Flowers and Foliage

Agastache x ‘Blue Fortune’ (Anise Hyssop) – Direct from the Trompenberg Arboretum on Holland comes this great new addition to the perennial garden.  Growing to 3-4’ in height, the plants produce blue flowers from June until October!!  The foliage is nicely scented and has proven to be deer resistant.  Best grown in full sun, in well-drained soils. Featured in the Otken’s Memorial Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Amsonia x ‘Grande’ (Blue Star Amsonia) – A robust growing plant with much larger than normal flowers!  Still retains the wonderful orange fall color found in most Amsonia species.

Amsonia hubrichtii (Blue Star Amsonia) – Native!  Looking for a nearly indestructible perennial for moist or dry sites?  Here is another answer!  Clusters of blue flowers appear in late April through early June.  The foliage is very narrow, and provides great summer texture.  In the fall, the plants turn an attractive gold that lasts for 2 months.  Full sun or light shade is soil that in moist to dry.  Grows to 30” tall and wide.Located in front of Holly House at Rutgers Gardens.

Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Blue Ice’ (Blue Star Amsonia) – Native!  Wider foliage than the above with a deeper blue flower.  Grows to 24” in height. Featured in the Blue Chroma Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Anemone sylvestris (Wood Anemone) – White flowers in May and June, with a repeat bloom in the fall.  Great for the shade garden and those preferring to use native plants.Featured in the Art Rudolph Memorial Sun and Shade Garden.

Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Clementine Blue’ (Columbine) – Native!  A very attractive double blue flowering form which resemble Clematis flowers more so than columbine!  An ideal plant for the woodland garden. 

Arisaema seratum (Cobra Lily Jack-in-the-Pulpit) – Rare!  Wow, a Jack-in-the-Pulpit on a 3’ stem!  The leaves and flower appear at the top of the stem, which is mottled with purple and green coloration.

Arisaema sikokianum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit) – Rare!  A really fun form from Japan, which has a dark purple pulpit and a chalk white flower interior.   As a bonus, the foliage is pink, white and green variegated!  An easy plant to grow in the shady garden.

Arisaema urashima (Cobra Lily Jack-in-the-Pulpit) – Rare!  Similar to A. seratum, but it is slightly shorter.  A very cool collectors plant for the shade garden!

Artemesia ‘Powis Castle’ (Artemesia, Wormwood) – An attractive silver foliaged perennial that has a multitude of uses in the garden.  Growing to 3’ tall and wide, it is a great plant for the hot dry location in the perennial or the mixed border.  Winter hardy to zone 7.

Aruncus aesthusifolius (Goats Beard) – The Asian cousin of our native.  Only growing to one foot, the delicate fern-like foliage provides the perfect backdrop for the white flowers, which strongly resemble those of Astilbe.  Great for the shade garden.

Aspidistra elatior ‘Variegata’ (Cast Iron Plant) – Rare! An evergreen ground cover with broad dark green leaves, emanating from the ground. A really great plant for that shady corner. Creamy-purple flowers appear at soil level in spring. Mature height 18 - 24" tall.

Astilbe arendsii ‘Burgundy Red’ (Astilbe) – A very early blooming form with bright red flowers.  Usually blooms in May into June.  Astilbe enjoys a lightly shaded location, with evenly moist and fertile soils.  Foliage will scorch in dry sun.

Astilbe simplicifolia ‘Pink Lightening’ (Astilbe) – Attractive dark green foliage, over which float light pink, airy flowers.  A compact habit to 15”.  Culture is the same as above.

Astilboides tabularis (White Astilboides) – A dramatic plant for both the early blooming flowers and its foliage!  The flowers appear in April and are initially pink, fading to white.  Individual flowers are ¼” across, but appear on a 3-4” branched cyme – very showy.  The leaves are round and are the size of a dinner plate.  Light shade in soils that are damp to boggy.

Baptisia alba var. macrophylla (White False Indigo) – If you like the disease and carefree attributes of the regular False Indigo, you will love this white flowered form.  Growing to 4’, it produces white flowers in May.  Full sun, well-drained soils.  A carefree group of plants. Featured in front of Holly House (behind the bench) at Rutgers Gardens.

Baptisia australis (False Indigo) – Native!  A plant native to NJ, it produces very attractive pea shaped blue flowers in May.  It is deer resistant, drought tolerant and is a very carefree and drought tolerant perennial.  The foliage turns dark purple in the fall and looks great in contrast with grasses that turn orange or yellow come October.Featured in front of Holly House at Rutgers Gardens.

Baptisia sphaerocarpa ‘Screaming Yellow’ (False Indigo) – Rare!  A new release with bright yellow flowers that bloom from June into July.  Full sun.Featured in the Yellow Chroma Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Baptisia x Carolina Moonlight (False Indigo) – A nice pale yellow form of Baptisia, a color that works well with any perennial combination!

