I had read countless expert accounts, both on-line and in print, that Ferocactus wislizeni wouldn’t grow outdoors in our cold wet winter NC climate. Indeed, I had failed with plants from commercial sources, so in 2005, I went hiking into the Arizona mountains (Pima County), where I found seed on a plant at 3700′ elevation.
Ferocactus wislizeni – genetics matter Read More »
Here are our top two performing agapanthus in full flower now…top is Agapanthus ‘Stevies’ Wonder‘ and the bottom is Agapanthus ‘Ellamae’. We’ve trialed lots of agapanthus, and these are absolutely the best we’ve grown, both with 3′ tall flower stalks that have been flowering for several weeks and are still growing strong.
Agapanthus – blue flowers for the summer garden Read More »
Here’s our Vietnamese selection of the elephant ear cousin, Remusatia vivipara. I found this form with dark black leaf back patterns while sliding down a moist hillside in North Vietnam during monsoon season. Not only has it survived our very cold winters, but it looks really cool when planted where it can be backlit by
Remusatia vivipara elephant ear Read More »
Allium ‘Millenium’ is looking great now in our full sun rock garden. As I travel around the country, it’s great to see this ornamental onion finally getting planted more. Unlike many of the larger alliums that go summer dormant, this one doesn’t really start flowering until mid-July and continues until fall…a favorite of yellow swallowtail
Allium ‘Millenium’ Read More »
We’re currently busy evaluating and naming lycoris hybrids for possible introduction. Here’s a cross of Lycoris incarnata and Lycoris longituba that we’ve named Lycoris ‘Stargazer’ for possible introduction in 2015. The question is…do you like it and would you purchase it? Height is about 2′ tall and winter hardiness should be Zone 4-5.
Lycoris ‘Stargazer’ Read More »
I recently snapped this image of the amazing Athyrium ‘Victoriae’ while touring gardens in Cincinnati, where it grows even better than it does here in steamy NC. The three dimensional fronds are amazing…like no other plant we’ve grown…seriously cool!
Victoria Lady Fern Read More »
This Saturday we host the Summer meeting of the Southeast Palm Society…open to members and guests. That prompted me to take time and inventory which cycads (sago palms) survived this winter for us in the ground without any protection/mulching. Virtually all lost their foliage, but the following list of plants survived our minimum winter
Winter Hardy Cycads Read More »
If you notice the smell of freshly printed catalogs in the air, you’re right. The 2014 Fall Plant Delights Nursery catalog is now complete and on its way to garden mailboxes, arriving around mid-August. In the meantime, our new plants are now online for sale along with the digital version of the new catalog. If you want
Hot Off the Press… Read More »
I’m just back from spending most of last week in Cincinnati at the annual Perennial Plant Association meeting along with 400+ of my closest plant friends. One of the highlights of the design tour was visiting PDN customer Beth Karp’s amazing garden! We also practiced our clairvoyant skills, predicting how long before this shiny car
Perennial Plant Association Meeting Read More »
Anita and I celebrated the first anniversary of our life together this weekend in the garden where we were married. Whatever mysterious forces brought us together still amazes me. Over the last year, I;ve learned so much and my life has positively changed in ways I never thought possible. I am one very lucky man
One Year and Counting Read More »
