(aka: Clinopodium ashei) Calamintha ashei is a rare and threatened North American native, found in the sandy soils of southeastern Georgia and northern Florida, where it forms an 18" tall x 30" wide clump of woody stems adorned by small, dentate, grey-green fragrant leaves. In spring, the drought-tolerant Calamintha ashei is smothered with small mauvy-pink flowers which also occur sporadically through the summer and into fall. The flowers are a favorite of both bees and butterflies. Ashe's savory grows best in well-drained sandy soils, where it can avoid competition from nearby larger plants. Unfortunately, in the wild, their habitat is being steadily consumed by agricultural citrus production. When plants become old and very woody, it is best to start new plants from cuttings. Our plants are cutting-grown from an original clone from Tattnall County, GA. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
I hadn't been as impressed in quite a while as I was when I first met this plant in Dale Hendricks' Pennsylvania garden. The bushy mound of light green deer-resistant fragrant foliage, reeking of peppermint, was smothered in clouds of tiny, very light blue flowers. Our plants here in hot and muggy NC have performed equally as well, in full flower from June until October. Calamintha need good drainage and plenty of air circulation, although this one has survived far better than other calaminthas for us. I think rock gardeners and herb lovers alike will fall in love with this gem...for me, it was love at first sight! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Available 6-27-2013 Calanthe discolor is a Japanese woodland orchid that emerges from the pseudobulb with 2-3 heavily pleated, 6" long x 2" wide leaves. As the bulb offsets, the clumps can get quite thick. The foliage, which is evergreen to 15 degrees F, is topped in mid-spring with 10" stalks of tiny mahogany flowers with pure white lower lips...a very easy-to-grow addition to that special spot in the woodland garden. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Calanthe striata) This hard-to-find Japanese native terrestrial orchid has been a superb performer and one of our favorite calanthes. The evergreen foliage (except below 10 degrees F) composes a vigorous 6" tall x 15" wide clump of deeply pleated leaves. In spring, the bloom stalks rise from the ground to reach 15". Along the scape are dozens of small pansy-like flowers of bright yellow...quite stunning. Calanthes prefer well-drained, slightly moist woodland conditions and are proven to be quite easy to grow. After severe winters, they may be very late to emerge. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Callirhoe involucrata is a vertically challenged hibiscus relative from the Midwest and Southwest US that is truly a distinctive addition to the garden. Callirhoe involucrata begins in the spring with the 2" round cutleaf foliage emerging from a basal clump. The stems spread out horizontally to 3' then, starting in late spring, are smothered with 1-2" wide flowers resembling cups of red wine...in size, color, and shape. Wine cups are great for the front of the border or cascading down a wall. If you are going to fall off the horticultural wagon, you might as well do it with a wine cup in your hand! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
If regular wine cups don't fit into your color scheme (they do clash with old blue Chevys and flue-pipe planters), then here is the plant for you. With a groundcover growth habit to 3' wide, Callirhoe involucrata var. tenuissima is a cutleaf variety of wine cups from 7,000' elevation in Los Lirios, Coahuila State, Mexico (Yucca Do collection # 51-8)...just what the color-echo doctor ordered. At the end of the spreading branches are masses of 2-3" wide light lavender-purple flowers that last until midsummer...much longer than those of typical Callirhoe involucrata. When flowering is finished, the wine cups shrink back to the original rosette and wait for weather to cool. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We originally got our plant from Georgia plantsman, Ozzie Johnson, but evidently it had been passed around for years by Gulf Coast plantsmen. For us, Calylophus 'Texas Sun' makes a 4'+ wide patch of wiry stems, clothed in pencil lead-thin green leaves. The patch is sporadically covered with bright yellow sundrop-like flowers all summer, making it one of the longest flowering perennials we grow. Although we received this as Calylophus drummondii, dueling plant keys in numerous Texas floras have left us thinking it must be a natural hybrid, hence the cultivar name. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Campanula glomerata 'Freya' has really impressed us as a great new non-invasive campanula. This Arie Blom introduction makes a small, 18" tall, deciduous clumper that produces several 18" tall upright flowering stems, laden with light lavender, star-shaped flowers from mid-April through June (NC). Campanula 'Freya' is so well-behaved that it can be tucked into the perennial border anywhere a spot of lavender is needed in your color design theme. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Campanula 'Blue Waterfall') Got dry shade? We've got a plant for you! This Blooms of Bressingham introduction makes a weed-smothering groundcover mat of creeping stems and small dark green leaves, which are topped from May through August with small star-shaped, lavender-blue flowers. Although Campanula 'Camgood' prefers slightly moist soils and part sun, we have found its tolerance for dry shade to be nothing short of amazing. Compared to the straight species, Campanula 'Camgood' makes a tidier mat with darker green leaves. In 3 years, you should expect a 4' wide mat of flowers attractive to hummingbirds. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Canna 'Feuerzauber') We have grown a lot of purple-foliaged cannas but never anything like this. The deep burgundy-black tropical-looking foliage has a satin-like sheen and the intense color holds superbly during the summer heat. The foliage rises to 4-5', topped with a magnificent display of large, shocking red flowers...a true stunner and hummingbird magnet. Thanks to canna guru Johnnie Johnson for sharing this coveted gem he obtained from New Zealand. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
