University of Wisconsin-Madison

New American Garden

The New American Garden was a gardening style borrowed from South America and in the 1970’s vaulted into American gardens almost single-handedly by Oehme, van Sweden & Associates (Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweden) in Washington, D.C. who felt this style was a metaphor for the American meadow that reflected the year-round beauty of the natural landscape. The intent was to plant in “sweeps and drifts” to weave a tapestry across the entire garden plane using tough and durable North American prairie wildflowers and ornamental grasses. Some of the primary components of this gardening style included strong drifts of brightly colored native flowers, a naturalistic “feel,” the importance of foliage massed, pathways and hardscape that give freedom to the visual effect and a sense of drama and importance.

PictureCommon NameScientific NamePlant Name
Alam Bloom Bush ClematisClematis heracleifolia cv. Alan BloomAlam Bloom Bush Clematis
Clematis heracleifolia cv. Alan Bloom
Plant name: American Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis cv. Degroots SpireAmerican ArborvitaeThuja occidentalis cv. Degroots SpireAmerican Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis cv. Degroots Spire
Plant name: Ann Magnolia Magnolia Ann MagnoliaMagnolia Ann Magnolia
Magnolia
Plant name: Avens Geum cv. Gimlet Avens Geum cv. Gimlet Avens
Geum cv. Gimlet
Plant name: Bearded Iris Iris Bearded IrisIris Bearded Iris
Iris
Plant name: Beardtongue Penstemon digitalis cv. PocohontasBeardtongue Penstemon digitalis cv. PocohontasBeardtongue
Penstemon digitalis cv. Pocohontas
BeardtonguePenstemon digitalis cv. Pink Dawn Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis cv. Pink Dawn
Bee Balm Monarda didyma cv. Purple Rooster Bee Balm
Monarda didyma cv. Purple Rooster
Bee balm Monarda didyma cv. Pink LaceBee balm
Monarda didyma cv. Pink Lace
Plant name: Bee Mine Lavender Beebalm Monarda didyma cv. Bee Mine LavenderBee Mine Lavender BeebalmMonarda didyma cv. Bee Mine LavenderBee Mine Lavender Beebalm
Monarda didyma cv. Bee Mine Lavender
Betty Corning ClematisClematis cv. Betty CorningBetty Corning Clematis
Clematis cv. Betty Corning
Plant name: Bigroot Geranium Geranium macrorrhizum cv. Bevans VarietyBigroot GeraniumGeranium macrorrhizum cv. Bevans VarietyBigroot Geranium
Geranium macrorrhizum cv. Bevans Variety
Plant name: Bloody Cranesbill Geranium sanguineum cv. Ankums PrideBloody Cranesbill Geranium sanguineum cv. Ankums PrideBloody Cranesbill
Geranium sanguineum cv. Ankums Pride
Blue Belle ClematisClematis cv. Blue BelleBlue Belle Clematis
Clematis cv. Blue Belle
Blue LobeliaLobelia siphilitica Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Plant name: Blue Moor Grass Sesleria caerulea Blue Moor Grass Sesleria caerulea Blue Moor Grass
Sesleria caerulea
Plant name: Blue Star Amsonia hubrichtii Blue Star Amsonia hubrichtii Blue Star
Amsonia hubrichtii
Plant name: Blue Star Amsonia cv. Blue IceBlue StarAmsonia cv. Blue IceBlue Star
Amsonia cv. Blue Ice
Plant name: Burnet Sanguisorba menziesii BurnetSanguisorba menziesii Burnet
Sanguisorba menziesii
Plant name: Calamint Calamintha nepeta CalamintCalamintha nepeta Calamint
Calamintha nepeta
Plant name: Caradonna Sage Salvia nemorosa cv. CaradonnaCaradonna SageSalvia nemorosa cv. CaradonnaCaradonna Sage
Salvia nemorosa cv. Caradonna
Plant name: Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Plant name: Chinese Astilbe Astilbe chinensis Chinese Astilbe Astilbe chinensis Chinese Astilbe
Astilbe chinensis
Chinese Silver GrassMiscanthus sinensis cv. MalepartusChinese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis cv. Malepartus
Plant name: Coral Bells Heuchera cv. Autumn LeavesCoral BellsHeuchera cv. Autumn LeavesCoral Bells
Heuchera cv. Autumn Leaves
