A

Abelia 'Francis Mason'  foliage  a compact, dense, spreading evergreen shrub to about 4' tall by 5-6' wide, it is one of the better golden foliaged plants available. The warm, almost-but-not-quite-orange tone looks great against dark backgrounds. Give it at least some direct sunlight or it is inclined to fade to chartreuse. Pink flowers are an added bonus. Caprifoliaceae. USDA zone 7, Sunset zones 4-24. rev 6/2005

grandiflora ‘Variegata’  flowers & foliage  young plant, winter color  groundcover, at Strybing  a compact, lower grower with leaves edged in clean white. In winter those white edges turn light coral pink and growth becomes quite compact. rev 1/2006 

Abutilon hybrids  FLOWERING MAPLE  big shrubs  evergreen shrubs, some to only 3', others to 15' tall and wide. They are loved for their continuous bloom, fantastic ability to attract hummingbirds, and wonderful colors. Children, and adults like me, like to take the flowers apart for their nectar. They will generally tolerate frost to 25°F or lower with no damage. Most just go deciduous to temperatures as low as 20°F, and a few won't even lose twigs at 15°-10°F. All are irresistible to hummingbirds with their continuous production of showy flowers and heavy nectar production. Will tolerate sun or require some shade, depending on variety. Most will take more than half a day of sun and need little or no summer watering in coastal areas, but lean towards more shade and water in hotter, drier climates. Some are excellent for containers or hanging baskets. Most of the hybrids and all of the megapotamicum types make excellent espaliers. Malvaceae. rev 6/2005

'Alpha Centauri'  flower  a large, pure white flower with almost no yellow, well displayed. A superior white seedling of the old standard white abutilon in the trade. Modest size and vigor, to about 3-5' tall and wide. Properly 'Rigel Kentauri,' this G2 spectrum star (the A component) is one of three that form the third brightest "star" in the sky. It is unobservable from the Northern Hemisphere. MBN INTRODUCTION-2008  rev 11/2011
'Apricot'  closeup  in cool weather  flared, pendant, soft apricot colored flowers with reddish sepals, the flowers aging to the color of Hawaiian Punch. The flowers can become the same reddish color in cool weather. A thinner-textured variety of moderate vigor, moderately open, to about 3-6' tall and wide. probably with at least some A. megapotamicum in the parentage, it has attractively long, narrow, almost uncut dark green leaves. rev 10/2011
'Canopus'  flowers  as a cultivar this was a remake of the standard "white" abutilon in the trade (a seedling of it actually) which was done because that variety often shows a touch of pink on the flowers (especially in sunlight) and shows evidence of latent viruses affecting vigor. This is a somewhat small flower, like the parent, but a cleaner white and a vigorous yet moderate sized grower. To about 4-5' tall by 3-4' wide. As a star this is a -.72 magnitude object (spectrum F0) in the constellation Carina, about 100 light years from Earth, with an intrinsic luminosity of about 30 times that of the sun. The second brightest star in the sky, after Sirius. MBN INTRODUCTION-2008 rev 11/2011
'Capella'  flowers  a perky medium yellow, small flower, rather upright growing. Fine textured, somewhat felty light green leaves. To about 6-8' unpruned, by 4-6' wide.  MBN INTRODUCTION-2008 rev 11/2011
'Cardinal'  closeup  a glossy red with dark green foliage. Compact growth to 3-5' tall and wide. rev 10/2011
‘Challo’  closeup  an interesting development, with unusual, inflated flowers with a constricted waist that are glowing, deep golden yellow with a rather broad dark maroon eye. The petals flare widely to reveal a long dark style bearing bright yellow stamens; often they are pleated, fluted and ruffled. They emerge from round, puckered, sculpted, dark felty maroon buds, which remain to become the sepals.  Dark stems, moderate size, good vigor, heavy display, great flower/leaf ratio. Fuzzy, bug resistant leaves on a more vining habit to 4-5'. rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2005
'Coral Earrings'   bells   a branch sport of our own yellow 'Capella,' with rich, coral pink flowers and medium green leaves, upright and vigorous, to 8' tall. A playground for hummingbirds. To about 6-8' unpruned, by 4-6' wide. rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2010 *NEW for 2012!*
‘Cristina’  flower  medium size, glowing, glossy red orange flowers with nice red veins, ruffly, fluted oval petals, and a light maroon calyx. Each petal is edged with a faint light line. It is very floriferous and easy to shape. A dense, shrubby grower with dark green, slightly cut leaves with contrasting dark veins and also dark stems. A vigorous upright grower that forms a nice bush to 4-6' tall and wide, unpruned. rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2004
‘Frieda’  flowers    downtown Santa Cruz   why I like it so much   pendant, partially flared flowers have ruffly, bright yellow petals with orange veins. Long, deeply cut, maple shaped leaves are dark green with olive and bronze tones and are closely carried on burgundy stems. Robust growth to about 6' tall and wide under the best conditions, taller if trained and pushed and in shade'. This one really cranks out the flowers, with dense, tiered displays on branches that hang over from the load. The flower color contrasts nicely with the dark foliage and stems. A five star hummingbird attractor and overall showy plant. Named for Frieda Dixon, mother of originator Jon Dixon of Half Moon Bay. rev 10/2011
‘Fruit Punch’  flower  just about that color, rich, shiny red with a touch of watermelon, maybe just a shade more orange, size large. Upright spreading growth to at least 10' eventually and without cutting back, medium size flowers. This variety has the immensely endearing quality of being exceptionally resistant to whiteflies, possibly due to the heavy coating of minute fuzz, especially on the undersides of the leaves. Leaves to 6", a large textured plant overall. MBN INTRODUCTION-2005  rev 10/2011
‘Harvest Moon’  closeup  large, flared, silvery pastel apricot flowers age to pale melon. A branch sport of ‘Moonchimes,’ our own find. Petals are very round and often doubled, and can flare to almost horizontal on the pendant flowers. Compact, spreading growth to usually under 3' tall and wide, dense and well branched. rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-1998
'Hot Pink'  flowers  clear rose pink flowers, vigorous upright habit, broad, shallowly lobed leaves, and burgundy stems. To 6-10' unrestrained, with narrow habit. rev 10/2011. MBN INTRODUCTION-2006
‘Jerry’s Red Wax’  closeup  large, heavy textured dark red flowers reach 3" across and hold their color well in sunlight. A fast, bold upright grower to at least 6' with behavior modification, probably 15' or more unpruned. Leaves are very large, dark green, to 10" long and 8" across. Dramatic for foliage and outline as well as flowers, with nice, dark, burgundy stems.  rev 10/2011
'Maui Punch'   flowers   even more distinctive than Hawaiian Punch. Not pink, not orange, but pink and orange all at the same time! Incredible! The flowers can be held almost horizontally, flower stems tend towards a nicely contrasting maroon, and the large leaves are very dark green. This more vigorous growing variety will probably easily get 6-8' unpruned. A branch sport off our own 'Watermelon Candy.' MBN INTRODUCTION-2011 rev 11/2011 *NEW for 2012!* 
megapotamicum ‘Ines’  flowers  light yellow flowers to 2" across darken to rich yellow with age and display wonderfully with the contrasting dusky maroon red sepals and stamens. Good vigor, typical meg-type vining growth habit with long, dark green leaves and dark stems and reaching to just 3-6' unless encouraged higher. This is a very good, showy, high contrast variety. rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2005
megapotamicum 'Lemon'  flowers  light, almost pastel yellow flowers against moderately dark leaves, the petal color darkening to rich yellow with age and eventually picking up rosy tints before they fall. It has small but very long, dark green leaves, dark stems, small, light texture, and a low vining habit. And it's fuzzy! Grow this one for the heavy display of perky little contrasting light flowers against its darker background elements. Lightweight growth habit to 4-6'. MBN INTRODUCTION-2005 rev 10/2011
megapotamicum ‘Orange Hot Lava’  closeup  another hybrid seedling of A. megapotamicum ‘Red,’ with small orange flowers that flare slightly, and a very conspicuous outer network of very fine red veins. Sepals are light maroon. Long, heart shaped, very dark green leaves have a pronounced drip tip. A nice bushy grower to about 4-5', semivining, and a heavy bloomer, with a high flower/leaf ration. The dark stems add to the total effect. rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2005
megapotamicum ‘Paisley’  flowers   small, round, very ornamental dark coral red buds open to light apricot yellow flowers, pinched at the waist, then fade to deep coral peach. Sepals are dark coral red. The leaves are conspicuously speckled, and make a wonderful backdrop for the flowers. Grows rather vigorously with a vining, open, upright habit, to about 3-5' on its own but scrambling airily higher if it can find support. rev 10/2011
megapotamicum pink   closeup    habit   a lighter textured plant to about 4-6' tall on its own, but fast and pretty vigorous. Rich coral pink flowers age to deeper rose, with darker calyces. Arching, naturally open semivining growth reaches about 4-5' in a reasonable amount of time, unless trellised higher. Provides a heavy flower display. rev 10/2011
megapotamicum red   closeup   bright, shiny, lacquer orange red flowers with darker red veins open from quite ornamental, dark, velvety, almost black, pod-like flower buds. The plant will grow up to 10’ if supported, with an open, semivining habit and long internodes. As a freestanding shrub expect it to arch over beyond 4-5'. Leaves are medium to light green with nice dark maroon veins. Reported to survive well as a deciduous shrub in Portland, Oregon, and to have survived frosts below 15°F without damage to stems. If you are going to experiment with Abutilons in colder climates, start here with the megapotamicums. rev 10/2011
megapotamicum ‘Sunset’  closeup  a nice repeating combination of red and yellow. This looks like nothing more than the old “species” form of A. megapotamicum that was in the trade for years. In case we are wrong though, we will still use this name. The pendant flowers are held on long, wiry peduncles. Bright red sepals clasp narrow, tubular, flowers with constricted waist. The petals are a brilliant deep yellow, aging to apricot before falling. The central column is red with numerous yellow stamens. It can extend out of the petals about 1/2", for an overall flower length of about 1 1/2". Growth is light-textured, upright to spreading and scandent in habit, to 6-10'. This variety is excellent as a staked, trellised, or hanging basket subject.  rev 10/2011
megapotamicum ‘Victory’  closeup  essentially horizontal growth unless trained to vine upright, with small, narrow, partially cut, closely produced leaves on dark stems. Small, narrow waisted flowers are yellow with light sepals and red columns against dark coral red sepals. An outstanding basket or container variety of considerable bloom vigor. Despite its almost naturally horizontal habit, this variety makes an excellent small upright shrub if staked and just an outstanding standard (tree form) with a little direction. A real favorite of hummingbirds.  rev 10/2011
'Mobile Cream'  closeup  a seedling from a cross involving 'Mobile Pink,' it resembles it, with pendant flowers opening widely, but the flowers are creamy white against light ruddy maroon sepals. Moderately dark leaves have maroon veins and are held on very dark stems. An upright grower but still probably not getting taller than 3' without training. Leaves are felty beneath. rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2005
‘Mobile Pink’  closeup  a lower, more spreading grower to 4’ or less. Flowers are an attractive light salmon pink, with reddish sepals. Flowers are held pendantly and petals flare widely to horizontal. A compact and extremely showy selection with slightly greyer foliage that is noticeably less plagued by all pests, including snails and slugs. This is a five star variety. Its only drawback is its heavy seed capsule production, but even those are interesting. To 5-6'. rev 10/2011
‘Moonbeam’  flower  a big, fast grower with small, dainty, pale lemon yellow flowers appear on this upright variety of intermediate texture. It is narrow in habit, somewhat open, to 6-10' tall by 6-7' wide, and leaves are a lighter green. This plant brings a tall yellow green presence to the garden. rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2005
‘Moonchimes’  closeup    habit   a very compact variety to probably about 24-30" tall and wide. Bears a heavy show of light, clear pastel yellow flowers. A dense grower and vigorous, continuous bloomer. One of the best for containers.  rev 10/2011
‘Nabob’  closeup   large, dark maroon red flowers. A vigorous, robust shrub, growing 8-10’ with large, very dark green leaves and a strong leader. rev 10/2011
‘Neon Rose’  flowers  a hybrid between two of our pinks, this is a large, fast upright grower, probably to about 8-10' unrestrained but easily kept much smaller. The leaves are moderately large, slightly cut, and they have enough fuzz under the leaves to be a bug resistant type. Pendant, bell shaped, hot neon pink flowers are partially flared and feature a dark violet eye and dark red stamens, sepals are bright yellow green.  rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2005
‘Pablo’s Tangelo’  closeup   found by Pablo Perez, our Abutilon grower at the time, this produces clouds of perky little light orange flowers that are flushed deeper towards the base, rounded in shape at first but then flaring out widely with age. They are held well away from the plant at a semipendant angle on wiry peduncles to 6" long and seem to be floating in midair. Sepals are green. It has nice, dark, heart shaped to moderately lobed leaves and blackish stems. Grows as a vigorous, well-branched, semivining to freestanding plant to 4-7'. This is one of the fuzzy types that whiteflies don't like that much. rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2002
pictum 'Mardi Gras'  flowers and foliage   a very vigorous form, with large leaves splashed boldly with gold and more humble and rather narrow light orange flowers, well produced. To 10' by 10' when happy, or easily kept smaller with pruning. Dramatic, large scale. Also known as A. pictum 'Aureomaculatum.' rev 10/2011
pictum ‘Thompsonii’   closeup of flowers & foliage    habit  a shorter, narrower grower, to perhaps 3-4’ tall by 2-3’ wide, with yellow speckled foliage and light orange flowers. Good vigor but a much smaller grower than most varieties. rev 10/2011
‘Pink Parasol’   closeup   color in sun   plum rose petals flare widely, flowers can be over 3" across. Plant is vigorous, chunky and upright, with a strong leader and compact dark green leaves. Height should be 3-5' without restring. Flowers are held well out from the stem and face almost horizontally to display their orange stamens. Petals are rounded, ruffled, and often doubled. rev 10/2011
'Procyon'  flowers   flowers emerge almost pastel yellow but age to almost pure white. Another superior white seedling in our constant search for the perfect white Abutilon. About 4-5'. This is one of the "dog stars," higher in the sky and further west than Sirius, in Canis Minor. This is classified as a white spectral object (F5) about 11 light years from earth and is about 1.4 times as massive as our sun. MBN INTRODUCTION-2008 rev 11/2011
'Red Gumdrop'   flowers   compact habit, producing a dense display of medium size, dark, shiny red flowers, dark green leaves with underfuzz that discourages whiteflies. A very good flower/foliage ratio in an always popular color. Lots to like here. To about 4-6' tall and wide.  MBN INTRODUCTION-2008 10/2011 
‘Rosalie’  closeup   a big, fast, well branched plant to 6-10' unrestrained, with moderate vigor, very dark stems, and large dark green leaves. Medium to large sized clear pink flowers have a somewhat lavender tint and darker veins and are more less globe shaped, with pink tinted sepals. The most vigorous of the pink types. rev 10/2011
‘Savitzii’   foliage detail    at Kelly's Bakery    rare, humble flowers   a small, dense to vining shrub to 3-5’ tall, more with any support. Unusual foliage is creamy white with a splash of green in the center. One of the true mysteries of the plant world is how this plant manages to grow as vigorously as it does with almost no green foliage. Proportionally smaller pendant flowers are narrow and bright orange but rarely seen. Easy to use in almost any foliage planting, container or otherwise. rev 10/2011
‘Souvenir de Bonn’  flowers & foliage    humble garden specimen   large dark green leaves are boldly edged with ivory. Humble flowers are light coral orange with light red veins and a magenta blush, and are very narrow, barely opening. They stand well away from the foliage on long peduncles. Even the sepals are variegated, with a narrow, yellowish margin to each long, pointed segment. A fast, open grower to at least 10’ or more if not cut back, but can be maintained much lower with minimal pruning. A striking focal point specimen, good in full sun, at least along the coast. rev 10/2011
‘Strybing Red’    closeup    a smaller, shrubby variety obtained from Strybing Arboretum, this variety bears medium size flowers of a bright, intense, shiny red, heavily produced. The interesting thing about this variety is that it has double the usual number of flowers per leaf node, four as opposed to two. Leaves are dark green with a hint of olive, felty and bug resistant, stems are dark. Moderate vigor means it is easily contained and easy to deal with in the garden. Fills in very nicely and needs little shaping, reaches 4-7'. A nice grower, this is a high flower/leaf ratio variety. rev 10/2011
‘Tangerine’  flowers   glossy, clear orange flowers, with noticeable yellow stamens, contrast nicely with stark, bright lime yellow sepals and broad, smooth, glossy light green leaves to 6". A good branching habit on a large, upright, vigorous, rather open plant to probably 6-8' if not cut back once in a while. rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2004
'Tiger Eye'   flower   wild red veins with golden yellow petal color in between. Red stamens, green calyx, large flowers, large, boldly cut shiny green leaves, strong, rather vertical habit to 6-8'. A winner! rev 10/2011 
'Tropic Rose'  flower  large, luminous, glowing rose pink. Good flower production. To 6-7' MBN INTRODUCTION-2009  rev 10/2011
'Twister'  closeup  nice pod buds  this is mostly megapotamicum, a very heavy bloomer with small, glossy, dark orange red flowers with darker red veins. The pendant flowers are sometimes partially flared, with petals that often twist around on one edge to reveal the brighter interior color, and hence the name. But others open almost completely flat so that their petals are horizontal. A fast, vining grower with thin stems and long, dark green leaves, to 4-7' and stretching longer if it has something to lay on.. rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2005
'Victor Reiter'  flowers  a very large tangerine orange flower, with a lighter center and light yellow green calyces. Compact and heavy blooming. Flowers reach over 2" across. To about 4-6' tall, 3-4' wide. rev 10/20109 
'Victorian Lady'  flower  fully double, light pink flowers. Lighter bloom production, larger, more open habit to 6-10'. rev 10/2011 
‘Violeta’  closeup  a distinctly different color break, with rounded, medium sized, satiny, silver pink flowers that age to a lavender pink, and lilac purple veins. Has a lavender purple eye and style, neutral light green calyx, even dark purple style and stamens. There is very little yellow on this variety, a rarity among Abutilons. There is no A. vitifolium heritage in this variety as far as we know, at least not recently. Medium green, silky-felty, bug resistant  foliage actually sparkles when grown in full sun. Moderate (but not low) vigor, compact habit, and a probable ultimate height of 3-4'. rev 10/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2005
'Watermelon Candy'  flowers  a vigorous upright grower of small texture and compact habit, with oval dark green leaves and very dark stems. The slightly flared flowers are a dark watermelon pink, have dark sepals, and are very heavily produced all along the branches. This variety has a high flower/leaf value. To 4-6'. MBN INTRODUCTION-2005 rev 10/2011
‘White’  closeup  white flowers with a faint pink blush with age or where exposed to sun. A moderate grower to 6-8’ tall and wide, with nicely contrasting dark green, leaves with fuzzy undersides. rev 10/2011

