Perennials and Bulbs

Family: Apiaceae
Zone:  5 - 9
Natural Range:  Europe
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Shade, part shade
Height:  12” – 24”
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attracts:  Bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Pronounced, long-lasting, pink bracts.
Notes: So much detail to the flower on closer look.
 
Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Ranunculaceae
Zone: 5-9
Natural Range: China, Japan
Soil: moist, well drained
Light: part shade-shade
Bloom Time:May to September
Height: 16"
Attributes: White flowers held above the foliage.  Heart shaped, evergreen, glossy bronze-green leaves.
Notes:  One of the  best foliage plants for the shady garden.  Durable and showy.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family:  Begoniaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: moist, well drained
Light: part-shade, shade
Height: 18"
Bloom Time: September to November
Attributes: Deciduous. Attractive heart shaped foliage with pink flowers fall.
Notes:  Collected by Dan Hinkley from Emei Shan.  Mulch tuber in fall since they are very shallow.  Will be evergreen in the upper 20s.  This is definitely one of the hardiest and best performing species Begonias for temperate climates.  Many Begonias are hardy but emerge so late in the season that it is hardy worth it.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: moist, well drained
Light: part-shade
Height: 8" - 24"
Attributes: Deciduous. Dark-pink blooms summer-fall, lime green foliage with red stems.
Notes:  Begonia grandis is a tuberous perennial with stunning foliage that lasts until frost.  This is another great cultivar from the old Heronswood nursery.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Begoniaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Southern China
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height:  24"
Bloom Time: July to September
Attracts: NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes: Deciduous.  Clumping.  Large green leaves with metallic cast.  Red veining and red underside of leaves.  Numerous white to pink
Notes: Begonia grandis is a tuberous perennial with stunning foliage that lasts until frost. 

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Begoniaceae
Zone: 8 - 10
Natural Range: China
Soil: moist, well drained
Light: part-shade, shade
Height: 18"
Bloom Time: September to November
Attributes: Deciduous. Red stems with dark green foliage speckled with silvery white.  Pink flowers.
Notes:  A showy species. Mulch crown in colder zones. A Shayne Chandler and Dan Hinkley collection.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family:  Begoniaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: moist, well drained
Light: part-shade, shade
Height: 18"
Bloom Time: August to September
Attributes: Deciduous. Palmate leaves with bright red hairs.  Pink flowers.
Notes:  A collection from China.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Begoniaceae
Zone:  8 - 11
Natural Range:  Himalayas
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Part sun, shade
Height:  18"
Bloom Time:  Fall
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Silver and dark green leaves with deep red on the underside.  Pink flowers fall and winter.
Notes: This species originated from the forests of Northeastern India.  Mulch crown in fall.

Pot size: 4" Band Pot

Family:  Begoniaceae
Zone:  8 - 11
Natural Range:  Himalayas
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Part sun, shade
Height:  18"
Bloom Time:  Fall
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Deeply cut glossy green foliage with red on the underside. 
Notes: This species originated from the forests of Northeastern India.  Mulch crown in fall.

Pot size: 4" Band Pot

Family:  Begoniaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range:  China;  Yunnan
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height:  12"
Bloom Time: August to September
Attributes: Deciduous.  Emerges late in the season after other species are up, often not emerging until late June.  Palmate variegated foliage.  Rose pink flowers.
Notes: Smaller and delightful species and one of my favorites!  In the wild grows around 1200 to 2100 m.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Family:  Begoniaceae
Zone: 8 - 9
Natural Range: China, NE India
Soil: Moist, humus rich
Light: Part-shade, shade
Height: 18"
Bloom Time: August to September
Attributes: Deciduous.  Variable deep green with silver mottling, red underside of the leaf.  Orange-red buds and yellow flowers.
Notes:  Cold tolerant but needs a generous layer of leaves or mulch over the crown in winter.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone: 5 - 8
Natural Range: Himalayas
Soil: Moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 12"
Bloom Time: March to April
Attracts: NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: White flowers that turn pink with age emerge before new growth early in the spring.  Large leaves with ruffled edge.
Notes: One of the best species of Bergenia to grow in the garden.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Himalayas
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 12'
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Large fuzzy, oval leaves.  Pink flowers held above the leaves. 
Notes:  Leaves can reach more than 12" long.

