Baccharis halimifolia is a fall-flowering evergreen perennial that is commonly found in the southeastern United States, although it may be found as far north as Maine.  It is typically found in coastal plains and wet areas.  Its numerous branches extend from short trunks and are covered densely with branchlets.  It is a deciduous shrub bearing grey-green, oval leaves.  White-green flowers appear in small, dense, terminal clusters.  It is wonderfully tolerant of saltwater spray.  That makes this handsome ornamental one of the few eastern shrubs suitable for planting near the ocean.

• 6-12 ft x same
• Part Shade full sun
• Zone 5-9

White false indigo is an upright perennial which typically grows in dry woods from Tennessee and North Carolina to Florida. It features small, white, pea-like flowers that are each about a 1/2 “ long.  The flowers appear from a 12”+ dark flower stems extending well above a foliage mound of clover-like, bluish-green leaves in spring.  After flowering, pods develop as green then chalky, jet black bean-like clusters. 

• Height: 2 to 4 feet x Spread: 2 to 2.5 feet
• Full sun to part shade
• Zone 5-8

This exceptional perennial grows across a wide range of zones and is one of the most adaptable native species. Often, when first planted, Baptisia has only several stems and appears sparse. However, the clump goes from a slow start to really flourishing within three years, when it reaches full size. Because Baptisia clumps expand to a diameter of approximately four feet with a shrub-like habit, these dimensions should be considered when plants are placed in the landscape. It grows best in full sun, but can survive partial shade. If the plant is grown in shade, staking may be in order to prevent flopping. It is drought tolerate, once established.

• Height: 2’-4’ x Spread: 2’-2 ½’
• Full sun
• Zone 3-9

Apparently a chance hybrid of B. australis and B. alba.  It has the dark charcoal-gray stems of alba and the blue color from australis.  It is, in our opinion a different purple than B. australis but a nice hue.   It blooms May-June in full sun as its parent does with all of the same wonderful habits.   Native – deer resistant.

• Height: 2’-4’ x Spread: 2’-2 ½’
• Full sun
• Zone 6-9

Great color for full or part shade.  This tuberous begonia bears green heart-shaped foliage with red veining and claret-stained undersides that steal the show when backlit. Pendent clusters of slightly fragrant, satiny pink blossoms open from midsummer until frost.  As the common name "Hardy Begonia" implies, it is one of the hardiest species or cultivars of Begonias.  It is completely herbaceous but reappears refreshed with shiny new foliage in early spring.

• Height: 1 ½’ -2’ x Spread: same
• Part shade to full shade
• Zone 6-9

Another great color for full or part shade.  This tuberous begonia bears green heart-shaped foliage with red veining and claret-stained undersides that steal the show when backlit. Pendent clusters of slightly fragrant,  sparkling white blossoms open from midsummer until frost.  As the common name "Hardy Begonia" implies, it is one of the hardiest species or cultivars of Begonias.  It is completely herbaceous but reappears refreshed with shiny new foliage in early spring.

• Height: 1 ½’ -2’ x Spread: same
• Part shade to full shade
• Zone 6-9

This handsome perennial is an erect, rhizomatous perennial which typically grows 2-3' tall. Lily-like, deep orange flowers (to 2" across), heavily spotted with red dots, have 6 petal-like segments. Flowers appear in early to-mid summer in sprays above the foliage on wiry, naked stems typically rising to 3'.  It has sword-shaped, iris-like, medium green leaves to 10" long that are in flattened fans.  After blooming, the flowers give way to an interesting pear-shaped seed pods which split open when ripe (late summer).  Each pod reveals a blackberry-like seed cluster, hence the common name of blackberry lily.  It is a wonderfully unique blooming event in mid-summer.

• Height: 2’-3’ x Spread: 0.75 -2’
• Full sun
• Zone 5-10

It is a large-leaved, clump-forming perennial that is primarily grown as a ground cover. It is noted for its large shiny cabbage sized foliage.  It has dark rose pink 16” tall flowers in April and its dark green leaves which turn purplish-bronze in winter.   ‘Winterglut’ features large rosettes of leathery, glossy, toothed, rounded, dark green leaves (to 10” long by 8” wide) that are heart-shaped at the base. Leaves typically form a thick, slowly-spreading clump of foliage to 12” tall. ‘Winterglut’ has unique reddish fall and winter foliage color.   The common name is generally, simply Bergenia but it has been historically called Pigsqueak because of the noise produced by rubbing a leaf between your thumb and finger.

• Height: 1 -1 ½’ x Spread: same
• Part shade to full shade
• Zone 4-8

Strong growing plants in a wide mix of flower colors and leaf types. Use in part shade, but will take full sun in the north. Blooms in early spring. The bright colored flowers come in mix of rose, pink and red with lilac, purple and white. Large glossy leaves take on a reddish to purplish-red color in the fall and winter.

• Height: 12” x Spread: 1- 1 ½’
• Part sun to full shade
• Zone 4-8

Bletilla 'Murasaki Shikibu'
Hardy Ground Orchid          

Deciduous terrestrial orchid native to temperate areas of China and Japan. The tuberous rhizomes  send up paper-thin light green leaves that are pleated. It is one of the easiest terrestrial orchids to grow. The plants are hardy down to 20°F (-7°C) in the landscape and will withstand temperatures down to 10°F (-12°C) if mulched heavily. Pale lavender flowers with a darker lip which appears bluish to the eye.  Nice blue orchid.

• Part Sun to Light Shade
• Height 2’-2.5’  Spread rhizomes
• Zone 5-9

Many Orchids grow as epiphytes on trees, but Bletillas grow in soil, hence the common name of Ground Orchid. This hardy orchid has beautiful star shaped yellow flowers with a purple speckled lip. Three to five small flowers will sit atop a 20-inch flower stalk. Green pleated, iris-like leaves make the Bletilla a beauty. Long lasting flowers.  This orchid looks beautiful with Hakonechloa macra. Vigorous clumps of long, pleated leaves rise from thick rhizomes in rich loam and partial shade. Exquisite flowers appear in spring atop straight, wiry stems. Foliage turns yellow before disappearing for winter.

• Part Sun to Light Shade
• Height 15” x clumps
• Zone 5-9

Bletilla striata can be grown almost anywhere but does best in full sun to partial shade and in sandy soil with moderate moisture.  It makes large clumps within a few years with flowering spikes up to 3’ and as many as 20 flowers per spike.   Vigorous clumps of long, shiny green pleated leaves rise from thick rhizomes even in partial shade. Bletilla needs about 6 hours of direct light to bloom.  The exquisite flowers appear in spring atop straight, wiry stems. Foliage turns yellow before disappearing for winter. Best planted in the Spring. *Cultivar developed by the Wild Orchid Company

• Part Sun to Light Shade
• Height 15” x clumps
• Zone 6-10

Bletilla 'Kate' can be grown almost anywhere but does best in full sun to partial shade and in sandy soil with moderate moisture. It makes large clumps within a few years with flowering spikes up to 40" and as many as 35 flowers per spike. Vigorous clumps of long, pleated leaves rise from thick rhizomes in rich loam and partial shade. Exquisite flowers appear in spring atop straight, wiry stems. Foliage turns yellow before disappearing for winter. Best planted in the Spring.

• Part Sun to Light Shade
• Height 15” x clumps
• Zone 6-10

‘Pink Beauty’ is a Boltonia (also commonly called false aster) cultivar that is noted for its late summer bloom of pale pink flowers. It is a tall, rhizomatous perennial that grows in a clump to 3-5’ tall. Features linear, lance-shaped, grayish-green leaves (to 5” long) on erect, usually branching stems. Tiny, pale pink, 3/4” daisies (pink rays with yellow center disks) in loose panicles literally cover this aster-like plant with a profuse bloom in August and September.

• Height: 3’-5’ feet  x  Spread: same
• Full sun
• Zone 5-8

Brunnera is a rhizomatous, clump-forming perennial which features small, forget-me-not-like flowers (light blue with yellow centers) in airy, branched racemes rising well above the foliage on slender stems to 18" tall in April-May.   Attractive heart-shaped, blackish-green leaves (3-5" wide) form a foliage mound which remains attractive throughout the growing season.  The vivid flower commands attention in the shade when it blooms.  Hardy and attractive in the woodland garden. 

• Height: 1- 1 ½’  x Spread: 1 ½’  to 2 ½’
• Part shade
• Zone 3-8

So far, the reddest butterfly bush that we’ve seen.  It is open, airy, vase-shaped shrub shoots up 6 to 8 feet tall and wide if left to its own devices.  Benefits from severe pruning/cutting back in late.  Cut spent flowers before they go to seed to encourage repeat flowering. The blooms will appear refreshed on foot or more long wands, arching in all directions on sturdy stems. The fragrance is sweetly evocative of summer and the brilliant color is radiant. 'Attraction' breaks new ground with rich cranberry-red.

• Height: 4-6’  x  Spread: 4-6’
• Full Sun
• Zone 5-10

The darkest purple and a very old variety that is a breeze to grow.   It is a atall and stately shrub with extremely dark purple booms that are complimented by a rich dark green foliage.  Against a clear blue summer sky, the wands of profuse flowers appear as a black silhouettes and thusly named Black Knight.

• Height: 4-6’  x  Spread: 4-6’
• Full Sun
• Zone 5-10

This gentle pink butterfly bush seems to be a magnet for the Sphinx moth or hummingbird moth.  Among the butterflies and bumble bees, the moth hovers over this shrub for most of the day.  This shrub is not only attractive in form but also mildly fragrant.   It has a gentle pink color that fades into an almost white throat with a golden eyed center.

• Height: 4-6’  x  Spread: 4-6’
• Full Sun
• Zone 5-10

White Profusion is a large stately beacon to butterflies and beneficial insects.  It is a good clear white flower that blooms from late spring through late summer. It has soft silvery undersides on its leaves which complement the white of the flowers.  Significantly taller than other butterfly bushes.

• Height: 6-8’  x  Spread: 6’
• Full Sun
• Zone 5-10