Acacia baileyana purpurea  COOTAMUNDRA WATTLE (but no one calls it that in California)  closeup  another closeup  habit  one of the showiest acacias for California gardens. Usually grows to 15’ tall, with a compact, dense habit, and is one of the first plants to flower, blooming heavily in late winter. Soft textured leaves are blue grey, often with deep purple red on the new growth. Very drought tolerant, hardy to around 15°F with damage. Southeastern Australia. Leguminosae/Fabaceae. This species will almost never reseed itself except on very sandy soils in areas with mild, moist winters.

     The real Acacia baileyana should not be confused with the properly hated, larger weedy species which can be found running wild throughout the Central California coast(closeup). Those plants have been placed variously into A. mearnsii, A. decurrens mollis or A. dealbata. In fact, if you watch separate stands carefully, you will usually notice that they some are actually flowering at different times of the year. What we think of as “that weedy acacia” probably refers to a complex of species. Due to the lack of grazing insects and animals, lack of diseases, and considerably higher soil fertilities here, the distinguishing growth characteristics are different here compared to Australia. Accurate separation of these species by physical characteristics will be difficult. rev 3/2007

Acanthus mollis ‘Oak Leaf’  flowers  flower closeup  Craftsman landscape habit  Victorian landscape planting  a summer-deciduous perennial usually grown for foliage that also bears showy flower stalks to 4’ tall in late spring. Part sun to shade, little or no summer watering when established, frost hardy. For evergreen foliage, flower stalks need to be removed before blooming and plants will need some summer water. Makes a dramatic container plant. Mediterranean. Acanthaceae. rev 3/2007

Acer palmatum  JAPANESE MAPLE, MOUNTAIN MAPLE  new growth  clipped into a small tree  shrub form  classic siting, Strybing Arboretum  fall color detail  a wonderful small to medium size tree loved by all for its striking grassy green bark and upright, fine textured, compact to willowy spreading form. It can take considerable shade, and is one of the best small trees for narrow alleyways or wall plantings. The bark and leaves contrast well with walls, whether leafing out in spring, in full summer foliage, or turning color in fall. They do well in very large or small containers, and look good in wide range of colors or materials. They only ask for not too much heat (especially reflected) and regular watering. Its winter form is interesting, and it combines well with either formal commercial architectural designs or informal, woodsy plantings. It has so many attractive facets they are hard to list. Have you ever noticed how beautiful it is in a spring rain when the droplets are hung like silver pearls from the swollen burgundy buds? Its easy motion in breezes and fine leaf and branch texture add light/shadow interest to walls and paved surfaces. Have you noticed how nice the color is on the newly unfolded leaves and flowers? It is just exquisite in a wet fall, when the rain makes all its bright colors light up. 

It can be grown in full sun if it is supplied with plenty of high quality water, where its form will be compact, rounded, regular, and a little chunky. Nevertheless, its very fine textured foliage gives it a soft, almost mossy look. It is probably at its best in either part sun or mostly shade where its branches tend to be long, willowy, and with little taper. It really enjoys a cool, moist root run. It will take full shade as long as it has bright, reflected light or at least an open view of the sky. Tree ferns make wonderful companion plants. Famously good for bonsai, although you had better thicken the trunk in the ground or a large container because trunk girth enlargement essentially stops once it is planted in a small container. Frost hardy. Korea, China, Japan. Aceraceae.

atropurpureum  RED LEAF JAPANESE MAPLE  young plant  leaves  nice tree at Strybing Arboretum  similar to the regular green form, but these seedlings have reddish purple foliage in spring when new leaves emerge. Color is best in at least part sun, can be retained until mid summer on best seedlings. In shade expect the foliage to be mostly green. Usually these plants offer stronger fall color than green seedlings.

Achillea evergreen to deciduous perennials, all very frost hardy. Useful for cutting, in mixed boarders or even as small scale groundcovers. All are very good as nectar sources for beneficial predatory and parsitoid insects, like hover flies, tiny wasps, etc. And butterflies love them too. Compositae/Asteraceae. All Sunset zones, USDA zone 3. rev 6/2011

‘Moonshine’  flowers  habit  a semievergreen to deciduous perennial, showing a wonderful combination of fuzzy grey green foliage and bright, intense, clear yellow flowers in flat clusters to 30" high. Primary bloom is early spring through fall but it likely shows cumulative long day initiation and can bloom through mild winters if cut back in fall. Best in full sun with average to little summer watering when established and all are frost hardy. Good for cutting. Compositae/Asteraceae. rev 8/2006

'Paprika'   flowers   deep, true red flowers with dusty yellow stamens, held in big, flat panicles to about 2' tall, with grey green, ferny foliage. This is great for borders mixed with traditional perennials and does double duty cut and displayed in a vase. Flower time is spring through fall (if cut back). Mix it with penstemons, the larger salvias, coreopsis, and of course other yarrows like 'Moonshine,' etc. rev 6/2011

'Red Velvet'  YARROW  flowers  silvery green foliage with dark, true red flowers that attract butterflies and beneficial insects. An easy perennial for sun and heat. Suitable for herb gardens and vegetable gardens, and wherever pollinators are wanted. A nice cut flower used fresh or dried. To about 2-3' tall and wide, clumping bigger and better each year. Average to little watering. All Sunset zones/USDA 3. rev 5/2011 

'Terra Cotta' flowers  this is starts pale gold, warms to peachy orange, and finishes warm, tawny coral red. To about 2', grey green foliage. rev 1/2011 

Acoelorrhaphe wrightii  EVERGLADES PALM, SILVER SAW PALM, PAUROTIS PALM   graceful Huntington specimen    another at the Huntington  we are trying this palm out because I have admired a nice specimen in an Eastside Santa Cruz yard, and if it can be grown there it can be grown throughout the Bay Area, most of the Central Valley, and all points south outside of the desert. It forms a compact crown of spiky yet graceful, somewhat elongated light silvery green to grey green fan fronds, each only about 2-3'" in diameter, on long, elegant petioles and on long, thin trunks, reaching 10-15' after many years. As the trunks get taller the silvery leaf undersides become better displayed. Old leaves must be cut off, but the petiole bases remain as thatching. It clusters quickly, and will form a nice, elegant clump with age. This has tolerated cool summers and frost to 20F, though it would most like to grow in Florida. The more sun, heat, water and fertilizer you give it, the faster it will grow. It is useful as an easy to take care of foliage plant that won't outgrow its spot or container. Sun, has some drought tolerance but prefers at least intermittent watering, and will take standing water, needs feeding/trace elements in cool soils. Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24/USDA zone 9. Native to Florida, the Caribbean and Central America. Palmae/Arecaceae. rev 11/2010 

Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’  habit  this dwarf, clumping sedge-like plant forms a small, spreading rosette with narrow leaves to 6" tall, with a golden yellow stripe along each edge. Slow growing, compact. Needs at least some regular watering, and will accept very wet conditions. Excellent in containers or as bonsai accompaniments, and this species and its varieties can even be used in aquaria (I know, 'cause  I did it!). Frost hardy. Southeast Asia, Japan. Araceae. rev 6/2011 

'Golden Lion'  with sand balls  this is a simple all-gold sport I selected out of A. gramineus 'Ogon.' Its function in life is to provide a short fountain of narrow, soft, luminous, golden, arching, grass-like blades that grow in neat fans. Easy to blend with other plants, in pots, in the shade garden, and by water features. Or use it in dry steam beds and similar creations to suggest water when none really exists. To about 10-12" tall and slowly spreading. Easy to grow, not demanding at all. Morning sun, or mostly shade, average watering, but will grow in wet soils. Sunset zones 3-10, 14-24/USDA 6. rev 11/2011 MBN INTRODUCTION-2011
‘Variegatus’  at Strybing Arboretum  creamy white leaf margins.

Actinidia  KIWIFRUIT  fast growing, hardy deciduous vines that like rich soils, regular watering, and full sun. Pruning is as for grapes; flowers form at the base of mature wood set the previous year. If your kiwi fails to flower, whatever the species or variety, the possible reasons, in order, are not mature enough, not enough chill, or improper pruning. When pruning, be careful to not cut too far back. "Mature" wood means not only old, but distant from the juvenile wood at the base of the plant. By cutting back too far you may be left with only very old juvenile-class wood, which will not flower. At least one to two full season's worth of growth should be left uncut in order to properly mature the bearing wood if your plant won't flower. If it still fails to flower then you probably have a chilling issue. Shading the plant in winter can often recover enough chill to satisfy dormancy requirements.

     Lost its label? Don't know whether it is male or female? I know of no way to sex the plant without flowers. Male flowers of all species have stamens only or stamens plus greatly reduced, non-functional stigmas; female flowers develop both stamens (a circle around the base of the style) and pistils (spread in a ring at the tip of the style), although the stamens can be reduced, or only partially developed, especially in those varieties requiring cross pollination. Most males will cross-pollinate other species, but often a specific male variety is better for pollinating a specific female variety due to better synchronicity of flowering, even within a species. Actinidiaceae. rev 6/2004

arguta ‘Issai’  RUSSIAN KIWI  fall fruit     very close up of self-fertile female flowers   this very vigorous deciduous vine is grown for its heavy crops of small (1-1 1/2" long), grape-sized fruit with smooth, tender skin. Flavor is kiwi-like, but 50-100% sweeter, and often preferred in blind taste testing to commercial kiwis. The copious quantities of fruit in grape-like clusters offset the smaller fruit size, plus they don't need to be peeled to be eaten you just pop 'em in your mouth. This is a self-fertile form, with typical green fruit. Crops will be heavier with a pollinator (especially A. arguta males). It is very cold hardy, capable of being grown anywhere in California. Prefers adequate moisture, but tolerates lower soil fertility and is less harmed by drought stress than A. deliciosa. Eastern Asia.

female   HARDY KIWI, RUSSIAN KIWI   fruit   we know this is a high quality, named selection - because they all are - but our source forgets which one exactly. None of us here really care that it is hardy to USDA zone god-knows-what, we just care that it is freely productive of small (1 1/2") , extremely sweet, smooth fruit that you can pop into your mouth like a grape. Just as fast as a regular kiwi, and just as big ultimately, but finer in texture. Needs our male ('74-32') for pollination. Full sun, regular watering, totally frost hardy.Sunset zones 1-24, USDA zone 4. rev 1/2012

male '74-32'  selected in 1974 at the old USDA Chico Plant Introduction Station. Pollinator for female argutas and 'Ken's Red.' rev 12/2010

deliciosa ‘Vincent’ female  KIWI FRUIT  fruit     nice new stems   close to the common kiwi fruit of commerce, but with stiffer external hairs and more tendency to fan. The reason it is the best variety for most California home gardens is that it has a much lower chill requirement than the grocery store 'Chico/Hayward' variety. The vine itself is rather ornamental, and features large, subtropical appearing foliage and wonderfully fuzzy, red new growth. I have seen leaves 10" across by 12" long on vigorous plants that were well fed and well watered. According to Roger Meyer, a rare fruit nurseryman in Fountain Valley, it is a very heavy bearer and needs to be thinned to size properly. Needs sun, ample water, good drainage, and fertilizing. China, Taiwan. rev 3/2007

‘Tomuri’ male  flower  a good pollinator for female A. deliciosa as well as apparently some other species. A late season male, one can pollinate up to 8 females if centrally located.

‘Ken’s Red’  plant  an A. arguta x melanandra selection that bears fruit that are red inside and out. Excellent flavor, heavy bearer. Pollinate with A. arguta male, see notes under ‘Issai.’ This vine is valuable for its neat, wonderful green leaves and red stems. Unlike A. deliciosa, it doesn't have that peculiar scent to the foliage. For cold areas, this vine should be considered as a valuable landscape item, regardless of fruit production.

