. Tiny, 3- 4” tall of fine blue green leaves. Prefers shade, can handle some sun. Temporary groundcover for early, early spring. Average soil.
Dicentra cucullaria	Dutchmen’s Breeches	Named because of the bifurcated horns on the back of the flower. Looks like a pair of pants. Finely cut foliage goes dormant early in the season. Only 6 to 12 inches tall. Part sun to shade, and moist, rich soil.
Dicentra eximia	Wild Bleeding Heart	A spring favorite that continues blooming into fall. The delicate look of the pink, heart-shaped flowers and the deeply cut foliage belies its hardiness. Grows 12 to 18 inches tall with fine, fern-like leaves. Forms nice clumps, prefers rich moist soils, and sun to shade.
Echinacea purpurea	Purple Cone Flower	The famous herbal remedy! But it does wonders just growing in the garden for all to see! A favorite for midseason butterflies and in fall, the seeds are loved by Goldfinches. Prefers rich, well drained soils and sun. Will grow 24 to 36 inches. Pinkish purple, daisy-like flowers.
Echinacea purpurea ‘Ruby Star’	Purple Cone Flower	Selected for large, more vibrant flowers. Gives a great show, and still has the ruggedness of the species. 3 to 4 feet, sun to part sun, and average to dry soil.
Epigaea repens	Trailing Arbutus	A little known gem. A tiny plant that gets only few inches tall. Bears elfin, white flowers with an incredible scent. Has fairly strict requirements, including rich, slightly acid soil that is will drained. Also needs partial to full shade. 4 to 5 inches.
Erigeron pulchellus	Robin’s Plantain	Tiny, pink to purple, daisy-like flowers grace this plant all through mid-summer. Only growing to 6 to 10 inches, this makes a great groundcover. Likes average to dry soil, and sun to part shade. Lives on sandy banks and slopes.
Eupatorium coelestinum	Hardy Ageratum	Downy, blue flowers with a fantastic color resembling the annual ageratum in late summer. Average soil, with sun to light shade. Will grow 2 to 3 feet tall. Good to mix in with joe pye weed, as it is much more compact. Is happy with an occasion thinning and division.
Eupatorium fistulosum	Joe Pye Weed	Most impressive! This is a huge plant, but it will really repay the space it takes up. This wetland plant grows up to 8 feet tall and is covered on top with pink flowers that are 8 to 12 inches across! The giant flowers come out in late summer and fall. Interesting foliage, as well. A favorite with pollinators. Prefers wet meadows but will do nicely in rich garden soil that will not dry all the way out.
Eupatorium perfoliatum	Boneset	A commonly used medicinal herb. Makes a nice background plant. White flowers on top of 2 to 4 foot tall stems. Blooms late summer. Sun to part sun, average to wet soil. Evergreen features through winter. Great companion with lobelias.
Eupatorium rugosum	Snakeroot	A plant which will put up clouds of white flowers in late summer. Very effective in mass plantings. 2 to 4 feet tall. Likes lots of sun and average to wet soil. Frequently used as a medicinal plant.
Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’	Snakeroot	A selection of snakeroot prized for its brown-purple foliage. Butterflies love it. Two to four feet tall, likes sun to part sun, with average to wet soil.
Filipendula rubra	Queen of the Prairie	A pink that is out of this world! A wetland that adapts well to dryer garden soils. The large heavily-pinnate foliage makes a dramatic statement. Enjoys sun and moist to average soil. Meadows and low woods. Grows about 4 to 6 feet tall.
Fragaria virginiana	Virginia Strawberry	Deliciously sweet wild strawberries and an attractive groundcover! Quickly spreads along the ground on rhizomes, reaching 6 to 10 inches tall. Bears tiny, white flowers in spring. Likes sun to part shade and average to dry soil. Loved by wildlife.
Gaillardia arististata ‘Fanfare’	Blanket Flower	A native that looks great in a formal planting. Blooms with bright red and yellow flowers June through August. Enjoys full sun and average garden soils. 12 to 14 inches tall.
Gaultheria procumbens	Wintergreen	An evergreen groundcover with dark, glossy leaves fresh with wintergreen essence. Older leaves are good for making tea. Red, edible berries in late summer to fall, also ‘wintergreen fresh.’ Prefers well drained, moist, acidic soils, and part sun to shade. Only 3 to 6 inches tall.
Gentiana clausa	Closed Gentian	A fascinating and gorgeous plant. The azure flowers of gentians are unmatched. The closed gentian has the same bright color, but the flowers never fully open. They have a tiny opening at the tip of the large blooms through which bees can pass. The flower tip eventually turns from white to purple, signaling pollination. The easiest and most forgiving of the gentians to establish. Will do best in an average to moist, shady site, but can tolerate sun with reliable moisture. 15 to 20 inches tall. Well established plant will have dozens of flowers in late summer.
Geranium maculatum	Wood Geranium	Rose purple flowers, blooming late spring into early summer. Enjoys woods and meadows, with rich, well drained soils and part sun to shade.
Helenium autumnale	Sneezeweed	Very showy in late summer. Tall, with bright, lemon yellow flowers. Good cut flower. Sun and moist soils. Grows to 3 to 5 feet tall.
Helianthus decapetalus	Thin-leaved Sunflower	An attractive woodland sunflower that should be cultivated in gardens more often. Can reach up to 5 feet tall. Loves sun to part sun and average garden soil.
Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’	Perennial Sunflower	A sunflower selected for its creamy, lemon-colored flowers. Makes a nice 3 to 4 foot high, rounded shape. Blooms in late summer. Prefers average to dry soil and sun to part sun.
Heliopsis helianthoides	Ox Eye	Golden-yellow, many-petaled flowers on 3 to 5 foot stems. Prefers a sunny garden with moist to dry soils. A carefree, long lasting plant.
Heliopsis scabra ‘Summer Sun’	Rough Heliopsis	A lovely selection with sun-yellow flowers blazing in summer. Likes average to dry conditions and lots and lots of sun. Reaches between 3 and 4 feet tall.
Heracleum maximum	Cow Parsnip	A late spring stunner. Huge heads of tiny white flowers over large dramatic foliage. Loves wet, and can adapt well to average garden soil. Sun to part sun.
Heuchera sanguinea	Coral Bells	Pink, dainty flowers, shaped like little bells running up a thin stalk. The foliage is light green, rounded and makes an excellent rock garden addition. Plant where the delicate flowers can be appreciated. Part sun to shade, in rich, average to dry soil. Grows 12 to 18 inches.
Hibiscus moscheutos	Swamp Rose Mallow	Humongous flowers! In late summer into fall, large 4 inch wide blooms appear. Flowers are white with a lovely, cherry red center. This plant enjoys full sun and average to wet soils. Will grow 4 to 7 feet tall.
Houstonia caerulea	Bluets	A short and cute perennial with tiny, forget-me-not blue flowers with a little yellow center in late spring to early summer. Grows to 3 to 8 inches. Can tolerate moist to dry soil, and likes part sun to part shade. Since they are so small, they prefer not to compete with other plants while getting established.
Hydrastis canadensis	Goldenseal	Both a traditional and a contemporary herbal remedy. Found in moist, rich woodlands, and prefers its soils slightly acidic. 8 to 12 inches tall, with white flowers in spring developing into red fruit in fall.
Hydrophyllum sp.	Waterleaf	Shade-loving plant that is beautiful and interesting in early spring . The foliage has lovely white washes of swirling patterns, like a splash of milk, which then fade into the summer. The leaves then stay a vibrant green until frost. Makes a truly impressive mound of foliage. Small lavender flowers in the late spring. Needs a partly shady to shady, moist spot in rich soil. 1 to 2 feet tall.
Hypericum virginicum	St. John’s Wort	Flowers the pink and red of a good sunset. Blooms July to August. Leaves are sessile (grow right up against the stem), forming an attractive blue-grey setting for the flowers. 12 to 18 inches. Native to bogs and swamps, and likes average to wet soil. Can tolerate acid soil.
Iris cristata	Wood Iris	A cutie! Flowers bloom in spring with a very pretty light blue. Foliage remains throughout summer as an attractive ground cover. Only 4 to 8 inches tall. Nice contrast with Tiarella or sedums. Needs well drained soils and part sun to shade. Fun in rock gardens!
Iris versicolor	Blue Flag Iris	A slender iris with a delicate blue flower in late spring. 3 to 4 feet tall. At home in moist locations, but is adaptable to average garden soil that will not become too dry. Great for rain gardens.
Jeffersonia diphylla	Twinleaf	A early spring bloomer with a single, one inch wide, white flower and doubled leaves resembling the wings of a butterfly! 6 to 8 inches tall. In late summer, seed pods have a flip top lid! Reminds my husband of a pez candy dispenser. Enjoys rich woods.
