last update January 2008
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Saplings are now old enough that they are starting to show some paterning of the bark... Common names: Ornamental Striped Bark Maple, Red Striped Bark Maple, Kyushu Maple, Japanese Striped Bark Maple. A small tree, hardy to zone 5 or maybe 4. Of Tree habit. Moderately quick-growing and of moderate lifespan. Height: to 5-25ft. Native to Japan. An interesting and fairly rare striped bark maple tree with a rounded low canopy. Smaller than the native moose maple A. pennsylvanicum, with white stripes on brown. Not particularily long-lived for a tree. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: loamy, reliably moist but well-drained especially in winter. Tolerates acidic to mildly basic soils. Yellow to red fall foliage. Greenish white flowers on 2.5 to 4" pendulous raceme; attractive samara (winged seed) in fall. Some uses: Accent, in Shrubbery, Specimens, Screen or Hedge or Windbreak.
Japanese Maples
All forms except the following are now sold out...
... Common names: Japanese Full Moon Maple. A small tree, hardy to zone 6 or colder. Slow-growing and of long lifespan. Species native to Japan. These plants are grown from seed and differ somewhat from one to the other in leaf and form. Seed parent displays a broad, circular, 9 fingered tapered green leaf, although none of the seedlings do. Recommended site: part shade. Soil: fertile, mildly acidic or neutral, normal to loamy, reliably moist but well-drained especially in winter. Species naturally occurs in woods of the hills and mountains. Needs shelter from winds. Foliage of fine texture. Some uses: in Shrubbery, Specimens, Foliage, Naturalizing Woodlands.
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formerly named Stipa calamagrostis, also known as Agrostis calamagrostis; Lasiagrostis calamagrostis. Common names: Silver Spike Grass; Spear Grass. A mid-height to tall perennial grass, hardy to zone 5. Of Tufted habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Moderately quick-growing and of lifespan. Height: to 3 ft. Native to S Europe into N Spain. Cool-season grass. Non-invasive, easily controlled. Showy; one of my favourites. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: good, reliably moist but well-drained especially in winter. Tolerates minor drought. Foliage grey-ish green; of fine texture. Orangey-yellow in fall. Small flowers are borne as a moderate-size Panicle later in the summer. Flower colour: creamy white. Seed heads last into winter. Showy long-lasting flowers on arching stems, excellent dried. Some uses: Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Foliage, Rock Gardens, Dried Flowers, Steep Banks, Naturalizing, Naturalizing Woodlands.
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A perennial. Height: to 12-16". Native to Japan. These are from seed wild collected on Mt Fuji, Japan. Dwarf and delicate, with a light but sweet scent. Recommended site: sun. Soil: fertile good sandy loam, well-drained. These have overwintered quite well in pots in a bit of shade. Flowers are borne on a short Raceme in late spring. Bell-shaped, pale blue. Some uses: Edgings, Alpine or Scree garden, Rock Gardens.
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On-site sale only, too large to ship ... Common names: Common Chestnut; Common Horse Chestnut; Horse Chestnut. A tree, hardy to zone 5 or colder. Of tree habit, colonizing mainly by self-seeding. Moderately quick-growing and of very long lifespan. Height: to 75 ft. Native to SE Europe, and an occasional escapee into the wild in E NAm. A large and stately ornamental tree with a wide crown, lovely in full flower. Getting a young tree into flower is a game in patience; my first pair were planted in about 1980 and didn't flower until 2002, and even then it was only because they heard me threaten a chainsaw ultimatum the previous summer; then again, they aren't in the best positions either. Recommended site: sun. Soil: reliably moist but well-drained especially in winter. Foliage coarse. Golden/ yellow in fall. Small fragrant white flowers are borne as a long Panicle for a few weeks in early spring. Blooms early June here. Very noticeable flower candles, and very intricate when seen up close, with pink and yellow markings; pleasant fragrance. If my young trees produced a decent number of candles I'd be tempted to see how they do as a cut flower. Fruits have thick horny husks, and a large shiny brown nut (conker; great toys) within (not particularily edible for humans, but pigs apparently love them). Some uses: Specimen. Good shade tree.
