cool and exotic plants for the summer · pdf filecool and exotic plants for the summer garden...

Cool and Exotic

Plants for the

Summer Garden A selected list of new and notable plants to add flare

and spice

Prepared by Gary Lewis June 27th, 2010

Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd. 3380 No. 6 Rd. | Richmond, BC | V6V 1P5

604-270-4133 | [email protected]

www.phoenixperennials.com

Perennials p. 1

1PerennialsAgave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ Century Plant

9-10

2-4' 2-3' SummerH W Loves SunYellow

ZoneAgavaceae (The Century Plant Family)

This beautiful variegated form has bluish greenleaves with a creamy white centre. Perfect forcreating pots of high visual impact on your patio orbalcony. Underplant with Echeveria for asophisticated touch. Reportedly hardy to minus nineCelsius, larger plants will likely be fairly hardy if keptdry and given some protection from cold. Smallerplants make a distinctive and no nonsensehouseplant over the winter in a sunny window.

Agave bracteosa ‘Calamar’ Century Plant7b-10

2-4' 2-3' SummerH W Loves Sun

1g

Yellow

$21.99ZoneAgavaceae (The Century Plant Family)

This spineless agave looks more marine-like thanplant-like with notably spineless long narrow bluishleaves. In its native habit it grows festooned on sheercliffs so provide it with excellent drainage. After 2-4years, this species will begin to form offsets and,when they mature, each clump will produce anamazing five to seven foot tall flower spike thatresembles a giant yellow bottlebrush.

Agave ‘Cornelius’ Century Plant9-10

12-24" 2-3' SummerH W Loves Sun

1g

Yellow


The spectacular wide yellow margins of 'Cornelius'gives this agave its "wow" factor. This plant forms a1.5 foot tall by 2.5 foot wide clump of thick wavyblue-green leaves margined by a two inch wideyellow edge at maturity. For full sun in well-drainedsoils in zones 9 and 10, or for use as a specimenplant in containers.

Agave gentryi ‘Jaws’ Century Plant7b-10


1g

Yellow


This stunning Yucca Do Nursery selection is a highlysought-after agave selection. ‘Jaws’ can grow to fourfeet tall by eight feet wide in warmer climates. Theglossy dark green rosette is composed of long leaveswith exceptionally largely toothed edges with shortred teeth, menacingly resembling a shark’s mouth.

Perennials p. 2

Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ Century Plant10-11


1g

Yellow


This fantastic agave is a Japanese selectionfeaturing blue-gray leaves with beautifulcreamy-white edges. The terminal spines emerge alight brown color, changing to burgundy-brown withmaturity. 'Kissho Kan' translates to "happy or luckycrown". Grows to only one foot tall by one foot wideso excellent as a container specimen and winterhouseplant.

Agave montana ‘Baccarat’ Century Plant7b-9


1g

Yellow


The current best chance for a hardy agave inVancouver is this Yucca Do Nursery selection.Hailing from moist mountain sides at high elevationsin northeast Mexico, A. montana commonlyexperiences mist, rain, frost and snow in the wintermonths. It grows to a two feet tall by three feet widewith broad, glaucous leaves, each ending in a largeblack spine. The stunning silvery bud imprints on theleaf backs are reminiscent of cut crystal. Providegood drainage. Larger plants will be hardier.

Agave ‘Mr Ripple’ Century Plant8-10


1g

Yellow


This fantastic Mexican agave is a selection made byWade Roitsch of Yucca Do Nursery. It featuresamazingly wide, blue-green undulating leaves andforms an upright clump 5 feet tall by 5 feet wide. It ispotentially hardy for us outside with sharp drainageor under cover. It will also make a great architecturalpot plant where it will remain at a smaller stature.

Agave parryi Parry’s Agave6b-10


1g

Yellow


Dramatic bluish-grey succulent foliage from compactrosettes. One of the most widespread and hardyagave species, A. parryi can withstand minus 29Celsius. In our region protect from winter rain withextremely sharp drainage or overhead cover. Plantsbloom once -- around the age of 20 -- but producelots of pups to keep your clump going!

Perennials p. 3

Agave parryi ‘Cream Spike’ Century Plant7b-9


1g

Yellow


This spectacular agave displays blue-green leavessurrounded by a dramatic creamy-white margin. Thethick leaves comprising the 12 inch clump featuremaroon-black leaf tips and teeth along the marginswhen mature. Leaf impressions from the reverse sideof unfurling leaves are reminiscent of fossils. Hardyto about zone 7b to 9, or fantastic as a pottedspecimen.

