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Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium species and cultivars) are tall
plants, native to North America, that remind me of refined milkweeds.
They prefer moist soil, and their flattish flower clusters are
very attractive to butterflies. Commonly available cultivars
include E. maculatum 'Selection' or 'Gateway', both with
pink flowers, E. fistulosum 'Bartered Bride', with white
flowers, and E. rugosum 'Chocolate', with
brownish-purple foliage and white flowers.
If you saw a single blossom of the sweet autumn clematis (which
may be labeled as Clematis terniflora, C. ternifolia, C.
paniculata or C. maximowicziana), you would not likely rush
out to buy one. But see that blossom en masse with hundreds
of others in a long-lasting fragrant white cloud, and you'll
be hooked. This approximately 15 ft. (4.5m) vine flowers on
the current year's growth in early autumn and pairs beautifully
with fall-red Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia).
Toad lily (Tricyrtis species and cultivars) is the last
plant to bloom in my garden (American zone 4/Canadian zone 5a),
where it has survived four years on the edge of its hardiness
range. In a partly shady, moist spot, it will grow 2 to 3 ft.
(0.6m to 0.9m) tall and produce small, orchid-like spotted flowers,
carried, depending on the variety, at the top of the stem or
tucked in along it. |
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