Pot Size:  Quart Size Pot

Great Plant Picks

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone: 5-9
Natural Range: China; Mt. Omei
Soil: Moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 12"
Bloom Time: April to May
Attracts: NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:   White flowers on short stems.  Reddish bronze, glossy foliage.
Notes: One of the best selections of Bergenia omeiensis.  4" bands

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Zone: 6-9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 12'
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Large succulent foliage with tall spikes of purple flowers.  Foliage will turn red and purple if planted in more sun.
Notes:  Found growing at 3700m, growing in mas along streams and moist ponds as the dominant perennial.  Growing underneath Rhododendrons and Abies.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Ranunculaceae
Zone: 3 - 8
Natural Range: Northern temperate regions
Soil: Moist to wet
Light: Sun to Part sun
Height: 18"
Bloom Time: April to June
Attributes: Deciduous.  Round leaves up to 7" across.  Deep yellow flowers to 2" across.
Notes:  Best with some shade in the hottest part of the summer.  Especially showy when mass planted in part shade where the leaves realy show off in summer.

Pot Size: 4" Band Pot

Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range:  Himalayas
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Height:  2' - 3'
Bloom Time:  April to June
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Slow spreading perennial with lilac-purple flowers and pinnate foliage
Notes:  A stunning spring blooming perennial for the lightly shaded garden.

Pot Size:  4" Pot

Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range:  Europe
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Height:  10"
Attributes:  Deciduous,  Very early spring blooms purple flowers.  Spreading groundcover.
Notes:  A stunning early blooming perennial for the lightly shaded garden.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Zone: 5-9
Natural Range:  Europe
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Height:  10"
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Glossy trifoliate leaves with white flowers held above the foliage late winter, early spring.
Notes:  Slowly spreading ground-cover.

Post Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Hydrangeaceae
Zone: 5 - 8
Natural Range: Japan, Taiwan
Soil: moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade
Height:  16" - 28"
Bloom Time: July to September
Attributes: Deciduous, Hydrangea-like, lacy pale pink flowers.  Elliptic shaped, serrate fuzzy foliage.
Notes:  A little known, lovely herbaceous Hydrangea for temperate gardens.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:Liliaceae
Zone: 5 - 9

Natural Range:Japan
Soil: Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time: June to July
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous. Like its Himalayan cousin but smaller scale. Glossy bronze new foliage . Fragrant white flowers, a greenish tinged dark center
Notes: Bulb forms offsets. Plant so the top is showing

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Himalayas
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Attributes:  Deciduous, 6' 10' tall. Large glossy Hosta like foliage emerges early in the spring in a rosette.  Large fragrant white and purplish red trumpet flowers in late spring, early summer.  Interesting seed pods in fall and winter.
Notes:  Bulb forms offsets, and many seeds, that if unharvested will germinate randomly throughout a garden.  The key is to plant bulbs so the top inch is above the soil.

Pot Size: Large Band Pot

Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: Bhutan, China, India, Kashmir, Nepal
Soil: Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 1' - 3' tall
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Racemes of creamy yellow orchid like flowers.  Thick corn like foliage and stems.
Notes:  Coutleya is the second hardiest group of gingers, consisting of three species from the Himalayas.  Closely related to Roscoea.  In the wild Cautleya is found growing in cool, moist forests at high elevations.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Plantaginaceae
Zone:  5 - 9
Natural Range:  Midwestern and Eastern US
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Sun, part shade
Height:  3' - 4'
Bloom Time:  August to October
Attracts:  Bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Clump-forming perennial with white flowers.  Leaves emerge dark green with a blackish cast.
Notes: Blossoms resemble snapdragon flowers. Appreciates organically rich compost. 

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Plantaginaceae
Zone:  4 - 9
Natural Range:  Appalachian Mountains
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Sun, part shade
Height:  2'
Bloom Time:  July to September
Attracts:  Bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Upright, clump-forming perennial with pink flowers.  Glossy ovate leaves to just over three inches long and two inches wide.
Notes: Blossoms resemble snapdragon flowers. Appreciates organically rich compost.  Native to moist woodlands and streams. 

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Plantaginaceae
Zone:  5 - 9
Natural Range:  Midwestern and Eastern US
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Sun, part shade
Height:  28"
Bloom Time:  July to September
Attracts:  Bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Clump-forming perennial with deep carmine rose flowers.
Notes:  Appreciates organically rich compost.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Chloranthaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Japan
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade
Height: 12" - 24"
Bloom Time:  March to May
Attributes:  Deciduous, serrated leaves.  White bead-like flowers.
Notes:  A little known woodlander that is great for texture in the shady garden.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Family: Saxifragaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range:  China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light:  Shade
Height:  10"
Bloom Time:  March to April
Attributes:  Succulent, bronze-pink new growth.  Whitish-pink flowers in late winter to early spring.
Notes: Great ground-cover for moist shade.

