spring Back in the Woodlands 



Leslie 



Berkt 



T. 



hink about those early April days, with 

 snatches of warm wind and promising fresh 

 smells; yet the landscape is still a drab expanse 



of brown ground. We love spring ephemerals— scillas, 

 eranthis, chionodoxas, crocus — yet they can look quite 

 wispy if not planted by the hundreds. Here are eight 

 very early-blooming perennials that can fill in larger ar- 

 eas with their foliage and cheerful flowers. They are se- 

 lected for a woodland site, in zones 4 to 5, with light-to- 

 moderate shade and humusy soil. Many will thrive in 

 nearly full sun if given plenty of moisture and organic 

 matter. Some go dormant, but can be interplanted 

 closely with hosta, ligularia, kirengeshoma, and other 

 large-leaved plants that emerge later to give a totally 

 new look. 



bergenia cordifoUa. 12-18 inches. A heavy plant with oval 

 leathery leaves and bulbous trusses of white or pink 

 flowers, it's evergreen (lasting better with mulch) and 

 should never be cut back. Bergenia, with its rich cab- 

 bage-like leaves that bronze in cold weather, is often 

 used as an edging plant. It needs moisture to do well. 

 There are many good cultivars, including 'Perfecta,' 

 'Silverlight,' and the Bressingham series. 



Brunnera macrophylla (Alkanet). One foot. This early 

 bloomer will actually tolerate some dry shade. It has 

 handsome large textured leaves that contrast sharply 

 with tiny clear blue forget-me-not flowers. The leaves 

 grow larger through the season, making a wonderful filler 

 for any of the spring bloomers that go dormant. Try it 

 naturalized among shrubs. A superior plant! 



Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold) 12-18 inches. This is 

 another bright yellow-flowered perennial, but in early 

 spring, we all could drink bright yellow as a winter anti- 

 dote. Caltha's large buttercup-like flowers are a welcome 

 sight along a stream or pond or in a moist area. The 

 large heart-shaped leaves go dormant by mid-summer. 

 Plant with later-emerging plants such as lobelia or asters. 



Dkentra eximia (Fringed Bleeding Heart). 12-18 inches. 

 Everblooming rose-pink flowers and fern-like foliage that 

 does not go dormant make this woodland bleeding heart 

 very valuable in any garden. It needs good drainage; oth- 

 erwise it is not fussy and tends to happily reseed — it 

 graces the edges of our nursery, but is easy to pull out. 

 The lacy foliage looks great with large-leaved shade 



plants. There are many lovely cultivars, including 'Snow- 

 drift' and 'Bacchanal,' with ruby red flowers. 



Doronicum orientate 'Magnificum' (Leopard's Bane). 12-24 

 inches. For bright early color that rivals (and compli- 

 ments) tulips and other bulbs, try doronicum. Its large 

 yellow daisy flowers rise high over masses of bright 

 green foliage, which goes dormant by mid-summer. 

 (Note: most summer perennials will hang on much longer 

 if kept moist.) Try doronicum with blues such as 

 mertensia, brunnera, or myosotis for a stunning effect. 



Helleborus ohentalis (Lenten Rose). 15-18 inches. This 

 plant is truly a classy perennial. It has gorgeous single 

 large flowers of speckled plum, pink, or apple green that 

 fade to creamy white; they appear real early, sometimes 

 though the wet March snow. The handsome leaves are 

 leathery dark green and divided, filling in after the flow- 

 ers and lasting through the whole year if mulched in win- 

 ter. Most hellebores prefer light shade and rich soil — and 

 rarely need dividing. Truly a 3 1/2 season plant! 



Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells). 1-2 feet. Its clus- 

 tered nodding bells, blue or tinged with pink, are classic 

 harbingers of spring. The large oval blue-green leaves, 

 like those of many early spring plants, disappear by 

 early summer. Try combining mertensia with daffodils 

 and a large-leaved deciduous shade perennials such as 

 hosta, rodgersia, brunnera, or ligularia. These will fill any 

 bare spots. 



Pulmonaria saccfiarata (Lungwort). 12-18 inches. Once you 

 get past the fact that pulmonaria was named after a lung 

 disease, you'll see that the foliage, with its oval silver 

 spots against a dark background, is a prized feature of 

 this perennial. The nodding pink flower buds open to 

 blue flowers, giving a lovely effect. Keep pulmonaria 

 moist and its leaves will last better, but we often cut 

 back ours in August to encourage new growth. Try lung- 

 wort with tall bulbs or dicentras. 



Many of the prettiest woodland gardens are quite 

 loosely planned, giving plants space to naturalize. Think 

 about combining very early and much later-blooming 

 (therefore late-emerging) perennials for continued inter- 

 est. 



I hope a few of these plants will inspired you to ex- 

 tend your season. ..backwards. Happy Spring! 

 Leslie van Berkum is co-owner of van Berkunt Nursery, 4 ]ames 

 Road, Deerfield, NH 03037. The phone number is 603-463-7663. 



DECEMBER 1995 ■♦■ JANUARY 1996 



