Gardens of The Blue Ridge Inc

Wildflowers For Shade to Semi-Shade

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Galax urceolata  Galax

An evergreen ground cover with dark green glossy leaves. Leaves will turn a maroon color in the winter if they are exposed to some sun. Must have rich moist soil and it prefers a northern exposure. It will not tolerate hot weather or dry soils. Has a white spike bloom in early summer. It is a ground cover, however it is very slow to start spreading. More noted for the leaves than the blooms.

Shade, Rich Soil, Summer, 4-8 in., Zones 4-7

THESE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING NEW LEAVES ON FOR THIS YEAR AND THE OLD LEAVES ARE STARTING TO DIE OFF.

Gaultheria procumbens     Wintergreen, Teaberry

Has oval shaped shiny green leaves that are atop a 3-5 in stem. The white flowers appear in the summer and are bell shaped, they are about 3/8 of an inch long. Has red berries in the fall, which will remain on the plant through the winter. Foliage will turn red in the winter if it gets some sun.

Shade to Semi-shade, Rich Acid Soil, Summer, 4-6 in. Tall, Ground cover, Zones 3-8

Gentiana andrewsi   Closed Gentian, Bottled Gentian

This plant has an unusual but beautiful bloom. The color is a bluish-purple, it remains closed, only opened  by pollinating insects. Will tolerate varied conditions, tends to grow taller with fewer stems the more shade it gets. Being a late bloomer makes it a great addition to your garden.

Sun to Shade, Average, Fall, 1-2 ft Tall, Zones 3-8

Geranium maculatum    Wild Geranium

Looking for some blooms in the shade, this is the plant. Has light pink to purple flowers from late spring to early summer. It will spread and make a very nice size clump quite quickly. In cooler climates it will tolerate about a half a day of full sun. This is one of our best selling plants.

Shade to Semi-Shade, Rich Soil, Spring – Summer, 1-2 ft. Tall, Zones 4-9.

Gillenia trifoliata   Bowman's Root, Fawn’s Breath, Indian Physic

The leaves and stems of this attractive plant have a slight red tint to them. The small white flowers, which appear in the summer, are quite numerous on each plant. When planted in a site that receives some sun it will bloom better and will be more compact and shrubby in growth habit.

Shade to Semi-shade, Rich Soil, Summer, 2-4 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

Helianthus divaricatus – Woodland Sunflower

As the common name implies this Sunflower does well in dry dappled shade. Has 2 inch flowers made up of yellow petals and disk that are atop a 4-6 foot stem. The flowers appear in late summer to early fall.

Semi-shade to Sun, Average to Dry, Summer to Fall, 4-6 ft. tall, Zones 5-9

Hepatica nobilis acuta       Sharp-lobed Hepatica

A very early spring bloomer, one of the first of the woodland wildflowers to bloom. Has pretty white flowers, sometimes they have a slightly pink tint. After the bloom fades the leaves unfurl. Leaves are an attractive dark green with a slight variegation. The leaves are just as attractive as the blooms and stay on the plant well past frost and cold weather. Likes very organic rich moist but well drained soil and shade.

Shade – Semi-shade, Rich Soil, Spring, 6-8 in Tall, Zones 2-9

Hepatica nobilis obtuse    Round-lobed Hepatica

An early spring bloomer with the white blooms, sometimes tinted with light blue, appearing before any foliage is on the plant. . As the common name suggests the leaves are rounded on the edges and resemble trilliums and jacks as they are divided into three parts. The leaves have a slight variegation and will remain green throughout the winter. Needs a nice shady location with rich organic moist but well drained soil.

Shade to Semi-shade, Rich Soil, Spring 4-6 in Tall, Zones 3-9

Heuchera americana   American Alumroot

This a very attractive plant with lobed heart shaped leaves that are mottled with bronze in the fall and winter. Has a greenish white flower in the summer, which stands about 2 ft above the basal foliage. Works well in a rock garden.

Shade to Semi-shade, Rich Soil, Summer, 1-2 ft Tall, Zones 4-8

Hexastylis arifolia - Little Brown Jug

The beautiful evergreen heart shaped leaves is what makes this plant so popular. The common name comes from the bloom shape and color. It has a small brown jug-shaped calyx type flower that is right on the ground underneath the leaves. They prefer shade to semi-shade with rich somewhat moist soil. These will grow into a large clump after several years.

