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Panicum (Panic Grass, Switch Grass)
Don't panic, switch over to this grass. Panicum fits right into a planting, lending its delicate uprightness to contrast with heavier foliaged plants. Simply splendid garden plants, they are real showstoppers in fall when the airy flowers go through their bronze to blond color change like Madonna. |
Panicum amarum 'Dewey Blue' (Bitter Switchgrass)
Sun Zone: 2-9 48" tall Origin: USA
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Thanks to Rick Darke, author of "The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses," we now have a selection of another great native panicum. P. amarum is a stabilizing clump-forming beach grass that grows in dry sand between dunes from CT to LA. Rick selected P. 'Dewey Blue' for its graceful habit and lovely glaucous foliage. In late summer, the 4' tall clumps (shorter in dry sand) are topped by light airy tan plumes that persist all winter. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #05122
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Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine' (Giant Blue Switchgrass)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-9 72" tall Origin: USA alternate image
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This selection of native switchgrass from Maryland's Bluemount Nursery must be a panicum on steroids! I first saw P. 'Cloud Nine' at Longwood Gardens, where visitors were gawking, snapping pictures, and making notes. The strongly growing, 6' tall, vertical clumps of metallic-blue foliage are topped by giant, reddish-brown, cloud-like plumes in late summer through fall. As the flowers fade, their sheer size causes the clump to billow out like an inebriated woman with big hair. I recommend some strong neighbors nearby for support if horizontal space is an issue...at least for the grass. This is one totally awesome...I'm running out of adjectives...INCREDIBLE grass!!! Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #01785
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Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues' PP 11,202 (Blue Switchgrass)
SunZone: 5-9 60" tall Origin: USA
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Named after the Cowboys who were defeated by the Redskins on national TV...just kidding. This Ken and Linda Smith selection of our native switchgrass is among the most stunning forms ever selected. Originally found in Dallas, TX, it has grown equally well in the cold Midwest. P. 'Dallas Blues' makes an upright clump of pendent, powder-blue foliage to 5' tall, topped in early fall with stunning plumes of reddish purple. The flower heads are unlike any other panicum, as the flowers appear in distinct layers. Even without the foliage, these plumes are just waiting to become a flower arrangement. We predict certain stardom for this grass! Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #03363
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Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' (Upright Switchgrass)
SunZone: 4-9 60" tall Origin: USA alternate image
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From Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farm comes another fabulously different selection of our native switchgrass...yes, it is completely different. The wide, olive-green foliage makes the strongest vertical accent of any of the switchgrasses we have grown. This vigorous grower is topped in September with attractive narrow plumes, held incredibly erect atop the foliage. Everyone who sees this rates it as one of the best! Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #02923
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Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' (Purple Foliage Switchgrass)
SunZone: 5-9 36" tall Origin: USA
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WOW! Rick Darke first alerted us to this fabulous new grass and as always...he was right! This selection of our native panicum from Germany's Hans Simon makes a small and neat 3' tall clump. The foliage has a lovely, dark purple cast on its tips throughout the summer, but when fall hits, you won't even notice the nice airy plumes because of the dark, black-purple foliage! This is a standout in our garden that draws raves from everyone who visits! Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #02596
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xPardancanda
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xPardancanda norrisii (Candy Lily)
Sun to Part SunZone: 3-8 36" tall Origin: Hybrid
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This cross of Pardanthopsis dichotoma (Iris dichotoma) x Belamcanda chinensis produced a wonderful strain known as candy lilies. Our offerings are isolated seedlings from a selected clone with particularly nice flowers. Of the six petals, half are tangerine-orange and the other half reddish-purple. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05637
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xPardancanda norrisii 'Sangria' (Sangria Candy Lily)
SunZone: 5-9 18" tall Origin: Hybrid
This release from the breeding program of Harlan Hamernik at Bluebird Nursery is a fantastic new addition to the summer flower border. This bi-generic hybrid (pardanthopsis x belamcanda) makes a multi-fan clump of sword-like, green foliage. Beginning in early to mid-July, the clumps are topped with splendid, flat, six-petaled flowers...three petals of violet purple (RHS 70A), alternating with three petals of peachy pink. Everyone who sees this stops immediately...we think you will love it! Our plants are from division since this cultivar does not come true from seed. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03916
