36 State Road (Routes 5 & 10)
Whately, MA 01093
(413) 665-3525

text-NorthernWW
C gesila 2 plus

CYPRIPEDIUM 'Gisela'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

new green line

Aconitum albaviolaceum CLIMBING MONKSHOOD   As climbing monkshoods go, this is the best we've trialed here so far. The vigorous twining stems climb well without any help. The leaves are large-lobed and light green, with an abundance of small white flowers in late July through August. Native to Korea and China. Zones 5-8. Up to 10 ft. Sun to light shade, garden soil.

Actaea rubra 'White Form' BANEBERRY   This is the white-berried form of the Red Baneberry. It has shiny porcelein berries. Very attractive plant for mid to late summer color in the shade garden. Zones 2-8. 16-30 in. Part sun to shade, moist soil.

Anemone nemorosa 175 #2

ANEMONE nemorosa New Indent4-15 A welcome harbinger of spring that blooms in April/May with masses of starry flowers that float just above deeply-cut fern-like foliage. At 4" tall, it's perfect for underplanting spring-blooming shrubs or taller bulbs such as daffodils. Given dappled shade and rich soil, they will multiply happily, but mark their spot, as they tend to go dormant in summer. Native throughout much of Europe and into Eastern Asia. Zones 5-9,  FullSun-s PartialShade-s Drip2 Drip3 scissors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

anem thalictroides1

Anemonella thalictroides RUE ANEMONE    One to five upward-facing white to light pink flowers over fine fern-like foliage. Will form nice little clumps and self-sow in a friendly way when happy. Long blooming in spring.

 

 

 

 

 

    thalictroides 'Cameo'   Full double light pink flowers that slowly fade to white. They can last from 4 to 8 weeks in April-June. This is one of the easiest to grow, it tends to multiply faster than most of the other double forms. Zones 4-8. 12 in. Moist well-drained soil. Shade to part shade. We are offering flowering size plants from divisions.

 

Anem Shaof's Double-new

ANEMONELLA thalictroides 'Shoaf's Double'    Full double deep pink flowers that can last from 4 to 6 weeks in April-May, this is the showiest of the double forms. Zones 4-8. 12 in. Moist well-drained soil. Shade to part shade. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anemonopsis macrophylla 175

Anemonopsis macrophylla  One of the Japanese aristocrats. This hard to find woodlander forms clumps of cimicifuga-like foliage topped with nodding, waxy lilac flowers in late summer. Likes a cool moist position. Zones 4-7. 3 ft. Shade to part shade, moist rich soil. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aralia cachemirica HIMALAYAN SPIKENARD    A large herbaceous shrub with rich green foliage on deep brown stems. Creamy white flowers followed by deep purple leaves. Zones 5-8. 3-4 ft. Sun to part shade, moist rich soil.

Arisaema flavum OWL-FACE COBRA LILY   An odd little jack with a small yellow hood followed by red seed heads. Comes up late May to early June here at the nursery. We plan to force these to be ready for spring shipping. Native to the Himalayas. Zones 5-8. 12-20 in. Part sun to shade, moist rich well drained soil.

arisa- heterophyllum

Arisaema heterophyllum DANCING CRANE COBRA LILY   This is a fun plant that's easy to grow, multiplies well, and is long-lived. Our older plants here at the nursery are six feet tall, looking like cranes with wings in the air and long tongues sticking up out of their mouths. Often dormant until late May here, blooming in mid-to-late June. Japan Zones 5-8. 2-6 ft. Part sun to light shade, moist but well-drained soil.

 

 

 

 

 

Arisaema serratum APANESE COBRA LILY   An easy-to-grow cobra lily that adapts well to New England. This mid-season bloomer has a green or brown striped pitcher that sits above the silver-streaked leaves. Zones 5-9. 1-3 ft. Part sun to light shade, moist but well-drained soil.

arisaema sikokianum1

Arisaema sikokianum    Best known of the Japanese cobra lilies, with whie golfball-sized spakix inside a purple spathe. Mid-spring bloom. Cold hardy but needs good winter drainage. Zone 4. 20ins. tall. Part to full shade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

arisaema triphyllum

Arisaema triphyllum JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT    Red berries, late summer into fall. Western Massachusetts genotype. Blooming size plants. Zones 3-8. 12-30 in. Part shade, humus-rich, slightly acid soil and plenty of moisture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asarum caulescens JAPANESE WILD GINGER   I consider this the deciduous counterpart to our Eastern A. canadense and Western A. caudatum. It's easily the showiest of the three with glossy green puckered leaves bearing a silky white sheen on the surface. Forms larger thick clumps over time. Zones 4-8. 4-5 in. Part shade to shade, moist rich soil.

