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Selaginella (Spikemoss)
There are about 700 species of these unique prehistoric fern relatives. Native to a variable climate from tropical-to-dry and from sun-to-shade, this is truly a diverse group. We offer some of the easy-to-grow woodland species. Selaginellas are great as a groundcover near hostas, Solomon’s seal, and other bold foliaged plants. |
Selaginella apoda (Meadow Spikemoss)
Sun to Part Sun Zone: 5-9, guessing 1" tall Origin: USA
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We're becoming known for selling esoteric plants, so here's another one. Selaginella apoda is one of those native plants that just doesn't get any respect. Although it can be found in moist meadows and stream banks from RI south to FL, it has no flowers, no leaves, and not much in the way of roots...could be a problem...hmm. Selaginella apoda makes a very low-growing groundcover that resembles a discarded mass of green pipe-cleaners and is best planted in moist, even marshy soils. If you want one, buy it this year since I doubt it will be economical to offer it again and you won't find it at Wal-Mart.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07655
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Selaginella braunii (Arborvitae Fern)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 6-9 18" tall Origin: China
New crop available 5-29-2008 (syn: S. pallescens or incorrectly, S. caulescens and S. involvens) This selaginella (fern relative) is one of the easiest to grow in a woodland setting. The dark green, lacy, evergreen fronds rise to 18" tall from a slowly creeping rhizome. In three years, you could expect a 2' wide mass. A grouping of these in a woodland setting is indeed spectacular! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01506
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Selaginella moellendorffii (Gemmiferous Spikemoss)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7-10 5" tall Origin: Asia
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Everyone has requested that we propagate this from our garden, so here it is. This easy-to-grow small Chinese species has proven to be a reliable performer in our garden. Each clump makes a 5" tall x 1' wide mound. In climates with milder winters, the height can exceed 1'. The ferny green foliage takes on a delightful russet color in winter. Each frond bears tiny plantlets that drop off and form new colonies where they land...great for a difficult site in the woodland garden! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03228
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Selaginella peruviana coll. #A2T-010 (Peruvian Spikemoss)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-9, at least 1" tall Origin: USA
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In 2000, we first saw this spikemoss in the arid Texas Hill Country. In our full-sun rock garden, it has formed a lovely 1" tall x 2' wide evergreen patch resembling a moldy pile of chewin' tobacco spit. Although heat- and drought-tolerant, it will curl up and turn brown if it gets too dry, only to re-hydrate when rain or irrigation arrives. We find it strange that very few gardeners grow our great native selaginellas, so we're out to change that...wish us luck.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07306
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Selaginella sanguinolenta var. compressa (Twiggy Spikemoss)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-8, at least 2" tall Origin: Japan
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New crop available 5-29-2008 Oh, so cute and oh, so painfully slow! This has long been our favorite dry rock garden selaginella, but it has taken nearly a decade to build up enough stock to offer. Our parent plant is 12 years old and only 2" tall x 10" wide. In foliage, twiggy spikemoss resembles a clump of moss that was plugged into a high voltage electrical outlet. Come to think of it, it also looks a lot like my worn-out grill scrubbing brush. Although it's tough as nails, either in sun or shade, plant it in a special spot where you won't lose it...alpine troughs are a good idea. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05120
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Selaginella stauntoniana (Staunton's Spikemoss)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-8, at least 8" tall Origin: China
This Don Jacobs introduction is another spikemoss that thrives in southeastern gardens. Throughout the summer, this small, semi-deciduous patch produces 8" tall upright green fronds about every inch from a short-spreading rhizome. Since it occurs in the wild on dry rocky cliffs, we have found that it adapts well to dry woodland gardens. Our 4-year-old patch is 1' wide. Thanks to Pam Harper for sharing this with us and to fern guru Dr. John Mickel for confirming that we have the true S. stauntoniana. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05582
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Selaginella uncinata (Peacock Moss)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 6-10 6" tall Origin: China
Peacock Moss (a prehistoric fern relative) is one of my favorite groundcovers (semi-evergreen) for the woodland garden...I bet I say that to all the selaginellas. The low, spreading habit and the metallic aquamarine foliage, overlaid on a green background, are sure to make visitors stop to admire this gem. The color is best after the new growth emerges in late spring. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01451
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Sempervivum (Hen and Chicken)
