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Malvaviscus (Turk’s Cap)
Our selections are all variations of the Southern US native M. drummondii. This species has an incredibly wide growing condition tolerance range from moist to dry soils and from full sun to shade. |
Malvaviscus drummondii (Turk's Cap)
Sun Zone: 7b-10 60" tall Origin: USA
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This unique hibiscus relative, a US native, has round green leaves clothing the 5' tall woody stem. Beginning in late summer and continuing through fall, the clumps are covered with hundreds of cute, brilliant reddish-orange, hibiscus-like flowers with unique swirled petals that never manage to fully open. We advise you to register it as a sex offender since it dangles its sexual organs in clear view of everyone...a seriously exhibitionist plant! This is always one of the most fascinating plants in our garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00272
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Malvaviscus drummondii 'Big Momma' (Big Momma Turk's Cap)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 72" tall Origin: USA
This 2005 introduction from Texan Greg Grant produces flowers that are over 1/3 larger that the typical form. Malvaviscus 'Big Momma' emerges in late spring and quickly rises to 6' tall, topped from mid-summer until frost with bright orange flowers, swirled like a turk's cap. Sticking out from the end of the floral swirl are the sex organs...and if I do say so, momma is well-endowed and proud of it! Invite 'Big Momma' into your garden for some down-home fun. A voluntary royalty from each plant sold goes to help Greg restore Big Momma's house. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06902
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Malvaviscus drummondii 'Pam Puryear' (Pam Puryear Turk's Cap)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 60" tall Origin: USA Hybrid alternate image
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This Greg Grant hybrid between M. drummondii x M. arboreus is a fantastic new color break in one of our favorite mallows. The deciduous clumps emerge and when mature will reach 5' tall x 5' wide. The clumps are adorned with rich green leaves that serve as a backdrop for the axillary flowers that are produced in abundance from midsummer until frost. The turban-like flowers with their sex organs protruding far outside the petals make a great conversation in the summer garden. The flowers on M. 'Pam Puryear' are a peachy, flesh color instead of the typical bright orange-red. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06903
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Manettia
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Manettia inflata (Firecracker Vine)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 100" tall Origin: Paraguay, Uruguay
This is one of our favorite southern vines, yet it is virtually unknown. It emerges in very late spring, and with the aid of tiny tendrils, sends its equally tiny leaves climbing skyward on anyone or anything nearby. In late summer, the vines burst forth with tiny 1", red-orange blooms (summer until fall) that look like miniature firecrackers (red with a yellow tip). Firecracker vine grows just fast enough to be garden worthy, but not fast enough to be a pest...simply exquisite! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01527
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Manfreda (False Agave)
The genus manfreda is found throughout the U.S. and Mexico and is, in effect, a deciduous agave. In fact, there is a constant taxonomic tug-of-war as to whether or not to reclassify manfredas as agaves again. In addition to their deciduous nature, agaves are spineless, have fleshy leaves, and prefer light shade growing conditions. Many manfreda species are prized for their patterned or wavy leaves. The clumps are topped with tall thin flowers spikes in midsummer, adorned with bizarre flowers that drive the hummingbirds crazy. |
Manfreda brachystachya (Deciduous Agave)
SunZone: 7-10 3" tall Origin: Mexico
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These deciduous agave relatives are great in the rock garden. The wide green foliage gives rise to a tall bloom stalk in mid-summer. This rare species is from wild-collected seed from Mexico...a collector's plant. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00629
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Manfreda undulata 'Chocolate Chip' (Chocolate Chips Deciduous Agave)
SunZone: 7-8, at least 6" tall Origin: Mexico
NEW!
