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Cephalotaxus
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Sun to Shade Zone: 6-9, at least 30" tall Origin: China, Japan, Taiwan
Open House/Web-Only!
Okay, picture a normal yew that has been stepped on by an elephant...got the picture? This remarkable plant was first discovered in Duke Gardens, NC in 1958, where it occurred as a branch mutation on a plant of Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Fastigiata'. What resulted is a 30" tall x 60" wide shrub that is the perfect yew substitute in the heat of the South, and the perfect deer-resistant yew substitute for gardeners in the North. With some minor damage, it has survived -24 degrees F at Bernheim Arboretum in KY. The soft, black-green foliage makes a fascinating textural plant that thrives in even the shadiest of woodland gardens. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03389
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Ceratostigma
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Sun to Part SunZone: 7-10 15" tall Origin: China, India
Open House/Web-Only!
We have had trouble growing many of the leadworts but hit upon a gem with the supposedly non-hardy Ceratostigma 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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SunZone: 7b-9, at least 96" 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 deer-resistant 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 8' tall x 8' wide by fall...simply superb! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05981
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SunZone: 7-10 60" tall Origin: Chile alternate image
Open House/Web-Only!
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 deer-resistant "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 Cestrum 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
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SunZone: 5-8, possibly colder 360" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: Xanthocyparis nootkatensis) If you're into native plants, how 'bout this gem of a conifer that hails from our 49th state. This is unquestionably one of the most elegant specimen evergreens in the garden. Our 10 year old specimen, which amazingly likes our heat and humidity, has reached 15' in height with a 10' wide spread...expect 30' tall at maturity. The main side branches arch outward and the secondary branches hang straight down creating a dramatic attention-drawing shrub. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08594
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Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 120" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
This 1984 introduction from Duncan and Davies Nursery in New Zealand is similar to Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Aurea', but with a more open, informal appearance. In ten years, expect an 8' tall specimen with irregular branches of congested golden foliage. This dynamite specimen plant, eventually growing to 10' tall, holds the gold color all year. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01607
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Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 10" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
This is the slowest, tiniest hinoki cypress that we have ever encountered...watching it grow ranks right up there with watching cars rust. The very tight bun of tiny green foliage reaches 10" tall x 10" wide in ten years...awesome in a rock garden or trough...not the hog kind. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00587
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Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 36" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: Chamaecyparis 'Ceramic Christmas Tree') We enjoy this cute little dwarf, upright, golden hinoki cypress (3' tall x 1' wide in 10 years) as a specimen in our rock garden. The layered golden foliage on this easy-to-grow selection remains equally attractive in winter and summer. We would probably enjoy Lynn also if she were here. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02693
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Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 48" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
This new and hard-to-find introduction from NC's conifer expert, Paul Jones, is a seedling from Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii'. The foliage best resembles a dwarf golden Chamaecyparis 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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Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 96" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
We really like this unique selection of Hinoki Cypress that was found as a golden sport on Chamaecyparis obtusa '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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Chasmanthium
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9, at least 30" tall Origin: USA
In the latest example of "Natives Gone Wild", our very own northern sea oats, which ranges from Pennsylvania west to Arizona, has been spotted sporting a new "tattoo." This discovery from the folks at Itsaul Plants, forms a typical 30" tall deer-resistant clump of upright green stalks adorned by 9" long x 1" wide leaves, each heavily striped with white. As the flower stalks expand in early summer, the variegation follows the new growth into the developing seed heads. Darn, this is one sexy native, so be among the first to get yours. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08502
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Cheilanthes
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SunZone: 7-10 8" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This choice, little-known rock garden fern is a finely-cut version of Cheilanthes lanosa. The lacily cut, olive-green fronds are held upright on this small-growing deer-resistant fern. We collected spores for this offering from Burnet County, TX in the "hill country" west of Austin. In the wild, Cheilanthes alabamensis grows in very poor soil in or around rocks. In the garden, it has proven to be very adaptable, but prefers good drainage. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04703
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Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10, at least 5" tall Origin: China, Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
This dwarf fern is one of our most treasured members of the family...the fern family. I observed the dryland sun fern, Cheilanthes argentea growing in both mainland China and Taiwan, native to rock outcrops, stone walls, and other such calcareous sites. The top of the star-shaped leaf is a rich green, but underneath (ok...you can look now) is a thick silvery white coating like that stuff we put on tin roofs to prevent leaks...AWESOME! This cute little deer-resistant dryland lover is a great choice for the rock garden, but good drainage is essential for success. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02169
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Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 8" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This is a great smaller native eastern/midwestern US fern for the rock garden, or for that matter, any garden. Eventually reaching 8" in height with a spread of 15", this extremely drought-tolerant fern is composed of durable, olive-green, deer-resistant fronds. Cheilanthes lanosa grows equally as well in a sunny spot or in part shade...good in acid or alkaline soils. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00489
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Sun to Part SunZone: 7-9, at least 10" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
So, how many South African ferns do you grow? This virtual goldmine of hardy ferns has been ignored by most temperate fern gardeners. We are pleased to present this charming little, 10" tall deer-resistant sun fern from a particularly nice congested foliage population in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province at Naudesneck Pass at 7947' elevation. The finely cut foliage held on a jet black stipe feels like hard plastic. In the wild, Cheilanthes quadripinnata occurs in rocky cracks just below the high forests. For us, it occurs in our full-sun rock garden.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08082
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Sun to Part SunZone: 6-8 6" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This southern US native, which also ranges into Mexico, is a great choice for the sunny rock garden. The silvery deer-resistant foliage is a stunning conversation piece for both a sunny rock garden as well as light, open shade. The easy-to-grow, wooly lip fern provides enjoyment from its wooly white underneath...just like having mealy bugs without the fuss! Good drainage is essential for survivability for this and most of the sun ferns. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01835
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Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-9, at least 20" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
(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. Cheilanthes 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, deer-resistant foliage...very unique. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05973
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Chelone
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Sun to Part SunZone: 5-8 72" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
We are delighted to introduce this amazing Craig Moretz selection of our native white turtlehead to the world. Chelone '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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Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9, at least 36" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
New crop available 8-19-2010 I remember falling in love with Chelone 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 Chelone lyonii. The somewhat stoloniferous clumps produce 3' tall stems, clothed with dark glossy green leaves and topped in September with mauvy-lavender turtleheads. Chelone obliqua var. speciosa ranges from Minnesota (historically) south to Arkansas, 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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Chlorophytum
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Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 18" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
(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. Chlorophytum '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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Chondropetalum
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SunZone: 9-10, 8 with protection 36" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
It was amazing to see these prehistoric looking plants growing wild in parts of South Africa, during my 2005 trek. While Chondropetalum tectorum hasn't been winter hardy in our trials, it is an amazing plant that is worthy of growing as a tender perennial or a container centerpiece. In form, it looks like a 3' tall upright equisetum (horsetail rush), except that it forms a tight clump. The tips of the leafless stems end in bizarre brown seed...quite unique and sure to draw attention from your plant geek friends. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08792
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| <Carex - Caryopteris] | [Chrysanthemum - Clinopodium> |
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