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Superb form collected in NE Yunnan at 1900 metes by perhaps the preeminent modern plant hunter, Jens Nilsen. The list of 'firsts' in Jens' history of collections is astounding. This collection is not a first but is notable for being an exceptional form. Larger in all parts than previous introductions with gold flowers in midsummer.

This was one of those "Holy shit - lookit that fern!" moments when we first spotted this species growing in a moist stable and vegetated scree at the base of a soaring vertical cliff face fronting this mountainous outcrop of improbable pinnacles in Guizhou, China, The fern was perfect in scale and not intimidated in the slightest with 5'-6' wide leaves on a clumping plant 6'-8' tall. We were dismayed not to collect spore but happy to get a small plant of this species from fernologist Sue Olsen a few years back. This grows to be a pretty hefty clump but does not run. Hardy to zone 8 and mulch crown if it gets serious in winter.

Awesome rare lily known only from NE India where Frank Kingdon-Ward first collected it in either Manipur or Nagaland and named it after his wife whose maiden name was Macklin. Pale pink flowers in late spring and early summer are a lovely thing indeed on this smaller collector's lily. Frank's wife must have been an exquisite creature.

We received this extraordinary selection from and equally extraordinary plantsman, David Mason of the vaunted former Hedgerows Nursery. Few members of the genus approach this for impact which is only heightened by flowering before other large-flowered forms. The emerging spring growth is enclosed in soft salmon sheaths and the hot damn lavender-pink flowers stand proud before the leaves develop. This is a cool climate genus.

This is the rarest US Magnolia species occurring in just 6 counties in the Florida panhandle. Fantastic species with huge leaves up to 2' or more long and nearly a foot across. On plants young as 3-4 years old, white scented flowers to 10" wide appear in May avoiding frost damage . Dramatic large shrub to small tree. Best protected from too much wind and protected in zone 6 winters until well established. Ours are seed-grown from private property in Walton County.

We remain a bit confused on this one and maybe we can blame it on overwork but mostly there is still no universal consensus on taxonomy in the genus. We originally offered this as P. versipelle subsp. boreale and then Aaron Floden told us that Julian Shaw's recent work had reclassified this into P. mairiei, so we dutifully changed the name. Eventually Darrell Probst saw this and wondered what we were doing, as he collected the original seed from the type locality for versipelle subsp. boreale. These botanical dust-ups, while fun to observe, can be frustrating in getting a broadly accepted name so we're going back with our buddy Darrell on the name.

These are from a superb collection by Darrell Probst from China, which is notable for having over 20 small maroon-mahogany flowers clustered just under the leaf blade. If you have a choice, more flowers makes it easy! This is a striking addition to the shade garden and a moist rich soil will make this very happy, which has a direct positive influence on you. We're pretty sure you won't find this too many other places. We always liked it but now we like it even more!

To find fault with this bit of botanical jewelry would be to put on display character defects so profound that your friends would desert you in droves while making plans for your involuntary institutional incarceration. Perfect marbled leaves subtend appleblossom pink-white flowers of larger size than typical. Shade garden pizzazz.

This is a heralded Japanese Jack in the Pulpit whose species name sikokianum I believe translates into English as 'divine whup-ass' because this truly and gloriously kicks some tail in the garden. A mysterious yet provocative regal beauty. A classic for the shade garden.

From Wendy Perry of Bosvigo Plants in S. England comes this unfortunately scarce and choice Campanula. Gently and very controllably spreading to make an impressive clump with spires of pure white flowers. Pairs impeccably with Hosta 'Patriot'.

A refined shade plant that would grace any plant connoisseur's garden yet is perfectly happy to hang with us average Joes. Leaves evoking Anemone and pendant flowers combining pastels and lavenders in an understated parasol of exquisite design and dimension. A plant that is not on the radar of a lot of gardeners so let's keep it to ourselves. It has been pleasingly tough and durable in our shade garden.

Eye-catching species from China with palmate leaves spritzed with white on top and a bright maroon underneath. The pink flowers are just another layer of adornment which always come as a bit of a surprise to us as we are always completely satisfied with the leaves alone. Another surprise is the hardiness which is zone 8. If winter is going to push the lower limits of that zone for any length of time, be a bud and take care of your homie with a little mulch. This is slow to go in the spring, waiting until June but it catches right up.

This is the Type A of the Soldanella clan which is related to Primroses. It spreads faster, has more flowers, is more vigorous and has more hair on it's petioles - what a show-off! But hey - great rounded evergreen foliage and the light purple fringed fringed flowers would not be out of place in Fairyland. Our friend June Sinclair has this growing in the moss and forest duff atop old second growth stumps and logs in her fabulous woodland garden on Hood Canal. We come home from visiting her with a bad case of stump envy.

We originally received this as seed from a serious collector and grower in Scotland. While we much prefer to grow plants from documented wild provenance, this is sometimes nearly impossible to do and this is such a case. Nomocharis, like so many other genera, is enjoying some taxonomic dynamics with new species being introduced from the wild as well as species being added from the genus Lilium. The genus steadfastly remains one of the most coveted in the Liliaceae in our opinion and the thrill of seeing these in flower each year is felt as keenly as if it was the first time. We've had good reports from customers with Nomocharis in zone 5.

A newer hybrid (Daphne cf. sureil x D. bholua 'Peter Smithers') from breeder nonpareil Robin White, this is perhaps the first introduction to the US. A vigorous selection that is expected to reach 9' tall and perhaps 6' across, this has pink-backed white flowers from January to April that are intensely fragrant - we cannot wait for ours to reach full maturity and the ensuing olfactory slam-dance nostrilizing overload exploding our heads. It is close enough as a teenager! Has been unfazed in our shade garden by three successive winters with 10F that has killed stalwarts and battered Daphne bholua. Evergreen to semi-evergreen and on own roots - not grafted.

A robust selection of this good garden species. Large white flowers with a prominent broad and full upside down horseshoe of green on the inners. The bold gray-green leaves of the species and this is a good increaser on its own without you having to learn how to do bulb chipping.

Awesome little plant with fresh winter foliage which gives way to 8"-12" tall dense stems with an improbable number of pure white double flowers. Goes summer dormant so don't panic although we still do. Cool plant native to the UK and Europe and favoring vernally wet areas.

Very hardy winter blooming shrub from Tasmania which Seattle's gardening guru Ciscoe Morris proclaims as his favorite plant of all time or at least until he talks about the next plant. We agree though - this plant totally rules. No problems whatsoever but little or no fertilizer as it dislikes phosphorous. Buff orange flowers in late winter into spring. This is a shorter and broader selection with larger flowers than typical. There is gorgeous 5' tall by 8' wide plant on F Street here in town which grows outside the fence above a rock wall and gets no water or attention plus get the full brunt of winter winds and looks fabulous all the time.

Lovely species in the group formerly placed in the genus Dentaria referring to their crinkled molar-like rhizomes. We do enjoy the the color of the purple-pink flowers in early spring but there is a quality of texture and sheen to the leaves that makes us consistently murmur 'I like that plant" whenever we pass by it.

Red Birds in a Tree. Sometimes we like common names and this is one of those time. New Mexico native where it grows in moist canyons. Small white-lipped red tubular flowers in clustered congeniality throughout the summer to the delight of the nectar feeders. Likes to lean on other plants.

Safe to say this is rare. From the higher elevations in Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet comes this collector's primrose. This has proven very easy in our shade garden where the rounded sort of palmate leaves form a very dense canopy over the short creeping rhizomes. Purple rose flowers are just what we wanted to see.