Indian Pink Spigelia marilandica Description: Upward-facing bright red tubular flowers with contrasting yellow centers. A gorgeous hummingbird favorite. Propagation: Seeds, or divide whole plants in early spring. Initial bloom (month and week): June W1 Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden Color of flower: Red and yellow Height: 24″ Spread: 12″ Family: Loganiaceae Soil type: Neutral woods…
Author: Maria C. R. Harrington
Intermediate Wood Fern
Intermediate Wood Fern Dryopteris intermedia AR Plant Model Description: This is a lacy evergreen wood fern commonly found near oaks. Propagation: Spores or divisions of the rhizome Initial bloom (month and week): no flower Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden Color of flower: no flower Height: 24″ Spread: 18″ Family: Dryopteridaceae Soil type: Neutral Soil…
Ironweed
Ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis Description: The tall purple flowers of this plant bloom on upright stems in August and September. Thriving in full sun and dry to average soils, ironweed is commonly found in pastures since it is unpalatable to cows. Propagation: Seeds are easy, also divisions Initial bloom (month and week): August W2 Garden name: Sunny…
Jack in the Pulpit
Jack in the Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum AR Plant Model Description: Has one or two large, glossy leaves, divided into three leaflets. The flower occurs on a separate stalk as large, hooded, green- or purple-striped flower. All parts of this plant contain calcium oxalate crystals which causes severe burning and swelling of the mouth and…
Jacob’s Ladder
Jacob’s Ladder Polemonium reptans Description: Handsome blue flowers in spring. The pinnate leaves resemble a ladder. Propagation: Division of the lax stems Initial bloom (month and week): April W2 Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden Color of flower: Blue Height: 12″ Spread: 6-12″ Family: Polemoniaceae Soil type: Rich acidic woodland soil Soil moisture: Moist Light: Shade…
Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s Mantle Alchemilla mollis Description: Leaves pleated in a fan shape hold dew drops Propagation: Seeds Initial bloom (month and week): June W3 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: Yellow Height: 16″ Spread: 16″ Family: Roseaceae Soil type: Neutral Soil moisture: Dry Light: Full sun Zone: 3-8
Lanceleaf Tickseed
Lanceleaf Tickseed Coreopsis lanceolata Description: Bright yellow flowers in May and June attract butterflies and bees to this hardy perennial. Propagation: Seeds, divisions in spring or fall Initial bloom (month and week): May W1 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: Golden yellow Height: 18″ Spread: 18″ Family: Asteraceae Soil type: Sandy Soil moisture:…
Large Twayblade
Large Twayblade Liparis liliifolia Description: An orchid that bears 5-30 drooping flowers on an erect stem. Each flower has three pale purple petals and three green sepals. Twayblade does not set much seed, and what pollinates it is largely unknown. Huge colonies exist, but may be the result of offsets. Propagation: Seeds Initial bloom…
Large-flowered Bellwort
Large-flowered Bellwort Uvularia grandiflora AR Plant Model Description: This drooping flower is named for its similarity to the uvula, dangling in the back of the throat. Also known as merrybells. Propagation: Seeds ripen in late summer and should be sown immediately. Large clumps may be divided in spring or fall. Initial bloom (month and week):…
Lavender
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia Description: Add to your bath or use in cakes, cookies, or jellies. Grows to be 18” tall. Propagation: Seeds Initial bloom (month and week): July W3 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: Blue Height: 18″ Spread: 12″ Family: Lamiaceae Soil type: Neutral sandy gravel Soil moisture: Dry and hot Light: Full sun…
Lavender Cotton
Lavender Cotton Santolina chamaecypayrssus Description: A natural air freshener and insect repellent, used in short hedges Propagation: Seeds. Difficult to transplant when large. Initial bloom (month and week): August W3 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: Yellow Height: 16″ Spread: 12″ Family: Asteraceae Soil type: Neutral sandy loam Soil moisture: Medium dry Light: Full…
Little Sweet Betsy
Little Sweet Betsy Trillium cuneatum Description: Mottled leaves surround a banana-scented flower Propagation: Seeds, divisions in spring or fall Initial bloom (month and week): March W4 Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden Color of flower: Red or yellow Height: 16″ Spread: 12″ Family: Melanthiaceae Soil type: Limestone Soil moisture: Medium moist Light: Shade Zone: 5-9
