In 2018, we offered the variegated rose of sharon, Hibiscus syriacus ‘Carpa’. Although it sold well, we never managed to offer it again. In the meantime, the plants in our garden have made truly outstanding specimens to 8′ tall x 4′ wide. What we like the most is that it has produced zero seedlings. Many
Carpa Diem – Seize the Hibiscus Read More »
Last week, we enjoyed our first flower on our four year old patch of Xerophyta viscosa, growing in our crevice garden. As the Latin root indicates, Xerophyta is the poster child for xerophytes (plants adapted to arid climates). Xerophyta is a genus of 45 species in the Velloziaceae family, native primarily to Africa, with one
What’s in a name – Xerophyta Read More »
Our acanthus in the garden are looking absolutely superb now. This clump of Acanthus ‘Morning Candle’ was particularly photo worthy with its 4′ tall flower spikes and shiny, lobed basal foliage. We find that very open light shade to a few hours of morning sun produces the best floral shows. Acanthus require little in the
Morning Candles that last for Days Read More »
While many of us grow hardy orchids, there aren’t many that grow so well you can share plants with your garden friends. Bletillas aren’t just one of the easiest orchids to grow, they’re also one of the most vigorous. Below are our field production beds now, before plants are dug and potted. Many sites still
Bletilla – The Friendship Orchid Read More »
Below are a few of our favorite ornamental onions for the early spring season…all flowering now. There’s something about alliums in the garden that elicit smiles when they are in flower, compared to tears when we chop up their kin. Most early spring alliums are more bulbous, while many of the later, summer-flowering alliums grow
Funions in Spring Read More »
We just love the Japanese Gymnaster savatieri ‘Edo Murasaki’, and they have truly been exceptional this spring. As constantly happens, recent taxonomic work has kicked this out of the gym…or more accurately, kicked the gym out of the aster. After years of being a Gymnaster, new DNA tests move it back into the genus, Aster.
Well, Kiss my Gymnaster Read More »
Here’s a fun spring color echo in the garden, where Yucca smalliana ‘Bright Edge’ is using Agave ‘Cordial Canary’ as a complimentary skirt and groundcover.
Spring Color Echo Read More »
The earliest of the pasque flowers of the genus, Pulsatilla have begun to flower in the crevice/rock garden. The common name “pasque” is a reference to the flowering period, which typically coincides with Passover/Easter. The genus is native to Europe, Asia, and North America, where they reside primarily in the colder, drier regions of each.
Pass the Pasque Flower Read More »
The lovely Mediterranean bulb, Anemone pavonina is flowering in the crevice garden this week. Native to very rocky, dry soils from The Balkans to Turkey, and naturalized in France and Italy, Anemone pavonina flowers near the end of winter, providing a welcome jolt of color after the worst of winter has passed. From seed, flower
Peacock Windflower Read More »
Colchicum autumnale ‘The Giant’ is in full flower in our alpine rock garden this week. This widespread Central European species bursts out of the ground for us in mid-late October with a stunning show. The cultivar, ‘The Giant’ has abnormally Y-U-G-E flowers. Hardiness Zone 5a-8b.
Land of the Giants Read More »
