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Ceratostigma
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Ceratostigma griffithii (Blue Leadwort)
Sun to Part Sun Zone: 7-10 15" tall Origin: China, India
Open House/Web-Only!
We have had trouble growing many of the leadworts but hit upon a gem with the supposedly non-hardy C. griffithii. After it sailed through 0 degrees F in our severe 1996 winter, we began to propagate this dynamite species. The twiggy spreading growth clothed with dime-sized, round green leaves makes a large spreading mound to 2-3' wide. In late August the plant becomes a mass of rich, pure blue flowers through autumn. Then the deciduous foliage takes on lovely hues of red and yellow. In warmer climates, it should stay evergreen. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02015
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Cestrum
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Cestrum 'Orange Peel' (Orange Peel Cestrum)
SunZone: 7b-9, at least 96" tall Origin: Hybrid
This superb and easy-to-grow introduction from Southern Perennials and Herbs is a cross of C. diurnum x C. nocturnum. For us, this superb selection has been both floriferous and winter hardy. The fast-growing woody stems, clothed in ligustrum-shaped leaves, are adorned from early June until frost with terminal clusters of mustard-orange (RHS 25B) flowers, tipped in yellow. When winters drop into the single digits, C. 'Orange Peel' behaves as a dieback perennial that returns in spring to reach 8' tall x 8' wide by fall...simply superb! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05981
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Cestrum parqui (Hardy Willow-Leaved Jessamine)
SunZone: 7-10 60" tall Origin: Chile alternate image
Open House/Web-Only!
Named by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) as one of their top 200 plants of the last 200 years, Cestrum parqui is truly one of the most amazingly floriferous perennials that we grow. From Zone 8 south, Cestrum parqui actually behaves like a shrub and can reach 15' tall in very tropical locations, but only 5' in temperate climates. Beginning in early summer and continuing until first frost, our 6' wide "bush" is smothered with both axillary and terminal floral clusters, each bearing hundreds of mustard-yellow flowers. In the early evening, the flowers emit a powerful fragrance that perfumes the garden, but disappears by morning. Willow-leaved jessamine is a virtual flowering machine that is perfect for a special full sun location. While C. parqui is a prolific seed producer, the seedlings do not stray from around the base of the main clump. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04794
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Chamaecyparis (False Cypress)
If you like conifers, then you will love the false cypress. The diversity in this group of mostly Japanese natives (i.e., C. obtusa and C. pisifera) is truly outstanding. The selections we offer are some that perform well in our gardens here in the South, although their range is quite extensive... see zone listing by each cultivar. We particularly like the color forms of false cypress that help provide fabulous winter color!
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Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Confucius' (Confucius Gold Hinoki Cypress)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 120" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
This 1984 introduction from Duncan and Davies Nursery in New Zealand is similar to C. obtusa 'Nana Aurea', but with a more open, informal appearance. In ten years, expect an 8' tall specimen with irregular branches of congested golden foliage. This dynamite specimen plant, eventually growing to 10' tall, holds the gold color all year. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01607
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Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Spirited' (Golden Hinoki Cypress)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 48" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
This new and hard-to-find introduction from NC's conifer expert, Paul Jones, is a seedling from C. obtusa 'Crippsii'. The foliage best resembles a dwarf golden C. obtusa 'Graciosa' with very dainty lace-like foliage. In our rock garden, this is one of the few dwarf golden chamaecyparis that doesn't foliage-burn. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01881
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Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Variegata' (Variegated Eastern White Cedar)
SunZone: 4-8 120" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This marvelous form of our native eastern white cedar has rich green foliage that is heavily speckled yellow. Although books say that the foliage burns in the South, we have not let our plants read these books and, consequently, no burn. I'll bet the burning was a result of very dry soils. Expect this informal, conical, upright-shaped conifer to reach 10' at maturity. Imagine plugging a red cedar into an electric socket, and you'll get the right image. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06165
SOLD OUT
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Chasmanthium
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Chasmanthium latifolium 'River Mist' PPAF (River Mist Northern Sea Oats)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9, at least 30" tall Origin: USA
In the latest example of "Natives Gone Wild", our very own northern sea oats, which ranges from Pennsylvania west to Arizona, has been spotted sporting a new "tattoo". This discovery from the folks at Itsaul Plants, forms a typical 30" tall clump of upright green stalks adorned by 9" long x 1" wide leaves, each heavily striped with white. As the flower stalks expand in early summer, the variegation follows the new growth into the developing seed heads. Darn, this is one sexy native, so be among the first to get yours. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08502
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Cheilanthes (Lip Fern)
Cheilanthes are one of several genera of delightful small dry land ferns. Cheilanthes are native around the world including many U.S. native species ranging from coast to coast, usually found in well-drained alkaline rock cracks. Many of the desert species that we have tried have performed very well in our well-drained beds at the base of rocks...another excuse to build a rock garden. As our plants produce spores, you’ll be seeing more in the catalog listings.
