Location: Upper Garden

Absalon Tulip

Tulipa 'Absalon'

Absalon is one of the rarest tulips grown at Mount Vernon. It features yellow flames on maroon petals and is one of the few remaining truly broken tulips.

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Adam's Needle

Yucca filamentosa

This unique plant looks more suited to a desert climate, but it is found wild up and down the east coast. Its strappy leaves are crowned by huge spikes of creamy white flowers every other year.

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African Marigold

Tagetes erecta

This upright yellow-flowering plant, with its distinctive odor, is a classic of the summer border.

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Alpine Squill

Scilla bifolia

These tiny blue flowers are some of the most shade tolerant of the spring flower bulbs.

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Apples are ideally planted in multiples of different varieties for optimal fruit production, and many also benefit from pollinators to increase the effectiveness of cross-pollination. Most apple trees are grown from scionwood grafted to rootstock, and the kind of rootstock will determine the ultimate…

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Apricot

Prunus armeniaca

This underappreciated stone fruit has lovely blossoms early in the spring. Because of their early bloom time, the flowers are susceptible to freezing.

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Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis

Asparagus is an unusual plant that is primarily cultivated for its edible tender young shoots in the spring. When mature, it has large ferny foliage that is pale green.

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Balsam

Impatiens balsamina

This plant is ideally used in the front of the flower border and is prone to reseeding. It was a common garden plant in the 18th century.

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Banana

Musa coccinea

Since bananas must reach a certain size to set fruit, today they are mostly used in the garden for their dramatic foliage.

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Basket of Gold

Aurinia saxatilis

These sweet-smelling golden flowers are ideal for the front of the border in spring when bulbs are blooming.

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Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

All parts of this bold shrub are fragrant. It particularly deserves its name for the profusion of amethyst purple berries borne on its long branches.

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Bee Balm

Monarda didyma

Bee Balm is a tall summer-blooming perennial with brilliant red flowers subtended by a whorl of showy, red-tinged, leafy bracts. The aromatic leaves can be used for tea, but are susceptible to mildew, so this plant needs good air circulation. A member of the mint family, bee balm spreads readily by rhizomes…

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Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida

A cottage garden favorite, black-eyed susan features masses of ferociously yellow flowers that attract butterflies. They are incredibly hardy and tolerate a wide variety of conditions, making them ideal for naturalizing.

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Blackberry Lily

Iris domestica

Blackberry lilies are named for their glossy black seeds which look nearly identical to an actual blackberry. They have beautiful orange flowers with darker spots on long graceful stems above strappy green foliage.

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Blackhaw

Viburnum prunifolium

These large spring blooming shrubs with edible berries do best in natural areas where they can achieve their full size.

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Blue False Indigo

Baptisia australis

This unique plant features bright blue-purple flowers on tall green stalks followed by interesting black seedpods. It forms a deep taproot and does not transplant well, so be certain of its location before planting.

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Blue Flag Tulip

Tulipa 'Blue Flag'

Blue Flag is a petite double tulip with flouncy purple petals. Its short stature makes it ideally suited for the front of the border.

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Blue Sky Vine

Thunbergia grandiflora

Blue sky vine is a large, twining vine that boasts beautiful pale blue flowers. It is a rapid grower and becomes quite large over the course of a season.

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Boxwood

Buxus spp.

Boxwood are the quintessential southern garden hedge plant. They are popular for use in knot gardens, parterres, edging, and as topiaries. While the historic English boxwood (Buxus suffruiticosa) are especially susceptible to a devastating and widespread blight caused by the fungus Cylindrocladium buxicola…

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Breadseed Poppy

Papaver somniferum

This elegant annual forms an attractive seedhead after blooming and is ideal for the middle of the border in the spring garden. It self-sows reliably, but does not transplant well.

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Broccoli

Brassica oleracea (Italica)

Broccoli is a cool season vegetable which has been cultivated since the Roman Empire. It is grown for its tender florets which can be eaten raw or cooked.

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Browallia

Browallia americana

Airy blue flowers form a stunning mass mid-border late in the season when many other flowers are fading. In southern climates, this plant self-sows with vigor.

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Brown-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia triloba

Brown-eyed Susans form masses of bright gold flowers above dark green foliage. It will flop without a midseason trim to keep it from getting too tall. It is ideal for naturalizing because it reseeds readily.

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Bullnose Pepper

Capsicum annuum

The bullnose pepper is a type of sweet pepper which produces abundantly. Its fruits are somewhat smaller than modern bell peppers and they are susceptible to sunscald. However, they have an excellent flavor.

