Lady's Mantle
Alchemilla mollis
Rosaceae
Form: Rounded mound to height and
spread of 24 inches
Foliage: Bright green basal leaves,
round (orbicular), up to 5 inches across, palmately veined and beautifully
pleated, with 7-11 lobes. Leaves are densely and smoothly pubescent, and
hold droplets of water or dew along shallowly toothed edges and at the center
of each leaf; medium texture
Flowers: Apetalous, (no petals) chartreuse
or yellow-green, 1/8 inch across. The tiny flowers form striking sprays
in casual compound cymes on stems that may stretch to 18 inches; May to July
Seedheads: Not effective; flowers dry
well
Culture: Part shade to full shade and
moist, fertile soil of average to slightly acid pH. Protect from late-day
west sun to avoid burning leaf margins in hottest weather. Warmer, more
humid locations can promote fungal diseases on water-holding foliage.
After bloom, cut back hard to rejuvenate new basal leaves. Avoid standing
water and leaf or mulch accumulation in crown.
Uses: A “blender,” working with
nearly all colors, contrasting with magenta and purples or cooling warm colors;
edger, mass, cut flower.
Companions: hardy ageratum, threadleaf
coreopsis, lilies, purple coralbells, gold-edged hostas, blue salvias
Propagation: Fresh seed or stratified older
seed, division
Cultivars: `Auslese’ -
available in the trade, not much difference between it and the species
`Thriller’ - larger leaves, more flowers with
more pleats
Other Species: A. alpine, alpine lady’s mantle -
Very tiny foliage, with deeper pleats and margins completely lined with fine
white hairs. A rock garden species
Rocky Mountain Columbine
Aquilegia caerulea
Ranunculaceae
Form: Neat rounded basal mounds from deep fleshy
root; height and spread 18 to 24 inches
Foliage: Blue-green, ternate (groups of three
leaflets), and 2 to 4 deep, notched rounded lobes. Glaucous and thick on long
petioles; foliage remains effective throughout the season, with less leaf miner damage or mildew than many other
columbines; medium texture
Flowers: Blue and white bicolor, with five petals with
frontal nectar tube and spurs projecting backwards and ending in a knob; 2 to 3
inches wide alternating with shorter, upturned sepals. The flowers are held upright, rather than
nodding, and appear strong and thick. Yellow stamens are showy and protruding
(exserted); April to May
Seedheads: Dry, brownish seed follicles are five long
tubes, star-shaped in cross-section, filled with tiny, shiny black seeds;
persist into fall
Culture: Full sun to part shade and moist to average
soils with good fertility. Good drainage is essential; will tolerate moderate
alkalinity. Remove seedheads for tidier
summer appearance, but like all columbines,
Uses: Naturalized areas, wildflower gardens, cut
flowers, meadows.
Companions: coralbells, willow amsonia, dwarf bearded
iris, basket-of-gold
Propagation: Seed; allow to reseed (plants are relatively
short-lived) and move only when very young to avoid damage to the fleshy root
Cultivars: `Crimson
Star’ - taller, with crimson sepals & white petals
‘Red
Hobbit’ - a shorter hybrid
Other species: A.
alpina, alpine columbine
A
flabellata, fan columbine
Wild/Canadian Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Ranunculaceae
NATIVE
Form: Open, slightly vertical mounds; vertical in
bloom; foliage height and spread 18 inches; height in bloom to 36 inches.
Foliage: Ternate foliage, bright green and not as thick
as that of A. caerulea; effective throughout the season unless decimated
by mildew or leaf miners; medium texture
Flowers: Buds look like hawks diving for prey, or like
squids. The tubular petals end in curved
spurs that are rather short; flower width approximately 1 ½ inches. Petals are reddish to yellow, alternating
with sepals, the lower part lengthened into a narrow spur with a slightly
bulbous tip; sepals yellow. Flowering stems are branched, with new nodding
flowers occurring at the ends for up to eight weeks; April to June.
Seedheads: Dry, brownish seed follicles are five long
tubes, star-shaped in cross-section, filled with tiny, shiny black seeds;
persist into fall
Culture: Part to full shade in moist fertile or organic
soils; native to woodland edges and bluffs for a large portion of the country.
Columbine is intolerant of heavy, poorly drained conditions.Tolerates
competition with tree roots; allow to reseed and colonize (blooms the second
year from seed) since plants are short-lived and look best in large groupings
or masses, and cannot be relied on to appear consistently in the same place
year after year. Less leaf miner
problems than most hybrid columbines; cut to ground if the damage is severe and
new foliage will appear.
Uses: Naturalized areas, cut flowers, woodland
gardens, wildflower gardens.
Companions: Virginia
Propagation: Seed.
Does not like to be relocated; fleshy, forked roots do not move well
Cultivars: `Corbett’ - pale
yellow; does well in cooler climates, very floriferous.