Agave victoria-reginae ‘Porcupine’ Century Plant8-10


1g

Yellow


This clonal selection of Agave victoriae-reginae fromYucca Do Nursery features very thick compact greenleaves with white leaf edges. It has been describedas looking like “an artichoke carved out of greenstone!" Cold hardy in zones 8 to 10 with excellentdrainage. Great for container culture elsewhere.

Aloe polyphylla Spiral Aloe7b-9

12-24" 8-12" SummerH W Loves Sun

1g

Red

$21.99ZoneAsphodelaceae (The Asphodel Family)

This stunning endangered aloe from the mountainsof Lesotho (the mountain kingdom surrounded bySouth Africa) features light green leaves arranged ina spiral that becomes more and more pronounced asthe plant matures. In its native habitat it experiencessharp drainage, winter frosts and snow, and coolsummers with ample moisture. Plant on a slope in fullto partial sun in very well-drained soil or in a pot. It ishardy in zones 7b to 9. Our plants are grown fromtissue culture. Available late 2008 or early 2009.

Arisaema consanguineum Himalayan Cobra Lily6-9

4-6' 12-24" SpringH W Part ShadeGreen

ZoneAraceae (The Arum Family)

Fantastic four to five foot “umbrellas” of multipleleaflets rise dramatically from amongst hostas andferns in my part shade garden. This is an easy andintriguing addition to the part shade to part sunborder that will add drama and structure in spades.

Perennials p. 4

Begonia ‘Silver Splendor’ Hardy Begonia7-10

12-24" 12-24" Late SummerH W ShadePink

ZoneBegoniaceae (The Begonia Family)

Newly bred by Dan Heims from hardy Chinesespecies, this upright begonia is splendid. Smooth,platinum splashed, palmate leaves, look like asilver-leafed Japanese maple in the garden.Heart-shaped candy pink flowers emerge in latesummer. An outstanding addition to a container orthe shade border. Recent trials suggest goodhardiness for our climate. A mulch might help thisbegonia resist the winter wet.

Canna ‘Pretoria/Bengal Tiger’ Canna Lily7-10

4-6' 2-3' SummerH W Full - Part SunOrange

ZoneCannaceae (The Canna Family)

Fantastic tropical foliage striped with green and goldand topped with firey orange flowers in summer.Great for adding that subtropical look to your garden.Hardy if planted in well-drained soil and given a littlemulch.

Cosmos atrosanguineus Chocolate Cosmos7-9

12-24" 12-24" SummerH W Loves SunRed

ZoneAsteraceae (The Aster Family)

This Mexican species has rich, dark maroon dahlia-like flowers with thefragrance of chocolate! ¡Qué rica! How can you resist? Combine with peanutbutter plant (Melianthus major) to turn your garden bed into a Reese’s peanutbutter cup. Yum! This species is classed as zone 7-9 but I would recommenda winter mulch and dry well-drained soil. Extinct in the wild. ¡Qué lástima!

Dahlia Bishop of Leicester Dahlia7-10

2-4' 12-24" Summer - FallH W SunPurple


Perennials p. 5

Dahlia Bishop of Oxford Dahlia7-10

2-4' 12-24" Summer - FallH W SunOrange


Dahlia Bishop Series Dahlia7-10

2-4' 12-24" Summer - FallH W Sun

1g

Various

$9.99ZoneAsteraceae (The Aster Family)

This excellent series of burgundy-leaved dahliasincludes the classic ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ as well asthe Bishops of Auckland (dark red), Canterbury (rosyred), Oxford (orange), York (yellow) and Leicester(lavender). These dahlias are fairly hardy in ourclimate and don't need to be lifted if planted in aprotected, sunny spot in well-drained soil. Aprotective mulch is recommended.

Dahlia Chic Series Dahlia7-10

12-24" 12-24" Summer - FallH W Sun

1g

Various


Both the varieties from this series have near-blackfoliage on miniature plants to just two feet. ‘Chic’ hasdouble yellow flowers with amber centres. ‘Chic enRouge’ has double deep-red flowers with darkercentres.

Dahlia Happy Single Series Dahlia7-10

12-24" 12-24" SummerH W SunVarious


Inspired by the doomed lovers Romeo and Juliet this series is ironically andstrangely called the Happy Single Series. At least our love affair withburgundy-leaved dahlias will continue. Here we have ‘Juliet’ (lilac-pink with adark centre), ‘Romeo’ (deep red with a dark centre), ‘Kiss’ (salmon-rose with ared ring around a dark centre), ‘Flame’ (firey orange with yellow centre), ‘Wink’(purple and red bicolour) and ‘Party’ (bright yellow with a brown centre) all witha single uncomplicated whorl of petals.

