Flowers

Agastache x ‘Blue Fortune’ (Anise Hyssop) – Direct from the Trompenberg Arboretum on Holland comes this great new addition to the perennial garden.  Growing to 3-4’ in height, the plants produce blue flowers from June until October!!  The foliage is nicely scented and has proven to be deer resistant.  Best grown in full sun, in well-drained soils.

Amsonia hubrichtii (Blue Star Amsonia) – Looking for a nearly indestructible perennial for moist or dry sites?  Here is another answer!  Clusters of blue flowers appear in late April through early June.  The foliage is very narrow, and provides great summer texture.  In the fall, the plants turn an attractive gold that lasts for 2 months.  Full sun or light shade is soil that in moist to dry.  Grows to 30” tall and wide.

Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Blue Ice’ (Blue Star Amsonia) – Wider foliage than the above with a deeper blue flower.  Grows to 24” in height.

Amsonia x ‘Seaford Skies’ (Blue Star Amsonia) – Growing to 30”, this plant was originally found in Seaford Virginia.  It has sky blue flowers in May and the foliage is intermediate between the two parents (A. hubrectii and A. tabernaemontana). 

Anemone sylvestris (Wood Anemone) – White flowers in May and June, with a repeat bloom in the fall.  Great for the shade garden and those preferring to use native plants.

Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Clementine Red’ (Columbine) – A very attractive double red flowering form.  Ideal for a woodland garden. 

Artemesia ‘Powis Castle’ (Artemesia, Wormwood) – An attractive silver foliaged perennial that has a multitude of uses in the garden.  Growing to 3’ tall and wide, it is a great plant for the hot dry location in the perennial or the mixed border.  Winter hardy to zone 7.

Aruncus aesthusifolius (Goats Beard) – The Asian cousin of our native.  Only growing to one foot, the delicate fern-like foliage provides the perfect backdrop for the white flowers, which strongly resemble those of Astilbe.  Great for the shade garden.

Astilbe arendsii ‘Burgundy Red’ (Astilbe) – A very early blooming form with bright red flowers.  Usually blooms in May into June.  Astilbe enjoys a lightly shaded location, with evenly moist and fertile soils.  Foliage will scorch in dry sun.

Astilbe simplicifolia ‘Pink Lightening’ (Astilbe) – Attractive dark green foliage, over which float light pink, airy flowers.  A compact habit to 15”.  Culture is the same as above.

Baptisia alba var. macrophylla (White False Indigo) – If you like the disease and carefree attributes of the regular False Indigo, you will love this white flowered form.  Growing to 4’, it produces white flowers in May.  Full sun, well-drained soils.  A carefree group of plants.

Baptisia sphaerocarpa ‘Screaming Yellow’ (False Indigo) – A new release with real yellow flowers in June into July.  Full sun.

Baptisia x Carolina Moonlight (False Indigo) – A nice pale yellow form of Baptisia, a color that works well with any perennial combination!

Baptisia x ‘Purple Smoke’ (False Indigo) – Dark purple stems give rise to smoky blue flowers.  Only growing to 30”, it also has smaller foliage than the straight species, which makes it ideal for the small garden.

Baptisia x ‘Twilight Prairie Blues’ (False Indigo) – The dark purple stems give rise to blue flowers that are yellow at the base.  A very attractive new cross from the Chicago Botanic Garden, it typically blooms well into June on 3-4’ tall plants.

Bergenia x ‘Bressingham Ruby’ (Leather Pigsqueak) – The foliage is thick and leathery, which gives rise to its common name (it sounds like a pig squeaking when the leaves rub together).  The foliage than turns a gorgeous maroon red for the winter.  In April, umbels of pink flowers appear.  A carefree plant, ideal for shade or sun.

Bletilla striata (Hardy Orchid) – Deep pink orchid flowers in June over attractive wide green foliage.  Sound too tropical to be true?  Bletilla is an orchid that is hardy in NJ!  Grow in light shade in soils that are rich in organic matter and evenly moist.