Other Species: A. chrysantha, golden columbine
A. vulgaris, granny’s bonnets
A. x hybrida, hybrid columbine
Goat’s Beard
Aruncus dioicus
Rosaceae
Form: Huge rounded mound to a height and spread of
48 inches; up to 60 inches in bloom; shrublike proportions
Foliage: Bipinnately to tripinnately compound leaves
up to 36 inches long with lanceolate leaflets 2 to 4 inches long and sharply
doubly serrate. Bright green with a hint
of olive; bold texture because of size.
Flowers: Huge plumelike panicles formed by dense spikes
of creamy white flowers that look like pipe cleaners, with male and female
flowers on different plants but not dramtically different in terms of garden
effectiveness. Individual flowers are
1/8 inch long, and the appearance in bloom is dramatic but casual. Flowers fade rapidly to an unfortunate
tan-brown. May-June
Seedheads: Not effective; follicles hold 2 to 4 small
seeds
Culture: Part shade to almost full shade; avoid
late-day sun in most locations and provide loamy, organic soils and consistent
moisture to avoid burning of leaf margins.
Given these conditions, goat’s beard thrives with little care. Provide adequate space. Cut back by one-third after bloom to
rejuvenate foliage and remove spent flowers.
Massive root system; takes several people or a tree spade to move an
established plant, which is not recommended
Uses: Backdrop, short-season specimen, create scale
in landscape, woodland garden, shade garden.
Companions: large hostas, turtlehead, fall-blooming
anemones, willow amsonia, variegated Solomon’s seal. Use companions with creamy white flowers and
foliage, not cold white
Propagation: Fresh seed
Cultivars: `Kneiffii’
- to 3 feet with foliage deeply divided and fernlike; less dramatic in
flower.
Other Species: A. aesthusifolius, Korean goat’s beard
Chinese Astilbe
Astilbe chinensis
Saxifragaceae
Form: Upright mound of foliage to a height and
spread of 9 to 12 inches; bloom spikes may reach 18 inches. The habit is rhizomatous, making this plant
effective as an elegant groundcover.
Foliage: Basal leaves are three times ternately
compound, with sharply and doubly toothed leaflets and scattered, stiff
hairs. The foliage is quite beautiful during
the entire growing season if plants are kept moist. Medium-fine texture.
Flowers: Tiny flowers in shades of mauve-pink are
densely packed along vertical or slightly arching panicles that reach a length
of 6 to 12 inches. June
Seedheads: Slightly effective for a short time after
bloom is finished
Culture: Part to full shade and moist, well-drained
soils will produce strong plants. Do not
allow soil to dry out if foliage quality is to be maintained over the summer
months. Chinese astilbe is tolerant of
drier conditions and more sun than other astilbes once established. Remove spent flowering stalks once bloom is
finished.
Uses: Groundcover, mass, edger, woodland garden, shady
rock garden or pond edger.
Companions: Heucheras, hostas, brunnera
Propagation: Division
Cultivars: Var. pumila,
dwarf Chinese astilbe - is slightly faster growing than the species, and
shorter
Hybrid Astilbe
Astilbe x arendsii
Saxifragaceae
Form: Uniform, elegant vase-shaped mound; foliage
height and spread 18 to 24 inches; to 36 inches and appearing vertical when in
bloom
Foliage: Copper or bronze-colored leaves emerge like
fern fiddleheads in spring, with more color in the foliage if the flowers are
red or pink. Oblong leaves are ternately
divided, two or three times and doubly toothed; not susceptible to pests or
insects and remain effective for the entire season. Medium-fine texture
Flowers: Dense terminal Christmas-tree shaped or
slightly arching panicles to 12 inches long; individual flowers are tiny and
appear in white, pink, salmon, red, or peach depending on cultivar. The overall appearance is dramatic and more
or less feathery or plumed. May-early June.
The bloom season can be extended by combining A..x arendsii with A.
chinensis, A. chinensis var. taquetii, and A.
simplicifolia, which bloom early to late summer
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part to full shade and consistent moisture and
rich soil are required; exposure to dry, sunny, windy conditions will burn leaf
margins and affect vigor. Divide every
3-4 years in spring to maintain health and increase numbers.
Uses: Pond or bog edges; shade garden, cut
flowers.
Companions: hostas, pulmonaria, lamium, bigroot
cranesbill, coralbells
Propagation: Seed (species only), division of hybrids
spring or fall, tissue culture
Cultivars: `Fanal’ - deep cherry red, bronze foliage
`Bridal
Veil’ - white-pink flowers, to 30 inches
`Rheinland’ - clear pink, 24 inches tall
Other Species: A. chinensis
A.
chinensis var. taquetii
A.
simplicifolia
Carpathian Harebells
Campanula carpatica
Campanulaceae
Form: Neat rounded mounds, slowly spreading from the
crown to a height and spread 12 inches; not stoloniferous like other
bellflowers
Foliage: Simple, alternate, dark green, deeply serrate,
2 inches long, triangular on long petioles, medium-fine texture
Flowers: Cup-shaped or bell-shaped (campanulate),
prolific, held slightly upright above foliage on naked pedicels. Each flower is from 1 to 3 inches wide, with
five pointed petals; bright blue; June to July
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun (protect from direct west exposure)
to part shade, average garden soils with even moisture but good drainage and
average fertility. Less tolerant of dry
or wet soils. Provide mulch to keep roots
cool and conserve moisture. Divide in early spring or late summer every few
years for continued vigor
Uses: Rock garden, edger.