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Cheilanthes argentea (Silver Cloak Fern)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10, at least 5" tall Origin: China, Japan
This dwarf fern is one of our most treasured members of the family...the fern family. I observed the dryland sun fern, Cheilanthes argentea growing in both mainland China and Taiwan, native to rock outcrops, stone walls, and other such calcareous sites. The top of the star-shaped leaf is a rich green, but underneath (ok...you can look now) is a thick silvery white coating like that stuff we put on tin roofs to prevent leaks...AWESOME! This cute little dryland lover is a great choice for the rock garden, but good drainage is essential for success. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02169
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Cheilanthes hirta coll. #A1SA-189 (Parsley Lip Fern)
Sun to Part SunZone: 8-10 12" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
This collection of the South African sun fern, Cheilanthes hirta hails from the Eastern Cape Province town of Cathcart at 4,400' elevation, where it resides on dry rocky cliffs. The rich green, deeply cut, upright fronds form a 1' tall x 1' wide clump that goes tardily deciduous in our climate. Where temperatures drop much below 12F, plant in a protected location. In the wild, C. hirta grows where it can keep its tops hot and feet cool....usually by hiding the latter under large rocks. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07814
SOLD OUT
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Cheilanthes lanosa (Hairy Lip Fern)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 8" tall Origin: USA
This is a great smaller native eastern/midwestern US fern for the rock garden, or for that matter, any garden. Eventually reaching 8" in height with a spread of 15", this extremely drought-tolerant fern is composed of durable olive-green fronds. C. lanosa grows equally as well in a sunny spot or in part shade...good in acid or alkaline soils. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00489
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Cheilanthes tomentosa (Wooly Lip Fern)
Sun to Part SunZone: 6-8 6" tall Origin: USA
This southern US native, which also ranges into Mexico, is a great choice for the sunny rock garden. The silvery foliage is a stunning conversation piece for both a sunny rock garden as well as light, open shade. The easy-to-grow, wooly lip fern provides enjoyment from its wooly white underneath...just like having mealy bugs without the fuss! Good drainage is essential for survivability for this and most of the sun ferns. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01835
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Cheilanthes viridis (Green Cliff Brake Fern)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-9, at least 20" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
(syn: Pellaea viridis) A fern with an identity crisis. The more moderate in the Church of the First Frond claim this as Pellaea viridis, but the fundamentalist wing has judged it to be Cheilanthes viridis...the fern war continues. Regardless of your preference, it is one of many little-known sun ferns from South Africa that have yet to be properly explored for garden use. C. viridis is found up to 6,000' elevation throughout the few remaining woodlands in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province. So far, in our garden, it has made an easy-to-grow 20" tall clump of stiff, upright, rich green, bold-textured foliage...very unique. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05973
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Chelone
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Chelone glabra 'Black Ace' (Black Ace White Turtlehead)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 72" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
