China

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.

A seldom-seen species of Sweet Pepperbush from our seed collection in the wild where it was leafless branches and a multiplicity of finger-like panicles bedecked with small seed capsules. This has proven itself in the garden here with a profusion of summer white flowers literally alive with pollinators. This species can become a tree but this collection is currently a large shrub.

These are cutting-grown from a plant Steve Hootman found growing in a garden in Philadelphia where it was defying conventional wisdom as to its hardiness. Being a savvy sort of fellow, he snagged a few cuttings thinking this might prove to be very useful. We think so too. While we haven't trialed this one out, our wild collection of a different form of the species is doing well. So many plants, so little space. If you're looking for a small-leafed evergreen creeper that will cling to rocks or a wall, then this might be just the ticket.

Our collection from the eastern extension of its range in Hubei, this wild provenance is a rare offering of this exceptional garden fern. It must be a given that this is in the Top Ten of Hardy Ferns as it offers incredible texture forming a small dense carpet. New growth is a beautiful peach color and, to our surprise, actually smells like peaches! Clip old fronds off close just before the new growth emerges or not, beautiful either way.