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Aloe (Aloe)
Aloe is a genus of mostly African plants that have been overlooked for potential winter hardiness. While the common Aloe vera (medicine plant) and many others used primarily as house plants are not winter hardy, many others are. In fact, many aloe species occur at elevations exceeding 10,000'. We have killed quite a few species in our trials but have had some wonderful success as well. We are continuing to evaluate numerous species for their abilities to tolerate our cold wet climates. |
Aloe cooperi (Cooper's Hardy Grass Aloe)
Sun Zone: 7b-9, at least 15" tall Origin: S. Africa
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Not to be confused with a '70s rock singer, Aloe cooperi hails from the dry, open grasslands in the Natal Mountains of South Africa where it was discovered in 1860. The narrow, green, v-shaped leaves are edged with a row of tiny white bumps. The fast-multiplying, 15" wide deciduous clumps are topped in midsummer with 18" terminal flower spikes of dangling coral-orange flowers. Both the young shoots and flowers are edible and considered a delicacy where they grow wild...they must not have McDonald's yet. McAloe's...hmmm. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05256
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Aloe humilis (Low Growing Aloe)
Sun to Part SunZone: 8-10 4" tall Origin: S. Africa
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We are pleased to offer another of the winter hardy aloes we saw in the wild near Napier, South Africa in 2005. The species has a wide range from near sea level to 5300' elevation. The small tight rosettes are composed of narrow blue-green leaves covered in small raised bumps. The dense offsetting clumps are topped in spring with 1' spikes of dangling bright orange tubular flowers. For us, A. humilis has survived 10 degrees F in the garden, as long as it is not subjected to winter moisture. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08139
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Aloe polyphylla (Hardy Spiral Aloe)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-9 12" tall Origin: S. Africa
You've seen it pictured on everything from postcards to calendars. Now you can have one of your own! No, we're not talking about Pamela Anderson, we're talking about Aloe polyphylla. We were amazed when we first saw this growing in the Lappi garden in Chapel Hill, NC, where it had happily resided for over a decade. Now we are able to offer the very rare and exquisitely beautiful spiral aloe. Native to the high mountains of South Africa, where it is in danger of extinction, Aloe polyphylla is perfectly adaptable to the cold winters of the eastern US. The fast-growing Aloe polyphylla forms a tight rosette of light green leaves that continues in a beautiful spiral as the plant ages. For a specimen plant that will dazzle visitors, this is a must. Plant on a slope, since winter moisture is a bad thing! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04905
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Aloe striatula (Hardy Aloe)
SunZone: 7b-10 40" tall Origin: S. Africa
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Amazing...yes, a hardy aloe! From the wilds of South Africa comes this amazing species with upright stalks of 1" wide, dark green foliage. In warmer climates, the stalks can reach in excess of 3'. The larger stalks tend to arch outward with age due to excess weight...as do we. In early summer, the clumps are topped with amazing scapes of orange-yellow bells. This is one for the plant nut who likes to push the limits of hardiness. In Zone 7, you will need to provide great drainage and protect the foliage from excess winter moisture to avoid slight foliage burn or rot...we use a cloth or upside down pot as needed. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04037
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Aloysia
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Aloysia virgata (Sweet Almond Tree Verbena)
SunZone: 7b-10 96" tall Origin: Argentina, Brazil
NEW!
We have grown Aloysia virgata since 2001 and in that time it has become one of our favorite summer flowering plants. In our climate, it dies to the ground in winter and behaves as a 8' tall perennial, where in more southerly climates, it makes a large open shrub to 15'. The upright woody stems are clothed with dark green sandpapery leaves. Starting in July and continuing until a hard frost, the branches end in terminal spikes of extremely fragrant white flowers that serve as an attractant for butterflies, other cool insects, and garden visitors. The intoxicating fragrance of vanilla almonds is strongest in late afternoon and evening. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07587
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Alpinia (Ginger)
This diverse and easy-to-grow genus of tropical and subtropical gingers hails from Southeast Asia. Gardeners in mild climates will be rewarded with colorful terminal flower spikes, while those of us in colder zones where the foliage dies back in the winter will be left to enjoy alpinias as tropical-textured, fragrant foliage plants. |
Alpinia japonica 'Extra Spicy' (Extra Spicy Ginger)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10 20" tall Origin: China, Japan, Taiwan
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This wonderful Japanese selection of the hardy Alpinia japonica is no relation to any member of the 1990's English pop group. The upright, glossy green 1' long fragrant leaves are heavily splashed with creamy white, making an eye-catching addition to the woodland garden. Occasionally, the clumps will throw an all-green division, which is more vigorous and should be removed. In spring, the clumps are topped with white flowers with red stripes on terminal spikes...stunning!
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06037
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Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)
While most alstroemerias hate heat, hate cold, or take over the garden, our trials have found several great garden specimens that behave quite well and actually grow. Many are hybrids from Mark Brigden's wonderful breeding program when he was at the University of Connecticut (now Cornell). In addition, they make superb long-lasting cut flowers.