Adenanthos sericeus sericeus  habit    at Santa Cruz City Hall    very subtle flowers  Grevillea relatives, this genus is a group of evergreen shrubs grown mostly for their attractive foliage and habits. Some, like this form, are used commercially and by gardeners for cut foliage. This species has very fine, feathery, silvery, soft textured foliage and an upright habit to 6-8' or more if well sited. The tips of the branches are often tipped pink. We are growing what we believe to be a form originally sourced from Portland, which survived their lightweight freezes (heavy for us) but no their epic Arctic Blasts (unimaginable for us). Grow it in full to half sun with at least average drainage and infrequent to little summer watering when established. It needs little or no fertilizer beyond occasional iron treatments in affected soils. This is one seriously tough and forgiving container plant, and can tolerate soils becoming essentially completely dry. Western Australia. Proteaceae. rev 9/2010

Adenium obesum (seedlings)     Jakarta container specimens    a compact succulent shrub related to Plumeria, this species is what you would create if you put Mandevilla flowers onto a dwarf shrub with a picturesque, fantastically swollen base. These seedlings will eventually produce large, trumpet shaped flowers to about 2-3" across in dark red, pink, stripes, white, with white throats, or picotees, you name it. They will also form the wonderful, coveted swollen bases very quickly compared to TC forms, which have known, uniform flower color in their favor. But most of the satisfaction comes from that incredible trunk, and seedlings are therefore the quickest route to happiness. Bloom time is essentially all the time it is growing, which is as long as the plant is warm, watered, occasionally fertilized, and is mature enough to form flowering wood. It should dry between waterings, and the real Achilles' Heel is that is really, really, really doesn't like the cold, wet soils (below 50F) typical of California winters. The way to grow this successfully outside the subtropics is as a patio plant you later move inside to a bright spot, or as greenhouse/sun window specimen. It needs a frost protected, mostly dry winter rest period, during which it will be leafless. We originally started growing this as a wild, carefree experiment, since I knew nothing about the plant. Seeing it on our availability list Kathy Echols of Danville mentioned that she has it as a container plant at her house and it absolutely blooms its head off, just covered, for about ten months of the year in return for very little care. Full to mostly full, hot sun. Wait until leaves begin to grow in spring before resuming watering (the plant will let you know when). Outside in Sunset zones 23, 24/USDA 10, but as a container plant anywhere. Be advised this plant's sap is highly toxic, especially in concentrated form, enough so that sap dried onto arrow heads is used in hunting by native East African hunters. East Africa, Madagascar. Apocynaceae. rev 11/2011 *NEW for 2012!*

'Evelyn Marie'  DESERT ROSE  flower  bears an almost continuous show of tubular, brilliant rose pink flowers over a very long period during the warm season. It eventually forms a compact shrublet to a foot or two tall as a container plant and reward you with an unbelievable display of flowers. Outside in frost free, relatively dry winter, hot summer climates it can even reach 4-5' tall but I've never seen one that big in California except in the desert greenhouse at a botanic garden. They are even used for bonsai, where you are guaranteed a swollen trunk. Supposedly highly rot prone we have lost very few so far in our production blocks. Full, hot sun, careful watering, moderate regular feeding, good drainage, no frost. rev 11/2011 

Adiantum  MAIDENHAIR AND FIVE FINGER FERNS  evergreen to deciduous ferns of relatively small stature. Many will tolerate full sunlight based on water availability; some can take full direct summer sun as long as they are constantly saturated. Native species are usually found on limestone seeps.  Adiantum species can usually be given a complete cutting back in late winter as the new fronds just start to push if they don't go naturally deciduous by themselves. The only plants that won't be renewed by this treatment will be plants that are struggling. Those should not be cut at all. All are excellent in containers. Some can be kept  standing in a shallow dish of water. Polypodiaceae. rev 4/2005   

‘Rosy Maid’  fronds  tighter, more compact fronds with smaller, slightly ruffly segments. New growth is brighter rose pink. rev 9/2011

'Mairisii'   MAIDENHAIR FERN   potted   a worthwhile but uncommon variety, growing with more vigor and denser rhizomes than many other hardy maidenhair ferns. And it is very frost hardy, but deciduous with any cold. Barbara Hoshizaki, our fern reference, states this is a hybrid of A. capillus-veneris, the Southern Maidenhair of the Eastern US, with probably A. aethiopicum that arose in the 1800s at Mairis & Co. Nursery in England. Clumps slowly to 18" tall with that beautiful, lacy Maidenhair foliage. This is a great companion for cyclamen in an autumn container, and is one of the better varieties for shade landscape use.. Regular waterings, well drained, moist soil. Sunset zones 5-9, 14-24/USDA 7. rev 9/2011-Suzy Brooks 

pedatum  FIVE-FINGERED FERN  Marty Wiseman's Paradise Park garden    reverse   fronds  this beautiful native fern bears delicate, layered fronds in a finger-like display. Several closely related selections are found in the trade, usually more compact and lush than our native strain. Most of what we have been getting appears to be what is classified as the strain, variety, subspecies, ecotype, or even separate species known as aleuticum. Which has a tall, robust habit, fewer, much longer, narrower leaflets, is deciduous in winter, and very cold hardy. In addition, many of our strains seem to have been sourced from plants native to ultramafic (mantle-derived, often serpentine) soils and have very long, curved pinnae that give a Venetian blind effect to the fronds. North America, Northern India, Japan. I love this plant! rev 2/2010

'Imbricatum'  many plants   closeup   this is appears to be all aleuticum, with a more dominant central leaflet and symmetrical, forked frond configuration. Nicely nested fronds make for a denser, lusher appearing plant. rev 2/2010  

raddianum  MAIDENHAIR FERN  foliage  open, tall, airy fronds with round pinnae (leaflets). Another very easy species. Great in containers, and probably the best variety for the garden. This species and its varieties will tolerate moderate watering if kept from direct sun. Grow in frost protected outdoor sites in zones 8-9, 14-24/USDA 9 or as a house/greenhouse plant. Central and South America, West Indies. rev 2/2010

cuneatum  fronds closeup  habit  like A. raddianum, but more compact and spreading.
‘Fragrantissimum’  a relatively vigorous, typical form with moderately open fronds. Segments are cut. rev 2/2010
‘Fritz Luth’  foliage  dense, compact variety of maidenhair fern. Cold hardy.
'Microphyllum'  nice crop   extremely minute new growth, tiny little leaflets, that expands to be simply small leaflets when mature. Distinctive and different, one of my favorites. rev 2/2010 
‘Ocean Spray’  foliage  overlapping narrow leaflets, very upright, ultra compact, even tinier than 'Microphyllum.' rev 2/2010
‘Pacific Maid’  foliage  fronds are compact, with very large, lacy pinnae. More cold hardy. rev 2/2010

Agapanthus  LILY OF THE NILE  clumping evergreen or deciduous bulbs with rounded to campanulate flower clusters atop tall stems. All evergreen Agapanthus varieties are at least deciduous with hard frost and can be badly damaged if it gets cold enough. If you expect to be USDA zone 8b/Sunset zone 7 or colder, use the deciduous varieties, which can go a couple of zones lower. Don't forget that all Agapanthus are dearly loved by hummingbirds. The darker blue clones are especially valuable in hotter Central Valley and Southern California climates, where hotter, 100°F-plus temperatures badly bleach the lighter blue seedling flowers by late summer. The genus is native to South Africa. Amaryllidaceae. rev 9/03

‘Bressingham White’  flowers  briefly deciduous and quite cold hardy, with white flowers on stalks to 3'. But the real reason you want this variety is that it is the best "pink" agapanthus out there, pinker than others with "pink" in the name, better for vigor, better for flower production and better for overall presentaion in the garden. The narrow stripe of medium lavender on the back of every other petal fades to bright magenta pink as the old flower ages and dries. The white flowers with that faintly lavender pink hue are nicely contrasted against the classy and distinctive dark burgundy flower stalks. Bloom time is midsummer. Sunset zone 5, 8-9, 14-24/USDA zone 8. rev 9/2009
'Blue Medusa' PP 20,839  nursery plants  a sport or mutant discovered within our block of regular 'Storm Cloud,' this grows with rather prostrate leaves, intriguing, snaky, curving flower stems, buds that look like snake heads, and foliage that appears greyer than the original type. Total overall height has been below 2' on plants in the nursery. The overall effect is quite serpentine, between the twisted, low foliage and the cobra-like buds. The flowers are the same beautiful dark blue as 'Storm Cloud.' rev 1/2012  MBN INTRODUCTION-2008
'Elegance'  absolutely beautiful flowers   the most beatiful variety? Lavender purple picotee flowers, on tall stalks. Summer bloom. Light colored foliage on a rather large grower to 2' tall, with stalks to 4-5'. rev 9/20109  MBN INTRODUCTION-2009
‘Frederick Street Park’ TM   blooming nursery plants  the best improved Peter Pan type we have found yet, with very compact growth, shorter, more robust stalks, and darker blue, more heavily textured flowers than seen on other plants sold as ‘Peter Pan.’ Foliage is dark green, stalks are reliably compact. Facultative long day, so it can bloom in winter or very early spring as well as during the usual summer period. Evergreen. rev 5/2005 MBN INTRODUCTION-2000
'Hush'   deep purple   deeper purple    first crop   deep, almost black purple. Flowers are produced on very short stalks on top of compact foliage. The whole package finishes under 16" tall. Bloom time is late summer. Facultatively deciduous, normally evergreen. A seedling of a 'Storm Cloud' seedling. Sunset zones 7-9, 14-24/USDA 9. rev 9/2010 MBN INTRODUCTION-2010
'Little White Bird' TM  flowering plants   this is a variegated seedling of 'Storm Cloud' we received from Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation when they closed their growing grounds and distributed their plant materials. They have subsequently elected to release this form without royalty or variety protection. It is an intermediate height form, to maybe 2' tall, with flower stalks to 3'. Flower heads are reasonably large and the blossoms themselves are white, appearing in summer. This is almost a white 'Tinkerbell.' As for the name, 'The Little White Bird' was the name of a book written in 1902 by J.M. Barrie which included several chapters that were later expanded and derived to form the children's book Peter Pan. We are using this name on the suggestion of our sales rep Shelby E. Hall. There you go, Shelby! Zones 6-9, 12-24.  rev 11/2009 MBN INTRODUCTION-2010
‘Midnight Blue’  closeup  shady garden  deciduous, hardy, with dark blue flowers of exceptional form, flaring fully open in full, round clusters. Flower petioles and bases are tinted burgundy. Attractive, narrow foliage. This one has bloomed in early spring as well as in midsummer, even though it goes deciduous. rev 8/2002
‘Mini Twista’ TM  closeup  a very small evergreen plant with a heavy bloom of pure white flowers in dense, round clusters on thick, chunky, sturdy stalks. Rather broad foliage for a dwarf form. The dwarfest white. MBN INTRODUCTION-2000
‘New Blue’  flowers  the notable feature of this variety is its very large flower size, to over 3" across. In addition, each flower displays a central blue stripe against lighter blue edges, sometimes with a defining dark marginal stripe on each side as well. Many other varieties also have this feature, which can be seen if you look closely, but in 'New Blue' it is obvious and distinctive because of the unusual flower size.The only drawback is that the flower clusters don't have that high a bud count. Evergreen to semideciduous, based on how much cold it gets, and frost hardy, with rich, medium blue flowers of intermediate height. Often blooms in mid to late summer, though I have seen waves of bloom in early spring as well, and it can continue to bloom until fall. Foliage is notably thin and grassy, habit is quite compact. rev 8/2006
‘Peter Pan’  flowers  planting  massed bloom  similar to Dwarf White, but shorter, to 18-24", with deep blue flowers. Evergreen. Cumulative long day, can bloom in winter in addition to summer. rev 8/2002
'Purple Storm' TM  mass   individual   a seedling selection of Storm Cloud, this is rich, medium lavender purple in color. It is lower growing (to about 30"), early flowering (facultative long day), more evergreen than its parent, and definitely pure purple as opposed to dark blue purple in color. Probably zones 5-9, 12-24, USDA 7. rev 7/2010 MBN INTRODUCTION-2010
'Sapphire Storm' TM  flowering in April  our own seedling selection of 'Storm Cloud,' one of only three or four out of many thousands we have trialed, this plant is shorter than its parent, very dark blue instead of blue purple, more evergreen, and faster blooming (facultative long day). It can bloom any time 'Peter Pan' does, meaning often lightly in Dec-Jan, or any point in between then and mid-spring. It really puts on a show! rev 6/2010 MBN INTRODUCTION-2010
'Snowball'   flowers  a very compact yet vigorous form, under 20" tall, maybe lower, that bears almost pure white flowers that don't set seed.. This is the cleanest white I have found so far (no yellow in the bud, or in the base of the flower), with good petal and flower conformation, a very compact habit, and a great flower production. rev 1/2012
‘Storm Cloud’  closeup  a seedling of ‘Mood Indigo.’ Bears very wide, round tipped strap-like leaves with a glossy sheen, to 2’ long. Stalks of dark purple blue flowers appear in summer, reach 4’ tall. A vigorous grower and bloomer, and makes and excellent cut flower. Only about as winter hardy as other evergreen Agapanthus, so damaged below 20°F. Introduced by Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation. Probably our most popular variety. rev 8/2002  
‘Tinker Bell’  closeup  young planting  variegated evergreen leaves, medium blue flowers. A slower grower. Mostly summer bloom, and then not very heavily. rev 7/2004

Agastache HYSSOP, HUMMINGBIRD BUSH  close relatives of Salvias, often bearing colorful, tubular flowers under long day conditions. Some are very tough and drought tolerant, others like more traditional irrigated conditions. All have minty foliage and many attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Labiatae/Lamiaceae. from the Northern Hemisphere. rev 10/2010 

Agave  familiar, tough, leathery to hard, usually spiny, cactus-like plants that are actually more closely related to Yuccas. They mostly like dry conditions at some point during the year but many of the more tropical species can take considerable moisture as long as temperatures are not too low. All make good container plants but some will need very large containers indeed at full maturity. Give them all very good drainage and grow them with the understanding that some will be intolerant of extended, cold, wet winters. The familiar dramatic blue Century Plant belongs here. Agavaceae. rev 3/2010

Recipes  I like how in plant catalogs they give recipes for the various plants they sell, like for tomato sauce from heirloom tomatoes, or for home garden beans and basil sauteed in virgin olive oil. You know what I mean. So to make sure you don't miss out with our catalog, here's a couple of Agave recipes I got from our workers:

Chivo (young goat) in Agave leaves   Cut off the leaves of one large Agave, such as A. americana, A. tatula, A. ferox, etc., and lay some of the leaves down together. Put a goat on top of the leaves lengthwise, then layer more leaves on top until it is totally encased in them. Note: the goat must be killed first. Don't try this with a live goat! Anyway, once you have the goat covered in leaves, make a small cut partway through the upper surface of a leaf right below the terminal spine and pull the attached strong fibers down until you have stripped them to the base. Cut them there, and use this "needle and thread" to sew/wrap the leaves together into tight bundle. When the package is nice and tight, dig a big pit. Big. Big!  Big enough for the goat in its leaves, and then some. Then get a big, big fire going and burn it down to a mountain of coals. Shovel some coals into the bottom of the pit, then place the goat in its blanket of leaves on top, and finish by shovelling more coals on top until you have big mountain of coals with a goat somewhere in the middle. Cook him, and keep cooking him. Cook him until the leaves turn black. Cook him a long time because the longer and slower you cook him the more tender he'll be. Cook him until he's all the way done. Enjoy!