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Langtrees’ (Heartleaf Brunnera) – Combining well with Lamium, Langtrees has large green leaves with small silver flecks.  Blue flowers in May.

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Looking Glass’ (Heartleaf Brunnera) – The leaves are almost completely covered with silver, making it a great addition to the shady border.  Attractive light blue flowers appear in May.

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Variegata’ (Variegated Heartleaf Brunnera) – Green margins with white splashes throughout the center of the leaf make this yet another great addition to the shade garden!  Blue flowers appear in May.

Caryopteris incana Sunshine Blue™ (Bluebeard) – Great golden foliage throughout the growing season, with blue flowers in July and August.  A choice plant for the sunny perennial or mixed border.  Soil should be well drained. 

Centranthus ruber ‘Coccineus’ (Red Valerian) – A plant that thrives on neglect!  Rose-red flowers spikes appear from early to mid summer on a plant that grows to 2’.  Plants prefer a slightly limey soil, and perform well in rock gardens and in walls.

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides ‘My Love’ (Leadwort) – Chartreuse foliage from May to October with cobalt blue flowers in August and September.  Foliage turns brilliant red in October.  A great addition for the dry shady garden, but it can also withstand a considerable amount of sun without leaf scorch.

Chrysogonum virginianum var. australe (Gold Star) – Although perfectly hardy, this is the Southern form of our native wildflower.  It has a nice low compact habit, only growing to 6” and dark green foliage.  The golden yellow flowers are produced in profusion from late April through early June, often with repeat blooms during the fall.

Delosperma cooperi (Ice Plant) – If you have a tough, dry, sunny location that seems to be the deathbed to most plants, try Ice Plant.  Although it is invasive in the West, it is restrained in the northeast.  Magenta flowers cover the succulent foliage from late May to July, with sporadic blooms occurring until frost.  Plants grow to 2-4” in height.

Delosperma ‘Mesa Verde’ (Ice Plant) – A new form with iridescent copper flowers that was discovered at Denver Botanic Gardens. Patented. Size and culture as above.

Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’ – The 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year!  Low, grassy blue foliage supports shocking pink and fragrant flowers in spring into summer.  Provide conditions with full sun and good drainage.

Dicentra spectabilis (Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart) – The classic plant, with pink heart shaped flowers in May.  Best in shade.

Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’ (Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart) – Similar to the above, but the flowers are white!   Great for brightening up a dark corner of the shade garden.

Dicentra x ‘Luxuriant’ (Ever Blooming Bleeding Heart) – Cherry red flowers appear in great quantities in May/June, and again in the fall.  Foliage is fern-like and effective from spring to fall.  Best in light shade.

Epimedium grandiflorum ‘Rose Queen’ (Barrenwort) – A truly tough groundcover that can withstand dry shade.  Rose Queen has large pink flowers in May, over attractive heart-shaped foliage. 

Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten’ (Barrenwort) – Similar to the above but the flowers are yellow with a golden brown center and the foliage is evergreen!

Epimedium x rubrum (Barrenwort) – Similar to the above, but the flowers are deep red, the plants spread slightly more aggressively, and it is not evergreen.

Euphorbia ‘Bonfire’ (Spurge) - A spectacular variegated form! Blue-green foliage with an irregular creamy-white margin and pink in the new growth. Plants have a bushy, compact habit and chartreuse flowers in April and May. Prefers full sun to light shade, with well-drained soils and grows to a height 10 – 14”.

Euphorbia ‘Tasmanian Tiger’ (Spurge) – Narrow foliage of blue green edged in white, which is evergreen in a location protected from winter winds.  In spring, the terminal buds reveal large flowers of pale yellow and cream with green centers.  The plants grow to 2-3’ in height, in soils that are well drained and in full or light shade.

Geranium ‘New Hampshire Purple’ (Hardy Geranium) – Looking for a ground cover that is drought tolerant and has rose purple flowers that appear most of the summer?  Once again, you have found your plant!  Full sun to light shade, growing to a height of 12”.

