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): Rudbeckia subtomentosa

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 6′. Sweet Black-eyed Susan. Tallgrass Prairie. A host of two-inch, bright yellow-petalled, dark-eyed daisies. Bushy clumps of downy, sweet scented, grey-green leaves; the lower leaves being three cleft. Blooms in late summer. Moist to well-drained soil. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Zanthoxylum simulans

Family: (Rutaceae)

Hardy shrub to 15′. Prickly Ash. China. Small, greenish-yellow flower panicles in July are followed by reddish fruits. Elegant, pinnately compound, lustrous, dark green leaves with a prickly midrib. Spreading branches form a gracefully arching shrub or small tree. Stems have distinctive, broad, flat spines along their length. A lovely and unusual specimen tree. Sun. 3 & 6

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): Dipsacus laciniatus

Family: (Caprifoliaceae)

(B/P) to 7′. Cut-Leaved Teasel. Europe and Asia. Large, spear-shaped leaves with distinctive pinnately lobed edges, prominent white midribs and prickly stems. Pale green, oval porcupine-esque heads with intermittent rings of pale pink, individual florets. Invaluable in dried arrangements. Loves to self-sow and is perfect for the wild garden. Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Calycanthus floridus

Family: (Calycanthaceae)

Woody shrub to 6′. Carolina Allspice. Maroon, strawberry scented flowers. Fruits are hard, fig-shaped capsules. Good autumn colour. A tough and attractive shrub. Sun. PC- 8 weeks, 1 then 3 & T2 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Clematis hexapetala

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

Hardy vine to 10′. Northeast China, Japan. This Clematis resembles the Sweet Autumn Clematis. Many flowered cymes of one-inch, white blooms with prominent, creamy stamens are borne in profusion. However, the major distinction is the early summer bloom. A focal point in our White Bed, growing up a tripod. Sun. 3 & 7 for 8 weeks, then T2

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 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): Hydrangea quercifolia

Family: (Hydrangeaceae)

Shrub to 8′. Oakleaf Hydrangea. This native of Georgia and Tennessee southwards is one of our all-time favourite “must have” shrubs. Forming full, rounded mounds of lobed and scalloped, oak-like leaves, it is graced in June with showy almost conical foot-long inflorescences of creamy white, often fading to soft pink with age. In fall, the large coarsely textured leaves develop rich hues of purple, scarlet and orange, providing some of the most vivid of autumnal colour. It grows better for us in some shade and with winter protection, as one would except from this southern belle. Prefers a moist, acidic but well-drained woodsy soil. 5 & T2