americana  CENTURY PLANT  nice setting   a large to gigantic woody succulent, forming an impenetrable rosette from 4' to 7' tall and wide on the most massive specimens. This is the distintive, large, common landscape plant you see all over. There are several reasons you see so many Century Plants around, for all their faults. First, they are reliably blue to blue grey, probably the best blue-foliaged plant you can easily find. Second, they are quite adaptable to cool or hot climates, high or low rainfall, warm or cold winters. Third they are norotiously forgiving of soil. And fourth they last a long time once in. People just love them. They are best used where they won't be crowded, won't be near any humans or pets, and can be a focal point, or be displayed against some kind of distinctive background, such as rocks, a wall, other plants, etc. Or use it as a backdrop itself, to let other plants scramble on or be displayed against. The very best place for this is across the street in your neighbor's yard, where you can see it clearly but don't have to deal with it. Gift one today! They also make excellent, excellent security barriers, such as under windows or at points where someone might jump a fence. They vary from seed and quite modest in stature - you might get lucky and end up with a three footer! After many decades in an unwatered desert environment, or a decade or two in a garden, it will throw a narrow, candelabra-like spike to 15-20' tall bearing your usual yellowish green flowers. The plant will die a few months later and usually pups will arise all around the base. Choose one you like and rogue the rest out with a shovel or pickaxe. Sun to half sun, almost no summer watering, frost hardy to Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24/USDA zone 9. rev 3/2010

attenuata   why you grow it   nice stand at the Huntington   a soft-leaved, succulent, unarmed Agave.  This is loved for its wonderfully soft, rubbery leaves, complete lack of spines, powdery glaucous coating, and soft jade green color. It says "tropical desert" when used in a landscape, and I would say it is one of the best foliage plants ever invented. It is hard to find a spot where it doesn't look good. It really shines in part shade, where the leaves can extend to their full size and there is less risk of sunbleaching under the hottest conditions. This species also sends up a tremendous flower spike, to about 10-15' high, of creamy white flowers in spring, when mature enough, that is quite spectacular in its own right but too infrequently seen to beplanted for that feature alone. Hard freezes will damage the foliage but it usually renews itself reasonably quickly. Extended hard frosts below 25°F will often kill it completely though. Temperatures between that and freezing can disfigure it horribly to various degrees, sometimes permanently, so give it good protection in Northern California. You don't want to use this where it will be damaged every year. It is too ugly when recovering, and it is too painful to watch the plant suffer through the process. Have mercy. If you do want to use it in a colder climate just put it in a pot, where its succulent nature is highly forgiving of both root confinement as well as inadequate watering and you can move it around to use it to its best effect. To about 30" across and  tall when mature. Mexico. rev 3/2009

'Blue Flame'   Quail Botanic Gardens, full sun    Huntington Botanic Gardens, some shade    Rogers Gardens, blooming    this is a Dave Verity hybrid of A. attenuata and A. shawiiintroduced by the Huntington Botanic Garden. It is a medium size grower, blue green in color, has flexible leaves, essentially lacks spines (has a single terminal spine which can be tipped, and minimal marginal dentition),  is adaptable to a range of soils, and takes frost to the low twenties. It absolutely nails the highly desirable target for a relatively small, spineless agave that can take some frost. The leaves are somewhat spatulate and have wonderful elongated tips, giving them a somewhat flame-like appearance. Of course this is invaluable in a container, especially if the container is near traffic. A 5-6' spike of dark burgundy maroon flowers appears in fall and winter when the plant is old enough. rev 1/2012

'Blue Glow'  young plant   at Quail Botanic Gardens   this is a compact, rather hard form, to 2-3' tall and wide, with deep blue green leaves with a glaucous cast and a very symmetrical, even habit. Its leaves have a single terminal spine only. It is the result of crossing A. attenuata with A. ocahui (usually pronounced oh-ka-hooey). Its leaves are wider than A. ocahui but smaller than A. attenuata. Richard Ward from the Dry Garden decribes it as "gorgeous, immaculate, without a single bad leaf after ten years. [He's right!] It has perfect symmetry, people really notice it in the garden." You can see that in our picture from Quail. Somewhat limited supply. rev 1/2012

bovicornuta  COW HORN AGAVE    at the Huntington   I don't get the common name. Supposedly the central bud column looks like a cow's horn, but then so do all of them. Crazy, bright reddish brown margin teeth, dancing to the left and the right, add to the incredible leaf imprints left on the backs of the green  leaves of this midsized (really!) Agave. A solitary plant, but it does  occasionally produce a layer of pups underneath, and grows about 2 1/2-3' tall, 4-5' wide. Flowers are yellow green, on branched stalks to about 12'. The green leaves are widest in the middle and can be kept from turning yellowy green with summer water and some light shade. Very decorative in the garden, blending well with perennials, nice in groups, and suitable for containers. Takes sun or some shade, and grows best in well drained soil. Found in the pine and oak woodlands of Mexico, but strains vary in hardiness based on provenance. Protect from hard freezes (below 25F) outside Sunset zones 16-24/USDA 9. rev 1/2012

celsii (mitis)   greyer form, Huntington Botanic Gardens   green form, UCSC (foreground)    flower detail    greener form, Strybing    again, blooming   this is a low, quite compact, unarmed species with bright green to grey green foliage. There is lots of confusion regarding the name, so much that the whole subject makes me tired, and I'm just not going to deal with it. This is one of the really good alternatives when you want the Century Plant look without the Century Plant problems, including massive size and dangrous spines. It is a valuable asset to have in your quiver if you are designing gardens that will have children, because you don't have to worry about them falling into it. The long, blackish tip of the leaf almostbecomes hard, and the leaves are often edged with a dark maroon line. Some individuals can develop fine teeth, some are extremely smooth, but  overall this species is toothless. It only grows to 24" tall and spreads slowly by clumping. The leaves are pliant and tend to be quite green when juvenile, but most will be at least somewhat greyish with age, and some become quite blue grey. Other strains remain bright green throughout their life. The large burgundy flower buds open to flowers ranging from deep chocolate burgundy to light greenish white, depending on age. All have showy yellow stamens. The flower show is actually quite good, for an Agave. The single, ubranched, narrowly columnar flower stalk is produced in early summer and reaches a height of 6-8'.  This species grows at a higher elevation and under moister conditions than the desert species and likes part shade in hot areas as well as light to regular summer watering. It is shade tolerant if kept a little drier. It will reportedly tolerate frost to well below 20F and can be grown in Sunset Zones 8-9, 14-24/USDA zone 9. Mexico. rev 1/2012 

celsii (mitis) 'Nova'   small plant    a very pretty, easy-to-grow, and fast growing Agave with wide, silvery blue leaves. This isn't the pure, gentle A. mitis, which is functionally spineless, but a hybrid with cute but meaningul red teeth along the leaf edges and a similarly meaningful tip spine. This came from seed collected in the wild, with one parent being Agave mitis. Unfortunately both the true A. mitis as well as the completely harmless A. attenuata 'Nova' are going to be confused with this, so we might give it another name for separation. It flowers in 4-6 years with water, room, and fertilizer, producing a six foot spike of pale yellow flowers. Slow it down by containerizing it and/or being stingy with the feeding and watering. Faint banding is visible across the mature leaf, grows to about 2-3' tall and wide. Likes full to half sun, good drainage. Sunset zones 16-22/USDA 9. rev 1/2012

colorata   why you grow it   rosette   another   nice planting  the most awsomely righteous foliage plant ever invented. Stark, blinding, blue white in its best forms, beautiful white bands against grey green in other forms. Modestly sized, extremely tough, and highly ornamented with spines. It grows as a mostly solitary rosette to about 2' x 2', with enough pups to pass around but not enough to be obnoxious. The very broad leaves have intricate and ornate spination and are covered with a white powder. After enough years (ten?) it will produce a branched flower stalk to about 8-10' in late spring, bearing greenish white flowers, then bronzy seed heads. The main plant will die and be replaced by several root sprouts. Give this as much sun and heat as possible, stony, mineral soils (or grow in a containers), and not much water except in the hottest of climates. It should take frost below 20F without any problem but long, cold, wet periods may cause problems. I have grown this successfully in Santa Cruz where it sits in cold, wet, shaded soils for several months each winter and suffers through half to three fourths the day in cold, wet fog during summer. Being from Baja it shows tolerance for both cool, foggy summers and furnace-like heat. So far, so good. There are dramatic plantings at the Huntington Botanic Gardens, where my images were taken. Very limited supply this year. Mexico. rev 1/2012 

geminiflora  at the Huntington  very thin, wiry, hard leaves are dark green and resemble those of Xanthorrhea or Dasylirion longissimum. To about 18-24" tall, with attractive white leaf margins and wispy filaments sparsely shedding from the leaf edges. This forms a very even, symmetrical dome of narrow, pointy leaves. It is relatively plump and succulent when young and in "production" condition, including round juvenile leaves. It develops its proper, harder, more gracile mature form and triangular leaves with edge filaments once it has been in the garden a while. Check it out at the Huntington. Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24/USDA zone 9. rev 1/2012 

'Grey Puppy'  young plant   small, grey, clustering together, and with sharp teeth. This is a heavily pupping species of unknown identity that is found in the trade in California. Its greatest attributes are its small size coupled with its clustering/pupping habit. This forms colonies to about 12-18" tall, spreading to a coule of fee across, of mostly triangular leaves tipped and edged with the usual sharp things, often edged in blackish tones. It makes a great small container or can be used crawling along cracks and seams in rocks or walls. I have only seen a picture of its relatively demure, branched flower stalk. Sun, very dry, the usual conditions. Good in pots because it doesn't get that big. Probably hardy to Sunset zones 6-24/USDA zone 8b at least. rev 4/2010

guiengola  at the Huntington   smaller plant  a tough plant, sometimes as big as a Century Plant (A. americana) scale, but mostly smaller, with smooth, sculpted, blue grey, grey green, or even grey white leaves that are broad and very thick. It has a single terminal spine on each leaf (which you can clip partiall off), and on some individuals light marginal teeth. Very old specimens in favored locations can get 6-7' tall and about 10' wide, but only eventually, and only in warm Southern locations. Otherwise you will probably know it as a 3-4' tall, 5-6' wide single specimen. It likes part shade in the hot climates. The smooth mature foliage makes you want to run your hands over it to enjoy the texture and coolness. Enjoy this for its wonderful, alien form and stark blue white leaf color. Use it in containers, or as a focal point plant. It looks great against dark volcanic rock. Below about 25F it runs the risk of being disfigured by frost, which will leave it with shrunken black tissue that will take most of the next growing season to cover up. If winter temperatures regularly visit the neighborhood of 25F you should choose another plant. If you only see those temps every few years you are fortunate to be able to grow this distinctive species. Sunset zones 8-9, 13-24/USDA zone 9. Mexico (Oaxaca). rev 9/2009

gypsophila  at Roger's Gardens   this Agave stands out with its curly tips and wavy edges. In a succulent 'underwater garden,' this would be an interesting octopus. Solitary, 2-3' tall and wide. Soft spines on grey green leaves make a friendly container plant. Takes sun on the coast, more shade inland. It is rather tender, and best suited for Southern California or well-protected sites in NorCal. Sunset zones 16-24/USDA 9b. rev 10/2010

havardiana  BIG BEND AGAVE  mature container plant  a compact, chunky, blue grey to grey green species, variable, to 2-3' tall and wide max. Almost looks like a cross between A. parryi and A. americana (Century Plant). Another option for those looking for striking blue-form agaves that won't take over. Very tough and very cold hardy. Sean Hogan of Cistus Nursery near Portland states the main reason to covet and treasure this species is that it is absolutely the most rain/wet soil tolerant species for the Northwest or similar wet-winter climates. rev 9/2010

horrida ssp. horrida  seedlings  a picture is worth a thousand words, and incredibly I don't have one of this most distinctive and recognizable species. It grows as a low, wide rosette to about 18" tall and wide, comprised of fearsome, triangular green leaves, each glossy, dark green, to 3" wide, lined with hooked teeth and ttipped with a long, red brown, scaly terminal spine that matures to a straw or grey white color. These seedlings show moderate variation for spine color and length and a lttle variation in leaf color as well. The leaf backs show strong impressions on the backsides. This is yet another one you don't want to fall into, but being of smaller dimensions and also the fact that the spines point up not out it is a little easier to live with. It is great in containers because it invites close inspection, and is easier to keep out of the way. Always popular, but slow. Solitary, doesn't pup. It forms a narrow, unbranched, attractively scraggly flower stalk to about 10' tall after the appropriate amount of time, then its bodily form passes from this earth. Mexico. Hardy to about 20F, Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24/USDA zone 9. rev 3/2009 

marmorata  mature banded leaves   broad juvenile leaves   a small species, to about 3' tall by 4' wide,, but with very narrow, recurved leaves that are clearly distinguished by their unusual and wonderful alternating horizontal bands of blue white and grey green. The leathery leaves are also often twisted and narrower towards the base. Quite confusingly this is one of the most dimorphic species, with substantially different juvenile and mature foliage. Young leaves look much more like A. colorata and almost never show grey or banding. Sends up the usual mind-blowing 20' tall flower stalk of greenish yellow flowers when its time on earth is at an end, to be replaced by adventitious pups, also forming copious plantlets along the flower stalk. Our current form may actually be A. gigantensis due to several points of discrepency with the description of A. marmorata, especially in that its leaves aren't rough like those of A. guadalajarana. Hardy to around 25F. USDA zones 9 and up. rev 12/2011 

ovatifolia   OVAL LEAF AGAVE  Huntington Botanic Gardens  the second most righteously awesome foliage plant ever invented. It is a broad but usually rather low species with spectacular, wide, powdery blue white to white grey leaves. It forms clean rosettes with a rather stiff appearance, often with over fifty leaves. Apparently it almost never offsets. Juvenile foliage mostly resembles other Agaves, being wavy and toothed, and it needs a couple of years to show mature foliage characteristics. It has only been in cultivation for about ten years but excellent large specimens can be seen at several public gardens, especially in Southern California. I had always assumed it was tender, but it grows at from 3-6000' elevation in the mountains of Northern Mexico. It can get extremely cold there, and rainy, when Arctic fronts penetrate the Central U.S. Growers in Texas report it having taken 5F or lower, and wet soils, without problems. It is related to A. parryi, A. parrasana and A. havardiana, all known to survive the worst conditions found in the PNW, so this shouldn't be surprising. However it is more spectaclar than any of those relatives. Give it full to partial sun, average drainage, and very little (but some) summer watering except in the fog belt where it can exist on rainfall alone. I am sorry but I just can't bring myself to call this by its recently bestowed common name, "Whale Tongue Agave." Probably Sunset zones 6-24 / USDA zone 7a? rev 3/2010

parryi  PARRY'S AGAVE, ARTICHOKE AGAVE  this is the low to medium-size, cactus-like thing you see around in gardens that forms an almost artichoke-like clump of horribly but beautifully spiny blue grey leaves. It makes a roughly spherical plant of from 1-2' tall by 1-' across, depending on the individual genetics. It has seriously dangerous, shiny, terminal and marginal black spines, with the ones along the leaf margin being hooked to keep you from getting away once you are bleeding and helpless. It is of course grown specifically for its wonderful, shiny, vicious black spines as well as its wonderful blue green to grey white color, varying by seedling. This is a really bad plant to have in your yard if you have children unless it is completely inaccessible. It is also one of the most striking plants to use as an adjunct plant for rocks or garden art or architecture, or as a focal point subject, and thus is in high demand. It can get quite large and is one of the most perfectly amazing plants for clean, sculptured architectural form. Inspirational specimens can be seen scattered through the Huntington Botanical Gardens. It will slowly pup, not enough to become a problem like Century Plants can, just enough to hand out to your friends. I have also found it to be quite shade tolerant if I don't water it much in summer. It exists happily in Sunset zones 2b-3, 6-24, USDA zones 7-11. Southwest US, Mexico. rev 11/2011

