To help you find the plants or types of plants that you are looking for, we have compiled this guide which groups genera by their characteristics of interest. We have included the common name of each genus in case you're not quite sure what the scientific name is, as our catalog is in alphabetical order by genus. Happy hunting!!
AROIDS
Shocking tropicality! A wealth of collector's plants here, Aroids have become some of the most popular plants in the garden. Extremes in size, shape and texture range from the impressive elephant ear (Alocasia) to the diminutive mouse plant (Arisarum). Also here, are the bizarre voodoo lilies whose anatomically incorrect flowers appear out of nowhere a month before their leaves in the spring.
The world of bulbs reaches far beyond the golden trumpets of daffodils so familiar in spring.
Many gardeners are becoming increasingly aware of the wide variety of summer and fall flowering
tuberous rooted plants. Bulbs bring joy with their surprise, often seemingly leaping out of
nowhere to offer their bloom.
Ferns and their related non-flowering plants (allies) offer subtle charm to shaded gardens.
Perfect companions to hostas, most of the following thrive in the same conditions.
Groundcovers offer wonderful alternatives to lawn, especially in the shade of large trees where
most turf fears to tread. Great underplanting to small shrubs or other perennials, try growing
other plants through these groundcovers. Two plants can inhabit the same place at the same time.
The ornamental grasses have become popular and important landscape additions over the past
decade, and rightly so. As a textural element, they offer relief from big heavy globs of
foundation shrubs, and their interest spans the seasons. We also include here plants that have
grassy foliage, similar in texture and use in the garden, without technically being grasses. Most
of the grasses thrive in full direct sun, but the grass-alikes such as carex and acorus will
thrive in shade. Use these plants to contrast heavier textured plants; each will enhance the
other.
This group includes lily-like plants that have evergreen parts. They are very effective and quite
happy in perennial borders and as placeholders in a foundation planting.
Agave havardiana is a medium- to large-sized century plant, native to rocky grassland slopes (often alkaline) from west Texas into Mexico (4,000'-6,000' elevation). Agave havardiana forms a 3-4' wide glaucous, single rosette (rarely offsetting) of thick spiny leaves to 20" long and 6" wide...a very hardy species if protected from winter moisture when temperatures fall below 20 degrees F. Mature specimens are topped with stunningly massive 12' tall asparagus-looking flower spikes in summer. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Allium albopilosum) The dazzling Allium cristophii is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner that is sure to cause a photo moment in the garden. Because it hails from the dry summer regions around Turkey, it loves dry soils in the summer months. The 16" long strap-like leaves emerge in early spring but by late May the leaves begin to die back just in time for the 18" tall flower stalk which is topped with an alien-looking 8" umbel (round flower head) of long mauvy-pink stamens. Even after the flower heads fade to tan, they still provide a wonderful garden element! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Allium luteum) This fantastic selection of the southern European golden garlic was made by Antoine and Michael Hoog in 1978 while trekking in the Spanish Pyrenees. Allium 'Jeannine' is greatly improved over the typical species by having golden flowers instead of the typical greenish yellow, and by producing two flower spikes per bulb instead of the typical one. It also is in full flower a few weeks earlier than the normal species, which means late May/early June in NC. The small clumps are topped with 2" umbels of bright yellow flowers atop 10" stalks...very cute! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Amorphophallus atroviridis 'Pewterware' is a Plant Delights selection of the north central Thailand species that typically has black foliage. The foliage on Amorphophallus 'Pewterware' is, as you can no doubt surmise, pewter, surrounded by a narrow red edge. The 1' tall stalks are speckled reddish brown. The summer-borne inflorescence sits atop a short flowering stalk and resembles a small pink cup that holds a well-sized spare part for a urology transplant. This is a very limited offering. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Arisaema consanguineum is without a doubt one of the easiest-to-grow and garden-worthy of the cobra lilies. In June the 30" tall stalks arise, topped with an unfurling radial leaf with 12 leaflets. The leaves often have dramatic drip-tips...a nice added bonus. Alongside the leaf stalk is a large pitcher-like flower (usually green or purple-and-white striped) with a large hood that ends in a long dangling thread. The thread now comes standard in all models to enable you to pull the hood closed during sex...a new Federal law if you live within 2 miles of a school or church. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Arisaema costatum is a native to high elevations (6,000'-9,000') in Nepal and neighboring Tibet, which makes a stunning plant even without the flower. The 3'+ tall reddish stem is topped with a three part leaf, similar to Arisaema speciosum. In good conditions, the leaf can reach 3' in width. In late spring, the flower stalk emerges to nearly 2' tall with a large, dark purple and white striped hood which ends in a thin red-purple tail. Inside the hood, the thin black-purple spadix stands out against the "pulpit windows." Speaking of tails, take a peek in the pulpit window for some cheap thrills. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This unique form of Arisaema heterophyllum hails from China's magical Mt. Omei, where it resides under giant cryptomerias around the Baguo Temple. The 3' tall slender stalk is topped with a large horseshoe-shaped leaf composed of up to 23 leaflets. Emerging from near the base is a separate 3' tall stalk, topped at leaf level with a green helmeted pitcher with a long, erect whip-like green tongue. The Mt. Omei Form has one sixth the normal number of chromosomes (in case this affects your purchasing decisions) and is usually a female, compared with the more common bisexuality found in this species. If you're into long green tongues or other such deviation, we've got the plant for you. Arisaema heterophyllum is easy to grow but prefers well-drained soils. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Everyone who sees this in our garden shakes their head in disbelief. This amazing form of Arisaema speciosum, which often goes by the invalid name of Arisaema speciosum v. magnificum, is simply a giant race of Arisaema speciosum discovered in India. The new growth emerges in late spring from one end of the unusual cigar-shaped rhizome (plant horizontally). The 30" tall cobra-marked stalk is topped with three dark green, heavily textured leaflets, each edged in red. The flower, which arises from the base on a short stalk in early May (NC), is composed of a wine-purple and white striped hood, holding a whitish-pink spadix that starts out sturdy and thick, but then becomes nothing more than a crumpled red thread at the end...obviously a rough night. Well-drained soils during the dormant period are the key to success with Arisaema speciosum. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Artemisia #GUIZ137) From a 1985 Sino-British expedition to Guizhou Province, China, comes an improved form of the wonderful perennial, Artemisia lactiflora. The stout, 4' tall, deer-resistant clumps of red-purple stems are clothed in cutleaf, dark green foliage. In July the clumps are topped with large, airy heads of small, pure white flowers. While Artemisia 'Guizhou' grows great in typical garden soil, a moist site will reward you with an even more spectacular show. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: A. orientale ssp. sintenisii) Native to damp shade as well as open woodland conditions on Cyprus, Arum sintenisii (named after German botanist Paul Ernst Emil Sintenis) produces large 1' tall, arrow-shaped, green leaves in fall. Arum sintenisii differs from Arum orientale primarily by its fragrance which is "a sweet fermenting odor" according to Peter Boyce in "The Genus Arum." If our temperatures drop below 10 degrees F, the foliage will be damaged, only to regrow when the weather warms. The May-produced, purple-stained, white hood (spathe) houses a narrow green-and-purple sex organ (spadix)...who knew? Arum sintenisii should be more heat-tolerant than other members of the genus. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This evergreen clump-forming wild ginger from central Japan has been quite durable in our garden. Each plant will offer different leaf patterns, but the most common is a green leaf with a wide central stripe of silver. The unusual tri-lobed glossy brown flowers occur beneath the leaves in March (NC). We have found this to be a good grower in our trials, forming a 1' wide clump. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Asarum subglobosum is a rare species, hailing from the Kyushu region of southern Japan. In the garden, the 15" wide clumps of 5" heart-shaped green leaves are adorned with a variation of silver fleck patterns...each plant is a unique clone. In March, a cluster of attractive creamy yellow flowers form at the base...go ahead...peak. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We are pleased to be able to offer another new Chinese aspidistra, Aspidistra molendinacea, first published in 2002 from Guangxi, China. We mistakenly sold a few of these in 2001 as Aspidistra lurida...sorry Our clone of Aspidistra molendinacea has 20" long thick leaves, including a 6" basal stem. The shiny green leaves are faintly spotted yellow. For us, Aspidistra molendinacea has made a very tight growing clump with very upright foliage. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This selection of cast iron plant comes from plant collector Barry Yinger, who got it from Japan's Kenji Hirose, who collected it in Yunnan, China. The 6" petioles end with 8" long green leaves that emerge with a wide central stripe of creamy yellow. The leaf blade arches sideways, making a 1' tall x 2' wide clump. As the leaves age, small yellow spots appear in the green border...stars and stripes, now that's patriotic. Our plants of this 1989 named species have sailed through 8 degrees F so far. We previously offered this as Aspidistra typica. Additionally, this is the same clone introduced by Crug Farm as Aspidistra 'Uan Fat Lady'. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Seeing these great tuberous begonias hanging from the cliffs in northern Argentina as we drove along in 2002 was, indeed, an incredible experience. The arching stems form a 2' wide clump and are clothed in pointed angel-wing type leaves. At the end of each stem are amazing 2" long bright orange-red bells...a hummingbird delight. In our shaded garden, these have performed wonderfully, drawing raves from all who pass by. These do not emerge from dormancy until June, so chill out. In colder zones, this is an amazing pot or basket plant. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We are pleased to finally be able to offer this hard-to-find, hardy, early spring-flowering orchid with wonderful 15" tall spikes of stunning yellow flowers with reddish-brown lips. Calanthe tricarinata prefers woodland conditions...moist but well-drained soils. The foliage is evergreen in mild winters but may become deciduous when temperatures approach 10 degrees F. We have had some reports of success with this orchid from Zone 5. Calanthe tricarinata is featured in the book, "Rare and Precious Plants of China." Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera is a variety of the deer-resistant European fan palm that hails from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco where it grows up to 5,400' elevation. Instead of green foliage like the species, this variety has powder-blue foliage and silver undersides, similar to Brahea armata. According to palm gurus, Gibbons and Spanner, these plants are vigorous, tolerant of a wide range of conditions, and beautiful. Our six-year-old clumps are now 3' tall x 3' wide. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This is still considered one of the finest crinum lilies for the home garden. This vigorously multiplying hybrid (possibly Crinum 'JC Harvey' x Crinum scabrum) was hybridized in Florida during the 1920s by Louis Bosanquet and named after his wife. Crinum 'Ellen Bosanquet' begins flowering in mid-June and continues through most of the summer. The large, reddish-purple flowers, on 2' stalks, emit a delightful spicy fragrance. The rosette of wavy, glossy, tropical-looking foliage is a great addition to the garden, even without the flowers. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This new crocosmia hybrid from the UK's David Tristam produces 2' tall flowering stalks, each with large numbers of 2" wide, outfacing golden flowers with recurved petals. The soft, sword-like green foliage is nearly hidden by the masses of flowers during the summer months...a breeding breakthrough and hummingbird attractor. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Curcuma 'Pink Wonder' has been the star of our curcuma trials. The tardily emerging foliage finally shows itself in mid-June, with 7' tall foliage resembling a fancy giant aspidistra...green with a central burgundy stripe. The flowers on this selection emerge like pine cones on separate 1' tall stems alongside the foliage in late summer. Curcuma 'Pink Wonder' was selected for inflorescences that are white at the base and bright pink on the top...quite the showpiece in the garden as well as being easy to grow. We like to plant curcumas alongside spring bulbs for a continuous sequence of interest in the same spot. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
.jpg "Epimedium wushanense (Wushan Fairy Wings)")
.jpg "Crinum 'Ellen Bosanquet' (Ellen Bosanquet Crinum Lily)")
