Mertensia virginica (Virginia bluebells, Virginia Cowslip, Lungwort, Oysterleaf)

Virginia bluebells are an ephemeral perennial (the foliage begins to die shortly after blooming and by June they are completely dormant) that are native to North America.  Growing up to 24 inches high and 12 inches wide, they tolerate most soils although a sandy, peat soil is preferred.  They can often be found along streams.  Flourishing in shade Virginia bluebells have smooth, oblong, softish green foliage, and in spring pink buds appear, opening into long nodding blue bell shaped blooms.  There can be more than 20 blooms on a stem when planted in optiumum conditions.  They may be the most popular native plant in Virginia and the official wildflower of Prince William County.  Virginia bluebells are hardy from zones 3-9 and may be propogated by seed or division but seed is more reliable.  It is best to plant this plant in October or from March to April.  They do not transplant well and should not be moved once established.  Even though this plant dies down to the ground after blooming it is well worth the spring show!
Donation: 2007

Monarda didyma (Bee balm)

This herbaceous perennial is native to North America.  Averaging three feet high and two feet wide it blooms from June-September.  Blooms can be lavendar, rose, pink, red or white.  This plant likes full to part shade and moist soil.  It is an upright plant that is easy to grow.  It can suffer from powdery mildew, particularly if air cannot circulate around the plant.  It is deer resistant and attract bees.
Donation: 2007

Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive fern, Bead fern)

Sensitive fern is a perennial, deciduous fern that is native to North America.  It grows 18-20 inches tall and 12 inches wide.  Grown for it's fronds which appear in late spring and persist until frost, this plant also maintains it's fertile fronds for winter interest.  Watering needs are average perferring moist, loamy, silty or sandy soil.  It grows in partial sun to light shade but will tolerate full sun if sufficient water is provided to assure consistent moisture.  Sensitive ferns grow in wet meadows and woods, swamps, stream banks usually in slightly acidic soil.  The few loose leaves develop directly from rootstock.  The erect infertile leaves are two to three feet tall.  The fertile fronds of senstive fern bear spores in beadlike structures which split open to release spores and their leaves become dark brown through winter.  The root system consists of stout rhizomes which spread fibrous roots.  The branching rhizomes sometimes form small vegetative colonies. Propagate by dividing rhizomes.  The foliage is toxic to horses if eaten in quanity.  Deer may eat the fronds to a limited extent but the fern has limited value to wild life.  The name "sensitive fern" refers to the infertile leaves and their sensitivity to frost.  
Donation: 2007 and 2009

Phlox stolonifera (Creeping phlox)

This groundcovering perennial is native to North America.  In the spring this plant has white, pink, purple or red blooms.  It grows from 6-12 inches tall and 12-15 inches wide.  Preferring partial to full shade, creeping phlox likes moist soil (in fact avoid prolonged drought).  Creeping phlox is a great low-maintenance perennial.  It is useful as a ground cover and between stepping stones.  This plant is adaptable and very easy to grow.  Propagation is through division in the spring immediately after blooming.
Donation: 2007

Physocarpus opulifolius (Diabolo Ninebark, Purple Ninebark)

Ninebark is a broadleaf, deciduous flowering shrub that is native to eastern North America.  This exceptional shrub grows eight to ten feet tall and wide.  It has clusters of white or pinkish-white flowers in the spring to early summer followed by attractive red seed pods in the fall.  The purple foliage and peeling bark in the winter make this a great choice for year round interest.   Once established this plant is not at all fussy.  Although it prefers well drained soil it will tolerate be grown in wet soils or drought conditions.  Suitable for xeriscaping.  Although this plant flowers better in full sun it does very well in partial shade conditions. Diabolo ninebarks can be grown in planting zones 2b - 8b.  They are fast growers and attract bees, butterflies and birds.  All parts of this plant are poisonous if eaten.  The name "ninebark" refers to the exfoliating bark which is thought by some that the there were nine layers to be exposed as the bark peeled.
Donation: 2009

Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple, Umbrella Plant)

This perennial groundcover is native to North America.  It grows two feet hight and one foot wide in medium to moist soil.  It perfers to be planted in part sun or bright shade.  This plant appears before the trees leaf out.  First year plants have only one leaf and will not bloom.  Mature plants with a signle umbrella-like leaf will not produce any flower or fruit.  In April/May plants with a twinleaf structure bear a single white flower that is two inches in diameter, with six petals.  The flower is under the leaves and matures into a yellow greenish fruit (the apple) which is one-two inches long in late summer.  Thick tubers and rhizomes connect shoots.  The roots and leaves are poisonous.
Donation: 2007


