The Perennial Blogger

Carpenteria californica at sbbg

2010-05-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

Asarum caudatum at sbbg

2010-05-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

2010-05-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

Back when I was in college, I had the opportunity to Intern at a great garden in Santa Barbara California. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. http://www.sbbg.org/ is a 100% california native garden, nestled up Mission Canyon Road. Fortunately I was able to stop by a few weeks ago and visit the garden almost 10years since my internship. A little more than one year ago, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden was effected by the Jesusita Fire, burning many parts of the garden and the Gane House, the building I got to know on my lunch breaks while working with the gardeners, that used the building as their home base. A year latter the garden has rebounded nicely and was bursting with color. Here are a few photos of the hightlights.

Pennstripe in flower

2009-10-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

Pennisetum Pennstripe

2009-10-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

Here is another new variegated Pennisetum. Pennstripe is a white variegated selection of Pennisetum alopecuroides a species native to Western Australia. Pennstripe is more compact than the species and will grow to approximately 18" x 18".
Pennstripe has not shown to produce viable seed in its native Australia. This variety will thrive in full sun and appreciates some supplemental irrigation during summer months. This variety has been in production for over a year now. You can find more information from these growers.

San Marcos Growers (Wholesale)

http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3422

Ozbreed - Australia

http://www.ozbreed.com.au/pennstripe.html

Santa Rosa Gardens

http://www.santarosagardens.com/Pennisetum-Pennstripe-p/pen-pen.htm

Pennisetum Fireworks

2009-10-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

Close up of the variegation

Pennisetum Fireworks

2009-10-03T21:18:00.000-07:00

For those of you that are bored with the gold old purple fountain grass Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' comes a new twist on this classic; Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks', a pink variegated selection of 'Rubrum' discovered by Ron Strasko of Creek Hill Nursery in Pennsylvania. Fireworks pictured here in the Corralitos trial garden, is generally slower growing and notably more compact than traditional rubrum. In full sun the pink variegation shows nicely against dark burgundy foliage. 'Fireworks' still retains the mauve colored flowers. Pennisetum 'Fireworks' works great as a container focal point. Monrovia will be growing it for 2010 and it should be readily available as stock supply is strong this season.

Fucrea variegata

2009-08-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

Nelumbo nucifera

2009-08-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

Manihot esculenta 'variegata'

2009-08-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

Musa 'Siam Ruby'

2009-08-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

Caesalpinia pulcherimma

2009-08-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

Highlights from Dallas Arboretum

2009-08-13T13:26:00.001-07:00

I just spent a sweaty morning touring the Dallas Arboretum. What a great garden! We are trialling a number of our new varieties here and its a great garden to test heat and humidity tolerance. One thing that we do not see much of in Northern California are heat and humidity loving plants that thrive down here in Dallas.

2009-08-09T10:51:00.000-07:00

2009-08-09T10:50:00.001-07:00

Sisyrinchium Breeding - Japan

2009-08-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

Ceanothus Tuxedo

2009-08-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

California Natives arround the Globe

2009-08-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

In my travels oversees its interesting to see how California natives are utilized in other parts of the world. Most of you are familiar with Ceanothus Tuxedo, a black leaf selection with lavender flowers in fall. It was discovered by Irish Nurseryman Pat Fitzgerald. Check out his blog.

http://fitzgerladnurseries.blogspot.com

Also, check out these sisyrinchium hybrids from a company in Japan. The yellow one is my favorite.

Gaillardia Trial

2009-08-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

I can't believe its August already! Summer has been busy with travel and trade shows. Summer is also a great time to evaluate perennials in our trials. Each summer I plan a grow out trial were I acquire all the commercial varieties available of a particular genus. This year we compared Gaillardia, an ever growing genera with lots of new hybrids coming to market. Here is an overview of some of the trial highlights.

Penstemon Red Riding Hood

2009-05-25T22:05:00.000-07:00

I thought I would make a few posts to make up lost time. The trial garden in Corralitos is looking great. Penstemon Red Riding Hood has been in peak flower for about a month now. This variety came back with us from Holland a few years ago and it has started to really catch on. Red Riding Hood is a barbatus type with basil branching and thick glossy leaves. This variety is very floriferous and has stiff stems with watermelon red flowers. This variety is nice compact for a penstemon and flowers about 18" tall. Hardier than most Penstemons, Red Riding Hood is rated down to USDA 5, this variety is also drought tolerant and is at home in Mediterranean gardens.

