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Amsonia (Blue Star)
This group of mostly native perennials is prized both because they make such good drought-tolerant plants and because they bear one of the few true blue flowers of any growable perennial. Not only are the species themselves superb, but many of the newer hybrids are going to become garden staples. |
Amsonia 'Blue Ice' (Blue Star)
Sun Zone: 4-9 15" tall Origin: USA Hybrid alternate image
This amazing selection of blue star was discovered in a seedling block of A. tabernaemontana at White Flower Farm in CT. (We suspect that it is actually a hybrid with A. montana, but a paternity test is still pending.) Regardless of its origin, the 2' wide mound of narrow, dark green foliage is topped in early spring with large clusters of very dark, lavender-blue flowers...much more vivid than other blue stars. For us this has been an amazingly vigorous plant, lending credence to a hybrid origin. This is a superb introduction for the spring garden! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04225
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Amsonia ciliata var. filifolia 'Georgia Pancake' (Creeping Blue Star)
SunZone: 5-9, at least 5" tall Origin: USA alternate image
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This rare blue star was discovered by native plant guru Bob McCartney in a sandhills habitat in central Georgia's Wheeler County. This unusual ecotype, which will possibly be named as a new species, has soft, green, needle-like foliage clothing the prostrate stems. We grow this in the rock garden, where it makes a dazzling mat of bright green foliage to 2' wide. The foliage turns golden in fall before going to sleep but returns in spring with clusters of pale blue flowers at the tip of each branch. As a soft textural contrast around bold textured plants, it is unmatched. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05375
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Amsonia hubrichtii (Narrow Leaf Blue Star)
SunZone: 5-9 36" tall Origin: USA alternate image
Discovered in 1942 in Arkansas by Leslie Hubricht (and named in his honor), this blue star sports the narrowest, laciest, most threadlike foliage of any upright amsonia species. Introduced into cultivation by Woodlanders Nursery, this fine southern native is truly the best of the blue stars. The sky blue flowers emerge atop the foliage when it breaks the ground in April and continue into May. In the fall, the deciduous golden foliage is stunning! A. hubrichtii makes a clump to 3' tall x 3' wide. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00759
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Amsonia illustris (Shining Blue Star)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9, possibly colder 36" tall Origin: USA
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This US native can be found along streambanks from MO south to TX. The 3' tall stems clothed with glossy green leaves resemble A. tabernaemontana except for the glossy leaves. In early spring, the clumps are topped with terminal clusters of light sky-blue flowers...a very tough and long-lived perennial. These seed grown plants are from a population in St. Louis County, MO. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07812
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Amsonia ludoviciana (Louisiana Blue Star)
Sun to Part SunZone: 6-9, at least 24" tall Origin: USA alternate image
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This rare wetland species of blue star is native from SC to LA but is hardy north to Zone 5. The 2' tall stems compose a 3' wide clump and are adorned with short leaves (hairy grey-green beneath in spring). In May (NC), the clumps are topped with attractive clusters of sky-blue flowers. This is an easy species to grow and will tolerate extreme drought despite its wetland upbringing. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05920
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Amsonia montana 'Short Stack' (Dwarf Blue Star)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9, at least 10" tall Origin: USA alternate image
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We love blue stars, and we are particularly excited to introduce one that is smaller and better-suited to spatially challenged gardeners...even suitable to most rock gardens. We selected this cutie from a batch of seedlings we grew in the late '80s. Of all the seedlings, this one was the shortest and had the best form. The plant was selected and planted in our display beds, where its dwarf, 10" tall x 18" wide, perfectly rounded form has been superb. The clean, dark green foliage contrasts nicely with the medium sky-blue flowers that top the plant in early spring...a real winner! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04653
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Anemone
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Anemone hupehensis 'Crispa' (Parsley-leaf Japanese Windflower)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 24" tall Origin: Japan
This unusual form of the fall-blooming Japanese anemone has attractive crinkled green leaves that are quite un-anemone-like. In early fall the basal foliage serves as a foil for the 2' tall stalks of single rich-pink flowers. So far, we have not seen this spread in the garden and due to its less vigorous nature, we don't anticipate the aggressiveness of typical Anemone hupehensis cultivars. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06368
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Anemonella
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Anemonella thalictroides Double Green (Double Green Rue Anemone)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 6" tall Origin: USA
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This cute selection of the US native Anemonella thalictroides makes a small rock garden specimen to 6" tall x 6" wide. Starting for us in early April, the button-sized double lime-green flowers appear atop the foliage. Although anemonellas are easy to grow, they are quite small and do not compete well with larger more aggressive neighbors, so we recommend these for experienced gardeners, who treasure and can spend time cultivating such small gems. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08118
