Papaver miyabeanum
Pelargonium sidiodes ‘Xera Strain’ showing variation.
Phygelius x ‘Peach Trombone’
Perennials return year after year and are the organic heart of the garden. They represent the most intelligent type of landscaping. So many are available today that we focus on the best and most unusual.
Phormiums
New Zealand Flax have become a favorite perennial
in the PNW. Their bold structure fits into our maritime
climate very well. Maybe its because they hail from the
maritime climate of New Zealand. There are two
things that they don’t like. Extreme cold and extreme
drought. Remember that they are essentially riparian plants
mostly bordering streams in their native environs. They require
plenty of water during the growing season. Healthy, established
Flax will have a large root system from which to recover if they are frozen to the ground (below 15ºF). Drought stressed Flax actually lose roots and following a freeze they have no resources from which to regrow. Ample water in rich soil is the key. This is especially important in containers.
Papaver miyabeanum Zn6a (-10º to -15ºF) Papaveraceae
A chartreuse green flowered Poppy. Could we ask for anything more? Small rosette forming perennial with Green-Yellow papery flowers in mid-summer. Full
sun and well drained, but rich soil with regular water. Great in rock gardens, containers or at the front of a border. Flowers on stems to about 10" tall. Truly AWESOME in bloom. Likes regular irrigation, though it looks like it would not. Sometimes sold as P. 'Pacino'.
Papaver orientale ‘Patty’s Plum’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Papaveraceae
An Oriental Poppy with flowers of the most amazing smokey, plum purple. Flowers
are very large and appear in mid-spring. A vigorous perennial that thrives in enriched garden soil. Handles summer drought by going dormant. Flower stalks to 28" tall . Full sun to light shade. Reflected heat or drought can cause the flowers to fade more quickly. Easily the best purple Oriental Poppy to date. Good to try where deer are a problem.
Papaver spicatum Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Papaveraceae
The Turkish Spike Poppy is surprisingly absent from gardens. From a 20" spike, much like a hollyhock, soft pastel apricot flowers rise above a rosette of neat light green scalloped foliage. Appreciates RICH, well drained soil with regular water. Spectacular at the front of a border. Blooms late June to July- then summer dormant. Returns in fall. Works well with roses or combined with soft yellow Daylilies. Soft looking perennial.
Parahebe catarractae ‘Delight’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Scrophulariaceae
'Delight' is an excellent evergreen perennial or small shrub with profuse sprays of
lavender-blue flowers nonstop from June until frost. Finely serrated shiny green leaves and mahogany stems to 8" tall and 18" wide. Full sun to light shade, well drained soil with regular water in summer- avoid reflected heat. Easy, rewarding plant with an incredibly long season of bloom. Shear back spent flowers and more will appear.
Parahebe cattaractae ‘Miss Willmott’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºf) Scrophulariaceae
Diminutive evergreen shrub/perennial with glossy toothed leaves and mahogany stems. Selected for its relatively large sprays of white flowers each with a central spot of violet. The flowers are produced profusely from June until frost. A light and airy plant to 8" tall and spreading to 18" wide. Full sun to light shade and well drained soil. Regular water in summer. Cut back hard in early spring. Works well on slopes.
Pelargonium sidiodes ‘Xera Strain’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Geraniaceae
Our own seed strain of this popular hardy rock garden perennial with flowers that come in a myriad of shades from bright blue/purple to deep burgundy and even black. Silvery rosettes of leaves. Grow in gritty soil in the ground for excellent drainage or in a pot that can be protected in winter. Forms a bulb after a while. Best on slopes. Full sun, regular water in summer. To 14" tall in bloom, rosettes to 1' wide.
Penstemon ‘Enor’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Scrophulariaceae
'Enor' is a hardy and easy to grow perennial Penstemon for full sun and well drained soil. Deep purple flowers rise to 24" tall with a dusty bloom on the outside and appear from June until frost. Great with Catmints and Salvias. Exceptionally dark green lusterous, glossy foliage. Nice cut flower, and eventually forms a clump to 2' wide. Very reliable. One of the most striking of the border-types.
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita BOP’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Scrophulariaceae
First of all, the B.O.P. stands for "Beneath our porch" where this EXCELLENT Penstemon was found growing at a California Nursery. Continuous flowers that
emerge blue and stay blue in cool weather, fade partly to purple in hot weather.
