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Equisetum
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Equisetum giganteum 'El Tabacal' (Giant Horsetail)
Sun to Part Sun Zone: 8b-10, at least 120" tall Origin: Argentina
NEW!
Thanks to equisetum researcher Chad Husby, we are able to offer the true giant Equisetum giganteum. This collection of the rare fern relative hails from El Tabacal in Argentina's northern province of Salta, where it forms large stands of 10'+ tall prehistoric-looking stalks. Imagine a giant green stake being plugged into an electrical outlet and you get the idea. Equisetum giganteum runs...no, it gallops, so do not plant it in the ground in warm climates. In containers, seal the drainage holes if escaping into the ground is possible. E. giganteum is superb in a large container or submerged in a solid bottom ornamental pond. Of several accessions trialed, this is the only one that survived 15 degrees F in the ground. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08490
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Eryngium (Sea Holly)
This genus of spiny perennials is found from South America into the US and a few species who strayed into Europe. While there are many annuals and biennials in the genus, we have chosen primarily the longer-lived species which are prized for their interesting foliage and alien-like flowers. Most of the species we offer require dry, well-drained planting sites.
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Eryngium eburneum (Candelabra Eryngium)
SunZone: 7b-9, at least 96" tall Origin: Argentina
Open House/Web-Only!
Without question, the highly structural Eryngium eburneum is one of the most impressive members of the genus. The 3' wide rosette is composed of spiny-edged shiny green foliage. Beginning in early spring, the massive flower spikes emerge to eventually tower about the rosette at 6-8' tall by mid-June. Each light green spike is home to hundreds of light green ball-like flowers, each held rigidly at angles to the main stem. For cut flower arrangers looking for something truly special, you can't afford to be without this plant! This giant form was shared by Bob Popham, who wild-collected the seed in Argentina. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04586
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Eryngium sp. 'La Canada' (La Canada Eryngium)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-10, possibly colder 24" tall Origin: Mexico
Open House/Web-Only!
This Yucca Do collection T73-87 hails from the pine-oak forested mountains around the Queretaro town of La Canada at 8,120' elevation. Since we planted our first plants in 2000, this still unidentified eryngium has become one of our favorites in the genus. Each 1' tall x 2' wide clump is composed of flat, glaucous, heavily-armed leaves with a striped silver underside...we peeked. In late June, the architectural clump is topped by 2' tall branched spikes of small spiny green flowers. This has been one of the best performing and longest lived eryngiums we have grown. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08033
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Eryngium yuccifolium 'Kershaw Blue' (Rattlesnake Master)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-8 30" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
(syn: E. yuccifolium A1SC-002) This great drought-tolerant garden perennial is native from Connecticut south to Florida, where it is found in thickets and open prairies...a similar habitat of junked cars. This offering is from a small population I spotted in 2002, along the road in Kershaw Co., South Carolina. Eryngiums aren't usually plants that stop your eye at 55 mph, but this small cluster of four plants was so amazing that we came to a screeching halt thinking we had discovered a new species. The 2" wide powder-blue leaves were certainly the most dramatic I'd ever seen on this species. In the garden, E. 'Kershaw Blue' forms an 18" tall x 18" wide clump that is topped with 30" tall flower spikes of tan, alien-like flowers in late summer. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06588
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Erythrina
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Erythrina herbacea Pink Flowered Form (Pink Coral Bean)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-10 36" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This southeast sandy woods native was left here by extraterrestrials...it's just too weird for any other explanation. In mid-May as the leaves emerge, the flower stalks grow rapidly from the woody underground base to 3' in length. The top half of each flowering stem is lined with dozens of pink, lipstick-like flowers. After flowering, the slightly prickly branches emerge, clothed with trifoliate (three leaflets), pea-like foliage. For best hardiness in marginal zones, do not cut the branches back until late spring. These are from a rare pink-flowered form...may take several years to mature enough to flower well. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03065
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Erythrina x bidwillii (Hybrid Coral Bean)
SunZone: 7b-10, at least 72" tall Origin: USA Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
In the early 1840's at Australia's Camden Park, under the watchful eye of William Macarthur, our US coral bean, E. herbacea, had some unsafe sex with the South American E. crista-galli. What they were doing there together is still an untold story, but what resulted from the impregnation is one helluva offspring. E. x bidwillii emerges from the ground in late spring to form a 6' tall x 8' wide mound of arching stalks adorned in giant pea-like foliage. From June until October, the stalks are topped with 20" long arching spires of bright red, lipstick-like flowers...so incredible it's hard to describe...likes it hot and sunny...an AWESOME specimen! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00487
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Erythronium
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Erythronium umbilicatum (Trout Lily)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-9, at least 4" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This Southeast US (West Virginia south to Florida) native spring ephemeral is a prized woodland wildflower. The 2" long ground-hugging, light green, freeze-resistant leaves are heavily covered with chocolate blotching. In early March, the clumps are topped with 4" stalks, each ending with large downward facing bright yellow flowers with a chocolate back. Although they go dormant by late spring, trout lilies continue to grow underground, and in a few years you should expect a 10" wide patch. Evenly moist woodland soils are best, although some drought in the dormant season isn't deleterious. If you purchase these for delivery after late March, you will only find the tiny (a flowering-sized tuber is only .25" long) dormant tubers...two to three per pot. These are seed grown nursery plants. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07656
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Eucalyptus
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Eucalyptus neglecta (Omeo Gum)
SunZone: 7-10 360" tall Origin: New Zealand alternate image
This fast-growing eucalyptus (to 30' in 10 years) is also among the most hardy in our extensive trials. In our garden, it has survived 0 degrees F with only tip burn...I have heard reports of root survival in Zone 5. The Omeo gum has lovely brown peeling bark and oval blue-green eucalyptus foliage. The adult foliage later changes to an elongated leaf. Eucalyptus neglecta is a striking conversation piece for any garden with enough growth for years of flower arranging. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01001
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Eucomis (Pineapple Lily)
Since we began growing this wonderful group of plants in the early 1980s, we have found eucomis to be easy, reliable, and fun. We continue to evaluate new species from South Africa and new hybrids from cut-flower breeders around the world for their uniqueness and garden worthiness. We hope you enjoy our ever-increasing offerings, many of which were bred for the cut flower market.
