H

Hakonechloa macra HAKONE GRASS low, moderately fast, clumping deciduous grass with thin, arching stems to 12" tall. Graceful, dark green leaves arch over in a very soft manner. They turn dark maroon in late fall before dropping, and the color in this form is more intense than in its much more common variegated sport, ‘Aureola.’ The deciduous period has been very short for us, new growth starts early in the new year. Seed heads are relatively attractive. Full to part sun, average watering, frost hardy. Great in containers. Japan. Graminae/Poaceae. rev 9/2002

‘All Gold’  at Lance's house    leaves close up  the all-gold sport of the most common form, ‘Aureola’ this form offers glowing, pale yellow foliage and exquisitely slow growth. rev 10/2003 
‘Aureola’ GOLDEN HAKONE GRASS  planting     foliage    fall color  much slower growing, with yellow leaves striped with green. To about 30" across by 16" tall. The leaves turn light pink as the plant begins to go dormant. Very bamboo-like, probably the most distinguished variegated small grass. rev 4/2010

Hardenbergia comptoniana   flowers   really closeup  a fast twining evergreen vine with dark green, divided leaves. It produces a massive show of dark violet blue flowers in narrow pendant clusters in late winter and early spring. Showier, faster, more vining, and slightly more tender than the more common H. violacea cultivars. Also reputed to not be as long lived. Sun to part shade, little or no summer watering. Needs good drainage. Damaged below 25°F. Western Australia. Leguminosae/Fabaceae. rev 4/2010

pink  flowers   really closeup  pale pink flowers, same growth habit and characteristics as the more common blue form. MBN INTRODUCTION-1995 rev 4/2010

violacea ‘Alba’ WHITE HARDENBERGIA  flowers  mounding shrub or slow vine with somewhat oval leaves and a heavy show of small, pure white pea flowers in late winter. Sun, little summer watering. Killed or severely damaged by frost below 20°F.

‘Happy Wanderer’  closeup   another closeup   habit more habit   fast vine, or mounding shrub to 3-4’ tall, 10’ wide. Masses of violet purple flowers cover the plant from late October through February or March. Sun to part shade, little or no summer watering. Can be slow to establish in some very dry situations, but is usually fast once its roots are down. In eastern Australia where it is native, it is often encountered growing naturally as a compact, sprawling ground cover on bare road cuts. Undamaged at 25°F, it suffered enough damage at 20°F that some plants didn't survive. Phosphate sensitive. UC Santa Cruz.
rosea  closeup   slightly rounder leaves and a more compact habit. Flowers are light pink, with slight salmon overtones.
'White Out'  fast vining habit, as opposed to the bushy, compact form on the older 'Alba.' A great companion to 'Happy Wanderer.'  rev 11/2008

Hebe  daughter of Zeus and Hera, the goddess of youth, wife of Hercules. I'll bet you didn't know almost any of that. Evergreen shrubs and subshrubs, formerly important stalwarts in California landscaping but now essentially extirpated due to the introduction of Fusarium oxysporum v. hebei, which persists in soils for years and induces systemic infections which ravage landscapes and commercial crops. By the early 1990's they had essentially left the commercial trade in California. In Oregon and Washington however they do not seem as affected by that disease. And you still see relictual individuals throughout California, existing in soils still free of the disease. They were reevaluated in the Willamette Valley and broadly reintroduced in the Portland-Seattle area recently following an extensive and extremely valuable hardiness, drought, and disease resistance field trial conducted by Neil Bell of Oregon State University. They now serve quite effectively again in California, as short term flowering color items, and even better as foliage color/texture elements in single or mixed containers.They break into three basic groups: those with big leaves and showy, large flower spikes, those with tight, dense, box-like foliage in grey or green, and the whipcord types with minute, scale like leaves and stringy branches. Plan on using the bigger, softer kinds strictly in that container capacity in California since the limiting disease is so extensively and permanently entrenched here in nurseries and gardens. Some of the smaller leaved types can be more resistant may be tested in the ground but don't come crying to us if they die. You have been forewarned! New Zealand. Scrophulariaceae. rev 3/2010

andersonii 'Variegata'  VARIEGATED HEBE  blooming, mature foliage  a low evergreen shrub to about 30" tall, bearing short spikes of violet purple flowers in late winter and spring. Jade green leaves are splashed with creamy white along the margins, and are half-mixed across most of the rest of the leaf. Juvenile foliage is longer, narrower, greener, and with longer internodes. Stems are light reddish brown and provide some contrast. This is a cute foliage or container plant, useful for its excellent tone of green in the foliage as well as its variegation, as a focal point, contrast, or background plant. This is actually H. "x" andersonii, the "x" indicating that this is an artificial, hybrid "species," but the "x" just makes the name cumbersome for listing, labeling and organizing purposes so we don't use it. Sunset zones 5-9, 14-24/USDA zone 8. rev 2/2010 *NEW for 2010!*

buchananii 'Minor'  tight foliage   a miniature box-leaved species, with tight, dense blue grey foliage, each leaf edge neatly lined with burgundy during the cool season, on branches to about 4-5" tall, and spreading to about a foot. Reportedly shy-blooming, with white flowers on short spikes. This is classically a rock garden subject, for those who delight in growing plants in stone sinks filled with crushed granite and watering twice a day. But it has found new life as a simple container or even better, combo element plant. It is rather adaptable in typical UC-type mixes (bark/sand, some perlite, etc.) and especially clay pots where excess moisture is wicked away and evaporated by the container itself. Use it for its tight, regular blue grey leaves and perfectly opposite leaf/branching habit. This is probably frost hardy for all but the very Highest Sierras and will certainly sulk or die under desert conditions as well. Sunset zones 4-9, 14-17, 21-24/ USDA zone 7. rev 3/2010 *NEW for 2010!*

evenosa  leaf habit   a compact, green, box-foliage type, rather slow growing, with short, loose spikes of white flowers in late spring and summer. To about 2-3' tall and wide. Provides very nice color and texture in containers and mixed plantings. It is frost hardy enough to be raised in Portland and even the Seattle area. Sunset zones 4-9, 14-17, 21-24/ USDA zone 7. rev 3/2010 *NEW for 2010!*

