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#3 in Mt. Cuba Center Baptisia trials and the #1 white cultivar! In midspring, loads of dark smokey purple 12-20" high flower spikes adorned with starkly contrasting bright white pea-like, nectar rich flowers are held well above the neat mounds of foliage. Ivory Towers Baptisia or False Indigo, a hybrid of our native species developed by Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery, is an easy and low maintenance, deer resistant, large, long-lived clump forming, herbaceous, taprooted perennial maturing to about 4-5'H and equally wide and it maintains its architecturally pleasing vase shaped form throughout the growing season. As the palnts mature they produce more and more flowering spikes with each passing year with some plants producing over a 100 spikes on mature plants. Considered a must for the cutflower garden as the spikes have an excellent vase life. Provide Baptisias with a full to mostly sunny site in a soil with average or better drainage and moderate fertility. Image credit: Tony Avent, Plant Delights, all rights reserved. Item# 13318

Elegant, medium to large, formal double to rose form, bright rosy pink flowers are produced in mid to late season, January to April. Jack's Camellia is large flowered Japonica with a moderately vigorous, densely branching, compact habit growing to about 4-6' high by 3-4' wide. Its smaller stature and reliable and heavy late winter and early spring flowering lend this Camellia to use as a container plant as well as in the garden and landscape. Provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and an organic mulch. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13252

Jacob Cline is one of the more reliable selections of Scarlet Bee Balm producing large clusters of brilliant red tubular flowers atop sturdy 3-4' stems in summer. Considered to be one of the most vigorous and disease resistant cultivars available. A clump-forming, slowly spreading winter deciduous perennial that enjoys moist but well-drained soils and ample sunlight. A hummingbird magnet! Item# 10541.

An Allen Armitage 'no-brainer' perennial! The white full daisies are held atop and among the rich green foliage beginning in mid to late spring to early summer and continuing into fall. The nectar laden flowers are composed of multiple outer rows of white ray petals that have a light tinge of lavender surrounding a dense rounded mass of lemon tinged disc flowers. Japanese Aster, now classified as Aster iinumae previously Asteromea mongolica or Kalimeris mongolica, is a slowly spreading rhizomatous herbaceous bushy perennial growing to about 12-24"H x 18-24"W though some sources suggest that it may reach 36"H. This plant's reliability and flower power have garnered it a top spot among Dr. Armitage's list of "no-brainer" perennials. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in average moist, average to well-drained, fertile soils for optimum vigor and flowering. Use this easy perennial in both the garden and landscape as a tall groundcover or specimen as well as for easy and free flowering container specimens. Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady.

Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 13150

Grown mainly for its neat form and large leathery deep green foliage, the new growth of the Japanese Blueberry Tree emerges in bronze and reddish tones, ultimately maturing to deep dark green, and as the older foliage prepares to drop it takes on deep bright red tones. In late spring to early summer, large racemes of white to light pink, fragrant, frilly flowers that are commonly hidden among the foliage attract bees and butterflies. The flowers are followed by olive like fruits that ripen to deep blue, purple, or black and give the plant its common name. The Japanese Blueberry Tree, Elaeocarpus decipiens, is a naturally evergreen small to medium-sized tree with a slow to moderate rate of growth and can be used as a screen, hedge, or specimen providing a holly or Magnolia look in areas with mild winters. These can be shaped into very nice specimens if desired and are typically maintained with the foliage going all the way to the ground. Provide a full to mostly sunny site, in a neutral to mildly acidic, fertile, quality soil with average moisture and good drainage. Item# 13419

Large, deep to medium green, tropical-looking, palmately lobed foliage adorns this reliable evergreen shrub. Fatsia makes an excellent choice for shaded locations and slowly develops into a fairly large shrub with time. Makes a wonderful specimen, informal hedge, or container plant for indoors or out. Item# 10311.

The fringed recurving coral-red petals are unique to this Hibiscus species. The bright tropical flowers hang like Japanese lanterns from the vigorous branches throughout much of the year. An easily grown, free-flowering tropical, and a definite conversation piece. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators including Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.Still one of our favorites! Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item # 9246.