Baptisia x ‘Purple Smoke’ (False Indigo) – Dark purple stems give rise to smoky blue flowers.  Only growing to 30”, it also has smaller foliage than the straight species, which makes it ideal for the small garden.

Baptisia x Solar Flare Prairie Blues’ (False Indigo) – Rare!  A very new and exciting selection!  The flowers start out yellow and age to orange.  Grows to 3’ tall. 

Baptisia x ‘Twilight Prairie Blues’ (False Indigo) – The dark purple stems give rise to blue flowers that are yellow at the base.  A very attractive new cross from the Chicago Botanic Garden, it typically blooms well into June on 3-4’ tall plants. Featured in the Yellow Chroma Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Bergenia x ‘Bressingham Ruby’ (Leather Pigsqueak) – The foliage is thick and leathery, which gives rise to its common name (it sounds like a pig squeaking when the leaves rub together).  The foliage than turns a gorgeous maroon red for the winter.  In April, umbels of pink flowers appear.  A carefree plant, ideal for shade or sun.Featured in the Otken’s Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Bletilla striata (Hardy Orchid) – Deep pink orchid flowers in June over attractive wide green foliage.  Sound too tropical to be true?  Bletilla is an orchid that is hardy in NJ!  Grow in light shade in soils that are rich in organic matter and evenly moist.

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ (Heartleaf Brunnera) – The leaves are almost completely covered with silver, making it a great addition to the shady border.  Attractive light blue flowers appear in May.

Caryopteris incana Sunshine Blue™ (Bluebeard) – Great golden foliage throughout the growing season, with blue flowers in July and August.  A choice plant for the sunny perennial or mixed border.  Soil should be well drained. Featured in the Yellow Chroma Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Worchester Gold’ (Golden Bluebird) – An old and favorite plant of Rutgers Gardens for perennial and mixed borders.  Golden foliage all season, with blue flowers in late August into September.  Full sun and well-drained soils are preferred.

Caryopteris divaricata ‘Snow Fairy’ (Blue Mist Shrub) – A recent introduction that will perform well in both full sun (in moisture retentive soils) and light shade.  This neat and tidy plant has leaves that are edged in white, providing ornament to the garden from spring to fall.  In August, blue flowers appear on the tips of the stems, giving the appearance of small blue butterflies hovering over the plant.  Unlike other Caryopteris, it dies totally back to the ground in winter and is a zone 4 plant. Featured near the entrance of the Rhododendron Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides ‘My Love’ (Leadwort) – Chartreuse foliage from May to October with cobalt blue flowers in August and September.  Foliage turns brilliant red in October.  A great addition for the dry shady garden, but it can also withstand a considerable amount of sun without leaf scorch.

Chrysogonum virginianum var. australe (Gold Star) – Native!  Although perfectly hardy, this is the Southern form of our native wildflower.  It has a nice low compact habit, only growing to 6” and dark green foliage.  The golden yellow flowers are produced in profusion from late April through early June, often with repeat blooms during the fall.

Cimicifuga simplex ‘Hillside Black Beauty’ (Snakeroot) – Dark purple foliage that is tolerant of nearly full sun conditions.  In fact, the foliage is more dark purple if exposed to more sun, although it is shade tolerant.  White flowers appear on 4-5’ stems in late summer.Featured at the Otken Memorial Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Coreopsis verticillata ‘Crème Brulee’ (Coreopsis) – Larger darker flowers than C. 'Moonbeam' while the foliage is brighter green and more mildew - resistant. Serrated flowers appear above and among the foliage on neatly mounded robust plants. Mature height 20" tall.

Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’ (Coreopsis) – Similar to the above, but the foliage only reaches 18” and the flowers are a dark golden yellow. Featured in the Otken Memorial Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Delosperma cooperi (Ice Plant) – If you have a tough, dry, sunny location that seems to be the deathbed to most plants, try Ice Plant.  Although it is invasive in the West, it is restrained in the northeast.  Magenta flowers cover the succulent foliage from late May to July, with sporadic blooms occurring until frost.  Plants grow to 2-4” in height.

Delosperma ‘Mesa Verde’ (Ice Plant) – A new form with iridescent copper flowers that was discovered at Denver Botanic Gardens. Patented. Size and culture as above.

Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’ – The 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year!  Low, grassy blue foliage supports shocking pink and fragrant flowers in spring into summer.  Provide conditions with full sun and good drainage.

Dicentra spectabilis (Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart) – The classic plant, with pink heart shaped flowers in May.  Best in shade.Featured in the Art Rudolph Memorial Sun and Shade Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’ (Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart) – Similar to the above, but the flowers are white!   Great for brightening up a dark corner of the shade garden.

