Giant Allium
Allium giganteum
Alliaceae
Form: Rosette from a thick, rounded bulb, with foliage spreading to 24 inches; bloom stalk may reach 36 to 48 inches. Like many ornamental alliums, the plant goes dormant after flowering
Foliage: Thick, broad, straplike leaves 2 to 4 inches wide and 18 to 24 inches long; entire and bright green; flattened toward the ground rather than upright; bold texture
Flowers: Scape strong, straight, eventually elongating to over 36 inches to hold the inflorescence, which is a perfectly round ball (umbel) to 5 inches in diameter. Individual flowers are lilac tepals ½ inch across, tightly packed together. The flowers of all alliums have a superior ovary and an umbellate inflorescence. May to June
Seedheads: Shiny black seeds held in dried seedhead, which is tan and long-lasting in dried arrangements; effective until midsummer in the landscape
Culture: Full sun to very light shade and well-drained slightly sandy or sandy-loam soil of average fertility. Not tolerant of standing water or heavy clay, which will shorten life and may cause bulbs to rot. Plant bulbs fall only, at a depth three times the size of the bulb. Mark location to avoid damaging bulb after it goes dormant. Divide when flowering is reduced
Uses: Accent in back of border; flowers are attention-getters when “floating” above other plants in groups of three or more; cut flowers, multi-season interest.
Companions: ‘Powis Castle
Propagation: Split bulbils from base of original bulb, dividing after flowering when the bulbs begin to go dormant; or plant fresh seed
Star of Persia
Allium christophii
Alliaceae
Form: Small, wide mounds of basal foliage, to a height and spread of up to 18 inches; height in bloom to 24 inches. Plant goes dormant after flowering
Foliage: Broad, thick, and straplike, up to 1 inch across, and curved toward ground. Green and often waxy in appearance, with margins and stems sometimes covered with fine hairs. Bold texture
Flowers: Dramatic sphere up to 12 inches in diameter, filled with up to 100 shining violet flowers, star-shaped, each less than ½ inch across but densely packed in the rounded umbel; May to June
Seedheads: Effective until midsummer outdoors; very long-lasting as dried material
Culture: Similar to Allium giganteum.
Uses: Excellent cut flower and everlasting; specimen in border.
Companions: Tall sedums, small grasses, roundleaf horehound, sun rose, daylily—plants that will fill the gap left by early dormancy
Propagation: Fresh seed, division after several years
Cultivars: `Globemaster’ - Hybrid between A. christophii and A. macleanii; flower heads up to 6 inches across with flowers that open over time, extending bloom season. Height of flower scape to 30 inches
‘Gladiator’ - newest and biggest; a hybrid
Other Species: A. moly, golden onion or lily leek
A. caeruleum, blue globe allium
A. sphaerocephalum, drumstick allium
A. thunbergii, Japanese onion - A particularly handsome selection, ‘Ozawa,’ is limitedly available. This is a fall-blooming allium.
Turkish Onion/Turkestan
Allium karataviense
Alliaceae
Form: Small clumps, increasing from bulbils or occasional seedlings; height to 6 inches and spread to 12 inches; flowering height to 10 inches. Plants go dormant after flowering
Foliage: Two to occasionally four broad, straplike or ovate leaves per plant, up to 10 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide; arching toward ground and rolled around flowering stem; dark green to bluish green; bold texture
Flowers: Round umbel up to 6 inches in diameter on a short, thick flower stalk. The single inflorescence looks as though it is cradled in the two leaves. Individual flowers are less than ½ inch across, pale pink to silver-lilac and long-lasting; May
Seedheads: Effective into midsummer outdoors; very long lasting as dried material
Culture: Similar to A. giganteum. Also tolerant of rock garden conditions. Remove seedheads to control unwanted seedlings, although this is a pleasant way to create a colony
Uses: Edger, masses, rock garden, specimen, dried arrangements.
Companions: Small sedums, dwarf bearded iris, donkeytail spurge, woolly veronica, germander
Propagation: Remove bulblets and replant; fresh seed
Cultivars: ‘Ivory Queen’ - stronger, larger, ivory flowers
Snowdrop Anemone
Anemone sylvestris
Ranunculaceae
Form: Uniform, rhizomatous groundcover to a foliage height of 8 to 12 inches; spreads 24 inches or more to rapidly form large colonies
Foliage: Dark green, compound with 3 to 5 leaflets; 2 to 4 inches wide and long; margins lightly toothed; medium texture. Foliage remains attractive during the entire growing season
Flower: Pure white with yellow stamens and five waxy sepals spreading to 2 inches wide; one per nodding stems to 12 inches long; very showy and long-lasting in cool weather; April to May; sporadic rebloom in fall
Seedheads: Fluffy, cottony masses; unusual but not persistent
Culture: Part shade to shade; average to moist soils enriched with humus or organic matter; less tolerant of heavy clay; competes with tree and shrub roots. Burning and stunting will occur if exposed to dry sun or reflection from pavement. Control spread by dividing or removing rhizomes after bloom
Uses: Rapidly spreading groundcover in woodland garden or under deciduous shrubs, spring bloom, cut flowers.
Companions: spring bulbs, hostas, astilbe, ferns, columbine, bergenia
Propagation: Division after bloom, seed (remove cottony covering)
Other species: Anemone Canadensis - vigorous spreader (to the point of thuglike behavior) in woodland settings; height to 24 inches, flowers single, nodding in leaf axils; June
Contock Pussytoes
Antennaria parvifolia
Asteraceae
Form: Tiny mat-forming groundcover not exceeding 4 inches in height; spreading by stolons to 18 inches or more; prairie native
Foliage: Basal, dense, silvery gray foliage; each leaf 1 inch long or less; leaves resemble the tip of a paper airplane (spatulate) arranged at 90 degree angles to one another; ever “gray” through the year; fine texture
Flowers: Dioecious; (male and female on separate plants); on upright stems to 6 inches; rounded corymbs with papery scales that surround the “pussy toes” and create the visual interest; April to May
Seedheads: Not effective; scales do not persist
Culture: Full sun; rocky, gravelly or sandy well-drained soil; extremely drought tolerant once established. Do not provide supplemental water, especially in areas of high humidity and high night time temperatures; and withhold fertilizer
Uses: Rock garden, edger between steppingstones or along dry paths, hot spots, grown more for foliage than for flowers.
