This has consistently been a head-turner here when it is in flower. Rich pink flowers of good size and a large fringed lip or slipper pouch which is decked out in orange-pink spots with the interior all orange ruffles and flourishes. A good increaser and best suited for pot culture where it can be brought in, unless you garden in a mild area. Pleione orchids require excellent drainage.

This is a surprisingly hardy terrestrial Orchid that is quite easy to grow given a couple of rules.  Loose crumbly organic/gritty well-drained soil and fairly dry in the winter.  We've friends who grow these easily in Port Ludlow unprotected in rotting logs, stumps and deep moss on rocks.

A fine selection of this deciduous Japanese species which was introduced by We-Du Nursery. Sizable flowers of rich purple are the hallmark of this plant and it more than holds it own against more recent hybrids. All Epimediums can't be painted with the same drought tolerant brush and this one appreciates more water than the real drought tolerant species.

American Ipecac. Back in the good old days, this had usage as both an emetic and laxative.  Tempting as this might be, we have other options now and can simply enjoy this hardy perennial for its excellent ornamental qualities.  This rivals Bowman's Root, Gillenia trifolia, but is improved by its more finely cut leaves with persistent, small bract-like stipules creating a very fine texture with white flowers. Thanks to Mark Oppenheimer for sharing.

Frosted Jade Ajuga.  Hard to believe that this is an Ajuga but it is true.  This choice selection has fantastic foliage and very good dark cobalt flowers.  Not a spreader - this makes a clump with 16" tall stems.  Challenges all of your comfy notions about Ajuga but in a good way.  Great in our shade garden.

An uncommon little jewel from the mountains of Taiwan, these are 2nd generation plants from the wild collection.  Unlike our native steroidal colossal Veratrums, this is relatively demure with neat tussocks of low grassy foliage but kicks the compost out of them with its maroon flowers.

These Japanese versions of the European nobilis are ones we have grown from seed and have been hoarding for a few years but since there is no room left in the Hepatica house, we must send a few of our kids out into the world. Each plant is different from pale pink to pink and we get to pick.

This is an exquisite little bit of spring pleasure that was introduced by our friend Urs Baltensberger.  Urs found this dark-leafed form growing wild in the forest on Stammerberg in Switzerland and we are all benefiting from his keen eye.  Purplish new growth is perfect backing for the white spring flowers in mid to late spring.  A key smaller element for shade.

Rare plant found only in limited areas in central Honshu, Japan where it likes the forest fringes in the subalpine areas and is known as hiiragi-sou or holly tree-leafed weed.  Hiiragi-sou sounds better than the translation.  This selection has dark blue flowers and is a deciduous clumper to 16" tall - very nice!

These Japanese versions of the European nobilis are ones we have grown from seed and have been hoarding for a few years but since there is no room left in the Hepatica house, we must send a few of our kids out into the world.  Each plant is different from pale blue to purple and we get to pick.

Soldanella is a Primrose relative native to the high meadows in the mountains of Europe.  This is one we received from Collector's Nursery with dark violet flowers - very choice!  It looks to be a match to the Bulgarian Soldanella rhodopaea.  Evergreen and clumping, this takes the same conditions as Primroses.

A cracking bicolored Lily of the Nile out of a breeding program in South Africa where this one seedling out of hundreds exhibited excellent white flowers with a blue base.  These are held in 6"-8" umbels on stems to nearly 4' tall!  Maybe the best thing is that is deciduous and hardy going to zone 7b with a good mulch.

A choice Snowdrop with very large single flowers and one of the earliest to bloom.  This was found in the garden of John Gray in England and is a hard one to come by.  Increases moderately well and seems to be a survivor with a good constitution as it is going strong here while more effete selections have dwindled.

A quietly fun perennial that should be on every green flower afficionado's hit list.  Lance-shaped leaves and branched stems bearing dull yellow tiny button flowers arising from green buds and all surrounded by a prominent green collar.  Lovely green effect with plenty of structural detail.  Archibal collection from the Pyrenees/Cantabrian Mts.

If Thomas Hardy had written a book based on this plant, he would have tiltled it "Fusca the Obscure".  Or Poe "Descent into the Plant Maelstrom".  BIO -Botanical Interest Only.  If you buy this we're doing an intervention on you and get you into the Plant 12-Step Program.  You need help.

New offering from us of this underappreciated genus. We grow 7 taxa which must be some sort of record even for a nursery specializing in the obscure and unprofitable. This cool little groundcover is from Kyushu in Japan where it grows in shaded moist places.  The yellow/green flowers have an ineffable je ne sais quoi we quite enjoy.  Have not trialed for hardiness but the Ontario Rock Garden Society has tips for seed germination.

More art than flower and more flower than one's soul can bear.  Almost anyway, as each spring we gasp back to awareness from the horticultural fugue state that these flowers send us to and while we don't know where we've been or what we've done, we do know that it was amazing.  Narrow black-red petals evoke a dark and sinuous eroticism that tests your limits.

If you are into variegation, like woodland plants, want to make a statement, are a botanical Sinophile, a discerning or even indiscriminate plant collector or just plain driven by beauty in the garden then this is a must have.  White variegated leaves on stems to 4' with whitish flowers followed by black fruit.  Evergreen if mild.

A very lovely selection of this terrestrial and sometime lithophytic orchid.  These are hardy outside in mild winters or given protection.  They need great drainage like planted in moss on a rock or in a stump or rotting log and protected during severe cold snaps.  Traditionally grown in pots and brought in a cool spot for the winter, these are quite easy.

Superb form collected by perhaps the preeminent current plant hunter, Jens Nilsen.  The list of 'firsts' in Jens' history of collections is astounding.  This collection is not a first but is notable for being an exceptional form.  Larger in all parts than previous introductions with gold flowers in midsummer.

Evergreen Solomon Seal relative from Taiwan via plantsman Ozzie Johnson. Loves moist shade in zones 7-9 where the rounded leaves on stems up to a foot shelter the hanging white bell flowers.  Combines well with all of those shade garden plants that any self respecting plant collector loves so rest assured that garden harmony will remain intact.

Originally from Maurice Foster who is one of the UK's great plantsmen who would not gladly brook an inferior form.   This can hit 10' in height with a narrow aspect and generally deciduous willowish or bamboo-like leaves.  Small purplish flowers and outrageous jester's cap fruit with dangling orange arils.

A small cloud of pink flowers on this otherwise white flowered species. One of the easiest species in the section Irregulares to which the more familiar Saxifraga fortunei belongs.  This has the redeeming quality of being able to handle a bit more dry and sun than some of the others but why make it work if you don’t have to?

Large lavender blue flowers with a darker reverse grants this little slowly creeping Wood Anemone its own small fiefdom in the shade garden while it is in bloom.  Very pretty indeed.  Of course by mid summer the peasants and serfs rise up with scythes and cudgels to reclaim their land but next year the glorious cycle of rule and revolution is repeated.

This is a tough little groundcover Geranium that spreads by underground rhizomes forming little "bulbs" along the way.  Very nice foliage with good marbled patterns and bright purely pink flowers are such a pleasure that it's peregrinations into its neighbors are forgiven.  Cheerfully tough.

Bottlebrush.  Perhaps the hardiest clone enduring single digits with scarcely a whimper.  (It may be whimpering but my own wails of despair drown all else out).  Evergreen picking up russet tones in winter.  Summer fuzzy red flowers on the stems.  Deer Proof/drought tolerant.

Tall Jack in the Pulpit.  These grow into big boys with a big green flower and distinctive vertical spadix held well above the foliage.  This merits that overused word of awesome especially when it gets 5' tall and you are eye-to-eye with that intriguing flower.  Showy seed cluster too!

A rarity in cultivation, this petite member of the Irregulares section of Saxifraga comes from our collection on the highest peak in the southern Wumengshan in Guizhou.  This was found in a deep cleft in a low limestone face shaded by scrub and is now lost due to habitat destruction.  Nice airy white flowers midsummer.

One of the larger flowered varieties of Wood Anemone, this has excellent white flowers which are more than enough to stand alone or perfect in a supporting understory role to larger shrubs and perennials.

This is from wild-collected seed from South Africa where it grows in marshy places and stream edges.  Here, it will thrive in a rich moist soil or perform quite adequately on much less care and attention.  Long strappy leaves and tall imperious flowers with reddish orange buds opening to yellowish flowers.