Agastache ‘Black Adder’

ACANTHUS spinosissimus (Bear's Breeches)    Leaves are dark green, spiny, very glossy and highly ornamental. The 2-2½ft., large clumps make a dramatic statement. Imposing spikes of mauve-pink rise 3-4ft. in midsummer. A stiking plant for both foliage and flower, and equally at home in the border or in a container. Easy, requiring only a site in full, or very light shade, with good drainage. Often listed as hardy to zone 6, but has overwintered reliably for us in the ground for many years, even self-sowing a bit. 

ACHILLEA (Yarrow)    Extremely hardy, free-flowering, needs well drained soil and full sun.  Good for cutting and drying. All are hardy to zone 3. 

‘Anthea’     30” stems bear light yellow flowers from early summer to early fall, above silver, felty upright foliage, more vigorous than ‘Moonshine’. New flowers form as old flowers fade away to produce a showier, extended bloom period. 

millefolium hybrids    These are carefree hybrids that thrive in average to poor, well drained soil in full sun and, with minimal cutting back, bloom virtually all summer.  Foliage is usually a pleasant shade of green with a light, ferny texture.  Plants recover quickly from hard pruning and, if so treated at the first sign of untidiness, will regrow into an attractive, fresh plant in a very short time.  Replication of plants could not be easier, simply dig and divide into as many pieces as needed.  Plants sometimes grow too vigorously for their own good, depleting nutrients and crowding other plants and we generally make it a practice to significantly reduce clump size every couple of years. 

‘Apricot Delight’ New    Developed in Holland and known for its long bloom time, unique flower color and sturdy, compact growth habit. Flowers develop in eye-catching clusters of a chameleon-like blend of pink, apricot and red on sturdy, upright stems, 13” high.  This is a garden designers dream plant with its sultry earth tones that compliment almost any scheme.

• 'Pomegranate'     Rich velvety red flowers over compact foliage, 24ins. tall.

‘Saucy Seduction’    Deep rose pink flowers on top of sturdy stems and thick foliage, a great garden performer, 26ins. tall. One of the new generation of garden yarrows that are lower growing with stronger, more upright stems. Zone 4

‘Terra Cotta’    Another earth-toned, designer-friendly yarrow, taller than ‘Apricot Delight’ at 30-36” but with similar rich earthy, burnt orange/yellow coloration. Begins blooming in early summer and, with deadheading, will continue throughout summer. Its unique color is invaluable for toning down stronger shades.

ACONITUM Monkshood  Monkshoods resemble Delphiniums in stature and foliage, but are longer -lived and tolerant of shade and moist (not soggy) soil. Bloom time ranges from mid to late summer to early fall. The taller, more stately varieties sometimes require staking. Hardy to Zone 3. Warning: all parts are poisonous.  .

cammarum 'Bressingham Spire’     3’ sturdy spikes, with violet-blue florets in summer.

• cammarum ‘Eleanor’     An improved ‘Bi-color’ that is more compact at only 40” tall. Near white flowers with a narrow blue edge in midsummer

carmichaelii'Arendsii'    3-4' sturdy spires of dark violet, hooded flowers that need no support. Blooms later than other Aconitum species, Sept.-Oct., persisting well into fall.  Combines effectively with Japanese Anemones for a late summer-early fall display.

AGASTACHE     This is a large group of plants that thrive in hot, dry, sunny places and bloom nonstop all summer long. Lots of them are hardy in Zone 5, while many others are more tender, but any that you can get your hands on are worth having. Plants are upright growing with flowers presented on spikes that rise, in most cases, well above the foliage. All parts of the plant are deliciously fragrant and irresistable to hummingbirds and butterflies. Look for tender agastache under "Tenders A" 

barberi 'Tutti Frutti'     Bright, fruit-punch pink flowers on erect, 4-6ft. stems all summer long.  One of the tallest of the group. Thrives in hot full sun with well drained soil. Consistently overwinters here in Whately, MA, (zone 5).