Santolina Lemon Fizz

2009-05-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

Wow, how quickly 5 months flies by. Well its due time for another post on a great new plant. We introduced a golden leaved Santolina this year named 'Lemon Fizz'. This plant continues to impress me every time I see it in containers and the landscape. It is very flat growing and golden in full sun. In the shade it's chartreuse and more lush in its growth habit. This is a virens type of Santolina, it has small thread like leaves that are very fragrant like other Santolinas. Growers are trying this variety this season, I would expect to see this plant showing up in retail garden centers this summer. The top photo is full sun, and the bottom part shade.

Ceanothus Tuxedo

2009-01-03T19:38:00.000-08:00

Ceanothus Tuxedo is a breakthrough new variety with deep black foliage and lavender blue flowers. We received this variety from a great Irish plantsman. Tuxedo is a sport from Autumnal Blue and has an open upright habit. The striking foliage of Tuxedo looks great against silver foliage plants like Artemisia and ties in well with other Mediterranean plants. Tuxedo is brand new and should be in garden centers by in spring of 09' Native Sons nursery of Arroyo Grande is one of the first nurseries to offer this exciting new cultivar.

Echinacea Green Jewel

2008-10-02T20:57:00.000-07:00

Another new Echinacea. Ever since the breeding boom in Echinacea we have seen new colors each year. Green Jewel has truly lime green flowers on a nicely compact habit. I was able to see this variety in breeders fields in Holland. A very impressive sight.

Colocasia Diamond Head

2008-07-21T20:43:00.000-07:00

This is another variety from the 'Royal Hawaiian' series of Colocasia. Diamond Head has huge leaves that grow to 18" x 24" long. It is striking combination with the Cordyline Torbay Dazzler planted behind it.

Cordyline Torbay Dazzler

2008-07-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

At my nursery we have a nice planting in front of the office. Here you can see Cordyline Torbay Dazzler. The plant just gets better and better. We have also started working with a line of Colocasias called the 'Royal Hawaiian' series. The variety you see here is called Blue Hawaii , one of my favorites. At maturity Blue Hawaii will get leaves that are 18" x 24" long.

Smith River July 4th

2008-07-18T18:47:00.001-07:00

I recently made a trip up to the Smith River in Del Norte County. We stumbled upon a serpentine botanical area that had many unique and relatively rare plants. We saw the Bolander's lily and small flowering variety with peach red blooms. We also saw the carnivorous cobra lily growing in serpentine seeps. And finally the native western azalea was in full bloom around every corner. It is nice to see these botanical treasures that most gardeners covet and wish they could grow in their own gardens.

2008-07-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

Rhodadandron occidentale

2008-07-18T18:40:00.000-07:00

Darlingtonia californica

2008-07-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

Lilium bolanderi

Hardy Orchids

2008-06-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

My first passion when I started getting into plants and growing was Orchids. One might call this an obsession. I quickly amassed a nice collection of tropical oddities and attempted to grow them under a HID light in our living room. My interest in orchids quickly moved to some of the rarest and hardest types to grow, hardy orchids. or as most are known; terrestrial orchids. Terrestrial orchids inhabit many of the temperate areas of the world including the US. I soon learned that many species grew in our state here in CA. Below are two natives that are a must for any native garden and anyone interested in terrestrial orchids. Epipactis gigantea is native to CA and inhabits the side of stream beds typically growing in very sandy soil in full sun. 'Serpentine Night' is a cultivar selected by Roger Raiche, it has dark purple foliage. Both varieties are easy to grow in the perennial garden. They actually do very well in pots. They will continue to grow and send shoots out the drain holes. Epipactis like a well drained mix that does not dry out completely.

Weigela 'Cappuccino' (Verweig2)

2008-04-21T20:41:00.000-07:00

Weigela 'Cappuccino' is another variety from the breeder of 'Minor Black'. It is a novelty variety with chartreuse new growth that turns bronze yellow in summer. 'Cappuccino' has pink flowers that make for a interesting combination with its foliage color.

