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 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

Farfugium 'Kaimon Dake'

I recently discovered another amazing Farfugium (Ligularia) that I can not live without, and am delighted to finally have enough to offer for sale at Peacock Horticultural Nursery.  Farfugiums (Leopard Plants) are interesting plants for the shade garden grown for their very unusual and dramatic leaf colors, shapes and forms.  They include  contorted leaf varieties such as Farfugium j. ‘Ryuto’, variegated varieties such as Farfugium ‘Argentea’ or F. ‘Aureomaculata’, and some with both contorted and variegated leaves. 

Farfugium 'Kaimon Dake'

‘Kaimon Dake’ is a wonderful new Japanese selection of Farfugium with new leaves emerging pure white to variegated green and white in spring, so dramatic against the older pure green leaves.  Later in the season, all leaves will become mostly green, with the whole process restarted every spring thereafter.  Each 1′ tall by 2′ wide clump will flower in the fall with yellow daisy-like flowers, however,  the beauty of these plants is in their foliage. 

Farfugium grow well in well drained, moist soil in your shade garden in USDA zones 7 – 10.  Other Farfugiums available at Peacock Horticultural Nursery include Farfugium j. ‘Shishi Botan’ and F. ‘Ryuto’.

Farfugium 'Kaimon Dake'

Clivia caulescens

Clivia caulescens is one of five Clivia species endemic to South Africa; it has pendent, tubular, 2-3 inch long flowers similar to Clivia nobilis and Clivia gardenii, but differs from these by forming long stems with aerial roots.   These stems can reach 2-3′ or more and can flop over and grow along the ground terminating with long, floppy green leaves.  The tubular flowers transition from a deep orange throat to brilliant green tips.  Clivias are an essential addition to you garden or plant collection with their bold evergreen foliage, brightly colored flowers and large orange to red seed pods in the fall.

Clivia caulescens

Clivia caulescens prefer to grow in light shade in very well-drained soil in climates that are free of frost.  These plants thrive and are dramatic grown in containers and can easily be brought inside during winter. 

Other Clivias available at Peacock Horticultural Nursery include Clivia miniata with yellow flowers, Clivia hybrids with orange flowers and variegated foliage and Clivia nobilis.  In addition, I am growing many hybrids Clivia from seed and will make these available after they develop their first blooms.

Clivia caulescens

Arisaema (a-ri-SAY-ma) is another plant genus that I am very fascinated with.  One look at the photos of the of the strange and beautiful flowers and I was hooked.  If you have not yet made their acquaintance, please drop in the nursery and see them for yourselves.

Arisaema ringens (Cobra Lily) is one of the first to flower in the spring and is bloom now at the nursery.  From a dormant tuber these plants send up these helmet-like flowers with two large green trifoliate leaves.

Arisaema sikokianum

I first remember seeing this vine in bloom at a local rare plant nursery and knew I had to have one!   None were available immediately, so I put my name on a long waiting list and was finally able to acquire one for my personal collection.  I am pleased to now offer these vines for sale at Peacock Horticultural Nursery. 

Botanically named for Napoleon’s empress Lapagerie, the common name (Chilean Bellflower) reflects its heritage as the national flower for Chile. 

Lapagerias are wiry evergreen vines with leathery, deep green leaves that can twine up to 15 feet.   The dazzling beauty of the these vines is the 4″  waxy red bell-shaped flowers that open from summer to fall.   Varieties offer flower color ranging from dark red to pure white, with various shades in between, to a beautiful picotee selection with white flowers with red edges.   Flowers will often have a stippling of white.  While most of hybrid seedlings produce flower colors in various hues of red, the less common white forms are  possible, but they are all stunning flowers.

Lapergeria vines grow best in bright shade in a rich well drained soil.   I have successfully grown these  in my USDA zone 8b garden with some protection from frost.  They also do well in a large pot that you could then move to protection in areas with harsh winters.