Begonia boliviensis

An outstanding species Begonia of unparalleled beauty!

Gorgeous, gorgeous and also, GORGEOUS! This is the first time we have offered this plant for sale, though the mother plant has been behind the scenes for many years. Highly sought after, it forms 2-foot clumps in the garden with numerous blooming stems, heavy with flame-like crimson orange flowers all thru Summer. A very hardy plant, this Begonia goes deciduous in Winter and returns from tuberous roots in late Spring around May or June (be patient!). A superlative choice for hanging baskets ande shady pots. Indeed, the plants are easier to grow and keep track of in pots because of their long dormancy. The leaves are of an angel-wing type. This species hails from Argentina, where it can be found hanging from shady cliffs. If planted in the ground, good drainage is essential.

Pt. Sun/Shade. Reg. water. Perennial.
USDA zones 7b-10

Keckiella antirrhinoides
“Yellow Bush Snapdragon”

We're delighted to offer this very rare and unusal native shrub. Beautiful, showy and EXCEPTIONALLY HEAT and DROUGHT tolerant, this lovely plant isn’t even fazed by temperatures of 120 degrees F. Traffic stopping during its bloom season in June and July, this densely branched 4' x 3’ hummingbird magnet bears large (3-4”) sprays of cheery yellow “Snapdragon” blooms held tightly on branches and nicely highlighted against the bright green leaves. Not only are the flowers FRAGRANT, they attract BEES and BUTTERFLIES, too! Fast growing, this wonderful habitat enhancer will go deciduous with No Summer moisture or you can keep it green with an occasional watering. Can be pruned into a nice rounded form. Native to Southern California and San Mateo County.

Sun-Pt. Sun. Avg./NO SUMMER water. Shrub
USDA zones 8-10

Geranium 'Ann Folkard'

Even before it blooms, this Geranium imparts its presence in the garden with a luxurious showing of golden foliage! As this variety emerges from Winter dormancy, the leaves are chartreuse in hue – later in the season it tends more towards green, but by that point, the dark centered magenta flowers are the main show! Of course, there's an intermediate time when both flowers and leaves are showing their best color, and that's not bad either. Blooms are 1.5” and cover the plant for a nice long time – Spring thru Fall. Growing about 1-2’ tall and 2-3’ wide, the trailing stems intertwine nicely with other plants. Looks especially sharp with dark foliaged plants like Ageratum corymbosum or the smashing and debonair Angelica stricta 'Purpurea' (now available!!). Geranium ‘Ann Folkard’ prefers cool Summer regions as well as loose soil. Makes a beautiful groundcover!

Sun/Pt. Shade. Avg. water. Perennial.
USDA Zones 5-10

Helenium autumnale
‘Red Shades’

You have to wait until late in the Summer to see the vivacious show that Helenium autumnale puts out, but isn't it worth the wait? Here in California, we experience only a fraction of the seasonal shifts that other parts of the country do, so planting perennials that give you color at different times of the year can be a little like wearing a watch. What time is it? Helenium time. They've just started blooming in the nursery now and though I see them every year I never tire of their bold colors. They are so totally photogenic, too! August through September, you get armloads of gleaming, deep coppery-red 2” flowers. The blooms are borne on long stems and make excellent cut flowers. They also provide food to passing butterflies, honeybees, bumblebees, leaf cutter bees and pollen wasps - you know, the good guys. Lovely with late season blues like Delphiniums, Salvia azurea, or the black of Scabiosa atropurpurea ‘Black.’ Can tolerate intense heat (but not dryness)! Of course, it's a very hardy plant and heat tolerant, too – it can be grown in all kinds of other places (not just CA!) so long as you provide it with some moisture thru the season. It can take some drought, but is much happier and healthier with moisture.

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

Passiflora loefgrenii x caerulea

Another new introduction for 2009! Tough, fast and oh-so pretty! You also won't find it for sale anywhere else on the web. This rare vine features 4” blooms that are crowned with a super-fluffy halo of deep purple fringe. A cross between the super tough Passiflora caerulea and the super rare and choice Passiflora loefgrenii. Here you get the best of both worlds – a large, upward facing flower that's lush with sexy details and a super tough demeanor. Blooms most of the year once established – from Spring to frost. It's a big honkin' vine - growing to 15' within its first two years when given average water and a good sized space to sprawl. Hardy into the teens and tolerant of less than perfect soil. Butterflies love the flowers & use the plant as a host for their larvae. Edibility of the fruit is untested. Nosh at your own risk.

Sun/Pt.Sun. Avg.water. Perennial Vine.
USDA Zones 9-10