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Aristotelia chilensis - CHILEAN WINEBERRY |
$12 |
Here's a fun plant that deserves more experimentation in Northwest gardens. It might best be described as a large, rangy, symmetrical shrub with long branches and opposite leaves borne on red stems. Unspectacular flowers are followed by black berries that can be eaten and taste rather like huckleberries. They have also been used for brewing wine and the Chilean alcoholic beverage chicha. And if you don't want them, the birds probably will. Although said to be dioecious, our clone appears to be female and sets fruit by itself, possibly without fertile seed. Mostly evergreen, it may experience some leaf drop after a cold winter. It is very easy to grow in the Northwest in sun or part shade, on average to moist soil. Native to Chile, hardy to about 10°F.
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Azara integrifolia |
$16 (1 gallon) |
For Azara fragrance on a plant that stays smaller, consider this species from Chile. It apparently does not grow tree-like in the Pacific Northwest (at least, not for a VERY long time), as I have usually seen it as a rounded shrub 6 - 8' tall and wide. The leaves are rounded measuring about 1" long, and like A. macrophylla the flowers are not showy but emit a pleasing fragrance. Very easily grown, this species seems better adapted to hot sun than the others, but will also perform well in shade. Forestfarm suggests trying it as a wall shrub. Evergreen and hardy to about 10°F.
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Azara lanceolata |
$10 (standard)
$18 (1 gallon) |
From the woodlands of Chile (a region whose flora contains only cool plants, as we all know) comes this large open, vase-shaped small tree to about 15' tall and wide. Its evergreen, fine textured, slightly serrated leaves come in two sizes: small round ones and larger lanceolate ones, which is quite interesting. Yellow flowers that are larger than those of A. microphylla and more strongly vanilla-scented, cover the plant in April. In fact, the form I offer is such a profuse flowerer that it looks reminiscent of one of the showy Australian Acacias! It will appreciate moist soil and partial shade, and should be hardy to around 5 - 10°F.
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Azara microphylla - BOXLEAF AZARA |
$10 |
Don't be put off by this plant's common name: it isn't nearly as mundane as boxwood, and it smells much better too! (Ever smelled boxwood? Eww.) It's an elegant, small, evergreen tree with tiny, round, very dark green leaves, providing a very unique fine texture. Vigorous and easy to grow (hey, it even thrives in the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle!), it will reward you with tiny, cream colored flowers in spring, which are more notable for their strong vanilla scent than their appearance. Now what else can you plant that smells like vanilla in February? These are followed by tiny round berries in summer which may persist into fall. In the Pacific Northwest, it will grow in full sun if planted in rich, moist soil and does equally as well, while requiring less water, in partial shade. Hardy to 5°F.
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Azara petiolaris - HOLLY AZARA
New Fall 2011! |
$12 |
This vigorous and robust Azara combines larger leaves than the others (to 2") with a splendid vase-like growth habit. Its vanilla-scented yellow flowers are moderately showy and appear in late spring. They are followed by interesting white or mottled berries which may be as large as 1/2". Although it grows in sunny, dry positions in the wild and can certainly tolerate harsh conditions, its appearance will be vastly improved in a partially shaded site with average to moist soil and mulch. Hardy to about 10 - 15°F.
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Azara uruguayensis?????
New Fall 2011! |
$12 |
Followed by five question marks because I'm half convinced that our plants obtained under this name may actually be A. petiolaris or A. dentata. Who knows? The appeal of A. uruguayensis is the potential to expand the Azara-growing range into hotter climates. Try one if you like and stay tuned for more details. How's that for instilling consumer confidence.
