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Kosteletzkya
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Kosteletzkya virginica (Sea Shore Mallow)
Sun to Light Shade Zone: 5-10 60" tall Origin: USA
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Named for the Bohemian botanist V.F. Kosteletzky, this fabulous, upright native (VA to MS) perennial mallow, similar to lavatera, emerges from dormancy in late spring, and the thick stems quickly zoom to 5' tall. Each stem is clothed with fuzzy, light green, hibiscus-like leaves. From midsummer through fall, sea shore mallow is clothed with hundreds of 2", clear pink hibiscus-like flowers. Sea shore mallow will grow equally as well in brackish swampy conditions, shallow standing water or in regular garden soil...a past honoree as the NC Wildflower of the Year! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00792
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Kosteletzkya virginica 'Immaculate' (White Sea Shore Mallow)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-10 50" tall Origin: USA
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This rare white-flowered specimen was found in Mandeville, LA, by plantsman John Mayronne. K. 'Immaculate' was named for the large, 2"+ flowers that top the plant beginning in mid-September in our garden and continuing until frost (much later than the species). The plant itself resembles lavatera with fuzzy, light-green, triangular leaves on a hibiscus-like specimen. K. 'Immaculate' will be equally at home in anything from a brackish bog/6" of standing water to normal garden soil...whatever that is! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02178
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Lantana (Hardy Lantana)
Finally more interest is being paid to the development of sterile, winter-hardy lantana. We are slow to claim plants as winter hardy without extensive trials, but we are offering several which, in tests around the country, seem to be able to stand up to the industry standard, L. ‘Miss Huff', while offering an array of new colors. This is the first year for these in our trials, so we don't have any of our own data yet. In Zone 7b, it is critical to establish these before September so they develop a good root mass before cold weather arrives. If you are growing them as summer color or container plants, plant them anytime. |
Lantana camara 'Ham and Eggs' (Ham and Eggs Hardy Lantana)
SunZone: 7b-10 24" tall Origin: S. America alternate image
Thanks to Bob Snyder for sharing this hardy lantana that he grows in his garden 2 hours west (colder) of PDN. Lantana 'Ham and Eggs' is an old, sterile cultivar that has been passed along in the Southeast for many years. L. 'Ham and Eggs' is topped from early summer until fall with flowers that open pink (RHS 73B) and then develop a central pattern of flowers which are cream with a golden eye. Occasionally there is a slight tinge of orange in the flower...a real show stopper! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05452
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Lantana camara 'Miss Huff' (Miss Huff Hardy Lantana)
SunZone: 7b-10 36" tall Origin: S. America
This selection of lantana was introduced by Goodness Grows Nursery in Georgia, from...who else?...Miss Huff of nearby Athens. In our trials, this is the only hardy lantana, with well-established clumps surviving short durations of -3 degrees F. The plants emerge from the ground in early May and, within a couple of weeks, are topped with showy orange (RHS 28A), yellow (RHS 17A), and pink flower heads that are produced nonstop until frost. Virtual sterility also prevents unwanted seedlings and promotes more flowering. Established clumps will get quite large (to 10' spread) when happy! For full hardiness, establish well prior to winter. Do not cut old stems in fall or winter when grown in marginal climates. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00826
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Lantana camara 'Star Landing' (Star Landing Hardy Lantana)
SunZone: 7b-10 24" tall Origin: S. America alternate image
After 6 years of trialing, we are pleased to add another lantana to the list of hardy cultivars. Lantana 'Star Landing' is a seedling selection from Larry Force of Desoto Co., MS. L. 'Star Landing' makes a wide spreading clump to 2' tall x 8' wide, topped all summer with bright flower heads of both yellow-orange (RHS 28A) and red-orange (RHS 42A) on the same flower. It does not have the pink coloration as seen in L. 'Miss Huff'. It has proven to be sterile unless planted in the presence of another cultivar, when the urge to procreate just becomes too overwhelming. As with all hardy lantanas, don't cut the old stalks back until growth resumes in spring. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03958
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Laurentia
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Laurentia fluviatilis (Small Groundcover With Bad Name)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-10 1" tall Origin: Australia
