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Crocosmia
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Sun to Part Sun Zone: 5-9 30" tall Origin: Hybrid
New crop available 9-9-2010 (aka: C. 'Blacro') Stunning, stunning, stunning...the only word to describe this marvelous introduction from England's Blooms of Bressingham. We have grown a lot of crocosmias and this is at the top of the heap...sturdy, not overly invasive, and very weather tolerant! From underground rhizomes, flat, green, gladiolus-like leaves emerge in early spring. By mid-July, the clumps are smothered with 30" tall spikes of orange buds (RHS 25A) that open into golden-yellow (RHS 17B) flowers! We have only recently discovered the morons in charge of naming this plant actually gave this the cultivar name 'Blacro'...off with their heads! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02824
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Sun to Part SunZone: 7-10 20" tall Origin: Hybrid
We have long wanted to offer this special crocosmia, but its multiplication rate is far slower than the overly vigorous and consequently better-known cultivars. C. 'Solfaterre' boasts chocolate-brown iris-like foliage, which is topped in early summer with clusters of apricot-yellow flowers. Its unique color combination makes it a real treat to design within a mixed border. C. 'Solfaterre' has been awarded the prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM) from the Royal Horticultural Society. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04808
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Sun to Part SunZone: 6-9 32" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
"WOW!" was what we heard from garden visitors here at PDN. This amazing 1912 hybrid from the late George Davison is still one of the top crocosmias nearly a century later. Crocosmia 'Star of the East' spreads quite slowly when compared to its more prolific siblings. In midsummer, the clumps are topped with 32" tall spikes, adorned with large, 4" wide flowers that open, a few each day, from the bottom of the stalk to the top. Each flower is a stunning brilliant orange, separated from the creamy center by light brushes of maroon. According to the RHS magazine, The Garden, "Crocosmia 'Star of the East' has flowers of a quality and substance which has never been equaled." We agree! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04238
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SunZone: 6-9, possibly colder 20" tall Origin: Hybrid
This new dwarf, free-flowering crocosmia from the UK's David Tristam is topped from July through September with 20" tall spikes of brilliant orange, outward-facing flowers with a deep red central pattern. The sterile (horticulturally neutered) C. 'Walbreyes' was also selected for its ability to continue to flower heavily even when the clump of rhizomes becomes overcrowded. Rotten name...stunning plant.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06403
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SunZone: 6-9, possibly colder 20" tall Origin: Hybrid
This fabulous new sterile dwarf crocosmia comes from the UK breeding program of David Tristam. Despite the silly name, this gem is one of the best crocosmias we have grown. The 20" stalks that rise just above the soft, green, sword-like leaves are topped, starting in July and continuing until September, with brilliant red-orange (RHS 41A) outfacing flowers...bravo! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06704
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Cuphea
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SunZone: 7b-10 36" tall Origin: Mexico
Thank goodness horticultural amnesty has allowed this Mexican immigrant to remain in the US. C. micropetala forms a stunning 3' tall x 3' wide deciduous clump, topped starting in early fall with small tubular flowers that line the upper 1' of each stem. The flowers open bright yellow, but as the flowers age, the base turns orange-red before the entire flower takes on that color. The results are bicolor flowers so beloved by the butterflies and hummingbirds we have to declare a temporary no-fly zone while we take cuttings. In cold climates, it may be slow to return in spring, but our plants have been reliable to 8 degrees F. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06807
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Curcuma
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10, at least 72" tall Origin: India
Open House/Web-Only!