We are delighted to introduce this amazing Craig Moretz selection of our native white turtlehead to the world. C. 'Black Ace' has very dark foliage with an amazing black cast. Growing rapidly in moist soils, it quickly reaches a mature height of 6'. In hot summer climates, the black foliage coloration will change to green by late summer. Also in very late summer, the clumps are topped with terminal clusters of white, snapdragon-like flowers...a favorite of butterflies and landscape designers. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03746
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Chelone obliqua var. speciosa (Purple Turtlehead)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9, at least 36" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
I remember falling in love with C. obliqua var. speciosa at Missouri's Shaw Nature Reserve back in the 1990's. After growing it for many years, we found it to be a superb garden specimen, and quite different than the more commonly grown pink-flowered C. lyonii. The somewhat stoloniferous clumps produce 3' tall stems, clothed with dark glossy green leaves and topped in September with mauvy-lavender turtleheads. C. obliqua var. speciosa ranges from Minnesota (historically) south to Arkansas, where it can be found in rich, moist, slightly shaded spots. In the garden, we find full sun results in the best flowers, and while it is drought tolerant, good moisture is well appreciated. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07906
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Chloranthus
Chloranthus, a genus of 17 species of easy-to-grow Asian perennials, are among the most esoteric perennials that we grow. They are valuable for their bold texture in the woodland garden and really funky flowers in late spring.
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Chloranthus serratus (Serrate-leaf Chloranthus)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-9, guessing 12" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
This Chinese species is the lowest growing of the chloranthus that we have trialed. Our 7-year-old clumps are now 1' tall x 3' wide, spreading slightly wider each season. The fleshy stems are adorned with four terminal olive-green leaves, with each oppositely held pair stacked just above the other. The stem is topped starting in late-April with two upright bottlebrush-like spikes of tiny white flowers. If your friends constantly accuse you of being overly esoteric, chloranthus is for you...very cute! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07292
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Chrysactinia
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Chrysactinia mexicana (Damianita)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-9, at least 12" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
Chrysactinia is another of the great but little known Texas natives that adapts beautifully to East Coast gardens. Chrysactinia is a member of the aster family that hails from rocky alkaline regions in Texas and New Mexico. This drought tolerant woody perennial makes a 1' tall x 18" wide compact mound of woody stems clothed with fragrant (like aged turpentine) dark green, needle-like leaves. From April through September, the foliage is adorned with 1" golden aster-like flowers. We have found this very easy to grow and, of course, amazingly drought- and heat-tolerant. Chrysactinia does not like severe pruning, so back off with those shears!
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06941
SOLD OUT
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Chrysanthemum (Mum)
This genus in the aster family went through a messy divorce several years ago, with most of the divorcees re-assuming their maiden names. For the sake of family unity, we continue to keep them listed under the more familiar name, chrysanthemum. While the world is filled with marginally winter hardy fall garden mums, we have opted for selections with good hardiness and for those which perform better long term in the ground than in a 6" black plastic pot that gets sheared like sheep.