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Eucomis comosa 'Toffee' (Toffee Pineapple Lily)
SunZone: 6b-9, at least 20" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
This Eddie Welsh cut flower hybrid makes an 18" wide, deciduous rosette of fleshy green foliage that emerges bronze. The clumps are topped in summer with 20" tall flower spikes that in bud are light chocolate, but then open pure white. When the flowers are finished, the seed pods turn purple. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06181
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Eucomis montana (Montane Pineapple Lily)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-9, possibly colder 15" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
This threatened (not by me) pineapple lily hails from the northern end of South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains (Mpumalanga, Free State, and Swaziland) where it can be found growing in grasslands on rocky hillsides. E. montana forms an attractive rosette of thick, upright, heavily-spotted dorsal (on the bottom) leaves which are often edged in purple. The flower spikes, which reach 15" tall, are stunning with pure white flowers highlighted with a brown/black central ovary. This has become one of my favorite eucomis species. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05085
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Eucomis 'Reuben' (Reuben Pineapple Lily)
SunZone: 6b-9, at least 18" tall Origin: S. Africa
From New Zealand eucomis breeder, Eddie Welsh comes a new pineapple lily hybrid that was bred for the cut flower trade. The fleshy green-leaf rosettes are topped in August with 18" tall spikes of dark purple buds that open to cranberry-pink flowers...very attractive. E. 'Reuben' (Hebrew for "first born") is named after both Eddie's son and his dog...no relation to Paul Reubens who also had a pink head. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07079
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Eucomis 'Sparkling Burgundy' (Purple Pineapple Lily)
SunZone: 6b-9, at least 20" tall Origin: S. Africa alternate image
We selected this dramatic, purple-foliaged pineapple lily in 1983, and it has now become one of the most talked-about plants in our garden. This dramatic accent plant produces strap-like foliage of dark burgundy forming a rosette to 24" wide. In late summer, the clump produces a 20" tall bloom stalk resembling a miniature purple pineapple...very cool! E. 'Sparkling Burgundy' is very easy to grow and tolerates a wide range of garden abuses. In cooler climates, it makes a great color-bowl combo plant! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01796
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Eucomis 'Tugela Jade' (Tugela Jade Pineapple Lily)
SunZone: 6b-9 18" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
This Eddie Welsh hybrid of the South African pineapple lily makes a rosette of fleshy green leaves, topped in August with 18" tall flower spikes that are chartreuse in bud and then open to pure white...simply stunning. Although E. 'Tugela Jade' was bred for the cut flower trade, it makes a superb garden specimen. E. 'Tugela Jade' is named after the Tugela River that runs through South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains where E. comosa is native. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07080
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Eucomis vandermerwei (Dwarf Spotted Pineapple Lily)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-8, guessing 6" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
The rare Eucomis vandermerwei is native only to the small high rainfall region in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains (Steenkampsberg range) just east of Pretoria, South Africa. In the wild, they are found in well-drained rocky crevices, free from winter moisture. In the garden, the dwarf E. vandermerwei makes a wonderful rock garden plant. The heavily ruffled, narrow, green and purple spotted ground-hugging leaves form a 15" wide clump. The dark purple, mini pineapple-looking flowers top the foliage late in the season...just darling. If kept dry when dormant, these should prove to be quite winter hardy. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06757
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Eucomis vandermerwei 'Octopus' (Octopus Dwarf Pineapple Lily)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-8, guessing 6" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
The rare Eucomis vandermerwei is native only to the small, high rainfall region in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains (Steenkampsberg range) just east of Pretoria, South Africa. In the wild, they are found in well-drained rocky crevices, free from winter moisture. In the garden, the dwarf E. vandermerwei makes a wonderful 1' wide rock garden plant. E. 'Octopus' is a vigorous selection with narrow, ground-hugging green leaves, heavily specked with dark purple. The dark purple, mini pineapple-looking flowers top the foliage starting in July...just darling. If kept dry when dormant, these should prove to be quite winter hardy. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07708
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| <Epimedium] | [Eupatorium - Euphorbia> |
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