Looking good in late-winter is the rare, Japanese holly selection, Ilex crenata ‘Kufujin’. This superb, rock-garden-sized specimen, grows slowly, to only 1′ tall x 2′ wide in a decade. This gem hails from Japan’s Ishiguro Nursery, first brought to the US, by retired Hawksridge Nursery manager, Rick Crowder. Hardiness is Zone 5a-9a.
Nice and Bright in the Rock Garden Read More »
Through the years, we have grown 21 of the 35 North American native species of bear grass species. Nolinas currently reside in the Asparagaceae family, with the likes of Agave, Dasylrion, Yucca, and of course, Asparagus. One Nolilna species we didn’t expect to be winter hardy is the Sonoran bear grass, Nolina matapensis. This very
Cozying up to a Sonoran Bear Grass Read More »
One of the finest variegated hollies to ever hit the market is the amazing Ilex ‘Solar Flare’. This sport of Ilex ‘Oakland’ was discovered and introduced by the former Unique Plant Nursery and Garden in North Carolina. Sadly, this plant is rarely seen in commerce, due to its slower than normal growth rate, as desired
The Splendor of a Solar Flare Read More »
It’s odd that one of the most talked about gardenias in our garden is one that never flowers, but such is the case for Gardenia jasminoides ‘Screech Owl’. This previously un-named gem was passed around by plant collectors for years, before we put on our hound dog gear and traced it’s origin back to Texas
Screaming Gardenia Read More »
While we love our giant century plants for their garden value, we also treasure their smaller forms for container culture. Below are a few of our favorites, for those who may not have any garden space. As a general rule, most variegated forms are less winter hardy than their non-variegated counterparts, so unless you live
Containing A Century of Excitement Read More »
I’ve been enchanted with the New Zealand native fern, Paesia scaberula, since obtaining my first specimen from Washington fern guru, Judith Jones in 2011. We didn’t expect any plant from the cool summer climate of New Zealand to have a chance of surviving here, but after fourteen years, it actually thrives. We almost failed on
It’s hard to pass our picture perfect clump of Agave nickelsiae without stopping to take a photo. Agave nickelsiae, formerly known as Agave ferdinandi-regis, is a North American native century plant, found in dry, rocky hills in Mexican state of Coahuila. It was named to honor 19th century plant collector, Anna Nickels of Texas, who
Worth more than a Nickel Read More »
In 2024, I happened to check out one of the plant auction sites, and was shocked to see a listing for an edged form of Agave utahensis ssp. utahensis var. nevadensis. I had only seen one listed twice before, and each time, the price for a tiny, unrooted division topped $10,000 USD. Both times, the
Gambling with Liberty and Death Read More »
One of our more interesting new century plants is Agave ovatifolia ‘Glowing Angel’. This exceptional plant originated here, as a sport from Agave ‘Awakening Angel’, but without the blue edge. In winter, the foliage turns blue, but in early spring, the plant glows, with the intensity of the color radiating out from the center, which
In flower in mid-July is the rare, woodland crinum lily, Crinum moorei ‘Moore Stripes’. This is the only striped leaf crinum lily that we’ve found to be stable. Our only regret is that it doesn’t offset faster.
This Crinum earns its Stripes Read More »