Companions: thrift, thyme, small sedums, dianthus
Propagation: Spring division or seed
Other species: A. neglecta, plainleaf pussytoes
A. dioica, common pussytoes
A. plantaginea, plantain pussytoes - Plains native useful as an alternative to introduced silver groundcovers like snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
Basket-of-gold
Aurinia saxatilis
Brassicaceae
Form: Clumps spread to form large mats; older plants become almost woody and in danger of heaving out of the ground; height 9 inches, spread 18 inches or more
Foliage: Silvery-gray with soft starlike (stellate) pubescence, ½ inch wide, oblong-lanceolate or obovate with entire margins; up to 5 inches long; medium-fine texture
Flowers: Bright yellow with four petals, each flower up to 1/4 inch across. The plants are covered by the rounded panicles which are long-lasting in cool conditions. March to April
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun and dry, well-drained soil is essential; poor drainage or snow piles will kill this plant. High humidity causes plants to melt out, and high fertilization causes it to flop. Shear after flowering for foliage and form rejuvenation. Older plants may appear to have spread like a groundcover, but the heavy mat of foliage is often lying on the surface rather than attached by roots at the stems. Plants will also succumb after wet winters, particularly if sited where show stands on the crown.
Uses: Walls, rock gardens, edger, hot spots.
Companions: catmint, rock soapwort, dwarf daylilies, pineleaf penstemon, dianthus, thrift
Propagation: Seed, division, cuttings
Cultivars: ‘Citrina’ - lemon-yellow, slightly taller
‘Dudley Neville’ - apricot-orange-yellow flowers
Other Species: A. montanum - suitable to western sites
Brunnera/Siberian Bugloss
Brunnera macrophylla
Boraginaceae
Form: Rounded clumps, slightly taller than wide, to a height of 18 inches and spread of 15 inches, colonizes readily from seed
Foliage: Basal leaves that remain neat all season. Each leaf is on a long petiole, strongly cordate or reniform (heart-shaped or kidney-shaped) at the base, ovate overall, up to 8 inches across. Stem leaves progressively smaller and sessile; leaves increase in size throughout the season, medium texture
Flowers: Small, to ¼ inch across, bright blue with yellow centers, five petals, on open panicled racemes; reminiscent of forget-me-nots. Racemes elongate and bloom continues for several weeks. April to early June
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part to full shade, consistent moisture and fertile, organic soil. Competes well with tree roots. Remove spent seedheads if seedlings are not desired
Uses: Woodland gardens, naturalized areas under trees, edger, specimen (especially variegated ones).
Companions: variegated sedges, ajuga, variegated Solomon’s seal, epimediums, hostas, toadlilies, pachysandra, hellebores
Propagation: Woodland conditions will encourage seedlings; or sow in early fall; root cuttings, spring division
Cultivars: `Hadspen Cream’ - irregular creamy white borders, very beautiful in full shade
`Variegata’ - bold variegation of entire leaf; some green leaves appear through reversion, and must be removed; intolerant of sun
‘Jack Frost’ - spectacular silver leaves with dark green veins, reverse of most variegated plants
‘Looking Glass’ - almost pure white, not well tested yet
Glory-of-the-Snow
Chionodoxa luciliae (C. forbesii)
Liliaceae
Form: Small upright plant that rapidly spreads to form huge colonies in favorable conditions. Height and spread of individual plants is 4 to 6 inches. The plant goes dormant after flowering.
Foliage: Two narrow, dark green linear leaves of a leathery look and feel and entire margins spring from each bulb; medium-fine texture.
Flowers: Brilliant blue with white center eye. Slightly arching flower stems emerge after the foliage, and hold from 3 to 10 open flowers, each up to 1 inch across. The base of the six equal flower segments (perianth) is united into a little tube. Bloom time may reach 4 weeks in cool weather.
Seedheads: Not effective, but a good source of additional plants
Culture: Full sun to full shade (that provided by deciduous trees or the edges of evergreens); well-drained, loamy soil amended with organic matter. Good drainage is essential; sloping sites will contribute to rapid colonization. The bulbs will colonize in thin turf, as will Scilla sibirica.
Plant 2 to 3 inches deep by the hundreds. Allow plants to produce seed and do not remove foliage until it has yellowed (this is typically fast).
Uses: Woodland garden, cutting flowers, naturalized areas. The bulbs form a good display under deciduous shrubs.
Companions: crocus, shooting stars, scilla, small narcissus, late-emerging groundcovers like lamium and plumbago.
Propagation: Seed, offsets
Cultivars: ‘Pink Giant’
‘Alba’
Other Species: C. sardensis, Sardenian glory-of-the-snow
Dutch Crocus
Crocus vernus
Iridaceae
Form: Upright, oval flowers appear in late winter or early spring before grasslike foliage has completely emerged from flattened corms; height and spread 4 to 6 inches.
Foliage: Deep green, very narrow, grasslike, usually with a white stripe down the center, and lax in habit. The foliage is shorter than the flowers. Leaves elongate after flowering is complete, reaching a length of 6 inches, and then the bulbs go dormant
Flowers: Beloved by many as the first bright color of spring, flowers emerge before the foliage is totally elongated, lasting two weeks or so if the weather stays cool. The Dutch hybrids are of mixed parentage, and generally include a broad color range and large flowers. Closed buds are oval in shape, with petals wrapped in spathes (leaves or bracts surrounding an inflorescence); When open, there are three inner petals and three outer petal-like sepals, which are often striped. Colors range from white to deep purple, yellow, and lavender. Flowers close on cloudy days and at night; when fully open, they may spread to 2 to 3 inches with bright yellow stamens; March to April
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Sun to light shade and well-drained sandy or sandy loam soils enriched with organic matter. Not tolerant of standing water or heavy clay, but able to compete with tree roots and lawns. Plant fresh corms only (old ones will not sprout) at a depth of 3 inches, in large masses. To rejuvenate the corms, allow leaves to yellow completely before removing them. Protect from rabbits and foraging animals like squirrels; watch for dry rot and corm rot
Uses: Spring color, naturalized gardens, rock gardens.
Companions: other spring bulbs, brunnera, sweet woodruff, dwarf iris, small sedums. Plant in small groundcovers or in buffalograss lawns.
Propagation: Lift and remove new smaller corms (these form on top of the old corm, which eventually withers) after plants go dormant, or allow to self-sow
Cultivars: Many hybrids, too numerous to list; some of the old standards are
`Flower Record’ - dark purple
`Yellow Mammoth’ - yellow
`Jeanne d’Arc’ - pure white
‘Lady Killer’ - pale purple interior with dark exterior
‘Snow Bunting’ - snow white.
Other Species: C. chrysanthus, golden crocus - very early, with smaller flowers scented like honey; usually not striped but may be bicolors.
C. speciosus, fall-blooming crocus
C. sativus, saffron crocus
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)
Yellow Fairy-bells/Bellwort
Disporum flavum
Liliaceae
NATIVE
Form: Elegant, rhizomatous habit, slowly forming open clumps of arching stems to a height of 24 to 30 inches and spread of 18 inches or more.
