ALLIUM (Alliaceae)
Ornamental onion |
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| Allium aflatunense wild form
~ Bearing dense, bright-violet umbels on 4-foot stems, this clone – originating with a bulb collected by Janis Ruksans in the Chaktal Range of Uzbekistan – is a far departure (and a refreshing one at that) from the mass market material sold under this name. Steppe; Uzbekistan. Zone 5.
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1/$5
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| Allium callimischon ssp. haemostictum
~ The airy clusters of dainty white bell-flowers with maroon splotches at their lobe tips would be charming at any time of year. That they occur in fall makes their display not only particularly delightful but also quite poignant. Curiously, the blooms are borne on scapes that grow to their full 6- to 10-inch height in spring, but do not flower until September and October, spending the summer as apparently dead stalks – which of course should not be deadheaded! This little onion prospers in full sun and dryish summers, and makes just the thing for a wall or rock garden. Mediterranean; Crete. Zone 6.
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1/$5
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| Allium christophii wild form
~ These bulbs, grown from wild-collected seed, are a great way to get a new take on this familiar species, with its immense heads of starry purple flowers that give the impression of something pyrotechnic, like a chrysanthemum firework or a Fourth of July sparkler. Steppe; C Asia. Zone 5.
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1/$5
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| Allium cupuliferum
~ The flowerheads of this beautiful species undergo a fascinating metamorphosis, opening as tight, featherduster umbels, which – as the flower pedicels lengthen – gradually transmute into irregular pincushions of dusky-pink on 2-foot scapes. Its rarity in the trade stems from its laggardliness in propagation (we offer seed-grown bulbs). Steppe/montane; C Asia. Zone 5.
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1/$12
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| Allium heldreichii
~ Sort of a high-rise, high-class chives without the fecundity, this charmer offers chubby, conical umbels of deep lilac-pink flowers on 18-inch stems from early to mid-summer. A great little onion. Mediterranean/montane; N Greece. Zone 5.
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1/$5
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| Allium hollandicum
~ Drumstick alliums have been involved in any number of nomenclatural cat-fights. The large, domed, light violet umbels of this taxonomically conflicted species (or hybrid) open atop 3-foot stems in late spring. Our general approach is to enjoy the showy blooms and to leave the botanical wrangling to others. Steppe/montane; C Asia. Zone 5.
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1/$2
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| Allium hollandicum 'Album'
~ Domes of white, purple-veined flowers perch on 3-foot stems in mid to late spring. Although the taxonomic status of this attractive and easy allium is uncertain, its value as an ornamental (which is considerable) is not. Steppe/montane; C Asia. Zone 5.
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1/$5
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| Allium jesdianum
'Michael H. Hoog' ~ Tall (to 40 inches), wide (with umbels up
to 6 inches across), and handsome, this Janis Ruksans selection is also
one of the most precocious and floriferous clones of this eximious
species. The light-violet drumsticks appear in late May.
Steppe/montane; Tajikistan. Zone 4. Enter quantity:
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1/$5 |
| Allium lenkoranicum
~ Globular buds open into straw-yellow flowers with deep purple midstripes in mid to late summer on 12- to 16-inch stems. A unique and curiously striking plant. Steppe/montane; Azerbaijan. Zone 5.
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1/$5
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| Allium litwinowii
~ We have a thing for blue alliums, which means we HAD to have this thing, perhaps the most beautiful of the bunch. Dense, violet-tinged, luminous blue domes on relatively compact stems (15 inches) provide a cyanean exclamation point in late spring. As with all the blue onions, sun and good drainage are non-negotiable. Steppe/montane; Uzbekistan. Zone 5.
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1/$16
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| Allium macleanii
~ That we have in our possession some bulbs of this splendid cephalic allium has us identifying somewhat with its former specific epithet: elatum. The enormous purple globes (it's no surprise that this is closely allied with A. giganteum and is a parent of 'Globemaster') ascend on 3-foot stems in late spring and early summer. Give it lots of sun and a not-too-heavy soil. Steppe; Afghanistan to SW Asia. Zone 5.
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1/$5
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 Allium nevskianum ~ In
the mode of - but in every way superior to - A .
karataviense, this rarely offered beauty bears large,
short-stemmed umbels of red-purple flowers in May above broad, paired,
blue-green basal leaves. A better "doer" than its familiar cousin.
