Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Azorina vidalii

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(TP) to 18″.  Azores Bellflower.  Azores.  Particularly interesting for the cool greenhouse. Thick fleshy deep green leaves give rise to a candelabra of two-inch waxy, dusky pink bells. Sun. 4 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Anthericum ramosum

Family: (Asparagaceae)

(P) to 3′.  Branched St. Bernard’s Lily.  Western and Central Europe.  White, trumpet-shaped, star-like flowers with showy yellow anthers appear in spike-like clusters atop 3 foot tall stems rising well above a clump of narrow, grass-like, grey-green leaves. Flowers resemble miniature lilies and bloom in mid to late spring.  Sun.  3, 7 for 4 weeks, T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Linaria triornithophora

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 3′.  Three-Birds-Flying.  From Spain and Portugal.  Fascinating long single-spurred lilac-purple flowers are speckled and etched with purplish black and a dab of yellow.  Broad, grey-green, ribbed foliage clasps the stem.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Aristea ecklonii

Family: (Iridaceae)

Tender bulb to 2′.  South Africa.  Beautiful star-shaped flowers of a deep, pure blue on tall branching stems that appear from June onward.  Evergreen, sword-shaped foliage.  Choice and unusual, a star attraction that summers on our Deck.  Moist, rich soil.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Geranium pratense White

Family: (Geraniaceae)

(P) to 2′.  White Meadow Cranesbill.  Europe.  A delightful white-flowered form of the Meadow Cranesbill.  Strong, upright, many branching stems with pure white flowers up to one-inch in diameter from early to midsummer.  The large, deeply divided, lobed foliage forms a handsome, bushy clump and develops good autumn tints.  It will self-sow and while mainly white, you may find a few pinks and blues among the seedlings. Well-drained soil.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Armeria juniperifolia

Family: (Plumbaginaceae)

(P) to 3″.  Dwarf Spanish Thrift.  Europe.  This alpine form makes a very dense bun or cushion of greyish green, needle-like leaves with soft pink, globe-shaped, five-petalled flowers with papery bracts which are held just above the foliage.  Sun, well-drained soil.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Moonlit Night’

Family: (Apiaceae)

(B/P) to 4′.  Another stunning, dark-leaved cultivar of the European Cow Parsley and cousin of Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Raven’s Wing’.  We got this seed from the Hardy Plant Society /Mid-Atlantic Group, and it has become a reliable fixture in the Apiaceae bed on the Systematic Order Beds.  We are not sure how it varies from ‘Raven’s Wing’, but we keep them very separate and enjoy them both.  Self-seeds gently.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Pycnanthemum pilosum

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 3′.  Hairy Mountain Mint.  Eastern and Central US.  This herbaceous perennial branches frequently to create a slender bushy appearance with flowers appearing in both terminal and axillary clusters.  The stems are light green, 4-angled, densely pubescent on all sides (giving an overall grey appearance), and very aromatic when bruised.  The upper stems terminate in branching flowerheads that are flat-topped, spanning up to one inch across.  The typical mint-like flowers are hooded and lipped with purple specks and dots scattered across its throat and the lobes of its lips.  The nectar-rich flowers are very attractive to many native pollinators.  A good candidate for the white garden.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Clematis serratifolia

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

Hardy vine to 9′.  Korean Clematis.  A graceful Clematis with ovate to lanceolate, serrated leaves that sets forth a succession of soft yellow, nodding bells with violet stamens.  The flowers have a delicate lemon scent and bloom from August to October.  An added delight is the fluffy, white, snowball seed heads that cover the plant until winter. A stunning beauty for the late summer garden.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & 7 for 8 weeks, then T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow'

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 2.5′.  This beautiful cultivar that honours Charles Darwin’s granddaughter is in fact an old, unusual type of double-flowered, spurless Columbine known as far back as the 16th century.  A short-lived but self-seeding perennial with rose-pink, green-tinged flowers arranged in perfect symmetry.  Sun/partial shade.  4 & T2