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'

‘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'

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

Philadelphus 'Innocence'

Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile'

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