Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Euonymus europaeus

Family: (Celastraceae)

Hardy shrub to 15′.  Spindleberry.  Europe.  A familiar shrub of British hedgerows.  A vigorous, green-stemmed shrub covered in autumn with scarlet capsules which open to reveal the orange-coated white seeds.  Rather small, narrow leaves with excellent reddish fall colour whilst fruiting.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Tulbaghia violacea

Family: (Alliaceae)

Tender bulb to 2′.  Society Garlic.  Southern Africa. The genus was named for Ryk Tulbagh (1699-1771), one time governor of The Cape of Good Hope.  Clump-forming, narrow, strap-shaped, gray-green leaves to 12 inches tall have a strong garlic smell when bruised. In early summer, flowering scapes rise bearing terminal umbels of sweetly fragrant, lilac-pink flowers. Each flower is comprised of six narrow tepals, tubular at the base that open to a star shape. A characteristic of Tulbaghia is the modified “corona” in the centre of the flower.  This is a raised crown-like structure, but not “entire” like the trumpet of a Daffodil, this corona has only three raised fleshy protuberances on three of the tepals in the centre of the flower.  Flowers and leaves are edible and may be used in soups and salads.  Long lived in a pot.  Sun.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Merendera sobolifera

Family: (Colchicaceae)

Tender bulb to 1″.  Eastern Europe to Central Asia.  Dainty, six-petalled flowers of pale pink to rosy lilac appear in early spring from stout, horizontal, underground stolons.  The linear, grey-green leaves appear after flowering and die back during summer dormancy.  Best grown in a pot to view at eye level .  Sun.  3 & T3, then may need 40º for 2-3 months.

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Schivereckia podolica

Family: (Brassicaceae)

(P) to 6”.  Eastern Europe.  A delightful, textured, ground-hugging mound for the rock garden.  Tight rosettes of grey-green, lanceolate foliage producing corymbs of brilliant white, four-petalled flowers.  Sun.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Lewisia cotyledon hybrid Mix

Family: (Portulacaceae)

(P) to 10″.  California.  Lewisia commemorates Captain Merryweather Lewis (1774-1809).  Seed gathered from the Lewisia Collection in our Alpine House.  Foliage forms a basal rosette of fleshy, elongated leaves.  Clustered panicles of pink veined blooms in shades of salmon, pink and orange.  Well-drained soil.  Early summer.  Sun.  3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Euphorbia myrsinites

Family: (Euphorbiaceae)

(P) to 6″.  Southern Europe.  Trailing, robust 12-inch stems with spiraling, blue-green, glaucous foliage.  Stems terminate in large heads of many greenish yellow bracts enclosing tiny, yellow flowers.  A perfect plant for a dry wall or sunny rock garden.  Blooms early summer.  Well-drained soil.  Self-seeds for us.  Sun.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 3′.  A pretty Penstemon with basal bronze foliage and spikes of white, rosy tinged blooms.  Flowers in midsummer.  Comes true from seed.  Sun.  3 & 6 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Chelone lyonii

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 3′.  Pink Turtlehead.  Eastern North America.  Upright spikes with clusters of showy, pinky-purple blooms that really do look like turtle heads from every angle.  The flowers are comprised of five fused petals forming the “turtlehead” with a lobed lower lip, bearded with yellow hairs and a long, white, slender, curved pistil.   Ovate, coarsely-toothed, glossy, pointed leaves remain dark green in colour throughout the season. Flowers in August through October.  A meadow or woodland welcomed late-bloomer.  Moist soil.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Arisaema heterophyllum

Family: (Araceae)

(P) to 3′.  Dancing Crane Cobra Lily.  China, Japan.  This late emerging Jack-in-the-Pulpit, when established, can reach up to five feet and become quite the show-stopper.  From a thick leaf stalk emerges a solitary, horseshoe-shaped leaf boasting over a dozen leaflets…very interesting.  The inflorescence is held above the foliage; the spathe is matte-green and curves over to resemble a cobra’s head, hence the common name.  From within the spathe comes a 12-inch long, greenish yellow spadix that curves out from under the hood of the spathe and stands erect.  Does best in well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial shade.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Actaea simplex (syn. Cimicifuga simplex)

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 4′. Bugbane.  China, Korea, Japan.  Small, numerous, creamy white, strongly fragrant flowers appear in long, terminal racemes.  The fluffy spires up to two feet long, rise above the foliage on upright, wiry stems. Astilbe-like, deeply cut, ternately compound foliage is an attractive deep green. Adds architectural height and a welcomed late-season bloom to the woodland garden.  Partial shade.  3 & 6A