Abelia 'Lynn'

Pinky Bells large flowered dwarf abelia

Large, pendulous, lavender-pink flowers bloom from mid-summer to fall. This compact plant has some of the the largest flowers of any abelia! Reddish new growth, great fall color, and a tough constitution make this plant a winner.

Abutilon megapotamicum 'Little Imp'

flowering maple

This little flowering maple has long been a favorite of ours at the JCRA. Dusty red calyces surround nodding yellow flowers from spring until frost. Dark stems clothed in small leaves, spray up and out mingling well with other plants in the ground or in a container.

Acalypha pendula

creeping chenille plant

Dwarf Chenille Plant gets its common name from the fuzzy plumes of tiny red flowers that trail above a thick mound of small, serrated leaves. This dwarf variety stays small and doesn't need pruning. It's naturally bushy. Makes an eye-catching house plant or hanging basket!

Acanthus 'Wofford Rhubarb'

Acer

maple

This is from a wild collection in Taiwan made by Crug Farms Nursery of Wales. They think it may be a hybrid, but it looks like it is Acer oliverianum to us.

Acer buergerianum var. ningpoense

Ningpo trident maple

Ningpo trident maple is a variety of trident maple that occurs in the wild in east China. Leaves are slightly bluish tinged, 2” long and wide, and vary from three lobes to none. Fall color is yellow. On mature trees, the bark peels in thick sheets, adding texture and interest.

Acer fabri

Faber maple

We have long enjoyed this most unmaple-like maple with its glossy, unlobed, evergreen (yes, evergreen) leaves. This maple is not only evergreen but has some of the showiest red flowers of any maple species and flowers are followed by showy red fruits.

Acer sikkimense subsp. metcalfii

Metcalf's snakebark maple

This very rare maple comes from seed collected in China in 2012. It grows into a small tree with red new growth and striated bark.

Achillea 'Sassy Summer Lemon'

Acorus gramineus 'Oborozuki'

variegated sweet flag

A wonderful semi-evergreen, marginal aquatic perennial that features a grass-like tuft of narrow golden with green stripes leaf blades (1/4“ wide) that fan outward to 6-12” tall. It is commonly grown in water gardens and boggy areas. Foliage is sweetly fragrant when bruised.

Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'

golden sweet flag

Brilliant butter-yellow variegated foliage. Good for accent, mass plantings, water's edge, or shallow ponds. Excellent choice to brighten up a dark moist area of the garden.

Adenophora

bellflower

We collected seed of this bellflower (MWZ18-001) growing along the rocky banks of a stream in Moon Valley, Gansu, in 2018. It should make airy plants with ¾" true blue bell-shaped flowers in summer. We haven't tried this one outdoors yet but it should be perfectly hardy in average garden soil in sun to part shade.

Adiantum capillus-veneris

southern maidenhair fern

Adiantum ×mairisii

Mairis's maidenhair fern

shade; 14"

Adina rubella 'Purple Flower'

purple Chinese buttonbush

A fine foliaged shrub with reddish new growth. Purplish Sputnik-like flowers adorn this Chinese relative of our native buttonbush.

Agastache 'Blue Boa'

anise hyssop

sun; 30"

Agastache 'Morello'

hummingbird mint

Strong upright growth habit.
Low water needs

Agastache pringlei

Pringle's giant hyssop

The three-inch long, dense floral heads of Agastache pringlei are composed of whorls of 1/2-inch, tubular pink flowers with darker pink calyces. The mint-like foliage is very aromatic. This flowers non-stop through the season.

Agave asperrima

rough agave

Agave bracteosa 'Monterrey Frost'

variegated bracted century plant

This lovely little agave is an absolute showstopper with a bright white margin along each of the stiff (and non-spiny!) leaves. Plant in a protected spot or even better grow it as a forgiving container plant. It likes a bit of shade making it easy to grow even indoors.

Agave 'Crazy Horse'

pulque agave

sun; 30"

Agave potatorum 'Blue Winds'

Agave schidigera 'Shira-ito-no-ohi'

queen of white century plant

This is one of the showiest of the variegated agaves available—although rarely easy to acquire! The small rosettes grow to only about 12" tall. Each of the evergreen, succulent leaves is broadly and evenly outlined with bright white and tipped with a burgundy spine. White, threadlike filaments curl along the leaf margins. This is marginally hardy at best but makes a showy container plant.

Agave striata

needle agave

This small agave will fit into any sunny,
well-drained spot in the garden where the thin, sharp-tipped leaves make a tight ball of shimmering blue-green. In mid-summer, a tall, 8' bottlebrush flower spike erupts from the rosette much to the delight of gardeners and hummingbirds alike.

Agave toumeyana var. bella

hardy century plant

This lovely agave grows to only about 6" by 10" in attractive rosettes. Offsets readily form a tight colony perfect for a small scale ground cover or filling a pot. Always grow in a well-drained soil to ensure survival. Mature plants bear 4' flower spikes attractive to people and hummingbirds.

Ajania pacifica

silver and gold chrysanthemum

This chrysanthemum forms an attractive bushy mound of lobed green leaves edged with silver that are appealing all season long. Small yellow button flowers appear very late in the fall, sometimes lasting until Christmas. Easily divided in early spring.

Ajuga 'Valfredda'

Chocolate Chip bugleweed

The extremely dwarf habit and chocolate foliage is best utilized as a small area ground cover. It forms a foliage mat to only 2" tall of tiny, shiny, oval leaves which are chocolate with burgundy highlights. The bluish purple flowers appear in spring on spikes rising slightly above the foliage.

Allium 'Millennium'

ornamental onion

Allium ×proliferum

Egyptian walking onion

"As their scientific name "Allium proliferum" states, these hardy little onions are very "prolific." After planting them in your garden you will have onions every year for years to come!" (http://www.egyptianwalkingonion.com/)

Alocasia 'Mayan Mask'

elephant ear

This robust elephant ear bears strongly ribbed upright foliage highlighted by coppery-purple backsides. It is easy to grow in the garden and will grow to 8' if given plenty of water and fertilizer. Bring inside to a bright window in winter or mulch very well and cross your fingers.

Alocasia 'Regal Shields'

upright elephant ear

'Regal Shields' has almost black, glossy foliage with burgundy undersides

Ampelaster carolinianus

climbing aster

Amsonia elliptica

Asian bluestar

Amsonia elliptica forms a tight clump of upright stems about 18" to 24" tall. The stems are topped in spring by clusters of pale blue starry flowers. Fall color is a nice gold. This beauty is a tough plant for full sun to light shade and most soils.

Amsonia hubrichtii

Ozark blue-star

Outstanding golden foliage color in the fall makes it a must for the border. Has a blue star like flower in the spring. Mounding form with fine-textured narrow foliage turning orange or gold in fall.

Anemone hupehensis var. japonica 'Prinz Heinrich'

Japanese anemone

‘Prinz Heinrich’ (often sold as 'Prince Henry') is a vigorous, mounding, Japanese anemone that spreads by creeping rhizomes. Beautiful semi-double, 2-inch deep rose flowers with yellow stamens on long, upright, wiry-but-graceful, branching stems.

Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii

flame acanthus

full sun to light shade; 3'–4'

Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii 'Pumpkin'

flame anisacanthus

Soft pumpkin-orange is a great new color twist on this old favorite. Hummingbirds and butterflies love it's nectar! This tough Texas native is also DEER RESISTANT! Cut to the ground in spring for denser growth.

Antirrhinum latifolium

broad-leafed perennial snapdragon

sun; 36"

Aquilegia parviflora

Araiostegia pseudocystopteris

hardy rabbit's foot fern

We've been quite impressed with this Asian fern with its lacy fronds arising from fuzzy rhizomes which creep across the ground. In loose soil on a slope, it will spread to form nice patches in short order. Like all ferns, it is pretty much deer proof.

Arbutus unedo 'Elfin King'

compact strawberry tree

Looking for fall and winter interest? Why settle for just fruit or just flowers? Drooping clusters of Pieris-like, creamy-white flowers in autumn appear just as the previous year's fruits begin to ripen. The 1" fruits are sweet and hang like bright red ornaments from the rounded shrub.

Ardisia japonica 'Andre the Giant'

Japanese ardisia

Makes a lovely houseplant.

Aristolochia fimbriata

hardy Dutchman's pipe

sun to part shade; 8" by 36"

Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

Powis Castle artemisia

A noteworthy and often mainstay foliage plant for perennial borders. Fine textured, silvery foliage becomes mounded and billowy throughout the growing season. Full sun is a must and one should expect spreading. Cut back judiciously in winter every few years to maintain shape and form.

Arum italicum subsp. italicum

Italian arum

Tropical looking foliage all winter with glossy arrow shaped leaves veined with cream. Summer dormant. Best when sited under deciduous shrubs and trees so that it has winter sun and summer shade. Zone 6.

Arundo donax 'Peppermint Stick'

variegated giant reed

In fall, clumps are topped with 18" bronze-colored plumes.
Not invasive.

Asarum canadense

Canada wild-ginger

Asarum splendens

Chinese wild ginger

Asclepias incarnata

swamp milkweed

These are a bit of a mystery because they came from the NCBG as A. incarnata, and very likely to be correctly identified, yet they are distinct in a number of ways from the selections of this species that are in the nursery trade, specifically the cultivars 'Ice Ballet' and 'Ballerina' , first and foremost is that they persist in the garden. I've never kept 'Ice Ballet' and 'Ballerina' alive for more than a year or two. This wild type has smaller leaves that are slightly hairy, it is taller (about 4 to 5') and doesn't branch until about half way up the stem. The flower clusters are similar but are smaller. It is showy and of course the flowers are highly attractive to pollinators and the leaves support monarch butterfly caterpillars. Best in a moist to wet site but will tolerate average soil if not excessively dry

Asparagus aethiopicus

Sprenger's asparagus

Sprenger's asparagus can be grown as an indoor plant or a container plant that can be moved inside for the winter. Its fine needle-like leaves give it a soft, fluffy appearance, but its tough stems are sparsely covered with spines. Native to South Africa, it’s an invasive weed in Hawaii, Florida, New Zealand and Australia.

Asparagus brachyphyllus

wild asparagus

Asparagus oligoclonos

ornamental asparagus

This feathery-textured member of the lily family makes an open mound of green stems clothed with soft "needles" resembling a conifer as much as anything else. Dangling clusters of rosy flowers are showy for an asparagus and are followed by red fruits.

Asphodeline liburnica

Jacob's rod

This native of Austria, Italy and the eastern Mediterranean, flourishes in sunny, dry meadows. In summer, flower spikes of pale yellow,
star-shaped flowers adorn this clump-forming perennial. Upright form adds vertical interest to the garden. Attractive blue-green, grass-like leaves makes it a special addition to any garden.

Aspidistra oblanceifolia 'Nagoya Stars'

speckled cast-iron plant

Asplenium ×ebenoides

scott's spleenwort or dragontail fern

Aster ageratoides 'Ashvi'

white Asian aster

This lovely perennial aster is native across east Asia from Siberia down to Taiwan and will tolerate just about anything you can throw its way from full sun to relatively deep shade. Pure white flowers with a gold eye cover the plant from late summer well into fall. It is exceptionally cold hardy, spreading politely by underground rhizomes to make nice clumps to about 30" tall. (3.5" pot)

Aster ageratoides 'Ezo Murasaki'

Asian aster

sun; 24"

Aster ageratoides var. scaberulus

Asian aster

This Asian woodland aster from the wild collection from seed makes a spreading clump of sandpaper-textured foliage topped in fall by cheery white daisies. It is quite easy to grow and seems happiest in a bit of shade. Once established, will tolerate and even thrive in dry shade with occasional watering to keep it going during the driest stretches.

Aster sikkimmensis

Sikkim aster

Native to the Himalayas from Nepal to Sikkim, this herbaceous perennial grows upright to 3' tall. Flowers are small, light purple with yellow centers and occur in clusters. Slender branches are numerous, and leaves are narrow.

Aster tataricus

Tatarian aster

sun; 6 feet

Astilbe cf. longicarpa

astilbe

This astilbe (MWT14-981) collected in Taiwan at over 5400' by the JCRA was growing on damp rock faces with long narrow seed heads. We think the airy panicles of dainty white flowers should look lovely in a woodland garden.

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum

Japanese painted fern

Aucuba japonica 'Cecil-Alice'

Japanese aucuba

A wonderful aucuba introduced by Plant Delights nursery. The compact shrub is heavily mottled and streaked with gold. The female plant supposedly has white fruits as well. A truly distinct form of aucuba. Japanese aucuba is one of the best evergreen shrubs for dry shade.

Aucuba japonica 'Goldilocks'

variegated Japanese aucuba

shade; species 4'–10'

Aucuba japonica 'Hosoba Hoshifu'

Japanese aucuba

Aucubas are must-have shrubs for the shade garden. This unusual Japanese form is somewhat compact, growing to about 6' tall. It bears conspicuously narrow foliage heavily speckled with gold. The variegation is much brighter than most other forms of aucuba. Mostly inconspicuous purple flowers give rise to large red fruits on this female form. Great for brightening up a shady spot where it will tolerate significant drought once established.

Aucuba japonica f. longifolia

narrowleaf Japanese aucuba

Green evergreen shrub for the shade with long, attractive, pointed leaves and abundant fruiting. If male plants are nearby, it produces red berries. Native to Japan and Korea. Hardy to Zone 7.

Aucuba japonica 'Tatsumaki'

Japanese aucuba

'Tatsumaki' is a Japanese selection whose name means 'tornado', describing its oddly twisted, long, dark green, leaves (6" × 2"). Your shade garden has plenty of room for this great plant, since it grows to only 3' tall in seven years. Relatively new in the trade, 'Tatsumaki' has performed well for us in the JCRA Lath House since 2012.

Bambusa multiplex 'Fernleaf'

dwarf clumping fernleaf bamboo

Clumping bamboo perfect for the small garden. Small green leaves emerge all along the canes like fern fronds. Fully evergreen down into the teens. Root hardy to about -5F.

Baptisia 'Brownie Points'

wild-indigo

The unconventional flower color is quite lovely on a mature specimen. Drought tolerate!

Baptisia 'Royal Candles'

false indigo

Begonia aff. taipeiensis

Taipei begonia

A very newly described begonia hybrid found in northern Taiwan. Pink flowers on a semi-epiphytic plant that grows on moss covered rocks or in ordinary garden soil. Can be grown in warm climates outdoors or as a houseplant.

Berberis tsangpoensis

Tibetan barberry

This barberry is native to southeastern Tibet, growing on sunny, steep slopes in well-drained locations. It is an attractive, dwarf, semi-evergreen shrub that forms a low (18” tall), wide spreading mound. Leaves are small, diamond-shaped and stems have long spines. Berries are pendent, scarlet, and shiny. These plants were grown from seed obtained from National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Ireland, and we invite you to trial this one along with us.

Betula kusmisscheffii

birch

We don't really know much about this birch from northern Europe and neither does anyone else apparently. It may be a variety of B. pubescens or a naturally occurring hybrid. It appears to form a compact to groundcovering plant in its natural habitat but will likely grow larger in a warmer area.