Curcuma elata stood out in our trials as one of the finest cold-climate garden specimens in the genus curcuma. The huge, bold-textured, canna-shaped green leaves compose the giant 6' tall clump. For us, this is the earliest curcuma to flower, mid-June in NC, when the 1' tall pinecone-like spikes sprout from the base of the plant. Each flower spike is topped with bright pink bracts which serve as a mini-umbrella for the yellow flowers that poke from the side of the cone below. Curcuma elata has been reliably hardy in our Zone 7b garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02004
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 8-10, at least 18" tall Origin: Hybrid
Curcuma 'Sulee Sunshine' is a new and wonderful curcuma hybrid from Thailand breeder Annop Ongsakul. Developed for the tropical cut flower market, C. 'Sulee Sunshine' has come through two mild winters (15 F). This splendid selection flowers for us from August through October with 9" stalks, topped with long-lasting 8" flower "cones," dipped in pink and yellow. As a background, the 18" long x 8" wide pleated green leaves naturally fold away from the flowers unlike many of the other curcumas. This is an exceptional selection for warm climate gardens, or as an amazing container specimen in the North. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08547
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10 72" tall Origin: India
Open House/Web-Only!
This selection of the Indian Curcuma zedoaria was made for its attractive bicolor flowering bracts...solid white except for purple fingernail-sized tips on the end of each bract. The 6' tall, bold, aspidistra-like foliage, with a maroon stripe down the leaf center, emerges in mid-June alongside the pinecone-like inflorescence. We have found Curcuma zedoaria to be extremely easy to grow under a wide range of typical garden conditions with the exception of waterlogged soils. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05680
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Cycas
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Sun to Light ShadeZone: 8-10, guessing 72" tall Origin: China
This rare cycad hails from China's southern Sichuan and northern Yunnan provinces, where it was discovered and named in 1979. Its natural habitat consists of dry, scrubby, wooded slopes where it grows in alkaline soils. Its location makes it one of the most cold hardy cycad species. In our trials so far, we have seen no leaf damage at 15 degrees F. When mature, the plant will develop a 6' tall trunk, topped with a ring of stiff "fronds," which emerge green when young but later change to glaucous. Despite reports of very rapid growth, I've seen dead snails move faster than these grow. Supplies are very limited. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07532
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Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 120" tall Origin: Taiwan
In 2008, we were fortunate to visit the rocky, exposed hillsides in the Taitung Prefecture of southeastern Taiwan where this cycad calls home. Cycas taitungensis is similar in appearance to the popular house plant, C. revoluta. In 7-9 years (temperate climates), C. taitungensis forms a large rosette of stunning 5' long, dark green, plastic-like fronds circling the leg-sized trunk, which can eventually reach 10' tall. While the foliage will burn back at 20 degrees F, all of our plants resprouted during their annual late spring flush, from 7 degrees F in 2009. We recommend you establish these early in the season and mulch well until you have a robust trunk. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04683
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Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10, guessing 36" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
This man-made hybrid between the mainland Chinese Cycas guizhouensis and the Taiwanese Cycas taitungensis was created by Florida cycad guru, Robert Chumley. This has proven to be a very vigorous grower, which has so far endured only one winter outdoors for us, including many nights at 16 degrees F. While both parents are similar in appearance, the vigor of the hybrid is truly amazing. We're guessing that this will make a 3' tall x 5' wide specimen in 10 years...but then again, that's a guess. Stock is very limited, so don't dilly dally...at least not until after you've ordered. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08514
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Cyclamen
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-8, at least 3" tall Origin: Turkey
Open House/Web-Only!
This Turkey native seems to prefer a bit more sun and better drainage than the other species. The green and silver-mottled round leaves make a nice foil to the flowers that range in color from deep pink to white. In NC, Cyclamen cilicium flowers from early October through December...just preceding Cyclamen coum. Our clumps have thrived for more than a decade under a large eucalyptus tree...dry in the summer. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03309
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 2" tall Origin: Europe, Asia
Open House/Web-Only!
