|
Itea
|
Itea virginica 'Shirley's Compact' (Shirley's Midget Itea)
Sun to Light Shade Zone: 6-8, at least 18" tall Origin: USA
Web-Only!
Need little green buns in your rock garden? "No F...'ing way!" is the comment I get most often when trying to tell to folks that Itea 'Shirley's Compact' is really an itea. This dwarf selection was discovered by the late Shirley Speight, formerly of NC's Biltmore House. Our 10 year-old clump is a staggering 18" tall x 3' wide. This shrublet has midget 1" long twisted leaves and really midget flowers that can only be seen with a magnifying glass. Itea 'Shirley's Dwarf' is quite vigorous for its stature, but it took years to have enough cuttings to offer it...ideal for the miniature railroad folks. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05906
|
|
Jasminum
|
Jasminum officinalis 'Frojas' (Fiona Sunrise Jasmine)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-9 120" tall Origin: China
Web-Only!
This superb form of the Chinese scrambler, Jasminum officinale, comes from Fromefield Nursery in the UK. Unlike the species that has green leaves, this seedling boasts brilliant gold foliage that holds beautifully even in our hot, humid summers. The stems are also home to deliciously fragrant flowers throughout the summer. As a gesture of forced integration, we encourage J. 'Frojas' to scramble through other colored foliage plants, such as purple loropetalum and smoke tree. Each branch can reach up to 10' in length when happy or can be kept shorter with a pair of sharp clippers. Lest we forget, tea from this gem is drunk for its aphrodisiac qualities, and who could forget that carrying the flowers attracts money and wealth. Attract a little bit our way, if you please.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06245
|
|
Juncus (Rush)
The rushes belong to a group that is gaining in popularity as folks begin to search for plants to fit wet sites instead of spending the money to drain these sites for more lawn areas. Rushes are grass-like plants belonging to the Juncaceae family. In tropical climates, the roots of many species have medicinal value, while the foliage is commonly used to make matted chairs, rugs, etc. Although they have insignificant (except to a botanist) flowers, the foliage colors and other variations make dramatic curiosities and add a wonderful, spiky, textural element to the garden. |
Juncus effusus 'Curly Wurly' (Corkscrew Rush)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-9 8" tall Origin: USA
Web-Only!
We are pleased to offer one of the truly unique plants in the plant kingdom. The corkscrew rush brings back all kinds of memories from rushes to corkscrews...hmmm. The narrow, glossy green, pencil-thin stems spiral outward from the clump to 8" in all directions...like the hairdo of a punk rocker on 10-10-10 fertilizer! This is a great accent plant that collectors dare not do without. Corkscrew rush prefers to be sited in a bog or, at least, a very moist environment. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00788
|
Juncus effusus 'Unicorn' (Giant Spiral Rush)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-9 18" tall Origin: USA
Web-Only!
We first saw this amazing rush at the wonderful University of British Columbia Botanic Gardens, and we are thrilled to finally be able to share it with other gardeners. This is obviously a steroidally enhanced version of the smaller corkscrew rushes, but what an enhancement it is! The 18" tall, dark green, heavily spiraled stems make a stunning attention-getting specimen. J. 'Unicorn' grows best in a moist garden site or as a marginal aquatic. Flower arrangers will be thrilled at the possibilities...let's all get kinky! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05134
|
Juncus inflexus 'Afro' (Blue Medusa Rush)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-10 15" tall Origin: Europe
Web-Only!
Way cool! I first spotted this fascinating bog plant in England several years ago at the garden of the introducer, Joe Sharmon. Unlike the small corkscrew rush, this was virtually a corkscrew rush on steroids...with dusty blue foliage! Each 2' wide clump resembles an upside-down dish of 3-day-old blue spaghetti. We have enough to share with contorted gardeners everywhere! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02925
|
|
Kalimeris (Kick Aster)
A botanical ethnic-cleansing in Asia saw these great plants kicked out of the genus Aster, where they have since labored in a lonely obscurity. Won't you help by adopting one of these poor displaced souls? Just pennies a day will provide food and a home for these poor starving kalimeris. You'll be rewarded with a long summer of delightful flowers and by knowing that you did a good thing. |
Kalimeris incisa 'Blue Star' (Blue Star False Aster)
SunZone: 5-9 15" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
Web-Only!
