Acorus variegates, Sweet Flag: Hardy evergreen variegated stiff blades that grow in a neat circular clump. An attractive plant all year round for the edge of a pond, or very wet area where grass is hard to grow. Grows 6″ in partial shade.

 Carex Muskingumensis ‘Little Midge,’ Dwarf Palm Sedge – Thin, bright green, grassy leaves that branch at the tips resemble miniature palms…Little Midge is a cutie at only 8-12” high. It will spread slowly in moist to wet soils, and makes an attractive ground cover in part shade to shade. Small birds enjoy the seeds on this plant at the end of the season. Deer resistant.

Chasmanthium latifolium “Sea Oats”: This inland variety of sea oats grows in shade, sun and partial sun. It does very well in Chatham. Fronds rise 3′ and the clumps remain neat looking if you mulch between them. Nice as a border between yards or to disguise deck footings. Deer resistant.

Chelone glabra ‘turtlehead’: Turtlehead pink flowers are shaped like their name. See if your children will notice the similarities between the flower and the turtle. These plants grow to 2′ – 3′. They grow best in partial shade in moist soil and are cheerful surprise at the end of the summer. Bloomtime: late summer into fall.

Dryopteris marginalis, Eastern Wood Fern: low growing 18” tall plant. Can take some dry conditions but grows best with good deep moist soil.

Lobelia ‘cardinalis’, ‘siphilitica’, ‘s.Alba,’ Cardinal Flower: Cardinal flowers do best in partial shade or full shade with moist Their spikes of bright color are a standout in shade gardens, which sport mostly green. This plant is good at self-seeding in Chatham, but never becomes invasive. Sometimes the red and blue plants have a purple baby! Each small flower on the cluster has a shape like a bird, or cardinal. If you plant red ones, you will be guaranteed hummingbirds. Deer resistant, Grows 24-36″ tall. Bloomtime: mid to late summer

Osmunda cinnamonea Regalis, Cinnamon Fern: This fern grows best in humus-rich, loamy, moist, but well-drained soil in part to full-shade. They will tolerate a fair amount of sunlight if the soil is reasonably moist. Grows 2-5′ tall.

 Polystichum Acrostichoides, Christmas Fern: Grows best in humus-rich, loamy, most but well drained soil in part to full shade. Grows 18 to 24 inches tall.

Stylophorum diphyllum, Celandine Poppy: Occurs most often in moist woodlands and along stream banks. Features 4-petaled, yellow flowers which bloom in spring in small clusters atop stems typically growing 12-18″ tall. Blue-green foliage is silvery below. Stems contain bright yellow sap which was formerly used as dye by Native Americans. Bloomtime: early summer

Tradescantia ‘Red Grape,’ Spiderwort: A beautiful deep green plant with rosy red flowers, Spiderwort makes a wonderful contrast plant. It can be grown in sun, partial shade or full shade, making it a versatile addition to your garden. Deer resistant. Grows 12-18″ tall. Bloomtime: early summer

Carex flacca ‘Blue Zinger,’ Sedge: Blue Zinger’ is a dense, grass-like sedge with softly, cascading, blue-green leaves. Plants form slowly spreading clumps up to 16 inches tall. Grow it as a ground cover in light shade, in dry to moist soil. The effect is soft and fine but once established, ‘Blue Zinger’ is drought tolerant and tough. As with all Carex, a late winter hair cut will keep it tidy.