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photos: ...flower (somewhat past prime) ... seed ...
Listed earlier as cv 'Karl Foerster' but then it looked like it wasn't: the flower colour was wrong when the potted ones flowered so then I listed it as cv 'not Karl Foerster'; then I eventually put a few in the ground and they flowered the right colour so apparently the there was a root environment issue affecting the flower colour while in pots... Common names: Feather Reed Grass. A really tall perennial grass, hardy to zone 4. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Tufted habit, colonizing mainly by forming a very tight clump. Moderately quick-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 5', and 1˝' wide. 'Karl Foerster' is reported to be a natural hybrid of Calamagrostis epigerjos and Calamagrostis arundinacea. Ornamental upright form, nice feathery plumes in summer. The botanical name refers to the resemblance to reeds. Nicknamed the "perpetual motion grass", as the slightest breeze sets this grass into graceful motion (so don't park it in a corner, ok?). There is confusion in the trade over the flower colour of this cultivar; it is correctly described as tones of pink/ bronze/ purple. But in pots and until established in the ground it is white to greenish-white. And maybe it stays or reverts to the pale colour under some other environmental conditions? Recommended site: sun. Soil: good to rich, reliably moist but well-drained. Versatile and adaptable. Dense, compact foliage, deep green; of fine texture. Golden/ yellow in fall. Foliage 2-3' tall. Small flowers are borne as a long Panicle for a few weeks in summer. Young purplish flowers in narrow feathery panicles in July/ August; matures into narrow golden cylinders as the seed show continues into mid-September. Some uses: Accent, Borders and Beds, Specimens, Foliage, Mass Planting, Containers, Screen or Hedge or Windbreak, Cut Flowers, Dried Flowers, Decorative Seed Pods.
photos: ...flower ...plant ... another ...
... Common names: Cowslip; Kingcup; Marsh Marigold. A low perennial, hardy to zone 3. Low Maintenance in a proper site. Of Rounded habit, colonizing mainly by self-seeding. Moderately quick-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 8in, and 8in wide. Species native to most of the N hemisphere; NAm: Newfoundland/ S Carolina/ Saskatchewan; Eurasia: Ireland/ Spain/ Siberia/ Japan. In NS its distribution is mainly restricted to sites along the western side of Cape Breton island and one site in Pictou county (and soon at least one site in Hants Co). I don't know about the natural distribution of this white form. Plant shape is different from what I've seen on the yellow ones as these flower stems are very short, to the point where it could be called a different species without raising an eyebrow here. Also the petals are narrower, the flower more star-shaped. A simple but attractive plant. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: rich, mildly acidic, peaty loam, largely organic, moist or boggy to wet. Naturally occurs in marshes, wet alder woods, by streams. The more moist the site, the more vigorous the plant. The parent plants of these have been quite happy for several years sitting in a 1 gallon pot in about 4 inches of water at the edge of a pond which is spring fed in all but the coldest weather. Dense, compact foliage. Good-sized white flowers are borne in a small cluster in early spring. Narrow petals. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Boggy areas, Ponds or Water Gardens, Waterside, Naturalizing.
photos: ...flower ...plant ... and another ...
... Common names: Leichtlin's Camas; Quamash. A tall bulb, hardy to zone 2. Of Tufted habit, colonizing mainly by bulb offsets. Slow-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 4', and 1' wide. Native to W NAm. Self-seeds if stems are left standing after blooming. Does not readily produce offsets. A nice plant, often remarked upon. Quiet rather than showy. These are growing from seed since 2002 and are still not blooming size but there are several seedlings to a pot so you have an instant clump. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: rich, normal, loamy, reliably moist but well-drained. Naturally occurring in rich meadows, wet in spring but dry in late summer. Good in heavy soils (high clay content) when drained. Dormant from late summer, to handle drought. Better in full sun. Foliage coarse. Goes dormant after flowering. Good-sized flowers are borne on a very long Spike for a few weeks in late spring. Flower colour: creamy white, possibly blue. Large star-shaped flowers. Narrow petals. Prominent anthers. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Mass Planting, Rock Gardens, Cut Flowers, Naturalizing, Naturalizing Meadows.
photos: ...flower ...another ...plant ...
... Common names: Clustered Bellflower; Danesblood; Low Cluster Danesblood. A very low perennial, hardy to zone 2. Low Maintenance in a proper site (full sun). Of Upright habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Slow-growing . Height: to 6-10 in. Species native to Eurasia; naturalized in parts of NAm. Forms open clumps. Dwarf variety. Possibly monocarpic or short-lived under some conditions. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: most any normal, fertile, mildly alkaline, reliably moist but well-drained especially in winter. Flourishes in ordinary soil.Small flowers are borne as a moderate Corymb for a few weeks in summer. Flower colour: blue-ish violet. Compact clusters form at upper leaf axils. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Edgings, Alpine or Scree garden, Rock Gardens.
photos: ...flower ...another ...