Brugmansia 'Charles Grimaldi'

angel's trumpet

Buddleja davidii 'Potter's Purple'

butterfly-bush

This is a perfect addition to the back of a sunny perennial border.

Buddleja loricata

mountain sagewood

Everyone needs an evergreen butterfly-bush! This South African shrub bears tough, corrugated leaves all year through. The deep sage green leaves are highlighted by silvery hairs covering the stems and undersides of the leaves and the small flowers are very pleasantly fragrant.

Buddleja 'Purple Haze'

compact butterfly-bush

This compact butterfly-bush from Denny Werner's breeding program is compact without being stiff. It grows as a low plant with horizontal branching and loads of long, deep purple, sterile flower spikes all summer long. Full sun, 36" tall by 40" wide.

Buddleja salviifolia

South African sage-wood

Buxus harlandii 'Goliath'

Harland's boxwood

Buxus harlandii is one of our favorite boxwoods with distinctive foliage and growth habit. This form popped up in the Southeast and looks like the species on steroids. There is no better group of plants for dry shade than boxwoods.

Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Unraveled'

weeping common boxwood

Buxus microphylla var. riparia

Japanese boxwood

This boxwood variety is a small-leafed plant forming a mid-sized shrub with a somewhat more lax and open habit than the typical species. It makes a lovely addition to the garden and is especially nice in a woodland setting.

Buxus sempervirens 'Aurea Pendula'

variegated common boxwood

Boxwoods are standard plants of most landscapes of the Mid-Atlantic states of the eastern U.S. They are superb, deer-resistant, landscape shrubs. This selection has an upright form with branches that weep toward the tips with a light yellow variegation. Avoid poorly drained sites.

Buxus sempervirens 'Kingsville'

common boxwood

Buxus 'Kingsville' is a very slow growing, mounding plant that would be prefect for a small space in your garden. It also makes a great container plant.

Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa'

dwarf English boxwood

The classic English boxwood with a softly rounded outline. Perfect for foundation plantings but also one of the best evergreens for shade gardens.

Buxus sempervirens 'Vardar Valley'

common boxwood

'Vardar Valley' stands out among our collection for its low, spreading form, and distinct, blue-green foliage. It has been widely touted for its cold hardiness, but the foliage probably distinguishes it most from other boxwoods. Hardy throughout North Carolina.

Buxus sinica var. insularis (spreading dwarf)

spreading dwarf boxwood

We received this plant several years ago from Appledoom Landscape Nursery. This tall, slow ground-cover has settled in quite well in the shady garden here at the JCRA and we think it has real landscape potential.

Buxus wallichiana

Himalayan boxwood

This dark green, evergreen shrub is an attractive candidate for southern gardens with its nice foliage and tolerance of shady growing conditions. Add the unusually large-sized leaves and you have a highly textural shrub that can be used to add to a subtropical-like planting in your garden.

Calibrachoa 'Uscal58205'

Superbells Strawberry Punch calibrachoa

This popular annual bears miniature petunia flowers. Best in a container, hanging basket or windowbox where the trailing habit can be appreciated.

Callicarpa americana 'Berries and Cream'

variegated American beautyberry

Callicarpa means beautiful fruit/seeded (kallos = beauty and karpos = fruit) and we certainly agree. 'Berries and Cream' is an excellent for name for this selection since each leaf has a nice creamy marbled pattern with stems of large bright purple berries. Delightful!

Callicarpa americana var. lactea

white American beautyberry

These are seedlings from a plant growing at the JCRA. All the seedlings should be white fruited because the parent plant is fairly isolated from the purple-fruited varieties) but you never know what kind of hanky panky goes on in the arboretum at night!

Callicarpa americana (pink fruited wild collection)

pink fruited American beautyberry

American beautyberry has fragrant, fuzzy green foliage. Loads of small, pinkish to bluish flowers appear in mid--summer to be followed by clumps of pink drupes. Butterflies, bees, and birds love beautyberry. Mosquitoes, ants and other pesky creatures hate it! How wonderful!

Callicarpa americana 'Welch's Pink'

pink American beautyberry

sun to shade; 3'–5'

Callicarpa brevipes

beautyberry

We collected the bright purple fruit of this small, upright beautyberry at the South China Botanical Garden in Guangzhou, China. Narrow leaves emerge with a purple tint before bearing white to lavender flowers, followed by showy purple fruit. It has so far proven to be an excellent garden plant surviving the cold 2014 winter with no problem.

Callicarpa 'Cardinal'

beautyberry

This cultivar of beautyberry makes a medium sized shrub with lavender flowers that give way to masses of glossy purple fruit. This plant was apparently selected and named for the fall foliage which turns a lovely purplish-pink in fall, especially if sited in sun.

Callicarpa dichotoma 'Duet'

variegated white beautyberry

Callicarpa formosana

Formosan beautyberry

This Asian beauty matures into a graceful, upright deciduous shrub. Multiple stems with arching branches add to its pleasing form. Butterflies swam it in late summer when clusters of small pink flowers cover the branches. With the arrival of autumn, deep-purple clusters of berries hug the stems.

Callicarpa japonica 'Shiji Murasaki'

Wine Spritzer variegated Japanese beautyberry

Unlike most Japanese beautyberries, this form is especially attractive, growing somewhat upright with heavy branching. Its green leaves are very attractively variegated with splashes and speckles of white. New growth emerges pink and young stems are pink.

Callicarpa kwangtungensis

Guangdong beautyberry

A truly distinctive beautyberry, hailing from southern China. This deciduous shrub exhibits beautiful narrow, elliptic-shaped leaves, with rich dark purplish-green foliage. Different from all other beautyberries in our collection. The fruit is a lovely pinkish-purple color.

Callicarpa oshimensis

beautyberry

sun to part shade; 8'

Calycanthus ×raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine'

Raulston allspice

A hybrid between our native sweetshrub and the Asian species created here at the JCRA. Large, glossy leaves and slightly fragrant deep maroon flowers in spring to early summer. Displays incredible hybrid vigor. We've offered this plant before but it is still one of our favorite garden plants.

Camellia ×hiemalis 'Green's Blues'

hybrid camellia

Blue might be a stretch but the flowers of this camellia have a definite blue tinge that makes them quite different from any other camellia you'll find. Good sized purple buds open to reveal purple-pink double flowers that become decidedly more blue-lavender as they age.

Camellia japonica 'Debutante Benten'

variegated Japanese camellia

Abundant, large, light pink, peony style blooms make a delightful contrast to the glossy, dark green leaves which are delicately edged with white. Perfect for milder regions, and one of the earliest to bloom. Use as an accent in lightly shaded beds or patio containers.

Camellia japonica (fishtail, white w/ red stripes)

fish-tail Japanese camellia

This is a rarely offered camellia, the "fish-tail" camellia, with evergreen leaves that have lobes on their terminal portion. Grows best in part shade and produces single white flowers in spring. It adds a bit more textural interest to an otherwise familiar evergreen landscape shrub.

Camellia japonica 'White By The Gate'

Japanese camellia

Brighten you winter with this stunning addition to your garden! "White by the Gate" is a large, broadleaf evergreen shrub to small tree with attractive smooth gray branches filled with oval, glossy, toothed, dark green leaves. From late winter to early spring enjoy a display of large, waxy white flowers. Excellent for cutting!

Camellia sinensis

tea

Camellia 'Snow Flurry'

Ackerman hybrid camellia

Camellia ×vernalis 'Egao Corkscrew'

contorted vernal camellia

Campanula hofmannii

Hofmann's bellflower

Add this delightful perennial to your cut flower garden, or grow it to attract more bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It has an attractive, dense, bushy habit, and creamy white, pendent, bell-shaped flowers in late spring. Grow in a well-drained location.

Campanula incurva

Evia bellflower

Large, ice blue bells are beautifully displayed on branching stems. Buds are rosy tipped. Low, tight foliage rosette is attractive and remains evergreen. Rich, well-drained soil is best. Native to Greece.

Campanula sibirica

Siberian bellflower

Campsis ×tagliabuana 'Guilfoylei'

trumpet vine

This Australian introduction is a vigorous climbing vine with clusters of large, orange-red, trumpet-like flowers that hummingbirds just love. This prolific bloomer is more restrained and has a longer flowering period than the our native species (Campsis radicans).

Canna 'Orange Tiger'

canna lily

This 5' tall canna lily features variegated foliage of narrow green and yellow stripes. In summer the plants are topped with bicolor flowers of orange with a yellow edge. A recent (2018) introduction from Thailand.

Canna 'Pacific Beauty'

canna-lily

Add luscious purple-grey foliage to your garden, but with intense orange flowers that top the 6' tall clumps...a hummingbird hot spot.

Canna patens

canna lily

Species canna with upright, bright green stems and tropical-looking foliage and flowers. Blossoms are bright red with a yellow throat. Leaf roller resistant. (rhizome)

Canna 'Striata'

hybrid canna-lily

sun; 4-6 feet

Capsicum frutescens 'Hot Returns'

perennial edible hot pepper

This cultivar has survived at the Juniper Level Botanic gardens for the last two (mild) winters in a raised bed made from pertmatill, compost, and garden soil. Starting in summer, this 4' shrub produces small, spicy fruits that emerge green and turn a festive yellow, orange, and red as they mature. The fruits persist on the plant long after the top has been killed by fall frost...a colorful Thanksgiving display. Requires excellent winter drainage for survival. Its ultimate cold hardiness remains to be discovered. But the fruits produce plenty of seeds in case the mother plant dies.

Cardamine diphylla

toothwort

Toothwort is an attractive little wildflower of moist deciduous forests. The Cherokee made a poultice of the roots to treat headache. Host plant for falcate orange-tip butterfly.

Carex cherokeensis

Cherokee sedge

It's a clump former, not a spreader, and prefers moist soil over dry.

Carex divulsa

grassland sedge

Carex flacca 'Blue Zinger'

'Blue Zinger' is a dense, grass-like sedge with softly, cascading, blue-green leaves. Grow it as a ground cover in dry or moist soil. Although it has soft and fine effect, it is drought tolerant and tough once established. A late winter hair cut will keep it tidy. DEER RESISTANT!

Carex pendula

weeping sedge

Carpinus japonica

Japanese hornbeam

Among the Carpinus (hornbeams), there probably is none with more beautiful foliage than this species. Carpinus japonica, a small-sized tree reaching about 20' in height, bears attractive, finely-pleated leaves, looking as if they have been pressed. In summer, hop-like fruit catkins appear, light green in color and standing in contrast to the dark green leaves. Best in part-shade to part-sun sites. Hardy throughout NC. We collected this seed in 2011 under collection number MWJ11-652 in the Nagano region of Japan. (3.5" pot)

Caryopteris ×clandonensis 'Inoveris'

Grand Bleu bluebeard

Bluebeard is a wonderful low-mounded, deciduous shrub valued for its fragrance and late summer flowers resembling clouds of blue smoke or mist. Grand Bleu features a shrub-covering bloom of fragrant, deep blue flowers from late summer into fall. Foliage is aromatic when brushed with a hand. Flowers are enjoyed by butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects.

Caryopteris ×clandonensis 'Summer Sorbet'

variegated bluebeard

sun; 2'–3'

Caryopteris divaricata 'Blue Butterflies'

bluebeard

This deer-resistant, late summer bloomer is well worth the wait! August through September, it is topped with delightful blue blooms resembling eyelashes. Bees, butterflies and birds love its bouncing flowers. It would be very happy at the back of your sunny border.

Castanopsis delavayi

Delavay's chinquapin

Uncommon oak relative from China makes a lovely, thick trunked tree, and is a great addition to any oak lover's garden. Evergreen leaves are quite attractive and acorn-like fruits mature in their second year. Somewhat tender, so plant in a protected spot or under high shade.

Celtis formosana

Taiwan hackberry

A lovely tree from Taiwan suitable for any tough spots in the garden. Orange fruit in fall add to the appeal of this rarely seen landscape tree.

Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Watnong'

spreading Japanese plum-yew

Plum-yews are some of the very best conifers for southern landscapes with deep green foliage, great heat tolerance, and very deer resistance. This form is a low spreading evergreen. Our plant is 10 years old and is about 2.5' tall by almost 8' across. Grow in shade to sun.

Cephalotaxus sinensis (Peckerwood dense form)

Ceratostigma griffithii 'Snow Flurries'

white Griffith's leadwort

sun; 18"–36"

Ceratostigma willmottianum

Chinese plumbago

sun to part shade; 1 ft

Cestrum 'Orange Peel'

hybrid jessamine

'Orange Peel' is a like a living bouquet of pure orange blossoms that, in warmer climates, begin with the first mild days in spring and last until the first hard frost. Having no fragrance during the day, the tubular flowers give off a delightful sweet smell as soon as the sun sets.

Cestrum parqui

willow-leaved jessamine

Willow-leaved jessamine is often grown as a dieback shrub. It has narrow foliage on vigorous stems that grow up to 5’ in zone 7 north. Its beautiful clusters of orange-yellow flowers are night fragrant. Fruits are black and bead-like.

Chaenomeles (Chris's contorted)

contorted quince

This makes a lovely plant for bringing winter color to the garden and cut stems can be forced indoors for a shot of spring when winter threatens to bring you down.

Chaenomeles japonica 'Pygmaea'

dwarf Japanese flowering quince

sun to light shade; 18"–36"

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Conschlecht'

Night Light gold Hinoki falsecypress

Night Light is a beautiful rounded evergreen shrub with upright to arching branches with golden foliage. Fall color is bronze.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Golden Fern'

dwarf Hinoki cypress

This distinctive, rare, semi-dwarf hinoki cypress has a tightly branched, broad habit with age. It makes a beautiful addition to the garden with its pale chartreuse color and fern-like pattern. It has a tendency to burn in full sun so protection from afternoon sun is beneficial.

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Cream Ball'

dwarf Sawara falsecypress

A dwarf, brightly colored falsecypress growing as a tight mound of creamy colored foliage. Although it starts as a rounded plant, it will become wider than tall as it ages and can eventually grow to 6' or more tall and wide. It is probably best with some protection from afternoon sun.

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Juniperoides'

dwarf Sawara falsecypress

This venerable old cultivar makes a rounded shrub to about 3' tall with mint-green juvenile foliage for a soft-textured addition to the garden. In 5 years it has doubled in size in our Japanese garden.

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'King's Gold'

gold thread Sawara falsecypress

A great form of gold thread cypress that only gets 4'–6' feet tall and twice as wide. We imagine it will get taller than listed, but still should stay low and wide. Best gold color is in full sun.

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Plumosa Aurea Nana'

dwarf goldplume Sawara falsecypress

This rounded shrub has bright yellow, fluffy foliage throughout the years. It grows to approximately 1M in 10 years. A light annual trim is beneficial.

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Intermedia'

moss Sawara falsecypress

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Vintage Gold'

Sawara falsecypress

"Vintage gold" sports bright golden, fern-like foliage that is soft to the touch and holds its color well throughout the seasons. It's neat, compact, rounded mound and cheerful color make a happy addition to the garden.

Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Barton'

Atlantic white-cedar

Barton’ matures into a handsome and very stately tree. The foliage has a blue cast and is soft in appearance. Atlantic white-cedar is native to the Eastern United States and along the Gulf coast from Florida to Mississippi. Easy to grow, tolerating moisture and part shade.

Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Rubicon'

Atlantic white-cedar

Juvenile form of our native Atlantic white-cedar with a tight, columnar form; soft blue-green foliage that turns plum-purple in winter. 8'-12' tall by 2'-3' wide. Sun to part shade.

Chilopsis linearis 'Bubba'

desert willow

Large catalpa-like pink flowers are carried from late spring into fall on this showy dryland plant. Happiest on a well-drained soil in full, baking sun where the narrow willowy foliage will flutter and shimmer in the breeze. Zones 7–9.

×Chitalpa tashkentensis 'Morning Cloud'

chitalpa

You just can't beat chitalpa for an exotic bloom. White orchid-like flowers form on this deciduous, small to medium size tree in summer. It is a drought-resistant, fast growing, and multi trunked tree. Its leaves are longer and broader than desert willow, but much smaller than catalpa.

Chlorophytum cf. bowkeri

African snake lily

sun to part shade; 4' in flower

Chlorophytum orchidastrum

Sierra Leone lily

Normally used as a houseplant or shade-loving patio plant, this foliage plant features bright orange leaf petioles.

Chrysanthemum 'Cathy's Rust'

daisy chrysanthemum

single-flowered chrysanthemum are superb pollinator supporters

Chrysanthemum (Elizabeth Lawrence pink)

garden chrysanthemum

Sun; 1.5' to 2' tall, spreading habit

Chrysanthemum 'Gethsemane Moonlight'

garden chrysanthemum

sun; 2'–3'

Chrysanthemum 'Golden Lida Thomas'

garden chrysanthemum

sun; 3

Chrysanthemum 'Lavender Lady'

daisy mum

sun; 24 to 30" tall

Chrysanthemum 'Miss Gloria's Thanksgiving Day'

garden chrysanthemum

Adorable simple, single daisy like flowers at Thanksgiving! The rich lavender petals with golden centers are perfect fall colors. 'Miss Gloria's' sprawling stems work well trained up a fence or into a big shrub such as nandina.

Chrysanthemum 'Sheffield Pink'

Chrysanthemum (single red)

single red daisy mum

Chrysanthemum (single white)

Cistus 'McGuire's Gold'

rockrose

Grow this one for its brilliant yellow evergreen leaves even more so than the 2.5" white spring flowers. It has made a tidy, full shrub in sunny dry spots in the Arboretum. Although we struggle to keep most rockrose alive at the JCRA, this one and the variegated 'Mickie' have been long-lived and easy for us. Sun and drainage are a must.

Clematis (evergreen)

evergreen clematis

This evergreen clematis was collected by the JCRA in China in 2012. It is likely to be Clematis armandi with large white, spring flowers and evergreen foliage.

Clematis serratifolia

serrate leaf clematis

A gorgeous little clematis with late summer flowers made up of four thick textured petals which open to show off brown-purple anthers late in the season. The variably fragrant flowers are followed by beautiful seed heads. Grow as a vine or let ramble through the garden. Cut back to the lowest pair of plump buds in winter for the best display.

Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

rosy summersweet clethra

Enjoy the fragrant spikes of small rich rose-pink summersweet flowers that stand above glossy green foliage and attract butterflies in summer. Its compact habit makes this a great choice for small gardens, in shrub borders, and mixed into perennial borders.

Clethra barbinervis

Japanese pepperbush

Japanese deciduous small tree with fragrant,white, summer flowers and handsome bark. This will be wonderful addition to the garden. Zone 6–9; Sun/partial shade.

Clethra mexicana

Mexican clethra

Cloud forest relative of our native clethra is a large tree in its native habitat, southern Mexico. We're not sure how hardy it will be, so plant in a protected spot and cross your fingers or plant in a pot and bring indoors in winter.

Cleyera japonica 'Variegata'

variegated Japanese cleyera

A virtual kaleidoscope of color from one plant, this evergreen shrub has leaves edged with white, creamy yellow, and rosy pink. Small white flowers give rise to black fruits. Best in a spot with good air circulation.

Colocasia esculenta 'Big Dipper'

Colocasia Big Dipper has large dark green cupped up leaves with a slight velvet look to them. It's interesting how the leaves will hold water like a bird bath...and it has runners! Recommended for northern tropical landscapes because of its great shape and the ability to over winter with a little bit of mulch.

Colocasia esculenta 'Coal Miner'

elephant ear

Upright growth habit

Colocasia esculenta (Ozzie Johnson)

This elephant ear's large heart-shaped to arrow-head shaped leaves on long, stout, succulent stems provides a large tropical feel to gardens, large containers, and the water's edge. It is a tuberous, stemless, frost-tender perennial of the arum family. Excellent as a specimen or in groups.

Colocasia gigantea (Thailand giant form)

super-sized elephant ear

Colocasia gigantea makes a huge impact in the garden. It has enormous leaves on tall stalks. Responds well to heat, water, and fertilizer and can get 8' tall!. Marginally hardy, little or no tuber for winter survival, easy from seed.

Comanthosphace japonica 'Golden Angel'

gold Japanese shrub mint

This very choice and lovely little woodland shrub mint from Japan makes a bold mound of bright gold foliage when it emerges in the spring. A very satisfying presence in the garden all season long, or it can be cut back to encourage a second flush of gold foliage. Fall brings on terminal spikes of pale yellow bottlebrush flowers.

Coniogramme emeiensis 'Golden Zebra'

coniogramme emeiensis marble leaf

Conradina etonia

Eton rosemary

Etonia rosemary is a short-lived woody perennial, with mature plants living several years before declining. Beautiful pink-lavender lobed flowers with dotted lower petals appear during the summer. These lovely flowers attract many insect visitors, including bees and butterflies.

Coreopsis tripteris 'Gold Standard'

tall tickseed

A new selection from Mt. Cuba Center.

Coreopsis verticillata 'Novcorcar'

Crème Caramel tickseed

Creme Caramel presents a lovely display of terra cotta colored blooms from Summer until fall, becoming deeper orange-bronze as temperatures get cooler. It has a compact and mounding habit with unique flower color and long flowering period.

Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'

bloodtwig dogwood

Of all the twig dogwoods that we grow at the JCRA, 'Midwinter Fire' stands above all others for its consistent, striking, winter twig coloration, and for its overall vigor and plant health. Outstanding for its consistent displays of yellow fall leaves and vibrant orange to red twigs.

Cornus stolonifera 'Neil Z'

Pucker Up! red osier dogwood

We love this funky red-stemmed dogwood from the Proven Winners line. As they say, "Its glossy, puckered foliage is distinctive as well as attractive. The thick foliage delivers a high degree of leaf spot resistance. Compact growth and bright red winter stems add to this native shrub's appeal."

Crataegus ambigua

Russian hawthorn

This super tough tree makes a gorgeous flowering specimen which would make it worth growing alone. The glossy, bright red fruit that follows though is even better and the birds certainly will agree. Golden fall color adds to the charm.

Crinum 'Kitty Clint'

crinum-lily

Crinum are very easy to grow and will bulk up over time for an outstanding display.

Crinum ×powellii

hybrid crinum-lily

sun to light shade; 3'

Crocosmia ×crocosmiiflora 'George Davidson'

crocosmia

This unusual Crocosmia has amazing butter yellow blooms on tall, singular stems. Cut and bring George Davidson inside gorgeous bouquets. Deer and rabbit resistant!

Cryptomeria japonica 'Bandai Sugi'

dwarf Japanese-cedar

Cryptomeria japonica 'Giokumo'

Japanese-cedar

This slow growing form of Japanese cedar makes an upright shrub to 8' tall with bright green foliage. Excellent as a specimen or a low-care hedge.

Cryptomeria japonica var. radicans

Japanese-cedar

'Radicans' is a fast-growing tree with a columnar to pyramidal growth habit.

Cryptomeria japonica 'Sekkan'

goldtip Japanese cedar

part sun; 10'

Cunninghamia lanceolata var. konishii

Formosan China-fir

Formosan China-fir is a stately, large coniferous tree that can reach 75' tall in its native haunts. Thick, green needles are 1"–3" long, and are spirally arranged on branches. These plants were grown from seed (MWT14-871) collected by Mark Weathington during his trip to Taiwan in 2014.

Cupressus arizonica 'Sulfurea'

yellow Arizona cypress

This is an old French clone of Arizona cypress that bears creamy-yellow suffused foliage, creating a warm-toned appearance to older plants that contrasts wonderfully with blue-leaved counterparts. Full sun is necessary. Zone 7a.

Cupressus sempervirens

Italian cypress

The classic Italian cypress seen in formal European gardens. Native to the mountains of Iran, and brought to Italy for cultivation.

×Cuprocyparis leylandii 'Mellow Yellow'

variegated Leyland cypress

This gold form of Leyland cypress makes an attractive, quick growing conifer for a sunny spot in the garden. The gold foliage is not quite so garish as some of the other gold conifers and is instead more of a yellow wash over the green foliage. Plants will grow to about 15'-20' in 10 years or can be kept pruned smaller. Full sun to light shade.

Curcuma petiolata 'Emperor'

variegated hidden ginger

Curcuma Emperor has broad showy green leaves with bright white borders. These rise from a neat upright clump that will spread over time via creeping rhizomes. In mid summer, fragrant "hidden" flowers come out pink then fade to white. Go dormant after first frost.

Cyclamen hederifolium

hardy cyclamen

Cyclamen hederifolium Ashwood Nurseries Silver Leaf Group

hardy cyclamen

When the leaves and flowers are about to go dormant, these brilliant pools of silver will brighten your garden. These plants are especially nice below deciduous trees and shrubs. Expect them to seed politely around your garden, never becoming a nuisance, simply creating more winter interest.

Cyclamen hederifolium var. hederifolium f. albiflorum

hardy cyclamen

Delightful, pink or white flowers emerge directly from the ground each fall followed by dark green silvery patterned leaves. May take a few years to establish, but it will eventually self-seed and become abundant.

Cypella coelestis

goblet flower

Cyperus albostriatus 'Nanus'

dwarf umbrella plant

Imagine your garden carpeted with a miniature forest of "palm trees" (6"–10"). This dwarf cyperus grows best in wet spots, but will also spread slowly in dry ground. It even makes a great water garden plant.

Danae racemosa

poet's laurel

A fine broadleaved evergreen shrubs with arching branches to 3' in height and 4' wide with great age. Beautiful red winter fruit. Rarely seen commercially due to propagation issues and slow growth. A wonderful no fuss shade plant and cut branches which last for ages.

Daphne odora 'Zuiko Nishiki'

winter daphne

Daphne odora's low mound prglossy evergreen foliage is covered in late winter by masses of slightly pink tinged, white flowers. The same lemony sweet fragrance with even more flowers! What could be more wonderful? Daphne odora is best in a very well-drained soil.

Dasylirion berlandieri

blue sotol

sun; 4'

Dasylirion wheeleri

desert spoon

Strappy, serrate edged blue foliage makes a perfect ball in the garden and adds great spiky texture to drought-tolerant landscapes. Small teeth along the foliage edges make it best planted away from foot traffic areas. This plant thrives in nutrient-poor soils, full sun and drought conditions.

Deutzia crenata 'Summer Snow'

variegated deutzia

'Summer Snow' has lovely white flowers in late spring and attractive medium green, deciduous leaves with white markings. It forms a low, broad mound typically 2'–4' tall and 3'–4' wide with slender branches. Native to Japan and southeastern China. Hardy in Zones 5–8.

Deutzia pulchra

beautiful deutzia

In late spring and early summer, this deutzia is adorned with dangling clusters of white star-shaped flowers often touched with pink. The bark provides winter interest, as it peels to expose the orange bark beneath.

Deutzia scabra 'Pink Minor'

rough deutzia

Invite many small visitors to your garden with this pretty shrub. Its fragrant pink flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Water regularly, but be careful not to over water. Zones 5-8.

.

Deutzia setchuenensis var. corymbiflora

Sichuan deutzia

sun; 4'–8'

Dianthus 'Chris's Passalong'

hybrid sweet william

Brighten up your spring garden with this hybrid sweet william discovered by JCRA staff member, Chris Glenn. When Chris moved from Texas, he brought from his garden this hardy little charm to share. The brilliant little flowers have fringed petals of neon deep pink.

Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Feuerhexe'

Firewitch Cheddar pink

Drought, heat, and humidity tolerant

Dianthus nardiformis

Bulgarian carnation

This Bulgarian-Romanian carnation or garden-pink makes a mat of blue-green foliage and holds its pink, clove-scented flowers well above the leaves. It grows naturally in poor, well-drained soils, so it should perform best in sandy or otherwise well-drained soils like those of a rock garden.

Dianthus 'Sweetie Pie'

Dianthus tianschanicus

Tianshan carnation

If visiting the rugged country of Kyrgyzstan in central Asia, be sure to look for the single, pink or white carnation-like blossoms of this native. Flowers arise from attractive 1' tall mounds of thick gray-green leaves.

Dianthus uralensis

Russian pink

This pink or hardy carnation before but it hails from the Ural mountains in Russia. It will make a low mat of silvery-blue foliage topped in early spring with clove-scented pink flowers. Plant in a well-drained spot with good air circulation.

Dicliptera suberecta

king's crown

sun; 2'–4'

Diervilla rivularis 'Troja Black'

purple-leaved Georgia bush honeysuckle

full sun to part shade; 3' tall × 6' wide

Digitalis ciliata

hairy foxglove

Digitalis schischkinii

Foxglove

Add elegance to your perennial border, woodland area, or shade garden with the tall, dramatic spikes of tubular flowers of foxglove. Even though they are biennials or short-lived perennials, they readily self-sow and multipliy. Digitalis makes marvelous cut flowers; are loved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and are DEER RESISTANT!

Digitalis thapsi 'Spanish Peaks'

spanish peaks foxglove

Disporopsis pernyi

Perny's evergreen Solomon's seal

Perny's evergreen Solomon's seal is a slowly spreading, evergreen ground cover that is perfect for the woodland garden. Small, white flowers are born along the 1' tall stems in spring. Excellent in a woodland garden where it tends to be quite deer resistant.

Disporum flavens

fairy bells

Doronicum pardalianches

Great Leopard's Bane

Native to Great Britain. Its yellow daisy-like flowers are produced in spring. Expect it to repel leopards from your garden.

Drimiopsis maculata

African hosta

This South African bulb is no hosta at all but makes a clump of fleshy, thick textured foliage heavily spotted with purple. Twelve inch tall flower stalks with clusters of creamy white buds opening to greenish flowers top the foliage in mid to late spring. Best in light shade and a well-drained soil.

Dryopteris sieboldii

Siebold's wood fern

Dryopteris tokyoensis

Tokyo wood fern

Echeandia texensis

Texas craglily

This perennial is native to the very southernmost tip of Texas. It forms a rosette of strappy leaves with spikes of showy, star-shaped yellow flowers in late summer into fall. Despite its deep south heritage, it is surprisingly hardy and is fine in zone 7b if planted in a sunny, well-drained spot.

