Angelica stricta ‘Purpurea’

A magical success story! When you see the deep purple leaves of this Angelica, let alone the gorgeous buds, you will surely swoon! Two years or so ago, this lust-worthy plant was growing in one of our demonstration gardens and there was hardly a visitor who came through who didn’t ask for it! Sadly, none of our seed was viable. We had resigned ourselves to a life without it, when serendipitously, Lily Ricardi from the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens came our way an entire tray of seedlings! We were blown away. It’s likely that we will not have another crop of this plant for a long, long time, so I would encourage you get one (or a few) now and have no regrets! For at least the first year, this species offers up its large, deep purple leaves, and in the 2nd or 3rd year it begins to flower – rising up to 4’ or more with large buds that give way to purple and maroon umbels that compliment the dark upright stems. A great draw for beneficial insects as well! Rich, well drained soil is best.

Sun/Part Sun. Avg. water. Perennial.
USDA Zones 5-11

Arthropodium cirratum

Having trouble finding a rather carefree, evergreen clumper for DRY SHADE? Super tough and pleasingly attractive, “Renga Lily” through scarcely known in the U.S. is widely grown as a groundcover in New Zealand. We’ve grown this rare member of the Lily family for several years in our gardens and have come to really appreciate its fine appearance, easiness and excellent adaptability. Not fussy about soil or water its lush, bluish green arching foliage creates a bold 3’ x 3’ clump in a jiffy. And from Spring to mid-Summer, you’ll see graceful airy sprays of starry white blooms featuring intriguing purple and yellow stamens. Tolerant of coastal winds, salt spray and both wet and dry soils, it’s also said to be deer proof. A great long-lived, low maintenance, good looking choice for those strips on the shady side of your house or those hard to plant areas under trees. Bait for snails and add occasional compost for perfect appearance.

Shade/A.M. Sun. Moist/Low water. Perennial.
USDA zones 8b-11.

Capiscum pubescens “Rocoto” ”Tree Pepper”

We’re so lucky to offer this edible oddity! When I first learned of this large, shrubby pepper I was dubious, but then I saw them in a community garden in San Francisco, and it’s no joke! They really do grow up to 6’ tall, and just about as wide. You can coax them into a smaller form, but take my word for it, ladies and gents, this pepper is a shrub! Soft, slightly pubescent leaves give way to small purple flowers that beget the plum-sized peppers on this rare species from Bolivia. The peppers themselves are variable, but all are on the spicy side, with great flavor. The flesh is thick, like a bell pepper. Rocotos have been grown in Bolivia and Peru for 5000 years! They prefer light shade, especially in warmer areas, and can be cut back by frosts. Rich, soil with good drainage is best. Go to www.rocoto.com for recipes!

Part Sun. Avg. Water. Perennial.
USDA Zones 9-11

Centradenia floribunda
“Spanish Shawl”
”Trailing Princess Flower”

When in bloom, this rare perennial stops traffic! The bronze foliage becomes smothered with delicate pinky-purple flowers and the effect is quite dazzling. Centradenia floribunda is related to Tibouchinas or “Princess Flower Trees” and deserves to be better known. It forms a large, cascading shrub (3’x2’) with golden-brown foliage through most of the year – a perfect foil for flowering perennials and very handsome to have spilling over rock walls or interweaving with taller shrubs. In Fall it begins its floral display and the 1” blooms appear in profusion. Bloom continues until the cold is too severe, at which time the plant will be “reset” by cold damage. Though it is said to only be hardy to 40 degrees F, it’s been root hardy - and sometimes evergreen - in the nursery, where our recent Winters have sometimes seen temperatures that dip into the 20’s.

Part Sun/Shade. Avg./Regular water. Perennial.
USDA Zones 9b-11

Echinacea tennesseensis

Easy to grow and reliable, Echinaceas are a must for most gardens and this species is rare and choice. Unlike other Echinaceas, this “Coneflower” has petals that are arrayed in an upward facing fashion. So cheerful! Endandered in the wild, and found in only three locations in Tennessee, this little wildflower is under 2’ tall (eventually as wide) in Summer when it blooms, with deep, purple-pink petals around a green center. After blooming all Summer, it will die back to its roots for the Winter months. Like its relations, it is exceptionally heat and drought tolerant once established, attractive to wildlife and long lived in well drained soil. This Echinacea can take a bit of shade, too! Said to have herbal and medicinal properties, and grows stronger in poorer soil.

Sun. Low/Avg. water. Perennial.
USDA Zones 3-10

Eucomis autumnalis
“Pineapple Lily”

For those of you not familiar with this bulb, please do introduce yourself! This easy to grow stately Summer bloomer is at home in pots, in the ground, in shade, or in sun and returns reliably once established. The 1-3’ blooming stem has a little leafy “cap” that gives them a pineapple-like countenance to be sure! Great as a cut flower, but perhaps better in the ground, as the blooming stems stay interesting long after the flowers fade. Large, wavy leaves are lush and green and take up about a 3’ footprint once clumps are well established. Deciduous in Winter and hardy to USDA Zone 7. Humidity and heat tolerant, too!

Part/Full Sun. Avg. water. Perennial.
USDA Zones 7-11