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In lieu of a printed 2024 catalog,
our new plant offerings have been posted on our website. Please look for the new plant symbol New Plant A printed copy of them will be available upon request.
 

 


Icon Legend

New Plant
New/Featured for 2024

Full Sun
Full Sun

Partial Shade
Partial Shade

Shade Lover
Full Shade

Drought Tolerant
Drought Tolerant

Picture Available
Picture Available

Drawing Available
Drawing Available

(PPAF) = Propagation of this plant prohibited without a license.

Hardiness Zone Map


Lobelia

Lobelia

Cardinal Flower

In the dog days of August, just when the border is not looking so lively, this genus of colorful, stately selections rejuvenates the garden with spectacular leafy flowering spires, attracting crowds of eager hummingbirds. Perfect in meadow plantings, these sturdy herbaceous perennials appreciate a well drained site, a light winter mulching, rich, moist soils and partial shade in warm climates, except for Lobelia tupa and Lobelia laxiflora, which like it hot and on the dry side.

<i>Lobelia</i> ‘Grape Knee-Hi’

Have you grown weary of Lobelias, whose lovely blooms reside above a rather untidy base? If so, you may be interested in Dan Heim’s brilliant solution to this age-old challenge—a small-statured L. cardinalis and L. syphilitic backcross, known as ‘Grape Knee-Hi’. Painted with vibrant deep purple hues, the long lasting and freely flowering, tightset spikes crown upright stalks and good-looking compact foliage that stands on its own all season long.

Blooms July–August

Size: 2' 0" high x 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

<i>Lobelia</i> ‘La Fresco’

We have Thurman Maness to thank for this lovely cultivar, another cross between Lobelia cardinalis and Lobelia siphilitica. A dense tower of dusky plum flowers creates a pleasing blend of muted purples when planted with Verbena hastata and Astrantia ‘Lars’.

Blooms August–early October.

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

<i>Lobelia laxiflora</i>

A lush-looking, bushy perennial capable of enduring considerable neglect, this impressive Lobelia plays host to festive bicolored blooms. Spreading by underground rhizomes, a close thicket of slender, yet sturdy, red-tinted stems strikingly set off narrow and lustrous, pointed green leaves that extend 2 to 4 in. Slim, 2 in. long red tubes are loosely clustered at shoot tips, while each bright-hued flower flares to reveal a sunny yellow throat.

Hailing from Arizona and Mexico, the Mexican Lobelia entices gardeners and hummingbirds alike with nectar-rich blossoms, can tolerate some shade, but looks its best in sunny, dry sites and has been reputed to possess anti-inflammatory alkaloids.

Blooms June–September.

Size: 2' 0" – 2-1/2' high x 2' 0" – 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 8.

Dressed in a crisp snowy white, the profusely flowered tapers of this Lobelia stand in sharp relief to its dark green foliage. A newly selected form of our U.S. native, ‘White Candles’s small, compact stature keeps its lift all season, lending a clean and classic look, especially when partnered with Geranium ‘Orion’.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 18" – 20" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Lobelia x speciosa ‘Hadspen Purple’ (P-2288)

Each $10.25

PREORDER FOR SPRING 2024

Many gardeners say the 2-lipped deep purple flowers of this tall cultivar reign supreme among Lobelias, and we whole-heartedly agree! Long-blooming, velvet-rich, terminal racemes crest upright stalwart stalks lined in lanky, semievergreen lance-like green foliage that’s infused with violet hues and lush panache. A mighty-fine addition to moist mixed borders, cottage gardens and pond peripheries, clump-forming ′Hadspen Purple′ can be planted in bold swaths amidst Phlox paniculata ‘Gzhel’ and Nepeta ‘Hill Grounds’, where it promotes vibrantly hued accents plus bee and butterfly enticements. (PBR)

Blooms July–September

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 18" wide.

Zone 6b.

Lobelia tupa
 Full Sun  Partial Shade
<i>Lobelia tupa</i> <i>Lobelia tupa</i>

The lush tropical color scheme of this somewhat tender Chilean native is alluring. Cloaked in broad and pointed, felted pale green foliage, each soaring purple-tinged stem is crowned with a large, tapering raceme of warm brick-red blossoms. From the swollen base of each flower, a claw-like lower lip curls under and a tuft of gray stamens extends upward. A perennial of nearly monumental stature that likes it hot and on the dry side, Lobelia tupa can be associated with Melianthus, Muhlenbergia and Morina longifolia for a dynamic mélange of color and shape in the border.

Blooms July–October

Size: 6' 0" – 8' 0" high x 3' 0" – 4' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 8.

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Current Staff’s Favorite Plant

Current Staff’s Favorite Plant

Our feature plant: Primula vulgaris ssp. sibthorpii

Precious Primulas, Prized Pulmonarias and Fabulous Foliage!

Primulas offer elaborately-crafted colorful blooms in varied shapes,……

including draped bells, candelabras, drumsticks and pincushions. Many Primrose flowers  waft a delectable scent. Second-to-none for the dappled recesses of your garden, these easily grown, cold-hardy Primulas crave well-drained, humus-rich niches with adequate moisture and good air circulation. They can grace containers or be planted in swaths along shady walkways or in woodland gardens. Be sure to peruse our online Primulas.

Prized Pulmonarias……

One of the earliest perennials to bloom, you can be picking their enchanting urn-shaped flowers in February while the rest of the garden still slumbers. Many cultivars showcase an array of mercury-hued dapples, speckles and spots, while others sport solid pewter sheens or striking silver streaks. Easy-to-grow Pulmonarias prefer the lacy light of a woodland setting plus cool moist soil. Our newsletter also includes a handful of other shade-loving perennials that promise alluring foliage. Many of these perennials can be partnered with Pulmonarias for intriguing foliar contrast. You may wish to check out our online Pulmonaria offerings.

All of us plant and paper wranglers wish you good health and happy digging!

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