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| Ginger, Deciduous Wild |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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There are just under a dozen species of wild gingers or Little Brown Jugs, which are native to the eastern United States. They grow in rich organic soil shaded by tall trees and shrubs. The evergreen species are in the genus Hexastylis, and the only non-evergreen one is Asarum. All have interesting, brown, jug-shaped flowers that are attached at soil level. The leaves of Deciduous Wild Ginger are bright green, heart-shaped, slightly fuzzy, and large (up to 6 inches across), and it is the only native ginger that loses its leaves in the winter. However, it is also the fastest spreader and makes a great groundcover in good soil in the shade. It grows to about 6 inches tall. Cat# 1249
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Available: Currently
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| $10.00 each
in quart pots
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| Ginseng, Sang |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Ginseng is an ancient Chinese herbal remedy for stress and exhaustion, and it helps increase physical and mental performance. With a dwindling availability of the Chinese variety, there is a now booming trade in wild collected American Ginseng which grows in moist, rich, neutral to alkaline woods usually north facing of eastern North America. It is also grown commercially here but cultivated roots are worth much less per ounce than the wild ones. That said, Ginseng makes an interesting addition to the wild garden. Growing to around 1 foot tall, a whorl of 3 or 4 long-stemmed leaves are palmately divided into more-or-less hickory shaped leaflets. In the leaflet juncture, sits an umbel of greenish puffy flowers in spring which is followed by a cluster of dark red coffee bean-like berries in late summer that eventually birds will eat. Ginseng is a neat plant for a special place. Not the easiest thing to grow, it wants shade, and good, moist, cool, alkaline soil. A top dressing of dolomitic lime each fall wouldn't be a bad idea. And if you grow lots of it, you might want to put a fence around it or keep guard! Cat# 1350
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Available: Not available
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| Glade Savory |
Zones: 6, 7, 8
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The Glade Savory is a rare plant found in rock depressions and gravely soil in full sun in middle Tennessee along with the Tennessee Coneflower, Aromatic Sumac, and Little Bluestem. It has bright green, 1/4 inch , oval, succulent leaves and forms dense mats 3 to 4 inches tall and a foot or so wide. Small pale lavender blue, mint-like flowers occur in full sun or a little shade. So you might try it in a rock garden or in a seepage area. We grow it between paving stones in our front walkway where it is great in full sun but gets a little powdery mildew in shade. Cat# 1194
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Available: Currently
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| Golden Groundsel, Golden Ragwort |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Golden Groundsel brightens up the late spring landscape with its 4 inch clusters of golden daisy shaped flowers on 2 foot stems. The lower leaves are bright green on top and purplish beneath and evergreen. Plants form rapidly spreading clumps in average to damp soil in sun or shade. Groundsel is a wonderful plant for naturalizing in moist places. Looks great with Blue Phlox and Firepink. Cat# 1199
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Available: Currently
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| Hakonechloa macra 'aureola' |
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| Golden Variegated Hakonechloa, Japanese Forest Gra |
Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9
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What a wonderful plant for light shade. Hakonechloa forms graceful mounds of bright green stripes to about 1 1/2' tall. It resembles lush, lime green waterfalls suitable for brightening any dark garden corner. Give it moist, well-drained soil where it will slowly spread. Heads up, this is the Perennial Plant Associations Plant of the Year for 2009. Plant this elegant grass with Cat# 1504
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Available: Not available
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| $12.00 each
in quart pots
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| Solidago sphacelata 'Golden Fleece' |
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| Goldenrod, Golden Fleece |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Over its natural range in the east, Solidago sphacelata grows on rocky bluffs and in open woods flowering in early fall on two-foot stems. However, 'Golden Fleece', another Mt. Cuba introduction, grows no taller than 18 inches in just about any soil in sun or part shade and can form an evergreen nearly weed proof groundcover. Bright yellow flowers are densely packed in narrow wand-like racemes in late summer and early fall. Good flowers for butterflies and bees. Its low, spreading growth and ease of culture make it a good choice for naturalizing in difficult places when a low plant is wanted. Cat# 1534
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Available: Not available
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| Goldenrod, Roan Mountain |
Zones: 6, 7, 8
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Hailing from open, rocky areas in the Appalachian Mountains, Roan Mountain Goldenrod grows up to 2 feet tall and has narrow, upright racemes of bright pure yellow in late summer. Give it dryish, well-drained soil, and full sun. Cat# 1396
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Available: Not available
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| Goldenseal |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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Goldenseal has been long valued medicinally for the anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, immuno-stimulating, and astringent properties found in its yellowish roots. But due to commercial exploitation and the destruction of its habitats, wild populations have been declining to low levels. It was once common in forests with cool, rich, limey, organic soils from New Hampshire to Minnesota and south to Kentucky and Georgia. However, propagated plants not only have medicinal value but also Goldenseal is a very attractive plant for the landscape. A slowly creeping perennial, Goldenseal sends up 2 hairy stems about 18 inches tall. One stem has a single, large, maple leaf shaped leaf and the other stem splits into two leaflets. From this split, a solitary, terminal 1/2 inch puffy white flower appears in late spring and is followed by a bright red berry in late summer. The raspberry like fruit is showy and looks like it is stuck to the leaflet junction. This is not a plant likely to give instant gratification but over time, Goldenseal can form a very attractive dense colony in a moist, shaded spot. Cat# 1347
