FEATURED PLANT 1 - Blue Parrot Tulip - Tulipa 'Blue Parrot' - Parrot Type - Extend you spring bulb display with early, mid and late spring varieties. Add some variety by including single, double, lily and parrot types.

FEATURED PLANT 1 - Angelique Tulip - Tulipa 'Angelique' - Double Late Type

FEATURED PLANT 1 - Rhodos Tulip - Tulipa 'Rhodos' - Single Late Type

FEATURED PLANT 1 - Antoinette Tulip - Tulipa 'Antoinette' - Single Late Tulip

Yellow Buckeye - Aesculus flava - Not as common a site in the landscape as its relatives the horsechestnut and Ohio buckeye, the yellow buckeye has fewer leaf diseases and a wonderful pumpkin fall color. It was hard to ignore the beautiful large sturdy blooms while preparing for the walk.

FEATURED PLANT 2 - Golden Lights Azalea - Rhododendron 'Golden Lights' - Those wanting to add a bit of southern beauty to their northern garden should try the Northern Lights Series developed by University of MN Landscape Arboretum. Flower bud hardy (-30°). This hardy cross comes in a variety of fragrant flower colors. Note: Rhododendrons and Azaleas are in the Rhododendron genus. All prefer moist, well-drained acidic soil, protection from winter wind and winter sun as well as hot summer temperatures. Azaleas - deciduous, funnel-form flowers with 5 stamens. Rhododendron - usually evergreen, 10 or more stamens, bell shaped flowers.

FEATURED PLANT 3 - Climbing Hydrangea - Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris - This is one of the few vines that provide four season interest in the shade. Check out the orange exfoliating bark, blooms (usually mid June) and yellow fall color. Be patient as these plants are slow to establish. It can take several years for the plants to reach a good size and flower. Provide a rough surface for the root-like holdfasts to attach.

FEATURED PLANT 4 - Douglasfir - Pseudotsuga menziesii - Once an important lumber producing tree, it is one of the best short needled Christmas trees and an outstanding landscape plant. Check out the flowers that once pollinated and fertilized will form unique cones with 3 pointed papery bracts. Looks like the back end of a mouse to me.

FEATURED PLANT 5 - Black Jetbead - Rhodotypos scandens - This little-used flowering shrub is suited for the shade. White flowers in spring are followed by black bead-like fruit in fall that persist through winter. Invasive in the Mid-Atlantic States.

FEATURED PLANT 6 - Pink Chablis Deadnettle - Lamium maculatum 'Pink Chablis' - This is a great groundcover for dry shade. It spreads quickly, but I find it manageable and not weedy like its cousin variegated yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon formerly Lamiastrum). Cultivars with white, pink or purple flowers and varying degrees of leaf variegation are available. The variegated foliage brightens the shade throughout the growing season.

FEATURED PLANT 7 - Sulfur Barrenwort - Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum' - Another good plant for dry shade the Epimediums provide several seasons of interest. The leaves emerge tipped in red and topped by white, red or yellow flowers. The heart-shaped leaves on wiry stems look good in any garden. The leaves are tinged red for fall and somewhat evergreen. Plant it where you plan to keep it as it can be difficult to move.

FEATURED PLANT 7 - Sulfur Barrenwort - Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum'

FEATURED PLANT 8 - Doublefile Viburnum - Viburnum plicatum - The horizontal form provides year-round interest and when they are covered with a double row of white flowers in spring it is a sight to behold. The birds will gobble up the fruit in summer and the reddish purple fall color finishes off the season.

FEATURED PLANT 8 - Doublefile Viburnum - Viburnum plicatum

FEATURED PLANT 9 - Fragrant Abelia - Abelia mosanensis - The seasonal interest of this unusual shrub makes it worth trying and the effort it may take to find. The arching stems are covered with pink with white centered flowers (usually in summer) followed by orange fall color. While some gardeners find its casual appearance a bit unsettling while others feel the carefree nature, fragrant blooms and fall color make it worth planting several in the yard. Watch and see how this zone 5 to 9 semi-evergreen (in southern areas) shrub performs.

'Mikkeli' Rhododendron - Rhododendron x marjatta - Besides displaying lovely clear pink blooms, this rhododendron demonstrates the beauty and interest found in the developing flower buds. The large evergreen leaves are subject to damage from winter winds and sun.

FEATURED PLANT 10 - Globemaster Allium - Allium giganteum 'Globemaster' - Alliums can add dramatic color (white, yellow, pink or purple) to the spring, summer or fall garden. The volleyball size flower heads of Globemaster allium provide a focal point in the spring garden and the secondary florets help extend the flower season. I enjoy these allium flowers and dried seedheads in my garden combined with Overdam feather reed grass.

FEATURED PLANT 11 - Firewitch Dianthus - Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Feuerhexe’ - This beauty was selected as the Perennial Plant of the year in 2006 for its heat tolerance, attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. The 3 to 4 inch tall plant has gray-green leaves that create a nice backdrop for the clove scented magenta flowers in mid spring. Watch for repeat bloom in summer and fall. Good drainage is critical for its outstanding performance and longevity.

