Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Astilboides tabularis (syn. Rodgersia tabularis)

Family: (Saxifragaceae)

(P) to 4′. William Robinson described it best, “A bold growing and handsome species with huge peltate leaves and plumes of creamy white flowers.” Leaves reach a height of 2 to 2.5 feet. A superb plant to use as a focal point in the garden. Definitely stimulates conversation. Partial shade. 4 & T2

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): 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): Zizia aurea

Family: (Apiaceae)

(P) to 3′. Golden Alexanders. Eastern Canada to southern United States. Divided green foliage, with compound umbels of many tiny, yellow flowers. Blooming May through June in our Woodland. The evening sun shining through the bronze seedheads is heavenly. Self-sows freely. Moisture and partial shade. Best sown in situ or 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Campanula hofmannii (syn. Symphyandra hofmannii)

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(P) to 2′. A Bosnian native. Marvelous, creamy white, pendulous bells in terminal racemes contrast with the serrated basal leaves. Showy seedpods, too. Self-sows gently. Sun/partial shade. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Stylophorum diphyllum

Family: (Papaveraceae)

(P) to 18″. Celandine Poppy. Eastern North America. Terminal clusters of large, lemon-yellow, saucer-shaped blooms light up the woodland garden in May and June. The irregularly lobed, blue-green foliage with a soft, silvery underside is very handsome. Seed is held for months in pendulous, oblong, white to yellow pods covered in fine hairs. Self-sows. Moist, humus-rich soil. Shade/partial shade. 4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Rodgersia podophylla

Family: (Saxifragaceae)

(P) to 4.5′.  Rodger’s Flower.  This woodland wonder is named in honour of Admiral John Rodgers of the US Navy (1812-1882), distinguished naval officer who commanded in 1852-1856 a Pacific expedition during which the first species of this genus was discovered.  This Japanese native has elegant, palmate leaves that emerge bronze when young, turn to green, and take on coppery tones at they mature.  Small, white to greenish-white funnel-shaped, apetalous flowers bloom in dense, branched clusters (to 12 inches long) from June to August on upright stems rising 1 to 2 feet above the foliage.  Great in shade or try in a cool, sunny place by the water’s edge.  A mainstay in our Woodland Garden.  5 & T2