Echinodorus bracteatus 'Lantau Lady'

Amazon sword

Edgeworthia papyrifera (ex. 'Eco Yaku')

paperbush

A hybrid between Edgeworthia chrysantha and Edgeworthia papyrifera 'Eco Yaku', We expect it to stay more compact than E. chrysantha. It has beautiful creamy yellow and white flowers in late winter and attractive blue-green foliage throughout the summer.

Ennealophus euryandrus

Argentine blue irid

This bulb makes an incredible show of small, iris-like flowers above pleated fans of foliage from mid-spring on and off through summer.

Erica ×darleyensis 'White Perfection'

Darley heath

Eryngium agavifolium

agave leaf sea holly

This Agave impostor from South America has thick green leaves with spiny margins that form a clump of rosettes to 18” or wider. Unlike some Agaves, this plant tolerates about any range of soil moisture. Thistle-like flowers on 5' spikes may appear in late spring. Very easily grown.

Eryngium alpinum

blue star

Tolerates dry soil

Eryngium aquaticum var. ravenellii

rattlesnake master

A southeast native herbaceous perennial that will grow in standing water or just average moisture soil. The pale blue flowers are showy for a number of months and are highly attractive to pollinators.

Eryngium eburneum

South American sea holly

Striking architectural form for the garden designer.

Eryngium palmatum

sea holly

Eryngium palmatum is native to the Balkan Peninsula and produces thistle-shaped flowers that are arranged in umbels. Its simple leaves that are alternate. Plant in a sunny location and enjoy! (Zone 6)

Eryngium pandanifolium

giant sea holly

Eucomis

pineapple-lily

Eucomis are summer-blooming bulbs with exotic white, pink or maroon flowers that resemble pineapples. These plants are easy to grow and are always an exciting addition to flower beds, borders and containers.

Eucomis autumnalis

pineapple-lily

sun to light shade; 1'

Eucomis comosa

pineapple-lily

Eucomis comosa 'Peace Candles'

pineapple-lily

'Peace Candles' is commonly called king's flower or pineapple flower. Its fragrant flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. A great addition to the garden!

Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy'

purple-leaf pineapple-lily

Every garden should have one of these. This Tony Avent selection was the first pineapple-lily to demonstrate purple leaf color. The beautiful foliage is stunning as it emerges in early spring, and the flowers look like miniature pineapples. Try the flowers in a cut flower arrangement; they last for weeks! Easily propagated by leaf cuttings. Sun. Zones 6b–9.

Eucomis 'Reuben'

hybrid pineapple lily

'Reuben' is a JCRA staff favorite of the pineapple lilies. Green rosettes of strappy foliage are topped in summer by flower spikes of burgundy buds which open to pinkish-purple flowers. The tuft of foliage atop the flower stalk is often delicately edged with burgundy.The two-tone flower/foliage effect is quite striking.

Eucomis 'Tugela Jade'

hybrid pineapple lily

"This Eddie Welsh hybrid of the South African pineapple lily makes a rosette of fleshy green leaves, topped in August with 18" tall flower spikes that are chartreuse in bud and then open to pure white...simply stunning."--Nancy D.

Eupatorium dubium 'Little Joe'

Joe Pye weed

sun to part shade; 3'–4'

Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae

Mrs. Robb's bonnet

An interesting spreading evergreen perennial that grows l to 24" tall. Dark green, glossy, leathery leaves. Grows best in light shade and rich soil. Yellow green flowers to 7" tall in late winter to early spring.

Euphorbia rigida

rigid spurge

Euscaphis japonica

sweetheart tree

The sweetheart tree was a favorite of J. C. Raulston's, and one that has so much to offer the garden. In September Euscaphis japonica produces attractive, waxy, deciduous leaves, and large, terminal clusters of airy white flowers followed by stunning reddish-pink, capsule-like fruits with a purple-black seed nestled inside.

×Fatshedera lizei 'Angyo Star'

variegated fatshedera

shade to part sun; 3'–4'

×Fatshedera lizei 'Curly'

curlyleaf variegated fatshedera

This ivy-fatsia combination is a perfect intermediate between the two with leaves similar to both, and a habit which can't decide if it is a shrub or vine. This particular selection has small variegated leaves which twist and curl.

×Fatshedera lizei 'Pia'

variegated tree ivy

Fatshedera lizei 'Pia' combines the shrubby
shape of Fatsia with the five-lobed leaves of Hedera. It's yellowish-white flowers are 4–6 mm diameter and appear in late autumn or early winter in dense umbels. It does appreciates frequent pruning and will tolerate low light.

Ficaria verna 'Double Mud'

Great spring interest for shade areas of your garden. Double Mud has deep green leaves marbled with silver and bears double, creamy white flowers with slate blue-grey backs to each petal. Goes dormant during the summer.

Ficaria verna Flore Pleno Group

double-flowered fig buttercup

These adorable little plants brighten the shade garden with their double yellow flowers. They are summer deciduous (the top growth dies away during the summer months reappearing in late winter or early spring).

Ficus carica 'Alma'

edible fig

Have you always wanted a fig tree, but just never got around to getting one? Well, here is a great one. Ficus carica 'Alma' is one of our favorite figs at the JCRA. It produces very sweet fruit at a very young age. Enjoy numerous medium to large figs that ripen to beautiful shades of yellow or bronze.

Ficus carica 'Celeste'

fig

'Celeste' is a popular and reliable fig for the southeastern United States. Fruit is purple-bronze to light brown and small to medium in size. Very sweet and tasty fruit begins ripening in mid-summer. Plants are fairly cold hardy.

Ficus carica 'Kadota'

honey fig

An edible fig whose fruits are greenish yellow at maturity. 'Kadota' has been popular with gardeners since Roman times and was written about by Pliny as a good fig for drying. 'Kadota' is the cultivar used in Fig Newtons and is one of the most widely farmed figs in the world. It is sometimes known as 'Dottato', especially in Italy. Depending on how hot the night temps are where you grow it, you may or may not get a breba crop. In North Carolina, we probably will not.

Ficus carica 'Lattarula'

Italian golden honey fig

'Lattarula' is one of the hardiest and shortest season figs. Its fruit stays green. Enjoy it's large foliage and stout winter stems. Sun to light shade

Ficus carica 'LSU Purple'

common fig

This fig produces fruit, with a reddish to dark purple color a nice pleasant mild flavor and high sugar content. Good for containers or gardens. Once 'LSU Purple' reaches year five and older it produces three distinct crops per year (in zone 9): a light breba crop in early spring, a heavy main crop in summer and a fall crop that can last into December. 'LSU Purple' does not have the best resistance to cold weather, so it is ideal for Zones 9 & warmer. In Zone 8 it can get injured by the cold, however it will rebound well and produce a crop on current year's growth.

Forsythia ×intermedia 'White Gold'

variegated border forsythia

Variegated foliage on this forsythia gives it multi-season interest. Can get large if left to its own devices (6-8'). Regular pruning will result in more pronounced variegation. Great border plant and very heavy spring flowering!

Gaillardia aestivalis var. winkleri

Texas firewheel

Texas Firewheel has white petals with a hint of pink near the base. A tough perennial, its flowers reach 2' tall summer through fall. Best in full sun and well-drained soil. (Endangered plant - Federal law prohibits shipping across state lines.)

Gardenia jasminoides 'Shooting Star'

Cape jessamine

‘Shooting Star’ is a compact cultivar noted for its winter hardiness and large, fragrant, single white flowers up to 3” in diameter in late spring. Its glossy, evergreen leaves will add beauty to your garden all year long.

Gardenia jasminoides (variegated, single flower)

variegated gardenia

Gelsemium sempervirens 'Pride of Augusta'

double Carolina jessamine

There are few native vines as enchantingly fragrant as the Carolina Jessamine with its gold spring flowers against the glossy, evergreen foliage. This form has full double flowers with the typical fragrance of the species—a real show-stopper. Zone 7.

Gentiana siphonantha

alpine gentian

Gerbera jamesonii

Gerbera daisy

The flowers of this South African native are stunning and make excellent cut flowers.. Ray flowers of the species normally come in red, yellow or orange. Flowers are single or semi-double.

Glandularia canadensis

verbena

hardy and deer resistant and drought tolerant

Globba clarkei

shade to partial shade; 24"-36"

Gloriosa superba 'Rothschildiana'

gloriosa lily

Grevillea 'Poorinda Leane'

grevillea

Habranthus robustus 'Russell Manning'

rain-lily

Great flushes of large pink flowers are produced all summer after rains. Easy to grow, and multiplies readily.

Hamamelis 'Amethyst'

hybrid witchhazel

Here is a color breakthrough in witchhazels. Amethyst-purple flowers appear on bare stems in winter, filling the garden with fragrance. Fall color is golden.

Hamamelis ovalis

Mississippi witchhazel

Newly described (2006) witchhazel from Mississippi similar to H. vernalis but with larger leaves (to 9"). Red to orange flowers in late winter.

Hamamelis virginiana 'Harvest Moon'

American witchhazel

Unlike many other witchhazels, this native shrub flowers in fall with warm orange-yellow flowers after most other plants have gone to sleep for the winter.

Hedychium 'Daniel Weeks'

hardy ginger-lily

sun to part sun; 30 inches

Hedychium 'Peach Delight'

ginger lily

Hedychium 'Pink V'

hardy ginger-lily

Hedychium 'White Starburst'

hardy ginger-lily

"White Starburst" is six feet tall and has a ring of ten medium sized white, fragrant flowers in a pinwheel like ring. Enjoy beautiful blooms from September until November. Hardy outdoors from zone 7 south. (Tom Wood hybrid Ca 1985-86)

Helianthus simulans

swamp sunflower

Helianthus simulans is a herbaceous perennial sunflower with yellow flowers that September to October. It's tolerant of heavy or wet soils. An uncommon native sunflower found in several southeastern U.S. states.

Heliotropium amplexicaule

clasping heliotrope

sun; 12 inches

Helleborus ×hybridus 'Pine Knot Select'

An outstanding group of evergreen herbaceous perennials. Most hellebores are valued for their pale green to white or pink flowers that are produced in the winter months. These seedlings are from our hybrids in the Winter Garden and so should produce some interesting colors.

Hemerocallis 'Autumn Minaret'

daylily

sun to part shade; 6' flower scapes

Heteropterys glabra

redwing

sun to part shade; 5' (15' with support)

Heuchera 'Circus'

hybrid coral bells

Springtime brings spikes of magenta flowers and medium green leaves with maroon veins. Foliage color gets even better in fall with colors ranging from green to yellows and pinks. Graceful flower spikes add a touch of class to flower arrangements.

Hibiscus 'Cherry Choco Latte'

rose mallow

Hibiscus 'Happa Red'

Big Hit hybrid rosemallow

sun; 6'

Hibiscus 'Jackie Grant'

common mallow

This Hibiscus is sized well for smaller gardens, only growing to about 4' tall during the season. Jackie Grant features gigantic pink flowers with a small red eye. Happiest in moist soil or even wet soil.

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle Pink'

swamp mallow

Hibiscus mutabilis

Confederate rose

- A Southern heirloom
- Double flower; a large fluffy ball of petals
- Can die to the ground in exceptionally cold winters, but regrows and flowers

Hibiscus paramutabilis

everblooming Confederate rose

This species has a variety of flower colors. Ours has beautiful 5-6" raspberry pink flowers for the entire summer and on into fall. Tim says he has seen flowers as late as Thanksgiving. Hardy in zone 7, and sets no seed, so no deadheading needed to lengthen flower season.

Hibiscus sinosyriacus 'Lilac Queen'

Chinese rose-of-Sharon

This rarely seen species represents the Chinese form of the much loved rose-of-Sharon. It can be a strong growing multi-stemmed tree to 20’ but is more typically a 10’ large shrub. The mallow flowers are pale lilac with a dark burgundy eye and it flowers over a long period in late summer.

Hibiscus syriacus 'Buddha Belly'

rose-of-Sharon

Curious swellings at the leaf nodes give this rare rose-of-Sharon its common name.

Hippeastrum papilio

butterfly amaryllis

Hippeastrum 'Scarlet Baby'

garden amaryllis

This popular bulbous plant is one of the most widely grown in the world. 'Scarlet Baby' is a compact selection with a long flowering season of spectacular red, fragrant flowers that are excellent as cut flowers. It should be hardy in our area as a landscape plant.

Holboellia brachyandra 'HWJ1023'

Heavenly Ascent sausage vine

This evergreen vine is a woody-stemmed twining climber growing up to 20' long. It's veined leaves are composed of 3 broad leaflets. In April-May exceptionally large white purple-tinted, scented flowers are followed by edible sausage-shaped purple-red fruits when pollinated. Grow in rich soil. Great vine to cover fences or eyesores in your garden year-round.

Hosta 'Big Mama'

plantain lily

Hosta 'Cathedral Windows'

variegated hosta

'Cathedral Windows' is a very impressive premium hosta, considered one of the finest available. Large 10-inch round gold leaves boast wide green margins. In late summer, fragrant white flowers stand high above the leaves, We can thank breeder Hans Hansen for this beauty.

Hosta 'Grand Tiara'

hosta

A "classic" hosta, the first small-sized cultivar with gold-margined leaves. This hosta first appeared in the 1970s and is still one of the best for the landscape. Summer spikes of lavender flowers add to the charm.

Hosta 'Prairie's Edge'

hosta

Hosta 'Tongue Lashing'

plantain lily

Hydrangea anomala

climbing hydrangea

This climbing form of the beautiful Hydrangea is easy to grow with its white flowers, rich green foliage, striking exfoliating bark, and shrub-like growth. Climbing Hydrangea is easy, carefree, and very long-lived. Once established it makes excellent growth each year.

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Brido'

Snowflake oakleaf hydrangea

This double flowered oakleaf hydrangea is among the best of the best. The dried flowers are almost as good as the early summer fresh white blossoms. Great fall color, orange, peeling bark, and easy to grow make this a must for any garden.

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Emerald Lake'

oakleaf hydrangea

Enjoy the bold fragrant flowers of the "Emerald Lake Hydrangea" in the garden and as a cut flower. It's dark green foliage emerges grayish green in spring. In the fall they turn a beautiful brick red. The peeling brick red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Pee Wee'

oakleaf hydrangea

Pee Wee is a dwarf, four-season shrub that's perfect for smaller gardens. Enjoy it's lovely white flowers that fade to pink, beautiful fall foliage and wonderful cinnamon-colored bark in the winter. Excellent as a foundation plant in border or a group planting.

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Semmes Beauty'

oakleaf hydrangea

This outstanding selection of our native species is heat tolerant and a great beauty in early summer. It produces long-lasting, white flowers, even in dappled shade. Leaves are large, oak-likeand have great fall color. Use in the shrub border or as an accent plant.

Hydrangea serrata [Amacha Group] 'Ô Amacha Nishiki'

variegated mountain hydrangea

The mountain hydrangeas from Japan are finer in texture than the bigleaf hydrangeas and hold up to our heat. The delicate lacecap flowers in shades of pink are a bonus to the very attractive speckled foliage.

