Abelia chinensis 'White Surprise'

Chinese abelia

Early and long blooming shrub with white flowers that are larger and more fragrant than other Abelia varieties.

Abelia ×grandiflora 'Francis Mason'

glossy abelia

This lovely compact shrub has brilliant yellow-gold and green variegated foliage as well as pretty white flowers in summer and fall. It lends itself to pruning, so it's a welcome addition to every landscape.

Abelia ×grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'

glossy abelia

Bright yellow variegated leaves change to red, orange, and golden yellow in winter. Attractive white flowers are held by rosy calyces which last long after the flowers have faded.

Abelia ×grandiflora 'Little Richard'

glossy abelia

More compact than other Abelia varieties.

Abelia ×grandiflora 'RNTOM'

Twist of Mango golden glossy abelia

Bright yellow new leaves that fade to gold in summer. Red stems contrast nicely.

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.

Abelia 'SRPabeper' (Peach Perfection)

glossy abelia

Tricolor foliage on red stems. A compact form that does not produce long whip-like shoots like other Abelia varieties.

Abutilon 'Marion Stewart'

flowering maple

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.

Abutilon megapotamicum 'Ruffles'

flowering maple

A dieback perennial (or evergreen houseplant) with maple-like leaves and yellow flowers emerging from red calyces over a long period in summer.

Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava'

flowering maple

From spring until fall this die-back shrub produces wild bicolor flowers consisting of dusky red calyces and orange petals decorated with red veins.

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 'Summer Beauty'

bear's breech

Finally a truly heat and humidity tolerant bear's breech, 'Summer Beauty' has 3' wide clumps of dark green, roughly serrated foliage topped in summer by 4'–6' tall spikes of white flowers emerging from large dusty purple calices.

Acanthus 'Wofford Rhubarb'

bear's breech

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 evergreen 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 palmatum

Japanese maple

A wonderful small tree with red or green foliage. Diverse foliage forms of seedlings from one of the most beloved small trees; JCRA's symbol.

Acer pseudosieboldianum

Korean maple

This is a wonderful small maple from Korea and China that is unaccountably rare in cultivation. Four to five inch doubly serrate leaves turn spectacular colors in the fall. It is also commonly known as purplebloom maple for the purple-red spring flowers. These are seedlings, not grafted plants.

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 asplenifolia

yarrow

With lovely pink flowers and fragrant leaves that draw pollinators, this yarrow is a wonderful addition to any perennial garden. The prolific flowers lend themselves to use in a bouquet, and if allowed, the plant will naturalize. This is a wild species native to Europe. Unlike the modern hybrids, this wild-type is a tall plant ... to 29" unless pinched. Perfect for a well drained meadow garden or cottage garden or rock garden.

Achillea 'Sassy Summer Lemon'

yarrow

Achimenes 'Harry Williams'

orchid pansy

While neither an orchid nor a pansy, this is one cool shade perennial. Garden guru Tony Avent says this is the hardiest Achimenes he has tried. Foliage emerges late in the season, often into June. By July, flowers emerge a deep crimson becoming fuchsia with a golden throat. 'Harry Williams' grows best in light shade.

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

Maidenhair fern is a native southeast U.S. fern. Like all ferns, this is quite deer resistant while looking delicate and elegant.

Adiantum capillus-veneris

southern maidenhair fern

Adiantum hispidulum

rosy maidenhair

This maidenhair fern is deciduous for us in Raleigh but as a houseplant, it will be evergreen. Narrow arching fronds emerge with an attractive coppery tone that the marketing gurus are calling 'rose colored'. Slowly spreads to form a small colony.

Adiantum ×mairisii

hybrid maidenhair fern

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.

Agapanthus 'MDB001'

Ever Twilight bicolor agapanthus

A 2019 Chelsea Flower Show winner. Early bloomer. Rebloomer. Also sold under the trademark name Fireworks.

Agastache 'Blue Boa'

anise hyssop

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.

Agastache rugosa

giant hyssop

Agave asperrima

rough century plant

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'

century plant

Agave multifilifera 'Starshine'

century plant

This one is a real looker. A tight rosette of numerous 1/2" wide leaves each with a wide edge of white and an abundance of curly white hairs. It makes an easy-care, dramatic container plant where it is not winter-hardy.

Agave potatorum 'Becky'

century plant

This cultivar has a wide cream-colored center to the bluish, scalloped edged leaves. It does offset. This needs to be grown as a houseplant or summer container plant as it is not winter hardy

Agave potatorum 'Blue Winds'

Agave schidigera 'Royal Flush'

century plant

Spectacularly variegated cultivar with its very wide yellow margins to its leaves. This one is very slow growing.

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.

Ageratina ligustrina

This lovely pollinator-friendly evergreen shrub features dark green leaves and long lasting, large white flowers.

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 'Cordial Canary'

Feathered Friends carpet bugle

The first ever yellow foliaged Ajuga. Bright yellow foliage brightens up a shade garden and really offsets its blue flowers. It is a sport of Ajuga 'Valfredda', the one known as 'Chocolate Chip', so it has the same tiny leaves.

Ajuga incisa 'Blue Enigma'

giant bugle

Lovely toothed leaves topped by spikes of cobalt blue flowers in spring. This is a clump forming perennial and not a spreader like other ajuga. It also disappears in winter, returning each spring.

Ajuga 'Noble Nightingale'

Feathered Friends carpet bugle

Narrow foliaged creeping ground cover with dark purple and green leaves.

Ajuga 'Parrot Paradise'

Feathered Friends carpet bugle

Narrow foliaged creeping ground cover with tricolor yellow, orange and red leaves.

Ajuga reptans 'Dixie Chip'

tricolor carpet bugle

This variegated seedling from the popular 'Chocolate Chip' carpet bugle has small, tidy leaves like its parent but differs in the brightly variegated foliage splashed with pink and white. It makes a lovely evergreen ground cover or can be grown at the base of shrubs to cover the bare stems.

Ajuga 'Valfredda'

Chocolate Chip carpet bugle

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 (AlliYUM!)

garlic chives

This heat and humidity tolerant, flavorful addition to an herb garden or planter offers flat leaves with excellent onion-garlic flavor and 3-4 weeks of lavender, pom-pom shaped blooms in summer. Leaves and flowers are edible.

Allium hookeri var. muliense

Hooker's onion

Bright green foliage and small heads of yellow flowers make this a great addition to your perennial garden.

Allium 'Millennium'

ornamental onion

Allium nutans 'Pam Harper'

steppe onion

Allium nutans features wide twisting leaves. Flower stalks arise in June and twist and nod before standing up when flowers open. 'Pam Harper' has white flowers that can take on a pale pink cast when exposed to cool nights. Leaves may be used like chives in cooking. Dried flowers should be saved for arrangements.

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

Amorphophallus kiusianus

devil's tongue

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 bluestar

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.

Amsonia 'Starstruck'

bluestar

A hybrid distinguished by its relatively late bloom time and compact size.

Anemone hupehensis var. japonica 'Prinz Heinrich'

Japanese windflower

‘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

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 hispanicum

Spanish snapdragon

Fuzzy gray leaves are evergreen and deer resistant. This heat lover from Spain blooms in summer.

Antirrhinum latifolium

broad-leafed perennial snapdragon

Aquilegia caerulea

Kirigami Red & White bicolor columbine

NC State fans also have a columbine to support their school. Early bloomer.

Aquilegia parviflora

Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nora Barlow'

columbine

Double flowered spurless pink and white variety blooms a bit later than normal.

Arabis blepharophylla

coast rockcress

A California endemic plant native to the San Francisco Bay area. Thin, hairy stems rise from a basal rosette of fuzzy leaves bearing small flowers with bright purplish-pink petals in winter to spring. A nice rock garden or edging perennial in well drained soil. Short-lived but seeds around.

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'

marlberry

Makes a lovely houseplant.

Ardisia japonica 'Angyo Pixie'

marlberry

This dwarf evergreen ground cover came to us from our good friend Ted Stephens at Nurseries Caroliniana. It makes a wonderful carpet even in deep shade where the spreading stems are topped by dark green leaves with small white to pale pink flowers followed by red fruit. Marlberries have been among the JCRA's favorite plants since our earliest days and continue to be among our top choice for shade gardens.

Aristolochia fimbriata

hardy Dutchman's pipe

White veined leaves and fascinating flowers on this short trailing plant. Host plant for pipevine swallowtail butterflies, so don't kill any caterpillars feeding on the foliage.

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'

white 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

Asclepias tuberosa

butterfly weed

This selection of our native and beloved butterfly weed grows naturally on clay soils and is much better adapted for heavy clay sites than the typical form. Flowers provide nectar for butterflies, and foliage provides food for monarch, gray hairstreak and queen butterflies.

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.

Asphodelus albus

white asphodel

White-flowered asphodel is an herbaceous perennial with 2' tall foliage and 5' tall flower stalks. Best grown in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soils in full sun. Established plants are drought tolerant. Plants go deciduous in summer after bloom.

Aspidistra basalis 'Green Jeans'

cast iron plant

A tall, narrow-leaved Aspidistra the 30" × 1.5" leaves slowly spread to a 4' patch. The purple flowers are unusual but are produced at ground level in the middle of winter and so go unnoticed unless you are specifically looking for them.

Aspidistra oblanceifolia 'Nagoya Stars'

speckled cast iron plant

Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Spotty'

cast iron plant

Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Spotty' forms a 15" tall clump of arching 30" long leaves, of which 9" are the basal stalk. Each heavily patterned leaf is adorned with irregular large, dull yellow spots.

Asplenium ×ebenoides

scott's spleenwort or dragontail fern

Asplenium scolopendrium

hart's tongue fern

An easy fern, much beloved by the Victorians, which forms tight rosettes of mid-green leaves. It is very easy in a moist, well-drained, partly shaded spot and is 100% deer proof! Grows best in shade; 18" tall and wide.

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

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 laevis 'Bluebird'

smooth aster

This late summer blooming aster is covered in pale blue blooms. Pollinators love it.

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

Astilbe cf. longicarpa

false goat's beard

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 filix-femina 'Victoriae'

lady fern

A deciduous fern with lacy foliage that grows into a shuttlecock-like shape.

Athyrium 'Godzilla'

giant Japanese painted fern

This giant fern boasts fronds to more than double the height of typical painted ferns but with all the dramatic silver and burgundy tones you'd expect. Like so many great plants, this one popped up at Juniper Level Botanic Gardens and was introduced by Plant Delights Nursery. Expect it to grow 3' tall and twice as wide over time. Like all ferns, it is quite deer resistant.

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum

Japanese painted fern

Athyrium otophorum 'Okanum'

eared lady fern

A beautiful Asian fern with triangular, plastic-feeling, pewter-green fronds and dark reddish stipes. Average to slightly moist soils are preferred.

Aucuba japonica

Japanese aucuba

An evergreen shrub for shade with speckled leaves. To 8'. Hardy to zone 7 and warmer. Drought tolerant once established.

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 'Daisuke's Tiger'

Japanese aucuba

A variegated aucuba selected by Japanese plantsman Daisuke Muramatsu, and named for him by Barry Yinger of Asiatica Nursery. 'Daisuke's Tiger' is mostly gold around the margins and tips and spotted with green while the green centers are speckled with gold. It gives a distinctly different look than the old 'Gold Dust' or 'Crotonifolia' forms. This coloration takes several years to fully develop from a small plant. Tolerates dry shade once established.

Aucuba japonica (gold sectored)

Japanese aucuba

Gold specks highlight the leaves of this shade-loving evergreen.

Aucuba japonica 'Goldilocks'

variegated Japanese aucuba

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 'Ki Mi'

Japanese aucuba

Large leaves are edged with broad teeth. Leaf surface is speckled with yellow spots.

Aucuba japonica (Lane's sawtooth)

Japanese aucuba

JC Raulston Arboretum friend Layne Snelling saw this unique aucuba arise as a seedling in an abandoned lot and thought it looked good enough to share. Lane's sawtooth is a female with good berry set and strongly serrated leaves.

Aucuba japonica 'Limbata'

gold margin Japanese aucuba

One of the showiest Aucuba selections, broad yellow margins around each leaf become nearly white over time. A slow, compact grower, it is a female clone, so it can produce showy red fruit if a male is nearby.

Aucuba japonica 'Linda Eggins'

Japanese aucuba

This JCRA introduction came from the garden of the U.K. national Aucuba collection holder. Very large leaves are heavily spotted and bear some of the largest fruit we've seen on an Aucuba. We named it for this knowledgeable plantswoman.

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 'Nana'

Japanese aucuba

This shade-loving compact shrub offers an erect habit and a profusion of red berries.

Aucuba japonica (Ozzie Johnson dwarf)

Japanese aucuba

A very nice, very compact Aucuba with longish, glossy dark green foliage that's very lightly speckled with bright gold spots. Even gardeners of a delicate constitution should love this modestly ornamented Aucuba.

Aucuba japonica 'Pacman'

dwarf Japanese aucuba

A Plant Delights nursery introduction of a Paul James seedling. This compact male Aucuba has rounded somewhat distorted leaf on a very tight mound. Japanese aucuba is one of the best evergreen shrubs for dry shade.

Aucuba japonica (Paul James seedling No. 6)

variegated Japanese aucuba

This 5 to 8-foot shrub really pops in a shady location thanks to gorgeous leaves that feature a yellow-gold central section bordered by bright green edges that are speckled with yellow.

Aucuba japonica 'Pink Champagne'

Japanese aucuba

Aucuba are tough evergreen plants for shady garden spots. This solid green leaf form with thick-textured foliage sports fairly deeply serrate margins. If there is a suitable male Aucuba in the vicinity, expect this female cultivar to have a good set of pearly pink fruits in winter.

Aucuba japonica 'Subaru'

variegated Japanese aucuba

Aucuba japonica 'Subaru' has heavily gold-spotted evergreen leaves. This female selection is a demur 4' tall. Needs a male nearby to produce red winter fruit.

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 'Grape Taffy'

dwarf wild-indigo

A dwarf cultivar for smaller gardens.

Baptisia 'Royal Candles'

Bauhinia forficata

orchid tree

Bauhinia forficata is a normally tropical tree that survives in Raleigh by dying back to the ground in our cold winters. In good growing conditions, it will grow to roughly 8' tall during the warm season. In fall, this tree produces large white flowers with narrow petals. Hardy to zone 7b and prefers part–sun.

Bauhinia grandidieri

blue orchid tree

This Madagascar native small tree is not hardy for us in Raleigh, but it is pretty enough to put into a potted plant or bonsai collection. Tiny leaves and pale blue flowers late in the warm season.

Begonia 'Chandler's Hardy'

Shangri-La hardy begonia

Beautiful palmate olive-green leaves with silver spots are followed in the late summer by pale pink flowers. Prefers plenty of mulch and a moist location. A Shayne Chandler collection from China.

Begonia 'Cotes de Castillon'

hardy begonia

This cold hardy begonia has large 10" glossy silvery leaves with a maroon back, held at the end of burgundy petioles. The clumps are adorned with pink flowers, but these are mostly produced below the foliage. The key to outdoor survival in cold winter climates is keeping the soil dry in the winter months.

Begonia grandis 'Pink Teardrops'

hardy begonia

Easy to grow, hardy begonia for woodland gardens offers plentiful pink blooms from June through September. A Plant Delights/JLBG 2017 introduction.

Begonia 'Little Brother Montgomery'

hardy begonia

3" pot; A real wow of a hardyish begonia with star-like leaves of silver with a burgundy center and veins. Mulch well and perhaps take some cuttings as insurance but this plant should survive unless the rhizomes freeze. Named for a legendary Jazz singer.

Begonia aff. palmata

Collected by plant explorer Dan Hinkley (DJHM 13008) on the slopes of Mt. Phonganrazi at 9000' elevation during a 2013 trip to Myanmar. Beautifully marbled leaves. Winter mulch suggested.

Begonia pedatifida

hardy foot begonia

Beautiful palmate, green, maple-esque leaves have reddish veins and are followed in summer with white to pale pink flowers. Prefers plenty of mulch and a moist location. Has been fully winter hardy here at the JCRA.

Begonia 'Pewterware'

hardy begonia

A lovely silver-leafed hardy begonia with pink summer flowers. Juniper Level Botanic Garden has found it hardy in their garden to the upper teens. We recommend mulching well. An excellent houseplant. 18" tall and wide.

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.

Belamcanda chinensis

blackberry lily

Herbaceous perennial, "blackberry lily", easy, tough, durable, best in sun; Zone 4–9.

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.

Bletilla striata 'Albostriata'

variegated ground orchid

This showy Japanese ground orchid has a very subtle white edge to each of the 20" pleated leaves. Deep magenta-purple flowers brighten the garden in early spring. This plant will clump up quickly in the garden.

Boehmeria biloba

sandpaper plant

This unique clumping perennial features sandpaper-like leaves that split into 2 lobes (thus, biloba) at the ends. Lush and lovely addition to the garden.

Brugmansia 'Charles Grimaldi'

angel's trumpet

Brugmansia 'Inca Sun'

hybrid angel's trumpet

One of the most floriferous of all angel's trumpets, starting earlier than most and flowering continuously through summer.

Buddleja 'Blue Chip Jr.'

Lo & Behold dwarf butterfly bush

From the breeding program of NCSU's Denny Werner comes one of his newest additions to the dwarf butterfly bushes. 'Blue Chip Jr.' is a really little dwarf, reaching only 20"-28" tall. It is perfect for containers or small garden spots.

Buddleja cordata

Mexican butterfly bush

This plant hails from Mexico, where it makes a sizable tree used in tough spots like parking lots. In central North Carolina, it just won't form a tree but instead makes a lovely shrub with gorgeous large silvery foliage. Fragrant white flowers in late fall, though not particularly showy, add to the plant's appeal and provide nectar for a variety of pollinators.

Buddleja davidii 'Potter's Purple'

butterfly bush

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

Buddleja 'Grand Cascade'

butterfly bush

The largest flowers of any butterfly bush bar none. Incredible. This inter specific hybrid is sterile, so no seedlings are produced.

Buddleja 'Lilac Cascade'

butterfly bush

12 to 18-inch fragrant, puffy, pale lilac flower panicles cascade down like a waterfall all summer from this 4-foot pollinator magnet. Beautiful!

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 'Miss Molly'

butterfly bush

The former JC Raulston Arboretum director, Denny Werner, bred this brightly colored beauty. Functionally sterile and noninvasive in areas like the northeast where others can be a problem.

Buddleja 'Miss Violet'

butterfly bush

The former JC Raulston Arboretum director, Denny Werner, bred this grape-colored beauty. Functionally sterile and noninvasive in areas like the northeast where others can be a problem.

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

Buddleja 'SMNBDO' (Pugster Periwinkle)

dwarf butterfly bush

Another in the Monrovia series of dwarf butterfly bushes. Pugster Periwinkle has fragrant soft purple flowers (large for such a tiny plant) in summer and a tiny 24" height. Grows best in full sun. Hardy in zones 5–9.

Bulbine abyssinica

ethiopian bulbine

A Tony Avent collection (A1SA-097) from South Africa at 8000' near the Tiffendell Ski Resort. It has been hardy in Raleigh where the 20" lower stems bear bright yellow flowers.

Buxus harlandii

Harland's boxwood

Rarely offered in the trade, this is a superior dwarf boxwood for the Deep South. It has charming bright green leaves, plus a distinct, dense, rounded form. It can form a multi-stemmed mound with foliage to the ground. Drought tolerance and pest resistance is better than most boxwoods.

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 henryi

Henry's boxwood

A very rarely encountered shrub, Henry's boxwood makes a 5- to 9-foot evergreen shrub with some of the largest leaves of any temperate boxwood, sometimes to over 2 inches long. Sun to shade, zone 7 at least.

Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Unraveled'

weeping Japanese boxwood

Buxus microphylla 'Peergold'

Golden Dream variegated boxwood

'Peergold' is a compact, low-mounded, evergreen cultivar of boxwood that features bright green leaves, variegated with irregular golden yellow margins. Growth habit is nice and tight, and foliage is very dense. Great for small garden spaces. Deer and Rabbit tolerant.

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 'Prostrate3'

Flat-tery dwarf boxwood

An unusual boxwood that stays nearly flat to the ground (24") and grows twice as wide as it is tall. A nice accent plant for the front of the foundation. Boxwood are undervalued for their tremendous adaptability to dry shade situations. Sun to shade; 24" tall by 48" wide.

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 'Northland'

columnar common boxwood

Evergreen shrub to 4' tall by 2' wide. Popular as a hedge shrub or topiary. Deer usually leave boxwood alone. A narrowly columnar selection of boxwood

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 (ex. 'Welch's Pink')

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'

American beautyberry

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 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

Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red'

hardy bottlebrush

Introduced many years ago by Woodlanders Nursery (Aiken, SC), this bottlebrush has continually impressed us with its cold hardiness and outstanding summer floral display. Plants are typically wider than tall and produce red flowers clustered midway along the stems in bottlebrush fashion in the summer. Red to purple winter foliage.

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.

Calycanthus 'SMNCAF'

Simply Scentsational sweetshrub

An especially fragrant selection of this U.S. native shrub whose flowers emit hints of melon, banana, strawberry, pineapple and either Juicy Fruit or bubble gum (depending on your nose). Flowers in late spring to early summer. Hardy in zones 4–9 in full to part sun.

Camellia ×hiemalis 'Green's Blues'

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 'Akashigata'

Japanese camellia

This robust cultivar offers a profusion of intense pink semi-double flowers accented by saffron stamens from winter into spring. A southern garden favorite, 'Akashigata' will become an evergreen spreading shrub or small tree.

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 sinensis (large flower)

tea tree camellia

Noted for its large, glossy dark green, saw-toothed edged leaves, in fall this cultivar produces delicate, fragrant, single flowers with bright yellow stamens. True to its 'tea tree' moniker, young leaves are used for green tea, older leaves for oolong and black tea and buds for white tea.

Camellia 'Snow Flurry'

Ackerman camellia

Camellia tsaii 'Erina'

cascading camellia

Pink buds lead to flowers with reddish-pink colored outer petals. New shoots are red. As a result, the plant is visually appealing all year round.

Camellia ×vernalis 'Christmas Candy'

camellia

Mid-season, to-die-for pink flowers have a white edge for a striking contrast. This is an easy and quite striking addition to the December-January camellia show.

Camellia ×vernalis 'Egao Corkscrew'

contorted vernal camellia

Campanula glomerata

clustered bellflower

Clusters of upward facing bell-shaped flowers atop 2' stalks. This species does well in the N.C. Piedmont area.

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

Campanula takesimana

Korean bellflower

Dark green basal rosettes give rise to 18" stems of pendant bell-shaped flowers. Bells are lilac to white with maroon speckles on the inside. Brightens up shady corners, and it's easy to share!

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 'Phaison'

Tropicanna variegated canna lily

Few plants provide as much impact as this canna with intensely colored foliage streaked with burgundy, gold, orange, red, and green. If the foliage isn't enough, rich orange flowers top it all summer long.

Canna 'Striata'

canna lily

Capsicum annuum (perennial form)

bird's eye chili pepper

Winter hardy at the South Carolina Botanical Garden, this capsicum yields tiny, sperical, hot birds-eye peppers. A lovely addition to the vegetable garden, this can be grown indoors as well.

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 flacca 'Blue Zinger'

sedge

'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 muskingumensis

palm sedge

A native sedge useful for wet sites. Gently spreading, it is useful for erosion control

Carex oshimensis 'Everillo'

Evercolor variegated Japanese sedge

The grass experts at Hoffman Nursery says: "What makes this sedge different? Its lime green leaves gradually deepen to solid golden yellow. Adds a color burst to mixed container plantings, garden beds, and borders. Can spread slowly by rhizomes to form a vibrant ground cover".

Carex pendula

weeping sedge

Carpinus coreana

Korean ironwood

A deciduous, multi-stemmed tree/shrub with small lustrous leaves that turn burgundy, red, orange or yellow in fall. A popular bonsai plant. Monecious catkin-like flowers appear in spring. A slow grower that appreciates some afternoon shade.

Carpinus coreana

Model Rocket Korean hornbeam

From Heritage Seedlings comes this great tree: "Perfect as a street tree because of its narrow growth habit (5’ × 20’ after 12 yrs) and its tiny leaves mean it never makes a cleanup mess after leaf drop. Branches are tough. Fall color favors yellow sprinkled with a bit of orange."

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)

Cartrema americana

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.

Caryopteris ×clandonensis 'Gold Crest'

bluebeard

With chartreuse leaves in spring, and blue flowers in late summer and early fall, this plant prefers moist, well-drained soil, but tolerates drier soil once established. Deer and rabbit resistant. Cut to within 6" of ground in mid-spring to promote fresh growth and blooms on new wood.

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

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

Golden Dragon plum yew

This low and wide golden conifer makes a somewhat low, vase-shaped shrub growing to about 3' tall by 5' wide in about five years. It makes the perfect bright, year-round accent to the landscape or a vivid low hedge. Color is brightest in spring and with more sun.

Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Mary Fleming'

dwarf Japanese plum yew

This low spreading plum-yew makes a wide ground covering shrub for the shade garden. We've been impressed with its exceptional performance with minimal care for many years. Very low growing here at JCRA.

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)

Chinese plum yew

Ceratostigma griffithii 'Snow Flurries'

white Griffith's leadwort

Ceratostigma willmottianum

Chinese plumbago

Cercis 'Wavecrest'

hybrid redbud

A Cercis hybrid (canadensis × chinensis) found at Wavecrest nurseries with exceptional cold hardiness (-12°F). It's densely covered in pink flowers in spring. At just 7' (in 10 years), this is a good redbud for a small garden.

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

Chamaecyparis obtusa

Hinoki falsecypress

Perfect for a holiday display or outdoor pot, this plant is an unknown dwarf cultivar of Chamaecyparis obtusa. This Japanese evergreen will probably grow slowly. If planted in the garden, it may reach 8 feet in 10 years.

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 obtusa 'Special Variegated'

variegated Hinoki falsecypress

An upright evergreen conifer that really lives up to its name. Loose sprays of green foliage are covered with a glaze of cream white. Easy to grow, it will not burn in full sun once established. Prefers sun/partial shade in well-drained soil. 7’ tall x 3’ wide in 10 years.

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Clouded Sky'

blue Sawara falsecypress

A medium sized blue gray form of Sawara falsecypress with both adult and juvenile foliage creating an interesting textural contrast on the same plant. An upright grower, this selection's color will add some cool to the hot summer landscape. Prefers average to well-drained soil.

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 'Filip's Happy Day'

dwarf Sawara falsecypress

This slow-growing, dwarf conifer offers gorgeous green foliage sprays, which are tipped with white in spring.

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 (fastigiate)

white cypress

This is an extremely narrow form of white cypress.

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.

Chelone glabra 'Black Ace'

white turtlehead

This selection of our native turtlehead emerges in spring with dark black-green foliage. Expect the foliage to become deep green by flowering time.

Chelonopsis moschata

Japanese turtlehead

This herbaceous perennial matures to 30" tall and wide with large, tubular pink flowers in mid- to late summer. The foliage has a musky aroma when rubbed. Best in lightly shaded areas in moist but well-drained soil.

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.

Chloranthus sessilifolius var. austrosinensis

A great herbaceous perennial for the shade garden, this plant's dark foliage, easy growth and restrained white flowers all provide for a great textural addition to the woodland when grown with ferns, hosta and other shade lovers.

Chlorophytum cf. bowkeri

African snake lily

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 chinensis

Chrysanthemum (Elizabeth Lawrence pink)

garden chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum 'Gethsemane Moonlight'

garden chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum 'Golden Lida Thomas'

garden chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum 'Lavender Lady'

perennial mum

Chrysanthemum 'Mei Kyo'

garden chrysanthemum

A cold hardy garden mum with deep rose double pompon flowers in late fall. Pinch in July to improve branching.