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Photo courtesy of Tom Barnes
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Available: Not available
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| Goldflame Honeysuckle |
Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Goldflame Honeysuckle is thought to be a hybrid between Lonicera sempervirens and L. americana, but whatever its parentage, the flowers and fragrance of this vining Honeysuckle are exquisite. Rose-pink tubular buds open exposing very pale tangerine colored petals (more-or-less 4 uppers and 1 lower). The outsides and edges of the petals are pale pink. These are the most lusciously fragrant flowers, like Gardenias, and they are produced on new growth from spring to fall. Foliage is like Coral Honeysuckle but more glaucous beneath and is evergreen into the mid 20s. You must plant this where the perfume can permeate the air and drift your way, preferably in full sun and average soil. Cat# 1139
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Available: Not available
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| $12.00 each
in quart pots
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| Goldies Wood Fern |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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Goldies Wood Fern, the largest species of our native Dryopteris or Wood Ferns, grows in cool, moist woods in the northeastern United States and Canada. It is a bold, somewhat coarse fern. The fronds are stout, deep green and oblong-triangular in shape, 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 foot wide. They arise from a vase-like crown of golden brown scales. Clumps spread slowly by creeping rhizomes. During the fall, fronds turn an attractive yellow then die back for the winter. This easy-to-grow fern is very attractive planted in masses where strong, bold texture is desired. Cat# 1439
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Available: Not available
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| Hydrangea arborescens 'Grandiflora' |
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| Grandiflora Hydrangea |
Zones: 5, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 3
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Found in the wild in Ohio, this Smooth Hydrangea differs from the typical species in that its flowers are larger, reaching 6-8" across forming very showy white balls in early summer. Both its flowers and stature are a little smaller than those of Annabelle. Like the other smooth hydrangeas, give it shade and moist soil, and prune it to the ground in late winter every other year. Cat# 1116
-more info-
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Available: Not available
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| $10.00 each
in quart pots
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| Grass Leaved Chickweed |
Zones: 6, 7, 8, 3, 4, 5
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Definitely a curiosity, this Chickweed forms spreading, 4 to 6 inch high semi-evergreen mats of long narrow, needle-shaped leaves. It has many 1/2 inch, show, white daisy-like flowers in early summer. It likes sun or part shade and average soil. Sheer after flowering to reinvigorate. Cat# 1284
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Available: Currently
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| Gray Conradina |
Zones: 7, 8, 9, 6
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Gray Conradina occurs naturally in far south coastal plain areas under open stands of oaks and pines in dry, sandy, slightly acidic soils. It is little known in cultivation. Gray Conradina grows about 12 inches tall and makes a neat, rounded, spreading clump. The leaves are olive green with a grayish underside. They resemble those of a very fine and lax or soft rosemary, and are very fragrant when brushed. Flowers which look like 1/2 inch pale lavender snapdragons, occur primarily in spring and fall, and intermittently in the summer. Gray Conradina is quite attractive and would be very useful as a border plant or for texture in the garden. They require perfect drainage, full-to-mostly sun, and fairly dry conditions. Good companions include Butterfly Weed, the Echinaceas, Beard-tongue, and Firepink. Cat# 1059
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Available: Not available
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| Gray Goldenrod |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Plants 6 inches to 2 feet tall, foliage gray-green, flower spikes in graceful one-sided plumes. Withstands drought and poor soil very well. Blooms August to November. Cat# 1203
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Available: Currently
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| Great Blue Lobelia |
Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9
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The Great Blue Lobelia, like its cousin Cardinal Flower, is a perennial species preferring sun or partial shade and a moist location. Blooming also in late summer, it has 11/2- to 3- foot spikes of deep blue flowers. Several plants of the blue and red Lobelias grown side by side in rich soil form a lovely color combination. Stems of Great Blue Lobelia do well as cut flowers. Cat# 1138
-more info-
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Available: Currently
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| Lobelia siphilitica 'alba' |
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| Great Blue Lobelia, white |
Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9
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Great Blue Lobelia, like its cousin Cardinal Flower, is a perennial species preferring sun or partial shade and a moist location. Blooming also in late summer, the white form of Great Blue Lobelia has 11/2- to 3- foot spikes of pure white flowers. Several plants of the white, blue, and red Lobelias grown side by side in rich soil form a lovely color combination. Stems of White Great Blue Lobelia do well as cut flowers. Cat# 1349
