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Farfugium (Leopard Plant)
This Asian genus of bold-textured evergreen perennials makes a hosta-like foliage statement in the woodland garden. In Japan, hundreds of unusual cultivars make this a highly sought-after collectors plant. The cheery yellow daisy flowers top beefy foliage in autumn. Farfugiums prefer well-drained soils, unlike the commonly grown cold-loving ligularias. We offer an ever-widening selection of rare and unique selections, mostly made in Japan.
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Farfugium japonica 'Kaimon Dake' (Kaimon Dake Leopard Plant)
Part Sun to Light Shade Zone: 7-10, at least 12" tall Origin: Japan
This unusual Japanese selection of leopard plant could easily have been named snow leopard. F. 'Kaimon Dake' emerges with large white leaves, each highlighted with a random pattern of central dark green specks...sort of like a cheap flat screen television after the warranty expires. The aging foliage eventually turns solid green which gives the clump a surprising amount of vigor. Each 1' tall x 2' wide clump is topped by 2' tall stalks of yellow daisies in fall...a superb specimen plant we can offer thanks to our friend Barry Yinger. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07957
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Farfugium japonicum 'Bad Hair Day' (Bad Hair Day Crested Leopard Plant)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7-10, at least 12" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
(aka: Ligularia tussilaginea 'Tsuwabaki') We formerly offered this as F. 'Tsuwabaki', which turned out to be a common name for farfugiums, so we gave it the cultivar name F. 'Bad Hair Day'. Farfugium 'Bad Hair Day' is somewhat similar to F. 'Crispata' except the cresting is much more angular than the curvy cresting seen in F. 'Crispata'. The foliage effect is that of a really bad hair day...quite remarkable for a non-artificial plant. In fall, the 18" wide clumps are topped with spikes of single yellow flowers. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03866
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Farfugium japonicum 'Giganteum' (Giant Leopard Plant)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 8-10 20" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
(aka: Ligularia tussilaginea 'Gigantea', Farfugium reniforme) Tropicalissimo at its finest! This is one of those rare treasures for plant geeks who may offer their first-born in exchange. Thanks to Marco Stufano of Wave Hill for sharing with us so we can finally make this gem available. Essentially, F. 'Gigantea' is similar to the species, except for the giant size of each leaf...nearly 15" across and so thick and glossy that it doesn't seem real. Each attention-drawing, 30" wide clump is topped in fall with stalks of bright yellow daisies, but grow this one for its leaves. It prefers a slightly moist but well-drained site in the woodland garden. A great centerpiece for a dynamic container planting in colder regions! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02743
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Farfugium japonicum 'Jitsuko's Star' (Jitsuko's Star Leopard Plant)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-10 15" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
Open House/Web-Only!
(syn: Ligularia tussilaginea 'Jitsuko's Star') This selection of the green leopard plant makes a fabulous, bold-textured perennial for the light shade garden, where it contrasts beautifully with ferns and other fine-textured plants. In the fall, the 15" tall x 20" wide clump of round, tropical-looking green foliage is topped with 2' tall flower spikes of magnificent, double-yellow, daisy-like flowers. This selection from Japan is named for Jitsuko Johnson, late wife of plant collector Ozzie Johnson. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05245
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Farfugium japonicum 'Kagami Jishi' (Kagami Jishi Leopard Plant)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-10 20" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
(syn: Ligularia tussilaginea 'Kagami Jishi') We are pleased to present another in the long line of fantastic Japanese cultivars of leopard plant. F. 'Kagami Jishi' has the same yellow-spotted leaves of F. 'Aureomaculata' but with the added leaf-cresting found in F. 'Crispata'. This stunning specimen plant is topped in October with 2' tall sprays of large, yellow, daisy-like flowers. F. 'Kagami Jishi' performs best in moist, rich soils with good drainage as well as making a superb container house plant. It does not like to grow in damp, boggy conditions. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04139
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Farfugium japonicum 'Shishi Botan' (Parsley Leopard Plant)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7-10, at least 12" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
I was amazed when I first saw this bizarre farfugium at Barry Yinger's garden. Farfugium 'Shishi Botan' has grey-green fuzzy leaves that look as though they have been run through a meat grinder, leaving them with an open, three-dimensional look. This is certainly one of the most unique leopard plants that I've ever seen, and one that will leave visitors asking...WHATIZIT? The 18" wide clumps are topped in October with stalks of bright yellow daisies. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07820
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Fargesia
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Fargesia denudata (Naked Clumping Bamboo)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6b-9a, possibly hardier 96" tall Origin: China
NEW!