I nearly fell over when I first saw this amazing manfreda at Yucca Do Nursery. The 1' long rubbery, lizard-like, wavy, glaucous leaves are heavily spotted chocolate. Each clump lays flat on the ground, radiating out to form a starfish-like rosette. The winter deciduous rosettes are topped with 3' tall spikes of alien antennae-like flowers in June...cool flowers and cool foliage. Well-drained soils are best for this new drought-tolerant rock garden or container gem.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08355
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xMangave
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xMangave 'Bloodspot' (Bloodspot Mangave)
SunZone: no idea 12" tall Origin: Hybrid
We are truly thrilled to add a second xMangave to our list. This one seems to have originated in Japan...contact us if you know for sure. xMangave 'Bloodspot' is a hybrid of agave x manfreda involving unknown species. This elegant plant makes a 1' tall x 15" wide rosette of 8" long x 1" wide narrow glaucous leaves, which are heavily spotted with cranberry red splotches and edged in tiny bright red teeth. This is a virtually non-offsetting form, so plant accordingly. Since we are uncertain about its parentage, we cannot offer any clues about winter hardiness yet, so you'll need to buy two if you want to sacrifice one for winter hardiness trials. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08116
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xMangave 'Macho Mocha' (Macho Mocha Mangave)
Sun to Part SunZone: 8-9, at least 12" tall Origin: Mexico
Oh, my! On a plant exploration trip into Mexico, Carl Schoenfeld collected seed from a plant of Manfreda variegata. Only when the seedlings were grown was it realized that it had crossed in the wild with a nearby plant of Agave celsii, resulting in the very first xMangave. Each surreal-looking 3' wide clump of thick, rubbery, glaucous foliage is so covered with iron-red spots that the clump looks red. Established clumps are topped in late spring with thick 8' tall flower spikes...a hummingbird's wet dream. We have had this survive 9 degrees F, but in areas with wet cold winters, grow M. 'Macho Mocha' as a container plant. Stunning! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05377
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Manihot
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Manihot grahamii (Hardy Tapioca)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10 120" tall Origin: S. America alternate image
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This amazing "hardy tropical" was shared by our friend Alan Galloway, who found this completely hardy for many years in his Raleigh, NC garden. Related to the more tropical and edible Manihot esculenta, M. grahamii dies to the ground but quickly resprouts and will reach 8-10' tall by the end of the season. These woody perennials are topped with artistically cut green leaves that remain only near the top of the plant. M. grahamii does reseed a bit if allowed to mature. Because of the potential seed-dispersing nature of this plant, I would recommend against using it anywhere south of Zone 8, but it makes a perfect large container plant for gardeners in the northern states. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04164
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Meehania
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Meehania montis-koyae (Honshu Wood Mint)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 6-7, guessing 2" tall Origin: Japan
We are in love with this endangered woodland mint from the Japanese Island of Honshu. We obtained this gem from arisaema expert Guy Gusman, who found it in Japan while researching arisaemas. Meehania montis-koyae makes a spreading but non-troublesome patch to 3' wide in 5 years, which spreads by shallow rhizomes. The small, heart-shaped, olive-green leaves, highlighted by a darker green central pattern, are held along the short creeping stems. Starting in February and continuing until April, the clumps are topped with small clusters of tubular, mauvy-pink flowers...very attractive. M. montis-koyae goes comatose during extended summer heat but returns in the fall as the weather cools. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07095
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Microlepia
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Microlepia strigosa (Rigid Lace Fern)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-10, possibly colder 24" tall Origin: China, Japan, India
NEW!