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

Chrysanthemum (single red)

single red daisy mum

Chrysanthemum (single white)

Chrysogonum virginianum 'Eco Lacquered Spider'

green-and-gold

A native groundcover in forested areas. This variety grows rapidly on long stolons, so stand back and let it cover your natural areas.

Chrysophila stauracantha

rootspine palm

This medium sized palm tree makes a nice pool-side potted plant and sunroom houseplant. A slim trunk and large costapalmate leaves that are silver on the bottom. Mature specimens produce 4" long spines along the trunk. 3' long densely packed white flower clusters turn into clusters of small white fruit. Not hardy in Raleigh.

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.

Citrus (trifoliata × auranticum)

citradia

This trifolate orange produces very sour, but edible fruit.

Citrus trifoliata 'Flying Dragon'

contorted hardy orange

Citrus (trifoliata × paradisi 'Dunstan')

citrumelo

This is certainly the best hybrid grapefruit with large 4" orange fruits that taste like slightly bitter grapefruit. It has proven its hardiness over the years and survived 7F with no problem. Orange-blossom scented flowers and green stems add to this plant's charm.

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 integrifolia 'Blue Boy'

clematis

Nodding bell-shaped blue flowers in summer on this short vine. It is at its best when allowed to wind through and around other prennials.

Clematis 'My Angel'

clematis

A small flowering clematis with 1.5" bell shaped flowers that dangle down. Long blooming. Flowers on new growth.

Clematis 'Prince Charles'

clematis

A profusion of single, semi-nodding violet-blue flowers, 3" across from early summer to early autumn. Pruning Group 3: prune in February.

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 'Crystalina'

Sugartina dwarf summersweet clethra

A selection of the U.S. native species with a more garden-friendly compact habit.

Clethra alnifolia 'Hokie Pink'

pink summersweet clethra

This uncommon clethra features fragrant, pale pink, spiky flowers in summer. Clethra prefers moist soil and will grow (and flower well) in either sun or shade. These shrubs spread by root suckers and will need pruning if a tidy shape is desired. 'Hokie Pink' was discovered at the Virginia Tech Arboreum in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

summersweet

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 alnifolia 'Sherry Sue'

redtwig summersweet clethra

A cultivar released in 2005. 'Sherry Sue' displays bright pinkish-red twigs throughout the growing season. The pink pigment also grades into the inflorescence, yielding pink tones to the flowers.

Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles'

dwarf summersweet clethra

Superb pollinator plant. Yellow fall foliage. Tolerant of wet-sites. Attractive form and seed heads in winter.

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 fargesii

Farges clethra

Rare in the trade and a gem in the garden! This Chinese plant is packed with spikes of pure white fragrant flowers in mid- to late summer. Flowers occur on 5-7" upright panicles. Lustrous dark green leaves over cinnamon barked stems. Grows 6'–10' tall and prefers 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'

Romeo 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.

Clinopodium grandiflorum 'Variegata'

variegated calamint

A spreading perennial with tubular purple-pink summer flowers and foliage that is speckled with white.

Clinopodium nepeta 'Montrose White'

lesser calamint

Montrose White forms a lovely 2' mound, which is covered with fragrant white flowers from spring until fall. Because this plant is sterile, it will not self-seed in the garden.

Clivia

bush lily

Carmel-orange flowers highlight 18" dark green leaves of this lovely houseplant. Inflorescences are produced throughout the year. Tender houseplant or USDA Zones 9-10.

Clivia (variegated)

Natal lily

A houseplant with strappy leaves and orange winter flowers. This variegated form is quite rare.

Collinsonia japonica var. hondoensis

An obscure Japanese woodland perennial whose semi-woody stems make it appear shrub-like. Attractive, 3'–4", white to bluish-pink bottlebrush-like flowers appear above the 2'–3' branches in late summer. Easy to grow in light shade or in morning sun. This plant also circulates in plant nerd circles as Keiskea japonica var. hondoensis.

Colocasia esculenta 'Aloha'

elephant ear

Greenish-black leaves on green stems. Compact habit.

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 'Maui Gold'

The first clumping gold leaf colocasia, 'Maui Gold' features tight clumps of arching ivory stems that end in large textured chartreuse leaves with a small purple dot where each petiole connects.

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 'Gin Santo Naka Fu'

silver Japanese shrub mint

(aka Leucosceptrum japonicum) A shrubby Japanese mint relative grown for its attractive foliage which is not unlike shade coleus. Slowly spreads to form a 5' wide colony in 5 years. If the foliage gets damaged, just cut the stems to the ground and it will re-flush with fresh foliage. The cultivar name 'Gin Santo Naka Fu' is japanese for 'silver with middle spot' which describes this cultivar well. Spikes of late season yellow–white bottlebrushes add to the show but the foliage is always the star. Part sun to shade, zone 5.

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'

bamboo fern

Coniogramme intermedia 'Rasha'

bamboo fern

A bizarre form of slowly spreading fern with narrow, irregular fronds.

Coniogramme intermedia 'Shishi'

bamboo fern

This unique Asian bamboo fern offers upright, dark glossy-green fronds composed of large pinnae (fern leaflets) that end in petticoat-like crests. Expect a 3' patch in 5 years. Rich, moist soil ensures best growth, while very dry soil slows spread. In mild winters, it's evergreen, but it's deciduous when temperatures drop to single digits.

Conradina canescens

false rosemary

This evergreen, woody shrub features needle-like leaves that have a mint fragrance when crushed. From March -November, it's covered with small 2-lipped, fragrant flowers in blue, lavender or white that support pollinators. Drought tolerant.

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

Coreopsis 'Uptick Yellow and Red' offers a mounded habit topped by beautiful 3" blooms all summer long, making these pollinator-friendly plants perfect for any perennial border.

Coreopsis auriculata 'Nana'

dwarf mouse ear coreopsis

A southeast US native perennial with gold flowers in early summer, it stops blooming in mid-summer heat. A mid-summer shearing promotes a fall rebloom. Spreads slowly by stolons into a colony of 6" tall plants. Prefers consistent moisture but not too much and prefers lean soils.

Coreopsis 'Baluptowed'

Coreopsis 'Uptick Yellow and Red' offers a mounded habit topped by beautiful 3" blooms all summer long, making these pollinator-friendly plants perfect for any perennial border.

Coreopsis palustris 'Summer Sunshine'

swamp tickseed

Large mounds of lush foliage are topped in late summer with masses of cheery yellow flowers on this exceptional selection of a N.C. native wildflower. Grow in average to wet soils.

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 alternifolia

pagoda dogwood

This alternate-leaf dogwood tree has horizontal branches that form tiers, creating a layered tiered look with upturned branches like a pagoda. Fragrant creamy-white flowers May to June. Bluish-black fruits from July to August.

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."

Corylus fargesii

Farges' hazelnut

This hazelnut (filbert) was described over 100 years ago, but only found its way to the U.S. from China in 1996. It has taken plant lovers by storm with its uniform habit, excellent pest and disease resistance, and wonderful bark. This medium-sized tree has bark like the best river birches.

Crassula ovata

jade plant

This hardy houseplant, which grows like a miniature tree. requires only water and sunlight. A succulent, it retains water within the leaves and produces pink flowers from time to time.

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

crinum-lily

Crinums boast clumps of bold, lily-like foliage that makes an imposing architectural statement. In summer, they're adorned with pink to white trumpet-like flowers that are often fragrant.

Crinum 'Alamo Village'

crinum lily

This amazing heirloom crinum lily has graced southern gardens for generations. Flower staks with strappy petalled, pale pink flowers appear continuously throughout the summer. There is a reason this passalong plant has lasted so long, it is almost impossible to kill.

Crinum amoemum

crinum lily

A river-dwelling species from India that also grows well in regular garden soil. Flowers are fragrant and have narrow strap-like petals.

Crinum erubescens (Westwego form)

crinum lily

A South American species acquired by crinum collector Vic Lambeau as a passalong from someone in Westwego, LA. This species spreads on rhizomes into a large colony in moist sites. Fragrant white flowers with narrow petals.

Crinum 'Kitty Clint'

crinum-lily

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

Crinum 'Li'l Stinker'

crinum lily

Plant Delights says: "Crinum 'Li'l Stinker' is at or near the top of the list of the 200 plus Crinum we grow. [It's] topped from Aug - Oct (NC) with 3' tall scapes that terminate in clusters of 12 to 16 rounded, flat-faced, nocturnally opening buttery yellow, fragrant flowers."

Crinum 'Pink Perfume'

Sweetly scented light pink flowers that eventually fade to white appear in mid to late summer on stalks that emerge from green, strap-like foliage.

Crinum ×powellii

hybrid crinum-lily

Crinum 'Summer Nocturne'

crinum-lily

The fragrance of this delightful crinum is hard to beat from July until October when the stalks of large flowers grace the strappy clumps in the garden. Each flower petal is pale pink, darkening towards the tip for a bicolor effect. Like all hardy crinum-lilies, this is a hard to kill, long-lived plant.

Crinum (unknown No. 1 Mary Elliot)

An unknown Crinum cultivar donated by a friend of the arboretum. Do you feel lucky? It is a named cultivar but the label was lost by the donor.

Crinum (unknown No. 2 Mary Elliot)

An unknown Crinum cultivar donated by a friend of the arboretum. Do you feel lucky? It is a named cultivar but the label was lost by the donor.

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!

Croton alabamensis

Alabama croton

Alabama croton is a rare, semi-evergreen southern native.Leathery leaves have silver undersides in summer and turn brilliant orange in fall. Yellow flowers in spring. Prefers moist locations and is deer resistant. It's loose open habit, looks best when it is planted with other shrubs.

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 'Lemonade'

Japanese cedar

Typical Cryptomeria form that is distinguished by pale yellow foliage. A pyramidal tree up to 20' in 10 years. Introduced by Cedar Lodge Nursery in New Zealand in 2009.

Cryptomeria japonica 'Nana'

dwarf Japanese cedar

This is perhaps the oldest cultivar of Japanese cedar grown in the West. It was introduced to Europe by Robert Fortune in the 1800's. Expect it to make a low mound of bright green with needles held close to the branchlets. It is easy to grow and very reliable.

Cryptomeria japonica 'Pom Pom'

dwarf Japanese cedar

Perfect for a smaller garden, this dwarf (about 4' in 8 yrs) Japanese cedar is small and mounding. Eventually, it forms somewhat of a leader and will become more vertical. Foliage is very refined and will bronze a bit in winter but will return to bright green in the spring.

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

Cryptomeria japonica 'Yoshino'

Japanese cedar

This fast-growing evergreen offers blue-green summer foliage and winter bronzing.

Cucurbita foetidissima

buffalo gourd

Native to deserts from Canada to New Mexico, this gourd grows a 25' vine with 4" yellow-orange flowers that open in early morning. Pollinated flowers result in small green-striped gourds in fall. Garden guru Tony Avent says Cucurbita foetidissima has performed well in our wet, humid summers.

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 var. stephensonii (dwarf form)

Cuyamaca cypress

A southern California shrub with two tiny populations, one near the Cuyamaca mountains in San Diego county and the other at bit further south in Baja California . It is currently listed as critically endangered with just 30-40 individuals remaining in the wild. The best way to preserve a tree like this is spread it around. This cypress has beautiful smooth pale silvery-gray bark with cinnamon highlights and small acorn-sized cones. We have been growing ours near our parking lot for 11 years now so we think it is hardy.

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.

Cupressus vietnamensis

Vietnam golden cypress

This beautiful, but super-rare, critically endangered conifer (also known as Xanthocyparis vietnamensis) was only described in the last decade and has been impossible to procure. The parent plant growing in Dan Hinkley's garden makes a spectacular, symmetric cone of dense foliage.

×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 (ex PDN No. 35 ArSd 0.364.003)

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.

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.

Cymbopogon citratus

lemon grass

Lemon grass can be both a fountain grass in the garden and a wonderful addition to Asian and Indian recipes in the kitchen, where the crushed stalks impart a wonderful lemon aroma. Overwinter indoors.

Cynara syriaca

wild artichoke

A relative of the cultivated artichoke, this plant has a wilder habit but the same brilliant and beautiful thistle-like flowers. Long silvery leaves on stems to 8' tall are topped in summer with thorny golf–ball or larger flower buds that open into a striking flower.

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.

Cyperus alternifolius

Umbrella Plant

A sedge from Madagascar and much of Africa with a whorl of leaflets atop stems for a distinctive textural accent. Can be grown in a water garden or as a perennial in a damp spot. Grows to 3-5’. Full sun.

Cyrtomium fortunei

Fortune's holly fern

A fine addition to the list of hardy ferns that are suitable for southern gardens. This 30" tall fern is related to but much hardier than the "common holly fern" of coastal North Carolina and Deep South gardens. Glossy, fronds make an elegant contrast with other shade perennials and the deer won't touch them. Shade; 30" tall.

Dactylicapnos scandens

yellow bleeding heart vine

Delicate fern-like leaves on this vine and yellow bleeding-heart-like flowers.

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 'Wild Winter'

variegated winter daphne

No garden should be without a winter daphne. In winter, its rosy buds open to lemony-sweet, pinkish-white flowers. Its dome of evergreen foliage is attractive all year. This selection boasts narrow leaves with an irregular central gray-green zone outlined by white.

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

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.

Delosperma ashtonii 'Blut'

hardy ice-plant

A ground-hugging evergreen succulent with deep magenta flowers. A great ground cover, rock garden plant, or container plant. We like to use ice-plants in our flowering lawn.

Delosperma cooperi

hardy ice-plant

Excellent succulent ground cover for pots, flowering lawns, rock walls, etc.

Delosperma

Hotcakes Banana Blast hardy ice-plant

Bright yellow flowers cover this heat and drought tolerant groundcover from summer into fall. Prefers sandy or gravelly soils.

Delosperma

Hotcakes Coconut Crush hardy ice-plant

The bright white of this hardy groundcover shimmers in sunlight and moonlight making it a wonderful garden addition.

Delosperma

Hotcakes Pumpkin Perfection hardy ice-plant

A super deer-resistant groundcover for dry, sunny areas, this vigorous plant features bright orange blooms all summer and into fall.

