Aeonium hierrense

One of our newest, juiciest Canary Island rarities! To our knowledge we are the first nursery in the U.S. to offer this elephant-sized and imposing species – possibly the largest in the genus. Well grown specimens have rosettes that can span up to 3’ and leaves often have a glaucous waxy coating and red margins! Like the lust-worthy A. nobile, it’s monocarpic, so at the end of its life it will produce a magnificent display of pure white flowers atop reddened stems and soon after will pass away (hopefully leaving behind lots of seed!). A thickened trunk develops as the plant ages, adding interest to its impressiveness. Good drainage is key, as well as full sun and not too much water!

Full Sun. Low water. Perennial.
USDA zones 9-11

Drosanthemum bicolor

The early bird gets the worm! Now, this is one of those plants that we almost never have while it is in flower and are always being asked for once it is. I entreat you to buy it now before you happen upon it later in the year! Crimson tipped petals with glowing golden centers give the impression of glowing embers all Summer long. Succulent leaves are slightly sparkling. Eventually this plant gets quite shrubby – to 3’ or more! Although it is very drought tolerant, it does tend to look a little fresher with some extra water. We’ve noticed that Drosanthemum bicolor tends to get very disgruntled when it’s been cut back too severely.

Part/Full Sun. Avg./Low water. Perennial.
USDA zones 9-11

Lupinus succulentus
‘Rodeo Rose’

Sturdy and sweet, this Lupine often blooms well past Spring in our garden beds here at the nursery and gets bigger and better as the season wears on. Pink and rose colored flowers appear in abundance over grey green leaves, bringing months of enjoyment to garden visitors of many kinds, including humans! In rich soil and with regular water it will eventually become almost shrubby and almost 3’ tall and wide. If you leave it to its own devices it will thrive, but it will likely be a bit shorter – maybe 1-2’ tall. It reseeds faithfully and stays true! Plant it now for a whole Spring of pink cuteness. For a little bit of insurance, bait for snails.

Full Sun. Avg./Low water. Perennial.
USDA zones 7-10

Papaver ‘Sugar Plum’

New for 2008! A choice addition to our collection of Poppies! Decidedly charming blooms stay demurely cupped around an inner flounce of petals that are lavender with a darker base. Poppies are best planted as early as your season allows so they can establish a nice, big root system to power their flowering later when the weather warms. They can take a wee bit of frost in their early life, and do best in rich soil with average water. You can expect BIG plants if you get them in early – 3’ tall and 2’ wide. And if you keep them deadheaded they will keep blooming until Spring is almost over! The pods are great in dried arrangements and the seeds are delicious! Staking may be necessary, and we recommend planting Poppies with a complimentary understory of Spring bloomers – we recommend Alonsoas, Gilias, Omphalodes linifolia or Collinsias.

Sun. Avg. water. Annual.
All zones.