Foliage: Alternate, oval with acute tips, each leaf up to 6 inches long and half as wide. The veins prominent and joined at petiole and leaf tip; bright green and attractive all season; medium texture
Flowers: Nodding, shuttlecock-shaped flowers up to 2 inches long from leaf axils, pale yellow with outer segments greenish toward base; tips of segments broadly spatulate. May
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part to full shade and moist soil enriched with leaf mold or humus. Competes well with tree roots and naturalizes in woodland settings where adequate moisture can be provided. May occasionally be troubled by leaf spot. Divide if flowering is reduced.
Uses: Woodland garden, naturalized shade garden, texture.
Companions: Variegated hostas with larger, rounded leaves; brunnera, ferns, corydalis, woodland phlox, lamium
Propagation: Fresh seed, sown in summer, although germination may require two periods of dormancy; division after flowering. Slow to establish and spread
Common Shooting Star
Dodecatheon media
Primulaceae
NATIVE
Form: Flat rosette of foliage in spring, forming a small clump up to 9 inches in height and width; flowering stalk to 12 inches. Plants go dormant immediately after flowering.
Foliage: Bright green, up to 12 inches long; smooth and ovate to spatulate with entire margins and rounded tips. The leaf petiole is winged; medium texture
Flowers: Open terminal umbels on stout, upright leafless stalks, usually no more than four per plant. Each stalk may contain up to 20 bright pink, magenta, pale pink or white flowers with five sharply backswept (reflexed) petals exposing yellow stamens and anthers that come together in a conelike point. Each flower is ¾ inch long and wide and looks like a badminton birdie. April to May
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part to full shade in well-drained but consistently moist soil enriched with organic matter; neutral to slightly acidic. Tolerant of dry soil once they become dormant, but dry or droughty conditions during their growth period will weaken and eventually kill a colony of shooting stars. Competes well with tree roots and tolerates the acidity of oak leaves and pine needles. Do not allow water to stand on crown in winter. Mark location to avoid disturbing the plants during the growing season
Uses: Woodland garden, naturalized plantings, cut flowers.
Companions: astilbe, wild ginger, small hostas, foamflower, brunnera, Jacob’s ladder, epimediums, plants that will cover the gap left during summer dormancy
Propagation: Fall division after blooming; seed, which takes several years to reach blooming size; root cuttings.
Cultivars: `Alba’ - pure white
Epimedium/Barrenwort
Epimedium alpinum var. rubrum (E. x rubrum)
Berberidaceae
Form: Elegant, slowly spreading mounds, all stems and leaves approximately the same height of 12 to 18 inches; spread 18 inches
Foliage: Basal mounds of flat, crisp-appearing leaves, evergreen; compound in two groups of three; each leaf heart-shaped, the base often irregular, up to 4 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide; widely spaced, small teeth; dark green. Emerging foliage has a distinct wine-red margin, which persists until leaves are fully extended; late fall color deep burgundy red and persistent; medium-fine texture. Foliage is evergreen and remains effective through winter
Flowers: Buds unfurl from the ground like a fern fiddlehead opening to a compound raceme holding up to 20 individual flowers on a wiry stem. Four slipper-shaped petals and eight sepals in two layers; inner sepals dark crimson and showy; outer sepals gray-green and red-specked; look like tiny columbine blooms. April to May
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Moist, fertile, well-drained loamy soil enriched with organic matter in part to full shade; neutral to slightly acidic. Will tolerate dry shade and compete with tree roots once established but will not spread well; rather slow to establish but worth it. Cut tattered foliage to the ground in early spring to allow emerging flowers to show. Look for an explosion of epimediums in the next few years as plant explorers bring back heretofore unknown plants from China
Uses: Specimen, edger, refined groundcover in small spaces; cut flowers.
Companions: ornamental sedges, cranesbill, small hostas, ferns, bergenia, astilbe, rock cress
Propagation: Division in spring after flowering
Other Species: Epimedium alpinum, alpine barrenwort - Dark crimson red inner sepals; yellowish petals; leaves in two groups of three, very reliable groundcover.
Epimedium x youngianum `Niveum,’ snowy epimedium - Pure white flowers over compound, serrate leaves with nine leaflets; not evergreen. Slower growing and smaller.
Epimedium x versicolor `Sulphureum,’ bicolor or sulphur epimedium - soft yellow flowers; reliably evergreen and easy to establish in drier conditions.
Cushion Spurge
Euphorbia polychroma (E. epithymoides)
Euphorbiaceae
Form: Plants emerge in spring as a round cushion of foliage and maintain this form during the growing season, unlike many spurges that spread from underground stems; height and spread to 18 inches
Foliage: Alternate, unfurling to a length of 2 inches, oblong and entire; very bright green. The fall color may be deep red or yellow. Milky sap is exuded from cut stems and foliage, and can cause dermatitis.
Flowers: The bright chartreuse-yellow bracts, up to 1 inch wide, surround unobtrusive, greenish, unisexual flowers, which lack petals and sepals and are fused to form a cyanthium. The plant appears to glow in early spring; April to May
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil of average fertility with some supplemental water during drought; but not tolerant of standing water or overwatering. Difficult to transplant because of fleshy roots; allow small seedlings to remain where they sprout. High heat and humidity may make the plant flop, but it does not respond well to shearing and replacement may be a better option. Watch for crown rot and do not expect a long life from the original plant, especially if extreme cold is not accompanied by good snow cover.
Uses: Uniform, mounded border plant with good texture and a “blender” color for stronger bulbs and perennials, edger, spring garden.
Companions: Virginia
Propagation: Spring division, seed, tip cuttings after flowering
Checkered Lily/Snake’s-head Lily/Guinea Hen Flower
Fritillaria meleagris
Liliaceae
Form: Unusual and delicate, with narrow clumps of vertical foliage and flower stems, upright to a height of 12 inches and spread of 12 inches at most. Flower stems may reach 18 inches in cool conditions. Plants go dormant after flowering.
Foliage: Alternate, up to 6 inches long, very narrow and grasslike with entire margins, gray-green or blue-green; very few stem leaves; fine texture. Plants go dormant after flowering
Flowers: Tightly closed buds emerge on curved stems, long and pointed like snake’s heads; Flowers are usually borne singly and remain nodding, with stems elongating to 12 inches or more depending on conditions. Flowers are up to 2 inches long with six distinctly checkered segments in an open bell-shape, maroon or mauve with paler patterns in alternating squares; April to May
Seedheads: Not effective, although papery compartments persist for some time and can aid in identification
Culture: Full sun to light shade and well-drained soils with light texture and consistent moisture throughout the growing season. Tolerant of alkaline conditions and competition from tree roots or turf but not of heavy clay. Foliage is somewhat slow to emerge in spring, and can look like blades of an unwanted grass, so mark bulbs to avoid removing them as weeds or disturbing them during summer dormancy. Plant fresh bulbs in clumps or masses in fall at a depth of 4 to 6 inches; old ones will not sprout. Division is rarely needed. Entire plant has a strange, musklike odor. Frittilarias can be planted amoung or around other bulbs to deter voles and rabbits.
