Resembling long, feathery Ostrich plumes, Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern) is an elegant, upright to arching, deciduous fern with showy, finely dissected, fresh green sterile fronds. Emerging at the base of the plant in spring, they gracefully unfurl until they depreciate over summer and lose their leaflets later in the fall, as the plant goes dormant for the winter. They surround shorter, brownish fertile fronds which will persist into winter. Low maintenance, pest and disease free, Ostrich Fern is a great asset for the bog garden!

The highlight of the late spring bog garden, Primula x bulleesiana is a hybrid cross between Primula bulleyana and Primula beesiana. This hybrid perennial thrives in damp, shady environments where it brings in late spring or early summer, brightly colored, tiered whorls of flowers (3 to 6 per stem) spaced at intervals on leafless stems that rise atop basal rosettes of ovate to lanceolate, medium green leaves. The delicate flowers range from salmon to terracotta and include cream, rose, red, lavender, and purple.

Robust and vigorous, Primula japonica, commonly known as Japanese Primrose, is a deciduous perennial with attractive whorls of flowers in shades of white, soft to deep pink, purple or red. They are spaced at intervals along upright stems and rise above basal rosettes of lettuce-like, bright green leaves. Native to Japan, this perennial thrives in damp, shady environments where it brings its brightly colored blossoms in late spring to early summer. Plant in groups or drifts with hostas, ferns and iris in damp open woodlands, next to streams and ponds.

Usually flowering before all other Primula Candelabras, award-winning Primula pulverulenta, commonly known as Candelabra Primrose, is a lovely species native to Sichuan, China. Long-lived, this hardy, semi-evergreen perennial thrives in damp, shady environments where it brings in late spring or early summer, tiered whorls of deep crimson-red, bell-shaped flowers (6 to 8 per stem) spaced at intervals on leafless stems that rise atop basal rosettes of tooth-edged, medium green leaves.

Very long-lived, Primula bulleyana, commonly known as Candelabra Primrose, is a semi-evergreen perennial with attractive whorls of golden-yellow flowers, 1 in. across (2 cm) that open from orange-red buds. Each stem displays up to 5-7 whorls, spaced at intervals atop basal rosettes of ovate to lanceolate, medium green leaves. Native to the hillsides in China, this perennial thrives in damp, shady environments where it brings in late spring or early summer its brightly colored blossoms. Primroses are brilliant vehicles for adding color to the shade garden.

Vigorous, Primula beesiana, commonly known as Candelabra Primrose, is a deciduous perennial with attractive whorls of deep-pink to purple flowers with a yellow heart. Each stem displays up to 6-8 whorls, spaced at intervals atop flat, basal rosettes of light green leaves. Native to the mountain meadows of China, this perennial thrives in damp, shady environments where it brings in late spring or early summer its brightly colored blossoms. Primroses are brilliant vehicles for adding color to the shade garden. A low maintenance plant that is also deer resistant. Easily grows up to 24 in. tall and across (60 cm)