Full sun and well drained soil that is not too rich. Excellent blue/gray foliage. To 20" tall and as wide. Cut back hard in spring. Occasional summer water. Magical with Zauschnerias.
Penstemon pinifolius Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Scrophulariaceae
Western Pine-leaved Penstemon has small needle-like leaves and in late spring and summer copious small brillant 1" long orange/red flowers. Forms a woody stems and is one of the longest lived perennial Penstemons. Full sun well drained soil with occasional water in summer. Great in rock gardens or on steep slopes. To 10" tall and about 2' wide. Cut back hard in early spring. Hummingbird heaven. Evergreen.
Penstemon pinifolius ‘Mersea Yellow’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Scrophulariaceae
As for the above but with clear yellow flowers.
Phlomis lanata Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Lamiaceae
A shrubby form of Phlomis with lovely quilted leaves at the ends of small woody branches. In late spring and summer copious arching yellow flowers emerge from every tip. The flowers last a very long time. Best in full sun with very well drained soil and no additional water once it has begun to grow. Extremely tolerant of drought. Very nice with small ornamental grasses, good in rock gardens. Handsome plant year round.
Phormium ‘Apricot Queen’ Zn8b Phormiaceae
One of the most striking of the New Zealand Flax for its light green and cream lined leaves with a center that turns a glowing apricot in full sun. RICH soil, full sun to part shade and REGULAR water during summer to speed growth. Phormiums must be well watered during the summer otherwise they will not be able to regrow after a large freeze. Very tolerant of clay soil, if irrigated.
Phormium cookianum Zn8a Phormiaceae
Mountain Flax grows along riverbanks in the interior of both islands in New Zealand. Arching pewter green leaves are more lax than tenax but no less dramatic. To 4' tall and forming a clump as wide in Full sun to light shade in RICH soil with REGULAR water. Freezes to the ground in cold waves, resprouts. Orange, tall flower spikes to 8' after mild winters. Slightly hardier to cold.
Phormium cookianum ‘Tricolor’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Phormiaceae
A variegated form of the Mountain Flax with leaves striped in cream and edges of
bright red. To 3' tall and forming an arching clump as wide. Full sun in rich soil with regular water during the dry months. Only Phormiums that are well irrigated
through the dry summer months will regrow after a large freeze. Tolerant of
clay if irrigated. Apply fertilizer regularly in containers.
Phormium ‘Duet’ Zn8b (15º to 20ºF) Phormiaceae
A dwarf New Zealand Flax that is great in containers. Full sun with rich soil and regular water brings the best results. To 2' tall and as wide with olive green leaves edged in cream and tinted with pink during colder weather. Only Phormiums that are well irrigated during the dry summer months will be able to regrow after a large freeze. O.K. in clay if well irrigated. Good with moisture loving ornamental grasses.
Phormium ‘Maori Chief’ Zn8b (15º to 20ºF) Phormiaceae
A very vertical growing New Zealand Flax with beautiful leaves of red,
bronze and cream. To 5' tall and as wide. Full sun to part shade with regular water in rich soil. Excellent container plant, apply regular fertilzer. Works very well at the coast, and can take brutal winds. Keep New Zealand Flax in active growth year round to establish a large root system. Drought stressed plants are less hardy to cold. Water in summer.
Phormium ‘Maori Maiden’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Phormiaceae
A compact and spectacular New Zealand Flax with arching leaves of vivid pink to red and stripes of bronze on the edges. Consistently one of the cold hardiest Flax selections. RICH soil with REGULAR summer water to perform at its peak. To 3' tall and arching to form a clump as wide. Excellent container plant with regular water and fertilizer. Avoid reflected heat. Trim off old leaves in early spring.
Phormium ‘Maori Sunrise’ Zn8b (15º to 20ºF) Phormiaceae
One of the most spectacular of the New Zealand Flax, Maori Sunrise glows with stripes of rich coral reds, light browns and tans. To 3' tall and forming an amazing clump. Rich soil in full sun with regular water. Protect containerized plants from low temps. Phormiums that are well irrigated during the dry summer months will be able to regrow after a large freeze, below 15ºF.