Long-spur Violet
Long-spur Violet Viola rostrata Description: The spur is at least as long as the petal blades. Propagation: Seeds Initial bloom (month and week): April W4 Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden Color of flower: Purple Height: 8″ Spread: 6″ Family: Violaceae Soil type: Acidic or neutral soils Soil moisture: Medium moist Light: Shade Zone: 3-8
Marsh Marigold
Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris Description: This early spring flower is said to be deer resistant, but at Powdermill deer eat it when they can get near it. Propagation: Seeds Initial bloom (month and week): March W4 Garden name: Sunny Wetland Garden Color of flower: Yellow Height: 24″ Spread: 18″ Family: Ranunculaceae Soil type: Acidic…
Mayapple
Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum AR Plant Model Description: Has one to two umbrella shaped leaves. Plants with two leaves flower and produce fleshy white flowers and fruit. Native Americans used may apple to treat internal parasite infections, vomiting, and constipation. Propagation: Seeds or divisions Initial bloom (month and week): May W2 Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden…
Moss Phlox
Moss Phlox Phlox subulata Description: Evergreen groundcover with narrow leaves Propagation: Root cuttings in fall Initial bloom (month and week): April W2 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: Pink or white Height: 3″ Spread: 12″ Family: Polemoniaceae Soil type: Rocky gravel Soil moisture: Dry Light: Full sun Zone: 3 – 8
Nasturtium
Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus Description: Use the leaves and flowers in salads, or pickle the seed pods and used as you would capers Propagation: Seeds Initial bloom (month and week): July W3 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: Orange Height: 12″ Spread: 36″ Family: Tropaeolaceae Soil type: Neutral loam Soil moisture: Medium to dry…
New England Aster
New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae Description: This native perennial is the host food plant for the Pearl Crescent butterfly. Growing up to 5’ tall, this plant enjoys moist, rich soils but can grow on dry sites as well. Its flowers range from purple to pink and blooms occur during late summer into fall. Propagation: Easy from…
Ninebark
Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius Description: This deciduous shrub is a magnet for small pollinators like native bees, which swarm over the flowers all summer. The exfoliating bark is attractive in winter. Will grow under all kinds of conditions. Propagation: Seeds, cuttings Initial bloom (month and week): May W4 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower:…
Nodding Onion
Nodding Onion Allium cernuum Description: Bears white to pink flowers nodding at the top of a leafless stalk. Like all onions, this plant is edible. There are selected dark pink forms, but the wild species is a pale pink. Propagation: Seeds or division of bulb clusters. Very easy, can take over. Initial bloom (month and…
Nodding Wakerobin
Nodding Wakerobin Trillium flexipes Description: A southern species of trillium with bent stems Propagation: Seeds or division of bulb Initial bloom (month and week): April W4 Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden Color of flower: White Height: 16″ Spread: 12″ Family: Melanthiaceae Soil type: Neutral woodland soil Soil moisture: Medium moist Light: Shade Zone: 3-8
Northern Sea Oats
Northern Sea Oats Chasmanthium latifolium Description: A common ornamental grass that grows 2-5’ in rich woods and rocky slopes. Propagation: Prolific from seeds, easy to divide the fibrous roots Initial bloom (month and week): July W3 Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden Color of flower: Golden yellow Height: 2-5′ Spread: 12″ Family: Poaceae Soil type:…
Obedient Plant
Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana Description: Snapdragon-like flowers Propagation: Seeds or divisions Initial bloom (month and week): August W3 Garden name: Sunny Wetland Garden Color of flower: Pink Height: 2-4′ Spread: 12″ Family: Lamiaceae Soil type: Rich meadow Soil moisture: Moist Light: Full sun Zone: 3-9
Ohio Goldenrod
Ohio Goldenrod Oligoneuron ohioense Description: Largest and showiest goldenrod flowers Propagation: Seeds or plugs Initial bloom (month and week): August W4 Garden name: Sunny Wetland Garden Color of flower: Yellow Height: 3-4′ Spread: 12″ Family: Asteraceae Soil type: Basic, sand or clay Soil moisture: Medium to moist Light: Full sun Zone: 4-5
Ohio Spiderwort
