(Ruby Port Columbine, Spurless Common Columbine)

The spurless, double flowers of Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Ruby Port’ are deep, wine-red, lit with central bundles of sunny, yellow stamens, somewhat resembling those of a double clematis. Appearing in mid- to late spring, the richly-colored blossoms are held elegantly on branched, wiry stems atop mounds of lacy, blue-green foliage.

Performing best in dappled sun to partial shade, Aquilegia ‘Ruby Port’ prefers evenly moist, nutrient-rich soil with good drainage....

(Spurless Common Columbine)

Spurless columbine in the Barlow series have double flowers and come in many colorful varieties including bicolors. In mid-spring these plants develop mounds of sea-green three-lobed leaves and by late spring to early summer they bear tall stems of delicate, doubled spurless flowers that may be in shades of violet, blue, white, pink, rose or near black. Pretty golden stamens dangle from the center of each flower.

These originate from Europe and do best in sites with partial sun and fertile, well...

(Spurless Common Columbine)

Spurless common columbine, is a pretty old-fashioned perennial and cottage garden mainstay. In mid-spring plants develop mounds of sea-green three-lobed leaves and by late spring to early summer they bear tall stems of delicate spurless flowers that may be in shades of violet, blue, white or pink. Pretty golden stamens dangle from the center of each flower.

A European native, this columbine has many beautiful selections to include the popular dark purple to black 'Black Barlow'. These plants...

(Spurless Common Columbine)

Spurless columbine in the Barlow series have double flowers and come in many colorful varieties including bicolors. In mid-spring these plants develop mounds of sea-green three-lobed leaves and by late spring to early summer they bear tall stems of delicate, doubled spurless flowers that may be in shades of violet, blue, white, pink, rose or near black. Pretty golden stamens dangle from the center of each flower.

These originate from Europe and do best in sites with partial sun and fertile, well...

(Alpine Rockcress)

Pretty and early-flowering, mountain rockcress is a low-growing perennial that brightens up rock gardens and mixed borders. This mat-forming evergreen has soft, gray-green leaves. In spring it puts forth short, upright stems topped with fragrant, four-petaled white flowers.

Hailing from rocky, mountainous areas in Europe and the Mediterranean, mountain rockcress is drought tolerant but does not appreciate extreme heat or humidity. It grows best in full sun and average soil with good drainage....

(Aristate Hollyfern)

The East Indian holly fern has magnificent fronds of green arising from a furry brown creeping rhizome. This evergreen fern is usually found in dry woodlands among rocks near the coast from India, southeastern Asia into Polynesia and New Zealand. The leaves are long, quite stiff and seem made from plastic.

Grow this fern in a shady spot in a moist but well drained soil. Cold winters may find the plant deciduous and returning its fronds in spring. Once established, this fern can handle periods...

(Aristate Hollyfern, East Indian Hollyfern, Variegated East Indian Hollyfern)

The variegated East Indian holly fern has magnificent tapering green fronds with prominent midribs glowing in a pale yellow. This evergreen fern is usually found in dry woodlands among rocks near the coast from India, southeastern Asia into Polynesia and New Zealand. The leaves are long, quite stiff as if made from plastic and arise from a creeping rhizome.

Grow this fern in a shady spot in a moist but well-drained soil. Cold winters may render the plant deciduous, with new fronds arising in...

(East Indian Holly Fern, Indian Holly Fern , Simplicior Holly Fern)

This attractive, fern produces broad triangular fronds directly from scaly creeping rhizomes (lateral stems). Indian holly fern is native to China and Japan and is found in a wide variety or habitats from dry uplands to moist stream banks.

Indian holly is clumping to spreading. The rhizomes scales are brown to tan and the leaf stalks green. The large triangular shiny leaves are evergreen in mild climates and deciduous in colder zones. They are two to three times divided with each pinna (the...

(East Indian Holly Fern, Indian Holly Fern, Simplicior Holly Fern)

This attractive evergreen fern with broad triangular fronds that are deeply divided is useful for flower arrangements. 'Variegata' has deep green leaves with yellow along the midribs and burgundy tinges during the cool season. Native to China and Japan, it is well-suited to the woodland border or shaded rockery.

Plant the variegated simpler hollyfern in rich, moist soil for a nice ground cover or mix with other shade-loving plants. This perennial fern may die to ground in cold winters and resprout...

(American Spikenard)

American spikenard is a deciduous perennial with green compound leaves with delicate heart-shpaed leaflets. Ball clusters of white to greenish-white flowers on a tall spike in spring or summer. Tiny berries are formed and are dark purple or black. It spreads slowly by aromatic underground roots to create a colony.

Plant in moist, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. American spikenard makes a great addition to woodland gardens or naturalized areas with its bold presence.