New & Restocked

In the interest of full disclosure, we received this as Rhodohypoxis rubella from a reputable Dutch specialty bulb grower years back and we are having our doubts as to its veracity. Images of R. rubella in the wild suggest it is lighter pink, but then plants can have tremendous variability in the wild or none at all depending on the species. This has smaller flowers than typical R. baurii or its hybrids and smothers itself in rich deep dark pink flowers. Rhodohypoxis grow in South Africa at higher elevations on granitic cliffs where they inhabit little soil-filled pockets. They like good drainage and moisture while in growth and need the good drainage in winter to keep from rotting. Traditionally a classic bulb for small containers or pans as they they quickly fill out a pot and put on quite the display and then when they are going dormant it is easy to bring them into the garage or cool greenhouse over the winter. Here in the PNW, these are excellent rock garden subjects requiring only a bit of covering if winter temps plummet.

One of the Asian hornbeams longest in cultivation, as well as one of the most graceful, yet still sadly rare particularly here in the US. Most introductions trace back to the Himalayas and China, whereas this is possibly the first from Vietnam collected and shared with us by Aaron Floden. Gently drooping branches and pendulous catkins give a soft weeping effect (particularly good in this clone) without the messiness of a true weeper. A beauty and with good hardiness for its origins surviving -6 F in Aaron's home garden.

A fascinating oddity of an Anemone that came to us from Ernie and Marietta O'Byrne of Oregon plant royalty. The flowers on this form are variably expressed on a spectrum from a white flower with a skirt of miniaturized leaves to a flower with petals completely transformed as if by fairy dust into an elegantly layered foliar kaleidoscope, with only a hint of white in the center suggesting its proper form. Combining the best of 'Bracteata' and 'Virescens' into a single plant each new bloom is a fun surprise and entirely new floral architectural marvel.

A well toothed and lilac-flowered cultivar of this primula that has coped well with less-than-perfect conditions and is considered easily open-grown or placed in a rock/alpine garden. Keep from too much wet to fully enjoy the farinose dusting of the foliage. These were said to originate from the trenches of the Napoleonic wars, echoing a time-honored symbology of regrowth after war-time.

We collected this on the lower slopes of Mt Japfu in Nagaland where it was creeping on the shady forest floor with white veined leaves. 4-merous small white flowers and fruit a reddish orange pea. Plantsman extraordinaire Jens Nielsen pointed us in the right direction on the ID after much anguished and fruitless hunting that led us to offer this previously (and infamously) as "no idea yet".  Zone 9 vine.

We're Veratruphiles, no doubt about that and this was a prized acquisition. A Japanese native which is a smaller counterpart to our own native Veratrums or False Hellebores. This is smaller getting to just 3' tall in flower with the flowering stalk draped in white and green flowers tripling the foliage height, claiming it's rightful place only when at its peak and otherwise demurely playing the role of high quality foliage texture.

One of the true stars of our new crevice garden this Turkish native may not be what you expect of a Veronica but certainly is what you expect of a first-rate garden plant. Slowly forms a glossy evergreen mat of tiny cut leaves that conjure up thoughts of ultra-skilled clockmakers or artists who craft on grains of rice. This alone makes it a worthwhile do-er but the all-encompassing eruption of botanical-blue star shaped flowers is the real charmer. These arrive beginning in Spring and are still chugging along, if not at full force, in October at the time of this writing. 

One of the best of the new high-quality barrenwort hybrids that have been taking the market by storm as of late. It's no secret why these are being produced so broadly, deer resistant semi-evergreen that can take dry shade and cold temps is not a common set of attributes. Add to that the golden orange flowers profusely produced in this cultivar and you have a plant intro with some serious staying power.

Originally collected as Thymus drucei amidst the limestone barrens of County Clare, Ireland by Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy board member Cody Hinchliff. A hotspot of botanical diversity where unique climate and geology combine to create a pocket of delightful rarities often found in higher elevations. These are limited to far Western Europe more generally and have the usual fragrant rounded leaves of Thyme on creeping red stems. The flowers set them apart however being a good bit larger than the foliage and appearing in such quantities as to almost entirely obscure the latter. Forms a small mat or clambering clump.