(August Lily, Belladonna Lily, Naked Lady)

Bringing an exotic, naked-stemmed floral display to the doldrums of summer, belladonna lily's pink blossoms bring an air of spring. Not to be confused with the common florists' amaryllis, Hippeastrum, belladonna lily is a deciduous, perennial bulb native to South Africa. Clusters of large, showy, fragrant pink flowers bloom on tall sturdy stems in summer when the strap-like basal foliage is absent. The leaves appear in late fall or winter and persist into mid-spring. Forms and hybrids of...

(Serviceberry)

(Apple Serviceberry, Juneberry)

Birds will flock to the Juneberry for a taste berry treat in very late spring, and gardeners will sigh over the beauty of the white spring flowers and vibrant red and yellow fall foliage. Especially astute gardeners will manage to harvest the edible, sweet, purplish black fruits before the birds pluck them all from the tree.

Great debate and uncertainty remains as to the origins of this deciduous large shrub to small tree. Clearly native to eastern North America, taxonomists can't agree if it's...

(Bishop's Weed, Bullwort)

There is no better cutflower for airy, wildflower looks. The large, white, parasol-shaped flower clusters of Ammi majus look just like larger versions of Queen Anne's lace blooms, but the plant is not as weedy. This fast-growing annual originates from regions along the Mediterranean, so it can withstand drought and warmth once established.

Fine, lance-shaped, compound leaves of soft green line the tall stems. In summer, the big lacy white blooms appear and should be cut regularly to keep...

(Bastard Indigo, Desert False Indigo)

Although having lovely green foliage, the desert false indigo's habit find few gardeners in love with it. The blue-violet to indigo colored flower spikes occur in midsummer. A spreading but also upright, rather unkempt deciduous shrub, it is native to a wide expanse of the eastern United States and southcentral Canada as well as in moister canyons and steamsides in the southwest America deserts. Often considered weedy, it is a tough, durable plant.

The pleasant bright green leaves are made up...

(Peppervine)

The unusual violet berries of this hardy woody vine really stand out in the fall. Peppervine is native to regions across the southern United States. It is rarely cultivated due to its aggressive and rampant growth habit.

Considered by many to be a weed, this deciduous vine is extremely adaptable to most growing conditions. It is fast growing and short-lived. The shiny compound leaves emerge red, turn green and then change to bright red in fall. Loose clusters of berries appear in summer. These...

(Amur Peppervine, Porcelain Vine)

This vigorous, deciduous woody vine is grown for its attractive foliage and colorful loose clusters of porcelain blue berries. The berries progress in color as they age, from green to pink, then turquoise blue and violet. It is extremely adaptable to most growing conditions and quite forgiving when transplanted. Suitable support is necessary for this rapid climber from northeastern Asia.

Porcelain vine grows well in any well-drained moist soil. A sunny or partially shade site is best. Be aware...

(Amur Peppervine)

Asian in origin, the porcelain vine is a vigorous, deciduous woody vine grown for its attractive foliage and colorful loose clusters of porcelain blue berries. The berries progress in color as they age, from green to pink, then turquoise blue and violet. This natural variety's foliage can be quite variable, with long leaves that have gentle or deep lobes.

Porcelain vine grows well in any well-drained moist soil. A sunny or partially shade site is best. Be aware that this vine is aggressive and...

(Amur Peppervine, Porcelain Vine, Variegated Porcelain Berry)

The lobed green foliage of this interesting porcelain berry is mottled with white and pink. This vigorous, deciduous woody vine is also grown for its loose clusters of porcelain blue berries that appear in summer. The berries progress in color as they age, from green to pink, then turquoise blue and violet. It is extremely adaptable to most growing conditions and quite forgiving when transplanted. Suitable support is necessary for this rapid climber from northeastern Asia.

Porcelain vine grows...

(Blue Ice Bluestar, Bluestar)

This is one of the best bluestars for the garden. Discovered at White Flower Farm in Connecticut, 'Blue Ice' is a dwarf hybrid that is believed to be a cross between among Amsonia tabernaemontana and Amsonia montana. It is a heavy-flowering, vigorous selection that looks good even after it has stopped blooming.

In spring this bushy perennial puts forth stems lined with linear green leaves that become covered with loose clusters of blue starry flowers. These are highly attractive...