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Bush Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

Bush beans are compact, low growing plants that produce large crops of beans. They can be used for fresh eating or as dry beans.

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Bush Lima Bean

Phaseolus lunatus

Bush lima beans are vigorous, productive plants. Their smaller size makes them easy to grow in the home garden and they still provide a bounteous harvest. They can be used dry or fresh.

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Butter and Eggs Daffodil

Narcissus incomparabilis aurantius plenus

Butter and Eggs is pale yellow double daffodil with many frilly petals. Its height makes it well suited to the middle of the flower border.

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Butterfly Pea

Clitoria ternatea

Butterfly peas are short lived tropical perennials with striking blue flowers. They have a twining habit and prefer rich, moist, well-drained soils. They make attractive container plants in Virginia.

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Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

This plant features brilliant orange flowers that light up the garden and are attractive to pollinators, including monarchs and honeybees.

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Byzantine Gladiolus

Gladiolus communis

This petite, graceful gladiolus features bright pink flowers on long, elegant stems. It is somewhat hardier than most modern gladioli.

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Cabbage

Brassica oleracea

Cabbage is a cool season annual that was a staple crop in the colonial period and continues to be so today.

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Calendula

Calendula officinalis

Calendulas are an old fashioned herb with bright yellow or orange flowers. They are profuse bloomers in the spring and fall, but will stop blooming during the hot part of the summer. Their flowers can be used in salads and soaps.

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Candytuft

Iberis sempervirens

This compact plant is covered in drifts of tiny white flowers in the spring. It blooms at the same time as many of the spring bulbs and provides a nice accent among them.

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Canterbury Bells

Campanula medium

Canterbury bells are a common sight in cottage gardens. Their bright purple flowers add a richness of color to the pastels of late spring and early summer. They are a short-lived perennial and often need to be replanted.

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Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

The vibrant red blooms of the cardinal flower makes it an ideal plant for the shady summer garden. It reseeds readily and is ideal for naturalizing and sharing with friends.

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Carolina Allspice

Calycanthus floridus

Give this shrub ample room to sprawl, as it tends to sucker when it's happy. The unusual chocolatey maroon flowers give off a spicy sweet fragrance which is echoed in cut twigs and leaves.

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Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea (Botrytis)

Cauliflower is a cabbage relative with broad blue-green leaves and a large white head. It is slow to harvest and benefits from a long cool season.

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Celery

Apium graveolens var. dulce

Celery is a familiar component of Bloody Marys, salads, and soups. It is grown primarily for its crisp stalks which add a mild flavor to food. Celery is a cool season vegetable and does not like the hot summers of the southern part of the country.

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Charles de Mills Rose

Rosa gallica 'Charles de Mills'

This Gallica class rose is full-flowered with luscious petals of a deep crimson. It has fragrant flowers in the spring.

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Cheese's Mallow

Malva sylvestris

High Mallow is an upright, bushy plant with magenta flowers and darker purple stripes. It reseeds readily and naturalizes quickly in the garden.

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China Aster

Callistephus chinensis

The pink, purple, or white flowers of this cheerful daisy are an excellent midsummer accent in any flower garden.

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Clary Sage

Salvia sclarea

Spires of pink and white bracts crown this large-leafed salvia. It has been used as an herb since the Middle Ages and is currently used as flavoring for wines, vermouth, and liqueurs.

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Climbing Old Blush Rose

Rosa chinensis 'Climbing Old Blush'

This elegant climbing rose sports large pink flowers from spring until nearly Christmas. It is lightly fragrant and easily trained to a graceful climbing habit against walls or over trellises.

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Cockscomb

Celosia argentea var. cristata

A sturdy long-blooming annual, this impressive plant is ideal for the back of the border. Its bright flowers come in many colors, including hot pink, peach, deep rose, yellow, and red.

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Coffee

Coffea arabica

Coffee forms a large shrub with glossy green leaves. It has small white flowers. This plant produces the coffee beans so many of us rely on every day, but in this part of the world is primarily used as an ornamental.

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Cowslip

Primula veris

This cute perennial forms small masses of green foliage with bright yellow or red flowers in the early spring. It is particularly sweet when planted with bulbs or other spring ephemerals in the front of the border.

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Cranberrybush

Viburnum opulus

Cranberrybush has stunning white flowers reminiscent of a hydrangea, which makes up for its somewhat coarse texture and stiffly upright growth.