Hypericum 'Cfflpc-1'

Blue Velvet St. John's wort

Hypericum hookerianum

Hooker's St. John's-wort

St. John's-wort is a great low maintenance plant with delightful, yellow flowers (1"–2" diameter) all summer long. This hardy evergreen shrub from Asia, will grow best in your garden in a well-drained site. Group several plants together for a nice effect in the shrub border and informal areas.

Hypericum olympicum

Mt. Olympus St. John's wort

sun; 10" by 24"

Ilex crenata 'Adorned'

variegated Japanese holly

Variegated Japanese holly has a broad gold margin around each leaf. Expect a diminutive, slow growing plant that packs a lot of punch in a small package. We offered this several years ago as ('Hoogendorn' variegated). Sun to part shade in moist, well-drained to fairly dry soil.

Ilex crenata 'Helleri'

dwarf Japanese holly

sun to part shade; 30"

Ilex crenata 'Snowflake'

variegated Japanese holly

This attractively white and green variegated cultivar of Ilex crenata shows a distinct upright growth habit at the JCRA. A bright statement in the garden. Sun to part shade. Hardy to Zone 6.

Ilex integra × I. latifolia

hybrid holly

This vigorous grower will form a large evergreen shrub or small tree with a bold texture and tough constitution. Hybrid between two of our favorite hollies from Japanese plantsman, Mr. Hagiwara. Both species are non-spiny and this hybrid has leaves intermediate between the two parents. It has glossy, large foliage but not quite as big as I. latifolia.

Ilex integra 'Ogon'

golden Nepal holly

The Nepal holly is one of Mark Weathington's favorite hollies with its spineless evergreen foliage and bright red berries. This gold foliaged female form from Japan is especially nice with glossy, vivid yellow spring foliage on an upright plant. Color is best in full sun, but plants will tolerate some shade. Perfect as a bright focus in the garden or lightening a mixed hedge. This holly will tolerate shearing if needed, but will naturally grow as a dense upright evergreen.

Ilex nipponica

holly

sun to part shade; 6'–12'

Ilex 'Sadie Scudder'

variegated holly

This is a very choice evergreen holly with an upright growth habit and creamy yellow mottled foliage. The intensity of the variegation shifts as the season progresses. This is a reputed Ilex cornuta × Ilex pernyi hybrid.

Ilex vomitoria 'Dare County'

orange-berry yaupon holly

This selection of our native yaupon holly is distinguished from the typical form by its bright orange berries. It was found on the N.C. coast and makes a great ornamental for the garden as well as a favorite of birds. It fruits best in full sun.

Ilex vomitoria 'Yawkey'

yellow-berry yaupon holly

Yellow fruited form of our native yaupon holly. Fruits very heavily and reliably. Smaller than the species, will grow in sun or shade, fruiting is heaviest in sun. (MW Plantsmen tour 11/5/07)

Illicium parviflorum

yellow anise

part sun; 15' tall

Illicium 'Woodland Ruby'

pink anise

sun to shade; 8' or more

Impatiens arguta 'Blue Dream'

hardy perennial impatiens

Blue Dream is destined to become a favorite in your garden because of its hardy nature and stunning large blue-lavender fish-shaped flowers with a touch of orange in the throat, reddish stems and a dark contrasting leaf. Early to emerge in spring. 2' x 2'. Organically rich soil is best.

Impatiens omeiana 'Silver Pink'

Mt. Omei impatiens

'Silver Pink' Mt. Omei impatiens is a spreading perennial with bronzy leaves dusted with silver and highlighted with pink veins. It's tubular yellow flowers are highlighted with pink with a long, broad spur bloom in late summer. This plant is grown mostly for eye-catching foliage.

Incarvillea olgae

hardy gloxinia

This hardy gloinia relative makes a large clump of bright green foliage topped in summer by stalks of large tubular pink flowers. This species typically prefers somewhat cool summers so place it where it gets a bit of afternoon shade.

Indigofera kirilowii 'Angyo Snow'

Kirilow's indigo

This lovely arching shrub has an extremely long bloom period and fine foliage that makes it a winner in any garden. Typically this species is pink flowered but this rare form is a clear white which will mingle well with any other garden plant. Great as a specimen or in masses.

Ipheion 'Alberto Castillo'

star flower

Foliage comes up in fall, persisting all winter and dying away late spring. Flowers for 6 weeks or more. Easy to divide once clumps bulk up.

Ipheion uniflorum 'Jessie'

spring starflower

This adorable six-petaled, sweetly fragrant blue flower is a pollinator magnet! It's pest resistant and a great naturalizer for the lawn edge. 'Jessie' has naturalized at Colonial Williamsburg and other heirloom gardens throughout the southeast. A must-have!

Ipheion uniflorum 'Rolf Fiedler'

spring star flower

Ipheion uniflorum 'White Star'

spring star flower

An easy, dependable bulb, coming into growith in late fall, growing all winter, flowering in early spring and going dormant by early summer. More typically blue, this is a lovely white flowered selection.

Iris 'Amplified'

tall bearded iris

sun; 36" tall

Iris 'Black Gamecock'

black Louisiana iris

sun to shade; 30"–36"

Iris brevicaulis

zig zag iris

Beardless blue to blue-purple blooms grow up to 2 feet tall atop the typical floppy fans of iris foliage. Full sun and moist areas are best. Zone 3.

Iris 'Change of Pace'

tall bearded iris

This beautiful iris has deep rose-violet plicata markings that edge the ruffled, pure white falls along with soft pink standards. An awesome addition to the garden!

Iris 'Chocolate Moose'

tall bearded iris

sun; 3' tall

Iris 'Firebreather'

tall bearded iris

Iris 'Flower Shower'

dwarf hybrid iris

A delightful addition to any garden! It sports showy petals of dark red violet with violet beards and a wonderful pronounced sweet fragrance. Outstanding rebloomer that never gets old!

Iris 'Freedom Song'

tall bearded iris

sun; 36" tall

Iris 'Kinkajou Shrew'

tall bearded iris

'Kinkajou Shrew" has a deliciously sweet fragrance that enhances its appeal in the garden. It's quite tolerant of a wide range of soils, but well drained is always preferred. Flowers are gorgeous both in the garden and in a vase. A perfect gift for the gardener on your holiday list!

Iris 'Mallory Kay'

tall bearded iris

sun; 38" tall

Iris 'Nada'

butterfly iris

Mulch plants well, especially the first winter in the garden.

Iris pallasii

Dalmatian iris

sun to part shade; 18"

Iris 'Snugglebug'

standard dwarf bearded iris

'Snugglebug' is a welcome sight in early spring. Although very adaptable, it especially likes rich, well drained soil. It's drought tolerant and deer resistant. What a delight!

Iris 'Spiced Tiger'

tall bearded iris

This tall bearded iris's upper petals (standards) are golden brown and lower petals (falls) are mahogany. Both are beautiful splashed with silver making no two flowers appear exactly alike.

Iris tectorum

Japanese roof iris

This charming little roof iris is native to China, but was first discovered in the 1860s, growing in Japan on the roofs, hence the common name. It grows about 18 inches tall with a spreading, rhizomatous habit common to most irises. Best in sun to part shade for lovely spring purple flowers.

Iris tectorum 'Alba'

Japanese roof iris

Large white iris flowers rise over the foliage in April and May. Bold, lush fans of light green foliage add texture all year round to the garden. A fresh addition to either the sunny or shady perennial border.

Iris tridentata

savannah iris

This native iris will quickly form large mats in average to boggy soils.

Iris unguicularis 'Winter Echoes'

Winter Echoes Algerian Iris

Wants good drainage. Flowers are fragrant, but more noticeable whencut and brought inside.

Iris virginica 'Contraband Girl'

southern blue flag

This form is larger than the typical southern blue flag iris making large, heavy-flowering clumps in short order. Happy in boggy or average soils.

Iris 'Vision in Pink'

tall bearded iris

sun; 3'

Itea virginica 'Bailteaone'

Love Child compact Virginia sweetspire

A compact selection of a great native shrub. Fall foliage color is often phenomenal. It is highly deer resistant and thrives in wet spots, though is also excellent in average moisture. Great as a large scale ground cover.

Itea virginica 'Sprich'

Little Henry dwarf Virginia sweetspire

spreading habit makes it a great groundcover shrub. tolerant of wet sites

Jasminum bignoniaceum

Indian jasmine

Indian Jasmine makes a lovely vine with bright, emerald green foliage bearing gold flowers similar to our native Carolina jessamine. Fragrant flowers are showy. . Uncertain of the hardiness so suggest growing it against a house where it receives some winter protection.

Jasminum mesnyi 'Gold Tip'

variegated primrose jasmine

Jasminum nudiflorum 'Aureum'

golden winter jasmine

sun to light shade; 3'

Jovibarba allionii

Chick Charms Key Lime Kiss hens and chicks

Some taxonomists lump Jovibarba in with Sempervivum as they are similar. This southeastern European native is a tight rosette of succulent chartreuse leaves that produces lots of little chicks.

Hens and chicks are rosette-forming succulents typically smaller than a tennis ball with small colorful leaves all year round. Many cultivars color shift in the winter from green to purple. The main plant (the hen) produces lots of identical baby plants in spring (the chicks) attached by stolons. In the summer, the hen will produce a small flower stalk ... but it is usually insignificant. Requires excellent drainage. In North Carolina, hens and chicks appreciate some relief from afternoon sun.

Juniperus cedrus

Canary Islands juniper

Juniperus chinensis 'Echiniformis'

hedgehog Chinese juniper

sun; 2'–3'

Juniperus communis 'Gold Totem Pole'

gold columnar common juniper

'Gold Totem Pole' is perfect for that special niche in your garden. This narrow, upright conifer ultimately reaches 10'-12' tall and only 1'-3' wide. New growth emerges golden and the evergreen foliage remains tightly bunched. Grows best in full sun and is drought tolerant.

Juniperus horizontalis 'Planifolia'

creeping juniper

Juniperus squamata 'Meyeri'

flaky juniper

sun; 5' tall

Kalimeris incisa 'Edo Murasaki'

Edo Muraski Japanese aster

Edo Muraski makes delightful 18" clumps of dark green cut leaves topped with deep bluish-purple daisy-like flowers with bright yellow centers from spring well into the summer. With a high fertility regime, it has remained completely evergreen for us. Seeing these blue daisies is appreciating!

Kerria japonica 'Chiba Gold'

gold-leaf Japanese kerria

Kerria japonica 'Chiba Gold' is a newly introduced, gold-leaf cultivar that originated in Japan. Cold hardy through North Carolina. Bright yellow spring flowers, 3'–6' tall, and a colonizing habit. Remember, the gold-foliage color will fade to green, if plants are sited in preferred shady spots.

Kerria japonica 'Geisha'

variegated Japanese kerria

2"- 4" leaves randomly splashed with white and yellow

Kniphofia hirsuta

Fire Dance Dwarf Poker

This colorful little bloomer has great cold hardiness with a compact mature size. Hummingbirds are attracted to it! Plus it's DEER, RABBIT, and DROUGHT resistant. What's not to love?

Kniphofia northiae

Octopus Red Hot Poker

sun - part sun; 4-6 feet

Kniphofia 'Pineapple Popsicle'

yellow red-hot poker

Lagerstroemia 'Ebony Embers'

Black Diamond Red Hot crepe myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica 'G2x13377'

Infinitini White dwarf crepe myrtle

A compact, white flowered crepe myrtle with an exceptionally long period of bloom.

Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit IV'

Red Rocket red crepe myrtle

sun; 20'

Lantana camara 'Citrus Salad'

lantana

A lovely pastel combination of citrus colors starting soft lemon yellow in the morning, then slowly transforming from tangerine to pink grapefruit toned. The soft colors work well in most landscapes. This is an exceptionally hardy form of lantana that is close to sterile. Propagates and grows quickly from cuttings.

Laurus nobilis 'Lnss'

Sicilian Sunshine golden bay

Bright golden foliage on an evergreen shrub to 10' or more tall makes this a showy plant for full sun. Red young stems add to the display on this form of the culinary bay. This Mediterranean plant needs a warm, well-drained spot and should be grown in a container indoors during the winter unless planted out near the coast in a warm zone 8 garden.

Ledebouria 'Gary Hammer'

false scilla

sun; 6"

Leptodermis oblonga

false lilac

A wonderful low mounding, fragrant shrub. Violet-pink, lilac-like tubular blooms from late spring to frost. A veritable blooming machine. DEER RESISTANT!

Lespedeza liukiuensis 'Little Volcano'

bush-clover

sun; 4'–5'

Lespedeza thunbergii 'Spring Grove'

bush-clover

sun; 4'–6'

Leucanthemum maximum

Western Star Taurus Shasta daisy

Western Star Taurus is a true Shasta daisy with masses of pure white flowers with yellow centers on a compact plant.

Leucanthemum 'Snowbound'

This adorable daisy is short and neat with masses of vigorous white flowers. It'll be perfect for a favorite container or a garden bed. Both you and the butterflies will enjoy its blooms late spring to midsummer. What a charmer!

Leucanthemum ×superbum 'Becky'

Shasta daisy

Shasta daisies have large, white, single blooms with yellow centers on a lush mound of coarse, leathery, green foliage. They make exceptionally long-lasting cut flowers. The sturdy flowers remain attractive even after a hard rain. Excellent in sunny borders and in containers.

Leucothoe keiskei 'Opstal 50'

Burning Love dwarf Japanese leucothoe

Gloriously colorful foliage changes over the season from dark red in spring to fresh green in summer and finally purple in winter on this gracefully arching little shrub. A must have for every shade garden

Ligustrum 'Sunshine'

golden privet

Year-round golden foliage and compact growth is perfect for making exciting combinations. This medium sized shrub can be clipped into any shape or allowed to grow naturally. Cut to the ground if it gets too large. This selection has never flowered or fruited so it is not invasive like some others.

Liriope muscari 'Okina'

frosted clumping monkey-grass

Lonicera fragrantissima

winter honeysuckle

The small white flowers of this deciduous shrub fill the air with a delicious lemony fragrance. Easily grown since it is tolerate of deer, drought,erosion, clay soil, dry soil, and black walnut.

Lonicera nitida 'Briliame'

Ophelia gold boxleaf honeysuckle

sun to part shade; 5'

Lonicera nitida 'Maigrün'

May Green box honeysuckle

‘Maigrun’ is an outstanding, low-mounding, evergreen shrub. Its small, flat, bright green leaves arise from arching stems. In the JCRA’s Lath House, it has spread rapidly forming a well-branched and mounding shrub 2’–3’ tall and 5' wide. Excellent on borders, slopes, or banks.

Lonicera ×purpusii 'Winter Beauty'

winter honeysuckle

Better if not pruned
Position at back of border

Lonicera sempervirens 'Cedar Lane'

trumpet honeysuckle

Lophanthus tibeticus

Tibetan lofant

Loropetalum 'Carolina Midnight'

Chinese fringe flower

sun; 10 to 15'

Loropetalum chinense 'Shang-White'

Emerald Snow dwarf Chinese fringe-flower

Lycoris albiflora 'Summer Passion'

summer passion surprise lily

Lycoris radiata var. radiata

red surprise-lily

sun to part shade; 12-18 inches

Lysimachia clethroides 'Heronswood Gold'

gooseneck

This species is known to be an aggressive garden thug but this gold form named by Dan Hinkley is much less vigorous. Bright gold leaves all season are topped in July with the distinctively gooseneck curved spikes of small white flowers much loved by pollinators. If grown in full sun, it needs plenty of moisture to keep from burning.