ssp. couesii   flowering, Huntington   distinguished by leaves that are narrow at the base as well as the tip. The most gracile, slender species, though when flowering the stalks still reach the usual 12'. The smallest grower, to about 18-24" tall and wide, with a mostly vertical presentation. rev 11/2011

ssp. huachucensis   classic leaf shape, Strybing Arboretum   narrower leaves   clumping - Huntington   flowering - Huntington    this form is distinguished by leaves that are very wide at the base but narrow at the tip, and with a long, black terminal spine. Supposedly it gets larger also but all of the plants of this form I have seen in California have all been of shorter stature and always under knee to mid-thigh high. These seedlings vary slightly in color and clumpiness. Always interesting, very cold hardy (0F) and shade tolerant. It grows in mixed open forest/grassland in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Northern Mexico. rev 9/2010

ssp. parryi    architectural leaves    flowering, Huntington    Huntington succulent garden     the type form, distinguished by leaves of moderate width and moderately pointed leaf tips. This is the most commonly encountered form, the "artichoke agave" you see in gardens. To 2' tall, about 2' wide, usually quite blue grey to grey white, depending on soil, heat, and amount of sun. rev 11/2011

ssp. truncata  blunt leaf tips, wiggly spine    nice clump, Huntington    can't get enough Huntington!   distinguished by leaves that are wide both at the base and the tip (truncate, i.e. flattened), and also by a characteristic wiggle in the terminal spine. This is the rarest form of this species, and is often done from tissue culture or division since true-to-type seed is rarely available. Also with TC you can choose to do the very most righteous  forms. Its leaves are even rounder and wider and its presentation even more striking than that of the other wonderful A. parryi  varieties, though all have situations where each is more desirable. Treasure your pups! rev 11/2011

potatorum   spines   12" Square deco container  this species is distinguished by its compact, vertical, columnar growth, wonderful grey white to blue white leaf color, highly ornamental spinage, and forgiving nature (growing-wise, that is, you don't want to back into it!).  It will form a column-like pillar of leaves to perhaps 2' tall by 16" across.  Pick out the seedling you like, they are relatively variable. The depth and quality of the spine impressions on the leaf surfaces varies also. Adorably nasty terminal and marginal spines are deep burgundy brown, and contrast nicely with the blue and grey of the foliage. The leaves tend to have graceful constricted bases. Sun to half shade, good drainage, very infrequent watering when established. It will show frost damage to the foliage below 25F. rev 3/2009  

salmiana Santa Cruz    prime of life    starting to flower    blooms    sorry end    cue "The Circle Song"   this is a tentative identification for seedlings from a plant I had in my yard for about 15 years. It is not the same as the standard, giant form of the species, if it is in fact correctly identified. My plant finally flowered and is now being dispersed through its progeny. I originally found it when we were throwing out a large number of interesting Agave seedlings we had received from Saratoga Horticultural Foundation, back in the mid Nineties. There was A. lophantha, weird, ultra compact A. parryi, Nolina nelsonii, Nolina 'La Siberica,' Yucca rostrata, all of that and more trucked down to the dump and heaved over the edge. (Hey! No one like them back then!) Somehow the whole lot was the result of a collecting trip by John Fairey and Carl Schoenfeld of Yucca Do Nursery in Texas to the Sierra Madre of Central Mexico. This plant was atypical and may represent a hybrid but also may just represent A. salmiana in one of its forms. That species is the closest I can come based on look and presumed origin. Compared to the familiar Century Plant it had very broad, much more steely blue green leaves (as opposed to grey green or blue grey), and the leaves were conspicuously broad at the midpoint. There were also differences in the terminal spine, conformation and other small details, and the leaves are rough when young like A. guadalajarana, but mostly I liked the plant for its unusual color, somewhat banded foliage, and nicely compact, mostly pup-free habit. It thrived for me in full sun then full shade and did just exactly what I wanted it to do - provide architectural shape and blue green color as a backdrop for other plants. The flower stalk reached 20' bearing typical yellow-chartreuse flowers then I took a pickaxe to it and it was no more. May it rest in peace! To 3' tall, 5-6' across. Probably Sunset zones 7-9, 13-24 / USDA zone 8a? rev 9/2010

'Shark Skin'   chunky, velvety mature foliage    flowering    feels like smooth, shiny felt. The result of A. scabra (big, blue, like a Century Plant) by A. fernandii-regis (a.k.a.  A. victoria-reginae), this is actually a naturally occuring hybrid from near Saltillo, Mexico. It forms a small plant, with hard, narrow, short, stiff green leaves (and a strong white tooth pattern on the back of each). This variety is recognized by its unusual texture, courtesy of its A. scabra parent, and artistic white leaf-impression lines from A. f-r. It is compact, tough, and interesting. It is much smaller, lower, greyer and a little chunkier than Century Plant, also more shark-like. It has one nasty terminal leaf spine. Rare, new. rev 11/2007 

shawii   COASTAL AGAVE   at UCSC   at Tilden Park, courtesy Peter Shaw  chunky flower stalk   this is an imposing, semicolumnar rosette of dark green to grey green leaves of varying width, but always mostly narrow for an Agave, and with well over 100 leaves on a mature plant. It grows to about 3-4' tall by 3' across, with very attractive red brown spines that leave the usual amazing impressions and chalky white outlines on the leaves above and below. It will form a really impressive, robust, 15' tall flower stalk of chartreuse flowers after the appropriate interval. These stalks remain ornamental as long as they are standing, which can be for a couple of years after seed dispersal. This is mostly a plant of Baja California but barely ranges into Southern California in Coastal Scrub and nearby mountains. It has almost been extirpated from the state. I often wonder which plant, of all the plants on earth, I would least like to fall into. There are many good choices, among them Silver Cholla (Opuntia echinocarpa) with its mist-like haze of infinitely thin and infinitely sharp, sheathed spines (I got immobilized with both hands and both feet impaled on a disjointed stem globule at Red Rock Canyon when I was about 10), Agave lechuguilla with its very narrow, lance-like leaves (supposed to be the most efficient species at killing you when your horse bumps a spine, and rears, and throws you into it) or this plant, which seems to combine the best aspects of the first two. I think I will settle the argument by saying it depends on what speed you fall into the plant, because then each has its advantages and disadvantages. Use this Agave where it will make a statement but you won't fall into it. It mixes well with other natives and never gets big enough to overwhelm things like Ceanothus or Arctostaphylos. This is one of the parents of the wonderful 'Blue Flame.' Sun to mostly shade, little or no summer watering. Good drainage. Should be frost hardy to Sunset zones 8-24, USDA 9. rev 3/2010

shrevei ssp. shrevei  CENIZA   young plants    a species roughly similar to a Century Plant but more grey-white in color at maturity (variable), coarsely banded/zoned, to about 4' tall, and with slightly broader, more rounded, more spoon-shaped leaves. It is quite cold hardy, coming from the mountains of Sonora in the Sierra Madre Occidentale. At the JC Raulston Arboretum in North Carolina it has gone below 0F.  The usual conditions. A trial crop, limited availability. Zones 3-24/USDA zone 6.  rev 4/2009 

stricta rubra  HEDGEHOG AGAVE   Lake Merritt   a sea urchin of dark green leaves 2-3' tall and wide. much like A. geminiflora. It offers beautiful symmetry and a crisp texture. Outer leaves become deep burgundy red under hot, dry conditions. After sending out a 6' flower stalk in summer, it won't die, but will produce offsets to build up a colony. A striking container subject. Sunset zones 8, 9, 14-24/USDA 7.  rev 1/2011 

tenuifolia  WEEPING AGAVE   curvy leaves   a swirly and arching Agave from the forests of Mexico that likes some shade and regular water in the summer. Found in part shade growing in oak duff or on rocks. Only 12-15" tall, 18" wide, it will hang over a wall or the sides of a pot or just curl up on the ground. A fine textured groundcover, like Blue Star Creeper or a small Sedum, would be nice growing underneath. Limited availability of this trial crop. Sun near the coast, some shade inland. Will take a light frost. Sunset zones 16-24/USDA 9. rev 2/2011 

tequilana 'Blue Star'  BLUE AGAVE, TEQUILA AGAVE   first crop, juvenile foliage    intermediate maturity foliage   this is a wonderful, spineless new strain, big, blue-white, with the same nice, powdery blue color as the regular Tequila Agave but easier to live around. It forms a dramatic rosette to about 4-5' tall by 6-8' across. The terminal spine is missing and the marginal teeth are greatly reduced. It grows with a stiff habit, and the leaves only get about 3-4" across. Chop the leaves back to the "pineapple" heart, roast it in an oven for a while, bury it in the ground, dig it up and distill the fermented mash and you can call it anything but "tequila" because that is a protected designation. Not much frost below 25F, though Brian Kemble of the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek says it is "at least hardy to the low 20's." At least one commercial grower near San Luis Obispo was completely wiped out in the January 2007 freeze,. It will tolerate cool growing conditions but demands at least half a day of full, direct sunlight and good drainage. Sunset zones 16-17 (freeze protection), 21-24/USDA zone 9a. Mexico. rev 12/2010 

titanota  CABEZA DE :LEON   awesome Rancho Soledad Nursery TC form, our current offering  an amazing, very cool, very blue-white, robust, wide-leaved species with a strongly architechtural, "sculpted" appearance, growing to about 2-3' in height. This particular strain is a very expensive,  very special, very blue TC  form, with even better than average color and overall presence. The mature foliage is bluer and with thinner leaves than what you will see on the largest containers we have for sale (6"), but be assured this is always going to grow into a true bragging rights specimen that will amaze and properly thrill anyone who views it.(There is also another form of this species, from a different population, with greener leaves but much wilder, more amazing, more ornamental spines. We will have those later from seed. ) Eventually your plant will form a narrow, condensed, 10' bloom stalk with creamy white flowers way up at the top, then die, forming a moderate number of offsets, certainly enough to repopulate its own existence. Sun to part shade, frost hardy to somewhere between 20-25F but I haven't had the special experience of personally killing it myself yet. Sunset zones 9, 15-17, 21-24/USDA zone 9. rev 10/2011 *NEW for 2012!*

vilmoriana  OCTOPUS AGAVE, AMOLE  UC Berkeley specimen  this is a wonderful species with a lot to recommend it. It is grey green to grey white in color, essentially unarmed, and can grow and look good anywhere from the low desert to Northern California. The leathery leves grow with a wonderful long, sinuous and gracefully meandering habit. Total height is onlyabout 4', spread to about 6' max (but open), until it sends up its single narrow flower spike to about 10'. It usually sets very little seeds and is propagated by bulbils pulled from the flower spike. It can be used close to traffic areas. This is what you put in your garden when  you want to incorporate the strong form and striking leaf color of an Agave but don't want the dangerous spines or massive size of something like a Century Plant. Sun to mostly shade, conservative watering, needs at least average drainage. Natural habitat is cliffs. It is slightly tender: Sunset zones 9, 16-17, 21-24/USDA zone 9. Mexico. rev 1/2009 

weberi   at the Huntington   a kinder, gentler, softer, more ghostly and free form version of Century Plant (A. americana, among others), to about 4', with the typical terminal spine but only gentle margination teeth. The leaves are grey green to blue grey even grey white, but never as blue as true Century Plant. They have a nice powdery white coating, especially on the backside. They are narrow at the base and widen towards the midsection, giving it a very elegant and refined appearance. It often shows attractive horizontal zonings of green and whitish stripes. It can reach 5-6' tall and 6-8' wide, maybe more, and the leaves often show a somewhat tulip shaped habit. This is a staple plant of the Southwest xeriscape set but can actually be grown well quite far north in California, certainly through all the Central Valley and the northern Inland Valleys. It can even be grown quite close to the coast as long as drainage is good, you keep it from becoming overgrown with weeds during wet winters, and it gets full sun, especially in winter and especially around the crown. It gets rank in any shade except in desert environments. Flowers are typical greenish yellow jobbers on typical dramatic central vertical spikes, to 15' tall, after a few years of maturing. The blooming plant will die and basal pups will continue its legacy. It is rated as USDA zone 8 or 9, depending on your authority, so figure Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24 easily. It is reportedly hardy to at least the mid teens F. rev 7/2005

Agonis flexuosa ‘After Dark’  young plant at UCSC  closer  the species is a spreading, often windswept-looking shrub or small tree, to about 10-20' tall and about as wide, This intensely dark form is new and is only seen smaller so far. It is just stunning with its dark burgundy red to almost black juvenile summer foliage, with long narrow leaves of soft texture, to about 2" long, densely clothing its branches. Color is reddest on young plants or cut-back branches when emerging in spring, then darker the rest of the year. Mature foliage on older plants is a very dark, dull, black-green. Flowers are small, about 1/4" across, white, and line the branches in late spring or early summer, but I have yet to see them on any plants in the U.S. Use this against walls, as a hedge, as a central focal point specimen, or even in containers. It will grow in sun or part shade, with average soil and drainage requirements. It does best with at least some supplemental summer watering but can be grown along the coast with almost none. One very high profile reference lists this plant as dead to the ground at 25°F, but this is certainly incorrect as all the old plants in Santa Cruz retained most of their branches and canopy at 19°F in 1990. Nevertheless they don't much enjoy temperatures below freezing. The advantage of being frozen back is the increased production of the superior, more colorful juvenile foliage. But its use should be restricted to frost protected situations in Sunset zones 8-9, 14-17, 21-24/USDA zone 9. Western Australia. Myrtaceae. rev 1/2010 

Ajuga ‘Catlin’s Giant’  blooming plant  nursery plants  a clumping to spreading evergreen perennial groundcover grown for its very large, luxuriant, somewhat glossy, heavy textured leaves to 7" long, 6" wide. The 12" tall stalks of dark blue flowers are quite showy, and appear heaviest in spring and fall with scattered bloom through summer. Leaves are more bronze-tinted in full sun. Labiatae/Apiaceae. rev 5/2010

‘Jungle Beauty’  blooming  large, lush, green foliage, similar to ‘Catlin’s Giant’ but even bigger and with foliage that doesn't get reddish or purplish tones. Flowers are blue, in spikes, in spring and then appear scattered until fall. A wonderful heirloom variety, harking back to the Golden Era of Bugleweeds, the 1960's. rev 5/2010

Alocasia  ELEPHANT EAR  while not always massive, most species have large leaves in a heart or shield shape. The Alocasias are generally either warm growing or cool tolerant. The warm growers are pretty tropical and start to fall apart below 50°F, the cool tolerant ones will take temperatures near or below freezing, going deciduous around 45°F and resprouting when average daytime temperatures have come up to the sixties. Their main Achilles heel is rotting under extended cold, wet conditions. Some that appear tropical can actually take quite cold climates though, such as A. wentii, which has a glossy, hard leaf but has been grown in USDA zone 8 (roughly equivalent to Sunset zone 6-8). You just don't know until you try! In that spirit, we are trying everything we can get our hands on, willingly throwing out those that fail in order to discover those which stand a chance with California gardeners. Araceae.

