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Aster (Aster)
Although taxonomists have officially kicked all the US-born plants out of the genus aster, we refuse to cooperate in this vast left-limb conspiracy. Despite the nomenclature controversy, these splendid late-season perennials combine with the colors of autumn and lend cooler blue-violet tones to the bright, exciting colors of fall. We have several different varieties to choose from, so choose all of them! Easy and dependable, asters generally thrive in full sun and average garden soil.
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Aster carolinianus (Climbing Aster)
Sun to Part Sun Zone: 7-9, possibly colder 120" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
(syn: Ampelaster carolinianus) What will they think of next...a native woody aster that climbs! We figure this native aster watched too many old kudzu movies. Yes, it grows, it climbs, it mingles, it blooms...it more closely resembles a clematis in habit (fragrant pink flowers from late summer into the fall). Give it a trellis, or let it socialize in the border...it's actually well-behaved! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00823
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Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' (Purple Dome Aster)
Sun to ShadeZone: 3-9 18" tall Origin: USA
(syn: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) If you have never seen a mass of A. 'Purple Dome' in full flower, then you haven't yet lived! From Dr. Dick Lighty, former Director of the Mt. Cuba Center, Delaware comes this wonderful selection of our drought-tolerant native New England aster. The 18" stems of fuzzy, narrow, green leaves are topped in early fall with vivid 1.5" wide shocking purple daisies...so thick you can't see the foliage. The clump will eventually spread to 2'. Planted en masse, the effect is indescribable! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00953
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Aster oblongifolius 'Fanny' (Fanny's Fall Aster)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-9 24" tall Origin: USA
(syn: Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) We originally acquired this selection of our native Aster oblongifolius from Montrose Gardens, which acquired it from Ruth Knopf of Boone Hall Plantation in South Carolina. Ruth acquired the aster from her maid, Fanny, who acquired it as a pass-along plant from her grandmother. This spectacular aster is the last to flower in our garden, usually in October and November. 'Fanny', the aster--not the maid--makes a nice clump to 4' in width and is smothered with 1" blue flowers...awesome! For a fall show in a hot dry site, a nice 'Fanny' is a hard thing to beat. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00341
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Astilbe (False Spirea)
Astilbes have been grown for years, but are misunderstood plants in those areas with warm summers. When planted in regular garden conditions, they last only a couple of seasons before succumbing to our weather. We have found that by planting them in very moist areas, astilbes not only survive but grow well. For conditions less than ideal, we recommend the Astilbe chinensis types which are much more forgiving under adverse conditions. Astilbes provide dramatic color displays in the spring woodland garden.
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Astilbe chinensis 'Maggie Daley' (False Spirea)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7, at least 28" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
This recent introduction emerges with bronze-tinted foliage, forming a dense 1' wide clump topped in early summer with rigidly upright plumes of lavender-pink. We doubt this is actually a true A. chinensis; it is more likely a hybrid. In our trials, it has performed amazingly well through several brutally hot and humid summers. A. 'Maggie Daley' is great for adding a spiky accent in the moist part of the garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05788
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Athyrium (Lady Fern)
Lady ferns have long been prized (especially during the Victorian fern craze) for being an easy-to-grow and spectacular group of ferns. The sheer number of named selections of the lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) boggles the mind. This doesn't take into account the 180 additional species of lady fern. This combination of US and Asian natives makes this genus of ferns one of the most widely grown of all temperate fern genera.
