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Let's be honest if you're growing Podophyllums for the flowers you're probably a misses the forest for the trees type, and don't be fooled the huge multi-pointed star leaves of these are still just as flashy as ever. That being said, we here at Far Reaches tend to be of the more is more, por que no los dos persuasion and the large paler-than-usual flowers of this selection are quite the added bonus. Thanks to Jacques Thompson for sharing this beauty with us!

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.

There is some debate over the hybridity of this cultivar (or cultivar group potentially) and we are pulled in differing directions by the prevalence of hybrid suspicions normally winning out and the relative rarity of true hybridization in most ferns. Regardless of whether it is a mutt or a purebred it is a fine variation on an already classic theme. Finely cut fronds with such regularity in shape that one could easily be forgiven for assuming it to be an unfamiliar species. Cultivar ferns can be a bit marmite but I think even the purists would find this acceptable if not outright agreeable. (It is entirely possible if not likely that the correct name for this plant is 'Cornubiense Foliosum', see Martin Rickard's book on Polypodium for a full idea of the complexities)

Our collection from Asia of what is likely the first introduction of this exceptional form of this equally exceptionally rare variety. Attractive leaves that are terminally cleft into bilateral lobes. The 12" long hanging panicles of white flowers are the finest in the genus, holding their own among the best of flowering trees. So much better than the straight species. Seed-grown younguns from the original plants. Who's your plant daddy!!!!! Photo credit to Steve Hootman. Proceeds from this offering go to support the mission of Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy.

Our collection from Asia of this foremost member of one of the supreme evergreen fern genera. A great introduction to epiphytic fern growing this glossy fronted, and felt-backed tongue fern trails on thin rhizomes to cover rocks and stumps, though its equally happy in a pot. This formed an impressive colony on the bluff overlaying a partly shaded large rock slab where it would endure periods of dry. Vigorous! Good drainage is important.

When Paradise is in the name there's a lot to live up to and while I don't know that this is the harbinger of Morian utopia, it certainly isn't The Inferno. Rosettes of narrow strappy leaves and 3 feet tall spikes of white flowers. Will seed around but the architecture is relatively airy so it can play nice with others if not weeded out, or would make a great meadow component. Pretty easy and deer resistant.

Unlike its namesake this Primula hybrid hails from the Emerald isles. What it does have in common with the queen of myth is that alluring combination of darkness and light that makes for characters that live on through the ages and plants of timeless garden quality. The soft pink flowers echo chivalric beauty and the darkly sultry foliage speaks of adulterous romance, in this case cuckolding our usual monogamy with species Primulas. These plants come from our established clump in our wet and partly sunny bog garden.