'Karo Golden Esk'  new plant   weird name, no? It has golden chartreuse foliage and minute, cypress-like leaves. Call this an open whipcord type. It is very winter hardy for a Hebe. According to the Hebe Society, it was discovered near the Esk River, is thought to be a natural hybrid between H. odora and H. armstrongii, and "karo" means "known and recorded origin." To about 18-20" tall and wide, flat topped, more golden colored in winter. The RHS gave it an Award of Garden Merit and they don't give those out freely. This is primarily suited to small spaces, and especially as a container subject, either by itself or combined. Sunset zones 6-7, 15-17, 21-24 / USDA 7b-9. rev 2/2010 *NEW for 2010!*

'Red Edge'   red edge   an evergreen shrub with greenish-grey foliage and a thin red edge around each leaf. Low and rounded, to  about 2' tall and 2-3' wide. Blooms in summer with spikes of lilac flowers fading to white. This would be nice up close so you could appreciate the 'just so' stacking of the leaves, like in a pot by the patio table, with a small dark groundcover under it. Sun or part shade. Likes well-drained soil and regular water. Zones 5-7,14-24, USDA 7. rev 7/2010  *NEW for 2010!*

venustula  nice foliage effect   an open to moderately open sub-shrub, reaching just 24-30" in height, that you want to grow for its amazingly regular, book-like foliage. The stems tend to show a wonderful monopodal growth pattern. Flowers are small, pale lilac blue, and make a nice show in spring. In nature it tends to grow on slopes so make sure it has good drainage. It is a great foliage element for combinations. I have seen this doing well at Neil Bell's OSU Hebe trial in the Williamete Valley. Zones 7, 14-24/USDA 8. rev 6/2010 *NEW for 2010!*

Hedera helix ‘Gold Heart’   juvenile leaves close up  a rather slow ornamental miniature English Ivy, this one with rounded, often heart shaped leaves that have deep golden centers. It never has the vigor of the larger or all-green varieties, tending to grow with a light, open, sparsely branched structure. It is at its best against a wall, used for its contrasting colors. In more shade, leaves tend more toward the traditional, pointed-lobe shape, the color becomes ivory white, and the pattern becomes more irregular. Shade to part sun, infrequent watering when established. Appreciates good drainage, and of course, great in containers or as a house or patio plant. Araliaceae. Europe. rev 9/2002

'Gold Nugget'  at Sean Hogan's house, Portland    leaves close up    I like this form very much. It is, like 'Goldheart,' a cut above your run-of-the-mill specialty English Ivy. It is easy to place in the landscape, always looks good, and grows well. Part sun to full shade, average watering/soil. Sunset zones 5-9, 14-24/USDA zone 7.  rev 7/2010 *NEW for 2010!*

Hedychium FLOWERING GINGER   dramatic, tropical foliage   a clumping, slowly spreading, rhizomatous herb with cane-like stems ranging from 4-9' and wonderful, tropical appearing foliage. The wonderful thing about most gingers and ginger relatives (Kaempferia, Curcuma, Alpinia, Costus, etc.) is that they are effective and wonderful to look at even when they aren't in bloom. The flowers are an added bonus. Like almost all varieties we plan to offer, this one can take winters to USDA zone7- 8/Sunset zone 8 (Portland, Central Valley) because they just go deciduous with hard frost. Large, terminal, cone-like buds produce usually large, stunning flowers which appear in late summer to fall in coastal areas, mid to late summer in warmer zones. Taller in warmer climates, they are best everywhere in full sun to part shade and rich soil with regular watering and fertilizing. In cool areas give all these varieties at least half a day of direct sunlight or they will be inclined to grow very slowly and bloom very late. Hedychiums actually have three sepals and three petals, but the flowers are symmetrical because one very showy petal has become enlarged and is split at the base. The sepals are usually very spidery and delicate. Hummingbirds love visiting all Hedychiums for their heavy nectar production. All make outstanding container plants except young nursery container plants often do not bloom. Himalayas, Southeast Asia. Zingiberaceae. rev 2/2004

‘Anne Bishop’   flowers   this variety makes the A Team because of its compact, 4-5' tall form and robust nature. Dark golden orange yellow flowers reliably appear on somewhat open spikes in late summer. Stamens are orange red, flowers have a heavy, wonderful citrus fragrance. Like many of the more open-spiked gingers, this one has a very orchid-like appearance. Foliage quality is excellent, with broad, dark olive green leaves that are neatly tiered on the canes, which makes it a pleasure to garden with because it looks good all year. Frost hardy to around USDA zone 8/Sunset zone 8. rev 10/2007

coronarium ‘White Butterfly’ WHITE GINGER   flowers   the cultivar name may just be a common name, since it seems to be referred to as “White Butterfly Ginger” in some regions, especially the South. This is the famous and greatly loved White Ginger, probably its more common name, familiar to all those who have visited tropical regions the world over. It is actually quite frost hardy and is known to grow happily in regions as cold as the Columbia River region east of Portland, Oregon. It is a late summer bloomer in most regions, an early to mid fall bloomer along the cool Central California coast. Its broad, compact foliage tends to be light green, plants get about 4' high in our area but may get to 5' in warmer regions. It has broad, creamy white petals and a central yellow blotch, making the individual flowers resemble white azaleas to some degree. It has a justly renowned, heavy, gardenia-like fragrance which rolls off the flower clusters and is powerful enough to scent a yard. Make sure this one is near a path, window, door or entry! Sunset zones 5, 8-9, 14-24/ USDA zone 8 or 7. rev 4/2003