'Black Adder'     Strong, bottlebrush-like clusters of dark purple buds appear in early to mid summer and then open a lighter shade of purple creating an exciting two-toned effect.  Blooms continue uninterrupted through summer into fall.  Its foliage smells distinctly like black licorice when crushed, thus its common name, Anise Hyssop. Grow in full sun. Good drainage is important.  An easy to grow, long blooming perennial which has been completely hardy here in Whately, (zone 5).

'Purple Haze'    Smoky blue-violet flowers on 3ft. stalks with all the same great qualities of the above varieties. Coreopsis is in the forground.

AJUGA reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’      6” blue flower spikes in May over fast spreading, mat-forming, white, pink and purple variegated leaves. Happy almost everywhere, sun, shade, part-shade.

reptans ‘Purple Brocade’      Showy, bluish violet flowers in May-June on 6-8” spikes, with attractive deep green, scalloped floiage that has purple overtones. Exhibits a more restrained growth habit than many other Ajuga.

ALCEA (Hollyhock)     Officially biennial, but may live longer. Self-sows. Blooms all summer. 

ficifolia 'Mixed Singles'    A vigorous, hardy and easy to grow favorite that continues to appeal to so many gardeners who associate Hollyhocks with an earlier, less complicated era. Stately specimens can often be seen thriving on abandoned farm sites around New England. 6-7’ tall. Grows best and is less prone to hollyhock rust when given good, evenly moist soil in full sun. 

rosea ‘Black Beauty’    Almost black, single flowers, the deepest black. 6-8ft. tall. Blooms Jkune-Sept.

ALCEA rugosa (Russian hollyhock)     Large single pale yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves are produced on 6-7' stalks. Increasingly popular due to its classic form and resistance to hollyhock rust. Zones 3.

ALCHEMILLA (Lady's Mantle)    Beautiful foliage plants with sprays of chartreuse flowers in spring/early summer.  Prefers partial shade and moisture, with good drainage. Excellent groundcover and edging plant.  Cut flowers add an airy effect to arrangements, and dry well.  

Alchemilla erythropoda    A smaller, more compact Lady’s Mantle with small, gray-green leaves gathered in tight mounds, only 6” high. Plants can be massed to form an attractive and effective, weed-choking groundcover. Sprays of tiny yellow-green flowers are carried well above the foliage for a long period starting in late spring and continuing into summer, and, as cuts, flowers add a nice touch to indoor arrangements. Sun to part shade in average soil with even moisture. Zone 3.

Alchemilla siricata ‘Gold Strike’ New      Bright chartreuse umbels over velvety, gray-green, scalloped, kidney-shaped leaves. Selected as an improvement over Alchemilla mollis for its more compact, consistently tight, post-bloom habit which does not “open up” in the center. When massed, this dense habit creates an effective weed-choking barrier. Sun to part shade. Zone 3.

ALLIUM (Ornamental Onions)    Actually bulbs, ornamental onions come in many colors and sizes. Our offerings range from the outrageously large to the diminutive. The foliage on some species goes dormant during or just after flowering, so planting "full-foliaged" plants next door will cover up any unsightly dying leaves. 

aflatunense ‘Purple Sensation’    Dramatic 3" purple lilac spheres on 2-3' stems above basal foliage, blooms May June. A striking vertical accent as well as a fantastic cut flower. A member of the garlic family, alliums are rodent resistant and trouble free, asking only rich, well drained soil in full sun. Zone 4.

'Gladiator'     Spectacular, softball-size lilac-purple flowers bloom from late May into June on 3-4' stems. Foliage declines as flowering commences. Zone 5.

sphaerocephalon (Drumstick Allium)     Dark maroon, beefy, cone-shaped flowerheads on strong thin stems.  Blooms mid summer. This Allium stands out in any garden, effortlessly drawing attention with its vibrant color and stiff vertical habit, and, it naturalizes easily to become a welcome, permanent resident of the garden. 30" high. Zone 3.

senescens     Over time and unnoticed by staff this Allium increased in numbers and surprised us with the beautiful show you see in the picture. 15” tall, clumping, with golf ball sized amethyst globes for an extended time, starting in late summer. Self seeds enough to build a substantial community, also divides well,(a tough job if you don’t like the smell of onion!). We have it in front of Hemerocallis ‘Country Melody’ but there are no limits to its use in the sunny border. Easy to grow almost anywhere in full sun, providing a lot of garden bang for the buck!