Polemonium reptans (Jacob's Ladder)

This herbaceous perennial is a native of North America.  It grows 12-18 inches tall/wide.  Beautiful blue flowers appear from April - June.  It prefers moist soil and part shade.  This plant has a medium growth rate and sprawling stems.  It self seeds readily when planted in optimum conditions.
Donation: 2008


Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal)

This herbaceous perennial is a native of North America grows one to three feet tall.  From April through June they produce one to five small, bell-shaped flowers.  Flowers of some varities may be chartreuse, yellow, white or near-white.  From August through October bluish-black berries appear.  Being a woodland native this plant perfers shaded locations in well-drained, moist, loamy soil. Solomon's Seal, which is a member of the lily family is fairly tough and will tolerate less than ideal conditions.  If planted in optimum conditions, Solomon's Seal will mulitply very rapidly by creeping rhizomes.  If propagating by seed, sow in autumn for germination in early spring.  Roots may be divided at any time, although fall is the perferred time.
P. biflorum - native variety
P. falcatum - non native variety
Purchased: 2006

Stylophorum diphyllum (Wood or Celandine Poppy)

This herbaceous perennial is native to North America.  It grows from 1 to 1 1/2 feet tall.  From March to May it produces yellow buttercup-like flowers from one to two inches in width.  If there is sufficient water it will continue to bloom off throughout summer and even into fall.  The foliage has bluish-green deep lobes.  It prefers rich loamy well-drained moist soil in partial shade or dappled sunlight.  In very dry conditions this plant often goes dormant returning the following spring.  Wood poppies make clumps which and may be up to one and a half feet tall.  The nodding hairy seed pods are prolific self seeders in the right conditions.
Donation: 2007

Tiarella cordifolia "Oakleaf" (Foamflower)

This clumping groundcovering perennial is a North American native. It grows from 6-12 inches wide/high.  In the spring it has pinkish white blooms that sit above the leaves. In the fall it has great red tinted foliage.  It prefers moist soil in partial sun to part shade.   This plant is easy to grow with oak-like basal foliage given it has enough moisture.  This plant looks best when planted in drifts. "Oakleaf" has oak shaped leaves but there are quite a few varieties available with other great characteristics.  
Purchased: 2006




 

Tradescantia virginiana (Virginia Spiderwort, Lady's Tears)

Spiderwort is a herbaceous perennial native to North America.  It grows 18-24 inches tall.  In spring, five to fifteen flowers are found on stems that have only a few very narrow leaves up to a foot long. Blooms come in rose, pink, lavendar, white, purple and blue.  If you look down on the plant, it looks sort of like a large spider, with the flower cluster forming the body and the leaves and bracts forming the legs.  Spiderworts like an average supply of water and should be watered regularly but be careful of overwatering.  This plant perfers sun to partial shade.  Spiderwort can be a noxious, invasive weed.  It self sows freely which can be controlled by deadheading to prevent volunteer seedlings. Propagate by seed or division.
Donation: 2007

Viola sororia, Viola conspersa, Viola blanda, Viola canadensis etc. (Native violet, Johnny Jump-Ups)

Violets are native to North America.  These short-lived herbaceous perennials grow three to eight inches tall.  They bloom from mid-march to June in yellow, white, blue or purple.  Flowers are generally 3/4 to 1 inch wide and have five petals.  They grow almost anywhere, in sun or shade.  Habitats range from sunny gardens, lawns and waste spaces to shady woods and wetlands.  Perfers soil with plenty of organic matter, good tilth, and good water holding capacity but will grow in acidic clay soils.  Slugs, snails and sucking insects are a frequent problem. Crown rot, root rot, leaf spot, mildew and other diseases may affect them.  Rabbits, white mice, wild turkeys and ruffed grouse are particularly found of the white violet; mourning doves eat only the seeds. Violets are high in vitamin A and contain more vitamin C per unit than oranges.  Many types of violets produce two kinds of flowers; the larger flowers most recognized as "violets" bloom in spring. After they have finished, the plant produces smaller flowers on short stems near the ground which produce buds but not petals.  They self pollinate and when ripe burst open and spread many seeds. Propagate by transplanting seedlings.  The earlier spring flowers are edible and are sometimes covered in sugar and used as decorations for pastries.
Donation: 2007