Tanacetum coccineum ‘James Kelway’     2 1/2in. velvety deep red dasies with bright yellow centers. Ferny green foliage much like that of yarrow. 2-3ft. tall. Zone 3.

Tanacetum vulgare ‘Isla Gold’     3ft. tall and clump forming with lacy, bright yellow,(becoming chartreuse), foliage. Displaying excellent, bright color all season long. Flowers are typical small yellow buttons, in clusters. Did not expect to be impressed by this plant-it is a tansy afterall - but am becoming more enamored with each passing day as it continues to shine in the hot summer border. Of easiest care, requiring only a site in hot, full sun and average, well-drained soil. Zone4.

Thalictrum ‘Black Stockings’     Jet-black stems are what distinguish this meadow rue from all others. In addition, fluffy, dense, mauve/lavender panicles, reminiscent of T. aquilegifolium, bloom in late spring for many weeks, contrasting dramatically with the black stems. Grow in sun, in rich, moist soil, also part shade though plants will be sturdier and the glistening black stems will really "pop" in sun. 6' tall. Zone 4.

Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum     5-6ft. stems of handsome blue-green foliage and trusses of airy yellow flowers in late spring-early summer. Grow in sun in moist but well drained soil. Zone 5.

Thalictrum 'Lavender Mist' (rochebrunianum)       Large, lovely flowerheads composed of hundreds of delicate, lavender petaled, yellow centered flowers are carried high above airy, blue-green foliage. Height depends on soil and moisture but these are large, clumping plants easily capable of climbing to 6-8’. Best results are obtained in rich, moist but well-drained soil, in sun. Zone 4.

Thermopsis chinensis ‘Sophia’      An abundance of large, sunny yellow spikes of pea-like flowers over tidy, rounded mounds of fine-textured foliage. In bloom it looks like a yellow Lupine and, if you love Lupine but have difficulty growing them, then ‘Sophia’ is a great stand-in. Habit is dense, with an overall height of only 12-18ins. Grow in full sun. Heat and drought tolerant. Blooms late spring. Zone 5.

THYMUS (Thyme)   If you’ve got a sun-scorched, all-too-well-drained and infertile pocket that refuses to nurture any plant unfortunate enough to find its way there, then, we’ve got a thyme just waiting to thrive in that very spot. I personally have repeatedly rototilled an escaped batch of Mother of Thyme,(Thyme serphyllum), in an effort to eradicate it, only to see it, grow right back twice as large,(and this was in the little “Death Valley” of our back field). Thymes are rugged plants needing only full sun and excellent drainage and just the occasional, tiniest bit of water. Most are wonderfully fragrant. 

THYMUS praecox ‘Coccineus’     Forms a dense, flat mat of evergreen, dark green foliage that is smothered in bright magenta-red flowers during early summer.

praecox ‘Elfin’    Tight domes of minute leaves. It has outstanding cushions that rarely flower, however it's considered the finest thyme for growing in troughs and between stepping stones and in rock crevices. Zone 3.

pseudolanuginosis (Woolly Thyme)     2in. silver-gray, woolly mavulgaris 

TIARELLA (Foam Flower)     Most at home in the shade or woodland garden with even moisture and the occasional addition of a good compost.  Most of the newer hybrids can boast of attractively dissected foliage  artfully dabbed in the center with unique dark blotches. Some are vigorous enough to be put to use as shady groundcovers, while other are more restrained and more appropriate as specimens. Flowering occurs in mid spring and is sensational. Airy spikes of fragrant pink or white flowers rise 8-10ins. above the foliage creating a froth of bloom through the shady garden. Zone 4.   

‘Candy Striper’    Largest leaf of the tiarellas, dark green with a dark stripe down the center of each leaf lobe. Pink flower buds open to white flowers in spring. Well behaved, mounding, clumping habit. Zone 3.

