Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Anemone hupehensis var. japonica

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 2-½’.  Japanese Anemone. Native to China, Japan.  Basal foliage clump to 12 inches tall is comprised of 3-parted, dark green leaves on long petioles. Each leaf has large-toothed margins and is softly pubescent beneath. Long, upright, wiry, graceful, branching flower stems rise well above the foliage clump bearing single, cup-shaped, apetalous, two-to-three-inch flowers. Each flower contains five to seven showy, rounded, pinkish-white to pale rose-mauve tepals with a contrasting green, button-like center containing a ring of yellow stamens. Flowers from midsummer to autumn. This hardy perennial is beautiful in the woodland garden or border and planted in masses.  Moist, fertile, humusy soil in sun or partial shade. 3 & 6 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Anemone virginiana

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 2.5′. Central and eastern United States. This plant has long petioled, toothed basal leaves. The flowers are greenish white and not long lasting. However, the fuzzy, white, cotton ball-like seedheads provide an interesting addition to the garden throughout the summer. Not fussy. Partial shade. 3 & 6 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Anemonopsis macrophylla

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 2.5′. False Anemone. A Japanese aristocrat. Handsome, glossy, dissected foliage. Late-season, nodding, waxy, pink-purple, anemone-like flowers. Wonderful in a woodland setting. Partial shade. 4 & T1

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Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Angelica gigas

Family: (Apiaceae)

(B/P) to 5′. This terrific Barry Yinger introduction from Korea and Japan is a stunner. Dramatic, deep maroon, spherical flowerheads emerge from red-flushed, bulbous, leafy sheaths above glossy green, dissected foliage. The afternoon sun intensifies the colour and lends this plant another dimension. Please note, insects, especially hornets, also find it irresistible. Sun/partial shade. 3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Angelica polymorpha

Family: (Apiaceae)

(P) to 6′. China. Exquisite, airy umbels of small, creamy white flowers and attractive lobed leaves. The flowering umbels look like a perfect firework display. A choice plant. Sun. 3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Antennaria dioica

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 4″. Pussy-Toes. Europe, North America. This adorable little carpeting perennial is at home in the sunny rock garden. It forms a flat mat of small, grey-green, tomentose, spathulate leaves. Short stems with dense corymbs of buds that resemble the toes of a cat which open to papery white flowers with a pinkish tinge. Plants are dioecious – male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. The female flowerhead is larger and has narrow, pointed, erect and often pink-tipped bracts.   Male flowers typically appear on shorter flower stalks with white-tipped bracts. A billowing cloud of fluffy seedheads follows. Blooms in late spring. A tough and useful plant. Well-drained soil and sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Antennaria dioica 'Minima'

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 3″. Half the size of regular Pussy-toes, this adorable little carpeting perennial is at home in the sunny rock garden, alpine trough or growing between stepping stones. It forms a flat mat of tiny silver edged, grey-green leaves. Short stems with tight terminal clusters of buds that resemble the toes of a cat, open to papery white flowers with a pinkish tinge. A billowing cloud of fluffy seedheads follows. Blooms in late spring. A tough and useful plant. Well-drained soil and sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Antennaria dioica var. rosea

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 4″.  Pink Pussy-Toes.  Europe, North America.  A rock garden stalwart with a tight clusters of beautiful rose-pink flowers from a basal rosette of fuzzy-grey, evergreen leaves with white tomentose below.  Midsummer.  Sun.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Anthericum liliago

Family: Asparagaceae

(P) to 2′.  St. Bernard’s Lily.  Europe, Turkey.  White, trumpet-shaped, star-like, 1½-inch long flowers with showy yellow anthers appear in spike-like clusters atop 2 foot tall stems rising well above a clump of narrow, grass-like, dark green leaves. Flowers resemble miniature lilies and bloom in mid to late spring.  This plant is also very reliable in our Gravel Garden.  Sun.  3, 7 for 4 weeks, T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Anthyllis vulneraria var. coccinea

Family: (Fabaceae)

(P) to 6″. Kidney Vetch. Basal rosettes of deep green, paddle-shaped leaves with very light margins. Flowers are clustered, each containing a pale yellow tube with red lips. Flower stalks to eight inches tall and pale purple in colour. Blooms in May and June. Self-sows. Sun. 2B & 3 & 7 for 4 weeks, then T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Aquilegia canadensis

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 2′. Honeysuckle Columbine. A native of eastern North America. Nodding blossoms with red spurs surrounding yellow petals and yellow anthers and an extended stigma. Dark stems and delicate foliage. Late spring to early summer bloomer. Self-sows readily. Sun/partial shade. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Aquilegia flabellata var. pumila f. rosea

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 6″. Fan Columbine.  A Japanese garden treasure with short-spurred, pale pink, nodding flowers in spring.  Biternate to triternate, blue-green foliage is somewhat suggestive of meadow rue.  The leaflets of this species are rounded and fan-shaped, hence the common name.  Adorable.  Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Aquilegia viridiflora

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 12″. Eastern Siberia to Northwest China. This unique Columbine has long, spurred petals of a deep, purplish brown colour and smaller, shorter sepals that are a definite green. Prominent, yellow central cone of pistils and stamens add a nice contrast. Tight clumps of basal foliage are biternate and a finely pubescent, bluish green, with the nodding, fragrant flowers held on short, sturdy, upright stems. Whilst like all Columbines, a relatively short-lived perennial, this one has a distinctive appeal. Sun/partial shade. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Aquilegia vulgaris Mix

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 3′. Columbine. Europe. The common name Columbine is derived from the Latin word for “dove” in reference to the resemblance of the inverted flower to five doves clustered together – a most descriptive image indeed. The intricate flowers can be nodding or horizontal and consist of five sepals and five petals to 1-½ inches long and come in a wide variety of colours, often developing dorsal hooked spurs. Interesting five, fused seed follicles follow. Each follicle has a long thin beak and holds many small, shiny, black seeds and persists until fall. The bushy, clump-forming plants have branched, thinly hairy stems and pinnate leaves, with the basal leaflets trifoliate. One of the most beloved plants appearing in an array of colours, sizes and forms, thanks to natural hybridization in the garden.  In 2024 we collected from plants described below.  Perhaps you will get an even more exciting variant.  Sun to part shade.  4 & T2

– Single White                – Single Lavender             

– Single Clear Pink         – Single Tall Purple

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Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Arabis ferdinandi-coburgii

Family: (Brassicaceae)

(P) to 4″. Rockcress. Southeastern Europe. An easy growing, mat-forming perennial spreading up to 12 inches wide. Flowering white in clusters in early spring on five-inch stalks. A plant for sun or part shade in well-drained soil. 4 & T1