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... Common names: Common Bugle(weed); Bugle; Carpet Bugle. A very low perennial, hardy to zone 3 or colder. Low Maintenance in a proper site. Of Erect habit, colonizing mainly by moderately spreading stolons. Vigorous, fast-growing. Height: to 4-10", and 2' wide. Native to most of Europe (except N Scandinavia and Russia) and circum-Mediterranean. Naturalized in E NAm, including central and western NS. Easily controlled in beds, but keep out of lawns! Likely to self-seed particularly if more than one variegated variety or just the dark-green leafed non-variety are present. Recommended site: sun or shade. Soil: infertile, most any. Naturally occurring in woods, grassy places and on sunny banks in clay soils. Spreads rapidly in better or fertile soils. Grows here in hard clay, although it has more winterkill (which rapidly fills in come spring) in the clay than in lighter soils. Does OK in dry shade, and under downspouts and gutters. Dense, compact foliage, deep green. Usually evergreen. Foliage has reddish-purple highlights. Leaves vaguely spoon-shaped, shiny. Small flowers are borne on a short Spike for a month in late spring. Flower colour: bright blue. May rarely be pink or white. Some uses: Edgings, Foliage, Groundcover, Naturalizing.
photos: ... unaccountably, none taken yet ...
... Common names: Lady's Mantle. A low perennial, hardy to USDA Zone 3. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Mound habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Slow-growing and of very long lifespan. Height: to 1ft, and 2ft wide. Native to N Greece/ the E Carpathians in Romania and W Russia/ Caucasus/ N Turkey/ Armenia/ N Iran. Excellent textural contrast between foliage and flowers. Robust. Prone to self-seed in some situations, but hasn't for me yet. Recommended site:. Soil: most any; fertile, reliably moist but not wet. Naturally occuring by streams in meadows and in open fir and beech forest. Drought-tolerant. Needs more shade in hotter climates. Dense, compact pleated foliage, light green; especially attractive after rain/ mist/ dew, which beads up; round leaves with a greyish caste. Tiny greenish-yellow petalless flowers are borne as a moderate open Cyme for a month in late spring. Not exactly showy except as a misty form. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Edgings, Foliage, Mass Planting, Rock Gardens, Cut Flowers, Dried Flowers, Naturalizing.
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... Common names: Garlic Chives; Oriental Garlic; Chinese Chives; Chinese Leek; Flat Chives. A low to mid-height perennial, hardy to zone 3. Of Tufted habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Moderately quick-growing. Height: to 1˝-2', and 1' wide. Native to Japan. A plant of multiple kitchen uses and with a very attractive and scented white flower. More of a small, tough and fibrous tuberous root than a bulb. Likely to self-seed if allowed. Recommended site: sun or light shade. Soil: fertile light, sandy loam, reliably moist but well-drained. More fussy than ordinary Chives as far as soil/ sunlight are concerned. Drought tolerant, and thrives with normal garden watering. Open, sparse foliage, of fine texture. Small fragrant white flowers are borne in a moderate Umbel for 2 months in autumn. An excellent and showy late white flower. Rose- or violet-scented according to some. Flower stalks roughly twice the height of the leaves. Rounded umbels to 2" across; flowers star-shaped, with a brown stripe. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Edgings, Groundcover, Mass Planting, Rock Gardens, Containers, Cut Flowers, Dried Flowers, Decorative Seed Pods, Herb Gardens, Kitchen Herb, Naturalizing.
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Very well-established plants. ... Common names: Blueberry Climber; Turquoise Berry; Porcelain Berry; Asiatic Ampelopsis; Porcelain Vine. A woody plant, hardy to zone 4. Of Vining habit, colonizing mainly by forming a very tight clump. Moderately quick-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 25'. Native to Asia: China/ Japan/ Korea. A much under-used gem. Great sprawling up a large rock or for a treliss. Following colder Zone 5 winters stems are likely to die back to the crown, but after the warmer 00-02 stem buds survived. Recommended site: sun or light shade. Soil: normal. Any site but a wet one. Japanese beetles are said to find this "a taste of home" but if there are any here they haven't been a problem for me. Happy here in an Azalea bed. Dense, compact foliage. Tiny flowers are borne in a large cluster in late summer. Flower colour: shades of green. Tiny inconspicuous flowers in mid- to late summer develop into showy 5mm berries that ripen from green to purple to blue to turquoise to pale blue, the later stages spotted (unfortunately losing their colour after a hard frost). Any one cluster may have all the colours present at once. The berry show starts in September. Some uses: in Shrubbery, Specimens, Screen or Hedge or Windbreak, Berries or Fruit. Berries are eaten by some sort of local bird; but all I saw were the droppings...