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Patrinia
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Patrinia scabiosifolia (Golden Lace)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9 70" tall Origin: Korea
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Golden Lace is truly one of the best "new" perennials in the last couple of decades. After doing the green, "scabiosa-like", rosette thing for the first year, every year thereafter you will find clusters of tall, airy, see-through, 50-70" stems topped with chrome-yellow flowers throughout the summer. After the blooms fade, the remaining floral parts retain the golden color. P. scabiosifolia is a great plant to blend in the garden, border, or to use in flower arrangements. In good soils, it will even reseed to create some truly special combinations. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00627
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Pellaea (Cliff Brake)
This group of small to mid-sized ferns is usually found on rocky cliffs, mostly from the Southwest US, Mexico, and South Africa. Most species have evolved to be quite drought and sun tolerant, making great rock garden specimens. Compared to a typical woodland fern, some folks are hard pressed to believe these are really ferns. |
Pellaea ovata coll. #A2T-016 (Zig-Zag Cliff Brake Fern)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-9, at least 15" tall Origin: USA, Mexico
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This splendidly unusual desert sun fern has proven to be quite easy to grow in our garden. These particular plants are spore grown from a Burnet Co. (Texas Hill Country) plant, from our 2000 expedition. This darling deciduous fern has a zig-zag rachis (stem) to 15" tall, adorned with thumb-shaped, blue-grey leaves that point downward. Preferring dry, rocky sites in the wild, this fern grows in both alkaline and acid soils. Almost no one who sees this in our garden can identify it as a fern. While zig-zag cliff brake isn't difficult to grow, it might prove to be a bit challenging for beginners. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06595
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Pennisetum (Fountain Grass)
Fountain grass is easily one of the most popular and easy-to-grow ornamental grasses. There is a fountain grass for everyone, from 6" to 15' tall. We offer a range of new, exciting fountain grasses that will provide a whole new dimension to using ornamental grasses in the garden. Their tuft-like fountains of narrow foliage in addition to their stunning plumage make nice airy statements in the garden. Fountain grass can either be cut back in the fall or in the spring, depending on how badly the winter weather ravages the foliage. We no longer offer or recommend the spectacular but aggressively reseeding P. ‘Moudry’ or P. viridescens... and doubt that they are actually selections of P. alopecuroides. The other fountain grasses have not posed any problems with reseeding. Although Pennisetum is extremely tolerant of adverse conditions, it prefers full sun or light shade and average garden soils. After seeing it growing on the seacoasts in Korea, I have a new appreciation for its salt tolerance. |
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Foxtrot' (Foxtrot Fountain Grass)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9 60" tall Origin: Asia
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This splendid Kurt Bluemel selection of fountain grass (introduced under the invalid name of P. alopecuroides 'Japonicum') has long been one of our favorites, and we were thrilled when it finally got a "proper" name. P. 'Foxtrot' makes a large, upright, 5' tall x 4' wide clump, topped in midsummer with 5' tall tan plumes. P. 'Foxtrot' has proven to be an outstanding, long-lived and reliable performer with much more vigor than typical P. alopecuroides. After a decade in our garden, we have never found any stray seedlings. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06870
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Pennisetum 'Oceanside' (Giant Fountain Grass)
SunZone: 8-10 120" tall Origin: unknown alternate image
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(aka: Pennisetum japonicum) Move over Jack, and forget the beans, I can see a new story emerging...John and the grass stalk. Originally found by Richard Neufeld as a small population in Oceanside, CA, this amazing introduction by grass guru John Greenlee is truly a pennisetum on steroids. From a deciduous rootstock, this giant grass reaches 10' tall by the end of the season. The bamboo-looking canes are adorned with large, corn-like, green foliage. In late October and until a hard freeze, the massive clumps are topped with non-seeding, cattail-like flower heads. Pennisetum 'Oceanside' is amazing where it is hardy, or further north, dazzling as a tender perennial. Plant this in a container and stand back! Taxonomists have so far been unable to ID this as to species. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04784
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Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose' PP 12,909 (Oriental Fountain Grass)
Sun to Part SunZone: 6-8a, at least 36" tall Origin: Asia alternate image