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Crocus 'Cloth of Gold'

Crocus angustifolius 'Cloth of Gold'

Crocuses cheerfully herald the coming spring with bright yellow flowers. They naturalize easily in gardens, offering clumps which grow larger year by year.

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Crown Imperial

Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra Maxima'

This large bulb has striking orange flowers borne on long lily-like flowers in spring. It is best placed on its side when planted to prevent rotting and then left undisturbed.

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Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Cucumbers are a vining plant with yellow flowers and slightly prickly stems. There are many varieties which produce cucumbers of different sizes and shapes.

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Damask Rose

Rosa x damascena

The highly fragrant damask rose offers a profusion of pink flowers in the spring. Flowers from this large and mostly upright shrub have been used for centuries in perfume making, as well as for rose oil, rose water, and for cooking.

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Dame's Rocket

Hesperis matronalis

A fragrant spring bloomer, this perennial naturalizes readily. Its white flowers are refreshing among all the pink and blue spring blooms. This flower cuts nicely for pleasant smelling bouquets.

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Drumstick Allium

Allium sphaerocephalon

This unique late-blooming bulb sports maroon flower-heads, for which it earns its common of drumstick allium.

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Duc van Tol Red and Yellow Tulip

Tulipa 'Duc van Tol Red and Yellow'

Duc van Tol Red and Yellow is a petite tulip that does best when planted near the front of the border.

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Duc van Tol Rose Tulip

Tulipa 'Duc van Tol Rose

Duc van Tol Rose is a petite tulip with pointed pink and white petals.

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Early Louisiana Daffodil

Narcissus jonquilla 'Early Louisiana'

Early Louisiana is a petite yellow daffodil that is well suited to naturalizing. It does well towards the front of the flower border.

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Eglantine Rose

Rosa rubiginosa

Eglantine roses are large and sprawling, with single pale pink flowers in late spring and early summer. They are strongly apple-scented and their hips are popular for use in tea. This rose may be restrained by growing on posts or trellises to control its long, thorny canes.

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Egyptian Walking Onions

Allium x proliferum

Egyptian walking onions are a unique plant which produces the next generation in a crown of bulblets atop their stalks in lieu of flowers. As the bulblets grow, their weight pulls them to the ground, where they take root to grow new plants. While the young bulbs are mild and can be used as scallions…

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English Bluebells

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Cascading blue flowers on arching stems slowly naturalize in the garden.

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English Daisy

Bellis perennis

With its cute white flower, this petite daisy makes a charming addition to the garden. It is usually grown as a short-lived perennial, but it will reseed if permitted.

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English Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Fragrant spires of dark purple flowers above silvery foliage light up the garden border in summer. If trimmed after blooming, they will flower again. Their flowers may be used in sachets or as flavoring in baking and drinks.

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Fall Daffodil

Sternbergia lutea

This crocus-like lemon yellow bulb is a surprising and unusual find in the fall garden. They perform best in sunny, protected locations.

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Flaming Parrot Tulip

Tulipa 'Flaming Parrot'

Flaming Parrot is a favorite here at Mount Vernon, with its bold red stripes on fringed yellow petals. It is a tall, late-blooming tulip that does well in the middle of the border.

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Florentine Tulip

Tulipa sylvestris

The Florentine tulip is a charming yellow species tulip, with its bright flowers held on long, elegant stems.

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Fothergilla

Fothergilla gardenii

The aromatic flowers on this dwarf shrub are redolent of honey. It is a plant of multi-season interest with its brilliant fall foliage and unique branching.

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Four O'clock

Mirabilis jalapa

Named for the time of day the bloom opens, four o'clocks will attract hummingbirds and nocturnal pollinators to your garden. This bushy plant reseeds readily, producing hundreds of large black seeds that resemble hand grenades.

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Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

Wands of bell-shaped flowers ascend from a broad, woolly basal rosette. This common cottage garden flower has an important role in the manufacture of heart medicine.

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French Marigold

Tagetes patula

French marigolds are iconic garden plants with distinctly fragrant leaves. The flowers are single, semi-double, double, or crested in shades of yellow, orange, or red, and can also be bi-colored. When planted in the vegetable garden, marigolds can repel certain pests, such as white flies on tomatoes…

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French Striped Marigold

Tagetes patula

This dazzling plant blooms in masses of yellow flowers with deep burgundy stripes and is the star of the fall garden.

