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Geranium (Hardy Geranium or Cranesbill)
Not to be confused with pelargonium (florist geranium), these are long recognized as some of the most durable garden perennials. Not as flashy as many perennials, geraniums are experiencing a resurgence in popularity as an unbeatable uniting element in gardens. The attractive foliage, combined with the easily blendable flowers, makes geraniums a permanent staple in the perennial garden. We offer some of the best new and heat-tolerant selections from this wonderful group. |
Geranium 'Crystal Lake' PPAF (Crystal Lake Hardy Cranesbill)
Sun Zone: 5-7 20" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
This new Geranium wallichianum hybrid makes a 20" tall clump, topped starting in early summer with 1.5" wide cup-shaped flowers of light crystal blue with darker purple veining. We are just trialing this for the first time and have a few extra to offer at this time. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08193
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Geranium maculatum 'Elizabeth Ann' PP 11,252 (Elizabeth Ann Cranesbill)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-8 15" tall Origin: USA alternate image
Open House/Web-Only!
This superb selection of the Eastern US native Geranium maculatum comes from Leslie Grayson of Pennsylvania. The dark brown foliage holds very well in both shade and sun, while making an interesting background for the blue-lavender flowers that top the clump starting in late April. G. 'Elizabeth Ann' has proven to be very easy-to-grow and tolerant to a wide range of growing conditions. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06372
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Geranium 'Orion' (Orion Cranesbill)
SunZone: 5-8a, at least 30" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
If you like Geranium 'Brookside', then you will love Geranium 'Orion'. This hybrid from Holland's Brian Kabbes is the result of a cross between G. himalayense 'Gravetye' and G. 'Brookside'. The result is a non-flopping, heat- and humidity-tolerant clump of deeply cut, green foliage that can reach 30" tall x 3' wide, topped in spring with large, 2.5" intensely blue flowers. This is one superb geranium...a hard claim to make in our climate! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06195
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Geranium phaeum 'Samobor' (Samobor Hardy Geranium)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 2-8 24" tall Origin: Croatia
Open House/Web-Only!
Discovered in the damp woods in the wilds of Croatia, this marvelous geranium selection first caught my eye in the garden of friend Dan Hinkley. Each 2' wide clump is adorned with stunning foliage. Each of the 4" wide, textured green leaves is highlighted by a large purple-black circle in the center...a truly fascinating feature. In May-June, the clumps are topped with numerous 2' spikes of strongly-reflexed, dark lavender flowers. This tough and surprisingly easy-to-grow selection, even in hot, humid NC, is truly a must-have geranium! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04123
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Geranium 'Pink Penny' PP 17,656 (Pink Penny Cranesbill)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
If you think Geranium 'Rozanne' and G. 'Jolly Bee' are great, you'll love this purple-flowered form (RHS 80A). The name must be another example of male color-blindness. Netherlands nurseryman Marco van Noort found this mutation in his plants of G. 'Jolly Bee' and subsequently named it G. 'Pink Penny'. Just like its parent, G. 'Pink Penny' makes an 15" tall x 18" wide mound of white-patterned green foliage that is topped from June until frost with 2.5" wide purple flowers, each highlighted with dramatic dark veining. This is a tremendously exciting new introduction for everyone, but especially for those of us in the geranium-impaired southeastern US. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07569
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Geranium 'Rozanne' PP 12,175 (Rozanne's Cranesbill)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
This amazing new geranium has proven to be an outstanding performer...hence, it is one of the only patented hardy geraniums. G. 'Rozanne' was discovered in 1990 in the garden of Donald and Rozanne Waterer of Somerset, England, and released by Blooms of Bressingham. This sterile hybrid of G. himalayense x G. wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' makes an 18" wide clump, topped from June until frost with large 2.5" blue-violet flowers. We think you should let Rozanne do her thing in your garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05111
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Geranium sanguineum 'Ankum's Pride' (Bloody Cranesbill)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-9 14" tall Origin: Europe, Asia
