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Aspidistra (Cast Iron Plant)
We have been collecting aspidistras for many years and now have over 70 different clones. We are testing and building up numbers, so expect more new selections each season (many more are on-line). There are few plants more tolerant of deep shade in the garden and dark corners inside homes than aspidistra. A great pastime for truly boring people is to watch for the unusual soil-borne flowers. |
Aspidistra attenuata BSWJ377 (Attenuate Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to Shade Zone: 8-10 40" tall Origin: Taiwan alternate image
NEW!
This Crug Farm collection comes from Tungpu, Taiwan, where it forms dense colonies in the well-drained forest soil. The dark evergreen leaves highlighted with a few small yellow spots, reach 40" tall x 3" wide. This is certainly the tallest cast iron plant we have grown to date. The stunning 2" creamy yellow flowers with peach centers, which resemble a plate of sauteed starfish, magically appear in early March atop the soil surface among the base of the leaves...fascinating. At 8 degrees F, the old foliage was burned off, but the plants regrew nicely in spring. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07543
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Aspidistra daibuensis BSWJ312B (Taiwan Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 8-10 28" tall Origin: Taiwan alternate image
NEW!
This little known species of cast iron plant from a Crug Farm collection in Taiwan, produces 28" x 3.5" wide evergreen leaves with a few small yellow freckles. A. daibuensis forms an attractive clump for the woodland garden. At 8 degrees F, the old foliage burned off, but the plants recovered. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07547
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Aspidistra ebianensis Spotted Form (Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7b-10 18" tall Origin: China alternate image
Open House/Web-Only!
From China's Sichuan Province (around 2,500' elevation) comes this little-known aspidistra, with 18" long leaves, held on short stalks, and encased at the base in a dark purple sheath. The 3.5" wide, dark green leaves are lightly spotted with chartreuse yellow. If you've got a dark spot in the garden where little else grows, try aspidistra. If you're in a colder zone where hardiness is a problem, aspidistras make a great low-light houseplant...a perfect companion to spiders and dust mites. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07063
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Aspidistra elatior 'Amanogawa' (Milky Way Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 8-10 18" tall Origin: Japan
This cast iron plant is the real Milky Way cast iron plant...not the non-striped mutation everyone calls Aspidistra 'Milky Way'. A. elatior 'Amanogawa' (Milky Way) makes a tight clump of 18" tall x 2" wide dark green leaves, each heavily spotted with creamy yellow among the longitudinal creamy white and yellow stripes. You'll need a GPS to navigate your way around these contrasting leaf patterns. Occasional sports without stripes should be removed to keep the integrity of the cultivar intact. We doubt this will be hardy much below 15 degrees F, so use this as a container specimen in cold climates. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06587
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Aspidistra elatior 'Asahi' (Morning Sun Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7-10 30" tall Origin: China
"Asahi" means "morning sun"...a descriptive name for this dramatic cast iron plant that always stops visitors in their tracks. The green leaves, to 30" long x 5" wide, are set off when the upper third of the leaves turns a dramatic white as the season progresses. The color holds all winter, making a dramatic winter feature in the shade garden. For a dry deep-shade area, there isn't a better choice for a tough-as-nails perennial! Note: A. 'Asahi' will not display its color pattern if planted in a small container. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02538
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Aspidistra elatior 'Bubba' (Bubba Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7b-10 36" tall Origin: China
This selection of A. elatior from Florida is a particularly nice wide-leaf solid dark green selection with 3' tall x 5" wide foliage...great where either an evergreen mass planting or single specimen is needed. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07544
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Aspidistra elatior 'Fuji-No-Mine' (Mt. Fuji Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7b-10, at least 36" tall Origin: China
This superb selection of Aspidistra elatior forms a commanding clump in the garden with its 3' tall x 5" wide glossy dark green leaves. Each leaf is composed of an 18" stalk topped with an 18" blade, which is highlighted with narrow central creamy yellow streaks and a very narrow white border at the tip. According to our friend Barry Yinger, the 'Fuji No Mine' means "crags on Mt. Fuji"...we'll take his word. This has been a great performer in our garden trials. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07064