As above but taller at 1 to 3 ft, and with white flowers.
photos: ...flower ...
also known as Campanula leutweinii. A low perennial, hardy to USDA Zone 6 or colder. Of Sprawling habit, colonizing mainly by forming a very tight clump. Height: to 4-12in. Native and endemic to Europe: eastern Greece. Possibly monocarpic. Credited as hardy to zone 8 but they have been surviving winters in pot farms here without problems; many alpines are hardier than their native geography seems to indicate if properly grown. Rather showy, smothered in masses of bell-like flowers for much of summer. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: rich, gritty or gravelly. Naturally occuring on rocky slopes at elevations of 500-700m. May require protection against winter wet. Good-sized flowers are borne on a short Spike in summer. Lavender to white flowers, growing densely on procumbent stems. Some uses: Dry Walls, Edgings, Alpine or Scree garden, Rock Gardens, Containers.
photos: ...flower ...
... Common names: Perennial Corn Flower; Cornflower; Hardy Bachelor's Button; Mountain Bluet(s); Mountain Knapweed. A low to mid-height perennial, hardy to zone 3. Low Maintenance in a proper site. Of Sprawling habit, colonizing mainly by moderately creeping rootstocks. Vigorous, fast-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 1˝', and 2' wide. Native to Europe: Belgium/ Spain/ C Yugoslavia/ Poland. Floppy plant forming spreading patches. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: fertile, sandy loam, well-drained, moist to dry-ish. Naturally occurring in subalpine meadows and open woods. Spring planting is preferred. Drought -tolerant. Low Maintenance in Naturalization situations. Open, sparse foliage, of fine texture. Small flowers are borne in large white daisy-like heads for a month in late spring. Spidery cornflower-like, to 3" diameter, some with a startling blue and purple centre and some with a more relaxed white with blue centre. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Edgings, Groundcover, Rock Gardens, Cut Flowers, Dried Flowers, Naturalizing.
photos: ...none taken yet...
(few only) Common names: North America Red Bud; (Eastern) Redbud. A tree, hardy to USDA Zone 4, colonizing mainly by self-seeding. Vigorous, fast-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 10-30ft, and 20-30ft wide. Native to NAm: Connecticut/ S New York/ S Ont/ S Wisconsin/ S Nebraska/ Texas/ Florida. May reach 40-50ft but not likely in this climate. Broad, shrubby, flat-topped form. Interesting. Very showy in flower, nice in leaf, good winter silhoutte. Considered one of the most beautiful small native trees. Trunk dividing low down, so multi-stemmed; crown rounded but flat-topped. Recommended site: sun or light shade. Soil: fertile, largely organic loam, reliably moist but well-drained. Naturally occurs in fertile woods. One of the few Legumes without nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Fairly adaptable except to wet soils. Foliage golden/ yellow in fall. Small flowers are borne on a Raceme in early spring. Very showy, and preceed the leaves. Pea-like. Seed pods flat, 3in long. Often borne directly on the trunk and main branches as well as on twigs. The red to reddish-purple buds open into pink flowers (sometimes white). Some uses: in Shrubbery, Specimens, Songbirds, Wildflower, Naturalizing, Shade tree.
photos: ... none taken yet ...
synonyms Cydonia japonica; Pyrus japonica... Common names: Japanese Quince; Japonica. A shrub, hardy to zone 5 with winter protection. Of Spreading habit, colonizing mainly by self-seeding. Moderately quick-growing and of very long lifespan. Native to Japan (Honshu, Kyushu). Spreading very dwarf form. Dense, tangled. This cultivar is rated to Zone 4 by some refs, but nobody has very much to say about it. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: anything decent. Naturally occuring in the mountains at low elevations. Sometimes affected by scale insects. Deciduous. Good-sized flowers are borne in a small cluster in spring; often reblooms later in the year. Flower colour: red. Some uses: Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Rock Gardens.
photos: ...none taken yet...
... Common names: Threadleaf False Cypress; Sawara False Cypress; Threadleaf Sawara Cypress. A tree, hardy to USDA Zone 4. Slow-growing and of very long lifespan. Height: to 40ft, and to 30ft wide. Species native to Japan. This form was introduced to NAm in about 1861. Recommended site: sun. Soil: fertile, mildly acidic, loamy, well-drained and dry-ish. Dense, compact foliage, very fine. Evergreen. Very fine dangling cedar-like leafs. Flowers in the form of cones. Some uses: Specimens, Foliage, Naturalizing.
photos: ...flower ...plant ... another ...