Steppe/montane; Tajikistan. Zone 5.
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1/$7 |
| Allium nutans
~ Nodding buds (hence the specific epithet), borne on 18- to 30-inch
stem, open to 2-inch, upright domes of rose-pink over several weeks in
July and August, giving the impression of a high-rise A .
senescens. In fact, the two species interbreed to produce –
as Allium guru Mark McDonough describes it – "variable
and fascinating progeny." Let it sow, let it sow, let it sow. These are blooming-size seedlings raised here at our nursery.
Steppe/modified continental/continental; C Asia to Siberia. Zone 4.
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1/$5 |
 Allium obliquum
~
Whereas purple drumstick alliums are a dime a dozen, this is the only
one we know of whose flowers - borne in 1.5-inch umbels - are
pale-yellow. Factor in its relatively late bloom season (June and July)
and its tolerance of heavy soils and summer moisture, and you’ve got an
onion to be reckoned with. It's a favorite here. Modified
continental/continental/steppe;
Romania to NW China. Zone 4.Enter
quantity: |
1/$6.50 |
 Allium oreophilum
'Agalik Giant' ~ A. oreophilum,
writ large. In
every way – size,
intensity of color, form – it far outstrips any of its cultivated kind
that have
gone before. The showy, deep carmine-rose flowers strut their stuff in
June. Montane/steppe; C Asia. Zone 4. Enter
quantity: |
1/$9 |
 Allium paradoxum var. normale
~ Not the weedy bulbil-slinger usually encountered under this epithet,
but a beautiful, well-mannered variety dangling as many as ten
snow-white bell-flowers from each 8- to 12-inch scape in March and
April. One of the few alliums that prefer partial shade and accept
heavy soil, it self-sows generously in mild-winter climates but only
sparsely in colder districts. It's almost – are you ready? –
paranormal (sorry, we couldn't resist). Modified continental; Caucasus
to N Iran. Zone 6 (5 or lower in a sheltered site). AM
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1/$4 |
 pendulinum
~ Very close to the alluring A. triquetrum, and like that species favoring partial shade and moist woodsy soil, this beauty differs in that its white, green-midribbed flowers occur in a symmetrical rather than a one-sided umbel. Mediterranean; S Central Europe. Zone 6.
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1/$11
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| Allium pskemense
~ What a whimsical, jolly onion. The 3-inch-wide, dense, white umbels perch like oversized fuzzy golfballs on chubby, blue-green, 2-foot stems, which with their bulging lower midriffs look uncannily (to our perhaps overactive imaginations) like perambulating great blue herons. The bulbs spread slowly by rhizomes to form a loose clump. Sun and good drainage are best. Steppe; C Asia. Zone 4.
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1/$12
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 Allium rosenbachianum
~ Here we have the Real McCoy – not one of the imposters usually traded under this name. Large (up to 5-inch-wide) globes of luminous, deep violet-purple crown 24- to 30-inch scapes in late May and early June, over broad, bright-green basal leaves which are arresting in their own right (as our photo attests). Zounds. Requires sun and good drainage. Steppe/montane; Tajikistan. Zone 5.Enter
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1/$15
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| Allium sarawschanicum
'Bright Boy' ~ We're not quite seeing the resemblance to a refulgent youth (of whatever gender), but this child of 'Chinoro' is well worth raising in your garden for its showier, brighter purple, slightly earlier flowers.
Steppe; Tazhikistan. Zone 4. Enter quantity:
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1/$10 |
| Allium sarawschanicum
'Chinoro' ~ The vivid, deep-purple flowers – arrayed in airy,
4-inch umbels – of this recent introduction are among the most
eye-catching and elegant of the genus. Their early June display (on 2-foot
stems) is one of the highlights of the late spring/early summer border.
Steppe; Tazhikistan. Zone 4.
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1/$6.50 |
| Allium stipitatum
'Glory of Pamir' (RM.8267) ~ Among the best tall alliums, bearing
fragrant, 4.5-inch spheres of
purple-pink on 3- to 4-foot scapes in June. Established bulbs
often produce multiple blooms. "A most attractive species, completely
hardy and thriving in nearly all soils," say Jelitto and Schacht.
