Brazil

Rare and choice goody that Jim Fox brought back to us from England. Surprisingly hardy, this shocks in a genus full of yellows and whites by having screaming hot pink daisies in summer. Don't plant it with the red Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' like we did - a memorable combo for garish bad color combinations that still sends me bolt upright in bed. We can only paraphrase Bob Brown's perfect description as the plant did come from his nursery "The color reminds me of an Indian brothel. Not that I would know," We mulch ours in winter just to be on the safe side which is easy as it is dormant.

This is a surprisingly hardy Brazilian species. Good cut flower with long clean stems. We've had this growing happily outside for years and going through single digits in winter with mulch. We got this from Maggie at Western Hills some years ago and finally can offer this goody. She said this was a hybrid by noted California breeder Fred Meyer between the vining Bomarea and the non-vining Alstroemeria, and we have sold it in the past as Alstroemeria x Bomarea 'Fred Meyer' and more recently as Bomarea "Fred Meyer". The great thing about putting a plant on the internet is that all sorts of smart people read about it and very nicely suggest the correct name.

Formerly in the genus Cheilanthes, this dryland fern is found in Mexico, Central America and Argentina and just recently, one site in Brazil. Evergraygreen fronds of fine texture are densely vertical on this smaller fern. Perfect candidate for the rock garden or container for milder gardens - doing well at Berkeley Botanic Garden for example. Thanks to the Fern Madam Judith Jones of Fancy Fronds Nursery for sharing spore.

A cold-tolerant species from Brazil that was discovered in 1934. This not-so-common species gives the effect of a smaller Fuchsia magellanica with the small deep pink and purple flowers but on a smaller scale. In our cooler climate, this will get to 3' or so while in warmer, longer season zones, perhaps to 5'. Once well established, this will spread gently via rhizomes but easy to keep in bounds and perfect for sharing, furthering your propagation reputation.

Tender perennial from Brazil but easy to overwinter inside and worth every effort. This late bloomer has 6"-10" spikes of rusty red flowers jutting above dark green heavily textured foliage. Give those Asters something to idolize. Thanks to Beverley Merrifield for sharing unintentionally.

Nice variegated Alstroemeria with clusters of narrow tubular red and green flowers which are a nice departure from the gaudiness of so many of the hybrids. Easy in a sunny spot and tolerates some drier conditions. Prefers a well-drained soil.