Ageratum corymbosum

Exotic, luscious and extremely easy to grow! It was instant love the first time I laid eyes on this purple-leaved beauty. Just superb for a part shade to bright shade garden, it will quickly grow to 3-4’ tall and 4’ across in one season. Multi-branching into a nice compact form with ruby stems and largish velvety leaves, it blooms almost year around! Deep ruby-purple clusters open up into large 6” across fluffy violet-blue flowerheads that last for weeks and attract butterflies, too! What more can I say? Just that this is one impressive and rewarding garden focal point! To grow it just right, simply give it rich well-drained soil and average water, though it is fairly drought tolerant and would do fine with a deep once-a-week watering along the coast where it doesn’t get burning hot in the Summer. I give mine a 1” layer of compost each Spring and that’s it. It’s long-lived and can tolerate light frosts (roots are hardy to 15 degrees F).

Brt. shade/Part shade. Avg./Low water. Perennial.
USDA zones 9-11, zone 8 with dieback.

Lathyrus odorata
'Annie B. Gilroy'

New for 2009! Last year I put these plants in reaaaally late in the season. “Oh well,” I thought, “if it grows, it grows!” And whattayaknow, it did! It was way too hot for most Sweet Peas and while others I was trialing withered in the hot sun, “Annie” held her color and just kept going strong. Bred by Henry Eckford and introduced in 1907, 'Annie' has the excellent distinction of having both a strong fragrance and an unusually vibrant colored cerise flower. In form, the flowers are smaller and simple, like all of the old fashioned varieties that we prefer, so no frills, but you get to keep the lovely scent and you'll have flowers longer and later in the season. Plus, can you beat that color?? Makes the best cut flowers, & reseeds! Rich soil yields best results. Grows to 5' or more, depending on the support provided. Pair with oranges and yellows for a hot duet – I recommend Nemesia 'Orange Prince', Papaver 'Orange Chiffon', Ranunculus californicus or Layia platyglossa “Tidy Tips.” Sweet peas can take light frosts, but if you live somewhere where it's still freezing and snowing, I would wait till the ground thaws before putting these in the ground. For those of you in warmer zones, now is the time to plant! Check out our other Lathyrus varieties (and Poppies!) too!

Sun. Avg.water. Annual.
All Zones.

Lunaria annua
‘Rosemary Verey’

I believe we are the only folks to offer this unusual and striking “Money Plant” and we’re so happy to have it back after a long absence here in the nursery. A shade lover and a total cinch to grow, ‘Rosemary’ boasts large heart-shaped leaves overlayed with showy purple markings, making it a standout in any shady garden. But wait, there’s more! In its second year (it’s a true biennial), it bears sprays of lightly scented purple blooms in May or June followed by coin-shaped, papery seed heads resembling small moons (hence the name “Lunaria”) beginning in August. These, of course, are fab for dried arrangements. 2-3’ tall and 2’ across in bloom. Prettiest in rich soil and it’s a reliable self-sower, so you’re guaranteed lots of "money" in your future! Nice under Roses!

Part sun/Brt. Shade. Avg water. Biennial.
All zones.

Sparaxis bulbifera

Dark stems and light flowers give this rare South African bulb an almost formal look. Tuxedoesque! We grew this lovely bulb for years before we learned its name! White or light primrose flowers with a dark purple tinged backing are held atop stems that are (for the most part) very dark in hue. Subtle but striking! When our mother plants go into bloom in the Spring, there's nary a customer in the nursery who doesn't ask for this plant and we're very fortunate to have a decent crop this year for those of you who have coveted it in the past! I look forward to seeing more and more of them every Spring because, like many South African bulbs, they increase themselves easily, so I don't find them too precious to incorporate into bouquets. Grows well in clay, pots, parking strips, raised beds – anywhere in sun! Infertile soil is fine. It doesn't seem to mind a little water during Summer dormancy, though it does not require it. To 16” tall, wider as bulbs divide and increase yearly. Check out our other bulbs online! We have smaller crops of some new and exciting varieties online now, and new varieties will be added in the coming weeks!

Sun. Low/Avg.water. Bulb.
USDA zones 8-10