Cimicifuga rubifolia MAPLELEAF CIMICIFUGA   My favorite native Cimicifuga, it is a more compact plant with large maple-like leaves and spines of white flowers in the fall. Zones 4-9. 2-3 Ft. Shade or part shade, moist neutral soil.

cornus can1

Cornus canadensis BUNCHBERRY   A slow spreading ground cover with white upright flowers over overlapping whorled leaves. Red berries in late summer. Best grown in a deep cool mulch. Circumboreal. Zones 2-6. 6-8 in. Shade to part shade, moist acid soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

C gesila 2 plus

Cypripedium 'Gisela' (macranthos x parviflorum)    Registered in 1991, this hybrid has proven the test of time. It has that robust hybrid vigor, and is one of the easiest cyp to grow. The flower buds start out yellow, then turn burgundy red with varying streaks of creamy yellow as they mature. The petals and sepals are a deep burgundy with a touch of yellow. Zones 3-6. 16-24 in. Light shade, cool moist rich well-drained soil. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C ken 1

Cypripedium kentuckiense KENTUCKY LADY-SLIPPER   The largest-flowered of all the Cyps with pale yellow blossoms on 20" stems. Blooms late May or June for up to four weeks. One of the easiest to grow; some plants can have up to 20 blooms. Plants offered are blooming size. Zones 4-9. 18-24 in. Light shade, moist rich well-drained soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

c michail

Cypripedium 'Michael' (macranthos x henryi)    This is a hybrid between the purple flowered C. macranthos and the yellow tri-flowered C. henryi. Most of these have bloomed for the first time this spring. They were mostly all bi- and tri-flowered in colors of soft creamy yellows to light pinks and mixed pink and yellow—all were lovely. Zones 5-6. 12-16 in. Light shade, cool moist well-drained soil with lime added and a mulch cover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

C parv 3

Cypripedium parv var. parviflorum SMALL YELLOW LADY-SLIPPER    Small deep yellow flowers with brown veining and long brown to black corkscrew sepals. Often bifloral (two flowers per stem). An easy form to grow; it will form large clumps over time. They usually start blooming here a little later than Cyp. pubescens with some overlapping. Zones 3-8.  14-20 in. Light to part shade, moist rich well-drained soil, with approximately neutral pH.

 

 

 

 

 

 

C pub 6

Cypripedium pubescens YELLOW LADY-SLIPPER   Probably the easiest native orchid. First to bloom in late April into May. Will form large clumps and persist for years when happy. This year we're offering four-year-old blooming size plants. Zones 3-7. 14-24 in. Part shade, moist rich well-drained soil with some lime.

 

 

 

 

 

C reg 3

Cypripedium reginae SHOWY LADY-SLIPPER   Elegant rose-pink and white flowers in late May into June, often blooming for up to four weeks. Not the easiest of the lady-slippers to grow but really not that difficult if given the right placement: high open shade, constantly moist (but not wet) soil, with a neutral pH. Once established it can form large clumps and persist for years. Eastern U.S. Zones 3-8. 16-24 in. Part sun, moist rich neutral soil that does not dry out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dactylorhiza majalis BROAD-LEAVED MARSH ORCHID  Another easy form with spikes of dark purple flowers often spotted white. Leaves can be spotted or not. Zones 5-8. 14-30 in. Moist, rich well-drained soil, light shade to sun.