Uses: Spring interest, naturalized gardens, cut flowers.
Companions: snowdrops anemone, evergreen candytuft, basket-of-gold, sideoats or blue grama, small fountaingrasses, coralbells
Propagation: Divide after flowering; allow plants to seed themselves in naturalized areas
Cultivars: `Alba’ - white
Common Snowdrops
Galanthus nivalis
Amaryllidaceae
Form: Often blooming well before the last snow, common snowdrops first appear from small bulbs as oblong white flower buds, upright through winter-worn leaves. Colonizes happily in ideal conditions; each plant is 6 inches tall and wide.
Foliage: Narrow and grasslike with entire margins, up to 6 inches long and less than ½ inch wide, bright green; usually only 2 or 3 per plant. The leaves elongate after the plants flower and then go dormant; fine texture
Flowers: Solitary and pure white with a green, 1 inch long and nodding on short pedicels. Three long pure white outer segments, and three shorter inner segments, each with a green crescent at its end. Segments are attached by an oval green calyx and flowers are reminiscent of badminton birdies. March to April
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part shade to shade, and consistently moist but well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Will not persist in heavy soils with poor drainage or in droughty conditions. Mark location to avoid disturbing bulbs during summer dormancy. Plant fresh bulbs 3 inches deep in clumps or drifts; allow foliage to yellow completely before removing, although the small leaves disintegrate quickly and are not usually an annoyance. Protect bulbs from squirrels and mice
Uses: Naturalized gardens, spring interest, cut flowers, rock gardens.
Companions: pasqueflower, sweet woodruff, forget-me-nots, foamflower, small ornamental grasses—plants that will hide dormant clumps
Propagation: Division after flowering; allow plants to seed themselves in naturalized areas
Cultivars: `Floro Pleno’ - double flowers, very ornamental
Lenten Rose
Helleborus orientalis
Ranunculaceae
Form: Broad, rounded clumps to a height and spread of 15 to 18 inches; will colonize thickly in ideal conditions
Foliage: Beautiful, leathery, dark green evergreen leaves up to 12 inches long, each divided into 7 to 9 serrated segments (not compound). Margins are sharply serrate, to the point of reminding a gardener to wear gloves. Leaves appear palmate, rising directly from rootstock. Bold texture
Flowers: Up to 4 inches wide, cupped and nodding, with five showy sepals, which may be spotted. The sepals are stout and can last for three months. Colors range from cream to deep rose to chartreuse; great variation exists. Very long season of effectiveness in cool weather, March (sometimes earlier) to June
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part to full shade in moist, well-drained soils enriched with organic matter; competes well with tree roots. Very slow to establish; leave clumps undisturbed for best appearance. Foliage can become burned or tattered by April; cut it back and new leaves will sprout. Maintain a light mulch to conserve water and encourage production of seedlings
Uses: Elegant clumps, masses or groundcover close to paths and windows where flowers can be enjoyed even in snow; multi-season interest, unusual cut flower. Poisonous when ingested.
Companions: variegated hostas, Virginia
Propagation: Self-sown seed is easiest; transplant very young seedlings to new location
Cultivars: `Winter Joy Bouquet’ - mixed colors, very floriferous
Many of the available hellebores are hybrids. This was the Perennial Plant of the Year in 2005
Other species: H. orientalis
H. foetidus
Dame’s Rocket/Sweet Rocket
Hesperis matronalis
Brassicaceae
Form: Upright to rounded, shrubby branched plant that is usually first noticed when it flowers in late spring; height and spread 24 to 30 inches, with flowering stems elongating for several weeks. Biennial or short-lived perennial, with parent plant dying after flowering.
Foliage: Alternate, sessile or on very short petioles. Leaves are up to 4 inches long, lanceolate, toothed, bright green, rough or coarse in appearance and to the touch due to small stiff hairs; medium-coarse texture.
Flowers: In loose, open terminal racemes. Individual flowers are up to ½ inch across with 4 rounded and slightly overlapping purple or white petals around a lighter or yellow center eye. Very fragrant, especially in evening. Flowering occurs over a long period, especially in moist, part-shaded conditions. May to June
Seedheads: Not effective; allow some seeds to remain to ensure a future supply of these flowers
Culture: Full sun to part shade. Tolerant of a wide range of soils, including disturbed roadways and ditches, but colonies will persist longest in average garden soils with consistent moisture. Remove spent flowers for light rebloom later in the season; cut back tattered foliage if ragged appearance is a concern. Seedlings germinate readily, forming a basal rosette the first year and flowering the second; competition with native grasses eventually results in displacement of the plant. Included in many wildflower mixes, although it is despised by many who consider this European import an invader of native plantings
Uses: Naturalized gardens, cottage gardens, wildflower areas, butterfly gardens, cut flowers, fragrance.
Companions: ornamental and native grasses, coreopsis, asters, peonies, poppies, daisies, blue flax
Propagation: Seed
Cultivars: ‘Alba’ - a pure white form available by seed
Hyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalis
Liliaceae (Hyacinthaceae)
Form: Plants emerge from large bulbs with tightly closed flower buds clasped by leaves; first appearance is like a green traffic cone; form in flower is stiffly upright and formal, to a height and spread of 12 inches
Foliage: Thick, bright green, straplike basal leaves with a keeled shape like a rowboat. Leaves elongate to 1 inch by 12 inches; bold texture. Plants go dormant after flowering
Flowers: Dense, cylindrical raceme 3 to 4 inches wide and half again as long on a rigid scape; packed with up to 30 individual flowers 1 inch long. Each flower has six reflexed perianth segments in colors ranging from white to red, purple, blue, yellow, bronze, and pink. Flowers are extremely fragrant and almost sickeningly sweet when brought indoors. April to May
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to part shade and moist but well-drained soil. Performs well in average garden soil, but does best in areas that have been loosened to allow deep root penetration and amended with organic matter and sand. Bulbs should be planted 6 inches deep in early autumn. Remove spent flowers to eliminate seed production and increase life span. Can be left undisturbed and may slowly increase, but flower size will be reduced and bulbs are best replanted every two or three years. Easily forced
Uses: Formal, specimen display in a tightly packed masses; accent in small groups in spring landscape, cut flowers, fragrance garden, rock garden.
Companions: catmint, variegated sedges, cranesbills, Japanese bloodgrass, snow-in-summer, other small groundcover perennials
Cultivars: `Blue Jacket’ - deep blue-purple
`Jan Bos’ - fuschia pink
`Carnegie’ - white
Bearded Hybrid Iris
Iris barbata (Iris x)
Iridaceae
Form: Stiff, upright clumps spreading from thick, fleshy rhizomes very close to the surface of the ground; height and spread vary. Separated by size into dwarf (less than 15 inches), intermediate (15 inches to 28 inches) and tall (28 inches or taller); spread is between 9 inches and 24 inches. Exact parentage varies and includes many species.
