Thanks to Bob Snyder for sharing this deer-resistant hardy lantana he grows in his garden 2 hours west (colder) of PDN. Lantana 'Ham and Eggs' is an old, sterile cultivar that has been passed along in the Southeast for many years. Lantana 'Ham and Eggs' is topped from early summer until fall with flowers that open pink (RHS 73B) and then develop a central pattern of flowers which are cream with a golden eye...a summer delight for hummingbirds. Occasionally there is a slight tinge of orange in the flower...a real show stopper! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This selection of lantana was introduced by Goodness Grows Nursery in Georgia, from...who else?...Miss Huff of nearby Athens. In our trials, this is the hardiest lantana, with well-established clumps surviving short durations of -3 degrees F. The deer-resistant plants emerge from the ground in early May and, within a couple of weeks, are topped with showy orange (RHS 28A), yellow (RHS 17A), and pink flower heads that are produced nonstop until frost. Virtual sterility also prevents unwanted seedlings and promotes more flowering...and more hummingbirds. Established clumps will get quite large (to 10' spread) when happy! For full hardiness, establish well prior to winter. Do not cut old stems in fall or winter when grown in marginal climates. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Available 4-18-13This way cool sport of Lantana 'Miss Huff' was discovered by PDN customer, NC's Robert Hughes. The fast growing Lantana 'Southern Fried' forms a 3' tall x 6' wide clump in one season, sporting leaves of green with a misty yellow speckling. As the night temperatures cool, the deer-resistant leaves become bright gold with a faint green speckling. All summer the clumps are topped with the typical orange and yellow flowers of its hummingbird-approved parent. We are particularly taken with this splendid new introduction! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
After 6 years of trialing, we are pleased to add another lantana to the list of hardy cultivars. Lantana 'Star Landing' is a deer-resistant seedling selection from Larry Force of Desoto Co., Mississippi. Lantana 'Star Landing' makes a wide spreading clump to 2' tall x 8' wide, topped all summer with bright flower heads of both yellow-orange (RHS 28A) and red-orange (RHS 42A) on the same flower...a hummingbird fiesta. It does not have the pink coloration as seen in Lantana 'Miss Huff'. It has proven to be sterile unless planted in the presence of another cultivar, when the urge to procreate just becomes too overwhelming. As with all hardy lantanas, don't cut the old stalks back until growth resumes in spring. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This Mike Dirr introduction popped up as a spontaneous seedling in the Dirr's temporary residence in Chapel Hill, NC...obviously a cross of Lantana 'New Gold' (Lantana camara x Lantana montevidensis) and Lantana camara 'Miss Huff'. Lantana 'Chapel Hill Yellow' has been an amazing plant in our trials, sailing through our 7 degree F winter in 2009. Be sure to allow enough room, as our 1.5 year-old clump is now 2' (0.33 Dirrs) tall x 14' (2.3 Dirrs) wide. For us, the clump is topped with clusters of bright yellow flowers from early June until frost...a deer-resistant, hummingbird-inviting flowering machine. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Isotoma axilaris) Laurentia fluviatilis has become one of our favorite groundcovers, both for the woodland garden and between stepping stones. Blue star creeper is an adorable little plant that makes a 1" tall mat of round, green leaves and equally tiny light blue flowers in spring. In a slightly moist site, which laurentia prefers, expect a 12-18" spread by the end of the first season. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Lavandula 'Anouk' is a Dutch selection of the Spanish lavender, Lavandula stoechas, from Lammert Koning of Holland, who claims it is winter hardy to Zone 5b...which would be great, if true. 'Anouk' lavender was selected for its excellent outward branching but compact habit. The 2' tall x 8' wide (5 years) woody stems are adorned with pencil lead-thin, fragrant grey leaves. Each branch is topped, starting in late April and continuing for months, with short spikes ending in dark purple flower heads with light lavender upright tails. We have always found Lavandula stoechas to be one of the best lavender species for hot, humid climates...incredibly drought-tolerant once established! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Scilla cooperi) Cute, cute, cute! This easy-to-grow little South African bulb is a delightful addition to the rock garden. The narrow, olive-green, 4" tall leaves with dark purple markings are held upright in what eventually becomes a nice colony (1' spread in 5 years). In early spring, Ledebouria cooperi clumps are adorned with miniature, pink, scilla-like racemes. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This amazing form of a South African Ledebouria species that we thought was L. stenophylla (scilla relative) was introduced by the late California plantsman, Gary Hammer, and has proven to be reliable even through our wet, cold winters. The bulbs produce 1' long, deciduous, strap-like, grey-green leaves that are heavily spotted with random liver-colored patterns. Each easy-to-grow, 20" wide clump of Ledebouria 'Gary Hammer' looks great in the summer rock garden or as a seasonal container plant in colder climates. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
