| Species |
Common name |
Description |
Size |
Price each |
# Available |
| Acer pennsylvanicum |
Striped maple |
Small under story tree/shrub of moist upland forests;smooth green bark with vertical white stripes contrasts wonderfully and makes for a spectacular specimen for the shade garden; obligate shade plant. |
6"-8" |
$15.00 |
15 |
| Alnus rugosa |
Speckled alder |
Multi stemmed, pioneer shrub of wetland and steam side communities; stabilizes stream banks and lake edges from strong currents and wave action; tolerates nutrient and oxygen deficient (saturated) soils; roots fix nitrogen. |
12+" |
$10.00 |
8 |
| Amelanchier stolonifera |
Thicket shad bush |
A shadbush of a different design-it does not have the strong single leader like Amelanchier canadensis or A. laevis but instead forms a multi-stemmed clump or thicket; still has that smooth bark with the dark gray on gray striping; long petaled flowers bloom profusely in the Spring often making the squat shrub into a veritable snowball of white; depending on where you live may be susceptible to a Rust fungus (Gymnosporangium spp) where it deforms the fruit and causes rusty splotches on leaves; Rust fungus, so named for the rusty orange spores it produces, has an interesting lifecycle in the fact that it needs two very different host plants (taxonomically speaking) to complete its lifecycle, in this case a Conifer, either a Spruce tree or Juniper, and the Shadbush; I have found infection rates in the wild to be quite low, but the same plants have the problem year after year.PS-I add this disease note to illustrate the complex interaction of life that our native plants support. If you have a known Shadbush rust problem in your area, perhaps you should consider a plant like Chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa, listed below, if you don't, I wouldn't let it be a deterrent. |
10"-12" |
14.00 |
4 |
| Aronia melanocarpa |
Black chokeberry |
Highly adaptable shrub, growing in both saturated wetlands and bone dry sandy soils, tends to remain more compact in the latter; tart berries are loaded with beneficial phytochemicals like phenols and antioxidants, grown in Europe for berries were they are turned into value added products like wine, yogurt, and juice blends; dark colored anthers contrast against bright white flower petals make for eye catching effect |
8"-16" |
$10.00 |
25 |
| Chamaecyparis thyoides |
Atlantic white cedar |
Here is the perfect example of a wild plant that needs no refinement or development of cultivars. The flat needles are a wonderful blue green, the branching habit is such that it maintains an open airy canopy without pruning; shaggy Earth brown exfoliating bark; grows naturally in wetland areas where it attains largest size, upland conditions stunt its growth, not allowing more then 10 feet or so of verticality; a tree of the coastal plain, not found too far inland; rare to uncommon through out its range due to its desirability for lumber and destruction of wetland habitat. Maine genotype. |
10"-12" |
17.00 |
4 |
| Clethra anifolia |
Summer sweet |
Rare plant in southern Maine, being more common to the south; obligate wetland plant in the wild but very adaptable in cultivation, thriving in upland soils; flowers intoxicatingly scented, much like Narcissus or Paper whites; fall foliage is a blinding yellow, that glows as if its plugged in; multi stemmed, colonial habit is the norm when growing in wetlands, more solitary in upland situations. |
10"-12" |
8.50 |
25 |
| Cornus alternifolia |
Pagoda dogwood |
A striking shrub on all levels-strongly geometric branching structure is marvelous esp. when leaves are absent, adding considerable form to the dormant landscape; puffy dense clusters of white flowers attract multitudes of hungry pollinators; cobalt blue fruit on coral red stems feed feathered friends in July; grows in part to full sun in upland soils. |
10"-12" |
$17.50 |
5 |
| Corylus cornuta |
Beaked hazelnut |
The shorter of the two species of native Hazelnut that we have growing in southern Maine; this one prefers the part shade offered at the wood/field edge; does well in acidic soil found under oak trees; cool looking beaked sheaths form over nuts in early Summer before being ravenously consumed by squirrels and other woodland friends; many-stemmed vase-like habit that grows to 2 feet; one of the first native shrubs to flower in very early Spring. |
10"-12" |
$15.00 |
5 |
| Hamamelis virginiana |
Witch hazel |
Multi stemmed habit, often dominates the shrub layer in moist deciduous forests; leaves have been used for centuries as a powerful astringent; the preferred wood for water dowsing- the mystical art of sensing water using a forked piece of wood; branches are densely covered in pastel yellow flowers in the Fall lighting up a dying landscape, often lasting until snow fall; prefers shade. |
10" |
12.00 |
2 |
| Ilex verticillata |
Winterberry |
A common component of scrub shrub wetlands; dense habit provides shelter and nesting for birds in Summer, brilliant red berries persist all Winter adding vivid color to the monochromatic winter-scape; fruit is an important food source to small mammals and birds; an adaptable medium sized shrub that will also grow in upland soils with full sun. |
