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We wouldn't have guessed we could grow Acacia here in our cold pocket garden but we had a random seedling of this appear in our never-water Arctostaphylos/Garrya bed and it has not had a bit of damage from several winters down to 10F. Poofs of yellow flowers among the evergreen leaves. Lean soil, great drainage and dry. Cutting-grown plants from our one mystery origin plant. Large shrub to small tree.

Plant Addict Alert! If you have problems coping with uncontrollable acquisition, step away from this plant. Take a few minutes, walk through the garden and if you are still besotted, know that it is ok because this is totally cool! Crazy Ethiopian species for a hot sunny spot with red flowers late summer into fall.

An intricate departure from the coarser Acanthus commonly found in gardens, this far more diminutive with low, finely cut, thistle-like foliage less than a foot tall and short 16" flower spikes with pink flowers backed by gray-green calyces. Like all Acanthus, this will spread by suckering rhizomes. Unlike all Acanthus, this is frustratingly slow (from a nurseryman's standpoint) and very easily managed if indeed you feel compelled to manage this slow and desirable expansion.

Ours has been in the ground for several years and last year we finally were able to divide off a few pieces to pot up. Full sun and good drainage. Hardy here but perhaps mulch in cold zone 7. Might be ok with the same in zone 6 but we have no experience. Thanks to Panayoti Kelaidis for correctly identifying the species.

One of the sweetest little bulbs imaginable! Summer dormant with dainty white flowers on 6" stems appearing in Aug into Sept. This grows in Portugal, Gibraltar and Morocco and is just as happy growing with our native Madrona (Arbutus menziesii) here as it is Olives back home. Grassy foliage up in fall and winter.

Our collection of this exceptional form of this distinctive vining species of Monkshood from the wooded slopes of Longshou in Sichuan. It was an overcast day on this our first day in the field in the fall of 2012. The summit of Longshou was completely socked in which is frustrating to a plant hunter aside from missing out on spectacular views. As we made our way down the mountain, we got below the clouds and exciting plants started to pop out - Schisandra in full red fruit, 5' tall Arisaema, Vaccinium delavayi and off to the right, a flash of bright color. We hurried over and it was an climbing Monkshood in full bloom with eye catching reddish-purple flowers. The excitement turned to lamentations as it was in bloom which meant there was no seed which was a total downer. The lamenting turned to exultant whoops as we noticed this species had aerial stem bulbils in the leaf axils which are even better than seed. We think this is quite superior to other color forms of this rare species and have given it the name 'Monk Gone Wild' because it is a pretty crazy color for a Monkshood plus this monk managed to remain technically celibate yet still have lots of children via these stem bulbils.

Rollicking twining Monkshood from China that delights in scrambling up into shrubs or onto thin trellage. Although a fine and aristocratic perennial, it remains devoid of snobbery embracing chainlink as if it were ornate wrought iron at an Antebellum mansion. Dusky lavender flowers in late summer and fall are hugely welcome. This is totally herbaceous dying completely back after flowering only to reemerge in spring bigger and better than before. The climbing Aconitum can be confusing to pin down as to proper identity but we finally sat down with flowers and foliage and key in hand and confirmed that this indeed A. episcopale. This is likely from a Diana Reeck collection in Yunnan in 1996 but that is best guessing. Nice blooming-sized plants.

Fabulous wine-colored (red - not white) vining Monkshood that cannot fail to please with late summer into fall flowers. Perfect for sun to light shade, this will make annual growth of 10'-15' if it has something to twine onto. Best part, it's poisonous - take that, deer! Thanks to Renaissance plantsman Graeme Ware for sharing a bit years back as we failed too many times with seed.

Climbing Monkshood. This is from our seed collection on the Chongqing-Guangxi-Guizhou expedition in 2010. We found this on the summit of the previously unbotanized highest peak in the Wumingshan where it was clambering about on the top of the short scrub. We were struck by the large seed pods. Light to mid-blue flowers on stems that can reach 10'-15' on this vining Monkshood. This a widespread and variable species in China one we find most appealing.

Climbing Monkshood. This seedling from our collection on the Chongqing-Guangxi-Guizhou expedition in 2010 sports gold to chartreuse new growth in an attractive pop of contrast that helps to tide you over while waiting for the light to mid-blue flowers on stems that can reach 10'-15'. This a widespread and variable species in China and one we find most appealing.

This vining monkshood is from our seed collection of this herbaceous vine which was growing in a large shrub hanging out over a stream in a cold rain. The potential for becoming even wetter was pretty good and fortunately, such a risk proved well worth it as this has large blue flowers with a pale white lip. This has been a star in our shade garden flowering in late August into September. Small tuber capable of growing 10' or more this year given good conditions and something to twine on. Deer resistant.

Our collection of this most impressive vining Monkshood. Sumptuous flowers of a good blue with a white interior This one is a real cracker and these will easily grow 8'-12' or even 15' tall provided they have something to twine onto. An immense treat in August and September. And deer resistant!

Wolfsbane. Our collection from the Swiss Alps of this quietly charming yellow-flowered Aconitum Lovely at trail's edge in the light shade of the deciduous forest in August. Apparently this is key to any good witches garden and used in shapeshifting spells and as a werewolf repellant. Better safe than sorry.

Bugbane. A dusky, dark-leafed plant that appeared as a seedling in our shade garden a few years ago. We are windy here and which seed from which black-leafed, named form blew in from our sales tables, we cannot say. We let it be where it landed until it got too large and now it is divisions in pots. To 4' with late season wands of whitish fragrant flowers.

Crug Farm collection from Chejudo Island in Korea from a slightly larger form. This was found growing in a shaded dry streambed as just 8" tall plants. The amenities of cultivation has fattened them up nicely and expect 18" or so. Glossy leaves and white bottlebrush flowers. Very cold tolerant.

Doll's Eyes Baneberry. Striking woodland plant in fruit - the white puffs of flowers in late spring are ok but the fruit is serious business. An elongated fruiting spike holds with red stems, round white berries each with a small black pupil. The common name is immediately obvious and is either clever or creepy depending on how many "Chucky" movies you have watched. We think it is clever. All parts poisonous which means deer proof.

A subtle woodlander for most of spring and summer until late summer and fall when it suddenly busts a move and starts strutting its stuff. Fern-like foliage backs small white puffs of flowers in May which become showy clusters of bright white fruit in late summer & fall. The white version of our red fruited native.

A new name for this West Coast native that hangs out in moist shaded places especially loving mossy cliffs in the cooling mist of a nearby waterfall yet very easy in the garden. Nice black stems holding the fronds. The stems were flattened and used for imbrication in basketry by coastal tribes. Adiantum pedatum is now the East Coast version.

Ultra-choice dwarf form of our Western Maidenhair fern that is currently known from just a few coastal cliff sites on Vancouver Island and historically on the Olympic Peninsula. Short black stems hold dense perfection of classic maidenhair leaves on plants not exceeding 8" in height. These are established divisions from our plants originating from the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden. Often listed as 'Subpumilum', we're going with the Alverson revision.

By all appearances, a diminutive form of this indispensable species. Our friend Diana Reeck of the memorable Collector's Nursery, introduced this from her trip to Yunnan in 1996. Just 3"-4" tall and spreading commensurately slowly, this is a choice gem. We got this from Diana ages ago and have been loathe to sell any as we are far from having too much of this sweetie. It has occurred to us that this is likely very scarce in cultivation and we had best get some distributed to hedge against catastrophic loss of our plants.

This whimsically named maidenhair reflects its origin via Piping Tree nursery. Diminutive in stature like its pixie namesake and flecked with red as if dabbed by paint from an otherworldly visitor, or perhaps variably expressing a gene controlling pigment production. You say tomato I say Solanum lycopersicum, different strokes for different folks, or ferns, painted by fairies. What was I talking about again? Oh yeah this excellently cute little version of our native maidenhair sure to add charm to any shady spot!