27th Annual Fall Plant Sale, 2007
Plant Sale Catalog
Trees | Conifers | Shrubs | Vines | Herbaceous Perennials
51. Adiantum pedatum
(Maidenhair Fern)
Zone 3
Maidenhair fern is native both to North America and East Asia. Its dark, creeping, wiry rhizomes produce many erect, thread-thin but strong stalks, approximately 12” in height. Each dark green frond is formed by a series of almost horizontal, opposite, fan-like oblong leaflets, which gives it a very delicate appearance. It thrives in light shade and moisture-retentive soil rich in organic matter. Very elegant and beautiful when massed. A wonderful plant for a woodland garden. (100)
52. Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’
(Cultivar of Blue-Star)
Zone 5
This long-blooming, compact cultivar was selected from A. tabernaemontana seedlings at White Flower Farm. The species is native to eastern North America. ‘Blue Ice’ will grow to 12-15” in height and 2’ in width. In early spring the narrow, dark green leaves are overtopped by large clusters of very dark lavender-blue flowers. The color appears to be more vivid than in other blue-stars. In the fall the dark green leaves turn bright golden. Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ is very easy to grow and, once established, drought tolerant. It is adaptable to most conditions, though may topple over if shaded too much. (100)
53. Anemone × hybrida ‘Queen Charlotte’
(Cultivar of Japanese Anemone)
Zone 5
A wonderful perennial that adds color to the late-summer and fall garden, ‘Queen Charlotte’ will grow to 3’ in height and 2’ in width producing a profusion of silvery-pink, semi-double flowers from late August through October. The flowers seem to dance in the wind above its handsome dark green leaves. A lovely finale for the gardening season. The plant is somewhat slow to establish and prefers partial shade in moisture-retentive soil. It is an AGM award winner. (100)
54. Aster cordifolius ‘Avondale’
(Cultivar of Blue Heart-Leaf Aster)
Zone 3-8
A native of the Northeast, blue heart-leaf aster is a prolific bloomer. It carpets the shade garden with light blue flowers in the early fall, when little else is in flower. It grows well in average soil in the shady woodland. Once established, it becomes quite drought tolerant, attaining 1-2’ in height and width. Can enrich a perennial garden or woodland and be used as a beautiful and long-lasting cut flower. (100)
55. Aster divaricatus ‘Eastern Star’
(Cultivar of White Wood Aster)
Zone 4
Native from southern Maine to Ohio, this charming aster can commonly be seen blooming happily in late summer and fall in shady woodlands. A delicate carpet of snowflake-white flowers combines well with other native plants, such as gingers, mosses, partridgeberry, and ferns. The small but numerous blooms have white single rays and yellow centers, which change color to subtle burgundy and rose-pink. It is quite showy with its dark twiggy stems and contrasting white blossoms. Grows well in full or partial shade and average to dry soil, reaching 2’ in height and width with a softly sprawling habit. (100)
56. Calamagrostis × ‘Avalanche’
(Cultivar of Korean Feather-Reed Grass)
Zone 5
A brighter and more vigorous selection than Calamagrostis ‘Overdam,’ C. ‘Avalanche’ is a mutation of C. ‘Karl Forester’ selected by Steve Schmidt. It differs in having a broad, bright white stripe running along the midrib of the leaf. Its showy, long-lasting flowering spikes appear in mid summer, and are creamy turning to golden straw in color. This cultivar will reach 4-5’ in height and 2’ in width. It grows well in full sun tolerating a wide variety of soils, though it prefers not to dry out. An excellent cool-season grass, especially striking when mass-planted. (100)
57. Hakonechloa macra ‘Beni-Kaze’
(Cultivar of Hakone Grass)
Zone 5
This wonderful mounding grass is native to Japan. The translation of the Japanese cultivar name is ‘Red Wind’. Its fine-textured foliage is green in the summer turning varying shades of red in the fall. Forming a graceful shape, it will reach 24-30” in height and width. Prefers morning sun and afternoon shade in moisture-retentive soil. (100) >
58. Heuchera americana ‘Dale’s Strain’
(Cultivar of Coral Bells)
Zone 4
This herbaceous perennial is native from Indiana to Missouri. ‘Dale’s Strain’ is a seed-propagated selection by Dale Hendricks of North Creek Nursery. The plant will grow to 18” in height and width with unique silver-blue marbled foliage. The foliage is accented in spring by long panicles of white flowers to amazing effect. ‘Dale’s Strain’ grows best in rich, loamy, moist yet well-drained soil in partial to full shade. If it is to be grown in full sun, adequate moisture is a must. Wonderful in perennial beds and adds color to the woodland garden. (100)
59. Lavandula angustifolia
(English Lavender)
Zone 5
Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region, where it grows as a low evergreen shrub. In our climate, it is treated as a perennial. This gray-green-leaved plant grows to 2-3’ in height with an equal to greater spread. Each spring, just after new growth has commenced, it should be cut back to remove dead portions to keep it tight and bushy. The plants on sale were propagated from those that have proven to be hardy and vigorous at the Arnold Arboretum, thriving here since the late 60s. In mid summer, plants develop terminal spikes, each consisting of 6-8 whorls of small, highly fragrant purple flowers with gray-green bracts. Lavender flowers are often dried and used in potpourri. Plants require full sun and good drainage. (120)
60. Polystichum setiferum ‘Diversilobum’
(Cultivar of Divided Soft Shield Fern)
Zone 6
The species is one of the common lowland ferns in southern Europe. It is known for its soft lacy fronds that are evergreen to semi-evergreen, depending upon the harshness of the winter. The cultivar will grow to 2’ in height and 18” in width, forming a very upright habit. A delicate accent plant for smaller spaces. Needs partial to full shade in moisture-retentive soil. (100)
61. Tricyrtis × ‘Sinonome’
(Sinonome Toad Lily)
Zone 5
The species is native to Japan and China. The cultivar is of unknown parentage and has been grown as a cut flower in Japan since the early 20th century. This is an upright, non-spreading, vase-shaped clumper reaching 2-3’ in height and 1-2’ in width. It is one of the best toad lily cultivars, noted for its drought tolerance once established and deep green shiny foliage that stays clean through the fall. Up-facing white flowers with ruby speckles appear in profusion on tall racemes above the foliage. Prefers moist to wet, well-drained, slightly acidic soil in partial shade. Best used as a border perennial or in naturalistic settings. (100)
62. Zamia furfuracea
(Cardboard Plum)
Indoor
A living fossil that has survived on Earth since the time of the dinosaurs, this cycad native to subtropical areas is not hardy in our climate, but can make a very nice indoor plant. A slow grower, it will attain 3-4’ in height and width over many years. Its thick leathery evergreen leaves are pinnately compound, slightly fussy, feeling somewhat like cardboard when rubbed. Fairly easy to grow in a container. Prefers bright sun to partial shade in neutral well-drained soil. A beautiful plant that can be very long-lived. (60)