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Malvaviscus
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Sun to Part Sun Zone: 7b-10 60" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This unique deer-resistant hibiscus relative, a US native, has round green leaves clothing the 5' tall woody stems. Beginning in late summer and continuing through fall, the clumps are covered with hundreds of cute, brilliant reddish-orange, hibiscus-like flowers with unique swirled petals that never manage to fully open. We advise you to register it as a sex offender since it dangles its sexual organs in clear view of everyone...a seriously exhibitionist plant! This is always one of the most fascinating plants in our garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00272
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Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 72" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This deer-resistant 2005 introduction from Texan Greg Grant produces flowers that are over 1/3 larger that the typical form. Malvaviscus 'Big Momma' emerges in late spring and quickly rises to 6' tall, topped from midsummer until frost with bright orange flowers, swirled like a turk's cap. Sticking out from the end of the floral swirl are the sex organs...and if I do say so, momma is well-endowed and proud of it! Invite 'Big Momma' into your garden for some down-home fun. A voluntary royalty from each plant sold goes to help Greg restore Big Momma's house. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06902
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Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 60" tall Origin: USA Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
This Greg Grant hybrid between Malvaviscus drummondii x Malvaviscus arboreus is a fantastic new color break in one of our favorite mallows. When mature, the deciduous clumps will reach 5' tall x 5' wide. The deer-resistant clumps are adorned with rich green leaves that serve as a backdrop for the axillary flowers that are produced in abundance from midsummer until frost. The turban-like flowers, with their sex organs protruding far outside the petals, make for great conversation in the summer garden. The flowers on Malvaviscus 'Pam Puryear' are a peachy, flesh color instead of the typical bright orange-red. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06903
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Manettia
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Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 100" tall Origin: Paraguay, Uruguay
This is one of our favorite southern vines, yet it is virtually unknown. It emerges in very late spring, and with the aid of tiny tendrils, sends its equally tiny leaves climbing skyward on anyone or anything nearby. In late summer, the vines burst forth with tiny 1", red-orange blooms (summer until fall) that look like miniature firecrackers (red with a yellow tip). Firecracker vine grows just fast enough to be garden-worthy, but not fast enough to be a pest...simply exquisite! We offered this under the incorrect name of M. inflata for several seasons. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01527
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Manfreda
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SunZone: 7-8, at least 6" tall Origin: Mexico
I nearly fell over when I first saw this amazing manfreda at Yucca Do Nursery. The 1' long rubbery, lizard-like, wavy, glaucous leaves are heavily spotted chocolate. Each clump lays flat on the ground, radiating out to form a starfish-like rosette. The winter deciduous rosettes are topped with 3' tall spikes of alien antennae-like flowers in June...cool flowers and cool foliage. Well-drained soils are best for this new drought-tolerant rock garden or container gem.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08355
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xMangave
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SunZone: no idea 12" tall Origin: Hybrid
We are truly thrilled to add a second xMangave to our list. This one seems to have originated in Japan...contact us if you know for sure. xMangave 'Bloodspot' is a hybrid of Agave macroacantha and an unknown manfreda species. This elegant plant makes a 1' tall x 15" wide rosette of 8" long x 1" wide narrow glaucous leaves, which are heavily spotted with cranberry red splotches and edged in tiny bright red teeth. This is a virtually non-offsetting form, so plant accordingly. Since we are uncertain about its parentage, we cannot offer any clues about winter hardiness yet, so you'll need to buy two if you want to sacrifice one for winter hardiness trials. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08116
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Sun to Part SunZone: 8-10, at least 12" tall Origin: Hybrid
This stunning specimen is a white-edged version of the already stunning xMangave 'Macho Mocha'. Each 3' wide rosette is composed of thick, fleshy grey-green leaves, smothered in large liver-colored dots and adorned with a wide creamy-white marginal border. You'll stump even the keenest plantsman with this new creation. The leaves are inherently brittle, so shipping will often result in some broken tips, but the vigorous growth rate will regenerate new leaves in short order. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08384
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Sun to Part SunZone: 8-9, at least 12" tall Origin: Mexico
Open House/Web-Only!
Oh, my! On a plant exploration trip into Mexico, Carl Schoenfeld collected seed from a plant of Manfreda variegata. Only when the seedlings were grown was it realized that it had crossed in the wild with a nearby plant of Agave celsii, resulting in the very first xMangave. Each surreal-looking, 3' wide clump of thick, rubbery, glaucous foliage is so covered with iron-red spots that the clump looks red. Established clumps are topped in late spring with thick 8' tall flower spikes...a hummingbird's wet dream. We have had this survive 9 degrees F, but in areas with wet cold winters, grow xMangave 'Macho Mocha' as a container plant. Stunning! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05377
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Manihot
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Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10 120" tall Origin: S. America
This amazing "hardy tropical" was shared by our friend Alan Galloway, who found this plant completely hardy for many years in his Raleigh, NC garden. Related to the more tropical and edible Manihot esculenta, M. grahamii dies to the ground but quickly resprouts and will reach 8-10' tall by the end of the season. These woody perennials are topped with artistically cut green leaves that remain only near the top of the plant. M. grahamii does reseed a bit if allowed to mature. Because of the potential seed-dispersing nature of this plant, I would recommend against using it anywhere south of Zone 8, but it makes a perfect large container plant for gardeners in the northern states. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04164
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Marshallia
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Sun to Part SunZone: 6b-9, at least 24" tall Origin: USA
NEW!