dac purpurella

Dactylorhiza purpurella PURPLE Marsh Orchid   This is one of the most cold-hardy marsh orchid forms, with purple flowers in mid-spring. Clump-forming. Zone 4. 16-24ins. tall. Moist, rich, (neutral or acid) well-drained soil.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

disporum flavum

Disporum flavens KOREAN FAIRY BELLS    A rarely seen, easy-to-grow plant, forming large clumps when happy. Large yellow bell flowers in spring followed by blue berries in late summer. This is a top of the line plant for the shade or woodland garden. Zone3. 30 ins. tall.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disporum smilacinum Japanese Fairy Bell

dodecatheon

Dodecatheon (mixed named forms) SHOOTING STARS   Charming Cyclamen-like flowers in white, pink, and red. Goes dormant late summer. Zones 3-8. 16-24 in. Full shade to sun, moist humus soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Epigaea repens Trailing Arbutus / Mayflower

Gaultheria procumbens WINTERGREEN    Shiny evergreen leaves, white bell flowers in spring, followed by deep red berries that stay on the plants all winter in to spring. Can form a nice groundcover even in dry shade. Native to eastern North America.  Zones 2-8. 4-6 in. Part sun to shade, moist to dry soil.

Gentiana asclepiadea Willow Gentian   Showy dark blue, upfacing, trumpet-shaped flowers atop attractive, upright medium green foliage, 16ins high. Blooms July-September. 

gentiana makinoi1

Gentiana makinoi ROYAL BLUE   Large, easy Gentian, native to Japan, with open, classic Gentian blue flowers in late Aug.-Sept. Great for cut flowers. Clump-forming. Zones 4-8. 20-36 in. Part shade, moist rich soil.

 

 

 

 

 

Gillenia trifoliata BOWMAN'S ROOT   Large numbers of one-inch star-shaped white flowers on wiry red branches . Flowers freely late May through June. This under-used plant not only adds shape and texture, but it also thrives in  dry, shady sites. Eastern U.S. native. Zones 4-8. 2-3 ft. Part shade, garden soil.

glaucidium pal 3

Glaucidium palmatum    This rare Japanese woodlander has large silky purple-pink flowers over full maple-like leaves. Blooms for up to three weeks in spring. We offer a selected form that is strong growing. It can in time produce large two-foot round clumps covered with flowers, often with two blooms per stem. Zones 3-8. 14-24 in. Shade to part shade, rich moist well-drained soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

hepatica 4

Hepatica acutiloba SHARP-LEAVED HEPATICA   Beautiful clump-forming plant with white to blue flowers in early spring. Eastern US native. Zones 4-8. 6 in. Full to part shade, moist well-drained soil. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hepatica nobilis 'Rubra Plena'

Hylomecon japonicum 4

Hylomecon japonicum JAPANESE WOOD LILY   Rich yellow-orange flowers over pinnate foliage, blooming April through May. Can form nice colonies but not invasive. Native to the mountains of Japan, Korea, and northeastern China. Rarely available. Zones 5-9. 8-10 in. Shade to part shade, rich soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hookeri

Iris hookeri BEACHHEAD IRIS   This form is native to the Northeast; its southern range is Maine's down east coast. Easy to grow, it is spring-blooming with blue flowers over tight fans of upright leaves. Blooms a week or so later than I. setosa v. canadensis. Zones 3-8. 12-18 in. Sun to part shade, moist soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I setosa can--

Iris setosa v. canadensis ARCTIC IRIS    An easily grown dwarf Iris. Flowers purple with white centers blooming in June. From our northern sea coasts, possibly circumpolar. Zones 2-8. 12 in. Sun to shade, good soil to moist rich soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeffersonia diphylla TWINLEAF    White flowers in May followed by interesting pipe-shaped seed pods over large, twin, kidney-shaped dusty blue-green leaves. Forms nice clumps and is useful both as a specimen plant and planted in mass. Best in a moist site, but tolerant of both drought and root competition once established. Eastern U.S. native. Zones 3-8. 10-12 in. Full or dappled shade, moist humus soil.

