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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. |
Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus 'Cruentus' (Corn Flags)
Sun to Part Sun Zone: 6-9, at least 24" tall Origin: Mediterranean Europe
NEW!
(aka: G. byzantinus) We are pleased to finally offer the old-fashioned Gulf Coast pass-along gladiolus...thanks to TX 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
(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
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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
NEW!
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, it's 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 Glad)
SunZone: 7-9, at least 60" tall Origin: Hybrid
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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 at a Harley convention. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06712
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Glaucidium
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Glaucidium palmatum (Japanese Wood Poppy)
Light ShadeZone: 5-7a 18" tall Origin: Japan
Glaucidium palmatum is one of the most highly prized plants in horticulture...and one that we can't grow in our climate. I am shamelessly envious of those of you north of Zone 7b or on the West Coast who can grow it. For those in the colder zones, we offer this hard-to-find hellebore relative which makes large 2' wide clumps of rich, green, anemone-like foliage. In very early spring, the clumps are adorned with large, pink, peony-like flowers. This is such an exceptional beauty that any gardener who has a woodland garden and can grow this gem simply must have this as part of the garden. Get them before it gets hot here. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06242
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Gloxinia
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Gloxinia 'Chic' (Chic Hardy Gloxinia)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10, at least 12" tall Origin: Hybrid
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This delightful gesneriad (African Violet cousin) from Lyndon Lyon has proved to be completely winter hardy in our trials. The fuzzy, green leaves are held horizontally on 1' tall upright stalks. Starting in early September, the top of the stalks are adorned with fuzzy, bright scarlet-red, tubular flowers with a white-speckled throat, held outright on 2" stalks. Our 3-year-old clumps are 2' wide. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06197
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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 4000' 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 1' wide clump of soft green foliage is topped starting in August with 1" long bells of the most brilliant orange-red that 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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Gunnera
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Gunnera manicata (Giant Gunnera)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7 only 100" tall Origin: Brazil, Columbia
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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, there is virtually no chance you can grow this. Best of luck! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #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. |
Habranthus brachyandrus (Rain Lily)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 15" tall Origin: S. America
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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 martinezii (Rain Lily)
SunZone: 7b-9 8" tall Origin: Argentina
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Habranthus martinezii is another of the wonderful rain lilies from northern Argentina that has adapted very well to our climate in hot, humid NC. The slowly offsetting bulbs begin flowering in mid-June in NC with large, light pink cups with dark green/purple bases that face just above horizontal. This has been a great performer both in pots and in the garden. Each pot has multiple flowering-sized bulbs. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06151
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Habranthus 'Pink Flamingos' (Pink Flamingos Rain Lily)
SunZone: 7b-10 8" tall Origin: Hybrid
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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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Habranthus x floryi Purple Base (Rain Lily)
Sun to ShadeZone: 7b-10 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
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The flat blue-green foliage of this wonderful rain lily is topped all summer with dramatic, 2-3" long, giant rosy pink flowers atop 15" stalks. As the horizontal-facing flowers open, they reveal a gorgeous "deep throat" of crimson purple...a great name for a gardening movie. For us, the entire clumps come into flower at once, then rest until the next rain, when they flower again. This flowering cycle continues until frost. In old Southern gardens, giant 3' wide clumps of H. x floryi (H. robustus x H. brachyandrus) may occasionally be seen. Even small clumps may have up to two dozen flower stems. Our plants are all propagated from offsets from a particularly nice clone. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04239
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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. |
Hedera algeriensis 'Whipped Cream' (Adult Variegated Algerian Ivy)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-9, at least 24" tall Origin: North Africa
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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' (Hardy Bush Persian Ivy)
Sun to ShadeZone: 6-9, at least 48" tall Origin: Caucasus
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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
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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 'Poetica' (Hardy Bush Ivy)
Sun to ShadeZone: 5-8 48" tall Origin: Europe
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This new selection of adult bush ivy makes an attractive 4' tall x 4' wide, compact clump of dark, evergreen, spade-shaped leaves. In late summer, the clumps are topped with unique flower clusters...no color...just flower clusters. If you are of the marigold and impatiens persuasion, this is not for you. Well-drained to dry soil is best. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05333
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Hedera helix 'Prince Avenue' (Prince Avenue Adult Ivy)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9, guessing 60" tall Origin: Europe
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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| <Gaillardia - Geranium] | [Hedychium - Helianthus> |
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