Perennials: 'Aj-Aq' 2008

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All Plants on this page are in Trade Quart Pots (Qt.) which are 1.68Pints (794 ml) liquid measure. 

(Similar to a true nursery quart on top width and height, but tapered to a smaller bottom for lighter shipping.)

Ajania pacifica now classified as Chrysanthemum pacificum on the Ce-Ci Page

Ajania pacifica 'Pink Ice' now classified as Chrysanthemum pacificum 'Pink Ice' on the Ce-Ci Page

$6.99 Qt.

Ajuga pyramidalis 'Metallica Crispa'      Bugleweed       Zone: 4-9       

Clumps are reddish brown in fall. Spinach-like leaves. Much more controlled growth than other Ajugas -- very short runners. One of THE TWO BEST AJUGAS!  Prefers part shade. Drought tolerant when established. Not invasive! CLUMP-FORMING and slow spreading. The is such a great plant in a genus that has some 'take-over-your-yard' cousins.  Not this one.  Well-behaved and beautiful as is it's Italian relative below. Looks like crinkled purple aluminum foil.

Soil: Most any          H: 6" W: Slowly indefinite       B/M: Blue/ 5-6 

$6.99 Qt. 

Ajuga 'Valfredda' (Chocolate Chip)       Chocolate Chip Ajuga     Zone: 4-9      

Well, gosh, this is just such a cutey!  From Valfredda Nursery in Italy comes a teeny little Ajuga that's very, very different than the thugs and others in this Genus!  With adorable little mounds of narrow, chocolate tinted foliage, it's the perfect backdrop for the typical Ajuga flowers, but they're proportionately smaller and dazzling above the dark foliage.  MUCH prettier than all other Ajugas EXCEPT 'Metallica Crispa' above which is also a fabulous plant.  Neither are beasts!

Soil: Most any          H: 3" (5" IB) W: Slowly indefinite         B/M: Blue/ 5-6 

$7.49 Qt.  

Alchemilla erythropoda      Dwarf Red Stemmed Lady's Mantle      Zone: 3-8   

Clump-forming perennial with rounded, shallowly 7-9 lobed, sharp-toothed, hairy, bluish green leaves. Frothy cymes (balls) of yellowish-green flowers are produced from late spring to late summer. From Caucasus and Turkey. Water in full sun.   Stems turn red in sun, hence the common name.  Nice for greenery in floral arrangements.

Soil: Ave. to moist        H: 8-12"  W: 8-12"    B/M: Yellow green/ 5-8 

$6.99 Qt.  

Alchemilla mollis 'Thriller'      Lady's Mantle     Zone: 3-8    

Low growing perennials for rock gardens or low borders in part shade. Use in masses as a ground cover. Delicate star-like flower sprays in June-August. 'Thriller' has grey-green foliage & is good for cutting & makes particularly nice little bouquets. Water in full sun. Drought tolerant. 

Soil: Rich, ave. to moist         H: 18-24" W: 30"         B/M: Yellowish/  6-7 

Alliums:

If your garden doesn't have a LEAST a few you're missing the plant boat!

Alliums: Becoming more popular with a superb show of color and ease of growth!

The Genus Allium is one of the largest in the world flora!  About 700 allium species can be found in the Northern Hemisphere, from Europe and Asia and in northwestern America. We consider Alliums to be 'must haves' in the garden!  They don't need water.  They don't need fertilizer.  They don't get disease.  They multiply so you get more. 

Alliums and Varmints:  Moles, voles, deer and rabbits don't like alliums!  Inter-planting them among your other Perennials helps keep the 'varmints' headed in other directions!  Savvy gardeners know that Alliums can be real 'work horses' in the garden but happen to look like 'show horses'!  

How many bulbs?  The number of bulbs vary in a pot from 1 for big or very rare larger bulbs to as many as 5 for small, more common bulbs.  We put what will make a reasonable sized quart pot plant by mid summer. 

Atypical Roots:  Especially early in the season, many alliums rarely fill a quart pot with roots because the true bulb forms completely grow all new roots each year, so even if potted in Fall, they don't start growing roots until late winter/early spring when the foliage says, "Feed Me"!  But they have all the roots they need.  Just spread them out when you plant.

