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E-Newsletter: Mid-May 2011

The Phoenix Perennials E-Newsletter
Mid-May 2011

In this Issue

Opening Notes: News, Tidbits and the Phoenix Calendar

1. Did you lose plants over the winter?: A discussion on hardiness and "armageddon" winters
2. Special Workshop Offer for May and June
3. The In-Nursery Design Service
4. Ornamental Deer Cages
5. Charity Shopping Weekends 2011: CPF Schools and the Richmond Animal Protection Society
6. Fabulous at Phoenix

Opening Notes: News, Tidbits and the Phoenix Calendar

Follow us on Facebook Follow new plants, events and happenings in real time with regularly posted images, videos and updates from the nursery. Fan Page members are the first to find out about sales, special events and other happenings! Recent Updates We've been adding all our YouTube Videos, as well as Photos and Special Offers You don't have to be a Facebook member to view the Fan Page and photo albums. Have a look!

Follow Us on YouTUBE Recent Videos Raymond Evison Clematis Lecture - One of the most famous Clematis breeders in the world spoke at the nursery at our Clematis Condundrum weekend! Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 The Great Easter Plant Hunt - 100 people hunting for hidden eggs! Kivistik Clematis Nursery Walkabout - Learn about the exciting Kivistik Series of Clematis that customers are reporting bloom all summer!

Go To Phoenix Perennials on YouTube

Mark your calendars! Or print this off for the fridge!

1.

Did You Lose Plants Over the Winter?
A Discussion of Hardiness and the Challenges of "Armageddon" Winters

Now that we are well into gardening season gardeners have taken stock of this year's overwintering successes and failures. Many gardeners are lamenting the losses of prized plants, especially those that overwintered in pots. They are also surprised at damage to or the death of plants that should have been perfectly hardy.

The culprit is what I term an "armageddon" winter - a winter characterized by wild fluctuations in temperatures between mild and very cold. Generally speaking, an "armageddon winter" will see cold snaps in the fall/early winter and in the spring. Often we see a long mild fall which abruptly ends with a sharp plummet in temperatures in late November or early December. And we often also see disastrous spring freezes that occur in late February or early March when plants are coming out of dormancy and entering active growth.

These patterns can be so damaging because plants take cues from the weather on what they should be doing at any given time of the year. This fact is obvious to us when considering the spring. In the spring plants begin to grow with the warming temperatures and a cold snap can damage delicate new stems and flower buds. Often plants can rebound from this damage in the spring. But cold snaps in the fall can be equally or even more damaging than in the spring. In the fall plants need to experience gradually cooling weather to harden off and prepare themselves physiologically for the winter. When plants have not experienced gradually cooling temperatures to signal to them to go dormant they can be caught off guard in only a partially dormant state or even in active growth. A cold snap can hit them hard, even when the plants should be perfectly hardy for our region and climate zone.

Unfortunately, we have seen "armageddon" winter patterns in two of the last three winters in 2008/2009 and in 2010/2011. In 2008/2009 we had a mild fall with hardly any frosts and then in early December the temperature plummeted to -14 degrees Celsius in the space of two days. What wasn't hit during this cold snap was then hit in March when the temperature dropped to -5 degrees Celsius after plants were already coming into growth. I call this winter the worst "armageddon winter" in recent memory. Practically every evergreen shrub in our region -- other than rhodos -- was killed. The list of devastation included Escallonia, Euphorbia, Skimmia, Ceanothus, rosemary, lavender, Fatsia, Cistus, Choisya and much more. Another pattern we saw was the death of all kinds of plants that should have been super hardy. Even though the temperatures were only equivalent to a zone 7 winter many plants from zone 3 to zone 6 in hardiness were killed because of how the cold happened. At the nursery we had zone 3 lilies and hostas turned to mush!