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Aspidistra elatior 'Ginga Giant' (Ginga Giant Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 8-10 24" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
We are pleased to introduce this fabulous new aspidistra from Robin Lennon of Central Florida Foliage. Each 2' tall x 4" wide dark green leaf is heavily speckled with yellow flecks. The tight clump makes a stunning accent in a dark part of the garden or in a container in climates not yet affected by global warming. According to Al Gore, this should be hardy in central Canada in the next few years, so get yours now. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06586
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Aspidistra elatior 'Hoshi Zora' (Starry Sky Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7-10 30" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
If you're looking for a bold textured evergreen to help brighten a dark corner of the garden, we've got just the plant. This old Japanese cultivar (whose name means "starry skies") of cast iron plant has large, 30" tall x 6" wide, dark green leaves that are lightly speckled with small light yellow-to-white dots (stars). Like a fine wine, our 14-year-old clumps just get better with age. This is the hardiest of the yellow-spotted cast iron plants. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02744
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Aspidistra elatior 'Lennon's Green' (Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7-10 24" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
This cast iron plant cultivar was shared with us by Robin Lennon of Florida's Central Florida Foliage, where he discovered it in his cut foliage fields. The evergreen foliage looks like the common A. elatior, except the leaves are about half the normal width. Each 2' tall clump gives a more dramatic accent than the common, wider leaf clone. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04350
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Aspidistra elatior 'Lennon's Song' (Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7-10 24" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
New crop available 11-26-2009 This cultivar was shared with us by Robin Lennon of Florida's Central Florida Foliage, who discovered it in his cut foliage fields. The dark green foliage is narrow, but with an irregular central band of muted yellow...essentially a narrow-leaf version of Aspidistra 'Akebono'. A. elatior 'Lennon's Song' is perfect where a narrow, vertical accent is needed in the shade garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04349
SOLD OUT
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Aspidistra elatior 'Morning Frost' (Morning Frost Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7b-10, possibly colder 36" tall Origin: China
This large growing Japanese selection of Aspidistra elatior is the latest in the line of frosted leaf cast iron plants. Each 3' tall x 5" wide medium green leaf is highlighted by a central yellow stripe. The upper half of the leaf is then overlaid by a white frosting pattern...most evident as the clump matures...a very striking clump once established. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07065
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Aspidistra elatior 'Sei Ryu Ho' (Green Dragon Hall Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 8-10, at least 24" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
This little-known Japanese selection of the Chinese A. ebianensis forms an evergreen clump of 2' tall x 3.5" wide dark green leaves, each spotted with small yellow dots and dashes with a bit of faint white streaking toward the leaf tip. Each leaf, which has dramatically raised veins on the front, is composed of a 6" petiole and a 18" leaf blade. 'Sei Ryu Ho' is Japanese for "green dragon hall" or in street slang, it means... nappy-headed Don Imus. We have only dropped to 15 degrees F since we have had this planted, but so far, so good.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07539
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Aspidistra elatior 'Seiun' (Star Cloud Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 8b-10, at least 12" tall Origin: Japan
This hard-to-find small-growing aspidistra makes a unique clump of dark green leaves which are heavily freckled with yellow on both the front and back. The 1' tall x 2" wide leaves emerge directly from the ground with no petiole apparent. This is a superb houseplant in northern climates. In the garden, the foliage has been killed at 10 degrees, but the leaves resprout from the rhizome. The name 'Seiun' means "star cloud." Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07060
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Aspidistra elatior 'Sekko Kan' (White Snowy Crown Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7b-10 30" tall Origin: China
This splendid old Japanese selection of the common A. elatior, forms a clump of 30" tall x 5" wide dark green leaves, highlighted on the upper third with heavily frosted white streaks in late summer. The color intensifies as the weather continues to cool. The main difference we have observed between 'Sekko Kan' and 'Asahi' is there is more prevalent green streaking into the white section in addition to tiny creamy yellow leaf specks in 'Sekko Kan'. The Japanese name, 'Sekko Kan' means "white snowy crown." We find clumps need to be at least three years old for the best coloration to occur, so be patient.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07519
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Aspidistra elatior 'Stars and Stripes' (Stars and Stripes Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7b-10 36" tall Origin: China
This old but little-known Japanese cultivar forms a clump of 36" long x 4" wide medium green leaves, each streaked with creamy yellow and then sprinkled with a few random white dots...certainly far more stripes than stars. Aspidistra 'Stars and Stripes' is a patriotic way to add year-round interest to a woodland garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07522
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Aspidistra fimbriata 'Secret Stalker' (Secret Stalker Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 8-10, guessing 36" tall Origin: China
(syn: A. sp. Hainan #1) This Nick Turland selection of Aspidistra fimbriata hails from 2,800' elevation in Daioluo Shan, Hainan China, where it resided underneath a forest of Dacrydium and other Fagaceae trees. A. fimbriata 'Secret Stalker' has the tallest stalks of any cast iron plant we grow. The 3' tall foliage includes a stalk of 20", topped by a 16" tall x 3" wide medium green leaf blade. We've only dropped to 15 degrees F since we have had this in the ground, so hardiness info is still sketchy.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07545
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Aspidistra fungilliformis 'China Star' (China Star Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 8-10 4" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
(Aka: A. sp. QCSIIM-13) This is the most dwarf form of the recent releases of aspidistras from Dr. Jim Waddick's wild collections from the Qing Cheng San Mountains of Sichuan in 1985. A. 'China Star' has 8-10" long leaves that are each 2.25" wide. Each leaf is spattered with yellow "freckles." A. 'China Star' is the fastest-spreading selection from these new collections. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02115
SOLD OUT
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Aspidistra guangxiensis 'Stretch Marks' (Stretch Marks Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7b-10 18" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
We selected Aspidistra 'Stretch Marks' from a group of the rare Chinese A. guangxiensis. Each broad (10" tall x 3" wide) medium green leaf is liberally speckled with random creamy yellow, non-concentric spots which seem to have been stretched into oval patterns. The leaves are held atop thin 8" chicken leg-like stalks. A. 'Stretch Marks' makes a tight clump, adorned in midsummer (late June in NC) with flowers that lay on the soil and resemble a 1.5" wide, miniature pepperoni pizza...I'm not making this up. Now you've got an excuse for your unusual behavior when you're lying in your garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07059
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Aspidistra linearifolia 'Skinny Dippin' (Skinny Dippin' Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7-10 16" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
This rare aspidistra species hails from southern China (Hong Kong to Guizhou). The 16" long x 1" narrow green leaves make a tight 1' wide clump, being easily mistaken for a clump of liriope. Each leaf has a deep V in the middle, giving the appearance of a variegated stripe. This selection has the most prominent white stripe of all the seedlings we have grown. We have grown this extraordinary species (formerly offered incorrectly as A. minutiflora) since 1999 and have never seen any winter damage! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07557
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Aspidistra minutiflora 'Leopard' (Leopard Leaf Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 8-10 30" tall Origin: China
Forget everything you know about cast iron plants, 'cause you ain't gonna believe this! From a Jim Waddick expedition to China, comes another unique species of cast iron plant...formerly offered as A. linearifolia, but now determined to be A. minutiflora. This bizarre selection grows to 32" tall, but with only 1/2" wide foliage. Each green leaf is heavily speckled with golden spots. This evergreen clump-former makes a stunning specimen for the woodland garden in the deep South and a great container plant further north...sure to get all your neighbors asking...whatzit?