10"-12" |
$12.00 |
10 |
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia |
Virginia creeper |
Spectacular bright red foliage in Fall; sucker disks on tendrils have a wickedly tenacious grip allowing this vine to easily scale trees, as well as chimneys, cement walls and the like, making it an outstanding replacement for the sometimes invasive Helix hedera, or English ivy; sparse purple fruit formed in Fall are reminiscent of mini-grapes, in fact it is in the Grape Family- Vitaceae. |
12" |
$10.00 |
4 |
| Pinus rigida |
Pitch pine |
By White pine standards, a shorter tree of sandy soils near the ocean and on glacial outwash plains; the Pitch pine is the major component of the globally rare Pitch Pine forest type, which is home to rare plants as well as moths and butterflies-the Nature Conservancy has many hundreds of acres preserved here in southern Maine; capable of growing in soil extremes-bone dry sand with a razor thin layer of organic matter to seasonally inundated Sphagnum moss bogs; will make a great solitary specimen tree. |
12", single whorled |
10.00 |
10 |
| Pinus strobus |
White pine |
Large growing tree in both girth and height; probably. the most economically important tree in Maine as its makes most of our lumber; smooth gray bark turns deeply furrowed w/age; pine cone seeds are critical food source for many small mammals and birds; canopy provides filtered light to forest floor, not a "light sucker" like hemlock; part sun and loamy upland soils, quickly acidifies surrounding soil as tree matures. |
2' |
25.00 |
4 |
| Prunus virginina |
Chokecherry |
Suckering colonial shrub producing abundant strings of beautiful ruby red cherries in mid Summer, savored by birds and mammals of all sizes, not lasting long on the branch; excellent hedge species providing structure, food, and habitat for fauna; prefers loamy upland soil in full to part sun; an under-rated species for inclusion into the landscape despite its many outstanding qualities. |
12" |
10.00 |
15 |
| Rubus odoratus |
Purple flowering Raspberry |
Large clusters of spectacular magenta flowers begin around Fathers Day and go into September; arching canes have attractive exfoliating bark; large plush palmate leaves; this species is thorn less, the thorns being replaced by sticky glands, an interesting evolutionary quirk; shade to part sun; loamy, moist organic soil. |
12"+ |
12.00 |
8 |
| Sambucus canadensis |
Elderberry |
Berries are nutrient dense and contain healthy phytochemicals like phenols and antioxidants-more so then blueberries, berries are bitter off the cane, and are best used in jellies, wine, and added to other juices; berries are a source of an intense and natural purple color used in grape juice and wine; several improved varieties like 'Johns' and 'Adams' are suitable for commercial production; I find this plant to be challenging to satisfy, being most successful with rich loamy soil, in part sun, and no competition from grass; birds and other critters love the berries, flowers attract lots of insect pollinators; branches are cane-like and should be treated as such, being cut to the ground every 3-4 years to rejuvenate the plant as a whole. |
12" |
15.00 |
15 |
| Sambucus racemosa |
Red Elderberry |
Pyramidal clusters of vibrant red berry clusters are eye catching and are a unique edition to the native landscape;flowers and berries come out sooner then purple Elderberry; berries attract many types of birds; more abundant in northern Maine, commonly found on the sides of wide open logging roads; full to part sun, tolerates drier soils and more competition from other plants then purple Elderberry. |
14" |
15.00 |
4 |
| Viburnum acerifolium |
Maple leaf viburnum |
Prefers full shade and tolerates bone dry acidic soils of Red oak and Pine forests, a rare trait for any shrub, much less a Viburnum; rich loamy soil in part shade will yield a larger, more robust plant; as specific epithet implies, leaves are shaped like a maple's; small in stature, reaching no more then 4-5 ft tall; spectacular fall foliage of mouth watering grape-gum purple to regal burgundies; dark blue drupes (fruit) are long lived and will often hold on until Winter, serving as an important late season food source for wildlife (judging by how long they stay on the bush, they don't seem to be a preferred food stuff). |
8" |
$15.00 |
1 |
| Viburnum lantanoides |
Hobblebush |
Large tropical looking leaves strongly ribbed and covered with a fine fuzz; flower clusters in Spring up to 6" across with sterile "neutral flowers" on perimeter, and smaller fertile flowers in center; seeds turn a bright crimson red in Fall, and mature into a dark purple; "naked" buds (buds without protective scales) add a unique texture and aesthetics to Winter landscape; an obligate shade plant, preferring moist acidic soils. SOLD OUT for now, but more stock will become available as seeds germinate and cuttings take root.