Delosperma

Hotcakes Saucy Strawberry hardy ice-plant

From summer until fall, bright berry-red blooms cover the medium green foliage of this easy-to-grow, drought tolerant succulent. Heavily scented flowers are reminiscent of warm, sugary vanilla. Prefers well-drained soil.

Delosperma

Hotcakes Tangerine Tango hardy ice-plant

A solid coating of bright orange blooms makes this drought tolerant succulent groundcover a landscape standout.

Delosperma 'P001s'

Fire Spinner blazing hot iceplant

Hardy ice plants are native to South Africa but are amazingly hardy in North America, provided they are grown in the sun and in very well-drained soil. Fire Spinner™ has stunning tri-colored flowers with a bright apricot perimeter, magenta at the base, and a white eye.

Deschampsia cespitosa

tufted hair grass

This small handsome grass with pleated foliage has a clean look in the garden. Does well in moist spots with light shade. Flowers emerge in May in shades from yellow to purple, and are showy well into the summer.

Deutzia coreana var. triradiata

Korean deutzia

Clusters of small white flowers appear in spring against a backdrop of dark green foliage. With small, cut-edged leaves and an informal shape, this hardy shrub adds beauty and interest to a sunny garden.

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 ×hybrida 'Tourbillon Rouge'

pink deutzia

A lovely compact shrub with masses of large mauve-pink flowers in late spring or early summer, Tourbillon Rouge draws colorful pollinators that stand out against the grey-green foliage.

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'

fuzzy 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.

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Deutzia setchuenensis var. corymbiflora

Sichuan deutzia

Dianthus 'Chris's Passalong'

perennial 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 'A12231-0'

Mighty Mini Miss Rose Cheddar pink

A compact and especially floriferous selection.

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 plumarius 'Itsaul White'

feathered pink

Pure white semi-double flowers are heavily fringed.

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.

Dianthus 'Wp15 Mow08'

Devon Cottage Pinball Wizard pinks

With a name like Pinball Wizard there has to be a twist. Fragrant bicolor pink and white striped flowers top 6" tall blue foliage. Devon Cottage Dianthus offer large flowers, compact habit, silver-blue foliage, lengthy blooming periods, and the ability to hold up well in heat.

Dichroa (dwarf)

Perfect for a smaller garden or container, this small evergreen shrub offers clusters of blue flowers in late summer followed by turquoise berries through winter.

Dichroa febrifuga

blue-bead

We aren't completely certain about the ID on this hydrangea relative that we collected on the slopes of Shi Keng Kong in the Nanling mountains of China. Whatever its name, the large, metallic blue fruit which follow clusters of blue flowers are ample reason to grow it. Best in some shade.

Dichroa febrifuga (heavy fruiting form)

blue-bead

In late spring through early summer, this 4' tall evergreen shrub produces beautiful clusters of star-shaped, blue flowers that emerge quite slowly from attractive round buds of pale blue. Bright indigo-blue berries in the autumn can persist for many months. Best fruiting will likely occur when different clones of Dichroa are grown in proximity. Shade; 4' tall and wide'.

Dicliptera suberecta

king's crown

Diervilla rivularis 'Troja Black'

purple-leaved Georgia bush honeysuckle

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 foxglove

Disporopsis 'Opsis Attract'

hybrid evergreen Solomon's seal

An evergreen foliage plant for dry shade. Spreads very slowly.

Disporopsis pernyi

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.

Disporopsis pernyi 'Xiao Chengdu'

dwarf evergreen Solomon's seal

A more compact form of Disporopsis. A good groundcover for shade that spreads slowly via rhizomes in rich soils. Drought tolerant once established.

Disporum sessile 'Tightwad'

dwarf fairy bells

This diminutive woodland lily is only half the size of the typical species but is just as great a performer. In spring the 6" stems bear full-size, nodding, white flowers with delicate green highlights. Plants will spread politely by rhizomes to make lovely patches around the bases of shrubs and larger perennials. This is truly a no-care plant once established. Plant several for a small scale ground cover.

Disporum smilacinum 'Aureovariegata'

Japanese fairy bells

A variegated (mostly green with irregular soft gold edge) shade-loving ground cover.

Disporum trabeculatum

rigid Solomon's seal

A Vietnamese woodland perennial with arching stems. Small white flowers in spring. The stoloniferous plants will colonize an area in a gentle way.

Disporum trabeculatum 'Nakafu'

A woodland perennial with arching stems, which are topped by beautiful bell-shaped flowers in spring. A stoloniferous plant, it will gently colonize an area.

Disporum uniflorum

fairy bells

Distylium myricoides 'sPg-3-007'

Spring Frost white-flush isu tree

Spring Frost is a compact, spreading evergreen shrub with white new growth held by red stems. In late winter, burgundy red flowers are interesting in the winter landscape.

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 (Kampersus striped)

striped false hosta

Pale green leaves with dark green longitudinal stripes. New to cultivation from northern South Africa. Taxonomists have not determined the species yet. Plants grown in part shade grow taller than in sun. Flowers are not showy.

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.

Drimiopsis maculata 'Slow Fade'

'Slow Fade' was collected in Thailand by Wade Roitsch of Yucca Do Nursery at the Chatuchak plant market. 'Slow Fade' features slightly larger leaves than typical for a Drimiopsis and the foliar spot pattern lasts longer in the summer heat before fading to green. Drimiopsis is a small 6" tall × 8" wide perennial for the rock garden with a hosta-like stature. The smooth, somewhat rubbery leaves are covered with purple spots in spring and fade to green in the heat. In May, Drimiopsis also produces small 6" whitish flowers.

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.

Echinacea 'Hot Papaya'

coneflower

Intensely colored, double red-orange flowers make this reliable performer really pop in the garden. Bright pom pom flowers emerge deep orange but age to almost pure red. Hummingbirds love it. For best results, remove flowers the first year it is in the garden.

Echinacea 'Solar Flare'

Big Sky hyrid coneflower

Large 5" blooms in summer that are a coral-pink-red color. Full sun. Well-drained soil. Attracts pollinators. Hardy in zones 4–8.

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.

Eleutherococcus sieboldianus 'Variegatus'

variegated five-leaf aralia

One of the finest variegated deciduous shrubs available, this beauty is worthy of more consideration. Grows well in sun or shade and tolerates drought. Can even handle dry shade. Zone 4.

Ellisiophyllum pinnatum

Taiwan starflower

Our friends at Cistus Design Nursery say it better than we could - "Cheerful ground cover, to only 2" high, with fine, ferny foliage -- where fairy woodland creatures might want to curl up. Best in moist shade, so lots of summer water. Frost hardy in USDA zone 7.

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.

Epimedium ×perralchicum 'Frohnleiten'

fairy wings

Epimedium 'Frohnleiten' produces yellow flowers. It is a spreading plant (6-8" per year) whose foliage remains evergreen from Zone 6 southward, although we shear it back just prior to flowering to get rid of the old ratty leaves and to show off the blooms.

Epimedium ×rubrum

fairy wings

A deciduous Epimedium whose leaves emerge with a red flush and fade to green.

Epimedium wushanense 'Sandy Claws'

fairy wings

'Sandy Claws' has large leathery lance-shaped maroon leaves with spiny margins. Plants are topped with creamy yellow flowers. Leaf color mellows to dark green by summer.

Erica ×darleyensis 'White Perfection'

Darley heath

Erigeron pulchellus var. pulchellus 'Lynnhaven Carpet'

robin's plantain

This tough, spreading groundcovering perennial makes mats of silvery foliage. Palest lavender flowers rise above the leaves in late spring. An excellent choice for those tough dry shade spots.

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

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

Eryngium venustum

Mexican sea holly

Architecturally notable, this small, drought-resistant eryngium features silver spines down the sides of each waxy green leaf, as well as a double row of spines down the top.

Eucodonia 'Adele'

Appearing in June, 'Adele' forms a 1-ft wide clump of fuzzy dark green, almost purplish foliage. From early October until frost, blue-lavender flowers peek above the foliage. A woodland gem.

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

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 pole-evansii

Transvaal pineapple lily

18" tall Waxed and wavy edged green leaves support sturdy 5' tall green stalks and a cluster bright green blooms blushed slightly with pink. Perhaps the tallest Eucomis. Winter mulch will help it survive.

Eucomis 'Reuben'

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.

Euphorbia alluaudii

cat's tail euphorbia

An architectural succulent plant from Madagascar that consists of a skinny central trunk with skinny arm-like branches. This plant has no cold hardiness and so for us in Raleigh it is a potted houseplant in the winter and a patio plant in the summer.

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 'Canyon Gold'

spurge

This sterile hybrid features 2' stalks adorned with deer-resistant blue-green leaves. Leaf backs take on a wine red hue on cool nights. In April and May, stalks are topped with 6" yellow spherical flower clusters. By late June, flower heads age to russet red. Cut flower heads back in late summer to encourage essential basal growth.

Euphorbia ×martinii 'Ascot Rainbow'

variegated wood spurge

Variegated leaves emerge with reddish tones and age to chartreuse and blue-green variegated. Very colorful.

Euphorbia milii

crown-of-thorns

A lovely houseplant for a sunny window, this Euphorbia offers lovely blooms and foliage. In its native tropical environment, it blooms year-round.

Euphorbia polychroma

cushion spurge

Cushion spurge makes a tidy mound of deer resistant foliage topped by brilliant chrome yellow flowers which retain color through most of the season, turning red in fall. Full sun and well-drained soils are a must.

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.

Eutrochium dubium 'Baby Joe'

dwarf Joe-pye weed

Perfect for the space challenged garden, this Joe-pye weed only grows to about 2'–3' tall instead of the towering height typical of this group. In late summer, huge masses of mauve-purple domed flower heads top the stems attracting butterflies in the hundreds. Plant in full sun in average to moist soils.

Eutrochium dubium 'Little Joe'

Joe Pye weed

Farfugium japonicum

green leopard plant

This easy, evergreen perennial offers beautiful rich green, kidney-shaped leaves. In late fall, lovely yellow daisy-like flowers rise above the foliage.

Farfugium japonicum 'Shishi Botan'

parsley leafed leopard plant

The common name says it all. The leaves of this easy, evergreen perennial are curled and crisped giving the appearance of clumps of curly-leaf parsley. We think this form is especially beautiful when planted in masses. In late fall, yellow daisy-like flowers rise above the foliage.

Farfugium japonicum 'Yaezaki'

leopard plant

This Farfugium has double yellow flowers in fall that rise in clusters up to 36" high...far above its solid green leaves. This cultivar flowers earlier than many other leopard plants.

×Fatshedera lizei 'Angyo Star'

variegated tree ivy

×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.

Fatsia japonica (ex. 'Sparky')

Japanese fatsia

Seedlings of our own selection of Fatsia japonica. An evergreen shrub with large hand-like leaves and spiky white flowers in fall. Followed by black berries.

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.

Ficus carica 'Majoam'

Little Miss Figgy dwarf fig

A dwarf fruiting fig, this small, low maintenance fig makes a great patio tree. With attractive blue-green leaves and spectacular, edible, deep-purple fruits, you can't go wrong with this addition to your landscape or patio. This 'Little (Miss) Figgy' went to market and is ready to come home with you!

Ficus johannis subsp. afghanistanica 'Silver Lyre'

Afghan fig

Extremely vigorous, silver leaf Afghan fig. Likely a hybrid with the edible Ficus carica, its upright woody stems quickly reach 20' tall and 10' wide. Each trunk is clothed with 4", snowflake-shaped, silvery green, sandpapery leaves … quite different from other green-leaf clones. The tiny figs are edible. We have never had any winter hardiness issues.

Fontanesia phillyreoides subsp. fortunei 'Titan'

upright Fortune's fontanesia

This Chinese species makes a large shrub with narrow leaves. It has excellent drought tolerance and would make a good xeric garden plant. It produces panicles of small white flowers in late spring that are followed in fall by small fruit surrounded by a wing, similar to a maple seed. This is a good screening plant for use in the back of the garden, or as a hedge.

Forsythia ×intermedia 'White Gold'

variegated 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!

Forsythia koreana 'Kumson'

gold-vein Korean forsythia

This Korean forsythia has it all, great flowers plus incredible unique foliage spring to fall. Dark green leaves show off their creamy white netting. Typical bright yellow forsythia flowers cover this shrub in spring. 'Kumson' was discovered in Korea by Spring Meadow Nursery.

Forsythia koreana 'Sunny'

Flying Machine Korean forsythia

Very large flowers for a Forsythia.

Fothergilla ×intermedia 'Mount Airy'

fothergilla

Fantastic native. All the fothergillas have simply spectacular fall color, but this selection is one of the most consistent with orange-yellow leaves. Two-inch honey scented flowers are borne on branch tips before the leaves in spring.

Fothergilla ×intermedia 'NCFI1'

Legend of the Small dwarf witch-alder

Fothergilla Legend of the Small is a dwarf form of this popular shrub developed by North Carolina State University breeder Tom Ranney. In spring, it produces fragrant, white, spiky, sputnik-like flowers. The blue-green foliage turns spectacular shades or orange, yellow, and red in fall.

Freesia laxa 'Joan Evans'

freesia

AKA Anomatheca or Lapeirousia. This is a white flower form of the normally red-flowered species. Likes hot, dry conditions. The tiny bulbs offset rapidly and the flowers produce lots of viable seed so you may have to weed out escapees from neighboring beds.

Fuchsia hatschbachii

fuchsia

Remarkable for its prolific production of small red flowers with dark purple corollas and extending stamens. While fuchsia prefer protection from afternoon sun, they bloom prolifically when provided with sun other times of the day.

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 'Michael'

Cape jasmine

Glossy evergreen foliage on a mid-size shrub is a great background for the pure white rose-like flowers. Fragrance is unbelievable.

Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans'

dwarf Cape jasmine

This dwarf gardenia has long been one of the favorite forms for southern gardens. Small, deep green foliage is highlighted in spring and then sporadically through summer by single intensely fragrant flowers. Plant in a moist, well-drained spot in sun to part shade.