Alstroemeria ‘Sweet Laura’     One of the best and hardiest varieties developed through the UCONN breeding program. Vigorous and heavy blooming, June-September. The lightly scented, yellow flowers are spotted and brushed mahogany-red. 30" tall. Excellent as a cut flower.

AMSONIAGraceful and long-lived native plants, with lovely and delicate foliage when not in bloom, and excellent yellow fall color. Pest free and low maintenance.

‘Blue Ice’    Compact growing with gorgeous deep lavender blue flowers blooming in spring. Longer blooming and stronger than the species,(A. montana?). 15in. tall mounds of dark green foliage transition to brilliant yellow in the fall. Zone 5.

hubrichtii    Thread-like leaves, with clusters of blue, star-shaped flowers in June-July. The soft, undulating light green foliage turns a beautiful orange/amber in Autumn. 4-5' tall, zone 5.

tabernaemontana var. salicifolia    A great plant that has it all: easy to grow, pretty pale blue starry flowers in May and June, and attractive willow-like foliage that turns a beautiful orange/gold in fall, 3'. Zones 3.

Anemone hupehensis ‘September Charm’     3’ stems bear flowers with petals that are colored rich pink on the inside and a darker shade of pink on Blooms Septimber - October.

sylvestris     Attractive clumps of dark green, sharply cut foliage from which arise flowering stems with slightly nodding, cupped-shaped, pure white, fragrant blooms. Total height of foliage and flowers is 18ins. Best in part shade where its glowing white flowers show to best advantage. Zone 3.

Anemone Tomentosa 'Berkshire Charm'    A fall blooming Anemone that has demonstrated reliable hardiness to zone 4.  Grows to 40ins. tall and enlivens the fall border with large, single,  pink flowers.

tomentosa ‘Robustissima’    This 3ft. tall, branching, vigorous colonizer produces masses of pale pink flowers that dance on the midsummer and early fall wind. Zone 4

x hybrida (Japanese Anemone)     Aristocrats of the late summer-early fall border, Japanese Anemones bloom in shades of white to rich pink, with flower forms from singles to semi-doubles and doubles, rising on stems 2-3' tall, well above the clumps of deep green foliage. Provide rich, organic soil, with good drainage, particularly in winter. Zone 5. Winter protection may not be necessary, but provides some peace of mind.  These beauties are well worth any degree of fuss.

'Honorine Jobert'    This compact Japanese hybrid produces 3-4’ graceful, branching stems bearing single, pure white blossoms, with yellow center stamens. Sept-Oct. Elegant, long-blooming and vigorous. Deer resistant. Zone 5.  

ANGELICA gigas    Curiouser and curiouser are these intriguing, extraterrestrial buds and flowers. 4-5in. wide, oxblood red, flat topped panicles emerge from large, exotic looking, horizontal buds, never failing to astonish and amaze no matter how often witnessed. The unique flower color and form bring excitment to even the tamest border. Blooms July - August. Grow in full sun in good to average, moist, but well drained soil. Zone 4.

Angelica archangelica New      6" greenish white umbels are carried high on sturdy 5-6' stems. Blooms late June-July, biennial. These are stately, towering plants once grown mainly for their herbal qualities, but now valued as much for their dramatic ornamental impact. Prefers rich, moisture retentive soil and will do well even in wet places such as pond or stream edge and boggy, difficult spots where little else will prosper. Its commanding architecture brings beauty to locations that might otherwise be considered too inhospitable. Full sun to light shade. Zone 5.

