(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...

(Swamp Milkweed)

Swamp milkweed is native to pond edges and stream banks of the eastern and Midwestern United States. Though this perennial is a wetland plant, it is very adaptable and at home in sunny gardens.

Delightful, lightly fragrant, purplish-pink flowers are produce summer through fall. They are born atop upright stems that hold narrow, lance-shaped leaves opposite of each other. The flowers are borne in flat clusters; each flower is complex and topped with a “crown.” The blooms are very attractive...

(Ice Ballet Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed)

Swamp milkweed is native to pond edges and stream banks of the eastern and Midwestern United States. The cultivar ‘Ice Ballet’ bears clear white flowers. Though this perennial is a wetland plant, it is very adaptable and at home in sunny gardens.

Delightful, lightly fragrant flowers are produce summer through fall. They are born atop upright stems that hold narrow, lance-shaped leaves opposite of each other. The flowers are borne in flat clusters; each flower is complex and topped with a “crown.”...

(Butterfly Milkweed, Butterfly Weed, Gay Butterflies Butterfly Weed)

Members of the Gay Butterflies group are distinguished by their very large flower clusters, vigorous sturdy plants and extended bloom time. They come in an array of colors such as tangerine orange, golden yellow and deep orange-red.

The colorful perennial wildflower butterfly weed is native to much of the United States and southern Canada. It is adapted to open meadows and old fields and offers bright color to sunny summer gardens. From summer to fall butterfly weed in the Gay Butterflies...

(Pawpaw)

The northernmost representative of the otherwise tropical fruit family, Annonaceae, pawpaw is beloved for its interesting foliage and odd-tasting, edible fruit. The native distribution of this small tree is from the very southernmost reaches of Ontario, Canada, south to Florida, and westward to Texas. Natural populations inhabit bottomlands, floodplains and ravines. This species is quite common in many areas of the country but is listed as a species of concern in others.

Large, oval leaves...

(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...

(Asphodil)

King's spear is a unique herbaceous perennial in the lily family native around the Mediterranean basin. The fragrant star-shaped blooms of golden-yellow appear on tall, cylindrical spikes in late spring to summer. These flowerspikes are contrasted by blue-green, grass-like spirals of foliage. After blooming, the fragrant flowers transform into interesting, green, fruitball-pods later in summer to fall.

King's spear prefers full or partial sun and any average, well-drained soil. These plants...

(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,...