Liatris spicata	Blazing Star	This is a great border or meadow plant. Wonderful for cut flowers, but leave some for the wildlife! Flowers are a very good nectar source, and the seeds are very important for birds. Sun to part sun, moist to wet soils, but will do very well in rich garden soil. The long lasting, purple flowers bloom on spikes with thin, lily-like leaves, 2 to 4 feet tall.
Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’	Blazing Star	A compact form of blazing star that only reaches 2 feet tall. Looks great among your shorter beds and borders. Long, thin spikes of purple flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Sun to part sun and average to dry soil.
Linnaea borealis	Twin Flower	This is a nice, little evergreen that can form a carpet of shining green leaves. Blooms with two delicate pink flowers in spring. Flowers have a lovely almond scent! 1 to 3 inches tall. Moist, acidic soil and full sun to shade.
Lobelia cardinalis	Cardinal Flower	A show stopper! Gorgeous red, delicate, tubular flowers bloom in summer on 4 to 6 foot tall stalks. Attracts hummingbirds. Does best in sun to light shade and moist to wet, fertile soils.
Lobelia siphilitica	Blue Lobelia	Bright blue, tubular flowers on a 2 to 3 foot stalk. Prefers moist, rich soils and can handle part shade. Loved by hummingbirds and butterflies. Will self sow under good conditions.
Lupinus perennis	Sun-Dial Lupines	Everyone loves lupines! Tall spikes, 3 to 4 feet, of many blue-violet flowers in mid-summer. Grows in sandy, poor soils and can fix nitrogen. Likes full sun. It is the only food of the Karner blue butterfly, which is an endangered species.
Maianthemum canadense	Canada Mayflower	A little darling of the open woods, which can spread through the woods are an attractive groundcover. A tiny, white stem bearing a few flowers in spring which develops into a lovely reddish-green berry. The single, oval leaf remains through the season as a feature. 3 to 4 inches.
Mertensia virginica	Virginia Blue Bells	The sky blue of these flowers is a harbinger of spring in the northeastern woods. The closed blossoms start out as pink and open into a beautiful clear blue. Part sun to shade. Reaches 14 to 20 inches. Blooms very early in spring. Soil should be rich, moist, well drained.
Mimulus ringens	Monkey Flower	Tallish stalks bear fun, purple, little flowers in late summer. Is a habitue of river and stream edges, and likes moist to wet soils. 2 to 4 feet tall. Sun to part sun. Good for rain gardens.
Mitchella repens	Partridgeberry	A very cute, very hardy, evergreen woodland groundcover. Only 1 to 2 inches tall, but can spread about 12 inches a season in the right conditions. Part sun to shade. Tiny white and pink flowers in spring to summer, growing into red berries in fall that remain the through winter. Keep leaf litter off the plant to allow for a denser green mat. Enjoys acidic soils.
Mitella diphylla	Mitterwort	A woodland cutie. Blooms in mid-spring on a long, slender stalk with many tiny, fringed, delicate, white flowers. The stalks reach 8 to 12 inches tall, and the mound of maple-shaped, basal leaves remains as a nice garden feature. In moist to dry shade.
Monarda didyma	Bee Balm	The classic, bright red, bee balm stunner. Scarlet-red blooms in summer. Grows up to four feet tall. Prefers sun and moist, rich soils. Butterflies and hummingbirds love it. Very easy to grow, but be cautious, it will colonize easily. Crushed leaves have a wonderful scent, and are great for tea.
Monarda didyma ‘Blue Stocking’	Oswega Tea	A bee balm with lovely, purpley-pink flower. Still has the same, great scent in the leaves. Likes sun to light shade, and moist soil. Grows to 3 to 4 feet tall.
Monarda didyma ‘Darker’	Bee Balm	A monarda selected from our own nursery for dark foliage and fuchsia flowers. 3 to 4 feet tall. Sun to part sun, and moist soil.
Monarda fistulosum	Wild Bergamont	The soft, light purple flowers make this a standout in summer. More shade tolerant than other monardas, growing in sun to part shade. Reaches 3 to 4 feet tall. Dry hillsides and the margins of woodlands.
Monarda punctata	Dotted Mint	A very interesting species of bee balm. Flowers are green and are surrounded by large, pink bracts, or false flowers. Grows to 3 to 4 feet and likes sun to part sun and average to dry soils.
Oenothera ‘Cold Creek’	Evening Primrose	A compact, very floriferous selection of a popular old standby. Makes a very fine display of round, yellow flowers, while remaining under two feet. Likes full sun to part sun, and can take very dry conditions. In the primrose family.
Oenothera fruticosa	Sundrops	A robust plant with a large number of yellow, cup-shaped flowers. Needs a large space to spread out in. Loves full sun and dry conditions. Can reach up to 3 feet tall.
Penstemon digitalis	Beardtongue	The stand we have growing on our rocky outcrop has attracted a lot of interest from humans and pollinators alike. Flowers are white with shades of pink and look something like a delicate foxglove. Prefers rich soils and sun to part shade. Will grow 2 to 4 feet and blooms in late spring to early summer.
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker’s Red’	Beardtongue	A handsome penstemon with dark red foliage. Makes a nice contrast with the white summer flowers. 2 to 3 feet tall. Sun to part sun, and average garden soil.
Phlox divaricata	Wood Phlox	An early spring bloomer with sky-blue flowers. Prefers part sun to shade in a moist garden. The foliage stays a rich dark green through summer. 12 to 14 inches tall.
Phlox maculata	Wild Sweet William	A late blooming phlox, with vivid, pink flowers. Prefers moist woods to damp meadows. Grows to 2 to 3 feet. Blooms in summer. Will spread out and fill in an area nicely. Sun, part sun.
Phlox maculata ‘Natascha’	Wild Sweet William	A tall, summer-blooming phlox with lovely, pale pink flowers. At 2 to 3 feet, makes a great mid-sized plant. Plant in a sunny location with average to wet soil.
Phlox paniculata	Garden Phlox	A taller phlox that blooms in mid-summer. Flowers are a nice pink. Loves sun, and average garden soil. Grows up to 3 to 5 feet tall. Mix with other phlox to extend your bloom.
Phlox paniculata ‘The King’	Garden Phlox	The dark, rich, hot pink of these flowers make them a great choice for mid-summer color. 3 to 5 feet, good for the back of borders and mass plantings. Sun to part sun and average soil.
Phlox pilosa	Prairie Phlox	Pink, very nicely scented flowers in early summer. Will grow up to 2 feet tall. Average garden soil and sun to part sun. Will spread by runners to form a mass.
Phlox stolonifera	Creeping phlox	A smaller, early phlox, with a bright pink flowers. Only reaches 3 to 5 inches tall. A good addition to beds with part sun to shade, and average soil. One of the first to brighten up gardens and rock walls in early spring.
Phlox subulata	Moss Phlox	An excellent, low growing (1 to 3 inches) early phlox, which makes a nice groundcover. Loads of pinkish purple flowers in spring. Small, needle-like, evergreen foliage makes a nice mat year-round. Needs lots of sun and average garden soil.
Physostegia virginiana	Obedient Plant	Great for fall color! Pink snapdragon-like blooms on 2 to 3 foot spikes. Loves sun and rich, dry to wet soils. Named because the flowers will stay at an angle if bent.
Physotegia alba	White Obedient Plant	An obedient plant with white flowers. Likes sun and dry to wet soil. 2 to 3 feet tall.
Podophyllum peltatum	May Apple	Creates wonderful colonies if the soil conditions are right. The leaves unfurl like umbrellas in early spring, and can reach up to 2 feet tall. Needs part sun to shade, and prefers moist, rich soils, but will tolerate some dryness. Blooms come out in spring under the leaf. In fall it develops an apple-like fruit. A great food source for turtles.
Polemonium	Jacobs Ladder	Blooms for a very long time in the spring. The frothily pinnate foliage surrounds long stalks of small, bell-shaped, blue flowers. Part sun to light shade. Grows 8 to 12 inches tall. Can handle some drought.
Polygonatum	Solomon’s Seal	Tall, arching stalks, with bell-shaped white flowers hanging under the arch. Blue fruits are decorative in fall. A wonderful woodland addition, and can also handle partial sun. Prefers the soil moist. 1 to 3 feet tall. An Earth Tones favorite for interesting landscaping.
Polygonatum variegated	Variegated Solomon’s Seal	Has all the great attributes of Solomon’s Seal, but with the added twist of a delicate light variegation along the edges of the leaves. Part sun to shade, and moist soil. 1 to 3 feet tall.
Pontederia cordata	Pickerelweed	This aquatic is on the borders of ponds, marshes, and streams. It has lance-shaped leaves. In summer a 3 to 4 inch stalk of violet-blue, tubular flowers beautifies your water feature. Flowers from June to November. Can live in up to 6 inches of water once established. Full sun. Edible young leaves!
Pycnanthemum	Mountain Mint	The leaves have a fresh, pepperminty scent. Purple flowers come out in late summer. It is a good nectar plant, feeding many insects. Likes sun to part shade, and moist to dry soils. Reaches 3 to 4 feet. Creates perfect backdrop or hides brown leaves of phlox or monarda.
