Perennials & Biennials
Showing 9–16 of 482 results
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Adiantum venustum Himalayan maidenhair fern Z 5-8
Black stems hold triangular, delicate, lacy fronds of tiny leaflets
OUT OF STOCK
Black stems hold triangular, delicate, lacy fronds of tiny leaflets. Favorite short fern.
Size: 6" x 12", slow spreader
Care: part or light shade in moist well-drained soil but tolerates any soil
Native: China and Himalayan Mountains
Awards: Great Plant Pick from Elisabeth Cary Miller Botanic Garden & Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden MeritAdiantum is from Greek adiantos, “unwettable” because its fronds repel water. Venustum means attractive in Latin. (We think it should be “venustumest” for most attractive.) Collected for gardens by 1841.
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Adlumia fungosa Allegheny vine, Climbing fumitory, Bleeding heart vine Biennial Z 4-8
Dangling pink to white Bleeding heart-like flowers bloom all summer, June-September. Fern-like foliage on twining stems
OUT OF STOCK
Dangling pink to white Bleeding heart-like flowers bloom all summer, June-September. Fern-like foliage on twining stems
Size: 6-10’ x 12”
Care: part shade to shade in moist to moist well-drained, acidic soil
Native: Nova Scotia to No. Carolina west to Minnesota Wisconsin native status-special concern
Wildlife Value: attracts bumblebees1st described in 1789 (Aiton, Vol. 3 Hortus Kewensis).
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Agastache foeniculum Anise hyssop Z 4-8
Purplish-blue spikes from July to October, very fragrant.
Purplish-blue spikes from July to October, very fragrant.
Size: 2-3' x 12"
Care: Full sun in well-drained soil, heat and drought tolerant.
Native: North America
Wildlife Value: Skipper butterflies and Rusty patched Bumble Bees love Anise hyssop’s nectar, Deer resistant.The name Agastache is from Greek agan and stachys meaning much like an ear of wheat referring to the shape of the flower spike. Anise hyssop leaves were used by American Americans of the Missouri River region to make tea and as a sweetener in cooking. For Cheyenne it relieved chest pain due to coughing or to a dispirited heart. Listed as an aromatic herb in Bernard McMahon’s 1805 book, American Gardener’s Calendar.
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Ajuga genevensis Geneva Bugle Z 4-9
True blue 6” spikes in spring and early summer
True blue 6” spikes in spring and early summer. Great groundcover.
Size: 6” x 12”
Care: full sun to shade in well-drained to moist well-drained soil
Native: Europe
Wildlife Value: Tolerates foot traffic. Deer and rabbit resistant.William Robinson, father of the mixed perennial garden, called this “among the best.” (1933). In gardens before 1753.
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Alcea rosea Hollyhock BIENNIAL Z 4-9
Early to late summer spikes of single platters - mixed colors. The classic cottage garden flower.
Early to late summer spikes of single platters – mixed colors. The classic cottage garden flower.
Size: 2-5' x 2'
Care: Sun in well-drained soil.
Native: West Asia
Wildlife Value: Butterfly plant, host for Painted Lady butterfliesHollyhocks have been cultivated in China for thousands of years where it symbolized the passing of time. They cooked the leaves for a vegetable and, also ate the buds. Transported from Middle East to Europe by the Crusaders and introduced to England by 1573. Grown in the Eichstätt Garden, the garden of Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, prince bishop of Eichstätt in Bavaria, c. 1600. Culpepper, a 17th century English herbalist, claimed the plant could be used to cure ailments of the “belly, Stone, Reins, Kidneys, Bladder, Coughs, Shortness of Breath, Wheesing, … the King’s Evil, Kernels, Chin-cough, Wounds, Bruises, Falls. . . (and) Sun-burning.” Both single and double forms grew in England by the time of Parkinson (1629). Parkinson said they came “in many and sundry colours.” John Winthrop Jr. introduced the 1st hollyhock to the New World in the 1630’s. Grown at America’s 1st botanic garden, Elgin Botanic Garden 1811.
In the 1880’s Mr. W. Charter of Saffron Walden in England cultivated frilly doubles, now known as ‘Charter’s Doubles.’
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Alcea rosea var. nigra Black hollyhock BIENNIAL Z 4-9
Early to late summer spikes of single jet-black/maroon platters.
Early to late summer spikes of single jet-black/maroon platters.
Size: 5-7’ x 24”
Care: sun in well-drained soil
Native: West Asia
Wildlife Value: Attracts bees, butterflies and birdsHollyhocks have been cultivated in China for thousands of years where it symbolized the passing of time. They cooked the leaves for a vegetable and also ate the buds. Transported from Middle East to Europe by the Crusaders and introduced to England by 1573. Grown in the Eichstätt Garden, the garden of Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, prince bishop of Eichstätt in Bavaria, c. 1600. Culpepper, a 17th century English herbalist, claimed the plant could be used to cure ailments of the “belly, Stone, Reins, Kidneys, Bladder, Coughs, Shortness of Breath, Wheesing, … the King’s Evil, Kernels, Chin-cough, Wounds, Bruises, Falls. . . (and) Sun-burning.” Both single and double forms grew in England by the time of Parkinson (1629). Parkinson said they came “in many and sundry colours.” John Winthrop Jr. introduced the 1st hollyhock to the New World in the 1630’s.
Thomas Jefferson grew this black variety at Monticello.
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Alchemilla alpina Alpine lady’s mantle Z 3-9
From a low mound of palmate (shaped like an open hand) silvery-margined leaves with silver undersides emerge short frothy sprays of chartreuse-yellow flowers in early summer. Will rebloom if cut back flowers after bloom.
From a low mound of palmate (shaped like an open hand) silvery-margined leaves with silver undersides emerge short frothy sprays of chartreuse-yellow flowers in early summer. Will rebloom if cut back flowers after bloom.
Size: 6-8” x 8-12”
Care: sun to part shade in moist to moist well-drained soil
Native: Europe and southern Greenland
Wildlife Value: Deer and rabbit resistantThe species originally described by English botanist and gardener to Queen Mary, Leonard Plukenet (1641-1706).
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Alchemilla mollis Lady’s mantle Z 3-8
June to July, clusters of starry chartreuse flowers bloom above sage green, scalloped, tooth-edged foliage that holds dew drops like beads of mercury.
June to July, clusters of starry chartreuse flowers bloom above sage green, scalloped, tooth-edged foliage that holds dew drops like beads of mercury.
Size: 12" x 12"
Care: Sun to part shade in moist soil
Native: East Carpathians, Caucasus
Awards: Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit.Alchemilla derived from Arabic for alchemist, medieval chemists who attempted to transmute ordinary substances into gold. They used the dew drops which beaded on leaves to add to gold making recipes. “Lady’s mantle” comes from a legend that the plant was used to adorn the Virgin Mary. Gerard, a 16th century English herbalist, identified medicinal uses: cure inflammation from wounds, clot blood, help bruises and flu, aid conception and discourage miscarriages. Reputedly the plant also returned women to the former beauty of youth.