‘Dr. Moy’   flowers   a variegated species to about 5-6' tall, with dark green leaves that are finely streaked and splashed with white. The leaves are dark green and rather compact, the variegation pattern is subtle and rarely becomes strongly patterned. Terminal flower clusters, to 4-6' tall, develop very late in the year, early fall for us, and are light golden orange and highly fragrant, enough to be noticed well away from the plant. To me the scent falls somewhere between Early Grey tea and gardenia. Rare. rev 11/2004

flavum YELLOW GINGER   heavily scented flower spike    tropical foliage    showy seed pods   confused with H. flavescens, a more tropical, glossier leaved species with darker yellow flowers. Sometimes listed as a variety of H. coronarium. To me this species does everything that the well known and common Kahlili Ginger (H. gardnerianum) does and more. It bears pale pastel yellow flowers which are quite large. It forms large, showy terminal clusters from mid summer to late fall. The highly fragrant flowers can be detected well away from the plant and have a heavy gardenia/honeysuckle scent very close to that of White Ginger. It has clean, superior foliage, medium olive green leaves that are broad and lush. It usually blooms for me at 4-5' in part shade in late summer but I have seen it blooming two months earlier at a nearby site with a full southern exposure. It makes an excellent cut flower except it will drip sweet nectar. And because of that nectar it attracts hummingbirds. This species has seeded itself all over the Hawaiian Islands, to the extent that visitors assume it is native. rev 8/2005 

gardnerianum KAHLILI GINGER   in bloom   to about 4-5', with attractively wide, dark green leaves. Light yellow flower clusters have contrasting dark orange red styles and are moderately fragrant with a lemony-gardenia scent, bloom usually occurs in late summer on canes produced that year. It is reliably hardy, and plants simply go deciduous with hard freezes, so it can be raised as far north as USDA zone 8 or possibly even colder. This is the most commonly encountered ginger in California and it has been raised here for years. It is often found as untended groves against old homes. Sunset zones 5, 8-9, 14-24. rev 3/2005 

‘Luna Moth’   flowers   mostly just for foliage   spidery, white, moth-like flowers open intermittently on the sparse, loose spikes. The flowers are held on long peduncles (flower stems) and have extended orange stigmas. Very orchid-like, and most attractive because of its sparse inflorescence. Sometimes described as a variant of H. coronarium (White Ginger), it may well be since it has the same wonderful, heavy, sultry, thick, gardenia-like fragrance. A late bloomer for us, with flowers usually appearing in September, just like H. coronarium. It has the advantage of having a long bloom season due to its habit of only opening one or two flowers at a time. I really like this variety not only because it looks so tropical and exotic but because the foliage is very effective whether it is in bloom or not. It has great presentation. The very long, lush, dark green leaves tend to cluster towards the top of the cane and frame and subtend the flower clusters, overall height is only about 4', and it is robust and resists falling. This is a great overall landscape and garden plant. rev 4/2010

Helianthemum nummularium    SUNROSE    creeping woody perennials related to Cistus (Rockrose), usually growing to 6-8" tall by 2-4’ wide. Flowers range in color from dark red through pink, yellow, and white, all with small yellow stamens at the center. Need sun to part shade, average to occasional summer watering, average to good drainage. Frost hardy. Mediterranean. Cistaceae. rev 4/2008

'Ben Nevis'  flowers   a rich orange, with red orange eye. Green leaves. rev 7/2009
'Dazzler'  closeup   a "black" red, dark enough that the petal tissue of older flowers can die under hot, full sun conditions. The intense red makes the bright yellow stamens in the center a worthwhile feature. A great color, fun to site in your garden. rev 4/2008 
'Henfield Brilliant'  flowers    brilliant orange red against grey. rev 4/2010
'Wisley Pink'    closeup    clear pink flowers against grey, tomentose foliage. rev 4/2008
'Wisley Primrose'    closeup    more flowers    clear dark yellow flowers, grey foliage. rev 4/2008

Heliconia schiedeana ‘Fire and Ice’   flower spike   Richard Josephson's yard    Adventureland Jungle Cruise   plants in this genus are Bird of Paradise relatives grown for dramatic foliage and tropical flowers, usually highly colored, large, and in a zig zag pattern. the best cool growing Heliconia currently in the trade, and the hardiest. It survived the impressive 1998 freeze in Santa Cruz (five nights at an honest 25°F), and foliage can take 28°F for short periods without damage. It has large, luxuriant, oval, rich emerald green leaves to almost three feet long and 9" wide under the best conditions (warm, moist, nice rich soil) and can reach over 5' tall. It forms a spreading clump and can make an impressive bank of neatly arranged, arching, pendant leaves. Flowers are very conspicuous, bright yellow against deep red stalks, in typical zig zag clusters about 12-18" above the leaves instead of hanging pendantly beneath the foliage like many other species. Since they are terminally produced late in fall on second year stalks, if the stalks burn down with frost in either year you aren't going to see flowers. You will still have one of the best tropical foliage plants around, though. Use this plant as a bold focal point subject or as a background “tropical jungle” filler. Takes full sun along the coast, but will grow in much shade and needs at least some in hot, scorching inland areas. Doesn't seem to get wind-shredded leaves like many other relatives, but they will be at their best with at least some protection. Roots may survive down near 20°F and will take USDA zone 8b most years. Likes rich soil and regular watering. Eastern Mexico. Classified variously as Heliconiaceae, Strelitziaceae, or Musaceae, depending on your preference. rev 4/2005