... Common names: Double Greater Celandine; Greater Celandine; Celandine; Swallow-wort. A low perennial, hardy to zone 3. Low Maintenance in a proper site. Of upright habit, colonizing mainly by self-seeding.Vigorous, fast-growing and of short lifespan. Height: to 1 ft, and 3-8in wide. Species native to much of S and E Europe/ NW Africa/ Turkey/ Asia E to Japan; naturalized in E NAm. A bright plant for the woodland or shade garden. The single-flowered species plant is somewhat invasive and naturalized in NS, but 'Flore Pleno' is much better behaved as well as smaller, and seedlings are true to the parent form. Good in dry shade. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: any fertile, loamy, reliably moist but well-drained especially in winter. Not fussy as to soil, a good garden candidate. Does well for me in open shade, with modest self-seeding. Foliage light green. Attractive wrinkly and scalloped/ lobed leafs. Small bright yellow flowers are borne freely in a small Umbel for a very long period. Semi-double, showy especially in shade despite not flowering heavily at any particular time. Some uses: in Shrubbery, Foliage, Rock Gardens, Naturalizing, Naturalizing Woodlands.
photos: ... none taken yet ...
... Common names: Solitary Clematis. A mid-height perennial, hardy to zone 1. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Sprawling habit, colonizing mainly by slowly creeping rootstocks. Slow-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 1˝-3', and 2' wide. Native to S Europe: Austria/ Bulgaria/ C Asia/ Caucasus and into Siberia. Sprawling habit or needs support. Herbaceous (not woody) type. Not as showy as climbing types. Stems tend to flop if unsupported, but it is happy to grow in a sprawl. Intriguing foliage form when just starting; and in the shape of the flower. Hard to propagate by any means, but once convinced to grow does well. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: good to rich, near neutral, largely organic loam, reliably moist but well-drained. Naturally occurring in grassland and steppes. Benefits from occasional applications of lime. Slow to establish but otherwise easy. Good-sized flowers are borne as individuals in summer. Flower colour: lavender-blue to blue-ish shades of violet. Flowers pendulous, bell-shaped with flaring or reflexed tips on long stalks; 4 sepals (petals). Long bloom period if kept moist. Has the usual attractive fuzzy seedheads which extend the ornamental period. Some uses: Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Specimens, Groundcover, Cut Flowers, Decorative Seed Pods, Naturalizing.
photos: ...flower ...plant ...
Seedlings from a pink-flowered parent, probably self-pollinated; should mainly be pink but some may be blue-flowered or somewhere between?
photos (of the green leaf form): ...flower ...plant ...
... Common names: Vase Vine. A really tall perennial, hardy to zone 3. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Upright habit, colonizing mainly by forming a very tight clump. Slow-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 4-5', and to 3' wide. Species native to Europe: France/ Spain/ Poland/ Bulgaria/ Russia/ the Caucasus. Densely branched. Straggling bush, usually needs support (or allow to sprawl although not good form for this type). This is a herbaceous type - dies back to the ground each winter. Recommended site: sun or light shade. Soil: rich, near neutral pH, loam, largely organic, reliably moist but well-drained especially in winter. Slow to establish but easy to grow. May be OK in part shade? Foliage lanceolate. Flushed purpley-green; intensity of colour varies with the season and the particular plant and may only be in the newer leaves and stem. Small moderately fragrant white flowers are borne in a large cluster in summer. Free flowering on branching sprays at stem tops. Starry. Seed heads modest. Some uses: Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Specimens, Foliage, Groundcover, Cut Flowers, Herb Gardens. Needs support of some type (shrub or stump).
formerly named Clematis maximowicziana , also known as Clematis dioscoreifolia; Clematis paniculata. Common names: Sweet Autumn Clematis; Yam-leaved Clematis; Japanese Clematis; Autumn Clematis. A really tall perennial, hardy to zone 5 or colder. Of vining habit. Moderately quick-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to to 10' or more. Native to Japan. Vigorous, forming billowy masses of flowers. Climbs by twisting its stem(s) around a support but equally happy to sprawl if there is no support. One of the most fragrant flowering climbers. These seedlings have survived about 4 winters bunched in a single pot, as I kept forgetting where they were or that they needed to be separately potted; but finally they were found and remembered during summer 2005 and they have done better since. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: rich loam, largely organic, reliably moist but well-drained especially in winter. Dense, compact foliage. Good-sized fragrant creamy white flowers are borne as a large Panicle in autumn. Masses of flowers, silvery plumed seed clusters also showy, as with most Clematis. Some uses: Accent, Focus, in Shrubbery, Specimens, Screen or Hedge or Windbreak, on a Wall or for Espalier, Naturalizing.
photos: ...flower ... another ...plant ...