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This variegated form of the above needs a bit of thought in siteing so it will stand out against its background; also in my view the variegation detracts from the impact of the berries. More compact and not as vigorous.
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... Common names: Wild Sarsaparilla. A low to mid-height perennial, hardy to USDA Zone 5 or colder. Low Maintenance in a proper site. Of Upright habit, colonizing mainly by moderately creeping rootstocks. Moderately quick-growing and of very long lifespan. Height: to 18in. Native to NAm: Newfoundland/ BC/ Colorado/ Georgia. In NS: grows throughout the province and is quite common. This native plant forms an attractive and fairly dense knee-high groundcover in wooded areas once leafed out. Plants I'm selling are dug from some of the wild patches in my woods. Recommended site: open shade. Soil: fertile acidic peaty, largely organic loam, well-drained, moist to dry-ish. Naturally occurs in dry woods and old forest. Dense, compact foliage. Lush dark green divided leafs, terminal and usually 3 to a stem, each with about 5 leaflets. Leaf stems and flowering stem are separate. Tiny green-ish white flowers are borne in moderate Umbels for a few weeks in late spring. 3 umbels to a single leafless stem. Dark blue-black berries form later in the summer almost hidden just below the leafs; these are popular with some of the wildlife. Some uses: in Shrubbery, Foliage, Groundcover, Herb Gardens, Berries or Fruit, Wildflower, Naturalizing Woodlands. The roots were (one of?) the original flavoring for root-beer. Also famous for scuttling the hopes of many in elementary school spelling bees.
photos: ...flower ...plant ...another ...leaf .
A perennial bulb, hardy to zone 4, colonizing mainly by offsets. One of the Asian Jack-in-the-Pulpits. In previous years these had been puzzling me as to their identity, but a few flowered in '07 so I know now that they are in fact candidissimum. Very late to emerge so not available until July or perhaps a bit earlier. Recommended site: open shade to sun. Soil: peaty loam, reliably moist but well-drained especially in winter; unhappy in drought. Attractive leafs. Flower structure a hooded tubular spathe enclosing the small flowers carried on a spike. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Amongst Shrubbery, for Foliage Effect, Rock Gardens, Waterside, Decorative Seed Pods, Naturalizing Woodlands.
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... Common name(s): Jack in the Pulpit; Indian Turnip. These are still small tubers but should flower in 2009. A Mid-height perennial, hardy to Zone 3. Interesting plant, quite striking when well-grown and one of those plants that looks much better in person than in a photo! Forming colonies primarily by offsets or seed. Moderately quick-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 1-3ft. Native to NAm: NS/ Manitoba/ Florida/ Louisiana/ Texas or maybe not quite so far south depending on the reference; has been found in most counties of NS. Less than 2ft tall in flower, later growing taller, to 4.5ft depending on conditions and plant origins: quite a variable species. Light required: Light Shade. Soil: does best in soil with a large amount of organic matter. Environmental Wetness: Requires reliable moisture, and good DRAINAGE especially in winter. Optimal Fertility: average. Naturally occurs in wet woodlands, mucky areas, intervales; and on alluvial soils. Tolerates deep shade. And maybe poor drainage (in a more organic soil? depending on climate?) Fairly open foliage; leaves quite large, of coarse textural effect: three (but sometimes 4 or 5) large leaflets to 1' long, on long stems from the rootstock. Bluish green or whitish undersides. Tiny flowers are borne on a short spadix carried within a large spathe in early spring (late May/ early June). The unremarkable spike (spadix) is enclosed in an attractive hooded spathe (as in Arum lilies), 3-5"" long, longitudinally striped green and purpley to brownish. Plants are dioecious. Females produce large showy clusters of bright red berries in fall. Some uses are: in amongst Shrubbery...as a Specimen plant... a native or naturalized Wildflower in some areas of NE N America...in naturalizing a Woodland setting...