Montane/steppe; central Asia. Zone 4. Enter
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1/$6
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| Allium ursinum ~ The European analog to our native wild leek (A. tricoccum), this shade-loving onion is worth growing not only for its heads of white flowers in mid-spring but also for its handsome broad leaves. The leaves and bulbs once figured in the diets of cultures throughout its range. Thus the rash of common names, including bear's garlic and gypsy onion. Modified continental/maritime/Mediterranean; Europe. Zone 5. Enter
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1/$5
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 Allium 'Globus'
~ A hybrid with pedigree and the looks to prove it,
here's what resulted when Allium karataviense and A.
stipitatum got together. The large, pale mauve spheres
appear in late spring on compact, 20-inch stems, making it an ideal
subject for juxtaposing with statelier onions. Zone 5.Enter
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1/$3.50
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| Allium 'Stipineva' ~ Combining the dense umbels and ghostly glaucous leaves of Allium nevskianum with some of the altitude of A.
stipitatum, this is an outstanding and exciting new hybrid. Huge light purple drumsticks crown 2-foot stems in late spring. Zone 5.
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1/$18
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ANEMONE (Ranunculaceae)
Windflower |
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 Anemone appenina var. albiflora
~ Less well known than A. blanda but equally valuable
for massing and naturalizing, this charming woodlander bears clouds of
1.5-inch-wide, many-petaled flowers in April and May above
dense foliage. This – of course – is a white-flowered form, with suggestions of pale blue. Mediterranean/modified continental; S Europe. Zone 6.Enter quantity: |
1/$5 |
 Anemone jeniseejensis
~ Anemone ranunculoides
does Liliput. Small, bright-yellow flowers and delicate, lacy
leaves arise from short, slender rhizomes. Rarely offered. Give it light shade and well-drained, humus-rich soil. Modified
continental/continental; C Russia. Zone 5.
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1/$6 |
| Anemone x lipsiensis (A. x seemanii)
~ The gorgeous soft sulfur-yellow flowers of this hybrid of A. nemorosa and A. ranunculoides make the perfect complement to pulmonarias and other blue-flowered early-season perennials. A plant "of great charm and vigor" (Leeds), it requires partial shad and likes well-drained, humus-rich soil. Modified continental/maritime. Zone 4. Enter quantity:
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1/$12 |
 Anemone nemorosa
'Allenii'
~ It may be an old-timer, but it's still unsurpassed among the
cultivars of European wood anemone. Large, pale lavender-blue flowers
with purple-stained reverses debut in April and continue into May. A rarely
available classic for the woodland garden. Maritime/modified
continental/continental; Europe to NW Asia. Zone 5. AGM
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1/$4 |
| Anemone nemorosa
'Latvian Pink'
~ Here's a good pink-flowered wood anemone to complement the blues and whites that predominate among this group. The large flowers open pale rose and deepen in color as they age. Maritime/modified
continental; Latvia. Zone 5. Enter quantity:
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1/$12 |
| Anemone nemorosa
'Maret'
~ In this new and noteworthy double-flowered selection, a whorl of white "petals" is subtended by a ruff of white, green-tinged, petal-like bracts, somewhat in the manner of A. nemorosa 'Bracteata'. Its flowers are larger, tidier, more numerous, less double, and less green than the latter, however. We are probably the only U.S. source of this striking cultivar (which could also be said for several of our other offerings!). Maritime/modified
continental; Estonia. Zone 5. Enter quantity:
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1/$10 |
| Anemone nemorosa
'Robinsoniana'
~ This wonderful heirloom windflower originated with the father of "natural gardening," William Robinson, in the mid-19th century. Pearly gray-blue buds open to reveal pale lavender-blue interiors. Maritime/modified
continental/continental; Europe to NW Asia. Zone 5.
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1/$5 |
| Anemone nemorosa
'Royal Blue'
~ The inch-wide flowers are indeed of a regal, almost luminous deep-blue, with a rose-purple reverse. The foliage is compact and dark green. A wonderful selection. Maritime/modified
continental/continental; Europe to NW Asia. Zone 5.
