In only its third winter in the garden, Camellia vietnamensis has already surpassed our expectations. The large, single white flowers that start for us in early winter, combined with the beautiful foliage has been exceptional in our trials. So far, our plants have sailed through 14 degrees F. There seems to be quite a bit
From Vietnam, with Love Read More »
We recently included a photo of this amazing cast iron plant in a garden vignette, but thought it was also deserving of a full frontal centerfold. Aspidistra sichuanensis ‘Spotty’ is one of 16 named cultivars we grow, of this wonderful species from Sichuan, China. This exceptional clone was selected by our friend, Sean Hogan of
Looking quite lovely in the garden, now is Camellia japonica ‘Nuccio’s Bella Rossa Crinkled’. This stunning camellia is slow growing, has golden edged foliage, and large, fully double, rose-red flowers.
Here’s another picture that shows contrasting forms and textures in the garden. In the center is a Cryptomeria japonica Gracilis’, backed by a clump of cast iron plant, Aspidistra sichuanensis ‘Spotty’. Rounding out the combination in the front is Alstroemeria psittacina ‘Variegata’
We are entering peak flowering season for Aspidistra (cast iron plants), a time we always enjoy because of the fascinating leaf and flower diversity in the genus. One of several species flowering this week is the rare, South Central Vietnam native, Aspidistra quangngaiensis, a species only discovered and described in 2017. Sadly, it’s small population
Can I Buy a Vowel? Read More »
One of our favorite textural plants in the woodland garden is the amazing Alpinia japonica ‘Green Waves’. This ginger rarely flowers here, unless we have a particularly mild winter, but who cares when you have great foliage like this. The ruffled foliage of this form, from the late specialty nurseryman, Don Jacobs garden, is not
Riding the Green Waves Read More »
Twenty five years ago, my late wife Michelle and I, headed to Bermuda for a botanizing excursion….I mean, vacation. One of the collections I returned home with (legally declared) was a few seed of their native palm, Sabal bermudiana. I didn’t really have high hopes that it would be winter hardy here, but wanted to
Bermuda…with Palms in Mind Read More »
One of the dazzling conifers at JLBG that always leaves visitors guessing and admiring is the monotypic genus, Taiwaniana cryptomeroides. While there are many specific epithet names that commemorate countries, this Taiwan endemic is one of the only plant genera named after a country. Taiwaniana ‘Independence’ is a superb, glaucous leaf clone that hails from
Taiwania, from, wait…you guessed it, Taiwan Read More »
Our clump of the ancient Mexican cycad, Ceratozamia kuesteriana is now flowering, and looking for love. Well, flowering isn’t exactly the most accurate term, since when this species evolved some 16 million years ago, flowering hadn’t yet been invented. Back in the day, most plants still formed cones…think wind pollinated conifers. To ensure cross pollination,
PlantMatch.com Really old lady, but still looking for Love Read More »
I’ve spent the last 60+ years tromping through woodlands across the Eastern US, from Maine to Florida, and west to Texas, and have looked at more Christmas ferns (Polystichum acrostichoides) than you can imagine. Being a diversity freak, I am always looking for odd forms, which are surprisingly rare for this species. I could count
All I want for Christmas is a new Christmas Fern Read More »