Phormium tenax (green) Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Phormiaceae
New Zealand Flax . Handsome sea-green leaves up to 3" wide and to 5' tall. This seed strain from an exceptionally upright form. Makes an impressive clump in a short period of time in RICH soil with regular WATER in summer. Full sun to light shade. Phormiums that are well watered during summer will be much better adapted to deal with winter cold. Red flowers on 8' spikes following a mild (above 15ºF) winter. Regular water in containers.
Phormium tenax ‘Atropurpureum’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Phormiaceae
The most commonly seen form of the spectacular New Zealand Flax. To 5' tall and 3' wide after several years with deep bronze/maroon leaves. Leaves become wider as the plant matures. RICH soil with REGULAR irrigation in summer in full sun. Outward facing yellow flowers on spikes up to 8' follow a mild winter. Good large container plant- requires regular irrigation and fertilizer, avoid reflected heat.
Regrows after big freezes.
Phormium tenax ‘Lineata’ Zn8b (15º to 20ºF) Phormiaceae
A very upright growing an vigorous New Zealand Flax with olive green leaves irregularly striped with gold. To 6' tall and forming a clump with leaves that seldom bend. Rich soil that drains well with regular summer water. 8' spikes of red flowers follow mild winters (above 20∞F). Full sun to light shade. Fertilize and water container plants often.
Phormium tenax ‘Radiance’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Phormiaceae
A large growing and very upright Phormium (New Zealand Flax) with dramatically gold striped leaves. To 6' tall in full sun to part shade with regular water and fertilizer. One of the hardier varieties to cold. Bold container plant. Rich well drained soil is best. Blooms after mild winters on spikes up to 8' tall. Red flowers. Freezes to the ground in hard winters and returns if soil is rich and irrigation regular.
Phormium ‘Shockwave’ Zn8b (15º to 20ºF) Phormiaceae
A very effective phormium with long twisted grassy leaves of deep coppery bronze. To 3' tall forming a clump to 2' wide in rich soil with regular water in summer. Good phormium to mix into a border with ornamental grasses and perennials. Also performs well in a container. Full sun to light shade. Medium growing phormium- but not a dwarf.
Phormium ‘Surfer’ Zn8b (15º to 20ºF) Phormiaceae
A zippy Flax with twisted bronze leaves and a center vein of olive green. To 4' tall and forming a clump as wide. Full sun to light shade in RICH, well drained soil with REGULAR irrigation during summer. Protected location. Freezes to the ground below 15∞F, resprouts from the base in late spring. Good container subject, combines well with Corokia and Black Mondo Grass.
Phormium ‘Yellow Wave’ Zn8b (15º to 20ºF) Phormiaceae
Moderate growing New Zealand Flax with wide arching leaves that are mostly yellow in the center with stipes of Olive green along the edges. To 3' tall and forming a clump as wide. Full sun in RICH soil with REGULAR water during the dry summer months. Phormium that are not irrigated lose roots during the dry months and are not as hardy to cold in the winter. Good, but wide, container plant.
Xera Plants Introduction
Phygelius x ‘Peach Trombone’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Scrophulariaceae
Blush pink/red at the flower base then turning to a nice light yellow as it flares out at the tip, edged in light red. Compact to only 2' tall and forming a clump a little wider. Full sun to very light shade in rich to good soil, water in summer. Prune to the ground in early spring to re-tidy the plant. Blooms from late May to frost. Remove spent flower spikes to encourage more. Our selection from seed. Compact grower.
Phygelius x ‘Salmon Leap’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Scrophulariaceae
'Salmon Leap' produces vivid salmon orange flowers in a stunning display from early summmer until frost. To 3' tall and as wide in average soil, with regular irrigation. Plants may be much larger and spread underground in rich soil May be pruned to the ground in early spring to refresh the plant. Full sun for maximum flowering. Hummingbird heaven. Combines nicely with blue flowers- Agapanthus, Salvias, Cypella coelestis.
Pimelea prostrata Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Thymelaceae
Creeping Riceflower is a dapper tiny evergreen groundcover from cold alpine regions in New Zealand. Less than 2" tall (if ever) it hugs the ground with its silver/gray leaves and in summer tiny fragrant white flowers followed by small white berries. Dense enough to crowd out weeds in a small area, 1' x 1'. Full sun well drained soil, though tolerant of clay. Will drap itself over a wall. Regular water in summer.
