Perennials For Dry Soils and Hot Dry Conditions
| Achfllea Yarrow |
Amsonia tabernaemontana Willow Amsonia |
| Anaphalis triplinervis Pearly Everlasting |
Anchusa Alkanet, Bugloss |
| Antennaria Pussy-toes |
Anthemis Golden Marguerite |
| Arabis Rock Cress |
Armeria maritima Thrift, Sea Pink |
| Arrhenatherum elatius var. bulbosum Tuber Oat Grass |
Artemisia Wormwood |
| Aurinia saxatilis Basket-of-gold |
Baptisia tinctoria Yellow False Indigo |
| Campanula poscharskyana Serbian Bellflower ' |
Catananche Cupid's-dart |
| Cerastium tomentosum Snow-in-Summer |
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Leadwort |
| Chamaemetum nobile Roman Chamomile |
Chrysanthemum parthenium Feverfew |
| Chrysanthemum X superbum Shasta Daisy |
Coreopsis verticillata Threadleaf Coreopsis |
| Coronilla varia Crown Vetch |
Cortaderia selloana Pampas Grass |
| Dianthus Pink, Carnation |
Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower |
| Echinops Globe Thistle |
Elymus arenarius Lyme Grass |
| Erigeron Fleabane |
Eryngium Sea Holly |
| Euphorbia (some) Spurge |
Festuca Fescue |
| Gaillardia Xgrandiflora Blanketflower |
Geranium (some) Cranesbill |
| Gypsophila paniculata Baby's-breath |
Helianthemum Sun Rose |
| Helictotrichon sempervirens Blue Oat Grass |
Hemerocallis Daylily |
| Iris (some) |
Kniphofia uvaria Torch Lily |
| Lavandula angustifolia English Lavender |
Leontopodium alpinum (C) Edelweiss |
| Liatris Gay-feather |
Linum Flax |
| Lychnis viscaria German Catchfly |
Malva Mallow |
| Miscanthus Silver Grass |
Nepeta Catmint |
| Oenothera (some) Evening Primrose, Sundrops |
Penstemon Beard-tongue |
| Petrorhagia saxifraga Tunic Flower |
Phlox subulata Moss Pink |
| Platycodon grandiflorus Balloon Flower |
Potentifla Cinquefoil |
| Rudbeckia Coneflower |
Salvia Sage |
| Santolina Lavender Cotton |
Saponaria ocymoides Rock Soapwort |
| Sedum Stonecrop (not all tolerate heat) |
Sempervivum Hen-and-chickens |
| Solidago Goldenrod |
Stachys byzantina Lamb's-ears |
| Thermopsis False Lupine |
Tradescantia Spiderwort |
| Verbena |
Yucca Adam's-needle, Soapwort |
Perennials For Shade - consistent moisture
| Acanthus Bear's-breech |
Aconitum Monkshood |
| Adenophora Ladybells |
Aegopodium (S) Bishop's Weed |
| Ajuga Bugleweed |
Atchemilla Lady's-mande |
| Anemone Wildflower |
Aquilegia Columbine |
| Arenaria Sandwort |
Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-pulpit |
| Arrhenatherum elatius var. bulbosum Tuber Oat Grass |
Artermisia lactiflora White Mugwort |
| Aruncus Goatsbeard |
Asarum Wild Ginger |
| Astithe False Spirea |
Athyrium Mix-femina Lady Fern |
| Brunnera macrophylia Heartleaf Brunnera |
Campanula Bellflower |
| Chelone lyonii Turtlehead |
Chrysogonum Coldenstar |
| Cimicifuga Bugbane |
Convallaria maialis Lily-of-the-valley |
| Dicentra Bleeding-heart |
Digitalis Foxglove |
| Epimedium Barrenwort |
Erythronium Dog-tooth Violet |
| Filipendula Meadowsweet |
Galeobdolon luteum Golden Deadnettle |
| Gaura lindheimeri White Gaura |
Gentiana Gentian |
| Hakonechloa macra |
Hedera Ivy |
| Helleborus Christmas/Lenten Rose |
Heuchera Coralbelis |
| Hosta Plantain Lily |
Imperata, ica 'Rubra, Japanese Blood Grass |
| Liriope Lilyturf |
Lysimachia punctata Yellow Loosestrife |
| Mertensia virginica |
Monarda Wild Bergamot |
| Myosotis Forget-me-not Virginia Bluebells |
Osmunda claytoniana Interrupted Fern |
| Pachysandra terminalis Japanese Spurge |
Phlox divaricata Wild Blue Phlox |
| Polemonium Jacob's-ladder |
Polygonatum Solomon's-seal |
| Primula Primrose |
Pulmonaria Lungwort |
| Pulsatilia vulgaris European Pasqueflower |
Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup |
| Sanguinaria canadensis Bloodroot |
Symphytum caucasicum Blue Comfrey |
| Thalictrum Meadow Rue |
Tiarelia (S) False Miterwort |
