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Ceratostigma
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Ceratostigma griffithii (Blue Leadwort)
Sun to Part Sun Zone: 7-10 15" tall Origin: China, India
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We have had trouble growing many of the leadworts but hit upon a gem with the supposedly non-hardy C. griffithii. After it sailed through 0 degrees F in our severe 1996 winter, we began to propagate this dynamite species. The twiggy spreading growth clothed with dime-sized, round green leaves makes a large spreading mound to 2-3' wide. In late August the plant becomes a mass of rich, pure blue flowers through autumn. Then the deciduous foliage takes on lovely hues of red and yellow. In warmer climates, it should stay evergreen. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02015
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Cestrum
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Cestrum 'Orange Peel' (Orange Peel Cestrum)
SunZone: 7b-9, at least 72" tall Origin: Hybrid
This superb and easy-to-grow introduction from Southern Perennials and Herbs is a cross of C. diurnum x C. nocturnum. For us, this superb selection has been both floriferous and winter hardy. The fast-growing woody stems, clothed in ligustrum-shaped leaves, are adorned from early June until frost with terminal clusters of mustard-orange (RHS 25B) flowers, tipped in yellow. When winters drop into the single digits, C. 'Orange Peel' behaves as a dieback perennial that returns in spring to reach 6' tall x 6' wide by fall...simply superb! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05981
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Cestrum parqui (Hardy Willow-Leaved Jessamine)
SunZone: 7-10 60" tall Origin: Chile alternate image
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Named by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) as one of their top 200 plants of the last 200 years, Cestrum parqui is truly one of the most amazingly floriferous perennials that we grow. From Zone 8 south, Cestrum parqui actually behaves like a shrub and can reach 15' tall in very tropical locations, but only 5' in temperate climates. Beginning in early summer and continuing until first frost, our 6' wide "bush" is smothered with both axillary and terminal floral clusters, each bearing hundreds of mustard-yellow flowers. In the early evening, the flowers emit a powerful fragrance that perfumes the garden, but disappears by morning. Willow-leaved jessamine is a virtual flowering machine that is perfect for a special full sun location. While C. parqui is a prolific seed producer, the seedlings do not stray from around the base of the main clump. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04794
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Chamaecyparis (False Cypress)
If you like conifers, then you will love the false cypress. The diversity in this group of mostly Japanese natives (i.e., C. obtusa and C. pisifera) is truly outstanding. The selections we offer are some that perform well in our gardens here in the South, although their range is quite extensive... see zone listing by each cultivar. We particularly like the color forms of false cypress that help provide fabulous winter color! |
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Spirited' (Golden Hinoki Cypress)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 48" tall Origin: Japan
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This new and hard-to-find introduction from NC's conifer expert, Paul Jones, is a seedling from C. obtusa 'Crippsii'. The foliage best resembles a dwarf golden C. obtusa 'Graciosa' with very dainty lace-like foliage. In our rock garden, this is one of the few dwarf golden chamaecyparis that doesn't foliage-burn. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01881
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Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tsatsumi Gold' (Tsatsumi Gold Hinoki Cypress)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 96" tall Origin: Japan
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We really like this unique selection of Hinoki Cypress that was found as a golden sport on C. o. 'Tsatsumi'. Our 6-year-old plant is now 6' tall x 3' wide. We expect it to mature at 8-10' tall. The foliage is bright gold and quite contorted with both cockscomb and twisting branches...think conifers on Ecstacy, and you get the idea. Our plants have taken full sun in our hot climate with no problem. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07094
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Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aureovariegata' (Variegated Threadleaf False Cypress)
SunZone: 4-8 72" tall Origin: Japan
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I hunted for years for this plant and finally found a single specimen growing in a yard in Baltimore. With the same form as the gold-thread cypress, this conifer has variegations of cream and green in the thread-like branches. To me, it resembles a yellow and green, worn-out mop stuck in the ground...an important landscape feature here in the South. It is slow-growing compared to the golden forms...our 10-year-old plant is only 72" tall...rare in commercial trade. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00492
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Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Variegata' (Variegated Eastern White Cedar)
SunZone: 4-8 120" tall Origin: USA
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This marvelous form of our native eastern white cedar has rich green foliage that is heavily speckled yellow. Although books say that the foliage burns in the South, we have not let our plants read these books and, consequently, no burn. I'll bet the burning was a result of very dry soils. Expect this informal, conical, upright-shaped conifer to reach 10' at maturity. Imagine plugging a red cedar into an electric socket, and you'll get the right image. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06165
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Chamaerops
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Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera (Blue Mediterranean Fan Palm)
SunZone: 7b-10 180" tall Origin: Morocco
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This selection of the European fan palm 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. We have not trialed these for hardiness, but typical C. humilis has been hardy here, and this variety reportedly has good hardiness potential...so, these are for adventurous gardeners only. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04280
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Cheilanthes (Lip Fern)
Cheilanthes are one of several genera of delightful small dry land ferns. Cheilanthes are native around the world including many U.S. native species ranging from coast to coast, usually found in well-drained alkaline rock cracks. Many of the desert species that we have tried have performed very well in our well-drained beds at the base of rocks...another excuse to build a rock garden. As our plants produce spores, you'll be seeing more in the catalog listings.
