SHADE PERENNIALS

Shade Perennials

A selection of outstanding recent introductions, our shade-loving perennials are choosen from a palette of plants with extended ornamental interest in your garden.

In addition to their floral display, many of these newer cultivars exhibit alluring foliage, adding a burst of color to shady areas.

We ship well-grown, established plants in 2.06 quart/1.95 liter pots, unless otherwise noted.

Astilbe (False Spirea)

Astilbe offer many varieties of brightly colored, densely packed, stately plumes of flowers that range in shape from tall and narrow to dense and stocky with others more open and airy. Handsome midsummer flowers and beautiful foliage make this plant extremely valuable. In mass, the spectacular plumed flowers create one of the finest and colorful floral displays that can be achieved in a shade garden. Flower plumes are borne against a background of healthy, fresh, usually deeply divided fern-like foliage which remains attractive well after the flowers have passed. Thrive best in light shade with filtered sun plus a constantly moist, organically rich well drained soil.

Athyrium (Lady fern, Fern)

A diverse group of hardy ferns displaying a broad range of attractive foliage ranging from the stunning silvery and highly colored forms of the Japanese Painted Fern to the numbered and unusual forms of the Lady Fern, many of which were treasured during the Victorian era. All are tolerant of heat and humidity enabling them to be successfully cultivated over much of North America. They thrive in organically rich, moisture retentive soils which periodically can be enhanced with a dressing of leaf mold or compost. These are outstanding additions to any shaded border or woodland garden.

Bergenia (Pig Squeak)

This durable and outstanding, versatile and frequently evergreen groundcover creates a bold and permanent effect in the landscape. Thick, leathery, glossy rounded to oblong leaves are produced from tough, thick rhizomes. Foliage color encompasses a range of greens to rich maroon purples, with color intensification frequently accruing in winter. In late spring, the foliage rosettes from an ideal backdrop for the clustered, bell-shaped white or more common rosy-pink flowers displayed on rich red or purple stems. Prefers an organically rich, moisture retentive soil, but tolerant of poorer soils and exposure. They can be effective around the edge of borders or massed as a groundcover. This is a favorite subject of the noted English gardener Gertrude Jekyll.

Brunnera (Brunnera)

The recent spate of new introductions has elevated the Heartleaf Brunnera "to a woodlander of distinction" with handsome striking, eyecatching foliage. The normal heart-shaped somewhat cabbage green leaves are, in these recent introductions, variously and prominently variegated yellow or white or distinctly displaying a silvery effect in variable degrees of intensity. Wispy sprays of short-lived, small vivid blue forget-me-not flowers form over the young spring foliage mound in spring. These superb specimens produce a fantastic ground cover in masses that require moisture retentive soils that should never be allowed to dry out.

Convallaria (Lily of the Valley)

A beloved garden plant for generations, Lily of the Valley, is appreciated for the beauty of its foliage and exquisitely scented flowers. Tough, leathery, upright lance-shaped leaves exhibit an interesting range of textures combined with dainty spikes of pendulous, normally white or pale pink bell-shaped, sweetly scented flowers from mid to late spring. Flower size varies according to variety. The ideal fertile, organic, moist soil produces a vigorously spreading groundcover. Enjoy its unique fragrance as an indoor cut flower.

Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)

Dicentra is widely known and beloved group of easily grown, early flowering woodlands whose popularity has recently received an additional boost by a number of exciting new introductions. The familiar heart or locket-shaped pendent spring flowers of the Bleeding Hearts range in color from red, pink, white and purple and frequently borne along gracefully arching flower stems. Beautiful highly divided soft green fern-like foliage can also exhibit stunning silvery-gray or bright yellow colorations. By early summer, the leaves have frequently died down thus eliminating any negative visual effect from old foliage. Dicentra thrives in moist, fertile, humus rich and slightly alkaline soils with partial shade. Young foliage can be susceptible to damage by slugs and snails. General hygiene and a watchful eye should eliminate this potential problem.

Epimedium (Barrenwort)

Graceful spring flowers on slender stems, unique foliage that forms interesting combinations with other shade plants and is of a size to create a perfect bridge between the heft of hosta and the fine texture of ferns, plus the desirable ability to grow in dry shade once established; these features and more make Epimediums an exceptional choice for the garden.

Hakonechloa (Hakone Grass, Japanese Forest Grass)

The Japanese Hakone Grass is valuable not only on account of its beautiful foliage but equally through its ability to thrive in shady locations that is uncharacteristic among grasses. A number of outstanding, distinct selections exhibit stunning variegated and solidly colored foliage that grows in a gracefully arching and cascading manner, reminiscent of a golden waterfall. Reddish-pink hues are frequently observed in fall. This grass is a noninvasive slow spreading clump-forming plant that creates a stunning and colorful effect in moist summer shade gardens. They are especially effective when used either as a single specimen or planted in groups especially lining pathways. They can be used in containers individually or in combinations.

Iris Cristata

This charming, low growing eastern North American woodland native has numerous spring flowers that display a wide color variation. The short 2" stemless flowers with blue-lilac standard petals plus white patch and a prominent yellow or orange crest of each fall petal are complimented by fresh, bright green, upright to spreading, short-lanced shaped leaves. Handsome named forms with flower colors ranging from pale powder-blue to deep purple and pure white are highly prized additions to shade gardens. In a moisture retentive, well drained soil this delightful iris quickly produces an ideal groundcover.

Best Sellers 2013

Most popular with our customers! It is always interesting to see what plants other enthusiastic gardeners choose most frequently. Some best sellers are new this year, some are returning favorites, but each has something special to offer in your garden.

New in 2013

We are happy to offer our customers new plant varieties including many that are exclusive to our company or extremely difficult to locate. Our selections are based upon many outstanding features including extended seasonal interest of flowers, foliage and overall form combined with ease of culture. We hope you enjoy these selections!

Ferns

These tough, long lasting, easily grown plants play an essential ornamental role in shade gardens. Ferns exhibit an incredible range of spectacular foliage with both evergreen and deciduous representatives. Magnifcent in combination with Hosta, Pulmonaria, Brunnera and Heuchera. Select a cool location with a well-drained but moisture-retentive organic soil for best results.

Grasses

Grasses are a versatile group with selections for sunny or shady areas.

Grasses for sunny spots add lovely arching forms to the flower and shrub border. They range in height from tall, back of the border plants to smaller varieties for the front edge of a planting. They can add fine linear texture, dramatic height, color that changes with the seasons, or decorative seedheads that sway in the slightest breeze. Many of the varieties we offer are selections of native grasses known for their beauty, toughness, and, when established, their drought tolerance. They complement each other when planted in groups, and also are wonderful with Echinacea, Salvia, Veronica, and other sun lovers.

Grasses for shady areas add a flowing, graceful touch to borders and containers. We offer choice varieties of the shade grass Hakonechloa, known as Japanese Forest Grass. Their slim, linear foliage looks great with the broad leaves of shade lovers such as Hosta and Heuchera. They add a finishing touch along the shady side of a shrub border, and look especially lovely growing near the base of Japanese Maples and Tree Peonies. They prefer a loamy, compost-enriched soil. In the northern parts of their range, provide them with mulch in winter.

Leave grasses in the garden for fall and winter interest, cut back in early spring to make room for new growth.