| Trillium Wake-robin |
Trollius Globeflower |
| Vinca Periwinkle |
Viola Pansy, Violet |
| Waidsteinia Barren Strawberry |
|
Perennials For Shade - dry conditions
| Adonis amurensis Amur Adonis |
Anaphalis triplinervis Pearly Everlasting |
| Convallaria majalis Lily-of-the-valley |
Epimedium Barrenwort |
| Geranium (some) Cranesbill |
Hosta Plantain Lily |
| Lamium maculatum Spotted Deadnettle |
Pachysandra terminalis Japanese Spurge |
| Pulmonaria saccharata Bethlehem Sage |
Stachys byzantina Lamb's-ears |
| Symphytum grandiflorum Large-flowered Comfrey |
Vinca Periwinkle |
Groundcover Perennials
| Achiffea tomentosa Woolly Yarrow |
Aegopodium Bishop's weed |
| Ajuga Bugleweed |
Alchemilla alpina Mountain Lady's-mantle |
| Antennaria Pussy-toes |
Arabis Rock Cress |
| Arenaria ;Sandwort |
Armeria maritima Thrift, Sea Pink |
| Artemisia schmidtiana Silver Mound Artemisia |
Asarum Wild Ginger |
| Aubrieta deltoidea Purple Rock Cress |
Bergenia cordifolia Heardeaf Bergenia |
| Cerastium tomentosum Snow-in-summer |
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Leadwort |
| Chamaemelum nobile Roman Chamomile |
Clematis paniculata Sweet Autumn Clematis |
| Convallaria majalis Lily-of-the-valley |
Coronilla varia Crown Vetch |
| Dianthus (some) Pinks |
Dicentra (some) Bleeding-heart |
| Duchesnea indica Mock Strawberry |
Epimedium Barrenwort |
| Euonymus fortunei 'Colorata' Purpleleaf Wintercreeper |
Galeobdolon luteum Golden Deadnettle |
| Galium odoratum Sweet Woodruff |
Geranium (some) Cranesbill |
| Gypsophila repens Creeping Baby's-breath |
Hedera Ivy |
| Hosta Plantain Lily |
Houttuynia cordata Chameleon Plant |
| Hypericum calycinum St.-John's-wort |
lberis Candytuft |
| Lamium maculatum Spotted Deadnettle |
Lathyrus latifolius Everlasting Pea |
| Liriope Lilyturf |
Lysimachia nummularia Creeping Jennie |
| Mentha pulegium Pennyroyal |
Nepeta Catmint |
| Oenothera missouriensis Ozark Sundrops |
Pachysandra terminalis Japanese Spurge |
| Papaver nudicaule Iceland Poppy |
Petrorhagia saxifraga Tunic Flower |
| Phlox (some) |
Polemonium reptans Creeping Jacob's-ladder |
| Polygonum Knotweed |
Potentilla tabernaemontani Spring Cinquefoil |
| Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup |
Santolina Lavender Cotton |
| Saponaria ocymoides Rock Soapwort |
Sedum (some) Stonecrop |
| Stachys byzantina Lamb's-ears |
Symphytum grandiflorum Large-flowered Comfrey |
| Thymus Thyme |
Tiarella False Miterwort |
| Verbena (some) |
Veronica (some) Speedwell |
| Vinca Periwinkle |
Viola odorata Sweet Viola |
Perennials For Rock Gardens
| Acaena microphylia New Zealand Bur |
Achillea tomentosa Woolly Yarrow |
| Adonis |
Aethionema Stonecress |
| Ajuga genevensis Geneva Bugleweed |
Antennaria Pussy-toes |
| Anthemis marschalliana Marshall Camomile |
Aquilegia flabellata Fan Columbine |
| Arabis Rock Cress |
Arnaria Sandwort |
| Armeria marftima Thrift, Sea Pink |
Aruncus aethusifolius Miniature Goatsbeard |
| Aster alpinus Alpine Aster |
Aubrieta deltoidea Purple Rock Cress |
| Aurinia saxatilis Basket-of-gold |
Bellis perennis English Daisy |
| Bergenia cordifolia Heartleaf Bergenia |
Campanula (some) Beliflower |
| Cerastiuin totnentosum Snow-in-summer |
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Leadwort |
| Cheiranthus cheiri English Wallflower |
Chrysogonum virginianum Green-and-gold |
| Coreopsis auriculata 'Nana' Dwarf Mouse Ear Coreopsis |
Corydalis lutea Yellow Corydalis |
| Dianthus Pink, Carnation, Sweet William |
Dicentra Bleeding-heart |
| Erigeron Fleabane |
Euonymus fortunei 'Kewensis' Wintercreeper |
| Euphorbia myrsinites Myrtle Euphorbia |
Festuca Fescue |
| Gentiana Gentian |
Geranium (dwarf forms) Cranesbill |
| Geum X borisii Boris Avens |
Helianthemum Sun Rose |
| Herniaria glabra Herniary |
