Garden Inventory

A work in progress. - my written record of botanicals in the gardens. More information will be added at later dates.

alive & growing

lost / gone

favorite

Trees & Shrubs

Abeliophyllum distichum    (White Forsythia)	blooms very early . very fragrant white flowers lasting only about a week . deciduous, with untidy habit . few problems/pests
Cornus florida    (Dogwood)	grows well in partial shade of larger tree . red fall color . susceptible to late summer powdery mildew . squirrels eat buds in winter
Hydrangea quercifolia    (Oak Leaf Hydrangea)	large leaves and blooms . blooms last long . brilliant red foliage in the fall . winter interest if not deadheaded . few problems/pests . died from root rot
Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens'    (Nellie Stevens Holly)	Lush green foliage . outgrew it s location 10 feet high (3m) and taken out
Ligustrum japonica    (Privet Hedge)	evergreen . birds like berries in spring . flowers have strong woody scent . attacked by spiders or mites in early summer causing leaf drop
Kalmia latifolia 'Sarah'    (Mountain Laurel)	branches succumb to snow weight . susceptible to fungal disease . inappropriate for foundation planting due to pH
Magnolia X loebneri    'Dr. Merrill'	star magnolia with extra large flowers . early blooming . very fragrant . heavy trunk growing to 30' (6 m) in 20 years | few problems/pests
Nandina domestica    (Heavenly bamboo)	tough plant . succumbs to winter desiccation . somewhat invasive + spreading . no pests
Photinia x fraseri    (Red tip Photinia)	susceptible to fungal leaf spot & leaf drop . creates very dry shade below . unattractive natural vase shape
Pieris japonica    (Cultivar - Lily of the Valley    Shrub)	evergreen, although older leaves look worn . low & compact habit . very slow grower . loves moist shade . new spring growth has red foliage
Rhododendron    'roseum elegans'	weakened stems as matured . several diseases & pests but keeps going . pruning deletes next year's buds
Rhododendrum mucronulatum    (Korean Rhododendron)	'Cornell pink' . deciduous and very early bloomer . yellow bronze fall foliage . blooms get sparse as shrub matures . susceptible to chlorosis
Rhododendron kurume    X 'Snow'    (Snow Azalea)	compact habit . profusely blooming . susceptible to mites
Spiraea prunifolia    (Bridal Wreath Spirea)	easy to grow . dependably grows in poor soil . takes well to severe cutting back . not very interesting after blooming . few problems/pests
Viburnum plicatum    f. tomentosum 'Shasta'    (Doublefile Virburnum)	very showy . cut way back and almost lost it . no pests . horizontal habit