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Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae' (Tatting Fern)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 3-8 12" tall Origin: USA, Europe
This selection of deciduous lady fern from Europe is one of the most unique ferns available today. Found in 1857 in Ireland in the garden of a Mrs. Frizell, the tatting fern is known to most avid gardeners. The narrow fronds, to less than 1" wide, are clothed up both sides with fuzzy green, ear-like projections. I know this sounds really bizarre, but even normal folks are attracted to this unusual fern...a great 1' tall x 18" wide specimen plant for a special spot in the woodland! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02362
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Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Red' (Northern Lady Fern)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 2-8 20" tall Origin: USA
From a volunteer at The New England Wildflower Society comes a hot new selection of our native lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum forma rubellum) that's all the rage. The lacy, light green foliage is held upright on dark, brilliant red-violet stipes (fern stems). Each plant of this slowly spreading fern should spread to 3' in 5 years. This deciduous, easy-to-grow fern makes a great blending plant for hosta and other bold-leaf plants in the woodland garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04968
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Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae' (Victoria Lady Fern)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 18" tall Origin: USA, Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
Considered the "Queen of Ferns," this exquisite selection of the deciduous lady fern was the pride and joy of the Victorian fern craze. The narrow pinnae are like little green boomerangs. As they are attached to each side of the stem, the effect is a three-dimensional stunner. At the end of each pinna, the fronds are crested, adding to the exquisite beauty. For us, it forms an 18" tall x 18" wide clump. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02361
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Athyrium 'Ghost' (Ghost Fern)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 30" tall Origin: Hybrid
Visitors to our garden have waited for years to be able to get their hands on this tremendous new fern from the Virginia garden of Nancy Swell. This vigorous and easy-to-grow hybrid between Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum') x Southern lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) combines the best features of both parents. The result is a rigidly upright fern to 2-3' tall with the silvery grey foliage of the A. niponicum. The "formal" effect of this fern opens up a new array of design possibilities in the woodland garden...superb as a hosta backdrop or the perfect addition to the "haunted garden!" Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03881
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Athyrium 'Godzilla' (Godzilla Japanese Painted Fern)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-8 36" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW!
This sporeling showed up in our garden in the mid-1990s and it wasn't long before we realized we had something special. There was something about its 3' tall x 6.5' wide proportions that were a bit out of the ordinary for a typical Japanese painted fern, despite its typical painted fern leaf appearance. Although the leaf backs were covered in patches of felty brown spores, there was no viability, indicating some horticultural hanky panky with a nearby lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) had conceived this "mule." Finally, we have divided our clump so we can finally share 'Godzilla' with our gardening friends, although our supply is still limited. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08169
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Athyrium niponicum 'Apple Court' (Crested Japanese Painted Fern)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-8 12" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
We obtained this gem in 1994 from Roger Grounds and Diana Grenfell, former owners of Apple Court Nursery in the UK. This amazing selection of Japanese painted fern not only has lovely purple, silver and green markings, but each leaf is dramatically crested both up the sides and onto the tip. Our specimen in the garden has matured at 1' tall x 2' wide. This is a superb addition to the woodland garden that we were very pleased to name and introduce to commerce in 2003.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05288
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Athyrium niponicum 'Wildwood Twist' (Wildwood Twist Painted Fern)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-8 18" tall Origin: Japan
This unique selection of painted fern comes our way from NC's own reclusive plant breeder, Thurman Maness (of lobelia fame). A. 'Wildwood Twist' has fronds which emerge a lovely silver-grey, although we haven't seen any sign of a twist...perhaps that's what Thurman did when he found it. This 18" tall x 3' wide clump is one of the most asked about selections of Japanese painted fern in our garden... most unusual and quite special... like Thurman. These plants are propagated by division to ensure uniformity. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03890
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Athyrium 'Ocean's Fury' (Ocean's Fury Fern)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9, at least 36" tall Origin: Hybrid
From NCs own Thurman Maness comes this new Japanese painted fern hybrid forming a 3' tall x 2' wide clump with silver green fronds, each ending with an attractive petticoat...a unique breakthrough...both the fern and Thurman! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07817
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Athyrium otophorum (Asian Lady Fern)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-9, at least 18" tall Origin: China, Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
This lovely, 2' wide fern is one of those that is actually recognizable from a distance. The triangular, plastic-like, pewter-green fronds are accented with dark reddish stipes (stems). When the new growth emerges, the contrast of the unfurling, reddish new foliage is dynamite against the green of the fronds...outstanding as a specimen plant in the woodland garden! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00791
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| <Aspidistra] | [Bambusa - Begonia> |