‘Crow Feathers’     Bright green, deeply lobed leaves with purple-black centers with the black color seeping into the body of the leaf. Color intensifies in winter when leaves turn a mix of pink, red, purple, and black. Slightly fragrant, tawny-pink flowers in early spring through early summer. Clump forming. Grow in shade. Zone 4.

‘Happy trails’     A trailing foamflower that spreads vigorously by runners.  Deeply lobed green leaves are vividly marked with wide black markings along the main leaf veins. White flowers on short stems in spring. A great choice for a shady groundcover. Covers like T. codifolia but has much more ornamental foliage.  4” high with a wide reach.  Zone 4. 

TRICYRTIS (Japanese Toad-Lily)     Toad-Lilies are fascinating flowers for very late summer-early fall bloom.  Flowers,usually spotted, bloom at the ends and in the leaf axils of arching stems. Grow in partial shade in moist, fertile soil, in a site where they can be observed up close and personal. 

flavum (Yellow Toad Lily) New     Large up-facing, deep yellow flowers with dasrd spots. Lfeaves are shiny green with purple spots and mottlings. Fall blooming. 12-18” tall. Zone 5.    

hirta 'Sinonome'    White flowers heavily spotted with purple bloom on 30" stems Aug.-Oct. Foliage is a dark, glossy green. Zones 5-8.

hirta ‘Taipei Silk’    Dense, upright clumps of glossy green foliage, 25ins. tall with multi-colored flowers, purple highlighted with pale purple and white and further adorned with reddish flecking. Heavier blooming than many Toad Lilies, starting in Aug. and continuing till frost. Zone 5.

‘Kohaku’ New     Large, open, up-facing, white flowers liberally splashed with maroon. The fact that it was originally developed in Japan for the cut flower trade gives some indication of its floral impact. Fall blooming flowers are carried on long, arching stems that can be made to flow over rocks or drape from retaining walls. Stems reach 18-20” long. Grow in shade in evenly moist soil that remains reasonably moist all season as this toad lily does not tolerate drought. Zone 5.

latifolia EARLY-FLOWERED TOAD LILY    The earliest species to bloom, starting in late May and continuing through summer. Flowers are upward facing, star-shaped, yellow with brown spots, over stiffly erect stems. Native to both China and Japan. Zones 5-8. 18-20 in. Shade to part shade, average to rich soil.

‘Niitaka’    A selection of an asian species. Flowers have iridescent purple spots and blushing over a white base. Blooms are at the top and along the sides of the arching stems. This is a spreading form that can make a nice ground cover in time. Prolific fall bloomer. Zone 4.

pubescens New     Very rarely offered and worth adding to any Tricyrtis collection. In spring, the highly attractive foliage sports purple mottling. From late summer to early fall, upright, chartreuse colored flowers bloom on 20” stems. Grow in shade. Native to China. Zone 5.

Trifolium rubens (Giant Clover)      A unique decorative plant with large, dense, purple/red flower spikes in summer. Grows 2ft. tall. Zone 5.

Trollius    All trollius prefer a moist soil and do well when planted near ponds and streams, in moist meadows or in bog gardens. With ample moisture, full sun is best. On drier sites, protection from hot afternoon sun is recommended. Our borders here at the nursery are quite dry, so we do plant trollius in afternoon shade with excellent results. Trollius make excellent cut flowers. Zone 3.

chinensis 'Golden Queen'      Tall, golden, bowl-shaped flowers with conspicuous stamens. 2ft. tall. Blooms June-July. 

europaeus ‘Lemon Queen’     24in. double, lemon-yellow, buttercup-type flowers in May-June.

Verbana bonariensis See Tenders.

Verbascum     A plant that I can’t help admiring is Verbascum thapsus,(Mullein), familiar to most of us as the big, silver/green leaved, yellow flowered monstrosity that grows everywhere by the side of the road, in pure sand. I admire it’s cactus-like tenacity and its brief but flamboyant flower display. I do, however, know enough to leave well enough alone and to continue admiring it where it is, out there by the side of the road. This is in sharp contrast to the friendly welcome I extend to its elegant cousins. These new verbascum come in luscious colors and, if deadheaded, will bloom through the summer. They thrive in thin, dry soil and will rot if over watered. They cut well and attract hummingbirds. I’ll take two please! 