Foliage: Basal fans of bright green, glaucous, sword-shaped leaves; width varies with size category, but generally wide in comparison to other iris like I. sibirica. Leaves can be up to 1 ½ inches wide and 24 inches long; medium to bold texture. Although foliage should be removed in fall to prevent spread of disease, it is effective if left in place. New leaves emerge in late winter or very early spring.
Flowers: All floral parts are in threes: 3 falls (outer segments) and 3 standards (inner segments); falls droop or are reflexed and have a “beard” in the center; standards are upright, cupped at the base and arching open at the top. Segments may be frilled, wavy or almost lobed. Colors vary and include solids, shades and hues of a single color, bicolors, or tricolors; beards are often contrasting. One or more flowers appear on each strong, upright stem, but heavy rains and winds will destroy a planting overnight by knocking the heavy flowers to the ground. May be very fragrant. May to June; hybridization has resulted in some that rebloom in September
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to very light shade; loose soil with excellent drainage and a neutral to alkaline pH. Many species of iris thrive in rock garden or alkaline conditions. Overwatering or poor drainage can destroy a planting, as can iris borer that leads to bacterial soft rot. Insecticide treatments need to begin in early spring if this is a problem, and remove foliage in fall for good sanitation. Remove spent flowers after bloom. Divide iris in late summer if flowering is reduced; discard damaged rhizomes and replant at the same depth as the original plant (the rhizome should be at or slightly above the surface of the surrounding soil). Cut fans to 6 inches. Frequent division is required to keep plants vigorous. Too many hybrids to list.
Uses: Old-fashioned flower of cemeteries and grandmothers’ yards; beloved by some, maligned by others but definitely a plant to provide structure and texture in the garden. Borders, edgers, cut flowers.
Companions: Peonies, sedums, catmint, coneflowers, asters, coreopsis
Propagation: Division after flowering until early fall; do not purchase rhizomes until fall. Replant immediately.
Other Species: Iris cristata, crested iris - short native woodland garden species with shallow rhizomes, with short, narrow standards and a bright yellow crest; very early spring bloom;
Iris reticulata, reticulated iris - very early, dark blue to purple and gold, small (2-4 inches tall)
The newest, exciting breakthrough in iris is the remontants, which are reliable rebloomers.
Summer Snowflake
Leucojum aestivum
Amaryllidaceae
Form: Vase-shaped clumps of grasslike foliage that goes dormant after flowering; height 12-18 inches, spread 9-12 inches
Foliage: Shiny, straplike leaves with smooth margins, up to 12 inches long and ½ inch wide, arise from bulbs in early to mid-spring. Medium –fine texture
Flowers: Bell-shaped white flowers with 6 segments appear to have the tips dipped in deep green. From 2 to 8 flowers droop from hollow scapes in May to early June
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: full sun to light shade in moist, well-drained soil enriched with compost or organic matter will produce the best snowflakes. Bulbs should be planted in fall at a depth of 3-4 inches and left undisturbed until overcrowding results in poor flower production. Mark plants to avoid digging into the bulbs.
Uses: Naturalized areas, woodland gardens, cut flowers.
Companions: grape hyacinths, tulips, rock cress, epimedium
Propagation: Division after flowering
Cultivars: ‘Graveye Giant’ - flowers up to 1 ½ inches long on longer stems
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Boraginaceae
Form: Dense basal clumps, spreading by seed to form large colonies, usually with some separation between individual plants; foliage height and spread 24 inches
Foliage: Alternate, papery thin leaves like rounded mouse ears emerge in spring, first as dark purple tips, then turning blue-green and growing inches each day; ultimate size of leaves is 4 to 12 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide. Smooth with entire margins; very light green; almost translucent. Foliage rapidly elongates and disintegrates in heat and sun; completely dormant by early to mid-May; medium to medium-coarse texture
Flowers: Tubular, like a narrow bell on a handle, in nodding racemes at the end of the stems; buds pink, turning blue; very showy; flowering stems to 18 inches long; April to May
Culture: Light shade to shade; will tolerate full sun but goes dormant earlier; also does well in the shade of deciduous trees with open canopies. Consistently moist soils enriched with organic matter are preferred, but it also succeeds in well-drained, light or slightly sandy soils with adequate shade and moisture. Mark location; root systems are dense enough to out-compete anything planted in the crowns; plant around them with grasses or other vigorous plants with good foliage to hide gaps left by summer dormancy. Divide or relocate immediately after flowering
Uses: Naturalized plantings, woodland gardens, cut flowers, rain gardens.
Companions: The whole plant has a pastel but bright appearance; works well with purple foliage and yellow spring bulbs; ‘Husker Red’ penstemon, purple coralbells, basket-of-gold, ornamental sedges, celandine poppy, corydalis. Combine with plants that will hide the bare spots left by the summer dormancy
Propagation: Division or seed; self-sows readily and seedlings left in place reach blooming size by the third year
Grape Hyacinth
Muscari armeniacum
Liliaceae
Form: One of the “minor” bulbs, with an upright to vase-shaped form less than 12 inches tall in bloom and spreading to only 6 inches but naturalizing readily to form small colonies.
Foliage: Foliage: Six to eight linear basal leaves with entire margins, up to 12 inches long (longer than flower the stalk) and ¼ inch wide, bright green. The foliage disappears after flowering but re-emerges in thick clumps in autumn, which helps mark the location of the bulbs and fills bare spots. The foliage becomes weather-worn by the time the flowers emerge in spring. Fine texture.
Flowers: 1 to 3 dense conical racemes, up to 6 inches long; very tightly packed with 20 to 40 small (1/4 inch) urn-shaped, downward-facing blue flowers; slightly fragrant. April to May
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil of average fertility. Tolerates slightly alkaline and sandy conditions as well as fertile loam; naturalizes best in loose soil. Allow plants to reseed to increase colonies. Rabbits will chew a planting to the ground overnight.
Uses: Spring garden, naturalized plantings, cut flowers.
Companions: basket-of-gold, snow-in-summer, small species tulips, cranesbills
Propagation: Fall division of bulbils from parent plant; seed
Cultivars: include plants with two-toned racemes, white flowers, fuzzy flowers... `Blue Spike’ - double flowers, soft blue
Other Species: M. latifolium, one-leaved grape hyacinth - has navy blue and light blue flowers
M. comosum and its common variety, plumosum, plumed or threadlike flowers
M botryoides, common grape hyacinth
Narcissus/Daffodil/Jonquil
Narcissus x
Amaryllidaceae
Form: Upright to slightly arching clumps from strong bulbs; height and spread vary from 6 inches to 18 inches, depending on species, parentage, and environment. Height in flower may reach 24 inches.
