Herbs        &       Perennials

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ferns         daylilies        Hostas        general list

Ferns

Athyrium filix-femina
Lady Fern - Intricately cut fronds on this graceful, easy to grow fern make it one of the most valued in the woodland or shade garden. Dense clumps with billowing clusters of lacy fronds combine well with hostas, ligularias or cardinal flowers. This fern will spread to fill an area, and fronds will generally stand on their own without support.

Athyrium nipponicum
Japanese Painted Fern - One of the most colorful options for shade, the silvery gray fronds sport red veins and provide a terrific splash of light among deeper greens or in front of your favorite old tree stump. Dense clumps form along creeping rhizomes and this fern continues to unfold new fiddleheads throughout the entire season. Beautiful mixed with hardy begonias, hostas or other shade lovers.

Blechnum spicant
Deer Fern / Ladder Fern - This interesting fern is an excellent selection for the cool, moist rock garden with an interesting stepping-stair appearance to each frond. In cooler areas, it is often found in dense patches at the edge of pine forests and woodland clearings. This makes a beautiful showing at the base of a garden sculpture or bird bath, as the spaces between the segmented leaves appear more prominent against a backdrop.

Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Hay-Scented Fern - This exhuberant light green fern is excellent as a groundcover on shaded banks or under trees. It doesn't form a central crown, but instead runs along producing a thick mat of lacy green foliage that smells like freshly-mown hay when crushed. Because it does create such a dense stand of fern, it is best not to plant this with more delicate perennials, as it will overrun them.

Dryopteris erythrosora
Autumn Fern - Often used as a feature plant because of a lovely bronze-red display of color on the new growth, this evergreen fern is beautiful in front of stones or at the front edge of a shaded area. It will tolerate alternating sunlight and shade throughout the day, but prefers an area that is consistently moist. Great for the woodland setting or the formal Japanese garden.

Dryopteris filix-mas
Male Fern - Stiff, lustrous dark green fronds form a flattened vase from the cinnamon-brown crown of this lovely fern.This is an excellent large fern for massing as it slowly spreads by rhizome to form crowns nearby. It is a super choice for wooded, moist areas where some height would be enjoyed.

Osmunda cinnamomea
Cinnamon Fern - Cinnamon fern is a valuable addition to the shade garden with erect clusters of tawny brown "fiddleheads" emerging from its clustered center from early spring until frost. The "cinnamon sticks" that emerge from the center are actually tightly furled fertile leaves, while the dark green leafs surrounding it are sterile. The sterile leaves will remain upright and leathery green all summer. This plant will tolerate more sun if in a constantly moist site.

Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis
Royal Fern - Distinctive foliage of the tall royal fern resembles the leaves of the honey locust tree. Also, called Flowering Fern, the sori (beadlike structures containing spores), are held in clusters at the tips of the fronds, giving the appearance of a bloom. A slow spreader, it will gradually widen around itself in a circle, but each separate plant will continue to display a vase-like form. In moist, almost boggy conditions, this plant can tolerate a great deal of sun.

Polystichum acrostichoides
Christmas Fern - Silvery new growth on the evergreen Christmas fern becomes a rich deep green as the stiff fronds mature. The leaves of this hardy native are often used in cut flower arrangements. It will remain very upright until heavy frost or snow pushes them down during the winter.

Polystichum polybelpharum
Tassel Fern - This is a very robust fern that forms an arching vase of stiff, glossy fronds. It offers rosettes of coarse, dark green foliage. A terrific evergreen, tassel fern grows easily in shade with constant moisture.

daylilies

Hostas

Hosta 'August Moon'
The large golden leaves of the August Moon hosta can withstand full sun without scorching. White flowers top the rounded, seersucker-crinkled leaves in summer.

Hosta 'Aureo marginata'
This lovely large growing hosta can sport leaves up to 12" wide and 14" long. Glossy, deep green centers are bordered by wide, irregular margins of bright yellow. Pale lavender flowers appear above the leaves in early summer.

Hosta 'Blue Cadet'
The dense, perfectly layered mound of blue-green foliage of the Blue Cadet is perfect for bold edging or to use as a groundcover. The mound will reach 28" in width.Deep lavender flowers reach up to 26" in July.

