Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Jeffersonia dubia

Family: (Berberidaceae)

(P) to 12″. Manchuria. Asian species of our own native Twinleaf. Large cup-shaped, blue-lavender, six-petalled flowers transform into cupped seed capsules with lids. Bright green, kidney shaped leaves are bi-lobed and rounded though not fully divided, like J. diphylla. Moist woods. April to May. Part shade/shade. 3 & T2 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans

Family: (Asparagaceae)

(P) to 3′. “…most sumptuous of all the Hostas.” (GST**).  Huge, broad, glaucous, heavily textured, bluish green leaves form magnificent, stately clumps that add accent and poise to the woodland garden.  Pale lilac-white flowers appear in early to midsummer, though they barely emerge from beneath the foliage.  3 & T3, then it may need 40º for 2-3 months.

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Gentiana asclepiadea

Family: (Gentianaceae)

(P) to 12″. Willow Gentian. A native of Europe and Asia Minor. Clusters of two to three sapphire blue trumpets appear in the axils of the prominent veined, willow-leaved foliage. These arching sprays of blue are wonderful cascading over a rock or dripping down from a ledge above. Blooms late summer. Partial shade. 3 & 6

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Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Boehmeria platanifolia

Family: (Urticaceae)

Perennial to 3′. Asian False Nettle. China, Japan, Korea. A subtle and unique plant for the woodland garden. The large, apple-green leaves have deeply serrated edges and are covered with tiny hairs, giving the plant an overall soft glow. The opposite leaves attach to the sturdy stems with contrasting red petioles. The leaves, in orderly pairs, are aligned at 90° to the pairs above and below.  Tannish-green tassel, catkin-like flowers emerge from the branch tips in August and continue to droop into the fall.  Partial shade.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Aruncus aethusifolius

Family: (Rosaceae)

(P) to 12″. A miniature Goat’s Beard from Korea. Bright green, finely dissected foliage forms a thick, lacy carpet. Small, dense, branched spikes of Astilbe-like, tiny, creamy flowers appear in summer. Foliage turns a beautiful burgundy in fall. Partial shade. 4 & T1

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): Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana

Family: (Begoniaceae)

(P) to 2′. Hardy Begonia. China and Japan. Pendant panicles of rosy pink blooms are held over attractive, coppery green foliage in late summer. The flower stems are tinged pinkish red and the slightly “lop-sided” leaves have a noticeable red venation. A joy in our Woodland Garden.  Moist, leafy soil.  Partial shade.  4 & T3

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): Actaea alba (syn. A. pachypoda)

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 2′. Doll’s Eyes. This American native has a long season of interest from flower to fruit. Racemes of fat, white, bottlebrush flowers bloom early and are followed by china-white berries with black eyes. Sturdy, red-flushed stems and the attractive toothed leaves add interest, too. A “must” for the woodland. Berries are poisonous! Partial shade. 3 & 7 for 3 months, then T2

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