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This selection of P. orientale was discovered by David Skwiot of Sunny Border Nurseries in 1995. P. 'Karley Rose' (named after David's daughter) stood out from all the other plants in a block of P. orientale seedlings...for darker green foliage with a much taller and more upright habit. The early summer plumes were also quite a bit larger and a much richer pink than the species. Trials have revealed that P. 'Karley Rose' is also much hardier than typical P. orientale. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00184
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Pennisetum orientale 'Tall Tails' (Giant Fountain Grass)
Sun to Part SunZone: 6-10 72" tall Origin: Pakistan
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Our 1998 introduction! What originated in a USDA seed bank for forage crops (via Woods Nursery in PA, then Hoffman Nursery in NC), has made the transformation into one of the greatest new additions to the ornamental grass lineup. This vigorous, heat-loving P. orientale form from Pakistan makes a border-sized, upright, arching clump to 4.5' tall. The 9" long early fall plumes of tan, with a hint of pink, tower another 12" above the foliage...essentially a hardy P. setaceum...a designer's dream! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01916
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Perovskia
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Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Filigran' (Cut Leaf Russian Sage)
SunZone: 4-8, possibly colder 36" tall Origin: Pakistan
You are sure to love this introduction from Germany's Ernst Pagels. The foliage on this heat- and drought-tolerant gem is extremely dissected compared to the other perovskias, giving a lacier textural appearance in the garden. The growth is also much more upright, combined with a longer flowering time...topped with the same dazzling, fuzzy, purple flowers (RHS 87C) throughout the summer - WOW! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00995
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Persicaria (Buckwheat)
This fundamentalist branch of the Buckwheat family split off from the polygonums over issues of sexual infidelity (polygonumy)...see more info under polygonum. |
Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon' PP 12062 (Red Dragon Persicaria)
SunZone: 5-9, at least 36" tall Origin: China alternate image
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From Greg Speichert at Crystal Palace comes this fabulous new perennial. The clumping rootstock emerges in spring with dark burgundy-red stems to 3-4' tall x 4-5' wide. Each stem is lined with exquisite, tricolor, chevron-patterned leaves of purple, silver and green. From midsummer through fall, the tips of the plant are covered in tiny, white baby's-breath-like flowers. P. 'Red Dragon' is great in the perennial border as well as in a mixed container planting. In climates with hot nights, the intensity of the leaf coloration will not be as dramatic. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03796
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Persicaria microcephala 'Silver Dragon' PP 16,421 (Silver Dragon Persicaria)
SunZone: 5b-9 36" tall Origin: China
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Persicaria 'Silver Dragon' is the most distinctive of the new persicaria hybrids from Terra Nova. This dramatic plant has foliage that is primarily silver, with an olive-green border and a central red leaf vein. The new growth emerges with a red overlay that quickly disappears. The leaves adorn the arching red-purple stems, forming a 3' tall x 5' wide clump, topped in summer with sprays of white baby's-breath-like flowers...very stunning! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06088
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Persicaria polymorpha (White Dragon)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 3-8, guessing 60" tall Origin: China, Japan alternate image
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(syn: Polygonum polymorphum) We first received this plant from its greatest supporter, Wolfgang Oehme (Oehme and Van Sweeden), who raved about his "new" greatest perennial. P. polymorpha is native to high-elevation gravelly slopes but has grown well for us in our woodland garden. In full sun, expect a 5' tall, vase-shaped clump (not running) of leafy stalks, each ending in a large white plume. For us, P. polymorpha flowers from early summer through midsummer. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04156
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Phanerophlebia
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Phanerophlebia umbonata coll. #A1M-51 (Mexican Holly Fern)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7-10 18" tall Origin: Mexico
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From our 1994 expedition to Mexico, this fern still ranks as one of my best discoveries...despite a name that even Hooked On Phonics(R) couldn't help you pronounce! Resembling a very upright holly fern (cyrtomium), the Mexican holly fern has proven to be evergreen here in Zone 7. Being a tight clumper has allowed us to use it safely around aroids, hostas, and as a nice green foil to early spring bulbs. The evergreen fern has proven to be a valuable asset to add life to the often drab winter woodland garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04294
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Phlebodium
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Phlebodium pseudoaureum (Blue Rabbit's Foot Fern)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 8-10, at least 12" tall Origin: Mexico, South America
NEW!