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Cheilanthes viridis (Green Cliff Brake Fern)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-9, at least 20" tall Origin: S. Africa
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(syn: Pellaea viridis) A fern with an identity crisis. The more moderate in the Church of the First Frond claim this as Pellaea viridis, but the fundamentalist wing has judged it to be Cheilanthes viridis...the fern war continues. Regardless of your preference, it is one of many little-known sun ferns from South Africa that have yet to be properly explored for garden use. P. viridis is found up to 6,000' elevation throughout the few remaining woodlands in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province. So far, in our garden, it has made an easy-to-grow 20" tall clump of stiff, upright, rich green, bold-textured foliage...very unique. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05973
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Cheilanthes viridis McLear Form (South African Green Rock Fern)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-9, guessing 24" tall Origin: S. Africa
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(aka: Pellaea viridis A1SA-170) This accession of Cheilanthes viridis comes from South Africa's Eastern Cape near the town of McLear at a elevation of 4200'. Most of the forms of Cheilanthes viridis that we saw in 2005 only reached 1' tall, but this form topped out at 2' tall. We are uncertain if this was due to growing conditions or genetics. The thick, dark green pinnae adorn the black stipe on this semi-evergreen, clumping fern.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06728
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Chelone
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Chelone glabra 'Black Ace' (White Turtlehead)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 72" tall Origin: USA
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We are delighted to introduce this amazing Craig Moretz selection of our native white turtlehead to the world. C. 'Black Ace' has very dark foliage with an amazing black cast. Growing rapidly in moist soils, it quickly reaches a mature height of 6'. In hot summer climates, the black foliage coloration will change to green by late summer. Also in very late summer, the clumps are topped with terminal clusters of white, snapdragon-like flowers...a favorite of butterflies and landscape designers. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03746
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Chelone obliqua var. speciosa (Purple Turtlehead)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9, at least 36" tall Origin: USA
I remember falling in love with C. obliqua var. speciosa at Missouri's Shaw Nature Reserve back in the 1990's. After growing it for many years, we found it to be a superb garden specimen, and quite different than the more commonly grown pink-flowered C. lyonii. The somewhat stoloniferous clumps produce 3' tall stems, clothed with dark glossy green leaves and topped in September with mauvy-lavender turtleheads. C. obliqua var. speciosa ranges from MN (historically) south to AK, where it can be found in rich, moist, slightly shaded spots. In the garden, we find full sun results in the best flowers, and while it is drought tolerant, good moisture is well appreciated. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07906
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Chloranthus
Chloranthus, a genus of 17 species of easy-to-grow Asian perennials, are among the most esoteric perennials that we grow. They are valuable for their bold texture in the woodland garden and really funky flowers in late spring.
