Archive for the ‘Plants’ Category

Plants Blooming in the Nursery Now – March 2010

Friday, March 19th, 2010

I am so excited that spring starts in just a few days.  I even had to water today for the first time this year.  Here are a few of the plants that are blooming this month…

  • Anemone nemorosa ‘Viridiflora’ (Anemone)
  • Anemonella thalictrides ‘Green Dragon’ (Rue Anemone)
  • Arisaema ringens (Cobra Lily)
  • Arisaema sikokianum (patterned leaves)
  • Bomarea frondea
  • Camellia ‘Night Rider’
  • Clivia hybrid Variegated Orange Flowering
  • Ribes sanguineum ‘Variegatum’ (Flowering Currant)

Anemone nemorosa 'Viridiflora'

 

Anemonella thalictroides 'Green Dragon'

 

Arisaema ringens

 

Arisaema sikokianum (patterned leaves)

 

Bomarea frondea

 

Camellia 'Night Rider'

 

Ribes sanguineum 'Variegatum'

 

Clivia hybrid Orange Variegated

Blooming in the Nursery Now – February 2010

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

Here are some of the plants that are waking up and blooming in the nursery – is it Spring yet?

  • Anemonella thalictroides ‘Shoaf’s Double (Rue Anemone)
  • Camellia reticulata ‘White Retic’
  • Clematis armandii ‘Snowdrift’ (Evergreen Clematis)
  • Corydalis ‘Berry Exciting’
  • Daphne odora ‘Variegata’
  • Daphne odora  ‘Alba’
  • Edgeworthia crisanthe ‘Gold Rush’
  • Ipheion White
  • Philotheca myoporoides ‘Profusion’ (Wax Flower)
  • Ribes sanguineum ‘Claremont’ (Flowering Currant)

Anemonella t. 'Shoaf's Double'

 

Camellia reticulata 'White Retic'

 

Clematis armandii 'Snowdrift'

 

Corydalis 'Berry Exciting'

 

Daphne odora 'Variegata'

 

Daphne odora 'Alba'

 

Edgeworthia c. 'Gold Rush'

 

Ipheion White

 

Philotheca m. 'Profusion'

 

Ribes sanguineum 'Claremont'

Blooming in the nursery in January

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Hellebores and Camellias are starting to bloom in the nursery. 

  • Helleborus orientalis ‘Blue Lady’
  • Helleborus London Fog
  • Helleborus Regal Ruffles Strain
  • Camellia grijsii Select
  • Camellia ‘Yume’

Helleborus o. 'Blue Lady'

Helleborus London Fog

Helleborus Regal Ruffles Strain

Helleborus Regal Ruffles Strain

Camellia grijsii Select

Camellia 'Yume'

New plants just arrived at the nursery

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Here are some of the new plants that arrived in October at Peacock Horticultural Nursery.