This past winter I call a "mini armageddon" winter though, in some people's experience, especially in neighbouring Washington State, it was equal or worse to 2008/2009. Late November of 2010 saw a sharp drop after a mild fall to -8 degrees Celsius. Then leading up to and during our Hellebore Hurrah! Opening Weekend in late February the temperatue also dropped to -8 degrees Celsius combined with high winds and a snowstorm. What hadn't been damaged by the November freeze got damaged by the February freeze. The only good thing about 2008/2009 is that spring 2009 was gorgeous and warm from April onwards giving strength to rattled plants to get back on their feet. Unfortunately, spring 2011 has not been so benevolent with record cold temperatures on a consistent basis for months. This means that there is little warmth to help bring slightly damaged plants back into healthy growth.

What can we do now to help our struggling plants?

1. If your plants are in pots, move them to a warmer location such as against a south wall of the house.

2. If your plants are in the ground talk to your plants and encourage them that BC isn't a bad place and that there is still a reason to live. For smaller plants that need a little lift you could put a cloche over top or other items like an upside down clear plastic tote to create a little greenhouse effect to get your plants going.

3. Top dress with a good quality compost like Sea Soil so that when your plants do get going they have some nutrients to work with. Once damaged plants limp back into growth you could apply light applications of fertilizer to help them on their way. Though I prefer to let a rich compost feed my beds I will sometimes apply slow release fertilizer around certain plants that need an extra lift. Do not fertilize until your plants come into active growth.

What can we do to protect our plants against future "armageddon" winters?

1. Plant zone 7 and 8 plants in the spring so they have a full season of growth to develop a healthy and strong root system before the fall. Plants that are well rooted are much stronger going into the winter. Consider using a transplant fertilizer to establish strong and healthy root systems quickly. We carry a good one at the nursery.

2. Don't compost those leaves that fall into your yard until spring. For the winter dump them on top of less hardy perennials or pack them around the bases and over top of the rooting areas of less hardy shrubs. The leaves will insulate your plants from the brunt of the cold snaps.

3. As a rule plants grown in containers lose one zone of hardiness because of the freeze/thaw cycles that stress the roots of plants. In an "armageddon" winter plants sitting in pots can be hit particularly hard. Move plants in pots out of the rain and up against the house. Even better is to move your pots into a shed or garage during the cold snaps. If your pots are too big to move you can wrap them in bubble wrap and mulch the soil surface with fallen leaves.

4. Remember that while temperature is the main factor effecting plant hardiness, other factors also play a role in how well your plants come through the winter. These include rainfall, wind speed, and winter soil moisture levels. Evaluating these factors, how you they can effect your plants and how you can moderate these conditions can also help you and your plants to sail through the winter.

2.

Special Workshop Offer for May & June

DOWN TO EARTH SERIES | Phoenix Fresh Veggies: Plant Up a Container with Unusual and Heirloom Varieties | Instructor: Shelley Brignall | Sat May 21st, 10am-12pm | $18 | You can’t eat much more locally than your own back yard! Shelley will introduce you to tons of cool, unusual and heirloom vegetables which could include purple or pink tomatoes, rainbow-coloured greens, squash and cucumbers that grow on bushes, spinach that grows on vines, blue squash and potatoes, white pumpkins, peas with blue pods, and white eggplants. After some practical and design instruction each participant will plant up and take home their own veggie container. This is an excellent companion workshop to Phoenix Fresh Herbs. Please bring your own large pot (minimum 12-14 inches in diametre) with enough space for at least 3 to 5 one gallon perennials. A large, black, seven gallon plastic pot can be provided at an additional cost of $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

