Perennials & Biennials

Showing 153–160 of 508 results

  • Digitalis purpurea Foxglove Biennial (year 1 rosette of leaves, year 2 flowers then dies) Z 4-8

    Early summer pink or purple spire of spotted bells.

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    Early summer pink or purple spires of spotted bells.

    Size: 3-5' x 24"
    Care: Part shade moist well-drained soil. Deer resistant
    Native: Great Britain,west and central Europe east to Scandinavia, often escapes.

    Druids were fond of this because it flowered at the same time as their midsummer sacrifice.  First identified in writing by German physician and botanical author Leonhard Fuchs (1501-1566).  Grown in the Eichstätt Garden, the garden of Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, prince bishop of Eichstätt in Bavaria, c. 1600. “Foxglove boiled in water or wine, and drunken, doth cut and consume the thick toughnesse of grosse and slimie flegme and naughty humours; it openeth also the stopping of the liver, spleene, and milt, and of other inward parts.” Gerard’s Herball, 1596.

    The plant’s use as a heart stimulant was discovered in 1775 by English physician William Withering.   Liberty Hyde Bailey called foxgloves: “old-fashioned and dignified… The word ‘fox’ is often said to be a corruption of ‘folk,’ meaning the ‘little folk’ or fairies.”  These reputedly had the power to ward off witches and return children kidnapped by fairies.  The first documented reference of American cultivation was in 1748 by Peter Kalm, a student of Linnaeus and a Swedish botanist. English merchant Peter Collinson sent a white one to John Bartram in 1735.  George Washington received a gift of one to cure Dropsy.

  • Digitalis thapsi Spanish foxglove Z 5-9

    Spikes of purple, rose-spotted trumpets in early summer.  True perennial. Although this is not as big as Digitalis purpurea, this is a perennial that grows for years.

    $12.95/bareroot

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    Spikes of purple, rose-spotted trumpets in early summer.  True perennial. Although this is not as big as Digitalis purpurea, this is a perennial that grows for years.

    Size: 18” x 12”
    Care: sun to part shade in moist well-drained soil.
    Native: Spain & Portugal

    Grown in the botanical gardens of Moscow by 1752.  Philip Miller (1691-1771), chief gardener at London’s Chelsea Physic Garden, received seeds from Spain and grew this by 1760’s

  • Disporum flavens Fairy bells Z 4-9

    Upright stems, arch on top where moon-yellow bells dangle, elegant counterpoint to spring perennials

    $12.75/bareroot

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    Moon-yellow bells dangle at the top of tall, upright stems. Elegant counterpoint to spring perennials

    Size: 25-30” x 16-20”
    Care: shade to part shade in moist-well-drained soil
    Native: Korea

    Collected in 1926 in Manchuria and described in Botanical Magazine (Tokyo) in 1934.

  • Dodecatheon jefferyi syn. Primula jefferyi Sierra shooting star, Tall mountain shooting star Z 5-8 Ephemeral

    Fuschia, reflexed petals, looking like a descending shuttlecock or, as named, a shooting star, dangle from stems in late spring to early summer

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    OUT OF STOCK

    Fuschia, reflexed petals, looking like a descending shuttlecock or, as named, a shooting star, dangle from stems in late spring to early summer

    Size: 18-24” x 14-18”
    Care: sun to part shade in moist to moist well-drained soil
    Native: Pacific NW Alaska- CA & east in Montana and Idaho

    First collected by Meriwether Lewis on the Expedition at the Dalles of the Columbia River on April 16, 1806. Named for Scottish botanist John Jeffrey, who collected it and explored the Okanagan and Fraser regions with the Hudson Bay Co. in 1851-53.

  • Dodecatheon meadia syn. Primula meadia Pink Shooting Star Z 4-8 Ephemeral

    Rosy-lilac reflexed flowers, looking like a descending shuttlecock, dangle from stems in spring

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    OUT OF STOCK – EMAIL FOR AVAILABILITY

    Only available for purchase in spring –  Ephemeral

    Rosy-lilac reflexed flowers, looking like a descending shuttlecock, dangle from stems in spring

    Size: 12-24” x 6-12”
    Care: sun to part shade in moist well-drained soil.
    Native: PA to Wisconsin, south to TX.
    Awards: Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit

    Name Dodecatheon from the Greek dodeka (twelve) and theos (gods), meaning 12 superior gods, after the name given to another plant by Roman author, Pliny the Elder. The species name meadia after Richard Mead, physician to George III. John Tradescant the Younger sent this to England by 1640. “A favorite among old border flowers.” William Robinson, 1899.

  • Dodecatheon meadia syn. Primula meadia Shooting Star Z 4-8 Ephemeral

    White reflexed flowers, looking like a descending shuttlecock, dangle from stems in spring. Ephemeral.  Let it drop its seed and in three years you will have more.  There are pink ones but not as vigorous, rare.

    $9.75/pot

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    Available to order in Spring only

    White reflexed flowers, looking like a descending shuttlecock, dangle from stems in spring. Ephemeral.  Let it drop its seed and in three years you will have more.  There are pink ones but not as vigorous, rare.

    Size: 12” x 6”
    Care: sun to part shade in moist well-drained soil
    Native: PA to Wisconsin, south to TX.
    Awards: Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit.

    Dodecatheon from the Greek dodeka (twelve) and theos (gods), meaning 12 superior gods, after the name given to another plant by Roman author, Pliny the Elder.  The species name meadia after Richard Mead, physician to English King George III.  John Tradescant the Younger sent this to England by 1640. “A favorite among old border flowers.” William Robinson, 1899.   This showy native can be found in open woodland, prairies, meadows, and on rocky slopes in the eastern United States. Introduced into European gardens as early as 1704, Philadelphia nurseryman and explorer John Bartram described this species of Dodecatheon in 1783. The white version was offered, along with several in shades of purple, by Long Island’s Prince Nursery in 1857.

  • Draba aizoides Yellow Whitlow grass Z 3-8

    Tiny yellow flowers in very early spring over succulent, evergreen cushions

    $9.75/pot

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    Tiny yellow flowers in very early spring over succulent, evergreen cushions.

    Size: 1” x 1”
    Care: Full sun in well-drained soil.
    Native: Europe

    Listed in Sanders’ Flower Garden, published in 1913 where it is described as “dwarf, compact-growing alpine, suitable for growing on old walls or on dry, sunny rockeries.” Draba is the classical Greek name for this plant – poultice said to remedy lesions on fingers

  • Dracocephalum botryoides Dragonhead Z 4-7

    Fuzzy, grey, deeply divided foliage with baby pink blossoms in May-June

    $9.75/pot

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    Fuzzy, grey, deeply divided foliage with baby pink blossoms in May-June

    Size: 5” x 18”
    Care: sun to part shade in well-drained soil
    Native: Caucasus on rocky, stony slopes, and screes where it is now endangered.
    Wildlife Value: provides nectar and pollen for bees

    1st described in 1812. Dracocephalum means “dragonhead,” referring the shape of the flower.