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(syn: Isotoma axilaris) Laurentia has become one of our favorite groundcovers, both for the woodland garden and in between stepping stones. This adorable little plant makes a 1" tall mat of round, green leaves and equally tiny, light blue flowers in spring. In a slightly moist site, which it prefers, expect a 12-18" spread by the end of the first season. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01355
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Ledebouria
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Ledebouria cooperi (Cooper's Ledebouria)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-10, at least 4" tall Origin: S. Africa
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(aka: Scilla cooperi) Cute, cute, cute! This easy-to-grow little South African bulb is just a delightful addition to the rock garden. The narrow, olive-green leaves with dark purple markings are held upright in what eventually becomes a nice colony (1' spread in 5 years). In early spring, the clumps are adorned with miniature, pink, scilla-like racemes. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03219
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Ledebouria 'Gary Hammer' (False Scilla)
SunZone: 7b-10, at least 6" tall Origin: S. Africa
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This amazing South African ledebouria species (scilla relative), introduced by CA plantsman Gary Hammer, has proven to be reliable even through our wet, cold winters. The bulbs produce 1' long, deciduous, strap-like, grey-green leaves that are heavily spotted with random liver-colored patterns. Each easy-to-grow, 20" wide clump looks great in the summer rock garden or as a seasonal container plant in colder climates. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05462
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Leonotis
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Leonotis leonurus (Lion's Ear)
SunZone: 7b-9 36" tall Origin: S. Africa
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Thanks to Jimmy Turner of the Dallas Arboretum for sharing this winter-hardy form of a plant that we had killed many times. This South African native is found growing in rocky grasslands where it makes a huge, 8' tall x 4' wide shrub. For us, it's a more demure dieback perennial (4' x 4'), composed of upright stems and narrow, fuzzy green leaves. In late October, the clumps burst into bloom with axillary flowers that resemble fuzzy orange golf balls. If that's not enough, Leonotis produces the chemical leonurine which, when smoked (especially the flowers), provides a euphoric feeling. We think growing the plant is euphoric enough. This multi-tasking plant can also be used to treat headaches, fevers, coughs, dysentery, snakebites, and an array of other ailments. How have you lived without a leonotis? Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06158
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Lepechinia
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Lepechinia hastata (False Salvia)
SunZone: 7-10, possibly colder 48" tall Origin: USA alternate image
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If it looks like a salvia, flowers like a salvia, and even smells like a salvia...it must be a lepechinia. This salvia relative is native to HI but is amazingly winter hardy in NC. The large, deliciously-scented, spade-like, felty green leaves adorn the stalk that grows upright until late summer when it tops out at 4'+ with see-through flower spikes, composed of red-lavender lipstick-like flowers...a hummingbird treat. What a great late season garden plant...especially for a crowded border. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05321
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Lespedeza (Bush Clover)
I grew up watching 24-hour farm news and thought lespedeza was the scourge of the plant world. While most are indeed horrible weeds, there are several non-weedy ornamental species, and it is these on which we have focused our efforts. Lespedezas are amazingly adaptable and easy to grow in a wide range of garden conditions. Despite their large size, the lespedezas that we grow are dieback perennials. |
Lespedeza liukiuensis 'Little Volcano' (Little Volcano Bush Clover)
SunZone: 6-9, guessing 60" tall Origin: Japan
Thanks to plantsman Ted Stephens for bringing this wonderful new deciduous perennial lespedeza back from Japan and making it available. L. 'Little Volcano' is a selection of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, L. liukiuensis, which unlike L. thunbergii, makes an upright clump instead of one whose branches are pendulous. The 5' tall x 10' wide mound of branches, clothed with small, dark green leaves explode starting in mid-September as the stems are smothered with bright, red-purple flowers that last until mid-October...stunning! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06312
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Lespedeza thunbergii 'Gibraltar' (Pink Bush Clover)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-9 72" tall Origin: Japan alternate image
Found at the old Gibraltar estate in Wilmington, Delaware, this spectacular lespedeza was selected and named by plantsman Bill Frederick. Our plant graces the top of our grotto with pea-like foliage on long, arching branches. Emerging from the ground each season, the branches quickly reach 6' tall x 12' wide. In late summer and fall, the branches are laden with thousands of lavender-pink flowers...a great arching effect for a wall or mixed into a perennial border. Visitors who see this plant in flower have a quick attitude adjustment about lespedezas! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02003