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Berberidopsis corallina - CORAL PLANT |
$18 |
What's cooler than a Berberis? Well, potentially a lot of things if we are talking about certain mundane types (not B. thunbergii or anything... we call them "boreberries"... yawn.) Actually, this plant is, in our estimation, easily cooler than even the coolest Berberis. It is not even really a barberry at all, apparently being different enough to warrant the distinction of its own family, called (appropriately enough) the Berberidopsidaceae. It is actually a vining plant with green stems and pliable lustrous green leaves with a few serrations. Established plants produce terminal racemes of stunning deep coral-red (!) flowers similar in shape to Berberis or Mahonia. Ultimate size probably depends on just how happy it is: if unchecked by frost it may eventually get quite large, and in the right (i.e. loose, rich) soil it can also colonize at the roots, though we would not call it aggressive. It is supposed to be difficult to grow, but (although we may have killed one or two) we don't think that is really the case, at least not in the right spot. It prefers partial shade, humid conditions, mulch, regular summer water, and protection from temperatures below about 15 - 18°F. We have the late Jim Gerdemann to thank for sharing this plant with us, where it thrived very well in his moist Oregon coast garden in open forest.
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Butia capitata - PINDO PALM |
$8 |
I'm still too confused about Butia taxonomy to know whether this is actually B. odorata, which is quite possible; but if anyone cares, the seeds were round. This palm tree from southern Brazil, or somewhere down there, depending on what it actually is, must to be one of the easiest palms to grow. It can make a great container specimen for many years. Over time it becomes a beautiful small tree with long, arching fronds. In the Northwest, it is very slow growing, but it does grow in a sheltered garden where it appreciates partial to full sun, well-drained soil, and some water and fertilizer, though it will at least survive without much care. Hardy to 10 - 15°F.
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Dasyphyllum diacantoides - TREVO TREE |
$14 |
Gigantic, spiny daisy tree: what could be cooler? Even if you're not one of those people who likes giant woody Asteraceae (though I can't imagine why you wouldn't be), this plant from the temperate forests of Chile (just ranging into Argentina) has plenty of other points of interest. It is evergreen with broad, deep green leaves and is a consistently nice looking, dense-growing plant. In summer it produces fragrant white flowers that might be described as cool to look at up close but not spectacular. These are followed by woolly seed heads. And then we have the spines: not only are there little spines all over the branches at the leaf axils, the leaf tips are also prickly. It may in fact be the largest growing plant in the Asteraceae (daisy) family, reaching 60' tall in the wild, though I would expect a height more like 20 - 30' in gardens. A slow to moderate grower, it is very easily cultivated on any average to well-drained soil, with or without irrigation, in sun or partial shade. In the Pacific Northwest, it is best in sheltered gardens: below 10 - 12°F it has frozen to the ground, but it always comes back.
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Desofontainia spinosa |
$14 |
This splendid evergreen shrub comes from the rainforests of Chile and also points farther north in the Andes. Well-behaved but not aggravatingly slow, it produces dense growth to an eventual 6' tall and wide, with holly like leaves and really cool tubular red and yellow flowers that appear in late spring and sometimes at least partly through the summer. (Can you say hummingbird magnet?) Like so many Chilean plants, it seems to be very well adapted in the Pacific Northwest, thriving on any reasonably well-drained soil and even tolerating a little drought. It is hardy to around 10°F.
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Escallonia sp. (x langleysnsis?) |
$8 |
We're pretty sure this is E. x langleyensis, just not 100% yet, so we're erring on the side of caution rather than selling something under the wrong name. If you're looking for a vigorous, beautiful, evergreen hedge or screen plant, this one will certainly serve. An excellent choice where something that will grow tall fast but stop around 8 - 12' is desired, it tends to have an irregular growth habit and definitely benefits from some shaping. Generous quantities of bright pink flowers are produced over a long period. Compared to some of the more common Escallonias this one had the advantage of being tougher and showier than 'Apple Blossom' (with larger and, I think, brighter flowers) and more vigorous than E. x fradesii. Hardy to around 5 - 10°F.
