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Acanthus spinosus
Acanthus grew wild near the Mediterranean for eons before artisans borrowed the leaves for architectural ornament, and yet, they look so... designed. Tall stalks bearing mauve and white flowers rise above the highly divided foliage. Grow in sun (or part shade) and well-drained soil.
Four to five feet.
Perennial.
Zone 7.
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Achillea millefolium 'Terra Cotta'
Clay tones shift from pink to russet as they mature. Very long blooming, drought tolerant, totally easy in sun and average soil. Could be lovely with bronze tones.
Two feet.
Perennial.
Zone 3.
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Aconitum alboviolaceum
Slender, hooded flowers of white with lavender shading crown this graceful vine in late summer. It follows the classic vine lifestyle of climbing from a shaded base into better light by twining onto more rigid neighbors. From mountain forests of China, Korea, and the Russian Far East.
Three to seven feet.
Perennial.
Zone 5.
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Actaea asiatica
Shade or sun, this versatile doer takes it in stride. Striking, upright clumps of blue-black fruit follow the modest white flowers in mid to late summer. Grow in humusy, moist soil, especially if grown in sun. Native to the Far East and still rare here.
Eighteen inches?
Perennial.
Zone 4.
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Actaea pachypoda
Following white flowers in April and May, wonderful white "eyeball' fruits form on chubby red pedicels, toxic, alas. The adaptable actaeas thrive on moist to average soil in sun or shade. Native to the Eastern U.S. A Great Plant Pick, so you know it thrives here.
Two feet.
Perennial.
Zone 4.
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Actaea rubra
This NW native flourishes in humusy soil from deep shade to full sun, given moist soil, but is most useful in the woodland garden. White flowers yield the stage to red fruits in summer.
Two to three feet.
Perennial.
Zone 4.
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Actaea spicata
Baneberry
White spring flowers yield to black berries in summer. Although this woodlander tolerates sun, it is most useful in deep shade where it blooms and fruits with alacrity.
Three feet.
Perennial.
Zone 4.
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Adiantum capillus-veneris
Reportedly collected in Michigan, this extra hardy clone of the southern (and western) maidenhair fern is unsurpassed for the delicate appearance of its tiny leaflets. Grown in partial to full shade, in moist soil, its fronds will burgeon. Lovely in a pot.
Eight to twelve inches.
Deciduous fern.
Zone 5.
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Agapanthus 'Headbourne Hybrids'
Lily-of-the-Nile
Seeking blue for the midsummer garden? This South African lily relative holds its blue flower clusters high above the strap-shaped leaves. Likes full sun and well-drained soil.
Twenty inches.
Perennial.
Zone 7.
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Agapanthus 'Snow Pixie'
It looks so pretty in a pot you might never insert it in the garden, but this petite lily-of-the-Nile will make a cool midsummer statement wherever it blooms. Grow in sun, in good soil; it's small enough to slip in easily among its neighbors.
Eighteen inches.
Perennial.
Zone 7.
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