Agastache foeniculum, Blue Giant Hyssop, a mid-western native that is often grown as an annual or short-lived perennial in New England. I normally would have gone with the species native to this area, A. scrophulariifolia, the Purple Giant Hyssop, but this plant can get a bit too large for a residential setting, reaching 6-7'. The Giant Blue Hyssop usually grows to about 3', a more manageable size for a suburban landscape.
Agastache scrophulariifolia in mid-October at Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA. This was a small one, others nearby were well over 6' tall. |
Chamaecrista (formerly Cassia) fasiculata, Partridge Pea, is an annual that grows on poor well-drained soils. It is often used as a temporary ground cover when establishing a meadow planting and has been recommended for use on roadsides. As with other legumes, Partridge Pea help fix nitrogen into the soil.
Clematis virginiana, Woodbine, is a common woodland vine in the Eastern US. I would like to try it under my Norway Maple, as a complement to the Virginia Creeper that is doing so well. While it reseeds itself easily in the wild, it is more difficult to start indoors.
Lilium philadelphicum, Wood Lily, is a beautiful native lily that, while geographically wide spread, has seen its numbers diminished. This is due in part to harvesting of flowers from the wild. This may also be a tricky one to grow from seeds, but that will have to do until I find a good commercial source for the bulbs.
Solidago ulmifolia, Elm-leaved Goldenrod, is another shade-tolerant perennial. I had such good results last year from the Blue-stemmed Goldenrod (S. caesia), that I thought I would try another woodland goldenrod for comparison.
Since I don't have any plants to show off yet, here's a photo showing each of the five seeds.
Clock-wise from upper left: Agastache foeniculum, Chamaecrista fasiculata, Clematis virginiana, Lilium philadelphicum, and Solidago ulmifolia. |
I need to start the cold stratification for the Lily and Clematis right away!