Fargesia denudata is one of the little-known bamboo species that has done exceptionally well in our heat-tolerant bamboo trials. This clumping species which hails from 6,000'-10,000' in Northern Sichuan and Southern Gansu provinces of China has made a 8' tall clump of strongly arching canes in 5 years. Fargesia denudata is also a favorite edible species for giant pandas, so if you live in a jungle-like neighborhood, we recommend our proprietary panda-proof fence for the bargain price of $2,200 per linear foot. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08386
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Fargesia robusta 'Green Screen' (Robust Clumping Bamboo)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-8, at least 180" tall Origin: China
We have found Fargesia robusta to be one of the stars of our trials for heat-tolerant clumping...read my catalog...clumping bamboos. Our 5-year-old clumps are now 9' tall on their way to 15'. The upright, arching stems make a superb specimen clump, or if you can afford enough...a great green screen. We have seen conflicting reports of winter hardiness from 0 degrees to -15 degrees F. We can attest to the 0 degrees F, but will err on the side of caution until we hear back from those of you in the arctic zones. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06634
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Fargesia rufa (Rufa Clumping Bamboo)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-8a, at least 72" tall Origin: China
Fargesia rufa is a recently introduced species from the mountains of Western Sichuan, China. Fargesia rufa is a pachymorph, which means it couldn't run even if it was being chased down the mountain by a pack of starving pandas. This short clumper makes an elegant, 6' tall upright fountain. In addition to the wonderful form, the culm sheaths are reddish-brown. In initial tests, Fargesia rufa looks to be quite tolerant to both heat and cold. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06563
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xFatshedera
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xFatshedera lizei 'Angyo Star' (Angyo Star Tree Ivy)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10 60" tall Origin: Hybrid
This superb form of the man-made bigeneric hybrid (fatsia x hedera) was selected in Japan and brought to the US by plantsman Ted Stephens, who named it after the town which contains many famous Japanese nurseries. The thick, sweet gum-shaped leaves of rich green are surrounded by a wide creamy white border and held along the semi-upright free-form (nursery lingo for not straight) growing stems. This is a fairly slow growing, but exquisitely beautiful selection.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07230
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Fatsia
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Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web' (Speckled Japanese Aralia)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7b-10 60" tall Origin: Japan
Can you stand another "Oh, my!" plant? This Japanese selection of the popular, deep shade-loving southern landscape shrub, Fatsia japonica, is prized by the few folks who have had the rare opportunity to own one. We are delighted to be able to finally make these more widely available. The shiny green palmate leaves, like a super-sized schefflera, are each bordered with a heavy white speckling that often finds its way into the center of the leaf. For those who garden in the arctic zones north of Zone 7, these make superb houseplants. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05141
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Fatsia japonica 'Variegata' (Variegated Japanese Aralia)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7b-10 84" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
After 15 years of fruitless searching, the late JC Raulston managed to locate Fatsia japonica 'Variegata' on a trip to the UK. After JC shared a rooted cutting with us, I dared to plant my new-found treasure outdoors for hardiness testing. Surprisingly, it proved to be much more hardy than the common green form. Finally, we have enough to share with others who also have this on their "lust list." Each woody clump to 7' tall x 7' wide in 10 years is composed of large, tropical-looking, evergreen leaves edged with an uneven white border coming from a central woody trunk. In a woodland garden, Fatsia japonica 'Variegata' makes a stunning centerpiece for year round interest. From Zone 7a and north...what a nice houseplant! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05618
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Festuca
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Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' (Elijah Blue Fescue)
SunZone: 4-7 10" tall Origin: France
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: F. cinerea, F. ovina) This tightly-clumping ornamental grass is an irreplaceable element in a sunny garden, both for its unusual color and texture. The 10" tall x 1' wide clump of needle-thin soft silver-blue leaves forms an evergreen shape resembling a dollop of blue ice cream...my favorite flavor. F. 'Elijah Blue' from the late Lois Woodhull of New York's The Plantage Nursery is still one of the best and most durable selections of blue fescue. Sunny, well-drained soils are best, and for long-term durability, I'd recommend dividing the clump every 3-5 years...in the fall or early spring. The clumps are topped by short flower spikes in late spring, held just above the foliage. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08410
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Filipendula
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Filipendula glaberrima (Nakai Korean Meadowsweet)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8, at least 36" tall Origin: Korea
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: F. glaberrima A1K-040) I first discovered this little-known but very attractive meadowsweet at the base of a waterfall at 1,000' elevation near Korea's Mt. Sorak. It has proven to be a superb garden plant whose deciduous clumps are composed of grape-like leaves which serve as a foil for the 3' tall flowering stalks in late May (NC). The flowering stalks are composed of corymbs of tiny white flowers...a superb textural plant. Moist soils are best, but F. glaberrima is very tolerant of drought. F. glaberrima is also used as a powerful antioxidant to control aging....our clump looks only half of its 12 years.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07760
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Freesia
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Freesia alba (White Freesia)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 8-10, at least 8" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
