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1772 products
Fern fans we are, fern experts we are not, but we continue to chip away at the imposing taxonomic massif of Pteridophyta in hopes of becoming somewhat conversational in Fern. Currently, we can ask the equivalent of where the restroom is and order beer when talking Asian ferns. This is a creeping fern with long, thin rhizomes ideally suited for weaving through shallow moss on shaded rock faces with small orbicular-ovate evergreen leaves. This should be reasonably hardy as Acer griseum was growing a short distance away.
(Apologies for the second change in species, the limits of species in this group of Lepisorus aren't fully clear, and L. pyriformis having been only recently published is not included in the Flora of China though it fits better than the previously used L. rostratus)
This is an interesting Asian fern of which we have just a few nice divisions. This grows as an epiphyte on tree trunks which is typical for the genus and was found at the high point in the mountain range so should have some hardiness. The distinctive large rounded paired sori on the backs of the leaves also fit the genus. This has been a good grower with creeping rhizomes allowing for division. Proceeds from this offering go to support the mission of Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy.
Our collection of this most attractive species which is in the long queue of plants here to be keyed out as to species. This was growing on a partly shaded fairly rocky slope with Rohdea, Polygonatum, Paris, Disporum, Polystichum and Cyrtomium with Aucuba, Viburnum, and Acer griseum nearby. It was ridiculously dense with ornamental genera and this lovely fern easily held its own, making this botanical vignette all the better.
Superb and hardy fern from our collection in Mogecuo, Sichuan found growing in thick moss atop a large boulder shaded by Rhododendron bureavioides. Pretty sure on the genus and obviously floundering on the species. The genus has undergone recent revision and names may not yet be finalized. Hardy for us and deciduous.
One of the hardiest of the Leptospermums which, in time and left alone, will achieve the appearance of a ruggedly handsome small tree. We say this in case you have control issues and mistake shearing for pruning in which case this will be a nice dense ball. Or square. Or blob. Evergreen, nice white flowers, deer-proof, drought tolerant. Thanks to Leptophiliac Ian Barclay for sharing this.
A collection from Mount Imlay in New South Wales of an expected hardier form of the species. Prickly needle-like leaves on a multi-stemmed shrub with white flowers although light pink flowers have been reported in that location. Ours is white so that takes the guesswork out. This should be fine in milder gardens here in the Puget Sound and can take poorly drained situations. Deer do not find this tasty.
Exceptional form of the species we received from the Master Of Leptospermum, Ian Barclay of Desert Northwest. This fast-growing Tea Tree will become a fine large shrub to 15' in mild areas. Silver-purplish needle-like leaves in summer turn darker purple in fall & winter. The small white flowers are visual madness. Ours has handled 10F in our dry garden. Deer proof.
Evergreen alpine Aussie growing in the same habitat as Snow Gums. This has billowy gray-green foliage and 1" white flowers borne on last year's wood. With age, the bark exfoliates and reveals a very shiny trunk which adds to the allure. Sun, good drainage, dryish and phooey to the deer. Just a superb plant.
One of the hardiest Leptospermums, this creeping form is from the alpine areas of Tasmania and has grown for many years at the Arboretum in Seattle. Evergreen leaves with small white flowers, this would be a shame not to have it in the rock garden and a greater shame not to have it spilling over a wall.
This is the first introduction in the US of this selection. We got cuttings from a friend in The Netherlands who is a rabid collector and he was very excited to send us cuttings. This is a hardy Tasmanian species that has a hint of pink in the flowers and dark pink new growth.
Lespedeza bicolor can be an invasive pest but this dwarf version from Japan is a non-invasive pixie. Small blue green leaflets in 3's on a many-stemmed 12" tall deciduous bush to twice as wide or a bit more. Cute reddish purple pea-like flowers are perfectly in keeping with the tidy presentation. From a friend on Cape Cod.
A deciduous shrub that can be treated as a perennial or a woody perennial with the form and firepower of a flowering shrub depending on your clime. Each year the pithy arching stems rocket up to human heights and explode into a cascade of pink pea flowers. A worthy addition to a perennial border or to add a floral punch in a space where evergreens are the winter showpiece. Plus, I must say its a pleasure at cut-back time with its neat arrangement and satisfying woody crack. Can be a bit aggressive in the warmer climes of the Southeast.
Neat selection from Japan of this fall-blooming woodlander. Golden yellow are its hallmark in spring to mid summer after which they become a light yellow-green but still an element of light brightness in the shade. Late in Oct/Nov, this defies conventional wisdom by producing yellow bottlebrush flowers. Hardy to zone 4.
This tasteful perennial from Japan bides its time in the shade garden as the floral hoi polloi scrabble for attention during spring and summer. Once the fracas has died down, this takes center stage in September and October with its intricately constructed buds like little pieces of sculpture which open to fuzzy light lavender flowers. These are hefty plants.
Pinecone Thistle. Pretty cool 6"-12" tall plant from dry pine woods and wastelands in southern Europe and northern Africa. The spineless gray-green, thistle-like leaves, are felted gray-white underneath and are a perfect accompaniment to the art project flowers. Tufts of filamentous purplish flowers erupt from hefty cones of overlapping, feathered brown scales. Beautiful conversation plant for the rock garden and while perennial, it is short-lived, so save some seeds.
Yellow Himalayan Honeysuckle. A species from NE India and northern Myanmar originally introduced by Frank Kingdon-Ward just over 100 years ago, this is from a more recent US Natiional Arboretum collection. Yellow flowers over bronzed foliage distinguishes this from the more familiar Leycesteria formosa.
Meadow Blazing Star. One of the many garden stars at Denver Botanic Garden's Chatfield gardens, this is especially favored by Monarch butterflies. Fluffy rose-purple flowers to an an inch or more wide appear on the vertical 12"-36" stems midsummer to September. Native from Alberta to New Mexico, this likes sandy or rocky soils on the dry side. Rich loamy easy-livin' soils pushes too much growth leading to the dreaded flop.
An interesting hybrid selection of this New Zealand Iris relative. Evergreen (except for hard winters) olive green foliage provides a grand setting for the numerous stems of small bright white flowers. This makes a clump pretty quickly and is great texture in the garden. This has been consistent a performer in our border garden for years and the worst winters fry the leaves which we cut back in spring and then the new growth appears and it blooms very happily and we can't remember we had a bad winter. When we have mild winters it looks great and we don't have to do anything. We mulch the crown of ours when we have an arctic express barreling down upon us just to be on the safe side.
A superb compact and very floriferous plant we got from the sadly late Michael Wickenden at Cally Gardens in Scotland. This is just about the perfect little container plant with low, dense tuffets of deep green narrow blades of leaves and a profusion of small white flowers on short stems which retain interest long after flowering with their seed heads. This would be an ideal plant for some plant factory to pick up for tissue culture to flood Lowe's and Home Depot with millions of these but we would ask that if there is any inclination to do so, know that Michael was vehemently opposed to this and that his wishes be respected. Because this is the new America, when conscience fails, please consider a gentleman's royalty on each plant to be sent to Cally Gardens.
One of our favorite plants for the landscape is this New Zealand Iris relative. Tough evergreen leaves makes a broadly grassy mound 2' high x 3' across and has numerous stems bearing lots of 1" pure white flowers. Wind tolerant. May be cut to ground in severe winter. Easy care.