Perennials p. 6

Echinacea ‘Firebird’ Coneflower4-9

2-4' 12-24" Summer - FallH W Loves SunRed


Sometimes it comes all together in an Echinacea -wonderful habit, compact size, and charming,red-orange shuttlecock-type flowers that look likethey want to fly away! The dark cones only add to theappeal. Attracts butterflies in summer and seedhunting birds in the fall. Mix with Rudbeckia for agreat combo.

Echinacea ‘Flame Thrower’ Coneflower4-9

2-4' 12-24" Summer - FallH W Loves SunOrange


This reliable rebloomer has two-toned orange andyellow flowers that are hot, hot, hot! Add to this awell-branched habit and you've got a great choice forthe middle of the border, used in a parking strip, oralong a fence line. Here's a fragrant choice that iseasy to grow and blooms all summer. One of theearliest of the coneflowers to bloom in the TerraNova trial grounds in Oregon.

Echinacea ‘Hot Papaya’ Purple Coneflower3-8

2-4' 12-24" Summer - FallH W Loves SunOrange


Sizzling, red orange, double cones with falling tailsheat up the sun border in summer. Contrasting darkburgundy, sturdy stems. Upright, with lance-shapedleaves. From the Cone-fections Series which offersreliably hardy, very floriferous, stocky plants withstrong sturdy stems. Wonderful planted en masseand superb as a cut flower. Photo courtesy ofWalters Gardens.

Echinacea ‘Maui Sunshine’ Coneflower4-9

2-4' 12-24" Summer - FallH W Loves SunYellow


Large bright yellow flowers, sweetly scented andfloriferous. Mature flowers are a soft yellow.Vigorous, well-branched stems are featured on thisupright plant. Showy orange cones with greenbackgrounds (great for cutting and drying).

Perennials p. 7

Echinacea purpurea ‘Coconut Lime’ Coneflower4-9

2-4' 12-24" Summer - FallH W Loves Sun

1g

White/Cr


'Coconut Lime' is the first white double-floweringEchinacea from the Cone-fections Series. Theflowers are centred with a large mound of smallpetals surrounded by a ring of normal ray florets.‘Coconut LIme’ has a compact habit with over 20blooms per plant and will bloom for two to threemonths! Well-branched, sturdy flower stems areperfect for cutting. Plant in full sun in average (notoverly rich), well-drained soils. Avoid soils that areoverly moist in winter.

Eryngium planum ‘Jade Frost’ Sea Holly5-8

12-24" 8-12" Early SummerH W Loves SunBlue

ZoneApiaceae (The Carrot/Parsley Family)

This intriguing member of the carrot family is a garden favourite for its trueblue thimble like inflorescences held above equally blue thistly bracts. Nowadd some variegation to the picture. 'Jade Frost' has green leaves with whiteto creamy white variegation that is pink in cool temperatures. A must have forthose who love blue flowers and variegation.

Eryngium ‘Sapphire Blue’ Moroccan Sea Holly5-8

2-4' 8-12" SummerH W Loves SunBlue

ZoneApiaceae (The Carrot/Parsley Family)

‘Sapphire Blue’ is a hybrid cultivar with an intense,steel blue hue infusing its branched stems, leaves,and teasel-shaped flowers. The flower heads arehuge and sit upon dramatic collar-like bracts. Leavesand stems are tinged with blue. This peculiar genusfrom the carrot family is found around the world butwith its centre of diversity in South America. Thereare also a number of European species.

Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Fanfare’ Blanket Flower3-10

8-12" 8-12" Spring - SummerH W Loves SunRed


This plant causes lots of commotion when in bloom!The large, unusual, upward facing flowers are deepred and flare outwards like trumpets. As the petalsopen, the colour grades from red to orange thenyellow. Very floriferous but on compact plants.Should bloom from spring through summer with alittle deadheading. One of the best perennialintroductions in recent years.

Perennials p. 8

Hedychium coccineum ‘Tara’ Hardy Ginger7b-10

4-6' Late SummerH W Loves SunOrange

ZoneZingiberaceae (The Ginger Family)

In mid-late August ‘Tara’ offers dramatic large fireyorange and fragrant flower clusters. The mostreliable bloomer for the West Coast climate andindispensable as a subtropical accent in theperennial border. Tropical-looking foliage providesinterest all season long. Mulch with leaves in winter.In colder areas grow in a pot or lift and keep abovezero in the pot or in peat moss.

