Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Steroidal Giant’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Araliaceae
Rice paper plant, once thought not to thrive in our climate has made a giant splash in PNW gardens. And when we say Giant SPLASH we’re not kidding. HUGE leaves on this variety can be up to 4’ across. Uh-huh. Advance planning, possibly with an impact statement are required. Close relative of Fatsia japonica. Leaves are more entire though and felted. May be deciduous in winters with temps below 15ºF. Important to establish it early and well the first year. Rich soil and regular summer water. This plant will eventually run to make an impressive jurrassic-like patch. Yay.
Teucrium aroanium Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Lamiaceae
A beautiful creeping germander from the mediteranean that has performed wonderfully in our garden in PDX for several years. To only 4" tall and 1' wide with fine silver leaves and in summer clusters of dark purple and lavender flowers that are very showy. Grows very much like a creeping Thyme, in well drained soil on the lean side. Great on slopes, Blooms late June to October. Aromatic, "fruity" scent. Cut back by 1/3rd in early spring.
Thalictrum delavayi Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Ranunculaceae
The very best Thalictrum? This selection from Dan Hinkley is a tower of grace and beauty. Thick lavender stems rise to 8’ with tiered light blue ‘Maiden Fern-like foliage. In mid summer a fountain of bell shaped lavender flowers erupts off of the top. Each individual flower has a shower of stamens protruding from the base. Part shade in RICH
soil that remains moist. Great for the back of a border. Hazy but floriferous effect. A personal favorite. Completely herbaceous in winter.
Thymus camphorata Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Lamiaceae
One of the MOST aromatic species of Thyme this small shrubby herb is also extremely tolerant of drought. To only 10" tall and as wide it reveals its name when you bruise the leaves to release an almost Eucalyptus-like scent. Full sun and well drained soil. Small lavender/white flowers in mid-spring. Very good container plant. Adds a spicey flavor to cooking. Occasional summer water.
Thymus vulgaris ‘Peter Davis’ Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Lamiaceae
A handsome selection of the common culinary thyme that is most noted for its showy lavender/purple flowers and compact shrubby habit. Airy gray-green foliage dries well in a cool dark place Excellent as a low hedge. Full sun, well drained soil. 8" tall and 14" wide in a year. Evergreen. Nice with other herbs, Hebes and Ericas. Cut back hard to tidy it up after flowering.
Thymus ‘Russetings’ Zn5b (-15º to -10ºF) Lamiaceae
For a really good Thyme, look no further than this new groundcover variety from
The Netherlands. Lusterous shiny evergreen leaves that turn to metallic purple
during the colder months of the year. Profuse purple flowers in June/July. Vigorous and appreciative of average, well drained soil in full sun. The best thyme I've ever had. Let the good thymes grow...heh...ew. :}
Tolmiea menziesii ‘Taff’s Gold’ Zn6a (-10º to -5ºF) Saxafragaceae
An exceptional variegated form of our native "pigaback" plant that is excellent as
a groundcover in dense to light shade. Vigorous and evergreen it will spread to
4' wide in 2 years but stay only 1' tall. Very easy to grow, works well under established Rhododendrons. Pretty, but not conspicuous green flowers. Regular water but will take drought if in the shade. Easy, indispensible native plant. Good in containers.
Trachelium caeruleum Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Campanulaceae
Long known as an EXCELLENT cutflower "Flossflower" is also a very handsome perennial for the late summer border. To about 2' tall and as wide it forms a clump
that sends up umbels of periwinkle blue flowers with a light but delicious fragrance from Mid summer to frost. Full sun, well drained soil, regular water and a warm position with mulch in fall. Spectacular with Yarrow. Big umbels. Big, big umbels of LOVE.
Trachelium caeruleum ‘Dark Purple’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Campanulaceae
A beautiful color form of Flossflower with tones of deep purple and violet. To 20" tall and forming a clump in average well drained soil with occasional summer water. Excellent fragrant cutflower. Dies to the ground completely in winter, emerges in spring. Dark foliage and stems are a bonus. Hardier to cold than listed in literature. Blooms June to frost. Remove spent flowers to encourage more.
