 |
 |
|
Sinningia (Sinningia)
This genus of South American gesneriads (African Violet relatives) is best known by most gardeners as the Florist's Gloxinia (actually a true sinningia). We have been evaluating numerous species and hybrids, and while many species are tender to cold extremes, we find that many make great, drought-tolerant specimens for sunny gardens from Zone 7b south. We hope you will join us in our excitement over this great group of perennials.
|
Sinningia 'Bananas Foster' (Bananas Foster Sinningia)
Sun to Part Sun Zone: 7b-10 24" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW!
In 2004, John Farina sent us seed from a cross of Sinningia 'Krezdorn Yellow' x 'Apricot Bouquet'. The resulting offspring yielded two spectacular plants (S. 'Towering Inferno') and this one, which we are christening S. 'Bananas Foster'. The 2'' long arching mahogany stems are laden with hundreds of light yellow teardrop-shaped flowers from mid-May until fall. The underground tubers and thick leaves create a phenomenally drought-tolerant combination. We've got ours growing in our full sun rock garden and it just can't be beat for long summer bloom time! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08527
|
Sinningia 'Butter and Cream' (Butter and Cream Sinningia)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10, at least 18" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
We are pleased to introduce a new hardy sinningia that comes from the breeding program of Kentucky's David Zaitlin, who crossed two hardy species, S. aggregata x S. tubiflora. The result is a durable, non-running clump that emerges with 18" tall stalks of quilted green leaves, topped in early summer with butter-yellow tubular buds that open creamy white. The arching foliage lays flat after flowering, so allow a 3' wide area to keep it from swamping nearby plants. We have found that this really likes to be dry in the winter, so plant where it can get sun, but has an overstory from one side that reduces winter moisture. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06261
|
Sinningia 'Scarlet O'Hara' (Scarlet O'Hara Sinningia)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 36" tall Origin: Hybrid
This 2008 PDN introduction first arrived in 2001 as seed from a John Farina cross of Sinningia 'Apricot Bouquet' x self...that's legal with sinningias. In 2007, we selected this special offspring for introduction while the rest were selected for the compost pile. S. 'Scarlet O'Hara' makes a 2' wide clump of dark purple stems adorned with felty, thick, dark green leaves. The 3' tall flowering stalks start expanding upward in late May (NC), and are adorned from then until frost with a continuous display of dangling scarlet red (RHS 53B) tubular flowers. Our plants are thriving on a full sun gravel-based scree...simply dazzling. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08012
|
Sinningia sellovii (Hardy Red Gloxinia)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10, at least 20" tall Origin: Argentina, Brazil
Open House/Web-Only!
Yes, it's another of the amazing hardy gloxinias from South America. Sinningia sellovii is composed of thick, light green, sandpaper-like leaves on an arching clump that can reach 20" in height. Atop the plant, in midsummer, are 3' arching spikes of pendent scarlet-orange bells. We grow our plants in our full sun-baked rock garden, where they thrive with good drainage...very easy. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04727
|
Sinningia speciosa 'Carangola' (Hardy Florists Gloxinia)
Part SunZone: 8-10, at least 6" tall Origin: Brazil
Open House/Web-Only!