Sempervivums are alpine succulents, hailing from Central Europe south through the Mediterranean, growing at altitudes to 8,000' elevation. For this reason, sempervivums are not thrilled to grow in the hot, muggy Southeast US. We have trialed dozens of selections and are very pleased to offer some of those that have performed the best in our area. Good drainage is essential when the summer rains arrive, although winter rains don't seem to cause a problem. |
Sempervivum 'Carmen' (Hen and Chicken)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-8a 2" tall Origin: Hybrid
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Sempervivum 'Carmen' is one of the cultivars that has stood out in our trials, while most hen and chickens fade away in our summer heat and humidity. This 1972 introduction from Helen Payne makes large 5" wide rosettes, spreading by short stems to make a 12" wide patch in 5 years. The thick leaves are green, but tipped in red. In the winter, the entire rosette turns a lovely violet. S. 'Carmen' is a perfect choice for a well-drained rock garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06526
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Sempervivum 'Crispin' (Hen and Chicken)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-8a 2" tall Origin: Hybrid
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This heat- and humidity-tolerant hen and chicken, from Holland's Gustaaf v. d. Steen in 1974, forms 2.5" wide reddish-brown rosettes that make a stunning 12" wide patch in 5 years. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06528
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Sempervivum 'Oh My' (Hen and Chicken)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-8a 2" tall Origin: Hybrid
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This sempervivum is one of our favorites for the rock garden...not to mention one of the best survivors in our heat and humidity test. The large 5" rosettes are brilliant reddish-brown and form a compact 12" wide clump in 5 years. Good drainage is important with all hen and chickens. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06527
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Sempervivum 'Unicorn' (Hen and Chicken)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-8a 2" tall Origin: Hybrid
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This 1979 introduction from our friend Crazy Ed Skrocki of OH has proven to be a good grower even in our difficult climate. S. 'Unicorn' makes a large 5" wide rosette of olive green. The rosettes on this vigorous cultivar form an 18" wide clump in 5 years. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06525
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Setcreasea (Purple Heart Wandering Jew)
S. pallida (aka: Tradescantia purpurea) is one of the best-known indoor hanging basket plants, but unfortunately not aptly recognized as a superb perennial in warm-temperate climates. This native of Central-Southern Mexico makes an easy-to-grow colorful groundcover in each of its several forms. |
Setcreasea pallida (Purple Heart Wandering Jew)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10 6" tall Origin: Mexico
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We initially became acquainted with this slowly-spreading groundcover of brilliant purple foliage in its hanging basket form. Finally, after we tried it in the ground, we appreciated it more as a wonderful groundcover that holds its color all summer and provides some incredible color combinations in the border. In late summer, it produces lax, upright stalks with small, starry mauve flowers. During 12 years of growing this outdoors, purple heart wandering Jew has been reliable for us to 0 degrees F. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01313
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Setcreasea pallida 'Kartuz Giant' (Giant Purple Heart Wandering Jew)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 12" tall Origin: Mexico
We love this giant leaf form of the common purple heart wandering Jew. We visited California's Mike Kartuz in 2004 to inquire about its origin, but the trail went cold. Regardless, S. 'Kartuz Giant' makes an impressive 2' wide clump of dusty purple foliage that is three times the size of the typical species. In early summer, the clumps are topped with the typical small, light lavender flowers. For us, it's great in the border for summer color, but in colder climates it makes a nice accent in baskets and summer color bowls.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05512
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Setcreasea pallida 'Ocampo White' (Ocampo White Wandering Jew)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10, at least 6" tall Origin: Mexico
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Setcreasea pallida 'Ocampo White' is a new form of the commonly grown Setcreasea pallida discovered by the Yucca Do folks in the wild near Ocampo in Southern Tamaulipas, Mexico. The hairy green foliage with a burgundy border makes up the small, 6" tall x 1' wide clumps, topped with small white flowers during most of the summer months. S. 'Ocampo White' is completely hardy in Zone 7b, but further north would find its best use as a combination container or hanging basket (except in states like MA, where hanging has been outlawed as cruel and unusual punishment). Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06806
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Setcreasea pallida 'Pale Puma' (Pale Puma Wandering Jew)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10, at least 12" tall Origin: Mexico
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We got our first start of Setcreasea 'Pale Puma' as an unnamed selection from plantsman Scott Ogden, later to find out that it has been popular in the Florida panhandle since the early 1990's. S. 'Pale Puma'' makes a 1' tall x 3' wide mass of fleshy, purple stems, adorned with 2.5" x 1.5", alternately spaced, rubbery leaves. The leaves are glossy green in the center but change to purple toward the edges. Bright sun will turn the entire plant a lovely shade of purple. The clumps are topped with small white flowers in October. We find this tough-as-nails plant to be a superb bold-textured groundcover, hanging basket, or container filler. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07303