Hosta 'Blue Umbrellas'
This one is truly one of the finest of the large growing hostas. Immense, shiny blue-green leaves will form a 4' clump. Lavender blooms will spike above the foliage at about 3'. Rapid growth rate and giant size make this an excellent centerpiece or backdrop in the shade bed. Who can resist?

Hosta 'Fire & Ice'
Fire & Ice Hosta - This hosta is a relative of the Patriot, but requires some shade. Spectacular leaves are pure white in the center and edged in the deepest of green. Slow growing and small in size, lavender flowers will be produced in midsummer.

Hosta 'Fragrant Blue'
This terrific small hosta is great for edging or in groups of three to create an icy "cool" space in the shade. White flowers are fragrant and the foliage continuously reproduces throughout the season. Great with pastel pinks of turtleheads or hardy begonias, or maybe near the pale yellow of 'Ambigua' foxgloves.

Hosta 'Francee'
Irregular creamy white margins surrounding a deep ivy-green pleated leaf make this rapid growing hosta one of the most popular for the shade garden. The mound can easily reach 30" acrossand is topped in late summer with lavender blooms.

Hosta 'Ginko Craig'
A wonderful edger with short lance-like leaves margined with a crisp white border. Flowers are in late summer in a deep purple.

Hosta 'Golden Sceptor'
This beautiful fast growing golden sport of 'Golden Tiara' will form a clump up to 20" wide. The round golden leaves are topped with light lavender flowers in summer. Excellent contrast plant or to brighten a shaded spot.

Hosta 'Golden Tiara'
An award-winning hosta, 'Golden Tiara' rapidly forms neat mounds that will reach 18" in width. The pretty heart-shaped leaves are edged in creamy-yellow and topped with lavender flowers in midsummer.

Hosta 'Great Expectations'
Great Expectations remains one of the most beautiful hostas grown to date. The beautiful golden center edged by wavy lines of blue-green is truly a showpiece in the shade garden. The gold gently fades to cream and the 30" wide mound is topped with lovely, white blooms in early summer.

Hosta 'Hyacinthia'
Large grayish green leaves of this fast growing hosta are topped by lavender blooms in late summer. Undersides of the leaves are a bluish gray. This hosta is excellent for a cushy mound of foliage to serve as a backdrop for other shade perennials.

Hosta 'Invincible'
Probably the best green ever introduced, this lovely little edger will make a mound about 1' wide with tightly massed leaves. It is a rapid grower, pest-resistant and sun-tolerant. Nice for ground cover, edging or mass plantings. Fragrant lavender flowers occur over a long period in summer.

Hosta 'Kabitan'<
Greenish-yellow strap-like leaves have narrow green margins and reach 8-12" in length. This little spreader is great for edging or to provide contrast with darker green hostas or ferns behind it. Lavender blooms occur in early summer.

Hosta 'Krossa Regal'
One of the largest blue hostas, this oldie has a distinctive upright form and steel blue foliage that makes it a must for the shade garden. The clump will reach 3' in width and is topped by graceful spires of lavender flowers in mid to late summer.

Hosta 'Little Sunspot'
One of the finest small hostas to be introduced, 'Little Sunspot' has a dramatic wide green margin surrounding a brilliant gold center on each heart shaped leaf. Perfect for the shaded entryway along a perennial path or next to the shaded garden bench. Light lavender flowers occur in early summer. You certainly can't overlook this hosta!

Hosta 'Night Before Christmas'
A drop-dead gorgeous hosta! Long narrow leaves of luscious green sport a sparkling white center that stretches to the tip of the leaf. The clump will grow vigorously to almost 3' wide and offers up lavender blooms in early summer. Don't panic when the old foliage turns solid green in late summer. It is simply conserving energy and producing food for the next season.

Hosta 'On Stage'
From Japan, this unusual hosta has two-toned green margins surrounding a creamy white center. The leaves will reach 10"in length and 6" wide…they are great for use in floral arrangements. Trumpet-shaped lavender-blue blossoms wave above the 24" wide mound s of foliage in July.

Hosta 'Patriot'
Dark green centered leaves have a crisp white margin that does not brown when planted in sun! Lavender blooms in late summer.

Hosta 'Pizzazz'
This elegant, large hosta stands out with frosty-blue heart shaped leaves edged with wide irregular margins of cream. The mound can reach 3' across and will send up masses of white, densely packed flowers during the summer. Want to make a statement at a shaded spot along a pathway? Who can ignore such pizzazz?

Hosta 'Platinum Tiara'
Golden foliage of this unusual hosta is bordered by white. Blooms in summer are a deep lavender. Excellent for edging.

Hosta 'Royal Standard'
This old time favorite grows rapidly to create a large mound that will reach up to 38" across. Fragrant white flowers appear in August and September on 36" stalks.

Hosta 'Second Wind'
The lovely sheen on this fat-leaf hosta made me think of green satin when I first saw a full grown specimen in a display garden. Soft and elegant, 'Second Wind' will reach up to 45" across and offers lavender flowers on a 29" stalk in summer.

Hosta 'Shade Fanfare'
This delightful hosta makes a beautiful groundcover with slowly spreading mounds of golden-green leaves accented by broad creamy margins. Foliage is pest resistant. Lovely buds become beautiful lavender flowers in mid-summer.

Hosta 'Spilt Milk'
The name says it all for this distinctive hosta. Highly textured, wrinkled blue green leaves appear to have been splashed and streaked by spilt milk. Sounds strange, but is actually lovely on this stunning large growing specimen. Flowers are pure white on 20" stalks in late spring.

Hosta 'Sum and Substance'
Large chartreuse to gold leaves will grow to reach a width of 18". This large hosta award winner is one that will take full sun and is very pest resistant. It makes a spectacular specimen plant and is very effective used on slopes. Offers lots of lavender flowers in late summer.

Hosta 'Tattoo'
A spectacular hosta introduced by Tony Avent in Raleigh…this one is not simply variegated. The rounded golden leaves are actually "tattooed" with a maple leaf in the center. Light lavender flowers stretch over the 18" clump in late spring. This true original is definitely one for the collector's garden

Hosta 'Thunderbolt'
This fascinating huge growing hosta comes from my hometown, Hickory, N.C. and sports thick, rubbery-blue leaves with a gold flash down the center of each leaf which turns creamy-white later in the season. Near-white flowers top the clump in summer. This is a terrific specimen to showcase in the shade garden.

Hosta 'White Christmas'
Truly one of the most distinctive hostas on the market…the creamy white centers of the leaves are outstanding when this hosta is planted in morning sun. The clump will reach 2' in width and will be topped with lavender flowers in late spring.

Hosta 'Wolverine'
The unusual long leaf of 'Wolverine' hosta in a shiny blue edged by wavy lines of gold makes the 3' wide clumps appear to be cascading leaf over leaf like a waterfall. Stalks of lavender flowers occur in late summer. 'Wolverine' is a fast grower, so give him some space!

Hosta yingerii
This dwarf hosta is a terrific little addition for the hosta collector that comes from Korea. It is very vigorous and will naturalize in the garden. Lavender flowers spike above the foliage late in the season.

General list

        A        B-C        D-F        G-K        L-N        O-Q        R-S        T-Z   

A

Acanthus spinosus
Spiny Bear Breech

Acquilegia canadensis
Eastern Wild Columbine

Actea pachypoda
White Baneberry

Agrimonia eupatoria
Agrimony

Ajania pacifica
Pacific Daisy

Ajuga reptans
'Bronze Beauty' Ajuga

Ajuga reptans
Catlin's Giant Ajuga

Ajuga x 'Metallica Crispa'
Metallica Crispa Ajuga

Alchemilla erythropoda
Dwarf Lady's Mantle

Allium tuberosum
Garlic Chives

Amsonia hubrectii
Hubrect's Blue Star

Amsonia tabernaemontana
Bluestar

Arisaema triphyllum
Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Armeria maritima
'Splendens' Armeria

Artemesia abrotanum
Southernwood

Artemesia dracunculus
French Tarragon (Estragón)

