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An extraordinary variant from Linda Cochran's (of course) old garden which she allowed us to salvage when moving. Distinctly mocha foliage in early spring, with various plant parts retaining dark tones. Notably, the flower stem is very dark as are the bracts enclosing the flower bud. The flowers are lovely, white and richly colored in dark maroon. These are bulbs from isolated, hand-pollinated seed. It will be 3-4 years before these flower but lengthy establishment will result in maximum size.

Three-year old bulbs of this exquisitely choice red-flowered variant of this shorter species. Saturated red interior with a white and red exterior - dang! This normally flowers 5-6 years from seed and these are a good age to get established for maximum oomph when flowering. You will be forgiven for any horticultural braggadocio!

Beautiful clumping species that may well be the queen of the genus. Or are we granting royalty because it is new on the scene? Maybe, but it is awfully good. This makes a stout small clump of evergreen, fern-like leaves from which emerge in spring the peculiarly Coptis greenish-yellow flowers. From China.

A no-fuss restrained yet refined evergreen Cardamine which is nearly faultless. We haven't found a fault yet but most overachievers are hiding something deep under that charm and industry. Rest assured, this will never go postal in your garden. Dark green dense leaves set off flowers of of purest white in early summer.

No shipping to Maryland. Highly regarded in the Uk and Europe but not well known on this side of the pond but we are trying to correct that. Beautifully grown in Linda McDonald's garden which should be reason enough for anyone to grow it. Coarse and hirsute foliage to 2' with reddish flowers on 4; stems.

The correctly named true species as what is generally seen in gardens are forms of Cardiocrinum giganteum. The only deviation from the key of 3-5 flowers are some with up to 9 flowers which we attribute to easy living in our garden and variation within the species. This is most closely allied to C. cordatum from Japan, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands and has similarities in height at 4'-7' tall along with the distinctive grouping of leaves in the middle part of the flowering stem. New growth in spring is a brilliant copper-red and non-flowering bulbs go dormant quite early in June. White tepals are greenish-white at base with interior first touched in soft yellow-green and then deep within, purple. And fragrant late in the day. These are small bulbs perhaps 3 years from flowering. A Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy Offering,

From Wendy Perry of Bosvigo Plants in S. England comes this unfortunately scarce and choice Campanula. Gently and very controllably spreading to make an impressive clump with spires of pure white flowers. Pairs impeccably with Hosta 'Patriot'.

Lovely species in the group formerly placed in the genus Dentaria referring to their crinkled molar-like rhizomes. We do enjoy the the color of the purple-pink flowers in early spring but there is a quality of texture and sheen to the leaves that makes us consistently murmur 'I like that plant" whenever we pass by it.

This collection by Crug Farm from Fansipan in Vietnam of this very distinctive clumping grass is especially yummy with showy pink flowers in this form. The evergreen leaves are bold, broad and lightly pleated with the flower heads mingling among the upper reaches of the leaves. Solidly dramatic!

Nice golden striped leaf version of the familiar Lily of the Valley. This is just as easy and tough as the regular version and you can enjoy those same scented white flowers in that little mini vase on your nightstand. This will sometimes throw a reversion with solid green leaves and if that happens then a simple yet deft surgical excision with your Hori-Hori is indicated. Actually you don't have to be all that deft or surgical - this is so tough that clumsy will do!

Choice species (as seen in our shade garden) collected by NW Plant Wunderkind Riz Reyes on Mt Emei in Sichuan. This species is often confused with Corydalis elata in the trade. This selection is quite vigorous with red highlighted new growth and spires of icy blue flowers. Moist.

This is related to Corydalis temulifolia 'Chocolate Stars' and has a similar, if smaller, above-ground bulbous rhizome and tons of flowers on long, lax stems The flowers go through color phases of white, pink and dusky purple appearing concurrently during a long flowering period of spring through summer. A remarkable plant. Thanks to Magnus Liden for ID help. Our clone of this has not produced seed so these are from division.

Grown from seed collected in the Yoro Mts in Japan, this compensates for being shorter than its cousins by being hardier to Zone 6. Personally, I subscribe to the fishing theory that it is not the size of the worm you use but how you wiggle it. Rich moist soil and creamy trumpets in 2-3 years.

Seedlings from our Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense 'Big & Pink' which is one of two pink Cardiocrinums known to exist. We have the other one as well. These are hand-pollinated seedlings of this amazing and extremely rare plant and we expect them to be pink as well. They are probably a few years from flowering. One nursery person we know of was quite incensed that we would be selling these as pink saying "How do you know that they won't be white?" to which we replied "We don't but we don't know that they won't be red either." It is the first color break in the genus and there is no precedent to make assumptions other than best guesses and this is our best guess. We had two bulbs flower from this crop this summer and they were pretty darned pink. One came very close to the parent and the other was a notch behind but still way better than anything else out there so we are greatly encouraged. We can't wait seven years for these to flower to see what degree of pink - or not - they will be because the main bulb dies and we start over with offsets and seed. These do produce offsets so even though the bulb dies after blooming, you end up with more bulbs than you started with. This is a plant of temperate climates in China and the Himalayas and likes a lightly shaded, cool and moist situation. These are not planted deep like typical lilies but shallow and will often have their noses above ground as they get mature. We mulch these in winter with a blanket of dairy manure as they are a bit piggy. Oh, and that nursery person who was concerned about our ethics? She ordered one. Plant so the tip of the bulb is exposed and mulch well to keep winter freeze away from the bulb.

This selection of this evergreen Clematis can likely be traced back to Roy Lancaster's introduction of this choice species from his collection L657 from Emeishan in Sichuan which had the distinct central silver splash on the leaflets which makes this extra luscious. Small scented creamy flowers start appearing in late winter here in the Northwest and on mild winters it is not a surprise to be surprised by flowers happening in February although March is pretty much guaranteed. A classic wall plant where it appreciates the buffer and protection afforded by the wall as well as access to plenty of sun. If you don't have a wall, try a tree as this can reach 20 feet or more but is easily kept in bounds by pruning after flowering if you are hardwired for control. Zone 7b or down to Z7 with appropriate siting.

Superb free-flowering selection of this tight, low-growing heather relative which covers itself in white bells. Cassiopes need a cool position in an airy acidic soil to perform at their best much like Rhododendrons. Morning sun is ideal and this will be one of those delightful little plants in your garden that makes your pleasure centers light up. Washington to Alaska native.

A plant of refinement to be sure. One that is appreciated and admired by the higher echelons of gardening. A collector's plant. Different ways of saying that this is not a flamboyant show-stopper but a tasteful blend of delicate texture and airy soft pink flowers that helps make it all work.

Our collection of this Asian herbaceous perennial vining member of the Bellflower or Campanula family, this is very distinctive in having narrow and elegant tubular green flowers on a vine to 8'. This will die down each fall but pop back in the spring. This prefers bright shade to part shade and we found this growing in shrubbery in open forest.

A fragrant free-flowering and good perennial blue Corydalis. That blue is displayed in a quantity of such a pure intensity that it can leave one in a state of unintelligible, ecstatic glossolalia. It is best to dress accordingly as you want to be looking fine if that happens. To 12"+ and wider, rich and moist.