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1/$9 |
 Anemone nemorosa
'Vestal' ~ The 'Vestal' version of the double-flowered European wood anemones bears dapper, intricately fashioned, pure-white (what other kind of white would you expect from a vestal version?) pompons in mid-spring. Somehow "pompons" seems at odds with the other imagery going on here, but that's the best we can come up with at this moment. Maritime/modified continental/continental; Europe to NW Asia. Zone 5. AGM
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1/$5 |
| raddeana
~ A choice and rarely offered east-Asian analogue of the American and European wood anemones, this bears single-flowered cymes (yes, it's possible) of white, purple-tinged flowers. Its roots are used in China as a treatment for rheumatism. Modified continental/maritime; E Asia. Zone 5. Enter
quantity: |
1/$15 |
 Anemone ranunculoides
'Semiplena' ~ Although we haven't counted, the flowers
of this recently introduced clone reputedly have slightly fewer
segments than those of A.
ranunculoides 'Pleniflora' (and slightly more than those of the type). No matter – they're equally yellow, bright, and lovely. Give it light shade and well-drained, humus rich soil, and it will spread to form a large clump. Modified
continental/maritime; Belgium to Siberia. Zone 4.
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1/$4
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ARISAEMA (Araceae)
Jack in the pulpit; cobra lily |
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| Arisaema amurense mixed
~ An Asian analog to our native Jack-in-the-pulpit (A. triphyllum), this delightful woodlander holds its white-striped spathes on 4-inch stems beneath a five-segmented, purple-stemmed leaf in early spring. It is easily grown in partial, not-too-dry shade. We again offer an assortment of different forms of this variable arisaema, at an unbeatable price. They will vary in the amount of purple coloration on their spathes and petioles. Modified continental/continental; SE Russia to NE China. Zone 4. Enter
quantity: |
1/$4
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 Arisaema candidissimum
~ Perhaps the queen
of this many-splendored tribe, producing violet-scented, white-striped,
ivory spathes and bold, tripartite leaves very
late in the season, in June or July. The green spadix bears orange
fruits in late summer. It prefers leafy soil and
partial shade, and may benefit from being planted on a layer of grit or fine gravel. Montane/subtropical; C China. Zone 5. AGMEnter
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1/$16
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 Arisaema ciliatum
~ Usually going (incorrectly) under the moniker A. consanguineum, this stoloniferous species produces handsome, long-tailed,
maroon-striped spathes in May and June on mottled, 10- to 15-inch
stems. The spoked leaves perch like parasols above the flowers.
Montane/subtropical; W China. Zone 6.Enter
quantity: |
1/$10 |
| Arisaema ciliatum var. liubaense
~ This form of the species is even more richly endowed with purple. It too is stoloniferous. Montane/subtropical; W China. Zone 6. Enter
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1/$13 |
| Arisaema fargesii
~ Although its bold trifoliate leaves betray its close alliance with A candidissimum, this striking cobra lily differs markedly from that species in its long-necked, elongated spathe, which is further distinguished by the downturned "collar" at its throat, its bold purple and white stripes, and its tapering, drooping, long-tailed hood. Its leaves turn a nice amber-yellow in fall, contributing to the autumn garden. Protect it from hot sun and provide it decent drainage and it will form a lusty, long-lived, 2-foot-tall clump. Modified continental/continental/montane; SE Russia to NE China. Zone 4. Enter
quantity: |
1/$16
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 Arisaema ovale
~ The Japanese version of A amurense (with which it was once included as subspecies robustum) differs from same in its much larger size (up to 3 feet tall) and its darker purple, white-ribbed spathes which arch at their tips. It likes some shade and adequate drainage. Maritime/montane/modified continental; Japan. Zone 5.Enter
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1/$13
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| Arisaema tortuosum
~ Ah, those aroids – always up to something outlandish, if not downright scandalous. In this case the gawk-worthy feature is the improbably long spadix, which describes an s-cuve and defies gravity as it ascends as many as 12 inches above the pale green spathe, appearing for all the world like the tail of some unsavory creature. This all happens in early summer atop a leafy, very tall (up to 6 feet), very pythonesque pseudostem. What will they think of next. It needs some shade and humusy soil to be at its bizarre best. Montane/subtropical; Himalayas to Burma. Zone 6. Enter
quantity: |
1/$16
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ARUM (Araceae)
Lords and ladies; cuckoo pint |
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| Arum elongatum ~ An arum for the fore-border or rock garden, in spring sending up a less-than-stately 8-inch purple spathe that shades to a greenish-white flame at its center (with a velvety purple spadix). The pseudostem doubles in length as the season progresses, in autumn displaying a cob of bright-red fruit. Modified continental; E Europe. Zone 5. Enter
quantity:
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1/$10
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| Arum korolkowii ~ Arums join fritillarias in being among the few plants that can do something utterly arresting in green and brown. In this rarely offered species, the apple-green, remarkably narrow, boat-shaped spathe cups a Typha-esque, cinnamon-brown,
truncheon-shaped spadix. One of the classiest and most fetching arums (it's even odorless). Adequate drainage is essential to its continuing existence in your garden.