Geranium sanguineum (Bloody Geranium) – Magenta purple flowers cover this 15-21” tall perennial in May into June.  The plant is also extremely drought tolerant and adaptable to either full sun or light shade.  Good for using in masses.

Geranium sanguineum var. striatum (Bloody Geranium) – Similar to the above, but the flowers are light pink with deep pink veins, and the plant only reaches 9-12” in height.

Geranium x ‘Rozanne’ (Cranesbill) – Introduced by Blooms of England, this plant is barely without flowers from spring through summer.  Large purple-blue flowers with pale blue centers cover the plant in spring, and continue to bloom through August!  Foliage is finely dissected and reaches 15” in height.

Hedera helix ‘Buttercup’ (English Ivy) – A yellow leaved English Ivy, it makes a wonderful climber, or a detail groundcover for the shade.  However, if the shade is too deep, the plant will turn green.

Hedera helix ‘Gold Heart’ (English Ivy) – A golden yellow splash of color in the center of the leaf.

Hedera helix ‘Telecurl’ (English Ivy) – A semi-dwarf form with twisted leaves and stems.

Hedera colchica ‘Sulfur Heart’ (Persian Ivy) – Large green leaves with a golden yellow center.  Leaves are dependable evergreen. 

Hedera colchica ‘Dentata Variegata’ (Persian Ivy) – Irregularly shaped white margins on the leaf make this groundcover a nock-out.  The plants are evergreen and drought tolerant.

Helleborus niger ‘Josef Lemper’ (Christmas Rose) – Grey green foliage gives rise to large white flowers in late February or March.  Prefers well-drained soils and protection from the afternoon sun.  On of the true great harbingers of spring.

Helleborus x Brandywine™ (Lenten Rose) – Often blooming at Easter, the Brandywine seed strain are produced from hand crossing selected plants to produce a wide range of flower colors, which come in singles, anemone and double forms.  Best in a shady garden where they can be appreciated in early spring.

Helleborus x ‘Mellow Yellow Strain’ (Lenten Rose) – Similar to the above, but the flower colors are within the yellow range.

Helleborus x ‘Pink Lady’ (Lenten Rose) – Mostly outward facing soft pink flowers.  Culture as above.

Helleborus x ‘Regal Ruffles Strain’ (Lenten Rose) – Double flowers in shades of pink, red, yellow, greens and picotees. 

Helleborus x Royal Heritage Strain™ – Very vigorous plants, often growing to 20”, that produce pink, white and purple flowers in late winter.  Also best grown with some protection from the afternoon sun.

Heuchera villosa ‘Bronze Wave’ (Alum Root) – Bronze foliage to 18” makes this native plant a great addition to the shade garden.  Large masses of white flowers in summer into fall give this plant great seasonal interest. 

Heuchera villosa ‘Caramel’ (Alum Root) – Copper foliage with hints of yellow throughout the year makes this an ideal plant to work into the border with other flowers and shrubs.

Heuchera villosa ‘Mocha’ (Alum Root) – Similar to the above, but the foliage is a dark red, almost purple.  Great for using in the perennial or the mixed border.

Heuchera x ‘Obsidian’ (Coral Bells) – One of the very darkest purples on the market!  Purple-black shinny foliage set the stage for the white flowers in late spring.  

Heucherella x ‘Dayglow Pink’ (Foamy Bells) – A cross of Heuchera and Tiarella, Dayglow Pink has attractive pink flowers from May to July over green foliage marked with silver tracings.  Full sun to light shade in humus rich, well-drained soils.

Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Kopper King’ (Mallow) – Striking copper colored foliage sets the stage for the large white flowers with a red center.  Grows to 3-4’ in height.  Ideal for the perennial or mixed border, Kopper King does best in full sun and soils that are not droughty.  Is tolerant of wet sites.

Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Lady Baltimore’ (Mallow) – As above, but the foliage is green and the flowers are large pink bells.  At the Rutgers Gardens, they have reached 6’ in height and bloom from July through September!