Artemesia x'Powis Castle'
'Powis Castle' Artemesia

Aruncus aethusifolius
Dwarf Goatsbeard

Aruncus dioicus
Goat's Beard

Asarum splendens
Wild Ginger

Aspidistra elatior
Cast Iron Plant

Aster divaricatus
White Wood Aster

Aster novae-angliae
'Alma Potschke' New England Aster

Aster novae-angliae
'Purple Dome' Aster

Aster oblongifolius
Fanny's Aster

Aster tataricus
Tatarian Aster

Astilbe chinensis
'Pumila' Dwarf Chinese Astilbe

 B-C

Begonia grandis
Hardy Begonia

Belamcanda punctata
Spotted Bellflower

Caryopteris incana
Common Bluebeard

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Plumbago

Chrysanthemum parthenium 'Aureum'
Golden Feverfew

Chrysogonum virginianum
Green and Gold

Cimicifuga racemosa
Black Snakeroot

Colchicum rosea
Rose Coreopsis

Coreopsis verticillata
'Moonbeam' Tickweed

Crocus sativus
Saffron Crocus

Cuphea glutinosa
Hardy Mexican Heather

Delosperma cooperi
Hardy Ice Plant

Delosperma nubigenum
Hardy Ice Plant

Dendranthema x
Mei Kyo Chrysanthemum

Dendranthema zawadskii
Clara Curtis Chrysanthemum

Dendranthema zawadskii
'Yezoense' Chrysanthemum

Dianthus gratianopolitanus
Bath's Pink Dianthus

Dianthus x
Mountain Mist

Dicentra formosa 'Bacchanal'
'Bacchanal' Bleeding Heart

Dicentra spectabilis
Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart

Disporopsis pernyi
Evergreen Solomon's Seal

Disporum sessile 'Variegatum'
Dwarf Variegated Solomen's Seal

Diuranthera major
Hardy Chinese Spider Plant

Echinacea purpurea
Purple Coneflower

Eucomis
'Sparkling Burgundy' Pineapple Lily

Eupatorium maculatum 'Gateway'
Dwarf Joe Pye Weed

Filipendula palmata 'Digitata Nana'
Dwarf Meadowsweet

Filipendula rubra 'Venusta'
Queen-of-the-Prairie

Foeniculum vulgare
Bronze Fennel

Fragaria vesca 'Lipstick'
'Lipstick' Strawberry

Galium verum
Lady's Bedstraw

Gaura lindheimeri 'Siskiyou Pink'
Pink Whirling Butterflies

Gypsophilia paniculata 'Viette's Dwarf'
Viette' Dwarf Baby's Breath

Helleborus orientalis
Lenten Rose

Hesperaloe parviflora
False Red Yucca

Hibiscus coccineus
Red Rose Mallow

Hibiscus dasycalyx
Neches River Rose Mallow

Hierochloe odorata
Vanilla Grass / Sweet Grass

Hypericum calycinum
Aaron's Beard Hypericum

Iris cristata
Dwarf Crested Iris

Iris ensata Mix
Japanese Iris

Kalimeris pinnatifida
Mongolian Aster

Lantana camara 'Miss Huff'
Miss Huff's Hardy Lantana

Laurentia fluviatilis
Blue Stars

Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence'
Provence Lavender

Levisticum officinale
Lovage

Lobelia cardinalis
Cardinal Flower

Lysimachia ciliata 'Purpurea'
'Purpurea' Lysimachia

Lysimachia clethroides
Gooseneck Loosestrife

Lysimachia nummularia
Golden Creeping Jenny

Lysimachia punctata
Yellow Loosestrife

Marshallia grandiflora
Marshallia

Mazus reptans
Blue Mazus

Melissa officinalis
Lemon Balm

Mentha spicata
Spearmint

Mentha suaveolens var. variegata
Pineapple Mint

Mentha x piperita 'Chocolate'
Chocolate Mint

Minuartia verna spp. Caespitosa 'Aurea'
Golden Irish Moss

Monarda didyma 'Cerise'
'Cerise' Bee Balm

Mondarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'
Jacob Cline Red Bee Balm

Nepeta cataria
Catnip

Nepeta x faassenii 'Six Hills Giant'
'Six Hills Giant' Catmint

O - Q

Oenthera missouriensis
Evening Primrose

Origanum heracleoticum
Greek Oregano

Origanum rotundifolium 'Kent's Beauty'
'Kent's Beauty' Oregano

Origanum vulgare 'Aureum'
Golden Oregano

Origanum vulgare 'Compactum'
Compact Oregano

Orostachys furusei
Silver Dunce Caps

Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'
Beardtongue 'Husker Red'