Companions: lady’s mantle, variegated iris, cranesbills,
sun rose, Missouri
Propagation:
Seed; division
Cultivars: `Blue
Clips’ & ‘White Clips’ - plants only 9 inches tall, the first bright
blue, the second pure white
`Wedgewood Blue’
- slightly deeper violet-blue color, flowers smaller, plants to 6 inches tall
‘Blue Pearl
Spotted Bellflower
Campanula punctata
Campanulaceae
Form: Robust mounds of foliage to a height and
spread of 12 to 15 inches; will spread to
18 inches. Height in bloom 24
inches
Foliage: Alternate, simple leaves up to 5 inches long
with a broadly lanceolate form and coarse teeth form dense clumps. Stem foliage is considerably smaller. Medium texture
Flowers: Long, almost tubular bells up to 2 inches long are borne in
downward-facing clusters on terminal racemes).
The species is white to very pale pink with spots on the inside
surfaces. Flower color for cultivars
ranges from bright cherry pink ‘Cherry Belles’ to blue and purple-blue
‘Sarastro’ and ‘Kent Belle’. Bloom
begins in June and continues for 6 weeks or more; rebloom is consistent with
deadheading.
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to part shade and fertile, evenly
moist to wet soils with good drainage produce healthy plants. A neutral to slightly alkaline pH is
preferred. Provide consistent
water. Protect from drying west sun and
hot winds to avoid burning the foliage in summer. Cut back to the basal foliage after the first
bloom to encourage additional flower set, and to control production of
seedlings. Divide every three to four
years to maintain vigor. Plants may be
invasive under ideal conditions.
Uses: Cut flowers, mass, edger, groundcover,
naturalized areas.
Companions: candy lily, coral bells, fringed bleeding
heart, Siberian iris, threadleaf coreopsis
Propagation: Division or seed
Cultivars: Sarastro is a hybrid, with densely produced,
grape-purple flowers on 18 inch stems, spreading up to 30 inches.
‘Pantaloons’ - has double
light pink flowers
Painted Daisy
Chrysanthemum coccineum (Parthenium coccineum)
Asteraceae
Form: Dense, spreading mounds to a height of 9 to 12 inches and spread of 12 inches; 24 inches in height in bloom
Foliage: Dark or bright green, alternate, fernlike
almost curly; each leaf to 1 ½ inches by 6 to 8 inches; fine texture
Flowers: Flat open daisies 2 to 3 inches in width,
with rays in shades of deep red or pink; yellow centers. The flowers are single, on wiry stems great
for cutting. June
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to very light shade, well-drained
loamy or loose soil; may suffer or be very short-lived in areas of extreme heat
and humidity as it prefers cool nights for best performance. Mulch after first
hard frost to prevent frost heave
Uses: Cottage garden, informal garden,
cutting.
Companions: bellflowers, coralbells, Missouri
Propagation: Division every 3 to 4 years or seed
Cultivars: `James
Kelway’ - deep scarlet, single, large flowers
`Robinson’s
Pink’ - soft pink, shorter
Solitary Clematis
Clematis integrifolia
Ranunculaceae
Form: Mounded form when first emerging, becoming weakly upright and sprawling (this is a plant that wants to lean companionably on its neighbors) to a height and spread of 24 to 36 inchesFoliage: Wiry stems are clasped by widely spaced opposite, sessile, entire leaves 2 to 4 inches long. The leaves are dark green, ovate and slightly cup-shaped, pubescent on the underside; medium texture. When emerging, a single pair of leaves looks like hands folded in prayer
Flowers: Nodding, guitar-pick or heart-shaped flowers up to 2 inches long appear on short stems held at 45 degree angles from leaf axils. The four sepals recurve when fully open, revealing bright yellow stamens. The flowers are mostly dark violet-blue, but shades of mauve and lighter blue also occur. Bloom begins in May and is strongest in early summer, but continues sporadically until frost, especially if plants are cut back.
Seedheads: Fluffy seeds with long ‘tails’ (achenes) are ornamental, and a source of many offspring
Culture: Sun to part shade (too much shade will reduce bloom and make the plant even less upright); moist, well-drained soils enriched with organic matter. Tolerant of poorer soils, including heavier clays, once established. Cut back to 6 inches after first bloom to encourage new foliage and later flowers. Remove seedheads to limit production of seedlings. Move very small plants in early spring; transplants sulk for the first season but then establish; or terminal cuttings
Uses: Cut flowers, casual border as a weaver through other plants.
