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Vernonia
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Vernonia altissima 'Jonesboro Giant' (Jonesboro Giant Ironweed)
Sun Zone: 5-9, at least 144" tall Origin: USA alternate image
Driving through Jonesboro, Arkansas, in 2000, I spotted this selection of giant ironweed. Most of the clones had fallen over due to their height and flower head weight, but I finally spotted a clone that stayed wonderfully upright. Cuttings were taken, and we are pleased to report it has also remained vertical in our garden trials. V. 'Jonesboro Giant' forms a clump of 10-12' tall stems, clothed in dark green leaves and topped with large clusters of dark purple flowers starting in mid-August. The giant clumps sway a bit in the breeze, but so does the Sears Tower. Warning lights may be required in some jurisdictions...please check local flight path maps. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06548
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Vernonia angustifolia 'Plum Peachy' (Narrow-leaf Ironweed)
SunZone: 5-8 48" tall Origin: USA
(aka: V. a. A2GA-003B) In 1998, I found this wonderful selection of the southeast native (NC to Mississippi), Vernonia angustifolia, growing on a grit outcrop in Turner Co., Georgia. Despite being discovered and named by the famed plant explorer Andre Micheaux more than 200 years ago, it is surprisingly absent in horticulture. The robust 4' tall stalks of narrow, green amsonia-like leaves are topped, starting in late August, with 8" wide, branched, airy flower heads of dark purple flowers. This clone holds its large flower heads upright better than any of the others we have trialed. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06206
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Vernonia lettermannii (Late Night With Ironweed)
SunZone: 4-9 24" tall Origin: USA
This fascinating ironweed hails from Arkansas and Oklahoma where it can be found in rocky soils and on rock outcrops. Imagine taking an Amsonia hubrichtii, shrinking it to 2' tall x 2' wide, shearing it into a round ball, then topping it with hundreds of purple flowers in August and early September and you have Vernonia lettermannii. We grow this in our hot, dry scree garden, where it has caused visitors to lust in their hearts. We give in...here it is. This rare native was named for the late botanist George Letterman, who, as best we can determine never had his own television show. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06670
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Veronica (Speedwell)
While this group of perennials is certainly well-represented in the horticultural world, we thought we would present some of the most unique and newer members of the group that also feature colored foliage, amazing flowers, and a good degree of heat tolerance...an important feature here in the Southeast US. We think you will be dazzled with our choices!
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Veronica 'Pacific Ocean' (Pacific Ocean Speedwell)
SunZone: 5-8a, at least 24" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
This new introduction from the Netherlands appeared and then disappeared equally as quickly from the wholesale market. Now that we have had time to trial the plants, we find them quite good, even in our typically anti-veronica heat and humidity. Now it's time to share, so here it is...a 2' tall veronica clothed at the bottom half with rich green leaves and topped with long spikes of blue-violet flowers in May and June. We really like this plant and hope you will also. Is the Pacific Ocean really this color? If so, I think someone spilled something. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07384
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Veronica repens 'Sunshine' (Sunshine Dwarf Veronica)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-9, possibly colder 1" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
This 1996 introduction from Dick and Judith Tyler of Pine Knot Farms is one of our favorite plants...and that's saying a lot. From a seed packet of V. repens, Judith selected this bright gold seedling. The flat...read my lips...carpet of tiny gold leaves resembles baby tears instead of a veronica. We have used V. 'Sunshine' as a groundcover in both sun and light shade as long as the soil doesn't get too dry...great for brightening an area. Occasional tiny purple spikes adorn the mat...you will love it! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01808
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Veronica spicata 'Glory' PP 18,932 (Glory Speedwell)
SunZone: 3-8a 15" tall Origin: Europe
(aka: V. 'Royal Candles') In our trials, this 2001 introduction has impressed both us and our garden visitors. From Heather and Mike Philpott in the UK comes this amazing hybrid unlike any veronica we have grown. The 3" tall, tight clumping, rock garden-sized plants are topped, starting in May, with dozens of thin but sturdy 15" tall flower spikes (resembling those anorexic runway models). The spikes begin opening with blue-purple flowers at the base and move steadily upward like a lit fuse, ending their flowering cycle at the uppermost tip in mid-October...yes, that's five months of flowering! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04359
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Veronica umbrosa 'Georgia Blue' (Georgia Blue Speedwell)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8, guessing 4" tall Origin: Europe, Asia
(aka: V. peduncularis) This exciting groundcover veronica was discovered in 1979 in the Republic of Georgia and named by England's Roy Lancaster. It was misidentified as V. peduncularis, due to an incorrectly identified Kew herbarium sheet. So, now you know the rest of the story. V. umbrosa 'Georgia Blue' features very small, dark-green, rounded foliage (glossy purple in winter) that lies flat on the ground, making a nice mat...not weedy. In late winter and early spring, February through April, the foliage is nearly hidden by an abundance of medium-blue flowers...very special for the spring garden...great planted with daffodils. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01170
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Vinca
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Vinca minor 'Illumination' PP 12,132 (Illumination Periwinkle)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 4-8, at least 2" tall Origin: Europe, Asia
We are pleased to present what we feel will be the most exciting new evergreen groundcover to hit the market in a decade. This stunning sport of the common V. minor was discovered by Christy Hensler of Washington and evaluated here at Plant Delights. Each brilliant golden leaf is surrounded by a contrasting, dark green edge...both colors hold all year long. For us, V. 'Illumination' has not proven to be aggressive, like most other cultivars of Vinca minor. Within a few years, you will still have a striking patch, topped in spring with typical blue-lavender flowers...you will LOVE it! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03419
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Viola
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Viola pedata 'Eco Artist Palette' (Bird-foot Violet)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-8 3" tall Origin: USA
This splendid selection of our US native Viola pedata comes from native plant pioneer, Dr. Don Jacobs of Decatur, Georgia. V. pedata 'Eco Artist Palette' makes a small clump (3" tall x 3" wide) composed of finely dissected leaves that resemble...what else, bird feet. The clumps are topped with pansy-like flowers in April/May, usually with some re-flowering in late summer/early fall. Unlike the typical blue flowers, this selection has two dark blue-purple upper petals, contrasting with three near-white lower petals. At home in a sunny, well-drained rock garden, this is the only viola species in an otherwise weedy genera that we allow in our garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07215
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Washingtonia
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Washingtonia filifera Dallas Form (Washington Palm)
SunZone: 8-10, at least 720" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
We are pleased to offer a limited number of the Southwest native Washingtonia filifera that was grown from seed collected from a mature specimen in Zone 8, Dallas, Texas. The plant was "discovered" by Matthew Nichols of Dallas, who tells me that they have endured 11 degrees F with no damage. It is our hope that this could add a little more hardiness, since it has grown to fruiting size in a Zone 8 climate.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07923
SOLD OUT
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Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm)
SunZone: 9-10, at least 1000" tall Origin: Mexico
Open House/Web-Only!