From South Africa's Northern Province region of Limpopo comes the amazing giant ledebouria. Actually, it's not amazing that it comes from there, but it is amazing a plant from this region has proven reliably hardy for us since 2003. Looking more like a tropical houseplant, Ledebouria zebrina makes a 1' tall x 1' wide deciduous clump of large, fleshy, light green leaves, often highlighted on the back by small purple specks. The clumps are adorned in mid-May with pendent bottle brush-like spikes emerging from the leaf axils...very cute! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Sedum texanum) You're probably asking yourself...what's a lenophyllum? Well, you're not alone...lenophyllum is a monotypic genus (there is only one) and a sedum relative from Texas, where it's known only from two Zone 9 coastal counties. It obviously didn't get the hardiness memo, as it's been fine here for the last 8 years. I could lie and say it's really attractive, but I won't. Don't get me wrong, it's not ugly...just think of it as Charlie Brown's sedum. The orostachys-like rosette phase is fairly attractive, but the semi-lax stems that follow, clothed with irregularly spaced succulent green leaves, just sort of lay there until they are ready to produce 1' tall stalks of small yellow flowers. So, why should you grow lenophyllum? Because it's native, it's lonely, and because none of your gardening friends will have one. Be aware that it may fall all to pieces in shipping, but just dump the pieces back in the pot and it'll be fine. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Thanks to Jimmy Turner of the Dallas Arboretum for sharing this winter-hardy form of a plant that we had killed many times. This South African deer-resistant native is found growing in rocky grasslands where it makes a huge, 8' tall x 4' wide shrub. For us, it's a more demure dieback perennial (4' tall x 4' wide), composed of upright stems and narrow, fuzzy green leaves. In late October, the clumps burst into bloom with axillary flowers that resemble fuzzy orange golf balls. Leonotis must be kept very dry in winter when growing in climates with cold, wet winters. If that's not enough, Leonotis produces the chemical leonurine which, when smoked (especially the flowers), provides a euphoric feeling. We think growing the plant is euphoric enough. This multi-tasking plant can also be used to treat headaches, fevers, coughs, dysentery, snakebites, and an array of other ailments. How have you lived without a leonotis? Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This unusual white-flowered form of Leonotis leonurus comes from California's Derick (Mr. Impatiens) Pitman. Each 3' tall x 3' wide deer-resistant clump of stems, clothed in narrow fuzzy-green leaves, is topped, starting in late October, with ball-like flower clusters along the flowering stems...rather alien-like...we like aliens! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
If it looks like a salvia, flowers like a salvia, and even smells like a salvia...it must be a lepechinia. This salvia relative is native to Hawaii but is amazingly winter hardy in NC. The large, deliciously-scented, spade-like, felty green leaves adorn the stalk that grows upright until late summer when it tops out at 4'+ with see-through flower spikes, composed of red-lavender lipstick-like flowers...a hummingbird treat. Lepechinia hastata is a great late season garden perennial...especially for a crowded border. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Thanks to plantsman, Ted Stephens, for bringing this wonderful new deciduous perennial lespedeza back from Japan and making it available. Lespedeza 'Little Volcano' is a selection from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Lespedeza liukiuensis, unlike Lespedeza thunbergii, makes an upright clump instead of one whose branches are pendulous. The 6' tall x 12' wide mound of branches, clothed with small, dark green leaves, explodes, starting in mid-September, as the stems are smothered with bright red-purple flowers that last until mid-October...stunning! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Found at the old Gibraltar estate in Wilmington, Delaware, this spectacular lespedeza was selected and named by plantsman, Bill Frederick. Our plant graces the top of our grotto with pea-like foliage on long, arching branches. Emerging from the ground each season, the branches quickly reach 6' tall x 12' wide. In late summer and fall, the branches of Lespedeza 'Gibralter' are laden with thousands of lavender-pink flowers...a great arching effect for a wall or mixed into a perennial border. Visitors who see this plant in flower have a quick attitude adjustment about lespedezas! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Lespedeza thunbergii 'Variegata') We are always on the lookout for plants whose foliage extends the season of interest well beyond their flowering season, and one such plant is Lespedeza thunbergii 'Spilt Milk'. This Japanese selection has foliage that is heavily and consistently speckled with large, creamy, irregular flecks. The attractive leaves are held along the arching stems, tinged dark purple as they grow. The 4' tall x 6' wide deciduous clumps are topped in midsummer and again in late September with terminal clusters of lavender flowers...a superb choice! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This stunning perennial bush clover was introduced and named by Nancy Goodwin at Montrose Gardens, who found this on her property and realized it was much better than the Lespedeza thunbergii 'Albiflora' of the trade (earlier flowering and no color reversions). Cut to the ground in spring, this 6' tall x 12' wide deciduous grower will resprout rapidly, akin to the proverbial beanstalk. In late summer and into the fall, the weeping branch tips of Lespedeza 'White Fountain' are clothed in sprays of white pea-like flowers! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We have been very pleased with the performance of this Japanese selection of their native shrub mint, which eventually forms a 3' tall x 3' wide mass of upright stems clothed in 6" long, golden yellow leaves. In areas with warm summer nights, the intensity of the leaf color may fade in summer, but cutting the plant back will cause the plant to reflush with brighter foliage. Leucosceptrum japonicum 'Gold Angel' is topped in October and November (NC) with terminal spikes of yellow bottlebrush-like flowers. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Leucosceptrum 'Silver Angel' is a unique selection of the shrubby Japanese woodland mint that forms a 3' tall x 3' wide clump, composed of irregularly serrate, oblong leaves that emerge green, then change to silver with an irregular green border. The clumps, which enlarge horizontally each year, are topped in October and November (NC) with short terminal spikes resembling yellow bottle brushes. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