Gardenia jasminoides 'Shooting Star'

Cape jasmine

‘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 'Variegata'

variegated Cape jasmine

With extremely fragrant, gorgeous white flowers, this variegated gardenia offers structure and year-round interest in the garden.

Gardenia jasminoides (variegated, double flower)

variegated Cape jasmine

A gardenia flower is one of the most heavenly scented flowers in the plant world. On warm days in early summer, a few plants will perfume an entire garden. This unnamed cultivar has double flowers and leaves that are variegated with a green center and cream edge.

Gardenia jasminoides (variegated, single flower)

variegated Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides 'WAH-LM'

Snow Girl Cape jasmine

Snow Girl is an exceptionally free flowering gardenia with single, white, fragrant flowers. Plants bloom heavily in early summer and then sporadically until frost. Compact habit. Arboretum friend and nursery manager Rick Crowder says he has been especially impressed with this new gardenia.

Gaura 'KLEAU04263'

Belleza Dark Pink wand flower

Belleza gauras are much more compact than wild type gaura. This cultivar features pink flowers that last all summer if the old flowers are regularly deadheaded. Drought tolerant.

Gaura lindheimeri 'Little Janie'

wand flower

Flowers flutter in the wind at the end of long wiry stems. This variety is lower growing than most.

Gaura lindheimeri 'Sparkle White'

wand flower

'Sparkle White' flowers all summer long and is a lovely white selection with a slight pink blush to the buds. Wand flower is tolerant of both drought and wet.

Gaura lindheimeri 'Walsilfou'

Walberton's Silver Fountain variegated wand flower

White flowers and variegated green and white foliage mark this variety.

Gaussia gomez-pompae

Gomez-Pompa palm

This 30' to 40' tall solitary palm from Mexico grows on relatively skinny trunks in gravely, limestone soils. Likely not hardy except in the Deep South. The specific epithet commemorates Arturo Gómez-Pompa, D.Sc., one of the greatest advocates for conservation in Mexico and an expert in tropical ecology. Sun.

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

Geranium ×cantabrigiense 'Karmina'

cranesbill

What a bonus, six to eight weeks of gorgeous flowers in spring on a tidy, evergreen, small-scale ground-cover plant. Always well behaved. It will shed a small percentage of its leaves in the fall but only after turning bright red. It's a plant of year-round interest.

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Spessart'

cranesbill

This geranium is mat-forming and covered in spring with white flowers blushed with the palest pink. Spreading slowly by rhizomes, the some of the oldest leaves of this dense evergreen foliage turns bright red and yellow during autumn.

Geranium maculatum 'Chatto'

cranesbill

An early blooming variety. May rebloom if you cut it back after the first flush.

Geranium sanguineum 'Album'

white bloody cranesbill

A white flowered perennial geranium that will spread up to 3' wide. Flowers appear in late spring. The foliage may turn reddish in the fall. 'Album' is a winner of the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.

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.

Ginkgo biloba 'Tschi Tschi'

maidenhair tree

'Tschi Tschi' is an upright Ginkgo that features globular protrusions in its bark and stunning yellow fall color. Although Gingkos are often grafted, this slow-growing selection was grown from cuttings at JCRA.

Glandularia canadensis

rose verbena

hardy and deer resistant and drought tolerant

Glandularia canadensis (white)

rose verbena

Formerly known as Verbena canadensis, this white selection is more reliably winter hardy in zone 7 than many of the hybrids.

Glandularia 'Sissinghurst'

verbena

Globba clarkei

Gloriosa superba 'Rothschildiana'

gloriosa lily

Grevillea 'Poorinda Leane'

grevillea

Gymnocalycium deeszianum

barrel cactus

Gymnocalycium deszianum is a barrel cactus from the Cordoba region of central Argentina that is hardy to at least 7°F. The 3' tall × 4" wide barrel produces large white flowers in spring. A dry winter location is recommended.

Habranthus ×floryi (purple base)

hybrid rain-lily

The flat foliage of this rain lily is topped after summer showers by rosy pink flowers with a purple throat. H. ×floryi is an old fashioned cross between H. robustus and H. brachyandrus.

Habranthus 'Pink Flamingos'

hybrid rain-lily

This very floriferous Habranthus multiplies quickly, blooming after rain showers from mid-June until September. Once well-established, its mid-summer floral show is reminiscent of pink flamingos.

Habranthus robustus

rain-lily

Bulbous herbaceous perennial grows to 9" with linear, recurved, spreading leaves that appear after rose-red flowers. Native to Argentina. Sun. Hardy in zones 7–10.

Habranthus robustus 'Russell Manning'

rain-lily

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

Habranthus tubispathus var. texanus

copper lily

This rain-lily is the only species grown that produces gold to apricot-orange flowers. True to its name, the flowers appear in the summer only after a good rain. Habranthus is a genus in the Amaryllidaceae family with species from Central and South America extending into southern North America. They have narrow, linear or strap-shaped leaves. Their flowers are very similar to Zephyranthes and both are called rain lilies. Habranthus can be identified from Zephyranthes mainly by their nodding flowers. The variety texensis is found in Texas and Louisiana. Prefers good drainage and a moderately rich and moisture retentive soil. Plant in full sun.

Hamamelis 'Amethyst'

witch hazel

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

running witch hazel

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'

common witch hazel

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.

Hamamelis virginiana 'Little Prospect'

common witch hazel

A (slighty) dwarf and (heavily) variegated selection of the native witch hazel. Leaves are green with a broad yellow margin. Densely branched to about 6'+ tall in 10 years. It blooms in fall with lightly fragrant yellow flowers. Grows best in well-drained but consistently moist soil, but will tolerate heavy clay.

Hedera rhombea 'Korean Dwarf'

Japanese ivy

A small leaf form of Japanese ivy that is little known. The origins of this delicate selection is a bit murky but might have been brought back from South Korea by J. C. on his 1985 expedition there.

Hedychium 'Daniel Weeks'

hardy ginger lily

Hedychium 'Golden Butterfly'

hardy ginger lily

In late summer, this cultivar features 6' stalks topped with fragrant orange yellow flowers with bright red stamens.

Hedychium 'Orange Crush'

hardy ginger lily

Gorgeous, fragrant tangerine-colored flowers top this luscious green ginger lily in late summer into fall. A sun-lover, this Hedychium can tolerate partial shade.

Hedychium 'Peach Delight'

ginger lily

Hedychium 'Pink V'

hardy ginger lily

Hedychium stenopetalum

butterfly ginger

A giant among butterfly gingers, this plant has rippled foliage and a long inflorescense with elegant white flowers.

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

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

Hemerocallis 'Big Time Happy'

Happy Ever Appster daylily

A reblooming daylily with pale yellow flowers up to 4" wide with slightly ruffled petals. Starts blooming in early summer. Flowers last just a day, but they are open for 16 hours and produced in succession over a long period. Daylilies are incredibly tough and super easy to grow.

Hemerocallis 'Black Arrowhead'

daylily

A spider-form flower that is mauve-purple with a plum purple middle star-shaped section that outlines a green throat. Midseason.

Hemerocallis 'Cartwheels'

daylily

Winner of the AHS Stout medal in 1966 this is a fragrant daylily with gold flowers in summer. One of the great old cultivars that is still around today.

Hemerocallis 'Double Pardon Me'

daylily

A double flowered sport of 'Pardon Me', reliably repeated through summer.

Hemerocallis 'Happy Returns'

re-blooming daylily

'Happy Returns' is a repeat-blooming daylily. It features large, ruffled, lemon yellow flowers that rise 18" tall above a clump of arching, blade-like leaves. It starts flowering in June and continues flowering throughout the season - one of the best re-blooming daylilies around.

Hemerocallis 'Purple de Oro'

daylily

A compact form that reblooms throughout the summer. Flowers have a chartreuse throat and a ruffled pie-crust edge.

Hemerocallis 'Tiger Blood'

daylily

Hemerocallis 'Tiger Blood' has a creamy flower with a large, dark burgundy-brown eye and dark, narrow ruffled edges. Some of the flowers are semi-double. May re-bloom in the fall in warmer climates.

Hemiboea subacaulis var. jiangxiensis 'Jiangxi Bells'

false sinningia

This short, wide, spreading groundcover is a perennial in the African violet family. It has large, somewhat fuzzy leaves and tubular white flowers. Hardy to Zone 6, it spreads at a moderate rate, so it will cover a good bit of ground but is easy to pull up if it escapes its bounds.

Heteropterys glabra

redwing

Heuchera americana 'Dale's Strain'

coral bells

An old fashioned, but still popular seed strain that has silver leaves with green veins.

Heuchera 'Circus'

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.

Heuchera himalayensis

Himalayan coral bells

A Heuchera from Asia that is hardy to zone 6. Unlike the colorful hybrids, this wild-type specimen is positively tame with green leaves and pale greenish-yellow flowers. Join us in trialing this plant in this area. Thanks.

Heuchera micrantha var. diversifolia 'Palace Purple'

coral bells

An oldie but a goodie. The original purple leaved-heuchera and the 1991 Perennial Plant of the Year.

Hibiscus coccineus

scarlet mallow

Dramatic 6" red blooms in late summer and early fall are set off by large palmate leaves. Sometimes known as swamp hibiscus because it can handle moist locations.

Hibiscus 'Happa Red'

Big Hit hybrid rosemallow

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 'Lohengrin'

hybrid rose-of-sharon

This deciduous shrub offers gorgeous, slightly ruffled white flowers with prominent red centers all summer, while the dark green foliage adds a tropical air to the garden.

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle Pink'

swamp rose 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 striatus subsp. lambertianus

Cuban rose mallow

This southern subsp. is limited to a restricted area of Texas where it grows in ditches near the coast. We've been growing it for quite a few years in a fairly dry location where it has thrived. Arrowhead shaped velvety leaves are quite silver and the pale lilac-pink. Flowers are large (5") and showy. It is herbaceous here at the JCRA.

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 'A Scape Plan'

Introduced by Juniper Level Botanical Garden, 'A scape plan' features 3' wide clumps composed of very ruffled powder blue leaves that age to green. Starting in mid-August, clumps are topped by spikes that terminate in compact 4-way densely-branched flower heads.

Hosta 'Age of Gold'

hosta

A medium to large hosta with golden leaves and a corrugated surface.

Hosta 'Big Mama'

hosta

Hosta 'Blonde Ambition'

hosta

A vigorous dwarf with bright chartreuse glossy, puckered foliage. Quite a beautiful selection. Hybridized by Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden

Hosta 'Cathedral Windows'

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 'Earth Angel'

hosta

A sport of the popular blue leaved cultivar 'Blue Angel', 'Earth Angel' has cream edges. Young plants have a narrow cream edge but older plants develop a wider cream edge. As with all blue hostas, the blue fades to green as the summer temps rise. Flower are near-white.

Hosta 'Fingertips'

A JLBG introduction, 'Fingertips' is miniature hosta that matures at 3" tall x 1' wide with finger-sized, cardboard-textured, light green leaves. Beginning in June, clumps are topped with a show of perfectly proportioned lavender flowers on thick stalks just above the mound of foliage.

Hosta 'Grand Tiara'

variegated 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 'Green Ice'

hosta

This Tony Avent selection is a vigorously offsetting miniature hosta with tiny 0.5" wide leaves and lavender flowers in the summer.

Hosta 'Hans Solo'

hosta

A very large tetraploid hosta with thick, dark-green leaves and light lavender flowers that are slightly fragrant.

Hosta 'Humpback Whale'

hosta

A massive sized hosta of blue-green corrugated leaves that fade to green in summer.

Hosta 'Pineapple Express'

hosta

Hosta 'Pineapple Express' is a sport of 'Pineapple Upside Down Cake' discovered by Hans Hansen and released by Plant Delights Nursery. A small hosta, the narrow leaves rise to 15" with long petioles, wavy edges and pointed tips.

Hosta 'Prairie's Edge'

hosta

Hosta 'Sunshine Floozie'

hosta

Hosta 'Sunshine Floozie' is a 2019 Plant Delights Nursery introduction that forms a small, 15" tall × 3' wide clump of long, pointed, golden leaves that age to chartreuse in the fall. Clumps are topped in late June with light lavender flowers.

Hosta 'Tongue Lashing'

hosta

Hosta 'Wheee!'

variegated hosta

Hosta 'Wrinkle in Time'

hosta

Hosta 'Wrinkle in Time' is a smaller counterpart to the ruffled Hosta 'Wheee!' The 10" tall × 30" wide clump is composed of small wavy green leaves are edged in a creamy yellow border. In summer, the edge color brightens and the waviness calms down a bit, only to resume next spring. In summer, the clumps produce purple flowers.

Huernia zebrina

toad plant

This low-growing South African succulent makes a unique houseplant with it unusual blooms, which feature yellow petals with red stripes beneath the rubbery red ring that gives the plant its name.

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 macrophylla 'Lindsay Ann'

L.A. Dreamin' bigleaf hydrangea

Multicolored pink, mauve and blue flowers no matter the soil pH. Compact habit, too.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'PIIHM-I'

Twist-n-Shout bigleaf hydrangea

Twist-n-Shout boasts beautiful deep pink or periwinkle blue hydrangea flowers (depending on soil pH) from late spring through fall.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'SK2DAMA'

Akadama bigleaf hydrangea

A heavy bloomer with striking flower color. Flowers open deep pink and darken as they age. Foliage will turn burgundy in cooler fall and spring temperatures.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Yuki temari'

bigleaf hydrangea

A rare Japanese mophead Hydrangea. Flowers are smallish and solid pink or solid blue (dependent on soil pH). 'Yuki temari' blooms earlier than many H. macrophylla and is very floriferus.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bailpanone'

Little Hottie compact panicle hydrangea

A compact form with large flowers. A heat tolerant cultivar bred for the south. Flowers emerge green, turn pure white, then fade to pink in the fall.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Jane'

Little Lime dwarf panicle hydrangea

This compact form of one of our favorites ('Limelight') bears soft green flower panicles which become white before drying to pink on the plant over summer. Panicled hydrangeas are very sun tolerant and tough shrubs.