|
6"-8" |
15.00 |
5 |
| Viburnum lent ago |
Nanny berry |
Like Vandals sacking Rome, the Bluejays will not stop coming until they have eaten every fruit, so I take it it must be THAT GOOD (other birds savor the drupes too); in terms of form, this species often has a single stem with a tight over-arching canopy making it look like a big Bonsai and hence a good specimen plant; it will sucker and form colonies as well; most common in open moist areas, but will grow happily in upland areas too. |
6" + |
15.00 |
4 |
| Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides |
Witherod |
Multi stemmed Viburnum found in both wetlands and upland areas; grows in almost full sun to part shade in wet to seasonally dry soils; this "all American" Viburnum puts on a stunning color show as its fruit matures from white to red to blue in the late Summer into the Fall; copious fruit production appreciated by birds; poofy white, densely packed flower clusters in Spring feed the typical hordes of pollinators that Viburnums have a tendency to attract. |
12" |
15.00 |
4 |
| Vitis labrusca |
Fox grape |
The wildling from which the famous Concord grape sprang; sunny to part sunny, dry to moist soils-just as happy to grow near a river as it is in a dry field; robust yearly growth requires a strong trellis system to support its mass, nearby trees will work just as well; large nickel sized grapes are great for jelly and wine making, but sour right off the vine; attractive brown exfoliating bark on vines; superb choice for a native vine, you'll never go to a Euonymous again.Un-sexed plants. |
Beefy rootstock |
17.50 |
8 |
| Species |
Common name |
Description |
Size |
Price each |
# Available |
| Actaea pachypoda |
Dolls eyes |
Woodland herb of shady, moist to dry soils, growing best in the former, and simply tolerant in the latter; compound leaves, porcelain white berries bear a creepy resemblance to doll's eyes, its namesake, unfortunately they are poisonous, as early settlers found out, which earned it its other name-Baneberry; choice plant for the woodland garden, especially when planted in groups; large chunky rhizomes easily make divisions |
Chunky, large rhizomes |
15.00 |
12 |
| Adlumia fungosa |
Climbing fumitory |
Best described as a climbing,viney bleeding heart, it has the same pretty lacy leaves and heart shaped flowers as your classic garden bleeding heart; this species is a biennial-the lacy basal rosettes form the first year and the climbing and flowering commence the second; needs shady conditions and healthy-rich organic soil to thrive, self-seeding does not seem to be a problem if these needs are met; easy to grow from seed if you feel uneasy about loosing the next generation |
$10.00 |
8 |
| Aralia nudicaulis |
Wild sarsparilla |
The dominant herbaceous layer in acidic woods with filtered light; compound leaves similar to Ginseng, which is in the same family, Araliaceae; roots quickly form large colonies, pulling up one plant is like unraveling the string on a shirt; fruit is devoured by deer and other animals, making seed collection a challenging race; although tolerant of dry acidic soil, it does best in loamy rich ones; excellent natural, non-smothering ground cover, that is amiable to other herbs; quickly spreads-put it only where you want it. |
2-3 year old roots |
$9.00 |
4 |
| Arisaema triphyllum |
Jack-in-the-Pulpit |
Denizen of moist, shaded humid environments, this tropical looking plant looks like it might be out of place in the Northeast.Like many of our natives, it is wonderfully adaptable, tolerating much drier soils in cultivation. It is intolerable of harsh sun though. Grown as specimen perennials in the shade garden it proves to be a striking center piece, be sure to plant a cluster of three or more for the best effect; the elegantly striped cobra like hood (the spathe) gently enfolds the spadix, the latter actually being the flower stalk; in late Summer the inflorescence bears striking bright red berries. By seasons end the whole plant simply withers away to a lifeless mass; fear not, the bulb from which is sprang earlier that Spring is juiced up and ready for another show the proceeding season. Native peoples relied on the plump corms for food, ONLY after being boiled to release the painful tasting calcium oxalate crystals (don't try this at home) |
Large bulbs |
$7.00 |
10 |
| Aster macrophylla |
Big leaved Aster |
Forms a thick, dense carpet of luscious green leaves in ecotone areas-habitats between field in forest, where it is simultaneously intolerant of the excessive shade of the forest, and sensitive to the searing sun of wide open spaces, like Goldilocks, it likes its just right; grows equally well in moist to dry soils; pretty white flowers grow on stalks from August through November; a great natural, intensive ground cover option. |