Helictotrichon sempervirens BLUE OAT GRASS   habit   groundcover   evergreen bunchgrass to 24-30" tall, 36" wide. Blades are narrow, blue grey with powdery white bloom. Older leaves turn straw yellow in winter. Bold, dependable, large scale ornamental grass, one of the best and most popular varieties. As far as I can tell the variety 'Sapphire' is identical in appearance and growth to the unnamed trade "species" form, at least in California. In the Northwest plant enthusiasts insist it is superior. Sun, little summer watering, frost hardy. Europe. Graminae/Poaceae. rev 4/2005

Heliotropium arborescens ‘Fragrant Delight’ HELIOTROPE   flowers closeup   habit   we are now growing this variety instead of our previous form, ‘Black Beauty,’ because it has the same fragrance but a much better growth habit. Its flowers are slightly lighter purple. It is an evergreen to deciduous perennial to 3’ tall grown for its pleasantly vanilla-like fragrant purple flowers, which are held in large, flat clusters for most of the year. Sun to part shade, average watering. Excellent in containers. Freezes to the ground at 25°F. Peru. Boraginaceae. rev 10/2003

Helleborus CHRISTMAS ROSE, LENTEN ROSE evergreen to deciduous perennials.  Europe, Asia, Mediterranean.  Ranunculaceae.

'Ivory Prince'   flowers and buds   nice container, older flowers   marbled, glaucous grey green leaves, dark wine red petioles and stems, compact habit, ruddy wine red buds opening to white then greenish white flowers. Plants are more robust in their second and subsequent years, and flower stalks will eventually reach to 12-18". This is a distinctive plant and worth having around for its foliage alone. rev 1/2010 

lividus 'Pink Marble'   young blooming plant   a caulescent species (forms a trunk) similar to H. argutifolius but with variegated foliage and smaller, tinted flowers. This form has coral pink tinted buds, stems, and petioles, deep green leaves with a glaucous cast, and a compact habit to a little over a foot tall. Sunset zones 5-9, 14-24/USDA zone 8. Majorca. rev 1/2008

niger HGC   a series of hybrid selections. What is impressive is that they actually get enough vernalization here, unlike most H. niger seedlings. The flowers are large and early (winter), foliage is dark green and compact, habit is low. 

'Joseph'    flowering   pure white, aging to deep coral pink.  rev 1/2010

orientalis LENTEN ROSE   habit   closeup   another color   another color   another color   clumping deciduous perennial bears palmate, dark green leaves to 24" tall, with white to burgundy flowers, usually spotted, to 1 1/2" across in late winter or spring. Part shade to shade, average to little summer watering. Asia Minor.

Blue Lady  closeup  a seed strain, featuring deep, smoky, black-purple flowers. rev 6/2005
Double Queen Mix    double and semidouble flowers, all the hottest rage right now. A mixed range of colors. Typical conditions.  rev 7/2010 *NEW for 2010!*
Pink Lady  closeup   another   another   darker light clear pink through deep rose, salmon, and almost red
Red Lady  closeup  another seed strain, this one with deep intense ruby burgundy. rev 6/2005
White Lady   flowers   blush to pastel pink buds open to white flowers.  rev 2/2008
White Lady Spotted  flowers   another form   another form   white, lightly spotted to completely blotched with dark maroon. rev 4/2010
Yellow Lady   flowers   very pale pastel yellow buds open to white flowers.  rev 3/2008
Royal Heritage  a strain of widely mixed colors, from black reds through pinks, whites, greens, and spotted forms. rev 8/2008

sternii blooming, closeup   habit   leaf and stem detail  also listed as "x sternii," a hybrid of the silvery H. argutifolius with the reddish toned H. lividus. Grown for its burgundy tinted stems and leaf margins and reddish flowers.

Hemerocallis hybrids DAYLILY tough deciduous or evergreen rhizomatous plants for sun or mostly shade, often needing little summer watering. They often form large clumps, and can be used as a large scale groundcover. Colors range from yellow and orange through chartreuse, white, pink, lavender, burgundy maroon, purple, and red. While they are raised from Maine (some varieties) to Florida, and Seattle to San Diego, in the end daylilies like warm days. They also like warm nights, or at least evenings. Performance in cool coastal areas or other regions lacking summer heat will be poorer than in those areas with a more continental climate. Sunset zones 1-24. Mediterranean. Liliaceae. rev 3/2003

    Daylily petal color is determined by several factors present before the flower opens. The best daylily colors come with cooler daytime temperatures, night temperatures above 60°F, and relatively high humidity. Soil temperature also seems to be important. Plants in containers, especially in warmer areas, can be expected to be more melon-toned than when in the ground. Temperatures warmer or cooler than optimum will produce paler, colors. Delicate "watermarkings" on the petals may be lost except under ideal growing conditions. Just as importantly, high pH can affect colors, so soil pH above 6-6.5 will also result in some pinks and lavenders washing out to melon or orange. We have noticed that plants in the ground can have flowers twice the size of what is seen in containers, so expect flower size to increase substantially after the plant is established.