Companions: sedums, cranesbill, yarrow, coneflowers, daisies, variegated feather reedgrass, variegated solomonseal
in borders for extended season of interest, and thread it through other perennials that can support its habit
Propagation: Seed, terminal cuttings
Cultivars: Not often seen on the market, but are gaining prominence. This is also a species that is being crossed with other clematis to create very interesting garden plants.
Hybrid Bee Delphineum
Delphineum x elatum
Ranunculaceae
Form: Large, rounded clumps of foliage to a height
and spread 36 inches; vertical form in bloom and spikes may reach 6 feet
Foliage: Broad, bright green leaves up to 8 inches
across; basal foliage has 5 to 7 palmately arranged segments, and upper foliage
3. Foliage is very strong and
contributes to the garden, if not disfigured by disease. Medium-bold texture
Flowers: Raceme or spike that may be paniculate,
rising from basal foliage on hollow, brittle stems. Bee delphiniums are rarely branched.
Individual flowers to 2 inches across, flat, with center a “bee” often in
contrasting color; five sepals, the rear one spurred, and four petals on each
flower. Most cultivars are double-flowered.
To many gardeners, the ultimate symbol of one’s gardening ability is to grow
delphiniums well, and the thickly-covered flowering stems may exceed 24 inches on such a plant.
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to light shade in very rich but
well-drained soil with basic pH. While
full sun will produce the best flowers, protection from hot late-day west sun
exposure will prolong blooms.
Delphineums are voracious feeders with large root systems that benefit
from well-rotted manure or compost and the regular addition of fertilizer. Flower stems must be staked; strong wind or
rain will pull over the entire plant.
Sporadic reflowering will occur in fall if deadheaded immediately after
first bloom. Susceptible to many blights, crown rot, aphids, mites and slug
damage. Plan on a short life span in
most locations. Delphineums also resent
relocation; better to start with new plants each season
Uses: Specimen, cut flowers, backdrop
Companions: boltonia, large asters, arching ornamental grasses,
mallow, coneflower
Propagation: Fresh seed is a requirement; difficult to
germinate and establish; spring basal cuttings
Cultivars: `Blackmore
and Langdon’ - English strain, very dramatic; colors mixed
`Pacific
Hybrids’ - commonly available; some question
re whether today’s are the original strain; tall, to 60 inches, colors range
from white to deepest blue
`Connecticut
Yankee’ - smaller, more heavily branched
than previous cultivars
Other
Species: D. x belladonna, belladonna delphinium
D.
grandiflorum
Fringed/Showy Bleeding Heart
Dicentra eximia
Fumariaceae
Form: Rounded mounds of basal foliage from fleshy,
scaly, branched roots; height and spread to 18 inches
Foliage: Deeply cut, almost fernlike gray-green leaves,
with ternately compound basal foliage and dissected stem foliage. Elegant when grown in ideal conditions. Unlike common bleeding heart, fringed
bleeding heart retains its foliage throughout the growing season. Fine texture
Flowers: Small pink hearts, with the heart-shaped
(cordate) corolla base narrowing and flaring to expose white inner petals
protruding beyond the outer pink ones. Flowers are on small, arching compound
or branched racemes above foliage. May
to September with brief non-blooming interludes. Cultivars, which may be selections of D.
eximia, D. formosa
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part shade to shade, especially from west
sun; fertile, well-drained soils enriched with organic matter. Tolerant of acidity at edges of evergreens,
but intolerant of wet conditions in winter or summer drought. Slugs and rabbits will damage the foliage and
voles chew on the root crowns. The long
blooming time may result in the need for additional fertilizer.
Uses: Edger, shade gardens, woodland gardens, rock
gardens, cut flowers.
Companions: hostas, brunnera, coralbells, variegated
Solomon’s seal, hellebores, lamium
Propagation:
Root cuttings, fall division, seed
Cultivars: `Adrian Bloom’ - ruby red flowers, foliage bluish
`Luxuriant’ - cherry-red
flowers, nearly ever-blooming, blue-green foliage
`Bacchanal’ - deep,
wine red flowers, same tint in foliage
`Aurora
Other Species: D. Formosa
Common Bleeding Heart
Dicentra spectabilis
Fumariaceae
Form: Broadly rounded plant with vase-shaped,
arching flower stems, to a height and spread of 24 to 30 inches. Common bleeding heart often goes dormant by
midsummer.
Foliage: Bright green, compound leaves with very wide
leaflets. Long petioles.
Flowers: Pink hearts, the outer lobes flared to reveal
the interior, white lobes. The hearts
dangle on arching stems
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part shade to shade and moist, well-drained,
fertile soil will produce strong plants.
Dry, sunny conditions or intermittent moisture will lead to earlier
summer dormancy. Mark locations to avoid
digging into plants in spring. The roots
are thick and fleshy. Bleeding heart
will suffer from crown rot and root rot in depressed sites and heavy clay. Relocate very carefully in early spring only.