KIDS SERIES | Phoenix Fresh Veggies FOR KIDS!: Plant Up a Container with Fun and Funky Edibles | Instructor: Shelley | Sun May 22nd, 1-3pm | $18 for one parent and one child, $5 per additional child/parent | Parent participation required. | There is nothing like growing your own vegetables as a child to encourage healthy eating, to build a strong relationship with living things, and to experience the joys and flavours of eating locally. That line was for the parents. This is for the kids: How would you like to grow your own crazy and fun veggies in your own backyard? In this workshop we'll show you purple, pink and yellow tomatoes, rainbow-coloured greens, squash and cucumbers that grow on bushes, spinach that grows on vines, blue squash and blue potatoes, white pumpkins, peas with blue pods, white eggplants, and much more. Then you'll get to plant up your own veggie container to grow at home! Please bring your own large pot (minimum 12-14 inches in diametre) with enough space for at least 3 to 5 one gallon perennials. A large, black, seven gallon plastic pot can be provided at an additional cost of $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

DOWN TO EARTH SERIES | The Buzz of Beneficials: Plant Up a Container to Attract Butterflies, Birds and Hummingbirds to your Garden | Instructor: JoAnn Turner | Sat May 28th, 10am | $18 | In this workshop you'll learn how to attract butterflies, birds, hummingbirds and beneficial insects to your garden beds and planters through the careful selection of beautiful plants loved by our favourite garden visitors. In the second half of the workshop participants will plant up a container to act as a bird and butterfly magnet for their gardens. This is a kid-friendly workshop for older children 10 and up if a parent would like to attend with their child. Please bring your own large pot (minimum 12-14 inches in diametre) with enough space for at least 3 to 5 one gallon perennials. A large, black, seven gallon plastic pot can be provided at an additional cost of $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES | The Fragrant Garden: Planning for Year-Round Olfactory Bliss | Instructor: Belinda Cardoso | Sun May 29th, 1-3pm | $16 | It is possible to have fragrance in the garden almost all year round. Join Belinda, Phoenix Perennials’ fragrance expert, for a tour of myriad enchanting perennials, shrubs and vines that, while offering beautiful foliage, form, and flowers, will also contribute the enchanting dimension of scent to your garden.

June

POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES | Architectural Plants: Add Drama, Structure and Presence in the Garden | Instructor: JoAnn Turner | Sat June 4th, 10am-12pm | $16 | Jo will introduce you to a plethora of plants with great foliage, form and stature that you can use to rise out your amorphous plantings to give structure, strength and intrigue to your borders. She will also chat about plants that “die well” providing great structure and interest to the winter garden.

POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES | Grasses that Captivate: The Transformative Powers of Ornamental Grasses | Instructor: Shelley Brignall | Sun June 5th, 1-3pm | $18 | The popularity of ornamental grasses continues to grow as gardeners discover their many virtues. Come to this informative talk and learn what grasses can do for you and your garden. You'll get tips on using them for best effect in your garden design and in containers. As well, you'll be introduced to several cultivars you might not have seen before. Participants will then have the opportunity to plant up their own container featuring grasses and other companion plants. P lease bring your own large pot (minimum 12-14 inches in diametre) with enough space for at least 3 to 5 one gallon perennials. A large, black, seven gallon plastic pot can be provided at an additional cost of $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

KIDS SERIES | Kool Plants for Kids | Instructor: Gary Lewis | Sat June 11th, 10-11am | $10 | Phoenix Perennials owner Gary Lewis has been fascinated by the world of plants since he was a little boy. In this workshop participants will be introduced to all kinds of cool plants like carnivorous plants that eat bugs, plants that smell like chocolate or peanut butter, plants that are fun to touch and feel, and plants with cool names and fun stories. Each participant will go home with a free present from Gary to start their plant collections. Parents may listen in to the workshop or browse the nursery while their kids are having all the fun!

CONTAINER SERIES | Colour Without Flowers?: Create a Technicolour Container with Fantastic Foliage | Instructor: Belinda | Sun June 12th, 10am-12pm | $18 | Never before have there been so many options for amazing foliage plants. Belinda will introduce you to a wide range of plants with great foliage that add invaluable colour to the garden. She will also talk about artfully combining foliage for maximum impact in both the garden and containers. Participants will then have the opportunity to plant up their own container with fantastic foliage plants. Please bring your own large pot (minimum 12-14 inches in diametre) with enough space for at least 3 to 5 one gallon perennials. A large, black, seven gallon plastic pot can be provided at an additional cost of $7. Please order your pot when you book your workshop. The price of the workshop includes your potting mix but not the plants you use.

POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES | Top Plant Performers for the West Coast Garden: Summer | Instructor: Shelley | Sat June 18th, 10am-12pm | $16 | Do you want to know what the best performing perennials are for summer? Shelley will introduce you to a selection of top plant performers for West Coast gardens that provide great seasonal interest. She will also provide seasonal maintenance tips. This course could be the most important step you take to transform your garden from ordinary to extraordinary! For a full year of top plants sign up for the two other sessions: Spring and Fall and Winter.

POWER OF PERENNIALS SERIES | Sizzling Succulents: Drama, Structure and Intrigue with Succulent Foliage | Instructor: Gary Lewis | Sun June 19th, 1-3pm | $16 | Sit down with Gary for an introduction to the fascinating world of succulents for the garden. Gary will focus on a variety of hardy and non-hardy plants including Agave, Echeveria, Aeonium, Yucca, Dasylirion, Sempervivum and Sedum. Few plants can offer such structure, drama and intrigue as succulents in the garden.

Booking Workshops

Spaces are limited. Please call (604-270-4133) or visit the nursery to book your space. Payment is required when booking. If you would like to take advantage of one of our special offers please let us know at the start of your booking.

Each workshop requires a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 15-25 depending on the workshop. If the minimum is not met we may not be able to run the workshop in which case we will contact you a few days before the scheduled date of the workshop and give you a credit towards another class, a credit at the nursery, or a refund.

If you are unable to attend a workshop you have already signed up for please give us 3 days notice. We would be happy to give you a credit towards another class or a credit at the nursery. We cannot offer credits, however, unless you let us know 3 days in advance of your workshop that you cannot attend.

3.

The In-Nursery Design Service
Are you new to the vast world of perennials?
Or just stuck for design ideas?
Do you want to plant a brand new garden bed?
Or do you need to spruce up an existing border?

We offer in-nursery consultations with trained design professionals in a fun process that will get you the results you crave at a great value. Our goal is to help you design a garden that reflects you and your tastes. To do this we will work with you at the nursery to develop a design that you'll love filled with plants that you love. This service will also save you time and money by helping you avoid many of the pitfalls related to plant selection and design that can detract from the success of your garden space. This is a service for the do-it-yourself gardener who wants to plant the garden themselves. While we can give advice on hardscape, our main focus is on softscaping, that is the selection and artful combination of plants for an existing space.

What we do:

What we don't do:

(If what you are looking for is listed in this last section you will need to hire a designer or landscaper. We would be happy to make some suggestions.)

How it Works
1. Fill our our questionnaire with questions about your goals for your space, your taste in design and plants, and details of the size, soil and light conditions in your garden. We would also like you to provide us with some pictures of your space at this time. Part of the questionnaire requires you to list plants that you like. We recommend that you spend a half hour to an hour at the nursery perusing our vast selection of perennials and listing the ones that you find interesting.

2. Hand in your questionnaire and book a time to return to the nursery for your design consultation. Before you return, your designer will look over the information you've provided and begin thinking about your space.

3. Return to the nursery for your design consultation at the pre-arranged time. Your designer will work with you to select the perfect perennials for your site and goals and then show you how to incorporate them into a beautiful design. If you like, we will send you home with a plant-by-number diagram!

4. Take your plants home and get planting. We would love it if you could send us your before and after pictures!

This service costs $45 per hour, much less than the average cost of a design consultation. The minimum is one hour. Periods less than an hour will be charged in half hour increments of $22.50 each. When we have done these kinds of consulations in the past we have found that the average time required is usually one to three hours. For larger projects we recommend dividing up the space into manageable pieces and meeting with your designer over multiple sessions.