AQUILEGIA (Columbine)    Spring and early summer flowering. Prefers rich, moist soil in light shade; good drainage extends life. Columine are an important early source of nectar for returning hummingbirds. Unless otherwise noted, all cultivars are hardy to zone 3.

‘Dorothy Rose’      Light, rose-pink flowers of the "hose-in-hose" form, meaning that the flowers consist of one flower set inside the other,- sort of double. 20 inches high. Very different and always attracts lots of attention in our borders.

canadensis     The bright red lanterns of this native columbine never fail to delight when happened upon in their natural setting which, here in New England is just about anywhere from open, moist meadows to drier, shady glens. Self seeds prolifically, - the more the merrier of this little gem - and is said to be less appetizing to leaf minors than other columine. 18-24ins. tall. Completely hardy. 

canadensis 'Little Lanterns'    A compact, brilliantly colored red and yellow version of our lovely native, 10" high.

flabellata ‘Blackcurrant Ice’ New     This true dwarf has nodding, bicolor flowers, creamy yellow and purple. Only 6-12” high, compact and well-branched with blue-green foliage that is reportedly less prone to insect damage than other Columbine. 

flabellata 'Ministar'    Very appealing, low growing columbines that earn their place at the front to the border, or in the rock garden, with a stunning display of nearly standard sized bright indigo and white flowers flowers.  Blooms May and June. 8ins. tall.

'Origami Series'     A newer strain of columbine that we've really gotten to like.  They are heavy flowering with large flowers in colors that are bright and sharply defined.  Plants are well branched and grow to the perfect front to mid-border height of 18ins. 

'Origami Blue and White'    Dwarf selection with long-spurred flowers of deep blue outer petals    and crisp white inner petals with a blue eye, 18".

'Origami Red and White'    Just like 'Origami Blue and White', but deep red instead of blue. Both are early flowering.

'Origami Yellow'    Compact plants with large, pure yellow, short-spurred flowers.  

vulgaris ‘Clementine Salmon-Rose’ New     One of a new and exciting series of Columbine with a clean, compact habit and upright flower stems that present the double, upward-facing flowers, bouquet-like, in the center of the tightly mounded foliage. Bloom is heavy and continuous from midspring into summer with large, fully double, salmon colored flowers that are intriguing for their departure form the familiar Columbine form.

vulgaris var. stellata ‘Black Barlow’    A unique Columbine with dramatic, spherical, multi-pronged flowers that resemble small sea urchins, colored so deeply violet as to appear black. Originally developed as a cut flower, plants have sturdy, branched stems that present well in the garden both close up and from a distance, and in a vase as the focus of any arrangement. Zone 3.

x hyb. ‘Maxi’ New     3’ stalks of enchanting, long-spured yellow flowers in late spring. With the proliferation of varieties that are lower, more compact growing, shorter spurred and bizarrely double-flowered, it’s reassuring that the elegance of tall, long-spurred Columbine endures.

ARMERIA (Thrift)    Another gem for the rock garden or the front of the border.  Foliage resembles tidy clumps of grass, from the depths of which appear armies of carmine, pea-sized buds that burst open to melon ball-sized, fluffy, pink globes held just above the foliage on wiry stems.  Tolerant of poor, even saline soil conditions.  While some plants may suffer from familiarity, such is not the case for me with this little beauty.  I like it just as much now as I did when I first saw it twenty five years ago.  Zone 4.

juniperifolia ‘Rosa Stoltz New    Pastel lavender-pink, miniature pompoms carried on 3” stems over tiny, grass-like clumps of dark, evergreen foliage. Blooms late spring-summer. Perfect for rock gardens, trough gardens and for between rock crevices and stepping stones. Grow in full sun in well drained soil.

• maritima ‘Nifty Thrifty’     Adorable pink mellon balls bloom just above tight, grass-like mounds of green and white variegate foliage. Only 6-8ins. tall. Grow in sun, in well drained soil. Excellent in the rock garden and in containers. Zone 4.

maritima 'Rubrifolia'    Purplish red, grass-like foliage an a profusion of rosy pink flowers in April and May. 8ins. tall.