jeffersonia dubia1

Jeffersonia dubia ASIAN TWINLEAF   Older plants can have up to 50 upward-facing blooms of a blue to lavender-blue that can be seen from hundreds of feet away. It's one of the first plants to bloom here every year. The leaves form after the plant has flowered. Easy in the garden, this highly-sought-after plant is suitable for even the beginning gardener. Native to Japan, China, and Korea. Zones 4-7. 10-16 in. Shade to part shade, garden soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

linnaea borealis

Linnaea borealis TWIN FLOWER   One of the finest mat-forming creepers. Paired, pink bell flowers over evergreen foliage. Blooms in May-June.  Zones 3-6. 6 in. Shade to part shade, moist acid soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

mertensia verginica1

Mertensia virginica VIRGINIA BLUEBELLS    Shoots rise in early spring as the ground thaws. Flowers start as clusters of pink buds, then open up to bright blue bells. After blooming for several weeks, seeds ripen, and the plant begins to fade, going dormant in early July. Native to eastern woodlands. Zones 3-8. 12 in. Part shade, moist humus soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

mitella diphlla1

Mitella diphylla MITERWORT    One of the best maple-leaf plants. Tall spires of small, fringed white flowers in May. Clump-forming, naturalizes well. Zones 4-8. 8 in. Full or dappled shade, moist-to-wet humus soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pachysandra procumbens ALLEGHENY SPURGE   An eastern North American species with bottlebrush flowers in early spring and large mounded, silver-mottled leaves. Clump-forming. Zones 4-8. 8-12 in. Full to part shade.

paeonia jap 3

Paeonia japonica JAPANESE WOODLAND PEONY   I'm pleased to have this rare peony for the shade garden back on the list. It is a strong growing plant with gray-green foliage and single white flowers with yellow stamens. It blooms in May followed in late summer by bright red seed heads with dark blue seeds. These are 3 and 4-year-old plants. Zones 4-8. 18-24 in. Part sun to light shade, good rich soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon' WOODLAND PHLOX   Drifts of deep blue fragrant flowers in May, one or two weeks before P. stolonifera. This spring ephemeral mixes well with other woodland wildflowers and ferns. Native to eastern US. Zones 3-9. 12-14 in. Part sun to shade, moist soil.

podoph-- hex--

Podophyllum hexandrum 'Majus HIMALAYAN MAYAPPLE    A clump-forming mayapple with pink upward-facing cup-shaped flowers in early spring, before the brown, marbled leaves are fully developed. Followed by four-inch egg-shaped seed pods. Zones 4-8. 16-20 in. Part shade, moist rich soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Podophyllum peltatum MAYAPPLE    Large white flowers under umbrella-like leaves. Spreads vigorously. Blooms in May. Eastern U.S. Zones 3-8. 12-15 in. Full or part shade, moist rich soil.

Polygonatum (Chinese species) SOLOMON'S SEAL   I find this to be a standout among the Solomon's Seals.  White and green bellflowers along the leaf axis, on zigzagging red-tinted stems. A strong spreading colonizer. Originally from a collection obtained in Tu Man Ling, Jilin Province, China, in 1989 by James Waddick, this form has never been clearly identified. Zones 5-8. 12-14 in. Part sun to shade, garden soil.

Polygonatum commutatum GIANT SOLOMON'S SEAL   The majestic arcs of P. commutatum grace the shade garden, and feature white bell-shaped flowers followed by attractive blue berries. Blooms in spring. A large natural tetraploid form. Eastern U.S. Zones 3-8. 4-6 ft. at maturity. Full or part shade, good loam.

polygonatum odoratum variegatum

Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum VARIEGATED SOLOMON'S SEAL    This plant has arching stems with paired leaves, white bell-shaped flowers followed by blue berries. Blooms in spring. The white and cream striping on this strong-growing form are what makes this one so popular. Native of Europe. Zones 3-8. 20 in. Full or part shade, good loam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SANGUI~1

Sanguisorba canadense (Bloodroot)    In early spring, pure white, rayed flowers appear, last for a few days, and then are gone. This brief display is enough, for the blossoms are precious beyond description while they last.  After bloom is finished, attractive round, gray/green, leaves increase, sometimes up to 10ins, across, forming tight, gradually spreading colonies suitable as modest woodland ground covers. 9-12ins. high. 

 

 

 

 

 

Saruma henryi

Scutellaria incana DOWNY SKULLCAP    This is one of the showiest forms when it is flowering, branched sp