Hedychium gardnerianum Hardy Kahili Ginger8-10

4-6' 2-3' Late SummerH W Loves SunYellow

ZoneZingiberaceae (The Ginger Family)

One of the best-known species of the genus, H.gardnerianum has foot tall inflorescences of brightcanary yellow flowers with firey red stamens. Theflowers have a light fragrance. The season’s newstems emerge late, often in June. Full sun in rich soilwith abundant moisture during the growing season.Mulch in winter.

Lavandula stoechas ‘Otto Quast’ Spanish Lavender8-10

12-24" 2-3' Spring - FallH W Loves SunMagenta

ZoneLamiaceae (The Mint Family)

This popular selection forms a dense shrub withgrey-green foliage. The flower stems bear tight flowerspikes of small purple flowers crowned by severalone inch long magenta purple petal-like bracts thatlook like butterflies. ‘Otto Quast’ has a long bloomperiod from late spring through to fall. Shearlavenders lightly in early spring just as they begingrowth and again after flowering to keep tidy.

Melianthus major Peanut Butter Plant8

4-6' 2-3' SummerH W SunRed

ZoneMelianthaceae (The Honeybush Family)

This intriguing plant has beautiful rippled anddissected pinnate, powdery blue foliage on stemsbetween three and six feet. It is shy to flower in ourclimate though I have seen the intriguing red spikeson a few occasions in Vancouver and Victoria. Themost interesting aspect of this plant is the fragranceof the foliage which is very close to that of peanutbutter. Plant with chocolate cosmos, Cosmosatrosanguineus, to turn your border into a peanutbutter cup!

Perennials p. 9

Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’ Ornamental Oregano5-9

12-24" 12-24" SummerH W Sun

1g

Pink

$9.99ZoneLamiaceae (The Mint Family)

Grown for its ornamental flowers and foliage, ‘Kent Beauty’ is an intriguinglittle oregano. The pendulous pink and white flowerheads are comprised ofmultiple bracts from which small, pink, shrimp-like flowers peak. The foliage isa similar shape to the flower bracts and is bluish green. Easy to grow inaverage to dry, well-drained soils in full sun. Superior soil drainage is the keyto growing this plant well. Drought tolerant. Plant in borders, rock walls,hanging baskets, or containers.

Salvia greggii ‘Wild Watermelon’ Autumn Sage7-10


1g

Magenta

$9.99ZoneLamiaceae (The Mint Family)

If you love ‘Hot Lips’ you’ll love ‘Wild Watermelon’.This fast growing selection with a unique fuchsiacolour will bloom constantly with hundreds of flowersfrom June to November driving you, your gardenvisitors and butterflies wild with luscious colour (andnectar). Makes a super easy and appealing containerplant for the patio, or combine with other deep purple,blue and white perennials in the garden. Plant in fullsun in hot dry spots with well-drained soils.

Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ Baby Sage7-9

2-4' 3-5' SummerH W Loves SunWhite/Cr

ZoneLamiaceae (The Mint Family)

Very cool and a bestseller. This is a fast-growing wildselection of a Mexican sage which is adorned withstunning bicolour flowers -- white flowers with red lips-- from May until frost. But the expression of colour istemperature sensitive. In spring the flowers areusually all red, later bicoloured/hot lipped and in theheat of the summer all white, then returning tobicoloured and then red again in the fall. Will producethousands of flowers in a season. Well-drained soil infull sun. Hard prune each spring.

Sedum ‘Chocolate Drop’ Stonecrop3-9

8-12" 8-12" Late SummerH W SunPink

ZoneCrassulaceae (The Crassula Family)

Small cute ten inch mounds of lightly scalloped,dark-chocolate brown leaves make a great additionto the border or the rock-garden. Soft rose-colouredflowers top and accent the foliage in late summer.Mix with golds and bronzes for an unforgettableeffect.

Perennials p. 10

Sedum ‘Crazy Ruffles’ Stonecrop3-9

12-24" 12-24" Summer - FallH W SunPink


This fun new sport of Sedum 'Matrona' forms acompact clump of large, blue-green, widelyundulating leaves with toothed margins. The wavymargins really set this variety apart in the landscape.In late summer, strong, upright, reddish stems carrylarge clusters of soft pink flowers which open fromcream buds. If left standing, they provide winterinterest and food for birds. Photo courtesy of WaltersGardens.

