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One of the alpine New Zealand Scabweeds and which we think is an accurate if unmarketable description. Reminds me of some of the nicknames my mom had for me growing up. I'm sure they were meant with the most loving intention as I'm equally sure the Kiwis mean the same referring to these wonderful Raoulias. This is a species we have seen growing in the fabulous rock garden at Denver Botanic and one we have long admired. What is not to like when confronted with a flat hard pancake of tiny leaves tightly adpressed to the ground and dotted in midsummer with a dusting of minute creamy flowers? With age or upon meeting rocks, this will hummock up and over making an undulate dome like some internal organ exposed or something previously of the oceans but now of the land. It's better than it sounds and a fine addition to the rock garden or trough.

Devil's Elder. This is a hardy large evergreen shrub to 15'-20' tree from Chile and Argentina where it grows in shaded situations along streams or bogs. It does well in our shade garden without being a tippler where it has handled nicely brief dips to 10F. The flowers are loose panicles of interesting wee green things which give way to purplish brown fruit.

We have become unaccountably smitten by Reineckea ever since discovering a plant of this species in the Gangheba in Yunnan in 1997 which looked quite different from this form which is the one typically found in cultivation. So of course we are now actively seeking all the forms we can including subsequent collections from different areas in China but we still have a soft spot for this "original" form. This no doubt hails from Japan and has low, grassy evergreen foliage with small candles of pink-backed white flowers in June followed by little red fruits. A nice little easy slow carpeter and very good under larger Rhododendrons or as a small-scale groundcover.

This is a collection by Wynn-Jones in 2000 from near Baoxing Sichuan who thought at the time it was an unusual form, but it is well within the gradient for typical Reineckea carnea. This is a must for the shade garden along with every other one Reineckea you can lay your hands on! Good to zone 6 and likely 5.

A distinctly smaller form with wider and shorter leaves than any of the dozen or so clones we grow. This was found on the summit of Jinfoshan where it was growing in deep moss on top of hard limestone Stegosaurus outcrops in a miniature stone forest. We thought this might be a new subspecies at least but DNA puts it squarely in R. carnea. The scented pink and white flowers are much more visible in this form than in the typical range of the species and we felt it merited a clonal name.

A very fine form both in habit and flowers which was collected at 2000m on Emeishan in Sichuan China.

A Darrell Probst collection of this classic Chinese evergreen groundcover which sends Kelly into defensive throes of passionate oration when ne'er do well gardeners question its place. Little candles of pink and white flowers held by the arched creeping candelabra stems which are then followed by glossy red baubles that would be fabulous as miniature ornaments. Let the Christmas reign of holly end and the new dawn of Reineckea begin.

An evergreen Lily-of-the-Valley relative, this is our collection from Yunnan, China from our 1997 trip. This is distinctly different than the Reineckia carnea of Japan as well as other collections from China yet DNA by Aaron Floden puts it right in the species. Scented pink flowers at the base of the leaves.

Knockoffs are there for you when you need that Gucci look but aint got that Gucci money. Similarly Remusatia is there for you when you want that Colocasia look but aint got that Colocasia climate. Any aroid we can experiment with growing in good-old fashioned earth outside is a win in our book and the elephant-ear leaves with variable purple undersides definitely bring that Tropical flavor even if they can't rival their tender relatives in size. You're mainly growing for foliage but the creamy white and yellow aroid flowers are a treat when they appear. Even given the tougher backstory those in less mild climates are likely still stuck with pot culture/winter digging but give them somewhere warm and they will run to form your own little jungle.

Mountain dweller in the Cascades BC to CA, popping over to Colorado and up into the northern arctic regions. Good rock garden plant down here where the livin' is easy. Succulent blue-green leaves clad the many stems while the terminal clustered red flowers glitter like a garnet hatpin.

Thought to be a naturally occurring hybrid group of R. atlanticum and R. periclymenoides discovered by plantswoman Polly Hill, of Martha's Vineyard arboretum fame, on the banks of the choptank river. Notable for an attractively soft-textured blue-green leaf, flowers of white flushed with pink and with excellent fragrance. Stoloniferous and growing to a maximum of around 5 feet, even better they are more tolerant of sun and heat than most Rhodies, a trait that makes up for their deciduous nature.

Cutting-grown from a plant grown by Roger Eichmann from seed collected from the “best” augustinii in June Sinclair’s renowned species Rhododendron garden.  We say “best” because that varied from year to year in June’s opinion as to which of her 3 favorite clones was the best but we can tell you that all three were stellar.  Masses of lavender-blue flowers can cover the foliage on one of the classic Rhododendron species that is the keystone plant in many a garden.

Our own F2 hand-pollinated seedlings from this superb big leaf species which has shown more hardiness than the Kingdon-Ward collections from 70 years ago. This collection has handled 10F here in our garden with aplomb. Early spring trusses of big yellow flowers although interestingly, one of the original wild seedlings flowered white. Best in a sheltered position out of the wind and sun where the foliage can hit its max potential. These are sturdy youngsters. An amazing experience to see this species in the wild.

Western Azalea native to southern OR and northern CA. I've seen this ringing Darlingtonia bogs in the Siskiyous in full bloom in shimmering 100 degree heat and it is a sight to behold. Quite fragrant. These are grown from a plant from Leo Hitchcock's garden, guru of PNW natives.

A regrettably tender species of the Maddenia section which we brought back as a cutting from the Cangshan in the fall of 1997 and these are cutting-grown from that plant. Every terminal bud bursts into large white flowers with a soft yellow throat which are sweetly scented. Sunroom in winter.

Rad new introduction to cultivation of this tremendously adorable Vireya section Rhododendron collected on a shaded rocky cliff face not far from the Vietnam border. Small glossy green leaves colored in bronze when in new growth. This is essentially a creeper as it was truly hugging the rock growing in little humus pockets. Nice and cheery small open-faced yellow flowers are borne over a long span. Cute quotient is pretty much pegged right at the max. Hardiness is unknown as there is no track record on this species but the mainland Vireyas have surprised with some species like R. rushforthii being quite good in the Seattle area. To be safe, lets start at a warm zone 8b and hopefully work down with experience. Easy in a pot and can be overwintered in a cool sunroom until more is known and probably the best thing to do its first winter with you anyway.

Crazy piece of work but in the best possible way. This is a sport of this Japanese azalea species which would typically have the usual thumb-shaped leaves and wide flower petals but in this selection, the leaves and pink flower petals have become very long and thin like decorative sushi garnish. Nothing like it and a universal must-have.

Near red selection of this cheerful little plant. Rhodohypoxis fill a pot with flowers like few other plants their size and 'Albrighton' is no exception. Ideally suited for container culture, these are easily overwintered in a cool frost-free spot indoors when they are dormant. If growing outside, give them good drainage as prolonged winter wet can be a terminal annoyance. Fortunately in our Port Townsend rain shadow, not a big consideration.

A floriferous hybrid with good-sized pink flowers that makes a definite statement en masse - you have to like pink a lot or this is not for you. Subtly pale stripe on the midrib or keel of the petals is just a sweet bit of sugar frosting on this eye candy. Quickly makes a dense little clump with lots of late spring-early summer flowers. Similar and may be the same as 'New Look'.

Newer selection of this small clumping South African bulb which has intense deep red-pink flowers. This is the perfect rock garden plant needing moisture while in growth and good drainage especially in winter when it is dormant.