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Amsonia (Blue Star)
This group of mostly native perennials is prized both because they make such good drought-tolerant plants and because they bear one of the few true blue flowers of any growable perennial. Not only are the species themselves superb, but many of the newer hybrids are going to become garden staples. |
Amsonia 'Blue Ice' (Blue Star)
Sun Zone: 4-9 15" tall Origin: USA Hybrid alternate image
This amazing selection of blue star was discovered in a seedling block of A. tabernaemontana at Connecticut's Sunny Border Nursery by Robert Hermann, then of White Flower Farm in Connecticut. (We suspect it is actually a hybrid with A. montana, but a paternity test is still pending.) Regardless of its origin, the 2' wide mound of narrow, dark green foliage is topped in early spring with large clusters of very dark, lavender-blue flowers...much more vivid than other blue stars. For us this has been an amazingly vigorous plant, lending credence to a hybrid origin. This is a superb introduction for the spring garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04225
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Amsonia hubrichtii (Narrow Leaf Blue Star)
SunZone: 5-9 36" tall Origin: USA alternate image
Discovered in 1942 in Arkansas by Leslie Hubricht (and named in his honor), this blue star sports the narrowest, laciest, most threadlike foliage of any upright amsonia species. Introduced into cultivation by Woodlanders Nursery, this fine southern native is truly the best of the blue stars. The sky blue flowers emerge atop the foliage when it breaks the ground in April and continue into May. In the fall, the deciduous golden foliage is stunning! A. hubrichtii makes a clump to 3' tall x 3' wide. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00759
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Amsonia illustris (Shining Blue Star)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9, possibly colder 36" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This US native can be found along streambanks from Missouri south to Texas. The 3' tall stems clothed with glossy green leaves resemble A. tabernaemontana except for the glossy leaves. In early spring, the clumps are topped with terminal clusters of light sky-blue flowers...a very tough and long-lived perennial. These seed grown plants are from a population in St. Louis County, Missouri. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07812
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Amsonia ludoviciana (Louisiana Blue Star)
Sun to Part SunZone: 6-9, at least 42" tall Origin: USA alternate image
Open House/Web-Only!
This rare wetland species of blue star is native from South Carolina to Louisiana but is hardy north to Zone 5. The 3.5' tall stems compose a 3' wide clump and are adorned with short leaves (hairy grey-green beneath in spring). In May (NC), the clumps are topped with attractive clusters of sky-blue flowers. This is an easy species to grow and will tolerate extreme drought despite its wetland upbringing. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05920
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Amsonia montana 'Short Stack' (Dwarf Blue Star)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9, at least 10" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
We love blue stars, and we are particularly excited to introduce one that is smaller and better-suited to spatially challenged gardeners...even suitable to most rock gardens. We selected this cutie from a batch of seedlings we grew in the late '80s. Of all the seedlings, this one was the shortest and had the best form. The plant was selected and planted in our display beds, where its dwarf, 10" tall x 18" wide, perfectly rounded form has been superb. The clean, dark green foliage contrasts nicely with the medium sky-blue flowers that top the plant in early spring...a real winner! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04653
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Anemonella
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Anemonella thalictroides 'Betty Blake' (Betty Blake Rue Anemone)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 6" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This cute selection of the US native Anemonella thalictroides makes a small rock garden specimen to 6" tall x 6" wide. Starting for us in early April, the button-sized double lime-green flowers appear atop the foliage. Although anemonellas are easy to grow, they are quite small and do not compete well with larger more aggressive neighbors, so we recommend these for experienced gardeners who treasure and can spend time cultivating such small gems. Anemonellas are spring ephemerals and therefore are dormant by midsummer. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08118
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Anemonella thalictroides 'Cameo' (Cameo Rue Anemone)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8, at least 6" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This selection of the native dwarf rue anemone is the fastest multiplying of the double rue anemones...which still isn't saying much. The short clumps of thalictrum-like foliage are topped from April-June with the cutest double light pink flowers. Plant A. 'Cameo' in a special well-drained place away from larger competitors...great for the rock garden, but mark the plant well since it is dormant by late summer. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08403
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Anemonella thalictroides 'Shoaf's Double Pink' (Shoaf's Double Pink Rue Anemone)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 6" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
Without a doubt, this selection of the easy-to-grow Anemonella thalictroides is among the most incredibly beautiful US native plants we grow. The dainty thalictrum-like foliage makes a small 6" tall x 6" wide clump. Starting in early April (NC) and continuing for at least two months, the clumps are topped with 1" wide stunning pink pompoms, then are dormant by midsummer. This is a slow-to-propagate selection highly prized by keen gardeners around the world. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04993
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Angelica
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Angelica keiskei (Ashitaba)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-9, possibly colder 18" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
Native to the sea coasts of Honshu, Japan, this umbellifer (carrot family) has proven to be a great bold-textured garden specimen, forming an 18" tall x 3' wide basal rosette of glossy dark evergreen leaves. After a year of growing, the rosette is topped with a thick 5' tall spike of upright-facing large white umbels. A. keiskei is used medicinally as a diuretic and health food, as well as to prevent heart attacks and cancer...a regular renaissance plant.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08157
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Anisacanthus
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Anisacanthus wrightii (Texas Firecracker)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-10 36" tall Origin: USA, Mexico
(syn: A. quadrifidus var. wrightii) Our evil cat Zirconia thought we had baited the garden for hummingbirds after we planted a clump of Texas firecracker. This dazzling native to Texas and adjacent Mexico is composed of small pointed green leaves held along the tan stems of the clump. Starting in late spring and continuing until frost, the 3' tall x 2' wide plants are covered in masses of long-tubed, bright orange star-shaped flowers. In warmer climates where there is no winter dieback, Texas firecracker can reach heights of 6'. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05119
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Anomatheca
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Anomatheca laxa (False Freesia)
SunZone: 7b-10 8" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
(Aka: Lapeirousia laxa) This delightful, little, and easy-to-grow South African iris relative makes a small clump of 8", green, iris-like foliage, topped in May and June with small but brilliant scarlet-red flowers. For a small rock garden-sized plant, it puts on quite a show. The clump will go dormant in dry summers but returns from dormant corms in late winter. We have found these to be amazingly drought-tolerant, even in brutally hot climates. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06986
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Xanthosoma
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Xanthosoma violaceum (Blue Taro)
Sun to Part SunZone: 8-10, at least 72" tall Origin: Central America
Open House/Web-Only!