ARTEMISIA     Outstanding foliage plants, mostly silver, that make excellent foils for both hot and cool colors. With the exception of A. lactiflora, Artemisias love hot, sunny sites with good drainage. 

arborescens 'Powis Castle'    A 30in. soft mound of fine, gray-green , feathery foliage. Requires good drainage in full sun. A terrific foil for almost any sun loving, flowering perennial. We use it a lot and it always looks great. I especially like it for those times when I'm in a hurry and out of inspiration. Stick one of these babies in and you're done! Zone 6. 

schmidtiana 'Nana'     Strictly a foliage plant, but what foliage! Its compact mound of fine textured, glistening silver foliage is cherished by gardeners every where. At 6" tall by 10" wide its perfect for inserting between rocks at the front of borders, for edging walks, for adding texture and contrast to herb gardens and for mixed container plantings. Its two main requirements are hot, full sun and average, well-drained ,(dry), soil. If during the heat and humidity of summer plants should "open up" in the center, just gather up the foliage and cut it off at ground level. In a very short time you'll have fresh new growth to see you through the rest of the season.

ARUNCUS (Goatsbeard)    Goatsbeard can make spectacular specimens, attaining shrub-size (with the exception of A. aethusifolius, the most petite and refined species of the genus) in relatively short order. Even moisture is key, so afternoon shade is generally appreciated in most sites. 

aethusifolius    A miniature Goatsbeard forming a tight, low mound of crisp, mint-green foliage, 8-10” tall by 2’ wide. In mid-spring, appropriately miniature and very appealing, creamy-white panicles overspread the tight foliage mounds. Suitable for the the rock garden and the front of the partially shaded border. Zone 3.

dioicus       A large, imposing plant, 3-5’ tall with creamy white, Astilbe-like plumes, June-July. Looks like a giant Astilbe and should be treated like one by being given rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil in sun or shade. This is a large stately plant, a heavy hitter that establishes a strong presence at the back of the shade border.

dioicus ‘Kneiffii’     Very lacy, finely cut, feathery foliage with creamy white plumes June-Aug. Grows 3ft. high. Zone 3.

‘Guinea Fowl’     A new Goatsbeard that looks like a bigger, sturdier A. aethusifolius. Flower stalks are large, creamy-white, presented almost horizontally on stout plants with dense, sharply divided foliage. Overall height is 2’ tall by 18-24” wide. Blooms are heavily produced, starting in early summer and continuing through summer. Should be grown in part to full shade in evenly moist soil. An excellent choice for the woodland garden and other more formal shady spots. Zone 4.

'Misty Lace'    A cross of A. aesthusifolius and A. dioicus that shows excellent tolerance of heat, humidity and cold and has a nice, compact habit, growing 30ins. tall by 24ins. wide. Attractive cream plumes bloom on deep red stems in late spring into summer. The more I see of this plant the more I ljke it. What impresses me most are its sharp, clear lines, especially the unyielding, vertical flower stems that carry just enough bloom, neither too much nor too little. New in ‘09’. Zone 4.

ASARUM europaeum (European Ginger)     Dark green, rounded, glossy leaves form tight clumps, 3-4ins high by 12ins. wide. Increases at a slow to moderate rate. Elegant and choice. Zone 4. 

See Woodland Wildflowers section for additional species of ginger.

ASCLEPIAS incarnata ‘Cinderella’    Rosy-purple vanilla-scented flower heads all summer providing pleasure to the eye and food for butterflies and hummingbirds. 3-4ft. high sturdy, unbranched stems. Happiest in sun, in wet locations but will readily adapt to drier garden conditions. Zone 4.

Asclepias purpurascens    3-4in. wide, purple-pink flower heads on 3ft. upright stems, May-July. Foliage is long, narrow and plants have a refinement that meets the standard for use in the mixed perennial border. A big favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds, native. Grow in sun, in average, well drained soil. Zone 3.

