Back in 2013, we introduced what we thought would be a great seller for folks with a shade garden…another fall-flowering hardy gesneriad, Hemiboea flaccida. Sales were a resounding thud! So, we’re curious why, when it attracts the attention of seemingly every garden visitor during the fall season. The foliage feels like crush velvet, it’s easy
We just couldn’t resist sharing this fall photo of the seedheads of Amorphophallus henryi in the garden…what a fascinating fall feature!
We have long been enamored with all plants in the aralia family, in particular those which are winter hardy in our climate. We’re trying to collect as many forms of Fatsia japonica as possible, and here are a few from the garden this fall. None of these are available yet, but propagation will be starting
We have long loved the amazing selaginellas, but in the fall and winter, the evergreen native Selaginella apoda looks absolutely fabulous. Here it is in the garden, 1st image is in November, 2nd image February, carpeting the ground with a touch-worthy texture. It’s only been known since 1753…surely you’ve managed to grow one by now!
Falling for selaginella Read More »
Here’s a fun combination in the winter garden where we interplanted a clump of the North American native Agave lophantha with a gold-leaf form of the Japanese native Selaginella tamariscina. Both the textural and color combinations are quite eyecathing. The lesson…create vignettes throughout the garden and don’t be afraid to experiment!
Guardians of the pet Read More »
While the focus of PDN is perennial plants, we have a strong woody plant focus in our surrounding botanic garden. A plant that’s really impressed us is a very dwarf form of our native yaupon holly, Ilex vomitoria ‘Oscar’, that was shared by Mobile, Alabama plantsman Marteen VanderGiessen. This is a photo of our 9
Native green meatballs Read More »
We now have so many aspidistra (cast iron plants), that there is at least one species flowering virtually every month of the year. Winter still has the most flowering species, and here are a few that are currently blooming in our collection. Most folks don’t see the flowers because they either don’t know to look
Cast iron makes a return Read More »
When we had our new home built, the design resulted in several potential planting areas under a wide overhang that never sees any moisture…unless something akin to a hurricane blows in. The idea was to keep water/irrigation and mulch away from the wood siding. Cyclamen seemed like a good choice for this difficult spot, so
Cyclamen experiment Read More »
I was just walking through our woodland garden and stopped to snap this photo of one of my favorite perennials, Acorus gramineus ‘Minnimus Aureus’. No matter how many new plants hit the market, this will always be a favorite and a plant I wouldn’t garden without. The evergreen chartreuse gold foliage remains bright all winter
Adore us some acorus Read More »
You are all probably aware of our upcoming merger with NC State University, but what you may not know about yet is the Plant Breeding Consortium. NC State has long had a number of world class plant breeding programs including 25 that are currently active, from sweet potatoes to blueberries, to ornamental plants. All of
Director of Plant Breeding needed @ NC State Read More »