Hypericum calycinum St.-John's-wort |
| Iberis Candytuft |
Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra Japanese Blood Grass |
| Incarvillea delavayi Hardy Gloxinia |
Inula ensifolia Swordleaf InulaIris (some) |
| Leontopodium alpinum Edelweiss |
Linum Flax |
| Myosotis alpestris Alpine Forget-me-not |
Nierembergia repens White Cupflower |
| Phlox stolonifera Creeping Phlox |
Phlox subulata Moss Phlox |
| Platycodon grandiflorus var. mariesii Dwarf Balloon Flower |
Potentilla Cinquefoil |
| Primula Primrose |
Pulsatilla vulgaris European Pasqueflower |
| Saponaria ocymoides Rock Soapwort |
Sedum Stonecrop |
| Sempervivum Hen-and-chickens |
Thymus Thyme |
| Tricyrtis Toad Lily |
|
Moisture Tolerant Perennials
| Aconitum Monkshood |
Aegopodium Bishop's Weed |
| Aquilegia Columbine |
Arenaria montana Mountain Sandwort |
| Aruncus Goatsbeard |
Asarum Wild Ginger |
| Astilbe False Spirea |
Baptisia australia Blue False Indigo |
| Bergenia cordifolia Heartleaf Bergenia |
Boltonia asteroides White Boltonia |
| Brunnera macrophylla Heardeaf Brunnera |
Calamagrostis Reed Grass |
| Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold |
Campanula Bellflower |
| Chelone lyonii Turtlehead |
Cimifuga Bugbane |
| Coreopsis rosea Rose Coreposis |
Deschampsia caespitosa Tufted Hair Grass |
| Digitalis Foxglove |
Epimedium Barrenwort |
| Eupatorium (some) Boneset |
Euphorbia griffithii Griffith's Spurge |
| Filipendula Meadowsweet |
Gentiana Gentian |
| Geranium sanguineum Blood-red Cranesbill |
Glyceria maxima 'Variegata' Manna Grass |
| Helenium Sneezeweed |
Hemerocallis Daylily |
| Hosta Plantain Lily |
Houttuynia cordata Chameleon Plant |
| lberis Candytuft |
Inula ensifolia Swordleaf Inula |
| Iris (some) |
Liatris Gay-feather |
| Liriope Lilyturf |
Lobelia cardinalis Blue Cardinal Flower |
| Lysimachia Loosestrife |
Lythrum Loosestrife |
| Mentha Mint |
Mertensia virginica Virginia Bluebells |
| Monarda Wild Bergamot |
Myosotis scorpioides Water Forget-me-not |
| Nepeta Catmint |
Osmunda claytoniana Interrupted Fern |
| Paeonia suffruticosa Tree Peony |
Phalaris arundinacea var. picta Ribbon Grass |
| Phlox (some) |
Physostegia virginiana Obedience |
| Polemonium Jacob's-ladder |
Polygonatum Solomon's-seal |
| Polygonum Knotweed |
Primula japonica Japanese Primrose |
| Pulmonaria Lungwort |
Ranunculus repens Buttercup |
| Rodgersia aesculifolia Fingerleaf Rodgersia |
Sanguinaria canadensis Bloodroot |
| Sanguisorba Burnet |
Symphytum Comfrey |
| Thalictrum Meadow Rue |
Tiarelia False Miterwort |
| Tradescantia Spiderwort |
Trillium Wake-robin |
| Trollius Globeflower |
|
Perennials for Woodland Gardens
| Aquilegia canadensis Wild Columbine |
Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-pulpit |
| Aruncus dioicus Goatsbeard |
Chrysogonum virginianum Green-and-gold |
| Cimicifuga Bugbane |
Dicentra Bleeding-heart |
| Epimedium Barrenwort |
Erythronium Dog-tooth Violet |
| Gentiana Gentian |
Geranium (some) Geranium, Cranesbill |
| Helleborus Christmas/Lenten Rose |
Heuchera Coralbells |
| Iris (some) |
Liriope Lilyturf |
| Mertensia virginica Virginia Bluebells |
Myosotis sylvatica Woodland Forget-me-not |
| Phlox (some) |
Polemonium Jacob's4adder |
| Polygonatum Solomon's-seal |
Primula Primrose (needs moist soil in hot regions) |
| Pulmonaria Lungwort |
Sanguinaria canadensis Bloodroot |
| Tradescantia Spiderwort |
Trillium Wake Robin |
| Viola Pansy, Violet |
|
Fragrant Perennials
Arabis, in variety (Arabis)
Artemisia Abrotanum (Southernwood)
Asperula odorata (Sweet Woodruff)
Centranthus ruber (Jupiter's-beard)
Convallaria majalis (Lily-of-the-Valley)
Dianthus plumarius (Grass Pink)
Dictamnus albus (Dittany or Gas Plant)
Hemerocallis flava (Daylily)
Hesperis matronalis (Sweet Rocket)
Hosta plantaginea grandiflora (Funkia or Big Plantain Lily)