Asclepias tuberosa, (Butterfly Flower)    Showy orange flower heads in summer, 2', outstanding wildflower. Requires well drained soil, tolerates poor, dry conditions and drought. Zone 4.

Asclepias verticillata (Whorled Milkweed) New       Erect unbranched stems,1-2' tall with long narrow leaves whorled at the nodes all along the length of the stems, 3-6 leaves per node. Flowers are ½” long, white, clustered at the ends of the branches, austere yet decorative. Grows on dry meadows, in sandy open woods and likes a neutral or higher pH. Toxic to livestock but so foul tasting that most grazing animals know enough to avoid it.  . Zone 4.

Aster alpina ‘Dark Beauty’       Low rosettes of foliage give rise to 10-15” flower stems that carry large, dark violet, daisy-like blooms, one flower per stem. Blooms in June. Best suited to the rock garden, the tops of rock walls and other such places that offer near perfect drainage. Plants like full sun and are content with average to poor soil as long as it’s very well drained. Frequent division helps maintain plant vigor and should be done after bloom has finished. Zone 4.

Aster ‘Blue Autumn’    Luscious, deep purple, yellow-centered flowers late in the season on compact mounding plants, 20” high.

Aster ericoides ‘Snow Flurry’ New      Differently looking from what we expect to see in an Aster, with finely textured foliage on woody, spreading, arching branches that form a prostrate mound with sprays of tiny white flowers that blanket the foliage late in the season. 6-8” tall with a much wider sprea. Mildew resistent and drought tolerant.

ericoides ‘Schneegitter’ New   Forms a low mat of fine-textured foliage only 4ins. tall but with a spread of 3ft. or more. In fall, the stems are completely covered with tiny, 1/2in., white flowers that are not only beautiful, but also serve as a food source for butterflies at a time of year when many flowers are far past bloom. Definite groundcover possibilities, front of the border and rock garden use and excellent subjects for draping over walls. Grow in sun, in average, moist but well drained soil. Foliage has good mildew resistance. Zone 5.

novae angliae 'Alma Potschke’    3-4ft. plants with stunning, rose-pink flowers from August into fall. This is a large plant that will become ungainly if left to go its own way. We recommend, and always administer here at the nursery, either a one time, decisive cutting back of the whole plant, or a series of pinchings which should not continue beyond the beginning of July.

• novae angliae ‘Purple Dome’    1½ in purple daisies on low 15-18in. stems, Sept.-Oct. Combines nicely with Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’. Mildew and rust resistant. Zone 3.

novae angliae 'Vibrant Dome'     Lots of hot pink daisy-like flowers over 18in. mounds of neat, compact foliage. Blooms in fall

x frikartii ‘Monch’      Lovely, deep blue daisies with yellow centers, bloom all summer. One of the longest blooming perennials. May last for only one season, but it more than earns its keep during that one season with the bountiful production of beautiful blue daisies. 12-18ins. high. Easy in sun, in good, well drained soil. If all else fails, Aster x frikartii and Rudbeckia hirta,(Gloriosa Daisy), will get you through the season!

ASTILBE     Astilbes are hard to beat for the flare and shear abundance of their brightly colored plumes. Plant them in sun where moisture is plentiful, otherwise part shade is recommended where they'll do better with less water.  Depending on variety, bloom can be had from spring into mid summer.  Older plants can be lifted and divided in mid summer without skipping a beat.  This is a perennial that has it all - wonderful bloom, excellent foliage and ease of propagation. 

‘Bressingham Beauty’      Stunning, bright salmon-rose plumes bloom on 36-40” stems in July, over finely cut bronze-green foliage.

