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Latest NewsGreat Gifts for Valentines Day!Looking for great gifts for Valentines Day? Here are Perennials that will provide winter color and interest to a container or landscape, and will flourish in a range of zones across the country.
San Francisco Flower and Garden ShowMarch 21st to 25th at the San Mateo Event Center Green living at its best – 20 gorgeous display gardens, container gardens, edible gardens and new products designed to help Planet Earth thrive. Edible gardening workshops, cooking demonstrations, seminars on design and horticulture. 2011 CatalogOrder the 2011 Catalog printed on genuine paper for $4. Free with plant order. Digging Dog Nurserya retail and mail order plant nursery specializing in unusual and hard to find perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs, trees, and vines.
31101 Middle Ridge Rd. Customer Comment:“I just wanted to let you know that the plants you sent me here in Central Illinois, arrived in tiptop condition.” ~Wendy in Illinois view Digging Dog's comments with Dave’s Garden (The Garden Watchdog) |
Perennials at Digging Dog
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Black Mondo GrassLicorice-black, ¼ in. wide, spidery blades, delicate, bell-shaped purplish white flowers on dark spikes, and shiny bluish black fruit are all good reasons to invite this versatile perennial into your garden. The ebony-colored evergreen tufts with newly emerging green leaves can be dramatically juxtaposed against golden Carex elata ‘Aurea’ or Athyrium niponicum pictum’s silver flushed fronds. Nestled in between rocks, along pathways, near water or en masse as an easy going ground cover, Black Mondo Grass competes well with other plant roots, and favors well drained soil, periodic trimming and filtered sun. Blooms July – August. Size: 6" high x 8" wide; hardy to zone 6. Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ (P-1475) OriganumOreganoThe Greeks called this ancient herb oros ganos, meaning “joy of the mountain,” and legend has it that Aphrodite created the sweet, spicy scent of its leaves as a symbol of happiness. A sun-loving genus hailing from the Mediterranean, Origanums display small, tubular, whorled flowers often arranged in showy overlapping bracts, and prefer well drained soil. Origanum acutidens |
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While quite dainty, Elizabeth Strangman’s lovely hybrid actually appreciates hot, dry conditions. If this isn’t enough to recommend it, ‘Kent Beauty’ produces a plethora of rosy, plump bracts—some 2 to 3 in. long—that resemble Hops and are prized by those who love dried arranging. Rounded and paired, the inch-long, blue-green leaves clasp trailing, wiry, wine-tinted stems. This compact Origanum is a natural atop a stone wall, where its pendulous blooms and intriguing foliage may be displayed to fine effect. Blooms August–October. Size: 8" high x 12" wide; hardy to zone 6. Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’ (P-1080) Origanum libanoticum |
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In a tribute to its name, the extravagant, deeply cupped flowers flaunt satiny white silken-thin petals waltzing around a plush purple-black brocaded center. All this floral finery dresses a bluish green pedestal of fuzzy fernlike leaves that grows weary during the summer but bounces back for a pleasing winter presence. Blooms June. Size: 2-1/2' high x 20" wide; hardy to zone 3. Papaver orientale ‘Royal Wedding’ (P-1550) Papaver orientale ‘Turkenlouis’ |
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The English use the word “blowsy” to describe its billowy, cloudlike presence; we think it apt. Quick to establish itself in well drained soils, this Poppy’s sheer, papery blossoms have a soft, creamy apricot coloring. Prominent rounded buds, dentate leaves and the plentiful stand of flowering stems are heavily felted in gray. When planted with silvery Stachys, a soft pastel palette is achieved that welcomes the lilac hues of Nepeta ‘Longipes’. Blooms June–July. Size: 18"–2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 6. AVAILABLE SPRING 2012 Papaver spicatum (P-0964) ParahebeParahebe ‘Snowcap’ |
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Stiff Beard TongueStanding proudly, the stiff upright stems showcase crowded clusters of large blue-violet blooms with lighter purple markings. Rising above gleaming and narrow dark green leaves, its uninhibited floral display promises to attract people and hummingbirds alike. Just right for edging a path, in the rockery or gracing a container, this impressive low growing perennial is a recent Jelitto Seeds introduction whose stalwart nature can easily handle heat, drought and cold. Blooms July–September. Size: 15" high x 12" wide; hardy to zone 6. Penstemon virgatus ‘Blue Buckle’ (p-1192) PersicariaKnotweedPoor Persicaria! Certain weedy, invasive members of the genus have given the rest a bad name, and discouraged gardeners from getting to know these versatile performers. Our garden-worthy selections are happiest in semishade with ample moisture. Persicaria affinis ‘Dimity’ |
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Red Dragon PersicariaDarkly alluring, this sumptuous perennial has plenty of reason to be “big headed,” so we find the epithet microcephala a somewhat dubious observation. Each spring, deep red shoots emerge and lift themselves into a graceful arching form. Velvety leaves of a rich burgundy purple are dramatically marked with lance-shaped mint-green and silver chevrons, and later in the season are topped with delicate white flowers. Visually arresting anywhere, plant ‘Red Dragon’ in a container or in the garden and let its gemlike elegance be set off by bright-leafed Spiraea ‘Magic Carpet’. It prefers moist soil, but can adapt to drier conditions.(PP# 12,062) Blooms August–September. Size: 3'–4' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 5. Persicaria microcephala ‘Red Dragon’ (p-0859) PetalostemonPetalostemon purpureum ‘Stephanie’