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Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata

Garden phlox has long been a staple of the perennial border, providing height and bright blooms at the back of the bed. The pink flowers are fragrant and attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

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German Bearded Iris

Iris germanica

Irises add interesting texture to the spring garden with strappy leaves and unique flowers, nicely accenting the later blooming flower bulbs. They grow to form large clumps which are easily divided and spread around the garden.

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Globe Amaranth

Gomphrena globosa

This magenta gem is well suited to the front of the border. Its lush blooms are attractive to butterflies, and they hold their color well when cut for use in dried arrangements.

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Globe Artichoke

Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus

Artichokes have large silvery green leaves that make them a striking addition to the garden. Their flower buds are traditionally used for culinary purposes, but if allowed to open offer large, brilliant purple flowers.

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Globe Candytuft

Iberis umbellata

A mid-border plant, this pink or lavender flower can flop, but is an attractive addition to the spring garden.

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Globe Thistle

Echinops ritro

An unusual flower for the summer garden, these blue thistle-like blooms add a unique texture. If cut back after blooming, they will send up new flowers. They make excellent dried and cut flowers.

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Gloriosa Daisy

Rudbeckia hirta

This large-flowered, cheerful plant is perfect for dry, difficult spots. It self-sows readily in variations of orange, yellow, and gold.

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Golden Standard Tulip

Tulipa 'Golden Standard'

Golden Standard is a brilliant red and yellow broken tulip. Its vibrant flowers bring light to the middle of the border.

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Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

This tall, late blooming perennial adds a pleasant blue to shady glades in the summer. Native to Virginia, it is often found along stream banks and in wetland areas. It self seeds enthusiastically.

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Halberd-leaf Rose Mallow

Hibiscus laevis

One of the most cold tolerant hibiscuses, this plant has pale pink flowers with a red eye. It adds an interesting texture to the summer border.

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Hardy cyclamen

Cyclamen hederifolium

Small pinkish-white flowers emerge from corms in September, followed by mottled green and silver ivy-shaped leaves, adding an unexpected touch of color to the fall woodland garden.

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Heliotrope

Heliotropium arborescens

A fragrant addition to your summer border, this sturdy plant prefers well-drained soil and afternoon shade in the southern garden.

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Helmar Tulip

Tulipa 'Helmar'

Helmar is a yellow and red tulip. Its red flames mimic the pattern of some of the broken tulips of the tulip mania.

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Hollyhock

Alcea rosea

Hollyhocks are old-fashioned cottage garden favorites for their height and cheerful flowers in a wide range of colors. Most require staking to support their heavy stems.

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Honesty

Lunaria annua

Honesty is an old fashioned plant with briliant pink flowers that give way to paper-thin silvery seedpods, hence its many common names.

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Hoop Petticoat Daffodil

Narcissus bulbocodium 'Golden Bells'

The Hoop Petticoat is one of the smallest daffodils grown at Mount Vernon and is often crowded towards the front of the border for ease of viewing. It has unique flowers with large bells and slender, petite petals.

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Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

This versatile hydrangea tolerates a wide variety of conditions and is ideal for borders or natural areas. It benefits from an annual pruning in late winter to prevent the heavy blooms from flopping.

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Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium maculatum

This tall plant is crowned with purple-pink flowers in the late summer. It is an American native and tolerates a wide variety of environmental conditions. Its height and bloom time can be controlled by by pruning it back by half when it reaches about two to three feet.

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Johnny Jump-Up

Viola tricolor

This delightful little flower is a harbinger of spring in many gardens, but also adds charm to a fall or winter garden depending on your region. The flowers are edible and can be used to wonderful effect on cakes and in salads.

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Jospeh's Coat

Amaranthus tricolor

This voluptuous annual is grown for its showy multicolored foliage in shades of green, yellow, and red.

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Kale

Brassica oleracea (Acephala)

Kale is a popular leafy green that can be used cooked or in salads. It is also used as an ornamental plant in fall gardens. Historically, coarser types have been used as animal fodder.

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Keizerskroon Tulip

Tulipa 'Keizerskroon'

Keizerskroon is a bold yellow and red tulip that has a strong presence in the spring garden at Mount Vernon. Its colorful flowers are well suited for the middle of the border.

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Key Lime

Citrus x aurantiifolia

Key limes are small citrus trees with highly fragrant white blossoms. They produce many delightful fruits which are excellent for cooking. In this region, they are best grown in pots so that they can be moved in and out as the temperatures dictate.

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Lac van Rijn Tulip

Tulipa 'Lac van Rijn'

Lac van Rijn has striking white and deep pink flowers that add dramatic appeal to the spring garden.