Hosta ‘August Moon’ (Plantain Lily) – A neat and easy to grow group of plants.  All will grow nicely in the shade; some will also perform well in the sun with proper amounts of humus added to the soil.  Each selection has different heights and foliar patterns or color that makes them unique.  August Moon is to 20” with chartreuse foliage and light blue flowers.

Hosta ‘Baby Bunting’ – Tiny gray-green leaves.  A dwarf, growing to 6-8”.

Hosta ‘First Mate’ – Narrow golden leaves with a green border.  Mature height 10”.

Hosta ‘Captain Kirk’ – Wide green margins contract nicely with lighter yellow centers. Mature height 18 – 20”.

Hosta ‘Fried Banana’ - A newer Hosta that grows in an open mound of gold, glossy, heart shaped leaves. You can grow this Hosta in near full sun with no burning. Large, fragrant, lavender flowers with a mature height 20 – 24” tall.

Hosta ‘Guacamole’ – Chartreuse to light green leaves with a dark green margin.  Lavender white flowers.

Hosta ‘Sagae’ – Winner of several awards! A stunning specimen Hosta with frosted green leaves and creamy-yellow margins. A large growing plant with good slug resistance. Mature height of 3’.

Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ – Very large chartreuse foliage with tall lavender flowers in August.

Hosta ‘White Christmas’ – Mounds of variegated, wavy leaves with a large pure white center and a thin dark green accenting the edged. Racemes of bell-shaped, lavender flowers appear in summer. Mature height 10 – 18” tall.

Hypericum calycinum ‘Brigadoon’ (St. Johnswort) – Brigadoon is great for adding some color to a border.  Between the bright golden foliage and yellow flowers that bloom throughout the summer, this plant works hard for its place in the garden!  Provide a location with full sun and well-drained soil; it is drought tolerant once established.

Iris cristata ‘Powder Blue Giant’ (Dwarf Crested Iris) – A selection of our native Iris, this is a more vigorous selection, with large light blue flowers with yellow crests.  Blooming in May, Crested Iris makes an ideal groundcover is dry and shaded locations.

Lamium maculatum ‘Orchid Frost’ (Spotted Nettle) – A great groundcover for light shade.  The foliage has central blotches of silver, surrounded by a blue-green margin, providing interest from April to December.  Orchid Frost is exceptional in that it produces large quantities of pink flowers in spring and again in the fall, with occasional flowers throughout the summer.

Lavendula x intermedia ‘Grosso’ (Lavender) – The silver/gray foliage is evergreen and is extremely fragrant. Dark blue flowers appear in June through August.  Prefers full sun and well-drained soils.

Liriope muscarii ‘Big Blue’ (Lilyturf) – Clump forming with long grass-like foliage to 16”, the selection produces large, blue spikes of flowers in late summer.  Shade to sun, in well-drained soils.

Liriope muscarii ‘Christmas Tree’ (Lilyturf) – Clump forming with long grass-like foliage to 14”, the selection produces large, purple ‘Christmas Tree’ like flowers in late summer.  Shade to sun, in well-drained soils.

Liriope muscarii ‘Variegata’ (Variegated Lilyturf) – Chartreuse and green striped grassy foliage, growing to 14” tall.  In the sun, the chartreuse bands become more golden.  Shade to sun, in well-drained soils.  

Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny) – Small round chartreuse leaves on creeping stems make this a great groundcover or filler plant for containers or the border.  Is happy in full sun or light shade in soils that are slightly to very moist.

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) – A terrific native plant for moist or shady locations in the garden, although it will grow nicely in well-drained soils.  Tall spikes of scarlet flowers are produced in June and July, which are great for attracting hummingbirds. 

Nepeta x faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ (Catmint) – The 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year, Walkers Low grows to 15” tall, and provides blue flowers from early summer to early autumn.  The light gray foliage is aromatic and deer resistant.