Uses: Cut flowers, spring garden, bold
texture.
Companions: variegated Solomon’s seal, hostas, Jacob’s
ladder, ferns
Propagation: Root cuttings or division
Cultivars: ‘Alba’ - pure white, very long-lasting as a
cut flower
‘Gold Heart’ - gold spring
foliage fading to chartreuse (a little garish unless placed with appropriate
companions)
Gas Plant/Dittany/Burning Bush
Dictamnus albus
Rutaceae
Form: Upright, rounded and totally self-supporting
from a woody base; may reach 36 inches in height (48 inches in bloom) but never
needs staking; spread 36 inches
Foliage: Beautiful glossy deep green compound leaves 9
to 12 inches long, covered with translucent dots. Alternate arrangement, and
each leaf has 9-11 leaflets with entire margins up to 3 inches long. The plant releases a strong citrus or lemon
odor when crushed; medium texture
Flowers: Strong-stemmed terminal racemes held above
foliage carry showy, long-lasting flowers that look like butterflies. Each flower measures 1 inch across, with 5
narrow petals, 5 sepals, and 10 prominently protruding stamens. Flowers are white, but more often pink or
mauve-purple with darker veins, often sold as D. albus `Rubra’ or
‘Purpureus’); late April to May
Seedheads: Dehiscent (splitting open) brown seedpods,
perfectly star-shaped and ornamental in the field and as cut material
Culture: Sun to part shade in well-drained soil of
average fertility and pH. Resents
disturbance of all but the smallest plants, but is very long-lived once
established, assuming the proportions of a small shrub. Wear gloves: certain
individuals are violently reactive to a substance in the foliage and flowers,
which will cause blistering (dermatitis).
Buy the largest possible plant, or exercise patience with a small
one. Will reseed if the soil around the
original plant is left undisturbed. The
common name refers to the volatile gas released from just below the flowers,
especially in evening; a match held close will ignite with a “pop.”
Uses: Specimen, backdrop, multi-season interest,
cut flowers and seedheads, foliage plant.
Companions: garden salvia, oriental poppies (especially
pinks or whites), cranesbills, (what else)
Propagation:
Very difficult; plant seed in container
and leave outside over winter.
Germination is sporadic over a year or more.
Yellow Foxglove
Digitalis grandiflora
(D. ambigua)
Scrophulariaceae
Form: Basal rosette forms a mound of foliage to a
height and spread of 18 to 24 inches; vertical flower stems (also with foliage)
to 36 inches
Foliage: Alternate, coarse and bright green, up to 8
inches long but smaller and sessile toward top of stems. Ovate-lanceolate in shape and pubescent;
strong presence in garden after bloom.
Coarse or bold texture
Flowers: Yellow with distinct brown spots on interior,
trumpet-shaped, 2 to 3 inches long and pendulous. Densely packed into 8 to 12 inch long
terminal racemes with arching tips. May-June
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part shade and rich, organic, well-drained
soil of high fertility. Requires even
moisture, but easy to maintain once established. Remove spent flower heads to enjoy foliage
during summer and promote limited rebloom in late fall. May show signs of mildew or leaf spot in hot,
humid conditions.
Uses: Shade garden as accent or background, cut
flowers, border.
Companions: cranesbills, corydalis, harebells, deep
purple coralbells, Japanese painted fern
Propagation:
Division in spring or fall or seed
Other Species: D.
lutea, straw foxglove or small yellow foxglove
D.
purpurea, common foxglove - several
good cultivars
Joe Pye Weed
Eupatorium purpureum
Asteraceae
White Snakeroot
Eupatorium rugosum
Asteraceae
NATIVE
Form: Upright stems, lightly branched, to a height
of 48 inches and spread of 30 inches; can appear larger but this is often due
to seedlings at the base of a larger plant.
Flowers: White puffs consisting of one to two dozen ¼
inch flowers in dense corymbs arising from leaf axils; sharp contrast to dark
green foliage and persistent; August to October
Foliage: Coarse, opposite, thin in comparison to E.
maculatum, very sharply toothed; leaves up to 7 inches long, ovate with
pointed tips; medium texture
Seedheads: Not ornamentally effective; very adept at
spreading millions of seedlings
Culture: Part shade to full shade, loamy soil and even
moisture for best performance; will tolerate full sun if kept consistently
moist. Tolerant of drought once
established, wilting and recovering quickly during the night; competes well
with tree roots. Cut back after bloom. This is considered a noxious weed in many
states.
Uses: Woodland
gardens, naturalized areas, cut flowers, moon gardens.
Companions: Large hostas, ferns, Virginia
Propagation: Seed
Cultivars: ‘Chocolate’
- deep purple foliage, not very long-lived
Dropwort
Filipendula
vulgaris (F. hexapetala)
Rosaceae
Form: Vase-shaped clumps of basal foliage to a
height and spread of 18 to 24 inches; tends to spread from tuberous root system
to form a loose groundcover
Foliage: Alternate, shiny, very fine-textured,
pinnately-divided leaves, with many sessile leaflets. The plant looks like a curly fern, and
remains quietly showy without burning or tattering for the entire growing season;
fine texture.
Flowers: Flattened inflorescence 4 to 6 inches across
of many small, creamy white flowers, sometimes tinged with pink, on wiry,
curling stems up to 12 inches long with multiple branches. The flowers tend to flop over on the foliage
because of weight and scale; May
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part shade to very light full shade in evenly
moist soil of neutral or slightly alkaline pH.
It also tolerates average garden conditions and wet sites and is also
fairly drought tolerant once established. Remove spent flowers to enjoy the
foliage.
Uses: Edger or casual groundcover, texture, cut
flowers.
Companions: coralbells, stokesia, bergenia, fall-blooming
anemones, Siberian iris
Propagation: Seed, or division of small pieces of tuberous
rootstock, (small pieces will regenerate into new plants easily)
Cultivars: ‘Flore Pleno’ - double-flowering form, much smaller than the species
Meadow Cranesbill
Geranium pratense
Geraniaceae
Form: Upright, mounded basal rosette to height and
width of 18 to 24 inches; trailing flower stems to 24 inches
Foliage: Dark green foliage, faintly but distinctly
mottled with silver spots; thick leaves 2 to 4 inches across with 7 to 9
palmate, rounded lobes, deeply serrated. Foliage is effective all season;
medium texture
Flowers: Deep blue-purple with a distinct pale blue to
white center. The corolla is up to 1½
inches across and consists of five overlapping petals that are slightly
cupped. May to September with strongest
flush in early summer.
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun (protect from west) to part shade,
well-drained soil of average fertility; even moisture; tolerant of calcareous
conditions. Cut back hard after initial
bloom to encourage new foliage and reduce seedling production from the straight
species. May be slow to start growth in
spring.
Uses: Walls or rock gardens where trailing stems
will show to advantage; shade garden.
Companions: corydalis, garden phlox, coralbells, hostas,
tall veronicas
Propagation: Division in spring or seed
Cultivars: `Rozanne’
- very elegant and vigorous, with a striking pale blue to white center
circle. Flowering begins in midsummer
and continues until frost.
Bloody Cranesbill/Bloodred
Geranium sanguineum
Geraniaceae
Form: Broad-spreading, dense rounded mound; much
wider than its 18 inch height after establishment, spreading to 36 to 48 inches
Foliage: Uniform dark green basal leaves, circular, up
to 2 inches wide with 5 to 7 narrow lobes that are further divided; soft and
furry to the touch. Stem leaves are smaller and less robust. Fall color is often deep magenta red, and
foliage persists for some time after killing freeze. Fine texture
Flowers: Solitary, with five overlapping and unnotched
petals, up to 1 ½ inches wide, and screaming magenta in color. May to June,
with light rebloom into fall if flowering stems are removed
Seedheads: Not effective; the common name comes from the
long, pointed shape of the pods
Culture: Withstands sun and hotter, drier conditions
than other cranesbills; does equally well in moist part shade but becomes
taller and more open with fewer flowers.
Fairly drought tolerant due to thick, fleshy root.
Uses: Tall edger, massing, multi-season interest,
uniform texture as background or foreground
Companions:
Propagation:
Seed (seedlings appear pleasantly in the
garden); division, with care to avoid serious injury to roots
Cultivars: `Alpenglow’
- up to 8 inches tall, with thicker, smaller leaves of deeper green, rose-red
flowers
`Album’ - clear
white, up to 18 inches tall, foliage more finely cut; harder to find and less
vigorous
`New
Hampshire
var. striatum `Lancastriense’ - almost a groundcover, to 8 inches tall, covered with pale pink flowers
with crimson veins
‘Little
Monster’ - the species, shrunken, with large flowers
Hybrid Cranesbill
Geranium x
Geraniaceae
Interest in the cranesbills,
with their long season of bloom, excellent foliage, and relatively easy culture,
has resulted in much hybridization. Most
prefer full sun to part shade and fertile, well-drained soil. They benefit from a light shearing after the
initial flush of bloom.
Some
of the many blue-flowering hybrids, with G. himalayense, G. grandiflorum, or
G. pratense in their background, include:
`Johnson’s
Blue’—the old standard, sprawling habit
to 18 inches, deep blue flowers up to 2 inches across; some rebloom, but is
slowly being replaced by others
`Brookside’
or ‘Nimbus’—beautiful dissected foliage,
mounded habit to a height of 24 inches and spread that may exceed 30 inches in
ideal conditions, blue flowers up to 1 ½ inches across
Cambridge
Geranium x
cantagabriense
Geraniaceae
Form: Almost a groundcover type, with a height of 8
inches (12 to 15 inches in bloom) and a spread of up to 36 inches from a
central crown; will spread 12 inches in all directions the first season from a
quart pot
Foliage: Light green, 5 to 6 deeply lobed leaves with
uniform divisions (not as dissected as G. sanguineum); no mottling, on
long petioles; deep maroon in fall with semi-evergreen tendency; aromatic. Medium texture
Flowers: Pink, in loose clusters at ends of flowering
stems, with 5 slightly swept-back petals. Sterile, thus the flowering season is
long, from late April into June
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part shade to full shade in average to moist
soils. Fleshy stems break easily;
carefully remove leaves and debris from crown to avoid creating habitat for
voles and mice
Uses: Groundcover, border, multi-season
interest.