    Daylily breeders have made great strides in improving flower shape, color, substance, vigor and compactness. We have been continually upgrading our daylily varieties the last three years, and now carry almost exclusively varieties that rebloom well here. Below are most of the varieties we expect to have this year:

DECIDUOUS:

‘Gentle Shepherd’   closeup   lots of flowers  the best “white” daylily. To 30" tall. Great summer bloomer too. rev 7/2007
‘Magic Masquerade’  flowers  best dark eyed ‘Stella d'Oro’ type available, but a larger and more vigorous grower, to 2’ tall. Often semievergreen, usually very heavy blooming. Excellent.
‘Outrageous’  flower  a large, striking, intense orange with a dark zone in the center. Good summer rebloom. rev 7/2007
‘Play Money’  flower  a small to miniature variety, somewhat like ‘Stella d'Oro’ but faster growing and more floriferous. Deep golden yellow flowers to 3" across are profusely produced through the growing season.
‘Purple Rain’  flowers  bright purple flowers to 3" with a darker central zone, to about 12" tall. Long season of color. rev 7/2007
‘Siloam Shocker’  closeup  a deciduous variety with light buff flowers to 3 1/2" across, accented with a dark raspberry central zone and a green throat. Petals are nicely ruffled. A compact grower to no more than 2' tall and a heavy bloomer. rev 5/2005

EVERGREEN:

'Baby Darling'   closeup   "purple" flowers (deep burgundy rose, darker in warm-summer climates) with a darker central zone. Small stature, evergreen, repeat bloom, to just 18" tall. Cute! rev 8/2010 *NEW for 2010!*
'Big Gold'  flower  unnamed seedling, bears golden orange flowers to 6" wide with thick, durable petals. Reblooms. rev 7/2007
‘Coming Up Roses’  flowers  ruffled rose pink flowers to 3 1/2", up to 25 buds, rebloomer. To 30". Strong summer rebloomer. rev 7/2007
‘Cranberry Baby’  flowers  semievergreen mini to 12". Bears ruffled cranberry pink flowers with a darker eye, to 3". Extended bloom,
‘Crystal Cupid’  flowers  mini, growing to 14" tall. Bears lemon yellow flowers to 2" across.
‘Loving Memory’    flower    a "white" variety, with large, pale yellow flowers. Everblooming. 
'Mini Pearl'   melon pink flowers with a yellow throat. Small stature, evergreen, repeat bloom, to just 16-18" tall. rev 8/2010 *NEW for 2010!*
‘Scarlet Orbit’  flower  brilliant red flowers to 6" wide, rebloomer. To 22".
‘Selma Timmons’  closeup  full, broad, heavy textured, apricot orange petals, with a narrow pink central stripe on each, and a heavily beaded, frilled edge. About 18" tall, evergreen, early to midseason plus it reblooms, flowers to about 4 1/2" across. Excellent!
'Stella Bella'  flower  an evergreen version of 'Stella d'Oro,' itself a great variety that isn't quite as great in California. This one does better, has nice dark green foliage, is evergreen below freezing, and has deep yellow to gold flowers to about 2" across on a  plant less than 12" tall. rev 9/2009 *NEW for 2010!*
'Strawberry Pudding'  closeup  compact, bright pink, with a yellow eye.  rev 7/2006
'Sunkissed Pink Lemonade' deep rose pink, darker zone surrounds yellow eye. Compact, repeat blooming. rev 7/2006
'Tiger Time' PP 12,445   closeup  3" orange flowers with a distinctive reddish zoning in the center, up to 35 buds per scape and self cleaning. Foliage is very rust resistant. To 3'. rev 6/2005
 Yellow with Eye  flower  unnamed semievergreen seedling has large yellow flowers with a violet red eye.

Hemionitis arifolia  fronds  a charming little subtropical evergreen fern that bears large, hear-shaped fronds to about 4" long on hard, black petioles. To just about 4-6" tall and wide, it prefers small containers and spaces and neutral to alkaline soils. It will form babies on the leaf veins with age. Fertile fronds are longer than sterile fronds and slightlydimporphic. Southeast Asia. Polypodiacea. Protect from frost until further notice. rev 10/2007 

Hesperaloe parviflora RED YUCCA  young plant   flowers  not a yucca, but looks like one, and the narrow flowers are indeed light red. Forms a clump, to about 3' tall and wide, of V shaped blue green leaves to about 1" thick. The leaf margins have attractive, curly white fibers which erode from the edges but remain attached. A central flower stalk, to 4-5' tall, appears in summer. Generally somewhat sparse and open, but that is part of the attraction. Seems to grow well in cool climates but it is slow. Does very well in very hot, desert-like conditions. Good drainage needed. Great in containers. U.S. Southwest. Agavaceae. rev 1/2008

Heuchera compact clumping perennials used singly, as edging, or massed for flower show or more recently stunning foliage. All are probably best in at least part shade with good drainage. All are good in containers, and some of the foliage varieties make for some of the best mixed planters. All are very hardy, USDA zones 4 and up. Most need some kind of strong vernalization or they decline within a year or two. Saxifragaceae. rev 2/2003

'Amethyst Mist' foliage  dark burgundy heavily laced with silver. Tiny pink flowers in  late spring. Persistent. rev 4/2010
'Caramel'   foliage  a warm tawny orange-amber, best in part shade. Stronger and more persistent than previous selections in this color range. rev 5/2008 
‘Crimson Curls’ PP13729  leaves  a very popular variety, with large, crinkly, maroon purple leaves with finely curled edges. Flowers are white against stems the same color as the leaves. Takes sun well. Can form dense clumps to over 2' across. This is probably the most persistent of all the foliage type Coral Bells and is a reliable perennial even in mild winter climates. rev 12/2004.
'Pinot Noir'   leaves   silver green leaves form a backdrop for bronze maroon new growth that is flushed with silver. Small white flowers make an airy show above in spring and early summer. rev 4/2008 
'Pistache' PP19585   foliage  light green leaves age to light yellow then tawny pink with cool weather. Tiny flowers are white. rev 4/2010 
‘Plum Pudding’  foliage detail  plum purple leaves the color of pudding, with a violet overlay. Overall, this one has a dark maroon or burgundy color, especially in the sun. Good vigor. Moderately cut and frilled leaf margin. rev 5/2007
'Snow Angel'   at Cistus Nursery   leaves   winter leaves   flowers   leaves speckled to heavily marbled with ivory white. Bright red flowers above. Smaller scale, less vigorous. But dependably perennial especially with a nice, proper winter. rev 4/2010
‘Stormy Seas’  foliage detail   humble, airy flowers  another large, vigorous, dependable grower, this variety has deep violet burgundy foliage, aging to dark bronzy green with ashy grey and a rosy violet cast. The undersides are bright burgundy violet. The leaves tend to angle towards the sun, so in fall, winter and spring this variety exhibits substantial color from light passing through the leaf and illuminating the underside. Nicely cut foliage too! The flowers are totally petalless, white and green, against dark maroon stalks that are quite robust and can reach 3'. rev 8/02
‘Velvet Night’  foliage close up   border  deep, smoky, ash grey with rosy tones, deep violet purple undersides, a flat finish to the upper leaf surface, and a low, spreading, compact habit. The darkest of cultivars, or so they say. Flowers are whitish and particularly inconspicuous. You just want this one for its leaves. Vigorous, persistent, dependable. rev 1/2003

