Perennials, grasses, ferns, other cool plants
General descriptions and prices
While the bananas and palms give the feel of exotic places finishing the plantings with other bold foliage plants add textures, colors plus excitement with all the new introductions coming out. The use of ornamental grasses, hosta's, big bold specimen size plants such as Gunnera manicata and Petasites japonicus ad dimension and depth to the cool weather exotic garden. Listed following in alphabetical order.
Grasses
Perennials
Agapanthus
Agapanthus africanus (zones 7-9 height to 48") "African Lilly" evergreen (to about 10 F) strap leaves that are generally up to 15 inches tall. The sturdy flower stems extend to as much as 48 inches with round umbels of blue or white trumpet shaped flowers in mid summer. Price= $10.00 :)
Agapanthus africanus 'Ella Mae' (P.P. 7297) (zones 7-9 height to 72") This lovely can boast about being possibly the tallest of Agapanthus flowers, reaching as tall as 6 1/2 feet. Flowers are dark blue. Price= $10.00 :)
Agapanthus africanus "Peter Pan" Dwarf form to 12" with blue flowers. Price= $10.00 :)
Agapanthus africanus "Summer gold" Bright gold variegated leaves, with medium blue flowers. New introduction, great pot plant. Price= $15.00
Arisaema
Tuberous perennials from Africa, Asia and North America. Arisaema boast ornamental leaves and stems with some what bizarre flowers. Best results are when grown in part shade.
Arisaema concinnum
Arisaema dracontium (zones 4-9 height to 30") Mottled petiole growing to about 30" Produces a light green hooded spathe in late spring-early summer. Brilliant red orange berries in later summer. Price= 7.00 :)
Arisaema galeatum
Arisaema griffithii
Arisaema triphyllum (zones 4-9 height to 24") Hooded spathe is green, maroon or green maroon striped. Usually has 2 trifoliate leaves. Price= 7.00 :)
Cardiocrinum
The 'King of Lilies" (C. giganteum can have its flowers reach as much as 10 tall) are from the Himalayas, China, and Japan. Large shiny heart shaped leaves can reach up to 18+" long. The monocarpic bulbs (once flowering) take 5-7 years to bloom.
Cardiocrinum giganteum (zones 5-8 height to 10') The fragrant trumpet shaped flowers cream in color can be up to 6 inches long. Applying a balanced fertilizer will help produce offsets. Our bulbs are approximately 4 years old, possibly blooming next season! Price= $15.00 :)
Darmera
Darmara peltata (zones 5-9 height to 6') A native to the Pacific Northwest. In early spring the deeply lobed leaves emerge just before fairly tall pink flower spikes. Leaves up to 24 inches across. Sun or part shade. Price= $15.00 :)
Darmara peltata "Nana" (zones 5-9 height to 4') Do Not have space for the larger form? Same flowers, quite large leaves but only getting to about 4 feet. In early spring the deeply lobed leaves emerge just before fairly tall pink flower spikes. Leaves up to 20 inches across. Sun or part shade. Price= $15.00 :)
Gunnera
Cultivated primarily for their handsome foliage, Gunnera's originate from moist areas in Africa, Australasia, and South America. Sizes very from mat forming ground covers with leaves 2-3 inches to dramatic leaves up to 6 feet across on 8 foot tall petioles.
Gunnera chilensis (zones 7-10) If you like the impressive looks of Gunnera manicata but haven't the space, maybe you could use Gunnera chilensis. Although at first glance they look quite alike, the leaves for G. chilensis are much more rugose, and only to about 4 feet across on petioles 3-4 feet tall. Cultural conditions would be the same. Price= $15.00 :)
Gunnera manicata (zones 7-10) " Dinosaur food " from South America; with a range extending from Columbia to Brazil. While it is best to plant Gunneras in moist places I have seen people succeed with heavy irrigation. Leaves are up to 6 feet across on as much as 8 foot long petioles. In hotter climates grow in shade. Price= $15.00 :)
Petasites
Petasites japonicus (zones 5-9 height to 6') Butter bur or often called Fuki. From Korea, China and Japan, flowers emerge in late winter before the 3 foot wide leaves that are on 3 to 6 foot long petioles. Price= $10.00 :)
Petasites japonicus "Variegata" Same large leaves but with bold cream-white variegation, needing deeper shade to look best. Price= $18.00 :)
Rheum
Rheum palmatum 'Atrosanguim' (zones 5-9) Often refered as Chinese Rhubarb or ornamental rhubarb boosts leaves reaching up to 3 feet across topped spires of bright red-pink flowers which can be up to 5 feet tall. The leaves unfold in deep maroon shades giving way to green with red backsides. Price= $10.00 :)
Rodgersia
Features large, palmate or pinnate leaves often bronze tinted. The course leaves in many cases have a late season coloring of red's and browns. Topped by tall white to reddish flower spikes in summer. Zone 4-8.
Rodgersia aesculifolia (zones 5-8) Clump forming with palmate leaves very similar to horse chestnut tree. Summer flowers white or pinkish. Price= $10.00 :)
Rodgersia henrici (zones 5-8) Leaves emerge a chocolate brown and soon go to green. Reddish-pink flowers in summer Price= $10.00 :)
Rodgersia pinnata (zones 5-8) Heavily textured palmate leaves with tints of bronze. Pinkish flowers in summer. Price= $10.00 :)
Rodgersia pinnata 'Alba' (zones 5-8) Heavily textured palmate leaves with tints of bronze. White flowers in summer. Price= $10.00 :)
Rodgersia pinnata 'Fireworks’ (zones 5-8) Heavily textured palmate leaves with tints of bronze. Nice red flowers in summer. Price= $12.00 :)