(syn: X. nigrum) Xanthosoma violaceum (pronounced Zanthosoma) has long been a favorite elephant ear, but one which had not proven winter hardy in our climate. Plantsman Alan Galloway shared this form that he imported from China that has been hardy for years in his Raleigh NC garden. Originally from Central America, X. violaceum has been spread around the world as a major food crop. In the garden, the 6' tall violet stalks are topped by a 3' long, pointed lobed dark blue-green leaf. In the winter, we recommend piling shredded leaves over the main tuber to preserve the size for the upcoming season....slightly moist, rich soils produce the largest specimens. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02156
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Antirrhinum
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Antirrhinum hispanicum (Spanish Snapdragon)
SunZone: 5-8 12" tall Origin: Spain
NEW!
This amazing snapdragon from Spain was shared with us by the JC Raulston Arboretum. A. hispanicum makes a 1' tall x 1' wide clump of fuzzy grey-green leaves, topped all summer with spikes of pink and yellow bicolor flowers. A. hispanicum has thrived in our hot, humid summers where most snapdragons fear to tread. A. hispanicum prefers a baking hot, well-drained sunny site.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08364
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Aquilegia
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Aquilegia vulgaris 'Leprechaun Gold' (Leprechaun Gold Columbine)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8, at least 24" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
This seed strain of columbine produces colorful 18" wide clumps of gold and chartreuse speckled foliage, topped in late April and early May with 2' tall spikes of violet flowers...a great way to brighten the spring garden. After flowering, cut the clump (foliage and old flower stalks) to the ground to refresh the foliage. The timing of this horticultural circumcision depends on whether you want more offspring or not. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07681
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Aquilegia vulgaris 'Woodside White' (Woodside Golden Columbine)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8, at least 18" tall Origin: Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
This outrageous columbine has golden leaves, occasionally speckled with green...great for a mass planting in the woodland garden. Atop this unique foliage are 18" stalks with pendent spurs of pure white...a reasonably unobtrusive combination for a variegated plant. A. 'Woodside White' comes fairly true from seed.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02377
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Arachniodes
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Arachniodes simplicior 'Variegata' (Indian Holly Fern)
Light ShadeZone: 7-9, possibly colder 18" tall Origin: India
Open House/Web-Only!
This fabulous 18" x 18" evergreen fern features a wide streak of yellow down the center of each plastic-textured leaf. It is reliably hardy in Zone 7, although the new growth emerges very late (reports indicate success in parts of Zone 6). This is the one plant that visitors to your woodland garden will absolutely drool on, so invite a crowd of folks over if you're having a drought. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01428
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Arachniodes standishii (Upside-down Fern)
Light ShadeZone: 4-8 18" tall Origin: Japan, Korea
Finally! After walking through acres of Arachniodes standishii on Korea's Uulong Island, I understand why it is probably the most sought-after fern by gardeners worldwide. The lacy, cutleaf 18" fronds rise from a thick, slowly creeping rhizome. Our 18-year-old clumps are only 2-3' wide. Unfortunately, it is also one of the least-available ferns in commerce due to reproductive issues. After 16 years of intensive sex therapy, our plant finally set a few viable spores. We're not sure how long it will stay in the mood, so get 'em while they last. You may hear that another large mail-order nursery is selling Athryium otophorum as this...for a much cheaper price. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06234
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Aralia
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Aralia cordata (Cordate Spikenard)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8, at least 96" tall Origin: Japan
With the huge number of plants we've grown over the years, it's still hard to beat Aralia cordata. This easy-to-grow deciduous perennial matures in rich moist soils as an 8' tall x 8' wide monster...perfect for those who like bold, tropical-looking textures in their garden. Each pinnately-compound 4' long x 3.5' wide leaf attaches to the bumpy thick green upright stalk, resembling an astilbe on steroids. Starting in late June, the clumps are topped with 2' long racemes of tiny white flowers, which later turn into equally large racemes of small purple berries. In the South, we refer to plants like this as "big honkers." Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02174
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| <Amorphophallus] | [Arisaema> |
