Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Inula magnifica

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 6′. A good tough plant that is native to the Caucasus. Vivid, deep yellow, spidery daisies with golden centres add a bold presence in the border. Broad, rough foliage clasps the stem. Magnifique. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Iris domestica (syn. Belamcanda chinensis)

Family: (Iridaceae)

(P) to 2′.  Blackberry Lily.  East Asia.  Iris-like foliage sports loosely branched sprays of speckled, orange-red flowers.  Fruit capsules with dense clusters of attractive, glossy black seeds follow.  Well-drained soil.  Sun.  1 & 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Isatis praecox

Family: (Brassicaceae)

(B/P) to 4′.  Early Woad.  We obtained original seed from Glasnevin Botanic Garden, Dublin.  We have grown this plant for many years and do not see any significant difference between I. praecox and I. tinctoria.  We speculate that it blooms earlier than I. tinctoria.  I. praecox is a lovely early summer perennial offering sprays of yellow, four-petalled blooms atop deep green, basal foliage.  Self-sows.  Sun.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Isodon longitubus (syn. Rabdosia longituba)

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 4′.  Trumpet Spurflower.  Native to deciduous forests in Japan.  A late blooming autumn delight for dappled shade.  This mint family perennial sends out arching stems of fresh green, lance-shaped, deeply veined leaves with serrated edges.  Stems are topped with one-foot long airy panicles covered with many one-inch long, pendulous, blue-purple, tubular flowers.  This beauty is always blooming brightly on our October, Autumn Colour Walk.  Perfect in the woodland in a semi-shaded location. Partial shade.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Jeffersonia diphylla

Family: (Berberidaceae)

(P) to 18″ in flower. Jefferson’s Twinleaf. A native New Yorker. In early spring the emerging foliage is striking in shades of pinkish purple. The stems stay dark and the foliage unfurls into two, blue-green, kidney-shaped, lobed divisions. The eight-petalled, white, cup-shaped flowers face upwards and display a cooling light green centre and creamy yellow coloured stamens. Interesting pear-shaped seed pods with pointed hinged lids hold the shiny brown seeds. Moist woods. Partial shade/shade. 3 & T2 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Jeffersonia dubia

Family: (Berberidaceae)

(P) to 12″. Manchuria. Asian species of our own native Twinleaf. Large cup-shaped, blue-lavender, six-petalled flowers transform into cupped seed capsules with lids. Bright green, kidney shaped leaves are bi-lobed and rounded though not fully divided, like J. diphylla. Moist woods. April to May. Part shade/shade. 3 & T2 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Kirengeshoma palmata

Family: (Hydrangeaceae)

(P) to 6′.  A Japanese dignitary.  Waxy, soft yellow flowers in late summer, leaves of clear green “…placed oppositely up the arching ebony stem.” (GST**).  Kirengeshoma is a star performer for us in the Woodland, Flower Garden and Himalayan Slope.  We love this plant.  Partial shade and good soil.  5 & T2

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Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Kirengeshoma palmata Koreana Group

Family: (Hydrangeaceae)

(P) to 4′.  A Korean dignitary.  Large, sharply lobed, maple-like leaves in opposite pairs display a handsome silvery pubescence when emerging in spring.  The foliage provides interest through late summer when the flowers emerge.  Pale yellow, waxy, five-petalled flowers are borne on a stiffly upright inflorescence.  Blooms a bit earlier than K. palmata.   A “must-have.”  Prefers partial shade.  5 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Kolkwitzia amabile

Family: (Caprifoliaceae)

Hardy shrub to 10′. Beauty Bush. China. A deciduous, densely branched shrub with drooping clusters of soft pink, flared, tubular flowers with yellow throats in June. Tough and lovely. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Lamium orvala

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 2′.  North Italy to the Balkans.  Beautiful and distinctive, and always attracting comment.  Forms bushy clumps of handsome, toothed leaves with whorls of reddish pink, lipped, large blooms that peek out in May and June.  Well-drained soil.  Partial shade.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Lathyrus latifolius 'Albus'

Family: (Fabaceae)

(P vine) to 6′.  White Everlasting Pea.  Europe.  A lovely, white, herbaceous perennial pea.  The greenish white buds become pure white when mature.  Short racemes of 4 to 11, unscented flowers are produced from the axils of the alternating, blue-green leaves. A long-blooming beacon of white at the Order Beds.  June to September.  Sun/partial shade. 2B & 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Lathyrus niger

Family: (Fabaceae)

(P) to 3′. Black Pea. Racemes of purple-lilac, lipped flowers. Compound foliage, slightly yellow-green in colour with small, rounded leaflets. A delicately textured plant which nestles in amongst many other plants in our Garden. Sun.  2B & 3, D & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Leonotis menthifolia

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(TP) to 2′.  Mint-leaved Lion’s Ear.  South Africa.  Vibrant, warm orange, tubular flowers are held in whorls.  Small, serrated leaves have a pungent, spicy fragrance, reminiscent of Agastache.  A long blooming, compact Lion’s Ear perfect for containers.  Overwinter in a frost-free conservatory.  Summer through to fall.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Leontopodium ochroleucum var. campestre

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 12″. Central Asia to Tibet. The classic “Edelweiss” flower head has tight terminal clusters of small, white, star-shaped flowers surrounded by white, petal-like, woolly bracts. This species has a small, tufted, basal clump of linear leaves and upright flower stems with large, inch-wide, star-like, yellow centres. Grows well for us outside, on top of our tufa beds. Well-drained soil. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Leonurus sibiricus

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(B) to 6′. Chinese Motherwort. Native to Northeast China and Korea. A huge, imposing presence, each of the branching stems is heavy with small, pale pink, tubular blooms in dense, axillary whorls. Pinnately divided, dark green leaves are deeply veined. An ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. Summer bloom. Small black nutlets follow. Bizarre and beautiful. Sun. 4 & T2