Plant Shopping List

Learn about several plant varieties and the planting information for each zone.

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Chocolate Chip Ajuga (Bugleweed)

chocolate chip ajuga is on list for invasiveness

Ajuga is on the watch list for invasiveness in states such as Virginia. A native alternative is Lyre-leaf Sage.

Deciduous to evergreen groundcover perennial with dark leaves and blue flowers in spring
Plant in rich, but well-drained soil
Plant in full sun to full shade; light to partial shade is best
May be invasive
Height: 3-6 inches; Width: to 24 inches, spreading

Hardy in USDA zones 3-9:
Zone 3: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in spring
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in light to partial shade; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in light to full shade; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in light to full shade; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in light to full shade; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.

October Skies Aster

october skies aster is a fall blooming perennial

Native, fall-blooming perennial with fragrant blue daisy-like flowers with lavender centers.

Plant in full sun
Plant in average garden soil that is high in organic matter and well-drained
Height: 18-24 inches; Width: 24 inches

Hardy in zones 4-8:
Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; water when dry.
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; water when dry.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; water when dry.
Zone 7: Plant in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; water when dry.
Zone 8: Plant in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; water when dry.

Tatarian Aster

tatarian aster is a late summer blooming perennial

Late summer, fall-blooming perennial with blue daisy-like flowers with yellow centers.

Plant in full sun
Plant in average garden soil that is high in organic matter and well-drained
Height: 3-4 feet; Width: 2-3 feet, spreading; can be invasive

Grand Bleu Caryopteris

grand bleu caryopteris is low growing shrub

Low-growing shrub with deep green foliage and dark blue flowers in summer

Plant in average garden soil that is well drained, can tolerate poor soil; drought tolerant
Prune while dormant
Plant in full sun
Attractive to bees and butterflies
Height: 2-3 feet; Width: 2-3 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 5-9:
Zone 5: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 9: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall.

Leadwort or Plumbago

leadwort or plumbago has brilliant blue flowers

Sprawling, semi-evergreen ground cover with brilliant blue flowers in summer

Plant in average garden soil that is well drained, can tolerate poor soil; drought tolerant
Prune while dormant
Plant in full sun
Can be invasive
Height: 8-12 inches; Width: 2-3 feet, spreading

'Sweet Autumn' Clematis

sweet autumn clematis is late flowering

Clematis terniflora is a non-native plant. It has escaped gardens and invaded natural areas in some parts of the country. The native Virgin's Bower clematis, Clematis virginiana, has the same growth habit, flowers, care and hardiness.

Late-flowering clematis
Vigorous, prolific vines — can grow from 15 to 20 feet
An abundance of star-shaped white, fragrant, flowers in late spring, early fall. The flowers smell like vanilla.
Self-seeds abundantly.
Deciduous vine — drops its leaves in the winter
Sun to partial sun — grows fairly well in partial shade as long as it has its tops in the sun
Roots prefer a cool shade area, tops in the sun
Water regularly the first year
Plants are prone to tangle.
They should be pruned back hard after the first year of growth to encourage branching — cut back to a pair of strong buds about 12 inches from the ground.
They also need support — trellis, arbors, etc.

Hardy in USDA zones 4-9

Cranesbill Geranium 'Rozanne'

cranesbill geranium has blue cup like flowers

Hardy perennial grown for its palmate foliage and blue cup-like flowers in summer

Plant in rich, moist, but well-drained soil
Plant in full sun to light shade
Divide in spring as needed
Height: 18 inches; Width: 18-24 inches

Hardy in USDA zones (4)5-8:
Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; may be marginally hardy in this zone if not protected.
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; apply extra mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; apply extra mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade.

Flame Grass

flame grass is an upright ornamental grass

Miscanthus sinensis is a non-native invasive grass from Asia. It has escaped cultivation and invaded natural areas throughout the Midwest and South.

Upright ornamental grass with reddish-green foliage that turns bright red in the fall
Plant in full sun to light shade
Can be invasive
Tolerant of a wide range of soil
Prune back to ground in late winter to early spring; fertilize in spring
Divide every few years in early spring
Height: 4-6 feet Width: 3-4 feet

Hardy in zones 4-9:
Zone 4: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first frost to prevent winter heaving; remove mulch in spring; avoid exposure to salt; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first frost to prevent winter heaving; remove mulch in spring; avoid exposure to salt; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring.