I had nearly given up on growing freesias in our climate, when Texan plantsman Tom Peace suggested that I try F. alba. To my surprise, it has become a favorite early spring bulb. F. alba comes from the winter-rainfall region of South Africa, where it can be found in moist lightly shaded sites. For us, F. alba begins to grow in fall and is topped from late March through late April with short 2" stalks of very fragrant white flowers held above the 6" iris-like foliage. After flowering, the plants go dormant until the following winter. Plant these near a frequently traveled path for maximum pleasure. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07757
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Fritillaria
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Fritillaria thunbergii (Thunberg's Fritillaria)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-8, at least 24" tall Origin: China, Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: F. verticillata) I first saw the easy-to-grow, fast-multiplying, and long-lived Fritillaria thunbergii in John Elsley's South Carolina garden, where normal frits fear to tread. F. thunbergii is a really "cool" plant for the late-winter garden, as the fleshy green stalks emerge in February and expand quickly to 2' tall, adorned with narrow grey-green leaves that end in beanstalk-like tendrils, which aid in clinging to nearby neighbors (neighbors not included). From early March through early April, the stems are laden with small yellow-green bells, netted with lavender veins. By May, the plants are dormant for a long summer nap. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07747
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Fuchsia (Fuchsia)
We have long been enchanted with the pendent flowers of the South American fuchsia, although in our climate they usually have a shorter life span than a deer trying to cross the road during a redneck drag race. We are finally finding some truly heat-tolerant species and hybrids for those outside of the Pacific Northwest...please indulge. |
Fuchsia 'Sanicomf' PP 10,453 (Angels' Earrings Dainty Fuchsia)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-8, at least 24" tall Origin: Hybrid
I love the word 'heat-tolerant' in the description of a fuchsia. In catalog-speak, this means the plant will tolerate more than one day above 90 degrees F before croaking. Imagine my surprise when our test plants of Fuchsia 'Sanicomf' thrived through one of the hottest summers in recent memory! Fuchsia 'Sanicomf' comes from the Suntory breeding program in Japan, where the actual intent was to produce true heat-tolerant fuchsias. This dwarf plant makes a 2' tall x 15" wide mound, adorned from May through October with pendent flowers with purple petals, red sepals, and red anthers...very hot and loving it! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07451
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Fuchsia 'Sanihanf' PP 10,378 (Angels' Earrings Cascading Fuchsia)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-8 30" tall Origin: Hybrid
F. 'Sanihanf' is another of the truly heat-tolerant fuchsias from the Suntory breeding program. This large spreading cultivar makes a 30" tall x 3' wide flowering machine. The stems are adorned with pendent flowers consisting of purple petals, contrasting with red anthers and red sepals. F. 'Sanihanf' makes a superb hanging basket where it isn't winter hardy. Thanks to the folks at Japan's Suntory for a moronic name for such a great plant. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07450
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Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
This genus of US dryland prairie natives is well-valued for its intense summer color. If you've got a hot, well-drained site, you'll enjoy some of the special selections that we have to offer including the Federally Endangered pink flowered G. aestivalis var. winkleri.
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Gaillardia aristata 'Fanfare' PP 15,892 (Fanfare Blanketflower)
SunZone: 3-9 15" tall Origin: USA
Discovered by Richard Reed in the UK, this hot gaillardia is ready to take the perennial world by storm. I don't usually get excited by gaillardias, but I'll never forget the first time I laid eyes on this beauty...my wife slapped me (just kidding). The compact, 15" tall x 12" wide, well-branched mound is topped from June to August with the most incredible flowers. Each upturned 3" wide flower head looks as if miniature honeysuckle flowers are attached to a central cone. Each floret is red at the base, changing to bright yellow at the flared tips. You've got to see this to believe it. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05566
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Gaillardia 'Tizzy' PPAF (Tizzy Blanketflower)
SunZone: 3-9 18" tall Origin: USA Hybrid
Wow! This 2008 release from John Dixon of Washington's Skagit Gardens is an amazingly vigorous blanketflower forming a 18" tall x 3'+ wide clump. It is topped starting in late April with 3.5" wide bright orange flowers with widely fluted tips surrounding a russet-brown cone. The flower shape is like G. 'Fanfare', but the color is radically different and the habit is quite a bit larger. You are going to love this drought-loving selection. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08306
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Gaura
Gaura sprung onto the gardening scene in the early 1980's from its previous role as an obscure US native roadside perennial. Since then, breeders from around the world have realized its garden potential and have bred for and selected new garden worthy varieties. For full sun and dry conditions, its flower power is virtually unmatched. We are pleased to offer what we think are some of the best selections.
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Gaura lindheimeri 'Pink Cloud' (Pink Cloud Gaura)
SunZone: 6-10, possibly colder 30" tall Origin: USA Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
Sometimes, it's just hard to hold down your excitement, and this is surely the case with Gaura 'Pink Cloud'. We have trialed this Loleta Powell hybrid, and it has truly blown away the competition. Borrowing its upright habit from G. 'Dauphin' and color from G. 'Siskiyou Pink', G. 'Pink Cloud' provides a stunning, 30" tall, upright plant that is truly smothered with brilliant pink flowers! While other gauras have slowed here by October, G. 'Pink Cloud' is still a mass of color. If you have found the others a little on the "limp" side, you will love Gaura 'Pink Cloud'! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03989
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| <Eupatorium - Euphorbia] | [Geranium - Hedera> |
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