Rhexia virginica	Meadowbeauty	The bright, cheerful flowers make this groundcover a winner. Rich pink flowers in summer. A low, ranging growth habit, growing to 12 inches tall. Likes full sun, and average to wet soil.
Ribes lacustre	Prickly Currant	A native currant with lovely leaves cut to look like a fleur de lis. Yummy, dark purple berries in spring. 2 to 3 feet tall. Likes sun to part shade, and moist to dry soil. Good for jam and birds.
Rudbeckia fulgida	Orange Coneflower	A popular and extremely reliable native. Tons of golden flowers come out in late summer. Makes great cut flowers. Prefers full sun and well drained soils. Reaches 24 to 30 inches tall. I leave the seed heads through winter for the hungry birds.
Rudbeckia ‘Herbstsonne’	Shining Coneflower	Extra large, wonderful, yellow flowers. Grows to between 3 and 6 feet. Butterflies love it. Sun to part sun and average soil.
Rudbeckia hirta	Black Eyed Susan	Cheery yellow with a rust-colored center late summer through fall. Each flower is just a little bit different than the next. Fuzzy leaves. Full sun and rich, well drained soils. 2 to 4 feet tall. Will self sow. Sometimes considered a biennial.
Rudbeckia laciniata	Cut-Leaf Coneflower	Topping out at over 6 feet, this tall and dramatic coneflower makes a bold statement. Put in the rear of a bed or veggie garden. Deeply cut foliage gives interest all season. Sun to part sun, and average soil.
Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Golden Glow’	Cut-leaf Coneflower	A selection of cut-leaf coneflower with a doubled flower. The fluffy, yellow blooms are stunners. Can be an aggressive spreader, so leave plenty of space. 3 to 6 feet tall. Sun to part sun, and average soil.
Sagittaria latifolia	Big-Leaved Arrowhead	A wetlander found in marshes, swamps, forested seeps, along the borders of streams, lakes and ponds; anywhere where there is a few inches of water to grow in. Big sprays of purple flowers in summer. The leaves make an arrow shaped display all season. Will rise 2 to 3 feet from the surface of the water.
Salvia lyrata ‘Purple Knockout’	Lyre-leafed Sage	A plant with naturally deep purple foliage. From a thick basal rosette, a long stalk emerges, holding fireworks of lavender flowers. Plant in a sunny, protected area. 18 inches tall. Average to dry soil.
Sanguinaria canadensis	Bloodroot	A true spring ephemeral. The white blossom opens first atop a 6 to 8 inch stalk, with the leaf still curled tight around the stem. Then the leaves unfold later to reveal its rounded and deeply lobed form. Beautiful as a colony. Part sun to shade, moist to well drained soils.
Scutellaria incana	Hyssop Skullcap	A meadow native that puts on a big show. 2 to 4 foot tall spikes of purple flowers spear in summer. Butterflies love these. Likes full sun, but can take part shade. Average to dry soil.
Scutellaria ovata	Heartleaved Skullcap	A lovely native covered in tiny purple flowers that loves the dappled shade at the woodland edge. Blooms in early summer. Does well in dry soils, sun to part shade. Grows to 18 inches tall. Heart-shaped leaves with darkly outlined veination.
Sedum telephioides	Wild Live Forever	A sedum that likes the edges of the woods. A great way to put some fall color in your shade plantings. Pink blooms in late summer to fall. Sun to part shade, moist to well drained soils. 8 to 16 inches tall.
Sedum ternatum	Wild Stone Crop	A perfect addition to rock gardens and rock walls. Will spill nicely over ledges and boulders. Blooms profusely with white flowers in late spring. Rounded, succulent, evergreen foliage persists all year. Sun to shade, moist to dry. Very tough.
Senna hebecarpa	Wild Senna	Bright yellow, pea-like blooms from July through September. Grows 3 to 5 feet tall. Bold, locust-like leaves. Enjoys sandy, well drained soils. Sun to part shade. Very hardy! Salt and drought tolerant!
Silene virginica	Fire Pink	A camera can’t so justice to the bright intensity of the fire pink’s flowers. A low basal rosette of leaves puts up a tall stalk on which several brilliant red flowers bloom. Loves sun and moist to dry soil. Great in a rock garden.
Sisyrinchium angustifolium	Blue-eyed Grass	You’ll love to see the little blue eyes of this grassy perennial peeking out at you. Six-petaled flowers with yellow centers appear in late spring and go through early summer. Damp meadows or grassy areas, rock gardens. 6 to 15 inches tall, and likes sun to part sun and average soil.
Smilacina racemosa	False Solomon’s Seal	In late spring, arching stalks with 3 to 6 inch long leaves appear. They grow 1 to 3 feet tall and put out a white, feathery mass of terminal, fragrant flowers. As the season progresses, red berries develop. Found in open oak forests. Part sun to shade, average soil.
Smilacina stellata	Star Flowered False Solomon’s Seal	Smaller in stature, but the flowers are larger and fragrant. The fruits are red, striped with black. Found in several habitats including sandy banks, moist meadows and open shores. Part sun to shade, average soil.
Solidago caesia	Blue-stemmed Goldenrod	A woodland goldenrod that brings bright golden fall flowers to even the densest shade. Flowers appear on arching blue-tinged stems. Sun to shade, moist to dry, reaches 1-3 feet.
Solidago graminifolia	Grass-leaved	Bright yellow-orange flowers in fall framed by long, thin, feathery, leaves. 2 to 4 feet tall. Sun to part sun and average soil
Solidago speciosa	Showy Goldenrod	A goldenrod with an interesting lighter yellow color. Likes sun to part sun, moist to dry, and reaches 2 to 5 feet.
Spiranthes cernua v. odorata	Fragrant Lady Tresses	A hardy, native orchid which blooms in September. Long, twisted spikes of tiny, vanilla-scented flowers rise up out of its preferred wetland habitat. One to two inch tall rosettes form at ground level. Enjoys rich, moist soils and full to part sun.
Stokesia laevis ‘Blue Danube’	Blue Stokes Aster	Huge, dramatic, beautiful flowers! They look like a super aster! Blue or white flowers. A wonderful, blue center to the flower, as well. Blooms in summer. Needs rich soil, moist to well drained. 1 to 2 feet. Beautiful with butterfly weed
Thalictrum pubescens	White Meadow Rue	The leaves are just as delicate and delightful as the blooms. The lightness of the leaves and flowers of this plant are an amazing contrast with its sheer size and hardiness. Can reach up to ten feet tall. Has an interesting fountain-like growth habit. Clouds of white blooms appear in summer. Enjoys wetter rich soils, sun or light shade.
Tiarella cordifolia	Foam Flower	Fluffy ‘wands’ of soft, white flowers in early spring. Perfect for the shady, woodland garden. Only reaches 3 to 10 inches, so makes it a perfect low-growing addition to beds wild or formal. After bloom time the lush clump of foliage adds nice texture through out the rest of the season.
Tradescantia virginiana	Spiderwort	Lovely, three-petaled purple flowers rise up from wild, thick-leaved, grass-like foliage in late spring. Cut back after blooming for a fresh flush of growth. Sun to shade, and average soil. 1 to 2 feet.
Trichostema dichotomum	Forked Bluecurls	A woodlander with beautiful, blue, autumn flowers. Loves shade and moist to dry soil. Reaches 3 to 4 feet. Mix with asters for a unique fall display.
Trillium erectum	Purple Trillium, Wake Robin	A spring ephemeral with the rich burgundy of good wine. The distinctive three-petaled flower comes up in early spring. The foliage eventually goes dormant. Rich woods, with moist, acidic soils. Reaches 6 to 20 inches and forms a good clump. A plant that may be seen in the local woods. Part sun to shade.
Trillium grandiflorum	White Trillium	One of the most prized of the early spring bloomers. The white trillium is truly a harbinger of warmer times ahead. The bright white flower comes out in early spring, and stays for some time, eventually fading to a dusky pink. Rich, moist soils. Part shade to shade. Prefers deciduous shade, so that it receives more sun in the spring than during the hot summer.
Verbena hastata	Blue Vervain	A fantastically tall , dramatic addition to sunny, moist to wet beds. Grows up to 7 feet tall. Large, heavily, hand-shaped foliage is arranged in whirls around the stem. Spikes of blue flowers come out in mid-summer.
Vernonia noveboracensis	New York Ironweed	An Earth Tones favorite for wonderful color. A rich, reddish purple addition to the wet meadow garden. Likes sun to part sun and average to wet soil. Grows to 4 to 8 feet. Blooms in late summer.
Veronica officinalis	Common Speedwell	A cute and hardy groundcover. In late spring, the low mat of large, oval leaves is covered with tiny steeples of purple flowers, 3 to 8 inches tall. Sun to part shade. Moist to dry soil.
Veronicastrum virginicum	Culver’s Root	White to light pink, ‘Veronica-like’ flowers sit on stalks 2 to 5 feet tall, and are surrounded by whorled leaves. Prefers moist soils, and sun to part shade. Blooms late in the season and accompanies asters, ironweed, boneset and goldenrods.
Zizia aurea	Golden Alexander	A wet meadow native, with bright golden flowers. Looks great naturalized into a sunny area. Flower stalks can reach up to 3 feet. Prefers moist to wet conditions.

