Perennials and Bulbs

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 36"
Attributes:  Deciduous, A flowering plant with two umbrella like, deeply lobed leaves.  Large dangling red flowers spring. Clumping rhizome.
Notes:  Podophyllum can take a few years before settling totally in and get better and better every year.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: Himalayas, China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 6"
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Pink flared flowers on the ground before the foliage emerges and elongates.
Notes: In the wild this species grows in an open position and does best when not planted in too much shade.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Primulaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 2'
Bloom Time:May to July
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Bees, Butterflies
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous. Spikes of multi - tiered whorled yellow blooms in late spring. Lance shaped leaves formed in a rosette.
Notes:  A long lived perennial that looks great when planted in masses with Iris.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Great Plant Picks

Family:Primulaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: Southeastern Tibet; Tsangpo
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun, sun
Height: 47”
Bloom Time: May to July
Attracts:Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Resistant to: Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous. Rosette forming. Butter yellow to orange bell flowers a top of the scape. Lightly scented.
Notes:An easy and rewarding perennial that has proven to be shade tolerant and still floriferous.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Japan
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 2'
Attributes:  Deciduous, Spikes of multi - tiered whorled crimson blooms mid spring.  Lance shaped leaves formed in a rosette.
Notes:  A long lived perennial that looks great when planted in masses with Iris.
Companion plants:  Rheum, Aconitum, Iris, Gunnera, ferns

Great Plant Picks

Family:Primulaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun, sun
Height: 24"
Bloom Time: May to July
Attracts:Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Bees
Resistant to: Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:Evergreen, glossy foliage.  Tall stems with whorls of dark cherry red bell flowers and yellow center.
Notes: Unique and eye-catching.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Ranunculaceae
Zone: 3 - 8
Natural Range: North America, Europe
Soil: Average, well drained
Light: Sun to Part sun
Height: 12"
Bloom Time: March to April
Attributes: Deciduous ferny foliage.  Blue-violet flowers followed by fluffy plume-like seed heads in spherical clusters.
Notes:  Drought tolerant in cooler climates.

Pot Size: 4" Band Pot

Family:  Ranunculaceae
Zone: 4 - 8
Natural Range: Europe, Southwestern Asia
Soil: Average, well drained
Light: Sun to Part sun
Height: 12"
Bloom Time: April to May
Attributes: Deciduous ferny foliage.  Purple or red flowers followed by fluffy plume-like seed heads in spherical clusters.
Notes:  Drought tolerant in cooler climates.

Pot Size: 4" Band Pot

Family:  Ranunculaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: Europe
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Sun to Part sun
Height: 24"
Bloom Time: March to May
Attributes: Deciduous.  Tall wispy stems above deep green palmately lobed foliage.  Numerous, bright yellow double flowers with a bit of green in the center.
Notes:  Makes great cut flowers.

Pot Size: 4" Band Pot

Family:Saxifragaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 36"
Bloom Time: June to August
Attributes: Deciduous. Clumping. Four foot plumes of white colored, lightly scented star flowers.  Large foliage
Notes: A favorite for its beautiful foliage, especially when planted in mass.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: Moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 32 - 48 inches
Attributes: Deciduous.  Narrow pinnate, chocolate new growth with thick veining.  Showy rose-pink buds and lighter pink open flowers early summer.
Notes:  Originally I started growing this form for its noted foliage but discovered that the flowers are the best attribute.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: Moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 32 - 48 inches
Attributes: Deciduous.  Narrow pinnate foliage with thick veining.  Showy light pink flowers early summer.
Notes:  Large bold foliage topped with layers of flowers.  Great for pollinators.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Japan, Korea
Soil: moist, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 36" - 48" tall
Attributes: Deciduous. Blooms early summer.  Plumes of white flowers.  Large palmate foliage emerging bronze turning reddish orange as the season progresses.  
Notes:  This form keeps its bronze - orange to brilliant red color when planted in afternoon sun. If in morning sun or more shade the foliage will turn more green.  Used as a large textural foliage plant.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Zone: 5-8
Natural Range: China, Japan, Korea
Soil: moist, humus rich
Light: part sun
Height: 32 - 48 inches
Attributes: Deciduous.  Billows of small white flowers.  Red new growth slowly turning bronze and chocolate then to greenish.
Notes:  This form has luxurious red new growth in the spring.  Plant among other larger foliage plants.  According to two of my fellow growers and plant enthusiasts this is the best foliage form of Rodgersia that they grow.  Keep growing it they say.

Pot Size: 4" Band Pot

Family:  Aparagaceae
Zone:  7 - 10
Natural Range:  China
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Part shade, shade
Height:  16" - 36"
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Dark green leaves with light green-yellow midrib.  Unusual green flowers.
Notes: Forms a loose clump of rich green leaves.  Related genera are Tupistra and Campylandra.

Pot size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Zingiberaceae
Zone: 5 - 9

Natural Range: Nepal
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich, well drained

Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 10”
Bloom Time:  June to August
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous. Compact foliage with red stems and large red flowers resembling an orchid.
Notes:  According to some sources was introduced in the early 1980s, but according to John Grimshaw was actually introduced as late as 1992 by Oxford University’s Ganesh expedition. This scarce beauty is only now becoming available in the US.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Bhutan, Myanmar, Tibet, China; Sichuan, Yunnan provinces
Soil: moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: part shade, sun
Height: 8"
Attributes: Deciduous. Blooms summer.  Purple flowers found in the center of a rosette of leaves.
Notes:  In the wild Roscoea tibetica grows in sunny alpine meadows occasionally growing near a closely related species Roscoea alpina.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot 

Family:Zingiberaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Hybrid; Roscoea auriculata x R. cautleyoides
Soil: Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 12” – 18”
Bloom Time: July to August
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous, Clumping. Reddish buds and bracts.  Long blooming creamy white-yellowish orchid like flowers often with purple blotching on the lip.   Thick fleshy corn like foliage. Flowers open in succession.
Notes:A little known very hardy Ginger that adapts well to the garden. In the wild Roscoea grows at high elevations in open forests, perennial meadows and among Rhododendrons.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:Lamiaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Himalayas
Soil:Average, humus rich
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 4'
Attracts:  Hummingbirds, Bees
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Bloom Time: July to September
Attributes:Deciduous, scented foliage.  Tall stems with many yellow flowers.
Notes:Even in our mostly shady and wet garden Salvia campanulata has proven very adaptable and versatile. 