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 'Flemygea'

Snow Queen oakleaf hydrangea

This form of our native oakleaf hydrangea is somewhat difficult to propagate so it can be hard to find on occasion. At any rate, it makes a lovely show with large "oakleaf" foliage, huge flower heads held on sturdy stems that age from white to rose, and burgundy fall color.

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 quercifolia 'Sikes Dwarf'

From early to mid-summer gorgeous conical flowers cover this compact shrub, which features deeply lobed dark green leaves that turn gorgeous shades of bronze in the fall. Flowers on previous year's growth, so prunce soon after flowering.

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.

Hydrangea serrata 'Blue Billow'

lacecap mountain hydrangea

A lacecap hydrangea with blue and purple flowers. Emerges from winter dormancy later than most hydrangeas so that its buds are less likely to be damaged by late frosts resulting in a more consistent flower show. Nice reddish-purple fall color too.

Hydrangea serrata 'Hakusen'

mountain hydrangea

Gorgeous balls of florets appear on new wood in summer and last into fall, slowing changing from light green in color to white. If left on shrub, flowers will dry, providing winter interest.

Hydrangea serrata 'Kogane Suruge'

gold mountain hydrangea

This Japanese hydrangea has new foliage which emerges gold before turning greenish as the season progresses. Pinkish-lavender lacecap flowers appear in late spring to early summer. Shade to part shade.

Hydrangea serrata 'Kokonoe-yama'

variegated mountain hydrangea

'Kokonoe-yama' is a delicate-appearing dwarf shrub with heavily speckled leaves. Lace-cap flowers range from blue in acid soils to pink in more basic ones. Ideal even for those who normally steer clear of variegated plants. Among the best of all variegated flowering shrubs.

Hydrangea serrata 'Kurenai'

mountain hydrangea

White lacecap flowers on this shrub deepen to red as they age, a truly elegant long-season show. Our plant's foliage emerges pale green to chartreuse before deepening as the season progresses. Mountain hydrangeas perform better at JCRA in the absence of regular irrigation than French or bigleaf hydrangeas. Slightly smaller stature and finer leaf texture make them easier to use in the garden.

Hydrangea serrata 'SMNHSDD'

Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha reblooming mountain hydrangea

Florets are doubled. Flower color depends on soil pH.

Hylotelephium 'Firecracker'

SunSparkler stonecrop

Hylotelephium 'Razzleberry'

SunSparkler Dazzleberry stonecrop

Smoky blue-grey leaves are topped with large (for a sedum) raspberry red flowers in summer.

Hylotelephium spectabile 'Autumn Fire'

tall sedum

Considered to be an improvement over the industry standard 'Autumn Joy' with taller stems, larger flower heads and a longer period of bloom.

Hylotelephium spectabile 'Zi Juan'

Pink Sundae showy stonecrop

This lovely clumping perennial features beautiful flowers that are deep pink at the center surrounded by 5-pointed stars of white petals.

Hylotelephium 'Thundercloud'

dwarf sedum

This tight little bun of succulent sedum foliage is worth growing for the tidy mounds of little sawtooth leaves. Clusters of white starry flowers dance atop the clumps in summer. Great in a rock garden, front of a perennial border, or in containers.

Hymenocallis imperialis

Mexican spider lily

Large, white flowers with long, narrow tepal segments in midsummer give this plant its common name of spider lily, while the huge seeds and bulbs give rise to another common name—big fatty. Best in a moist, well-drained location in full sun to part shade. Like most members of the amaryllis family, this is a real show stopper when in flower. This large bulb is ready to burst into flower this summer, providing instant impact to the garden.

Hymenocallis 'Tropical Giant'

spider lily

A very beautiful herbaceous bulb/perennial with superb foliage and striking large white flowers in summer. Obtained from Scott Ogden in Texas and slowly built up by division of clumps since.

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 ×inodorum 'Kolmiglow'

Magical Midnight Glow St. John's wort

Bright yellow flowers are followed by long lasting red berries atop bronze-green foliage. This hybrid is commonly grown in the cut flower market and the berried-stems are used in floral displays.

Hypericum olympicum

Mt. Olympus St. John's wort

Hypericum prolificum

shrubby St. John's-wort

This shrubby St. John's Wort has deep green leaves and a compact, dense habit. Tiny yellow flowers make it a welcome addition to a perennial garden.

Ilex ×attenuata 'Sunny Foster'

golden Foster holly

When planted in sun, bright yellow new growth glows atop mature emerald green leaves. Red berries bring an additional color and ensure year-round interest from this pyramidal shrub. Provide room to grow and good drainage.

Ilex cornuta 'O. Spring'

variegated Chinese holly

Yellow margins mark the variegated leaves of this heat and heavy clay soil tolerant holly. Tiny fragrant flowers make this a treat in the spring.

Ilex cornuta ('Willowleaf' variegated)

variegated single spine Chinese holly

A very rare form of Chinese holly with grayish leaves streaked white.

Ilex crenata 'Adorned'

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 'Drops of Gold'

golden Japanese holly

The spring flush is a brilliant yellow which slowly changes into a pleasing dusty yellow hue. Coloration is most prominent on leaves exposed to the sun.

Ilex crenata 'Helleri'

dwarf Japanese holly

Ilex crenata 'Kufujin'

dwarf variegated Japanese holly

A 36" evergreen shrub with an upright, vase-shaped habit that is wider than tall. New leaves emerge pale yellow before turning green with a pale yellow edge.

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 decidua 'Finch's Golden'

yellow-berry possumhaw holly

The cultivar name is derived from the golden color of the fruit. This female clone was a seedling selection from Hale County, Alabama, by Bill Finch in the 1980s. This native species is reputed to be pollinated by Ilex opaca, hence one doesn't have to be as concerned for a male pollinator as one does with Ilex verticillata.

Ilex decidua 'Red Cascade'

possumhaw holly

Ilex decidua is a Southeast native shrub that forms a suckering shrub or can be pruned into a small tree. The red berries appear in fall and persist well into winter when before the cedar waxwings arrive to eat them. 'Red Cascade' was selected for its somewhat weeping habit. This is a female cultivar that needs a male possumhaw nearby to produce fruit.

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 'John T. Morris'

evergreen holly

A cross between Ilex cornuta x I. pernyi, 'John T. Morris' is a dense, pyrimidal, evergreen tree with dark green, glossy leaves. Very ornamental. This is a male holly so it does not produce berries. Deer resistant.

Ilex nipponica

holly

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 'Solar Flare'

variegated holly

'Solar Flare' holly was found by area plantswoman Joanne Currier of The Unique Plant, and it is proving to be one of the showiest hollies around. This bright gold-margined sport of the popular oakleaf holly is a tough performer for sun or shade. It makes a screaming bright landscape accent and is not for the faint of heart! To 12' tall. Sun to part shade.

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)

Ilex 'Whoa Nellie'

golden Nellie Stevens holly

Named by Tony Avent after seeing it in Mike Dirr's research plot, this screaming yellow-foliaged form of the popular 'Nellie R. Stevens' holly will definitely give a little kick to your garden. In shade, the foliage quickly loses the gold coloration, so plant it where it will receive maximum exposure, if you dare. To 15' tall.

Illicium floridanum 'Southern Star'

variegated Florida anise

The ivory and green variegated foliage jazzes up this dependable evergreen and deer-resistant shrub for the garden. While most variegated anise on the market have pinkish flowers, this form has the dark burgundy flowers typical for the species. To 8' tall. Sun to shade.

Illicium lanceolatum

Chinese anise

With long, narrow leaves that exude an anise aroma when crushed, this evergreen tree features small pink flowers in late spring followed by star-shaped seed capsules in summer.

Illicium 'Moonbeam'

yellow flowered anise

This brand new introduction combines the yellow flowers of some of the more obscure Asian species of anise with the better known garden forms. The end result is a deer proof shrub growing to about 6' tall and wide (we think) with heavy crops of pale yellow star-like flowers. We are super excited to be offering this plant for what we think is the first time. Sun to part shade; To 6' tall and wide.

Illicium parviflorum

yellow anise

Illicium parviflorum 'Florida Sunshine'

yellow anise

Brilliant yellow foliage brightens up gardens year round. Fragrant foliage.

Illicium 'Woodland Ruby'

pink flowered anise

Impatiens arguta

perennial impatiens

The 2' tall Impatiens arguta has an almost shrubby habit with loose cascading branches that will hang over a wall or hanging basket. Bizarre tubular blue flowers look like a flying parrot or a fish. Site for cooler nights in a part-sun location protected from afternoon sun. Or, grow as a curious house plant. Prefers rich soil.

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

Iris 'Bayou Savage'

Louisiana iris

From the Vic Lambou collection, this louisiana iris blooms purple with yellow highlights in mid to late season.

Iris 'Bayou Short Stuff'

Louisiana iris

This petite iris packs a punch with mid-season blooms that are a gorgeous purplish blue with golden yellow crests.

Iris 'Black Gamecock'

black Louisiana iris

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 'Cajun Sunrise'

Louisiana iris

The early to mid-season blooms of this iris offer gorgeous color. Burnt sienna standards include a narrow yellow edge with the yellow reappearing in the center of the large, saucer-shaped blooms. Foliage provides lovely structure.

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

Iris 'Clyde Redmond'

Louisiana iris

Vigorous and easy to grow, this iris brings beautiful mid-season color to the garden.

Iris (crocea hybrid)

An easy to grow iris, these seem to be garden hybrids and not straight Iris crocea and may have either white or gold flowers in mid spring.

Iris 'Dural White Butterfly'

Louisiana iris

Elegant white flowers with ruffled edges and medium green highlights bloom on this lovely iris, which flourishes in wet conditions.

Iris 'Easter Tide'

louisiana iris

Erect, narrow leaves and large, beautiful yellow and lavender blooms make this iris a standout. Must be kept moist and will tolerate boggy areas.

Iris ensata 'Darling'

Japanese iris

Iris ensata grow best in a rich, moist to wet soil, in full sun or partial shade. During the growing season, they thrive with their roots submerged, however, the water should be removed during the winter months to avoid root rot.

Iris ensata 'Jell-O'

Dinner Plate Japanese iris

Ruffled dark purple flowers with yellow and white eye-zone. Iris ensata grow best in a rich, moist to wet soil, in full sun or partial shade. During the growing season, they thrive with their roots submerged, however, the water should be removed during the winter months to avoid root rot.

Iris 'Firebreather'

tall bearded iris

Iris 'Flower Shower'

standard dwarf bearded 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

Iris giganticaerulea 'Her Highness'

Louisiana iris

This Louisiana iris features fine, dark green glossy foliage topped early in the season by white flowers with yellow highlights. Must be kept wet at all times.

Iris 'Harvest of Memories'

reblooming tall bearded iris

Vigorous, reblooming, butter yellow bearded iris with a high bud count.

Iris hexagona (recurved Hwy 98 form)

Collected by Vic Lambou, this lovely lavender blooming iris grows well in wet areas.

Iris hexagona (St. Marks Midget form)

Collected by Vic Lambou, this smaller cultivar has rounded lavender petals.

Iris hexagona (St. Marks refuge form)

From the Vic Lambou collection, the blooms on this iris lean from lavender to burgundy. A beautiful addition to a wet area in the garden.

Iris 'Jeri'

Louisiana iris

This vigorous Louisiana Iris produces many large, dark purple flowers. May be used as a groundcover in moist areas.

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 laevigata 'Murasaki'

This lovely Louisiana iris introduction features blue flowers with yellow throats.

Iris 'Lilting'

'lilting' tall bearded iris

A tall bearded iris with off–white standards and falls that are pure white edged with pale violet. May re–bloom.

Iris 'Little Caillet'

hybrid iris

Lavender blooms with yellow standards mark this lovely Louisiana iris.

Iris 'Making Eyes'

Iris 'Making Eyes'

A very early bloomer, this standard bearded iris features cream to light yellow standards with a golden beard and violet falls with a narrow cream to light yellow edge.

Iris 'Mallory Kay'

tall bearded iris

Iris 'Margaret Hunter'

Louisiana iris

For mid-season blooms and erect, sword-like foliage, this moisture-loving iris with its light lavender blooms can't be beat.

Iris 'Marie Dolores'

Louisiana iris

The sword-like leaves of this gorgeous iris blow in the breeze like fans, and in mid-spring, beautiful white blooms with yellow signals appear. This vigorous plant prefers consistently moist soil.

Iris 'Nada'

butterfly iris

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

Iris pallasii

Dalmatian iris

Iris 'Professor Paul'

Louisiana iris

This deer-resistant iris forms a robust clump of vertical green leaves topped with 5" lavender-blue flowers beginning in mid-May. 'Professor Paul' is equally happy planted in moist soils or 4" of standing water.

Iris savannarum f. albispiritis

Showy spring blooms make this a gorgeous addition to a wetland garden.

Iris 'Sea Wisp'

Louisiana iris

Narrow green foliage and gorgeous violet blue blooms make Sea Wisp a prized Louisiana iris.

Iris setosa

Raised from the seed of Iris setosa 'Hokkaido Purple,' this iris should form a 2' tall clump of upright green foliage. Starting in mid-May, expect flowers that may vary in color from the mother plant. This iris tolerates both moist and fairly dry soils, as well as heat and humidity.

Iris 'Sinfonietta'

Louisiana iris

This statuesque iris features dark green foliage followed in early May by gorgeous 6" wide, navy blue flowers highlighted by yellow throats. Keep wet, and this iris will form a healthy patch.

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

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'

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 tridentata (near white)

Showy blue-purple flowers make this Savannah iris a wonderful addition to a wetland garden.

Iris tridentata (red violet)

Savannah Iris

Gorgeous flowers with fragrant blue-purple sepals, dark purple veins and white to yellow signals make the summer blooms on this short iris stand out in the summer garden.

Iris unguicularis 'Dazzling Eyes'

Bluish lavender petals surround a white and purple striped eye. As with all Iris unguicularis cultivars, 'Dazzling Eyes' prefers a bright sunny location and good drainage, although it can tolerate half day shade.

Iris unguicularis '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 virginica 'Wetpearl'

This southern blue flag iris is perfect for the boggy areas of your garden.