Companions: underplant with bulbs; coralbells,
balloonflower, garden phlox, variegated sedges, amsonia
Propagation: Cuttings, division
Cultivars: `Biokovo’
- white flowers tinged with pink, darker red sepals
‘Karmina’ - readily available, floriferous, raspberry-red
flowers
‘St. Ola’ - almost pure white
Lily
Lilium spp.
Liliaceae
Form: Upright
clumps of vertical stems, with the height and spread varying from 12 inches to
over 6 feet depending on species and cultivar
Foliage: Narrow, lanceolate, with entire
margins; crowded on stems and
varying in length and width from 2 to 8 inches long and ½ to 1 ½ inches wide;
medium-bold texture
Flowers: All flower parts in threes, with
prominent extruded stamens covered with yellow or orange pollen. Pointed,
recurved petals are the most well-known lily shape. Color range includes
white, orange, red, yellow, pink, bicolors, deep spots and center eyes.
June to September, depending on type
Seedheads: Pods; remove
to channel energy to bulb
Culture: Full sun to
very light shade, in groups rather than as individual plants. Well-drained soil
enriched with organic matter. Avoid standing water at all times, and
particularly watch winter conditions. Remove flowers but allow leaves and
stems to stand to provide the bulb with food. Plant immediately to avoid
dessication, to a depth 2 to 3 times the diameter of the bulb. Divide
when flowering and plant vigor are reduced; spring only. Botrytis,
fusarium, and lily mosaic are diseases to monitor
Uses: Backdrop,
specimen, cut flowers, natural gardens.
Companions: grasses, fine-textured backdrop companions like asters and boltonia, or mounded foreground plants such as coralbells, sedums, cranesbills, knautia.
Asiatic - Easiest to grow and typically smaller than the other major types with smaller leaves tightly arranged around the stems; color range is usually ‘hot,’ and flowers often face up, densely clustered toward the top of the plant.
Companions: grasses, fine-textured backdrop companions like asters and boltonia, or mounded foreground plants such as coralbells, sedums, cranesbills, knautia.
Asiatic - Easiest to grow and typically smaller than the other major types with smaller leaves tightly arranged around the stems; color range is usually ‘hot,’ and flowers often face up, densely clustered toward the top of the plant.
Propagation: Division,
bulb scales or bulbils; tissue culture
Vast numbers of
selections. Primary groups include the following:
Oriental - Magnificent flowers with arresting scent, often facing
out or down; excellent foliage with large, thick, glossy green leaves.
The foliage is distinctly different than that of the other lilies. More
demanding than Asiatics or turk’s caps.
Martagon or turk’s
cap - Whorled foliage; often reach 36
inches and carry flowers with recurved petals and dramatic spots in
candelabra-like clusters. More tolerant of alkaline soils
Orienpet - Hybrids of very short stature, combining the
characteristics of oriental and trumpet lilies, and full-sized flowers, usually
upward-facing and in the warm tones. Excellent in containers
Lupine
Lupinus x
Fabaceae
Form: Upright clumps of foliage, to a height and
spread of 12 to 18 inches, with strong vertical spikes of flowers held above
the foliage to a height of 36 inches
Foliage: Alternate, palmately compound, bright green,
with between 9 and 16 narrow lanceolate leaflets. The leaves are on long petioles, and are very
ornamental
Flowers: Densely packed in wide columnar terminal
racemes that may reach 24 inches in length.
Individual flowers are shaped like butterflies (papilionaceous), or
small pea flowers. Colors range from brilliant
blue in natives, to all shades of yellow, red, purple, blue, and bicolors. May to June
Seedheads: Not effective. The ‘pea’ pod is flattened.
Culture: Full sun to part shade (protect from hot
late-day sun); moist loamy soil enriched with organic matter and neutral to
acid pH. They perform poorly in extended
heat, preferring cool climates. May be
treated as showy annuals or short-lived perennials.
Uses: Specimen, border, cut flowers
Companions:
Propagation: Seed, cuttings
Cultivars: ‘Russell
Hybrids’ - by far the showiest and most available of the lupines
Other Species: Three different species are found in western Nebraska
Oriental Poppy
Papaver orientale
Papaveraceae
Form: Broad upright vase; foliage height and spread
to 24 inches; height in bloom to 36 inches. The straight species spreads to
form colonies, select cultivars remain in clumps
Foliage: Pale, sea-green pinnately lobed leaves up to
12 inches long, sharply toothed and uncomfortably covered with bristly hairs;
coarse or bold texture. Fully dormant by
early to mid-summer. The foliage of the
species re-emerges in fall.
Flowers: Solitary, on single upright and nodding stems,
3 to 6 inches or more across with papery petals like tissue paper. Brilliant colors (orange or scarlet in the
species) with a prominent black blotch at the base of each petal that forms a
central eye and black pollen-bearing stamens in center. Stems contain a milky juice; sear with a
match to use as cut flowers. May to June
Seedheads: Hard, ornamental flat-topped capsule;
long-lasting as dried material
Culture: Full sun to very light shade; light, very
well-drained soil. Hybrids can be slow
and difficult to establish and some are short-lived. While full sun is preferred, protection from
late-day sun will keep the flowers looking good longer; The straight species is
quite shade tolerant and is often found under the canopies and around the
trunks of deciduous trees in cemeteries and abandoned farmsteads. Plant spring only
Uses: Brilliant color as a mass or strong specimen,
naturalized areas, cut flowers and dried pods.
Companions: Other perennials and grasses that will fill
the void left by dormancy; yarrow, Russian sage, lady’s mantle, salvia,
butterflybush, daylily
Propagation: Division immediately after flowering, or root
cuttings taken at the same time
Cultivars: `Allegro’
- deep scarlet red on dwarf plants to 18 inches
`Helen
Elizabeth’ - salmon pink, very elegant,
and classic
`Watermelon’ - like a juicy, ripe watermelon
Nettle-leaved Mullein
Verbascum chaixii
Scrophulariaceae
Form: Basal rosette of foliage up to 18 inches
wide; vertical form in bloom, to a height of 36 inches
Foliage: Large, bold basal leaves up to 6 inches long
with pointed tips and wedge-shaped bases, margins with coarse and rounded
teeth. Stem leaves are alternate and
sessile, all covered with gray or white hairs; coarse or bold texture
Flowers: Borne in upright, spikelike terminal racemes
on thick, almost ridged stems. Stems are
a single spike on young plants, but branched on older plants. Flowers single on short stalks, up to 1 inch
wide with five bright butter yellow petals with distinct purple stamens in
center eye. June to July
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to part shade; well-drained, loose
soil of average fertility. High humidity
and excessive moisture will shorten the lifespan. Plants often perform as biennials or short-lived
perennials but reseed readily and produce flowers the second year; Cut unwanted
spent flowering stalks immediately after bloom.
Thick roots need care during transplanting
Uses: Vertical accent, cut flowers, strong
specimen.
Companions: cranesbills, catmint, broadly rounded
grasses, lavender, globe thistle, yarrow
Propagation:
Spring root cuttings or seed
Cultivars: `Album’ - pure
white, to 36 inches tall
Other
Species: V. x hybrida - includes some beautiful cultivars in a wide range
of colors, ‘Summer Charm’
- is shades of apricot and peach. Also biennial
or short-lived
Spike Speedwell
Veronica spicata
Scrophulariaceae
Form: Tidy, upright mounds of foliage, to a height
and spread of 6 to 24 inches depending on cultivar
Foliage: Opposite, shiny green leaves are lanceolate,
and up to 2 inches long and half as wide .
The center sections of the margins are toothed, the teeth rounded
(crenate). Medium texture
Flowers: Blue, pink, and occasionally white flowers
occur in the straight species, with deep blue the predominant color. The flowers are small, ¼ inch in diameter,
with protruding purple stamens that make them seem larger. They are packed densely into spikelike
racemes 3 to 5 inches long. The racemes
often gracefully curve on the terminal end.
Flowering begins in mid- to late June and continues for up to 6
weeks. Rebloom occurs with deadheading
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to very light shade and moist but
well-drained soils are required for best performance. Spike speedwell is susceptible to crown and
root rots in poorly drained situations, but will also sulk if not given
adequate water. The plants can remain in
place for years without division.
Deadhead and maintain consistent water for best rebloom. The foliage can be sheared to rejuvenate its
late-summer appearance. Insect damage
(grasshoppers, other chewing insects) can cause a reduction in appearance.
Uses: Cutting garden, edger.
Companions: rudbeckia, coralbells and heuchera,
cranesbills, garden phlox
Propagation: Seed (the species); division & terminal
cuttings (cultivars) during softwood stage
Cultivars: ‘Sightseeing Mix’ - a strong mix that is
propagated from seed, containing all three colors
‘Red Fox’ - very short,
reaching a height of 12 to 15 inches, with dramatic rose-red flowers that are
produced prolifically
‘Blue Charm’ - taller, with
leaf margins that appear scalloped and medium lavender-blue flowers from July
to September
‘Sunny Border Blue’ - a
hybrid, with excellent foliage and violet-blue flowers from July through
September
`Waterperry’ - only 4 to 6 inches tall, groundcover type
***NOTE: Many of the plants placed on the Woodland and Shade
Garden