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synonyms Armeria vulgaris; Statice armeria... Common names: Sea Pink; Common Thrift; Spanish Grass. A low perennial, hardy to zone 3. Low Maintenance in a proper site. Of Tufted habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Vigorous, fast-growing and of moderate lifespan. Height: to 10", and 1' wide. Native to Europe. Recommended site: sun. Soil: infertile sandy, gritty or gravelly, well-drained and dry-ish. Low Maintenance in poor DRY soil. Tolerates sea-side conditions. Drought tolerant. Dense, compact foliage, of fine texture. Usually evergreen. Densely-packed grass-like leaves to 3-4" long. Tiny bright pink flowers are borne in small Globose heads for 2 months from late spring on. Clover-like blooms about 1/2" diameter. May rebloom late to frost without deadheading. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Dry Walls, Edgings, Foliage, Alpine or Scree garden, Rock Gardens, Containers, Cut Flowers, Naturalizing.
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... Common names: Variegated Bulbous Oat Grass; Variegated Tuber Oat Grass; Onion Couch; Bulbous Oat Grass. A low perennial grass, hardy to USDA Zone3 or colder. Of Tufted habit. Moderately quick-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 1ft. An attractive variegated foliage on a grass which increases at a modest rate by bulb-like structures on the root. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: fertile, near neutral pH, loamy, reliably moist but well-drained. Dense, compact foliage, variegated; of fine texture. I haven't noted the flowers yet. Some uses: Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Foliage, Groundcover, Rock Gardens, Foundation plantings, Naturalizing.
photos: ... none taken yet ...
... Common names: Mugwort. A really tall perennial, hardy to zone 5 or colder. Of upright habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Vigorous, fast-growing. Height: to 1˝-5', and 1˝' wide. Native to Europe, naturalized in much of NAm. Tough woody stems and roots. One of the oldest known medicinal plants. Once used for, among other things, flavoring beer (hence Mugwort) until hops came into use. This is, I believe, the only widely-grown Artemisia with flowery flowers; also less silvery than most of the rest. Recommended site: sun. Soil: well-drained, moist to dry-ish. Pioneers into waste places and by roadsides. Aromatic. Tiny creamy white unscented flowers are borne as a moderate Panicle. Densely woolly. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Herb Gardens, Naturalizing Meadows.
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... Common names: Dwarf Goat's Beard; Miniature Goat's Beard. A low perennial, hardy to zone 3. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Tufted habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Vigorous, fast-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 1'. Native to Asia: Korea/ Japan. Precious small thing. Desperately under-used! Possible bog plant according to some: needs testing for this climate. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: fertile rich, largely organic, reliably moist (but not wet?). Naturally occurs among mossy rocks in dry creekbeds and probably other environments as well. Full sun only if kept moist. Adapts to fairly deep shade. Dense, compact foliage, deep green; very fine. Fern-like, deeply divided and ornate. Tiny creamy white flowers are borne as a short Panicle for a month in summer. Flower is nice but secondary to foliage, to me. Dioecious, and likely to self-seed if both sexes are present. Some uses: Edgings, Focus, Foliage, Mass Planting, Rock Gardens, Naturalizing, Naturalizing Woodlands. Plants are dioecious; both sexes are attractive. Most pots have more than one seedling.
