Plants in family ranunculaceae
Clematis cirrhosa
Clematis cirrhosa is a Mediterranean native vine known for its glossy evergreen foliage and cream-colored, bell-shaped flowers with dark speckles. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and blooms from October, with seed heads remaining after flowering. This plant is more winter hardy than often indicated and is ideal for adding vertical interest to gardens. Its ability to attract butterflies and birds makes it a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly landscapes.
Nigella damascena
Nigella damascena, commonly known as Love-in-a-Mist, is an annual flowering plant with unique dual-colored blooms of violet-blue and white, and intriguing deep purple seed pods. Native to southern Europe, North Africa, and southwest Asia, it grows 8-20 inches tall and features finely divided, thread-like leaves. This plant is drought-tolerant, self-sows readily, and attracts pollinators, making it a favorite for cut flower gardens. Its flowers bloom in early summer, displaying a range of colors including blue, white, pink, and pale purple. The seed pods are large and inflated, adding visual interest even after the flowers fade. Nigella is easy to grow and can thrive in various garden settings, continuing to return year after year. However, the seeds contain a toxic alkaloid called damascenine, so caution is advised around pets and children.
Helleborus lividus
Helleborus lividus is an evergreen perennial native to Majorca, Spain, known for its deep green or bluish-green glossy leaves. It produces light green or pinkish-green flowers from midwinter to early spring. This plant is deer-resistant and may require greenhouse protection in frost-prone areas. It hybridizes with H. argutifolius and is valued for its ornamental foliage.
Clematis heracleifolia
Clematis heracleifolia is a non-climbing perennial hybrid of Japanese C. stans and Chinese C. heracleifolia. It grows up to 5 feet long and features dark green tripartite foliage. The plant blooms in early July, producing white flowers with dark lavender-blue petals. It is easy to grow and suitable for semi-shade to part-sun environments, making it a versatile addition to gardens. This clematis is also known for attracting butterflies, adding both beauty and ecological value to its surroundings.
Hydrastis canadensis
Hydrastis canadensis, commonly known as goldenseal, is a rare native plant of the United States, found in moist, open woodlands. It is related to hellebores and clematis and is known for its medicinal properties as an anti-inflammatory antiseptic. The plant emerges in early spring with two pleated green leaves and produces white, fothergilla-like flowers. By late summer, it bears bright red berries. Goldenseal seeds well in suitable conditions and is a valuable addition to shade gardens, attracting insects and providing ornamental interest.
Actaea pachypoda
Actaea pachypoda, commonly known as white baneberry or doll's-eyes, is a native plant of eastern North America. It grows in hardwood and mixed forests, reaching heights of 18 to 30 inches. The plant features toothed, bipinnate leaves and produces dense racemes of white flowers. Its most distinctive feature is the white berries with black stigma scars, which are toxic to humans but consumed by birds. This perennial is often cultivated for its ornamental value, adding a unique touch to shade gardens.
Delphinium ajacis
Delphinium ajacis is an annual flowering plant native to Eurasia, known for its tall spikes of vibrant flowers in colors like carmine red, lilac, salmon, blue, pink, and white. Blooming from late spring to early summer, it can continue flowering through fall in mild climates. This plant readily reseeds and is grown as an ornamental, though all parts are toxic if ingested. It is introduced in North America and can reach up to a meter in height.
Clematis socialis
Clematis socialis is a federally endangered perennial native to northeast Alabama and northwest Georgia. Discovered in 1980, this plant forms a sprawling mass of wiry stems up to 5 feet wide. It thrives in moist alluvial woodland clearings but is extraordinarily drought-tolerant in garden settings. Clematis socialis features thick linear leaves and light lavender bell-shaped flowers that bloom from April through August. Its rarity and adaptability make it a unique addition to conservation-focused gardens.
Trautvetteria palmata
Trautvetteria palmata is an Asian plant found in cold regions of northern Japan, thriving in wetland areas. It features stoloniferous rhizomes and white frothy flowers, growing well in cool, moist sites.
Clematis 'Taiga'
Clematis 'Taiga' is a deciduous climbing plant known for its double purple flowers with yellow-green tips that bloom late into summer and fall. It grows up to 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide, thriving in full sun to part shade with well-draining soil.
Helleborus lividus ssp. corsicus
Helleborus lividus ssp. corsicus, also known as the Corsican hellebore, is an evergreen perennial native to Corsica and Sardinia. It is distinguished by its variegated trifoliate leaves, which are speckled with white and have a light pink overlay. The plant grows up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide, producing light green, bowl-shaped flowers in late winter and early spring. It is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9 and requires good winter drainage. This hellebore is deer-resistant and has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Aquilegia caerulea
Aquilegia caerulea, the state flower of Colorado, is an heirloom perennial known for its large, pale violet and white blossoms. This North American native wildflower thrives in part shade to full sun and is ideal for rock gardens, borders, and cut flower arrangements. Its blue-green foliage and long graceful spurs add to its ornamental appeal.
Helleborus thibetanus
Helleborus thibetanus is a rare perennial from Southern China, known for its early spring blooms of white to pink flowers. It prefers rich, well-drained woodland soil and a shaded, sheltered position. The plant goes dormant in summer and is susceptible to leaf spot and virus, requiring careful maintenance.