These exquisite little gems of the rock garden burst forth in late fall with small, rounded, quarter-sized leaves of black-green...occasionally patterned with dramatic silver markings. They are joined in late winter (January, February in NC) by the 2" tall flowers ranging from pink to purple. Be sure to mark the clumps, because at the onset of hot weather the entire clump goes dormant for the summer. Plant under the branches of a large tree or shrub to ensure that the corms stay dry in the summer. Cyclamen coum was named by the Royal Horticultural Society as one of the top 200 plants of the last 200 years! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01610
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 3" tall Origin: S. Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
From the top of these grey, pumpkin-shaped corms, which sit just below ground level, emerge the striking green and silver mottled foliage in early October, making 6-12" wide mounds. In July, the tiny pink dodecatheon-like flowers poke through the ground prior to the emerging foliage. By late spring, the foliage dies down and does something many of us wish we could do...go to sleep for the summer. This seed strain produces plants with heavily green and silver mottled leaves that are slightly longer than wide. We prefer to site them at the base or under the canopy of large deciduous trees or shrubs where they can remain dry when dormant. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08625
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 3" tall Origin: S. Europe alternate image
Open House/Web-Only!
Cyclamen 'Silver Cloud' is an introduction from UK cyclamen specialist Phil Cornish, who bred these from the "Apollo" group of Cyclamen hederifolium. For us, these have been stunning with their solid pewter silver leaves from fall into spring. In fall, the plants are topped with complimentary spikes of bright pink flowers. Remember to plant cyclamen where they will remain fairly dry during the summer months. We have found that locating them underneath trees and shrubs works wonderfully.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03311
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 3" tall Origin: S. Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
This seed strain of Cyclamen hederifolium has lovely pewter colored leaves, often edged in a faint green netting. The 3" tall purple dodecatheon-like flowers emerge in July and continue through fall, being joined in October by the foliage. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03310
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Cynara
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SunZone: 7b-9 36" tall Origin: Morocco
Cardoon makes a dramatic evergreen statement in the sunny perennial border with its 3-4' long, arching, ghost-like, jagged soft-gray foliage. Once the 3' wide clumps are established, they are topped with 6' tall stalks of blue-violet, thistle-like flowers in late summer. After flowering, the plants die back to the ground for a month-long rest, then begin growing again. For a striking bold-textured accent plant in the garden, you aren't going to beat cardoon! Well-drained soils are best. Cardoon is one of the plants chosen by the RHS as one of the top plants of the last 200 years. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04949
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Cypella
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Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-9, at least 24" tall Origin: Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina
New crop available 9-15-2010 (syn: C. plumbea) This South American bulb is little-known but highly prized by the few gardeners who have grown it. The pleated, blue-green foliage on this iris relative most closely resembles that of a young palm tree. From midsummer onward, the clump is topped with blue, goblet-shaped flowers on sturdy but airy, 2' tall stems. Each flower has 6 petals: 3 large blue-lavender ones and 3 smaller tricolor ones of white, yellow, and blue. Although each flower lasts only one day, the succession of flowers will provide color for several months...quite unique and quite wonderful! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03735
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Cyperus
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Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10 12" tall Origin: S. Africa
Open House/Web-Only!