Iris 'Vision in Pink'

tall bearded iris

Iris 'Wetsurp'

Louisiana iris

This vigorous iris features 6" red-violet bi-tone blooms with yellow signals on both standards and pendant-like falls. It may be a hybrid of brevicaulis x ful va ( or nelsonii).

Iris 'Yasha'

pseudata iris

The pseudata irises are hybrids between the yellow flag irises and Japanese irises. 'Yasha' is a tall, very striking form with red-violet flowers with a gold throat surrounded by a deep purple halo. Best when grown in moist soil near a pond or in a rain garden. The name translates to "female devil".

Ismene (Riverside form)

Peruvian daffodil

Often lumped with Hymenocallis, this selection's flowers have much shorter sepals than a typical Hymenocallis and tend to curl backward. These are from the collector Vic Lambeau but were not wild collected and may have been purchased from Riverside Bulbs.

Isodon longitubus

long-tubed spurflower

Isotoma fluviatilis

blue star creeper

A tiny spreading ground cover perennial to just 1" tall with tiny blue flowers. Great for between stones.

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 'Henry's Garnet'

Virginia sweetspire

Deciduous shrub reaching 4'–6' high, with long white racemes of fragrant flowers in spring and brilliant reddish-purple fall color. Native to wet or moist soils, does well in full sun to shade.

Itea virginica 'Longspire'

Virginia sweetspire

Not too often seen in cultivation is this cultivar of Virginia sweetspire, discovered and named by Woodlanders Nursery (Aiken, South Carolina) owners Robert and Julia Mackintosh while canoeing the Augusta Canal near Augusta, Georgia. Of all the Itea virginica cultivars, 'Longspire' produces the, you guessed it, longest flowering racemes of all—8in long. A truly superb plant with year-round interest—spring flowers, good summer foliage, excellent fall color, and winter twigs (reddish-purple), who can ask for more?

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

Juncus effusus f. spiralis 'Big Twister'

corkscrew rush

Thrives in wet site or average moisture.

Juniperus cedrus

Canary Islands juniper

Juniperus chinensis 'Echiniformis'

hedgehog Chinese juniper

Juniperus chinensis 'Maymont Gold'

golden Chinese juniper

This plant's original cultivar hadn't been in the trades for 100 years until it was reintroduced as 'Maymont Gold,' in honor of the original tree - still standing in VA's Maymont Park. A conical habit, golden-yellow foliage and abundant small, yellow cones make it a welcome evergreen.

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 horizontalis 'Silver Sheen'

creeping juniper

This excellent addition to the ranks of groundcover junipers is unaccountably absent from the trade. A knowledgeable juniper expert has pointed out that we may have the only properly identified specimen around. Silvery-blue foliage in flat sprays is reminiscent of 'Wiltonii’ but is much more silver than blue. Hardy to zone 4.

Juniperus scopulorum 'Sparkling Skyrocket'

variegated Rocky Mountain juniper

A variegated form of 'Skyrocket', which is a narrow cultivar with blue scale-like foliage. This cultivar features creamy, variegated branches. Slow-growing in our heat and humidity. Terrific when massed along a border.

Juniperus squamata 'Meyeri'

flaky juniper

Justicia brandegeeana

shrimp plant

Shrimp plant is a Mexican native plant that suckers and sprawls to 36" or taller in moist rich conditions. It develops drooping arching terminal flower spikes of white flowers with overlapping red/pink/bronze bracts that resembles a large shrimp. Best grown in part shade. Can be pruned back as needed to control height and promote bushiness. Can be grown as a houseplant but needs cool winter temps to put it through a winter dormancy. Not hardy.

Justicia carnea (dark leaved)

Brazilian plume

A Brazilian native with attractive pink summer flowers in a tuft at the tips of the branches. It is winter hardy here in Raleigh. This selection has attractive dark foliage. Attracts hummingbirds.

Kadsura longipedunculata

Chinese kadsura

The yellow flowers and brilliant, glossy red fruit will dangle beneath the foliage on long stalks or peduncles as the scientific name implies. The flowers are somewhat reminiscent of its shrubby cousin the anise tree or Illicium.

Kalimeris pinnatifida

Japanese false aster

Easy to grow, Kalimeris pinnatifida features an abundance of white, one-inch, semi-double daisy-like flowers with pale yellow centers, which are reminiscent of asters.

Kalimeris yomena 'Shogun'

golden false-aster

A variegated aster relative whose leaves are green centered, with a creamy yellow edge. Easy to grow.

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 'Flashpoint'

red hot poker

With an upright habit and spiky flowers that begin chartreuse yellow and mature to creamy white, this long-blooming, drought tolerant perennial provides interest in the garden.

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

Kniphofia 'Pineapple Popsicle'

yellow red-hot poker

Lagerstroemia 'DJ 01-14'

Indulgence Vanilla Gelato crepe myrtle

Shiny burgundy leaves provide a dramatic foil to the the light pink flowers which are borne most of the summer.

Lagerstroemia 'DJ 05-14'

Indulgence Strawberry Gelato crepe myrtle

Dark leaves. Compact habit. Pink flowers in summer.

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

Lagerstroemia 'Miss Frances'

crepe myrtle

An improved, disease resistant, red flowered crepe myrtle from the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) released in 2015. Part of the "Miss" series of crepe myrtles.

Lagerstroemia 'Pocomoke'

miniature crepe myrtle

One of the first and best miniature crepe myrtles from the U.S. National Arboretum, this shrub forms a low, tidy mound of fine foliage with small clusters of cheery, pink flowers. Amazing fall color and powdery mildew resistant.

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.

Lantana camara 'Ham and Eggs'

common lantana

An old, nearly-sterile cultivar. Dependably cold-hardy here in zone 7b, this lovely lantana bears lovely flowers that are pink in bud, open to yellow, and fade to pink. Absolutely stunning! A flowering machine. Great for the butterflies.

Lantana camara 'Star Landing'

lantana

A hardy lantana that is just 2' tall but spreading wide to 6'. In summer the flowers are yellow-orange and red-orange and popular with pollinators. Self-sterile but will form seeds if grown near other cultivars.

Lantana montevidensis

This sprawling woody shrub forms a beautiful groundcover that flowers through the hot summer months.

Laurus nobilis

bay

Native to the Mediterranean, this pyramidal, aromatic, evergreen shrub will grow quite large unless pruned.

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.

Lavandula bipinnata

feather leaf lavender

Small evergreen shrub with silver gray divided leaves looks particularly beautiful in a rock garden. Blooms late summer through early fall. Drought tolerant. Requires well-drained soil.

Lavandula ×intermedia 'Phenomenal'

lavender

Planted in a sunny spot at the JCRA it was actually a phenomenal plant until it was run over by a dump truck. Makes an exceptionally uniform mound of silver foliage topped with lavender (duh) flowers and is one of the most heat tolerant lavenders available.

Ledebouria cooperi

Cooper's false scilla

This cool little South African bulb will quickly form sizable clumps of diminutive foliage streaked with burgundy. In early spring, short stalks of pink flowers are dazzling amidst the foliage.

Ledebouria 'Gary Hammer'

false scilla

Lemmaphyllum microphyllum

green penny fern

This tiny fern usually grows as an epiphyte in southeastern subtropical Asia. It has survived 2 mild winters at JCRA and was still green after several 17 degree nights. An excellent terrarium fern or small container plant. Round, sterile fronds smaller than a dime are produced singly along the trailing stem. Fertile fronds rise to an inch or more and are upright and forked. To be safe, you may want to split this plant and grow part outdoors but keep a piece indoors. Shade, zone 7b.

Lepechinia hastata

false salvia

This winter-hardy Hawaiian native is an unusual sage relative, relatively unknown in our region. Hummingbirds can't resist this perennial's 4' tall flower spikes of reddish-purple flowers produced each summer.

Leptinella squalida

brass buttons

A low growing ground cover with ferny leaves and an indefinite stoloniferous spread. Flowers are insignificant.

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 bicolor 'Lil' Buddy'

shrubby bushclover

Tolerant of poor soil and drought resistant, 'Lil' Buddy' forms a mound of arching stems with trifoliate leaves and tiny fuschia flowers in summer. It can be cut back in late fall since it flowers on new growth.

Lespedeza liukiuensis 'Little Volcano'

bush-clover

Lespedeza thunbergii 'Pink Cascade'

pink bush-clover

Graceful, mounding shrub, mounding to 6' tall, flowering late summer to fall. Attractive pink flowers. Sun to part shade. Zones 5–8.

Lespedeza thunbergii 'Spring Grove'

bush-clover

Lespedeza thunbergii 'White Fountain'

white bush-clover

A stunning perennial bush clover, if cut to the ground in spring, 'White Fountain' will resprout rapidly. From late summer into fall, its weeping branch tips are clothed in sprays of white pea-like flowers.

Leucanthemum maximum 'Leuz0003'

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.

Leucojum aestivum 'Gravetye Giant'

summer snowflake

A large selection of Leucojum, the spring-blooming, bulbous Gravetye Giant offers rich green foliage before bell-shaped white flowers emerge. This vigorous plant complements daffodils and tulips and will naturalize.

Leucophyllum langmaniae (2013-0410)

Texas ranger

An evergreen shrub native to Mexico with sage-green leaves and small lavender flowers in summer. Drought tolerant. Needs well drained soils and full sun.

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

Ligusticum mutellina

alpine lovage

A European carrot-family member with the characteristic feathery leaves and umbels of flowers so common in the family. In this case, the flowers are pale-purple in color. Join us in trialing this plant in this area.

Ligustrum sinense '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.

Lilium 'Black Beauty'

oriental lily

This vigorous lily blooms deep crimson with white edges and a central green star. It can get quite tall and create many fragrant flowers.

Lilium formosanum

Formosa lily

A real show stopper in August and easy to grow! White trumpet-shaped flowers in late summer. Cool seed pods too! 4'–6' tall. Sun-partial shade.

Lilium lancifolium 'Flore Pleno'

double tiger lily

Lindernia grandiflora

blue moneywort

A ground hugging 1" tall perennial with tiny blue flowers. Great for in between stones, in containers, etc. Prefers moist soil.

Liriope muscari 'Okina'

lilyturf

Liriope muscari 'PeeDee Ingot'

yellow lilyturf

Curiously unknown, Ingot's beautiful purple flowers in late summer are a perfect foil for its chartreuse foliage, which is brightest in spring. For us, 'PeeDee Ingot' has performed admirably in our Perennial Border's full sun and our Lath House's shade.

Lobelia ×speciosa 'PAS1302716'

Starship Scarlet Bronze Leaf cardinal flower

The clear-red flowers of cardinal flower are set off by the bronze to black foliage of this hybrid selection. Thrives in moist soils.

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 'Mandarin'

orange honeysuckle

Outstanding flowering vine for arbor or fence. The long tubular flowers, deep orange-red on the outside and paler orange inside are produced in masses in May and early June. This hybrid is a prolific bloomer, vigorous grower, and heat and cold tolerant. Hummingbirds will thank you too.

Lonicera nitida 'Briliame'

Ophelia gold boxleaf honeysuckle

Lonicera nitida 'Golden Glow'

Thunderbolt box honeysuckle

A dwarf evergreen densely branched shrub with small chartreuse foliage on arching branches. A great hedge plant. Best in part sun. Hardy to zone 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

Loropetalum chinense 'Irodori'

Jazz Hands variegated Chinese fringe flower

Foliage highly spattered with white and fuchsia colored flowers make for one knockout show.

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum 'sPg-3-002'

Ruby Snow purple-leaf Chinese fringe flower

This has been much sought after ever since purple-leaf loropetalums hit the market. Deep burgundy foliage is highlighted by strappy-petaled, white flowers. Easy in almost any spot, but color and flowering are best in sun.Take size predictions with a grain of salt.

Loropetalum chinense 'Shang-White'

Emerald Snow dwarf Chinese fringe flower

Lycoris

surprise lily

This is a mixture of the red flowered Lycoris radiata and the pink flowered (with blue tips) Lycoris ×rosea. In both cases, the flowers emerge in late summer. a month or so later in early fall, the leaves finally emerge and stay green all winter, going dormant the following spring.

Lycoris albiflora

white surprise-lily

Lycoris ×albiflora 'Phil's Gold'

Tony Avent of Plant Delights describes this Lycoris: 21-inch cinnamon stalks emerge in mid-September, soon topped with 6 or 7 frilly light butter-yellow flowers, highlighted by a central peach stripe down each petal. Light shade helps protect the foliage when the winter temperatures drop below 12°F.

Lycoris albiflora 'Summer Passion'

summer passion surprise lily

Lycoris radiata

red spider lily

The red spide lily returns each late summer early fall with a glorious floral display. The foliage is produced soon after and persists all winter. The bulbs multiple and the display increases year after year.

Lycoris radiata var. radiata

red surprise-lily

Lycoris radiata var. radiata 'Fire Engine'

Lycoris radiata var. radiata 'Modern Japanese'

One of the last Lycoris radiata to flower, in September 'Modern Japanese' features terminal heads of 7 or 8 brilliant, orange-red, lacy flowers atop 2-foot scapes.

Lycoris ×rosea

surprise lily

Lycoris ×rosea produces flowers starting in mid-August (NC) that are rose-pink with blue-tipped petals. Foliage emerges long after the flower show is over in mid-October and grows through the winter.

Lycoris ×straminea 'Strawberry Lemonade'

Tony Avent of Plant Delights says: 'Strawberry Lemonade' has proved exceptional and vigorous, with unrivaled flower density. 22" tall stalks are topped with peach-flushed buds in mid-August (NC), which open to creamy white flowers with a salmon flush to petal backs. Over a few days, flowers transition to salmon-peach.

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.

Lysimachia 'Midnight Sun'

creeping Jenny

Deep purple to almost chocolate foliage trails well over stones or a pot edge and is followed by bright yellow flowers in summer.

Magnolia acuminata

cucumber-tree magnolia

This native deciduous magnolia features large leaves (up to 10"). The yellowish-green tulip-shaped flowers are 2 to 4" long and appear in spring. Flowers are followed by warty green, somewhat cucumber-like fruit. The fruit turns red as it matures.