‘Blue Pixie’ New    This petite form of mullein has lovely, fragrant, purplish-blue flowers that bloom on short, 12” spikes in July. Great for containers or the front of the border. Zone 5.

‘Pink Pixie’ New     Lightly fragrant, vivid pink flowers bloom all summer on short, 12” spikes. Zone 5.

‘White Pixie’ New     Fragrant, clean white flowers bloom on 12” spikes in July. A neat, compact selection that’s very suitable for containers and borders. Zone 5.

Vernonia (Ironweed)  Bay State Border Selection     Over 8' tall with clusters of glowing purple flowers bloom in late summer. Spectacular! We are offering descendants of the plant in our border, which is far and away superior to any plants we have procured elsewhere. We're not certain of the species, but suspect it may be V. crinita, a native of the Central U.S., and the most ornamental species. Hardy to at least zone 5, probably zone 4.     July availability.

Vernonia glauca     A bit shorter than the New York Ironweed, and much more adaptable to average garden conditions. Flowers in August and September with deep purple, loose, upright flower clusters. Very appealing to butterflies. 4-5’ tall. Grow in average or better soil. Once established, tolerant of dry places.

Vernonia lettermanii ‘Iron Butterfly’   New to gardens, this Ironweed resembles Amsonia hubrechtii with its long, slender, needle-like foliage, attractive even without flowers, 2-2½ft. high by 3ft. wide, full and billowy. 'Iron Butterfly' is a late summer bloomer, coming into bloom just when most other perennials begin losing their riotous summer color. Flowers are produced in great abundance and remind me of tiny, purple thistles caught in the network of delicate, lacy foliage. A native of Arkansas where it is found growing in moist meadows, in sun to light shade. Once established, plants are quite drought tolerant, as we have found to be the case with all Vernonia we've grown. 2nd runner-up to Buddleia in the best-butterfly-attracting-plant category. Zone 4.

Vernonia noveboracensis (New York Ironweed)     Bold plants that stage a showy display of deep reddish purple flowers in late summer. Strong, upright stems form tight, hefty clumps that in time can be divided, though not without the expenditure of a good deal of effort. In full sun, with rich, deep and moist soil, plants can become the focal point of the late summer- early fall border. Depending on conditions, height ranges from 4-8'.  Zone 3.

Veronica    This is a large genus containing many fine garden plants ranging in height from 1in. to 3ft. and exhibiting flowers in shades of white, pink and purple and every nuance thereof. Growing requirements are minimal, consisting only of a need for full sun in average or better, well drained soil, with a reasonable amount of moisture. Valuable for showy flowers over a long period, especially when deadheaded.  It’s important to allow enough space around plants to ensure good air circulation.  Zone 4.  

‘Giles Van Hees’     A low growing Veronica ideal for the front of the border and for edging. Foliage develops into a 1’ wide by 6” high mat which supports an endless display of 6” high, rich pink spikes. Flowering begins in early summer and continues through summer and into fall. Habit is neat and tidy, not given to “opening up” in the center, instead, maintaining a full leafy mat. Grow in sun in average or better, well-drained soil. Zone 4.

longifolia 'Eveline'    Dramatic rose-purple, extra large flower spikes engulf the top of this compact yet upright form, deep green foliage. 20ins. tall.

peduncularis 'Georgia Blue'     A low, mat-forming, weed suppressing veronica with small, dark green, tightly packed foliage and a profusion of small, cobalt blue flowers heaviest in spring but repeating intermittently through the summer. Indestructable in full sun in almost any soil except those that are sopping wet. Spreads quickly but is easily controlled by cutting back or by digging out unwanted portions,-well worth the minimal maintenance. Zone 4. 

spicata ‘High Five’    A tall, blue Veronica, invaluable for injecting bolts of blue into the summer, mixed border and, for providing a strong vertical element that contrasts so effectively with many, softer, looser growing companions. 36ins. tall, blooms June-July.