Polystichum setiferum ‘Divisilobum’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Dryopteraceae
Soft shield fern is a tough plant with a delicate look. Long, finely segmented fronds emerge grass green and turn darker in summer. Angled leaves rise to 2' tall on a fern that eventually forms large clumps to 3' across. Rich, humusy soil with regular water through the first summer and then amazingly self sufficient. Part shade to shade. Tolerates root competition from trees, shrubs. Not bothered by deer. EVERGREEN.
Polystichum sp. ‘Shiny Holly’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Dryopteraceae
Handsome and brilliant shiny green leaves that are attractive year round make this an instant and then long lived winner in a garden. Excellent in part shade to shade in well drained soil. Established plants are even tolerant of dry shade. Beautiful beneath Rhododendrons with deep brown indumentum. A natural for shady planters. To 18” tall and 30” wide in time. Regular water to establish and speed growth.
Potentilla atrosanguinea ‘Etna’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Rosaceae
An herbaceous perennial Potentilla has lovely silvered leaves and in late spring and into summer smoldering deep red flowers. To 20" tall and forming a patch as wide. Silvery leaves look good all season long. Excellent at the foot of purple leaved shrubs such as barberry and smokebush. Rich soil and regular water in summer are best though it will tolerate less than perfect conditions including heavy clay.
Potentilla gelida Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Rosaceae
WOW! Spectacular foliage. An herbaceous Potentilla from the Himalaya with shockingly silver pinnate leaves. Forms a rosette to 2' wide and in mid summer silvery spires of deep yellow flowers. It is for the foliage though that this plant shines. Literally. Full sun that is well drained, summer water. Best where you can see the entire rosette of leaves. Deciduous. Wonderful in drifts. Excellent with Molinia caerulea 'Variegata'. Thanks, Dan.
Potentilla tonguei Zn4b (-25º to -20ºF) Rosaceae
Excellent little mat forming perennial with handsome leaves and in late spring and early summer an initial burst of 1" amber orange flowers followed by a smattering until frost. The center of the flower is surrounded by darker orange. Tough, permanent and well behaved plant to 4" tall and spreading to 1' x 1' wide in a year. Good soil and adequate drainage. Semi-evergreen. Full sun to light shade.
Primula ‘Gold Laced’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Primulaceae
(Syn. 'Mahogany Sunrise') As if created by a master jeweler the cheery flowers of this primrose begin appearing in late winter and continue through spring. Mahogany flowers with a delicate edge of bright gold and center with a slight hint of green. Dependable perennial. Full sun to light shade and fertile soil. Regular water in summer. Protect from slugs. Awesome with Luzula sylvatica 'Aurea'.
Primula polyanthus ‘Hose in Hose’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Primulaceae
A long-lived perennial Primrose with masses of delicate hose in hose primrose yellow flowers. The double form of the flowers born on 6" long stems give extra substance to the showy flowers. Forms clumps to 18" wide in two years. Blooms late winter to early summer in part shade in rich, moisture retentive soil. Divide in late summer every few years. Grown for over 200 years. A hose in hose primrose primrose.
Pulmonaria ‘Cotton Cool’ Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Boriginaceae
A fresh spring blooming perennial that morphs into a beautiful foliage plant for the rest of the season. Rich blue flowers in April are followed by new leaves that become entirely silver and remain umblemished through the season. To 1' tall and as wide. Evergreen. Combine with Fuchsia magellanica 'Veriscolor' in part shade with regular summer water. Rich soil. Little to no mildew. One of the best perfomers over time in the garden.
Pulmonaria longifolia v. cevennensis Zn4a (-30º to -25ºF) Boriginaceae
A long named and long leaved perennial that is one of the very best Pulmonarias for gardens. Clump forming evergreen to 2' wide and a foot and a half tall with silver splotched long leaves- to 2'! Prolific rich blue flowers in spring and sporadically through summer. NO MILDEW!. Part shade to considerable sun in rich, well drained soil. Cut back old leaves in late winter. Fab. planted under Choisya 'Sundance.' Regular summer water. France.