Seemannia (Gloxinia) nematanthodes which we originally (and mistakenly) offered as Achimenes heterophylla, produces very showy bright red inflated flowers in late summer above dark velvety green leaves. A somewhat succulent perennial, forming colonies to about one foot tall from tubers that look like little pinecones. This plant will over winter in the South but should have a winter mulch. As weather warms, remove this covering to allow new shoots to emerge. Given rich soil and ample water, these plants will thrive during hot summers. Plant in semi-shady site with good drainage but with irrigation. We originally obtained this special little plant from a private garden in Beaufort, South Carolina. Our friends at Plant Delights Nursery offer a very similar plant with perhaps more yellow in the throat of the flower. They collected it in Argentina and offer it by the variety name 'Evita'.
This perennial "Catchfly" has striking crimson flowers with notched petals. It flowers from late spring/early summer. A well-drained, gritty soil is good and in the North a full sun exposure is preferable. In the South it should have light shade. Not a strong competitior so don't let other plants overwhelm it. Native to eastern North America.
Shade tolerant. Seed from trees with trunks.A heavy winter mulch is advisable for young plants in areas where palms are marginal. Or, the plants may be potted when received and kept inside the first winter.
This conifer native to California and southern Oregon is the familiar giant redwood tree. A specimen of this tree over 300 feet tall may be the tallest tree in the world. It grows well in much of the Southeast U.S. region and there are large specimens in Williamsburg, VA., Abbeville and Charleston, South Carolina. it needs a well-drained but moist, fertile soil. Maximum size may not be reached in cultivation and not in a human lifetime but obviously a Redwood needs ample space.
Low growing, spreading perennial with fringed deep pink flowers. Hybridized by Dr. Jim Ault and named for Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania. One parent is the federally listed endangered species S. polypetala from Georgia. (See ARM)
Mexican Catchfly is a low herbaceous perennial with spathulate leaves and showy red-orange starry flowers on stems held well above the foliage. It is native to mountains and canyons in the southwestern U.S. and adjacent Mexico. We grew these from seed we collected in the Davis Mountains in west Texas. A good rock garden plant for sun or semi shade.
Silene caroliniana is native in woodlands locally but this selection from our friends at North Creek Nurseries is excellent. Let North Creek tell it: "Delightful, compact and easy to grow, Silene caroliniana is an excellent choice for bright shade or full sun. It is covered in deep pink flowers in late spring. Very reliable for us through wet and dry seasons for three years now and in a cool spring it seems to bloom forever - one year we tracked 8 weeks of full bloom! A great native substitute for Dianthus, this Silene has similar appearance and bloom time, but tolerates a wider variety of garden situations. Silene 'Short and Sweet' is a fantastic plant for naturalizing, yet it can hold its own as a specimen in a container or patio garden as well."
This large deciduous shrub was recently reclassified as a Calycanthus. It is somewhat like our native Calycanthus floridus but with larger 6 - 10 inch glossy leaves. The cream-white blooms in late spring are larger than North American Calycanthus species flowers but not scented. Should be planted in partial to full shade where it blooms in mid to late spring. Prefers consistantly moist soil, but do not over water. A relatively recent introduction from China. Woodlanders was one of the first nurseries to offer this plant in the U.S. See our listing for hybrids between this and our native Calycanthus including 'Hartlege Wine' and 'Venus'
Grows in clumps that are easily mistaken for grass when the plant is not in flower. Produces several flowers one at a time from a single spathe in spring, summer dormant. (See B&T)
Low growing. It is very showy in the spring with clusters of blue flowers, most with yellow eyes. Plant in sunny location with moist but well drained soil. Easy care.
Slender vine. Showy blue to purple flowers in axillary cymes. Scarlet fruit.(See HRT, RIF)Cut back plants after the frost kills the tops. Mound 10 inches of coarse sand over the stubs. Mulch over with pine straw. As weather warms, remove this covering to allow new shoots to emerge. Given rich soil and ample water, these plants will thrive during hot summers.
This vigorous evergreen vine blooms from mid summer to mid fall. The showy star shaped white flowers are tinged with blue and produce a wonderful fragrance. It can grow in sandy soil, clay, or rich gardening soil and can withstand both humid and dry climates. Plant in full or half sun. It is native to Brazil.