Weigela 'My Monet' (Verweig) PP# 16824

2008-04-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

'My Monet' is from the same breeder as 'Minor Black' it is notable for its variegated foliage of cream, green and pink. The variegation with it's pink flowers makes for a striking combination. 'My Monet' should be available from nurseries that sell the Proven Winners 'Color Choice' line of shrubs.

Weigela 'Minor Black' (Verweig3)

2008-04-21T20:05:00.000-07:00

Weigelas are deciduous group of flowering shrubs that bloom in early spring. They are notable for their masses of flowers that are generally white to deep pink. New dark foliage and variegated forms continue to hit the market. Minor Black is a very compact dark leaved selection that blooms in early April and continues to flower into summer.

'Minor Black',

'Midnight Wine',

'French Lace',

'Variegata'

Agave Kara's Stripes

2008-04-05T21:46:00.000-07:00

This is a new Agave attenuata selection from Gary Gragg of Golden Gate Palms and Exotics
The fist plant was discovered as a sport at his home garden in 1994.
I received my first plants as part of the patent trialing process. Tissue culture plants are now making their way into nurseries and soon into gardens. A few nurseries are already carrying plants, but supply is still limited. Check out the full story of Kara's Stripes on Gary's website.
Other nurseries offering Kara's Stripes are:
San Marcos Growers
www.smgrowers.com

Plant Delights Nursery
www.plantdelights.com

http://www.goldengatepalms.com/public_html/agave_attenuata.html

2008-03-15T18:57:00.000-07:00

2008-03-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem'
This is a great new cultivar from the traditional Sorbaria or 'False Spirea'.
Sorbaria sorbifolia is native to Asia and is Hardy to Zone 2. 'Sem' is a dwarf selection
with deep pink and gold new growth. Sorbaria 'Sem' is deciduous and grows to about 3' x 3'
'Sem' also gets white spirea like flowers in summer. This plant looks great in containers and planted in mass.

Variegated Yuccas

2008-02-24T12:37:00.001-08:00

I blogged about variegated Agaves in a previous post. I would like to follow up with a range of variegated Yuccas I have collected. Theses plants are very durable and have striking coloring. In the winter 'Bright Star' will even show hints of pink in the leaves. All of these varieties are available now in nurseries. 'Bright Star' is the newest one to come to market, it was selected in England at Walberton's Nursery. If you are in CA, San Marcos growers is offering 'Bright Star'. -RH

2008-02-24T12:34:00.000-08:00

Yucca 'Bright Star' (walbristar)

2008-02-24T12:33:00.000-08:00

Yucca recurvifolia 'Margaritaville' - From Hines Hort

2008-02-24T12:31:00.000-08:00

Yucca recurviflora 'Banana Split' - From Monrovia

2008-02-20T10:41:00.000-08:00

A two year old plant of 'Ivory Prince' the buds just keep coming.

2008-02-20T10:40:00.000-08:00

Helleborus 'Ivory Prince' has been available for a few years now. Foliage has a nice silver cast to it.

2008-02-20T10:38:00.000-08:00

This is H. niger 'Jacob'. The niger type Helleborus are the first to flower in December and January. Jacob opens up pure white then fades to deep pink.

2008-02-20T10:36:00.000-08:00

Helleborus 'Pink Marble' this is a selection from Helleborus lividis.

2008-02-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

'Honey Hill Joy' another Terra Nova introduction. photo taken 2-18-2008

2008-02-20T10:33:00.000-08:00

Helleborus 'Hot Flash' a new one from the folks at Terra Nova.

Hellebous - Great plants for Winter interest

2008-02-20T09:11:00.000-08:00

Helleborus is one of those great old fashion perennials that have been in gardens for years. Every Winter gardeners experience the impressive display Helleborus put on. There are many forms of Hellebore, most gardeners are familiar with the colored hybrid selections mainly from H. orientalis parentage. For growers these types typically take 1-2 years to flower from seed. There is another group of Helleborus that are mainly grown from tissue culture, that take one year to flower and have impressive flower counts but are generally limited to white, cream and light pink flower colors. I have been doing a trial of about 20 tissue culture selections at the nursery, and they are all starting to pop as I write this. Helleborus niger types are the first to bloom, this is the classic 'Christmas Rose' starting in Decemeber and peaking in January. The other forms, nigercors, and ericsmithii types usually start in Febuary and Bloom through March. Check nurseries now for flowering plants.

Cordyline 'Renegade'

2008-02-01T18:49:00.000-08:00

Here is another new Cordyline. 'Renegade' is a clumping form with very wide black glossy leaves.
'Renegade' also gets very fragrant flowers in Spring and Summer. This variety, with its great black foliage will make a dramatic statement in containers with gold leaved plants like Heuchera.
Look for it in 2009. -Hardy Zone 8

Plant Hunting in England

2008-01-27T12:16:00.000-08:00

The great part of being involved in New Plants for a commercial business is that you get to travel to great places to find new products. This is my 3rd trip to England, and my 2nd for plant hunting specifically. England is the Horticulture Mecca, great little nurseries cover the country, all with new varieties tucked in the back greenhouse. Sports, seedlings, active breeding programs are what we encounter on our trips. My last trip in November took me about 600 round trip miles from London to Wales, and a short plane trip to Cornwall. Cornwall was great, it has a mild climate similar to the Central Coast of California were I live and work. With this climate growers and gardeners have embraced Mediterranean plants as the foundation for their gardens. Cordyline australis can be found in almost every yard, and has received the common name of 'Torbay Palm', named after the town of Torbay in county Devon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torbay Here are some highlight pictures from the trip.

Cordyline Electric Pink

2008-01-27T12:06:00.001-08:00

I mentioned prior that I had done a great deal of research on Cordyline.
I have amassed a nice collection of Cordyline australis varieties. Many are very
new and are not yet commercially available. Electric Pink pictured below is on the market and is an excellent variety. It is notable for being a clumping type, giving you a grass/Phormium like look in the garden. Electric Pink is also a great item for mixed containers. Cordylines are notorious for being slow, Electric Pink is far from slow and will bulk up quickly in warmer months. Hardiness is still typical Cordyline, I would say Zone 8 minimum. More to come -Ryan

2008-01-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

Back at it.

2008-01-27T11:50:00.000-08:00

Well I'm back with more motivation to continue the Blog. I was a bit frustrated by not being able to find it on Google. But I have had some good encouragement from fellow plant nuts (Thanks Mom) and I hope to continue posts on a regular basis. The Physocarpus 'Lady in Red' post was the top hit on Google so thats nice to see. I invite your feed back on subjects you are interested in. I have a tendency to get interested in a plant group, and then research it to the max. In the last few months I have done allot of research on the following genera.
Heuchera
Helleborus
Cordyline
Fritillaria
Astelia
Sedum
Dianella

I will continue to post my results and some great photos of the different varieties out there.
Bye for now. Post again soon - Ryan

Abelia Kaleidoscope

2007-06-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

This is a new Abelia hitting the market, it is very compact with deep gold variegation. An improvement over other gold forms. It should be in stores this year and even more so in 2008 - RH

Learn more about it here www.abeliakaleidoscope.com

Physocarpus Lady In Red

2007-06-01T16:51:00.000-07:00

Physocarpus 'Lady In Red' is a new selection with coppery orange new growth that fades to dark purple foliage. A great compliment to Diablo. Look for it in stores next year.

Garden Design - Variegated Agaves

2007-05-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

Copyright Ryan Hall 2007

Here are some great plantings of Variegated Agaves at Leaning Pine Arboreatum at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Window Boxes - Terra Sole Nurseries

2007-05-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to show everyone how great these window boxes are. These are growing at Terra Sole Nursery in Watsonville. Perennials can give great texture and contrast. -RH

Copyright Ryan Hall 2007

New Plants - Euphorbia Black Bird

2007-05-18T19:31:00.000-07:00

Here is a new perennial Euphorbia hitting the market this year. 'Black Bird' was introduced by Notcutts Nuseries in the UK. Its much more compact than traditional Euporbias. -RH

Copyright Ryan Hall 2007