Veratrum maackii var. japonicum:  Z 4-8 Japan. This veratrum has black blooms and the foliage is slightly smaller than our native.

 

Yucca glauca (small soapweed):  Z 6-9 N.A. Native  This is a dramatic evergreen with sword like leaves and green-white blooms on tall spikes.  This stays close to the ground and does not form a trunk like other Yuccas.

 

 

Veratrum viride (American false hellebore):  Z 5-8 N.A.Native.  This under used foliage plant grows up to six feet including bloom spikes.  The alternating leaves are deeply pleated and can get to twelve inches across,  eventually  forming dramatic clumps of textured foliage.  The blooms are green and hang on bracts above the leaves.  They prefer a moist to wet location in sun to shade.

Hardy Woodland Perennials

Stachys cooleyae (Cooley hedgnettle; great betony):  Z 7-8 N.A.Native This is an aromatic member of the mint family with a musky odor.  Purple-red flowers are borne in terminal spikes from June to August.  These are great naturalizers and prefer shade to part shade in moist forest understories.

Synelesis acontifolia:  Z 5-8 This foliage plant is from North-eastern China, Korea and Japan.  The flowers formed in clusters and are pink-purple.  The jagged leaves are on tall stems over two feet high.  There is only one leaf per stalk and the plants will form clumps.  No garden or plant collector should be without this bold foliage plant.

Synelesis palmata:  Z 5-8.  This is a similar Asian species with smaller leafstalks to sixteen inches high. The leaves are glossy and gray green.

Veratrum nigrum:  Z 4-8 .  This is similar to in size and shape as V. viride but with dark brown blooms.