   See this Article in

Fine Gardening

You'll be sold on the drama of

 'Globes' and 'Spires'

in the garden!

New 3/21

$6.99 Qt. 

Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii    English Leek   Zone: 3-11    

A very tall variety from sunny spots in South England and throughout Central Europe.  It has broad, recurving leaves with sheaths surrounding the stem more like we think of a typical cooking leek rather than an ornamental onion.  The variety babingtonii makes, quite large umbels of intense dark lilac blooms and only rarely sets few, small bulbils.  It also has a looser structure than the species, making more attractive.  Best in sandy or rocky soil in a sunny spots or dappled shade.  These are young first year plants and won't bloom until next year.  Biennial, grows two years, then collect seed or, easier, bulbils, to keep a steady supply.  Fabulous to look at AND for cooking!

Soil:  Sharply drained    H:  36-60" IB  W: 10-12      B/M:  Dark lilac/

$6.99 Qt. 

Allium caeruleum  (A. azureum)     Blue of the Heavens    Zone: 3-8   

Only 17 of the 800 species of Alliums are True Blue according to the Blue Allium Worksheet .  This is one of them!  A great blue bulb from W. Siberia, C. Asia and China that blooms for weeks in late May/June.   Fabulous with Phlomis russeliana or Yellow Yarrows!  Extremely cold hardy.  Plant our pot 2" deeper, so the base of the bulbs are about 5" underground.  See the fact sheet for 'Blues of the Heavens' at NC State University.  First introduced from Russia in 1840

Soil:  Well-drained      H:12" (20-24" IB)  W: 10"       B/M:  Bright Blue/5-6

$6.99 Qt. 

Allium cyrillii     Cyrillian Ornamental Onion       Zone: 6-10      

Seldom seen in gardens, this Allium from Italy to Asia Minor has can have white, pink or lavender flowers from early to late summer. Ours is lavender. Numerous, cup-shaped flowers form a cluster up to about 3 in. across when mature. This is a very large bloom for an allium and very, very eye-catching. Easy in well-drained soil. RARE, rare, rare!

Soil: Well-drained         H: 20-24" W: 12-24"         B/M: Lavender/ 6-8  

Allium cyathophorum var. farreri   Ornamental Onion        Zone: 5-8

A 'shaggy dog' allium with devil-may-care umbels of hanging  bell-shaped deep, rich Magenta blooms..  Forget the round ball Alliums blooms because you won't find it on this charmer.  Thin strappy foliage.  Does self seed which can be good or bad depending on your perspective.  Site accordingly.  Or deadhead to prevent seeding AND to greatly improve the size of next years bulbs.  So outstanding, Martha Stewart Magazine did an article on it.  Unique also because it thrives in ACID soil and takes some shade.

Soil: Moist but well-drained     H: 6-12"  W: 9-12"     B/M:  Magenta/5-7

New 7/4

$7.99 Qt. 

Allium flavum     Fragrant Yellow Ornamental Onion, Allium             Zone: 3-9   

From Europe comes one of the hardiest and most eye-catching Alliums you can add to your garden.  With loose flower heads that can point up, down and sideways, it looks a lot like golden fireworks.  Very charming in the rock garden or front of the border and a large mature clump is magnificent.

Soil:  Well-drained     H: 8" (8-12" IB)  W: 3"      B/M:  Yellow/6-7

New 2008

$6.99 Qt. 

Allium lenkoranicum  (A. crinatum var. crinatum)  Keeled Garlic       Zone: 3-9

Actually a newly discovered (1987) Allium endemic to the Talysh Mountains on the Caspian Seas in Azerbaijan at 6000 feet.  Outfacing light buff to pale Lilac Rose blooms in umbels emerging from a long spathe with each petal marked with a dark lilac or green stripe (nerve) on the back that shows through on the front.  Threadlike leaves.  Summer blooming.  A relative of the charming Allium pulchellum (A. crinatum var. pulchellum) with the same razzle-dazzle 'fireworks' habit to the blooms but with a different color choice and the electric 'nerve' down each petal.

