Rudbeckia fulgida sel. . . Rudbeckia "Goldstrum"
. . 24 in. . . Sun
. . Zones 4 to 9 . . Avg. soil . . Summer
Native
Prolific bloomer. Large yellow flowers with black centers. These are "Goldstrum strain" plants grown from seed.
"Goldstrum" was introduced in 1937.
#1195 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Rumex scutatus . . French Sorrel
. . 6 to 18 in. . . Sun
. . Zone 3 . . Rich, moist soil . . Late Summer
Europe
Long, lance or shield-shaped leaves grow from a long, carrot-shaped taproot. Its many small, greenish-yellow flowers are dull and inconspicuous.
It is a cultivated member of the dock family.
Used raw, it adds a lemony taste to salads. Or it may be used sparingly in soups.
In a way similar to spinach, it has a high vitamin C content, and helps to improve and cleanse the blood.
. . . . The name sorrel comes from the French surelle meaning "sour."
#1736 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Sedum acre . . Mossy Stonecrop
. . 2 to 3 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . To Zone 4 . . Avg. soil . . Spring
Europe, Asia
Bright yellow star-like flowers in spring. Light green leaves. Fast spreading. Use as a general cover. Excellent draped over rocks or walls. Space 6 to 8 in.
Although native to Europe, Mossy Stonecrop has been cultivated here for many years and has naturalized in some areas. Very easy to grow.
Stonecrop has been used as a treatment for warts, skin diseases and scurvy. Used also as a diuretic, emetic and cathartic.
#1022 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Sedum sieboldii . . Stonecrop "Medio-variegatum"
. . 6 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zone 3 . . Avg. soil, well drained . . L. Summer to E. Fall
Japan
Showy pink flowers on attractive, fleshy, leathery leaves, whorled in threes, which have creamy white centers. Blooms in late summer.
The striking foliage makes it an excellent front of the border plant, or asset to a rock garden. This species, named for P.F. von Siebold, will tolerate some shade.
Sedums contain tannins and mucilage, which soothe and heal damaged tissues. Halve the leaves, then apply juice externally, to the affected area. It helps heal stings, bites, warts, burns, sunburn, and inflamed or itchy skin.
. . . . The name comes from the Latin sedate, or to assuage, an allusion to the healing properties of both the houseleek and the stonecrops. It may also come from the Latin sedere, to sit, referring to the way it grows upon rocks.
#1967 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Sedum spurium cv. . . Stonecrop "Dragon's Blood"
. . 6 in. . . Sun
. . Zone 4 . . Avg. soil, well drained A creeping succulent with red-tinged, thick, fleshy leaves.
An excellent, fast-spreading creeper, it works well along rock walls, or used as a groundcover or edging along sunny walkways.
Like those of aloe, sedum leaves contain a juice which can soothe and heal skin, burns and wounds.
#1776 . . 4.5 in. pot . . $4.50
Sedum telephioides . . Tall Stonecrop
. . 8 to 16 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zones 5 to 8 . . Avg. soil, well drained . . Late Summer
Native
Clusters of pale pink to white flowers in late summer. The plant resembles a smaller version of the common, cultivated Asian Sedum "Autumn Joy".
The parent of this plant is from a rock outcrop high in the N. Carolina mountains.
#1255 . . Quart pot . . $5.00
Sedum x . . Hybrid Sedum "Herbstfreude"
. . 12 to 24 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zones 3 to 8 . . Avg. soil . . L. Summer to E. Fall
China
Known as "Autumn Joy" in the U.S. Dense clusters of pinkish, star shaped flowers in early fall.
This popular plant was introduced by Arends Nursery in 1955. Probably a cross between S. spectabile and S. telephium.
#1745 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Sempervivum arachnoideum . . Houseleek "Red Cobweb"
. . 3 in. . . Sun
. . Zone 5 . . Avg. soil, well drained Europe
A fascinating variety of this popular rock garden plant, whose light green heads are connected by a web of cottony threads.
This species originates in the mountains of southern Europe.
Sempervivum, a genus in the Stonecrop family, contain tannins and mucilage, which soothe and heal damaged tissues. Halve the leaves, then apply juice externally, to the affected area. It helps heal stings, bites, warts, burns, sunburn, and inflamed or itchy skin.
. . . . The name comes from the Latin semper always, and vivo alive, an allusion to the plants tenacity.
#1973 . . Quart pot . . $4.50
Sisyrinchium angustifolium . . Blue-eyed Grass
. . 8 to 10 in. . . Sun to mod. shade
. . Zones 4 to 8 . . Avg. soil . . L. Spring to E. Summer
Native
Grass-like foliage forms clumps. Dainty blue flowers with yellow centers begin in late spring. Easy.
Blue-Eyed Grass is a member of the Iris family and not a true grass. Good in rock gardens or as an edging. The clumps benefit from yearly division.
A related Spanish species was recorded as being used to "procure lust and lecherie".