FEATURED PLANT 12 - Bigroot Geranium - Geranium macrorrhizum - Bold foliage and loads of flowers (usually) in late spring to early summer make this a dramatic groundcover. The dense fragrant foliage helps suppress weeds and usually looks good all season and finishes off with reddish purple fall color.

FEATURED PLANT 12 - Bigroot Geranium - Geranium macrorrhizum

Tinkerbelle Lilac - Syringa 'Bailbelle' - This sweetly scented beauty was just beginning to put on its floral show. Known for its compact size (5 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide) it is hardy ion zones 3 to 7.

FEATURED PLANT 13 - Korean Barberry - Berberis koreana - This is a large scale barberry with dramatic foliage, flowers and fruit. The yellow flowers followed by large red fruit are quite dramatic. It is on the invasive plant list along with other barberries in some states. Check with your local DNR or Extension service before planting.

Eastern Red Columbine - Aquilegia canadensis - This beautiful native is a hummingbird favorite. Grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist well-drained soils.

FEATURED PLANTS 14 - Intermediate Bearded Iris & Tree Peony - Iris spp. & Paeonia suffruticosa - Irises provide a spring full of color in the garden. Starting with the early blooms of dwarf iris and ending with the tall bearded iris. Grow in full sun and plant the rhizomes just below the soil surface for best results. Lori Yanny, Boerner’s shrub gardener, likes to combine intermediate bearded iris with tree peonies for a nice flowering combination. A bit later in the season you will see she combines tall bearded iris with herbaceous peonies since they bloom at the same time.

Rocks Tree Peony - Paeonia 'Rocks' - This stunning double flowering tree peony is another example of the many found on display in the shrub mall.

Oklahoma Bandit Bearded Iris - Iris 'Oklahoma Bandit' - An intermediate bearded type, this charmer is a wonderful complement to its neighbors along the shrub mall.

FEATURED PLANT 15 - Japanese Kerria - Kerria japonica - Here is a shade tolerant shrub with year round appeal. The bright green stems are dramatic in the winter and the yellow flowers brighten the spring garden. It can suffer some dieback in extremely (-20°) winters.

Mayapple - Podophyllum peltatum - This woodland native was a wonderful surprise heading into the rock garden. Although most parts of the plants are toxic the ripe fruit is edible in small quantities. Most people think it is tasteless and I think you should consider these comments from a 19th century botanist before biting in “mayapple...a favorite with small boys, pigs and raccoons”.

Manchu Stripe Maple - Acer tegmentosum - The lovely yellow flowers hang like jewelry on this beauty. As the name suggests, the green bark with its bold white stripes is another wonderful feature of this plant. Hardy in zones 5 to 9 making it one of the hardiest of the snakebark maples.

FEATURED PLANT 16 - Byrnes Giant Globeflower - Trollius 'Byrnes Giant' - This brightly colored spring bloomer adds a short burst of color to the spring garden. Grow in sun or partial shade with moist well-drained soil for best results. And be sure to cut a few of the lemon yellow flowers to enjoy indoors. This particular globeflower tends to be larger.

FEATURED PLANT 17 - Jacob's Ladder - Polemonium reptans - Pink, white or blue flowers appear in late spring or early summer. The foliage looks good throughout the growing season. Variegated varieties are also available.

Canadian Ginger - Asarum canadense - It took a little peering under the foliage, but the unique blooms of this shade groundcover are well worth the extra effort. Early settlers dried and ground eh roots and stems to use as a substitute for the ginger spice.

Western Maidenhair Fern - Adiantum aleuticum - The graceful form and texture of this maidenhair fern makes and engaging companion to the neighboring Canadian ginger. Grow it in moist shady conditions in zones 3 to 8.

Pink Lily of the Valley - Convallaria majalis 'Rosea' - The highly fragrant bell-shaped blooms of this shade groundcover are a pleasing soft pink.

FEATURED PLANT 18 - Variegated Solomon's Seal - Polygonatum odoratum var. thunbergii 'Variegatum' - One of my favorite shade plants. The long arching stems add interest throughout the season. The white bell shaped flowers hang below the stem and are followed by red berries (do NOT eat). The creamy edged leaves brighten the shade throughout the growing season.

FEATURED PLANT 19 - Siberian Bugloss - Brunnera macrophylla 'Silver Wings' - OK, this is my other, favorite shade plant. The blue forget-me-not like flowers appear in spring. The plain or variegated foliage looks good all season unless placed in hot sun and dry soils. Jack Frost and Looking Glass are two other popular Brunnera.

Yellow Lady's Slipper - Cypripedium calceolus - This magnificant wild orchid has become endangered as it is dug up for its prized blooms. It is being propagated for conservation purposes and can be found for the home garden from a handful of specialty nurseries.