(aka: Dennstaedtia strigosa) Imagine a non-rampant hay-scented fern and you've got Microlepia strigosa. This Japanese native (Kyushu, Shikoku, and also surrounding islands) makes a wide-spreading clump of 3' long arching leaves. Above 10 degrees F, the foliage stays evergreen but below that, it is tardily deciduous. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08251
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Miscanthus (Maiden Grass)
Renowned for its versatility as a garden plant, Miscanthus is swirling amid a great cloud of controversy due to some selections that have a proclivity to seed excessively, primarily in disturbed sites, i.e., roadsides. We continually discard any that display this tendency from our trials. Gardeners should keep an eye out for cultivars that become too reproductive in your climate, or if you live in or near a natural ecosystem, miscanthus is not recommended. In our seed viability tests, M. 'Cabaret’ has proven to be completely sterile. Despite this warning, introductions from both Germany and Japan have brought us many new and wonderful selections for stature, foliage color, and dramatic plumage. It is our goal to continually offer you the best and newest of the distinct, garden-worthy cultivars. |
Miscanthus 'Andante' (Maiden Grass)
SunZone: 5-9 90" tall Origin: China alternate image
This superb Kurt Bluemel introduction has become our favorite miscanthus to use as a large specimen. The green leaves, with a pronounced central stripe, are arranged to give the effect of a lovely weeping habit. In reality, the sturdy 7'+ clumps are topped from late summer through fall with a stunning plume display. Because of the rebloom trait, we suspect M. transmorrisonensis to be the daddy. This is one of those grasses that you simply can't appreciate until you see it in person...a real winner. In our trials, this has not produced any stray garden seedlings. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #05209
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Miscanthus 'Gilded Tower' PP 14,743 (Gilded Tower Maiden Grass)
SunZone: 4-8 120" tall Origin: Hybrid alternate image
On a trip to the UK, American Greg Speichert and UK grass expert Roger Grounds literally stumbled onto this variegated sport on the old cultivar M. 'Giganteus'. The result is a splendid new cultivar that forms a giant 10' fountain of 1" wide yellow and green striped foliage. Our 6-year-old clumps are nearly 5' wide. The lower foliage may brown out by summer's end, so give it a nice floral skirt...better make it a kilt in case it's a male. The clumps are topped in October with typical tan miscanthus plumes, but you'll need binoculars. Location is critical if you are in an airport flight path. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07514
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Miscanthus sinensis 'Cosmopolitan' (Maiden Grass)
Sun to Part SunZone: 6-9 70" tall Origin: China, Japan
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From Japan, via the US National Arboretum, M. 'Cosmopolitan' has become recognized as one of the best variegated miscanthus. It has a wider leaf than most and very wide, vertical white striping throughout the leaf. The growth habit is similar to M. 'Cabaret' (non-floppy), and quite different from the other Miscanthus sinensis types. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #01225
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Miscanthus sinensis 'Gold Bar' PP 15,193 (Gold Bar Maiden Grass)
SunZone: 5-8, at least 48" tall Origin: China, Japan
I first saw this stunning new miscanthus on a trip to Holland, only to find out later that it came from the folks at Joy Creek in Oregon. I have longed for a compact, heavily banded zebra miscanthus, and this M. 'Strictus' seedling is what I envisioned in my dreams. M. 'Gold Bar' makes a slow-growing clump, eventually to 4' tall with rigidly upright, green leaves with a very heavy horizontal yellow banding. M.'Gold Bar' has 12-17 bands per leaf, while M. 'Strictus' only has 2-3 bands. It's going to take at least 5 years to reach mature size. The clumps are topped with typical miscanthus inflorescence in late October. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07494
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Miscanthus sinensis 'Hinjo' (Dwarf Zebra Maiden Grass)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9 48" tall Origin: China, Japan alternate image
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(aka: M. Little Nicki tm) This selection of zebra miscanthus from Joe Gray of Hines Nursery is more compact than any of the other zebra varieties that we have tested and with very vivid, horizontal gold banding. The incredible 6' tall plumes are held atop the foliage in late summer...probably the best of the shorter zebra miscanthus! Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #01119
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Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Zebra' PP 13,008 (Dwarf Zebra Grass)
SunZone: 5-9 48" tall Origin: China, Japan alternate image
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Discovered by Michigan's Thomas Walsh, this dwarf mutation was found on a clump of Miscanthus sinensis. M. 'Little Zebra' makes a tidy, compact mound of green foliage with prominent yellow horizontal banding that holds well through the summer. In late summer, the attractive plumes emerge wine-purple...a very good addition to smaller gardens. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #05625
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Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' (Maiden Grass)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9 48" tall Origin: China, Japan alternate image
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From a 1976 visit by Skip March and John Creech to Dr. Yokoi's (Mr. Variegated) garden in Japan comes this spectacular variegated miscanthus. The foliage is extremely narrow, with vertical bands of white and green. Upon unfurling, the plumes are crimson-red but later change to a soft tan color. M. 'Morning Light' is a great plant for smaller gardens...simply outstanding! Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #00344
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| <Lobelia - Lysimachia] | [Monarda - Musella> |
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