... Common names: Bonnet Bellflower; Asian Bellflower; Climbing Ginseng. A mid-height perennial, hardy to zone 3. Of Sprawling habit, colonizing mainly by forming a very tight clump. Vigorous, fast-growing. Height: to 2'. Native to Asia: Central Asia to N India. A trailing or scrambling plant with large pendant flowers on long stems; graceful and showy. Can drape over low walls or in shrubs. Tuberous root. Zone 7 in some refs. Rare-ish in cultivation and considered a choice plant. Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: largely organic loam, reliably moist but well-drained. Naturally occurs in rocky grassy slopes (at altitudes of 3000-4000m?) Requires part shade in warmer climates. Resents being moved excessively. Open, sparse foliage, of fine texture. Aromatic. Good-sized unscented flowers are borne as individuals in summer. Rounded bells with slightly recurved lips. Almost white and with light blue veining. Striking inner markings of orange and maroon. Some uses: Borders and Beds, Dry Walls, in Shrubbery, Rock Gardens, Naturalizing Woodlands.
photos (new! finally!): ...flower ... another ...plant ...
... Common names: Noble Fumitory. A low to mid-height perennial, hardy to zone 3. Of Upright habit. Slow-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 1.5ft. Native to mountains of central Asia. Robust plants. Recommended site: open shade. Also okay in sun. Soil: rich sandy loam, largely organic. Naturally occurs among shrubs, on rocky places, in shady ravines. May go dormant in dry summers. Undemanding. Foliage of fine texture. Pale yellow flowers are borne as a large Cyme for a few weeks in late spring. Long tubular flowers with brownish-purple tip, in a short dense cyme over a tuft of stem leaves. Some uses: Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Rock Gardens, Waterside, Naturalizing.
photos: ...flower (mauvey) ... flower (red) ...another red ...plant (mauvey) ... plant (red) ...
A small low perennial, growing from a bulb, hardy to zone 4 or colder. Of Upright habit. Slow-growing and of long lifespan. Height: to 6in or so. Native to Asia. Delicate plants in appearance. Recommended site: open shade to sun. Soil: rich sandy loam, largely organic. Undeterred by summer or autumn drought. Flowers very early, in April to early May, and goes dormant very soon thereafter. Undemanding; increases by bulb offsets and may self-seed. Foliage finely divided and textured, fernlike and blue-green in colour. Flowers are borne as a large Cyme for a few weeks in late spring. Both colours are quite showy, but the reds are less common and more of a standout. Tubular flowers with a lip, in a short dense cyme over a tuft of basal leaves. I have potted a couple of dozen of these, grown from seed; not sure how many are which colours until they flower in spring, since the reds and mauves were all mixed in together in the nurse pots. Plants ordered by mail will be sent as bulbs in the fall. Some uses: Borders and Beds, in Shrubbery, Rock Gardens, Waterside, Naturalizing.
photos: ...flower ...plant ... and another ...
(2 gal pots, too large to ship) synonyms Rhus cotinus... Common names: Smoke Bush; Smoke Tree; Venetian Sumach. A shrub, hardy to zone 5 or colder. LOW MAINTENANCE. Of Shrub habit, colonizing mainly with help. Slow-growing and of very long lifespan. Height: to 10', and to 10' wide. Native to Eurasia: Europe to C China. Small tree, really; loose spreading multi-stemmed upright habit. Excellent leaf colour. Plants from 2000, they'll be approaching 1 foot tall in 2003 and this will be their last year in the 1 gallon size (price will increase when repotted). Recommended site: sun to part shade. Soil: infertile to normal, sandy loam, well-drained, moist to dry-ish. Best in poor soil. Foliage colour intensifies if the bush is pruned hard in spring, but this loses the smokey bits. Foliage deep red or purple-ish; of fine texture. Good autumn colour also, best in poor soil. The foliage colour is held all summer but in shade the leaves are a dark purpley-green. Tiny flowers are borne as a large Panicle in late spring. Flower colour: pink-ish purpley violet. Abundant tiny flowers in plumes appear as a smokey haze. Some uses: Accent, Borders and Beds, Focus, in Shrubbery, Specimens, Foliage, Mass Planting, Screen or Hedge or Windbreak. Looks rather nice surrounded by the fresh green of Sweet Hay Fern.
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