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Silene (Catchfly)
This widespread genus of perennials is native from Africa to America and from Mediterranean Europe to Asia. Our selections are all of US descent, primarily from prairies or well-drained rocky sites. Flowers in this genus typically range from pink-to-red, including several white-flowered species. |
Silene caroliniana 'Bubble Gum' (Sticky Catchfly)
SunZone: 5-8, at least 8" tall Origin: USA
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From VT south to FL and west to MO grows a superb little rock garden plant that is amazingly unknown to many gardeners. Silene 'Bubble Gum' is a delightful selection made by Hans Hansen on our 2000 trip to TN. The small rosettes of narrow green leaves give rise to short flower stalks that end in a cluster of bubble-gum pink flowers that resemble a Phlox subulata. S. caroliniana prefers a well-drained site where it is not crowded by more aggressive neighbors...we've got a lot in common. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06200
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Silene caroliniana var. wherryi 'Short & Sweet' (Short and Sweet Sticky Catchfly)
SunZone: 5-8 8" tall Origin: USA
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This selection of our great native rock garden Silene caroliniana makes a small clump of narrow green foliage, topped from April through early summer with clusters of deep pink flowers held above the foliage. We have had best luck with this species in our well-drained rock garden where it gets bright sun, plenty of air movement, and good drainage. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07769
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Silene 'Longwood' (Longwood Silene)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5b-8 4" tall Origin: USA Hybrid
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This Dr. Jim Ault cross of the native Silene polypetala x Silene caroliniana resulted in this marvelous specimen for the dry rock garden. S. 'Longwood' makes a short, 4" tall x 12" wide, tight clump of small, glossy green leaves, smothered in late April/May with five-petaled, fringed pink flowers. Silene 'Longwood' grows best in full sun to dappled shade as long as the soil is well-drained. We have found this to be a superb garden specimen. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06424
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Silene polypetala - NOT OUTSIDE NC (Fringed Campion)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-9, guessing 6" tall Origin: USA
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(syn: S. catesbaei) We are pleased to offer another of the wonderful and easy-to-grow (but US endangered) wildflowers, Silene polypetala. These offerings were cutting-grown from a plant in Gadsden County in the Florida Panhandle. In the wild, it is usually found on north-facing moist slopes in neutral to slightly alkaline soils, where it spreads by short stolons. From late March through May, the small rock-garden sized clumps are topped with dianthus-like, salmon-pink flowers. S. polypetala is endangered primarily due to habitat loss from development. Due to Federal regulations, these cannot be shipped out of NC. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05762
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Silene regia 'Prairie Fire' PP 15,692 (Prairie Fire Catchfly)
SunZone: 4-8 48" tall Origin: USA
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Silene regia 'Prairie Fire' is a new selection of the great prairie native, made by WI wild man Neil Diboll at his Prairie Nursery. This clone stood out in his field as a larger, more vigorous, and better-flowering plant. The deciduous basal rosettes give rise to several sturdy, upright, 4' tall stalks, topped in early summer (mid-June to July in NC) with open sprays of 1" brilliant, reddish-orange, star-shaped flowers. These are vegetatively propagated to preserve the special traits. For us, S. 'Prairie Fire' has excelled in dry, sunny sites. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06123
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Silene 'Rockin Robin' (Rockin' Robin Catchfly)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 6" tall Origin: USA Hybrid
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This amazing new hybrid is a cross of S. virginica x S. polypetala, whose basal rosettes of dark green foliage are topped, starting in late spring, with numerous 1' tall stems of "ragged" salmon pink flowers. For us, it is still flowering into October...truly superb. As with all silenes, good drainage is important for best performance. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05142
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Silene virginica 'Emma's Blush' (Emma's Blush Fire Pink)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 3-8 15" tall Origin: USA
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From Bill Lamack of Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in PA comes an attractive, light pink flowered form of the typically scarlet-red Silene virginica that Bill named for his niece Emma. The small green rosettes give rise to 15" tall floral sprays of 1" dianthus-like flowers in May (NC). Silene virginica needs well-drained, dry soil. The stem cells were extracted before they were cloned, so there is no medicinal value...garden value only. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07768
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