Salvia clevelandii

Undoubtedly one of our most beloved California native Sages and one of the most superb in cultivation!

Indeed, it is hard to imagine a decent native plant collection without this beauty! Drought tolerant, deer resistant and beguilingly fragrant, it is also increasingly hard to find. Much to our dismay, there was no seed to be found for a couple of years running. Last year, our industrious propagator Anni Jensen improvised and found a lone shrub of the selection 'Winifred Gilman' that was loaded with seed, and now (phew!) we are able to offer it again. The plant makes a rounded 3 ft. by 3 ft. upright and slightly woody shrub with sage green leaves and (often) reddish stems. The entire plant is richly aromatic and will perfume the whole area. I always find the musky, sharp scent reminiscent of wine and roses, but other noses may have different interpretations. Blooms arrive in May and June, deep violet blue in evenly spaced whorls along the blooming stems. These attract scores of friendly butterflies, hummingbirds and bees! Long after the blooms fade and drop away, the whorls persist. These have the same wonderful fragrance as the rest of the plant and make a superb addition to dried arrangements. Much like Salvia apiana, the leaves of “Cleveland Sage” can be used as smudge sticks or as incense. Make sure you plant this somewhere the drainage is free and easy – if the plants receive regular water in soil that's very clayish, the roots will be most displeased and the plant will suffer. Once established, NO SUMMER WATER IS REQUIRED. In fact, a low water regimen is preferred! This will give this beloved shrub conditions more similar to its native habitat. As previously mentioned, these plants are seed grown from the parent 'Winifred Gilman' – a true Salvia clevelandii! Many plants sold on the market today are interspecific hybrids between Salvia clevelandii and another native – Salvia leucophylla. 'Winifred Gilman' is a compact grower, with comparatively deeper colored whorls, stems and flowers, and these seedlings (often known as 'Winifred's Sisters' or something similar) share these attributes. Most lovely!

Sun. Low/Avg water. Perennial shrub.
USDA zones 8-11

Anthriscus sylvestris
'Raven's Wing'

Total gorgeosity! There isn't a day that goes by that someone in our nursery isn't beset with plant lust for this dark and dreamy foliage plant. For many, many years it has occupied a prominent place in one of our display gardens and though every year we dutifully collect every last seed, it's not always one to cooperate. Lucky us, and lucky you that this year it did! Get one while you can as I'm sure we will be running low most imminently. The dark, ferny leaves make a perfect foil for most any flower or color combo. A relative of common chervil, it tolerates heat, drought, poor soil, and best of all, DOES NOT DIE. Our plants are nearly indestructible and look better every year. In June the plant begins to flower – 4” white umbels atop 3' black stems. These are a boon to beneficial insects and wildlife, and make great material for flower arrangements. After bloom, cut the plant back to the ground or it will get a bit shaggy. For most of the rest of the year, the dark, ferny leaves are a perpetual compliment to its friends and neighbors. Grows to 2.5' wide and tall. Rich soil and average water for best show, but less is required to make the plant a remarkable specimen.

Sun/Pt.Sun. Low/Avg water. Perennial.
USDA zones 3-10

Astilbe chinensis var. taquettii

Here's another one of those plants that we just can't get enough of – literally! When our sample pots go into bloom, I can't count the number of times people request this plant – simply put, it's the most beautiful Astilbe to be had, and the BEST for our clime. It's also said to be the most drought tolerant and sun tolerant Astilbe, and it performs beautifully in mild Winter climates like ours, when most Astilbes fail in this respect. Long lived, its richly hued, rosy purple 2-3' flower spikes appear in mid June and are the star of the shade garden for weeks! The rich green, slightly bronzed foliage is healthy and pest free. Astilbes prefer a rich, evenly moist soil, and a partly shaded exposure. This one can take more brutality than the rest, but be accommodating – mulch around the base of the plant to keep the roots cool if you insist on putting it in a super sunny spot! Again, this is one of those plants that we're super lucky if we get a big crop once every few years! If you miss your chance to get some Astilbe action this time around, it may be a couple years before you get the chance again!

Sun/Shade. Reg/Avg. water. Perennial.
USDA zones 4-10a

Cotula turbinata

If I didn't know any better, I might think that Cotula was Latin for “cute!” Every member we've grown from this genus has been adorable plus plus! Cotula turbinata first made an appearance at the nursery a few years ago. We planted a few in the garden and were smitten when they formed a generous and very bloomy mat of flowers. Months later, far into the Autumn, they continued to perform! To fall for a little yellow daisy, it must have something very special, and this plant has that “je-ne-sais-quoi.” Each 1” dainty daisy has a demure mini-skirt of yellow petals and each is formed atop a 4” stem above the ferny leaves. Low growing, it's a natural fit for the edge of the bed or path, where it meets and mingles with its neighbors or trails to soften the edge of the bed. Though weedy in Australia, we've not found it to propagate itself at an alarming rate here. I'm happy to see a few seedlings show up every once and a while! Rich soil & average water yield a carpet of foliage and flowers. Leaner conditions will get you a more modest plants. Blooms any season, depending on when the plant germinates and is planted. Grows to 4” tall and up to 2' wide. Please check out the similar and smashingly adorable Cotula duckittae as well – it's just like turbinata, but orange. Super sweet, super cute, and the name?! We love it!

Sun/Pt.Sun. Avg water. Perennial.
USDA zones 9-11

Fuchsia magellanica var. molinae
‘Sharpitor’

Elegance and class – this shrubby and hardy Fuchsia is unlike any other! I happened upon this Fuchsia one evening in a shopping center, of all unlikely places, spilling out of a large container and making a seriously striking silhouette in the fading light. The light gray leaves with creamy margins give way to pearl pink and white pendant blooms. Subtle to be sure, but you should see the way this plant can light up a dark corner! The effect is tres romantic. Growing to 4' x 4', it makes a dense bright spot against which many colors can play! We've grown this plant in part shade and full sun and it performs well in both exposures, becoming large and shrubby in short time. Bloom is heaviest in the late Spring and Summer. Hummingbirds adore the blossoms, of course and though this plant is not on any of the mite resistant Fuchsia lists, ours has yet to be plagued by such grossness. Rich soil is best, and below zone 9, this plant will go deciduous during the Winter. Here in zones 9 plus, it stays evergreen or semi-evergreen.

Sun/Shade. Avg. water. Perennial.
USDA zones 7-11

Wahlenbergia cuspidata

A wonderful new version of an old favorite! For years we've been growing a different (unknown) species from this genus that we are greatly fond of - a long blooming, super tough member of the Campanula family from South Africa. We call it Wahlenbergia species 'Blue Cloud' because it makes a huge profusion of starry bellflowers over a super long season – early Summer all the way thru Fall. What can be better? How about a larger, more colorful flower on a more compact plant? Win! Same bloom season (loooooong) and same charming habit – mat forming foliage and super long (20”) stems, each topped with a purple star. The soft lavender blue is girly and sweet when paired with peaches and whites and the plant makes a great filler or edging, as it both trails and weaves through neighboring plants in a way that can really bring a garden design together! Rich soil and average water for best show!

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