Gardens of the Blue Ridge

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Achillea millefolium ‘Paprika’ – Yarrow

This plant has luscious red and paprika colored flowers with yellow centers, with stems that are stronger in cooler weather. The grey-green ferny leaves form a low spreading clump. Cutting back by half will stimulate re-blooming.

Shade/Semi, Average Soil, Late Summer, 24-36” Tall, Spread 24”, Zones 3-8

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Achillea ‘Moonshine’ – Yarrow

One of the most popular garden plants today. It is yellow and combines well with almost everything. This is a clump-forming selection that blooms over a long period of time, and will re-bloom if cut back after the first round of flowering.

Sun, Average Soil, Summer, 18-24” Tall, Spread 18-24”, Zones 3-8

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Achillea ‘Summer Wine’ – Yarrow

This is a dependable plant that does well in drought conditions. It is a unique new color of rose with a long season of bloom. Makes a good cut flower and attracts butterflies. It needs well-drained soil, average to dry.

Sun, Average to Dry Soil, Summer, 18-24” Tall, Spread 18-24”, Zones 3-9

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Aconitum napellus – Monkshood

This is a welcome plant in the perennial garden, sending up striking spikes of violet-blue flowers. It is pest and disease resistant. You need to amend the soil with compost and peat moss to give slight acidity.

Shade/Semi, Moist Soil, Late Summer, 24-36” Tall, Spread12-18”, Zones 4-8

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Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ – Blue Star

This plant was chosen from the A. tabernaemontana and named ‘Blue Ice’ because of its longer and stronger light blue blooms. It forms a compact mound of dark green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. Too much shade could make them weak. They are easy to grow, hardy and drought tolerant once established.

Sun/Semi, Moist Soil, Spring, 12-15” Tall, Spread 18-24”, Zones 5-9

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Anemone canadensis – Meadow Anemone

This one grows up to two feet tall from underground runners that lie parallel to the surface and sprout new plants. From among the largest leaves grow one to three long stalks, each bearing a white flower about an inch wide.  Anemones are members of the buttercup family (Ranunculus).  These plants grow best under idle conditions such as old road ditches or lightly grazed conditions.

Sun to Shade, Average, Spring, White, 12-24 in Tall, Zones 5-9

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Anemone sylvestris – Snowdrop Anemone

Delicate nodding white flowers appear in late spring and early summer over a low mound of fern-like foliage.  It is suitable for a groundcover.  Allow plenty of room  as this is a good spreader.  Easily divided in spring or fall.

Sun, Average, Spring/Summer/ White, 12-18 in. Tall, Zones 5-9

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Aquilegia canadensis ‘Little Lanterns’ – Canadian columbine

‘Little Lanterns’ is short but has numerous pendant flowers in shades of red and yellow covering the plant in late spring, In cool climates they survive in full sun, but prefer some shade. Plants reseed readily. The color of the blooms are more intense than the species.

Sun/Semi, Well drained Soil, Spring, 12-18” Tall, Spread 12”, Zones 3-8

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Arisaema ringens – Jack-in-the-Pulpit

This variety of the collection of Arisaemas has a unique pitcher-shaped purplish striped flower.  It has two leaves generally divided into three parts and grows to a height of 24 inches or more in a moist, shady location.  A must for every woodland garden.

Shade, Moist, Spring, 18-24 in. Tall, Zones 4-8

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Arisaema serratum – Jack-in-the-Pulpit

A new variety in the Arisaema collection has an attractive pitcher-shaped flower on a tall stem.  It grows to a height of 24 inches or more in a moist, shady location.  A unique addition to your woodland garden.

Shade, Moist, Spring, 18-24 in Tall, Zones 4-8

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Arisaema sikokianum – Jack-in-the-Pulpit

The swollen top of the spathe type flower and the pure white center provides a dramatic contrast to the dark purple pitcher.  A striking addition to your woodland garden.

Shade, Moist, Spring, 16-18 in. Tall Zones 4-8

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Arisaema urashima – Jack-in-the-Pulpit

This variety in the Arisaema collection is very bold and sturdy when full grown at 3-4 ft.

The spathe flower has a tail that emerges from it.  The lower part is off white with brown spots and the large hood is a deep brown with white spotting and striping.  A very impressive plant.

Shade, Moist, Spring, 3-4 ft. Tall, Zones 4-8

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Aruncus aethusifolius – Goats Beard

This is a miniature Aruncus only 12” tall with fine glossy, fern-like foliage, and spikes of white flowers.  Good for shade or rock gardens. Insects and diseases don’t bother this plant.

Shade, Moist Soil, Summer, 6-12” Tall, Spread 12-16”, Zones 3-7

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Asclepias incarnata ‘Ice Ballet’ – Milkweed

This Milkweed offers 3 months of vanilla-scented, white flowers. Deadheading will encourage re-blooming. It is attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.  A good cutting flower, sear ends over flame to stop leaking sap.

Sun, Moist Soil, Summer/Fall, 36-48” Tall, Spread 18-24”, Zones 3-9

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Asclepias tuberosa ‘Hello Yellow’ – Milkweed

This Asclepias is quite different from the orange/red Butterfly Weed. It has deep tap roots so don’t try to move once planted. It is attractive to butterflies. The milkweed-type seed follicles are used in dried flower arrangements.

Sun, Average/Dry Soil, Summer/, 24-30” Tall, Spread 18-24”, Zones 4-9

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Asclepias verticillata – Feather-leaved Milkweed

Like all Milkweeds, this one will attract butterflies to the garden. It forms a medium-size spreading clump of upright stems, with fine green leaves that have a soft, feathery appearance. Clusters of fragrant white flowers appear in midsummer, with leaves turning orange and gold in the fall. Good in open, sunny meadows, wildflower gardens, or perennial borders. Interesting as a cut flower.

Sun, Average Soil, Late Summer, 18-23” tall, Spread 18-24”, Zones 4-10

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Aster cordifolius ‘Avondale’ – Wood Aster

Choose this Aster for its show of blooms in early fall. This prolific long lasting bloomer carpets the shade garden at a time when other flowers have peaked. Water well on planting until well established. Makes a good cut flower for arrangements.

Shade/Semi, Average to Dry soil, 18-24” Tall, spread 18-24”, Zones 3-8

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Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Light Blue – Hardy Aster

It has a dwarf- compact habit, so it requires no staking. It has excellent resistance to mildew and rust. It’s blue flowers attracts butterflies and makes good cut flowers. You can divide every 2 years in the spring. It needs room to grow and good air circulation.

Sun, Moist Soil, Summer/Fall, 12-16” Tall, Spread 15-20”, Zones 3-8