If you have any questions, please call the nursery at 604-270-4133 or view our website for more information.

4.

Ornamental Deer Cages

Are your prize trees, shrubs and perennials feeding the local deer population rather than your gardening soul?
Are you looking for an ornamental option to protect your prize plants that doesn't include the sleek elegant barrel of a shotgun?

How about an ornamental deer cage?

These ornamental deer cages can be placed in the garden to protect delicate and delectable trees, shrubs and perennials. They are hand made by Jon, a local artisan, who calls these his Stella series. Every cage is different. They are made of light weight but strong galvanized steel. They are attractive and functional. They can be left as a buff silver or painted black for a more classic look that will disappear more into the garden. One is great, but as a group they really shine and, interestingly, look great from a distance or up close. The cages can also be used to support vines and other plants in the garden. Many city dwellers who don't garden with deer are using them simply for ornamental purposes for their vines. Custom sizes and designs available upon request.

5.

Charity Shopping Weekends 2011
Late May - Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS)

The Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) is a registered charity that operates two shelters in the City of Richmond, British Columbia. Our first shelter, on No. 6 Road in Richmond, is North America's largest cat sanctuary. At this shelter homeless and abandoned cats and kittens are rescued and cared for.
Our second shelter is the City of Richmond Animal Shelter where RAPS cares for a wider variety of animals including dogs, cats, rabbits and other small domestic animals.

Charity Shopping Weekends are a way for Phoenix Perennials to give back to the community while helping to introduce gardeners to our nursery. Each month one charity or group of charities has been selected to participate in a Weekend. During that Saturday and Sunday 25% of each purchase made by a customer who tells us they are there for that charity's Weekend will be donated to the charity. Since 2004 we have raised over $8800 for local charities and institutions.

6.

Fabulous at Phoenix
Gary's Picks of New, Notable and Luscious Plants at the Phoenix Candy Store

It's May and the following selection is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The nursery is chock full of all kinds of wonderful things to wow and excite you.

Japanese Maples: Post May Maple Mania we still have an excellent selection of Japanese maples including the following trio.
'Geisha Gone Wild'	'Autumn Moon'	'Purple Ghost'
Though we have sold a lot of maples we probably still have most of the following maples available at the nursery: Acer palmatum: 'Amber Ghost', 'Aoyagi gawa', 'Aratama', 'Asahi zuru', 'Beni Schichihenge', 'Chantilly Lace', 'Corallinum', 'Coral Pink', 'Fairy Hair', 'Fireglow', 'Geisha Gone Wild', 'Hana Matoi', 'Japanese Sunrise', 'Kagiri Nishiki', Kasagi Yama', 'Kasen Nishiki', 'Kinky Krinkle', 'Komon Nishiki', 'Aoyagi Gawa', 'Geisha', 'Grandma Ghost', 'Hubb's Red Willow', 'Iijima Sunago', 'Kinshi', 'Koto No Ito', 'Mikawa Yatsubusa', 'Moonfire', 'Orange Dream', 'Orangeola', 'Oridono nishiki', 'Peaches and Cream', 'Pixie', 'Pung Kil', 'Purple Ghost', 'Red Blush', 'Red Cloud', 'Red Emperor', 'Ruby Stars', 'Ruslyn in the Pink', 'Ryu Sei', 'Sagara Nishiki', 'Sharp's Pygmy', 'Sherwood Elfin', 'Shu Shidare', 'Skeeters Broom', 'Spring Delight', 'Tiger Rose', 'Tiro Shidare', 'Tsumagoki', 'Ukigumo' Other Species: campbellii 'Exuberance', campestre 'Carnival', circinatum 'Burgundy Jewel', circinatum 'Pacific Fire', conspicuum 'Phoenix', conspicuum 'Silver Vein', pseudoplatanus 'Eskimo Sunset', shirasawanum 'Aureum', shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon', shirasawanum 'Green Snowflake', shirasawanum 'Sensu' Come see the incredible diversity of these maples.