also known as Aruncus sylvester... Common names: Goat's Beard; Sylvester Aruncus. A really tall perennial, hardy to USDA Zone 2. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Tufted habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Vigorous, fast-growing and of very long lifespan. Height: to 3-6ft, and 4ft wide. Native to E NAm: Pennsylvania/ Iowa/ Missouri/ Georgia; and to Eurasia: Belgium/ Pyrenees/ Caucasus/ Siberia/ N China/ Japan. Spectacular/ handsome and popular. Easy to grow, and adaptable. Deserving of wider use. Recommended site: sun or shade. Soil: most any, reliably moist but not wet. Naturally occuring in damp woods, shady places, and by streams, usually in mountain areas. Quite adaptive, although conditions will affect size and vigor of the planting; they will tolerate fairly dry sites. Best in partial shade, in rich deep soil. Stout fibrous roots, difficult to divide (hatchets and machetes failed me!). Foliage light green; of fine texture. Fern-like compound foliage up to 3ft long. Tiny creamy white flowers are borne as a large Panicle for a few weeks in late spring. Spectacular open feathery plumes to 1ft long. Resembles giant Astilbe. Dioecious; male and female plants equally ornamental. Plants in shade are taller, flower later and have a more open, airy plume than plants in grown in sun: they almost look like different species. Some uses: Accent, Borders and Beds, Focus, in Shrubbery, Specimens, Foliage, Mass Planting, Waterside, attracting Beneficial Insects, Steep Banks, Naturalizing. Very desirable for the rear of the border.
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A really tall perennial, hardy to zone 4. Of upright habit, colonizing mainly by forming a very tight clump. Height: to 4-5'. Native to China, judging from the name. Later-blooming than Aruncus dioicus but only by a bit, here; pretty much indistinguishable from the more common Goatsbeard to me. Bog plant according to some, needs testing for this climate. Recommended site: shade. Tiny white flowers are borne as a large Panicle in late summer. Said to flower along with Patrinia scabiosifolia, which could be a nice pairing. Some uses: Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Waterside, Cut Flowers.
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... Common names: Canada or Canadian Wild Ginger; Canadian Snakeroot. A low perennial, hardy to zone 3. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Mass habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Slow-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 6-12", and 1' wide. Native to NAm: the NE quarter of the US and into Ont, Quebec (and probably NB?). Spreading groundcover. Root has an aroma similar to ginger and was apparently used by pioneers as a ginger substitute. Recommended site: shade. Soil: rich acidic, largely organic loam, reliably moist but well-drained. Naturally occurs in woodlands. Tolerates alkaline soils. Prefers constantly moist, acidic soils in heavy shade. Dense, compact foliage, coarse. Deciduous. Broad, showy, heart-shaped. 4-6" long. Satiny. Asarum europeaum has smaller glossy kidney-shaped leaves, and the species from western NAm are different again. Small flowers are borne as individuals in early spring. Brownish purple; three-petalled, cup-like, hidden below the leaves. Long, tapered petals. Some uses: Edgings, Foliage, Groundcover, Rock Gardens, Naturalizing Woodlands.
photos: ...flower ...plant ... and another ...
... Common names: British Columbia Wild Ginger. A very low perennial, hardy to zone 4. Of Prostrate habit, colonizing mainly by moderately creeping rootstocks. Vigorous, fast-growing. Height: to 6-8". Native to W NAm: BC/ Montana?/ California, in the coastal mountain ranges. Forms large but sometimes rather open patches of lovely low foliage, a dense, neat groundcover. Indications are that it will be a Low Maintenance plant here. Recommended site: shade. Soil: light, largely organic, reliably moist but well-drained. Naturally occurs in deep shade in redwood forests and pine woods. Dense, compact foliage, coarse. Aromatic. Usually evergreen. To 6" long, larger than the other common hardy species, with a sort-of etched texture; heart-shaped; pale to dark shiny green; covered with fine hairs. May be semi-evergreen in some spots. All parts have a ginger-like smell when crushed. Leaf colour varies depending on the amount of sunlight, darker and more compact-growing with more light. Good-sized unscented flowers are borne as individuals in early spring. Reddish-brown, 3-lobed flowers hidden by leaves; unusual shape with long tapered petals; carried at ground level for ant pollination. Some uses: Specimens, Foliage, Groundcover, Rock Gardens, Naturalizing Woodlands.
