Calamagrostis x acutiflora”Karl Forester” Feather reed grass

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• Helleborus niger Christmas rose, Black hellebore Z 5-8 POISON

  Outfacing, white, waxy cup-shaped flowers resembling single roses in late winter, evergreen leaves.

  

  $13.95/bareroot

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  Outfacing, white, waxy cup-shaped flowers resembling single roses in late winter, evergreen leaves.

  Size: 12-20” x 12”
  Care: part shade in moist well-drained soil Native: rocky places in Europe
  Awards: Received Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit.

  The name Helleborus is Greek from hellein meaning “to kill” and bora meaning “food” referring to the plant’s poisonous qualities if placed in food.  This species is ancient – known as long ago as 300 BC in Greece where it “purged and cured the mad or melancholicke daughters of Praetus with the roots thereof.” (Parkinson, 1629) Grown in the Eichstätt Garden, the garden of Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, prince bishop of Eichstätt in Bavaria, c. 1600.  In Middle Ages petals thrown on floor to drive out evil and ward off power of witches.  Gerard recommended it for curing poisoned animals. Sorcerers made themselves invisible by tossing the powdered plant in the air.  The German name of Schneerose (snow rose) is perhaps more appropriate.

• Lathyrus vernus Spring vetchling, Spring pea, Spring vetch Z 4-9

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  Bushy plants bear showy, red-purple pea-like blooms age to rich purple in March-June.  Ephemeral, dying back in August when you can cut it back. Spring gem.

  Size: 12” x 12”
  Care: sun in north to shade in south, moist well-drained soil. Drought tolerant once established
  Native: No. Europe - Siberia
  Awards: Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit, Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden Great Plant Picks

  Introduced to gardens before 1629.  Parkinson called it “Blew Everlasting Pease.”

• Crambe cordifolia Colewort Z. 5-9

  Giant profusion of white flowers from late May to June

  

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  Giant profusion of white flowers from late May to June

  Size: 7-8’ x 5’
  Care: full sun in well-drained soil
  Native: Caucasus

  First collected before 1863.  ”This is a stately and noble plant, with large heart shaped leaves.  The loose flower-heads, which are often 6 feet in height, and nearly as much through, are composed of myriads of small white flowers, which at a distance may be likened to a giant specimen of Gypsophila; it blooms during June and July.”  H.H. Thomas 1915.

• Onopordum acanthium Scotch thistle, Woolly thistle Biennial Z 5-9

  Showy purple thistles on prickly silver foliage

  

  $12.25/bareroot

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  Showy purple thistles on show-stopping prickly silver foliage mid summer to early fall.

  Can not ship to: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

  Size: 4-6’ x 12”
  Care: full sun in moist, well-drained soil
  Native: Europe and western Asia
  Wildlife Value: Bees, butterflies and birds

  Chosen as the symbol of Scotland by King James V.  According to legend the Scotch thistle helped Scotland fend off a Viking invasion by preventing a sneak attack.  It caused the Vikings to scream in pain waking the Scots.  Introduced to American gardens in late 1800’s.