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Chloranthus multistachys (Multi-stacked Chloranthus)
Light ShadeZone: 6-8, at least 18" tall Origin: China
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Chloranthus multistachys is a bold-textured gem for the woodland garden in climates where many popular large-leaf plants will not survive. Hailing from moist woodlands up to 5000' elevation in central and southern China, C. multistachys also adapts well to dry garden soils. The 18" tall x 3' wide clumps are composed of fleshy upright stems, clothed in large 1' long x 6" wide, glossy, green corrugated leaves. In late April, the clumps are topped with terminal clusters of tiny white flowers...the ideal plant if you appreciate plant textures...certainly not for the petunia crowd. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06599
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Chloranthus serratus (Serrate-leaf Chloranthus)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-9, guessing 12" tall Origin: China
This Chinese species is the lowest growing of the chloranthus that we have trialed. Our 7-year-old clumps are now 1' tall x 3' wide, spreading slightly wider each season. The fleshy stems are adorned with four terminal olive-green leaves, with each oppositely held pair stacked just above the other. The stem is topped starting in late-April with two upright bottlebrush-like spikes of tiny white flowers. If your friends constantly accuse you of being overly esoteric, chloranthus is for you...very cute! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07292
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Chlorophytum
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Chlorophytum saundersiae 'Agristripes' (Upright Spider Plant)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 18" tall Origin: S. Africa
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(syn: Anthericum saundersiae 'Variegata') This great new variegated form of the rare South African (Swaziland) native arose at Florida's Agristarts Nursery. The easy-to-grow and well-behaved, small grass-like clumps of arching green leaves are heavily striped with white edges. Throughout the summer, the 18" wide clumps are topped with airy spikes bearing small, white, spider plant-like flowers. C. 'Agristripes' makes a great garden plant where it is winter hardy and a great container plant where it isn't. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06579
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Chrysactinia
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Chrysactinia mexicana (Damianita)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-9, at least 12" tall Origin: USA
Chrysactinia is another of the great but little known TX natives that adapts beautifully to East Coast gardens. Chrysactinia is a member of the aster family that hails from rocky alkaline regions in TX and NM. This drought tolerant woody perennial makes an 18" wide x 1' tall compact mound of woody stems clothed with fragrant (like aged turpentine) dark green, needle-like leaves. From April through September, the foliage is adorned with 1" golden aster-like flowers. We have found this very easy to grow and, of course, amazingly drought- and heat-tolerant. Chrysactinia does not like severe pruning, so back off with those shears!
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06941
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Chrysanthemum (Mum)
This genus in the aster family went through a messy divorce several years ago, with most of the divorcees re-assuming their maiden names. For the sake of family unity, we continue to keep them listed under the more familiar name, Chrysanthemum. While the world is filled with marginally winter hardy fall garden mums, we have opted for selections with good hardiness and for those which perform better long term in the ground than in a 6" black plastic pot that gets sheared like sheep. |
Chrysanthemum 'Snow Dome' (Snow Dome Chrysanthemum)
SunZone: 7-9, possibly colder 15" tall Origin: Hybrid alternate image
NEW!
We are very pleased to introduce Chrysanthemum 'Snow Dome', our favorite of the new group of hybrids between garden mums and Chrysanthemum pacifica (aka: ajania). This superb selection, thanks to genetics from NC's Richard Hayes, makes an unbelievable tight dome of cutleaf, silver-back foliage that forms a perfect 15" tall x 2' wide mound...without any pruning or pinching. The foliage is then topped in October with a blanket of small white daisies. I'd grow this superb selection even if it didn't flower...great for a small garden.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08000
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Chrysogonum
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Chrysogonum virginianum 'Eco Lacquered Spider' (Green and Gold)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-10 4" tall Origin: USA
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This wild and crazy form of our native green and gold was found by Don Jacobs's son in south-central GA and first introduced in 1992. The flat-growing rosettes of this unique plant produce long runners to several feet (obviously grew up near spider plants) and makes a fabulous woodland groundcover. The color from the purple stolons runs into the base of the leaves, which have an unusual glossy appearance. The clump is adorned with yellow flowers in spring, although the blooming period is somewhat shorter than other cultivars. Expect a 4' wide mat in a couple of years, or use it to great effect in seasonal containers. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01579
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Chrysogonum virginianum 'Golden Acres' (Golden Acres Green and Gold)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-8 6" tall Origin: USA
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This selection of the US native (NY south to FL) green and gold was made in Holland and then re-imported back to the US. The rosette of green leaves is topped starting in April with 6" tall upright stalks of 1" dark yellow daisies. This selection reportedly flowers consistently until September...we'll see, but regardless, it's a superb species. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08235
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| <Carex - Caryopteris] | [Cimicifuga - Clinopodium> |
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