VERONICA ‘Waterperry Blue'     An excellent spreading groundcover with delicate light blue flowers in early summer, just 4-6" tall. Foliage turns a dark bronze in winter.

VINCA minor (Myrtle)     Indestructible, low-growing, evergreen groundcover. Zone 4. When all is said and done, vinca emerges as one of the toughest groundcovers available. It will grow in sun and shade, in wet or dry soils. One of the most impressive examples I've ever seen is at The Mount in Lenox, Massachusetts where vast portions of the ground in a dark hemlock forest are beautifully carpeted with thick, lush mats of the plants. Zone 4.             

minor ‘Bowles Variety’    Deep, lavender-blue flowers that are larger than the species.

minor ‘Double Bowles’     Double flowers in a lighter shade of blue.

minor ‘Merlot’     Burgundy-red flowers over vigorously trailing, dark, evergreen foliage.

minor ‘Ralph Shugert’    Glossy oval leaves with a wide, white margin topped with bright, sky blue flowers in late March-May. The brightly colored leaves really enliven a drab shady spot. Zone 4.

minor ‘Sunny skies’     A variegated form of ‘Bowles Variety’ with white and cream variegation at the leaf edge. Variegation becomes more pronounced the older the plant gets. Flowers are periwinkle-blue.

Viola cornuta (Horned or Tufted Violet)        May grow to 12ins. tall but more usually in the 8-10in. range. Stems lie prostrate on the ground for a portion of their lengths, then abruptly turn straight up forming a full, leafy clump Flowers are large, 1½ins. across, held on 4-6in. stems. Flowering occurs in spring for a long period, and, if plants are cut back in summer, will recur in fall. Much more heat tolerant and, in general, longer lived than pansies. Part shade in moist, but well drained soil is preferred, though ours have done surprisingly well in full sun, with litte moisture.

cornuta ‘Coconut Duet’ New     Velvet upper petals and white lower petals with distinct black “whiskering” at the center paint a pretty face on this adorable tufted violet. 6” high. Zone 4.

cornuta ‘Gem Antique Shades’    A blend of apricot, lavender, and pink hues with great weather resistance and a long bloom season. Plants do not exhibit the "stretch" often seen in Violas but keep their neat and compact habit. Shows good heat tolerance. Zone 4.

cornuta ‘Peach Frost’ New     On first opening, the upper petals are cream colored and the lower petals are peach. As the flowers mature, the upper petals become purple while the lower petals turn a luscious shade of creamy-orange. 6” high. Zone 4.

cornuta ‘Purple Showers’    Large, 2in., slightly fragrant, electric purple flowers from late spring and early summer and then sporadically throughout summer. The rich, dark color contrasts nicely with reds and yellows, and, flowers are big enough and long stemmed enough for cutting. Grows 6-8ins. high, clump forming. 

labradorica    Small,(only 4-6ins. tall), modestly spreading violets with rich, bronze foliage and tiny blue flowers for most of the growing season. Does nicely in our partially shaded garden where it self-seeds around, filling gaps between rocks and, in more open areas, spreading enough to serve as timid groundcover. Also works well as an underplanting beneath shade loving shrubs such as Rhododendrons. Zone 3.

Waldsteinia Ternata (Barren Strawberry)    A terrific carpeting trailer with glossy, rich green, strawberry-like leaves that give complete coverage. There is a brief display of bright yellow flowers in spring, but this plants real value is in its thick, glossy, ground-covering foliage. At its best in full sun but part shade is tolerated. Drought tolerant. Zone 4. 

Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard'    The best gold centered variegated yucca available, whose brightness increases in mid summer just when others begin to fade. 2-3' clumps of sharp tipped leaves give rise to 6' flower stalks. Zone 5.