The top performer in both attracting pollinators and disease resistance in the Mt. Cuba Center's trials! Huge conical clusters of smaller than typical fragrant lavender-pink flowers are produced over an extended period beginning in midsummer and lasting into fall attracting a host of pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, and larger bees. Jeana Garden Phlox is an exceptionally vigorous and free flowering selection of our native Phlox paniculata whose stems can touch on 5' by the end of the growing season. This is a hardy, clump forming, deciduous perennial preferring a full to mostly sunny site in an acidic, average moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13194

Wave after wave of dainty white roses with a light yellow center or born from spring to fall on this reliable, disease resistant, and nearly thornless miniature rose. Perfect for small spaces or containers. Found and introduced by Chamblee's Rose Nursery in Jefferson County, Texas as Jefferson but is now tentatively identified as Softee. Item# 9788.

The large, double pink, carnation-like flowers are produced in great abundance all summer long on this easily grown deciduous shrub. The Rose of Sharon, a cold hardy shrubby Hibiscus species, has a naturally vase shaped habit when young but becomes rounded and full with age and it can also be trained into a tree form with careful pruning. These heirloom pass-a-long plants are quite tolerant of most well-drained, fertile soils in sunny sites and are resistant to periodic, short term drought once well-established. Jimmy's Double Pink Althea or Rose of Sharon is a much loved plant that came to us via John's mother's prized Althea bush when Jimmy, their 4 year old son, picked his mother, Bonnie, a flower and she rooted the cutting some 40 years ago and it still graces our gardens to this day. The flowers, even though double, attract bees, hummingbirds and the occassional butterfly. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 810

A loosely double Tropical Hibiscus with large pumpkin orange flowers that are borne in abundance throughout much of the where kept warm and provided with ample sunlight. Joanne Tropical Hibiscus, we have sold this as 'Double Orange' for many years and have finally discovered its true name, is a fairly full and compact growing, yet vigorous and free flowering hibiscus that lends itself to containers and tropical garden settings. Useful as a medium to large, free flowering informal tropical shrub, as a medium-sized hedge, or for medium to medium-large containers. Provide a full to partly sunny location in an average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and ocntinuous flowering. Item# 9323

The 2-3" wide mainly white flowers have a nicely contrasting deep cherry red blotch and flecks but are occasionally light pink to light lavender and are produced in mid to late spring. Johga Azalea, a sport of Izayoi and sometimes spelled 'Joga', is a dwarf Satsuki evergreen azalea that slowly develops into a 2-3' high mound of deep green medium-texured foliage. It lends itself to bonsai culture but is sure to be a low-maintenance conversation piece in the garden and landscape. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Azalea flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Item# 12799

Along with the Coral Honeysuckles, this is easily our top recommended vine for attracting hummingbirds! The bright red, 2" long, tubular flowers are born in profusion from spring to fall on this vigorous but small growing perennial vine that appears to have been perfectly designed for hummingbirds. Few other manageable, perennial, hummingbird attracting vines can compete with the John Elsley Firecracker Vine, a selection of Manettia cordifolia, when it comes to sheer flower power! This is an easy to grow twining, herbaceous vine that dies to the ground in winter in the northern parts of its range and readily returns each spring from potato-like tubers. Easy enough to overwinter in a container indoors where hardiness is questionable. Item# 418

This easy Garden Phlox produces large domed clusters of dark-eyed, light pink, fragrant flowers on tall sturdy stems with mildew resistant foliage. The show starts in early summer and may continue nearly until the first frost with this reliable and fragrant Garden Phlox if deadheaded. Phlox is adored by butterflies and hummingbirds alike! John Fanick, named for the Texas nurseryman, is only one of a handful of Garden Phlox varieties recommended for southern gardens by noted Texas plantsman Greg Grant. Item# 10267

One of the top performers in Mt. Cuba Center's Monarda Trials! The dense whorled, almost ball-like clusters of 2" long tubular, fuchsia flowers are subtended by darker fuchsia and purple bracts. The flowers are supported on tall sturdy stems to about 40-48" high beginning in late spring to early summer and attracting hummingbirds, larger butterflies, hummingbird moths, and bees. Judith's Fancy Fuchsia Beebalm, a likely an offspring of a promiscuous Monarda didyma and M. fistulosa, is a taller growing cultivar that has proven to have excellent resistance to powdery mildew. This is a slowly spreading hardy perennial that generally prefers a moist to average moist, fertile soil, optimally in full sun with good air circulation. The seeds are also enjoyed by songbirds. Item# 12952