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02117
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Aspidistra retusa 'Nanjing Green' (Nanjing Green Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7b-10, at least 24" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: Aspidistra G 5 #2) Thanks to Greg Speichert, who brought this back from the Nanjing Botanic Garden in the late 1990's. Our plants have thrived in our gardens since 2001, with no winter damage at 6 degrees F. The 2' tall x 2' wide clumps are composed of medium-green leaves with dramatic raised veins unlike any other cast iron plant that we have grown. Each 3" wide leaf consists of a 1' petiole topped by a 1' arched leaf blade. The leaves on this very attractive clump have small chartreuse spots near the bottom, but these are rather insignificant. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07521
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Aspidistra sp. 'China Moon' (China Moon Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 8-10, guessing 10" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
(Aka: A. sp. QCS IIM-4) This is another 1999 release of aspidistra from Dr. Jim Waddick's wild collections from the Qing Cheng San mountains of Sichuan in 1985. The leaves of A. 'China Moon' reach 16" long x 3" wide with half of the leaf length being a thin, but rigid petiole. Each leaf is speckled with pale yellow spotting. Each clump will make a wonderful accent in the woodland garden. This is either a form of A. typica or a similar-looking new species. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03040
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Aspidistra sp. 'China Sun' (China Sun Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 8-10 10" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
(Aka: A. sp. QCS-III-L) This cool aspidistra (possibly a new species) was wild-collected by Dr. Jim Waddick from the Qing Cheng San Mountains of Sichuan in 1985. Each 20" long x 2.25" wide leaf is speckled with pale, light-yellow dots. This is the most vigorous of the "China" selections. Each plant makes a nice, loose-growing specimen clump, or they may be massed in the woodland garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02116
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Aspidistra sp. nov. (fimbriata NOT) (Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 8-10, at least 24" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
This little-known Chinese species makes a tight clump of 2-3" wide leaves that can reach a height of 2'+. The very dark green foliage is nicely highlighted by large yellow spots. A. fimbriata has survived 12 degrees F in our garden, but with some leaf burn. If you watch around the base of the stalks in October, you will notice what appears to be small, shriveled reddish prunes with the tops severed off...that's what you get for flowers...a great gag gift for the pansy and petunia crowd. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05198
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Aspidistra sp. nov. 'Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' (Yellow Polka Dot Bikini Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 9-10, guessing 28" tall Origin: Thailand
This selection of a still unidentified Thailand species of cast iron plant makes an attractive clump of 28" long x 1" wide dark green leaves which are heavily speckled with small to medium sized yellow dots. A. 'Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' is great to brighten a dark room in climates where it's not winter hardy...one size fits all. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07542
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Aspidistra sp. 'Yunnan Sunbeam' (Cast Iron Plant)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 8a-10, possibly colder 8" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
This selection of cast iron plant comes from plant collector Barry Yinger, who got it from Japan's Kenji Hirose, who collected it in Yunnan, China. The 6" petioles end with 8" long green leaves that emerge with a wide central stripe of creamy yellow. The leaf blade arches sideways, making a 1' tall x 2' wide clump. As the leaves age, small yellow spots appear in the green border...stars and stripes, now that's patriotic. Our plants have survived 8 degrees F so far. This is the same clone introduced by Crug Farm as A. 'Uan Fat Lady'. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03472
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Asplenium (Spleenwort)
This diverse genus of ferns ranges from small to large and has a worldwide distribution. We have focused our efforts on the smaller rock garden-size species and hybrids.
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Asplenium platyneuron coll. #A12NC-006 (Ebony Spleenwort)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 18" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This widespread US native is found from Maine west to Arizona, but for some reason is rarely seen in gardens. For a woodland rock garden, I cannot imagine a better choice than this durable, drought-tolerant, and easy-to-grow evergreen fern. The short, limp, sterile fronds have little value except to highlight the rigidly erect, narrow fertile fronds that give the plant its anorexic but architectural structure. This is our collection from Brunswick Co., NC, where it stood 18" tall in dry shade. About the only thing ebony spleenwort doesn't like is wet soils. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05226
SOLD OUT
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Asplenium x kobayashi (Kobayashi's Spleenwort)
Light ShadeZone: 5-7 6" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
This very rare endemic to the northern and central islands of Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu) is a naturally-occurring hybrid between Asplenium incisum and Asplenium sibiricum (formerly Camptosorus sibiricus). The narrow, pinnate, light green foliage makes a small 6" tall x 1' wide evergreen clump...perfect for the shaded rock garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05359
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