Soil:  Well-drained   H: 14-20" IB   W:      B/M:  Buff to lilac rose/7-8

$6.99 Qt. 

Allium maximowiczii 'Alba'    Ornamental Onion    Zone: 4-10    

Fluffy white drumstick flowers over dwarf grass like foliage in early to mid summer. This allium has a bloom that's more like a thrift than an Allium. Beautiful in the rock garden. 

Soil: Well-drained           H: 3-8" W:             B/M: White/ 6-7 

$6.99 Qt.  

Allium neapolitanum    Naples Onion   Zone: 7-10  

A classic dating back to 1788.  Beautiful, sparkling white bloom in loose umbels.  Makes a great cut flower.  Unfortunately this treasure is only hardy in Zone 7 and warmer zones where most alliums are very hardy.  Pleasantly FRAGRANT.  If you live in a cold area, simply dig when foliage fades and store in a cool area until spring.  Worth the trouble!

Soil: Well-drained          H: 12"  W:3-6"          B/M:  White/4-5

$6.99 Qt.  

Allium nutans    Ornamental Onion, Siberian      Zone: 3-10   

This allium features half a dozen flat, 12" long, 5/8" wide gray-green leaves with numerous rose pink to violet, cup-shaped flowers. Bulbs on stout rhizomes. From Siberia. Another treasure from our friend at England Herb Farm. Bizarre curly Allium with blunt, rounded tips to each leaf. 

Soil: Rich, well-drained          H: 12-24'   W:          B/M: Rose/ 8-9

New 7/4

$6.99 Qt. 

Allium obliquum      Twisted-Leaf Garlic, Ornamental Onion  Zone: 3-8      

A native to central Asia, Rumania and Russia, found in meadows, cliffs and scrub.  The unusual soft acid yellow blooms in 1 1/2" round umbels, appear in summer above medium width, twisted foliage.  This very rare Allium has rhizomes rather than classic bulbs.  Unlike many Alliums, tolerates heavy soil.  The bloom color is unique in the world of Ornamental Onions and particularly nice with the long, protruding anthers.

Soil:  Most any    H:12" (30"IB)   W:     B/M:  Yellow/6-7

$6.99 Qt.  

Allium oreophilum (A. ostrowskianum)     Alpine Rosy Bells   Zone: (3 w/ mulch) 4-10     

This is an exceptionally gorgeous Allium from Turkey/Pakistan. Bright rose red blooms in late May/early June.   Plant our pot 1" deeper, so the base of the bulbs are about 4" underground.   One of our absolute favorite gardening websites is Paghat's Garden.  Here's what she has to say about Mountain Lover Allium the literal translation of the Botanical name.  The NARGS Plant of the Month! and the RHS Award of Garden Merit. How about that!

Soil: Superbly drained           H: 4-6"    W: 6"       B/M: Bright rose red/5-6

$6.99 Qt.  

Allium 'Pink Feathers'    Ornamental Onion     Zone: 3-9     

This delightful Allium came from England Herb Farm several years ago and it's one of our favorites. Strong, strap-like leaves bear umbels of pink flowers. A strong, clump-former once established. Floriferous & STUNNING!   Some sources list this as Allium schoenoprasum 'Pink Feathers' but we question that -- possibly a hybrid of A. schoenprausum.  The foliage is wider and strappier than Garlic Chives which is what A. schoenoprasum, more like A. tanguticum.  

Soil: Rich, well-drained            H: 8"   W: 8"           B/M: Pink/ 8-9 

$7.99 Qt. 

Allium prattii   Chinese Red Alliium   Zone 5-9    

Purple-red to pale-red blooms on wide, strappy leaves which are radical. Flowers from June to September -- a long, long time for an Allium. Grows in many places in China on mountain slope grasses, thickets, forests or rock crevices. Hardy to zone 5 or colder. Small white bulbs. Native to shady and damp forests, scrub, thickets, meadows and stream banks from 2000-4900 meters in many parts of china.