Hibanobambusa tranquillans 'Shiroshima'  foliage detail    Yacht Harbor containers  the only species in the genus, it was found on Mt. Hibano and is supposed to be a hybrid of Phyllostachys nigra 'Henon' and Sasa veitchii tyugokensis. This named strain is the variegated form and grows as a moderately vigorous runner to about 16' tall, with stems to 1 1/4" thick, and large, 10" long dark green leaves strongly striped ivory white. It makes a great container plant and is especially striking against a dark wall or aged wood. Hardy to 0°F. rev 6/2004 

Himalayacalamus a genus of cool growing, clumping bamboos native to Asia. Many are fine textured and offer wonderfully colored culms. 
Graminae/Poaceae. rev 12/2009 

falconerii ‘Damarapa’ CANDY STRIPE BAMBOO  striped stems    at Strybing    at Blue Bamboo Nursery, summer  a wonderful, lush, fast growing clumping variety to 12-20' tall, with 1" culms. The new culms emerge deep coral pink and age to bright green with tawny yellow stripes. This variety is very similar in superficial appearance to Bambusa multiplex ‘Alphonse Karr,’ but that variety has conspicuously bluish leaf undersides, is not as rich a color when emerging, likes more sun, and has a darker green mature leaf color. In addition, the leaves often show a faint, broad silvery streak in the center of the upper surface as well as occasional fine white lines. This species is also even faster, and quickly fills in spaces and reaches to its mature height given enough light, water, and fertilizer. Its dense billows of soft foliage are particularly pleasing against its striped stems, and it makes a full container plant if you can give it enough water, better than most other bamboos. It likes at least part shade and does well in bright indirect light, but it will suffer in dark shade. It tends to bleach in full, hot sun or where it has reflected light. Give it average to rich soil, at least some summer watering, and high-nitrogen feeding if its leaf color or vigor are not to your liking. Remember, this is really just another giant grass so feed accordingly! This species was misidentified and formerly offered for sale in this country as Drepanostachyum hookerianum. Its young shoots are edible. Listed as frost hardy to 15°F, so it may be worth a try up to USDA zone 8/Sunset zone 5. Consider it reliable from Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24. Find more info on bamboo in general here. Himalayas. rev 12/2009 

hookerianum ‘Teague's Blue’ BLUE BAMBOO  most of why you grow it    more stems    winter stems   young plant at Blue Bamboo Nursery    lower Eastside    real, true 'Teague's Blue,' the real deal, direct from Chris Stapleton. If it's good enough for Chris, it's good enough for us. However I still believe most of the color differences seen from plant to plant relate to climate and soil, with better color and foliage in richer, moister soils in cooler, more humid Northern California. This is a fast, stiffly upright, narrow grower to 15-30', with long graceful leaves, and dense stems to about 1" thick. With age it can form rather large, imposing clumps. Most mature plantings I know of have been hacked back at some point as they outgrow the usually too-small original planting space. The new culms emerge a wonderful powdery, almost turquoise blue color, with lavender tones thrown in. It is this unusually beautiful color that makes this bamboo so desirable and highly sought after. It prominently retains its culm sheathes until the joints produce a cluster of branchlets, when it is pushed off. With age the culms lighten to pale olive green to blonde, with red or maroon colors after they ahve been exposed to cold. Another nice feature is its foliage, which besides being naturally very dark blue green often has silvery markings on the upper leaf surfaces. The leaves are also quite willing to move with the direction of the prevailing breeze, and tend to hang loosely, parallel with the ground, as opposed to being held stiffly  in species such as Phyllostachys aurea. They go with the flow. Full sun to part shade, average watering, at least average drainage, should take frost to a little below 20°F. It is markedly faster and larger in rich, moist, deep soils than in mineral, dry or nutrien-deficient soils. It certainly appreciates top mulch. In its native range the mature culms are used for production of woven or thatched products. Sunset zones 5-9, 14-24/USDA zone 8a. Native to high elevations in the Himalayas. rev 7/2009

Hoffmania refulgens  leaves  I'm sorry, I couldn't resist trying this. I saw this amazing plant at a tropical foliage trade show in Florida last year and I just had to give it a shot. This is a giant, soft-leaved, tropical-looking thing with incredible color and texture. It is very dark olive green with a silvery iridescence and a deep burgundy reverse, silvery veins, and leaves that reach over 10" long in strong light, and probably much more in shadier conditions. The surprising thing to me is that candidates like this usually just up and die, even in summer, because anything this tropical looking can't take our cool to cold nights, even during the growing season. However this plant has just thrived, putting on growth quickly, and demanding more space, and generally proving it worth trying for anyone obsessed with foliage plants who is either mild enough or willing to give it extra protection. It just can't be very hardy, given its texture (very soft, somewhat succulent), heritage (same family as coffee and gardenia), and origin (tropical Mexico). But it looks so far like a good cool grower. It has handled cold winter nights very well, burning up with any direct frost like any other sensible tropical plant, but continuing to grow well and stay healthy even though I put it out naked and alone on the cement driveway with temps down to (and below!) 32F. The soil temperature must have been in the low thirties but there has been no evidence of root loss or rot, and it continues to grow. That is a very, very good sign. It should do well anywhere in Southern California that isn't too sunny, and where it doesn't get cold regularly, or as a somewhat protected landscape foliage plant in coastal or Central California, and as a seasonal, container, patio, or indoor/outdoor plant anywhere. I'm guessing about 24-30" tall and I haven't seen the flowers. So far the snails have left it alone. Sunset zones 9, 15-17, 21-24/USDA zone 9-10.Rubiaceae. rev 5/2010 