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Lady Tulip

Tulipa clusiana

This sweet white and pink tulip is an elegant mid-border charmer. The white and pink petals open to reveal a nearly pure white interior.

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Lamb's Ears

Stachys byzantina

This silver-leafed groundcover does best in well-drained soil, but tolerates adverse conditions. Its purple flowers are attractive to honeybees and bumblebees.

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Lantana

Lantana camara

Lantana is a colorful, shrubby annual with masses of flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and pink. Its leaves give off a distinctive smell and it produces bluish-black seeds. Lantana is commonly used as a bedding plant because of its long bloom season.

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Larkspur

Consolida ajacis

A favorite in the Mount Vernon gardens, this annual reseeds readily. Its pink, blue, and white flowers add height to the spring border.

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Leeks

Allium ampeloprasum

Leeks are an onion relative with strappy green leaves which an edible stalk which is usually blanched.

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Lemon

Citrus limon

As with the other tropicals grown at Mount Vernon, the lemons are grown in pots so that they can be moved into a greenhouse for the winter.

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Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Lettuce is a cool season leafy vegetable that is most frequently used in salads. Its leaves come in a variety of colors, from green to red to splotchy.

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Leucothoe

Leucothoe axillaris

This glossy-leafed shade loving shrub has a graceful arching habit and panicles of white flowers in the late spring.

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Lilac

Syringa vulgaris

Large fragrant bouquets of purple flowers make this shrub the queen of spring in the northern garden.

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Love-in-a-Mist

Nigella damascena

This feathery flower blooms in shades of blue, white, and pink, and reseeds easily, but does not transplant well. It is noted for its interesting seedpods.

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Love-Lies-Bleeding

Amaranthus caudatus

Love-lies-bleeding is an elegant cottage garden plant with cascading crimson flowers that are excellent for the summer border and as a cut flower.

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Maltese Cross

Lychnis chalcedonica

Bright orange flowers offer a sharp contrast to the pinks and purples that proliferate in the early summer border. Maltese cross reseeds fairly easily, but can be choked out by more aggressive perennials.

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Maximus Daffodil

Narcissus hispanicus 'Maximus'

Maximus is a standard among daffodils for its height and large yellow blooms. It does well in the middle of the border where it can be easily seen.

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Mock Orange

Philadelphus coronarius

Mock oranges are common in older gardens, although they are regaining popularity with the introduction of dwarf and double-flowering cultivars. Richly fragrant, they offer a profusion of star-shaped flowers with yellow centers.

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Monkshood

Aconitum napellus

This late blooming perennial adds height and colorful spires to the end of summer shade garden. It prefers afternoon shade in the southern garden, but will tolerate sun further north.

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Muscadine Grape

Vitis rotundifolia

This southern grape must be harshly pruned to keep it in check and producing vigorously. They are best used as table grapes, or for jams and jellies. If left unattended, it will rapidly take over your garden.

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Muskmelon

Cucumis melo

Muskmelons are a trailing, vining plant with small yellow flowers which often performs better when grown on a trellis. They produce fruit in a wide variety of shapes and colors. Their fruits are frequently fragrant.

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Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus

A sprawling annual herb, nasturtiums have long been a charming kitchen garden plant. Their flowers, leaves, and seeds are all edible, and add a peppery bite to salads.

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New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

The pink and purple flowers of asters add color and height to the late summer garden. Due to their spreading habit they will naturalize when planted in the garden. A mid-spring trim will delay bloom time and help keep them restrained.

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New York Ironweed

Vernonia noveboracensis

This towering perennial is crowned with clusters of brilliant purple flowers. The size can be kept in check by a mid-spring pruning.

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Nora Barlow Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow'

A fluffier flower sets this columbine apart from the simpler native type. It has cheerful magenta and white flowers on tall stems and reseeds readily.

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Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

This tall Virginia native has spires of bright pink flowers and can be seen growing along waterways and woodland trails. It makes an excellent addition the back of the border, but be prepared for some spreading. It does not earn its name by staying in one place, but due to the ability to manipulate…

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Odorus Flore Pleno Daffodil

Narcissus odorus flore pleno

Odorus Flore Pleno is a medium to small daffodil with double yellow flowers. It is strongly fragrant.

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Okra

Abelmoschus esculentus

Okra is a tall plant with cheerful yellow flowers that are reminiscent of hibiscus blossoms. They produce green seedpods that are best harvested when they are 2 to 3 inches long.

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Old Blush Rose

Rosa chinensis 'Old Blush'

Old Blush is lightly fragrant with semi-double pink flowers. It blooms throughout the season and can bloom at Mount Vernon well into December.