Botanical Name

Common Name

Description

Aconitum

Monkshood

The unusually-shaped flowers make a great shade accent. Upright spikes of blue, hooded flowers. Loves rich woods. Prefers rich, moist soil and a cool, part sun to shady garden. 3 to 5 feet.

Actaea americana (Cimicifuga)

American Bugbane

A bugbane with finely cut foliage that goes nicely with the tall wands of white, fluffy, bottle-brush flowers in late summer through fall. Red berries add color in winter. Prefers a shady garden with rich soil. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall. An Earth Tones favorite!

Actaea pachypoda

Doll’s Eye, Baneberry

Very early white flowers morph into white berries, with a striking black ‘pupil’ that gives the plant its common name. The ‘eyes’ may last four to six weeks in late summer to fall. Prefers a shady garden, rich soil. Grows 12 to 18 inches tall.

Actaea racemosa

Black Cohosh

A popular spring bloomer, with attractive foliage that persists through the season, and red berries on a tall stalk. Plant in rear of the shade garden. The leaves form a dense mound about 2 ft tall with tall spikes of flowers 4 ft tall. Prefers a shady garden with rich soils.

Actaea rubra

Red Baneberry

Flowers appear in an attractive fairy wand. True to the common name, bright red berries come out in the fall. Prefers shady sites and rich soil. 2 to 3 feet tall.

Allium cernuum

Nodding Onion

Delicate flowers in summer that start out white and change to pink. Does very well in rocky, dry places other plants can’t tolerate. Deer tend to avoid the oniony foliage. Prefers rich, yet well drained soils and full sun, and reaches 12 to 16 inches in height.

Allium tricoccum

Wild Leek, Ramps

This interesting bulb has foliage that emerges in early spring and goes quickly dormant. The pretty, little, white flower then pops up on a long, single stalk, turning into a head of lovely berries. The roots and leaves of this plant have been enjoyed as a delicacy for centuries. Before harvesting, it is best to read up on how American Indians harvested these sustainably by replanting the bulb tip, as they are slow growing. Prefers moist, wooded locations. 6 to 8 inches tall.

Amsonia hubrichtii

Hubrict’s Bluestar

A fantastic bluestar, with feathery foliage that turn brilliant reds and yellows in the fall. Azure flowers in late spring. 1 to 2 feet tall. Prefers sun to part sun and average soil.

Amsonia tabernaemontana

Bluestar

An infusion of sky-blue just during that time when there is a lull between spring and summer blooms. Lovely, star-shaped flowers, even in dry conditions. A nicely compact growth habit as well, staying below 36 inches. Sun to part shade, average to dry soil. Foliage turns bright yellow in the fall.

Anemone canadensis

Meadow Anemone

This super-hardy plant can be found all the way up to the arctic circle. Loads and loads of white flowers May through June. A robust plant good for the woods’ edge or in meadows. Moist to average soils. Grows about 18 inches tall. Sun to shade.

Anemone virginiana

Thimbleweed

A sweet, little, 12 to 30 inches, species that loves open woods and dry meadows alike. The white, late summer flowers are inconspicuous, but grow into interesting, thimble-shaped seed heads. Can take sun to shade and moist to dry.

Anemonella thalictroides

Rue Anemone

A tiny, delicate plant, which none the less blooms for almost a month in the early spring. Forms a nice clump, and the feathery foliage persists through the season as an attractive groundcover. Grows only 5 to 9 inches tall. Enjoys open woods, and moist, well drained soils. Very Sweet! Looks like a mini version of meadow rue.

Apocynum cannabinum

Indian Hemp

A tall, striking plant that loves the sun. Clusters of tiny, off-white flowers in summer are a nice contrast with the red stems and waxy bloom of the foliage. Commonly mistaken for milkweed. Used by American Indians to make string and ropes. Present from shores to thickets. 1 to 3 feet high, sun to part shade, well drained soil. In the right conditions this can be aggressive, so make sure you have loads of space.

Aquilegia canadensis

Columbine

A spring favorite, for us and the hummingbirds. The red color and delicious nectar make columbine a popular food source for our local hummers. Does nicely in a formal bed, or in more rocky conditions. Prefers well drained, drier soils. Will be happy in sandy soils too. 8 to 12 inches tall, and likes sun to partial shade.

Aralia racemosa

American Spikenard

This plant brings something to the shade garden all season. White flowers in long branching clusters in summer, which then shows purple berries in fall. 3 to 6 ft tall. Part sun to shade, average garden soil. Great for filling in large areas.

Arisaema triphyllum

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

A familiar plant with a truly unusual flower. When mature the ‘flower’ forms a large striped brown and green-hooded spathe. Fruit in fall are bright red berries in clusters. This plant looks practically tropical. Large foliage makes a dramatic addition to beds and woods after the flowers are finished. Moist, organic soils. Great for the shady garden. Grow 12 to 24 inches depending on site conditions.

Aruncus dioicus

Goats Beard

One of our favorites for shade gardens. Huge plumes of white flowers in late spring. Great source of nectar for a myriad of insects. Grows in part sun to shade. Will grow up to 6 feet and enjoys moist soils.

Asarum canadense

Wild Ginger

A short, reliable groundcover for the shade. Burgundy flowers appear under heart-shaped leaves, and are pollinated by ants. The roots are used as a flavoring, much like culinary ginger. Moist well drained soils in shade. Eight to ten inches tall.

Asclepias incarnata

Swamp Milkweed

Beloved by butterflies! This is a great way to attract butterflies to your flower bed or wet meadow or pond. Choice of white or pink flowers in summer. These plants like evenly moist to wet soils and sun. Two to four feet tall.

Asclepias syriaca

Common Milkweed

The easiest of the milkweeds to grow. A lovely, pink flower that the butterflies and others love. Flowers were once used to make wine. The largest of the milkweeds, at 3 to 5 feet. Needs large areas, can be too aggressive in small gardens. Moist to dry soils, full sun.

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Weed

The quintessential butterfly weed. The brilliant orange summer flowers are the favorite food of monarch and queen butterflies. If you see a colorfully striped caterpillar on this milkweed, let it stick around. This the larval stage of the monarch. Prefers a sunny site with rich, well drained soils. Will grow to 1 to 3 feet tall.

Asclepias verticillata

Whorl Milkweed

An interesting milkweed with green and purple flowers. Thin, needle-like leaves are arranged in an elegant swirl up the stem. Very attractive to butterflies. A smaller milkweed, growing up to 2 feet. Sun to part sun, with average to dry soil.