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Anemonella thalictroides 'Shoaf's Double Pink' (Shoaf's Double Pink Rue Anemone)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 6" tall Origin: USA
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Without a doubt, this selection of the easy-to-grow Anemonella thalictroides is among the most incredibly beautiful US native plants we grow. The dainty thalictrum-like foliage makes a small 6" tall x 6" wide clump. Starting in early April (NC) and continuing for at least two months, the clumps are topped with 1" wide stunning pink pompoms. This is a slow to propagate selection highly prized by keen gardeners around the world. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04993
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Anisacanthus
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Anisacanthus wrightii (Texas Firecracker)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-10 36" tall Origin: USA, Mexico
(syn: A. quadrifidus var. wrightii) Our evil cat Zirconia thought we had baited the garden for hummingbirds after we planted a clump of Texas firecracker. This dazzling native to TX and adjacent Mexico is composed of small pointed green leaves held along the tan stems of the clump. Starting in late spring and continuing until frost, the 3' tall x 2' wide plants are covered in masses of long-tubed, bright orange star-shaped flowers. In warmer climates where there is no winter dieback, Texas firecracker can reach heights of 6'. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05119
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Anomatheca
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Anomatheca laxa (False Freesia)
SunZone: 7b-10 8" tall Origin: S. Africa
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(Aka: Lapeirousia laxa) This delightful, little, and easy-to-grow South African iris relative makes a small clump of 8", green, iris-like foliage, topped in May and June with small but brilliant scarlet-red flowers. For a small rock garden-sized plant, it puts on quite a show. The clump will go dormant in dry summers but returns from dormant corms in late winter. We have found these to be amazingly drought-tolerant, even in brutally hot climates. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06986
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Aquilegia
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Aquilegia vulgaris 'Leprechaun Gold' (Leprechaun Gold Columbine)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8, at least 24" tall Origin: Hybrid
This seed strain of columbine produces colorful 18" wide clumps of gold and chartreuse speckled foliage, topped in late April and early May with 2' tall spikes of violet flowers...a great way to brighten the spring garden. After flowering, cut the clump (foliage and old flower stalks) to the ground to refresh the foliage. The timing of this horticultural circumcision depends on whether you want more offspring or not. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07681
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Aquilegia vulgaris 'Woodside White' (Woodside Golden Columbine)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8, at least 18" tall Origin: Europe
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This outrageous columbine has golden leaves, occasionally speckled with green...great for a mass planting in the woodland garden. Atop this unique foliage are 18" stalks with pendant spurs of pure white...a reasonably unobtrusive combination for a variegated plant. A. 'Woodside White' comes fairly true from seed.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02377
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Arachniodes
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Arachniodes miqueliana (Miquel's Arachniodes)
Light ShadeZone: 5-8a, at least 18" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
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Arachniodes miqueliana is an easy-to-grow favorite of fern guru Dr. John Mickel, who generously shared spores from his home garden. A. miqueliana is similar in form to the beloved A. standishii, with 2' long arching lacy fronds that are extraordinarily wide at the base. The creeping (not weedy) rhizomes make a superb patch. Just as with its relative A. standishii, A. miqueliana is very late to drop its foliage for the winter. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05521
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Arachniodes simplicior 'Variegata' (Indian Holly Fern)
Light ShadeZone: 7-9, possibly colder 18" tall Origin: India alternate image
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This fabulous 18" x 18" evergreen fern features a wide streak of yellow down the center of each plastic-textured leaf. It is reliably hardy in Zone 7, although the new growth emerges very late (reports indicate success in parts of Zone 6). This is the one plant that visitors to your woodland garden will absolutely drool over! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01428
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Arachniodes standishii (Upside-down Fern)
Light ShadeZone: 4-8 18" tall Origin: Japan, Korea
Finally! After walking through acres of Arachniodes standishii on Korea's Uulong Island, I understand why it is probably the most sought-after fern by gardeners worldwide. The lacy, cutleaf 18" fronds rise from a thick, slowly creeping rhizome. Our 18-year-old clumps are only 2-3' wide. Unfortunately, it is also one of the least-available ferns in commerce due to reproductive issues. After 16 years of intensive sex therapy, our plant finally set a few viable spores. We're not sure how long it will stay in the mood, so get 'em while they last. You may hear that another large mail-order nursery is selling Athryium otophorum as this...for a much cheaper price. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06234
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| <Amorphophallus II] | [Arisaema I> |