Ophiopogon japonica ‘Nana’ (Dwarf Lilyturf) – Growing to 2” tall, this super groundcover for dry shade is perfect for that detail accent.  Foliage is evergreen and grass-like, with metallic blue fruits in the fall!

Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Pachysandra) – Our native Pachysandra, it has a much more showy white flower in spring than does its oriental cousin.  Leaves turn purplish in the winter.  Shade, well drained soils high in organic content.

Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue) – The 1996 Perennial Plant of the Year, it has deep burgundy red foliage, and pinkish white flowers on tall stems.  Best in full sun and well-drained soils.

Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’ (Fleece Flower) – Deep red spikes of flowers 3-5” long are produced from July to September.  Growing to 4’, it can be grown in sun or shade, although the broad textured foliage and red flowers look the best in some shade.  Moist site tolerant.

Persicaria polymorpha – Growing to 5’, this non-invasive plant will produce large white flowers in June and July.  Looks like a large Goats Beard.  Not fussy as to soil type (does not do well in overly wet soils), in sun or light shade. 

Phlox stolonifera ‘Blue Ridge’ (Creeping Phlox) – Low creeping foliage to 2 inches makes this native plant an ideal groundcover.  Covered in blue flowers in May, provide this plant with humus rich soils in light shade, and you will be rewarded for years to come.

Polemonium caeruleum ‘Bressingham Purple’ (Jacob’s Ladder) – Light blue flowers in spring cover foliage, which is initially tinged purple, turning to purple in summer.  Come autumn, the foliage regains its purple tinge.  Ideal for the shady garden in soils that do not become excessively dry for extended periods.  Height of 15”.

Polemonium reptans ‘Stairway to Heaven’ (Jacob’s Ladder) – A great shade loving native plant.  This selection has foliage with white margins, often tinged with pink, providing a tri-colored affect.  Blue flowers appear above the foliage in May.  Grows to a height of 24”.  Culture as above.

Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (Variegated Solomon’s Seal) – For the woodland garden, the foliage of this plant has been described as butterflies unfolding their wings in spring!  The leaves have a slender white margin, and dangling white bell shaped flowers beneath the foliage.  In autumn, the foliage turns to a deep, robust yellow.

Rodgersia pinnata ‘Chocolate Wings’ (Featherleaf Rodgersia)  – Large bronze-chocolate foliage is the backdrop for the May floral display of pink flowers that fade to red over the summer.  Best in light shade and moist soils; looks great besides a pond or stream, with a height of 3-4’

Rodgersia pinnata ‘Fireworks’ (Featherleaf Rodgersia) – Tall, rose-red flowers appear above dramatic red margined large leaves.  Best grown moist shade or in soils that are enriched with humus, it reaches 3’ in height.

Rodgersia pinnata ‘Hercules’ (Featherleaf Rodgersia) – Bold and robust, the tall red flowers in May age to pink over large, coarse bronzy foliage, which ages to green in summer.  Culture as above.

Salvia nemerosa ‘East Friesland’ (Salvia) – Similar to May Night, but the flowers are more blue than purple.

Salvia nemerosa ‘May Night’ (Salvia) – Looking for a blast of deep purple flowers in June into July?  May Night produces 12” long spikes of purple flowers in the early summer, and again in the early fall if the plant is sheared back after blooming.  Full sun, moist but well-drained soils.  The 1997 Perennial Plant of the Year!

Sedum makinoi ‘Ogon’  – A native of Japan, this creeping sedum has bright-yellow foliage and is great in sun or light shade.  Provide soils with moderate moisture and good drainage; mature height 1” – 2”.

Sedum sieboldii (October Daphne) - Thick blue leaves, often flushed with red, on arching stems. Pink flowers appear in October.  Best grown in full sun in well-drained soils; mature height 10”.

Sempervivum ‘Black’ (Hens and Chicks) – Rosettes of dark, dark red foliage give this succulent an almost black appearance.  Full sun, well-drained soils.

Sempervivum ‘Silverine’ (Hens and Chicks) – Silvery-green rosettes with reddish purple flush at the base and deep pink flowers.  Full sun and good drainage is necessary.