Aster cordifolius

Blue Wood Aster

The lovely, blue stars of asters in the autumn woods is one the finest sights in New England. Let them run wild in the woods! Grows to 3 feet. Part sun to shade, with average to dry soil.

Aster divaricatus

Wood Aster

Fall blooming aster with a spray of small, delicate daisy-like, white flowers. Moist to dry soils, can handle harsh conditions. 18 inches tall. Good for a shady to partially shady gardens. Loves dry shade. We love mixing white and blue wood asters for extra wonderful color in the fall.

Aster laevis

Smooth Aster

Strong purple color in late fall. Moist to dry soils, 1 to 3 feet tall. Sun to part sun. Lovely with blue-gray leaves. Plant with coneflowers and goldenrod for a great fall display.

Aster lateriflorus

Calico Aster

An aster that puts on a delicate fall display in your wooded area. Tiny, white flowers top the 1 to 3 foot stems. Likes part sun to shade, and average soil.

Aster linariifolius

Stiff Aster

This is one of our favorites. At only 1 to 2 feet, the mounding habit of this thick, stiff-leaved aster is a winner. Loads of bright purple flowers cover it in fall. Looks especially good in a rock garden or at the edge of a border. Sun and average to dry soil conditions.

Aster macrophyllus

Big-leaved Aster

Named for its large, heart-shaped foliage. Clumps together to form a low groundcover in the shade that puts up a light blue flower in the fall. 12 to 15 inches. Likes average soil, and part sun to shade.

Aster novae-angliae

New England Aster

A meadow plant that packs a punch. Good in moist, open fields with violet to purple or rose-colored flowers in fall. Will grow 2 to 6 feet. Sun to part sun. Plant with your fall garden in mind. One of the showiest.

Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’

New England Aster

A more compact version of the New England aster, with all the brilliant color. grows to to two feet. Full sun to part sun, average soil.

Aster novi-belgii

New York Aster

A New England favorite. These asters seem to glow with an especially vivid purple, set off by the dark green foliage. At 1 to 3 feet tall, they are great to mix in with taller asters and other fall bloomers. Prefers a sunny area, with average, well drained soil.

Aster umbellatus

Stiff Aster

An aster with a white, flat-topped umbel of flowers. Mix in with purple aster for more varied fall color. Likes average to dry soils, and sun to part sun. 2 to 4 feet tall.

Baptisia australis

Blue False Indigo

Showy, bright blue flowers top strong, straight stems with a grey cast in summer. Deep rooted and slow growing. Prefers rich, well drained soils and sun to part shade. 5 feet tall at maturity. Great in meadow gardens.

Boltonia asteroides ‘Pink Beauty’

Thousand Flower Aster

The hundreds of light pink flowers give this perennial its common name. Blooms August to October with a profusion of daisy-like flowers. Butterflies love to visit. Great for fall color. Good in average to dry soils, enjoys sun. 4 to 5 feet tall. Great cut flower.

Caltha palustris

Marsh Marigold

Our earliest bloomer here at Earth Tones. Bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers. Can handle a wide variety of conditions. Sun to part shade, and average to wet soil. Reaches ten inches tall.

Campanula rotundifolia

Harebell, Bluebell

A cute, little flower great in rock gardens and borders. Purple flowers like teeny, tiny bells. Sun to part shade, and average to dry soil. Grows to 15 to 18 inches.

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Blue Cohosh

The bluish cast of the foliage makes cohosh a unique plant in the shade garden. White spikes of spring flowers turn into deep blue berries that complement the foliage. Loves moist, rich soils in woodlands. Grows from 24 to 36 inches tall. It has many medicinal properties, American Indians used it to induce labor.

Chelone glabra

Turtlehead

Named for the flowers that resemble a turtle coming out of its shell. White flowers summer through fall. Finely toothed, long, slender leaves 3 to 6 inches long. Found in swamps and stream banks. 1 to 3 feet tall. Sun to part sun, average to wet soil. Butterflies love it.

Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’

Pink Turtlehead

A type of pink turtlehead selected for an especially vibrant hot pink flower. Flowers come out in late summer. At between 2 and 3 feet, this makes a great middle layer to beds and plantings. Loves sun. Can take wet feet, but will grow happily in the average garden.

Chimaphila maculata

Spotted Wintergreen, Pipsissewa

A tiny plant with an amazing flower. A bright, white flower, reminiscent of a passion flower, hangs inverted over the forest floor in mid-summer. The heavy, dark green foliage with lighter green striping is very attractive as well. Native to the dry, upland woods. 4 to 10 inches.

Chrysopsis mariana

Golden Aster

Bright, clear gold flowers in autumn. Sandy woods and barrens. Reaches between 3 and 4 feet tall. Sun and drought tolerant. Mix with purples, like blazing stars and ironweed.

Clintonia borealis

Blue Bead Lily

An adorable, shade-loving, spring ephemeral that looks like a miniature lily. The foliage makes a nice groundcover, and a rich, bright blue fruit develops in summer. This lily likes the moist woods. It has long oval-shaped dark green leaves and yellow flowers on top of a stalk in late spring.

Coreopsis lanceolata

Lance-leafed Tickseed

A tickseed with very large, bright yellow flowers. A smaller addition to the sunny border or wildflower meadow. Only 1 to 2 feet. Likes average garden soil.

Coreopsis tripteris

Tall Coreopsis

A very tall version of the coreopsis. Get the same lovely, yellow little flower up a little higher. Does well in poor, dry soil. Very strong, and a great birdfeeder. Two inch yellow blooms, July through September. 3 to 4 feet tall. Sun to part sun.

Coreopsis verticillata

Tickseed

Feathery foliage and bright, cheerful flowers. This is a popular, reliable landscaping plant. Yellow daisy-like, dainty flowers from summer till frost, prefers sun and can handle drier soils. 12 to 18 inches tall.

Cornus canadensis

Bunchberry

A dogwood only eight inches tall. A wonderful groundcover that looks like the endmost branches of the dogwood in full bloom and a cute, many-sided fruit popular with the wildlife. Blooms in spring. Prefers shade and acidic soils. Grows up to 12 inches tall.

Delphinium exaltum

Tall Larkspur

A bright splash of bluish-purple for the shade. Little fish-like flowers with a smashing color. Nectar is popular with pollinators. 3 foot + tall spikes, average to rich soils, great in bright shade.

Desmodium canadense

Showy Tick Trefoil

A member of the pea family with bright pink blooms in summer. Rows from 1 to 3 feet tall. Likes sun to full sun. Average to dry soils. Loved by butterflies.

Dicentra canadensis

Squirrel Corn

A sweet and dainty spring ephemeral with white heart shaped flowers. Lacey foliage that persists through the season. Tiny, 3- 4” tall of fine blue green leaves. Prefers shade, can handle some sun. Temporary groundcover for early, early spring. Average soil.

Dicentra cucullaria

Dutchmen’s Breeches

Named because of the bifurcated horns on the back of the flower. Looks like a pair of pants. Finely cut foliage goes dormant early in the season. Only 6 to 12 inches tall. Part sun to shade, and moist, rich soil.

Dicentra eximia

Wild Bleeding Heart

A spring favorite that continues blooming into fall. The delicate look of the pink, heart-shaped flowers and the deeply cut foliage belies its hardiness. Grows 12 to 18 inches tall with fine, fern-like leaves. Forms nice clumps, prefers rich moist soils, and sun to shade.

Echinacea purpurea

Purple Cone Flower

The famous herbal remedy! But it does wonders just growing in the garden for all to see! A favorite for midseason butterflies and in fall, the seeds are loved by Goldfinches. Prefers rich, well drained soils and sun. Will grow 24 to 36 inches. Pinkish purple, daisy-like flowers.

Echinacea purpurea ‘Ruby Star’

Purple Cone Flower

Selected for large, more vibrant flowers. Gives a great show, and still has the ruggedness of the species. 3 to 4 feet, sun to part sun, and average to dry soil.

Epigaea repens

Trailing Arbutus

A little known gem. A tiny plant that gets only few inches tall. Bears elfin, white flowers with an incredible scent. Has fairly strict requirements, including rich, slightly acid soil that is will drained. Also needs partial to full shade. 4 to 5 inches.

Erigeron pulchellus

Robin’s Plantain

Tiny, pink to purple, daisy-like flowers grace this plant all through mid-summer. Only growing to 6 to 10 inches, this makes a great groundcover. Likes average to dry soil, and sun to part shade. Lives on sandy banks and slopes.

Eupatorium coelestinum

Hardy Ageratum

Downy, blue flowers with a fantastic color resembling the annual ageratum in late summer. Average soil, with sun to light shade. Will grow 2 to 3 feet tall. Good to mix in with joe pye weed, as it is much more compact. Is happy with an occasion thinning and division.

Eupatorium fistulosum

Joe Pye Weed

Most impressive! This is a huge plant, but it will really repay the space it takes up. This wetland plant grows up to 8 feet tall and is covered on top with pink flowers that are 8 to 12 inches across! The giant flowers come out in late summer and fall. Interesting foliage, as well. A favorite with pollinators. Prefers wet meadows but will do nicely in rich garden soil that will not dry all the way out.

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Boneset

A commonly used medicinal herb. Makes a nice background plant. White flowers on top of 2 to 4 foot tall stems. Blooms late summer. Sun to part sun, average to wet soil. Evergreen features through winter. Great companion with lobelias.

Eupatorium rugosum

Snakeroot

A plant which will put up clouds of white flowers in late summer. Very effective in mass plantings. 2 to 4 feet tall. Likes lots of sun and average to wet soil. Frequently used as a medicinal plant.

Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’

Snakeroot

A selection of snakeroot prized for its brown-purple foliage. Butterflies love it. Two to four feet tall, likes sun to part sun, with average to wet soil.

Filipendula rubra

Queen of the Prairie

A pink that is out of this world! A wetland that adapts well to dryer garden soils. The large heavily-pinnate foliage makes a dramatic statement. Enjoys sun and moist to average soil. Meadows and low woods. Grows about 4 to 6 feet tall.

Fragaria virginiana

Virginia Strawberry

Deliciously sweet wild strawberries and an attractive groundcover! Quickly spreads along the ground on rhizomes, reaching 6 to 10 inches tall. Bears tiny, white flowers in spring. Likes sun to part shade and average to dry soil. Loved by wildlife.

Gaillardia arististata ‘Fanfare’

Blanket Flower

A native that looks great in a formal planting. Blooms with bright red and yellow flowers June through August. Enjoys full sun and average garden soils. 12 to 14 inches tall.

Gaultheria procumbens

Wintergreen

An evergreen groundcover with dark, glossy leaves fresh with wintergreen essence. Older leaves are good for making tea. Red, edible berries in late summer to fall, also ‘wintergreen fresh.’ Prefers well drained, moist, acidic soils, and part sun to shade. Only 3 to 6 inches tall.

Gentiana clausa

Closed Gentian

A fascinating and gorgeous plant. The azure flowers of gentians are unmatched. The closed gentian has the same bright color, but the flowers never fully open. They have a tiny opening at the tip of the large blooms through which bees can pass. The flower tip eventually turns from white to purple, signaling pollination. The easiest and most forgiving of the gentians to establish. Will do best in an average to moist, shady site, but can tolerate sun with reliable moisture. 15 to 20 inches tall. Well established plant will have dozens of flowers in late summer.

Geranium maculatum

Wood Geranium

Rose purple flowers, blooming late spring into early summer. Enjoys woods and meadows, with rich, well drained soils and part sun to shade.

Helenium autumnale

Sneezeweed

Very showy in late summer. Tall, with bright, lemon yellow flowers. Good cut flower. Sun and moist soils. Grows to 3 to 5 feet tall.

Helianthus decapetalus

Thin-leaved Sunflower

An attractive woodland sunflower that should be cultivated in gardens more often. Can reach up to 5 feet tall. Loves sun to part sun and average garden soil.

Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’

Perennial Sunflower

A sunflower selected for its creamy, lemon-colored flowers. Makes a nice 3 to 4 foot high, rounded shape. Blooms in late summer. Prefers average to dry soil and sun to part sun.

Heliopsis helianthoides

Ox Eye

Golden-yellow, many-petaled flowers on 3 to 5 foot stems. Prefers a sunny garden with moist to dry soils. A carefree, long lasting plant.

Heliopsis scabra ‘Summer Sun’

Rough Heliopsis

A lovely selection with sun-yellow flowers blazing in summer. Likes average to dry conditions and lots and lots of sun. Reaches between 3 and 4 feet tall.

Heracleum maximum

Cow Parsnip

A late spring stunner. Huge heads of tiny white flowers over large dramatic foliage. Loves wet, and can adapt well to average garden soil. Sun to part sun.

Heuchera sanguinea

Coral Bells

Pink, dainty flowers, shaped like little bells running up a thin stalk. The foliage is light green, rounded and makes an excellent rock garden addition. Plant where the delicate flowers can be appreciated. Part sun to shade, in rich, average to dry soil. Grows 12 to 18 inches.

Hibiscus moscheutos

Swamp Rose Mallow

Humongous flowers! In late summer into fall, large 4 inch wide blooms appear. Flowers are white with a lovely, cherry red center. This plant enjoys full sun and average to wet soils. Will grow 4 to 7 feet tall.

Houstonia caerulea

Bluets

A short and cute perennial with tiny, forget-me-not blue flowers with a little yellow center in late spring to early summer. Grows to 3 to 8 inches. Can tolerate moist to dry soil, and likes part sun to part shade. Since they are so small, they prefer not to compete with other plants while getting established.

Hydrastis canadensis

Goldenseal

Both a traditional and a contemporary herbal remedy. Found in moist, rich woodlands, and prefers its soils slightly acidic. 8 to 12 inches tall, with white flowers in spring developing into red fruit in fall.

Hydrophyllum sp.

Waterleaf

Shade-loving plant that is beautiful and interesting in early spring . The foliage has lovely white washes of swirling patterns, like a splash of milk, which then fade into the summer. The leaves then stay a vibrant green until frost. Makes a truly impressive mound of foliage. Small lavender flowers in the late spring. Needs a partly shady to shady, moist spot in rich soil. 1 to 2 feet tall.

Hypericum virginicum

St. John’s Wort

Flowers the pink and red of a good sunset. Blooms July to August. Leaves are sessile (grow right up against the stem), forming an attractive blue-grey setting for the flowers. 12 to 18 inches. Native to bogs and swamps, and likes average to wet soil. Can tolerate acid soil.

Iris cristata

Wood Iris

A cutie! Flowers bloom in spring with a very pretty light blue. Foliage remains throughout summer as an attractive ground cover. Only 4 to 8 inches tall. Nice contrast with Tiarella or sedums. Needs well drained soils and part sun to shade. Fun in rock gardens!

Iris versicolor

Blue Flag Iris

A slender iris with a delicate blue flower in late spring. 3 to 4 feet tall. At home in moist locations, but is adaptable to average garden soil that will not become too dry. Great for rain gardens.

Jeffersonia diphylla

Twinleaf

A early spring bloomer with a single, one inch wide, white flower and doubled leaves resembling the wings of a butterfly! 6 to 8 inches tall. In late summer, seed pods have a flip top lid! Reminds my husband of a pez candy dispenser. Enjoys rich woods.

Liatris spicata

Blazing Star

This is a great border or meadow plant. Wonderful for cut flowers, but leave some for the wildlife! Flowers are a very good nectar source, and the seeds are very important for birds. Sun to part sun, moist to wet soils, but will do very well in rich garden soil. The long lasting, purple flowers bloom on spikes with thin, lily-like leaves, 2 to 4 feet tall.

Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’

Blazing Star

A compact form of blazing star that only reaches 2 feet tall. Looks great among your shorter beds and borders. Long, thin spikes of purple flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Sun to part sun and average to dry soil.

Linnaea borealis

Twin Flower

This is a nice, little evergreen that can form a carpet of shining green leaves. Blooms with two delicate pink flowers in spring. Flowers have a lovely almond scent! 1 to 3 inches tall. Moist, acidic soil and full sun to shade.

Lobelia cardinalis

Cardinal Flower

A show stopper! Gorgeous red, delicate, tubular flowers bloom in summer on 4 to 6 foot tall stalks. Attracts hummingbirds. Does best in sun to light shade and moist to wet, fertile soils.

Lobelia siphilitica

Blue Lobelia

Bright blue, tubular flowers on a 2 to 3 foot stalk. Prefers moist, rich soils and can handle part shade. Loved by hummingbirds and butterflies. Will self sow under good conditions.

Lupinus perennis

Sun-Dial Lupines

Everyone loves lupines! Tall spikes, 3 to 4 feet, of many blue-violet flowers in mid-summer. Grows in sandy, poor soils and can fix nitrogen. Likes full sun. It is the only food of the Karner blue butterfly, which is an endangered species.