  • Abutilon ‘Savitzii’ (Flowering Maple) -  Featured primarily for its beautiful variegated leaves and compact growth habit (4 – 6′).  ‘Savitzii’ has maple-like leaves that are grey-silver and green with a large creamy-white margin.  Although shy to flower, the flowers are large pale salmon-orange, and bell-shaped
  • Banksia spinulosa ‘Schnapper Point’ (Koala Blooms Banksia) – Beautiful Australian shrub grown for the 4 – 5″ honey-yellow and red flower spikes.  While many Banksia are very large shrubs, ‘Schnapper Point’ is a great choice as it only grows to 2 – 4′ high by 4 – 5′ wide.  Deer tolerant, drought tolerant, and hardy to about 20 F.
  • Cordyline australis ‘Torbay Dazzler’(Torbay Dazzler Grass Palm) - This striking Cordyline makes an amazing accent or focal point in the garden with the dramatic variegated strap-shaped green leaves with a bold cream margin.  Cordyline ‘Torbay Dazzler’ is a palm-like sub-tropical shrub that will grow to 15 – 20′.  Best planted in full sun near the coast to part shade inland.  Hardy to about 15 F.
  • Grevillea ‘Canberra Gem’ (Canberra Gem Grevillea) -  This is an elegant, medium sized (6′ x 10′) drought tolerant Australian shrub.  ‘Canberra Gem’ is a cross between Grevillea juniperina and Grevillea rosmarinifolia with dark green rosemary-like foliage and red flowers, bringing winter color to your garden.  Avoid planting in wet soils.  Hardy to about USDA Zone 8b (15 F).
  • Grevillea lanigera ‘Mt. Tamboritha’ (Prostrate Wooly Grevillea) – A prostrate, dwarf  Australian shrub only reaching 1 to 2 feet in height and 4 to 5′ spread – making an excellent groundcover.  A profusion of pinkish-red and cream flowers from fall to spring.  Drought tolerant and hardy to about 20 F.
  • Grevillea ‘Pink Pearl’ -A Grevillea very similar to G. ‘Canberra Gem’,  but rose pink flowers are bit more showy and the needle-like leaves are a bit softer.  Grows to about 6′ and is drought tolerant and hardy to the low 20′s F.
  • Leucadendron ‘Safari Sunset’ (Safari Conebush) – This a hybrid of two South African Proteas – Leucandendron laureolum x L. salignum.  This  is one of my favorite Leucandendrons as it is both a very beautiful and a very tough plant.  Grows up to 8′ with amazing red bracts “flowers” starting in summer and lasting until spring.  Hardy to low 20′s F. 
  • Leucadendron saligum ‘Chief’ -Another standout Leucandendron reaching a height of about 6′ with red bracts fall through spring.  Hardy to low 20′s F.
  • Matteuccia orientalis (Asian Ostrich Fern) -  A beautiful, large  showy Asian fern growing to 24 – 30″ high and a 4 to 5′ across.  Very hardy to USDA zone 7 or lower.   Matteuccia orientalis will be deciduous for a couple of months in the winter and emerge in March.  A running fern in its native habitat, for us it seems to cluster rather than run. 
  • Ribes sanguineum v. glutinosum ‘Claremont’ (Pink Flowering Currant) -  This native CA shrub grows to about 8′ in height and is covered with pink flowers in late winter to early spring.  Hummingbirds love the flowers and songbirds love the fruits in the summer.  Grows in part shade and is hardy to USDA zone 6. 

New Arrivals to the Nursery – September

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Here are some of the new plant arrivals at Peacock Horticultural Nursery this month.

  • Agave ‘Blue Glow’ - Beautiful small Agave with blue-green leaves with a red margin.  Now available in quart pots!
  • Albuca juncifolia(Rush-leaved Albuca) -  South African bulb with round leaves like a rush and greenish-yellow flowers in late spring.
  • Cordyline ‘Renegade’ (Renegade Cordyline) -This is a beautiful new clumping Cordyline with very wide black-purple foliage to 2 – 3′, and fragrant flowers in summer.  Now available in 2 gallons.
  • Furcraea foetida ‘Mediopicta Sport’ (Variegated Furcraea) – This is a sport of Furcraea ‘Mediopicta’ and has wide green leaves to 4 – 5′ with a narrow yellow band in the center of each leaf.  Hardy to USDA zone 9b (25 F).  These monocarpic plants produce an inflorescence that can reach 25′ with many greenish-white flowers.   Many plantlets will form on the inflorescence as the basal plant dies.
  • Remusatia vivipara
  • Yucca ‘Bright Star’(Bright Star Yucca) – This is a beautiful new slow growing Variegated Yucca.  The wide leaves have deep yellow margins.  The ultimate size of this Yucca has not been determined yet.
  • Urginia maritima syn: Drimia maritima (Sea Squill) -  A large summer dormant bulb with blue-green leaves emerging in the fall after blooming.  In summer, 3 – 4′ stalks rise with many white flowers with yellow centers.  Hardy to 20 – 25 F, but best when protected from frost.  Gophers do not eat this bulb!  Huge 30 year old blooming bulbs available in 3 gallon pots, as well as, younger one gallon or 4″ pots available.
  • Zephyranthes ‘Labuffarosea’ (Labuffarosea Rain Lily) – Bulb native to Mexico that has pink flowers from late summer through fall.
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Cordyline 'Rengade'

Cordyline 'Rengade'

Cordyline 'Renegade'

Cordyline 'Renegade'

Yucca 'Bright Star'

Yucca 'Bright Star'

Urginea maritima

Urginea maritima

Urginea maritima

Urginea maritima

Zephyranthes 'Labuffarosea'

Zephyranthes 'Labuffarosea'

Blooms and Berries in the Nursery Now

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

We have had a cool summer for the most part here at Peacock Horticultural Nursery, with foggy mornings and low to mid-seventies in the afternoon.    Not that I am complaining, as lower temperatures mean less watering for me.   The following are  some of the plants that are blooming or bearing fruit this month:

  • Asclepias physocarpa (Milkweed) -  Great plant to attract butterflies to your garden.  4-6′ tall with white flowers followed by lime green, balloon-like seed pods.
  • Clerodendron bungei ‘Pink Diamond’ (Variegated Glory Bower)  – A beautiful 30″ shrub for part shade in USDA zones 8 – 9.  Blooms 3 - 4  months with fragrant,  pink  flowers.  Foliage is variegated with white and various shades of green.
  • Clerodendron trichotomum (Harlequin Glorybower) –  A small suckering tree to about 15′  for sun to part shade in USDA zones 6 – 9.  Flowers are very fragrant and white, and in the fall bear bright blue fruits. 
  • Colletia paradoxa, Colletia spinosa, and Colletia ulicina -  Nearly leafless, spiny, South American shrubs with white to pink fragrant flowers in summer.
  • Crinodendron hookerianum (Chilean Lantern Tree)  – A 15′ evergreen shrub originally from South America with red flowers.  Grows best in partial shade in USDA zone 8b – 10.  Freezes may damage flowers or young growth. 
  • Dianella tasmanica (Tasman Flax Lily)  – A 2-3′ strap-leafed perennial for the shade garden.  Blue flowers are followed by very striking deep blue fruits in summer.
  • Eryngium pandanifolium (Giant Sea Holly) – A clump forming perennial for full sun in USDA zone 7 – 9.  The thin, spiny, silver-green leaves are 3′- 4′  and the thistle-like, multi-branched flower stalk can be 8′.   A very impressive plant in bloom!
  • Hibiscus x moscheutos ‘Lord Baltimore’ (Rose Mallow) - A hardy 5′ tall perennial with large, red Hibiscus flowers from Summer until the first frost.  Dormant in winter and hardy to USDA Zone 5.
  • Musschia wollastonii (Madeira Giant Bellflower) -  A rare monocarpic plant from the Island of Madeira.  Forms a large rosette of green leaves a top a woody trunk up to 3′ – 5′.  Produces a huge, multi-branched, pyramidal display of odd greenish-yellow flowers and then dies. 
  • Puya mirabilis- A terrestrial Bromeliad that forms many 2′ rosettes of thin, spiny, grass-like leaves.  Chartreuse flowers are produced on 2-3′ stalks in summer. 
  • Roscoea purpurea (Roscoe’s Lily) -A winter dormant perennial for part sun in USDA zones 7b to 9b.   Rich purple flower to 2.5″ in summer. 
Clerodendron bungei 'Pink Diamond'

Clerodendron bungei 'Pink Diamond'

 

Clerodendron bungei 'Pink Diamond'

Clerodendron bungei 'Pink Diamond'

Colletia

Colletia

Dianella tasmanica

Dianella tasmanica

Eryngium pandanifolium

Eryngium pandanifolium

Hibiscus x moscheutos 'Lord Baltimore'

Hibiscus x moscheutos 'Lord Baltimore'

Musschia wollastonii

Musschia wollastonii

Musschia wollastonii

Musschia wollastonii

Puya mirabilis

Puya mirabilis

Roscoea purpurea

Roscoea purpurea

Asclepias physocarpa

Asclepias physocarpa

Bomarea hirtella – Pink Flowering Vine

Monday, July 27th, 2009
Bomarea hirtella

Bomarea hirtella

Bomarea is a genus of tuberous-rooted climbers in the Alstroemeria family.  The inverted, trumpet-shaped flowers and lance-shaped leaves of Bomarea bear similarities to Alstroemerias.  Featured for sale at Peacock Horticultural nursery, Bomarea hirtella is native to Mexico and grows 8 -12′ terminating with clusters of pink and chartreuse flowers.   Clusters of  attractive seed pods are produced in late autumn, opening to red-orange berries.   Bomareas also attract hummingbirds.

Bomarea hirtella

Bomarea hirtella

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Bomarea hirtella prefers to grow in filtered light protected from afternoon sun in moist, humus-rich, well-draining soil.  I am growing this plant in my USDA zone 8b garden with great success.  The plants go dormant after the first frost, they return in the spring and bloom from summer through fall.  In colder climates, however, these vines can also be grown very successfully in a container and overwintered in a  protected spot.

