Plant Reference C--D
Campanula americana (Campanulastrum a.)
Tall Bellflower
N. America, z. 3-9. This lovely Bellflower is seldom offered because it is not perennial but biennial, meaning that plants
purchased now will bloom next summer and then die. However, it blooms for a long period, producing a spike up to 6' tall of
1" blue-violet flowers, and often self-seeds, so that it's well worth trying to establish a natural colony in partial to full
shade.
Campanula divaricata
Southern Harebell
N. America, z. 4-9. This delightful but little-known native Harebell likes a spot in sun or part shade and well drained soil
where it won't be overwhelmed by larger plants. Given that, it makes a fine display with its slender, 12"-15"stems hung with
small blue bells—very delicate and cool in the late summer heat.
Campanula poscharskyana
Dalmatian Bellflower
Yugoslavia, z. 3-10. This charming bellflower forms neat clumps only 6" high, but in late spring it puts out 1'-2' prostrate
stems studded with starry blue flowers, which will trail delightfully over edges or lean up against surrounding plants. A
good plant for the front of the border or for pots, it does well in partial shade and average soil.
Carex grayii
Gray's or Morning Star Sedge
N. America, z. 2-8. An erect, fountain-form sedge whose 1/2" wide, semi-evergreen blades rise 1' to 3'. Its big attraction
is its seedheads: large, round, and studded with spikes like an ancient mace―hence the name Morning Star Sedge. Good for massing
or accents near water, and also in pots. The long-lasting seedheads, which start green and turn a soft gold, are good for
cutting. Moist to wet soil in sun to part shade.
Carex laxiculmis
Loose-culmed Sedge
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 5-9. This local grass relative might well be called "Curling Sedge" because its 1/2" wide, blue-green leaves
curl outward from the center rather like a mum, making a springy tussock 6"-8" tall. It's happy here in partial to full shade
and average soil and is evergreen, although the leaves will brown at the tip over winter and should be cut back in early spring
to allow for new growth. A good edger, since it doesn't run, and a nice pot plant, too.
Carex pensylvanica
Pennsylvania Sedge
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 4-8. A very fine-textured sedge only 6"-8" tall, Pennsylvania Sedge forms billowy tufts that spread moderately
by short runners. Often found growing in deciduous woods or in sandy soils, it is very shade and drought tolerant and a beautiful,
grass-like groundcover for difficult sites.
Carpinus caroliniana
Am. Hornbeam, Ironwood, Muscle Tree
N. America, z. 3-9. The name "Muscle Tree" refers to the unusual and attractive bark of this understory tree, which resembles
muscles flexing under smooth, gray skin. A graceful native about the size and shape of a dogwood, it is an excellent small
specimen tree for part shade and moist to damp soil.
Ceanothus americanus
New Jersey Tea
N. America, z. 4-8. New Jersey Tea is a small deciduous shrub, 2'-4' high and wide, which bears clusters of white flowers
in mid summer. Although not well known it has several points of interest: it is considered one of the best native shrubs
for attracting butterflies and other pollinators; it grows happily in hot, dry situations and poor soils, and its leaves were
once used as a tea substitute. New Jersey Tea will adapt well to full sun or part shade, but requires very well-drained soil.
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Buttonbush
N. America, z. 5-10. A robust native wetland shrub, 4'-10' or more, with a rounded shape, leathery leaves, and perfectly round
heads of tiny, tightly clustered white flowers in summer—unusual and attractive. A useful shrub for naturalizing in moist
to wet soil, or shallow water. Its flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds and the seeds are eaten by wood ducks.
Cercis canadensis
Redbud, Judas Tree
N. America, z. 4-9. A small woodland tree—to 30'—with graceful form and heart-shaped leaves, bearing many dense clusters of
pinkish purple flowers along its branches in early spring. Redbud blooms at the same time as our native dogwood, and the two
together are a quintessential part of the spring woodland scene. A good ornamental whose bountiful seed pods are a food for
wildlife. Prefers partial shade and moist soil, but tolerates sunnier, dryer conditions.
Chasmanthium latifolium
River Oats, Wild Oats
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 5-9. This beautiful East Coast grass grows in 2'-4' upright clumps of rich green foliage with showy, diamond-shaped
flower spikes that start out jade green and turn pale gold in fall, shimmering in the slightest breeze on gracefully arching
stems. At its best in moist soil and partial shade, it will tolerate sunnier and dryer conditions and makes an excellent
waterside, seashore, or pot plant. If used in the border its long-lasting flower spikes should be removed in winter to prevent
self-seeding.
Chelone glabra
White Turtlehead
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 3-9. A distinguished native with rigid, 2'-4' stems bearing dark green, leathery leaves and terminal spikes
of ivory white or pink tinged flowers in late summer/early fall. The 1 1/2" flowers are unusual, shaped something like a turtle's
head, and stand out well in the late summer garden. The plant makes impressive clumps, combining well with Lobelias and tall
ferns in moist to wet soil, sun or shade. Butterfly host plant.
Chelone lyonii
Pink Turtlehead
N. America, z. 4-9. A sturdy and very attractive perennial whose 2'-4' stems, well clothed in shining deep green leaves, spread
slowly to form dense colonies. In late summer/fall each stem is topped with a tight vertical cluster of deep pink flowers,
vaguely turtlehead-shaped, followed by seedheads that look more like the rattles on a rattlesnake. Pink Turtlehead enjoys
moist to very wet soil in sun or partial shade. It does not need staking and unlike White Turtlehead seems immune to powdery
mildew.
Chelone obliqua
Pink Turtlehead
N. America, z. 3-9. Much like C. Glabra but a little shorter—to 3'. It has slightly shinier leaves and soft pink flowers which
blend in well with other plants. Likes the same conditions as C. glabra and the two are very attractive planted together.
Chrysanthemum parthenium
Feverfew
Europe, z. 4-10. A useful border plant with l'-4' fountains of bright green, feathery foliage and numerous clusters of white
daisy-type flowers in summer. I offer the semi-double variety called 'Flore-pleno'. A great choice for sandy, dry soil in
full sun, but it readily tolerates partial shade and heavier soil. A short-lived perennial which self-seeds, it is a good
cutting flower. If cut back periodically it will rebloom all summer long.
Chrysogonum virgianum 'Eco Lacquered Spider'
Green-and-Gold, Goldenstar
N. America, z. 6-9. 'Lacquered Spider' takes its name from the fat, furry runners, very like spiders' legs, that arch from
each rosette in spring and rapidly spread over the ground. At the end of the runners new rosettes of softly hairy leaves form
to make a thick, low groundcover. Yellow flowers with a lacquered sheen star the dark green mounds. A good semi-evergreen
groundcover for moist, humusy soil in partial sun or shade.
Chrysogonum virginianum
Green-and-Gold, Goldenstar
N. America, z. 5-10. A cheerful, low-growing perennial with open-faced golden flowers in spring and often again in fall.
This is the seed-grown species and while more irregular in form than the named selections, it is perhaps the longest blooming.
It spreads fairly rapidly by short runners and is an excellent groundcover for partial to full shade, average to moist soil.
Chrysogonum virginianum 'Pierre'
'Pierre' Green & Gold, Goldenstar
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 5-9. A fine selection of this excellent, spring-flowering
deciduous groundcover for part to full shade and moist soil.
'Pierre' forms neat 6" clumps which
expand well but do not send out runners. The golden flowers are
larger than the species and produced abundantly over a long period.
Very nice!
Chrysopsis mariana
Maryland Golden Aster
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 5-9. Clusters of rich yellow aster-like blooms rise above gray-green leaves on 12"-16" stems in late summer
and fall. Occurring naturally in dry fields and along road edges, Maryland Golden Aster is a great choice for any sunny,
dry area. It requires excellent drainage and blooms best in full sun, but tolerates light shade.
Cimicifuga (Actaea) racemosa
Bugbane, Black Cohosh
N. America, z. 3-9. Slow-growing, long-lived, and stately, Black Cohosh produces 2'-3' mounds of handsome dark-green, divided
leaves. Rising well above them are slender, twisting wands of fuzzy white flowers that provide an excellent summer nectar
source for many pollinators. A fine woodland plant for partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Cimicifuga racemosa
Claytonia virginica
Spring Beauty
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 3-8. A small plant which nevertheless makes acre-wide sheets of misty color in spring woodlands. Growing from
tiny, rapidly spreading corms, it produces tufts of grass-like foliage in late fall/winter and 3/4" white or pink flowers
striped with deeper pink throughout the spring season. It's at home in average to wet soil, and since it goes dormant in
summer can be tucked in anywhere its delicate spring color is desired. It delights without ever overwhelming, and I can never
have too much of it.
Clematis virginiana
Woodbine, Virgin's Bower
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 3-8. A semi-woody vine with great masses small white flowers in fall followed by showy, tousled seedheads--like
feather dusters after a hurricane. Although not a shy plant it is less aggressive than its more common Asian counterpart,
C. terniflora, and will provide a lavish fall display on a sunny fence or trellis—or even climbing through large shrubs--without
taking over the world.
