Acorus calamus . . Sweetflag
. . 2 to 4 ft. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zone . . Avg. to wet soil Native
This rhizomatous plant, whose yellow-green, grasslike leaves resemble those of the flag iris, often borders marshes. When cut, the pinkish root is aromatic. Bloom is a spathe consisting of numerous, tiny, brown flowers.
Because of its spicy flavor, the root has been used as a substitute for cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. The rhizomes are also cut into slices and candied as a confection.
Among the American Indians, it was a valued medicine for pain, fever, and digestive troubles, although one to be used cautiously, in small doses.
#1688 . . Quart pot . . $5.00
Allium cernuum . . Wild Nodding Onion
. . 12 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zone 6 . . Avg. soil . . L. Summer to E. Fall
Native
A tall stalk bearing an umbel of lilac pink flowers, which has a drooping tendency, and flat, onion-scented, 1/4" leaves. Deadhead immediately after blooming.
The underground bulbs may be used like those of any onion, as a vegetable or seasoning. If picked before the flower stalks appear, the tender leaves can be cooked as greens, or added raw to salads.
. . . . It was once popular among the native Indians as a spring tonic and for relief of cold symptoms. One superstition says that wearing wild onions around your neck keeps illness away.
#1940 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Allium schoenoprasum . . Chives
. . 6 to 18 in. . . Sun
. . Zones 3 to 9 . . Avg. soil . . Summer
Europe, Asia
Clump forming with pink to purple flower heads in summer. The familiar culinary chives.
Four inch pots are readily divided into 4 to 6 plants.
The main use in cooking--for a mild onion flavor.
Also has the same medicinal use as onion or garlic, except milder.
#1316 . . Quart pot . . $4.25
Allium senescens . . Curly Chives
. . 6 to 10 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zones 5-9 . . Avg. soil . . Summer
Europe, Asia
Flattened, curling leaves grow up to 12 inches in length. Long lasting pink to purplish flowers in mid-summer.
Strong onion flavor.
#2145 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Allium tricoccum . . Ramps
. . 4 to 10 in. . . Mod. to full shade
. . Zones est. 3 to 7 . . Rich, moist soil . . L. Spring to E. Summer
Native
Two narrowly oval, veined leaves from a white bulb. Early spring. A solitary flower stalk emerges as the leaves die back in early summer. The cluster of white flowers is followed by metallic black seeds
The Southern name "Ramp" (commonly called "Wild Leek" in the North) is from an Old English word for garlic. Many archaic English words persist in Southern speech. Similar species in England are known as "Ramson" or "Rampion".
Very edible--excellent, strong onion flavor.
#1249 . . Quart pot . . $5.00
Amsonia ciliata . . Narrow Leaf Blue Star
. . 18 to 24 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zone 5 . . Avg. soil, well drained . . Spring
Native
Clusters of star-shaped, blue flowers in spring. Leaves are very narrow. Primarily found growing in sandhills or sandy woodlands in the Eastern Costal Plain.
#1641 . . Quart pot . . $5.00
Amsonia illustris . . Blue Star
. . To 4 ft. . . Sun to mod. shade
. . Zones 5 to 9 . . Avg. soil . . Spring
Native
Willow-like foliage with blue, star-shaped flowers. Can grow taller than the more commonly offered Blue Star A. tabernaemontana.
#1836 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Amsonia tabernaemontana . . Blue Star
. . 24 to 36 in. . . Sun to mod. shade
. . Zones 4 to 9 . . Avg. soil . . Spring
Native
Panicles of star-shaped, steel blue flowers in spring. Narrow, willow-like leaves. Plants develop into thick, multi-stemmed clumps at maturity.
#1350 . . Quart pot . . $5.00
Aquilegia canadensis . . Wild Columbine
. . 12 to 18 in. . . Sun to mod. shade
. . Zones 3 to 9 . . Avg. soil, well drained . . Spring
Native
Nodding flowers are red, streaked with yellow. Spring bloom. Attractive divided foliage. Good hummingbird plant. Long lived and reliable. An excellent garden plant.