Acer palmatum 'Fairy Hair' - Japanese Maple - This incredible dwarf maple hardy looks like a maple at all! In fact, many people are suprised when we point out its identity. 'Fairy Hair' has incredibly dissected foliage that is light green with red leaf stems. The plants are very slow growing and will eventually reach a height of about 2-3 feet. An excellent specimen for containers or bonsai.
Acer x conspicuum 'Phoenix' - Red Snakebark Maple - This rare and stunning snakebark maple has brilliant cherry red bark with hints of orange and yellow that is then striped with silver. The colouration is deepest in winter but continues well into spring and maintains good colour through summer, much longer than the coral bark maple, 'Sango Kaku'.The light green leaves are glossy and relatively large turning golden yellow in fall. A true collector's maple that I couldn't live without in my own garden where I have it placed where I can see it from my kitchen windows all year round.
Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' - Aeonium - A stunning architectural succulent -- the one everyone wants. Branching stems hold tightly packed rosettes of dramatic burgundy black leaves. Grow in fullest sun for best colour. Bring indoors to a bright windowsill in winter for a striking houseplant. From the Atlantic coast of Morocco.
Clematis recta 'Purpurea Select' and 'Velvet Night' - Clematis - This uncommon clematis is a non-climbing clump former that is grown primarily for its beautiful leaves and stems which are at first rich burgundy gradually maturing to a grey-green. The flowers are white, vanilla-scented and quite small but appear in nice clusters by the hundreds. This is a good clematis to grow in the perennial border up through other perennials or shrubs. Cut back after blooming for a new flush of burgundy foliage.
Erysimum 'Fragrant Star' -- Wall Flower -- 'Fragrant Star' is a lovely, variegated sport of the popular variety ‘Fragrant Sunshine’. Bright yellow, sweetly-scented blooms arise from chocolate-purple buds from March to July and into fall. Useful in containers, rock gardens and perennial borders.This shrub-like perennial offers months of interest with its long bloom period and evergreen foliage. Sheer lightly when flowering slows or when flower stems become too long. For long-lived, compact specimens plant in hot, dry, sunny spots.
Trillium erectum -- Red Trillium -- Deep burgundy-red outward facing blooms. So rich! Our clump of three looked scrumptious last year blooming near Himalayan blue poppies, Carex elata ‘Bowles Golden’ and underplanted with the chartreuse groundcover, Selaginella ‘Aurea’. Native to eastern North America including Quebec and Ontario.
Trillium luteum -- Yellow Trillium -- The citrus-scented, lemon yellow blooms of this species are sessile (without a flower stalk) and thus sit on top of the leaves which are beautifully silver-mottled. Native to the rich, deciduous woods of the eastern US.
Trillium sessile -- Toadshade Trillium - Red tulip-shaped blooms (with petals more elongated than T. recurvatum) with mottled green foliage. Forms spectacular clumps with time. Eastern US.
Cypripedium formosanum -- Formosa Lady's Slipper Orchid -- This exquisite hardy lady’s slipper is endemic to high altitude regions of Taiwan and blooms in our area in mid spring. The flowers have a large pale pink pouch with white or pale pink petals and sepals spotted with darker pink or red. The rounded, light green leaves are pleated like a fan and provide much interest after the flowers have faded. This species is very easy to cultivate in an average shade garden and a good first introduction to growing hardy ground orchids.
Gaura lindheimeri 'Crimson Butterflies' - Butterfly Gaura - Masses of pink flowers on reddish stemmed spikes with dark crimson and green foliage. These are compact, long-blooming plants with good drought tolerance. Like the brief visits of butterflies, these plants grace the nursery for only a short time and then they’re gone (in the trunks of people’s cars!).
Hosta 'Dancing Queen' - Plantain Lily - Unlike other yellow hostas which emerge or turn chartreuse, ‘Dancing Queen’ emerges bright yellow and remains yellow all season long. The large leaves have a prominent pie crust edge, adding even more pizzazz to this colourful hosta. In mid to late summer, the foliage lightens to soft yellow and the clump is topped with pale lavender flowers. This one is a must-have! Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.