Pot Size:  4" Pot

Family:  Ranunculaceae
Zone:4 - 9
Natural Range:  North America
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  5'
Bloom Time:  August to September
Attracts:  Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Dark black-purple foliage greening up in the center later in the season.  Tall spikes of pink flowers in late summer to early fall.
Notes: Excellent foliage plant.  Best color when planted in more sun
 
Pot size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Ranunculaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: China, Japan, Korea
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich well drained
Light: Part sun
Height: 30"
Bloom Time: September
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous, clumping, Glossy basal , large lobed foliage with white bottle-brush like flowers.
Notes: Smaller scale Cimicifuga for the lightly shaded garden.  This form was found on Cheju Island.
Companion plants:  Asarum, Trillium, Epimedium, Cypripedium, Podophyllum

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Ranunculaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range:  South Korea; Chejudo Island
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Part sun
Height:  30"
Bloom Time:  August to September
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous. Clumping. Glossy silver leaves.  Tall spikes of white flowers
Notes:  Great smaller scale Cimicifuga for both foliage and flower.  syn. Actaea japonica

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Ranunculaceae
Zone:4 - 9
Natural Range:  North America
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  June to August
Attracts:  Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Bright green foliage.  Tall spikes of fragrant white flowers.
Notes: Vertical accent in the shady garden.
 
Pot size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Ranunculaceae
Zone:4 - 9
Natural Range:  North America
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  4'
Bloom Time:  August to September
Attracts:  Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Dark black-purple foliage.  Tall spikes of fragrant pink flowers in late summer to early fall.
Notes: Excellent foliage plant.  Best color when planted in more sun
 
Pot size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Ranunculaceae
Zone: 3 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich well drained
Light: Part sun, sun
Height: 35"
Bloom Time: September
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous, clumping, non-climbing variety, forming bushy upright habit.  Clusters of deep blue-purple flowers.  Fluffy seed head in fall. 
Notes: This form has darker flowers than the typical form.  Works well in a perennial border or lightly shaded garden.

Pot Size:1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Ranunculaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Hybrid
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich well drained
Light: Part sun, sun
Height: 4'
Bloom Time: May to July
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous, Four petaled indigo-violet nodding flowers.  Scrambling habit with flowers held above the foliage.

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot 3' tall

Great Plant Picks

Family: Colchicaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: Corsica
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun
Height: 6"
Bloom Time:  September
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes: Deciduous.  Summer dormant.  Grass like foliage.  Pink upward facing. flowers.
Notes:  Smaller stature compared to other species.  Quite rare in the wild and cultivation.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family: Cornaceae
Zone:2 - 8
Natural Range:North America
Soil:  Moist humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 4" - 8"
Bloom Time:  May to July
Attributes: Semi-evergreen.  Elliptic, glossy green leaves to 2" long formed in a false whorl at the top of a stem.  Flowers are surrounded with white bracts.  Clusters of red berries in late summer.
Notes:  Extremely attractive ground-cover once established.  Needs to be planted in the same type of soil as Rhododendrons and other Ericaceous plants.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family:  Papaveraceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China; Sichuan
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Height:  8"
Bloom Time: May to October
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Semi-evergreen, clumping. Fragrant blue flowers spring through summer.  Dark blue-gray foliage.  Turns red-orange in more sun.
Notes:  Keep moist to retain the foliage, blooms sporadically all season.  Introduced by Dan Hinkley.  A reliable and hardier species for temperate gardens.  This species grows from a rhizome rather than a bulb.

Pot Size: Quart

Family:  Iridaceae
Zone: 6 - 10
Natural Range: Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Sun
Height:  30"
Bloom Time: August to September
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies, bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous, clumping.  Tall spikes of re-curved, star-like deep reddish orange flowers with dark center.  Larger flowers than typical.
Notes: Thrives in the hot sunny herbaceous border.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family:  Iridaceae
Zone: 6 - 10
Natural Range: Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Sun
Height:  30"
Bloom Time: August to September
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies, bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous, clumping.  Tall spikes of re-curved, star-like deep red buds and petals with contrasting yellow-orange inside.
Notes: Thrives in the hot sunny herbaceous border.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot