An interesting Monkshood species from a Philip MacDougall collection in Taiwan.  This has large dusky blue-purple flowers on 2'-3' stems in mid summer and is not so tall so as to require support.  This does well for us in full sun but might be even better in half sun. It has been a reliable performer and a nice change from the typical Dutch and Euro selections.

From Sichuan where this was growing in an open position in a lightly shaded glade at about 10000' in elevation.  This has small leaves shaped much like a pointed canoe paddle with flower stems to 10"-15" tall bearing small round heads of white flowers sometimes with a diffused pink keel to the outer petals as many in this collection do.

Here is a little Japanese bulbous plant that will add some late summer glitz to the rock garden or special foreground planting niche.  Not shy about blooming, this will strut its stuff with round purplish flowerheads on 10" stems which sends our friends the Butterflies and Bees into quiet delirium.

A Dan Hinkley collection from Japan of this fine mid to late summer blooming Allium species.  Good richly colored purple flowers are freely produced on this densely clumping little dude.  Good in containers and great in the rock garden or special little niche.

Saskatoon Berry.  Selected for flavorful fruit, Smokey doubles as both an edible and an ornamental plus it is a native.  A fine small tree to just 12' or so with spring white flowers, dark raisiny fruit and good fall color.  Sure the deer eat it and of course the birds like the fruit so enjoy the wildlife and go buy a mango.

Threadleaf Bluestar. Native to the Midwest, this tough perennial must seem like a transplant from California with its liberal threadlike foliage which becomes a cloud of flamboyant rich gold and bronzes in the fall echoing the tans of celebrity. Light blue flowers in clusters at the tips in early summer.

Bog Rosemary. This is a compact selection to just 6" tall and spreading with the gray-green needle-like leaves often taking on a red edge.  The short stems are hung with small pink bells in late spring which are enjoyed by bees.  Related to Rhododendrons and Heather, this likes a moist acidic spot in part sun.  Very hardy to zone 3.

A necessary part of the woodland garden are the small European Anemones and this is one of the good ones.  Fine foliage and nice white flowers in spring on a slowly spreading rhizomatous little bulbous plant.  As you may have surmised, this is at home in the Apennines in Italy and into Croatia.

A lovely form we brought home from Scotland a few years back.  This varies from the norm of mid-blue flowers by embracing the blending nature.of Impressionist pastels with its goes-with-anything non-confrontational light lavender-blue flowers in April and May.  Not surprisingly, this form is a Libra.

Choice selection of the Wood Anemone with flowers densely packed with numerous small white petals which appear all white at first but as the flowers mature or awaken, a central blue eye is revealed which is quite delightful.  I go through a similar slow process every morning and tell myself that it is the same delightful end result.

Wood Anemone.  This selection has funny heads of flowers where the petals have become dense clusters dissected white leafy bracts or did the bracts become dense bunches of filigreed snowflake petals?  Either way, quite a piece of floral artwork that garners ample attention.  Great for shade.

Wood Anemone.  This is a good blue form with flowers darker than many of the blue selections and even though the individual flowers are a little smaller than typical, we don't care as this is such a lovely thing.  Found in the Estonian woodlands by Mart Veerus and introduced we think by Janis Ruksans.

A nice small flowered light pink form of this necessary Anemone species which followed us home from the UK a few years back.  What is a necessary Anemone, you ask?  One which is indispensable in your shade or woodland garden and whose absence would not only be noted but commented upon and repeated, a gardening gaffe going viral.

Very sweet little Asian creeper for the woodland or partly sunny garden bed.  This form with its small white and fully double flowers is very appealing and the flowers are nicely in scale with the diminutive leaves.  A nice alternative to the European Anemone nemorosa clan and can be used in much the same way.

A European species distinguished in part from Anemone nemorosa by its simple, unlobed leaves and white flowers bearing white or pale blue anthers,  This clone is white on white with a small green central button of the Divine Feminine business parts - altogether a pleasing pairing in the shade garden.  Thanks to plantsman Reuben Hatch for sharing this with us.

A fully double green form found in Michigan by Betty Blake and named for her which only seems right.  This has quite perfect flowers which are more art than botany and whose function lies strictly in the aesthetics rather than in the somewhat banal business of procreation.  Not that the latter isn't fun........................

A new Japanese selection of a favorite eastern US wildflower. This has double white flowers which are quite large and are not the domed buttons of say 'Oscar Shoaf' but more of a flattened button with a thick frill of petals. This will bloom for many weeks on an established clump. These are divisions from our plants and very choice.

Very new selection out of Japan that is like a slightly less tight and paler 'Cameo'. These are surprisingly tough tuberous perennials native to the eastern US and will go summer dormant but before that happens, you will enjoy many weeks of long-lasting double flowers on an eventual impressive-for-its size clump.

A refined shade plant that would grace any plant connoisseur's garden yet is perfectly happy to hang with us average Joes. Leaves evoking Anemone and pendant flowers combining pastels and lavenders in an understated parasol of exquisite design and dimension. A plant that is not on the radar of a lot of gardeners so let's keep it to ourselves.

Our native Columbine from seed collected on the way up to Mt Townsend in the Olympics.  One of our most endearing natives with pendulous flowers which have reddish petals and spurs backing a soft yellow cup.  This has a grace and charm so lacking in the garden hybrids.  One of the first wildflowers I learned tottering around in the woods.

Golden Japanese Spikenard.  Gold leaf form of this hardy tropical looking plant introduced by Barry Yinger from Japan.  This herbaceous perennial will get to 6' or more in a season with immense 3' leaves and a spike of white flowers.  The new shoots are eaten in Asia but we have asparagus.  Gorgeous, hardy to zone 4.

Mousetail Plant.  So named because the brown hooded flowers with their long brown tails look like mice scurrying for shelter beneath the foliage.  Related to Jack in the Pulpits, this Asian species is very easy inthe shade garden and delights old and young alike.

A very dwarf and often hard to find Astilbe that couples congested dark green foliage which is reddish bronze when in new growth with stout little spires of pink flowers.  Don't be mislead by its small stature into thinking this is some ephemeral dainty - it is tough and durable.

Masterwort.  Long-blooming compact variety with lots of long-lasting pincushion white flowers tinged variously in light pink.  The pink is most pronounced of the reverse of the bracts surrounding the button of "true" flowers which gives this a teasing bicolor look.  Astrantias give back way more than you put into them which works out really well.

This sterile deciduous clumper is a cross between the American Lady Fern and the Japanese Painted Fern.  Ghostly gray-green fronds to 3' long shimmers in the shade garden especially when deployed against a dark background.  Hardy as all get out and easy - just not too dry.

Fantastic selection of the Japanese Painted Fern with silvery fronds with slightly curved pinnae and interiors vividly marked in purple and burgundy.  Taking a page from Neil Young's lyrics that it is better to burn out than fade away, this is ablaze all summer and deciduous in winter.

A hybrid Bergenia from the breeding work of Rosemarie Eskuche in Germany.  'David' has smallish leaves which stand quite upright taking on good color in the winter.  Being smaller and upright lends itself to containers or the rock garden.  Intense pink flowers on stems to 16" in spring are impossible to ignore unless of course you decorate with plastic flamingos.

This Campanula was collected in Russia at Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, Terbeda, Gonachkir Valley at 1800 meters so next time you are there, keep an eye peeled for it.  This potentially can reach 3'-5' tall in flower with nice heads of pale lavender to white flowers in midsummer.  Is it hardy, you ask?  Da!

From Wendy Perry of Bosvigo Plants in S. England comes this unfortunately scarce and choice Campanula.  Gently and very controllably spreading to make an impressive clump with spires of pure white flowers.  Pairs impeccably with Hosta 'Patriot'.

Heartleaf Bittercress. A western US and BC native which prefers the proximity of streams, springs or seeps and this one is an Alex Wright collection from Swauk Creek in Kittitas Co., WA.  Loves a rich moist soil where it will form dense colonies with flower stems holding white flowers with a cream eye 18"-36" high.  This was formerly the subspecies lyallii but has been lumped.into the species.