Maianthemum canadense

Canada Mayflower

A little darling of the open woods, which can spread through the woods are an attractive groundcover. A tiny, white stem bearing a few flowers in spring which develops into a lovely reddish-green berry. The single, oval leaf remains through the season as a feature. 3 to 4 inches.

Mertensia virginica

Virginia Blue Bells

The sky blue of these flowers is a harbinger of spring in the northeastern woods. The closed blossoms start out as pink and open into a beautiful clear blue. Part sun to shade. Reaches 14 to 20 inches. Blooms very early in spring. Soil should be rich, moist, well drained.

Mimulus ringens

Monkey Flower

Tallish stalks bear fun, purple, little flowers in late summer. Is a habitue of river and stream edges, and likes moist to wet soils. 2 to 4 feet tall. Sun to part sun. Good for rain gardens.

Mitchella repens

Partridgeberry

A very cute, very hardy, evergreen woodland groundcover. Only 1 to 2 inches tall, but can spread about 12 inches a season in the right conditions. Part sun to shade. Tiny white and pink flowers in spring to summer, growing into red berries in fall that remain the through winter. Keep leaf litter off the plant to allow for a denser green mat. Enjoys acidic soils.

Mitella diphylla

Mitterwort

A woodland cutie. Blooms in mid-spring on a long, slender stalk with many tiny, fringed, delicate, white flowers. The stalks reach 8 to 12 inches tall, and the mound of maple-shaped, basal leaves remains as a nice garden feature. In moist to dry shade.

Monarda didyma

Bee Balm

The classic, bright red, bee balm stunner. Scarlet-red blooms in summer. Grows up to four feet tall. Prefers sun and moist, rich soils. Butterflies and hummingbirds love it. Very easy to grow, but be cautious, it will colonize easily. Crushed leaves have a wonderful scent, and are great for tea.

Monarda didyma ‘Blue Stocking’

Oswega Tea

A bee balm with lovely, purpley-pink flower. Still has the same, great scent in the leaves. Likes sun to light shade, and moist soil. Grows to 3 to 4 feet tall.

Monarda didyma ‘Darker’

Bee Balm

A monarda selected from our own nursery for dark foliage and fuchsia flowers. 3 to 4 feet tall. Sun to part sun, and moist soil.

Monarda fistulosum

Wild Bergamont

The soft, light purple flowers make this a standout in summer. More shade tolerant than other monardas, growing in sun to part shade. Reaches 3 to 4 feet tall. Dry hillsides and the margins of woodlands.

Monarda punctata

Dotted Mint

A very interesting species of bee balm. Flowers are green and are surrounded by large, pink bracts, or false flowers. Grows to 3 to 4 feet and likes sun to part sun and average to dry soils.

Oenothera ‘Cold Creek’

Evening Primrose

A compact, very floriferous selection of a popular old standby. Makes a very fine display of round, yellow flowers, while remaining under two feet. Likes full sun to part sun, and can take very dry conditions. In the primrose family.

Oenothera fruticosa

Sundrops

A robust plant with a large number of yellow, cup-shaped flowers. Needs a large space to spread out in. Loves full sun and dry conditions. Can reach up to 3 feet tall.

Penstemon digitalis

Beardtongue

The stand we have growing on our rocky outcrop has attracted a lot of interest from humans and pollinators alike. Flowers are white with shades of pink and look something like a delicate foxglove. Prefers rich soils and sun to part shade. Will grow 2 to 4 feet and blooms in late spring to early summer.

Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker’s Red’

Beardtongue

A handsome penstemon with dark red foliage. Makes a nice contrast with the white summer flowers. 2 to 3 feet tall. Sun to part sun, and average garden soil.

Phlox divaricata

Wood Phlox

An early spring bloomer with sky-blue flowers. Prefers part sun to shade in a moist garden. The foliage stays a rich dark green through summer. 12 to 14 inches tall.

Phlox maculata

Wild Sweet William

A late blooming phlox, with vivid, pink flowers. Prefers moist woods to damp meadows. Grows to 2 to 3 feet. Blooms in summer. Will spread out and fill in an area nicely. Sun, part sun.

Phlox maculata ‘Natascha’

Wild Sweet William

A tall, summer-blooming phlox with lovely, pale pink flowers. At 2 to 3 feet, makes a great mid-sized plant. Plant in a sunny location with average to wet soil.

Phlox paniculata

Garden Phlox

A taller phlox that blooms in mid-summer. Flowers are a nice pink. Loves sun, and average garden soil. Grows up to 3 to 5 feet tall. Mix with other phlox to extend your bloom.

Phlox paniculata ‘The King’

Garden Phlox

The dark, rich, hot pink of these flowers make them a great choice for mid-summer color. 3 to 5 feet, good for the back of borders and mass plantings. Sun to part sun and average soil.

Phlox pilosa

Prairie Phlox

Pink, very nicely scented flowers in early summer. Will grow up to 2 feet tall. Average garden soil and sun to part sun. Will spread by runners to form a mass.

Phlox stolonifera

Creeping phlox

A smaller, early phlox, with a bright pink flowers. Only reaches 3 to 5 inches tall. A good addition to beds with part sun to shade, and average soil. One of the first to brighten up gardens and rock walls in early spring.

Phlox subulata

Moss Phlox

An excellent, low growing (1 to 3 inches) early phlox, which makes a nice groundcover. Loads of pinkish purple flowers in spring. Small, needle-like, evergreen foliage makes a nice mat year-round. Needs lots of sun and average garden soil.

Physostegia virginiana

Obedient Plant

Great for fall color! Pink snapdragon-like blooms on 2 to 3 foot spikes. Loves sun and rich, dry to wet soils. Named because the flowers will stay at an angle if bent.

Physotegia alba

White Obedient Plant

An obedient plant with white flowers. Likes sun and dry to wet soil. 2 to 3 feet tall.

Podophyllum peltatum

May Apple

Creates wonderful colonies if the soil conditions are right. The leaves unfurl like umbrellas in early spring, and can reach up to 2 feet tall. Needs part sun to shade, and prefers moist, rich soils, but will tolerate some dryness. Blooms come out in spring under the leaf. In fall it develops an apple-like fruit. A great food source for turtles.

Polemonium

Jacobs Ladder

Blooms for a very long time in the spring. The frothily pinnate foliage surrounds long stalks of small, bell-shaped, blue flowers. Part sun to light shade. Grows 8 to 12 inches tall. Can handle some drought.

Polygonatum

Solomon’s Seal

Tall, arching stalks, with bell-shaped white flowers hanging under the arch. Blue fruits are decorative in fall. A wonderful woodland addition, and can also handle partial sun. Prefers the soil moist. 1 to 3 feet tall. An Earth Tones favorite for interesting landscaping.

Polygonatum variegated

Variegated Solomon’s Seal

Has all the great attributes of Solomon’s Seal, but with the added twist of a delicate light variegation along the edges of the leaves. Part sun to shade, and moist soil. 1 to 3 feet tall.

Pontederia cordata

Pickerelweed

This aquatic is on the borders of ponds, marshes, and streams. It has lance-shaped leaves. In summer a 3 to 4 inch stalk of violet-blue, tubular flowers beautifies your water feature. Flowers from June to November. Can live in up to 6 inches of water once established. Full sun. Edible young leaves!

Pycnanthemum

Mountain Mint

The leaves have a fresh, pepperminty scent. Purple flowers come out in late summer. It is a good nectar plant, feeding many insects. Likes sun to part shade, and moist to dry soils. Reaches 3 to 4 feet. Creates perfect backdrop or hides brown leaves of phlox or monarda.

Rhexia virginica

Meadowbeauty

The bright, cheerful flowers make this groundcover a winner. Rich pink flowers in summer. A low, ranging growth habit, growing to 12 inches tall. Likes full sun, and average to wet soil.

Ribes lacustre

Prickly Currant

A native currant with lovely leaves cut to look like a fleur de lis. Yummy, dark purple berries in spring. 2 to 3 feet tall. Likes sun to part shade, and moist to dry soil. Good for jam and birds.

Rudbeckia fulgida

Orange Coneflower

A popular and extremely reliable native. Tons of golden flowers come out in late summer. Makes great cut flowers. Prefers full sun and well drained soils. Reaches 24 to 30 inches tall. I leave the seed heads through winter for the hungry birds.