Dicentra x ‘King of Hearts’ (Ever Blooming Bleeding Heart) –Bright red flowers appear in great quantities in May/June, and again in the fall.  Foliage is fern-like and blue-green, effective from spring to fall.  Best in light shade.

Digitalis ‘Candy Mountain’ (Foxglove) – The flowers on this selection face upright, such that you can see the speckled throats of the rose-red flowers.  Best grown in full sun or light shade.

Epimedium grandiflorum ‘Rose Queen’ (Barrenwort) – A truly tough groundcover that can withstand dry shade.  Rose Queen has large pink flowers in May, over attractive heart-shaped foliage. 

Epimedium warleyense ‘Ellen Willmott’ (Barrenwort) - Coppery-orange blooms in spring on 12-15” stems are held high above colorful evergreen foliage. Great ground cover for shade.

Epimedium grandiflorum ‘Lilafee’ (Barrenwort) – Long lavender-violet flowers are held well above attractive semi-evergreen heart-shaped foliage.  In Autumn, the foliage assumes various tints of red.  Featured in the Art Rudolph Memorial Sun and Shade Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten’ (Barrenwort) – Similar to the above but the flowers are yellow with a golden brown center and the foliage is evergreen!Featured in the Asian Hillside Garden next to the office at Rutgers Gardens.

Epimedium x rubrum (Barrenwort) – Similar to the above, but the flowers are deep red, the plants spread slightly more aggressively, and it is not evergreen.

Epimedium x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ (Barrenwort) – Yellow flowers on tall 10-12” stems.  This is a very vigorous form, great for dry shade.  It is semi-evergreen in central NJ.Featured under the Three Flowered Maple next to Holly House in Rutgers Gardens.

Eupatorium dubium ‘Little Joe’ (Joe Pye Weed) – Native!  Mauve pink flower clusters in July and August are highly attractive to butterflies.  Unlike other forms of Joe Pye, Little Joe only grows to 4’, making it much more manageable in the smaller garden.  Featured in the chroma beds bordering the DBL garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Euphorbia ‘Bonfire’ (Spurge) - A spectacular variegated form! Blue-green foliage with an irregular creamy-white margin and pink in the new growth. Plants have a bushy, compact habit and chartreuse flowers in April and May. Prefers full sun to light shade, with well-drained soils and grows to a height 10 – 14”.

Gallium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff) – Fragrant white flowers in spring atop attractive cut leaf foliage.  Plants make a great groundcover since it has a slow creeping habit and it survives well in dry shade.  Foliage is fragrant when crushed and persists well into the late fall.Featured in the Rhododendron Garden at the Rutgers Gardens.

Geranium x cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo Karmina’ (Hardy Geranium) – A great groundcover form of Hardy Geranium, with deep pink flowers that persist from mid May until late June.  Foliage is semi-evergreen, with great fall color in bright light of full sun locations.

Geranium ‘New Hampshire Purple’ (Hardy Geranium)– Looking for a ground cover that is drought tolerant and has rose purple flowers that appear most of the summer?  Once again, you have found your plant!  Full sun to light shade, growing to a height of 12”.

Geranium sanguineum (Bloody Geranium) – Magenta purple flowers cover this 15-21” tall perennial in May into June.  The plant is also extremely drought tolerant and adaptable to either full sun or light shade.  Good for using in masses.

Geranium sanguineum var. striatum (Bloody Geranium) – Similar to the above, but the flowers are light pink with deep pink veins, and the plant only reaches 9-12” in height.Featured in the Art Rudolph Memorial Sun and Shade Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Geranium x ‘Rozanne’ (Cranesbill) – Introduced by Blooms of England, this plant is barely without flowers from spring through summer.  Large purple-blue flowers with pale blue centers cover the plant in spring, and continue to bloom through August!  Foliage is finely dissected and reaches 15” in height. Featured in the Blue Chroma Garden at Rutgers Gardens

Hedera helix ‘Buttercup’ (English Ivy) – A yellow foliaged form of English Ivy, which makes a wonderful climber, or a detail groundcover for the shade.  However, make certain the location receives adequate sunlight since in too deep of shade, the plant will become more green than yellow. 

Hedera helix ‘Gold Heart’ (English Ivy) – A golden yellow splash of color in the center of the leaf.

Hedera colchica ‘Sulfur Heart’ (Persian Ivy) – Large green leaves with a golden yellow center.  Leaves are dependable evergreen.  Featured at the Entry Kiosk at Rutgers Gardens.

Hedera colchica ‘Dentata Variegata’ (Persian Ivy) – Irregularly shaped white margins on the leaf make this groundcover a nock-out.  The plants are evergreen and drought tolerant.

Helleborus argutifolius ‘Janet Starnes’ – Although the lime green flowers that appear in March are attractive, the foliage is the main focus for this plant.  The evergreen leaves are glossy and highly speckled with pinkish-white splashes. Best located in the shady garden where it does not receive late afternoon sun in the winter.