Sisyrinchium angustifolium ‘Lucerne’ (Blue Eyed Grass) – A native plant with grassy textured foliage to 8”.  Small blue flowers appear in May and June.  Great for dry shade or will grow in average garden soil in a sunny location.

Tiarella cordifolia ‘Running Tapestry’ (Foamflower) – Discovered in Pennsylvania, this running form creates a great groundcover.  White flowers in May over bronze speckled foliage.  Best grown in light shade in humus rich and well-drained soils.

Tiarella x ‘Pink Skyrocket’ (Foamflower) – Pink flowers in spring and summer with green foliage.  Will tolerate full sun in humus rich soils, otherwise partial shade is ideal.

Tradescantia x ‘Sweet Kate’ (Spiderwort) – Golden yellow foliage with blue flowers from May into July!  A spectacular plant for the lightly shaded location and well-drained soils. 

Yucca filamentosa ‘Color Guard’ (Variegated Adam’s Needle)  – Broad spiky foliage, accented by creamy- gold centers and green margins. Leaves take on a rose color in cold weather.  White flowers along 4’ tall spikes in May into June. Color Guard is tolerant of dry, poor soils, maturing to a height of 2’– 4’.

Hardy Ferns

Arachnoides simplicior ‘Variegata’ (East Indian Holly Fern) – A low growing fern, to 12” tall, the central rib is light green, providing a very striking variegated appearance.  The fronds are evergreen and it is hardy to zone 7.

Athyrium filix-femina ‘Lady in Red’ (Lady Fern) – Clump forming and to 2’ tall, this very elegant and lacey fern has a red central stem, making it all the more becoming.  Can tolerate some sun, but best in the shade. 

Athyrium ‘Ghost’ (Ghost Fern) – The leaf fronds are silver-white in appearance!  A spreading plant, it is a great addition to that dark shady corner.

Athyrium nipponicum ‘Pictum’ (Japanese Painted Fern) – Silver, purple and green foliage make this fern a staple for the shady garden.  Plants will slowly expand and become a sizable groundcover in time for the shady garden spot.  The 2004 Perennial Plant of the Year.

Dryopteris atrata - Shaggy Shield Fern. Fronds have gold-green color contrasting nicely with other darker green ferns. Mature height 18” – 24”.

Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern) – Slowly forming a colony, this fern develops to heights of 4’ in moist shady locations.  A beautiful fern, the fiddleheads are edible and considered a gourmet food at many retail establishments.

Osmunda cinnamomea - Cinnamon Fern. Although this fern takes its name from the rusty wool that is very abundant on the new fronds in spring, it also has tall fertile leaves in the center of the plant that are covered with cinnamon colored sporangia and provide great ornamental interest. A native plant, growing best in moist soils or standing water with a mature height 3’ – 4’.

Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern) – Very neat coarsely divided foliage on large, erect fronds. Plants mature to a height 3’ – 5’ and grow best in moist shade.

Polystichum polyblepharum (Tassel Fern) – A wonderful fern, with beautiful, shiny, deep-green foliage.  It develops into a full, thick clump, with a mature height 12” – 24”. The plants grow best in light shade in soils that are moist but not permanently wet.

Tropical Ferns  (All these ferns will overwinter well indoors.)

Adiantum hispidulum ‘Rosy Maidenhair’ (Maidenhair Fern) – Wonderful horseshoe-shaped fronds that have a delicate red color to the new growth.

Asplenium bulbiferum (Mother Fern) – A lacy fern with light green, waxy fronds.  The species epithet refers to the small bulbets that form along the fronds.  A good candidate for sun or shade, ultimately growing to 2’ tall. 

Nephrolepsis exaltata ‘Tiger’ (Boston Fern) – Each leaf is marbled or patterned with chartreuse, giving the plant an appearance of a Tiger!  Growing to 2’ in height.

 

 

Last Modified: 1/23/077, rugardens@njaes.rutgers.edu.
©2008 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey