China

We received this extraordinary selection from an 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 rare introduction of this small alpine Allium that is scarcely represented in cultivation. Small flattened leaves arch close to the ground and the short-stemmed blue flowers are quite pleasing. The leaves distinguish it from the similar but with rounded leaves, Allium cyaneum, with which it shares habitat. Happy in sun, but for the best quality foliage a bit of shade is welcome.

This naturally occuring hybrid Deparia comes to us via plantsman Lance Reiners. Forms a clump of glossy dark green single fronds, each of which is marked by an extremely crenate margin, think scrapbooking scissors. The overall effect is rather eel-like and somewhere between a small blechnum and a tongue fern. Very unusual and quite attractive, wants a wet but well drained spot. Should be hardy down to Zone 7 given its parentage but will possibly go slightly lower.

This species is best known from the clone ‘Chocolate Stars’ which has been around for years and noted for its brownish foliage.  This is not that but does have leaves in shades of copper when first emerging that later morphs into various green realms as the season progresses.  Likewise, the flowers for us start out white in the early part of spring and later are softly lavender.  These are rare second-generation plants from our own wild collection for those plant collectors (Me! Me!) who appreciate seeing alternative expressions of a species.  Fast-growing in moist light shade with white to lavender tubular flowers followed by narrow reddish seed capsules.  This will self-sow so we just pull off the seed-bearing stems leaving the fresh new foliage to fill out the plant.  We leave a stem or two just so we can have a few seedlings to pot up.  Any unwanted seedlings are weakly rooted and a literal snap to remove.

This wild-collected Sichuanese Polygonatum has the province's signature added spice in comparison to the usual Polygonatum prattii. These grow to only about half the size (3-4") and have attractive red-purple stems, and new leaves suffused in the same peppercorn hue. No chewing required to experience delightful tingling, in fact please don't. Quite hardy, and happy in a shady spot with decent moisture, small pink vanilla-scented flowers.