Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Clerodendrum trichotomum

Family: (Lamiaceae)

Hardy shrub to 10′. Harlequin Glorybower. Japan. Cymes of fragrant, white flowers with prominent stamens in late summer followed by pink seedpods, opening to expose metallic blue berries. A special beauty in both flower and fruit. Sun. PC- 4 weeks, 3 & T1

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Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Clethra acuminata

Family: (Clethraceae)

Shrub to 12′. Cinnamon Clethra. Appalachia. A rarely seen but choice native shrub or small tree, grown for its striking exfoliating bark of rich cinnamon-brown, with accents of tan, grey and purple. Terminal racemes of white flowers with a musky-sweet fragrance appear in July and August. Foliage turns yellow in fall. Well-drained soil. Sun/partial shade. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Clethra alnifolia

Family: (Clethraceae)

Shrub to 7′.  Summersweet.  Eastern North America.  Creamy white blooms borne on current season’s growth in two to six-inch long, and ¾-inch wide, upright racemes.  Lovely to look at, but even lovelier to smell with a delightful fragrance that perfumes the garden in July and August.  Vibrant yellow foliage in fall.  A carefree shrub with a dense, mounded habit.  Moist, but well-drained soil.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Cneorum tricoccon

Family: (Rutaceae)

Tender shrub to 2′.  Spurge Olive.  This attractive and rare evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves blooms in early summer.  Clusters of deep, four-petalled, yellow flowers are followed by red fruits that age to black.  Sun.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Codonopsis pilosula

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(P) to 6′. Dang Shen, Poor Man’s Ginseng. Northern China. A vigorous, vining plant with purple flushed, greenish yellow, nodding bells. Thick, tuberous roots are used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic, similar to Ginseng. Midsummer. Well-drained soil. Sun/partial shade. 5 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Coix lacryma-jobi

Family: (Poaceae)

(A) to 4′. Job’s Tears. Southeast Asia. A “must-have” grass with apple green, strap-like leaves. Makes a great architectural addition to the flower border. String yourself a necklace with the shining, white to black, teardrop-shaped seeds. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Conoclinium coelestinum (syn. Eupatorium coelestinum)

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 3′.  Mist Flower, Hardy Ageratum.  Eastern United States.  Small tufts of misty blue flowers cluster in dense panicles on erect stems.  Apple green leaves are triangular-ovate and coarsely toothed.  A sturdy perennial, that performs superbly at the front or mid-border.  Late summer and autumn.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Consolida ajacis 'Giant Imperial Blue Spire'

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(A) to 4′.  A stately Larkspur that blooms continually all season.  The erect, densely blooming, spike-like racemes of deep electric blue, double, ruffled, Delphinium-like flowers are enhanced by finely cut, delicate foliage.   A real show stopper.  Sun.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Consolida ajacis ‘Lilac Spire’

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(A) to 3′.  A lovely Larkspur that comes true from seed for us each year.  The erect, dense spikes of rich, lilac blooms enhanced by the finely cut, delicate foliage make this treasure a “must-have” for the cottage garden.  Summer.  Self-sows.  Sun.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Consolida regalis

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(A) to 2′.  Forked Larkspur.  Mediterranean.  Panicles of delicate, long-spurred, violet-blue flowers are produced in profusion forming an airy cloud of blue.  Finely divided foliage is an added attraction.  An easy charmer.  Sun.  3, D & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Coreopsis tinctoria var. atkinsoniana

Family: (Asteraceae)

(A) to 3′.  Atkinson’s Tickseed.  North America.  Masses of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers.  The individual ray florets contrast nicely with the purplish brown central disc florets.  Feathery, elegantly curving, branched stems of finely-cut, bipinnate foliage gently weave through its neighbours.  A long, long bloomer.  Well-drained soil.  Sun.  3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Coreopsis tripteris

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 6′. Tickseed. A native of eastern North America. Numerous, small, yellow daisies with a hint of purple in the centres, and fine lanceolate leaflets create a soft, billowy texture. A fine addition to the flower garden, meadow, or edge of woodland. Late summer bloom. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Corydalis ophiocarpa

Family: Papaveraceae

(P) to 18″.  Serpent-Pod Fumitory.  Eastern Himalayas.  This treasure forms clumps of bronzy, blue-green, fern-like foliage from which emerge racemes of tubular, cream-coloured flowers with reddish purple tips.  Dangling seed pods follow; they resemble little green eels or serpents, hence the common name.  A vigorous and attractive architectural plant, which self-sows gently when happy.  Blooms May onward.  Sun to partial shade.  4 and T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Corydalis paczoskii

Family: (Papaveraceae)

(P) to 4″.  Ukraine to Central Asia.  Rare species with short racemes of spurred, tubular purple flowers over small tufts of delicate, finely dissected green leaves.  Spring blooming.  Sun/part shade.  4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Corydalis wilsonii

Family: (Papaveraceae)

(TP) to 12”. A rosette of glaucous, blue-green, pinnate leaves, holding upright racemes of green-tipped, yellow flowers. Fantastic and an easy pot plant. Sun. 4 & T1