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): Aralia cordata

Family: (Araliaceae)

(P) to 4.5′. Japanese Spikenard. Japan, Korea, China. Arching stems hold terminal panicles of pale greenish-white flowers in summer. Garnet-black berries cascade in autumn. Stunning. Happy in moist leafy soil in shade. 3 & 6A, then T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Aruncus dioicus

Family: (Rosaceae)

(P) to 5′. Goat’s Beard. Europe and Russia. The tall stature and presence of this Aruncus with its large, creamy white, feathery plumes makes it a show stopper for the back of the border. Prefers moist soil and partial shade. Early summer bloomer. 4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Astilbe biternata

Family: (Saxifragaceae)

(P) to 4.5′. False Goat’s Beard. North America. The only native Astilbe and unaccountably rarely seen. Tall, imposing stems with profuse, creamy white flower panicles light up the woodland in early summer. Dark green foliage is lush and resembles Actaea. Partial shade. 4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Astrantia major

Family: (Apiaceae)

(P) to 2.5′. Great Masterwort. Central and eastern Europe. No garden should be without this effortless and beautiful plant. Several greenish white, often blushed pink flowerheads each arranged in a dome with a “collar” of bracts. Dense clumps of divided basal foliage. Content in the flower garden or in the woodland. Summer blooming. Great in flower arrangements, too. Sun/partial shade. PC- 4 weeks. 4 & 7 for 4 weeks, then T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Caulophyllum thalictroides

Family: (Berberidaceae)

(P) to 2′. Blue Cohosh. North America. Pale blue-green, dissected foliage. Small, greenish brown flowers with yellow anthers followed by brilliant metallic blue berries in late summer. Partial shade. 1 & 2B, 3 & T2 for 4 weeks, then 7 for 4 weeks & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Glaucidium palmatum

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 2′. Japan. Large-lobed, jagged leaves of fresh green are the background for the Poppy-like flowers of delicate lavender. A sight to behold in the middle of May. Cool seedpods follow. Moist soil. Partial shade. 3 & 7 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Heuchera americana

Family: (Saxifragaceae)

(P) to 2′. Rock Geranium, Coral Bells. A native to eastern North America with attractive, mottled, palmately lobed simple leaves. Small, five-petalled, white flowers on upright slender racemes bloom in early summer. 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