Foliage: Basal clumps emerge in spring, with narrow, straplike leaves that are dark green and glaucous. The foliage clasps one to several flower buds that are pointed and encased in a papery sheath. Medium texture. Plants go dormant after flowering.
Flowers: Borne individually or in small clusters on vertical green stems. Three petals and three petal-like sepals, collectively called a perianth, surround a cup or corona (think trumpet or coronet in a band). Perianth and corona can be white, yellow, orange, orange-red, pink, salmon, pink-red, or chartreuse. Often the perianth and corona are different colors. Some are fragrant, others aromatic. March to May, depending on species or cultivar. Flower size ranges from 1 inch to 3 inches.
Seedheads: Not effective, and should be removed to allow plant to produce food for winter storage
Culture: Full sun to part shade, which often results in elongation of the flower stalk for better cutting stems; and deep, rich soil, neutral to acid and well-drained. Add gravel or grit to heavy clay soils to enhance drainage. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers, which encourage lush foliage at the expense of flowers. Plant in fall only, after mid-September so roots can form but short days and reduced heat will not encourage early sprouting. Planting depth varies, but should generally be 2 to 3 times the size of the bulb. Allow foliage to completely wither before removing. Mark bulbs to avoid disturbing during summer dormancy. Not bothered by rabbits or other pests. Sold according to the number of `noses’ on the bulb, which also indicates immediacy of flowering and flower size; diameter is measured around the bulb to grade them. Lift and divide after dormancy if flowering is reduced, keeping the bulbs in a cool place until August or September before replanting.
Uses: One of the easiest and truly perennial bulbs, providing color and a constant source of cutting flowers if a planting includes early through late season bloomers. Excellent for cutting but do not place in water with other flowers, as the daffodil sap will kill them. Use in naturalized areas, borders, spring color, in shrub borders.
Companions: Virginia
Propagation: Division of the offsets after the foliage has died.
Comments: Daffodils and narcissus are classified according to flower morphology, primarily by corona and perianth, as well as number of flowers per stem, leaf shape and size. Entire catalogs are devoted to this useful genus; the named varieties are too numerous to list.
· Trumpet - one flower per stem, corona = or longer than perianth segments
o `King Alfred,’ `Mount Hood,’ `Dutch Master,’ `Unsurpassable,’ `Spellbinder’
· Large-cupped narcissus - one flower per stem, corona shorter than perianth but greater than 1/3 its length
o `Carlton
· Small-cupped narcissus - corona not more than 1/3 the length of perianth segments
o `Barrett Browning,’ `Birma,’ `Cherry Spot’
· Double - central cluster of petals instead of trumpet, like roses; 1-20 flowers per stem
o `Cheerfulness,’ `Early Cheer,’ `Rip Van Winkle,’ `White Lion’
· Triandrus - slender round leaves, drooping white flowers in clsters, perianth backswept, corona tear-drop shaped, short
o `Hawara,’ `Ice Wings,’ `Thalia,’ `Petrel’
· Cyclamineus - one flower per stem, perianth reflexed, long cylindrical corona with serrated edges, early and short
o `February Gold,’ `Jack Snipe,’ `Peeping Tom’
· Jonquilla - clustered, 3-6 fragrant gold-yellow flowers per cluster, cup-shaped corona, rush-like channeled leaves, naturalize well, short
o `Baby Moon,’ `Bunting,’ `Quail,’ `Suzy,’ `Trevithian’
· Tazetta - Flowers nearly flat, shallow corona, very fragrant; 4-8 per stem—the “paperwhites” used for forcing; many not hardy in zone 5
o `Geranium,’ `Avalanche,’
· Poeticus - white, solitary flowers with small corona, pale yellow edged in red--`Pheasant’s Eyes’, fragrant and late
o `Actaea,’ ‘Cantabile,’ `Dreamlight’’
· Species -
o bulbocodium, Hoop Petticoat daffodil; cyclamineus, Cyclamen daffodil
· Split-corona - cup split for at least half its length, creating an open face like a hibiscus; flowers up-facing; Papillion daffodils (butterfly)
o `Cassata,’ `Orangery,’ `Palmares,’ `Tricolett’
· Miscellaneous
Peony
Paeonia x
Ranunculaceae
Form: Old-fashioned perennial of rounded, shrublike proportions and extreme longevity in preferred conditions. Height and spread ranges from 18 inches to 36 inches for hybrids.
Foliage: Emerging foliage uncurls as deep pink to burgundy, frondlike spikes, elongating by as much as a foot a week in warm weather. The bright green leaves are 8 to 12 inches long and 6 inches wide; biternate (twice ternate, or twice divided into threes), with entire or sometimes lobed margins. The lobes are broadly elliptical to lanceolate; bold texture
Flowers: Buds are round balls up to an inch in diameter, opening to sweetly fragrant flowers 3 to 6 inches across with rounded petals. Flowers are white, pink, carmine, and all shades in between; yellows occur in some hybrids. Stamens and center petals may be contrasting colors.
Peonies are classified by bloom time (Division I—early; Division II--mid-May; Division III—late May) and flower form: single, with a ring of five or more petals surrounding stamens; Japanese, with a ring of petals around modified, flat, sterile stamens; semi-double, with many rings of petals around exposed and showy stamens; and double, with many rings of petals and no visible stamens.
Culture: Full sun to very light shade (plants will survive in shade but flowering will be significantly reduced if less than 6 hours of sun is available); and moist, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. Drought tolerant once established. Flowering will also be inhibited by rootstocks planted too deeply (the eye or bud should be no more than 2 inches below the soil surface); youth (plants must be several years old before flowering begins); late freezes that kill the buds; and disease, especially botrytis, which causes buds to abort. Botrytis and Phytophthora blight can be avoided by good sanitation, removing foliage in early fall. Protect with mulch in areas of below-zero temperatures and lack of snow cover. Plants become very large; space at least 36 inches apart. A cage of strong wire around emerging plants will soon be hidden by foliage and will keep the plant upright. Ants do not cause peony buds to open.
Uses: Cut flowers, structure or specimen in borders or as backdrops for other plants; hedge or tall edger.
Companions: iris, early spring bulbs, beebalm, turtlehead, lilies. Peonies are generally ignored unless they are in flower, which can be spectacular if rain and wind don’t knock the heavy blooms to the ground, but their good dark foliage can be effective in any sunny border.
Propagation: Division, which is rarely necessary to maintain plant health but allows a simple increase in numbers of plants. Plant divisions of the thick, fleshy rootstock with 3 to 5 buds or eyes no more than 2 inches deeper than the soil line or the original plant from which a division was taken; plant in August and keep consistently moist.
