Aeonium nobile

A superstar of the succulent world! Last year when our first Aeonium nobile bloomed (over a period of a few months!) it caused quite a commotion. The red inflorescence was almost 2 FEET across and covered in masses of russet red flowers that were dotted with yellow anthers and set against chunky orange and green leaves. It was a spectacular sight. We took out our paintbrushes to help out the pollinators, because we wanted to make absolutely sure that our big mama plant set seed, and this year we were amply rewarded with a huge number of babies! Aeonium nobile is distinct even when not in flower - the thick leaves often bear a red-orange hue, especially under stress, and the edges of the leaves are rounded and largely untoothed. Mature specimens have rosettes that can be 2' across, sometimes more. After a few years the plant puts on its final show - sending out its glorious flowers before throwing in the towel. Many of our baby plants have offsets that will prolong the plant's life, but each rosette is monocarpic and after it blooms it will not regenerate. Good drainage is important, especially if you are planting A.nobile in a garden bed that receives regular water. We have grown them in pots and in raised garden beds with equal success. Protect from hard frosts which can damage the leaves.

Sun. Avg./Low water. Succulent.
USDA Zones 9-11

Aeschynanthus garretti

To see this gorgeous gesneriad put on its long, showy display of curved, lipstick red flowers in the Summer you would hardly guess at its solid character. It looks very tropical and is native to Thailand, but it is actually relatively hardy - undamaged at 30 degrees F and able to survive frosts as well. In pots or well-drained soil in the shade it is very upright and spreads gradually by underground stems. The red flowers begin in mid-Summer and continue through the Fall. I'm guessing that if we didn't take so much material off of our mother plants they would probably bloom earlier and longer. Handsome succulent emerald green leaves are a bonus. This is one of the very few plants that we offer that can endure being kept as a houseplant, and it can stay a long time in a pot without needing to be transplanted (it is an epiphyte, after all), but it's such an unusual plant for the shade garden that I think it is best used there. Keep it on the cool, moist, shady side, and out of too wet, too dry or too hot conditions. An interesting compliment to some of our rare Impatiens species such as I. 'African Queen', I. rhombifolia, I. hoehnellii or I.namchabarwensis.

Shade. Avg./Reg. water. Perennial.
USDA zones 9-11

Delphinium elatum
'True Wild Form'

This is the ancestor of the Delphiniums that we know and love today, similar to those introduced to gardeners back in 1597, and it is undoubtedly heads above its descendants. Showing strength and resilience to disease, it blooms all through Summer and seldom needs any staking or support. Perfect for the back of the border, where its 6' spikes provide a vertical accent of striking deep cobalt blue that is often accented with violet for an almost iridescent color. Flower color can be slightly variable, and some plants have a white "bee" in the center, and some do not, but all are strikingly pretty and pretty unstoppable. Perfect to plant adjacent to roses, and of course they make striking and lovely cut flowers. It has been a long time coming, but we've finally been able to have this plant in abundance, and now we can share them with all of you! Now everyone can have this grandmother of all Delphiniums for their own garden! We are sure that you will be impressed.

Part Shade/Sun. Avg. water. Perennial.
USDA Zones 3-10

Gomphrena species
"Airy Bachelor's Buttons"

Profuse sprays of effervescent magenta flowers on wiry white stems are produced Summer through frost on this very exciting and as-of-yet unidentified Gomphrena found by propagator Kelly Kilpatrick in a nursery somewhere in Texas. "Airy Bachelor's Buttons" can be used to great effect in combination with many plants and has a pleasant, airy, and informal stance. It makes abundant flowers for cutting and no matter how many cuttings I take it does not seem to diminish its presence in the garden. The flowers last a long time in the vase, and are great in dried arrangements as well. It is heat loving, and as such, a little late to come out of dormancy here, but it does come back reliably and it reseeds a bit to spread itself around. Sturdy and almost shrub-like, it spans 3' by 3' or so when in full bloom and can be cut back to the ground in Winter. Drought tolerant!

Sun Low/Avg.Water. Perennial.
USDA Zones9b-11?

Manihot grahamii "Hardy Tapioca"

Attention foliage fans! Tropical looking but hardy and drought
tolerant, this member of the Euphorbia family has intricate and
beautiful palmate leaves in soft green that beg attention. It grows quickly to 8-10' tall, creating a small, open canopy that casts wonderful patterned shadows below. The stems are an attractive pink-purple as well. Though it is root hardy, the tops are often cut back severely in the Winter, which keeps the plant at a reasonable size. In more tropical locales, it stays evergreen and can grow to 20' tall! A fabby bee plant, too - the curious brown and green flowers attract our honey-making friends in droves. Seeds around, but is easy to pull out where not wanted. Not fussy about soil, but obviously will grow faster and bigger in loose, rich soil. Native to Brazil.

Full Sun - Part Sun Low/Avg. Water. Perennial.
USDA zones 7b-11