Iris, Pallida section
Lathyrus grandiflorus (Everlasting Pea)
Lychnis Viscaria (German Catchfly)
Monarda didyma (Bee-balm)
tEnothera, in variety (Evening Primrose)
Pxonia, in variety (Peony)
Phlox paniculata (Phlox)
Rosa species (Roses-Cabbage and Sweet Briers)
Valeriana ofcinalis (Common Valerian)
Viola cornuta (Tufted Pansy)
Viola odorata (Sweet Violet)
Herbs
Anethum graveolens (Dill)
Thymus, in variety (Thyme)
Lavandula vera (True Lavender)
Origanum Majorana (Sweet Marjoram)
Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
Native Ferns
Hardy Ferns are spectacular, both in the wild and in cultivation. The variety of size, form, and texture is remarkable, and the various habitats where these ferns thrive are somewhat surprising. These ferns are usually available at garden centers although you may have to contact a specialty nursery to find some of them. Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), 18 inches tall, is the daintiest of the native ferns. Its black stems are topped with a fan-like arrangement of pinnae (leaf-like segments). It does best in filtered light and well-drained, cool soil. This fern spreads fairly slowly. Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) is quite variable, reaching 18 to 36 inches in height. It is easy to grow, making this a good fern for beginners. Lady fern produces a vigorous flush of reddish-green growth in the spring when it is at its most spectacular. It does best in shady conditions with moist to wet soil. Hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) reaches two feet in height and spreads fairly rapidly. You can easily control the spread by pulling out some of the growth in spring. It does best in full sun to partial shade and tolerates rather hot, dry sites. Hay-scented fern produces apple-green, lacy fronds that lend a delicate texture to the garden. Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) is a three-foot fern that produces gracefully arching fronds. The stiff fertile fronds arise in the middle of each clump, reach two feet in height, and persist into the winter. The early spring fiddleheads are edible. Ostrich fern does best in sun to partial shade and moist soil. Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), along with the other members of this genus, is named after Osmunder, Saxon god of war. The Osmunda ferns are among the most vigorous of all garden ferns and are not for small sites! The stiff fertile fronds appear first in spring, first green and later turning cinnamon-brown. Next, the handsome fiddleheads unfurl into three-foot arching sterile fronds, which have cinnamon-colored fibers along their base. In fall, these fronds turn golden. This fern does best in a shady site with moist soil. Interrupted fern (Osmunda claytoniana) is unusual for its sterile, three-foot tall fronds that have brown spore cases in the middle with green pinnae both above and below. Interrupted fern performs best in a shady site with moist soil, but it does better in higher light and drier soil than most ferns. Royal fern (Osmunda regalis) forms a three-foot, vase-shaped clump. The wiry roots were once aggressively harvested and used as a growing medium for orchids. The plant's smooth fiddleheads develop into bright green fronds. Light brown spore cases develop on top of the fertile fronds, giving rise to another common name, "flowering fern." Royal fern does best in shade or sun and a moist organic soil.
Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is one of the few evergreen ferns of Northern New England. The leathery fronds reach 18 inches in height. This is a durable and unfussy fern that is not overly aggressive and is easy to incorporate into the moist shady garden.
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