|
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Achlys triphylla
Vanilla Leaf
One of those understory herbs that define our western Washington woodlands, vanilla leaf creeps slowly across humusy, shaded soil. Creamy bottlebrush flowers stand erect above the distinctive leaves.
Ten inches.
Perennial.
Zone 7.
|
|
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.
|
|
Aconitum hemsleyanum (volubile)
In the forests of China, this vining monkshood climbs up through shrubs and trees toward the light. Grow in humusy, rich soil, on live supports or trellis, in sun or part shade. Delightful purple flowers in August and September.
Eight feet.
Perennial vine.
Zone 4.
This item is sold out for the season.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
This item is sold out for the season.
|
|
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.
This item is sold out for the season.
|
|
|
Agapanthus 'Storm Cloud'
Elegance in blue. Starburst umbels of deep blue rise high above sleek foliage in mid to late summer, drawing greedy hummingbirds -- or maybe they're just in it for the esthetics. Grow in sun or part shade in moist but well-drained soil.
Three to four feet.
Perennial.
Zone 7b or 8.
This item is sold out for the season.
|
|
|