     All can be raised as house plants, or patio plants overwintered indoors. Their amazing leaf colors and patterns make them real conversation pieces. And for form and symmetry they rival the palms. Most like half shade, but a few are regularly seen in full sun in the fog belt. Grow them in full sun to mostly shaded sites with rich, well drained soils and regular watering and relatively heavy feeding except during winter. They make excellent container plants. Reportedly corms of several species (especially A. macrorrhizos) are used for food but you'd better know what you are doing as far as preparation or you'll be singin' the blues when you get a mouth full of oxalic acid crystals. rev 3/2005

'Calidora'  leaves  flower   artsy   a hybrid between a California-sourced A. gageana (listed as supposedly hardy to USDA zone 7, or 10°F - hah!) and A. odora (listed as supposedly hardy to USDA zone 7b, or 2°F - hah!) is another of the fast, easy, green outdoor forms for use in Southern California as well as somewhat protected situations in Northern California. It has a large, somewhat glossy green leaf with slightly wavy margins. It does well outdoors under cool Central California coastal conditions, even during winter. It could also be tried as a deciduous perennial in much colder locations in the state or even Oregon and Washington, since its parents are supposedly hardy to very low temperatures. But its climatic limitations are likely to revolve more around rot in cold, wet rains so until we know more about where it really survives it is probably best not to recommend its use at this point beyond USDA zone 9/Sunset zones 8-9, 12-24. rev 4/2006 

gageana  leaf  this is one of the best cool growers and frost tolerant varieties, tolerating temperatures around 40°F for long periods of time without going dormant as well as growing vigorously under cool coastal conditions. It has typical heart shaped leaves to about 2' long, somewhat convex in shape, and a glossy green color. To about 5' by 5'. As far as I can tell, this species is probably most of what you see surviving in old yards around the San Francisco Bay area. Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24. rev 7/2005

macrorrhizos ‘Plumbea Nigra’  young nursery plants  a form often offered under this name as a true species (“A. plumbea nigra”), this seems to be a slower growing, compact variety of A. macrorrhizos that has dark veins and a glossy blackish sheen to the upper leaf surface. It doesn't seem like it would get over 3' high outdoors based on its greenhouse growth rate. Surprisingly enough, this form, though the most "houseplant" looking of all the A. macrorrhizos varieties, has been the most persistent and forgiving in the landscape. Rare, highly desirable, growing conditions and notes as for A. macrorrhizos. From my experience, this species is probably one of the more heat loving/cold rain intolerant of the outdoor types.So even this variety is probably best restricted to Southern California or in areas of Central and Northern California with overhead protection from both cold and rain. It also tends to sulk under cool summer coastal weather in the ground. It is substantially easier to use and faster growing in a container in a nice, warm, sunny spot. Better varieties for outdoor use in those areas are A. odora, calidora, portora, wentii, and gageana as well as their related ilk, Xanthosoma saggitifolium and several of the larger Colocasias. Best Sunset zones 17, 21-24. Sri Lanka, India, Malay Peninsula, Indonesia. rev 8/2009

odora  foliage  rounder leaves, held in the typical upright vertical fashion but also relaxing to close to horizontal, are medium green, very glossy, and have a slightly undulate margin. They get about 30" long and wide in our area and the plants seem to get about 3-5' tall, with short, thick trunks. In more tropical climates plants get substantially larger. Overall this is a slightly smaller scale Alocasia, not as large as A. gageana or macrorrhizos. This is a fast, vigorous, easy species that features wonderful spathe-enclosed flower spike cones that are highly fragrant at night, smelling like papaya. It can be grown in protected areas of Northern California and I know of many plants which survived the 1990 freeze. It is tender enough that leaves will be lost below about 27°F, but all the plants I know of in the Monterey Bay Area survived the sobering 1990 freeze (20°F, or thereabouts) without protection. It is a relatively fast grower under cool conditions and possibly the best for wet winter survival. Sunset zones 16-17, 21-24/USDA zone 7b. rev 8/2006

'Portora'  leaf  a hybrid of A. odora, which is similar to A. macrorrhizos, and A. portei, a deeply cut, spidery-leaved species, this is often listed as A. portidora. This has very broadly, coarsely toothed, glossy, dark green leaves with wavy margins, quite arrow shaped in outline and held vertically to slightly angled but never even relaxing to horizontal. Its veins are thick and ropy and quite attractive. It gets a short trunk to over 4" thick within a year of planting. To 6' tall, it is a robust, easy landscape form, hardy outdoors to Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24/ USDA zone 8. Expect it to go to sleep if it gets extended temperatures below 45°F, and it is most reliable where it has some protection from incessant winter rains. It is a fast grower under cool conditions (for an Alocasia, that is). rev 1/2006

wentii  leaves  reverse  humble but interesting flowers  compact, dwarf, slow growing, to about 3' tall by 4' wide, with glossy, relatively hard, shiny, dark olive grey green leaves that have showy purplish undersides and a rather oval profile. This one has a different look than all the other green outdoor landscape forms, and looks so much like an indoor type, with its hard, glossy, pointed leaves and unusual color, that I was suspicious it had any hardiness at all. My past experience with any of the "African Mask" type Alocasias has been uniformly bad. But reportedly it will take USDA zone 7/Sunset zone 7, and supposedly it is one of the best cool growers. I have had enthusiastic reports from some of our customers who had it outside this past winter and it has done well outside for me in Santa Cruz ove winter. From high elevation sites in New Guinea. rev 1/2006.

Aloe  African succulent shrubs and perennials, growing as rosettes of leathery to hard leaves. Some are small scale and stemless, others grow into 40' trees. Valued for their intriguing trunk and leaf form and beautiful flowers in spikes. One problem to watch for is Aloe mite, which can cause tumor-like growths on the plants and will lead to their eventual decline and death. We are aloe mite-free, but they do exist in many collections and care should be taken to isolate new plants from any source and prevent their establishment in your garden soil. Life is hell for aloe collectors that have Aloe mite. Liliaceae. rev 9/2009 

humilis HEDGEHOG ALOE   our first plants    flowers closeup  a  dwarf species, growing to just 6-12" tall, with white spines against blue green leaves. It bears quite tall, very gracile, narrow stalks bearing a small number of coral orange to orange red flowers in late winter, with very light off-season bloom, to a stalk height of about 2-3' tall. It clusters freely, and forms nice clumps. Use for its highly ornamental spines, foliage pattern and winter to spring color. Of course this is just outstanding in a small container. You can even keep it as a pet houseplant. Typical aloe conditions, hardy to about 20F and listed by one South African seed source as hardy to USDA zone 8! Sunset zones 5-9, 14-24. South Africa. rev 8/2010 

'Johnson's Hybrid'    nice clump   young plants, blooming   I don't know who "Johnson" was, but this is a great little hybrid that is small scale, always in a good mood, and almost always showing small clusters of clear orange flowers above its more or less grassy foliage. I've had this plant for years but only just recently put into production as part of our succulent program. To about 12" tall, spreading slowly. rev 10/2009 

juvenna    flowers    foliage      this is a charming little species, diminutive, always interesting, offering a surprising amount of flower power, and easy to grow. It forms a small, tight, clustering clump of narrow, columnar, upright stems, eventually cascading and spilling down the side of the pot or across its planting bed. The leaves are heavily marked with white. The very nice coral orange and green flowers appear in summer on thin, very tall, branched stalks, sometimes 50 or more per plant! This is just perfect for a small container, especially on a windowsill, because it is easily kept small. In full sun it will become bronzy, and tighter, but it will also tolerate considerable shade. A patio, container or house plant anywhere, protect from frost outside Sunset zones 16-24/USDA 9. rev 1/2012

'Pink Blush'  young rosette   flowers   whole effect   a new compact, cute, perky, interesting little study in silvery grey fur and pink bumps from hybridizer Kelly Griffin, with diminutive, airy, gracile flower stalks bearing coral orange to orange red flowers in winter. An outstanding container plant, for patios, windowsills, small rockeries if you have the drainage. Typical of many new hybrids bred for maximum enjoyment in a minimum of space. To perhaps 6-8" across and tall, flower stalks to not over 16". Sun to part shade, happy inside, keep frost away until we know more.rev 1/2010 

plicatilis  FAN ALOE, FRANSCHOEKAALWYN   blooming at the Huntington   have to love a common name like that, but it is probably just "fan aloe" in Afrikaans. A shrubby, upright, branching species to 10-15' tall, but only reaching that size with age an under the best conditions. In California I have only seen it a few feet high. It is easily recognized by its foliage, because its wide, smooth, strap shaped grey green leaves emerge in line with those before it, forming large, neat fans. Coral orange flowers are produced  late winter to spring, on narrow, solitary stalks, one stalk per branch. It is very tolerant of cold, wet winters but starts to fall apart much below 25F. Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24/USDA zone 9. South Africa. rev 10/2009 

polyphylla  KARATSA, ALAN'S ALOE  closeup  Alan Beverly's nursery and growing info  this wonderful, stemless, spiral-form succulent is grown for its amazing, hyptonizingly perfect rosettes of short, tight, dense blue green leaves, with not-very-threatening yellow spines, to form a specimen usually about 1' tall and 2' wide. Occasional monsters reach 3' tall and wide. There are left-spiral and right-spiral variants, and they can even switch direction. It does flower, very rarely here (or in its native habitat), and only after a very long time, with short, dense, chunky, basally branched stalks of yellow to deep coral orange flowers that are quite respectable. Most of what is in California derives from plants grown from seeds that a Santa Cruz landscaper and nurseryman, Alan Beverly, brought back from working as a botanist in the country of Lesotho, its only source, where it grows in high altitude regions of the Drakenburg.  (Check out the story of Alan's Amazing Adventure at his website.) While in Lesotho Alan was able to collect seeds that gave rise to his first generation seedlings. Current tissue culture material we buy likely originates from some of Alan's little plants. It likes cool summers, can take cold winters, and even snow. It also likes regular summer watering. Apparently this species is rather easily grown here compared to in its native country and is now becoming rather widespread in California. I clearly remember a tour of Australians who rampaged through town back in the 1980's and the one South African woman with them who commented she probably saw more plants in front gardens while driving through Santa Cruz than probably existed in cultivation in all of South Africa. Plants were undamaged at 25F in January of 2007. It is grown to USDA zone 7b at Plant Delights Nursery, where they state it is "is perfectly adaptable to the cold winters of the eastern US." It seems to not like typical Aloe country, meaning hot and dry, and Southern Californians away from the coast will probably have trouble. Give it good drainage everywhere and less sun in those hotter climates. Paul Licht of the UC Berkeley Botanic Garden notes it does very well planted on an angled slope or mound, where water has a tougher time causing trouble trapped in amongst the leaves or against the trunk. It makes a killer container plant. South Africa (Lesotho, actually) rev 11/2009.

Aloysia triphylla  LEMON VERBENA  flowers  deciduous shrub or small tree to 15’ tall by 20’ wide at a moderate pace. Bears narrow leaves heavily scented with lemon. Short spikes of fragrant white flowers appear in summer. Sun, average to little summer watering required. Damaged by frost below 25°F. Argentina, Chile. Verbenaceae.

Alpinia galanga  GALANGAL, GREATER GALANGA, THAI GINGER  young garden plant  a clumping, rather narrow, gracile ginger relative to 5-6' tall, with wonderfully fragrant foliage and rhizomes. Responsible for one of the characteristic flavors of many Southeastern Asian cuisines, it is especially characteristic of Thai cuisine.The flavor of fresh rhizome is different from and distinctly superior to that of the dried form. Narrow, dark green leaves reach 6" long. Slender terminal flower spikes bear a few scattered small, spidery, fragrant, creamy white flowers in summer, if you get enough heat. We haven't seen them yet in our climate, even in coldframes or greenhouses, but they should be expected in Southern California and the Central Valley. Reported hardy (deciduous) to USDA zone 7-8 (roughly Sunset zone 5), it grows well from there through the almost tropical USDA zone 11. Can be grown in mostly sun, but it seems to like the combination of heat and half shade best. For best growth give it rich, moist soil. It makes a very effective, almost bamboo-like container plant. There is another galanga, Lesser Galanga (Kaempferia galanga), also used as a spice. The terms greater/lesser refer to plant size, not desirability. Southeast Asia. Zingiberaceae. rev 10/2010

intermedia 'Sun Spice'  variegation pattern  humble flowers this is an intriguing foliage plant, growing a couple of feet tall and sporting rather rounded, ginger-type leaves on typical short canes. The green and golden variegation varies, but is usually boldy striped. This is a useful variety because it stays contained and is of restrained proportions. Use it where Variegated Shell Ginger would overgrow the available space. It does very well as a container plant. The flowers are small, in narrow spikes, are produced in late summer, and are noticeable, and intriguing, but not showy, and very sparse on this variegated form. It definitely does better in warm (as opposed to cool, or cold and miserable) aspects, and with mostly shady exposure. In full, hot sun it burns, in cold, wet soils it stalls, in frost it freezes down. Probably zones 9, 15-17, 21-24/USDA zone 9. rev 10/2010  

nutans  DWARF CARDAMOM  humble flowers  juvenile foliage  mature stand at Sea World, San Diego  a compact upright plant to 24-36" tall, spreading slowly as a clump. It is not true cardamom, Amomum cardamon, but does have a very nutmeg-like or cardamom-like fragrance. I can't wait to try throwing some leaves on the Weber, along with bay and allspice leaves, when I am cooking fish, steak or ribs. That ought to bring the neighborhood around! The flowers are white, tend to remain closed, and are held on spikes barely as tall as the leaves. Grow this one also for the wonderful appearance of its lush, broad, deep blue green leaves with bronzy tones, and its rather formal, compact appearance. It is dimorphic, with rounder, shorter, darker green juvenile foliage on stems to less than 2' tall when young. After a year or two in the ground the larger and relatively longer (to 12") and lighter colored mature foliage appears on stems to 36" tall. It does very well in containers. Seems to grow in full sun with watering and tolerate almost full shade, probably it likes part sun best. It appreciates rich soil, good drainage, and regular watering for best appearance. This has been a good, easy, vigorous grower for us here on the cool Central Coast, should be even better in areas with more heat. Frost hardy to USDA zone 8/Sunset zone 8. Moluccas (Indonesia). rev 3/2005

'Variegated' VARIEGATED DWARF CARDAMOM  foliage closeup  a striped form found within one of our own blocks, the variegation ranges from broadly edged in with almost no green to evenly distributed green stripes. Same small flowers, infrequently seen. To about 12-16", growing as a compact clump. My wife Molly (I call call her "my focus group of one") really likes this plant, and that is always a good indicator of a good seller. rev 4/2011

zerumbet  SHELL GINGER  striking leaves   commercial-landscape tough!  flowers  a robust, subtropical rhizomatous foliage plant, usually growing to about 6-7' tall, with striking dark green leaves to 10" long or more. It is dimorphic, with differential juvenile and adult foliage. The juvenile leaves are smaller, rounder, softer, and have much shorter internodes. Most plants for sale in nurseries usually exhibit this foliage. As the plant matures the leaves become larger, longer, and much harder and tougher, with longer internodes. It can take considerable frost (USDA zone 7, Sunset zone 7), behaving as a deciduous perennial. Recovery is much faster in hot spring/summer climates. The habit is narrow to spreading, but mostly upright, so it can be trimmed and used in narrow spaces or containers. This one is excellent combined with other foliage plants and really comes into its own against a wall. Its clean, neat habit and lack of litter makes it a favorite of commercial landscapers. Its strong outline and large size make it a natural focal point plant. It produces drooping terminal spikes with pointed, pearly white flowers with pink tips that open briefly to display broad intense orange red lower lips with brilliant yellow and red striped picotee edges. In tropical climates flowering time is primarily late winter to spring on second year canes, but I see the flowers in spring and summer in our cool coastal climate. Southeast Asia. rev 3/2007

‘Variegata’  VARIEGATED SHELL GINGER  nice clump  foliage  at the Huntington  usually seen growing to 5-6',  splashed with light golden rays. It will eventually bloom, usually during the warm season in our climate. The all-green form does bloom along the coast. Give it at least some direct sun, or very bright indirect light, or the leaves will turn almost all green. It also tends to show much less variegation when mature, and if you want the much brighter juvenile foliage you should cut it back every other year or so to force new juvenile growth from below. It makes an adaptable container plant. rev 12/2005

Alstroemeria hybrids  PERUVIAN LILY  PERUVIAN LILY  semideciduous rhizomes. Flowers range from white, orange, and yellow through pink, red, and violet purple. They grow best in full to part sun with some summer watering in dry climates. They will tolerate at least 15-20°F in the ground and probably much lower, since A. aurantiaca will easily survive in Portland (zone 8). These compact varieties range from 12-18". South America. Alstroemeriaceae. rev 12/2009

Princess TM  very compact, sterile, everblooming hybrids developed specifically for the container market. They also make nice garden plants but will remain under 12-18" at the tallest. Still, they bloom all summer and come in several colors not yet available as tall forms. Their best use is as container plants for patios or garden settings. All forms are patented and propagation is prohibited.