(syn: Boltonia incisa) This easy-to-grow Asian native makes a nice clump, to 15" tall, topped from June until October with 1" light blue, aster-like flowers. Just like its cousin, Asteromoea mongolica (K. pinnatifida), Kalimeris incisa is a great garden subject and is very tolerant of a wide range of garden conditions from dry to moist. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05764
|
Kalimeris pinnatifida (False Aster)
Sun to Part SunZone: 6-9 20" tall Origin: Asia
Web-Only!
(syn: Asteromoea mongolica) A favorite of the late garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence, this wonderful, slowly spreading perennial arises in spring with 20" tall stems, clothed with apple-green, serrated foliage, then is topped with creamy white, fully double, 1" chrysanthemumesque flowers throughout the summer...whew! If you look closely enough, you will notice a light lavender blush to the lower ring of petals...that's for you designer types. Kalimeris blends well into any perennial border as it works to soften dramatic color contrasts. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01219
|
Kalimeris yomena 'Aurea' (Yomena Yomama)
Sun to Part SunZone: 6-9 12" tall Origin: Asia
Web-Only!
(syn: Kalimeris incisa 'Shogun') This is an interesting little perennial (I made up the common name) with very cut-leaf foliage that is green with a wide creamy golden margin. The slightly spreading habit (let's call it overly friendly) mingles nicely in the border. In early fall, the plants are topped with 1" light lavender aster-like flowers on 18" stems. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01220
|
|
Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)
These South African natives are an amazing group of plants from 10" dwarfs to 7' giants. We have spent quite a bit of time evaluating species and cultivars for their garden performance. I hope you enjoy our ever-expanding selections. Most pokers are quite easy to grow and prefer bright sun and good garden soil. |
Kniphofia 'Alcazar' (Red Hot Poker)
SunZone: 6-9 24" tall Origin: Hybrid
Web-Only!
K. 'Alcazar' has slightly narrower long green leaves than the early flowering forms of K. uvaria. Beginning in June and continuing into July , the sturdy 3' tall poker-like spikes are topped with 6" tall flowers, golden at the base, bursting into a bright orange at the top...fits nicely in a perennial border for a summer show. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01449
SOLD OUT |
Kniphofia 'Bleached Blonde' (Bleached Blonde Red Hot Poker)
SunZone: 6-9 36" tall Origin: S. Africa
Web-Only!
Haven't you secretly longed to cuddle up in the perennial border with a bleached blond but didn't have the nerve? If so, your fantasies have been answered. Kniphofia 'Bleached Blonde' is an introduction from the former Olympic Coast Gardens that makes a 2' tall x 2' wide clump of narrow green foliage, topped in late May with 3' tall spikes of creamy-yellow. We often get summer rebloom if the old flower spikes are removed. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07308
|
Kniphofia buchananii (Buchanan's Hot Poker)
SunZone: 6-8, at least 24" tall Origin: S. Africa
As Monty Python's troupe would say, "And now for something completely different." From South Africa's famed Drakensberg Mountains comes this most unusual poker, whose narrow, fleshy grass-like leaves form a loose upright green clump. The clumps are topped in late spring with narrow 2' tall spikes of lightly fragrant pure white flowers that resemble holiday sparklers. Kniphofia buchananii has an esoteric cuteness...just think of it as the Charlie Brown's Christmas tree of red hot pokers. This species is ideal for small gardens which can be the perfect excuse for indulging in an esoteric cuteness fetish. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07673
|
Kniphofia caulescens (Red Hot Poker)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5b-7, at least 24" tall Origin: S. Africa
Web-Only!
From moist peaty seeps up to 8000' in elevation at South Africa's only ski resort is where we saw this growing during our 2005 expedition. When we first saw the evergreen glaucous foliage and splendid architectural form (like a blue octopus after rigor mortis sets in), we realized this was indeed something special. Although I'd grow this species for the foliage only, the clumps are topped with 4' tall spikes of huge toilet brush-sized pokers in July/August. Each poker is bright orange at the top with a distinctive wide yellow band at the bottom of the flower. K. caulescens has proven to be amazingly easy to grow in typical garden conditions, so give it a try. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04904
SOLD OUT |
Kniphofia 'Cobra' (Red Hot Poker)
SunZone: 7-10, at least 36" tall Origin: Hybrid
Web-Only!