This amazing new selection of hardy geranium from Holland's Coen Jansen boasts large, intensely pink flowers, each highlighted by red markings radiating from the center of the flower. Starting in late spring and continuing most of the summer, the compact 14" tall mound of dark-green cutleaf foliage is covered in flowers. We have found this to be a really great color break in Geranium sanguineum. For tough, dry, sunny areas, this is the perfect solution. Coen named the geranium for his street, "Ankummer Es." Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04969
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Geranium sanguineum 'Elke' (Elke Bloody Cranesbill)
SunZone: 4-8, at least 10" tall Origin: Europe, Asia
This amazing new selection of the durable G. sanguineum is topped, starting in late April (NC) and continuing until fall, with silver dollar-sized flowers of fluorescent pink, each highlighted by a white central pattern and a narrow white border. The 10" tall x 3' wide clumps can tolerate a wide range of conditions including an amazing amount of drought. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07007
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Geranium 'Sweet Heidy' PP 19,533 (Sweet Heidy Hardy Geranium)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8, at least 14" tall Origin: Hybrid
Geranium 'Sweet Heidy' is the next generation of breeding from the work that produced the wonderful G. 'Jolly Bee' and G. 'Rozanne'. G. 'Sweet Heidy' comes from Dutch nurseryman Marco van Noort, who named his new selection after his wife. The 14" tall x 18" wide open habit from the G. wallichianum parent is similar to G. 'Jolly Bee', but the large blue-lavender flower has a distinctive white central pattern that contrasts nicely with the dark stamens (sexual parts). Just like its parent, G. 'Sweet Heidy' flowers from late spring until fall. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07464
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Gladiolus (Glads)
While commercial gladiolus breeding intentionally selects plants that will not be winter hardy, we can only thank our lucky stars that this was not the case in some of the early hybrids. Additionally, many wild South African species make superb garden plants...perhaps not as showy for a funeral spray, but nevertheless, great garden plants. I expect many of these will be much more winter hardy than our Hardiness Zone ratings indicate.
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Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus 'Cruentus' (Corn Flags)
Sun to Part SunZone: 6-9, at least 24" tall Origin: Mediterranean Europe
(aka: G. byzantinus) We are pleased to finally offer the old-fashioned Gulf Coast pass-along gladiolus...thanks to Texas plantsman Greg Grant. The 2' tall spikes of intensely tacky, fluorescent cerise-red flowers top the late-January emerging foliage, from late April through early May. G. 'Cruentus' could be classified as a spring ephemeral since the entire clump is dormant by early summer...be sure to mark the spot when planting summer groundcovers. We tried to find a matching RHS color code with no luck...obviously royal taste doesn't allow this color in the old UK. As you can imagine, its drought tolerance and ease of culture are legendary! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05857
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Gladiolus dalenii 'Bolivian Peach' (Hardy Glad)
SunZone: 7-9, possibly colder 40" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: Gladiolus coll #A12NC-018B) We found this abandoned gladiolus on a roadside bank near the town of Bolivia in Brunswick Co., NC. Of all the glads that we have rescued from such sites, this one has shown the most vigor. The multiplication rate and subsequent flowering potential is unrivaled. For us, the clumps are topped with 40" flower spikes in early July. The lower petals are soft yellow, blending perfectly with the soft peach color of the top petals. Many G. dalenii forms have proven to be hardy into Zone 6 for those who don't mind experimenting. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05510
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Gladiolus dalenii 'Halloweenie' (Halloween Hardy Glad)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-9, at least 60" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
From South African seed, we selected this amazing form of the durable and easy-to-grow Gladiolus dalenii var. dalenii. G. 'Halloweenie' produces 5' tall flower spikes of intense scarlet orange flowers, each with a bright yellow throat. The flowering show doesn't start here until Halloween...slightly earlier in warmer climates. This is a truly tacky plant for a tacky holiday...get one today! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05990
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Gladiolus 'Old Fort' (Old Fort Hardy Gladiolus)
SunZone: 7-10, possibly colder 84" tall Origin: Hybrid
The year was 2004, the highway, Interstate 40, the exit, Old Fort, NC. Though it isn't advertised, old Ford vans can go from 60 mph to 0 in just a few seconds as I can attest when I saw this long-abandoned gladiolus growing by the guardrail just outside Asheville, NC. Upon closer inspection, it was not the G. dalenii often found in southern gardens, but an old garden hybrid...a very winter hardy hybrid. Back in our trial gardens, Gladiolus 'Old Fort' produces stunning 7' tall sturdy flower spikes, starting in late June and continuing into July, often with repeat flowering. This glad probably had a name in a former life, but after being stranded on the highway for years, its memory ain't what it used to be. If you recognize it, please let us know. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08088