Obsidian Coral Bells

obsidian coral bells has dark maroon shiny leaves

Evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial with dark maroon shiny leaves and white flowers in late spring

Plant in light to partial shade
Plant in organic, moist, but well drained rich soil
Fertilize in spring as new foliage appears
Height: 18 inches; Width: 10 inches

Hardy in USDA zones 4-9:
Zone 4: Plant in spring; plant in light shade; mulch after planting and again after first hard frost to prevent heaving; avoid contact with salt; water during dry periods; remove tattered foliage in spring as new foliage appears; pull mulch away from crown in spring.
Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in light shade; mulch after planting and again after first hard frost to prevent heaving; avoid contact with salt; water during dry periods; remove tattered foliage in spring as new foliage appears; pull mulch away from crown in spring.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in light to partial shade; mulch after planting and again in fall; water during dry periods; remove tattered foliage in spring as new foliage appears; pull mulch away from crown in spring.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in light to partial shade; mulch after planting and again in fall; water during dry periods; remove tattered foliage in spring as new foliage appears; pull mulch away from crown in spring.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in partial shade; mulch after planting and again in fall; water during dry periods; remove tattered foliage in spring as new foliage appears; pull mulch away from crown in spring.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in partial shade; mulch after planting and again in fall; water during dry periods; remove tattered foliage in spring as new foliage appears; pull mulch away from crown in spring.

Pee Dee Gold Liriope

pee dee gold liriope has chartreuse grass foliage

Clump forming, evergreen ground cover with chartreuse grass-like foliage and lavender flowers in summer

Plant in rich organic soil that is well-drained
Plant in full sun to full shade
Prune back tattered foliage in late winter; divide in spring if needed
Height: 12-18 inches; Width: 1-2 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 6-10:
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to full shade; mulch after first frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 7: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to full shade; mulch after first frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in light to full shade; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 9: Plant in early fall; plant in light to full shade; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 10: Plant in early fall; plant in light to full shade; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.

Pilgrim Oregano

ilgrim oregano is a tender low growing perennial

Tender low-growing perennial often grown as an annual for its foliage and flowers, not for culinary uses

Aromatic, tiny gray-green leaves and sprays of purple flowers.
Grow in poor or mildly fertile, but sharply drained, preferably alkaline soil
Grow in full sun in all zones
Height: 4-12 inches; Width: 12-18 inches

Hardy in USDA zones 6-8:
Zones 6: Plant in spring; mulch in spring and again in fall; avoid excessive winter moisture.
Zones 7: Plant in spring; mulch in spring and again in fall; avoid excessive winter moisture.
Zones 8: Plant in spring; mulch in spring and again in fall; avoid excessive winter moisture.

Pee Wee Oakleaf Hydrangea

pee wee oakleaf hydrangea is noted for oak leaves

Dwarf, deciduous shrub noted for its oak-like leaves and 6-8 inch clusters of cone-shaped white flowers which bloom over a longer period

Plant in full sun in cooler zones; part shade further south
Height: 4 feet; Width: 3-4 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 5-9:
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to partial shade; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; blooms may be damaged in late frosts.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade.
Zone 7: Plant in fall; plant in partial to moderate shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
Zone 8: Plant in fall; plant in partial to moderate shade with protection from hot afternoon sun; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
Zone 9: Plant in fall; plant in partial to moderate shade with protection from hot afternoon sun; provide supplemental water during dry spells.

Early Amethyst Beautyberry

early amethyst beautyberry has bright blue berries

You will find that the native Callicarpa americana has larger berries that are more iridescent magenta in color. Callicarpa americana also has a white-berried cultivar.

Dwarf, deciduous shrub noted for clusters of bright purple-blue berries in late summer.
Plant in full sun
Tolerant of a wide range of well-drained soils
Prune to 6 inches tall in late winter
Height: 2-4 feet; Width: 3-4 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 5-8:
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to partial shade; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; blooms may be damaged in late frosts.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade.
Zone 7: Plant in fall; plant in partial to moderate shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
Zone 8: Plant in fall; plant in partial to moderate shade with protection from hot afternoon sun; provide supplemental water during dry spells.

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