Outstanding form and foliage are the calling card of this shade loving perennial. It’s a beauty that forms a tight, rounded mound made up of deeply scalloped foliage that features a deep burgundy leaf center surrounded by bright green on the rest of the leaf. The result is very showy especially in early May when short spike rise above the foliage bearing clouds of creamy white mini bell flowers that persist into early summer.

As much shrub-like as perennial, you will be hard pressed to find a more attention grabbing plant when it is in bloom. Carolina Lupine rises from the ground each spring on stiff, strong, very upright stems that grow quickly while unfurling big, grey-green, trifoliate, pea-like foliage, ultimately producing a nearly woody upright shrub. As spring turns to summer, each stem is topped by a tower of buds that open in July revealing a long string of large, Lupine-like hooded flowers of searing yellow that jump out at you against its grey-green foliage background. What an amazing show of color that will be enjoyed by you and by local butterflies and bees. As flowers fade in late July, sizable hairy seeds pods develop that songbirds visit often. Carolina Lupine is an easy care wonder wanting little except sun, well-drained soil and a spot that it can shine! Its big size is perfect for the back of the garden and it’s a revelation of summer interest when grouped.

This soft yellow-green fern is found in the woods all across the Northeast and is one of those perfect plants to transform your shaded backyard into a lush woodland. Creeping roots send up lush fronds in the spring that can reach up to 24″ and 4″ wide creating a colony of green that carpets the woodland floor. The frond itself tapers at each end, distinguishing itself from the Hay-scented Fern and giving it an unusual look and texture that makes it unique. New York Fern makes a good companion for spring ephermals such as Stylophorum diphyllum and Trillium grandiflorum, covering the gaps they leave in the woodland garden when they disappear in the summer heat. New York Fern requires consistently moist soils and filtered light but will thrive in shady places where other plants have failed miserably.

Tall yellow spike-like flowers emerge from a grey-green foliage, attracting many pollinators to your yard. Long, upward, clumpforming plant hosts  bonnet-like flowers that can reach up to 3′ tall. Seed pods will have long, soft hairs. This Blue-Ridge Buckbean resembles that of the common lupine while carrying similar attributes in look, scent, and growing necessities. It is truly a dominating display in late May and June that is fleeting since it lasts only a few weeks.

Majestic, shiny, bright green fronds with interesting form and texture is ideal of mass plantings or as specimen patio container.Easily grown in rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil in shade or dappled sun. Tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, including somewhat drier conditions than many other ferns.

Big and bold clump-forming perennial offers wine purple stems topped with broad sprays of bright, lavender flowers. Foliage is a great contrasting blue-green and dainty in form and texture, resembling maidenhair fern. Perfect for use in border, meadows and other naturalized areas. Intolerant of intense heat and humidity.

This great garden bridge plant adds attractive foliage and texture along with subtle flowers that attract pollinators after woodland species flowers have passed and before the summer bloomers take hold. Yellowish-green tassels of bloom open while fernlike foliage unfurls in mid-spring.

Underused in the garden, Thalictrum will dazzle you if you have not seen it in action! Deep green, fern-like foliage on contrasting dark stems from an upright, highly textured mound in the garden by mid-spring. Stems top themselves with buds that open in late May to reveal massive puffs of white with a tinge of pink bloom that continues into June. 

Underused in the garden, Thalictrum will dazzle you if you have not seen it in action! Deep green, fern-like foliage on contrasting dark stems from an upright, highly textured mound in the garden by mid-spring. Stems top themselves with buds that open in late May to reveal massive puffs of lavender-pink bloom that continues into June.

It is hard to believe that a plant so breathtaking could be so rare but this selection embodies that standout pea-like flowers of creamy yellow accentuated by a fuchsia-pink lower lip in spikes above blue-green pinnate foliage on arching stems. Perfect for grouping and pollinators love it!