Trachelium caeruleum ‘Deep Violet’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Campanulaceae
A spectacular strain of Floss Flower with deep plum flowers. Rich umbels are held atop black stems. LOVELY. Excellent cut flower or short lived perennial. Remove spent flowers to encourage more. Wait until new growth begins in spring to cut back, this improves winter hardiness. Light fragrance. Full sun and well drained soil with regular irrigation. Excellent with Yarrow. Butterfly landing pad.
Tradescantia virginiana ‘Blue and Gold’ Zn4b (-25º to -20ºF) Commelinaceae
So blue, so gold and so incredibly cool is this new twist on an old fashioned and easy to grow perennial. Elegant gold leaves cradle royal blue flowers with a stigma that looks like a little tiny feather boa-absolutely fabulous. Blooms constantly from May until frost. Full sun with light afternoon shade in regular garden soil. Regular water until established. Very easy to grow. To 2' tall forming a clump as wide. DRAMA, people, DRAMA!
Verbascum ‘Plum Smokey’ PP16156 Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Scrophulariaceae
Extraordinary and improved Verbascum with multiple spikes of 1" deep plum flowers that appear for months during the garden season. To only 16" tall these spikes are sturdy and do not require staking. Sterile, which means it will blooms non-stop with no interruption. Full sun and rich well drained soil. Remove spent flower spikes to encourage more. Rich flower color mixes well with apricots and blues.
Verbascum ‘Sierra Sunset’ PP17152 Zn5a (-20º to -15ºF) Scrophulariaceae
Big ruffled apricot and gold flowers on tall spikes makes this one of our favorite new improved Verbascum. To 20" tall it will repeat bloom throughout the season.
Pair this 'Sierra Sunset' with the luscious purple flowers of Salvia n. 'Cardonna' and rich blue of Eryngium x triptipartitum in full sun and rich well drained soil. To 20" wide with a large rosette of handsome gray/green leaves. Good perennial with along season of bloom.
Verbena rigida Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Verbenaceae
A perennial Verbena that produces deep purple flowers from May until frost and
though its only 18" tall, spreads to about 2' wide. Floriferous enough to be used
in seasonal containers or at the front of a hot perennial border. Full sun, well drained soil which will increase cold hardiness. Very good plant for insanely hot and dry places. Deep purple flower color combines well with deep corals and blues.
Viola odorata ‘Alba Plena’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Violaceae
A very old form of Parma Violet with extremely fragrant fully double crisp white flowers on long stems. Not as cold hardy as most violets, in our climate is does great in a sheltered position under shrubs. Rich well drained soil with regular water during hot dry periods. Begins blooming very early, often in late January and continues through June. Excellent for powerfully fragrant small boquets. Pretty with golden leaved perennials.
Viola odorata ‘Duchess du Parme’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Violaceae
Parma violets are the Sicilian version of their mainland European counterparts. Though less hardy to cold they are easily the showiest and most fragrant violets. This classic selection has double violet blue flowers with a white interior. Great under deciduous shrubs or dappled shade- protected spots. Rich soil with occasional summer water. Blooms appear from January through spring. Powerful fragrance. They do not seed.
Watsonia beactricis Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Iridaceae
Seldom seen in the PNW this relation of the Gladiolus is hardy if mulched in the fall. Blooms from June to September. Coral to pink flowers to 30" tall and forming a sizeable clump quickly in deep, rich soil in FULL SUN. Leaves emerge in fall after a summer dormancy. Mulch the base of these leaves. Excellent cutflower when multiple spikes appear after several years. Tolerant of some drought in summer. Leaves go dormant from two different factors, this is important to note. In summer the leaves of Watsonia may disappear in response to extreme drought. This is harmless. Leaves return with fall rains. In the winter temperatures below about 18º will cause the leaves to freeze back. They will regrow after temperatures return to mild conditions. In cold areas they may be planted at the base of a warm wall for added winter protection.
Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Pink Mist’ Zn7a (0º to 5ºF) Araceae
A delicate Pink-throated version of the HARDY Calla Lily. Forming large clumps to 30" tall in part shade to full sun with regular water in rich soil. Flowers appear in midspring and occasionally throughout the growing season. Takes very moist soil and is excellent near or in the shallow end of a pond. Great cutflower. Combines well with Hostas, ferns-bold textured perennials. Semi-deciduous.
Zauschneria or Epilobium? What’s the big deal?
