Asparagus officinalis High-yielding good-quality tender green spears are long-lived and very cold hardy. On the rise as an excellent replacement for Jersey, even outproducing Jersey in northern Minnesota trials! Z3-8.
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 4-6' tall. North American native. Blooms range from blue-purple to lavender-pink with yellow eyes. Attractive to pollinators. Z3.
Penstemon hirsutus 16-30" tall. Shorter than P. digitalis, with fuzzy stems topped by clusters of slender tubular nodding 1" lavender flowers with arching white lips. Z3.
Dicentra formosa 14-20" tall. Heart-shaped blossoms in late spring. With good moisture, the lacy foliage look nice all season. Full to dappled shade. Z3.
Eupatorium perfoliatum 5-7' tall. Flat-topped clusters of white to lavender flowerheads. Stimulates the immune system. Fetching addition to the perennial border. Z3.
Aquilegia canadensis 12-24" tall. This eastern North American native features delicate red-spurred sepals with yellow petaled skirts. Blooms late May to early June. Irresistible to hummingbirds! Z3.
Symphytum × uplandicum 24–48" tall. Great companion plant for orchards. Chop as mulch or add to the compost pile. Rich in silica, nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron. Z3.
Symphytum officinale 24-48" tall. Famous for skin-soothing properties. Good orchard companion plant, but spreads vigorously. Choose site with care. Z3.
Polystichum acrostichoides 18–24" tall. Northeastern native fern with semi-evergreen fronds can be cut for Christmas greenery or left standing for winter interest. Z3.
Dryopteris marginalis 20-30" tall. Strong stems and slightly glossy leathery grey-green fronds make this one of the best ferns for floral arrangements. Evergreen leaves in winter. Z3.
Geranium sanguinium 4-9" tall. Magenta cups with purple-blue anthers cover tidy deep green lacy foliage. Compact form works well in containers. Considered more drought tolerant than others in the genus. Z3.
Hosta Very large oval blue-green leaves, up to 16" long and 12" wide! Pale lavender flowers bloom midsummer. Foliage develops best blue color in light shade. Z3.
Hosta 18" tall and 36" wide. Rounded heavily corrugated blue leaves with wide chartreuse margins. White flowers smoked with lavender. Holds its margin color well through the season. Z3.
Hydrangea quercifolia 3-4' × 3-5' Giant panicles mature to deep rose and dry to red in fall. Broad lobed leaves. Low maintenance. Species native to N. America. Z5
Hydrangea quercifolia 4-6' × 3-5' Spreading native hydrangea with large oak-like leaves and spiked whitish-pink double flowers July-Aug. Dried flowers turn pink to bronze. Purple, red and orange fall folliage. Z5.
Iris versicolor 30-36" tall. Northeastern native species with gorgeous blue-violet flowers with bold purple veining and a white and lemon-yellow blaze. Early. Z2.
Iris sibirica 32" tall. Bred by legendary Maine hybridizer Currier McEwen in shades of creamy white with accents of yellow-green and buttery yellow. Early midseason to late. Z3.
Eutrochium fistulosum 4-6' tall. Dusky-rose flowers are held on beautiful wine-red stems dusted with a light purplish bloom. Adaptable to wet soils. Z4.