Helleborus ericsmithii ‘Silvermoon’ – Large white creamy flower in later winter atop silver veined evergreen foliage.  What more could a person possibly want from a perennial!!  Light shade and well-drained soils are best for proper growth.

Helleborus niger ‘Josef Lemper’ (Christmas Rose) – Grey green foliage gives rise to large white flowers in late February or March.  Prefers well-drained soils and protection from the afternoon sun.  On of the true great harbingers of spring.

Helleborus x nigercors ‘Honyhill Joy’ – Large creamy white flowers in late winter face outwards and upwards, allowing the viewer to actually stare deep into the eyes of the flowers!  Foliage is glossy and evergreen, ultimately growing to 18” tall, while the flowers can reach 24” tall in good soils.

Helleborus x Brandywine™ (Lenten Rose)– Often blooming at Easter, the Brandywine seed strain are produced from hand crossing selected plants to produce a wide range of flower colors, which come in singles, anemone and double forms.  Best in a shady garden where they can be appreciated in early spring.

Helleborus ‘Ivory Prince’ (Lenten Rose) - Dark dusty - pink buds appear in spring and open to an ivory - white. An infusion of color these flowers range from soft - green rose to plum atop the dark blue - green foliage. A great new introduction!  Mature height 10 - 12" tall.

Helleborus x ‘Pink Lady’ (Lenten Rose) – Mostly outward facing soft pink flowers.  Culture as above.

Helleborus x ‘Regal Ruffles Strain’ (Lenten Rose) – Double flowers in shades of pink, red, yellow, greens and picotees. 

Helleborus x Royal Heritage Strain™ – Very vigorous plants, often growing to 20”, that produce pink, white and purple flowers in late winter.  Also best grown with some protection from the afternoon sun.Featured along the fence in the Otkens Memorial Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Helleborus x ‘White Lady Spotted’ (Lenten Rose) – Produce a bushy clump of thick evergreen smooth textured foliage. Magnificent snow - white flowers speckled with maroon in the center. Mature height 12 - 18" tall.

Heuchera villosa ‘Bronze Wave’ (Alum Root) – Bronze foliage to 18” makes this native plant a great addition to the shade garden.  Large masses of white flowers in summer into fall give this plant great seasonal interest. 

Heuchera villosa ‘Caramel’ (Alum Root) – Copper foliage with hints of yellow throughout the year makes this an ideal plant to work into the border with other flowers and shrubs. Featured in the Otkens Memorial Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Heuchera villosa ‘Mocha’ (Alum Root) – Similar to the above, but the foliage is a dark red, almost purple.  Great for using in the perennial or the mixed border.

Heuchera x ‘Marmalade’ (Coral Bells) – Orange-umber foliage has pink undersides to its leaves, resulting in a very showy plant.  The flowers appear in spring on pinkish-orange stems.  It is much more sun tolerant than most Heucheras.Featured in the Otken Memorial Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Heuchera x ‘Obsidian’ (Coral Bells) – One of the very darkest purples on the market!  Purple-black shinny foliage set the stage for the white flowers in late spring.  

Heuchera x ‘Pistache’ (Coral Bells) – Get ready for this stunning new introduction!  This selection has stunning chartreuse foliage in part shade or vibrant lime-green foliage in full sun.  Very heat and humidity tolerant!

Heuchera x ‘Tiramisu’ (Coral Bells) – The foliage is yellow to auburn in the spring, changing to a chartreuse in summer.  A unique and cool new introduction!

Heucherella x ‘Dayglow Pink’ (Foamy Bells) – A cross of Heuchera and Tiarella, Dayglow Pink has attractive pink flowers from May to July over green foliage marked with silver tracings.  Full sun to light shade in humus rich, well-drained soils.

Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Kopper King’ (Mallow) – Striking copper colored foliage sets the stage for the large white flowers with a red center.  Grows to 3-4’ in height.  Ideal for the perennial or mixed border, Kopper King does best in full sun and soils that are not droughty.  Is tolerant of wet sites.

Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Lady Baltimore’ (Mallow) – As above, but the foliage is green and the flowers are large pink bells.  At the Rutgers Gardens, they have reached 6’ in height and bloom from July through September! Featured at the Otken Memorial Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Hibiscus x ‘Pinot Grigio’ (Mallow) – White flowers with a rose pink outer edge and center ring; very striking!  Plants are compact and tidy, only growing to 2 ½’ in height.  Enjoys wet sites, although it will flourish in average garden soils.

Hosta ‘August Moon’ (Plantain Lily) – A neat and easy to grow group of plants.  All will grow nicely in the shade; some will also perform well in the sun with proper amounts of humus added to the soil.  Each selection has different heights and foliar patterns or color that makes them unique.  August Moon is to 20” with chartreuse foliage and light blue flowers.

