(aka: Echinacea 'Balsomsed') Echinacea 'Salsa Red' stands out as one of the best red coneflowers we've ever grown. Strong words, considering the array of echinaceas we've trialed, but this is a winner. Echinacea 'Salsa Red' comes from the breeders at Pan American Seed Company, who were breeding for a seed strain, but were struck by the performance of this exceptional clone. For us, Echinacea 'Salsa Red' makes a 2' wide clump of sturdy stems topped, starting in June, with hundreds of bright orange-red, salsa-colored 3" flowers. As with all coneflowers, a well-drained soil is critical. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Echinacea 'Balsomselo') Echinacea 'Sandy Yellow' is the yellow-flowered version of Ball's Sombrero coneflower series. Echinacea 'Sandy Yellow' makes a vigorous, well-branched clump, topped with 3" wide butterscotch yellow flowers that age to near white. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
I am really impressed with Echinacea 'Solar Flare' from Georgia's ItSaul Nursery. This stunning coneflower hybrid gives rise to 3' tall black-purple stems in late spring, topped with 5" wide, seemingly fluorescent tangerine-pink flowers...a stunning contrast on a vigorous plant. Good drainage is always important when growing coneflowers. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Available 5-3-2012Echinacea 'Tangerine Dream' is a 2009 Terra Nova introduction that sports well-branched 30" stems of large 4", sweetly fragrant, bright orange, non-fading flowers...what more could you ask for in a summer-flowering perennial? Good soil drainage is important for best performance. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Echinacea 'Tiki Torch' is a dynamite echinacea hybrid from the breeding program at Oregon's Terra Nova Nurseries. The 32" branched stems are topped with multitudes of pumpkin-orange flowers starting in late June...a fabulous new color! The long-term performance of Echinacea 'Tiki Torch' has been excellent in our trials. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This new echinacea from Terra Nova stretches what we used to think about echinaceas to an entirely new level. The 32" tall clumps are topped in summer with large 5" flowers attractive to hummingbirds, whose petals indeed look like the color of mama's tomato soup. It's a shame the late Christopher Lloyd isn't still around to create some of his renowned, stirring combinations with this wild and gaudy color. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Available 5-3-2012This stunning member of the daphne family is one of our most prized plants in the garden. All summer, the 8' tall x 8' wide umbrella-shaped clump, supported by a smooth brown trunk, is adorned with plumeria-like leaves. The foliage drops in mid-December to reveal both the wonderful bark and the large silvery flower buds. The flower buds open steadily from mid-January to early April, producing an overwhelmingly fragrant display of pendent, golden yellow flowers. Edgeworthia chrysantha is much more winter-hardy (below 0 degrees F) than Edgeworthia papyrifera and much easier to grow. We have finally named the clone we selected for large foliage and flowers and have sold without a cultivar name for the last decade. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
If odd is your thing, then you'll swoon over Eleocharis radicans. ..aka radical fiber optic spikerush. This odd American native has an equally bizarre distribution that jumps around from Michigan to North Carolina to Florida, to Texas, and even California...perhaps we just need more eleocharis watchers around the country. Eleocharis radicans is a member of the Cyperus clan that makes a great lawn substitute in low wet depressions where traffic is light. For us, Eleocharis radicans makes a thick mat of tiny green 3" tall spikes. When grown in moist, mucky spots, Eleocharis radicans can spread several feet a year by means of short rhizomes...glad to share its home with pitcher plants and other bog denizens. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
For years we have been looking for good heat- and drought-tolerant blue-foliaged grasses without an invasive habit...Elymus 'Canyon Prince' is a superb candidate. Discovered near the California coast and later introduced by California's Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, this hybrid of the US native Elymus condensatus boasts wide but stiff powder blue foliage that holds up wonderfully in our heat and humidity. In 5 years expect an evergreen mound 2' tall x 3-4' wide. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We were first introduced to Engelmannia peristenia in 2003, when we spotted it growing in Comel County, Texas, just north of San Antonio. Engelmannia peristenia is a monotypic genus (only one species) that was named in honor of German born, but American naturalized botanist, George Engelmann (1809-1844). You are likely to see Engelmannia in its natural state along roadsides from South Dakota south to Texas. The clumps are adorned with fuzzy green leaves that resemble an oversized gaillardia. Starting in spring and continuing all summer, the clumps throw 2' long flowering stalks of small yellow daisies. If the clumps become tired looking in summer, whack 'em back to the ground and they'll be flowering again in no time. Engelmannia has proven ridiculously easy to grow. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We have long been amazed by Ensete maurelii, a superb ornamental banana from the high mountains of East Africa. Growing to only 10' tall in temperate climates (20' tall in tropical areas), Ensete maurelii makes a superb ornamental for the summer border. Each leaf can reach gigantic proportions of 10' long. The most ornamental characteristic is that the foliage is flushed with burgundy, especially concentrated as the new growth emerges. The higher the light levels, the stronger the coloration. We have also seen Ensete maurelii used in large summer containers with great effect. All ensetes are non-offsetting monocarpic plants...they die after they flower. If you've ever seen the magnificent flower, it's well worth the loss. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