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Eucryphia x nymanensis 'Nymansay' |
$12 |
Probably the best-known of the Eucryphias, this could perhaps be called the queen of all flowering evergreen trees. From late summer to early fall, at a time when few flowering trees are doing their floriferous thing, this tree is covered completely in large, anemone-like, white flowers. The dark green, compound leaves are unique in shape and make the plant quite interesting even out of bloom. I often see this sold as a "shrub" in nurseries, but in fact it is a vigorous plant that can easily reach tree size in the Northwest in a sheltered spot and with a generous supply of moisture, though it does have a degree of drought tolerance. One exceptional specimen in Bremerton is 60' tall and wide with numerous smooth trunks, but it will probably not achieve those dimensions for most people. It can be grown in an open woodland, but the ideal position for the most flowers is almost-full sun provided moisture is adequate. Hardy to 10°F.
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Fuchsia campos-portoi |
$10 |
A delicate little Fuchsia reminding one of F. magellanica, but smaller in stature, stopping at under 3' tall for me so far after many years in the garden. Little blooms of pink with purple (pretty standard for hardy Fuchsias) are produced from late spring until hard frost. If it's really happy it may colonize the garden spreading at the roots, but not to the point of being pesky. This is one of the most heat tolerant Fuchsias, as well as very hardy, and shows potential to adapt to east coast gardens. The top will die back around 22°F but it's root hardy to at least 0°F.
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We have a great selection of Fuchsias including 4-door, coupe, and hatschbach. I know, that was terrible. But that is the first thing that came to mind when I first heard someone say the name of this Fuchsia without seeing it spelled. This is one cool Fuchsia. It is rather similar to F. regia subsp. regia overall but with even narrower leaves and delicate flowers - it may appreciate having something to scramble into. So far it seems quite hardy, the roots handling at least 10°F provided it is well mulched.
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Fuchsia magellanica [small leaf form] |
$7 |
Often considered as a perennial, but really more of a shrub, this popular species has attractive red stems and produces purple flowers with pink sepals all though the summer and fall. Native to Chilean rainforests and naturalized throughout the west coast of Scotland, it thrives in coolness and moisture, but it is actually very adaptable and will even withstand a certain amount of drought in equable climates. This very vigorous plant occurred as a chance seedling in my garden, and just keeps on going: when will it stop? 10'? 12'? We will see. Hardy to 0°F.
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Fuchsia magellanica 'Ricartonii' |
$7 |
This form of Fuchsia magellanica has more delicate, pointed, pale green leaves, with pink undertones rather than red, and wider internodes. The flowers are just as showy and it produces fruit that can be eaten if you run out of Luma apiculata berries. For me it is top hardy to about 22°F, but it always regrows from the base. Results from the Spokane area suggest that this and other forms of F. magellanica may have greater root hardiness than previously believed, perhaps to USDA zone 6 or even lower.
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Fuchsia regia var. regia |
$9 |
Big, vigorous, and easy... pretty much sums up this Fuchsia from the highlands of southeast Brazil. It has rather large, long leaves to 4" and the usual pink/purple tubular, hummingbird friendly flowers. Depending on the climate and culture it can grow as a freestanding shrub (easier in hot climates) or be allowed to scramble through other shrubs or trees to 15' long or more! Supplied with adequate moisture, it tolerates the heat of the mid-Atlantic states quite well for a Fuchsia. Top hardy to about 22°F... root hardy to perhaps 0°F.
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Fuchsia regia var. reitzii |
$9 |
This hardy Fuchsia differs from var. regia in having a more upright habit, and shorter, rounder leaves. Basically it looks more like a "normal" Fuchsia of the hanging basket variety, but without hanging. Leaves tend to drop earlier in the winter than the others: it can be cut back hard every year. Its tolerances are not that well known but it likes full sun and seems to prefer better drainage than other Fuchsias. It is root hardy to 0 - 10°F.
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Fuchsia regia var. serrae |
$12 |
Big, vigorous, easy, and... silver? That's right, this Fuchsia has shiny silver-tinged leaves, with the coloration being more distinct in the spring - talk about exciting color contrast potential! This form is very rare, but undeservedly so. I have my friends at the esteemed Cistus Nursery to thank for sharing this from their mind-boggling plant collection. Other features and uses - and, we hope, heat tolerance - as for Fuchsia regia var. regia. It is, however, a little bit (shall we say) "wimpier" than F. regia subsp. regia, meaning that it will do better if you water and fertilize in the summer while it's growing to bulk it up again. It is root hardy to around 5 - 10deg;F once established.