Perovskia atriplicifolia
Russian Sage

Persicaria microcephela 'Red Dragon'
Red Dragon Persicaria

Phlox stolonifera 'Home Fires'
Home Fires Creeping Phlox

Physostegia virginiana 'Miss Manners'
Well Behaved Obedient Plant

Platycodon grandiflorus
Blue Balloon Flower

Poterium sanguisorba
Salad Burnet

R - S

Ratibida columnifera
Yellow Mexican Hat

Rhodophiala bifida
Ox Blood Lily

Rohdea japonica
Sacred Lily

Rosmarinus off. 'Richter's Arlington'
'Richter's Arlington' Rosemary (Romero)

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Salem'
Salem Rosemary (Romero)

Rosmarinus officionalis 'Arp'
'Arp' Rosemary (Romero)

Rosmarinus officionalis 'Irene'
'Irene'Creeping Rosemary

Rumex Rumex sanguineus var. Sanguineus
Red-veined Sorrel

Ruta graveolens
Rue

Salvia elegans
Pineapple Sage

Salvia greggii x lemmonii Raspberry Royale
Raspberry Royale Texas Sage

Salvia koyamae
Japanese Yellow Sage

Salvia nipponica 'Fuji Snow'
'Fuji Snow' Variegated Japanese Sage

Salvia oresbia

Salvia superba
'Blue Queen'

Salvia uliginosa
Bog Sage

Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain'
Purple Rain Salvia

Santolina chamaecyparissus
Gray Santolina

Santolina virens
Green Santolina

Saxifraga stolonifera 'Eco Butterfly'
Eco Butterfly Strawberry Begonia

Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' 'Perennial of the Year !'
'Butterfly Blue' Scabiosa

Scabiosa columbaria
'Pink Mist' Scabiosa

Sedum 'Frosty Morn'
Frosty Morn Sedum

Sedum emarginatum 'Eco-Mt. Emei'
Eco-Mt. Emei Sedum

Sedum pinifloium 'Blue Spruce'
Blue Spruce Sedum

Sedum spectabile 'Brilliant'
Brilliant Sedum

Sedum x Autumn Joy 'Autumn Joy'
Autumn Joy Sedum

Sedum x x 'Vera Jameson' 'Vera Jameson'
Vera Jameson Sedum

Selaginella kraussiana 'Aurea'
Golden Club Moss

Selaginella uncinata
Peacock Moss

Sempervivum x
Red Beauty Hens & Chicks

Sempervivum x
Atroviolaceum Hens & Chicks

Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Blue-Eyed Grass

Stachys byzantina 'Countess Helene von Stein'
Big Ears Lambsear

Stachys officinalis
Betony

Stokesia laevis
Stokes Aster

Stokesia laevis 'Alba'
White Stokes Aster

Stokesia laevis 'Mary Gregory'
Yellow Flowered Stokes Aster

T - Z

Tagetes lucida
Texas Tarragon

Talinum calycinum
Rock Rose

Tanacetum parthenium 'Aureum'
Golden Feather Feverfew

Tanacetum vulgare 'Crispum'
Fern-leaf Tansy

Tanacetum vulgare 'Isla Gold'
'Isla Gold' Tansy

Teucrium chamaedrys
Germander

Thymus praecox 'Doone Valley'
Doone Valley Thyme

Thymus pseudolanuginosus
Wooly Thyme

Tovara virginiana 'Painter's Palette'
Painter's Palette

Tricyritis hirta
Toad's Lily

Tricyritis x 'Togen'
Togen Giant Toad Lily

Valerian officionalis
Valerian - Garden Heliotrope

Veronica grandis 'Sunny Border Blue'
Speedwell

Veronica spicata 'Heidekind' Heidekind
Pink Veronica

Veronica spicata 'Icicle'
White Speedwell

Zephyranthes candida
August Rain Lily

Zephyranthes flavissima
Fairy Lily

Zephyranthes rosea La Buffa Rosa
Cuban Rain Lily