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Gladiolus 'Priscilla' (Priscilla Hardy Glad)
SunZone: 7-9, at least 60" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
Despite new gladiolus cultivars being bred not to be winter hardy, there are still some stunning old selections that make reliable perennials in Zone 7 and possibly colder. One such clone is G. 'Priscilla', which we found not being the queen of the desert, but instead all alone at an abandoned home in Franklinton, NC. This robust grower produces an abundance of tall 5' spikes starting in mid-June (NC). Each stunning spike is composed of large white flowers, highlighted with a light yellow center and a frilly, hot-pink edge. This is one gaudy gladiolus...not exactly a masculine flower you'd expect to see used at a Harley convention. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06712
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Gloxinia
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Gloxinia nematanthodes 'Evita' (Evita Hardy Gloxinia)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-9, at least 12" tall Origin: Argentina
This amazing PDN introduction from 4,000' elevation in Argentina is a new addition to our list of winter-hardy gesneriads. G. nematanthodes 'Evita' is late to emerge...usually June in NC. The compact 1' tall x 4' wide mass of short stems bearing soft green foliage is topped starting in August with 1" long bells of the most brilliant orange-red we have ever seen on anything other than a custom Ferrari. For us, flowering continues until frost. G. nematanthodes also spreads by above-ground stolons, soon making a wonderful groundcover. If you like brilliant colors, grab your camera and sunglasses. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05556
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Grevillea
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Grevillea 'Canberra Gem' (Canberra Gem Grevillea)
SunZone: 8-10, guessing 72" tall Origin: Australia
Open House/Web-Only!
From Australia comes one of the more winter hardy of the protea family members....a grevillea cross of G. juniperina x G. rosmarinifolia, made in the early 1960s by P. Moore, who worked at the Yarralumla Government Nursery in Canberra. The 6' tall x 10' wide shrub is clothed with rigid dark green needles, topped in early spring with small clusters of peachy red flowers. Good drainage, low phosphorous, and dry soils after establishment are key.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08471
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Grevillea victoriae 'Murray Queen' (Murray Queen Grevillea)
SunZone: 7b-9, guessing 72" tall Origin: Australia
Open House/Web-Only!
I was so excited to be able to grow this outdoors, that I purchased the entire 3 volume set of grevillea books. Named for Queen Victoria, this species hails from the cold and wet sub-alpine region of southeast Australia, with the cultivar 'Murray Queen' hailing from Dead Horse Gap on the Murray River. G. 'Murray Queen' makes a 6' tall x 6' wide shrub of narrow, dark green leaves, whose branches are adorned in very early spring and sporadically through summer with small pendent clusters of bright orange flowers. Grevilleas are very drought tolerant and easy-to-grow...just keep the phosphorous fertilzers away. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07746
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Gunnera
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Gunnera manicata (Giant Gunnera)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7 only 120" tall Origin: Brazil, Columbia
Open House/Web-Only!
You've seen it in all the English gardening books, you've seen it featured in landscape design magazines, and now you can kill one of your own. When properly grown, G. manicata can reach 10' tall with an equal spread. The giant thick leaves double as an umbrella for the entire family. Remember killing gunnera at least three times is an official right of passage before you qualify as a true plant nerd. This holy grail of plant nuts everywhere needs a cool moist site to survive, and will not tolerate more than 40 summer days with temperatures above 90 degrees F. Keep in mind it hates heat and extreme cold. Personally, if you don't live on the West Coast, eastern mountains, or similar climates, there is virtually no chance you can grow this. Best of luck! Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #04947
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Habranthus (Rain Lily)
Like zephyranthes, habranthus are great for naturalizing in climates where they are winter hardy. In zones north of Zone 7, they also make superb container specimens. Most habranthus are native to dry desert-like conditions, but burst into flower in summer and fall within a couple of days after a rainstorm. Unlike zephyranthes, whose flowers tend to be up facing, habranthus flowers face outwards.