Rudbeckia ‘Herbstsonne’

Shining Coneflower

Extra large, wonderful, yellow flowers. Grows to between 3 and 6 feet. Butterflies love it. Sun to part sun and average soil.

Rudbeckia hirta

Black Eyed Susan

Cheery yellow with a rust-colored center late summer through fall. Each flower is just a little bit different than the next. Fuzzy leaves. Full sun and rich, well drained soils. 2 to 4 feet tall. Will self sow. Sometimes considered a biennial.

Rudbeckia laciniata

Cut-Leaf Coneflower

Topping out at over 6 feet, this tall and dramatic coneflower makes a bold statement. Put in the rear of a bed or veggie garden. Deeply cut foliage gives interest all season. Sun to part sun, and average soil.

Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Golden Glow’

Cut-leaf Coneflower

A selection of cut-leaf coneflower with a doubled flower. The fluffy, yellow blooms are stunners. Can be an aggressive spreader, so leave plenty of space. 3 to 6 feet tall. Sun to part sun, and average soil.

Sagittaria latifolia

Big-Leaved Arrowhead

A wetlander found in marshes, swamps, forested seeps, along the borders of streams, lakes and ponds; anywhere where there is a few inches of water to grow in. Big sprays of purple flowers in summer. The leaves make an arrow shaped display all season. Will rise 2 to 3 feet from the surface of the water.

Salvia lyrata ‘Purple Knockout’

Lyre-leafed Sage

A plant with naturally deep purple foliage. From a thick basal rosette, a long stalk emerges, holding fireworks of lavender flowers. Plant in a sunny, protected area. 18 inches tall. Average to dry soil.

Sanguinaria canadensis

Bloodroot

A true spring ephemeral. The white blossom opens first atop a 6 to 8 inch stalk, with the leaf still curled tight around the stem. Then the leaves unfold later to reveal its rounded and deeply lobed form. Beautiful as a colony. Part sun to shade, moist to well drained soils.

Scutellaria incana

Hyssop Skullcap

A meadow native that puts on a big show. 2 to 4 foot tall spikes of purple flowers spear in summer. Butterflies love these. Likes full sun, but can take part shade. Average to dry soil.

Scutellaria ovata

Heartleaved Skullcap

A lovely native covered in tiny purple flowers that loves the dappled shade at the woodland edge. Blooms in early summer. Does well in dry soils, sun to part shade. Grows to 18 inches tall. Heart-shaped leaves with darkly outlined veination.

Sedum telephioides

Wild Live Forever

A sedum that likes the edges of the woods. A great way to put some fall color in your shade plantings. Pink blooms in late summer to fall. Sun to part shade, moist to well drained soils. 8 to 16 inches tall.

Sedum ternatum

Wild Stone Crop

A perfect addition to rock gardens and rock walls. Will spill nicely over ledges and boulders. Blooms profusely with white flowers in late spring. Rounded, succulent, evergreen foliage persists all year. Sun to shade, moist to dry. Very tough.

Senna hebecarpa

Wild Senna

Bright yellow, pea-like blooms from July through September. Grows 3 to 5 feet tall. Bold, locust-like leaves. Enjoys sandy, well drained soils. Sun to part shade. Very hardy! Salt and drought tolerant!

Silene virginica

Fire Pink

A camera can’t so justice to the bright intensity of the fire pink’s flowers. A low basal rosette of leaves puts up a tall stalk on which several brilliant red flowers bloom. Loves sun and moist to dry soil. Great in a rock garden.

Sisyrinchium angustifolium

Blue-eyed Grass

You’ll love to see the little blue eyes of this grassy perennial peeking out at you. Six-petaled flowers with yellow centers appear in late spring and go through early summer. Damp meadows or grassy areas, rock gardens. 6 to 15 inches tall, and likes sun to part sun and average soil.

Smilacina racemosa

False Solomon’s Seal

In late spring, arching stalks with 3 to 6 inch long leaves appear. They grow 1 to 3 feet tall and put out a white, feathery mass of terminal, fragrant flowers. As the season progresses, red berries develop. Found in open oak forests. Part sun to shade, average soil.

Smilacina stellata

Star Flowered False Solomon’s Seal

Smaller in stature, but the flowers are larger and fragrant. The fruits are red, striped with black. Found in several habitats including sandy banks, moist meadows and open shores. Part sun to shade, average soil.

Solidago caesia

Blue-stemmed Goldenrod

A woodland goldenrod that brings bright golden fall flowers to even the densest shade. Flowers appear on arching blue-tinged stems. Sun to shade, moist to dry, reaches 1-3 feet.

Solidago graminifolia

Grass-leaved

Bright yellow-orange flowers in fall framed by long, thin, feathery, leaves. 2 to 4 feet tall. Sun to part sun and average soil

Solidago speciosa

Showy Goldenrod

A goldenrod with an interesting lighter yellow color. Likes sun to part sun, moist to dry, and reaches 2 to 5 feet.

Spiranthes cernua v. odorata

Fragrant Lady Tresses

A hardy, native orchid which blooms in September. Long, twisted spikes of tiny, vanilla-scented flowers rise up out of its preferred wetland habitat. One to two inch tall rosettes form at ground level. Enjoys rich, moist soils and full to part sun.

Stokesia laevis ‘Blue Danube’

Blue Stokes Aster

Huge, dramatic, beautiful flowers! They look like a super aster! Blue or white flowers. A wonderful, blue center to the flower, as well. Blooms in summer. Needs rich soil, moist to well drained. 1 to 2 feet. Beautiful with butterfly weed

Thalictrum pubescens

White Meadow Rue

The leaves are just as delicate and delightful as the blooms. The lightness of the leaves and flowers of this plant are an amazing contrast with its sheer size and hardiness. Can reach up to ten feet tall. Has an interesting fountain-like growth habit. Clouds of white blooms appear in summer. Enjoys wetter rich soils, sun or light shade.

Tiarella cordifolia

Foam Flower

Fluffy ‘wands’ of soft, white flowers in early spring. Perfect for the shady, woodland garden. Only reaches 3 to 10 inches, so makes it a perfect low-growing addition to beds wild or formal. After bloom time the lush clump of foliage adds nice texture through out the rest of the season.

Tradescantia virginiana

Spiderwort

Lovely, three-petaled purple flowers rise up from wild, thick-leaved, grass-like foliage in late spring. Cut back after blooming for a fresh flush of growth. Sun to shade, and average soil. 1 to 2 feet.

Trichostema dichotomum

Forked Bluecurls

A woodlander with beautiful, blue, autumn flowers. Loves shade and moist to dry soil. Reaches 3 to 4 feet. Mix with asters for a unique fall display.

Trillium erectum

Purple Trillium, Wake Robin

A spring ephemeral with the rich burgundy of good wine. The distinctive three-petaled flower comes up in early spring. The foliage eventually goes dormant. Rich woods, with moist, acidic soils. Reaches 6 to 20 inches and forms a good clump. A plant that may be seen in the local woods. Part sun to shade.

Trillium grandiflorum

White Trillium

One of the most prized of the early spring bloomers. The white trillium is truly a harbinger of warmer times ahead. The bright white flower comes out in early spring, and stays for some time, eventually fading to a dusky pink. Rich, moist soils. Part shade to shade. Prefers deciduous shade, so that it receives more sun in the spring than during the hot summer.

Verbena hastata

Blue Vervain

A fantastically tall , dramatic addition to sunny, moist to wet beds. Grows up to 7 feet tall. Large, heavily, hand-shaped foliage is arranged in whirls around the stem. Spikes of blue flowers come out in mid-summer.

Vernonia noveboracensis

New York Ironweed

An Earth Tones favorite for wonderful color. A rich, reddish purple addition to the wet meadow garden. Likes sun to part sun and average to wet soil. Grows to 4 to 8 feet. Blooms in late summer.

Veronica officinalis

Common Speedwell

A cute and hardy groundcover. In late spring, the low mat of large, oval leaves is covered with tiny steeples of purple flowers, 3 to 8 inches tall. Sun to part shade. Moist to dry soil.

Veronicastrum virginicum

Culver’s Root

White to light pink, ‘Veronica-like’ flowers sit on stalks 2 to 5 feet tall, and are surrounded by whorled leaves. Prefers moist soils, and sun to part shade. Blooms late in the season and accompanies asters, ironweed, boneset and goldenrods.

Zizia aurea

Golden Alexander

A wet meadow native, with bright golden flowers. Looks great naturalized into a sunny area. Flower stalks can reach up to 3 feet. Prefers moist to wet conditions.

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