‘Princess Diana'TM  flowers   deep gold, almost orange, with wide coral red blushes on the petals rev 5/2008 
‘Princess Fabiana'TM   flowers  leaves are cleanly edged in white, flowers are pale pastel yellow blushed with light rose pink. rev 5/2008 
‘Princess Felicia'TM   flowers   deep yellow, almost gold, with ruddy tangerine blushing on the petals. rev 5/2008 
'Princess Lillian'   deep magenta violet flowers  compact habit, everblooming, with wonderful purple flowers that are just right for a container on the patio or deck. Taller, reaching 12-18" tall, enough to pull stems for a small bouquet. rev 6/2011

'Amber Velvet' PP18,999     paws   another one of the Ranger Series, with plenty of large flowers on a compact plant. To 12-16" tall, flower spikes to 36-40", light orange and light red. Appreciates sun, good drainage, and regular water. Sunset zones 8, 9, 14-24/USDA 9.   rev 11/2010
‘Big Red’  flowers  at Strybing Arboretum  big (6'), and red, dark red. One of the easiest and most adaptable, inkspot resistant. rev 11/2003
'Bush Blaze'  closeup  a vigorous deep red, with green interiors. To 3' tall. rev 5/2005
‘Bush Dawn’  closeup  produces dense clouds of light yellow flowers, aging to green, to 4-5' tall. A robust, durable, adaptable variety. rev 7/2003
'Bush Devil'  closeup of flowers  2-3', bright red. rev 12/2010
'Bush Ember'  flowers  a compact growing variety, to about 18", with greenish tubes covered with red and violet hairs, a strange combination that ends up looking like burnt orange. rev 7/2005
'Bush Illusion'  flowers  pale green flowers covered with coral red and violet hairs, overall light coral flower color, to 3'. rev 7/2005
'Bush Nugget'  flowers  compact growing to 18-24", reddish stalks with clear yellow flowers covered with large, coarse yellow fur. rev 7/2005
'Bush Pearl'  flowers   like 'Pink Joey,' but very compact, to just 18" tall. rev 7/2005
‘Bush Ranger’  spectacular landscape specimen  a dwarf grower, to just 18" tall, with bright red flower spikes of excellent color. A very vigorous, reliable variety for landscaper David Leroy. Full sun. rev 5/2006
'Bush Royal Mist'  flowers  light green flowers are dusted with occasional violet hairs, and have bright red, showy bases against light green stems that are covered with more red hairs. This species definitely shows some of the same amazing color combination as A. 'Blue,' but is more subtle. Intermediate growth, to probably 30" tall. rev 8/2007 
'Bush Sunset'  closeup  to 5-6', dark orange red. rev 5/2005
'Bush Tango'  closeup  bright orange, 3-4'. rev 3/2005 
dwarf red  a small, grassy grower to just about 12" tall (including flower spikes), its flowers are bright red at the base and green with dark purply blue green hairs the rest of the way to the tip. Stalks are sprinkled with bright red hairs. Probably best in containers in light soil, but worth a try outside if drainage is good. rev 11/2002
‘Gold Fever’  a strong, adaptable, medium size grower, to 30", with brilliant yellow to yellow orange flowers of excellent color against green stems. Inkspot resistant. rev 11/2003
‘Harmony’  nice plant, UCSC Arboretum   closeup of yellow on red   young plant  tall, strong growth to 6', featuring rather open flower spikes. The stalk itself is dark red, the flowers are bright citron yellow, with green mouths as usual. This variety is very similar to 'Yellow Gem' but the flower spike is more open and is more red than orange.  This variety has reportedly been lost in Australia, probably due to local disease. A two year old plant of this variety was killed by five nights at 25°F. rev 5/2005
'Orange Cross'  closeup  garden  listed as a synonym of 'Gold Fever.' Also, as far as I can tell this identical to 'Tequila Sunrise.' rev 10/2009
'Pink Beauty'   a very small (about 1' tall and wide), very compact new Ball Horticulture introduction that has really shocking pink flowers, much stronger in color than the old standby 'Pink Joey.' It even shows a touch of lavender on the tips like some of the legendary Western Australian species. Typical K Paws conditions, mostly sun, at least average drainage, infrequent to moderate summer watering, and if it goes below 25F you will probably get to decide whether you want to plant the same plant there or try something new. It does fabulously in containers, at least until it gets old and big and tired out after a few years. Flower initiation not known yet. rev 11/2011 *NEW for 2012!*
‘Pink Joey’  closeup, greenhouse flower color  established plant, outdoor flower color  possibly one of several strains so labeled. An A. flavidus species selection, the original was found growing wild in a variable population in the Margaret River region in 1965. Bright, clear pink buds dusted with grey mature to form a flower with a deep lavender pink base and grey green outer segment. One of the most strikingly colored varieties, and easy to grow too. Its A. flavidus origin brings with it natural disease resistance as well as very valuable snail resistance. It is also another excellent commercial cut flower variety. A handful of stems in a vase always brings a comment! It is a smaller grower than most of the wild types, to 4’. Cut to the ground at 25°F but regrew the following year. rev 5/2003
‘Regal Claw’  flowers  warm red orange buds open to large, light green flowers, a striking color combination. To 4-5'. rev 7/2003
'Regal Velvet'   from the Velvet Range collection, large flowers on compact, disease resistant foliage. Green and red flowers on 4' spikes, leaves 18-24" tall. rev 10/2010 
‘Royal Cheer’  xeric garden  very close to the outrageously showy species A. manglesii but even brighter and showier, and a little easier to grow. It is a smaller grower, to about 2', with wide, rather lax, dark green leaves, and wildly colorful, felty red stalks and bud bases that contrast with large, very blue green flowers. This one is fussy about drainage (must be good), soil (must be light and mineral), watering (must be adequate but infrequent, especially in summer), and climate (must be Mediterranean in nature, with not-too-stressful summer heat). But it is very, very good and well worth the trouble if you can give it what it wants. Otherwise just enjoy it as either a short term garden color item or a long term outdoor bouquet. It probably does best in a container that doesn't get too hot but is almost certainly short-lived no matter where it is. Of course it makes an outstanding cut flower. rev 7/2003
'Tequila Sunrise'  flowers   luminous, glowing orange and red orange tones. See 'Orange Cross.' To 5'. rev 10/2009
‘Yellow Gem’  nursery plants blooming  brilliant citron yellow flowers are held against orange red stems. The clusters age to coral orange. This cultivar is very similar to ‘Harmony’ but smaller, with less color on the lower flower stems, and much shorter overall height. In addition the flower clusters are more compact, with shorter internodes. To 3-4’ tall, an excellent cut flower and landscape variety of medium size. rev 8/2005

Arachniodes simplicior  VARIEGATED SHIELD FERN  leaves  an attractive but slow growing fern with glossy, dark green triangular fronds with a light golden green stripe along the midrib. It only gets to 1-2' tall at maturity. Exact cold hardiness is unknown, but is hardy enough to be grown outside in much of California. This plant is often incorrectly sold as Variegated Leather Leaf Fern, Rumohra adiantiformis ‘Variegated.’ China, Japan. Polypodiaceae. rev 11/2010

Arbutus ‘Marina’  flowers  fruit  bark  young tree in front of 620 Washington St. (John Werner House/German-Methodist Parsonage, 1860's)  commercial planting  street trees  evergreen tree offering bark and habit similar to our native Madrone (A. menziesii), but much easier to cultivate. Leaves are smaller, not as glossy, and flowers are pink, borne in pendant clusters in summer. Fruit is large, red, quite ornamental. The best feature is that wonderful, smooth red brown bark that peels off to reveal the green to tan new bark beneath. Also distinctive are the sinewy branches and trunks. Most probably this "hybrid" is simply a seedling of A. canariensis. Sun to part shade, little or no summer watering when established. Hardy to at least 15°F based on our experience. Prefers good drainage. Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation. Ericaceae.

unedo ‘Oktoberfest’  flowers  seems to grow to an ultimate height closer to 8’ in favorable locations, with a similar spread. It has shorter internodes and a more even, dense habit than the usual seedling and in addition bears a heavy show of beautiful, dark rosy pink flowers. Very frost hardy. A superior, relatively compact (not dwarf!) selection of A. unedo discovered and introduced by Gerd Schneider. rev 7/2005

Arctostaphylos  MANZANITA  Manzanitas range in their difficulty of cultivation. In general, the burl forming species are considered extremely difficult and aren't offered commercially except by specialists, while the non-burl forming types are more adaptable. All have tiny bell shaped flowers, usually produced in late winter. Many have attractive berries which remain on the plant into fall. Although we Californians usually focus on foliage and flowers when selecting manzanitas, the striking bark and twisted, sinewy branches we take for granted are often their very best features. It is hard to think of another group of plants which are as ornamental when not in flower. Almost all need average to good drainage, with as little watering during the warm summer months as possible, although in the hottest climates they will usually need help when young or planted outside their native range. All are considered frost hardy enough for most California zones. If you plan to use them in the more extreme California bioclimes (desert, High Sierra, or Great Basin), you will need to seek out local native species raised by specialists. Manzanitas in general are poor container subjects, disliking any form of water stress and especially hot roots. Ericaceae. rev 12/2002

densiflorus ‘Howard McMinn’  growth habit   flowers   showy red leaf galls  probably the most adaptable manzanita. To 4-7’ tall, 6-8’ wide (unpruned), with dense, compact foliage and clusters of tiny, showy white flowers tinged light pink in late winter. Dark brown bark adorns typical beautiful trunks. Easy, dependable. Tolerant of a wide range of soils and climates. This shrub is easy and reliable enough to justify being considered "just another landscape shrub" when planning a yard or commercial design. I usually recommend retail nurseries remove it from the bed where it is usually banished to, the "natives section," and merchandise it next to the Escallonia ‘Fradesii’ and Laurus nobilis in the hedge or shrub section. It generally lives when planted, and lives quite a long time. It can be clipped, pruned occasionally for height/shape, or just left alone to fill out naturally. It will naturally drop its lower branches as it ages, something you may or may not want and a feature that can be controlled (somewhat) by pruning. The red leaf galls are usually seen and are the result of an insect. They are essentially benign and require a fair amount of chemical application to prevent. Consider them part of the overall beauty of the plant and enjoy them because they really are pretty and very showy. rev 1/2010

edmundsii ‘Carmel Sur’  dense park planting  foliage closeup  ground cover to 1’ tall, 12’ wide, slow when young. Produces beautiful, shiny foliage with coppery new growth. This species is native to the Big Sur coast, usually on freely drained mineral soils. It doesn't like sprinklers, too much heat, or bad drainage.

‘Emerald Carpet’  young planting  foliage  an evergreen groundcover to 1’ tall, 6-8’ wide. Favored by many landscapers as the manzanita of choice for inland situations, though it is still best and only really reliable under cool summer conditions. Dark green leaves, compact growth, relatively tolerant of adverse soil conditions. Needs good drainage. rev 11/2007

uva-ursi  this species is not only found across the US, it is actually circumpolar, and found in Europe and Asia as well. It is always an evergreen, prostrate form. rev 5/2011

‘Green Supreme’  lush, shiny foliage  a very fast growing selection with bright green leaves. Branches root in as they travel. This variety may prove to be the most garden worthy and dependable of the prostrate varieties. I haven't seen it flower. rev 5/2006
'Massachusetts' BEARBERRY, KINNIKINNICK  bright leaves   this is the same species as our own California native version except it is far cold hardier and more tolerant of summer watering. To under a foot tall, spreading as an open mat to perhaps 6-8' across, with very dark green leaves, moderately showy white flowers in spring, and moderately noticable red fruit. It has been so long since we have had this in our catalog we may as well call it "new." rev 4/2011   
‘Point Reyes’  foliage  habit  evergreen groundcover to 1’ tall by 10’ wide, eventually. Foliage is dark green and compact. Berries are noticeable and pretty, but not spectacular. Adaptable, one of the best California A. uva-ursi varieties for use in inland areas.
‘Radiant’  foliage closeup  to 1’ tall, 10’ wide. New growth and young twigs are coppery red. Berries are bright red and rather showy, unlike all the other commonly available landscape groundcover strains. Not quite as adaptable as ‘Point Reyes,’ but showier, somewhat more formal, and much faster, with branches stretching out 2' or more in each direction from the centers per season when young. rev 5/2006

Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’  foliage detail  nice plant, nice fence  sometimes identified as A. absinthium, or a hybrid involving that species. This is a big, soft, silvery, soft wooded shrub that has found much application in gardens in the past few years. It is reliable and tough enough to make it in commercial landscapes as long as the gardeners are smart enough to recognize it has lost its leaves due to winter, not because it is dead. It tends to be only briefly deciduous in the mildest climates. It will live for quite a few years but should not be considered a permanent planting as plants do age and need to be replaced, or die off in particularly wet winters. It grows as a shrubby deciduous perennial to 3’ tall, 6’ wide. The leaves are silvery grey and feathery. With age, it can reach 5' unpruned. Used as an accent or backdrop for perennial gardens. Doesn't normally produce flowers. It does well in containers if cut back seasonally in winter. Hardy to frost. Compositae/Asteraceae.

pedemontana   ALPINE SAGEBRUSH   ultrafine, silvery foliage  soft and silvery, these tiny leaves grow almost flat, forming a mat to 18" wide. The yellow flowers in early summer bring the height to about 12". Evergreen to semi-evergreen, it takes heat and drought, and likes good drainage. This is a bright little groundcover for containers, troughs, or between succulents. Sunset 1-7, 14-17, 23-24/USDA 3. rev 6/2011-Suzy Brooks

pycnocephala ‘David’s Choice’  SANDHILL SAGE  at Cabrillo  evergreen perennial native to California coastal dune communities. Grows as a compact white mound of distinctive, silvery white foliage to 1’ tall, 3’ wide. Flowers are noticeable but not showy. Sun, good drainage, little or no summer watering. Best in cooler coastal climates, but will grow in interior heat.