(aka: Polypodium areolatum) In case you've never heard of a phlebodium, it was kicked out of the more familiar genus polypodium over reproductive issues. We got our first plant from our friends at Yucca Do, who were excited about its winter hardiness. After several years of trialing, we are equally as excited. The 1' tall glaucous leaves which look more like a snow mitt than a fern frond, emerge from the slowly-spreading, red-haired rhizomes that lay on top of the soil. Although P. pseudoaureum will grow in a wide range of soil types, slightly moist soils and a sloping site are best. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07207
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Phlomis (Jerusalem Sage)
For sturdy garden performers, it's hard to beat the group of Jerusalem sages. This genus consists of both "sub-shrub" and perennial species. This salvia relative enjoys full sun to light shade and dry, well-drained sites. |
Phlomis 'Edward Bowles' (Hybrid Jerusalem Sage)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-10, possibly colder 36" tall Origin: Hybrid
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Phlomis 'Edward Bowles' is a superb and superbly unknown perennial that needs rescuing from the jaws of obscurity. This hybrid (P. fruticosa x P. russeliana) originated in 1965 at Hillier's Nursery in England from seed reportedly sent by the late E.A. Bowles. Our plant came from California's Western Hills Nursery. The spade-like leaves of felty green tops and silver underneath adorn the 3' tall x 3' wide, evergreen clump. In spring, the vigorous and very easy-to-grow clumps are topped with 6-10" spikes of large, light/dark bicolor yellow, snapdragon-like flowers...stunning! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01875
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Phlomis fruticosa (Jerusalem Sage)
SunZone: 7-10 30" tall Origin: Mediterranean Europe
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This is one of the plants in my garden that I wouldn't garden without. For year-round interest it's hard to beat this felty, grey-leaved, drought-loving perennial/sub-shrub, to 30" tall x 5' wide. The dense clumps of evergreen (or should I say ever-grey) finger-shaped, heavily-textured foliage provide a nice foil for the whorls of yellow, snapdragon-like flowers that top the plant in late April/May. P. fruticosa will produce a sporadic repeat flowering in late summer. Jerusalem sage is quite durable and easy to grow, but prefers a well-drained site. For added excitement in the garden, plant a group of Arum palaestinum nearby and stand back. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00779
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Phlomis fruticosa 'Miss Grace' (Compact Gray Jerusalem Sage)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10, at least 36" tall Origin: Mediterranean Europe
(aka: P. fruticosa 'Compact Grey') We finally properly named this wonderful form of P. fruticosa that has been parading around the country as P. 'Compact Grey'. We see nothing compact about it, since it forms a 3' tall x 6' wide clump of white, fuzzy, upright stems, adorned with 7" long, fuzzy, evergreen leaves (4" in typical P. fruticosa) with wavy edges. P. 'Miss Grace' is adorned, starting in late May and continuing throughout the summer, with large whorls of bright yellow flowers on the terminal branches as well as adjacent axils (not to be confused with the axils of evil). Crush the leaves for a unique resinous fragrance. P. 'Miss Grace' is very easy to grow if your soils are well-drained. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02313
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Phlomis italica (Balearic Island Phlomis)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10, at least 24" tall Origin: Balearic Islands
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Phlomis italica has been a great performer in our trials, making a 2' tall x 5' wide sub-shrub, clothed with 3" hastate, hairy grey leaves and adorned in late spring with axillary whorls of mauvy-pink flowers. Rub the leaves and enjoy the aroma of fresh turpentine...yum, yum. This little known species has proven to be very easy to grow even in our humid climate. Good drainage and a hot location are ideal. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07467
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| <Opuntia - Paeonia] | [Phlox> |
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