Wild Columbine does best with a few hours of direct sun and well drained, loose soil. The medium textured, light green foliage makes it a valuable landscape plant long after the blooms fade. Highly recommended.
Used herbally as a diuretic, diaphoretic, tonic and laxative. The seeds were crushed and used by some native tribes as a perfume.
#1040 . . Quart pot . . $5.00
Arisaema triphyllum . . Jack In The Pulpit
. . 8 to 32 in. . . Lt. to full shade
. . Zones 4 to 8 . . Rich, moist soil . . Spring
Native
Familiar woodlander. Colorful spathe is striped with purple and/or white. Cluster of shiny red berries from late summer into fall.
A well known (34 common names are listed in one reference) plant that is almost required in any woodland garden.
Several medicinal uses are given for the plant, although many sources consider it toxic.
#1251 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Artemisia ludovinciana . . Artemisia "Silver Queen"
. . To 3 ft. . . Sun
. . Zones 4 to 9 . . Avg. soil, well drained Native Selection
Silvery leaves with deeply cut, jagged margins. Tolerates heat.
Its running habit makes it a good ground cover for problem areas.
#1796 . . Quart pot . . $4.50
Asclepias incarnata . . Swamp Milkweed ----SOLD
OUT----
. . 2 to 5 ft. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zones 4 to 9 . . Avg. to wet soil . . Summer
Native
Flat topped, rose-pink flower heads with a vanilla-ish scent in mid-summer. Lance shaped leaves on strong unbranched stems. Highly regarded butterfly plant.
Despite the name, Swamp Milkweed does not require a soggy habitat. It will do fine in average garden soil. A local butterfly club considers it the best butterfly plant. The graceful dried seedpods, which appear in the fall, are an excellent accent in dried arrangements.
The fibrous stem was used by Native Americans in the manufacture of rope, thread and fishing line.
Used medicinally for dropsy, asthma and dysentery.
#1041 . . Quart pot . . $5.00
Aster cordifolius . . Heart-leaf Aster
. . 3 to 5 ft. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zones est. 5 to 8 . . Avg. soil . . L. Summer to E. Fall
Native
Dense clusters of small blue to lavender flowers. Hundreds of flowers on a mature plant. A durable plant, like most of the native Asters.
#1285 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Aster divaricatus . . White Wood Aster
. . 12 to 18 in. . . Lt. to full shade
. . Zones 4 to 8 . . Avg. soil . . Late Summer
Native
Clusters of small white blooms in late summer. Dark green leaves and purple stems. Spreads with rhizomes. Good for naturalizing at the woods edge.
One of the few Asters that prefers shade. Can be invasive.
#1043 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Aster novi-angliae . . New England Aster
. . 3 to 5 ft. . . Sun
. . Zones 3 to 8 . . Avg. soil . . Late Summer
Native
Numerous large purple blooms. The showiest native Aster. Late summer to early fall. Tolerant of wet soils.
Control height of the tall native Asters by pinching the branch tips in late spring and early summer.
#1045 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Aster novi-angliae cv. . . New England Aster "Hella Lacy"----SOLD
OUT----
. . 3 ft. . . Sun
. . Zone 4 . . Avg. soil . . L. Summer to E. Fall
Native Selection
Numerous, large royal blue blooms. Reddish foliage. Late summer to early fall. Tolerant of wet soils.
Control height of the tall native Asters by pinching the branch tips in late spring and early summer.
#2059 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Aster puniceus . . Swamp Aster ----SOLD OUT----
. . To 7 ft. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zones 4 to 9 . . Avg. to moist soil . . Fall
Native
A tall late blooming aster. Large lavender to blue flowers. Reddish stems. Tolerates wet areas.
#1606 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Last Modified: 5/3/2004
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