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Oleander

Nerium oleander

This large subtropical plant has brilliant pink flowers which bloom through summer in the Mount Vernon gardens.

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Onion

Allium cepa

Onions are commonly planted in the fall for a spring harvest. Red and yellow types are available to grow.

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Orange

Citrus x aurantium

Seville oranges are a small to medium citrus tree which produce bitter, unpleasant tasting oranges.

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Oriental Poppy

Papaver orientale

Cheerful red flowers make this late spring to early summer perennial a showstopper. It can be difficult to get started, but once established,poppies are a reliable old-fashioned favorite.

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Peach

Prunus persica

Peaches are wide fast growing trees that require careful pruning and maintenance in order to produce good quality fruit. Their vibrant pink flowers in spring are charming and attractive to pollinators.

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Pear

Pyrus communis

Like other fruit trees, pears require a good deal of maintenance in order to perform well. Many require a chilling period to fully ripen and are good for use in baking and cidermaking.

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Peas

Pisum sativum

Peas are tender spring vegetable on short vines. They often have large showy flowers in colors like pink and white. The pods can range in color from purple to green. Peas are best direct sown outdoors in the early months of spring, and if you have a long, cool fall, a second crop can be grown.

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Peony

Paeonia sp.

Herbaceous, shrub-like plants bear single or double flowers in shades of pink and cream. They are an old-fashioned favorite in East Coast gardens.

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Persian Fritillary

Fritillaria persica

This tall spring bulb is crowned by a spike of maroon flowers above gray-green foliage and makes a striking addition to the spring garden. The bulb itself is strongly odoriferous which prevents the depredations of rodents.

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Persian Lilac

Syringa x persica

The Persian lilac is much more delicate and heat resistant than the common lilac, with a lighter fragrance and smaller flowers.

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Pheasant's Eye Daffodil

Narcissus poeticus

The Pheasant's Eye daffodil is a clear white daffodil featuring a yellow cup with a red ring. It is one of the later blooming daffodils and it does best towards the middle of the border.

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Pincushion Flower

Scabiosa atropurpurea

These airy, colorful flowers are mildly fragrant and a pleasant addition to the flower border.

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Plum

Prunus domestica

Plums have a sprawling, suckering growth habit and therefore require judicious pruning.

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Pole Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

Pole beans, such as kidney and butter or lima beans, produce long vines that do best when supported on some type of trellis. They are prolific growers and can easily cover a trellis in the course of a season while producing many beans which can be eaten fresh or dried.

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Pole Lima Bean

Phaseolus lunatus

Pole lima beans are vigorous plants that do best when grown on trellises. They are fast growing and produce beans which can be used fresh or dried.

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Pomegranate

Punica granatum

This large shrub boasts vibrant orange flowers in the summer which ripen into large orange-red fruits.

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Potato

Solanum tuberosum

Potatoes are a tomato relative and are often mistaken for them, as their foliage is somewhat similar in appearance. They are an agricultural staple that ranks with wheat and rice as among the most important in the world. Their South American origin is often obscured by their fame as a mainstay crop…

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Pummelo

Citrus maxima

This citrus tree produces fragrant flowers followed by large fruits which are larger and sweeter than a grapefruit.

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Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

This native perennial has vibrant magenta flowers which add contrast to the overwhelming yellows and reds of the summer garden. The showy daisy-like flowers borne on stiff stems attract goldfinches if left to go to seed.

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Red Hue Tulip

Tulipa viridiflora 'Red Hue'

Red Hue is a unique tulip, featuring pointed red petals with green centers.

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Rhododendron

Rhododenron catawbiense 'Roseum Elegans'

The rhododendron is an evergreen plant with large, lush pinkish purple blossoms in the spring.

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Roman Hyacinth

Hyancinthus orientalis var. albulus

This old-fashioned hyacinth has a sparser, more delicate flower than the modern types, but it is much more likely to stick around in the garden. It resists flopping under its own weight and is known to naturalize.

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Rosa Mundi Rose

Rosa gallica var. officinalis 'Versicolor'

Rosa Mundi is a compact rose which features a profusion of bright striped flowers in the spring. The flowers are fragrant, and this old hardy rose shrugs off most pest problems, making them an easy favorite in the garden.

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Rose Campion

Lychnis coronaria

Rose campion features soft silvery mounds of foliage graced with stalks of stunning pink or white flowers in the late spring and early summer. This short-lived perennial or biennial self-seeds readily, forming large colonies if left unchecked.