Magnolia delavayi

Father Delavay's magnolia

Magnolia Delavayi, the fragrant Chinese Evergreen Magnolia, has huge evergreen leaves with light undersides. Flowers open white, with umber red edges or streaks. This seems to be their moment of high fragrance. Then the blossoms fade and unfurl to peach buff. Beautiful and rare!

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

Southern magnolia

The southern magnolia is not a dwarf, but it is a slower growing form with small leaves. It can be used in many innovative ways
(e.g., as a sheared hedge). A wonderful medium to large evergreen tree with large, fragrant flowers in summer. It is a species which is native to the Southeast.

Magnolia laevifolia 'Michelle'

shrubby michelia

This evergreen magnolia covers itself in an embarrassment of 2" white flowers in spring. It also has a tendency to put out more flowers in midsummer and again in the fall. The small, deep green leaves look great all year on the medium to large shrub in full sun or light shade.

Magnolia maudiae

smiling forest michelia

Enjoy the intoxicating fragrance of pristine white flowers in late winter. Flowers are large (4"-6") and it has been described in bloom as "one of the greater surreal experiences of horticulture." Plant in a location that has protection from cold north winds.

Magnolia sieboldii

Oyama magnolia

Oyama is an adorable small, deciduous magnolia tree that has fragrant, white flowers with rose-red stamens from late spring to late summer. Perfect in light shade.

Magnolia virginiana var. australis (ex. 'Perry Paige')

Sweet Bay Magnolia

These plants are seedlings of Magnolia 'Sweet Thing' and more than likely have most of the same characteristics. 'Sweet Thing' is a dwarf evergreen Sweetbay Magnolia. It is very dense and full of foliage. The foliage is retained year round.Take a chance on one of these seedlings! You won't be disappointed!

Mahonia ×lindsayae 'Cantab'

hybrid mahonia

Mahonias are lovely arching, hardy shrubs with large, rich, dark green leaves which turn red in the winter. In late fall and early winter, lemon-yellow, scented flowers bloom in spreading raceme. Attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds -- but DEER and RABBIT resistant!

Mahonia ×media 'Winter Sun'

grapeholly

sun to shade; 5'–8'

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii

Turk's cap

This spreading shrub grows to 2-3 feet. Its red flowers usually are produced in showy profusion during hot weather at the end of summer and early fall.

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii 'Alba'

white Turk's cap

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii 'Big Momma'

Drummond's wax mallow

sun; 5'

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii 'Pam Puryear'

pink Turk's cap

The clumps of this delightful wax mallow are adorned with rich, green leaves that serve as a backdrop for the peachy flowers that are produced in abundance from midsummer until frost. The turban-like flowers with their sex organs protruding far outside the petals make a great conversation in the summer garden.

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (pink)

pink turk's cap

sun to part shade; 4-6 ft.

Manfreda 'Helen Wynans'

hybrid deciduous agave

'Helen Wynans' is an excellent landscape plant. It's abundant foliage is broad and widely marked by dark spots. It makes an excellent ground. Proven over time to be tolerant of heat, humidity and heavy soils.

×Mangave 'Arctic Fox'

Mangave

Another sport of ×Mangave 'Jaguar' but here the white stripe is down the center of the leaf. This cultivar can only be propagated by division of offsets, as it cannot be tissue-cultured, so it will always be scarce. Mangaves are evergreen when grown in frost-free environments.

×Mangave 'Blazing Saddles'

mangave

The olive green leaves are nearly entirely covered in purple spots, though more importantly the overall colors appears quite red from a distance. Mangaves remain evergreen if grown in frost-free environments.

×Mangave 'Kaleidoscope'

variegated mangave

Certainly one of the most colorful of the ×Mangaves, with a red infused, cream margin to the leaves and spots throughout. The spots are maroon on the green center of the leaf and bright red on the cream margins of the leaves. Fun! Mangaves remain evergreen if grown in frost-free environments.

×Mangave 'Man of Steel'

mangave

This Mangave produces a rosette of narrow, silvery, leaves. The long, terminal spines are only slightly poke-y so this Mangave is easier to handle and work with than Agaves are. Well drained soils or pot-culture is best. Although sources list it as only zone 9a hardy, it may be hardier than that once it gets some size on it.

×Mangave 'Mayan Queen'

mangave

A hybrid of Agave pablocarrilloi and Agave macroacantha and Manfreda that resulted in a rosette of thick, rubbery, silver-grey leaves, overtopped with a heavy dark purple spotting. The leaf tips and edges are toothed but soft. Not hardy in NC...so grow it in a pot.

×Mangave 'Pineapple Express'

mangave

A hybrid of Mangave 'Jaguar' and 'Bloodspot' that is a fast-growing, upright plant with channeled, fleshy, olive green leaves, heavily spotted with purple, becoming almost solid purple toward the center. Like all Mangaves, the spines and teeth are soft and relatively non-pokey. Well drained soil or pot-culture recommended. It is hardy in NC but just barely and will benefit from a spot protected from winter moisture and the worst of the winter cold.

Millettia pulchra

summer wisteria

Monarda 'Bee Free'

Bee You bee balm

Monarda fistulosa × M. bartlettii 'Peter's Purple'

Peter's purple bee balm

sun; 48 inches

Morella cerifera 'Soleil'

golden wax myrtle

Muhlenbergia capillaris

hairy-awn muhly grass

"Fine textured grass with blue-green foliage in dense clumps. In fall, it is topped by airy masses of rose-pink flowers. Heat, drought, and wet soil tolerant. Enjoy the hybrid, ‘Pink Flamingos’, in the Xeric garden." Nancy D.

Musa basjoo

textile banana

This is the world's hardiest banana species (Zones 5-10). Gardeners interested in the bold look of “tropicalissimo” grow these plants. Their fruit is small, green, and inedible, but their ornamental foliage lends an exotic and tropical aura to the landscape.

Musa sikkimensis

Sikkim banana

sun; 14 feet

Musa velutina

pink velvet banana

sun to shade; 6'–10'

Narcissus 'Pueblo'

jonquilla daffodil

"A perky little daffodil that opens soft, primrose yellow. As Pueblo's flowers mature, the cup stays pale yellow and the petals fade to creamy white. Each sturdy, weatherproof stem is topped with a bouquet of one to three flowers." --Longfield Gardens

Narcissus willkommii

jonquilla daffodil

Neolitsea sericea

silky laurel

This is a truly aristocratic small tree or large shrub with lovely olive toned evergreen foliage. New growth in spring is covered in golden-orange shimmering hairs which just beg to be petted. Must be seen to be appreciated. Cheery yellow spring flowers give rise to blue-black fruit.

Nepeta 'Early Bird'

early bird catnip

Nepeta ×faassenii 'Novanepjun'

Junior Walker catmint

This compact catmint makes a 15" tall x 4' wide clump topped with sprays of small pale lavender flowers held just above the foliage. A wonderful addition to the garden!

Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant'

giant catmint

Drought tolerate.

Neviusia alabamensis

Alabama snow-wreath

Nicotiana glauca 'Salta Blues'

blue tree tobacco

Nolina lindheimeriana

devil's shoestring

Ocimum 'African Blue'

hybrid ornamental basil

sun; 2' by 3'

Oenothera fruticosa

sundrops

Sundrops are an erect, day-flowering member of the evening primrose family. It features purple-brown flushed foliage, red stems, red flower buds and bright yellow flowers in May-June. They prefer good summer heat and dryish soils.

Onychium japonicum 'Sichuan Lace'

carrot fern

slowly spreading
zone 7 to 9

Origanum laevigatum 'Pilgrim'

oregano

Osmanthus americanus

wild olive

This evergreen native shrub has wonderfully fragrant flowers in the spring. Its flowers are great for pollinators and the birds love the berries. It becomes very drought tolerant once established and will provide a great evergreen foundation in your garden.

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki'

gold-dust holly tea-olive

sun to part shade; 4'–6' tall

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Kaori Hime'

fragrant princess false holly

This little tea olive is perfect choice for a rock garden, hypertufa trough, bonsai, or border front. Its small white flower is highly fragrant giving it the Japanese name "fragrant princess." Growing quickly to the height of 1-2 feet, it then slows to its mature height.

Oxalis regnellii 'Fanny'

Wood Sorrel

Enjoy wonderful mounds of 3 lobed green leaves covered with a riot of tiny, soft pink flowers. Excellent indoors and out. Pest resistant too!

Oxalis regnellii 'Irish Mist'

The mounding habit of Irish Mist's rosettes of light green, three lobed leaves, speckled with white specks makes it a favorite for rock gardens. Enjoy its blooms from spring to early summer. It's noninvasive and deer resistant too!

Oxalis triangularis 'Mijke'

purple shamrock

From late spring through summer, these cheery clumps of maroon leaves are topped with adorable mauve flowers held just above the foliage. What a great highlight for your garden!

Ozothamnus 'Western Hills'

sea rosemary

This aster relative from Down Under makes a low mound of sage-green foliage with silvery backs and stems. It has grown well for us in well-drained soil and sun to very light shade. Mostly insignificant flowers in summer.

Paesia scaberula

Scented Lace Fern

This hardy fern is a New Zealand native which grows on dry, rocky cliffs and forms a deciduous, rhizomatous patch up to 3' wide in 2 years. It's fronds are wonderfully lacy and smells delightful when crushed or pelted by rain showers.

Panicum amarum 'Dewey Blue'

bitter panicgrass

Silvery-blue foliage makes a clumping fountain to 4' tall that shimmers in the breeze. This is a dune stabilizing species and so is adapted to full sun and well-drained soils. In the garden it is exceptionally drought tolerant.

Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'

common switch grass

A lovely native grass that emerges in spring green but the tips quickly turn red. Has a somewhat upright habit but can cascade more than some other species. Brilliant burgundy in fall. One of our absolute favorites.

Passiflora 'Inspiration'

purple passion flower

Not as rampant as the native passion vine, 'Inspiration' has attractive purple flowers. Growing to 10' in a single season, it dies back to the ground each winter. Triploid so no viable seeds are produced.

Passiflora 'Monika Fischer'

hybrid passion flower

Pennisetum thunbergii

Pennisetum Red Buttons

Add interest to your mixed border with red buttons fountaingrass. This is a heat and drought tolerant perennial that produces long stems topped with dense, elongated, feathery flower clusters of rose-red. These are long-lived and can be used in fresh or dry arrangements.

Penstemon smallii

Small's beardtongue

This pretty perennial is native to North Carolina and Tennessee. Bees love it! It grows to 2' in the sun or partial shade. Flower is a corollla 1" long with pink-purple stripe and white inside.

Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Rocketman'

Russian sage

'Rocketman' has an upright vase-shaped habit and was bred to have stronger stems making it less likely to flop. Avoid wet, poorly drained soils.

Persea liebmannii

Mexican redbay

The beautiful foliage is the main reason to grow this rare Mexican relative of our native redbay. Yellow spring flowers and black fall fruits add to the allure. Rare and choice.

Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Firetail'

mountain fleece flower

These tiny, rose-red to white flowers bloom on narrow, pencil-thin, long-stalked spikes. Consistent moisture is best for optimum growth. When happy, mountain fleece will slowly spread in the garden. Beautiful when grown in mass in woodland areas, cottage gardens, borders, or even bogs. Deer resistant!

Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon'

red dragon knotweed

Red Dragon is a clump forming herbaceous perennial possessing purple variegated, pointed leaves. Foliage color is deepest near the base and softens to a silvery purple and green nearest the leaf tip. Zone 5. Prefers partial shade and moist soils.

Persicaria virginiana 'Painter's Palette'

variegated Virginia knotweed

sun or shade; 2'

Petasites japonicus var. giganteus 'Variegatus'

variegated fuki

part shade to shade; 12"–15"

Petunia 'Lanbor'

Supertunia Bordeaux petunia

This new petunia bears non-stop pink flowers with plum veins and a dark eye.

Peucedanum terebinthaceum var. terebinthaceum

shi fang feng

A truly lovely parsley relative forming low mounds of glossy foliage topped by large umbels of white flowers growing to 4' tall in summer. It also serves as a food source for tiger swallowtail butterfly larvae.

Phlox stolonifera 'Weesie Smith'

creeping phlox

'Weesie Smith" is a vigorous ground-hugging phlox that forms stems of small spoon-like flowers on 10" spikes. Hummingbirds love its lavender-pink flowers!

Phlox 'Wanda'

hybrid phlox

sun; 24"

Photinia ×fraseri 'Cassini'

Pink Marble variegated Frasier photinia

Photinia microphylla

littleleaf photinia

This Crug Farms collection (BSWJ11837) comes from the upper slopes of the mountains of Vietnam. We haven't been growing this for long but are told it has incredible fall color, white spring flowers, and orange-red fruit. We are already impressed with the fine texture of young plants.

Physostegia virginiana 'Pink Manners'

obedient plant

'Pink Manners' is adorned by tubular flowers in shades of pink-lavender from mid-summer–fall. This easy-to-grow native will not spread in the landscape aggressively like other forms. A great choice, with strong stems that do not require staking, and an upright, clump forming habit.

Pileostegia viburnoides

climbing hydrangea

This elegant woody vine is one of the best climbers. It's self-clinging, slow-growing, with beautiful long evergreen leaves. In late summer, it produces large inflorescences of creamy-white flowers that are simply stunning against the backdrop of glossy green leaves.

Pinus aristata

Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine

A bristlecone pine native to high elevations in New Mexico and Colorado. Extraordinarily long lived as some specimens are known to have reached over 2400 years old. Keep it quite dry (raised beds, well-drained soil) in winter to maximize its longevity. This pine is attractive, small and very slow growing...perfect for the small garden.

Piper auritum

hoya santa or root beer plant

1 qt; A large-leafed perennial related to the pepper plant. Known for its leaves, which are used for their spicy aromatic scent and flavor, some liken to root beer, others to anise-clove. It will grow to about 3' tall in Raleigh and spread to form sizable patches if happy. Sun to shade.

Piper kadsura (variegated)

variegated Japanese pepper

This evergreen vine has small heart-shaped leaves that are irregularly variegated. Its self-clinging stems will climb tree trunks and walls. The white flowers look similar to the jack in a jack-in-the-pulpit. Marginally hardy, part shade, rich soils.

Pittosporum heterophyllum 'Variegatum'

variegated pittosporum

This very attractive evergreen shrub offers fragrance and plenty of promise. It has been growing at Clemson Botanical garden for many years and has performed beautifully. Pale yellow, fragrant flowers on slender pedicles to 1/2” long.

Pittosporum illicioides 'Strappy'

narrow-leafed pittosporum

This is an very narrow-leafed selection of the evergreen anise leaf pittosporum. Fragrant spring flowers give rise to bright orange-seeded fall fruit. It has a fantastic pedigree having been selected by Sean Hogan Cistus Design Nursery, from a Taiwan collection of Dan Hinkley.

