June
Deutzia x hybrid ‘Magicien’
Deutzia x hybrid ‘Magicien’ is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading growth habit . Its bell-shaped flowers are pink with white edging and appear in late spring in numerous racemes which cover the shrub for about two weeks. It should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season’s flowers. Genus name honors Johan van der Deutz (1743-1788), amateur botanist from Amsterdam.
Feverfew
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is an aromatic, white, flowering plant in the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its name comes from the Latin febrifugia, meaning fever reducer. Feverfew is a medicinal herb commonly used to treat fevers, migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, stomachaches, toothaches, insect bites, infertility, and problems with menstruation and labor during childbirth. Feverfew is a perennial, so cut it back to the ground after frost and watch for it regrow in the spring. It reseeds fairly easily, so you might find yourself giving away new plants within a couple of years.
Rhododendron “Lees Dark Purple”
Rhododendron “Lees Dark Purple” is covered in clusters of deep purple trumpet-shaped flowers at the ends of the branches in mid-spring. The large narrow leaves remain green throughout the winter. It has a broad mounded habit, is quite hardy and does well in partial shade.
Herbaceous Peony
Herbaceous Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) is sometimes called Chinese or common peony. As a herbaceous perennial, this group of peonies produces annual stem growth during the spring and summer, only to die to the ground in late fall and remain dormant through the winter. The large fleshy root systems, crown and buds come to life again each spring to produce flowers. Herbaceous peonies are one of the most easily grown hardy perennials available today. Long lived and durable, a peony can easily live as long as 100 years.
Climbing hydrangea
Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) features large, fragrant clusters of white flowers that bloom in late spring and summer against a backdrop of dark green, heart-shaped foliage. These massive vines readily climb columns, trees, and other supporting structures. Without a supporting structure, climbing hydrangea plants form a mounding, arching shrub that grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet. It is slow to become established, but later spreads at a rapid pace.
Bluestar
Bluestar (Amsonia hubrechti), Arkansas amsonia or Hubricht’s amsonia, is a perennial that is native to the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas. An erect, clump-forming plant, it is cultivated for its blue spring flowers, feathery green summer foliage and golden fall color. Powdery blue, half-inch star-like flowers appear in terminal clusters in late spring atop stems rising to 3 feet.
Magnolia grandiflora “Edith Bogue”
Magnolia grandiflora “Edith Bogue” is a glossy broadleaf evergreen tree that is noted for its attractive dark green leaves and its large white, extremely fragrant flowers. It typically grows to 60 to 80 feet with a pyramidal to rounded crown. The fragrant white flowers are 8 to 12 inches in diameter and usually have six petals. The fruit is an egg-shaped cone-like structure. Flowers bloom in late spring, with sparse continued flowering throughout the summer. It’s perhaps the hardiest of the southern magnolias and is native to moist wooded areas in the southeastern United States from North Carolina to Florida and Texas.
Japanese Dogwood
Japanese Dogwood (Cornus kousa) is a small deciduous flowering tree or multi-stemmed shrub with four seasons of interest. Spring brings a heavenly array of star-like blooms. These give way to pinkish-red fruit in summer, which persist into fall unless devoured by hungry birds. In the summer its canopy of layered branches, clad with oval, pointed, dark green leaves, provides shade and beauty. Fall offers spectacular bright red color when the foliage turns attractive shades of purple and scarlet. In winter, the exfoliating, mottled, tan and gray bark adds interest to the landscape.
Allium
Allium is the scientific name for a genus of flowering plants that include hundreds of species, such as cultivated onion, garlic, scallion, shallot, leek, and chives. The exotic flower has brilliant purple blooms from spring into early summer. The perennial blubs return reliably every year, are pollinator favorites, and are deer-resistant.
Foxglove
Foxglove (Digitalis) is a biennial, herbaceous plant that is native to Europe, western Asia, and northwestern Africa. Foxgloves provide vertical accents for areas of part sun or dappled shade. Bloom begins in late spring or early summer and continues for two or three weeks. The spires of tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Yellow flag iris
Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus) is a large yellow iris known as “yellow flag” or “yellow water iris” found in wetlands, along riverbanks and near ponds. It remains green during the winter where the weather is mild, but the leaves will die back during periods of prolonged drought or below-freezing temperatures. It spreads both by seed and by stout underground stems called rhizomes, from which its roots can grow to a foot in length. Native to Europe, Great Britain, North Africa and the Mediterranean region, it has been introduced in temperate areas worldwide and occurs throughout the United States except in the Rocky Mountains. The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees and long-tongued flies.
