Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Eryngium caeruleum (syn. E. caucasicum)

Family: (Apiaceae)

(P) to 4′. This Sea Holly is native to the Caucasus and Central Asia. Metallic blue thistles with matching spiky bracts are borne on stiff, forked branches. Both the stems and prickly leaves have an attractive bluish colour as well. A lovely plant. Blooms July to August. Well-drained soil. Sun. 3 & 6 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Elsholtzia stauntonii

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 5′. Chinese Mint-Shrub. China. A bushy, deciduous sub-shrub with fragrant, ovate-elliptical, coarsely toothed leaves. Branched panicles of dense, eight-inch, spike-like, lilac-purple clusters formed of two-lipped flowers with long, prominent stamens. Blooms late summer through autumn. Cut down in early spring as it grows much like Lespedeza, blooming on new growth. Well-drained soil. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Echinops sphaerocephalus

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 4′. Pale Globe Thistle. Southern and Central Europe to Russia. Silvery, greyish green foliage with white, tomentose undersides accentuates the two-inch, steely, silver grey “globular” flowerheads. Easy to see why its name comes from the Greek for Hedgehog! Great for cutting and drying. Mid to late summer blooming. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Echinops exaltatus

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 6′.  Tall Globe Thistle.  Eastern Europe to Russia.  Globular flowerheads composed of numerous, tiny, pale blue florets.  Flowerheads to 2-½ inches in diameter stand tall on sturdy, downy-white stems and mature into dense, prickly seedheads.  The bold, greyish green, thistle-like foliage forms an impressive clump.  This summer-to-fall bloomer is a magnet for bees, hoverflies and butterflies.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Digitalis parviflora

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 2′. Spanish Foxglove. This is a true perennial species of Foxglove, native to the mountains of northern Spain. Plants form a rosette of dark, deeply veined, green leaves bearing in early summer, tightly packed spikes of small, rusty orange-red to chocolate brown flowers on stiff, leafy, upright stems. Eye-catching. Well-drained soil. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Digitalis lutea

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 2-½’. Straw Foxglove. This native plant of southern Europe and North Africa readily makes itself at home in a garden. In early summer, the small, creamy yellow flowers crowd one side of their tall, slender stalks. A good, long-bloomer with glossy, dark green foliage. Readily self-sows. Sun/partial shade. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Codonopsis pilosula

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(P) to 6′. Dang Shen, Poor Man’s Ginseng. Northern China. A vigorous, vining plant with purple flushed, greenish yellow, nodding bells. Thick, tuberous roots are used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic, similar to Ginseng. Midsummer. Well-drained soil. Sun/partial shade. 5 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Clematis integrifolia

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 3′.  Solitary Clematis.  Central Europe and Asia.  This upright, non-climbing Clematis has rich, indigo-violet, nodding, urn-shaped flowers with four twisted  sepals and creamy anthers.  Attractive, feathery seedheads follow and persist.  Blooms May to July.  Sun.  3 & 7 for 8 weeks, then T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Clematis heracleifolia

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 3′. This herbaceous, non-climbing clematis can be found in the blue/lavender/grey bed of the Flower Garden. The individual florets are tight, blue, and reminiscent of Hyacinth blooms, opening wide to expose pale centres and numerous cream stamens. Silvery, fluffy seedheads provide later beauty. Pleasantly fragrant. Full sun to partial shade in cool, moist soil. 3 & 7 for 8 weeks, then T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Chelidonium majus var. laciniatum (syn. Chelidonium 'Bowles' Variety')

Family: (Papaveraceae)

(P) to 2.5′.  A special selection of the Celandine Poppy with deeply lobed leaves and loads of summer-blooming, double golden yellow flowers that brings excitement to a shady garden.  Bright orange sap may irritate skin.  Partial shade. 3 & 6A