Lovely bluish-green foliage is thick and hearty and sets off the huge 14″ white lace cap blooms that are mostly fertile flowers. These tiny flowers offer nectar for beneficial insects and butterflies while the larger sterile flowers around the edge offer a splash of pure white and act as a landing pad in July and August. It’s perfect for planting in a transitional area between the woods and lawn or massed to form a haven for birds and other wildlife. Its upright bushy form has excellent structure with minimal pruning and its stout sturdy stems keep those massive flowers upright and never flop!

It’s all about the flowers with this stunning performer. Mammoth blooms of up to one foot in diameter last from June to September and actually get larger as the season progresses on this old fashioned, durable favorite. ‘Annabelle’ was discovered in one lucky garden in Anna, Illinois, and for flower size, duration and durability this arborescens eclipses all others. In fact, the blooms are so colossal that the stems may not always be up to the task of supporting them so it’s best to plant ‘Annabelle’ en masse for support or to add a support cage and to prune less vigorously to encourage stronger stems. ‘Annabelle’ thrives in almost any well-drained garden soil and will grow and flower well in full sun with plenty of moisture or partial shade. Make sure you cut some blooms for drying, too!

Many people may ask the question, “Why grow the species of this plant when great cultivars like ‘Annabelle’ are on the market?” While ‘Annabelle’ may have superior looking flowers to the species, they are sterile flowers and their value is negligible to garden critters. This species possesses mostly fertile, but less showy flowers that are a key nectar source for native insects and butterflies. While the flowers are not as incredibly showy as ‘Annabelle’, they still are showy enough in early summer as they emerge to form 3-4″ diameter balls of small white bloom surrounded by the occasional larger sterile flower against the background of big, heavy, deep green foliage. Smooth Hydrangea is easy to grow, thrives in partial shade, is perfect for grouping together to form a mass planting along a dappled sun woodline, and provides essential cover to many backyard birds. Don’t be afraid to hack this plant back hard in the fall as it will rejuvenate itself bigger and better the following spring. 

Possibly the best, most stately vine available! Slow growing when young, more rapid as it ages, this Cary Award winner will grow over and cover any structure with ease. Deep, dark foliage, excellent exfoliating bark, and immensely showy, 6-10″ diameter white flowers in late June. A real beauty!

Bring style and refinement to your hosta garden! Very wide, dark green margins contrast with a bright, brilliant yellow margin. Margins have puckering when plant is mature. Near-white flowers.

A majestic hosta that will capture your heart. Medium green, heart-shaped leaves and white centers and light green streaking. Near white flowers with a lavender pattern.

A ruffled hosta that will bring joy year after year. Heart-shaped, blue leaves have crisp, creamy white edges. Near white flowers.

Classic hosta with pale violet flowers above dark green leaves edged golden-yellow. Ideal groundcover or edging for shady gardens or woodlands.

The next generation of ‘Royal Standard’ is new and improved with thicker foliage that forms a polished mound of lush green in the garden and large white flowers that are so fragrant! Flowers rise above the foliage attracting butterflies in late summer into the fall.

Large cup shaped leaves of ‘Blue Vision’ will dominate the shaded landscape with its heavily crinkled and ribbed foliage, truly is more blue then green. White flowers bloom on long stems above the foliage in summer attracting butterflies. Mix with other hostas or shade loving perennials in well-drained soils.