This superb Brazilian collection of Sinningia speciosa, the parent of the modern florist gloxinia, has been reliably hardy for us, provided it is grown in well-drained soil. The fuzzy olive-green leaves form a flat rosette, topped in July and August with a cluster of foxglove-like flowers atop 6" stalks. Each flower is white with a dramatic dark blue-purple interior. Our best results have been in sites with 2 to 4 hours of full sun. Where Sinningia 'Carangola' isn't hardy, it makes an easy to grow, outstanding potted specimen! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07105
|
Sinningia 'Towering Inferno' (Towering Inferno Hardy Sinningia)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 48" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
This new hardy gesneriad started its life when gesneriad expert John Farina crossed two sinningia hybrids S. 'Krezdorn Yellow' x S. 'Apricot Bouquet' and subsequently sent us a packet of seed. After 3 years of garden trials, we christened S. 'Towering Inferno' as the first introduction from the seedlings. S. 'Towering Inferno' emerges from a dormant tuber in spring, producing huge 4' tall flowering spikes, adorned with thick, fuzzy green leaves and topped with bright red dangling tubular flowers. For us, S. 'Towering Inferno' starts flowering in mid-June and continues well into October. A site in bright full sun for at least half a day is necessary...even in hot climates. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08010
|
Sinningia tubiflora (Hardy White Gloxinia)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10, at least 20" tall Origin: Argentina, S. America
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: S. longituba) One of the real joys of gardening is to find a plant that you think can't be hardy and then be surprised when it becomes an easy-to-grow staple in your garden. Such is the case with the hardy gloxinia, S. tubiflora. Forming large underground tubers, S. tubiflora not only lives, but spreads nicely in our rock garden. All summer long, the green, felty leaf clumps are topped with 2' tall spikes of 6" long, very fragrant, pure white flowers...somewhat resembling Hosta plantaginea. The hummingbirds and visitors alike go nuts when they see this plant. You must grow this plant, even if you have to use containers in the North. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04688
|
|
Sisyrinchium (Eyed Grass)
Sisyrinchiums appear to be members of the grass family, but instead are iris relatives. They are quite easy-to-grow, with flower color from white to blue, passing through yellow and brown. They are generally quite small, being well-suited to small gardens.
|
Sisyrinchium 'Suwannee' (Blue-Eyed Grass)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-9, at least 8" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This great new blue-eyed grass was found by plantsman Charles Webb in Madison Co., Florida, on the limestone banks of the Suwannee River. It is very different from our typical weedy Sisyrinchium angustifolium, not littering the ground with seedlings while producing the most incredible floral show of any sisyrinchium we grow. This possible new species makes fast-multiplying, 8" tall clumps that are ablaze with clouds of sky blue flowers in early May. Wait, ablaze with blue...hmmm, not sure if that's possible. S. 'Suwannee' seems to thrive in both dry sun and wet shade...gotta love it. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04789
|
Sisyrinchium angustifolium 'Lucerne' (Lucerne Blue-eyed Grass)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9 8" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This amazing selection of our native blue-eyed grass was made by plantsman Robert Herman, formerly of White Flower Farm, while in Lucerne, Switzerland. The amazingly large, 3/4", blue-purple flowers top the narrow, iris-like foliage from May until July. This selection does not seem to have the proclivity to try and take over the world with aggressive seeding...wonderful! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04782
|
Sisyrinchium palmifolium (Yellow-Eyed Grass)
SunZone: 7-9, at least 20" tall Origin: Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina
Open House/Web-Only!
Where has this plant been all my life? I've grown many sisyrinchium species but never anything this impressive. The evergreen, blue-green iris foliage makes a dense 20" tall x 20" wide clump. In May and June, the clumps are topped with 2.5' tall flower spikes laden with large, quarter-sized, bright-yellow flowers that open around 6 o'clock in the evening. There is little information about this plant, although we understand that some taxonomists lump this with S. macrocephalum. That's okay with us, as it doesn't change the fact that this is a great garden perennial. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05018
|
Sisyrinchium 'Quaint and Queer' (Brown-Eyed Grass)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-9 10" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
This is probably our favorite and the easiest to grow of the dwarf iris relatives, the sisyrinchiums. Normally occurring with blue, white or yellow flowers, this "quaint" little hybrid boasts flowers of milk chocolate...held just above the clump in late spring. Even when it's not in flower, the 10" tall x 16" wide clump of flat, green, iris-like foliage makes a perfect specimen for the rock garden. You will love adding this beauty to your small garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00592
|
Sisyrinchium tinctorium 'Puerto Yellow' (coll. #A1 (Mexican Yellow Eyed Grass)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 12" tall Origin: Mexico
Open House/Web-Only!