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Rose Mallow

Hibiscus moscheutos

Shining white flowers are attractive to pollinators and light up the garden. This type of hibiscus is fairly hardy in northern regions.

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Sago Palm

Cycas revoluta

This is one of the most ancient plants still alive today.

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Scarlet Rose Mallow

Hibiscus coccineus

This plant is the largest hibiscus grown at Mount Vernon, as well as the longest flowering. Its brilliant red blooms are a bold statement in the summer border. It is native to the swamps and marshes of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

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Scotch Rose

Rosa spinosissima

Scotch rose is aggressively thorny but makes up for it with a profusion of white blooms. We recommend a thorn-proof hat when working in the vicinity of this rose! It offers a second show in the fall with showy maroon hips.

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Seminole Squash

Cucurbita moschata

Seminole squash are spherical to pear-shaped and lightly ribbed with a tan skin. With its sweet, deep orange flesh, this squash is excellent when baked or roasted, and keeps for months (over a year in one MV gardener's pantry!). Named for the native Americans growing it in Florida when the Spaniards…

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Seventeen Sisters Daffodil

Narcissus tazetta 'Avalanche'

Seventeen Sisters is a multi-flowered daffodil which features many small white flowers with yellow cups held on stiffly upright stems. It is very fragrant.

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Siberian Iris

Iris sibirica

Thick clumps of spiky foliage and bright purple or blue flowers are perfect for mid-border planting. Like their German cousins, these benefit from division so they don't grow hollow in the middle.

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Silver Standard Tulip

Tulipa 'Silver Standard'

Silver standard is a beautiful tulip, with white petals boldly splashed with pink streaks.

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Snake's Head Fritillary

Fritillaria meleagris

These dainty bell-shaped flowers in shades of maroon and white with faint checkered patterns perch atop slender arching stems. They prefer to be grown in cool moist sites.

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Snapdragon

Antirrhinum majus

This colorful cool season annual is a charmer in the middle of the flower border during the spring and fall.

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Sneezeweed

Helenium autumnale

A tall, brash plant with chrome yellow flowers brightens the summer border. Easy to grow, it tolerates a wide variety of conditions, although a haircut in the spring will prevent flopping later.

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Snowdrop

Galanthus nivalis

Sweet white flowers naturalize easily in lawns or garden beds. This early bloomer is known for poking through the snow as early as February.

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Spiderwort

Tradescantia virginiana

Spiderwort has grassy foliage and interesting purple blossoms, but tends to flop after flowering. It does best in shady locations and benefits from a good haircut after blooming.

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Spinach

Spinacea oleracea

Spinach is a low-growing leafy green which is ideal in salads, but can also be prepared in soups, stews, or as a cooked green. It is a cool season crop, prone to bolting when summer temperatures get too high.

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Stinking hellebore

Hellebore foetidus

Don’t let the name fool you, as stinking hellebore’s evergreen foliage and clusters of drooping, bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers emerging from pale green bracts are a much-needed spot of color in the winter woodland garden. Established plants will readily self-seed to form colonies if flowers…

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Stock

Matthiola incana

This clove-scented flower flourishes in cool weather and makes an excellent cut flower.

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Strawberry Bush

Euonymus americanus

This airy woodland shrub looks unassuming until it sets its brilliant red fruit in the fall, when it earns its many common names.

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Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia

This dense suckering shrub tolerates wet soils and shade. In late summer it bursts into bloom, with long panicles of fragrant white flowers, followed by attractive yellow fall color.

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Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

These gorgeous native plants bloom in a variety of colors and sizes, including pale yellow, oranges, and golds. Some are grown merely for their beauty while others, such as the Mammoth sunflower, are grown for their seeds.

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Swan's Neck Daffodil

Narcissus moschatus

The Swan's Neck daffodil is a white daffodil that keeps its flowers bent toward the earth. It is fairly small and should be planted close to the front for the best viewing opportunities.

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Sweet Alyssum

Lobularia maritima

Dense mounds of tiny fragrant white flowers form a spreading carpet under large perennials and annuals in the spring border.

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Sweet Potato

Ipomoea batatas

Sweet potatoes are vigorous, running plants that will easily exceed their allotted space in the garden if not kept under control. They should be grown in mounds, much the way one would grow potatoes. They are extremely cold sensitive and should be planted after the soil has warmed in the spring and harvested…

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Sweet William

Dianthus barbatus

This old-fashioned biennial with its cheerful pink and white blossoms in the late spring is a mainstay of cottage gardens.