Artichoke Imperial Star (seedlings)  ARTICHOKE  ornamental clump, Huntington Botanic Gardens    ready to pick!   fun with flowers, by Virginia Bennett   amazing bloom, closeup  an improved strain from the California Cooperative Exchange Service, with a very high percentage of high grade heads, good uniformity, and a better range of climatic adaptation. This variety has good flavor and is a slightly faster producer than ‘Globe’ divisions, although quality is not quite as good as the hard-to-get (and often diseased) field divisions. Still they make excellent heads and grow with more vigor than the divisions. It makes an impressive deciduous perennial in areas colder than production areas when grown for its 4’ tall, finely tomentose grey foliage and large purple thistle flowers. For good eating quality heads, plan on cutting plants back in early fall in inland areas and growing on through cool, overcast winter weather. Hot weather causes the buds to bolt and limits climatic range. Plants need about 1300 hours below 50°F to fully vernalize and form buds early but plants are facultative long day bloomers and will initiate about a month later without chill. Also, in this seed strain 80% of plants will still flower after just 200 hours of chill, which makes it an excellent variety for Southern California. In coastal areas, plants can be cut back after harvest for repeat crops. In all areas, frost below 25°F will kill the plants back, but except for bronzing of outer petals on the heads, quality should be unaffected. In fact, some experts consider these “frost kissed” buds to be the best. Plants produce best if fed rather heavily when young and more moderately when mature. They will require watering at all stages for good production except very near the coast or in very rainy areas. They need at least average drainage or they will be prone to various root rots. For best results treat them to deep, rich soil and feed moderately heavily. Full sun, part sun if only used as an ornamental. Mediterranean origin. Compositae/Asteraceae. rev 2/2005

Asarum caudatum  WILD GINGER  flowers   foliage   at Strybing Arboretum's Redwood Grove  an evergreen perennial, native to coastal redwood forests, that forms a dense groundcover with large, soft, fragrant, dark green, heart shaped leaves and interesting flowers, usually hidden at ground level. An excellent choice for dry shade, or areas of moderate summer watering. One or our more formal looking native plants. Needs good drainage and rather complete shade. Frost hardy for most of California. Aristolochiaceae. rev 11/2010

Asclepias curassavica Red Butterfly  BUTTERFLY WEED    it truly does attract butterflies and this ornamental milkweed is quite attractive, with dark foliage and lots of bright red and yellow flower clusters. This is a nice cottage garden perennial, blending with daisies, lavender, and purple coneflowers. To about 2-3' tall, it also is a great cut flower. Sun, average watering, appreciates good drainage. hardy to around 30F, so treated as an annual outside Sunset zones 8, 9, 12-24/USDA 9. Easter US. Asclepiadaceae. rev 1/2011

Asimina triloba PAW PAW TREE   my paw paw patch, twelve years old    typical fruit cluster   fruit sectioned   fertile flowers   flowers past fertile stage  not new, but we haven't had it for a while, fruit are ripe in my yard, and we have seedlings available from a neglected grafting project. Grows as a deciduous shrub or small tree to 10-15’ tall, spreading slowly by root suckers and seedlings to form clumps or "patches." Narrow, soft textured, luxuriant leaves to 8" long somewhat resemble those of Avocados, but turn light golden yellow and drop in fall. It makes a nice looking plant. Small, pendant, brownish maroon flowers in spring set thin skinned, oblong, rotund fruits to 6" long, sometimes flattened, with a few to many large black seeds. Fruits give off a strong aroma of banana pineapple chardonnay, and drop when ripe. Flavor and texture is somewhat variable, but both are usually very much like banana flan. There are also flavors of pineapple, vanilla, lemon, anise, and a few other hard to identify components. Don't eat the seeds, don't eat the skin. Full shade when young, full sun when mature, they are reasonably drought tolerant but immeasurably happier with regular watering. Five gallon seedlings should bloom either immediately or within 1-2 years, or they can be grafted over to named varieties. These seedlings are all from intercrossed, named varieties, specifically Sunflower, Rebecca's Gold, Overleese, Taylor, and Mary Foos Johnson. From my experience, these hybrid seedlings remain very close to or identical to these parents.First year fruit can be small and somewhat bitter. Fruit quality, quantity, and size increase with age, and also with variety of pollen partners. Plants can be self-sterile, or reluctantly self-fertile, and might need another individual for pollination. This interesting American native is found naturally as far north as Michigan, but is probably originally native to Florida before it was slowly dispersed by Native Americans. Annonaceae (related to Cherimoya). rev 11/2010

Asparagus densiflorus ‘Meyers’  FOXTAIL FERN  mature plant   another, sun  clumping evergreen perennial, can be used massed as a groundcover. It also makes an excellent hanging basket when larger. Formal looking fronds have an even, spiral arrangement of leaflets. All species are damaged by severe frosts. Looks best with at least occasional watering and fertilizing. South Africa. Liliaceae.

retrofractus  MING FERN  old, unthinned clump   plume of foliage  clumping woody perennial to 5-6' tall, easily recognized by vigorous, open stems with delicate pompons of soft, green, wispy, foliage. The bark of older branches turns greyish with age, contrasting nicely with the bright green (new growth) to deep green leaves (actually cladodes). Stem length and vigor increase after the plant has been established for a couple of years and matured. Flowers are very small, delicate, white, and appear in open sprays and are followed by small orange berries. According to Teresa Aquino of Blue Bamboo Nursery in Santa Cruz, when her dramatic front porch container plant bloomed the flowers filled the air with a strong tropical scent of coconut lotion, strong enough to scent the whole house and gardens with the aroma of Hawaii. Full sun to mostly shade, little summer watering when established (but give it at least a little), not really frost hardy. Can be used for large cut flower arrangements, and is grown commercially for this purpose. This is a dramatic accent or focal point plant that fell out of favor years ago, for some reason. With the emphasis on interesting form and diversity of plant shapes in modern gardens now, it has seen a resurgence. Alone by itself with rocks, on a mound, against an old board fence, displaying its puffs of foliage in an otherwise empty shady space, in commercial landscapes, in a large container by itself, all of these uses show this plant off to its best advantage. rev 8/2007

setaceus  ASPARAGUS FERN  against a blue house   grown up  also known as A. plumosus. A vining plant distinguished by flat planes of very wispy foliage, climbing to 10’ or more. Excellent as container plant, house plant, or in hanging baskets, if you can untangle it and keep it from climbing the hanger. It can be quite striking as a climber when kept thinned out. Part shade to shade, average summer watering. South Africa. rev 11/2010

Aspidistra elatior  CAST IRON PLANT  nice clump   Adventureland Jungle Cruise  this tough evergreen perennial bears large, vertical, lance shaped leaves to 2’ tall. It spreads slowly by rhizomes but can be reasonably fast with good drainage and moderate watering and feeding. Bizarre star-like flowers appear at ground level in spring. They are pollinated by a terrestrial amphipod. It can tolerate very deep shade and considerable drought as well as frost to 5-10°F or lower (it is grown outside in Portland, Oregon). Excellent in containers or as a house plant for cool homes and durable enough for widespread use in commercial landscapes, especially in high impact or low care situations. Japan. Liliaceae. rev 3/2004

‘Asahi’  leaves  features a narrow central blonde variegation stripe along the midrib, broadening out at the tip so the entire upper section of the leaf is whitish. A good, vigorous grower. rev 1/2003
'Milky Way'  leaves are even darker green, narrower, lay flatter, and are speckled with white dots. This grows as a smaller scale plant and makes a good container plant. rev 9/2009
‘Variegata’  VARIEGATED CAST IRON PLANT  established clump  at the Huntington  like regular Aspidistra, but with creamy white stripes on the leaves. Throws all green, all white, broadly or narrowly striped leaves. This is a variable and unstable variegation. rev 2/2003.

Asplenium SPLEENWORTS  love that name. A group of about 700 widely distributed, mostly good looking ferns, often epiphytes or lithophytes, some tolerating extended dry periods. Polypodiaceae. rev 10/2008

antiquum 'Victoria'  WAVY JAPANESE BIRDS NEST FERN   waviness   a compact, narrow, more frost tolerant Birds Nest Fern, easily distinguished from the larger, more tender species by its midrib, which is rounded both above and below the frond. It is always more slender than either A. nidus (never seen it in this country yet, midrib keeled above the frond) or A. australasicum (the only large type I have seen sold, midrib keeled below the frond) and is much smaller also, growing to only about 2' wide by 20-24" tall. This form has edges that are very wavy and undulate. This is the best species to try outside unless you are in SoCal or similar warm-winter areas. It is somewhat frost tolerant but I don't have solid info on how low it will go. And I haven't grown it myself yet. For a start let's try Sunset zones 8-9, 14-17, 21-24/USDA zone 9. Japan. rev 9/2010

'Austral Gem'  our plants   somewhat similar to common Mother Fern, A. bulbiferum, except it is much smaller, cuter, darker green, harder/firmer textured, and sterile. The lack of spore production makes it a neater plant for use in clean patio or indoor applications. To about 12" tall, 18" wide, fabulous in mixed or single specimen containers. Our propagation source lists this as a hybrid between A. dimorphum and A. difforme. Shade, typical fern conditions, Sunset zones 9, 15-17, 21-24/USDA zone 9. rev 8/2011

bulbiferum  MOTHER FERN  closeup of babies  at Strybing Arboretum  a soft textured evergreen fern grown for its very lacy, light green fronds to 3’ tall, often with miniature "babies" produced along the margins of the pinnae. Likes shade to part sun, becoming very light green to almost golden in more light, and regular watering. It is not very  frost hardy. Like most ferns, it is excellent in containers. Australia, southeastern Asia. Polypodiaceae. rev 8/2010

Astelia nervosa v. chathamica  SILVER SWORD, SILVER SPEAR  nice sun plant, Edward D. Landels New Zealand Garden at UC Santa Cruz Arboretum   Strybing Entry Garden, part shade   commercial landscape, shade   a robust, clumping perennial, similar to Phormium, producing broad rosettes of silvery foliage. Leaves are V-shaped in cross section, grow to 3-4’ long. Plants grow to 4’ tall, with new growths arising from the base, eventually forming a clump to 6' or more across if not cut back or divided. This is really a shade plant, and all the best looking specimens I have seen receive little or no sun. It will take full sun in the coolest coastal locations, but any heat or high light intensity tends to yellow foliage. It is not reliably frost hardy below 20°F, and tips will be burned below freezing, but can be raised down as low as Sunset zone 5/USDA zone 8 by those willing to put up with occasional dieback. It is a great plant for the foliage border, as a centerpiece or focal point planting, or in large mixed containers. Its leaves can be used as cut foliage. Flowers are tiny, round inconspicuous things on low, straggly clusters below the leaves. After a one of the rosettes in a clump flowers, it will yellow and die out, these should be removed after bloom so the fresher looking pups can shine. This variety is more silvery than the species and is native to the Chatham Islands, a group of islands off the East Coast of New Zealand. Liliaceae. rev 8/2010

banksii compact form  young plant at UCSC's New Zealand Garden  older  this is a smaller, grassier, slightly bluer version of the familiar Silver Spear, only growing to about 24-30" tall and across. It likes part sun but will take full sun in cool coastal conditions. Easy to grow except in poorly drained situations, it is at its smallest and most silvery in gravelly soils. A great container plant, tough, forgiving, and very useful in the garden because its smaller size makes it easier to site than the dramatic but very large A. nervosa v. chathamica. rev 11/2007

Aster frikartii ‘Moench’  closeup  deciduous perennial to 30" tall. Light lavender blue flowers to 2" wide with yellow centers appear from early summer through early winter. Sun to part shade, average to little watering, frost hardy. Leaves and flowers are larger on this variety than others. Compositae/Asteraceae.

dumosus 'Sapphire'  blooming  a compact grower with deep lavender blue flowers, typical late summer through fall bloom. Looks great with grasses, especially blue-toned ones like Helictotrichon and Agropyron. Sun, average watering and drainage, frost hardy, cute in containers. Zones 1-9, 14-24/USDA zone 4. rev 10/2009

latifolius 'Prince'  flowers  tiny whitish flowers with pink centers are displayed in summer against fine textured, blackish foliage. To less than 2' tall and wide, and holds its foliage color well in summer. Full sun, regular watering. All zones. rev 9/2010

Astilbe hybrids  FALSE SPIRAEA  clumping deciduous perennials with ferny leaves and tall, feathery spikes of flowers in spring and early summer. Best bloom occurs in full to part sun. Excellent cut flower. Makes an impressive, vertical statement in the perennial garden, with attractive ferny foliage remaining after bloom. Average watering required, completely frost hardy. Saxifragaceae.

‘Bonn’  blooming  dark orange pink, to 24".
‘Bumalda’  blooming  a compact variety that produces buff pink flowers fading to creamy white, on stalks to about 2' tall. Very dark, bronzy new growth makes for a great background for the light flowers. rev 5/2005
‘Fanal’  spike  dark red, to 24-30".
‘Gladstone’  single spike  white, 24".
‘Gloria’  flowers  light lavender, to 24-30".
‘Hyacinth’  flowering  dark lavender pink, to 30".
‘Rhineland’  spike  dark pink, to 18-24".

Athyrium  delicate, rather brittle ferns for shady, moist, peaty sites. They don't like any kind of physical abuse such as foot traffic brushing by, or strong wind, and the fronds desiccate and bruise quickly. So keep them tucked away in protected sites where their lush fronds can be kept looking undamaged. All are deciduous. Polypodiaceae. rev 2/2003

felix-femifera 'Frizelliae'  closeup  tiny round, frilled leaflets on short arching stems. Highly unusual. Substantially more evergreen other varieties of this species, withstanding all but direct frost. rev 1/2008

'Ghost'  young nursery plants  a hybrid of A. felix-femifera and the tricolored A. nipponicum 'Pictum.' Grows as a clump, to about 2' tall, spreading slowly by rhizomes. The fronds are a very light greyish color when mature and look most striking against dark surfaces. This selection really helps light up a dark place, bringing a large, soft textured, silvery grey green presence to the shade garden.. Give it moist, acid, peaty conditions and adequate watering. Very frost hardy. rev 5/2008  

nipponicum ‘Pictum’  JAPANESE PAINTED FERN  leaves  another view  an outstanding foliage plant, forming low feathery clumps of light green fronds overlain with greyish lavender and with darker violet highlights over the veins. Spreads slowly by rhizomes. This one needs a year or two of growth to form crowns large enough to produce the foliage in all its glory. When it is mature and established, it is just stunning. Performs well in cool coastal areas as well as shaded, moist sites in hot regions. It may be most at home in areas with more montane, continental weather patterns with longer dormancy and colder winters. The unvariegated reversions are occasionally available from us when they can be sorted from the main crop. Excellent in containers, especially mixed with other strong foliage plants. rev 2/2003

'Applecourt'  young fronds  tips of fronds are forked and crested. Similar coloration to 'Metallicum' and 'Pictum,' with purplish veins, dark green and burgundy midsection and steely silver coloring on the outer half of the pinnae. rev 10/2007 
'Metallicum'  young frond color  one of innumerable TC mutations on the theme, this one lighter and more steely silver than the original. rev 8/2007
'Red Beauty' young frond color  another variant, this one tending towards darker burgundy red and less contrast. rev 8/2008