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Purple Prairie CloverAn ornamental and medicinal North American prairie dweller, Petalostemon is Greek for petal and stamen, alluding to the highly unique way in which they are joined. Tiny colorful clusters of flowers, saturated in rich magenta and violet, crowd onto fanciful-looking, thimblelike cylinders. Bred by Dale Lindgren of Nebraska University, this compact sturdy selection boasts a fountain-shaped habit, dark green, very narrow trifoliate foliage and abundant showy blooms. ‘Stephanie’ can be positioned in the rock garden, border or a more natural setting; her leaves and roots can be brewed into a reputedly pleasant tasting, healing and preventative tea. Blooms June – August. Size: 16"–18" high x 12" wide; hardy to zone 4. Petalostemon purpureum ‘Stephanie’ (P-1665) PhlomisJerusalem SageDrought resistant and hardy, this genus belongs to the Mint family and includes about 100 perennials and subshrubs from the Mediterranean and western Asia. Well suited to our California climate, many of the species will thrive in warm, sunny sites and dry woodland edges. Whorls of purple, pink or yellow flowers bloom in the summer, providing long lasting dry stems and flower clusters for decoration in the garden or kitchen. Phlomis fruticosa
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These bright yellow flowers bloom in a series of ball-like clusters known as verticillasters along stout stems and above felted, gray-green foliage. Used as a specimen or blended with Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ or Wood Oats, Phlomis fruticosa will provide bold color and form. Blooms June–August. Size: 4' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 6. Phlomis fruticosa (P-0305) Phlomis herba-venti |
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The first hybrid in this remarkable series, ‘African Queen’ displays regal splendor befitting its name, bearing exquisite reddish orange flowers with lemon-yellow throats. Beside Geranium ‘Phillipe Vapelle’, this selection provides a riot of color and contrast as exquisite, yellow-throated reddish orange flowers appear by the hundreds all summer long. Blooms June–September. Size: 3' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 7. Phygelius x rectus ‘African Queen’ (p-0665) Phygelius x rectus ‘Moonraker’ |
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A remarkable foliage plant with a soft and alluring presence, ‘Longwood Silver’ is equally suited to the border or container. It quickly develops felted, silvery leaves that become greenish gray and more textured with age. Intriguing fuzzy stems seem to glow with a purplish hue that’s echoed in the terminal flower panicles. Blooms August–October. Size: 2' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 8. Plectranthus argentatus ‘Longwood Silver’ (p-0607) Plectranthus ‘Zulu Wonder’ |
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Himalayan MayappleHeralding spring, this captivating woodland native of Asia Minor, the Himalayas and central China pushes a glossy green, folded umbrellalike leaf up through the soil at the top of each stem. A few weeks later, the deeply lobed, 10 in. wide foliage fully opens, described by black, purple and brown mottling, and a lone white-to-rose blossom. The pyramidal bud remains closed on cloudy days and unfurls delicate, translucent petals into a cup-shaped flower when it’s sunny. The extraordinary show continues as glistening, egg-sized, scarlet-red fruit forms in late summer, suspended from the leaf axils on short stems. Podophyllum hexandrum’s fleshy roots take a couple years to establish, but eventually form a substantial colony. Blooms April. Size: 18" high x 18" & spreading; hardy to zone 6. Podophyllum hexandrum (p-1278) PolemoniumJacob’s LadderPolemonium yezoense ‘Purple Rain Strain’ |
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Imparting a classic woodland look wherever it’s planted, Solomon Seal’s native haunts stretch from Europe to Asia. Low arching prominently angled stems display broad, bright green ovate leaves, each distinguished by irregular creamy white margins, parallel veins and a stiff upright stance. A dramatic counterpoint to the exquisite foliage, pendent, pure white tubular bells are lily-scented and poised in axillary pairs. Slowly creeping shallow rhizomes prefer moisture retentive humus-rich niches, though they adapt to just about any site except hot, dry ones. Zone 3/4. Blooms April – May. Size: 18"–2' high x 12"–18" wide; hardy to zone 4. Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’ (P-1711) PotentillaCinquefoilSaid to be useful in medicine and magic at least since the time of Hippocrates, the sun-loving Cinquefoil likes well drained soil and partial shade in hotter climates, obliges both cold and drought, and can be nestled into the rockery or atop a garden wall alongside Campanulas or Stachys. Potentilla thurberi ‘Monarch’s Velvet’ |
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Native to the coniferous forests of Tibet and southwestern China, Primula capitata was once used to cure headaches and please the palette in thick soups and rice. This species is named for its blue-violet, pincushionlike flowers that open face down in early spring. We plant it by paths or steps in shady rock gardens so that we can sit and look at the silvery powder on the green stems. It can take full sun, but only if planted in a moist loam or boggy location. Blooms April–June. Size: 8"–12" high x 10" wide; hardy to zone 5. Primula capitata ssp. mooreana (P-0212) Primula denticulata ‘Blue Selection’ |
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This prized Pulmonaria’s periwinkle blue flowers stand 6 to 8 proud inches above handsome, evenly silver-blotched foliage. Broad, Hosta-like green leaves are slightly rough to the touch. It works well as a ground cover in a shaded rock garden and blooms for an exceptionally long time. Blooms mid-February–May. Size: 12" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 4. AVAILABLE SPRING 2012 Pulmonaria ‘Roy Davidson’ (p-0124) Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Highdown’ |
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