large clumps |
$7.50 |
20 |
| Chelone glabra |
Turtlehead |
Found growing along well vegetated margins of lakes, streams, and wetland meadows in full sun; can be grown in moist, even dry loamy upland soils in cultivation; large bulbous pure white hooded flowers bares an uncanny resemblance to its name sake; unique addition to the sunny perennial garden. | 12" plants
8.00 |
8 |
| Eupatorium perfoliatum |
Boneset |
A fantastic and unique addition to the perennial garden- stem clasping leaves give the appearance that the stem is perforating the leaves, hairy stems and leaves, large heads of off white flowers are handsome and attractive to pollinators, slightly reminiscent of Yarrow; in nature it is largely associated with wetlands, but grows well in upland areas too; full to part sun, wet to dry upland soils |
chunky 4 yr old rhizomes |
12.00 |
8 |
| Iris versicolor |
Wild iris |
Forget the Bearded Irises, you'll never look back when you see this beauty; dainty, delicate leaves, rich royal blue/purple petals with yellow markings; grows in wet areas in the wild (pond margins, wetland meadows) with full sun, but should be tolerant of drier soils |
multi year rhizomes |
12.00 |
5 |
| Polypodium vulgare |
Rock polypody fern |
A fern of legendary hardiness-it is commonly found growing on top of glacial erratics (those boulders you sometimes find randomly in the forest), where it ekes out a living on a razor thin layer of organic material that has managed to accumulate over the centuries; during dry periods the leaves wrinkle up and play dead, waiting for the next bit of moisture- do not be fooled, this survival mechanism conserves precious stored water in the plant tissues from transpiring into the atmosphere. Even though this hardy fern can take alot, it can not take allot of sun, it needs to be in full shade. |
multi-year rhizomes |
10.00 |
6 |
| Rhodiola rosea |
Roseroot |
Not much to look at, but the magic lies below the soil line; chunky rhizomatous roots have long been used for their adaptogenic properties-compounds that help the body fight off the ill effects of stress and physically induced fatigue; extremely hardy as well, growing in the Arctic (is there a Zone 0?) with ease; leaves are succulent green discs, and the whole plant dies back to the soil level every year; must be grown in full sun with sharply drained soil, rot will quickly consume the plant if these conditions are not met |
multi year rhizomes |
20.00 |
2 |
| Similacina racemosa |
False Solomons seal |
Graceful arching stems lined with opposite pairs of leaves, terminal clusters of creamy-green colored flowers give rise to distinctively patterned berries in late summer that begin a metallic gold color and matures to a spectacular semi translucent cranberry sparkle; grows well in the dappled shade of a deciduous forest canopy, often found growing in the forest shadow at the edge of a clearing with other ecotone plants like Big leaf aster (Aster macrophylla),Forest goldenrod (Solidago arguta), Bridal wreath goldenrod (Solidago caesia) and Wood lilly (Lilium philadelphicum) | .
2-3 yr plants |
12.00 |
20 |
| Solidago arguta |
Forest goldenrod |
"A goldenrod for every situation" I say; Forest goldenrod, contrary to its name, tends not to grow in the forest per se, but it does have a distinct preference for that fine line just inside of the forest shadow, at the edge of a field; tolerates part shade to part sun, dry loamy soils; a vivid crimson colored stem can be found on some individuals, I'm not sure if this is a genetic particularity, or if its due to plants growing in a sunnier spot; found growing with other ecotone plants like Big leaf aster, False Solomons seal (Similacina racemosa), and Wood lilly Lilium philadelphicum |
2-3 yr plants |
12.00 |
25+ |
| Solidago caesia |
Blue stem goldenrod |
The prettiest of all the goldenrods, attractive dark green/blue foliage and stems, lined with dainty chrome yellow flowers; does well in full to part shade; stems do not grow ram-rod straight and tall like most other G-rods, but stay short and tend to curve around like that of a wreath. |
2-3 yr plants |
12.00 |
8 |
| Solidago sempervirens |
Seaside goldenrod |
Adapted to life in the spray zone and high tide area of beaches and dunes (what's left of them), its thick waxy cuticle on the leaves keeps desiccation to a minimum from the salt environs, leaves almost have a succulent look to them; grows well in nutrient poor sandy soils in full sun; some authors report leggy growth when grown in more fertile soil; obviously a good native perennial choice if you live near the coast, or have just plain, bad soil. |
2-3 yr old plants |
12.00 |
15 |