FEATURED PLANT 20 - Periwinkle - Vinca minor - An old favorite this perennial groundcover can cover an area quite quickly. Solid green or variegated foliage makes a nice backdrop for the blue flowers in spring. The glossy evergreen foliage can burn out in winter sun. It is considered invasive in some areas so check with your local Department of Natural resources or Extension Service.

Waterer Scotch Pine - Pinus sylvestris 'Watereri' - The setting sun created the perfect spotlight to highlight the stunning bark of this dwarf variety of Scotch pine. Be sure to check out the steel blue needles on this dense dwarf (usually 10 feet tall) slow growing Scotch pine.

Ming Bearded Iris - Iris 'Ming' - This stunner was hard to miss along the shrub mall.

FEATURED PLANT 21 - Fern Leaf Peony - Paeonia tenuifolia - Extend your peony display by adding a fern leaf peony. The fern foliage is topped with single or double red flowers. The foliage adds an airy texture to the garden but does begin to fade in late summer. But its unique appearance is sure to capture your attention.

FEATURED PLANT 22 - Pink Skyrocket Foamflower - Tiarella 'Pink Skyrocket' - This plant is grown for its foliage and flowers. Often crossed with coral bells to create x heucherella. I like to create a tapestry-like groundcover of coral bells (Heuchera), foamflowers and heucherellas under shade trees.

Excelsior Globeflower - Trollius x cultorum 'Excelsior' - Another fine globeflower, this one displaying an orange-yellow bloom.

FEATURED PLANT 23 - Goldcut Leopard's Bane - Doronicum orientale 'Goldcut' - Add this underused spring bloomer to brighten your garden with its yellow flowers. Leopard’s bane prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade (especially in the south). Mulch the soil to keep its roots cool and moist.

FEATURED PLANT 24 - Pawpaw - Asimina triloba - Native to much of the eastern portion of the US, this tree produces banana flavored fruit that are high in vitamins A and C and low in fat. People and unfortunately, raccoons, like the flavor.

FEATURED PLANT 25 - Sweet Woodruff - Galium odoratum - The hay scented flowers are particularly noticeable in the evening. The flowers were used in May wine and fragrant foliage is dried and used in potpourris and bedding. Great groundcover in sun or shade.

FEATURED PLANT 25 - Sweet Woodruff - Galium odoratum

FEATURED PLANT 26 - Papageno Pasque Flower - Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Papageno' - An early bloomer with red, white, pink or purple flowers prefers full sun, tolerates light shade and is fairly drought tolerant. The flowers are followed by attractive seed heads that persist into summer and the foliage looks good all season long.

FEATURED PLANT 27- Bloodstone Sea Thrift - Armeria maritima 'Bloodstone' - Well-drained soil is a must for this salt tolerant plant. The tuft of leaves are evergreen and the flowers look good in the garden or in a vase. Over watering and over fertilization can lead to rot.

FEATURED PLANT 28 - Prairie Smoke - Geum triflorum - The flowers and seedheads are of equal beauty in this plant. The nodding pink flowers are followed by feathery plumes that look like smoke. Avoid poor drainage, especially in winter, that can lead to root rot. I had this plant disappear in a garden only to return from seed a few years later.

Wakerobin - Trillium sessile - Located in the herb garden between the Prairie Smoke and the Water Avens is this lovely Wakerobin with its handsome red flowers and marbled foliage. Admire from afar as the flowers have a slight odor reminiscent of a dead animal. The smell attracts flies and beetles to pollinate the flowers.

FEATURED PLANT 29 - Water Avens - Geum rivale - Native to bogs and moist habitats this plant prefers partial to full sun and moist to wet soil. Its large flowers are partially masked by the sepals and are followed by showy seedheads like its relative prairie smoke.

FEATURED PLANT 30 - Quince - Cydonia oblonga 'Aromatnaya' - Native to southern Russia, this quince is known for its fragrance and very sweet flavored yellow fruit. Pick the fruit about mid-October and allow it to soften for a few days. It can be eaten fresh or cooked. The pink flowers are extremely “aromatic”.

FEATURED PLANT 32 - Geum - Geum spp. - The orange is a nice addition to the spring palette. Site selection is very important for its survival. Plant in areas with full sun with well-drained soils. Keep roots cool and moist throughout the summer. Water logged soils, especially in winter can kill this plant.

FEATURED PLANT 33 - Rose Rhapsody Meadow Sage - Salvia pratensis 'Rose Rhapsody' - The aromatic leaves of this perennial have been used to flavor beer and wine and you. The birds and butterflies will enjoy the flowers. Grow in full sun and deadhead this long bloomer for a fall floral display.

FEATURED PLANT 34 - Mountain Cornflower - Centaurea montana - Cut these plants back after their early season bloom for a second flush of flowers. The individual flowers are short lived so grow them in a large group for greater impact. Grow in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soils.

FEATURED PLANT 35 - Candytuft - Iberis sempervirens 'Purity' - The evergreen foliage is a nice backdrop for the white flowers. Grow in full sun for best flowering and good drainage for winter survival. Prune back severely after flowering.