Elderberry
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis)–The American black elderberry, Canada elderberry, or common elderberry, is a species of elderberry native to a large area of North America east of the Rocky Mountains and south to Bolivia. It typically occurs on streambanks, moist woodlands, thickets, fence rows and roadsides. It grows in a variety of conditions including wet and dry soils, primarily in sunny locations. This spreading, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub has tiny lemon-scented white flowers that appear in large flat-topped clusters in June. The flowers give way to clusters of black elderberry fruits (drupes) in late summer. It is a good source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. The fruits of species plants are sometimes used to make jams, jellies, pie filings and elderberry wine.
Important note: Most parts of the elderberry plant can be toxic. The seeds, stems, leaves and roots of the Black Elder are all poisonous to humans. The fruit of the Black Elderberry should always be cooked before consumption.
May
Witch alder
Witch alder (Fothergilla) is native to the southeastern U.S. This slow-growing deciduous shrub is admired for its fragrant, bottlebrush-like, white flowers in the spring; its leathery, blue-green summer foliage; and its spectacular fall leaf colors of yellow, orange and red-purple.
Lily of the valley
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a moisture-loving perennial groundcover and one of the most fragrant woodland flowering plants with pendant, bell-shaped white flowers. Its origins are biblical; it’s a favorite of royal brides and is said to bring luck in love.
Tree peony
Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) is a deciduous, woody shrub that typically grows 3’ to 5’ tall with a 4’ spread. The true species features large fragrant flowers 6” to 8” across and brittle stems with pink-to-white petals, each with a purple petal.
Mountain laurel
Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is commonly called calico bush or spoonwood. It is a gnarled, multistemmed, broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree native to eastern North America. It is found in a variety of habitats including open rocky or sandy woods, cool meadow, bald mountain slopes and woodland margins. It is noted for its excellent spring flowers and attractive foliage year round. The Cherokee used the wood for carving.
Chinese snowball
Chinese snowball (Viburnum macrocephalum) is a beautiful deciduous shrub or small tree with hydrangea-like flowers. With a rounded form and a semi-evergreen nature, this shrub blooms in the late spring with large, 8-inch white flowers that quickly turn green.
Japanese primrose
Japanese primrose (Primula japonica), this candelabra primrose is a robust and vigorous perennial that is considered to be the queen of primroses. A charming plant with attractive whorls of flowers in shades of white, pink, purple or red. These are spaced at intervals along upright stems and rise above basal rosettes of lettuce-like, bright green leaves.
Bleeding heart
Bleeding heart [lamprocapnos (formerly dicentra) spectabilis] is an elegant, shade-loving perennial grown for its pendulous, puffy, heart-shaped spring flowers that dangle beneath their stems. It is ideally suited to cool, shady spots in the garden with moist soil, including in containers.
Trout lily
Trout lily (Erythronium) is a perennial, native to North America, that dwells in woodlands and has ephemeral flowers in the spring. Its gray-green leaves are mottled with brown and gray, resembling the coloring of brook trout.
Cherry laurel “Otto Luyken”
Cherry laurel “Otto Luyken” (Prunus laurocerasus) is a dwarf form of Cherry laurel that is shade tolerant and ideal for small gardens. It is a compact, evergreen shrub that offers year-round interest with glossy dark green leaves and showy, fragrant, creamy white flower spikes that are followed by small black ornamental fruit. Its dense foliage provides winter shelter for birds. Excellent as a hedge, background plant or privacy screen.
Solomon’s seal
Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum) is unsurpassed in grace. This is a shade-loving, rhizomatous perennial. Its slightly arching stems boast small clusters of two-to-six nodding, tubular creamy-white flowers tipped with green in late spring. The scars that remain where the leaves have dropped off resemble the 6th Seal of King Solomon for Protection Against All Earthly Dangers.
Redvein
Redvein (Enkianthus campanulatus) is an upright, deciduous shrub which typically grows 6’-to-8′ tall. It is native to open woodlands in Japan. Its bright green glossy foliage turns brilliant copper to red in autumn. In the spring, it has a profusion of bell-shaped, creamy white flowers with red veins.
Hyacinth Lilac “Maiden Blush”
Hyacinth lilac or “Maiden’s Blush” (Syringia hyacinthiflora) is an upright, deciduous shrub that is low maintenance, exceptionally hardy and has an abundance of exquisitely scented, single pink flowers in mid-spring. The foliage often colors up to shades of red, purple and gold in the fall.
April
Magnolia kobus
Magnolia kobus (Magnolia kobus)
is a species of Magnolia native to Japan and Korea and occasionally cultivated in temperate areas. It is a deciduous, small to tall tree which has a slow rate of growth but can reach 49” tall.
Star magnolia
Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata),
sometimes called the star magnolia, is a slow-growing shrub or small tree native to Japan. It bears large, showy white or pink flowers in early spring, before its leaves open.
Yoshino cherry
Yoshino cherry (Prunus × yedoensis)
is regarded as one of the most spectacular flowering trees, for its thousands of showy, almond-scented blossoms in early spring. The Yoshino cherry is a fast growing, deciduous tree that can reach 40-50 ft.