Ohio Spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis Description: The deep blue, pink or white flowers open in the morning and close by noon on sunny days, but last longer on cloudy days. Many named cultivars are available in the trade. Also known as bluejacket. Propagation: Division after the plant becomes dormant in late summer, or in early spring…
Orange Coneflower
Orange Coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida Description: Many yellow ray flowers, attracts bees and butterflies. Propagation: Seeds or divisions Initial bloom (month and week): August W2 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: Yellow with black center Height: 2-3′ Spread: 24″ Family: Asteraceae Soil type: Tolerant of clay soil Soil moisture: Dry or moist Light: Full…
Oregano
Oregano Origanum vulgare Description: Indispensable for pizza and all tomato sauces, leaf tea for indigestion. Propagation: Seeds Initial bloom (month and week): June W3 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: White Height: 12″ Spread: 24″ Family: Lamiaceae Soil type: Neutral sandy loam Soil moisture: Dry Light: Full sun Zone: 3 – 9
Ozark Sundrops
Ozark Sundrops Oenothera macrocarpa Description: Large flowers bloom a long time followed by curious seeds pods shaped like paddle wheels. Propagation: Seeds Initial bloom (month and week): June W1 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: Yellow Height: 12″ Spread: 24″ Family: Onagraceae Soil type: Neutral sand or loam Soil moisture: Dry Light: Full sun…
Ozark Witch Hazel
Ozark Witch Hazel Hamamelis vernalis Description: One of the earliest blooming deciduous shrubs, with a rich, spicy fragrance like cloves. Propagation: Root suckers; difficult from seeds Initial bloom (month and week): March W1 Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden Color of flower: Red-orange Height: 8′ Spread: 6′ Family: Hamamelidaceae Soil type: Acid sandy loam Soil…
Painted Trillium
Painted Trillium Trillium undulatum Description: Moist or wet woods, strongly acidic and humus-rich, usually rocky, under acid-loving trees such as white pine, red maple, red spruce and balsam fir. Propagation: From seeds or division. Very difficult to move once established. Unlike other Trillium species, few variations are found in nature. Initial bloom (month and…
Parsley
Parsley Petroselinum crispum Description: Use as a nutritious garnish or add to tabouleh, stuffing, or salad. Food plant of the black swallowtail butterfly. Propagation: Biennial; allow seeds to form and scatter them in July Initial bloom (month and week): August W3 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: Green Height: 18″ Spread: 18″ Family:…
Partridge Berry
Partridge Berry Mitchella repens Description: This tiny ground cover has oval evergreen leaves and bright red berries all winter. Propagation: Root cuttings in fall at leaf nodes Initial bloom (month and week): June W4 Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden Color of flower: White Height: 2-4″ Spread: 12″ Family: Rubiaceae Soil type: Acidic woodland soil…
Pearly Everlasting
Pearly Everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea Description: This everlasting flower is good for drying. It is also the larval host plant of the American Lady butterfly. Propagation: Seeds or divisions Initial bloom (month and week): July W2 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: White Height: 16″ Spread: 12″ Family: Asteraceae Soil type: Neutral Soil moisture:…
Pennsylvania Sedge
Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica Description: Cool season, stoloniferous sedge that is one of the first to green up in spring. Forms a good sod. Propagation: Divisions in early spring Initial bloom (month and week): May W2 Garden name: Shady Woodland Garden Color of flower: Green Height: 1′ Spread: 1′ Family: Cyperaceae Soil type: Acidic…
Pickerel Weed
Pickerel Weed Pontederia cordata Description: An obligate wetland species, pickerel weed is host to many bees and butterflies. This plant won’t tolerate any drought, and must be planted in standing water. The seeds and stalks are edible. A special bee, Dufourea novaeangliae, obtains pollen and nectar from only this plant. Propagation: Seed or division of roots,…
Pink Evening Primrose
Pink Evening Primrose Oenothera speciosa Description: A vigorous, stoloniferous grower, especially in sandy soils. Long blooming. Changes color when pollinated. Propagation: Seeds or stolons Initial bloom (month and week): May W4 Garden name: Sunny Garden Color of flower: Pink Height: 12″ Spread: 24″ Family: Onagraceae Soil type: Sandy loam Soil moisture: Dry Light: Full sun…