-more info-
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Available: Not available
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| Greater Tickseed, Whorled-Leaf Coreopsis |
Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8
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There aren't many wildflowers for shady spots that flower in summer but here is one. Greater Tickseed is a 3 foot, upright, open grower with 2 inch yellow daisy-like flowers from early to mid summer. It grows naturally in open, dryish woods from Florida to Ohio. It can take sun or shade and dry or average soil. Its leaves appear to be 6-whorled at the nodes when actually they are opposite, paired, and 3-cleft. Greater Tickseed provides cheerful, unassuming color in places that are sometimes considered difficult. Companions might include River Oats, Blue Star, Columbine, and any of the Heucheras. Cat# 1065
-more info-
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Available: Currently
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| Chrysogonum virginianum 'Eco Laquered Spider' |
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| Green and Gold |
Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9
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'Eco Laquered Spider' is a fast spreading Green and Gold. It forms evergreen, flattened clumps of shiny green leaves, which emerge rather grayish and fuzzy. These 2-inch high clumps send out runners which root along the way forming more clumps. In average to good soil, with light mulch and part shade, expect one plant to spread 3 feet or more in 2 years. One-inch buttercup-like flowers appear in spring. This is a great ground cover where you want a fairly fast spreader but do not plant it with other low growers that it could overrun. Cat# 1364
-more info-
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Available: Currently
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| Chrysogonum virginianum var. virginianum |
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| Green And Gold, Goldenstar |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Here is the attractive, ever-blooming, low growing, low maintenance perennial that everyone wants. Actually, Green-and-Gold only flowers from March through October, but that's about the longest span you'll find among wildflowers. Peaking in May, the 1-inch wide, 5-petaled flowers look like little yellow daisies rising just above or nestled among neat, dark green, 9 inch high mounds of foliage. For best growth, give Green-and-Gold sun or light shade and rich, well-drained soil. Excessive moisture and heavy mulches encourage fungal attacks so water sparingly, use a pea gravel or sand mulch, or mulch very lightly under the leaves. Green-and-Gold is an excellent plant for the front of the perennial border, retaining most of its green leaves throughout the winter. It would also be good for a rock garden or along a sunny path. Good companion plants include Indian Pink, Alumroot, Blue-eyed Grass, Eared Coreopsis, Dwarf Crested Iris, and Lyre-leaved Sage. Cat# 1052
-more info-
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Available: Currently
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| Green Dragon |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Green Dragon is similar to the more familiar Jack-in-the-Pulpit in its general form and structure, but it is a much more dramatic looking plant. A stout single leaf divided into 7 to 15 leaflets which spread a foot or more in width, may grow up to 31/2 feet tall. From its base, a green and brown mottled flower stalk rises in late spring with the same spathe and spadix structure as in Jack-in-the-Pulpit. The spadix is long ( in) and twists snake-like up through the leaflets of the plant. The effect is truly exotic, suggesting Green Dragon may be more at home in a tropical rain forest than in our eastern deciduous forests. But it is fully hardy and will do well in light shade and rich, moist soil. Plants die back down to the ground right after flowering unless they make berries but should emerge again in mid spring. Cat# 1014
-more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $7.00 each
3 to 4 years old plants
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| Gro-low Sumac |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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'Gro-low' is a dwaf selection of Fragrant Sumac. It has the same round-lobed, poison ivy shaped leaves and great fall color, and ability to colonize poor soil, but it differs in growing only 2 to 3 feet tall and up to 9 feet wide. This makes 'Gro-low' a great ground cover choice for banks, road cuts or anywhere you need to stabilize the soil in mostly sunny places. The spreading branches tend to root where they touch the soil so eventually a fairly thick tangle is produced. Of course no plant is going to grow well, if at all, in rock hard subsoil, but for that steep bank in full sun with lousy, dry soil, try 'Gro-low', Aromatic Aster, and maybe some Silkgrass. Those should go a long way towards stabilizing and beautifying your problem bank. Cat# 1313
-more info-
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Available: Not available
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| $12.00 each
in quart pots
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| Ground-Covering Raspberry |
Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8
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Growing just 6 inches tall with an indefinite spread, Rubus calycinoides is a very attractive semi-deciduous ground cover. It has 1 inch, 3-lobed, shiny, dark green leaves that are finely puckered and leathery. They turn a beautiful dark bronze for the winter, falling off only when temperatures go below 15 degrees or so. The stems are dark colored and hairy and root in the ground intermittently. Although we've seen pictures of orange raspberry-like fruits and light purple flowers, we haven't seen it in real life. This plant is very useful as a ground cover around shrubs. Or leave pockets for your favorite perennials. It likes full sun or light shade and average soil. Cat# 1186
-more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $10.00 each
in quart pots
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We welcome your suggestions and comments. Please tell us how we can improve, or if there are other plants you wish we carried.
Copyright © 2003 - 2010 Sunlight Gardens. All rights reserved.
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