Bomarea hirtella

Bomarea hirtella

Bomarea hirtella

Bomarea hirtella

Bomarea hirtella

Bomarea hirtella

Plants Blooming in the Nursery Now – July

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

These are some of the plants that are currently in bloom at Peacock Horticultural Nursery  -

  • Arisaema franchetianum ‘Hugo’ – Hugo Cobra Lily with purple and white flowers.
  • Brovoa geminiflora(syn. Polianthes geminiflora) – Tuberous plant with tubular orange-red flowers.
  • Campanula garganica ‘Dickson’s Gold’
  • Campanula  persicifolia ‘Blue-Eyed Blond’- A Bellflower with yellow foliage and deep-blue blooms.
  • Campanula ‘Pink Octopus’ -A Bellflower with unusual pink octopus-like flowers.
  • Campanula takesimana- A Korean Bellfower with many pendant flowers of white/lilac.
  • Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Worchester Gold’ – Bluebeard shrub with yellow foliage and blue flowers.
  • Cornus capitata x kousa ‘Porlock’ – A beautiful Hybrid Dogwood Tree with white flowers that turn red with age, and cherry-red fruits in fall.
  • Crinodendron hookerianum- A shrub originally from Chile with red lantern-like flowers
  • Crinodendron patagua – A shrub originally from Chile with fragrant, white flowers.
  • Cynara cardunculus- See the Cardoon plants blooming in the garden and purchase your own 4″ plant for bloom next year.
  • Dahlia ‘Kingston Queen’ - One of many Dahlias available with dark foliage – this one with single orange flowers.
  • Dyckia x ‘Red Devil’- A Dyckia with rusty-red leaves and orange flowers.
  • Eucomis autumnalis (Purple leaf form) – A pineapple Lily with purple-green leaves and many white flowers
  • Eucomis comosa ‘Tugela Jade’ -  A Pineapple Lily with many chartreuse buds that open white.
  • Eucomis comosa ‘Tugela Ruby’- A Pineapple Lily with green leaves flushed with purple, and maroon flower spikes with white flowers that have a purple center.
  • Eucomis ‘Oakhurst’- A Pineapple Lily with red-purple leaves and purple flowers.  Very nice!
  • Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ – A pineapple Lily with purple foliage and white-purple flowers.
  • Fuchsia ‘Rose Quartet’ – A compact fuchsia with unusual pink and white flowers.
  • Hemerocallis ‘Flasher’ -  Daylily with bright orange flowers.
  • Hemerocallis ‘Unique Purple’ – Daylily with purple flowers.
  • Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Glowing Embers’- Mop-head Hydrangea with red flowers.
  • Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Lemon Zest’- Mop-head Hydrangea with Yellow foliage and pink flowers.
  • Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mariesii’- Lace-cap Hydrangea with pink to  blue flowers.
  • Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nigra’- Mop-head Hydrangea with pink to blue flowers and black stems.
  • Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Quadricolor’- Lace-cap type Hydrangea with four distinct colors in the leaves – pale green, cream, deep green, and yellow.
  • Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Selma’- A compact Mop-head Hydrangea with pink to blue flowers.
  • Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Shelia’-  Lace-cap Hydrangea with pink flowers.
  • Hydrangea paniculata ‘Floribunda’- PeeGee Hydrangea with white flowers.
  • Hydrangea quercifolia- Oakleaf Hydrangea with big oak-shaped leaves, white flowers and great fall color.
  • Hydrangea ‘Sumida-no-hanabi’- A beautiful Hydrangea with double white flowers.
  • Nicandra physalodes ‘Splash of Cream’ -  An annual plant with light blue to lavender flowers and interesting seed pods, and variegated leaves and some of the plants.
  • Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’ – An ornamental oregano with pink and chartreuse bracts (flowers). 
  • Oxalis deppei ‘Iron Cross’ – Dark purple cross in the middle of each bright green clover leaf, with pink flowers.  Non-Invasive.
  • Oxalis siliquosa ‘Sunset Velvet’- Another non-invasive Oxalis that has leaves that are gold, pink, coppery yellow to chartreuse, with yellow flowers.
  • Parahebe perfoliata- Digger’s Speedwell has glaucous, blue foliage that is similar to some Eucalyptus.  Laverder-blue flowers.
  • Scadoxus multiflorus spp. katherinae – A South African bulbous plant with an amazing orange bloom every July.
  • Schizophragma hydrangeoides ‘Roseum’ – A Hydrangea Vine with fragrant pink flowers
  • Sinningia tubiflora- Hardy white Gloxinia.
  • Tradescantia ‘Blue and Gold’ – A Spider Wort with golden foliage and blue flowers.
  • Triteleia laxa ‘Koningin Fabiola’ – Bulbous plant with purple-blue flowers.
  • Yucca filamentosa ‘Bright Edge’ – Yucca to 2′ , green leaves edged in gold, and cream flowers
  • Yucca filamentosa ‘Color Gaurd’ – Yucca to 2′ with yellow centered leaves, pink and coral in winter, and cream flowers.
  • Yucca filamentosa ‘Garland’s Gold’ – Yucca to 3′ with gold centered leaves, blushing pink in winter, and cream flowers.
  • Zantedeschia ‘Edge of Night’ – Calla Lily with black-purple flowers and green foliage edged in black-purple and dark stems too!  Beautiful!
  • Zantedeschia ‘Gene’s Giant’ – A giant calla lily up to 5′ tall with white flowers.
  • Zantedeschia ‘Hercules’ – Large Calla Lily to 3′ with white flowers.
Arisaema f. 'Hugo'

Arisaema f. 'Hugo'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Campanula 'Blue Eyed Blond'

Campanula 'Blue Eyed Blond'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Campanula takesimana

Campanula takesimana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caryopteris 'Worchester Gold'

Caryopteris 'Worchester Gold'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon)

Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dahlia 'Kingston Queen'

Dahlia 'Kingston Queen'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eucomis autumnalis

Eucomis autumnalis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H. 'Flasher' & 'Unique Purple'

H. 'Flasher' & 'Unique Purple'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hydrangea 'Sumida-no-hanabi'

Hydrangea 'Sumida-no-hanabi'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scadoxus multiflorus spp katherinae

Scadoxus multiflorus spp katherinae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Triteleia laxa 'Koningin Fabiola'

Triteleia laxa 'Koningin Fabiola'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zantedeschia 'Edge of Night'

Zantedeschia 'Edge of Night'

New Plants in the Nursery

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Here are a few of the new arrivals in the nursery:

  • Acacia linifolia – A small Acacia with fine, soft leaves (phyllodes) and cream flowers.
  • Berberis ‘Gold Pillar’ -  A columnar Barberry with golden foliage – Wow!
  • Ceanothus ‘Tuxedo’ – A striking new variety with dark foliage and lavender-blue flowers.
  • Colletia paradoxa -  A shrub native to South America with gray-green triangular spine tipped stems and small fragrant flowers in summer.
  • Dasylirion longissimum -  Mexican Grass Tree native to Mexico
  • Hesperoyucca whipplei ‘RBG’ – A silver form of (Our Lord’s Candle)
  • Hunnemannia fumariifolia – Perennial Mexican Tulip Poppy
  • Protea ‘Sylvia’ – A beautiful hybrid of P. susannae x P. eximia with red-pink flowers with creamy-yellow center.
  • Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’ – A new Salvia with large magenta flowers.
  • Sonchus canariensis – An very unusual foliage plant with yellow flowers in spring.
  • Yucca linearifolia – A great Yucca with many very narrow blue leaves. 
Ceanothus 'Tuxedo'

Ceanothus 'Tuxedo'

Colletia paradoxa

Colletia paradoxa

Dasylirion longissimum

Dasylirion longissimum

Hesperoyucca whipplei 'RBG'

Hesperoyucca whipplei 'RBG'

Hunnemannia fumariifolia

Hunnemannia fumariifolia

Sonchus canariensis

Sonchus canariensis

Salvia 'Windy's Wish'

Salvia 'Windy's Wish'

Salvia 'Windy's Wish'

Salvia 'Windy's Wish'

ucca linearifolia

Yucca linearifolia

Philadelphus x lemoinei ‘Innocence’ – Variegated Mock Orange

Saturday, June 20th, 2009
Philadelphus 'Innocence'

Philadelphus 'Innocence'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For me , the true arrival of spring is heralded with the heavy perfume of the Philadelphus – the Mock Orange shrub.  We were lucky to have acquired the property where the nursery is located, with its turn of century home, and some beautiful mature shrubs and trees including three immense Mock Orange shrubs which I believe to be P. coronarius.  Of the many varieties available, my favorite is Philadelphus ‘Innocence’.  This shrub not only has pure white single flowers with their amazing scent similar to orange blossoms, it also provides beautiful variegated foliage.  The new foliage emerges brightly variegated with creamy-white, gold and green leaves, which will eventually change through the summer months to mostly green. 

Philadelphus 'Innocence'

Philadelphus 'Innocence'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Innocence’ can tolerate most soil types and does well planted in full sun to light shade in USDA zones 4 - 8.   The shrub will grow to a height of 6 – 8′ feet and will be a beautiful addition to your garden. 

Philadelphus 'Innocence'

Philadelphus 'Innocence'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other cultivars of Philadelphus available at Peacock Horticultural Nursery include P. ‘Belle Etoile’, P. ‘Snowbelle’, and P. coronarius ‘Aureus’.

Philadelphus 'Innocence'

Philadelphus 'Innocence'

Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile'

Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile'