Mexico

A collection from the hills above Oaxaca by plantsman Chen Hao. A smaller upright shrubby species with very fine textured thin leaves and spires of small tubular pink flowers custom made for hummingbirds and other nectar feeders with enviably long tongues. This is evocative of P. kunthii except for the flower color which is paler. Something to key out this summer with chips, guac and several cold Negro Modelo.

As perennials go, this Mexican Pea Tribe member is staggeringly impressive. From a woody base, there appears in spring stout stems reaching 8 feet.. On a mature plant, these stems are numerous and it becomes a dominant seasonal shrub. Pinnate leaves with 4 leaflets, large discoidal purple-veined stipules and big yellow flowers in fall. If we were completely honest with ourselves, it is a safe bet that we all love large discoidal purple-veined stipules but we might not mention that to our parents at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

One of those perennial Lobelia that shouldn't be as hardy as it is but mountainous areas of southern Arizona and northern Mexico have plants with surprising hardiness. A graceful clump of thin willowy leaves on stems 15"-24" tall with a profusion of midsummer tubular red flowers with a bright yellow throat. Deciduous in winter, ours handles our brief drops to 10F with mulch. Good drainage aids in winter survival.