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 macrophylla var. ashei

Ashe's magnolia

Rarest native bigleaf umbrella magnolia in U.S., occurring naturally in only 6 Florida panhandle counties. It's hardy, as well as heat and humidity tolerant. It grows typically as a large, multi-trunked shrub to about 18' tall but can grow to 30'. Showy, with leaves to 24" and big fragrant flowers.

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 tripetala

umbrella magnolia

Umbrella magnolia is a common native on the slopes of the Appalachian Mountains. Eye-catching, large, lime green leaves reach up to 2' long. Creamy white flowers have six to nine tepals, and each flower is 6" to 10" across when open. Red fall fruit is very attractive.

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 eurybracteata 'Narihira'

narrowleaf mahonia

An elegant foliage plant for the part-shade garden with fine-texture fern-like leaves.

Mahonia ×lindsayae 'Cantab'

fragrant 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'

Oregon grape

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

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

Manfreda 'Helen Wynans'

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'

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 'Coffee Jitters'

mangave

This cultivar was created by mixing two parts manfreda (Manfreda longiflora and Manfreda maculosa) with one part Agave marmorata. The result is a squid-like plant with narrow, rubbery, dark purple-brown foliage and tooth-like nubs along the deeply-channeled leaves

×Mangave 'Frosted Elegance'

mangave

Powdery-blue leaves with a wide central chartreuse stripe.
A lovely specimen for a pot where it is not winter hardy.
Mangaves are evergreen if grown in frost-free environments.

×Mangave 'Ink Blot'

This succulent is a cross between one agave and two manfreda species. 'Ink Blot' has a low, wide habit and the thick, wide, dark green leaves have large blood red spots. Perfect for decorative containers.

×Mangave 'Kaleidoscope'

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.

×Mangave 'Snow Leopard'

mangave

×Mangave 'Snow Leopard' is a variegated sport of 'Jaguar' distinguished by its wide white margin to its purple spotted green leaves. Mangave remains evergreen if grown in frost-free environments. Semi hardy, zone 8a.

×Mangave 'Whale Tale'

mangave

One of the few ×Mangave that is cold hardy in the Raleigh area (provided it is in well drained soil). Large, wide blue-green leaves are lightly speckled with dark spotting. A waxy coating gives the plant more of a silvery blue look. Its low, wide habit has leaves that arch downwards at the tips, perfect for framing containers. The name 'Whale Tale' is in reference to its parentage of Agave ovatifolia (Whale Tongue Agave).

Mazus reptans

creeping mazus

A tiny 1" tall spreading ground cover with small lavender flowers in early summer. Great evergreen plant for a shady flowering lawn. Prefers moist, not wet, soil.

Metapanax davidii

David false-ginseng

We have been thoroughly impressed with the performance of this species in the garden where it makes an evergreen shrub with palmately compound to simple foliage. Sputnik-like flowers give rise to blue-black fruits. May need some winter protection.

Millettia pulchra

summer wisteria

Miyamayomena savatieri '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!

Monarda 'Bee Free'

Bee You bee balm

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

Peter's purple bee balm

Monarda 'Marshall's Delight'

beebalm

A medium sized beebalm with pink flowers. Spreads vigorously by rhizomes and so you may have to check its growth annually.

Morella cerifera 'Soleil'

golden southern wax myrtle

Muehlenbeckia axillaris 'Tricolor'

creeping wire vine

New growth is heavily mottled with white on this small scale evergreen groundcover. The youngest leaves have pink highlights.

Muhlenbergia capillaris

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

Darjeeling banana

Musa velutina

pink velvet banana

Musella lasiocarpa

hardy Chinese yellow banana

A small banana relative with yellow lotus-like flowers in the summer. Bold foliage is glaucous blue-green In mild winters, pseudostems often overwinter. In the southern end of its range, you might also get small 2" bananas that, while technically edible, are mostly seeds.

Myriopteris lanosa

hairy lip fern

Also known as Cheilanthes lanosa in the trade. This small sun-loving fern likes full sun and well-drained, lean soil. A perfect foliage plant in a rock garden around your cacti and agave.

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 'Spoirot'

miniature daffodil

Pale yellow to white 'hoop-skirt' flowers adorn this dwarf daffodil. Flowers early in the season...late February for us in Raleigh. It gets better every year.

Narcissus willkommii

jonquilla daffodil

Neolepisorus fortunei

Fortune's ribbon fern

Fortune's ribbon fern is a striking, non-frilly fern with long, narrow fronds 18" long but only 1.5" across. It is marginally hardy for us in Raleigh and is best sited where it receives some winter protection. It makes a slowly, slowly creeping clump to a few feet wide after many years.

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'

catnip

Nepeta ×faassenii 'Balpurrink'

Whispurr Pink catmint

This is a pink-flowered selection of the normally blue perennial catmint. Mint scented leaves deter herbivores, and flower spikes attract pollinators. Sun loving, drought tolerant and hardy to zone 4.

Nepeta ×faassenii 'Novanepjun'

Junior Walker compact 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 'Joanna Reed'

catmint

Violet-blue flowers from late spring into fall. It has a low, wide habit. Received a five-star "excellent" rating in a Chicago Botanic Garden evaluation of catmints, Flowers attract butterflies and bees and it is typically not bothered by deer.

Nepeta 'Psfike'

Little Trudy catmint

A drought tolerant dwarf form of catmint with a low spreading habit and a long blooming season. Atop a finely textured, aromatic, silvery foliage, its profuse purple-violet flowers are on permanent display from late spring to late summer.

Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant'

giant catmint

Drought tolerate.

Neviusia alabamensis

Alabama snow-wreath

Nicotiana glauca 'Salta Blues'

blue tree tobacco

Nierembergia repens

cup flower

Quarter-sized white flowers cover this 3" tall spreading ground cover from July to September. Tolerates a bit of foot traffic so you can use it between pavers or as a lawn substitute in a low traffic site in part shade. Prefers moist soil. This is a South American native. Part sun to part shade.

Nolina lindheimeriana

bear-grass

Ocimum 'African Blue'

hybrid basil

Ocimum 'Amazel'

Italian basil

Downy mildew resistant basil. High yield. Pinch off flowers to increase harvest. Great culinary herb. This cutting grown selection should last summer long up to frost in the fall.

Odontonema tubaeforme

firespike

A Central American native (thus not typically cold hardy here!) related to Acanthus. Firespike is a shrub that grows 3' tall in a single season and produces terminal flower spikes covered with bright red tubular flowers that hummingbirds are sure to like. This selection has proven to be hardy for several years in central North Carolina but we still have our doubts. Full sun.

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 'Amethyst Falls'

ornamental oregano

This oregano is a long blooming hybrid with aromatic, spicy foliage that can be used in cooking. Sprays of pale purple blooms hang at the tips of light green cones that resemble Hops. Drought tolerant. Deer resistant. Needs well drained soil.

Origanum laevigatum 'Lizzie'

Lizzie's Flowering Hybrid Oregano

Vigorous culinary herb begins flowering in mid-June with terminal sprays of purple to pink blooms.

Origanum laevigatum 'Pilgrim'

oregano

Origanum vulgare 'Aureum'

gold leafed oregano

Bright yellow leaves year-round. This low growing steppable herb is a great ground cover with fragrant foliage.

Osmanthus fragrans

fragrant osmanthus

Among the most fragrant of all landscape plants is the tea olive a large evergreen shrub with white flowers produced in spring and fall and occasionally at other times of the year.

Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus

orange sweet olive

This orange flowering form of sweet-olive has a floral display that will stop traffic. It is extremely fragrant and rare in southern landscapes although more cold hardy than the white form. It begins flowering when it reaches around 5' tall. A rare treasure when it reaches peak bloom and fragrance.

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki'

holly tea-olive

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Kaori Hime'

fragrant princess holly tea-olive

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.

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Kembu'

variegated holly tea-olive

A variegated Osmanthus with cream margins and splashes of cream. More vigorous than the industry standard 'Goshiki' and the leaves are less spiny too. The cultivar name Kembu is Japanese for "sword dance".

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Ogon'

golden holly tea-olive

Dense evergreen shrub with fragrant, small flowers in clusters followed by blue black fruits. Foliage is golden especially when young. Large shrub for sun or semi-shaded areas.

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Purpureus'

purple-leaf holly tea-olive

A great underused Osmanthus that features wonderfully fragrant fall flowers. Evergreen leaves emerge purplish black when young, maturing to green with a purple tinge.

Osmanthus 'Jim Porter'

tea olive

This is a great shrub with foliar interest for the Raleigh area as it tolerates our clay soil well and is fast growing for an Osmanthus. Small white fragrant flowers in fall Sun to part shade. Deer resistant.

Osteomeles schwerinae

Chinese emperor plum

A beautiful and distinctive mounding shrub of fine texture due to its small pinnately compound leaves made up of many tiny leaflets. Stems and leaves are covered in grey woolly hairs imparting a silvery cast to the entire plant. In early summer 3" clusters of small white flowers are followed in fall by reddish fruits eventually turning blue-black. Tolerant of dry soils and thriving in full sun. Zones 7(at least) to 10.

Oxalis bowiei

Cape shamrock

A charming little perennial that emerges in fall with large (for an oxalis) three-lobed leaves that are quickly topped with large (again for an oxalis) hot pink flowers. The leaves will hang around until spring and then disappear for the summer. A pretty rock-garden plant.

Oxalis crassipes 'Alba'

A low mound of bright–green clover-like leaves, topped with small white star-shaped flowers for months. Non–invasive.

Oxalis tetraphylla

iron cross lucky clover

This non-invasive Oxalis produces green shamrock-like leaves with a maroon chevron in the center. Best in sun to partial shade. Bright coral pink from early summer to frost.

Oxalis triangularis '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 triangularis '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.

Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima'

peony

A favorite since the 19th century with 7" double blooms that are white with sparse red flecks inside. Fragrant. An early to midseason bloomer. To 36" tall. Peonies tend to be deer and rabbit resistant and good for butterflies. They make long-lasting cut flowers. Best in full sun but tolerant of light shade.

Paeonia 'Lady Orchid'

peony

A midseason bloomer with double pale pink flowers with ragged petal edges for a very full look. To 36" tall. Peonies tend to be deer and rabbit resistant and good for butterflies. They make long-lasting cut flowers. Best in full sun but tolerant of light shade.

Paeonia 'Pecher'

peony

A late season bloomer with double soft pink flowers, often with a thin red picotee edge, that age to white. Fragrant. To 32" tall. Peonies tend to be deer and rabbit resistant and good for butterflies. They make long-lasting cut flowers. Best in full sun but tolerant of light shade.

Paeonia 'Purple Spider'

peony

An midseason bloomer with double fuchsia purple flowers which fade to white. The flower form is an unusual double form with spidery inner petalloids. To 32" tall. Peonies tend to be deer and rabbit resistant and good for butterflies. They make long-lasting cut flowers. Best in full sun but tolerant of light shade.

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

common switch grass

A clump forming native grass that is highly ornamental in summer and very showy all winter and supports wildlife.

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.

Papaver rupifragum

Spanish poppy

A short-lived perennial with crinkled blooms. Self sows.

×Pardancanda norrisii 'Dazzler'

candy lily

Dazzler is a dwarf seed strain the produces a variety of flower colors that vary from plant to plant ... yellow, orange, coral, red, purple ... often with spots. (syn. Iris ×norrisii)

Passiflora incarnata (white form)

white maypop passion flower

This eastern US native vine features pure white, fragrant, 2-3” flowers with frilly filaments and ivory stamens from summer through fall. Flowers are followed by egg-shaped fruits that ripen to yellow when mature.

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 'Lady Margaret'

passion flower

Passiflora 'Monika Fischer'

hybrid passion flower

Pelargonium 'Snowflake'

Rose-scented geranium

Light pink flowers, variegated leaves and a wonderful rose aroma make this geranium perfect for the garden or a patio container.

Pelargonium transvaalense 'African Princess'

hardy pelargonium

Pelargonium transvaalense is a winter hardy geranium, hailing from South Africa. The 18" tall × 3' wide clumps thrive in both half-day sun or light shade. Green foliage with purple rings adorns the branched stems, and is topped with pink flowers all summer into early fall.

Peltophorum dubium

yellow poinciana

This deciduous, South American tree has an umbrella-shaped canopy that's covered in summer with clusters of bright yellow flowers that smell like grapes. These are followed by coppery red seed pods. Not hardy in Raleigh (it's a zone 9b plant), it could be a container plant or you can grow it at your Florida beach house.

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 'Onyx and Pearls'

beardtongue

Named after gemstones, onyx is in reference to its dark foliage and pearls refers to its soft lavender flowers with white interiors. From a distance, the flowers look white.

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.

Penstemon tenuis

sharpsepal beardtongue

A southeast U.S. native plant that likes moist sunny sites and can tolerate poor drainage. The small purple flowers in spring make great cut flowers. This penstemon will reseed around your garden if the conditions are good.

Peperomia prostrata

string of turtles

This lovely pot 'spiller' is a vining plant with round, succulent, variegated leaves. A terrific terrarium or pot addition, it prefers slightly moist soil and benefits from being pot-bound.

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 amplexicaulis 'Golden Arrow'

mountain fleece

A compact selection that is grown for its golden foliage and cardinal red summer flowers.

Persicaria microcephala '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

Petasites japonicus var. giganteus 'Variegatus'

variegated fuki

Petrosedum rupestre 'Noniw'

Moonshadow golden creeping sedum

A 4" tall groundcover sedum with bright sulfur-yellow foliage that is topped in summer with yellow flowers. Full sun and well-drained soil needed. Drought tolerant. Hardy down to zone 3.

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.

Phedimus kamtschaticus 'Nonsitnal'

Atlantis Takeshima stonecrop

Spectacular variegated foliage is a pretty as most any flower, each leaf with a wide cream border in whorls around the gently sprawling stems

Phedimus selskianus 'Goldilocks'

Amur stonecrop

Formerly known as Sedum 'Goldilocks'. Flat, minutely hairy, lance-shaped leaves form a dense low, mound topped with yellow flowers in summer. A great groundcover, rock garden plant or potted plant.