This southeast US endemic aster relative ranges from south central Virginia, south to Florida, where it can be found in moist, well-drained roadsides and fields. The long narrow green leaves, which don't look like any spoon I've ever seen, form a flat evergreen rosette. Starting in early May and continuing into early June, the clumps are topped with 2' tall branched spikes of 1" fluffy white buttons...very cute. Marshallia obovata was selected as the 2009 NC Wildflower of the Year...congratulations! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08714
SOLD OUT
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Matteuccia
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Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 36" tall Origin: USA
This amazing selection of ostrich fern is the first we have trialed which thrives in the hot, humid South, where normal ostrich ferns fear to tread. The 3' tall deciduous rosettes (6' tall under ideal conditions) spread vigorously via underground rhizomes. In nature, these deer-resistant ferns are found in moist ditches and lowlands, but adapt well to drier garden conditions, where they grow a bit shorter. The plants are highlighted by the 18" brown fertile fronds that appear in fall and persist through the winter, when they can be spray painted with some cool psychedelic colors to freak out your garden visitors. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08692
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Meehania
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Part Sun to ShadeZone: 6-7, guessing 2" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
We are in love with this endangered woodland mint from the Japanese Island of Honshu. We obtained this gem from arisaema expert Guy Gusman, who found it in Japan while researching arisaemas. Meehania montis-koyae makes a spreading but non-troublesome patch to 3' wide in 5 years, which spreads by shallow rhizomes. The small, heart-shaped, olive-green leaves, highlighted by a darker green central pattern, are held along the short creeping stems. Starting in February and continuing until April, the clumps are topped with small clusters of tubular, mauvy-pink flowers...very attractive. Meehania montis-koyae goes comatose during extended summer heat but returns in the fall as the weather cools. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07095
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Melittis
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-8, guessing 18" tall Origin: England
Open House/Web-Only!
Actually, we grew this clumping mint relative for the common name, but it turned out to be a rather cool plant. This native of the UK has fared amazingly well in our hot, humid climate. This particularly attractive compact selection, topped in spring by orchid-like white flowers with a dark purple lip, was selected by Eleonore de Koning of the Netherlands. When not in flower, the 18" clump is composed of fuzzy green, lemon scented foliage. The question of the day is...who in the world would patent a bastard balm??? Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08237
SOLD OUT
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Microlepia
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-10, possibly colder 24" tall Origin: China, Japan, India
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: Dennstaedtia strigosa) Imagine a non-rampant, hay-scented fern and you've got Microlepia strigosa. This Japanese native (Kyushu, Shikoku, and also surrounding islands) makes a wide-spreading clump of 3' long arching leaves. Above 10 degrees F, the foliage stays evergreen but below that, it is tardily deciduous. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08251
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Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10, possibly colder 18" tall Origin: Japan
(aka: Dennstaedtia strigosa) The more we grow the Japanese Microlepia strigosa, the more we like it. M. strigosa forma crispa is a compact form with congested green pinnae...something you'd only expect from a fancy Italian restaurant. Each 18" tall x 2' wide clump makes an attractive, lacy specimen. Above 10 degrees F, the foliage stays evergreen but below that, it is tardily deciduous. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08102
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Miscanthus
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SunZone: 5-9 90" tall Origin: China
Open House/Web-Only!
This superb Kurt Bluemel introduction has become our favorite miscanthus to use as a large specimen. The green leaves, with a pronounced central stripe, are arranged to give the effect of a lovely weeping habit. In reality, the sturdy 7'+ clumps are topped from late summer through fall with a stunning plume display. Because of the rebloom trait, we suspect Miscanthus transmorrisonensis to be the daddy. This is one of those deer-resistant grasses that you simply can't appreciate until you see it in person...a real winner. In our trials, this has not produced any stray garden seedlings. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #05209
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SunZone: 4-8 120" tall Origin: Hybrid
On a trip to the UK, American Greg Speichert and UK grass expert Roger Grounds literally stumbled onto this variegated sport of the old cultivar M. 'Giganteus'. The result is a splendid new deer-resistant cultivar that forms a giant 10' fountain of 1" wide yellow and green striped foliage. Our 6-year-old clumps are nearly 5' wide. The lower foliage may brown out by summer's end, so give it a nice floral skirt...better make it a kilt in case it's a male. The clumps are topped in October with typical tan miscanthus plumes, but you'll need binoculars. Location is critical if you are in an airport flight path. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07514
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Sun to Part SunZone: 6-9 70" tall Origin: China, Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
From Japan, via the US National Arboretum, Miscanthus 'Cosmopolitan' has become recognized as one of the best variegated miscanthus. It has a wider leaf than most and very wide, vertical white striping throughout the leaf. The deer-resistant growth habit is similar to Miscanthus 'Cabaret' (non-floppy), and quite different from the other Miscanthus sinensis types. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #01225
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SunZone: 5-8, at least 48" tall Origin: China, Japan
I first saw this stunning new miscanthus on a trip to Holland, only to find out later that it came from the folks at Joy Creek in Oregon. I have longed for a compact, heavily-banded zebra miscanthus, and this M. 'Strictus' seedling is what I envisioned in my dreams. M. 'Gold Bar' makes a slow-growing clump, eventually to 4' tall with rigidly upright, green leaves with a very heavy horizontal yellow banding. M. 'Gold Bar' has 12-17 bands per leaf, while M. 'Strictus' only has 2-3 bands. It's going to take at least 5 years to reach mature size. The deer-resistant clump is topped with typical miscanthus inflorescence in late October. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07494
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Mitella
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Light ShadeZone: 4-8, at least 18" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
From Canada south to Alabama, this poor cousin of tiarella and heuchera can be found on open woodland slopes (acidic or alkaline), where the soils are fairly rich and the drainage is good. Mitella makes an easy-to-grow 6" tall x 1' wide heuchera like clump of green leaves, topped in early April (NC) with 18" tall unbranched flower spikes of tiny snowflake-like white flowers. Cute...yes, Showy...no, Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08798
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| <Liriope - Lysimachia] | [Monarda - Myosotis> |
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