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Habranthus brachyandrus (Rain Lily)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 15" tall Origin: S. America
Open House/Web-Only!
This hard-to-find rain lily has flat green foliage, similar to H. robustus. When the outfacing pink flower comes into bloom, it's time to get the camera. Each flower can be up to 4" long. The contrast of the outfacing pink flower with the dramatic purple throat is truly incredible...as is seen in some of its offspring H. x floryi selections (with which the H. brachyandrus is usually mistaken). Once you have seen the true species, however, there is no longer any mistaking this rain lily. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02680
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Habranthus 'Pink Flamingos' (Pink Flamingos Rain Lily)
SunZone: 7b-10 8" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
We originally received this from Carl Schoenfeld of Yucca Do as a Habranthus hybrid. After trials in NC, we agree with Carl that it is an exceptionally floriferous hybrid of H. robustus, so together we coined the name H. 'Pink Flamingos', which well-describes a clump in flower. As with most rain lilies, this fast-multiplying clump starts flowering for us in midsummer and continues after each rain shower. Once the clump becomes well-established, it will bowl you over with its floral show. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06244
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Hedera (English Ivy)
Instead of offering climbing ivies, we are excited to offer adult bush ivies. Just like a young child, young ivies run around and get into things they shouldn't. Just like kids, ivies go through puberty, which happens only after they crawl high into a tree or other tall object. They then settle down, stop running, begin flowering,, and gain the ability to reproduce. By propagating from these difficult-to-root adult parts of the plant (cloning), the plant retains the adult characteristics once it begins to grow. Just like adults don't behave like kids once they become adult, adult ivies no longer feel the need to conquer the rest of the plant kingdom. Although adult ivies have the ability to reproduce by seed, we have seen no seedlings in our trials. Thanks to Richard Davis of the Ivy Farm for allowing us to offer his selections.
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Hedera algeriensis 'Whipped Cream' (Adult Variegated Algerian Ivy)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-9, at least 24" tall Origin: North Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
We really like this variegated adult selection of the Algerian ivy cultivar H. 'Gloire de Marengo' from Richard Davis of the Ivy Farm. For us, it makes a 2' tall x 18" wide clump of large glaucous green leaves edged with a wide white border...a stunning evergreen clump for dry sites in the garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06608
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Hedera colchica 'Green Spice' (Green Spice Adult Persian Ivy)
Sun to ShadeZone: 6-9, at least 48" tall Origin: Caucasus
Open House/Web-Only!
I honestly never thought I would grow another English ivy, and certainly not describe one as stunning, but all that changed when I got hooked on adult ivies. Hedera 'Green Spice' is a clumping (non-running) adult selection of H. colchica from Richard Davis of the Ivy Farm. H. 'Green Spice' makes an architecturally striking, upright specimen to 4' tall x 4' wide in 5 years. Each evergreen clump of black-green, heart-shaped foliage is topped in early summer with unique green flower clusters. If you have been looking for a plant to grow under your deck in virtually no light, this is it. As long as it is in well-drained soil, no pruning or other care should be needed. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05131
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Hedera helix 'Buttermint' (Buttermint Adult Ivy)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9, guessing 48" tall Origin: Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
This is my favorite of the adult ivies...a small leaf adult form of H. 'Elegantissima' with a central leaf pattern of dark green, surrounded by a creamy yellow border. The tight clump forms a 4' tall x 5' wide mound in 7 years...a great year-round interest feature in the garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06609
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Hedera helix 'Prince Avenue' (Prince Avenue Adult Ivy)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9, guessing 60" tall Origin: Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
Visitors at our Fall Open House have been asking about this for years, so here it is. This amazing selection of adult ivy from Timbercrest Farms makes a large evergreen woody perennial (shrub) to 5' tall x 7' wide in 5 years. The glossy, dark green leaves make for an attention-getting garden specimen. In mid-September, the clump is in full flower with alien-like flower heads that attract every cool insect within miles. Hedera helix should not be planted in the Pacific Northwest, where it grows far too well and can become a problem seeding into natural areas. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06647
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