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

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Kirengeshoma palmata

Family: (Hydrangeaceae)

(P) to 6′.  A Japanese dignitary.  Waxy, soft yellow flowers in late summer, leaves of clear green “…placed oppositely up the arching ebony stem.” (GST**).  Kirengeshoma is a star performer for us in the Woodland, Flower Garden and Himalayan Slope.  We love this plant.  Partial shade and good soil.  5 & T2

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Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Maianthemum racemosum (syn. Smilacina racemosa)

Family: (Asparagaceae)

(P) to 3′. Solomon’s Zigzag, False Spikenard, Treacleberry. A North American native that is most welcomed in the woodland. Arching, bright green stems and six-inch long, elliptic to lanceolate leaves with prominent, parallel veining. Fluffy, linen-white flowers bloom on panicles in late spring. Red to purple berries follow. Moist soil. Partial shade to shade. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Polemonium reptans

Family: (Polemoniaceae)

(P) to 2′. Creeping Jacob’s Ladder. East US. Clear blue clusters of five-petalled, slightly nodding flowers with yellow throats and noticeable creamy anthers. Same Jacob’s Ladder foliage but it emerges bronze and shiny, and then turns apple green. Pinnately compound leaves with oval leaflets are arranged like the rungs of a ladder. Blooms early to mid-spring. Moist soil. Sun/partial shade. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Primula veris subsp. macrocalyx

Family: (Primulaceae)

(P) to 12″. Southern Russia through Central Asia. Very similar in flower to the common Cowslip, but a more robust plant with larger, baggier calyces. Thriving happily in our Woodland. Late spring blooming. Moist soil. Partial shade. 4 & T2