This hybrid from England's Blooms of Bressingham produces 3' tall pokers, topped with flower heads of creamy white on the bottom half, changing about midway to peach, then to bright orange at the tips. This good grower flowers for us in July atop a vigorous 3' wide clump. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #04503
|
Kniphofia 'Elizabeth Pierce' (Elizabeth Pierce Red Hot Poker)
SunZone: 6-9 36" tall Origin: S. Africa
Web-Only!
Kniphofia 'Elizabeth Pierce' is a vigorous growing Olympic Coast Garden introduction with 3' tall spikes of buttery yellow flowers that top the narrow green-leaf clump from mid-May until mid-June...very attractive. The plant was named after the nursery owner's mother. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07310
|
Kniphofia 'First Surprise' PP 16,036 (Red Hot Poker)
SunZone: 6b-8, at least 30" tall Origin: Hybrid
Web-Only!
It's time to ante-up for the newest poker in town. From L.C.J. van Delft of Holland comes a new compact poker that produces an abundance of 30" tall, bright orange (RHS 24A) pokers, starting in late spring. This has proven to be a splendid early spring-flowering (April/May in NC) selection in our trials. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #05773
|
Kniphofia 'Lola' (Lola Red Hot Poker)
SunZone: 6-10, guessing 84" tall Origin: Hybrid alternate image
Thanks to Jim Massey for sharing this killer poker that he got from "Lola." Kniphofia 'Lola' is as we say in the South, a real honker. In other words, it's big, it's bodacious, it's the Bo Derek of the red hot pokers. Our amazing clumps are 5' tall x 5' wide with 6-7' spikes of orange flowers in midsummer. This is not for the small garden, small people who are easily intimidated, or those who have been diagnosed with a heart condition. If you want to make a loud statement and you have plenty of room, invite "Lola" into your garden! Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #04345
|
Kniphofia 'Nancy's Red' (Nancy's Red Hot Poker)
SunZone: 6-10, guessing 24" tall Origin: Hybrid
We first picked up this fine dwarf poker in the UK, but it has since performed admirably in our climate, so we are delighted to share. The narrow, grass-like foliage gives rise to 2' tall, narrow spikes of coral-red flowers in July. Kniphofia 'Nancy's Red' is a charming plant, in scale for even the smallest of gardens. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04580
|
Kniphofia pumila (Dwarf Red Hot Poker)
SunZone: 7-8, at least 20" tall Origin: S. Africa
This little-known South African species has been one of the top performers in our poker trials. The small clump of linear green foliage is topped in July with attractive 20" spikes of lime green...an unusual color, but one that is great for creating amazing color combinations. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #06054
|
Kniphofia rooperi (Red Hot Poker)
SunZone: 7-10, at least 36" tall Origin: S. Africa
This late-flowering South African red hot poker, native to coastal marshes, garnered all the attention at our September open house. Instead of a typical poker-like flower head, K. rooperi boasts a broad, squatty head (like the former prez's womenfolk). Each flower head is exquisitely patterned yellow at the bottom and bright orange all the way to the top. For us, the 3' flower spikes of K. rooperi begin in August and continue through October. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03036
|
Kniphofia sarmentosa (Red Hot Poker)
SunZone: 7-9, at least 48" tall Origin: S. Africa
Web-Only!
Kniphofia sarmentosa hails from mountain streams in South Africa's winter rainfall Karroo region. It quickly became one of our favorite pokers...after 5-card draw, of course. The thin, blue-grey foliage makes a narrow clump to 2' tall. In early spring (March-April) in NC, the clumps are topped with narrow 4' tall spikes of coral-orange. From Zone 8 south, they often flower throughout the winter months. K. sarmentosa is slightly stoloniferous (runs underground), especially in moist soils, so there will be plenty to share. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05840
SOLD OUT |
Kniphofia 'Toffee Nosed' (Toffee Nosed Red Hot Poker)
SunZone: 7-10, at least 36" tall Origin: Hybrid
The wonderful 1980s introduction was selected by John Metcalf of Four Seasons Nursery in the UK. It's taken us 10 years to build up enough stock of this great kniphofia to be able to share, so don't delay in case we run out. Compared to the larger pokers, the narrow green leaves on this winner of the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Award of Garden Merit make a smallish, 2' wide clump. Starting in June (NC), the 3' tall, narrow flower stalks end with ivory flowers with an orange top...a very unusual color combination in pokers. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06337
|
| <Iris] | [Kosteletzkya - Ligularia> |