Perennials

Ajuga reptans    (Bugleweed)	bronze foliage in spring turning green through summer . intense blue flowers . spreads too easily, requires taming . partial shade to full shade . no pests or disease
Allium aflatunense    (Allium 'Persian Blue')	no blue, just purple . no pests . tendency to multiply with smaller plants . leaves begin browning before blooms
Astilbe x arendsii 'Bridal Veil'	not good in dry soils . slow spreading . blooms long lasting
Astilbe x arendsii 'Radius'
Athyrium niponicum    (Janapese Painted Fern)	very tough . spreads slowly . grows in dry shade with little care . no serious pests
Coreopsis auriculata 'Nana'	easily spreads . dependable . susceptible to mildew . reliable blooming in late spring
Coreopsis 'Autumn Blush'	burst of blooms in late spring . lightly blooms all season . no serious disease or pests . untidy non-compact habit allows plants to tumble and lean
Crocosmia 'Lucifer'	incredible vibrant red color . did not reproduce . did not survive winter
Digitalis purpurea    (Foxglove 'Pam's Choice')	magnificent 5' tall (1.5m) flower spikes . blooms second year . disappeared after blooming . reseeded with smaller native pink varieties . leaves eaten by pests
Dryopteris erythrosora    (Autumn fern "Brilliance')	beautiful color starts lime green, turns to bronze . grows where other ferns do not . medium size
Echinacea purpurea    (Purple Coneflower)	native coneflower . long blooming . feeds the goldfinches . minor pest problems . minor mildew in damp weather . bees love
Echinacea 'Coconut Lime'    (Coneflower)	blooms all summer . no seeds for wildlife . no serious pests or disease . wonderful blooms change as they age. not frequented by pollinators
Echinacea 'Big Sky Sundown'    (Coneflower)	weak cultivar . dies out slowly over summer . very little rebloom after initial spring bloom . rich salmon color fades to pastel pink after a few days
Geranium macrorrhizum    Bevan's Variety    (Cranesbill Geranium)	unusual interesting blooms . few blooms and none in summer . survives tough conditions . no pests or disease
Geranium sanguineum    (Bloody Cranesbill)	prolific spreading, very hardy . mass blooms in late spring . only a few blooms later in summer and fall . no problems/pests
Hemerocallis    unknown daylily	sturdy stems, lower growth habit . does not easily spread . blooms late and repeatedly over long period . no pests or disease
Hemerocallis    unknown daylily	dark dull red with more vibrant color throat visible from behind . blooms early . no serious pests or disease
Hemerocallis fulva    (Common Daylily)
Hosta    ('Frances Williams')	large leaf . mostly shade . beautiful coloring . leaf edges get burned in direct sun . good yellow fall color
Hosta    ('Gold Standard')	leavse start lime green and gradually turn golder yellow over season . prefers no direct sun during day, but survives bright light
Hosta    ('Goldern Tiara')	smaller leaves than other hostas . tough survivor in dry shade . not fast grower or spreader
Hosta    ('True Blue')	large blue leaves. easily reseeds . thrives in partial sun
Hosta    unknown - Jackie's memory
Hosta    unknown - from Staten Island	extremely tough . leaves scorch in full sun . need water in dry summer . no major pests . easy expands
Hosta    unknown - from plant swap
Hosta    (Blue Mouse Ears)
Hosta    unknown - from Waynewood
Heuchera micrantha    unknown - from plant swap
Hyacinthus orientalis    ('Sky Jacket')	very light blue when forced indoors . reliable blooms
Hyacinthus orientalis    ('White Pearl')	reliable blooms . multiplies more than other hyachinth
Hypericum calycinum 'Brigadoon'    (St. john's Wort 'Brigadoon')	ground cover . yellow flowers in spring . tolerant of poor growing conditions . mostly evergreen . few problems/pests
Iris germanica    (Bearded Iris 'Invitation')	blooms mid season . stalks are very weak and need staking
Iris germanica    (Bearded Iris 'Fantasy Land')	bicolor . easily multiplies . tolerates poor soils . few problems
Iris germanica    (Bearded Iris 'Quaker Lady')	smaller in stature and bloom than hybrid iris . erect side petals do not fall . colors appear washed out . good support . found in yard after house purchase
Iris germanica    (Bearded Iris "Clarence')	one of my favorites . ruffled and delicate looking with gradual soft color transition on falls . weak rebloomer in fall . not prolific . doe not easily multiply
Iris germanica    (Bearded Iris 'Frank Adams')	very tall stalks and foliage . early to mid season blooms . needs some staking with severe weather
Iris hollandica    (Dutch Iris 'Discovery')	intense blue color . very cold hardy . blooms do not last as cut flower . begins foliage shoots in autumn . blooms late spring
Kniphofia uvaria    (Red Hot Poker, Torch Lily)	planted from seed . large tangled unruly foliage throughout summer and autumn . bloom window very short . easily spreads . no pest or disease
Lavendula x intermedia    (French lavender 'Provence')	very fragrant leaves & blooms . bloomed all summer . became leggy & unkempt . died after major pruning in spring after severe winter
Leucanthemum x superbum   Daisy	thick compact plant . very healthy foliage . not much rebloom after spring . unique blooms that last
Leucojum vernum    (Snowflakes)	slow to multiply . foliage lingers on into summer . grows well in part shade . no problems/pests
Liatris spicata    (Gay Feather)	very reliable spring bloomer . bees love . attractive seed stalks in fall . no problems/disease
Lilium 'lollipop'    (Asiatic lily 'Lollipop')	not good in heat . bloom color depended on temperature & weather . inconsistent bloom year after year . probably not Lollipop, but labeled correctly by nursery . bulb gradually diminished after 5 years
Lilium    (unknown - from plant swap)	reliable bloomer . multiple blooms on strong stems . no fragrance .
Lysimachia clethroides    (Gooseneck Loostrife)	growing in partial shade under a tree . great ground cover under tree . vigerous spreader . blooms early summer . no pests . great yellow fall color
Lysimachia c. 'Purpurea'    (Loostrife)
Matteuccia struthiopteris    (Ostrich Fern)
Monarda didyma    (Bee balm)	not heavy bloomer in full sun . not pure red, had magenta tint in bloom color . weak stiff stems easily broke . difficult time with humid wet weather . disappeared after 3 years
Muscari armeniacum    (Grape Hyacinth)
Narcissus 'Ice Follies'    (Ice Follies Daffodil)	early reliable daffodil, full size . easy to grow and easily multiplies . cups start out yellow, gradually turning white . no problems/pests
Narcissus 'Salome'    (Salome Daffodil)	early reliable early to midseason blooms . easy to grow and multiplies . cups start out lemon yellow, gradually turning pink . no problems/pests
Narcissus poeticus    (Poet Daffodils)	wonderfully fragrant . booms late in season . multiple blooms on each stalk . easily multiplies
Narcissus 'tete-a-tete'    (Tête-à-tête Daffodil)
Narcissus    unknown daffodils
Origanum heracleoticum    (Oregano)
Opuntia    (Prickly Pear Cactus)	no pests or disease . survives harsh winters . flowers early summer . loved by bees
Perovskia atriplicifolia    (Russian Sage 'Lacey Blue')
Phlox maculate 'Miss Lingard'    (Tall Phlox)	not very reliable . some years has poor growth . somewhat susceptible to root fungus rot and mildew
Phlox 'Tenor'    (Tall Phlox)	poor grower . magenta - was not true red color . bloomed early and stopped . succumbed to mildew & disease
Physostegia virginiana    (Obedient plant)	tough reliable plant . prone to spreading . flowers not very showy . slows down full sun & in hot weather . no problems/pests
Sarcococca hookerana    Var. Humilis    (Sweetbox)	tiny flowers on stems are very early blooming . very sweet fragrance, not strong . slow to spread . no problems/pests
Salvia nemorosa    (Salvia 'May Night')	very tough reliable plant . deep blue flower color . no excessive spreading . prolific blooms in spring, then intermittent throughout summer if deadheaded . no problems/pests
Solidago    (Golden Rod "Little Lemon')
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae    (New England Aster)
Tradescantia virginiana    (Spiderwort)	spring blooming . morning-blooming flowers close up in late morning . likes some shade . no problems/pests
Tulipa fosteriana 'Red Emperor'    (Tulip)	the earliest full size tulip . vibrant red color . although of the same name, one variety is short-stem and one is long-stem . no problems/pests

Annuals That Think They're Perennials
Plants that reseed each year by themselves

Cosmos
Nicotiana
Nicotiana white
Bombast Poppies
California Poppies
Mexican Zinnia