Wow! I never thought I'd say that about a sisyrinchium, but this plant is really cool. We made this collection in 1994 at 1,800' elevation in the region of Puerto Purificacion, Mexico. The rapidly multiplying clump of narrow, iris-like foliage makes a dense plant to 12" wide. Beginning in early spring and continuing through early summer, the clumps are topped with 3/4", bright-yellow flowers held just above the foliage. In well-drained sites, it has been hardy to just above 0 degrees F. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03029
|
|
Smilacina
|
Smilacina racemosa (False Solomon's Seal)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 3-9 24" tall Origin: USA alternate image
This native perennial forms a mat of thick rhizomes just below the surface giving rise in spring to upright arching stalks clothed with thumb-sized green leaves. In late spring, the branches terminate with a gorgeous spike of white flowers, eventually changing into a cluster of green, then red berries as fall approaches. False Solomon's seal is striking in the woodland garden when used en masse, or as a background for ferns and hostas. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01030
|
Smilacina stellata 'Blue Dune' (Blue Dune Starry False Solomon's Seal)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7, at least 20" tall Origin: USA
(syn: Maianthemum stellatum) I'm fascinated why this native groundcover isn't more widely cultivated...especially considering that it's native in all of the continental US except the southeastern "gang of 8," from NC across to Texas. S. stellata makes a tough groundcover with 20" stems arising from the underground rhizomes. Each stem is clothed with 15-18 blue-green leaves that are spirally arranged around the stem. From mid-April until mid-May, the stalks are topped with short but attractive spikes of small white flowers. Although S. stellata loves moisture, it is incredibly drought-tolerant. This selection is from the Indiana Dunes region. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07395
|
|
Solidago (Goldenrod)
Solidago has long been dismissed as garden subjects due to the misconception that they caused hay fever. Through our investigation, we determined that this myth was in fact a carefully orchestrated smear campaign, funded by the real culprit, The National Ragweed Association. There are good and bad goldenrods. Our native Solidago canadensis has been declared a noxious weed in many countries for its aggressive running habit. In contrast, other solidago species have been hybridized in Europe for decades for the cut flower market. We offer several carefully selected goldenrods that we have found to make superb garden specimens.
|
Solidago 'Dansolitlem' PP 17,297 (Little Lemon Goldenrod)
SunZone: 5-8 12" tall Origin: Hybrid
From the Danziger Flower Farm breeding program in Israel comes a great little goldenrod with another nonsensical cultivar name. The compact, well-branched 1' tall x 18" wide clump is topped with a stunning floral show in September...just charming. S. 'Dansolitlem' has been particularly outstanding in our trials. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07496
|
Solidago drummondii (Cliff Goldenrod)
SunZone: 4-8, guessing 18" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This Midwest native is found at home on alkaline rock cliffs and ledges in the Ozark Mountain region. Unfortunately, some idiot taxonomist who sniffed too much herbarium dust has lumped it in with the southeast native S. rugosa, which is a completely different plant. This tight clump-former makes a 18" tall x 3' wide ball of arching stems, covered in September with sprays of golden yellow flowers. The habit, growability, and disease resistance are superb on this great native...meet it today. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05731
|
Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' (Fireworks Goldenrod)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9 40" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This 1993 introduction from Ken Moore of the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill was originally selected from an NC Coastal Plain population of S. rugosa. Despite its southern heritage, it was rated #1 in the goldenrod trials at the Chicago Botanic Garden. From a slowly spreading rhizome, the stalks emerge upward in late spring, topping out at 3' tall. In mid-August in NC, the clumps are showered with 18" long, arching spires of brilliant yellow flowers held well atop the foliage. The flowers resemble fireworks or literally bombs bursting in air...one of the finest additions to the fall garden! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01032
|
Solidago stricta (Wand Goldenrod)
SunZone: 5-9, at least 72" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This great US native is a garden designer's dream. Wand goldenrod is native from Maryland to Texas, where it occurs in sandy pine barrens as well as wet meadows. The cool thing about S. stricta is that when it starts to expand from its winter basal rosette, the leaves along the flowering stem are tightly adpressed (disguised by laying flat against the stem). These stems expand all spring and summer, appearing like a colony of anorexic snakes being lured upward by a magic flute. Starting in October, the top 10" of the "snake" turns to bright yellow as the flowers open. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05019
|
| <Selaginella - Silene] | [Speirantha - Thalictrum> |
|