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also known as Hexastylis europaea... Common names: Asarabacca; European Wild Ginger; European snakeroot; Hazelwort; Public house plant; Wild nard. A very low perennial, hardy to zone 4. Of Creeping habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks.Vigorous, fast-growing. Height: to 6-8in. Native to Europe. A lovely glossy groundcover; one of the best and easiest of gingers; a prolific self seeder. One source indicates hardiness to Zone 2. Recommended site: shade. Soil: mildly acidic, peaty loam, largely organic, reliably moist but well-drained especially in winter.Fairly tolerant of conditions but of course more vigorous where happy. Foliage deep green; coarse. Aromatic. Usually evergreen. Leaves glossy, leathery, long-stalked, kidney-shaped; often mottled. 2-3in long. Foliage still excellently evergreen here so far. Unscented flowers are borne as individuals in spring. Brown-ish red to purplish-brown; long-stalked but lying on the ground; bell-shaped with 3 petals. Not exactly showy; flowers are usually hidden by the leaves. Some uses: Foliage, Groundcover, Rock Gardens, Herb Gardens, Naturalizing Woodlands.
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... Common names: New England Aster; Michaelmas Daisy. A really tall perennial, hardy to USDA Zone 2. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Upright habit, colonizing mainly by forming a very tight clump. Vigorous, fast-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 4ft, and 2ft wide. Species native to NAm: NS (as garden escapes?)/ Quebec/ Alberta/ Colorado/ Kansas/ Arkansas/ Kentucky/ N Carolina; species can grow to 6ft tall. Tough plants. Stout-stemmed. Recommended site: sun. Soil: normal, fertile, reliably moist but well-drained. Tolerates some shade, and poor soil. Powdery mildew can be a cosmetic (but not fatal) problem where air circulation is poor during a damp fall. Good in wet areas (maybe not this far north?). Dense, compact foliage. Good-sized flowers are borne in daisy-like heads in autumn. Flower colour: purple-ish red. Floriferous. Often flowers in its first year. Flower heads are carried in broad terminal-ish clusters. Some uses: Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Specimens, Cut Flowers, Wildflower, Naturalizing, Naturalizing Meadows.
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synonyms Symphyotrichum dumosum... Common names: Rice Button Aster; Tamiami Pines Bushy Aster; Bushy Aster. A low perennial, hardy to zone 4. Of Mass habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Of long lifespan. Height: to 12-18", and 1˝' wide. Species native to E NAm: S Ont/ Louisiana/ Florida/ Maine. Dwarf Michaelmas daisies. Hardy to Zone 2 by some references. An attractive and tidy compact bushy little aster. In some refs this is Aster novi-belgii. Another ref says these are a cross between A novae-angliae, novii-belgii and a dwarf aster species from the western US. Recommended site: sun or light shade. Soil: fertile light, sandy loam, well-drained, moist to dry-ish. Naturally occurs in dry to moist, open situations in sandy soil: wet meadows, scrubby fields, and thickets. Part shade perhaps. Foliage of fine texture. Small flowers are borne in small daisy-like heads all autumn. Clear bright blue to lavender blue; yellow eye. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Rock Gardens, Cut Flowers, Butterflies and/or caterpillars, Honey Bees, Naturalizing Meadows.
Common names: Chinese Astilbe. Tall perennials, hardy to zone 3. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Erect habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Moderately quick-growing and of long lifespan. Species native to Asia: China/ Japan/ Korea. Tough, easily-grown attractive groundcovering plant. One of the latest-blooming of the Astilbes. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: good to rich, largely organic loam, reliably moist but well-drained. Heat tolerant. More sun and dryness tolerant than other species of Astilbe but not appreciating drought. Best in a cool, moist site. Dense, compact foliage of fine texture. Fern-like in effect, and forming dense low thickets. Small flowers are borne as a very long Panicle in late summer. Some uses: Accent, Borders and Beds, Foliage, Groundcover, Waterside, Cut Flowers, Decorative Seed Pods, Naturalizing. Several cultivars available.
photos: ...flower ... and another ...
... Height: to 3˝'. Also seen as Astilbe taquetti 'Purple Candles' and incorrectly as 'Purple Cats'. A tough, easily-grown attractive tall groundcovering plant. One of the tallest and latest-blooming of the Astilbes. Foliage height 2'. Really an outstanding flower colour. Dense, compact foliage, bronze-ish; of fine texture. Leaves 4-12" long, compound with serrated edges; quite attractive. Flower deep to lavender-purple. Floriferous. Late summer/ early fall.
