New & Restocked

This sweet little New Zealand groundcover is perhaps best known by its former name of Parahebe olsenii. Soft lavender flowers with a yellow eye rimmed in cerise feathering are held just above the small rounded evergreen leaves that have tones of green olive. Tidy is a word that comes to mind.

This is perhaps the first of the hybrids to be introduced between Corydalis flexuosa and Corydalis elata and remains one of the best. The derivation of the name 'Spinners' can be traced to this being a chance seedling in Kevin Hughes garden who then brought it to work which was the renowned Spinners Nursery in England. Researching this, we discovered the rather more interesting Urban Dictionary definition could also possibly apply given its dainty appearance and enthusiastic performance in the garden. Scented blue flowers aging to purplish from mid spring to early summer in moist shade to part sun down to zone 6. Hopefully plantsman par excellence Ed Bowen who shared this with us doesn't mind that we are doing what nurserymen do - propagate and sell! We had better check with him PDQ. (Until he gets back to us - it is open season on Corydalis!)

An introduction to the US by Asiatica Nursery from Japan, this stands out for the foliage which have broad centers of lime green in shade to yellowish in brighter light. Quite a good thing. We find this hard to distinguish from D. longistylum but are calling it bodinieri based on its shorter height and despite lacking a creeping rhizome. Evergreen in mild climates.

Climbing Monkshood. This seedling from our collection on the Chongqing-Guangxi-Guizhou expedition in 2010 sports gold to chartreuse new growth in an attractive pop of contrast that helps to tide you over while waiting for the light to mid-blue flowers on stems that can reach 10'-15'. This a widespread and variable species in China and one we find most appealing.

Given the Award of Garden Merit in the UK, this is truly a winner with icy blue, ferny foliage subtending the dangling white heart-shaped flowers. A superb form of our western native and deserving of a place in any garden. Can you tell we like it?

A plant of refinement to be sure. One that is appreciated and admired by the higher echelons of gardening. A collector's plant. Different ways of saying that this is not a flamboyant show-stopper but a tasteful blend of delicate texture and airy soft pink flowers that helps make it all work.

Our collection from Asia of this Solomon Seal where it grew at 5500' in a mixed old growth forest of broadleaf evergreen and deciduous trees along with massive Rhododendrons. This was handsome in fruit with black fruit hanging under the leaves on the 18" tall arching stems. Two to six small white flowers in the leaf axils.

A collection by Dr. Peter Zale of this recently described evergreen species. A gorgeous plant with attractive new shoots and handsome foliage on arching stems. Small yellowish flowers adorn the leaf axils and reddish fruit follows. We haven't trialed this outside because our winters make us chicken out nearly every time. Let's go frost-free for now and we'll find out more later. Epiphytic, so a crumbly potting mix.

This deciduous and broadly distributed Asian fern boasts alternately pinnate fronds up to nearly 2' long that gives it a certain je ne sais quoi while not straying too far from the archetypical fern appearance. Pair that with its ease, tolerance for deep shade, reliability and you get a surprisingly well-rounded do-er considering its uncommon availability on the market.

A purple flowering variety of this asian gesneriad. While the leaves are pretty typical of the family at maturity, the immature leaves are incredibly textured like the interior of corrugated cardboard, or pruned fingers from a overly luxurious bath. Bright purple tubular star shaped flowers somewhere between nicotiana and asarum held in small stalked clumps above the rosette.  Prefers a rocky wet but well drained spot akin to its native environment

Grown from seed collected in the Yoro Mts in Japan, this compensates for being shorter than its cousins by being hardier to Zone 6. Personally, I subscribe to the fishing theory that it is not the size of the worm you use but how you wiggle it. Rich moist soil and creamy trumpets in 2-3 years.

Helmeted Cobra Lily or Jack in the Pulpit. Young bulbs of this rare species from the Indian Himalayan foothills. Tall stems to 4'+ carry big 3-parted leaves and strongly cowled or helmeted flowers varying from green with white stripes to purplish. Choice plant and one to brag about. These are seed-grown from our plants in our shade garden which have persisted and done well for 7 years now.

An Allium of allure, an Onion objet d' art, indeed, a bulb most buxom. This are not epithets tossed around lightly as I for one, look askance upon horticultural banter. Broad sculptural leaves subtend a golf ball flower of pale lilac to silvery white. Exceptionally meritorious in rock gardens and containers and will take summer dry.