Macleaya cordata PLUME POPPY Dignified giant standing erect with 8 to 12 in. tropical looking leaves, light green on top with silvery fine hairs underneath. Foot long feathery plumes have clusters of innumerable petaless flowers, each with 24 to 30 showy stamens. Likes moist soil with moderate fertility. Excellent for screening, as a backdrop or central framework, or as a lone specimen to show off its pleasing foliage. Though less invasive than the similar Macleaya microcarpa, it warrants awareness as an aggressive colonizer in ground and by seed, especially in high fertility with shade or in sand. Can reduce size of patch every 3 or 4 years. Does not need staking. Authoritative authors/gardeners hold it quite garden worthy, but not for small or low maintenance gardens. Good cut flower or for dry bouquets.

Malva alcea 'Fastigiata' Happy and long blooming in deep soil and full sun. Upright plants have fingered leaves and well branched stems that hold a profuse display of 2 in. bowl-shaped flowers. Not notably long lived, but will self sow freely and remain around.

Mazus reptans CREEPING MAZUS A low growing, spreading ground cover. Usefull when planted between stepping stones, or for patio edges and pathways. Consistent moisture is the key to success. Luxuriates in rich loamy soils, but is tolerant of other soils provided that drainage is good. Under used.

Meehania cordata MEEHAN’S MINT Another native Lamiaceae, this low growing mint can be found in Rich Mountain woods throughout Mid-Atlantic North America.  Flowers are true in form to the family, being blue with spotted throats.  Although a spreader, plants are not invasive and can be sited on the sunnier side of the woodland garden. 

Mertensia virginica VIRGINIA BLUE BELLS Thrives in a moist, woodland type soil. Beautiful naturalized with ferns, bulbs, dicentra and similar woodland ornamentals. Goes dormant during the summer. Grayish green leaves to 6 in. long with a smooth character. Flowers are 1 in. trumpets in arching clusters of 5 to 20, budding pink at first. One of our most beloved natives from NY to TN.

Microbiota decussata SIBERIAN CYPRESS This lone species of the genus is a low spreading, evergreen shrub native to open slopes in S.E. Siberia.  Although slow to spread, over time can form a sizable shrub demanding a large space.  The New York Botanical Gardens has an impressive specimen the size of a small Buick.  In full sun, graceful almost fern like foliage is bright green turning a bronzed purple in winter, plants given a touch of shade retain a darker russet color throughout the year.

Mitchella repens When walking our northeastern woods in winter I enjoy being able to see well into the landscape. The deciduous trees, being void of leaves, allow the sun light to stream in, illuminating the lay of the woods.  Among the drab browns and sullen grays of leaves long since felled, patches of Gaultheria, Chimaphila and Mitchella greet the yearning hiker.  Romantic descriptions aside, Mitchella repens is a low creeping ground cover with small, rich green, dime sized leaves paired oppositely with a gray midvein stripe.  White fragrant flowers form red berries, which remain on the plant through winter.

Monarda BEE BALM Easy to grow in most soils, preferring moderately fertile and consistently moist soils for health. Needs frequent division to control the spreading roots and maintain healthy plants. Excellent for wildflower meadow plantings. Leaves are green, aromatic and toothed. Small or large stands in any garden have the look of upright strength handsomely dressed in pleasing greens, bearing a vibrant show of color in flowers. Increase flowering to 8 weeks or more by dead-heading. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, and is good for cut flowers. M. 'Marshall's Delight' is dependably very mildew resistant. M. 'Gardenview Scarlet' is much improved for mildew resistance with larger flowers over preceding red cultivars. M. 'Jacob Kline' is the latest rave for even better mildew resistance, still with large flowers, and with tolerance to average to dry conditions.

Myosotis alpestris FORGET-ME-NOT Prefers a moist and moderately fertile soil and a woodland site, but adaptable to many other sites. Grown as a biennial but self-sows prolifically. Leaves are green, oblong, and small. The little flowers are a gorgeous blue color dotted with a yellow eye, and have an unforgotten place in the hearts of old and young. Great underplanting.

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Alphabetical Plant Descriptions

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BILL KOLVEK PERENNIALS / P.O.Box 8525 Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 / FAX# 845-735-1157