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Fuchsia sp. [Yachats, Oregon] |
$7 |
This very hardy, vigorous and robust plant is of uncertain origin. Having large leaves and flowers, it really looks like one of the tender hanging basket Fuchsias, except that it is decidedly upright. It was suggested that this is 'Double Otto' - indeed, it looks extremely similar at first - but it is certainly much more vigorous and with larger leaves. The large flowers of typical Fuchsia form have pink sepals and purple petals, and are produced in generous quantities. Not only that, this plant is indestructible: the Fuchsia for those who kill Fuchsias. Still, like all Fuchsias it will perform best with lots of moisture and protection from blasting heat. Chop it back every once in a while if you don't want it to eat your house. Hardy to at least 10°F. (Machete not included.)
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Luma apiculata - PALO COLORADO (ORANGE-BARK MYRTLE) |
$10 |
Formerly classified as Myrtus luma, this beautiful Chilean tree has numerous virtues. The glossy, evergreen foliage is attractive in all seasons; and in June, masses of soft white flowers cover the plant. These are followed by black edible fruits in autumn which are quite tasty! To me, however, the best feature is the bark: smooth, peeling, predominantly orange but showing a variety of colors at once, heavily mottled on mature specimens, it will out-bark most any smooth-barked deciduous tree. I like it best in its natural growth form, where it is often multi-trunked, the trunks curving gracefully toward the crown in a somewhat rugged fashion; however, it can also be kept shrub-size by selective pruning and it will even tolerate shearing. Left to itself, a height of about 12 - 15' can be expected over time, or larger after many years. It will tolerate sun or shade, and endures temperatures down to about 10 - 12°F: in our garden it enjoys the protection of an overhead canopy.
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Luma apiculata [Nahuel Maupe hardy form] - PALO COLORADO (ORANGE-BARK MYRTLE)
New Fall 2011! |
$12 |
Formerly classified as Myrtus luma, this beautiful Chilean tree has numerous virtues. The glossy, evergreen foliage is attractive in all seasons; and in June, masses of soft white flowers cover the plant. These are followed by black edible fruits in autumn which are quite tasty! To me, however, the best feature is the bark: smooth, peeling, predominantly orange but showing a variety of colors at once, heavily mottled on mature specimens, it will out-bark most any smooth-barked deciduous tree. I like it best in its natural growth form, where it is often multi-trunked, the trunks curving gracefully toward the crown in a somewhat rugged fashion; however, it can also be kept shrub-size by selective pruning and it will even tolerate shearing. Left to itself, a height of about 12 - 15' can be expected over time, or larger after many years. It will tolerate sun or shade. We are now excited to offer this form of superior hardiness, which has survived down to 8°F unharmed in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Shared with us by Cistus Nursery, it ought to expand the range of Luma cultivation into colder climates!
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Luma apiculata 'Glenleam Gold' |
$12 |
With this considerably more compact and densely growing version of Luma apiculata, you get not only the masses of white summer flowers, tasty fruit, and smooth cinnamon bark, but also white-edged leaves that assume dark pink highlights in the sun. The plant that does it all? And better for smaller spaces than the species and also makes a great container plant. Hardy to 15°F.
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This evergreen small tree or large shrub from the Central Andes between Chile and Argentina has smaller leaves than L. apiculata, which exude a pleasing fragrance when crushed. I recently read that this fragrance was described as "raspberry" and, although I wouldn't have thought of that myself, it does seem rather like that - in any case it is very, well, nice. Pendulous white early summer flowers are followed by tasty edible fruit in the fall. The delicate texture of this species is attractive. Compared to L. apiculata the main appeal is that it grows in drier areas in the wild and thus ought to be more drought resistant in gardens, though its bark is not as exciting. It seems to be hardy to about 10-15°F once established.
