Although wild gingers, Asarum and Hexastylis species, can be found the world over, most are indigenous to the shaded woodlands of Asia, Europe, and North America. Wild gingers are members of the Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort family). Several species of Hexastylis and Asarum grow exceptionally well in the Southern Appalachian region (Zones 5b-7b). New varieties continue the marketplace. Wild gingers are frequently planted as […]
Archive for the ‘Purchasing Plants’ Category
Wild Ginger
Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a U.S. native spring wildflower which grows in rich garden and woodland soils. Wild ginger is a stemless 4-8-inch-tall plant (8 -10 inches wide) which features distinctive downy, basal, dark green foliage. Leaves are heart-shaped to kidney-shaped, and delicately veined, and up to 6 inches wide. Cup-shaped, purplish brown, 3 […]
2025 Perennial Plant Of The Year – Clustered Mountainmint
Clustered mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum), aka “blunt mountain mint” or “short-toothed mountain mint”, is a tough and adaptable perennial native to meadows and open woodlands across much of the eastern U.S. west to Texas. (USDA Hardiness Zones 4 – 8) (AHS Heat Zones 4 -10). It is not a true mint (Mentha spp.) but belongs to […]
Christmas Rose
Christmas roses (Helleborus niger), aka Christmas roses, are early winter flowering lenten roses. They bloom around Christmas time if winter temps are generally still mild. Based on the severity of winter temps, start of bloom date will vary considerably between H. niger and the more popular Helleborus x hybridus (H. x orientalis). (USDA hardiness zones […]
Russian arborvitae (Microbiota)
Russian arborvitae, aka Siberian cypress (Microbiota decussata), is a conifer ground cover that originates from frigid Siberia; it is exceptionally cold hardy to -40° F (USDA hardiness zones 2-7). Microbiota prospers in the cooler parts of the Mid-South (Kentucky, East Tennessee, Virginia, and Western North Carolina). Growth rate is slow to medium. This amazing groundcover shows […]
Winter-blooming Snowdrops
Snowdrop (Galanthus spp.) are grown in both cold and moderate winters. In the U.S. snowdrops thrive where winters are cool (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). There are about 19 species of Galanthus – in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). They’re native to the cool woodland and mountainous regions of southern Europe and Asia Minor. They tend to struggle in […]
Summer Snowflakes (Leucojum)
Summer snowflakes originate from Europe and northern Africa and are carefree spring-blooming bulbs. They belong to the Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae) botanical family and are critter proof. (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Flowers and foliage are similar to snowdrops, but snowflakes grow twice as tall and bloom about 2-3 months later, usually just after most daffodils. Pure white, […]
Native Sedum (Three-leaved Stonecrop)
Three leaved Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum), aka mountain stonecrop, whorled stonecrop), is a small, spreading, Eastern U.S. perennial (USDA hardiness zone 4 to 8). In its natural habitat, this native sedum is found in damp sites along stream banks, bluff bases and stony ledges. Stonecrops are in the Crassulaceae family. Mountain stonecrop grows 2-6 inches high […]
Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower
Few woody plants can matched for year-round beauty of Seven son flower. Temple of Bloom® is an outstanding selection from Proven Winners™ (PW) is a beautiful, easy to grow this deciduous small tree or large shrub. It grows 10 -20 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. In spring, the handsome leaves emerge, each sporting dramatically deep […]
Toad Lilies Shine In The Autumn Garden
Toad lilies (Tricyrtis spp.) are late season flowering perennials in the shade garden. Most summer perennials have finished blooming as their flower buds are just forming. They’re native to moist woodsy environs of eastern Asia and are botanical members of the lily (Liliaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). When properly sited, toad lilies are long-lived […]