Sedum palmeri DJH 420B Sedum7

4-8" 8-12" Late SummerH W Sun

11cm

Yellow

$9.99ZoneCrassulaceae (The Crassula Family)

At first I thought this was an Echeveria while visitingHeronswood Nursery in Washington a few years ago.This sedum offers evergreen rosettes of broad,rounded blue-green foliage and very pretty clusters ofyellow flowers in mid- to late summer. Great fortumbling over a wall. Quite hardy over the last fourwinters in Vancouver in average garden soil, thoughsharp drainage is preferred. A collection of DanHinkley’s from the mountains of Mexico.

Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ Stonecrop3-10

4-8" 8-12" SummerH W Loves SunYellow


'Angelina' has brilliant, needle-shaped, golden yellowfoliage. It is a very vigorous mat-forming sedum thatprefers well-drained soil. Great in rock gardens or inpots or perennial hanging baskets due to its trailinghabit. In the garden plant with asters and coneflowersfor a wonderful autumn display.

Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘White Giant’ Calla Lily7-10


2g

White/Cr

$29.99ZoneAraceae (The Arum Family)

This fantastic, imposing, giant selection of Z.aethiopica features five foot clumps ofwhite-speckled, ruffled arrow-shaped leaves toppedby seven foot tall flower stems carrying the classicwhite boot-shaped calla flower. For full sun andaverage to moist soils. Semi-evergreen through mostof the winter.

Botanically Intriguing (Mostly Tender) p. 11

3Botanically Intriguing (Mostly Tender)Brugmansia ‘Snowbank’ Angel’s Trumpet

9-11

4-6' 2-3' Summer - FallH W SunYellow

ZoneSolanaceae (The Deadly Nightshade Family)

This dramatic angel’s trumpet is fantastic for bothflowers and foliage. The flowers are 10-12 inch longdangling creamy yellow to apricot trumpets that arefragrant in the evenings. The huge leaves are darkgreen in the centre, with highlights of light grey-greentoward the edge and surrounded by a wide creamywhite border. Angel’s trumpets are fertilizer pigs andreward any gardener who indulge them with heavy,heavy fertilizing. The more fertilizer the more flowers

Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurellii’ Abyssinian Banana10-12

10-15' 8-10'H W Loves Sun

ZoneMusaceae (The Banana Family)

This bold giant banana relative has six to eight footlong paddle-like green leaves infused with richburgundy red at least along the edges but in goodspecimens in full sun throughout the foliage. Use in alarge container or plant out each year for a dramaticdisplay. NOT HARDY. Maintain above five degreesCelsius as a house plant, in the basement or in agreenhouse. Totally worth it if you love tropicaldrama.

Shrubs p. 12

4ShrubsAbutilon ‘Huntington Pink’ Flowering Maple

8

4-6' 2-3' Spring - SummerH W SunPink

ZoneMalvaceae (The Mallow Family)

This excellent and vigorous flowering maple cultivarhas upright stems festooned with dangling two inchbells of rich pink throughout summer. May be hardyto zone 7 if grown in full-sun and protected fromwinter wet in well-drained beds and with mulch. Willblossom straight through winter in a bright window ofthe house. We’ll have numerous other cultivars

Daphne x houtteana Daphne5-9

H W Full - Part Sun

ZoneThymelaeaceae (The Daphne Family)

Deep purple-black foliage sets this variety apart. Lightly scented purpleflowers in late spring. Give full sun for best foliage colour. Daphne laureola xDaphne mezereum. Semi-evergreen. Zone 6-9.

Lavatera thuringiaca ‘Red Rum’ Tree Mallow6-9

4-6' 2-3' Spring - SummerH W Sun

1g

Magenta

$9.99ZoneMalvaceae (The Mallow Family)

‘Red Rum’ is a compact grower great for containersor as a mid-level plant in a perennial bed. Dark redstems hold closely packed red-pink flowers. Theclose clustering of the flowers makes an intensefloral display from spring through summer and likelyinto fall. Named after the multi-race award winningBritish racehorse, Red Rum.

Musa basjoo Hardy Japanese Fibre Banana5-10

10-15' 3-5' SummerH W Loves SunYellow

ZoneMusaceae (The Banana Family)

If the palm tree is the king of the subtropical gardenthen bananas must surely be the Queen. Musabasjoo, the hardy japanese fibre banana, addssubtropical flare and drama in spades! Reportedlyground hardy to zone 5 (but don’t tell anyone inOntario!). Maintain height for next season byprotecting the stems with an enclosure of leaves orbubble wrap. At the very worst after a cold winteryour banana will resprout from the ground.

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