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Family:Lamiaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Japan
Soil:Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade
Height: 2'
Attracts:  Hummingbirds, Bees, Butterflies
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Bloom Time: August to October
Attributes:Deciduous, scented foliage.  Somewhat trailing stems with cordate-saggittate leaves to 6" long.  Yellow flowers.
Notes:Great shade tolerant species that does best in part shade but can grow in mostly shade.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Roseaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: Europe
Soil:  Average, moist, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height:  3' - 6'
Bloom Time: Mid summer to fall
Attracts: Butterflies,Bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Deciduous, clumping. Pinnate leaves.  Tall catkin-like flowers.
Notes:  Long lived perennial that attracts many pollinators.

Pot Size: 4" Band Pot

Family:  Roseaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: Japan
Soil:  Average, moist, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height:  36"
Bloom Time: Late summer
Attracts: Butterflies,Bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Deciduous, clumping. Pinnate leaves.  Tall catkin-like pink flowers.
Notes:  Long lived perennial that attracts many pollinators.

Pot Size: 4" Band Pot

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone:  6 - 9
Natural Range: Japan
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: part shade
Height: 12"
Bloom Time: May to June
Attributes: Evergreen, scalloped green leaves with silver markings between the veining.  Numerous white flowers.
Notes:  From Gotemba Nursery in Japan.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone:  6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: part shade
Height: 12"
Bloom Time: May to June
Attributes: Evergreen, scalloped green leaves with silver markings between the veining.  Numerous white flowers.
Notes:  Collected in China by Dan Hinkley.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone:  6 - 9
Natural Range: Spain, North Africa
Soil:  average, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 2" - 4"
Bloom Time: May to June
Attributes: Evergreen rosettes of gray-white toothed leaves.  White flowers held above the foliage.
Notes:  Saxifraga longifolia is found growing on rocky outcroppings in the Pyrenees and Atlas Mountains.

Pot Size:  4" Pot

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade-shade
Height: Flower spikes 12"-18"
Attributes:  Evergreen, Yellow leaves pink underside of the leaf.  Flowers are white with red spotting.
Notes:  The low rosette of foliage is attractive with a radiating pattern of color emanating from the base.  The flowers look like butterflies hovering above.  These will form patches from red runners where new plants form at the tips.

Pot Size:  4" Pot

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: Flower spikes 12"-18"
Attributes:  Evergreen, Silver and green with pink underside of the leaf.  Flowers are white with red spotting.
Notes:  The low rosette of foliage is attractive with a radiating pattern of color emanating from the base.  The flowers look like butterflies hovering above.  These will form patches from red runners where new plants form at the tips.

Pot Size:  4" Pot

Family:  Malvaceae
Zone:  6 - 9
Natural Range:  PNW
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light:  Sun, part shade
Height:  36"
Bloom Time:  May to July
Attracts:  Butterflies, Bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Rosettes of small glossy palmate leaves.  Vibrant pink flowers on tall spikes.
Notes:  Great for pollinators.
 
Pot size:  4" Pot

Family:  Stemonaceae
Zone:  7 - 9
Natural Range:  China, Japan
Soil:  Average, moist, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Height:  4'
Bloom Time:  July to August
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Vine like perennial with whorled leaves.  Green-yellow flower with purple stamens. 
Notes: Used medicinally.
 
Pot size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Asteraceae
Zone:5 - 9
Natural Range: China, Japan
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 2' tall foliage, 6' tall flower stems.
Bloom Time:  June to July
Attributes: Deciduous.  Unusual umbels of upward facing pink, and white flowers.  Silver, pubescent new growth.  Mature foliage can be more than 1' across with deeply toothed, narrow foliage.  Toothed segments are finer and more serrated than S. palmata.
Notes: This woodland composite is a must have for the foliage enthusiast.  In early spring the foliage emerges from the soil looking like Shaggy Mane Mushrooms.  One of three species of Syneilesis.  S. aconitifolia over time will form a sizeable patch, creating an invaluable focal point in the shady garden.  I have found that S aconitifoia can take a more sun than s. palmata but needs to kept cool and moist. One of my top five favorite foliage plants

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: China, Japan
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light:  Part shade, shade
Attributes:  Deciduous, foliage is 24" tall bloom spikes are up to 7' tall.  Blooms in summer. Unusual umbells of upward facing pink, and white flowers.  Silver, pubescent new growth.  Mature foliage can be more than 1' across with deeply toothed, narrow foliage.  Broadly toothed segments. 
Notes:  This woodland composite is a must have for the foliage enthusiast.  In early spring the foliage emerges from the soil looking like Shaggy Mane Mushrooms.  One of three species of Syneilesis.  S. palmata over time will form a sizeable patch, creating an invaluable focal point in the shady garden.  I have found that S. palmata takes shade better than s. acontifolia but needs to keept cool and moist.  Syneilesis palmata is reported to adapt well to a moderately dry shaded garden.  One of my top five favorite foliage plants.  Rare but becoming increasingly popular with collectors.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot