Native Sons - Plant of the Week

Geranium 'Orkney Cherry'

Cranesbill.  Selected for its long blooming season, it begins flowering in early May.  Flowering increases throughout the season and by mid summer is crowded with small rosy blooms.  Foliage is an attractive bronzy-green, which makes an excellent backdrop to the vivid pink flowers.  Hardy to 0F.  Geranium 'Orkney Cherry' is available this week in #1 containers.

Mimulus 'Robin'

Mimulus 'Robin' is a vigorous, garden tolerant selection with glossy green leaves and vivid orange flowers from spring to fall in most of California. Mounding to 2-3 feet tall with a slightly wider spread, 'Robin' is an excellent choice for mixed borders, slopes, and dry meadows. Attractive to hummingbirds and bees, it is also good choice for habitat and restoration gardens.  Hardy to 10F.  Mimulus 'Robin' is available this week in #1 containers.

Omphalodes cappadocica

One of our favorite woodland species, Omphalodes is a trailing perennial to 10 inches high with slowly spreading underground stems. Loose sprays of flat, bright blue flowers are held above tufts of oval-shaped basal leaves in mid to late spring. Sporadic flowers occur in our garden year round, although the spring flowering is much more pronounced. Plant in partial or full shade in organic rich, but well-drained soil. It will tolerate some drought, but is much better with moderate to regular irrigation. Consider using Omphalodes in woodland gardens, shady borders, or as small scale ground cover.  Omphalodes cappadocica is available this week in #1 containers.

Pelargonium sidoides

Geranium.  The silver-grey leaves of this mound-forming perennial have curled margins that add a lacy flair to this durable species.  Small clusters of dark burgundy flowers are produced year round on slender nodding stems in coastal California. Growing up to 12" tall by 24" wide it makes a great choice for a dry border planting or gravel garden.  It has proven to be one of the most drought tolerant perennials in our garden.  Hardy to 25F.  Pelargonium sidoides is available this week in #1 containers.

Euphorbia characias 'Glacier Blue'

Spurge.  'Glacier Blue' has smoky blue-gray, evergreen foliage edge in cream, and variegated cream and white clusters in the spring time.  It makes a striking specimen plant with vigor and habit stronger than other variegated Euphorbias.  Growing  up to 18" tall and about 18" wide, makes 'Glacier Blue' an outstanding container plant, alone or as the perfect centerpiece for drought-tolerant mixed pots.  Hardy to 0F.  Euphorbia characias 'Glacier Blue' is available this week in #1 containers.

Chorizema cordatum

Chorizema cordatum, commonly known as the heart-leaf flame pea, occurs naturally in the forest of south-western Australia on gravelly or loamy soils.  Fall to winter blooming with loose clusters of orange-red flowers, it adds a splash of color at a typically quiet time in the garden.  Flame pea can reach up to 5 feet tall, but in our experience is much smaller in cultivation.  It is best sited in well drained soils and partial shade away from the immediate coast.  Hardy to 25F.  Chorizema cordatum is available this week in #1 containers.    

Salvia 'Wendy's Wish'

Sage. Salvia 'Wendy's Wish is a chance seedling selection found within a Salvia enthusiast's garden in Victoria, Australia. The discoverer's 'wish' is a portion of the proceeds go to an Australian charity. Although it appeared beneath Salvia mexicana 'Lolly' the corolla appears to resemble Salvia buchananii in color and flower size, but the calyx somewhat resembles the splendens varieties, being a pinkish brown. Leaves have serrated margins and are mid-dark green color, and dark maroon stems hold unique tubular flowers with fluted tips from spring to fall. Growing up to 3' high by 3' wide, makes it a great performer in containers and border plantings.  Hardy to 25F.  Salvia 'Wendy's Wish' is available this week in #1 & #5 containers.

Eriophyllum staechadifolium 'Compacta'

Seaside woolly sunflower is a new selection of a fine California native perennial found growing along the coast from southern Oregon to the Channel Islands in dunes and costal scrub.  It features a tight mounding habit to 12 inches high with an 18 inch spread with lacy silver foliage.  In summer rounded clusters of small yellow flowers add a cheerful contrast to the foliage.  Especially useful in coastal gardens, it is an good choice for mixed borders, gravel gardens, and meadows.  Site in well-drained soils and remove spent flowers for a cleaner appearance.  Hardy to about 25F.  Eriophyllum staechadifolium 'Compacta' is available this week in 4" and #1 containers.

Santolina virens 'Lemon Fizz'

Cotton lavender.  'Lemon Fizz' features distinctive bright yellow, thread-like foliage that is dramatically different from the common grey and green leaved cotton lavenders.  It forms a compact mound to 18" tall with a slightly wider spread.  'Lemon Fizz' is tolerant of multiple garden conditions and suitable for mixed containers.  Hardy to 25F.  Santolina virens 'Lemon Fizz' is available this week in 4" pots.

Dahlia 'Mystic Dreamer'

Dahlia, an elegant cultivar with the fashionable filigreed deep mahogany-black foliage topped with pale pink blooms with strong magenta stripe on each petal.  'Mystic Dreamer' is ideal for tropical or perennial garden borders or as a great performer in pots and planters on the patio deck.  Best performance in full sun and well drained soil.  Hardy to 30F.  Dahlia 'Mystic Dreamer' is available this week in #1 containers.