Cultivars: `Festiva Maxima’ - double pure white with flecks of crimson at base of center petals, early
‘Sarah Bernhardt’ - fragrant, bright pink, double, mid-season
`Raspberry Sundae’ - cream petals with raspberry shade deeping toward center, very double
`Krinkled White’ - pure white, Japanese type with cushion of yellow staminodes (sterile), single
Other Species: Paeonia tenuifolia, fernleaf peony - Beautiful, deeply divided leaves like bright green ferns. Grows very slowly to a height and spread of 24 inches. Flowers deep ruby to crimson red, with showy yellow stamens; displayed on top of the foliage.
Most named peonies commonly found for sale are hybrids of P. officinalis, common peony, P. lactiflora, common garden peony, and P. suffruticosa, tree peony. There are vast numbers of hybrids available.
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. 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
Bethlehem Sage/Pulmonaria Lungwort
Pulmonaria saccharata
Boraginaceae
Form: Low rounded clumps to a height and spread of 15 inches; spreading slowly from stolons
Foliage: Dark green, roughly pubescent leaves that look like white paint spattered over them in irregular blotches; elliptical with pointed tips; up to 9 inches long and 3 inches wide medium-coarse texture; stem leaves linear-lanceolate, up to 6” long
Flowers: Funnel-shaped, in terminal, branched cymes on 12 inch stems, each flower ½ inch to ¾ inch long, pink when open but change to blue with age; usually appear after the leaves. Bloom season is lengthy, especially in cooler weather. April to May
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part to full shade in moist, loamy soil; even moisture and good drainage required to avoid root rot in winter. Tolerant of acidity under pines.
Uses: Edger, small specimen in naturalized areas, woodland garden.
Companions: ferns, celandine poppy, corydalis, small daffodils, snowdrop anemone, astilbe
Propagation: By seed or divisions, watering well; cultivars should be vegetatively propagated
Cultivars: `Mrs. Moon’ - may be a hybrid, but lovely nevertheless—large leaves, pink buds that turn blue
`Spilled Milk’ - mostly silver foliage
`Sissinghurst White’ - white flowers, silver-white spots; foliage not as nice but flowers are better
Other species: P. angustifolia
P. longifolia - same mottling, same flowers; very different foliage, usually long and lanceolate, deep dark green
May-apple/Umbrella Plant
Podophyllum peltatum
Berberidaceae
NATIVE
Form: Colonies of “umbrellas” of uniform height to 12 inches. Although stems are widely spread, the leaves will cover the ground in ideal conditions, spreading by rhizomes to 24 inches or more.
Foliage: Thick, rounded greenish-cream buds (the tightly rolled leaves) emerge in spring, often in places not remembered from the previous year. One or two leaf stalks appear, with 6 inch leaves divided into coarsely toothed, palmate lobes like umbrellas held slightly sideways against the wind. Olive-green and often dormant by June; bold or coarse texture
Flowers: Solitary, nodding, waxy white petals surrounding bright yellow stamens and single pistil; occurring only in the axil between two leaves. This is a flower to be discovered by the observant, since it is not obvious under the leaves; sweet or too sweetly scented; May
Seedheads: Rounded, yellow-green berry 1 to 2 inches in diameter, ripens in July, not persistent
Culture: Part shade to shade; consistently moist soil enriched with organic matter, does best in woodland areas and competes well with tree roots. Will go dormant in too much sun or dry conditions. Mark location; allow plants to spread naturally for best appearance.
Uses: Groundcover in woodland gardens, naturalized areas; herbal remedies.
Companions: ferns, large variegated hostas, astilbe, bleeding heart, woodland natives
Propagation: Division after flowering; do not allow rhizomes to dry out at any time
Pasqueflower
Pulsatilla patens
Ranunculaceae
Form: Flowering occurs from central crown before full leaf emergence; small mound to 8 inch height and 12 inch spread
Flowers: Single purple to lavender, on 6 inch long stems; above linear segmented leaves that encircle the stem (consistent with other anemones, although leaf shape is different); 2 ½ inches wide or more, 5-8 pointed, petal-like sepals, darker on underside; bright yellow stamens; flowers close at night and reopen. March to April
Foliage: Basal foliage follows flowers; each leaf on a petiole, divided into lobes, which are then divided further, giving fernlike appearance (triple-pinnate or ternate); foliage persists through summer. Entire plant covered with fine, silky hairs, giving it a misted appearance
Seedheads: Showy, spherical, with long silvery plumes attached to achene; persist through mid-summer
Culture: Well-drained sites and average to rocky soil; tolerates some alkalinity; full sun but tolerant of part shade and average moisture as long as drainage is good
Uses: Rock garden, naturalize, early spring garden.
Companions: daffodils and narcissus, snow-in-summer, basket-of-gold
Propagation: Self-sows; fresh seed required for germination; move carefully in spring
Other Species: P. rubra and P. vulgaris ‘Papageno’ are cultivars of P.vulgaris; similar to P. patens but flowers more fully open, sepals less joined
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Papaveraceae
NATIVE
Form: Small, tight colonies of uniform height to 6 to 9 inches; spread 18 inches or more over time.
Foliage: Pinkish, rounded buds emerge in early spring, opening into a rolled leaf that expands to 8 inches across. Lobed, reniform or kidney-shaped, dull green to blue-green; held almost vertically; medium texture
Flowers: Single, hidden in furled leaf until the leafless stalk elongates to reveal eight pure white petals and yellow stamens up to 2 inches across. Flowers open flat to the sun and close at night; new flowers continue to form for a month or so; April to May
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part shade to shade and consistently moist soils enriched with humus, leaf mold, or organic matter; prefers woodland conditions. Mark location; plant goes dormant after flowering and colonies will have expanded by following spring. Uses: Groundcover in woodland gardens, naturalized areas. Companions: epimedium, Lenten rose, hostas, ferns, astilbe, brunnera, woodland phlox, columbine—any later blooming perennials that will cover gaps left by summer dormancy. The red juice in underground stems is poisonous but useful for dyes
Propagation: Division after flowering, seed
Cultivars: ‘Multiplex’ - Double, sterile, showy, long blooming
Squill/Scilla/Siberian Squill
Scilla sibirica
Liliaceae (Hyacinthaceae)
Form: A minor bulb with major impact when planted in large drifts and allowed to naturalize; although individual plants are only 6 inches tall and 3 to 4 inches wide.
Foliage: Straplike green leaves up to 6 inches long and ½ inch wide with entire margins, 3 to 4 per plant, almost grasslike in dense plantings; fine texture. Plants go dormant after flowering.
Flowers: Nodding, brilliant blue with blue anthers, star-shaped and ½ inch wide; 1 to 3 per raceme, but as many as 4 scapes per mature bulb. March to April.