Common names: Japanese Astilbe; False Spiraea. A perennial, hardy to zone 4 or colder. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Mound habit, colonizing mainly by forming a very tight clump. Moderately quick-growing and of very long lifespan. Easy to grow. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: rich mildly acidic good loam, largely organic, reliably moist but well-drained especially in winter. Species naturally occurs in moist rocky ravines in the mountains. Will grow in part-shade to full sun, but prefers some shade. Particularly effective in shade or water feature plantings. Dense, compact foliage, light green; of fine texture. Compound leaves of 3 leaflets with serrated edges; fern-like effect. Tiny unscented flowers are borne as a long Panicle for a month in summer. Dense, pyramidal plumes. Some uses: Accent, Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Foliage, Mass Planting, Rock Gardens, Containers, Waterside, Cut Flowers, Decorative Seed Pods, Naturalizing. Several cultivars available: .
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Height: to 1˝-2', and 1˝' wide. Good bright red flower plumes. .
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... Common names: Fall Astilbe. A tall perennial, hardy to zone 4. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Tufted habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Of long lifespan. Height: to 3-4'+, and 2' wide. Native to China. Similar to A. chinensis but taller and more tolerant of dry conditions. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: rich mildly acidic, good, largely organic loam, reliably moist but well-drained. Winter drainage may not be an issue. Foliage of fine texture. Compound leaves of 3 rounded leaflets with serrated edges, to 12" long; fern-like effect. Somewhat fuzzy. Tiny flowers are borne as a very long upright Panicle for a month, densely-flowered. Rich reddish mauve in the species and in the plants which flowered last summer; some with a more blue-ish tint. Later to flower than other Astilbes as well as a whole diffent hue. Leave spent flowers on for additional interest throughout the season and into or through winter. Some uses: Accent, Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Foliage, Mass Planting, Rock Gardens, Containers, Waterside, Cut Flowers, Decorative Seed Pods, Naturalizing, Dried flower plumes attractive in winter arrangements (picked in Oct) in a range of rusty browns.
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... Common names: Thunberg's Astilbe. A mid-height to tall perennial, hardy to zone 4. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Mound habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Slow-growing and of very long lifespan. Height: to 2-3'. Showy. Somewhat more arching in habit than the normally erect genus. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: rich mildly acidic, good, largely organic loam, reliably moist but well-drained. Shallow-rooted. Take full sun only if kept moist. Dense, compact foliage, of fine texture. Compound leaves of 3 leaflets with serrated edges, to 12" long; fern-like effect. Tiny flowers are borne as a large open, nodding Panicle for a month in summer. Flower colour: pink. Weeping individual spikelets. Showy even after flowers have faded. Mid-late relative to other Astilbe. Some uses: Accent, Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Foliage, Mass Planting, Rock Gardens, Containers, Waterside, Cut Flowers, Decorative Seed Pods, Naturalizing.
Common names: False Spiraea. A mid-height perennial, hardy to zone 3. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Mound habit, increasing mainly by forming a very tight clump. Slow-growing and of long lifespan. Hybrids involving A davidii, A astilboides, A japonica and A thunbergii. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: rich mildly acidic loam, largely organic, reliably moist but well-drained. Shallow-rooted. Take full sun only if kept moist. Foliage deep green; of fine texture. Compound leaves of 3 leaflets with serrated edges; fern-like effect. Tiny flowers are borne as a long Panicle for a month in summer. Some uses: Accent, Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Foliage, Mass Planting, Rock Gardens, Containers, Waterside, Cut Flowers, Decorative Seed Pods, Naturalizing, Dried flower plumes attractive in winter arrangements (picked in Oct) in a range of rusty browns. Several cultivars available: .
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Height: to 3', and 1˝' wide. A different soft shade of flower for contrast with the pinks, whites and reds of the main Astilbe season: shades of lavender-ish violet. Striking plumes. Blooms mid-season relative to other Astilbes.
