Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' (Jack Frost Bugloss)

Description:

Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost', commonly known as Jack Frost Bugloss, is a striking shade-loving perennial known for its large, heart-shaped, silver leaves with green veining. In early to mid-spring, it produces delicate, sky-blue, forget-me-not-like flowers that rise above the foliage, adding a charming touch to shaded gardens. Its bold, silver foliage provides excellent contrast in woodland settings or shaded borders, making it a popular choice for adding texture and color to darker areas of the garden.

Light Requirements:

'Jack Frost' thrives in partial to full shade, making it an ideal choice for woodland gardens or shaded areas under trees or shrubs. It prefers dappled sunlight, but in cooler climates, it can tolerate some morning sun. Too much direct sunlight, especially in hotter climates, can cause the leaves to scorch.

Buddleja lindleyana (Weeping Butterfly Bush)

Description:

Buddleja lindleyana, commonly known as Weeping Butterfly Bush, is a deciduous shrub known for its graceful, arching branches and purple, spike-like flower clusters that bloom from late summer to fall. The flowers are highly attractive to butterflies and other pollinators, making it an excellent addition to wildlife-friendly gardens. Unlike other butterfly bushes, Buddleja lindleyana has a more weeping habit, adding a unique aesthetic to garden borders, mixed beds, or as a specimen plant.

Light Requirements:

Weeping Butterfly Bush thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers full sun to produce the best flowering display, but it can tolerate partial shade, though blooming may be reduced. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for the most vibrant flowers and vigorous growth.

Buxus microphylla (Japanese Boxwood)

Description:

Buxus microphylla, commonly known as Japanese Boxwood, is an evergreen shrub valued for its small, glossy green leaves and dense, rounded growth habit. It is widely used in formal hedges, topiaries, and as a foundation plant due to its ability to be easily pruned and shaped. Japanese Boxwood is highly adaptable and is prized for its ability to tolerate heat better than other boxwood varieties, making it a popular choice in both traditional and modern landscapes.

Light Requirements:

Japanese Boxwood thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers partial shade in hotter climates, as too much direct sun can cause leaf scorch. In cooler regions, full sun encourages the best growth. Ideally, it should receive at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day.

Bletilla ochracea (Yellow Chinese Ground Orchid)

Description:

Bletilla ochracea, commonly known as Yellow Chinese Ground Orchid, is a deciduous, terrestrial orchid with elegant yellow or pale cream-colored flowers. The flowers appear in late spring to early summer, rising on slender stems above grass-like, pleated green leaves. Known for its delicate beauty and ease of cultivation, it is a great choice for shaded borders, woodland gardens, or rock gardens. Its clumping habit makes it ideal for naturalizing in moist, well-drained areas.

Light Requirements:

Bletilla ochracea thrives in partial shade, preferring filtered sunlight or morning sun with afternoon shade. While it can tolerate full sun in cooler climates, too much direct sunlight in hot regions may scorch the leaves and reduce flower production. Planting it in dappled shade under trees or in a lightly shaded border works best.

Buxus balearica (Balearic Boxwood)

Description:

Buxus balearica, commonly known as Balearic Boxwood, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Balearic Islands, parts of Spain, and North Africa. It is known for its larger leaves compared to other boxwood varieties, which are glossy, leathery, and deep green, giving the plant a bold, elegant appearance. Balearic Boxwood is slow-growing and dense, making it ideal for formal hedges, topiaries, or as a specimen plant. Its resilience to hot, dry climates makes it suitable for Mediterranean-style gardens.

Light Requirements:

Balearic Boxwood thrives in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, it benefits from partial shade during the hottest part of the day to prevent leaf scorch. In cooler climates, it can tolerate more direct sunlight. Aim for at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal growth and leaf color.

Blechnum penna-marina (Alpine Water Fern)

Description:

Blechnum penna-marina, commonly known as Alpine Water Fern, is a low-growing, evergreen fern native to Australia, New Zealand, and South America. It is prized for its compact size, finely textured fronds, and creeping habit. The fronds emerge bronze and mature to a rich, deep green, forming a soft, lush carpet in shaded areas. This fern is an excellent choice for ground cover, rock gardens, or shaded borders, and it thrives in cool, damp environments.

Light Requirements:

Alpine Water Fern thrives in partial shade to full shade. It prefers dappled sunlight, making it ideal for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or under trees and shrubs. Too much direct sunlight, especially in hot climates, can cause the delicate fronds to scorch.

