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A U.S. native Iris that can compete with the Asian big dogs of the Iris pack. This boggy little beaut hails from the Southeast and grows alongside pitcher plants in partially sunny seeps that must be quite spectacular to behold. 2 foot foliage goes dormant in the winter but the memory of the elegantly slender flowers will carry on.

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.

Very good plant in the upper echelon of perennials and highly valued for its mid summer blooms of thickly textured intriguing yellow flowers on the terminals of the stems. These get nice broad leaves on herbaceous stems that in shape are not unlike a Hydrangea. Imposing at maturity.

The single cousin of the more widely available double 'Eugen's Allerbester' both selections of Asiatic Gentian found and introduced by German plantsman Eugen Schleipfer and introduced to this country by Urs Baltensperger. Same stunning dark blue flowers which remain cheerily open during the late Summer season and into early fall.

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.

This tasteful perennial from Japan bides its time in the shade garden as the floral hoi polloi scrabble for attention during spring and summer. Once the fracas has died down, this takes center stage in September and October with its intricately constructed buds like little pieces of sculpture which open to fuzzy light lavender flowers.