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... Common names: Rose Astilbe. A mid-height perennial, hardy to zone 4 or colder. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Mound habit, colonizing mainly by forming a very tight clump. Moderately quick-growing and of very long lifespan. Height: to 2-3', and to 1˝' wide. Hybrid between A chinensis and A japonica. An old-fashioned favorite with an interesting shade of flowers and marvelously Fragrant! Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: rich mildly acidic good, largely organic loam, reliably moist but well-drained. Shallow-rooted. Take full sun only if kept moist. Dense, compact foliage, of fine texture. Compound leaves of 3 leaflets with serrated edges; fern-like effect. Lacy, rich green glossy foliage. Tiny strongly scented flowers are borne as a large Panicle for a month in summer. Flower colour: delicate salmon-pink. Leave spent flowers on for additional interest throughout the season and into or through winter. Some uses: Accent, Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Foliage, Mass Planting, Rock Gardens, Containers, Waterside, Cut Flowers, Decorative Seed Pods, Naturalizing.
... Common names: Dwarf Red Masterwort; Lesser Masterwort. A mid-height perennial, hardy to zone 3 or colder. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Branching habit, colonizing mainly by forming a very tight clump. Vigorous, fast-growing. Height: to 2ft, and 1.5ft wide. Species native to the SE Alps in Austria/ Italy/ Yugoslavia. Subtle beauty. Similar to A. major with subtle differences in flower and leaf. And of course flowers; more red are expected in this seed strain although I don't expect to see flowers on it before 2006. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: rich to good loam, largely organic, reliably moist but not wet. Perhaps better in shade (in warmer climates?). Foliage coarse. Good foliage. Coarsely dissected leaves. Tiny flowers are borne in moderate daisy-like heads; silvery tinted reddish-pink arranged in a dome on a saucer of showy red bracts give star-like effect. Some variability as these are grown from seed. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Foliage, Rock Gardens, Cut Flowers, Dried Flowers, Naturalizing.
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(I only have the pink seed strain at present, although most of them have turned out to be not very pink: indications are this could be culture-dependant)... Common names: Great Masterwort; Mountain Sanicle. A low to mid-height perennial, hardy to zone 4. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Branching habit, colonizing mainly by forming a very tight clump. Vigorous, fast-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 1˝-3', and 1˝' wide. Native to Europe: Alps/ Pyrenees/ NW Spain. Subtle beauty. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: rich, normal, largely organic loam, moist or boggy to wet. Drainage probably required here. Naturally occurring in alpine meadows. Foliage coarse. Coarsely dissected leaves; bold, attractive. Tiny flowers are borne in moderate daisy-like heads for 2 months in summer. Flowers pinkish-green on leafy stems; showy purplish-tinged bracts give star-like effect. Flower head to about 1˝" across. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Foliage, Rock Gardens, Cut Flowers, Dried Flowers, Naturalizing.
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... Common names: Pink Masterwort. As above but with a more pink flower colour. Height: to 2', and 1-2' wide.
... Common names: Rock Cress; Common Aubrieta; Purple Rock Cress. A very low perennial, hardy to zone 4. Of Prostrate habit, colonizing mainly by rooting along the stems. Moderately quick-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 4", and 2' wide. Native to S Europe and Asia Minor. Easily grown, versatile; form large cushiony mats. Recommended site: sun or light shade. Soil: infertile poor, sandy loam, reliably moist but well-drained. Fairly adaptable if given drainage, does well in normal garden soil too. In more shade will be less compact and less floriferous. May be sheared after flowering where compact growth is required. Maybe longer lived in grittier soil. Dense, compact foliage, of fine texture. Usually evergreen. Nicely shaped and textured, a bit grey-ish. Small faintly fragrant flowers are borne as a small Panicle for 2 months from spring on. Flower colour: sometimes red, blue shades to shades of violet. 4-petalled. Fairly free-flowering. Some uses: Accent, Borders and Beds, Dry Walls, Edgings, Foliage, Alpine or Scree garden, Rock Gardens, Honey Bees, Containers, Very nice trailing over an edge. Or amongst paving stones.
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Flowers in shades of violet.
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