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Eryngium (Sea Holly)
This genus of spiny perennials is found from South American 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. |
Eryngium eburneum (Candelabra Eryngium)
Sun Zone: 7b-9, at least 96" tall Origin: Argentina
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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
NEW!
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 2' wide x 1' tall 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
(syn: E. yuccifolium A1SC-002) This great drought-tolerant garden perennial is native from CT south to FL, where it is found in thickets and open prairies...a similar habitat of junked cars. This offering is from a small population that I spotted in 2002, along the road in Kershaw Co., SC. Eryngiums aren't usually a plant that stops 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 that 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
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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
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Somehow, our US coral bean, E. herbacea, had some unsafe sex with the South American E. crista-galli. What resulted is one helluva offspring. E. x bidwillii makes a 6' tall x 6' wide mound of giant pea-like foliage. From June until October, the mound is covered 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
This Southeast US (WV south to FL) 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. |
Eucomis comosa 'Toffee' (Toffee Pineapple Lily)
SunZone: 6b-9, at least 20" tall Origin: S. Africa
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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
NEW!
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
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
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
NEW!
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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Eupatorium (Joe-Pye Weed)
Despite an unappealing common name, these amazing plants are native from the US to Mexico, and around the world to Asia. Most that we have trialed have proven to be amazingly adaptable in our climate. Many of the native species thrive best in moist sites, although they are quite adaptable in all but the worst droughts. Our native species are prized in European gardens, but sadly used less often here where they are native. How about helping us reverse this disturbing trend? |
Eupatorium dubium 'Little Joe' PP 16,122 (Coastal Plain Joe-Pye Weed)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-8, at least 48" tall Origin: USA alternate image
Eupatorium dubium is a little-known dwarf species of Joe-Pye, native in moist soils from ME south to SC. In appearance, E. dubium is similar to E. purpureum, but is more tolerant of light shade. This selection was discovered by Steve Lighty at the Conard-Pyle Nursery in PA. The 4' tall stems are clothed with whorls of green leaves and topped in midsummer with dome-shaped heads of lavender flowers...a real bonanza for keeping butterflies at eye level. As with most Joe-Pye weed, moist soil is best. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05362
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Eupatorium fistulosum (Giant Joe Pye Weed)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-8 144" tall Origin: USA
Web-Only!
Warning: This moisture-loving perennial is not for the gardening faint-of-heart! As soon as visitors gaze upon this most spectacular native, they insist on purchasing one. Joe Pye Weed bursts from the ground with bamboo-like stalks that quickly ascend to 12'. In midsummer, this clumping perennial is topped with massive, 1' wide, smokey-pink flower heads...the absolute favorite of butterflies! This is the true species, E. fistulosum, not one of the shorter species often sold as such in the trade. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #01444
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Eupatorium fortunei 'Pink Frost' (Pink Frost Joe-Pye Weed)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-7 36" tall Origin: Japan
This unusual form of the Japanese Joe-Pye weed makes a stunning clumper with 3' tall upright stalks, clothed with claw-shaped, fuzzy green leaves edged in creamy yellow. In September, the clumps are topped with small heads of rich pink flowers. E. fortunei is easy to grow in slightly moist soils. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07627
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Eupatorium greggii (Texas Ageratum)
SunZone: 7-10 24" tall Origin: USA
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This amazing TX native should be grown in every garden from Zone 7 south, and in containers from Zone 7 north. Resembling a rhizomatous perennial ageratum, this great native begins to flower in September and continues into December. The 3' wide, slowly spreading mound of cut-leaf, light green foliage is literally smothered in fall with delightful 2" clusters of airy blue-violet flowers (RHS 92A). We would not be without this great native perennial in the fall garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03668
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Eupatorium 'Phantom' (Phantom Joe-Pye Weed)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-8, at least 36" tall Origin: USA Hybrid
From Herbert Oudshoorn of the Netherlands comes a new, intentionally created hybrid of E. maculatum 'Atropurpureum' and E. rugosum. The resulting Eupatorium 'Phantom' is the shortest Joe-Pye we have ever trialed. So far, it has matured for us at just under 3' tall. The diminutive stalks are topped in August with typical sprays of lavender flowers...enjoyed by low-flying butterflies as well as cats...who also enjoy low-flying butterflies. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07012
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| <Epimedium II] | [Euphorbia - Fuchsia> |
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