Gladiolus carmineus

This autumn blooming RARE species is new to us, in limited supply and quite a jewel! Like many of its brethren, it’s a Summer dormant, Winter growing bulb. It’s a far cry from it’s distant cousins – the hybrid Glads that are so, well, top heavy… This girly bulb flowers in Autumn before it leafs out – with dark pink starry flowers with variable markings on the lower petals. Leaves are grey-green, low lying and curved, arching over the edge of the pot like ribbons. It’s a fascinating pot subject or rock garden beauty and like many Summer dormant bulbs is invaluable for those of us without large garden spaces (like our propagator Claire Woods, who gardens on a 2nd floor balcony and whose downstairs neighbors don’t appreciate being “rained on!”). Plant with low growing Spring flowering annuals like Nemophila menziesii “Penny Black” for Spring flowers now, and Fall surprises later!

Sun. NO SUMMER WATER. South African Perennial Bulb
USDA Zones 9-11

Lupinus arboreus
"Yellow Tree Lupine"

Last Spring when these large showy shrubs were in bloom in the garden we didn’t have any, so you have to get them NOW, because later they will most likely be GONE. There’s so much to love about this native Lupine – it’s easy to grow, undemanding, drought tolerant, long blooming and fast growing, lighting up Spring with masses of yellow flower spikes. What more can you ask for?? Oh yeah! It’s native too!

Part Sun/Full Sun. Low water. CA Native perennial
USDA Zones 7-10

Papaver atlanticum
'Flore Pleno'

This Poppy is so easy to love - why more people don’t grow it is confounding! It’s a long blooming, drought tolerant, easy and prolific perennial delight blooming most profusely in Spring, but sporadically thoughout the year, even in low water situations. The foliage mound stays low and gray, 6” high by one foot wide, with the 2’ tall stems providing a sturdy support for the lovely 2” peachy blooms. So it’s sweet but tough, reliable, easy and long blooming. Irresistible! It also reseeds.

Sun. Avg water. Perennial
USDA zones 5-10

Papaver 'Pink Heirloom'

I like to think of “Peony Flowered Poppies” as INSTANT PEONIES. All of the glamour, very little of the waiting! ‘Pink Heirloom’ is one of the most vigorous varieties that we offer, staying strong and stable even when the weather gets wonky. All you have to do is plant them in rich soil during the cool part of the year (that would be, ahem, Now) and wait out the cold while the plants establish roots and settle in, so that when Spring arrives – BOOM! Giant, cup shaped, lustrously pink flowers that will make you swoon! (Assuming, of course, that you like giant, bright pink, girly, wonga-wonga flowers). ‘Pink Heirloom’ grows to a “compact” 30”, with pretty and distinctive leaves, and reseeds for lots of free plants next year!

Sun. Avg. water. Annual.
All zones.

Ranunculus californicus

We’re optimistic about the weather, but even if we do get some 20 degree days, I have no doubt this cute little native trooper will metaphorically warm me, as even in the cold of January it was displaying its metallically shiny canary yellow blooms. Tolerant of clay, impervious to snails, deer, birds, easily naturalizing, and requiring NO SUMMER WATER, this Winter and Spring blooming perennial wildflower is a major no-brainer. It looks very handsome with the similarly unstoppable Geranium ‘Bill Wallis’ or as a compliment to the vibrant reds of Linaria reticulata ‘Flamenco’. Ranunculus californicus will bloom until mid to late Spring, or whenever it decides that it’s just too hot and goes to sleep for the Summer.

Sun. Low/Avg. water
USDA Zones 6-11