One of our favorite genus of plants in the west, Zauschnerias have recently been changed to Epilobium. Yeah, we’re not havin’ it. I know, I understand WHY they were plunked back there but it seems to go against the gardening grain. For so long they have been Zauschneria. Not only fun to grow but fun to say. Driving along on a canyon road, it’s a lot more fun to scream out “ZAU-SSHHNEER-EE-UH” when you spot a litttle flash of vermillion whiz by. Saying “Epilolobium” sounds more like a quiet burp that requires a tissue. So as gardeners we’re going to continue to say “ZAU-SSHHNEER-EE-UH” and botanists can call them whatever they want. Hummingbirds don’t care- they merely see a vibrant snack.
Zauschnerias have the reputation for being tender to cold or short-lived in gardens. The
reason is that they ADORE good drainage. In the wild they are always found growing through cracks in between rocks- hanging out waiting to be pollinated. In gardens they will live for YEARS if they are planted on a slope, and maybe even between some fashionably placed boulders. Those planted on level ground or in rich soil that holds too much water will often only last a few years. As container plants they are FANTASTIC! One more tip.
The tops of Zauschnerias die back naturally even before a frost. The dead woody stems remain in place and form a kind of netted protection over the top of newly emerging shoots. New shoots begin to appear in mid-winter. If you cut back these dead tops you expose the new shoots to frost. This will often result in death.
So, leave the stems until all danger of a freeze has passed. Even IF it drives you CRAZY!
Zauschneria californica ‘Bowman’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Onagraceae
An upright, shrubby form of California Fuchsia with much thinner leaves. To 2' tall and only 2' wide it displays its tubular hot vermillion orange flowers from late June until frost. Full sun and rich, well drained soil with only occasional summer water. Hummingbird magnet and very tolerant of drought when established. Western native. Plants are brittle, site carefully- "Its all fun and games until someone breaks the Zauschneria!"
Zauschneria californica ‘Calistoga’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Onagraceae
One of the very Best California Fuchsia, this variety may actually be a hybrid. Leaves
are thicker than normal and very gray and very wooly. Flowers are the closest to true red that we have ever seen on a Zauschneria (and we’ve seen a LOT). Low spreading plant to only 1’ tall and up to 2’ wide. Blooms begin in late July and continue unabated until early autumn. Full sun, well drained soil. Water during its first season in the ground, after that it should be fine. GREAT ON SLOPES. Hillsides where you find Zauschneria in the wild are where they should be planted in a garden. On an incline they will live for YEARS, on level ground. They can be very temporary. Cut back in mid-spring AFTER all danger
of frost has passed.
Zauschneria c. ‘Carmen’s Gray’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Onagraceae
Beautiful selection of California Fuchsia with extremely gray foliage that is a dramatic contrast to the hot vermillion/orange flowers that appear in late summer. Full sun in droughty, well drained soil with occasional summer water. Little water when established. Best on a hillside or an incline to improve drainage. Hummingbirds love it. aka. Epilobium. Cut back AFTER growth has started in the spring.
Zauschneria c.’Silver Select’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Onagracee
Like FLAME ON METAL...heh. A lovely silver foliaged selection of the California Fuchsia with bright orange flowers that appear from late June until frost. Full sun and well drained soil with occasional water in summer. Disappears in most winters and returns to form a clump by underground runners, to 20" tall and as wide. Hummingbirds will love you. Great on a sunny hillside. Cut back to new growth in spring.
Zauschneria c. ‘Solidarity Pink’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Onagraceae
Soft baby pink flowers on a perennial usually noted for its hot orange/red flowers. Excellent against the silvery foliage. Full sun to light shade in well drained soil. Tolerant of drought when established, but can take some summmer water. Zauschnerias (aka Epilobium) are brittle and should be located away from paths, romping dogs and drunk guests. To 15" tall and wide. Winter deciduous. Hummingbird candy.
Zauschneria septentrionalis ‘Mattole Select’ Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Onagraceae
A super silvery selection of the Humboldt County Fuchsia with brilliant vermillion/orange flowers. To about 10" tall and spreading to form a clump in full sun and well drained soil. Excellent on south facing banks or in the dry front of a border..between rocks. Little water when established. Deciduous in winter. A lovely west coast native that thrives on neglect. N. California, redwoods baby.
Zauschneria septentrionalis ‘Mattole Select’
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.
Perennials
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