Phoenix Perennials - Fabulous at Phoenix

Fabulous at Phoenix
New, Notable and Luscious Plants at the Phoenix Candy Store

Anemone crispa - For those of you who love the japanese anemones (and I'm sure there are many of you) here is a peculiar variation on that theme. Anemone crispa has light pink late summer and autumn-blooming flowers that look very much like the japanese anemones. However, crispa is much shorter topping off at about 20 inches. But what makes it most intriguing is that the leaves are large and ruffled like triple curled parsley or green kale. Anemone crispa represents a great way to get the flowers of a japanese anemone into the front of the border or into small gardens while also bringing along some intriguing foliage.

Aster lateriflorus 'Prince' - This aster sports masses of small flowers with lavender-pink centres and pale lavender flowers that are offset gorgeously by the fine burgundy foliage. Unlike other asters that are simply a mass of green until they flower in fall, 'Prince' offers great foliage interest for the whole season.

Begonia grandis ssp. evansiana - Hardy Begonia - This is a wonderful hardy begonia that I may have mentioned before. I mention it again because it is now blooming at the nursery and looking particularly nice with brigh candy-pink flowers against the beautiful foliage.

Arisaema consanguineum 'Poseidon' and 'The Perfect Wave' - Cobra Lily - These extremely rare cultivars from Ellen Hornig at Seneca Hill Perennials in New York state have breathtaking silver variegation on silver-blue leaves. They will grow eventually to 4-5 tall with "umbrellas" at least two feet in diameter. In spring the plants sport the classic jack-in-the-pulpit flowers which are followed by large seed heads that turn brilliant red in the fall. Tolerant of part sun to shade.

Clematis jouiniana 'Praecox' - This is one of my new favourite clematis. Jouiniana 'Praecox' is a non-twining rambler with masses of bluish lavender flowers. The stems reach about 6 feet long and can be used as a groundcover or it can be planted in the garden and allowed to weave through the surrounding plants. Drought tolerant once established.

Cyclamen hederifolium - Hardy Cyclamen - This lovely little perennial cyclamen blooms in the fall with stunningly variegated ivy-like foliage. Great for rock gardens, along pathways and in pots or planters.

Digitalis purpurea 'Primrose Carousel' - Foxglove - This is a lovely primrose yellow foxglove which tops off at only 3 feet. Great in wafts in the border!

Echinacea 'Big Sky Sunrise' and 'Big Sky Sunset' - Coneflower - The Big Sky series of new coneflowers comes from a different breeder than the Meadowbrite Series. The Big Sky series has more of the "look" of the normal Echinacea purpurea that we all know and love -- the same broad green leaves and overall habit and the same type of flowers with large overlapping petals. We have both 'Sunrise' and 'Sunset' in bloom at the nursery. Together they make quite a dynamic duo. That is, at least until next year when they'll be joined by 'Big Sky Sundown' at which time I guess they'll make a terrific trio!

Phyllostachys nigra - Black Bamboo - This is a wonderful hardy bamboo with jet black stems. It is easily the most sought-after in our area. It grows eventually to about 20 feet offering a dramatic subtropical feature to the garden. It is great for screening neighbours or unsightly views or as a specimen. Black bamboo is a "clumping" bamboo. In my experience this means that it is mostly clumping. It is capable of sending out some runners but these do not get far from the mother plant and are easily controlled. We have two sizes at the nursery right now: a 5 gallon pot which is a great starter size and a 15 gallon pot for an instant dramatic bamboo!