This limited offering was grown from seed shared with us by palm guru Hayes Jackson of Anniston, Alabama. Hayes got these seeds from a plant of the northern Mexico native Washingtonia robusta (normally the less hardy Washingtonia) growing in the Florida panhandle Zone 8a town of Marianna. Hayes says there is a possibility these have some W. filifera blood. If you are an experimental gardener, don't wait. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07771
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Wollemia
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Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Fir)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10, at least 1200" tall Origin: Australia
It's still fairly common in botanical circles to discover new species...at least, small annuals and perennials. What David Noble found in 1994, growing on steep sandstone cliffs of the Wollemi National Forest northwest of Sydney, Australia, is anything but normal. This Norfolk island pine relative had been hiding for nearly 2 million years, but not any longer! The dark green plastic-like foliage emerges glaucous and adorns the trees that can reach 100' at maturity. So far, they have proven to be easy-to-grow, surviving both 15 degrees F and 106 degrees F in the ground at Plant Delights. Further north, I can see container specimens decorated for Christmas with seasonal dinosaur ornaments. If you'd like the opportunity to grow a true living fossil, don't delay. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07951
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Woodsia
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Woodsia obtusa (Blunt Lobed Wood Fern)
Sun to Part SunZone: 3-10 10" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This small, easy-to-grow American native is found growing in both acidic and alkaline soils on rock ledges and cliffs in the eastern US. The slowly creeping rhizomes make a nice, compact, 18" wide mound for filling spaces in the woodland garden. The fronds are deeply cut, presenting a very nice lacy appearance. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03812
SOLD OUT
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Woodsia scopulina var appalachiana (Eastern Alpine Fern)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 3-8 8" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
(syn: W. appalachiana) From West Virginia west to Oklahoma, the rare East Coast subspecies of W. scopulina can occasionally be found in rocky crevices and adjacent rocky cliffs. We thought we would save you the trouble of trying to find your own. The small, upright, 8" tall deciduous clumps of light green upright fronds are perfect for a woodland rock garden.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07580
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Woodwardia
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Woodwardia unigemmata coll. #05CH062 (Giant Chinese Chain Fern)
Light ShadeZone: 7b-9 24" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
We are excited to finally offer this amazing fern, our specimens grown from Hans Hansen collected spore from Sichuan, China in 2005. W. unigemmata makes a huge specimen to 2' tall x 6' wide when happy. Although most forms have not been winter hardy in our trials, this material has proven much hardier here. The 3' long fronds emerge tinted red and as they mature and produce 1-3 plantlets along the central stipe, which can root down into the soil. Moist, rich soils result in the best performance. Quantities are very limited at this time. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07432
SOLD OUT
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Woodwardia virginica Perquimans Co. NC (Virginia Chain Fern)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-9, at least 18" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This wonderful US native, from Maine to Texas, is strangely missing from gardens despite being a great, easy-to-grow garden specimen. W. virginica is usually found in bogs...often in very acidic, mucky soils, but we have found it quite adaptable in our dry sand. W. virginica has a long, creeping, deciduous rhizome that is topped during the growing season with vertical black stipes and upright 18" green fronds that often emerge coppery red. W. virginica is a nice spreader, but nothing like the weedy bracken fern. Our 5 year-old patches are 4' wide. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06639
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Xanthosoma
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Xanthosoma violaceum (Blue Taro)
Sun to Part SunZone: 8-10, at least 72" tall Origin: Central America
Open House/Web-Only!
(syn: X. nigrum) Xanthosoma violaceum (pronounced Zanthosoma) has long been a favorite elephant ear, but one which had not proven winter hardy in our climate. Plantsman Alan Galloway shared this form that he imported from China that has been hardy for years in his Raleigh NC garden. Originally from Central America, X. violaceum has been spread around the world as a major food crop. In the garden, the 6' tall violet stalks are topped by a 3' long, pointed lobed dark blue-green leaf. In the winter, we recommend piling shredded leaves over the main tuber to preserve the size for the upcoming season....slightly moist, rich soils produce the largest specimens. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02156
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