‘Bridal Veil’    Thick, feathery, white plumes in late spring on 18ins. stems. Attractive, lacy foliage. Zone 3.

chinensis ‘Visions’       Astilbes are hard to beat for the flare and shear abundance of their brightly colored plumes. Plant them in sun where moisture is plentiful, otherwise part shade is recommended where they'll do better with less water. Depending on variety, bloom can be had from spring into mid summer. Older plants can be lifted and divided in mid summer without skipping a beat. This is a perennial that has it all - wonderful bloom, excellent foliage and ease of propagation. Fragrant, vibrant, raspberry-red upright plumes in July-Aug. Compact grower with bronze-green foliage and 15" stems. Highly recommended!

chinensis 'Visions in Red'    Vibrant, pinkish red flowers opening from deep red buds. The bronze/green foliage contrasts nicely with the red stems. 15ins. high. Blooms early summer.

chinensis ‘Visions in White’        Soft white plumes bloom May-July above lacy, deep green foliage. Grows 20-30” tall with a sturdy, upright habit and exhibits the same exceptional garden performance as the other members of the ‘Vision’ series.

‘Delft Lace’    An outstanding Astilbe with exceptionally attractive flowers and foliage.  In mid July, just when many other Astilbies are beginning to fade, ‘Delft Lace’ is just coming into full bloom. Red stems carry panicles of deep salmon pink buds which open to soft apricot pink flowers. Forms a robust clump of lacy, deep blue-green, glossy foliage which displays burgundy fall color. 2-3’ tall. Its later bloom provides a dash of color to gardens that may be too heavily focused on spring bloom. 

‘Deutschland’      Prized for its 2ft., creamy white plumes in late spring. Vigorous, long-lived plants with particularly attractive foliage. Zone 3.

‘Fanal’     Bold, startlingly red spikes over glossy, bronze-green foliage. Blooms mid-spring. Zone 3.   

‘Montgomery’    Dark, intensely red, generously fluffed out plumes on lower, 20in. stems. Blooms June-July.

Music Series     This Plume Flower series has vibrant colored blossoms that offer more flowers and an extended bloom time.

‘Jump and Jive’ New      A compact floriferous variety with bright pink plumes, July-Aug., over rich green, fern-like foliage. 12-16” tall.

‘Rock and Roll’ New      Creamy white plumes contrast nicely with bronze-green foliage. Blooms July-Aug. and grows 18-23” tall.

simplicifolia ‘Pink Lightning’      Dark glossy foliage with nicely contrasting, airy, light pink plumes in early summer. Very cute at only 10-12”.

thunbergii 'Straussenfeder',('Ostrich Feather')    Tall, gracefully drooping, salmon-pink plumes in June -July. A special, distinctive Astilbe that we're happy to be offering after a lapse of several years.

ASTRANTIA (Masterwort)    Astrantias prefer moist, partially shady areas with abundant organic matter. The showy flower heads are surrounded by a "collar" of bracts, creating a star-like effect. Very long-blooming and long-lasting as cut flowers.  

major ‘Roma’    A long blooming, vigorous variety with large, silver-pink flower heads with deep pink centers, June-Sept. 24ins. tall. All masterworts make excellent cut flowers. Zone 4.

major ‘Rose Symphony’     Bright, rose-red umbels with a metalic gloss, 30ins. tall. Long blooming, remaining in flower from June-August when grown in part shade with even moisture. Masterworts are prized for their ability to bring summer-long color to the partially shaded garden. Zone 4.

major ‘Venice’    As spectacular as the city it was named for, this new masterwort entices with gorgeous, rich burgundy flowers from spring through summer on strong, 22in. stems over rich green foliage. Sun to part shade with reasonably moist soil. Zone 4.

AURINIA (Formerly Alyssum) (Basket of Gold)    Great for edging, rock gardens, rock walls. Gray-green foliage spread readily into mats, which positively glow when in flower. Needs excellent drainage. Cut back after flowering.  Hardy to zone 3.

saxatilis ‘Summit’   Compact growing and much longer blooming than other selections. Thrives in hot sun and poor to average, well drained soil making it the perfect candidate for rock gardens, for the tops of retaining walls and for the very front of the mixed border where its early, bright yellow flowers will get spring started with a bang!