Plant name: Cranesbill Geranium cantabrigiense cv. Biokovo Cranesbill Geranium cantabrigiense cv. Biokovo Cranesbill
Geranium cantabrigiense cv. Biokovo
Plant name: Daylily Hemerocallis cv. Chicago sunriseDaylily Hemerocallis cv. Chicago sunriseDaylily
Hemerocallis cv. Chicago sunrise
Plant name: Donald Wyman Flowering Crabapple Malus cv. Donald WymanDonald Wyman Flowering CrabappleMalus cv. Donald WymanDonald Wyman Flowering Crabapple
Malus cv. Donald Wyman
Dwarf Prairie Dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis cv. TaraDwarf Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis cv. Tara
Plant name: Emilia Plater Clematis Clematis cv. Emilia PlaterEmilia Plater ClematisClematis cv. Emilia PlaterEmilia Plater Clematis
Clematis cv. Emilia Plater
Etoile Violette ClematisClematis cv. Etoile VioletteEtoile Violette Clematis
Clematis cv. Etoile Violette
Plant name: Excelsior Foxglove Digitalis cv. ExcelsiorExcelsior FoxgloveDigitalis cv. ExcelsiorExcelsior Foxglove
Digitalis cv. Excelsior
Feather Reed Grass Calamagrostis cv. Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis cv. Karl Foerster
Plant name: Fireworks Goldenrod Solidago rugosa cv. FireworksFireworks GoldenrodSolidago rugosa cv. FireworksFireworks Goldenrod
Solidago rugosa cv. Fireworks
Flame PeonyPaeonia cv. FlameFlame Peony
Paeonia cv. Flame
Frost GrassSpodiopogon sibiricus Frost Grass
Spodiopogon sibiricus
Fuschia Jazz PeonyPaeonia cv. Fuschia JazzFuschia Jazz Peony
Paeonia cv. Fuschia Jazz
Plant name: Garden Phlox Phlox paniculata cv. Davids Lavender Garden PhloxPhlox paniculata cv. Davids Lavender Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata cv. Davids Lavender
Plant name: Giant Coneflower Rudbeckia maxima Giant ConeflowerRudbeckia maxima Giant Coneflower
Rudbeckia maxima
Glory Be PeonyPaeonia cv. Glory BeGlory Be Peony
Paeonia cv. Glory Be
Plant name: Goatsbeard Aruncus cv. HoratioGoatsbeardAruncus cv. HoratioGoatsbeard
Aruncus cv. Horatio
Hummelo BetonyStachys occidentalis cv. HummeloHummelo Betony
Stachys occidentalis cv. Hummelo
Plant name: Jantar Amber Gold Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis cv. JantarJantar Amber Gold ArborvitaeThuja occidentalis cv. JantarJantar Amber Gold Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis cv. Jantar
Kermisina ClematisClematis cv. KermisinaKermisina Clematis
Clematis cv. Kermisina
Plant name: Kodiak Orange Diervilla Diervilla cv. Kodiak OrangeKodiak Orange DiervillaDiervilla cv. Kodiak OrangeKodiak Orange Diervilla
Diervilla cv. Kodiak Orange
Korean Feather GrassCalamagrostis brachytricha Korean Feather Grass
Calamagrostis brachytricha
Plant name: Lady's Mantle Alchemilla mollis cv. ThrillerLady's MantleAlchemilla mollis cv. ThrillerLady's Mantle
Alchemilla mollis cv. Thriller
Plant name: Large Yellow Foxglove Digitalis grandiflora cv. CarillonLarge Yellow Foxglove Digitalis grandiflora cv. CarillonLarge Yellow Foxglove
Digitalis grandiflora cv. Carillon
Plant name: Leopard Plant Ligularia cv. The RocketLeopard PlantLigularia cv. The RocketLeopard Plant
Ligularia cv. The Rocket
Madame Julia Correvon ClematisClematis cv. Madame Julia CorrevonMadame Julia Correvon Clematis
Clematis cv. Madame Julia Correvon
Minuet ClematisClematis cv. MinuetMinuet Clematis
Clematis cv. Minuet
Montezuma PeonyPaeonia cv. MontezumaMontezuma Peony
Paeonia cv. Montezuma
Plant name: Mountain Fleece Persicaria amplexicaule cv. FiretailMountain Fleece Persicaria amplexicaule cv. FiretailMountain Fleece
Persicaria amplexicaule cv. Firetail
Plant name: Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum virginianum Mountain MintPycnanthemum virginianum Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum virginianum
Plant name: Nepeta Nepeta faassenii cv. Blue Wonder Nepeta Nepeta faassenii cv. Blue Wonder Nepeta
Nepeta faassenii cv. Blue Wonder
Plant name: Northern Lady Fern Athyrium filix-femina cv. Lady In RedNorthern Lady FernAthyrium filix-femina cv. Lady In RedNorthern Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina cv. Lady In Red
Plant name: Northwind Switch Grass Panicum virgatum cv. NorthwindNorthwind Switch GrassPanicum virgatum cv. NorthwindNorthwind Switch Grass
Panicum virgatum cv. Northwind
Plant name: Ornamental Onion Allium tanguticum cv. Summer Beauty Ornamental Onion Allium tanguticum cv. Summer Beauty Ornamental Onion
Allium tanguticum cv. Summer Beauty
Plant name: Ornamental Sage Salvia nemorosa cv. Crystal BlueOrnamental SageSalvia nemorosa cv. Crystal BlueOrnamental Sage
Salvia nemorosa cv. Crystal Blue
Plant name: Pamina Anemone Anemone hupehensis cv. PaminaPamina AnemoneAnemone hupehensis cv. PaminaPamina Anemone
Anemone hupehensis cv. Pamina
Paula Fay PeonyPaeonia cv. Paula FayPaula Fay Peony
Paeonia cv. Paula Fay
Plant name: Pendula Weeping White Spruce Picea glauca cv. PendulaPendula Weeping White SprucePicea glauca cv. PendulaPendula Weeping White Spruce
Picea glauca cv. Pendula
Polish Spirit ClematisClematis cv. Polish SpiritPolish Spirit Clematis
Clematis cv. Polish Spirit
Prairie DropseedSporobolus heterolepis cv. TaraPrairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis cv. Tara
Plant name: Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum Prairie Smoke
Geum triflorum
Purple Lovegrass Eragrostis spectabilis Purple Lovegrass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Plant name: Purple Moor Grass Molinia caerulea cv. TransparentPurple Moor GrassMolinia caerulea cv. TransparentPurple Moor Grass
Molinia caerulea cv. Transparent
Raspberry Charm PeonyPaeonia cv. Raspberry CharmRaspberry Charm Peony
Paeonia cv. Raspberry Charm
Red Red Rose PeonyPaeonia cv. Red Red RoseRed Red Rose Peony
Paeonia cv. Red Red Rose
Plant name: Rodgersia Rodgersia pinnata cv. ElegansRodgersiaRodgersia pinnata cv. ElegansRodgersia
Rodgersia pinnata cv. Elegans
Rose Noble PeonyPaeonia cv. Rose NobleRose Noble Peony
Paeonia cv. Rose Noble
Royal Velours ClematisClematis cv. Royal VeloursRoyal Velours Clematis
Clematis cv. Royal Velours
Scarlet O'Hara PeonyPaeonia cv. Scarlet OHaraScarlet O'Hara Peony
Paeonia cv. Scarlet OHara
Sedge Carex pensylvanica Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Shiny ConeflowerRudbeckia nitida cv. HerbstonneShiny Coneflower
Rudbeckia nitida cv. Herbstonne
Plant name: Siberian Bugloss Brunnera macrophylla Siberian BuglossBrunnera macrophylla Siberian Bugloss
Brunnera macrophylla
Plant name: Silva Dead Nettle Lamium orvala cv. SilvaSilva Dead NettleLamium orvala cv. SilvaSilva Dead Nettle
Lamium orvala cv. Silva
Skyrocket JuniperJuniperus cv. SkyrocketSkyrocket Juniper
Juniperus cv. Skyrocket
Plant name: Spurge Euphorbia cv. Ascot RainbowSpurgeEuphorbia cv. Ascot RainbowSpurge
Euphorbia cv. Ascot Rainbow
Plant name: Swiss Stone Pine Pinus cembra Swiss Stone PinePinus cembra Swiss Stone Pine
Pinus cembra
Taffeta Glow PeonyPaeonia cv. Taffeta GlowTaffeta Glow Peony
Paeonia cv. Taffeta Glow
Tufted hairgrass Deschampsia cespitosa cv. GoldtauTufted hairgrass
Deschampsia cespitosa cv. Goldtau
Venousa Violacea ClematisClematis cv. Venousa ViolaceaVenousa Violacea Clematis
Clematis cv. Venousa Violacea
Vivid GlowPaeonia cv. Vivid GlowVivid Glow
Paeonia cv. Vivid Glow
Plant name: Winter King Hawthorne Crataegus viridis cv. Winter KingWinter King HawthorneCrataegus viridis cv. Winter KingWinter King Hawthorne
Crataegus viridis cv. Winter King
Woodland SageSalvia nemerosa cv. BumbleskyWoodland Sage
Salvia nemerosa cv. Bumblesky
Plant name: Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis cv. Yellow RibbonYellow Ribbon ArborvitaeThuja occidentalis cv. Yellow RibbonYellow Ribbon Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis cv. Yellow Ribbon