Briza media (Quaking Grass)

Description:

Briza media, commonly known as Quaking Grass, is a clump-forming perennial grass prized for its delicate, pendulous seed heads that tremble or "quake" in the breeze. The heart-shaped, greenish-yellow seed heads turn a golden-brown in late summer and add texture and movement to gardens. It is particularly valued in naturalistic, meadow-style plantings, borders, and cottage gardens. Quaking Grass adds lightness to any landscape and is perfect for use in dried flower arrangements.

Light Requirements:

Quaking Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade. It performs best in full sun, where it produces the most abundant and upright flower spikes. In hotter regions, it can tolerate some afternoon shade, but too much shade may reduce flowering.

Buddleja alternifolia (Alternate-leaved Butterfly Bush)

Description:

Buddleja alternifolia, commonly known as Alternate-leaved Butterfly Bush, is a deciduous shrub known for its gracefully arching branches and clusters of fragrant, lavender-purple flowers that bloom in early summer. Unlike other Buddleja species, the flowers of B. alternifolia grow along the length of the previous year’s growth, creating cascades of blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its elegant weeping habit makes it an excellent choice for informal hedges, mixed borders, or as a specimen plant.

Light Requirements:

Alternate-leaved Butterfly Bush thrives in full sun, where it produces the best flowering display. It needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to ensure vigorous growth and abundant blooms. While it can tolerate light shade, reduced sunlight may lead to fewer flowers.

Boronia megastigma (Brown Boronia)

Description:

Boronia megastigma, commonly known as Brown Boronia, is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its incredibly fragrant, bell-shaped flowers. The flowers, which are typically a deep reddish-brown on the outside and yellow on the inside, bloom in late winter to spring and emit a sweet, citrus-like scent. Native to Western Australia, Brown Boronia is often grown in gardens for its fragrance or in containers where its scent can be enjoyed up close. It has fine, needle-like foliage and a rounded growth 

habit.

Light Requirements:

Brown Boronia thrives in partial shade, especially in hot climates, where it benefits from protection from the intense afternoon sun. In cooler climates, it can tolerate more sun but still performs best with some dappled shade. Avoid planting it in full sun, as this can cause the plant to dry out and the flowers to fade quickly.

Buxus harlandii (Harland Boxwood)

Description:

Buxus harlandii, commonly known as Harland Boxwood, is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub native to China and Taiwan. It is known for its distinctive, deeply-lobed, glossy green leaves and compact, dense growth habit. Harland Boxwood has an attractive rounded form and is often used in formal gardens, as a low hedge, or in topiary due to its ability to be easily pruned and shaped. This species is also particularly resistant to heat, making it a good choice for warmer climates.

Light Requirements:

Harland Boxwood thrives in full sun to partial shade. It performs best in partial shade, especially in hotter climates, where protection from the intense afternoon sun can prevent leaf scorch. In cooler climates, it can tolerate full sun but prefers some afternoon shade for optimal growth.

Bergenia purpurascens (Purple Bergenia)

Description:

Bergenia purpurascens, commonly known as Purple Bergenia, is an evergreen perennial that is prized for its large, leathery leaves, which turn a stunning purple-red in colder months. In early spring, it produces clusters of pink to magenta bell-shaped flowers that rise above the foliage on tall, sturdy stems. The combination of year-round foliage interest and showy flowers makes this plant an excellent choice for garden borders, ground cover, and woodland gardens.

Light Requirements:

Purple Bergenia thrives in partial shade but can tolerate full sun in cooler climates. In hotter regions, it benefits from afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch. While it can handle some deep shade, flowering may be reduced, and the leaf color may not be as vibrant.

Boehmeria cylindrica (False Nettle)

Description:

Boehmeria cylindrica, commonly known as False Nettle, is a native North American herbaceous perennial. Despite its resemblance to stinging nettle, False Nettle is harmless and does not have stinging hairs. It features soft, oval, toothed green leaves and produces small, greenish-white flowers in cylindrical clusters that bloom from mid-summer to early fall. False Nettle is often found in wetlands, moist woods, and along streambanks, making it an excellent choice for naturalized areas, rain gardens, or wildlife-friendly spaces.

Light Requirements:

False Nettle thrives in partial shade to full shade. It is particularly suited for shaded woodland gardens or areas with indirect light. In wetter environments, it can tolerate more sunlight, but it prefers cooler, shaded conditions for optimal growth.