Pittosporum tobira 'Kansai Sunburst'

variegated Japanese pittosporum

This bright cultivar of Japanese pittosporum came to us from Japan. New growth is brilliant yellow before softening to a creamy edge on the evergreen foliage. Fragrant flowers are an added bonus. Reports indicate that this may be somewhat tender. Great in full sun to part shade or in a container that is brought indoors.

Pityopsis graminifolia

narrowleaf silk-grass

sun; 1'–3'

Platycladus orientalis 'Morgan'

Oriental arborvitae

Amazing sprays of chartreuse new growth contrast with the darker green older foliage of this great Chinese arborvitae in spring. It's even more dramatic in winter when the entire outer edges of the plant turn an orange-bronze color. It grows as a squat upright plant about twice as tall as wide.

Platycrater arguta

tea of heaven

part shade to part sun; 4'

Podocarpus macrophyllus 'Akame'

red-tip Japanese yew-pine

This beautiful Asian, broad-needled conifer is widely used as a specimen or hedge. Bright red to burgundy new flushes of growth make it a showy addition to the landscape. Reaching 12'-15' tall, it grows best in sun to part shade.

Podocarpus macrophyllus 'Sunshine Spire'

columnar Japanese yew-pine

This narrowly columnar podocarp can grow to form a screaming exclamation point 18’ tall. Hardiness is uncertain as we have not trialed it yet but it will certainly be hardy to zone 8, perhaps to zone 7.

Podocarpus 'Orangeade'

hybrid podocarpus

A shrubby conifer from New Zealand whose new growth emerges orange in the spring before turning green. After a few frosts in the fall, the whole plant turns rusty orange for the winter. Great as a border plant, a rock garden plant, or a container plant. Can also be trimmed into a small hedge.

Podocarpus parlatorei

podocarp

This native of Bolivia and Argentina forms an open, conical tree. It is sometimes used as a natural fence and will make a nice backdrop in your garden. A fabulous addition!

Podocarpus totara 'Aureus'

golden totara

In the wild, this gold-foliaged form of New Zealand's most common native conifer typically forms a tall tree but in the eastern US it typically forms more of a large shrub. The bright gold foliage is most vibrant in full sun turning green in shade. Drought tolerant once established.

Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas fern

Poncirus trifoliata 'Flying Dragon'

contorted hardy orange

sun to part shade; 12' tall

Primula 'Dale Henderson'

garden primrose

part sun; 6 inches

Prunus persica (ex. 'NCSU Dwarf Double Red')

sun to part shade; 8'

Prunus persica 'NCSU Dwarf Double Red'

dwarf flowering peach

A dwarf peach (to 4') with a nearly shocking display of carmine red flowers in spring. It is also a striking foliage plant and its heavily budded coarse branches are of winter interest. It comes true from seed; Zone 6 at least. The fruit are not table quality; sun.

Prunus 'Ukon'

green-flowering cherry

'Ukon' has to be one of the most unique Japanese flowering cherries around, owing to its spectacular spring display.

Pseudolarix amabilis

golden larch

An exceptionally beautiful genus of deciduous conifer tree from China with lacy fern-like foliage in summer and brilliant golden fall color; fast growing. Unlike the true larches, it grows very well in the south tolerating the heat and poorly drained soils. USDA Zones 4–8; best in sun.

Pycnanthemum incanum

mountain mint

Does not spread.

Pycnanthemum loomisii

Loomis' mountainmint

It develops sturdy stalks of peppermint-scented, grey-green foliage in 3 years.

Pycnanthemum muticum

mountain mint

Pyrrosia lingua 'Ogon Nishiki'

variegated tongue fern

Wow! This outstanding specimen is a very rare variegated fern with evergreen fronds. Tongue-like fronds have an irregular golden pattern, ‘felty’ backsides, and taper to a long pointed tip. Beautiful!

Quercus canbyi

Chisos oak

A small oak from Mexico and Texas that makes a shrubby plant or small tree with semi-evergreen, narrow leaves that resemble a thin-leaved holly. New growth is red, fall color is often nice burgundy. It is a very nice plant and makes a lovely pyramidal tree if trained when young.

Rabdosia longituba

long-tubed spurflower

sun to part shade; 24"

Reineckea carnea

Chinese reineckia

shade; 8"

Rhododendron 'Matsu-no-arti'

Satsuki azalea

A compact growing evergreen azalea with masses of relatively large, late season
salmon-pink flowers.

Rhynchospora colorata

narrowleaf white-top sedge

Star sedge's showy whitish bracts make it appear as if it has showy, daisy-like flowers. These bracts attract insect pollinators, Star sedge is a great addition to a bog or water garden. Cut back in winter to make room for fresh spring growth.

Rhynchospora latifolia

whitetop sedge

Rohdea japonica

sacred lily

Also known as a 'Nippon Lily' this evergreen perennial is a slow grower with shiny, dark-green, strappy leaves. In the fall, insignificant white flowers develop into small clumps of festive bright red berries that remain through winter. A great alternative to a cast-iron plant for an area of
deep shade!

Rohdea japonica 'Tyokkinna-zo'

sacred lily

This plant's evergreen foliage is a amazing addition to the shade garden, especially when combined with ferns and hellebores. It's both deer resistant and drought resistant! Some people have even found them to be a delightful substitute for hostas.

Rosa 'Darpellerin'

Cape Diamond shrub climber rose

This rose is widely touted as one of the most disease resistant varieties to be found. Old-fashioned rounded and doubled flowers to 4" in diameter are carried in clusters and are spicily fragrant. Grow it s a tough shrub or train it as a climber along a fence or arbor.

Rosa 'Meiggili'

Peach Drift ground cover rose

sun; 3'

Rosa 'Radtko'

Double Knock Out shrub rose

sun; 4'–5'

Rosa 'Spice'

China rose

Flowers have a clove-peppery aroma. This is a quite disease resistant rose. A great rose for the non-rose grower.

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Spice Island'

Spice Island Rosemary

This Rosemary features a highly upright form and dark blue flowers. Superb selection for kitchen use. Needs good drainage and full sun. Exceptionally drought tolerant.

Rostrinucula dependens

nodding mint-shrub

This interesting shrub has weeping long pendant panicles of lavender blooms from mid summer till frost. Dies back in winter, but quickly emerges in spring as the soil warms. Caramel colored peeling bark. A rare and unusual plant!

Rubus rolfei

creeping raspberry

sun to part shade; 4" × 36"

Rudbeckia fulgida

orange coneflower

Rudbeckia maxima

great coneflower

Ruellia simplex 'Chi Chi'

Hardy pink petunia

Adorable herbaceous perennial that is ready to fill your garden with light pink flowers throughout the summer. Clean, dark green foliage fills in nicely around your other perennials. Will do well in moist and dry conditions. An easy to grow must-have!

Ruscus aculeatus (ex. 'Wheeler's Variety')

butcher's broom

Sabal ×brazoriensis

hybrid palmetto

This rare palm has giant, green fan-shaped leaves typical of all sabal foliage. It is an intermediate hybrid between S. minor (no above ground trunk) and S. mexicana (tall trunk). Add this very special palmetto to your garden!

Sabal minor

dwarf palmetto

This common, fan-shaped palm is a small shrub is usually stemless with the leaves arising from an underground stock. White blooms are followed by black fruit about 1/2 inch wide in long clusters. Plant forms a trunk when grown in standing water.

Salix alba 'Dart's Snake'

contorted white willow

Salix 'Flame'

red-stem willow

sun to part shade; 15'

Salix 'Swizzlestick'

corkscrew willow

Quirky, yet beautiful twisted orange-yellow stems.

Salvia 'Amistad'

hybrid sage

Salvia chamaedryoides

blue oak sage

sun; 3'–5'

Salvia coerulea 'Argentine Skies'

blue anise sage

Plant Argentine Skies and the hummingbirds will love you! The licorice-like fragrance of its foliage and the big whorls of large, sky blue flowers make this a stand-out sage. It is a tidy background, screen or border plant Deer Resistant!!!

Salvia coerulea 'Black and Blue'

blue anise sage

3' tall clumps of fuzzy green, leaves precedes 1' spikes of narrow, long, snapdragon-like, luscious, deep blue flowers from June to October -- a hummingbird favorite. In rich soil, a 5-year-old clump of Salvia 'Black and Blue' can spread to 6' wide.

Salvia farinacea 'Augusta Duelberg'

mealycup sage

Attract hummingbirds to you garden with this splendid selection of the Texas native Salvia farinacea. The compact 30" tall x 4' wide specimen is topped from May until frost with hundreds of spikes of silvery-white flowers. This wildfower is both heat- and drought-tolerant.

Salvia 'Fire Dancer'

hybrid sage

This is a coral colored flowering Salvia. Compact habit is dense and flowers all summer long as well.

Salvia 'Flamenco Rose'

hybrid sage

This salvia has large, hot pink flowers. Its small-leaved foliage is nicely scented, sturdy and upright. What an excellent, long-blooming garden choice!

Salvia greggii 'Diane'

autumn sage

Diane's 36-inch mound of woody stems is covered with narrow green foliage. In late spring through fall, the 3-4' wide DEER-RESISTANT clumps are topped with small red to purple flowers.

Salvia greggii 'Viva'

compact autumn sage

The compact and pretty ‘Viva’ has rose-pink blooms that flower all season, especially in the heat of summer. Soft, green, lightly fragrant leaves cover this plant throughout the season. They are highly attractive to hummingbirds.

Salvia ×jamensis 'Sierra San Antonio'

Trumpet flowers of yellow and coppery peach are dazzling next to the aromatic, glossy dark green foliage. Mounds will grow to 2-3 feet tall and wide and its drought and heat tolerant!

Salvia leucantha 'Greenwood'

Mexican bush sage

Salvia leucantha 'Midnight'

Mexican bush sage

Salvia leucantha 'White Mischief'

white mischief bush sage

sun; 4'

Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips'

bicolor baby sage

"Hot Lips" is a beautiful shrubby salvia possessing flowers in shades of solid white, red and white bicolors, and solid red. Flower colors change with the spring and summer temperatures. Zone 7.

Salvia microphylla 'Red Velvet'

Red Velvet Mountain Sage

Red Velvet is a vigorous plant with intense red flowers, particularly in spring and fall. Dark stems and calyxes intensify the plant's drama along with glossy green foliage. Red Velvet prefers partial shade and even blooms in full shade. It needs well-drained soil and regular watering.

Salvia microphylla 'San Carlos Festival'

baby sage

sun; 3'–5'

Salvia 'Newe Ya'ar'

silver sage

Newe Ya'ar' (Neh-veh Ya-ar) is an early and prolific bloomer in spring, and grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Although not reliably winter hardy outdoors in areas colder than Zone 7b, it can be potted up. We've had no problems even in single digits with plants staying mostly evergreen.

Salvia nipponica var. formosana

Taiwan woodland sage

part sun to shade; 16"

Salvia oxyphora

Bolivian sage

Enjoy the bright,fuzzy, cherry red flowers of this sage! Often slow to start growing in spring, this tropical beauty takes off as the days get longer and warmer. Hummingbirds are attracted from summer to fall.

Salvia pallida

pale sage

sun to part shade; 48"

Salvia 'Phyllis' Fancy'

flowering sage

'Phyllis Fancy' begins blooming in late summer & keeps going until the first frost making it a favorite in the late season garden. Bees, butterflies & hummingbirds can’t resist it's fuzzy, soft lavender flower spikes. It's not fussy about soil, but loves good drainage. Deer Resistant!

Salvia puberula 'El Butano'

Mexican sage

Salvia puberula has particularly large and colorful flowers.The velvety green leaves adorn the 4' tall upright stalks that are topped, starting in late October, with a flower head of deep magenta-pink resembling a pink cotton ball that was plugged into an electrical outlet...a great form of this wonderful salvia.

Salvia 'Red Letter'

hybrid autumn sage

Salvia regla 'Jame'

mountain sage

Salvia regla is a star in southern gardens! The glossy-green, round foliage adorns this upright-growing woody salvia to nearly 4' tall. In early fall, this cultivar is adorned with 3" long scarlet-orange, tubular flowers...a hummingbird's delight.

Sanguisorba 'Little Angel'

Santolina virens

green lavender cotton

Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Western Hills'

Himalayan sweet box

Sarcococca saligna

willow-leaf sweet box

This is perhaps the most handsome of all the Sarcococcas. As an evergreen shrub, it has an upright, but arching form. Leaves are elongated, narrow, glossy, and bright green in color. More vigorous than other sweet boxes, at the JCRA, it has prospered with protection from winter winds.

Sauromatum venosum

voodoo lily

part sun to shade; 36"

Saururus cernuus 'Hertford Streaker'

variegated lizard's tail

Schisandra propinqua var. sinensis

magnolia vine

Delightful, evergreen vine with stems and petioles tinted burgundy, adding a reddish element to the entire plant’s appearance. Spring and summer flowers produce attractive red fruits. Drapes nicely over the sides of a container with its shiny 3" leaves.

Schizophragma hydrangeoides 'Moonlight'

pewter-leaf Japanese climbing hydrangea

Scilla numidica

Numidian squill

With attractive, lustrous green and durable foliage, Scilla numidica doesn't look like one of those wimpy bulbs where you just want to wish the foliage away once the flowers are done. Instead, attractive foliage begets even more attractive flowers. Hardy, likely, through NC.

Scutellaria rubicunda

Mediterranean skullcap

This Mediterranean skullcap makes
well-behaved clumps of scalloped leaves topped in summer by purple to blue flowers over an extended period. It is ideal in sun to part shade in all but heavy, wet soils. An easy and reliable performer in the garden.

Scutellaria suffrutescens 'Texas Rose'

pink skullcap

A small cushion-forming semi-evergreen mint relative topped with pink flowers in spring and sporadically through summer. Originally sold as a tender perennial or annual but has proven to be hardy in zone 7.

Sedum emarginatum 'Eco-Mt. Emei'

Mt. Emei sedum

Discovered growing on the lower slopes of Mt. Emei in the Sczechuan Province of China, this lovely woodland gem displays mass of tiny yellow flowers in late spring.

Sedum 'Firecracker'

SunSparkler sedum

Seemannia 'Little Red'

hardy gloxinia

This hardy gloxinia hybrid has quickly become one of the favorite plants in the JCRA's Lath House. Intense scarlet-red, tubular flowers contrast beautifully with its dark foliage and red stems. It grows best in rich, well-drained soil, not overly wet or dry.
Flowers best in sun.

Seemannia nematanthodes 'Evita'

hardy gloxinia

We love this hot African violet relative introduced by Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery for it's soft green foliage, gently spreading habit, and HOT red flowers with speckled gold throats. Its very happy here in the piedmont in light shade where it emerges late and weaves around other perennials happily.

Selaginella braunii

arborvitae fern

This ferny evergreen perennial makes a slowly creeping mass for the woodland garden. It is exceptionally easy to grow and looks great weaving around hydrangeas, azaleas, and other woodland shrubs.