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Chrysanthemum 'Snow Dome' (Snow Dome Chrysanthemum)
SunZone: 7-9, possibly colder 15" tall Origin: Hybrid alternate image
We are very pleased to introduce Chrysanthemum 'Snow Dome', our favorite of the new group of hybrids between garden mums and Chrysanthemum pacifica (aka: ajania). This superb selection, thanks to genetics from NC's Richard Hayes, makes an unbelievable tight dome of cutleaf, silver-back foliage that forms a perfect 15" tall x 2' wide mound...without any pruning or pinching. The foliage is then topped in October with a blanket of small white daisies. I'd grow this superb selection even if it didn't flower...great for a small garden.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08000
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Chrysogonum
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Chrysogonum virginianum 'Eco Lacquered Spider' (Green and Gold)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-10 4" tall Origin: USA
This wild and crazy form of our native green and gold was found by Don Jacobs's son in south-central Georgia and first introduced in 1992. The flat-growing rosettes of this unique plant produce long runners to several feet (obviously grew up near spider plants) and makes a fabulous woodland groundcover. The color from the purple stolons runs into the base of the leaves, which have an unusual glossy appearance. The clump is adorned with yellow flowers in spring, although the blooming period is somewhat shorter than other cultivars. Expect a 4' wide mat in a couple of years, or use it to great effect in seasonal containers. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01579
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Cimicifuga
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Cimicifuga japonica (Japanese Bugbane)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-8a 30" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
(syn: Actaea biternata) Finally, a superb cimicifuga that grows and flowers in our heat! In our cimicifuga-deprived climate, we could only indulge our passion for these plants by falling asleep with English garden design books. Now with C. japonica, we can have our bugbane and grow them too. Each 1' wide clump of C. japonica has glossy basal foliage, like a giant thalictrum, topped in mid-September with clouds of 2.5', narrow, bottlebrush-like white wands. While moist soils are preferred, all but the driest soils have proven satisfactory. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05255
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Cimicifuga racemosa (Black Cohosh)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 60" tall Origin: USA alternate image
NEW!
(syn: Actaea racemosa) This unusual member of the Ranunculus family (clematis, hellebores) can be found natively in moist deciduous forests from Canada, south to Alabama. In the garden, a compost-rich, moist soil is best, although the plants will go dormant early in the case of extended drought. The basal rosette of cutleaf foliage is topped in June (NC) by narrow, upright, 5' tall spikes of small white flowers...a mature clump is very impressive. This has performed very well for us in our trials, unlike the similarly named C. ramosa, which has no heat tolerance. C. racemosa is renowned for its medicinal properties, especially to treat "women's complaints." Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08147
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Cimicifuga rubifolia (Kearney's Bugbane)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 48" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: C. racemosa v. cordifolia, C. foetida v. cordifolia) This wonderful rare native (Globally rare ranking of #3) from Virginia west to Tennessee has languished in taxonomic purgatory under a parade of invalid names. Compared to other bugbanes, there are only 9 glossy leaflets per leaf, which are held on a 45 degree angled stem, ending about 2' off the ground. The 4' tall upright branched terminal spikes end in finger-like clusters of small white flowers that top the plant in September. Although C. rubifolia prefers alkaline soils, it has grown well in our slightly acid amended woodland. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08148
SOLD OUT
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Cissus
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Cissus trifoliata (Possum Grape Ivy)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5b-9 6" tall Origin: USA
(syn: C. incisa) This unique, wonderful cold hardy grape ivy is similar to the type you kill indoors in baskets. Native to the US, from Kansas south into Mexico and Florida, this non-invasive vine grows naturally in habitats as diverse as dry rocky ledges as well as salt marshes...we recommend fences, gazebos, and ugly buildings. C. trifoliata is composed of purple stems, adorned with thick, rubbery artificial-feeling trifoliate foliage. C. trifoliata attaches to objects (usually not pets) by means of miniature suction cups. In summer, the green foliage develops a red tint to the leaf edges and in late September, the vine is adorned by clusters of small black grape-like fruits...truly an amazing and underused plant...thanks to plantsman Jim Waddick for turning us on to this gem nearly a decade ago! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00849
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Claytonia
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Claytonia virginica A11NC-108 (Virginia Spring Beauty)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 3-9 4" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
Native from Canada south to Texas, this delightful spring ephemeral wildflower is rarely offered by nurseries since it will never be a star in container culture. The two basal leaves, which resemble flat green toothpicks, give rise to clusters of tiny pale pink flowers that open on sunny days over a period of a month starting in mid-March. C. virginica thrives in virtually all soil types, where it forms a nice 4' wide patch in 10 years, disappearing for the season by with onset of warm weather...very cute. This collection hails from Van Buren Co. Tennessee at 2,000' elevation. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08278
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| <Carex - Caryopteris] | [Clematis - Clinopodium> |
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