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Maytenus boaria [Olympia Hardy]
New Fall 2011! |
$12 |
Of all the world's weeping trees, the beauty of this species remains unrivalled, with its shower-like cascade of small, deep green, evergreen leaves. Plant it where it can be viewed from a distance, or as a centerpiece for a very large patio. Native to Chile, it is not generally considered to be very cold hardy, but I was so impressed with the complete lack of any injury to the specimen at the old garden in Olympia following the December 2009 freeze that I decided this particular plant was worthy of its own name to distinguish it. Compared to the Seattle form we sometimes offer, this one is lighter green in color, with thinner, more delicate leaves and more strongly weeping - truly beautiful. So it was undamaged at 12°F with several days and nights well below freezing - how much lower will it go? Try one and tell us how it does.
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Myrceugenia ovata var. nanophylla |
$12 |
Here's one of many wonderful Chilean members of the Myrtaceae family that deserves much more attention. I bought this as an impulse purchase from Heronswood a long time ago, but now it's become one of those things I'm really glad to have. I just like the look of it: it reminds me of a softer version of Luma apiculata. As a young plant it is very graceful with softly downy leaves. In time it produces showy white flowers, which are followed by berries that sound rather exciting, as someone has recently passed along this description to us: "Its fruits are sweet and the aroma reminiscent of tangerine." It took many years for this to flower and fruit for us, but I now believe that has to do with exposure and it should be placed in quite a bit of sun for the best results. In general, culture and adaptability are probably about the same as for Luma apiculata (see above). No damage to an established plant from a prolonged freeze with a minimum of 12°F - below that, we don't know what happens yet.
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See under Cacti (if available).
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Rhaphithamnus spinosus |
$14 (standard)
$20 (1 gallon) |
This shrubby member of the Verbena family from Chile, Argentina and Peru has much to offer, including glossy evergreen leaves and showy tubular lilac flowers, followed by attractive purple fruit! Its stems are armed with spines to deter grazing animals. It may reach 15' tall in the wild but I would plan on perhaps an eventual 4 - 6' in gardens. It adapts to a wide range of habitats in the wild from rainforest to somewhat drier areas. Our plants originating in Chile should be hardy to around 5°F once established. Too cool!
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Ugni molinae - CHILEAN GUAVA |
$10 |
This evergreen shrub belonging to the Myrtaceae family occurs across much of central and southern Chile, where it is quite common in some areas. Although thicket-forming in the wild, it is quite well-behaved in cultivation, forming an appealing 3' x 3' shrub in sun or partial shade. Its virtues include bronzy-red new growth, "cute" flowers and quite tasty dark fruits that can be eaten raw or used in jams and such. Hardiness once established varies from about 12 - 15°F: good drainage seems to make a difference.
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Ugni molinae [J. Gerdemann] - CHILEAN GUAVA |
$10 |
It took us a while to figure out the identity of this plant shared with us by the late Jim Gerdemann - he couldn't remember exactly what this was or where he got it. This plant really threw us off too, by growing to a 12' tree in Jim's magical Oregon Coast climate. Nevertheless we now think we have it figured out. Interestingly its growth habit for me so far is decidedly shrubby, and no taller than 2 - 3', indicating that treelike size is not to be expected in most normal gardens. Compared to the commonly cultivated form of Ugni molinae in the Northwest, its leaves are much more rounded rather than pointed, and less bronzy. It is also more apt to sucker from the base, another characteristic of U. molinae. The cute flowers and edible berries are both a match for U. molinae as far as I can tell. It is top hardy to about 15°F.
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Tomatoes, anyone? Well, not quite. But at least it actually likes our climate. This odd member of the Solanaceae family from Chile has yellow flowers that are followed by little round tomato-ish fruits (these eventually dry out into conspicuous upright capsules, which are kind of cool in an interesting sort of way). I wouldn't eat them since they might be toxic. But the flowers are cool, and quite showy! Even more interestingly, this plant smells bad when you rub against it. So it needs just the right spot. We warned you. Evergreen, to 8' tall, and very vigorous and easy to grow in moist soil. Hardy to 10 - 15°F.
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