Hosta ‘Blue Cadet’ – Small blue leaved foliage with lavender trumpet shaped flowers.

Hosta ‘Kabitan’ – Very narrow, iridescent yellow leaves with a dark margin describe this plant.   Dark Lavender-purple flowers contrast nicely with the foliage.  A mature height of 10”.

Hosta ‘Quilting Bee’ – The foliage of this compact plant are corrugated, round and a shiny deep dark green with pale lavender Flowers.  A great edging plant.

Hosta ‘Sagae’ – Winner of several awards! A stunning specimen Hosta with frosted green leaves and creamy-yellow margins. A large growing plant with good slug resistance. Mature height of 3’.

Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ – Very large chartreuse foliage with tall lavender flowers in August.

Hosta ‘White Christmas’ – Mounds of variegated, wavy leaves with a large pure white center and a thin dark green accenting the edged. Racemes of bell-shaped, lavender flowers appear in summer. Mature height 10 – 18” tall.

Hypericum calycinum ‘Brigadoon’ (St. Johnswort) – Brigadoon is great for adding some color to a border.  Between the bright golden foliage and yellow flowers that bloom throughout the summer, this plant works hard for its place in the garden!  Provide a location with full sun and well-drained soil; it is drought tolerant once established.Featured behind the Gazebo in the Art Rudolph Sun and Shade Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Iris cristata ‘Powder Blue Giant’ (Dwarf Crested Iris) – Native!  A selection of our native Iris, this is a more vigorous selection, with large light blue flowers with yellow crests.  Blooming in May, Crested Iris makes an ideal groundcover is dry and shaded locations. Featured at the Otken Memorial Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Jeffersonia diphylla (Twinleaf Jeffersonia) - Native! Rare! Twinleaf is protected by state laws as a threatened or endangered plant in New York, and New Jersey.  Named by John Bartram for his friend, Thomas Jererson, this plant has beautiful and unusual foliage, with two oval leaves arranged opposite each other on a stem.  Attractive white flowers appear in April.  Woodland soils and shade.Featured in the Native Plant Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Kirengeshoma koreana (Yellow Waxbells) – Thick petaled yellow, bell-like and dangling flowers appear over a 4’ mound of maple-like leaves in August into September.  If you did not know better, you would think it was a shrub.  A super addition for the shade garden!  Featured in the Otkens Memorial Garden at the Rutgers Gardens.

Kirengeshoma palmata (Yellow Waxbells) – Similar to the above, but only growing to 3’ tall.  I saw it in mass at a garden and it looked spectacular!Featured in the Asian Hillside Garden next to the office at Rutgers Gardens.

Lamium maculatum ‘Anne Greenway’ – Neat green leaves are edged in bright gold, with a central silver stripe.  Will often rebloom in the fall.

Lamium maculatum ‘Lemon Frost – Rare!  A very interesting combination of lavender flowers over chartreuse, heart-shaped leaves.  Mature height of 6-8”

Lamium maculatum ‘Orchid Frost’ (Spotted Nettle) – A great groundcover for brightening up a corner in the light shade.  The foliage has central blotches of silver, surrounded by a blue-green margin, providing interest from April to December.  Orchid Frost is exceptional in that it produces large quantities of pink flowers in spring and again in the fall, with occasional flowers throughout the summer.

Lamium maculatum ‘Red Nancy’ (Spotted Nettle) – A great groundcover for light shade.  The foliage has central blotches of silver, surrounded by a blue-green margin, providing interest from April to December.  Red Nancy is exceptional in that it produces large quantities of deep pink flowers in spring and again in the fall, with occasional flowers throughout the summer.  Needs soil that is well drained and humus rich that does not become dry in summer.

Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ (Spotted Nettle) – Similar to the above, but the flowers are white.  Great for the shady retreat in the garden.

Lavendula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ (Lavender) – The silver/gray foliage is evergreen and is extremely fragrant. Dark blue flowers appear in June through August.  Prefers full sun and well-drained soils – a very hardy form.

Lavendula x intermedia ‘Province’ (Lavender) – A taller growing variety, with the light, lavender-blue flowers reaching 30”.  The foliage is resistant to hot and humid summers and is very aromatic.

Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’ (Blazing Star) – A wonderful native plant with lavender-magenta flower spikes in June and July.  Makes a terrific cut flower and looks best mixed with other perennials such as the many forms of Coreopsis.

Liriope muscarii ‘Big Blue’ (Lilyturf) – Clump forming with long grass-like foliage to 16”, the selection produces large, blue spikes of flowers in late summer.  Shade to sun, in well-drained soils.