Selaginella emmeliana

Sempervivum arachnoideum

cobweb hens and chicks

A diminuitive sempervivum with fuzzy cobwebbed foliage.
Hens and chicks are rosette-forming succulents smaller than a tennis ball with small colorful leaves all year round. The main plant (the hen) produces lots of identical baby plants (the chicks) attached by stolons. In the summer, the hen will produce a small flower stalk ... but it is usually insignificant. Requires good drainage.

Sempervivum 'Gold Nugget'

Chick Charms hens and chicks

During the warm season, the leaves are a bright green with a bit of red and in the winter it shifts to gold and red. Offsets slowly.

Sempervivum 'Lavender and Old Lace'

hens and chicks

Gray green leaves that are lavender-pink at the base.

Sempervivum 'Rocknoll Rosette'

Chick Charms Cherry Berry hens and chicks

A color-changer through the seasons. It has a lime green base in winter tipped with a bit of purple. In summer, it shifts to predominately red with a bit of gold.

Sempervivum 'Soft Line'

Chick Charms Sugar Shimmer hens and chicks

Large silvery rosettes with pink tips and with little hairs that give it a shimmer as if dusted with sugar crystals. In warmer temperatures, they are more blue green in color with a light silvery overlay.

Sempervivum 'Urmina'

Chick Charms Cosmic Candy hens and chicks

Rose to green rosettes take on golden tinges in bright sun. A thick tufting of fine, white cilia give this cultivar a fuzzy appearance.

Serissa japonica

Japanese snow rose

Delightful, small evergreen shrub covered with tiny, white flowers from spring through fall. Japanese snow rose is a very versatile plant that makes an excellent choice for use in your landscape or for bonsai.

Serissa japonica 'Bumble Bee Delight'

Not as showy as named cultivars but much more preferred by native bumble bees

Serissa japonica 'Kyoto'

Japanese snow rose

This intriguing, small, evergreen plant has tiny leaves clustered densely and tightly held against its stems. Flowers are light pink to white. It branches more freely and is more open than 'Sapporo'. Its wiry stems give an attractive Oriental appearance to this evergreen shrub.

Serissa japonica 'Sapporo'

Japanese snow rose

Serrisa is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub with tiny green leaves and tons of white funnel-shaped flowers from spring to fall. Flowers most heavily in full sun and is very drought tolerant once established. ‘Sapporo’ is a very compact cultivar great in containers, rock gardens, and for bonsai.

Serissa japonica 'White Swan'

Japanese snow rose

This small evergreen shrub will grow in full blazing sun or in fairly heavy shade. It also is one of the very best performers in drought situations. Each of the tiny leaves on the stiffly arching branches is delicately edged in creamy white. Small white flowers appear in spring through fall.

Silene ovata

catchfly

A rare perennial that is native from Illinois to Georgia on rocky wooded slopes. It is endangered in the wild and you can help preserve this plant by planting one in your garden. It forms a forms a tangle of lanky stems with small white flowers that open at sunset.

Silphium perfoliatum

cup plant

sun; 4'–8' tall

Sinningia 'Arkansas Bells'

sinningia

'Arkansas Bells' sports pinkish-red tubular flowers on stalks that are taller than other Sinningias. Its blooms have a pleasant fruity scent and are a delight to hummingbirds. This amazing African violet relative thrives with cactus and agaves. Only winter hardy to 5 degrees F, but is also makes a wonderful container plant.

Sinningia 'Bananas Foster'

hardy gloxinia

All summer long you will enjoy this delightful gem in your garden. True to its name, it produces dozens of 2" pale yellow tubular flowers. It is very drought tolerant and perfect for a rock garden or other sunny location.

Sinningia eumorpha

sinningia

Sinningia (ex. 'Scarlet O'Hara')

Sinningia 'Scarlet O'Hara'

red hardy gloxinia

This Sinningia will be one of the bright spots in your garden and the hummingbirds will love it! At the ends of the arching stems, airy open flower spikes display teardrop shaped scarlet red flowers that dangle in the breeze.

Sinningia tubiflora

hardy white gloxinia

Long throated creamy white flowers with a pink blush top clumps of fuzzy silver leaves in late spring to early summer.

Sphaeralcea 'Shell Pink'

hybrid globe mallow

This lovely plant is widely touted as an annual plant but has been perfectly hardy for us over the last five years in a well-drained, sunny spot. The hibiscus relative makes a spreading plant with silvery leaves and pink flowers.

Spiraea ×semperflorens

This lovely spiraea has spikes of pink (occasionally white) flowers from mid-summer until frost. Although nearly unknown in gardens, it is attractive and showy. 4-5 feet tall, zone 7 at least, probably colder full sun.

Spiraea thunbergii 'Fujino Pink'

apple-blossom Thunberg spirea

sun to part shade; 3'–5'

Spiraea thunbergii 'Mount Fuji'

variegated Thunberg spirea

Loads of white flowers in late winter cover this low mounding, deciduous shrub. The foliage is irregularly streaked with white variegation, and the narrow leaves give a graceful, airy texture. Fall color can often be nice yellows and/or reds.

Sprekelia formosissima

Aztec lily

Grow Aztec lily and it will soon become one of your favorite and most reliable plants. In spring, long, strap-shaped leaves and brilliant red flowers emerge from a bulb. Stunning, large (6") flowers bloom from April through May, with the possibility of a few more in the fall.

Stachys 'Hummelo'

betony

A dependable perennial with a long season of bloom and foliage which is attractive year round. Named for garden designer Piet Oudolf's garden Hummelo.

Stachys sieboldii

Chinese Artichoke

This perennial herb is similar to the Jerusalem artichoke. It's a member of the mint family and behaves accordingly -- spreading with zeal. But since it is a delicious, nutritious plant, it’s easy enough to weed it and get a nice meal or two for your efforts.

Stachyurus himalaicus

spike tail

Styrax calvescens

smooth snowbell

This rare Chinese member of the snowbell genus makes an attractive large shrub or small tree. In spring, small white flowers are borne on short racemes. The dark gray-brown bark is handsome in winter. It is easy to grow and a perfect size for most landscapes.

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus 'Central Avenue'

coralberry

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Fanny'

Fanny's Aster

sun to part shade; 24"

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite'

aromatic aster

Very showy and low-growing, this bushy plant has hundreds of daisy type blue-lavender flowers with yellow centers. Butterflies love it! It creates an interesting display throughout the summer followed by masses of flowers about 1.25 inches in diameter. Deer resistant!

Symphytum ×uplandicum 'Axminster Gold'

variegated Russian comfrey

The species is a naturally occurring hybrid. The selection has gray-green leaves with broad yellow leaf margins. It typically grows in a rosette to 18" tall with a spread to 24-30" wide. Clusters of pink bells bloom in late spring to early summer atop stems rising from the foliage mound to 4-5' tall.

Tagetes lucida

sweet-scented Mexican marigold

Mexican tarragon grows all spring and summer before it produces many yellow, single marigold-like blossoms. That's just the frosting on the cake, though, because the main reason to grow it is for the flavored leaves. A great substitute for French tarragon! Let this be a bright spot in your garden as fall comes around!

Taxus wallichiana var. mairei

Maire yew

The Chinese Yew is well suited for southern gardens. It grows to 12' tall and wide after 20 years. If a male pollinator is nearby, it should set red fruits. The large shrub has attractive evergreen needles and orange exfoliating bark. With pruning it can be kept as a tight hedge. Zone 7

Tecoma stans var. angustata

esperanza

This Texas native is not reliably hardy, but in a warm, protected spot, it makes an upright
shrub topped with tubular gold flowers continually until frost. We've found it will usually come back if mulched well and the winter is relatively mild. We've been growing this form for many years now.

Tetraneuris acaulis

angelita daisy

Thalictrum rochebruneanum var. grandisepalum

meadow rue

sun to part shade; 4'–6'

Thuja occidentalis 'Columbia'

white-tip American arborvitae

This is a very attractive form of American arborvitae that is somewhat difficult to find. Its branches have creamy-white tips that contrast beautifully against the evergreen foliage, especially in summer and winter. It forms a broadly columnar tree to 10’ tall and makes a fine specimen in the landscape.

Thuja occidentalis 'Quebec Weeping'

weeping American arborvitae

A delightfully loose and graceful conifer with sprays of pendulous foliage. Spring growth is a bright green before darkening a bit. A true specimen plant.

Thuja occidentalis 'Yellow Ribbon'

golden American arborvitae

sun; 12'–14'

Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai

northern Japanese false arborvitae

This northern form of the false arborvitae from Japan displays densely-set, dark green foliage. For us, the plant forms a dense shrub, although in cooler climates
it forms an upright (cone-shaped), evergreen tree.

Thujopsis dolabrata 'Variegata'

variegated false arborvitae

This form of the false arborvitae displays branch tips speckled creamy white, which on well-grown specimens, gives the entire plant a white cast. Our plant grows as a shrub, but in cooler climates, may be tree-statured to about 15'.

Tibouchina urvilleana 'Edwardsii'

princess flower

This princess flower is root hardy here, dying to the ground each fall and returning in the spring. In a frost free climate, it becomes a small tree and flowers nearly year round. Here, it is probably better grown as a house plant or patio plant that you bring inside for the winter. It features soft, velvety leaves and 2" purple flowers in summer.

Titanotrichum oldhamii

gold false foxglove

This very hardy African violet relative makes a stunning addition to the shade garden where it forms a small clump of dark green fuzzy foliage. It is topped with deep gold flowers, each with a dark burgundy throat—simply stunning.

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Asia Minor'

dwarf Asiatic jessamine

"Asia Minor" is a wonderful ground cover with fragrant small white flowers in summer. Morning sun only is preferable. It's also very happy in containers and looks great in combination with hibiscus, lantana, and ferns.

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Atsuba Chirimen'

dwarf variegated Asiatic jessamine

This tiny Asiatic jessamine makes a great plant for a small space. The little evergreen leaves are dark green with a variable yellow variegation. Winter leaves are often tinted with red and orange. It can be pruned into a small shrub, perfect for bonsai or allowed to grow as a small scale ground cover.

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Chirimen'

dwarf variegated Asiatic jessamine

This Asiatic Jessamine cultivar has tiny leaves variegated with grey and white. It's a vigorous climber if there is something for it to climb. or an excellent groundcover if grown without anything to climb on.

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Hatsuyuki'

variegated Asiatic jessamine

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Kiifu Chirimen'

dwarf golden Asiatic jessamine

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Nagaba'

variegated Asian jessamine

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon Chirimen'

golden Asiatic jessamine

Known as "beautiful gold," this stunning Asian variety of jessamine has leaves that are a deep golden yellow, turning light orange in winter. It will fit just about anywhere in the small garden, but is especially wonderful in a planter or as a small scale ground cover.

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Theta'

narrowleaf Asiatic jessamine

sun or shade; 12" or as trained

Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Raulston Hardy'

Confederate jessamine

Also known as "star jasmine," this evergreen woody vine is covered with fragrant creamy-white flowers in summer. It will need some support to get started,
but will cover an arbor quickly, once it is established. Delectable!

Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea'

purple heart tradescantia

This colorful groundcover has large, pointed, narrow oblong leaves, 3-6 in and bears small pink flowers in the summer. Since winter hardy only to Zones 10-11, it's best to sprout cuttings inside for the next season. Bunches of rich purple, lance-shaped leaves make this a beautiful house plant year-round.

Tradescantia sillamontana

white velvet tradescantia

sun to light shade; 8"–12" tall

Tricyrtis

These small, orchid-like flowers, speckled with white and shades of purple, sparkle above tall stems of glossy green foliage and prefer shady, moist places. Unfortunately deer and rabbits find them very tasty.

Tricyrtis formosana

toad lily

shade to part shade;

Tricyrtis formosana 'Autumn Glow'

variegated toad lily

shade; 2'

Tricyrtis 'Imperial Banner'

variegated toad-lily

shade; 24"

Tricyrtis lasiocarpa

amethyst toad lily

sun to part shade; 36"

Tricyrtis puberula

downy toad lily

shade; 30"

Tricyrtis ravenii

Raven's toad lily

A high elevation, sun loving, herbaceous perennial collected in Taiwan in 2008. The upright stems are topped from midsummer to frost with loads of 3 petaled, purple spotted flowers. The flower production beats any other toad lily we've come across so far.

Trochodendron aralioides

wheel tree

This evergreen tree is elegant in all seasons with whorls of glossy green foliage held on smooth green stems. Interesting rather than showy terminal flowers and fruits are chartreuse contrasting nicely with the dark foliage. It will make a medium-sized tree in sun to part shade.

Verbena 'Sissinghurst'

verbena

sun; 6"

Viburnum 'Chippewa'

Egolf hybrid viburnum

This viburnum is a hybrid between V. japonicum and V. dilatatum. It has semi-evergreen, glossy green leaves that give this densely branched shrub a classy look! Flowers in summer and resemble white saucers sitting on the branches. These flowers turn to persistent red berries in fall.

Viburnum cinnamomifolium

cinnamon viburnum

This handsome shrub has year-round appeal for everyone's garden, adding texture to the shade garden with its large, leathery leaves. In late spring, pink buds turn into creamy white clusters of flowers borne on reddish stalks. In fall, there are bright blue clusters of fruit. Likes moist soil.

Vitex agnus-castus 'Shoal Creek'

chaste tree

sun; 15'

Waldsteinia lobata

Piedmont barren strawberry

The piedmont barren strawberry is a wonderful low-lying perennial herb with evergreen leaves that turn burgundy red in fall. The flower is yellow and the fruit is brown and dry. It's a great ground cover for slopes and rock gardens that are moist and partially shaded.

Weigela florida 'Caricature'

variegated flowering weigela

Flowering weigela is an old-fashioned shrub found growing in many mature shrub borders and gardens. Nothing is old-fashioned about this oddity though. Foliage is curiously puckered and contorted with the central green portion growing larger than the constricting creamy white margins.

Weigela (yellow leaf)

sun; 4-5 feet

Woodwardia orientalis

Oriental chain fern

So very cool! These lustrous, dark green fronds, when mature, will bear small plantlets directly on the fronds. You can propagate more ferns. New growth in spring is often burgundy-red to pink-red in color and can be quite stunning.

Yucca aloifolia 'Magenta Magic'

Magenta Magic Spanish Bayonet

Zephyranthes drummondii (San Carlos form)

giant prairie lily

This tough and durable bulb "produces large, pure white, fragrant flowers that are crisp and clean and a texture reminiscent of starched linens . . An early-season bloomer that will catch you by surprise when its fragrant pure-white flowers suddenly appear."--Yucca Do Nursery

Zephyranthes flavissima

yellow rain-lily

Zephyranthes 'Labuffarosea'

rain-lily

Zingiber mioga 'Dancing Crane'

myoga ginger

partial shade; 2'–3'

Zingiber mioga 'Silver Arrow'

variegated hardy ginger

'Silver Arrow' is a rare selection of the hardy true ginger, Z. mioga. Yellowish flowers appear at the base of the plant in late summer. Yes, you will have very cool, flowers along the ground. Leaves are marbled and splashed with silver gray, cream or white. Grows best in rich soils.