Steppe; C Asia. Zone 5. Enter
quantity: |
1/$16
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| Arum pictum ~ THE fall-blooming arum. Not to be
confused with A. italicum 'Pictum', this striking and indispensable plant departs from that and all others of its genus by flowering in autumn. The spathes – purple-spotted outside and satiny midnight-purple inside – and the purple-black, dung-scented spadix appear with or slightly before the polished, dark-green, silver-veined leaves. This is our favorite of the genus. It needs a dryish summer rest, so give it good drainage in areas with moist summers. Mediterranean; W Mediterranean islands. Zone 7. Enter
quantity:
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1/$12 |
BIARUM (Araceae) |
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| Biarum marmarisense ~ A sweet dumpling of an aroid, whose 4-inch, chubby, pink-freckled, off-white, hooded, pleasantly scented, pitcher-shaped spathes squat directly on the ground in mid-fall. Sun and good drainage required. Mediterranean; NW Turkey. Zone 7. Enter
quantity:
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1/$10 |
BULBOCODIUM (Liliaceae)
Spring meadow saffron |
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 Bulbocodium vernum (Colchicum vernum) ~ March (and spring) would not be complete for us
without the
cyclamen-pink, starry, slightly disheveled blooms of this little
charmer.
Strap-shaped leaves emerge with the 2- to 3-inch flowers, then elongate
after bloom. Native to alpine meadows, it likes spring moisture,
humusy, well-drained soil, and periodic division. Montane; Pyrenees to
Carpathians. Zone 3/4.Enter
quantity: |
1/$2 |
CAMASSIA (Liliaceae)
Wild hyacinth; quamash |
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 Camassia cusickii 'Zwanenburg' ~ One of the few selections of this fine Northwest native, offering larger, deeper-blue flowers than the type, borne in May and June along 24- to 30-inch scapes. A meadow-dweller, doing well in fertile, organic-rich soil kept moist in spring, and looking well by water.
Steppe; NE Oregon. Zone 5. Enter
quantity: |
1/$5 |
 Camassia leichtlinii 'Alba' ~ This is one of those nomenclatural oddities – a named white-flowered "selection" of a white-flowered species (the blue-flowered members of the species properly belonging under subspecies suksdorfii.) But it's too lovely a thing to waste time quibbling over. Handsome creamy-white flowers hover in long, open spikes on 3-foot stems in late spring. Steppe/maritime; NW US. Zone 5. Enter
quantity: |
1/$3 |
CHIONODOXA (Liliaceae)
Glory of the snow |
 Chionodoxa forbesii 'Zwanenburg' ~
Among the most vigorous, obscure, and outstanding selections of this beloved early-blooming species, 'Zwanenburg' bears clusters of large blue flowers along stems that reach a vertiginous 10 inches in height. Each blossom has the customary white eye. Light shade or sun and well-drained, humus-rich soil suit it best. Mediterranean; W Turkey. Zone 5.Enter
quantity: |
1/$4 |
CONVALLARIA (Liliaceae)
Lily of the valley |
| Convallaria majalis var. rosea ~
The usual convallarian swaths of leathery oval leaves give rise in this case to scapes set with fragrant dangling bells of soft purplish pink. Although moist well drained soil and semi-shade suit it best, it will adapt to much worse. Modified continental/maritime/montane/Mediterranean; N Temperate Region. Zone 4. Enter
quantity: |
1/$4 |