#1114 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Solidago rugosa . . Rough Leaved Goldenrod
. . To 5 ft. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . To Zone 4 . . Avg. soil . . Fall
Native
A tall, showy goldenrod which spreads by rhizomes.
Blamed unjustly by Americans for causing hay fever, the goldenrods are prized in Europe both in the garden and as cut flowers. They combine well with Michaelmas daisies and other asters.
#1422 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Solidago rugosa . . Rough Leaved Goldenrod "Fireworks"
. . 3 to 4 ft. . . Sun
. . To Zone 4 . . Avg. soil . . L. Summer to E. Fall
Native Selection
Golden-yellow bloom in early fall. Shorter and more compact than the species. Introduced by the N. Carolina Botanic Gardens. Good companion for Purple Beautyberry Callicarpa sp.
#2012 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Solidago sempervirens . . Seaside Goldenrod
. . 3 to 5 ft. . . Sun
. . To Zone 4 . . Avg. soil . . L. Summer to E. Fall
Native
Deep green, glossy foliage and salt tolerance set Seaside Goldenrod apart from the other Solidago species. Does fine with inland soils and climates.
Blamed unjustly by Americans for causing hay fever, the goldenrods are prized in Europe both in the garden and as cut flowers. They combine well with Michaelmas daisies and other asters.
#1429 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Solidago sphacelata . . False Goldenrod
. . 24 to 36 in. . . Sun to mod. shade
. . Zones 4 to 9 . . Avg. soil . . L. Summer to E. Fall
Native
Yellow flowers line slender arching stems in late summer. Serrated heart-shaped leaves. Spreads to form small colonies. Not invasive. A very attractive, well mannered Goldenrod that adds good late color.
Blamed unjustly by Americans for causing hay fever, the goldenrods are prized in Europe both in the garden and as cut flowers. They combine well with Michaelmas daisies and other asters.
#1117 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Stachys byzantina . . Lamb's Ears
. . 4 to 10 in. . . Sun
. . Zones 4 to 10 . . Avg. soil . . Summer
Asia Minor
Densely, white-wooly leaves are soft and velvety to the touch. Spikes of purplish flowers in summer.
A good border plant, it also makes a fast, easy adaptable ground cover with dense mats of wooly grey leaves. It works well in combination with old roses.
Historically, it was used in the bandaging of wounds, which was its only medicinal merit.
#1215 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Stachys officinalis . . Wood betony
. . 24 in. . . Sun to full shade
. . Zone 4 . . Avg. soil . . Summer
Europe
Dense spikes of purple or pink flowers on square, hairy stems which have aromatic, slightly hairy, lobed leaves.
The fresh plant can be used to make a yellow dye.
Today, it is considered to be of little medicinal value, although Gerard recommended it as a remedy against the biting of mad dogs and venomous serpents.
. . . . The Ancient Egyptians attributed magical properties to this herb, and 10th centuty Anglo-Saxons used it as a treatment against the Elf-sickness, or affliction from devils.
#1875 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Stokesia laevis . . Stoke's Aster
. . 12 to18 inches . . Sun
. . Zones 5 to 9 . . Avg. soil, well drained . . Summer
Native
Large, blue, cornflower-like heads are up to 4 inches across. Blooms begin in summer. Decumbent (sprawling) stems limit height, making it an excellent plant for the front of the border. Evergreen in southern areas.
#1402 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Stokesia laevis cv. . . White Stoke's Aster
. . 18 inches . . Sun
. . Zone . . Avg. soil, well drained . . Summer
Native
Large, white, heads are up to 4 inches across. Blooms begin in summer. Decumbent (sprawling) stems limit height, making it an excellent plant for the front of the border. Evergreen in southern areas.
#2027 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Tanacetum parthenium . . Feverfew
. . 12 to 24 in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zones 4 to 10 . . Avg. soil . . Summer
Europe
Numerous white daisy-like flowers in early summer. Light green divided foliage. Of easy culture.
Feverfew is an Old World plant cultivated for centuries. Many variates and cultivars are known. Persistent for years if allowed to self-seed. The foliage is mildly aromatic.
The historical uses were numerous. Used as a treatment for fevers, headaches, coughs, toothaches, feminine complaints, opium overdose, insect bites, etc.. Also functioned as an insect repellent.
#1053 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Tanacetum vulgare . . Tansy
. . To 4 ft. . . Sun
. . Zone . . Avg. soil . . Summer
Eurasia
Aromatic, divided foliage. Yellow button-like flowers in summer. Easy to grow. The genus was formerly named Pyrethrum.
#1640 . . Quart pot . . $4.50
Tradescantia ohiensis . . Spiderwort
. . To 36 in. . . Sun to mod. shade
. . Zones 4 to 9 . . Avg. soil, well drained . . All season
Native
Grey-green foliage is more grass-like than many of the other Spiderworts. Flower color ranges from blue to rose. Easy.
#1494 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Tradescantia subaspera . . Spiderwort
. . 18 to 32 in. . . Sun to mod. shade
. . Zones 5 to 9 . . Avg. to moist soil . . All season
Native
Blue flowers range in shade from pale to deep. Blooms all season. Thick, jointed stems with linear leaves can form large clumps. Bees love it.
If the stems get too leggy, cut it back and it will bloom again until frost. Spiderwort is very easy to grow. The best flowering is in sun with evenly moist soil.
#1118 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Tricyrtis hirta . . Toad Lily
. . 24 to 36 in. . . Lt. to mod. shade
. . Zones 5 to 9 . . Avg. soil, well drained . . L. Summer to E. Fall
Japan
Orchid-like flowers with a pale purple background with darker purple blotches. They are clustered in the leaf axils, blooming all along the length of graceful, arching stems. Each bloom may last as long as three weeks in late summer to early fall.
Preferring slightly acid, humusy soil, Toad Lily makes an unusual and exotic-looking addition to a shade garden, or along a woodsy path. Easy to grow, it spreads rapidly by runners to form handsome colonies, without becoming invasive.
#1971 . . Quart pot . . $5.00
Uvularia perfoliata . . Bellwort
. . 8 to 12 in. . . Mod. to full shade
. . Zones 4 to 9 . . Rich, moist soil . . Spring
Native
Oval leaves pierced by the stem. Slightly twisted, pale yellow flowers in spring. Slow spreading, colonial woodlander.
#1126 . . Quart pot172 . . $5.00
Uvularia sessifolia . . Spreading Bellwort
. . 6 to 8 in. . . Sun to full shade
. . Zones 4 to 8 . . Rich, moist soil . . Spring
Native
Attractive, light green foliage. Pale yellow, bell-shaped flowers are borne under the leaves in spring. A spreading, colonial species. Can be used as a woodland ground cover.
#1385 . . 4.5 in. pot . . $5.00
Veronica alpina . . Alpine Speedwell
. . 4 to 8in. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zone 4 to 8 . . Avg. soil, moist . . Summer
Europe
A low-growing plant with spikes of white flowers in summer. Good rock garden specimen.
#2138 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Veronica longifolia cv. . . Speedwell "Sunny Border Blue"
. . 18 in. . . Sun
. . Zone 4 . . Avg. soil . . Summer
Europe
Vivid, blue-violet floral spikes on compact plants. Long blooming, from late spring into summer.
#1746 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Veronica spicata . . Spike Speedwell
. . 12 to 18 in. . . Sun
. . Zone 5 . . Avg. soil, well drained . . Summer
Europe
A compact, tussock forming plant, whose numerous stems bear dense, blue-flowering spikes.
It is an excellent edging or border plant for sunny areas.
#1737 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Veronicastrum virginicum . . Culver's Root
. . 4 to 6 ft. . . Sun to lt. shade
. . Zones 4 to 8 . . Avg. soil . . Late Summer
Native
Six to nine inch, erect spikes of very pale blue to white flowers terminate the tall, strong, branching stems. Dark green leaves are arranged in horizontal whorls. A distinctive and elegant plant for the back of the border or wild garden.
Roots were used in as a violent purgative by American Indians and early European settlers alike. Its popular use resulted in some 20 regional common names applied to the plant.
#1413 . . Quart pot . . $5.00
Viola canadensis . . Canadian Violet
. . To 16 in. . . Mod. to full shade
. . Zones 4 to 8 . . Avg. soil . . Spring
Native
White blooms on tall, spreading plants. Popular and easy to grow woodland species.
Native to much of the United States.
#1246 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Viola sororia . . Common Violet
. . 2 to 8 in. . . Sun to full shade
. . To Zone 4 . . Avg. soil . . L. Spring to E. Summer
Native
Throughout spring, velvety, deep blue or purple blossoms nod above heart-shaped leaves. Although they are not stoloniferous, but rhizomatous, these easy-to-grow plants can be invasive. Or, this tendency may be used as an asset to make an excellent ground cover for shady areas, or about a tree's gnarly foothold.
The edible flowers make a bright salad garnish. They can also be candied.
Throughout the centuries, its herbal uses have been many, and varied. According to Gerarde-Johnson, "Physicians do think it good to mix dry violets with medicines that are to comfort and strengthen the heart."
. . . . It was once used in a childhood game called "Fighting Cocks" in which the spur under the curved stem was hooked with that of the oppenent's. The violets are pulled until the loser's violet is decapitated.
#1681 . . Quart pot . . $4.50
Viola sororia . . Confederate Violet
. . 2 to 8 in. . . Sun to full shade
. . To Zone 4 . . Avg. soil . . L. Spring to E. Summer
Native
Variable, pale grey and blue flowers with a violet eye, and heart-shaped leaves.
#1287 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Viola sororia . . Speckled Violet "Freckles"
. . 2 to 8 in. . . Sun to full shade
. . to Zone 4 . . Avg. soil . . Spring
Native Selection
Very pale blue petaled flowers are freckled with violet.
#1897 . . Quart pot . . $4.75
Last Modified: 5/3/2004
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