If you've been looking for plants that thrive in dry shade, there aren't many better than Cyperus albostriatus. Although the streaked form was popular with house plant enthusiasts back in the '70s, only a few people realized its potential in the garden. Few people in the '70s realized any garden potential except for a certain Asian herb. For us, this stoloniferous (not weedy) plant makes a superb groundcover of 12" tall, miniature, palm tree-looking rosettes. Each green leaf is splashed with an uneven silver streaking. Do not plant this close to small treasures, or they will soon be swallowed alive. In 5 years, you can expect a 5' wide patch. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05732
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Cypripedium
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7, probably colder 18" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
Cypripedium 'Aki' is a strain of hybrid ladyslipper orchids developed in 1996 by Germany's Werner Frosch by crossing the Chinese Cypripedium macranthos with the American Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens. The heat tolerance of the Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens allows gardeners in warmer climates to have success. The hybrids, which display amazing vigor, emerge in late spring forming 18" tall stalks topped with large plum to pink striped flowers, each highlighted by three twisted pinkish sepals. Our offerings are all seed-grown, flowering-sized plants...each one is slightly different. Quantities are very limited. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07476
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7, probably colder 18" tall Origin: Hybrid
This new and highly sought after ladyslipper orchid is a cross of the Chinese C. macranthos with the American C. parviflorum var. pubescens. The 18" tall stalks are topped in late spring with large flowers which consist of a "slipper" of white, backed by three twisted yellow sepals, each highlighted by small cinnamon specks. Our offerings are all seed-grown flowering-sized plants...each one is slightly different. Quantities are very limited.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08073
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7, probably colder 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
This 1992 Werner Frosch hybrid is a cross of the Chinese Cypripedium macranthos x the American C. parviflorum v. parviflorum. This robust grower makes a patch of 15" tall stems, each topped in mid-May with a creamy yellow pouch with burgundy streaks, backed by three large sepals of dark burgundy with a flush of yellow. These are flowering-sized plants. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07515
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7, probably colder 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
Cypripedium 'Gisela Pastel' is a selection from the same cross that gave rise to Cypripedium 'Gisela' (Cypripedium macranthos x Cypripedium parviflorum v. parviflorum). This plant was selected for its creamy yellow pouch, backed by three large yellow sepals with streaks of dark burgundy. These plants are vigorous flowering-sized plants, which in May (NC) are topped with 15" stalks of flowers...each year, they get better and better. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07516
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7 18" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
This 1991 Carson Whitlow hybrid is the result of a pre-arranged rendezvous between the US native Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum and the Chinese Cypripedium henryi. This easy-to-grow selection produces 18" tall stalks, topped in mid-spring with a rich, deep yellow pouch, backed by long, twisted cinnamon sepals for a stunning contrast. Our offerings of Cypripedium 'Hank Small' are all flowering-sized plants. I couldn't figure how an orchid was named for a one-year Atlanta Braves baseball player, when Carson shared that the hybrid is actually named for its parents. Hank is a common name for one parent Cypripedium henryi, and Cypripedium parviflorum means "small"...very cute. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07505
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7 16" tall Origin: Hybrid
This 2003 Werner Frosch hybrid combines the vigorous genes of Cypripedium parviflorum v. parviflorum with the large flower size of C. fasciolatum. Atop the 16" stalk of this mid-season bloomer, enjoy a long-lasting creamy pouch about the size of a small egg, highlighted by amber-purple handlebar moustache-like sepals. C. 'Inge' is fast to form a nice clump. Our offerings are flowering-sized seed grown plants.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08529
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Light Shade to ShadeZone: 4-7a, at least 10" tall Origin: China, Japan
I'll never forget the first time I saw this orchid at the US National Arboretum. I had never seen anything quite this beautiful. The spectacular, heavily-pleated green leaves resemble a Japanese hand fan opened horizontally atop a 6" tall stem. Held just above the foliage is a scrumptious pink ladyslipper-like flower. As you can imagine, the supply of these nursery-propagated plants is very limited. These are not easy to grow and should only be tried by very serious gardeners and plant collectors. Plant in humus rich soil, and expect two years to re-establish enough to flower. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02666
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Light ShadeZone: 3-8 18" tall Origin: USA
NEW!
Finally, after years of growing this in our gardens, we are able to share nursery seed-grown flowering plants! Native from Virginia west to Texas, the southeastern native Cypripedium kentuckiense has performed wonderfully for us, making large 18" + tall clumps, topped in early to mid-May with large, creamy, pocketbook-shaped flowers, highlighted by dark purple twisted sepals, in turn adorned with yellow flecking. Slightly moist, organically rich soils are needed for best performance. Plants are all flowering size. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08931
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-7, at least 14" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW!