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Early spring sun or part to full shade and moist, loose soil enriched with organic matter. Bulbs should be planted 3 inches deep as soon as received; old bulbs will not establish well. Division is rarely required unless increase of stock is desired. It is not necessary to remove spent foliage, and plants will reseed if left alone.
Uses: Plants will form a striking blue carpet in the light shade of deciduous trees, blooming in early spring and lasting up to two weeks. Woodland gardens, naturalized areas, cut flowers.
Companions: Wild ginger, columbine, cranesbills, lamium, other minor bulbs. Plant in lightly mulched areas or thin turf to naturalize.
Propagation: Divide after foliage has withered or allow the readily produced seed to germinate
Cultivars: `Spring Beauty’ - larger and very deep blue flowers, with deep blue anthers
`Alba’ - white
‘Azurea,’ Pale blue
Other Species: Scilla is often mixed up with Pushkinia scilloides, striped squill, or Chionodoxa luciliae, glory-of-the-snow. Striped squill has nodding, pale blue flowers with a distinct darker blue stripe down each petal.
Celandine Poppy
Stylophorum diphyllum
Papaveraceae
Form: Thick clumps of basal foliage in early spring; the habit of individual plants is broadly upright to a height and spread of 18 inches. Usually plants appear in naturalized colonies and form a low mass.
Foliage: Light green, each leaf up to 12 inches long and 6 inches wide with 5 to 7 deeply cut pinnate lobes with lobed margins. Leaves, stems, and buds are coarsely pubescent. Foliage elongates with the season and looks coarsely fernlike or like new oakleaf lettuce; medium-coarse texture
Flowers: Bright shiny yellow, 4-petaled with many prominent stamens in a center cluster; up to 2 inches across, held in terminal inflorescences of 3-5 individual flowers. Flowers open sporadically over a long period of time, beginning in April and extending into June
Culture: Part to full shade and loose, loamy soils enriched with organic matter, although plants are tolerant of heavier soils and drier conditions once established but may go dormant in summer if too little water is provided. Full sun may result in burning of leaf margins. Shearing spent foliage when it begins to get tattered will result in new foliage and a few fall flowers. Plants produce a reddish-yellow sap when stems are cut.
Uses: Low input woodland groundcover; unusual size and color of spring bloom; naturalized plantings.
Companions: Virginia bluebells, cranesbills, brunnera, epimedium, Arkansas
Propagation: Prolific producer of seed; thick, fleshy roots can also be divided in spring or fall
Tulip
Tulipa x
Liliaceae
Form: The flower of spring, as far as many gardeners (and non-gardeners) are concerned; occurring in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors for an extended period of time. Weakly upright clumps of foliage, with height and spread varying from 6 inches or less to 18 inches; height in bloom may reach 24 to 30 inches.
Foliage: Thick, glabrous and glaucous, (smooth and waxy), lanceolate with weakly pointed tips, sometimes undulating margins; up to 12 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide. The veins are not prominent. The leaf closest to the flower often clasps the stem. Species tulips may have spotted or striped leaves. Medium-bold texture.
Flowers: Pointed buds, opening to classic erect tulip shape, lily-flowered, fringed, bell-shaped, or peony-like double forms. 6 perianth segments composed of three petals and three petal-like sepals with rounded or pointed tips, borne singly or in small clusters on naked stems. Flowers close at night and in cloudy weather, but many open to six inches in width on sunny days. Center is often a contrasting color, with a prominent pistil and six dark stamens; many tulips have black bases or “flames” on the petals. Classified according to flowering time, flower shape, and origin of hybrid. April to late May.
Culture: Full sun to very light shade, which will promote longer stems and prevent fading of some colors; and fertile, well-drained soils enriched with organic matter. Provide ample fertilizer during active growth period. Plant bulbs as soon as received (do not allow to dry out), at a depth approximately 3 times the length of the bulbs and protect from rodents and rabbits (rabbits love the newly-emerged tips in the spring). Tulip break is a virus that causes white and green streaks in petals; may also be susceptible to basal rot and gray mold. Hybrids are not reliably perennial; treat as annuals. Many species tulips will persist, as will the T. fosteriana hybrids. Remove spent flowers from tulips that are being treated as perennials. If a single leaf emerges the second or third year after planting, remove the bulb, as it will not flower again. Allow foliage to yellow completely before removing it for bulbs that are being left in place.
Uses: Cut flowers, spring border, forcing, specimen.
Companions: other spring bulbs, bergenia, cranesbill, donkeytail spurge, daylilies—perennials and grasses that will hide the yellowing foliage.
Propagation: Divide after flowering
Entire catalogs are devoted to tulips, offering the gardener a vast array of choices of size, color, and bloom time.
Classifications include the following:
Single early and double early; Mendel (‘Apricot Beauty’), Triumph
Darwin and Darwin hybrids - the largest and longest-lasting flowers are Darwin
(‘Apeldoorn
Cottage - usually very late, flowers are elliptical and remain tight; (‘Maureen’)
Lily-flowered - elegant, long-stemmed, with pointed and reflexed petals (‘White Triumphator’)
Rembrandt and parrot - the first with streaks of green or cream on the petals; the second with wild fringed or feathered petals
Double late or peony - huge, long-lasting flower like peonies; late
Fosterianas - hybrids, early blooming with flowers that open very wide (‘Emperor’ series)
Greigii hybrids - heavily mottled and striped foliage, short; May-blooming, large flowers with black bases; may persist for more than one year; (`Red Riding Hood,’ `First Love’)
Kaufmanniana hybrids - one of the earliest, short, petals turned out like water-lilies
(`Ancilla,’ `Showwinner’)
Bouquet - multiple flowers on a single stem
Select species tulips:
T. batalinii - reliably perennial, very short and late, with flowers as wide as they are long, to 2 inches with pointed tips on petals. Narrow, strap-shaped gray-green leaves. Good in the rock garden
T. praestans - multiple flowers, mostly in reds
T. tarda - bright yellow eyes in white, open flowers; up to 5 per plant. Rock garden
Johnny-jump-up
Viola tricolor
Violaceae
Form: Basal clumps of foliage to a height and spread of 6 inches; naturalizes readily to form colonies. Usually annual or winter-annual in character.
Foliage: Slightly heart-shaped, ovate to lanceolate leaves with straight bases on short petioles; bright green; medium-fine texture.
Flowers: One inch across, on short stems arising directly from the crown. The five petals and five sepals, irregularly shaped, resemble small pansies rather than large violets. Three-colored: deep violet, light blue, and yellow or gold, with whiskered stamens that make them look like little monkey faces. The flowers are fragrant.
Seedheads: Not effective
Culture: Part shade and average to moist soil enriched with organic matter. Naturalizes readily, germinating in cracks in walls and in drifts in undisturbed soil.
Uses: Woodland garden, rock garden, naturalized areas, early spring color.
Companions: daffodils, minor bulbs, lamium, moneywort.