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Swiss Chard

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

Swiss chard is a leafy green that can be harvested continually to be used in salads or cooked. Its leaves may be plain green or have red midribs.

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Tansy

Tanacetum vulgare

Tansy is a tough plant that can grow in almost any sunny spot. While its ferny foliage and clusters of cheerful yellow button flowers are attractive, it can be invasive due to its underground runners and propensity to re-seed.

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Tart Cherry

Prunus cerasus Montmorency

Cherry tree species grown primarily for fruit production bloom later than the ornamental varieties. Tart cherries perform best in the humid climate of Virginia's coastal region.

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Threadleaf Coreopsis

Coreopsis verticillata

Featuring airy foliage and golden flowers, this native plant is an attractive addition to the front of the border. It spreads by runners and is easily divided to share with your friends and neighbors. It is native to Fairfax County, Virginia.

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Tiger Daylily

Hemerocallis fulva

This summer blooming perennial has strap-like leaves and large orange flowers. Because it naturalizes easily, this daylily can be commonly seen in roadside ditches and marking the sites of old outhouses.

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Tournesol Tulip

Tulipa 'Tournesol Red and Yellow'

Tournesol Red and Yellow is a short double tulip that does well at the front of the flower border.

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Turnip

Brassica rapa var. rapa

Turnips are a cool season root vegetable. They produce a large purple and white bulbous taproot which have historically been a winter staple. They can be roasted, mashed, or eaten raw.

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Twin Sisters Daffodil

Narcissus x medioluteus

Twin Sisters lives up to its name, with each stem bearing two small white and yellow flowers.

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Valerian

Valeriana officinalis

This umbelliferous perennial is attractive to bees and other pollinators. It is mildly fragrant. Valerian is an excellent addition to the back of the garden and it reseeds readily.

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Virginia bluebell

Mertensia virginica

A harbinger of spring, emerging foliage is deep purple but quickly turns green, and is followed by terminal clusters of pendulous, trumpet-shaped blue flowers. Virginia bluebells will rapidly colonize in moist shady areas. They are herbaceous perennials, which means that foliage dies to the ground as…

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Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica

This semi-evergreen shrub is native to wetland areas and has an arching habit. Fragrant white flowers appear in summer followed by beautiful maroon foliage in autumn.

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Wallflower

Erysimum cheiri

Wallflowers are a charming spring bloomer of exceptional hardiness. With yellow and red flowers, this cheerful annual adds vibrancy to the front and middle of the flower border.

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Wapen van Leiden Tulip

Tulipa 'Wapen van Leiden'

Wapen van Leiden is a lovely white tulip brushed with pink. It is well suited to the middle of the border.

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White Rose of York

Rosa x alba 'Semi-Plena'

The White Rose of York is a large rose with elegant white flowers in the late spring and early summer. It is prone to sprawling and can be tied to posts or trellises to help keep it in check. This rose's beautiful white flowers are followed by rose hips which take on a gorgeous color in the fall.

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Absalon Tulip

Tulipa 'Absalon'

Adam's Needle

Yucca filamentosa

African Marigold

Tagetes erecta

Alpine Squill

Scilla bifolia

Apple

Malus pumila

Apricot

Prunus armeniaca

Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis

Balsam

Impatiens balsamina

Banana

Musa coccinea

Basket of Gold

Aurinia saxatilis

Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

Bee Balm

Monarda didyma

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida

Blackberry Lily

Iris domestica

Blackhaw

Viburnum prunifolium

Blue False Indigo

Baptisia australis

Blue Flag Tulip

Tulipa 'Blue Flag'

Blue Sky Vine

Thunbergia grandiflora

Boxwood

Buxus spp.

Breadseed Poppy

Papaver somniferum

Broccoli

Brassica oleracea (Italica)

Browallia

Browallia americana

Brown-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia triloba

Bullnose Pepper

Capsicum annuum

Bush Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

Bush Lima Bean

Phaseolus lunatus

Butter and Eggs Daffodil

Narcissus incomparabilis aurantius plenus

Butterfly Pea

Clitoria ternatea

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Byzantine Gladiolus

Gladiolus communis

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

Candytuft

Iberis sempervirens

Canterbury Bells

Campanula medium

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Carolina Allspice

Calycanthus floridus

Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea (Botrytis)

Celery

Apium graveolens var. dulce

Charles de Mills Rose

Rosa gallica 'Charles de Mills'

Cheese's Mallow