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A collection of this rhizomatous species from Hunan by Dan Hinkley which has proven hardy thus far in mild PNW gardens when mulched during the short arctic blasts that keeps Seattle from growing the same plants as San Francisco. But for that one cold week we could be growing this Begonia under flowering Puya. Good leaves flowers not seen or perhaps more truthfully, not remembered but will go out on a limb and say pink or white.

Friends who bring you seeds are good friends, friends who bring you seeds from legendary South African seed supplier Silverhill are even better, luckily FRBC board member Cody Hinchliff falls into the latter. Very cool African butterfly bush with evergreen, glaucous silver-grey-green leaves and globules of fragrant purple flowers that are more rounded and bunched than their more commonly grown relatives. Rare in US cultivation but some have claimed suprising hardiness when given some protection to establish. An approachable way to check off another continent in your garden of the far reaches.

A Mexican species and rhizomatous type with leaves that while not as large as the namesake Heracleum do rival in it in incised shape, and far outdo it in leaf patterning with a edge spattered in a dark reddish black. Could prove hardy in mild Zone 8 climates!

Sunflowers are one of those iconic flowers that always seem to captivate and this Western US native bundles that bundle of symbology into a delightful little package of only about 2 ft tall that comes back every year. For those in the east this is like a Silphium in miniature. The all-edible composition also means that it was a useful food and medicine source for the local Salish peoples as well as other First Nations of the West Coast. It’s large range is evidence of its ease and adaptability so no need to be too fussy just pop this baby front and center and sit back to enjoy the sun.

How does that old saying go something about 3 lips are better than one? Or was it heads? or was it 2? Nah pretty sure it was three lips and who would beg to disagree after seeing this oh-so-kissable little mutant hardy orchid. The name says it all, where the usual flowers of the species usually have only one ruffled lower edge the flowers on this form have a triangular trinity that only adds to the exotic appearance. 

Bomareas make our head spin, in good and bad ways. I was pleased to find out recently that we aren't the only ones, apparently the non-twiners sometimes twine, and the number of flowers vary widely, as do the color patterns. So basically don't worry too much about keying this one out, instead sit back and enjoy the twirling petioles and tropical colored flowers at face value. This is another in a series of mystery Bomareas we received from friend Chen Hao, it's hard to pick a favorite! With the mystery comes mystery hardiness so please trial it for us, what we can say is full sun and a bit of moisture are welcome companions.