Saucer magnolia
Saucer magnolia (Magnolia X soulangeana)
is a very popular flowering tree or large shrub that was first cultivated in 1826.
It is a beautiful lawn tree with huge, saucer-shaped white blooms, pink on outside, on bare branches in late winter into early spring. Large leathery leaves, smooth gray bark, and yellow fall color add to the seasonal interest.
Andromeda Japonica
Andromeda Japonica (Pieris japonica)
is a slow-growing evergreen shrub to small tree that grows 9-13 feet tall in the heath family, Ericaceae. It is native to eastern Asia where it grows in mountain thickets. It features drooping clusters (racemes to 6 inches long) of lily-of-the-valley-like white flowers in early spring.
Hyacinth
Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
is easy to grow from bulb to bloom. The beautiful spikes of flowers provide a strong, sweet fragrance. They are perennial bulbs and are often planted directly in the ground outdoors, though these easy bulbs are also excellent for forcing in container gardens or being made to flower indoors during the winter. They represent constancy and sincerity. The name is derived from the Greek word meaning purple. Hyakinthos (Hyacinthus) was a handsome young Spartan prince loved by the gods Apollon and Zephyros.
Eastern redbud
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
is a deciduous shrub or small understory tree, native to eastern North America, and blooms in a profusion of rosy pink flowers, which appear before its somewhat heart-shaped leaves of 2–6 inches. The blossoms are also edible and can add a bright, citrusy taste to salads. The unopened buds can also be pickled and used as a caper substitute.
Pink forsythia
Pink forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum Roseum)
– This deciduous, easy to grow, compact shrub is fragrant and related to the forsythia, but differs in that it has white rather than yellow flowers that open in early spring. It is a member of the olive family (Oleaceae). Because of its early flowering, forsythia stands for spring sun and anticipation.
Crabapple
Crabapple (Malus)
is a genus of about 30–55 species of small deciduous trees or shrubs in the family Rosaceae, including the domesticated orchard apple – also known as the eating, cooking or culinary apple. The other species are commonly known as crabapples, crabtrees, or wild apples.
Shadblow
Shadblow (Amelanchier Canadensis)
is a Serviceberry, and one of the first native trees to bloom in the spring, when the shad are running in the rivers. They are large deciduous ornamental bushes or small trees. The fragrant flowers will appear before the leaves and attract many native, hungry, spring-flying pollinators. The flowers will give way to attractive dark purple berries, an important food source for many birds, and crescendos into brilliant fall leaves in shades of red and gold.
March
Winter aconite
Winter aconite (Eranthis) is an early-blooming spring groundcover that is perennial and ephemeral. It symbolizes hope, rebirth and new beginnings.
Rhododendron ‘Cornell Pink’
‘Cornell Pink’ (Rhododendron mucronulatum) is native to Asia. It is a dense, upright deciduous shrub that grows to a height and width of 4 to 8 feet.
Forsythia
Forsythia – When winter finally ends, this deciduous shrub is ready to reenergize the early spring landscape with bright, lively hues. Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family, Oleaceae.
Daffodil
Daffodil (Narcissus) is a flowering perennial bulb in the amaryllis family. It gets its name from the Greek god Narcissus, who was so obsessed with his reflection in the water that he drowned attempting to capture it.
Lenten rose
Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) is a perennial flowering plant native to the Mediterranean. It is not a rose at all but a hellebore hybrid whose blooms are similar to a rose. The plants bloom in early spring, often during the season of Lent.
Witch hazel
Witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) is a deciduous shrub that features showy, fragrant buttery, yellow strap-like flowers along its branches from late winter to early spring, before the leaves emerge. It typically matures to 10 to 15 feet tall with a rounded shape.
Chinese Witch hazel
Chinese Witch hazel (Corylopsis sinensis) is a deciduous shrub native to China. It has an upright, spreading, rounded shape and grows 10 to 15 feet tall. Nodding racemes of drooping, mildly fragrant, yellow flowers appear in early spring before the leaves emerge.
Snowdrop
Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is a perennial bulb that is native to Europe and Asia. Galanthus is Greek for “milk,” while nivalis means “snow-like.” Snowdrops symbolize rebirth and the ability to overcome challenges in life.
Winter jasmine
Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is a small, evergreen shrub, and one of the earliest bloomers, often in January. It is a spreading, multistemmed plant that typically grows 10 to 15 feet tall. The cheery, buttery blooms help dispel winter’s gloom but are not fragrant.
Pussy willow
Pussy willow ((Salix discolor) is a medium-size shrub, a species of willow that can be found dotting wetlands and moist woods throughout much of North America. The familiar, silvery-gray, furry catkins appear before leaf emergence. Deciduous leaves are broad, bright-green and shiny.
Photo credits – Lorraine Meyer