(syn: Canna generalis 'Aureostriata' or Canna 'Pretoria') Imported from India in 1963 by the Glasshouse Works guys, Canna 'Bengal Tiger' is a sport of Canna 'Wyoming' that originated from radiation experiments in the 1950's at India's Agri Horticultural Society. Canna 'Bengal Tiger' was later taken to Africa by Sydney Percy-Lancaster, where is was later rediscovered and given the additional name Canna 'Pretoria'. Canna 'Bengal Tiger' is considered by many to be the most beautiful of canna lilies. The dramatic stalks of green- and yellow-striped variegated leaves with a brilliant maroon edge grow to 6' and are topped in summer with bright orange flowers that are favored by hummingbirds...scrumptious! Canna 'Bengal Tiger' will also grow in water as an aquatic plant. Canna 'Bengal Tiger' was awarded the prestigous Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in 2002. Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.83 L)
This Curt Wallace hybrid is still regarded as the closest to white (as judged by a team of color-blind nurserymen) that is available in the canna family. This 3' tall clumper is topped all summer with very large, creamy white flowers, flushed with pale yellow toward the center...a hummingbird treat. Canna 'Ermine' will allow designers to create some exciting and distinctive new color combinations in the summer garden. We are excited to make available this very rare and sought-after hybrid. Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.83 L)
Most folks don't think of canna lilies as North American native plants, but adjust your thinking caps for Canna flaccida. This native plant of the Southeast US can be found growing in coastal swamps from South Carolina west to Texas. Canna flaccida looks like a typical canna lily, with 4' tall stalks of green leaves, topped with clusters of bright, butter-yellow flowers from late spring until fall. While moist soils are preferred, they certainly aren't necessary for Canna flaccida to succeed. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
Originally brought into the US by California sea captain Commander Bauman, this selection of our native Canna glauca was passed around California until spotted by plantsman, Herb Kelly, who named and introduced it to commerce. The narrow, pointed, grey-green leaves adorn the upright stalks to 6'. Atop the clump through summer and into fall are charming, narrow, salmon-pink flowers (darker in the center)...a hummingbird treat. A vigorous grower, Canna glauca 'Panache' is a great native plant from the Southeast US that can grow in standing water or in regular garden soil and even spreads fast enough for you to share plenty. The demand always seems to exceed our supply...get 'em while they last. Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.83 L)
Available 6-6-2013
(poss. syn: Canna indica 'Purpurea') The 8' tall thick stalks of Canna 'Red Stripe' are home to large (nearly 2' long) leaves of purple with a dramatically contrasting green pattern between the veins. Topping, but not distracting from, the great bold foliage are stalks of small, brilliant red flowers that attract hummingbirds...a can't-miss addition to the border! Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.83 L)
Designers love it, garden visitors love it, hummingbirds love it, we love it...so why are we sharing? This amazing canna, a 1978 seedling selection from California's Herb Kelly, is one of the most unusual looking canna lilies we've grown. The very narrow, pointed, purple-grey foliage makes one of the most stunning accent plants in the garden. In addition, the narrow leaves and strong vertical habit make the architectural presentation of this canna most special. The 7' tall clumps are topped in very late summer with small orange-red flowers, but this baby is truly chosen for its wonderful form...sort of like the babes of Baywatch. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
(aka: Canna 'Nirvana' or Canna 'Striped Beauty') This old hybrid is still one of the most popular of the variegated cannas today. Canna 'Minerva' makes a 5' tall stalk with brilliant white-and-green striped leaves. This vigorously multiplying canna is topped off with unique red flower buds that open to large, butter-yellow flowers...produced all summer! When Canna 'Minerva' is fed well and kept moist, it is indeed a fantastic garden plant...a hummingbird fiesta. Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.83 L)
If you are into the tropical look, don't miss growing the gigantic banana canna. Canna 'Musafolia' has a clouded origin (possibly related to Canna 'Edulis'), but what we do know is that it is one heck of a structural element in the garden. The giant 12-14' tall stalks are home to extremely large, banana-like leaves...each green with a purple-red border. While Canna 'Musafolia' rarely flowers, the flowers produced are small, red, and really pale in size compared to the foliage...still attracting hummingbirds. Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.83 L)
"Amazing...I've never seen anything like it!" These are just two of the comments from visitors about this Kent Kelly hybrid. Canna 'Orange Punch' is a dwarf, fast-multiplying canna, topped from spring until frost with intense bright orange, yellow-throated flowers...a hummingbird delight. From its Canna iridiflora background, the flowers are held in long pendent racemes instead of the typical upright spikes. If you like bright gaudy colors, this unique new canna will quickly become one of your favorites! Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
(syn: Canna 'Semaphore') If you haven't noticed, we are lovers of the truly tacky and gaudy, and Canna 'Pacific Beauty' takes tackiness to a whole new level. You will love the luscious purple-grey foliage, but what will really shock you are the intense orange flowers that top the 6' tall clumps...a hummingbird hot spot. These are not your typical orange flowers but are more of a fluorescent pumpkin-orange...it is truly a WOW canna! Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.83 L)