Epimedium acuminatum 'Night Mistress' is a 2004 Darrell Probst introduction from his 2000 wild collection near Nanchuan in China's Chongqing municipality. The 2' wide clumps of Epimedium 'Night Mistress' are adorned with long arching flower spikes in early spring that are laden with large flowers whose inner sepals look like giant purple spiders with contrasting white exterior sepals on the back. Epimedium acuminatum is best planted on a raised slope so you can enjoy the dangling flowers. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: E. borealiguizhousense) Epimedium baieali-guizhouense is a recently discovered (published 1993) Chinese species from Yunnan and Guizhou provinces where it can be found between 1,000' and 2,000' elevation. Epimedium baieali-guizhouense makes a robust, evergreen, 4' wide clump with long, spiny-edged green leaves and topped in spring with 18" tall stalks of cloud-like flower heads, each containing hundreds (we estimated) of tiny white flowers...really quite extraordinary in the woodland shade garden. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Epimedium PDN 06-001) Epimedium 'Candy Striper', a 2011 PDN release, is one of the most unique epimediums we have grown. In early April, the deciduous 15" tall x 20" wide clumps are adorned with terminal clusters of small four-petaled flowers that are white, but streaked with dark pink. Unlike most epimediums, the non-overlapping petals give Epimedium 'Candy Striper' a most distinctive look. The leaves, which emerge green with a narrow purple edge, are a nice foil for the flowers. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Epimedium PDN 05-009) This 2011 Plant Delights introduction is a vigorous Epimedium grandiflorum type (we're not sure of the baby daddy) that forms an 18" tall x 3' wide clump. The green foliage is topped, starting in early April (NC), with stalks of stunning cherry-red flowers, highlighted by the unique spurs which are white on each side...quite stunning! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Epimedium PDN 06-003) Epimedium 'Chocolatte' is a vigorous 2011 PDN introduction...an Epimedium x omeiense-like hybrid that combines a unique brown flower color and exceptional vigor with superbly ornamental foliage. The 20" tall x 3' wide semi-evergreen clump is topped, starting in mid- to late March, with spikes of large chocolate brown petals, each backed by long white sepals. The flowers nicely echo the chocolate bronze color of the new foliage. If you're a chocoholic, you'll love this low calorie indulgence! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This amazing 2012 Plant Delights introduction is an Epimedium acuminatum hybrid that is among the most floriferous fairy wings we've ever seen. Epimedium 'Dancing Stars' makes a vigorous growing 18" tall x 30" wide clump, adorned with arching terminal panicles of large flowers composed of long white spurs and yellow cups. Epimedium 'Dancing Stars' starts flowering for us in late March and continues to produce sporadic flowers until early June...simply outstanding! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This dazzling 2004 Darrell Probst hybrid is one of our absolute favorite epimediums. The tight clumps of long, spiny green leaves are heavily flecked with amber. In April and May, the 3' wide clumps are topped with 2' tall, hairy, burgundy, arching spikes of large white-spurred flowers, each highlighted by a maroon flower tip...exceedingly floriferous compared to most of the industry standards. Our 4-year-old, deer-resistant clumps produce over 100 flower spikes...simply superb. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This wonderful epimedium selection was brought into the US from Japan by Terra Nova founder, Dan Heims. The plant was subsequently named and introduced in 2001 by Diana Reeck of Collector's Nursery. The vigorous clumps are topped, starting in early April, with spider-like flowers, composed of bright pink cups and complementary bright pink spurs...a very nice deer-resistant selection. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This deer-resistant selection of the deciduous Japanese Epimedium grandiflorum arose in the garden of the late Harold Epstein...a probable rendezvous between Epimedium 'Yubae' and Epimedium 'Silver Queen'. I understand Harold actually encouraged this in his garden as long as he got to watch. The green foliage, which emerges chocolate/purple, is topped with large purple-and-white bicolor flowers in spring...still quite rare commercially, so get 'em while they last. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