Hosta 'Queen of the Seas' - Plantain Lily - A dynamic, large, blue-green hosta with a tall, upright form and fantastic foliage that makes it a sight to behold in the shade garden. Large, heart shaped, blue leaves of good substance have a very wavy pie crust edge. Near-white flowers are produced in early to midsummer. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.
Hosta 'Parhelion' - Plantain Lily -This sport of 'Sum and Substance' has huge, rounded leaves that are light green with narrow, irregular, cream margins. The leaves have slightly rippled edges and may be shallowly cupped or convex. Lavender flowers are produced on 50" scapes in midsummer. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.
Hosta 'Praying Hands' - Plantain Lily - 'Praying Hands' is the most un-hosta looking hosta to ever hit the market. Each small, 18" wide clump is composed of strangely folded, dark green crinkled leaves, each with a narrow cream border resembling a multitude of hands folded in prayer. The upright clumps are topped with 18 inch spikes of light lavender flowers in late summer.
Phoenix Fresh Veggies -- It's veggie time. We have lots of herbs, beans, lettuces, potatoes, sunchokes, cabbage, collards. The heirloom tomatos will be arriving in a couple weeks when it warms up.
The Kivistik Clematis -- Bred behind the iron curtain in Estonia, these Clematis have only recently entered western horticulture. They are super hardy to zone 3, they grow to 6 feet tall, they are great in containers or in the ground, and they have flower power -- reports from customers are that they bloom all summer, either constantly or in multiple waves of colour! We have about 12 different cultivars in a full range of colours from whites and light pinks through lavenders, purples and hot magentas as well as bicolours!
Dwarf Conifers -- We have a great selection of dwarf conifers now in stock including the plant at left, Picea glauca 'Daisy's White' which will grow only 2 feet tall in 10 years! Dwarf conifers are excellent for year round interest in containers or in the garden.
Davidia involucrata 'Sonoma' -- Dove Tree, Handkerchief Tree, Ghost Tree -- This fantastically unique tree sports pendulous double-bracted, pure white inflorscences that look like someone has come along and toilet papered the tree with individual sheets of Charmin! The only downside to the species is that it can take 15-20 years for it to come into bloom after it's reached a height of 15-20 feet. Enter the cultivar 'Sonoma' with larger flowers that will bloom on a single stem two feet high. It might cost a little more than your average tree but consider what it's worth to save 15-20 years of waiting!
Corylus avellana contorta 'Red Majestic' - Harry Lauder's Walking Stick - This fantastic hazelnut has twisted and curled branches that provide great winter interest. In spring dangling burgundy catkins emerge followed by warm burgundy foliage. Slowly the leaves turn to a rich dark green. A second flush of new leaves will often appear once the earlier leaves have turned green producing tips of burgundy on a green plant. I have had this shrub in my garden for a number of years and love its character, its ease and its many ornamental qualities.
Phoenix Fresh Berries and Fruit -- Our berries and fruit section is chock full of delicious plants to turn your garden into an edible paradise - blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries, jostaberries, loganberries, currants, grapes, black raspberries, thornlesss blackberries, cherries, pears, apples, honeyberries (haskaps) and more! Berry bushes are one of the easiest ways to grow food in your own garden.
Echinacea 'Secret Passion' - Not-So-Purple Coneflower - Bright, flamingo pink double cones and contrasting lighter pink ray florets. In addition, 'Secret Passion' blooms and blooms and blooms all summer and fall. It has a well branched, compact habit. You can use 'Secret Passion' en masse for the border, in a mixed bed, and as a cut flower. Part of the new Secret Series of mid-size double-flowered coneflowers.
Echinacea 'Daydream' - Not-So-Purple Coneflower - 'Daydream' is a midsize plant with fabulous yellow to soft yellow flowers that bloom all summer long. Use en masse for the border, in a mixed bed, and as a cut flower. The sweet fragrance is just right for a lazy summer afternoon.The Dream Series of echinacea are strong plants for great performance in the landscape.