Clethra alnifolia
Summersweet, Sweet Pepperbush
N. America, z. 4-9. This common East Coast native has recently become quite popular in the nursery trade, for good reason:
It's a 4'-8' shrub with very sweetly scented spikes of white flowers in mid-summer, attract ing butterflies and other pollinators,
and neat foliage that turns yellow in fall. It can be cut back in winter to maintain size, or pruned up to show off its smooth,
charcoal-gray bark. It does well in shade but needs sun for good bloom, and prefers moist to wet soil.
Clitoria mariana
Convallaria majalis
Lily-of-the-Valley
Europe, z. 3-9. Everyone loves the old-fashioned lily-of-the-valley for its gorgeously scented white bells—one of the headiest
scents of spring—and it is also an excellent low groundcover in partial/full shade and woodsy soil. It is usually sold as
small divisions which take awhile to get established, but my stock consists of good-sized potted plants which should take
off quickly and provide pleasure for many years to come.
Coreopsis auriculata 'Nana'
Mouse-ear Coreopsis
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 4-10. This delightful little plant makes a 4"-6" high clump of dark green, softly hairy leaves, topped in late
spring and early summer by 1" single flowers of a rich yellow-orange, each as delicately formed as a flower in an illuminated
manuscript. Dead-head for prolonged bloom. Clumps spread slowly but are not aggressive. Nice! Sun to part shade, average,
well-drained soil.
Coreopsis lanceolata
Lance-leaved Coreopsis
N. America, z. 5-10. A widespread native whose golden yellow flowers, consisting of 8 notched petals around a central boss,
are a common sight in fields and along roadsides in June and July. Not long-lived but a good self-seeder, it is easy and tough,
likes dry, sandy soils and spreads to form colonies. One to 3' tall, its flowers are long stalked—good for cutting.
Coreopsis rosea
Pink Tickseed
N. America, z. 3-8. Quite different from C. lanceolata, C. rosea is a 1'-2' plant with thread-like leaves and small but abundant
pink flowers in summer. A nice border plant, but although it likes full sun it will not tolerate very dry soil.
Cornus amomum
Silky Dogwood
N. America, z. 4-8. Silky Dogwood is a big—6'-10' high and wide—mounding shrub found in moist woods along much of the East
Coast. A good naturalizing/wildlife plant, its medium-green leaves support flat plates of ivory flowers in spring followed
by clusters of deep blue berries in fall that are eagerly consumed by birds. Its tolerance of damp to wet soils in part
shade or sun make it a good choice for stabilizing stream banks and pond edges and for creating wildlife thickets in low-lying
areas.
Corydalis cheilanthifolia
Fern-leaved Corydalis
China, z. 5-10. A fine Corydalis with 8"-12" evergreen mounds of lush, ferny foliage, soft green touched with bronze, which
remain beautiful all winter here. Numerous sprays of 1/2" yellow flowers in spring. Sun or shade, reasonably moist soil. Will
self-seed, but it's not invasive.
Corylopsis spicata
Spike Winterhazel
Japan, z. 5-8. A tall, widespreading—easily 8' x 8'—and very beautiful mountain shrub with pleated leaves that open a soft
matte green flushed with purple and turn deep green in summer, and dangling clusters of pale yellow flowers in early spring.
Not as showy in bloom as Forsythia, but a much more elegant shrub. A rapid grower, it prefers moist, acid, humusy soil in
sun or part shade, with some protection from late freezes.
Delphinium exaltatum
Tall Larkspur
N. America, z. 4-9. Tall Larkspur is a native perennial with admittedly much more modest flowers than the massive garden hybrids,
but it is quite attractive in its own right and much easier to grow in warm, humid summer climates. It grows quickly to form
a large clump of deeply cut, palmate leaves, out of which rise slender stems bearing spurred flowers in varying shades of
blue/purple in mid-summer. Excellent for grouping among other perennials or shrubs since it goes semi-dormant after flowering.
Plant in rich, moist soil in part shade.
Delphinium tricorne
Dwarf Larkspur
N. America, z. 4-9. An early highlight of spring woodlands, Dwarf Larkspur shoots up 1-3' stalks of electric blue flowers
that combine beautifully with other early bloomers such as Spring Beauty, Bloodroot, and Celandine Poppy. After blooming it
quickly goes dormant, disappearing under the expanding leaves of later perennials until the next spring. It likes moist soil
under deciduous trees and a bit of lime, and will slowly expand to a clump.
Dentaria laciniata
Cut-leaved Toothwort
N. America, z. 3-9. One of our earliest flowering woodland natives, with small white or pinkish flowers above delicately
cut foliage. Good for the woodland garden or with early spring bulbs. Well-drained soil in sun or shade; goes dormant in summer.
