One of our favorite new Campanula cultivars to come along, this one has abundant blue-violet, saucer-shaped flowers and spreads slowly to form a vigorous, small-scale groundcover. Plants are repeat bloomers with periodic deadheading, and grow 8-10” high when in bloom. Must have well-drained soil. A Collector's Nursery introduction. Hardy to 10F. Campanula 'Samantha' is available this week in one gallon containers.
August 24, 2012
Campanula 'Samantha'
One of our favorite new Campanula cultivars to come along, this one has abundant blue-violet, saucer-shaped flowers and spreads slowly to form a vigorous, small-scale groundcover. Plants are repeat bloomers with periodic deadheading, and grow 8-10” high when in bloom. Must have well-drained soil. A Collector's Nursery introduction. Hardy to 10F. Campanula 'Samantha' is available this week in one gallon containers.
August 17, 2012
Muhlenberbia pubescens
Soft blue Mexican muhly. A remarkably beautiful mounding grass to 18” with muted, steel-blue foliage covered by soft, velvety hairs. The weeping habit adds to the grace of its character, as do the pale lilac-colored flowers that form in September and rise 2-3’ above the leaves before drying to a warm buff color. The ten-year old plants in our garden have held their delicate character without an annual shearing. Best in well-drained, fertile soil with full sun or light shade. The foliage will blush reddish-purple in cold temperatures. Hardy to 20F. Muhlenbergia pubescens is available this week in one gallon containters.
August 10, 2012
Dicentra 'King of Hearts'
‘King of Hearts’ is a compact bleeding heart producing a mound of blue-green foliage, 6-8” tall and 12 to 18” wide. Nodding, heart-shaped, rich carmine-rose flowers are carried above the foliage during spring and summer months. Try this cultivar in your woodland garden as they prefer shade and regular water. It also makes a stunning container specimen. Hardy to 0F. Dicentra 'King of Hearts' is available this week in one gallon containers.
August 03, 2012
Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop'
Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop' is a naturally dwarf form of the species, up to two feet tall and wide, and offers a short mounding habit. Small clusters of lavender flowers produce an excellent flower canopy throughout the summer. Lollipop's short stature makes it suitable for the front of a border or in a container. 'Lollipop' is low maintenance, makes a good cut flower and attracts butterflies. Hardy to 20F. Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop' is available this week in #1 containers.
July 27, 2012
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. Hardy to 0F. Omphalodes cappadocica is available this week in #1 containers.
July 19, 2012
Melaleuca thymifolia
Thyme honey myrtle. Smaller shrub usually to 4’ with an equal spread, bearing stiff, narrowly elliptic, miniature leaves resembling those of thyme. The bark is flaky with a cork-like texture, and the pink flowers in clusters have feather-like segments, quite different from the usual bottlebrush appearance. Like other Melaleucas, it is tolerant of many soil types and garden situations in California. Hardy to 20F. Melaleuca thymifolia is available this week in #5 containers.
July 13, 2012
Convolvulus cneorum 'Snow Angel'
A compact selection to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide with glossy silver-white leaves. The white flowers are blushed with pink as they open through the spring and summer. A good choice for all of California, compact bush morning glory can be used in mixed borders or as a small scale ground cover. It's right, dense habit is especially useful in narrow beds, median strips and as a foundation planting. Hardy to 25F. Convolvulus cneorum 'Snow Angel' is available this week in #1 containers.
July 06, 2012
Erodium 'Marian'
Heron's Bill. A tufted, low growing perennial to 12 inches tall with finely dissected gray-green foliage. Spring flowers are pink with dark purple veins and here on the Central Coast blooms continuously through Summer. 'Marian' is a good choice for borders, containers, and gravel gardens and is best sited in full sun with good drainage and moderate water. Hardy to 0F. Erodium 'Marian is available this week in #1 containers.
June 29, 2012
Polygala myrtifolia 'Mariposa'
Smaller and more compact than 'Grandiflora' this version of the sweet pea shrub is perfect for smaller spaces. Ever-blooming, it is an excellent choice for a low hedge or as a container planting. 18 to 24 inches high and wide with purple-violet flowers and rounded green leaves. This South African beauty thrives in California gardens! Hardy to 20F. Polygala myrtifolia 'Mariposa' is available this week in #1 containers.
June 22, 2012
Dorycnium hirsutum
Hairy canary clover. Subshrub to 2’ tall with dense, furry gray-white leaves divided into 3 leaflets. Cream-colored flowers blush shell pink and bloom from summer to fall. A good choice for dry gardens in full sun and well-drained soils with occasional water. Seeds are held in maroon pea-like fruits that add ornamental character into winter. Commonly reseeds, but not in an aggressive manner. Hardy to 10F. Dorycnium hirstutum is available this week in #1 containers.