This 1991 Werner Frosch hybrid is the result of a romantic interlude between Cypripedium parviflorum v. parviflorum and C. macranthos var. speciosum. The result is a vigorous hybrid which, in mid-spring, produces 14" tall stalks of flowers with white pockets, occasionally stained with burgundy near the top, then complimented by twisted sepals of dark burgundy. Our offerings are all flowering-sized plants. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08925
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-7, at least 13" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW!
This 2009 Werner Frosch hybrid of Cypripedium parviflorum v. parviflorum and C. franchetii makes a nice clump, topped in mid-spring with 13" tall stalks of creamy-white pockets surrounded by twisted burgundy-cinnamon sepals. Our offerings are all flowering-sized plants. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08945
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7, at least 24" tall Origin: Hybrid
This 1996 Werner Frosch introduction is a hybrid of the Chinese Cypripedium macranthos and the large-growing American C. kentuckiense. C. 'Philipp' makes a robust hybrid to nearly 2' tall, topped in late spring with large slippers of white with maroon spots near the top, backed by stunning large deep purple sepals often streaked white...a truly amazing plant! These are all flowering-sized plants.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08074
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7 18" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW!
This 2003 Paul Keisling hybrid (C. parviflorum v. pubescens x C. macranthos v. speciosum) is a similar cross to Cypripedium 'Aki'. The clump forms 18" tall, erect flower stalks, topped in mid-spring with large pocketbook-like flowers of creamy white flushed with burgundy. The pocketbook is backed by three slightly twisted cinnamon and gold sepals. Our offerings are all flowering-sized plants.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08915
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-7a, at least 12" tall Origin: China, Siberia alternate image
Open House/Web-Only!
This rare orchid hails from that favorite vacation spot of Russian dissidents, Siberia. Cypripedium x ventricosum was long thought to be a new species, until research showed it to be a natural hybrid of Cypripedium calceolus and Cypripedium macranthos...I guess anything goes when the nights get cold and lonely. The slippers range from lavender to brownish, depending on which parent contributed the most genes, and the same goes for the 3 sepals...purple to brown striped. Remember all hybrid cypripediums are seedlings and therefore each is unique. Moist, but well-drained, cool sites offer the best chance for success.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08075
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Cyrtomium
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-10 24" tall Origin: China, Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
This Asian fern looks completely different from Cyrtomium falcatum...in fact, it looks like a Caryota palm leaf. The olive drab foliage consists of very large pinnae (leaflets to the taxonomically disabled), which are attached five or so to each side of the stem (rachis to you enlightened folks). The end leaflet on each stem has a cool three-lobed look... sort of like an Amur maple. Each clump of this evergreen, deer-resistant fern will eventually make a lovely 3' wide mound. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02421
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-10, guessing 24" tall Origin: China
NEW!
(Cyrtomium caryotideum T-459/05) This Asian/US native fern looks completely different from Cyrtomium falcatum...in fact, it looks like a caryota palm leaf. The olive drab foliage consists of very large pinnae (leaflets to the taxonomically disadvantaged), with five or so attached to each side of the stem (rachis to you enlightened folks). The end leaflet on each stem has a cool three-lobed look...sort of like an amur maple. Each clump of this evergreen and deer-resistant fern will eventually make a lovely 3' wide mound. Cyrtomium 'Go Fish' represents Chinese genetics from a particularly vigorous individual in our garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08803
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Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7-10, at least 18" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
We are pleased to offer this rare selection of the tough-as-nails Cyrtomium falcatum. The 18" long, glossy, dark evergreen fronds of Cyrtomium 'Butterfieldii' are easily recognizable by their very serrate, deeply-toothed leaf margins. Each 18" tall x 2' wide clump has a truly unique appearance thanks to the serrate foliage...a great deer-resistant specimen fern. Thanks to pteridomaniac Judith Jones for sharing spores. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06954
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| <Convallaria - Crinum] | [Dahlia - Dasylirion> |
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