Deschampsia flexuosa
Crinkled Hairgrass
N. America, z. 4-9. Low tufts of shining, deep green foliage, fine as child's hair, are topped with delicate and showy tan
inflorescences in summer. This beautiful, low-growing evergreen grass is highly adaptable and can be used either as a specimen
or groundcover in dry to moist soil, sun or shade. Great for sandy soils, dry shade, and seashore use.
Desmodium paniculatum
Panicled Tick-trefoil
N. America, z. 4-8. A bushy perennial 2-3' tall and as wide, with slender 3-part leaves and airy heads of small, sweetpea-like
flowers in late summer that produce a rosy-purple haze from a distance. It likes dry soil in sun or part shade and is fine
for naturalizing or border use, with one caveat: I knew this plant in my childhood as "beggars' patches," because the triangular
seedpods have a velcro-like coating and stick like iron-on patches to any clothing they brush against. On the other hand,
birds such as quail, pheasant, and turkey eat them. Excellent drought resistance.
Dicanthelium (Panicum) clandestinum
Deertongue Grass
N. America, z. 4-9. Deertongue is a 2'-4', semi-evergreen, broad-bladed grass somewhat resembling a miniature bamboo. Although
only occasionally used as an ornamental, usually around water, its spreading habit and heavy root system make it a superb
choice for holding banks and smothering weeds. It occurs naturally in moist semishade, but readily tolerates full shade to
full sun, wet to dry soil, and can be mowed to control height. A real toughie.
Dicentra cucullaria
Dutchman's Breeches
N. America, z. 3-9. A very charming little 8"-12" woodland native with blue-green, ferny foliage and arching sprays of yellow-tipped,
white flowers that look for all the world like tiny pantaloons hung out in a stiff breeze. A pure delight to meet up with
in early spring, D. cucullaria disappears into dormancy quickly, but will spread into colonies and reappear year after year.
Part/full shade, humusy soil. Dormant corms.
Dicentra cucullaria
Dutchman's Breeches
N. America, z. 3-9. A charming little woodland native with blue-green, ferny foliage sprouting from small tubers and arching
sprays of yellow-tipped, white flowers that look for all the world like tiny pantaloons hung out in a stiff breeze. A pure
delight to meet up with in early spring, D. cucullaria disappears into dormancy quickly, but will spread into colonies and
reappear year after year. Part/full shade, humusy soil.
Dicentra eximia
Wild Bleeding Heart
N. America, z. 3-9. One of the very few wildflowers which blooms from spring through summer, with slender-stemmed clusters
of dangling, soft pink flowers rising through a 1' mound of delicate, ferny foliage. Excellent with other small woodlanders
in partial to full shade and moist soil. Also does well in pots outdoors.
Digitalis lutea
Small Yellow Foxglove
Europe, z. 3-10. An elegant Foxglove with a basal tuft of rather narrow, leathery leaves and slender, 2'-3' wands hung with
small, pale yellow bells in late spring. Not as showy as the biennial Common Foxglove (D. purpurea) but quietly elegant and
a true perennial. Lovely in groups or as an accent plant, it may self-seed gently. Sun or shade, average to moist soil.
Dioscorea quaternata
Wild Yam
Available for Fall 2010.
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N. America, z. 5-8. A true yam but not edible, and an unusual and beautiful small vine. Growing no more than 9′ and dying
back in fall, it will twine around a slender support and put out successive whorls of elegant, pleated leaves that flare outward
on long petioles.. The tiny flowers are barely seen, but the large seedpods are curious and pretty, while the leaves turn
deep gold in fall. Something different for shade to sun in humusy soil, it always attracts attention at the nursery.
Diospyros virginiana
Common Persimmon
N. America, z. 4-9. Persimmon is a neat, shapely medium-sized tree with attractive bark and glossy, dark green leaves that
color well in fall. A premiere wildlife plant, its small, scented spring flowers attract many pollinators and the edible
fruit, borne on female plants, is eaten by both birds and mammals. Happy in average soil in sun or part shade, Persimmon
also tolerates very dry, poor soils, making it an excellent choice for naturalizing. My plants are unsexed seedlings; plant
several for best pollination.
Dryopteris sp.
Wood Fern
N. America, z. 3-8. I suspect this is a natural cross between D. goldiana and another of the many Wood Ferns, but it's a nice
plant whatever its exact parentage. Moderate in size and growth rate, it has medium-green, 15"-18" fronds that arch thickly
and gracefully from a central crown. It holds its fronds deep into the fall, and its size and attractive form make it an
excellent textural focal point in moist soil in partial to full shade.