Holcus lanatus 'Jackdaw's Cream' VARIEGATED VELVET GRASS  nursery plants  fine, low, velvety foliage is striped with creamy white. Likes sun (cool areas) to part shade, regular watering. Frost hardy but deciduous. rev 11/2006 

Hosta clumping winter deciduous perennials with large, broad leaves. Hosta varieties are somewhat confused in the trade as far as actual species designation, and correct classification is still being worked out for many. Hostas need part shade to shade, with good drainage, rich soil, and regular watering until established. They are considered durable, tough, drought tolerant plants back East when established, which for California means “reasonably drought tolerant.” They are all very frost hardy, and many perform best with a strong winter chill. Some varieties (none we grow, as far as we can tell) appear to even decline quickly in the absence of strong vernalization such as you would receive in northern states. Most don't need those huge amounts, however, and in most cases the only result of less than desired vernalization is smaller scale plants than you would see in colder areas such as Portland or back East. Usually you can provide quite a bit of necessary winter chill by simply siting where their planting site will be well shaded in winter and hence protected from ground-warming and chill-negating winter sun.

     Other varieties appear to be partially summer dormant, growing during spring and staying evergreen during the heat of summer but shutting down active growth. Recent research has also revealed that many other varieties are the opposite, that is they are obligate very long day plants - they will flower and partially leaf out once chill requirements have been met, but also will fail to put on real growth until days are longer than 14 hours, leaving them easy targets for the slimy hordes of grazing snails and slugs. Others are simple long day growers, meaning they go into active vigorous growth around March 7-15, when sensed daylength is longer than nights. Overall, you are just going to have to accept that in California, with our shorter daylength, and shorter number of very long days, and much lower relative humidity, and generally lower vernalization, that your Hostas are NOT going to look like they do in Ohio or Portland, where they grow huge leaves and get big enough that you could hide in them. They can still be very nice border perennials and striking container plants but they will do it at a smaller scale.

     Failure to control snails seems be THE major reason for their failure to survive in gardens here. They need reliable snail and slug control, which can be as thorough and permanent as a copper barrier or as easy and intermittent as a ring of Deadline every month or so when they are in leaf. For good control try using iron phosphate baits combined with a tic-tac-toe pattern of Deadline striped throughout your garden, especially any areas that show baby snails in spring and fall (indicating egg-laying areas). If you are in cool, foggy areas follow up with stomping because under moist conditions snails and slugs will actually metabolize the poison and just crawl away to graze another day.

     The general rule for how to site the varieties is somewhat opposite of what you would expect: Chartreuse, gold, and variegated forms will take more sun (some full sun), the blues and dark greens generally burn and want the most shade. China, Korea, Japan. Liliaceae. rev 12/2004