The medium sized anemone form flowers are composed of a row of white outer petals centered by pale yellowish petaloids interspersed with golden stamens helping to create the yellow effect that has long been sought after in Camellias and this was one of the earliest hybrids to display it. Jury's Yellow Camellia is a long flowering hybrid that begins early in the season and continues into late season.  This is a moderately vigorous 'x williamsii' hybrid with an upright to rounded habit and dense branching growth habit. Use this large evergreen shrub as a specimen in the garden and landscape or as a container plant. Camellias prefer a moist to average moist well-drained loamy to sandy acidic soil with a deep organic mulch. Item# 11665

Kadota produces heavy crops of medium sized flattened green figs that ripen to a yellow green color. The fruit has white flesh and an amber pulp with small seeds and excellent to fair flavor. Good for fresh eating and drying and LSU says it is an excellent choice for preserves. The open eye is filled with honeydew which prevents souring. Kadota ripens in mid season and is considered to be the most widely grown commercial cultivar in California. Caterpillar host: Ruddy Daggerwing. Item# 9501

The exquisite medium-sized, high centered, formal double, bright white flowers are produced late in the season, March to April, and standout like spotlights against the foil of deep green foliage. This Camellia flower form is sometimes referred to as a 'pine cone' due to its high center and its neatly overlapping petals. Kagiri Camellia is an heirloom, large flowered Japonica type with a densely branching habit and a slow rate of growth eventually developing into an upright to rounded, large evergreen shrub. The slower growing Camellias make good choices for container specimens and bonsai but will still be a cherished addition to the garden or landscape. Provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and an organic mulch. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13230

The small to medium-sized, semi-double, rich rosy pink flowers are centered by a boss of contrasting golden stamens, and each petal may be lightly to moderately centered by white. The flowers are produced early in the season providing a burst of color for mid to late fall. Kanjiro Sasanqua Camellia, a selection of Camellia hiemalis, is a vigorous, upright growing, large evergreen shrub becoming rounded with age. It can be used as a screen, tall hedge, as a specimen plant, and can also be trained into a tree form. Sasanquas are considered much more adaptable to sun or shade as well as soil types, provided they have good drainage, moderate fertility, and an acidic pH. And like the large flowered Japonica Camellias, the Sasanquas will also benefit from a deep organic mulch. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13001

The 3 1/2" wide, ruffled, deep red funnel shaped flowers are produced in early to midspring and are somewhat reminiscent of the old favorite Red Ruffles. Katherine Allison Azalea, is an evergreen Dr. Eugene Aromi hybrid named for his granddaughter, having good vigor and with an initially upright habit eventually mounding out to about 4-5' high and wide. Developed in Mobile, Alabaman these were bred for good performance in the heat and humidity of the Southeast. Katherine Allison Azalea can be utilized as an informal hedge, specimen or anywhere else you would use a spring flowering medium-sized evergreen shrub in the garden and landscape. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Azalea flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Item# 12800

Loads of bluish-purple trumpet-shaped flowers are tucked among and atop the narrow dark green foliage from spring to frost all on a low and compact plant. Flowers of the Mexican Petunia attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Katie Blue Dwarf Ruellia, a selection of R. tweediana or sometimes R. simplex, is a dwarf, root hardy, clump-forming, naturally evergreen tropical that is adorned in narrow deep green, sometimes tinged with purple or bronze tones, weeping foliage creating small individual mounds on their own similar to Liriope. Use this heat and sunloving, shade-tolerant perennial as a border, groundcover, as well as a filler in container gardens. In zones 8-9, Ruellia act like die-back perennials that freeze back and then return from their crown in spring once the weather and soil temperatures begin to properly warm. An insulative but breathable organic mulch will help to ensure their return in areas that experience freezing temperatures. Easy and reliable! Item# 10857