Echinacea 'Amazing Dream' - Not-So-Purple Coneflower - Bred with E. tennesseensis for floriferousness, 'Amazing Dream' is a dream in the landscape with its compact habit, amazing number of blooms and well-branched plants, and long season of bloom. Flowers are deep pink. A great landscape plant for a long show of colour. The Dream Series of echinacea are strong plants for great performance in the landscape.
Echinacea 'Tangerine Dream' - Not-So-Purple Coneflower - ‘Tangerine Dream’ has elegant four inch clear orange flowers with wide, overlapping petals. The rich colour holds better than most other coneflowers. The flowers also have a lovely honey scent. A great landscape plant due to its multiple, wide-branching strong stems. Great for cutting.
Echinacea 'Green Jewel' - Not-So-Purple Coneflower - This incredibly unique echinacea was discovered by Piet Oudolf. Light green ray petals surround the large, green cone of this sweetly fragrant coneflower. The plants have an upright habit and a height of just 20-24 inches, so no staking is required. Praised for their cheerful brightly coloured flowers, coneflowers are a mainstay in today's garden. The dried seed heads provide architectural interest in the winter and are a good food source for finches and other birds. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.
Echinacea 'Flame Thrower' - Not-So-Purple Coneflower - This reliable rebloomer has two-toned orange and yellow flowers that are hot, hot, hot! Add to this a well-branched habit and you've got a great choice for the middle of the border, used in a parking strip, or along a fence line. Here's a fragrant choice that is easy to grow and blooms all summer. One of the earliest of the coneflowers to bloom in the Terra Nova trial grounds in Oregon.
Echinacea 'Firebird' - Not-So-Purple Coneflower - Sometimes it comes all together in an Echinacea - wonderful habit, compact size, and charming, red-orange shuttlecock-type flowers that look like they want to fly away! The dark cones only add to the appeal. Attracts butterflies in summer and seed hunting birds in the fall. Mix with Rudbeckia for a great combo.
Sambucus 'Black Lace - Elderberry- ‘Black Lace’ is one of the best shrub introductions in recent years. It has superlative, finely dissected burgundy-black foliage offering both stunning texture and striking folial colour. Clusters of pink flowers are borne in early summer -- a sight to behold against the foliage! The flowers are followed by blackish-red berries.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' - Hydrangea - Vigorous and upright but smaller than the other paniculatas growing to just four feet. Sports enormous showy, somewhat conical balls of lime green (that often first emerge white). These flowers may develop some pink tones as they age. Excellent for drier areas. Don’t forget to cut some for a dried flower display in autumn. Usefull in containers. We have lots of other hydrangea in a whole range of colours that have just arrived at the nursery.

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Word of mouth has been such an important part of our success and growth at Phoenix Perennials. Thank you to everyone who has told their friends about us and thank you in advance for continuing to introduce new people to our nursery! We couldn't do it without your kind patronage and support!

If you have any other questions please contact us at phoenixperennials@shaw.ca.

Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.
One of the largest and most exciting selections of perennials in the Lower Mainland.
Specializing in distinct perennials, fragrant shrubs, hardy subtropicals and the botanically intriguing.3380 No. 6 Road, Richmond (Between Bridgeport and Cambie)
604-270-4133
www.phoenixperennials.com

Please visit our web page for information on the nursery, driving directions and a map.
We are near the south end of the Knight Street Bridge and very easy to get to from all of the surrounding municipalities and beyond.

Opening Dates and Hours
February 25th, 2011 until October 31st, 2011
10am-5pm

Copyright Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

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