Liriope muscarii ‘Christmas Tree’ (Lilyturf) – Clump forming with long grass-like foliage to 14”, the selection produces large, purple ‘Christmas Tree’ like flowers in late summer.  Shade to sun, in well-drained soils.

Liriope muscarii ‘Variegata’ (Variegated Lilyturf) – Chartreuse and green striped grassy foliage, growing to 14” tall.  In the sun, the chartreuse bands become more golden. Shade to sun, in well drained soils.   

Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny) – Small round chartreuse leaves on creeping stems make this a great groundcover or filler plant for containers or the border.  Is happy in full sun or light shade in soils that are slightly to very moist.

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) – Native!  A terrific native plant for moist or shady locations in the garden, although it will grow nicely in well-drained soils.  Tall spikes of scarlet flowers are produced in June and July, which are great for attracting hummingbirds.  Featured in the Native Plant Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Monarda didyma ‘Coral Reef’ (Bee Balm) – Native!  Coral to salmon-pink flowers from July until frost on disease-resistant foliage!  A great native plant for the garden that is also a butterfly attractor.

Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’ (Bee Balm) – If you are looking to attract hummingbirds, this is the plant for you!!  I was in a garden this past summer with 5 hummingbirds fighting over the rights of this plant!  Bright red flowers last for up to 6 weeks on 2’ tall stalks.

Musa basjoo (Hardy Banana) – A great tropical looking plant, native to Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and is hardy to zone 6 if mulched heavily with leaves in the autumn.  Plants can reach 10’ in height, with foliage up to 6’ in length.  Plants will produce new offsets each spring around the original plant, creating a great impact for the annual or mixed border!Featured in the Monocot Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Nepeta x faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ (Catmint) – The 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year, Walkers Low grows to 15” tall, and provides blue flowers from early summer to early autumn.  The light gray foliage is aromatic and deer resistant.

Ophiopogon japonica ‘Nana’ (Dwarf Lilyturf) – Growing to 2” tall, this super groundcover for dry shade is perfect for that detail accent.  Foliage is evergreen and grass-like, with metallic blue fruits in the fall!

Ophiopogon japonica ‘Little Tabby’ (Variegated Mondo Grass) – The leaves are wide and have bright creamy-white margins. Slow growing clumps. A choice plant for the intimate and detailed area of the garden. Mature height of 6".Featured in the Asian Hillside Garden near the office at Rutgers Gardens.

Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ (Black Mondo Grass) – A unique groundcover for full sun or light shade.  The dark purple grass-like foliage provides a great complement to pinkish-white flower spikes. Very slow grower. Mature height of 8 - 10" in height.

Origanum rotundifolium ‘Kent Beauty’ (Ornamental Oregano) – A real beauty of a plant!  The blue-green trailing foliage is heart shaped and looks great planted in a wall or softening the edge of a container.  In summer, pink flowers are produced inside of chartreuse bracts – a very effective combination.  Hardy to zone 5, it only needs good drainage and full sun to guarantee success.

Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Pachysandra) – Native!  Our native Pachysandra, it has a much showier white flower in spring than does its oriental cousin.  Leaves turn purplish in the winter.  Shade, well drained soils high in organic content.

Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue) – The 1996 Perennial Plant of the Year, it has deep burgundy red foliage, and pinkish white flowers on tall stems.  Best in full sun and well-drained soils.

Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’ (Fleece Flower) – Deep red spikes of flowers 3-5” long are produced from July to September.  Growing to 4’, it can be grown in sun or shade, although the broad textured foliage and red flowers look the best in some shade.  Moist site tolerant.Featured at the Otken Memorial Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Persicaria polymorpha – Growing to 5’, this non-invasive plant will produce large white flowers in June and July.  Looks like a large Goats Beard.  Not fussy as to soil type (does not do well in overly wet soils), in sun or light shade.  Featured at the Otken Memorial Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Phlox stolonifera ‘Blue Ridge’ (Creeping Phlox) – Native!  Low creeping foliage to 2 inches makes this native plant an ideal groundcover.  Covered in blue flowers in May, provide this plant with humus rich soils in light shade, and you will be rewarded for years to come.

Phlox divaricata ‘Montrose Tricolor’ (Woodland Phlox) – Lavender blue flowers in May combine nicely with the unique green, pink and white variegated foliage!  Light shade and humus rich soil.

Platycodon grandiflorus ‘Sentimental Blue’ (Balloon Flower) – Many gardeners are searching for a dwarf and tidy plant which does not flop and blooms for most of the summer.  Sounds impossible but here it is!!  Growing to only 12”, it produces a carpet of blue flowers and blooms all summer.  Full sun, well drained soils are ideal. 