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Lespedeza thunbergii 'Spilt Milk' (Variegated Bush Clover)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-9 48" tall Origin: Japan
(syn: L. thunbergii 'Variegata') We are always on the lookout for plants whose foliage extends the season of interest well beyond their flowering season, and one such plant is Lespedeza thunbergii 'Spilt Milk'. This Japanese selection has foliage that is heavily, consistently, and irregularly speckled with large, creamy flecks. The attractive leaves are held along the arching stems, tinged dark purple as they grow. The 4' tall x 6' wide deciduous clumps are topped in mid-summer, then again in late September with terminal clusters of lavender flowers...very choice! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07142
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Lespedeza thunbergii 'White Fountain' (White Bush Clover)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-9 72" tall Origin: Japan alternate image
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This stunning bush clover was introduced and named by Nancy Goodwin at Montrose, who found this on her property and realized it was much better than the L. thunbergii 'Albiflora' of the trade (earlier flowering and no color reversions). Cut to the ground in the spring, this 6' tall x 12' wide grower will resprout rapidly, akin to the proverbial beanstalk. In late summer and into the fall, the weeping branch tips are clothed in sprays of white pea-like flowers! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01512
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Leucojum
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Leucojum autumnale 'September Snow' (September Snow Fall Snowflake)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-9, possibly colder 8" tall Origin: Mediterranean Europe
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(aka: Acis autumnale) Although some botanists have ruthlessly kicked this gem out of the genus leucojum for having alternative sexual tendencies, we're not budging. The wire-thin 6" tall flower stalks emerge in September, topped with tiny white bells. L. 'September Snow' has flower stalks, purple toward the tip, adds a nice contrast to the white flowers. The narrow 8" tall leaves which resemble grass seedlings emerges just after flowering. Given good drainage, we have found L. autumnalis to be very easy to grow in both sun and part shade, as well as amazingly drought tolerant.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08031
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Leucosceptrum
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Leucosceptrum stellipila (Japanese Shrub Mint)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-8, at least 30" tall Origin: Japan
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(syn: Comanthosphace stellipilum) From the mountainous woods of Japan, here's one for the folks who are into the truly obscure. This shrubby member of the mint family acts like a perennial with 2-3' tall stems, clothed with fuzzy green leaves. Until it's ready for sex, it looks pretty dull and uninteresting (sound familiar?). Finally, in the fall (October in NC), each clump is topped with dozens of the coolest, reddish-purple, bottlebrush flower spikes! No one ever notices the shrub mint until fall, then all I hear is WHATZIT and WHERECANIGETIT? Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03597
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Ligularia (Farfugium)
(Leopard Plant) For those who have lusted over the photographs of ligularias in Northern and English coffee table books, here are some varieties that are tolerant of our hot muggy summers. Members of the chrysanthemum or Asteraceae family, our Ligularia tussilaginea (renamed to Farfugium japonicum) selections actually thrive in our gardens, offering up cheery yellow daisy flowers in autumn atop beefy foliage. Ligularias prefer well-drained soils, unlike the commonly grown cold-loving ligularias. We offer an ever-widening selection of rare and unique selections, mostly made in Japan. |
Ligularia japonica (Japanese Ligularia)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7 36" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
New crop available 10-2-2008 This has long been our favorite of the cold-loving ligularias, although we can barely grow it this far south. The giant glossy green leaves look like a cross between a finely cut hardy geranium and a giant acanthus. In early summer the 3' tall x 4' wide tropical-looking clumps are topped with 5' tall spikes of bright orange daisies. For cold climate gardeners who love the tropical look, Ligularia japonica is a must. L. japonica prefers a moist, rich garden soil. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04846
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| <Itea - Kniphofia] | [Lilium - Liriope> |
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