Plant Profile: Creeping Polemomium (Polemomium reptans)
Karen The lovely light blue flowers create a magic moment in late spring for a couple of weeks when the foliage takes over and provides the main interest. The leaves are…
Plant Profile: Twinflower (Linnacea borealis)
A native of cool moist woods, twinflower often grows into large mats forming a beautiful ground cover. Bright green, glossy, evergreen leaves are borne in pairs on slender woody stems…
Plant Profile: Cowslip (Primula veris)
Native to temperate Europe and western Asia, this evergreen or semi evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the primrose family, Primulaceae, that also includes scarlet pimpernel. Plants form a…
Plant Profile: ‘Heaven Scent’ Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans x Polemonium yezoense)
Jacob’s ladder is a favorite for woodland gardens because of its deer resistance, disease resistance, shade tolerance, and its lovely clusters of blue flowers in late spring. In addition, “Heaven…
Plant Profile: Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Known by many names including duck’s foot, hog apple, raccoonberry, umbrella leaf, and wild lemon, this herbaceous perennial is native to eastern North America south to Texas, where it may…
Plant Profile: Wood Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)
Wood poppy, also known as celandine poppy, offers abundant clusters of 2” wide bright yellow flowers, bluish-green divided leaves, and fuzzy seed pods. A native of rich woodlands and along…
Plant Profile: Large Flowered Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora)
A native of northeastern deciduous woodlands, large flowered bellwort offers both beautiful foliage and flowers. The light green leaves and the nodding lemon yellow flowers add a bright note to…
Plant Profile: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Also known as Canada puccoon, bloodwort, redroot, red puccoon, Indian paint, and black paste bloodroot is a member of the poppy family, Papaveraceae, that also includes bleeding heart and corydalis.…
Plant Profile: Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides)
Native to the Northeast and prairies, Barren Strawberry is an ideal groundcover for a woodland garden and even does well in dry conditions. The basal glossy evergreen leaves look very…
Characteristics of Informal Gardens
Chuck The carefree relaxed look of an informal garden is very appealing. But don’t be deceived into believing that this look comes naturally. The best informal gardens are carefully planned, executed…