Polemonium caeruleum ‘Brise d’Anjou’ (Jacob’s Ladder) – Light blue flowers in spring cover the neat mounds of white variegated foliage.  Ideal for the shady garden in soils that do not become Polemonium reptans ‘Stairway to Heaven’ (Jacob’s Ladder) – Native!  A great shade loving native plant.  This selection has foliage with white margins, often tinged with pink, providing a tri-colored affect.  Blue flowers appear above the foliage in May.  Grows to a height of 24”.  Culture as above.

Polygonatum humile (Dwarf Solomon’s Seal) – Native!  A low growing species that only reaches 6” tall, but will spread to form a 1-2’ diameter matt with time!  White flowers appear at the base of the leaves in May.

Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (Variegated Solomon’s Seal) – For the woodland garden, the foliage of this plant has been described as butterflies unfolding their wings in spring!  The leaves have a slender white margin, and dangling white bell shaped flowers beneath the foliage.  In autumn, the foliage turns to a deep, robust yellow.Featured in the Art Rudolph Memorial Sun and Shade Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Porteranthus trifoliata ‘Pink Profusion’ (Bowman’s Root) – Native!  A very attractive and long blooming native plant that has been neglected in NJ gardens.  This selection has delicate pinkish-white flowers that look like butterflies hovering above the foliage!  The new growth is bronze, turning to green with time.  An introduction from Mt. Cuba Center, this plant needs full sun and well-drained soils to thrive.

Pulmonaria x ‘Cotton Cool’ (Lungwort) – Dark blue flowers with striking silver leaves.  Ideal for the shade garden with has good drainage.

Rhodea japonica (Nippon Lily) – An interesting low growing lily that more resembles a coarse grass than a lily!  The small white flowers appear within the foliage in spring, to be replaced by red fruits that are very showy against the evergreen foliage during the winter.  Provide it with a shady location in well-drained but moist locations.  Does great on banks by a stream.Featured in the Asian Hillside Garden by the office at Rutgers Gardens.

Rodgersia pinnata ‘Fireworks’ (Featherleaf Rodgersia) – Tall, rose-red flowers appear above dramatic red margined large leaves.  Best grown moist shade or in soils that are enriched with humus, it reaches 3’ in height.

Rodgersia pinnata ‘Hercules’ (Featherleaf Rodgersia) – Bold and robust, the tall red flowers in May age to pink over large, coarse bronzy foliage, which ages to green in summer.  Culture as above.

Rudbeckia maxima (Dumbo Ears) – Huge leaves, up to 2’ tall, are a showy powder blue, looking like a tropical foliage plant!  The flowers stems rise 4 to 5 feet above the foliage and are topped by yellow cone-shaped flowers in late June into August.  Dumbo Ears is planted in the Otkens Garden at Rutgers Gardens and always receive great commentary!Featured at the Otken Memorial Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Salvia nemerosa ‘Caradonna’ (Salvia) – Violet blue flowers on dark purple flower stems – a striking color combination.  Full sun and well-drained soils provide the best growing conditions.

Salvia nemerosa ‘East Friesland’ (Salvia) – Similar to May Night, but the flowers are more blue than purple.

Salvia nemerosa ‘May Night’ (Salvia) – Looking for a blast of deep purple flowers in June into July?  May Night produces 12” long spikes of purple flowers in the early summer, and again in the early fall if the plant is sheared back after blooming.  Grows best in full sun and moist, but well-drained soils.  The 1997 Perennial Plant of the Year!

Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis (Sweetbox) – A P.H.S. Gold Medal plant.  Plants grow to a height of 18”, and slowly spread to make a fine groundcover for a shady garden location.  The evergreen foliage is lush and disease free, and partially hides the myriad small white flowers that appear in March.  The flowers are exceptionally fragrant, providing the plant with its name.Featured in the Art Rudolph Memorial Sun and Shade Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Saxifraga stolonifera (Strawberry Geranium) - Wonderful spreading ground cover with rounded and pubescent leaves that are mottled with silver and have red undersides. This underused perennial has white to light pink flowers dangle above the foliage in spring.  A good and very unusual groundcover for shade.  Hardy to zone 6.Featured in the Rhododendron Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Sedum x ‘Bertram Anderson’ (Stonecrop) – Pink flowers over purple-gray foliage; very striking!  A great groundcover plant for full sun and well drained soils.Featured in the Otkens Memorial Garden.

Sedum cauticolum ‘Lidakense’ (Stonecrop) – Mounds of rounded foliage with an intense blue coloration in summer, reddish bronze in the winter.  Mature ht of 8”.

Sedum x ‘Matrona’ (Stonecrop) – Very attractive purple gray foliage provides a great accent to neighboring plants throughout the summer.  In September, pale pink flowers are produced atop the 18-24” tall stems.  As is typical for Sedums, full sun, well drained soils provide the best conditions for growth.Featured in the Otkens and the Art Rudolph Memorial Gardens at Rutgers Gardens.

Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’ (Stonecrop) – Mats of blue foliage that look like a field of miniature conifers with yellow flowers!  Full sun, well-drained soils.

Sedum repestre ‘Angelina’ (Stonecrop) – Striking chartreuse to gold needle-like evergreen foliage, topped with small yellow flowers in summer.  Assumes a reddish hue in the winter.  Tolerates dry sites – we have one planted atop a wall in the Gardens and it is has done magnificently well for the past 4 years!Featured in the Yellow Chroma bed and atop the wall by the Entrance Kiosk at Rutgers Gardens.

Sedum makinoi ‘Ogon’ – A native of Japan, this creeping sedum has bright-yellow foliage and is great in sun or light shade.  Provide soils with moderate moisture and good drainage; mature height 1” – 2”.

Sempervivum ‘Cobwebs’ (Hens and Chicks) – A collection of small, silver foliage rosettes makes a great ‘detail’ groundcover for the up-close and personal area.  Fine threads connect the rosettes, making them look like cobwebs.

Sempervivum ‘Oddity’ (Hens and Chicks) – Rosettes of thick fleshy foliage which curl up at the end in a purple colored tip, makes it look like a circle of pipes!  Plants grow to 2-3” tall in full sun, well-drained soils.

Sempervivum ‘Purple Majesty’ (Hens and Chicks) – Large light purple rosettes with reddish flush and pink flowers.  Full sun and good drainage is necessary.

Sempervivum ‘Purple Passion’ (Hens and Chicks) – The centers of the rosettes are a deep red, fading out to light silvery green!  Very cool!  Full sun and good drainage is necessary.

Sisyrinchium angustifolium ‘Lucerne’ (Blue Eyed Grass) – Native! An interesting native plant that has grassy textured foliage growing to 8”.  Small blue flowers appear in May and June.  Lucerne has larger than normal sized flowers.  Great for dry shade or will grow in average garden soil in a sunny location.

Spigelia marilandica (Indian Pink) – Rare!  Native!  Bright red flowers on the outside and lemon-yellow on the inside!  A striking color combination, which is compounded by the petals curving outward.  It is truly a great native plant for full sun or light shade. 

Stachys byzantina ‘Helene von Stein’ (Lamb’s Ears) – I believe to be one of the best forms of Lamb’s Ears, with it’s larger than normal silver-green foliage and few flowers.  Grown best in full sun and well-drained soils. Featured in front of the Holly House at Rutgers Gardens.

Thalictrum sp. ‘Black Stockings’ (Meadow Rue) – Fluffy lavender flowers are held in flat racemes on really cool 6’ tall dark purple stems.  A great addition to the perennial border!Featured in the Blue Chroma Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Tiarella cordifolia ‘Running Tapestry’ (Foamflower) – Discovered in Pennsylvania, this running form creates a great groundcover.  White flowers in May over bronze speckled foliage.  Best grown in light shade in humus rich and well-drained soils.

Tiarella x ‘Iron Butterfly’ (Foamflower) – White flowers appear over an extended time from spring to summer, which is enhanced by purple-black markings on the center of the green foliage.  A clumping form.

Tiarella x ‘Pink Skyrocket’ (Foamflower) – Pink flowers in spring and summer with green foliage.  Will tolerate full sun in humus rich soils, otherwise partial shade is ideal.

Tradescantia x ‘Sweet Kate’ (Spiderwort) – Golden yellow foliage with blue flowers from May into July!  A spectacular plant for the lightly shaded location and well-drained soils. Featured in the Art Rudolph Memorial Sun and Shade Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Trillium sessile (Wake Robin) – Native!  A spectacular woodland plant bearing flowers with deep maroon-brown petals.  Hosta-like triple lobed leaves are mottled with purple or white.  An absolute necessity for the woodland or shade garden!

Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver Root) – Native!  Tall white spires stretch to the sky on 3-4’ tall stems.  A wonderful native plant for the garden that is tolerant of wet or normal soil conditions. Featured in the Otken Memorial Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

Vernonia lettermannii ‘Iron Butterfly’ (New York Ironweed) – Rare!  Native!  Many bright purple star-like flowers appear in late summer and into the fall.  The foliage is a very unique, attractive and thread-like.  Ironweed prefers full sun, but is very tolerant of dry and wet soil conditions.

Yucca filamentosa ‘Color Guard’ (Variegated Adam’s Needle) – Broad spiky foliage, accented by creamy- gold centers and green margins. Leaves take on a rose color in cold weather.  White flowers along 4’ tall spikes in May into June. Color Guard is tolerant of dry, poor soils, maturing to a height of 2’– 4’.Featured in the Yellow Chroma Garden at Rutgers Gardens.

 

 

 

 

Last Modified: 10/28/2009, rugardens@njaes.rutgers.edu.
©2008 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey