(Chinese Wild Ginger)

Spreading to form lush colonies of large silver-splotched evergreen leaves, this low-growing hardy perennial from China is an excellent choice for the woodland garden. The shiny dark green arrowhead-shaped leaves arise from short rhizomes which travel underground, creating an ever-expanding mass of foliage. The leaves typically have two longitudinal bands of silvery splotches. Foliage remains evergreen in zones 7 and up. Chubby cup-shaped purple flowers with pale spotting cluster at the base of the...

(Redring Milkweed)

The snowy flowers of this hardy perennial brighten woodlands of eastern and central North America in late spring and early summer.

A favorite food of Monarch butterfly caterpillars, the oval leaves of this clump-forming perennial are paired along upright, knee- to waist-high stems. In late spring, dome-shaped, many-flowered clusters of small white waxy blooms appear near the stem tips. The flowers have five petals, a red-purple center, and a five-lobed “crown" comprising five spreading "hoods."...

(Garden Asparagus)

Asparagus is one of the few truly perennial vegetables. It is also one of the rare veggies in the lily family. This tough herbaceous plant originates from the coastal regions of Europe, Asia and North Africa. Over time its clumps slowly spread via rhizomes.

Fully unfurled asparagus has a delicate ferny appearance. The much sought after luscious, asparagus spears are immature, unexpanded stems that are plucked from the ground when they first appear spring. Asparagus is dioecious, which means...

(Asparagus, Jersey Knight Asparagus)

Asparagus ‘Jersey Knight’ is a superior variety which produces thick spears. It is disease resistant, cold hardy and an all male cultivar which is very productive.

Asparagus is one of the few truly perennial vegetables. It is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial native to the seacoast of Europe, Asia and North Africa. Over time its clumps spread very slowly via rhizomes (underground stems). Mature asparagus is ferny in appearance; however it is not a true fern. The much sought after luscious,...

(Asparagus, Mary Washington Asparagus)

Asparagus 'Mary Washington' is an older variety which produces thick spears and is rust resistant. It has a long cutting period, is cold tolerant and produces abundant emerald-green spears when mature.

Asparagus is one of the few truly perennial vegetables. It is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial native to the seacoast of Europe, Asia and North Africa. Over time its clumps spread very slowly via rhizomes (underground stems). Mature asparagus is ferny in appearance; however it is not a true...

(Asparagus Fern)

(Asparagus Fern, Lace Veil Asparagus Fern)

(Ebony Spleenwort)

This tough little evergreen fern offers delightful beauty without the need for a specialized environment. Its wide adaptability is proven by its natural range which spans the warmer tropical regions of North America, Africa and the West Indies, and parts of the midwestern U.S.. It asks for porous gritty ground with plenty of humus to keep the roots in an oxygen rich medium. In the wild it’s found on rocky banks and the slopes of river canyons and in woodlands.

Ebony spleenwort was named for an...

(Aster, Bonnie Blue Aster)

The bright, lavender-blue daisies of aster ‘Bonnie Blue’ offer a gorgeous contrast to the changing leaves of autumn. Its vivid, yellow-centered blooms smother generous mounds of fine, dark-green foliage in late summer to early fall, and are highly attractive to bees and butterflies.

Provide this perennial with full to part sun and moist, rich, well-drained soils. As with other asters, ‘Bonnie Blue’ is terrific for livening up tired, late-season beds and borders. It looks lovely when combined...

(Aster, Celeste Hardy Aster)

This gorgeous hybrid aster adds richness to the late summer and early fall garden with a profusion of vibrant, violet-blue daisies. Developed by Leon Glicenstein at Yoder Brothers, Inc., ‘Celeste’ is the result of a cross between the species Aster pringlei and Aster novi-belgii. Its bright blossoms are displayed atop generous mounds of fine, deep green foliage, and are highly attractive to bees and butterflies.

Grow this perennial in full to part sun and moderately moist,...