China

This indispensable species was exciting to see even though it was well into fall. Numerous plants with up to 30" stems and clusters of black fruit. Even though the leaves were turning brown in anticipation of winter, we imagined the scene in spring with the overstory of Magnolia sieboldii and the Disporum with its pendant red-purple bells in small bunches of 3-7 or more. Ear to ear grins! This is the same population as the CDHM 14604 collection two years later.

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.

We collected this in 1997 on the Tibetan Plateau near Zhongdian in an area of Tibetan open range. The early October withered, deciduous leaves and dried seed pods shrieked Iris! Eventual flowers confirmed the species, first described in 1995. Thin leaves and basal gorgeous flowers. Young plants.

From one of the richest botanical late afternoon spur-of-the-moments "let's see what this dirt road offers" we have ever had. From trees, to shrubs to perennials to monocots, we made very little progress up the road in the time available. This indispensable perennial Merry Bells was 2' tall with tempting blue fruit in light shade and part sun.  Upon flowering, this deviated from the typical purple-pink bells of cantoniense with greenish flowers whose midsection is infused with a pale chocolate. The species is wide-ranging and it would not be surprising to see color variation in the flowers. Certainly a rarity whether it is this species or proves to be something else entirely.

The bees have done some fine work in the garden, shuttling between a Roy Lancaster collection of the purple/white Epimedium x omeiense and our collection of the rare yellow Epimedium flavum, found only in a small area of the Erlang Shan in Sichuan.  These are unselected seedlings which all have garden merit and are deserving of a good garden trial but our ADPS (Attention Deficit Plant Syndrome) is getting in the way of doing that so we are jobbing it out to you.  Various colors and evergreen foliage.

We received this extraordinary selection from and equally extraordinary plantsman, David Mason of the vaunted former Hedgerows Nursery. Few members of the genus approach this for impact which is only heightened by flowering before other large-flowered forms. The emerging spring growth is enclosed in soft salmon sheaths and the hot damn lavender-pink flowers stand proud before the leaves develop. This is a cool climate genus.

A selected form from England notable for pale cream flowers which are lighter than typical for the species. We're just over the moon about Roscoeas and this uncommon selection is certainly in the top tier. All the allure of a hardy orchid without the expense. Trouble free pretty much.

One of those captivating Chinese species. This has a neat stoloniferous habit sending out runners and making new bulbs so you soon have a grove of Lilies. Flowers white with dark spots with recurved petals in the classic "Turk's Cap" style. We love it.

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 very good evergreen fern native to Taiwan, China and Japan which we imported from a specialist in the UK. Tidy and attractive species reaching 30" wide with fronds to 20" tall, this requires shade to part shade. And brace yourself - it is tolerant of dry shade! Happier of course with some water, Spore-grown by us.

A superb smaller evergreen Solomon Seal from China which we have grown for many years and have come to regard as an indispensable part of the collection - one of the first plants we would grab when the greenhouse catches on fire, perish the thought! Milder gardens, glossy leaves, clustered white flowers and bright red fruit. Often an epiphyte.

Steve Hootman, Curator and Director of the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, often pats himself on the back for collecting this exceptional species in China and each spring as our plants flower, we murmur attaboys and give him virtual high fives while virtually raising our glass in salute. Loves some shade, great foliage and spring pink flowers. Steve has bagged a host of amazing Rhodos on his collecting trips and this Peony is just as exceptional. Narrow leaflets with a distinct sheen provide backing for the fat dark pink flower buds which often emerge in the early to mid spring before the leaves. This gives an extended period of tantalization before the impressive pink flowers open. An added bonus are the lovely shiny black seeds arrayed in the starfish-shaped seed pods. All in all, a very choice introduction. Huzzah, Hootman and well done Laddie! Just cover the 'noses' an inch or two as too deep is worse than too shallow when planting peonies. This species is best in light shade although part sun such as morning sun is perfectly ok. These are seedlings that are a couple years from blooming size.

Safe to say this is rare. From the higher elevations in Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet comes this collector's primrose. This has proven very easy in our shade garden where the rounded sort of palmate leaves form a very dense canopy over the short creeping rhizomes. Purple rose flowers are just what we wanted to see.

A recent collection of this Zingiberaceae which we have not yet identified. A graceful species with relatively narrow leaves and very pleasing melon colored flowers. This is from fairly low elevation and growing both as a terrestrial and as an epiphyte. In zone 8 gardens, we would mulch well to keep frost from reaching the rhizomes. Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy Collection

An evergreen Chinese species notable for the large evergreen leaves on long stems and for the numerous yellow flowers with their curved spurs which are held above the leaves. This will steadily increase in size bringing even more oomph to the garden. Coldest portions of its zonal range might see this be deciduous.

This compact gem with large, lovely pure white flowers is one of our most favorite plants and we have A LOT of plants. Unlike the solitary and territorial avian Snowy Owls, these flowers bloom in clusters, showing off en masse while happily mingling in the garden. Named by Nigel Rowland of Long Acre Plants, who is someone we have not met but know has exquisite taste.

A very low growing species which we received under the name jinfushanensis but have since had identified as undulata. We saw the true jinfushanensis on Mt Jinfo fall of 2010 and it bears no resemblance to this which is better! Slowly spreading evergreen stems and speckled whitish bells.

Vigorous plants and our hybrids with mainly delavayi as the parent showing more vigor and variation in shape and color than what we associate with known delavayi of wild origin. Whatever the parentage, (I sometimes wonder about my own) these are arresting shade plants for rich moist soil. Red flowers are amazing surprises under the leaves. Persistence of patterned markings are variable and expect fading to varying degrees as the leaves mature. These are all unique individuals which we would be happy to have in our garden. We have offered these earlier as presumptive hybrids and we presume no longer. We will jump on the Dysosma instead of Podophyllum wagon soon.

Amazing find by Darrell Probst in China who found this one plant growing under shrubs where it had a 4' flowering stem which he estimated had up to 1500 flowers! This is unique in the genus in having indeterminate flowering - it just keeps going for months! Spidery yellow flowers keeps bringing it on sprawling stems.

One of our favorite Roscoeas (we admittedly love the one we are with at the moment when it comes to these) which distinguishes itself by a haughty erectness (only achieved at a great cost at expensive finishing schools) in apparent conflict with the "Do Me Now!" exotic yellow flowers.