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Alstroemeria 'Freedom' PP 9,393 (Princess Lily)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5b-8, at least 30" tall Origin: Hybrid
We are pleased to present this wonderful introduction from the breeding program of Mark Bridgen of Cornell University. A. 'Freedom' boasts similar heat- and cold-tolerance to that of A. 'Sweet Laura'. The winter rosettes of green foliage give rise from June through September to 30" tall spikes of peachy red flowers (RHS 53D), highlighted at the tip of the uppermost two petals with a bold white pattern, speckled with carmine. A. 'Freedom' has proven to be much more of a clumper in contrast to the more common runner, A. psittacina. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04159
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Alstroemeria 'Glory of the Andes' (Glory of the Andes Princess Lily)
SunZone: 5b-8, at least 30" tall Origin: Hybrid
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We are truly excited by this variegated sport of the wonderful A. 'Sweet Laura' that was discovered at Connecticut's Sunny Border Nursery. Each green leaf is edged with a creamy yellow border, adding more interest to an already fabulous perennial. A. 'Glory of the Andes' begins flowering in early July in NC with 30" tall spikes of orange and continues until fall. Even when it's not in flower, A. 'Glory of the Andes' provides great foliage interest in the garden. The longer we grow this, the more impressed we are with this great alstroemeria. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05364
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Alstroemeria 'Mauve Majesty' PPAF (Mauve Majesty Princess Lily)
Sun to Part SunZone: 6-8a, at least 30" tall Origin: Hybrid
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This 2007 introduction from Cornell's Mark Bridgen makes a compact clumper, topped from mid-June through September with 30" spikes that end in rosy-pink flowers, two petals of which are highlighted with a yellow base. Because A. 'Mauve Majesty' makes a tight clump, it is perfect for a small space in a small garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08043
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Alstroemeria psittacina 'Variegata' (White Edged Princess Lily)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6b-9a 15" tall Origin: Brazil alternate image
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This Japanese selection improves on the native Brazilian species with dramatic, white-edged leaves. This winter-grower makes a spreading mass of attractive foliage to 15" tall x 3' wide in 6 years (much slower than the species). In June, the flowering stems erupt to nearly 3', each topped with narrow tubular flowers speckled maroon and green...actually quite beautiful. After flowering, the clump goes semi-dormant for the summer, re-emerging in September. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03028
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Alstroemeria 'Sweet Laura' PP 10,030 (Princess Lily)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5b-8, at least 30" tall Origin: Hybrid
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From Mark Bridgen at Cornell University comes this extraordinarily hardy and fragrant princess lily. The winter rosettes of green foliage give rise from June through September to 30" tall stems of golden flowers, highlighted with orange tips and cinnamon specks. The sweet fragrance of the abundant floral display makes this a must for the summer border. In our climate, most princess lilies die of heat stroke when they sample our summers, but not A. 'Sweet Laura'. Once established, this A. caryophyllaea hybrid spreads very slowly, unlike many of the more aggressive species. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03543
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Alstroemeria 'The Third Harmonic' (Princess Lily)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-9, possibly colder 36" tall Origin: Hybrid
This amazing new hybrid from breeder George Hare of CA is little known outside of the West Coast. After several years in our trials, it has ranked as one of our top performers. This sterile cross of A. 'Harmony' and A. aurantiaca is a vigorous grower that is topped virtually all summer with 3' tall flower stalks with clusters of large, medium orange flowers, each with a purple-flecked lip. The back of the petals also has a lovely contrasting burnt-maroon flush. Whether you enjoy them in the garden or take them indoors as cut flowers, this is a real winner! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04160
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Amarcrinum
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Amarcrinum 'Fred Howard' (xAmarcrinum)
SunZone: 7-10, at least 24" tall Origin: Hybrid
xAmarcrinum is one of those rare man-made wonders rivaling the Great Pyramids! This bigeneric hybrid of Amaryllis belladonna x Crinum moorei produced one of the most fabulous bulbous perennials for the South. The short, glossy, strap-like leaves to 18" give rise in the hottest part of summer to 2' stalks, each topped with 6-8 large, lovely pink, exquisitely fragrant flowers. As soon as one stalk finishes flowering, another emerges, and this flowering pattern continues until frost. In colder climates, xAmarcrinum makes a superb potted specimen! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01408
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Amicia
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Amicia zygomeris (Gotta Pea)
SunZone: 7b-9, at least 84" tall Origin: Mexico
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When plantsman Sean Hogan shared this with me under the guise of it being hardy, I had to laugh. Despite being native in the Mexican mountains, I never expected it to survive our winters. Despite a late planting and a severe hit-and-run with a rabid wheelbarrow, up it came in spring like nothing had happened. This Martian-looking pea relative makes a 7' tall, upright perennial with glaucous green foliage that folds up at night. Near the top of the fuzzy stems, the leaf axils are adorned with funny-looking, purple-stained bibs. The stalks are also adorned with large, yellow, pea-like flowers throughout the summer. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06198
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Ammocharis
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Ammocharis coranica (Sand Crinum)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-9, at least 12" tall Origin: S. Africa
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Ammocharis are some of many bizarre South African bulbs that make great garden subjects, but are still far too little-known outside of their native habitats. We have been very impressed with the performance of ammocharis in our gardens over the last several years. This native of seasonally wet, hot, sandy soils emerges in late spring with 12" long x 1" wide, glaucous, strap-like, ground-hugging leaves. Imagine a crinum run over by a steamroller, and you have the picture. In mid-June in NC, the flower cluster containing 25-50 nerine-like, rich pink flowers emerges on a 8-12" tall stalk. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05830
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| <Ajuga - Alocasia] | [Amorphophallus I> |
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