Aquilegia chaplinei
Aquilegia chaplinei is a dwarf plant native to the southwest, featuring lacy blue-green foliage and buttery yellow flowers in late spring. It prefers dry, well-drained spots and is suitable for rock gardens. This plant is hardy in USDA zones 3a to 9b and is known for its resilience and ability to thrive in challenging conditions.
Delphinium elatum
Delphinium elatum is a tall, elegant perennial with spires of large blossoms in shades of pink, violet, and blue. It attracts hummingbirds and pollinators, making it a standout in any garden. This plant is native to temperate Asia and Europe and requires a sheltered position in full sun with deep, rich soil. It is hardy to -4°F and must be securely staked due to its height.
Aconitum alboviolaceum
Aconitum alboviolaceum is a deer-resistant monkshood from South Korea, known for its clumping growth and light green, geranium-shaped leaves. It produces spikes of ivory flowers in late summer and thrives in part sun to light shade conditions.
Clematis fremontii
Clematis fremontii is a non-climbing dwarf bush native to the United States, with fuzzy oval green leaves and pinkish-purple bell-shaped flowers. It thrives in dry, sunny spots and is well-suited for rock gardens.
Caltha palustris
Caltha palustris, commonly known as marsh marigold, is a native bog plant found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It thrives in marshes and wet woodlands, producing bright yellow flowers from April to August. This perennial herbaceous plant can grow up to 18 inches tall and wide, with round, textured green leaves. While its raw form is toxic, it becomes edible when cooked. Marsh marigold is often confused with invasive species but is a valuable addition to bog gardens and wetland areas.
Nigella damascena 'African Bride'
Nigella damascena 'African Bride' is a plant native to northern Africa and southwest Europe, known for its dual-colored blooms and airy foliage. It is well-adapted to dry conditions, making it a great choice for xeriscaping. Nigella damascena adds a touch of whimsy to gardens with its delicate flowers and feathery foliage. This plant is ideal for naturalistic or cottage garden settings, providing a soft contrast to more structured plants.
Clematis versicolor
Clematis versicolor is a native US clematis found in rocky open woods and ravines, known for its sprawling vine habit reaching up to 8 feet. It produces pendulous purple bells that fade to white, intermingled with golden seedheads. This twining vine flowers from April through June and again in September and October, thriving in calcareous regions.
Thalictrum flavum 'Illuminator'
Thalictrum flavum 'Illuminator' is a 5-foot tall specimen with blue columbine-like foliage that emerges with a gold overlay. It produces clusters of tiny airy yellow flowers in late spring, adding a bright touch to gardens.
Helleborus hybridus 'Pdn Violet W Dark Spots'
Helleborus hybridus 'Pdn Violet W Dark Spots' is a deer-resistant plant with violet flowers featuring darker purple spots. It is a hardy perennial suitable for shaded garden areas.
Anemone 'Meron Bordeaux'
Anemone 'Meron Bordeaux' is a captivating plant with silky deep-plum blooms and royal-purple eyes accented by black stamens. This hardy perennial is suitable for USDA zones 7-10 and is resistant to deer and rabbits. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires moderate, consistent moisture in organically-rich soil. The plant's curly, fern-like foliage adds texture to garden beds. 'Meron Bordeaux' is an excellent choice for adding a splash of color to gardens, with its striking flowers making a bold statement.
Clematis integrifolia 'Lake Baikal'
Clematis integrifolia 'Lake Baikal' is a charming plant collected from Lake Baikal, Russia. It features short, lax stems and large, lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers with upturned petal tips. Blooming from May through September, it attracts hummingbirds and is suitable for cottage gardens.
Helleborus hybridus 'Painted Singles'
Helleborus hybridus 'Painted Singles' is a unique evergreen perennial known for its large, single white flowers with a striking dark burgundy center. This plant thrives in well-drained soils and is drought-resistant, making it a resilient choice for woodland gardens. It provides a winter floral display and serves as a nectar source for honeybees. Each plant is slightly different due to its seed strain, adding variety to garden landscapes. It is a prolific re-seeder, ensuring its presence in the garden for years to come. The plant contains genetic material from multiple species, contributing to its diverse characteristics. It is also known for its ability to act as a groundcover, providing year-round greenery.
Helleborus nigercors 'Hgc Green Corsican'
Helleborus nigercors 'Hgc Green Corsican' is a compact, deer-resistant hellebore hybrid with dark green leaves. It forms a 9-inch tall by 16-inch wide clump and produces upright spikes of large pure-white flowers in late winter. This plant is a great addition to winter gardens, providing interest and color during the colder months.
Helleborus hybridus 'Royal Beauty'
Helleborus hybridus 'Royal Beauty' is the first hellebore reproduced identically through micropropagation, featuring large flowers of medium pink with dark purple veins. It blooms in late spring and is known for its rabbit resistance and suitability for dry shade.
Helleborus niger 'Snowbells'
Helleborus niger 'Snowbells' is a semi-double Christmas rose known for its horizontally held flowers that begin blooming in mid-December. This plant is part of a new seed strain from Walters Gardens and is ideal for winter gardens.