Shade to Semi-Shade, Summer, 4-6" Tall, Zones 3-9

Hexastylis shuttleworthi     Heartleaf, Little Brown Jug

A desirable plant sought after for its evergreen foliage with some white variegation in it. Needs acid soil, often seen growing under pines, and can also tolerate a little sun. This species has more rounded leaves as opposed to more pointed leaves of some of the other species. A slow grower but the clumps will get quite large in time. Has small brown tubular blooms underneath the leaves, looks like little brown jugs.

Shade- Semi-shade, Acid Soil, Spring, 4-6 in Tall,  Zones 5-9

Hydrastis canadensis    Goldenseal

This plant is used extensively in the medicinal field. Has leaves shaped somewhat like a maple tree. The white bloom is pretty insignificant but has bright red berries in the fall. It is on the endangered and protected list. We issue a certificate with each plant we sell. Must have rich, cool soil to thrive. Will spread and make a nice colony once established.

Shade, Rich Soil, Spring, 6-12 in Tall, Zones 4-8

Iris Cristata   Dwarf Crested Iris

This well known plant is a great early spring bloomer with light blue flowers that have a white throat. Stays short, only about 5 inches tall. Will spread and make a ground cover if it receives some sun. It will grow in sun or shade, in the shade it will slowly spread and will have sporadic blooms, when given some filtered or direct sun it will stay more tightly bunched and will bloom more profusely. It is not that picky about the soil we have seen it in rich woods soil to sandy soils and even in red clay. Very hardy once established but do not mulch over top as the rhizomes are right on tope of the ground and mulch will smother them out. By far one of our best sellers.

Semi-shade, Average Soil, Spring, 3-5 in. Tall, Zones 4-9

Iris cristata ‘Alba’ – White Crested Iris

The delicate 1 ½ inch white flowers have yellow patches on them with lance-shaped green foliage.  These bloom in April and May and grow 3-8 inches tall.  Prefers part shade and well-drained soil, and given these conditions they will multiply quickly.  This one is a rare beauty in your woodland garden.

Semi-shade, Well-drained soil, Spring, White, 3-8 in. Tall, Zones 4-8

Jeffersonia diphylla    Twinleaf

An early spring bloomer with a solitary white flower, leaves are divided into 2 parts. Prefers a shaded spot with rich moist soil. Somewhat resembles the more common Bloodroot. Give it a little lime to make it thrive.

Shade, Rich Moist Soil, Spring, 6-10 in Tall, Zones 4-9

Lonicera sempervirens – Trumpet or Coral Honeysuckle

A beautiful twining vine that has red tubular flowers and a yellow throat. These bloom late Spring through early Summer. They prefer semi-shade to shade but will tolerate more sun in cooler climates. The vines grow to around 15 feet or a little longer, they do loose they leaves in the winter but the woody stem will remain and put on new leaves and blooms the next season. They are make a great show and are good for arbors, fences, and anything else that they can twine around and climb. When in bloom you are sure to have some Hummingbirds come around and also when it develops seed pods later on in the year it will attract many different types of birds that love to eat the seed. On the medicinal side the juice from the plant has been used to treat bee stings.

Shade to Semi-Shade, Rich Soil, Spring to Summer, Vine 15' Long, Zones 4-9

Maianthemum canadense     False Lily-Of-The- Valley

Good ground cover for dry shade area. Has white flowers in the spring followed by red berries in the late summer. The leaves are somewhat heart shaped and shiny green. This plant stays low to the ground and will even grow under hemlocks in the dry acid soil.

Shade, Dry Rich Soil, Spring, 1-3 in Tall, Zones 3-7

Maianthemum racemosum     False Solomon's Seal

Somewhat resembles the Great Solomon' Seal but the blooms on this are out on the tips of the stem. They are white and make a red berry in the fall. Will tolerate some sun in cooler climates but does best in shade. Once established they make a large clump and the red berries make quite a show.

Shade to Semi-Shade, Rich Soil, Spring, 1-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-8

Mertensia virginica    Virginia Blue Bells

A very early spring bloomer, has purple blue flowers on a leafy stem about 2 feet tall. It dies back shortly after it gets through blooming so plant something close to it so you will not have a bare spot in your garden, ferns are a good choice.

Shade to Semi-Shade, Moist to Wet Rich Soil, Spring, 12-18 in Tall, Zones 3-9

Mitchella repens    Partridge Berry

A slow growing ground cover that grows in deep shade. Flowers are very small, plant is more noted for the red berries in the fall, flowers are white to pink in the spring. Leaves are small rounded with white veins. It grows right flat on the ground. Will tolerate dry shade if the soil is rich.

Shade, Rich Soil, 1 in Tall Ground cover, Zones 4-9

Pachysandra procumbens     Allegheny Spurge

Excellent ground cover for the shade. Has 3 inch ovate shaped leaves that come out bright green and then become darker and mottled later in the season. Flowers appear in the spring but are very inconspicuous; it is more notable for its foliage. Evergreen in warmer climates.

Shade, Rich Soil, Spring, 3-6 in Tall, Ground cover, Zones 5-8

Panax quinquefolius   American Ginseng

This much sought after medicinal plant is a great conversation piece for your shade garden. These must have cool rich soil, moist but well drained. Roots will rot if soil stays wet or damp. Has an insignificant white flower in the spring, which forms into a clump of bright red berries in the fall. These are mature roots 4-5 years old and should produce seed the first year.

Shade, Rich Soil, Spring, 9-18 in Tall, Zones 4-8

Panax quinquefolis - American Ginseng - Stratified Seeds

This year we have a good supply of stratified American Ginseng Seeds for sale. Fall is the best time to plant these for spring growth. 1 pound of seeds contains approximately 6000 to 7000 seeds. You can purchase these by the pound or by the ounce. This is a great opportunity to get your own patch of these started. Ginseng is much sought after in the medicinal field. For best results plant seeds on 6" centers and 1/2" to 3/4" deep.

Will Be Ready In Early October

Phlox divaricata    Blue Phlox

A beautiful blue Phlox that grows in the shade. The blue flowers appear in the Spring and last about 3 weeks. It stays short, around 12" tall, and will spread, slowly, once established to make a nice colony. The Blue color is pretty vibrant and shows up very well in the shade. Give it rich moist but well drained soil and do not over mulch as this will quickly smother out this beauty.

Shade, Rich Soil, Spring, 9-18 in Tall, Zones 3-9

Phlox stolonifera   Creeping Phlox

This is a good ground cover for a moist shaded area with rich soil, must have continuously moist soil to thrive.. The leaves stay right on the ground and are semi-evergreen. Has rose-purple flowers early in the spring, flowers are 2 inches across and stand about 3-4 inches tall. Flowers are somewhat fragrant. It will make a beautiful mass once established and given a few years to spread.

Shade, Rich Moist Soil, Spring, 3-4 in Tall, Ground cover, Zones 4

Podophyllum peltatum     May Apple

One of our best sellers, each plant has a pair of large deeply lobed leaves, often reaching 8 inches across. The white flower nods down below these leaves. Will tolerate some sun if the soil is moist, but does best in a shady moist spot. This is a good spreader and will make a large colony of plants after several years.

Shade to Semi –Shade, Moist Rich Soil, Spring, 12-18 in Tall, Zones 4-9

Polygonatum biflorum – Small Solomon’s Seal

This is the smaller variety of Solomon’s Seal only reaching a height of 12-18 inches, as compared to the Great Solomon’s Seal which is 3-4 ft tall. Have white blooms that hang below the leaves which turn into a purple seed pod in the fall. Prefers shade to semi-shade in rich to average soil. Foliage turn yellow in the fall.

Shade to Semi-shade, Rich to Average Soil, Spring, 12-18 in. tall, Zones 3-9

Polygonatum commutatum    Great Solomon's Seal

make a statement in your gardens with this very unusual plant in that it’s stem comes up 2 or 3 feet then lays outward another 2 or 3 feet. Has drooping greenish white flowers underneath the leaves, which turn into a purple seedpods in the fall. Will grow in varied conditions from Shade and moist to full sun and fairly dry in cooler climates.

Sun to Shade, Average Soil, Summer, 2-5’ Tall, Zones 3-9

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