‘August Moon’  \  leaves   veined, textured, heavy leaves are crinkly and puckered, emerge light blue green then age to gold (chartreuse in deep shade). To 2-3' across, a foot or so tall, and takes quite a bit of sun. Flower are white blushed lavender, late summer to early fall boom. Vigorous, easy. rev 2/2003
‘Blue Angel’   leaves   another that could be called “the very best blue,” with powder-coated foliage forming a very large mound or dome to 3-6' across by 1-2' tall. (Expect the lower range at best in most of California.) Very pale lavender flowers are held on 3' spikes in summer. This one wants shade. rev 2/2003
'Christmas Tree' young leaf   a nice, ripply, dark green, heart-shaped leaf with a whitish margin and lavender flowers. The origin of the varietal name is unclear. To about 3' wide (under perfect conditions!!) by about 20" tall, excluding flowers. rev 4/2010 *NEW for 2010!*
'Elvis Lives'  young plants   wavy blue leaves, large size, lavender flowers in summer. rev 5/2006
'Fragrant Bouquet' yes, truly fragrant, smells like Easter Lilies. Leaves are wide, medium to golden green, and with a creamy margin. Flowers are rather large and showy, and petals spread well, color is soft lavender. A heavy bloomer too. rev 8/2006
‘Francee’   leaves   a H. fortunei type with deep green leaves are irregularly margined with clean white, with some jade green overlay at the separation. Flowers are light lavender in summer. A medium size grower to 2-3' across by 12" tall. Striking and very popular. rev 2/2003
‘Frances Williams’   leaves   habit   very wide, heavily veined, quilted, corrugated and puckered blue green leaves with a pale gold to chartreuse margin. Can reach 3-5' across by 30" tall in favored climates and soils. White flowers blushed lavender, summer. Discovered as a seedling in the 1930's and still one of the finest grown. rev 2/2003
‘Gold Standard’   foliage   more foliage  broad, golden chartreuse to pale blonde leaves are heavily veined and quilted and edged in dark green. Color varies by amount of light exposure. A reliable grower for us, it should reach 3-5' wide by 12-18" tall in gardens. Lavender flowers, late summer. rev 2/2003
‘Golden Tiara’  flower with foliage  small, light green heart shaped leaves have light golden yellow margins. Flowers are lavender. This is a smaller scale, smaller textured, smaller size selection. rev 2/2003
'Guacamole'  juvenile foliage broad, rounded, nicely rugose, chartreuse green, edged irregularlys with chartreuse. A sport of 'Fragrant Boquet,' with the same large, fragrant, soft lavender flowers. Host of the Year in 2002, to 18-22" tall and wide. Takse some sun. rev 4/2010 *NEW for 2010!*
'June' deep blue with chartreuse leaf centers, in splashes and streaks. Needs part sun. rev 8/2006 
‘Krossa Regal’  leaves  a large growing selection that forms an impressive dome of frosty blue heart shaped leaves. Flowers are lavender on stalks to 5’ tall. rev 2/2003
‘Patriot’  lavender flowers   leaves  a larger grower, this recent selection of excellent vigor has dark glossy green leaves with bold white margins, to 3-4' wide. Flowers are medium lavender in late spring or early summer. Reportedly a tetraploid sport of ‘Francee.’ rev 2/2003
'Potomac Pride'  nursery plants  a fast, very dark, almost black green variety with rounded leaves and a high gloss. Flowers are small, pale lavender. Shade. rev 8/2006 
'Robert Frost' broad heart shaped leaves are deep blue green tastefully brushed ivory in broad strokes along the leaf margins. Typical pale lavender flowers. rev 8/2006 
'Royal Standard'  young leaf  big, somewhat pointed, deeply ribbed leaves, to about 2' across here.  Summer flowers are white and highly fragrant. Rather sun tolerant. rev 4/2010 *NEW for 2010!*
'Sagae' at maturity, very broad, ruffly blue leaves show edges deeply splashed and margined with soft yellow. Acclaimed by some as the best variegated Hosta. This one can get big, to over 6' back East. Pale lavender flowers. rev 8/2006 
sieboldiana ‘Elegans’  leaves   habit   luxuriant, almost round blue green leaves, heavily veined and textured and with a powdery blue white bloom, form a clump to 3-5' wide by 1-2' tall. Flowers are lavender blush, on shortish spikes, in late summer. Somewhat more snail resistant. rev 2/2003
'Stained Glass' really nice. Large, broadly heart shaped leaves are a wonderful soft yellow color, almost iridescent, each with a neat, defining green edge. A good bloomer too, with light lavender flowers, and they're fragrant! rev 8/2006 
‘Sum and Substance’   nice clump   flowers   H. seiboldiana type. Thick, large, waxy golden leaves are more snail resistant than many other varieties. Vigorous, quick grower, holds up well in summer heat and warmer winters. Lavender flowers. To 4' or more across, by 2' tall, with broad leaves. rev 2/2003
'Sun Power' yellow. Extremely yellow, with no green. Has medium size, long, heart shaped leaves that are yellow. Makes a big bank of yellow foliage. Flowers pale lavender. Leaves are very yellow. rev 8/2006 
‘Wide Brim’  flowers   young plant   nursery foliage  wide luscious blue green leaves with a gold margin, heavily veined and textured. Pale lavender flowers, midsummer. To about 3' tall, 18" tall. rev 2/2003

Houttuynia cordata ‘Variegata’ CHAMELEON PLANT   closeup   flower   commercial planting  this deciduous perennial bears short stems of colorful heart shaped leaves, dark green with light margins flushed rose red, especially during cool weather in full sun. Pink color will fade in deep shade, and variegation will turn greener, but plants will grow well there. Fast, spreading by underground stolons, and reaching 2-3’ tall with heat and watering. Be sure to trim out the all-green stems. The flowers look somewhat like tiny white coneflowers, the foliage smells like cilantro when crushed. Accepts little summer watering when established, but plants will be shorter. Can be grown as a pond plant, butin wet garden situations it can be invasive. Not very frost hardy. Eastern Asia. Saururaceae. rev 8/2010

Humata tyermanii   WHITE HARE'S FOOT FERN, BEAR'S FOOT FERN    young plant   very compact, dark green foliages, large white furry stolons. The foliage is about the same as Davallia but the roots are larger. This is relatively hardy, and can be grown outside where temps don't usually go below 15F. Shade, regular fern watering, protection from hot, dry conditions. Good in containers where its pendant, searching roots can be appreciated. Sunset zones 7-9, 14-24/USDA 8. China. Polypodiaceae. rev 8/2010 *NEW for 2010!*

Hydrangea paniculata a deciduous shrub or small tree to 15' tall and wide, known for its wonderful long, terminal, conical to pyramidal sprays of flowers that start off greenish then age to creamy white. Flowering beginns in early summer. Respectable pink to dark red fall color. All varieites like well-drained soils, regular watering, and afternoon shade if possible to help prevent blossom scorch in the hottest areas. For sun to part shade. This species and all its varieties do extremely well as container plants. Cut them back coming out of winter, flowers will form on mature wood under very long day conditions. Native to China, Japan. Hydrangeaceae or Saxifragaceae. rev 8/2006

quercifolia OAKLEAF HYDRANGEA   late fall color   fast, dense, rounded deciduous shrub to 4-6’ tall with broad, thin, lobed leaves, light underneath. Arching growth habit. This plant is grown for its wonderful, long, wonderful, conical clusters of sterile creamy white flowers mixed with tiny fertile flowers appear in summer and early fall as well as its respectable fall color. It blooms on buds initiated from old wood, so don’t prune until after flowering. Often the flowers emerge green and slowly turn to white then eventually a very attractive ruddy bronze. Leaves turn brilliant red to dark bronzy purple in fall, depending on growing conditions. Sun to full, bright shade, average to little summer watering, very frost hardy (USDA zone 5). This species is considerably more drought tolerant than H. macrophylla and can get by in more sun with little summer watering when established. It tends to rot out under very wet conditions but will also grow in poorer soils. Southeastern U. S. rev 3/2004

‘Snow Queen’   typical flower cluster  a clonal selection noted for its very long, luxuriant flower clusters.