Soil: Ave. to moist              H:4-24" IB  W:  8"       B/M: Purple Red/ June - September

"My order came today. It was packaged very well and all plants seemed to be in great shape. The quality and size of the grasses you sent were better for the price than I've gotten from some other mail-order nurseries. Thank you for your great service! I'm sure you'll hear from me again."

Bob   Mercer, PA

$7.99 Qt. 

Allium pulchellum  (A. carinatum subsp pulchellum)   Ornamental Onion   Zone: 3-9   

A mid Summer bloomer w/ very free flowing, large purple flowers. Perfect for mid border in full sun to part shade. Will seed in to make a dramatic colony.  Virtually evergreen. Rapidly forms clumps.  RHS Award of Garden Merit.  Heirloom bulb, Circa 1810.

Soil: Well-drained          H: 12-24" W: 12-24"          B/M: Purple/ 6-7 

$6.99 Qt.  

Allium schoenoprasum 'Grolau'     Onion Chives   Zone: 3-9   

An improved form of Onion Chives, often referred to as 'Windowsill Chives' because that actually do well growing in a window where can always be snipping the tops. Repels Japanese beetles. A favorite of cooks,. it's good for borders w/ showy ball-shaped clusters of pink/purple flowers which are edible & dry well & impart a delightful pink tint & nice taste to vinegars.  

Soil: Rich, well-drained          H: 12-24" W: Indef.          B/M: Pinkish purple/ 5-6 

$7.99 Qt.  

Allium schubertii    Ornamental Allium/Tumbleweed Onion    Zone: (3)4-8(10)   

The fascinating feature of this most distinctive Palestinian/Israelian Allium is that each umbel has blooms on varying length pedicels from 1/2" to 8". The total size of the umbel is about the size of a volleyball (12") and with the blooms on varying length stems, it looks quite like a fireworks display!  The foliage is wide, strappy and looks like that of a tulip.  This is an extremely choice, extremely beautiful, extremely un-allium-like allium!  This information-packed web article on Israeli Alliums says, at the bottom of the page, of A. schubertii, "This is the most impressive allium of all the species in the genus," and then it explains how it's the 'Tumbleweed' of the Allium Genus!    Dates back to 1896!

Soil: Well-drained      H: 8" (18" IB)   W: 12"       B/M:  Rose/June

$6.99 Qt.  

Allium senescens 'Glaucum'  (Allium spirale new name)   Corkscrew Lily    Zone: 3-9  

Large heads of lavender pink flowers over swirling, flat, curled & twisted bluish gray foliage. It's sort of like an allium with a 'cowlick'! Flowers in profusion on 4-12" stems. An excellent specimen for the rock garden. NOT EDIBLE. 

Soil: Rich, well-drained        H: 6-9" W: 12"        B/M: Deep pink/ 8-9 

$7.49 Qt. 

Allium sikkimensis 'NOT'    Purple Ornamental Onion    Zone: 4-8     

We purchased this from a nearby nursery as Allium sikkimensis but, upon research, we realized the wide foliage was not in keeping with sikkimensis and the bloom of that plant is Blue and nodding, not Purple and upright, globe shaped.  Now, we could have tossed it, knowing that figuring out which of the 800 or so alliums it might be is impossible BUT it has two things going for it, and we've mentioned both - WIDE attractive foliage and PURPLE blooms.  Not blue-purple or red-purple or anything but True Purple.  There are times when that's THE exact color needed.  And, honestly, we just liked it.  So, here it is, Allium sikkimensis 'NOT' -- Purple Allium.

Soil: Well-drained       H:  8-10"  W: 8"       B/M: True Purple/7-8

$7.49 Qt. 

Allium sphaerocephalum    Round Headed Leek   Zone: (3)4-8(10)   

Allium sphaerocephalum is excellent for cut & dried flowers. Produces purple ball shaped blooms on 2-3 foot stems. Frost hardy and tolerant of dry summers, it is best grown in full sun and well drained, fertile soil with extra lime. 

Soil: Well-drained        H: 18-24: W: 10-12"        B/M: Purple/ 5-6 

$6.99 Qt.  

Allium tanguticum      Lavender Globe Lily    Zone: 3-9   

Flat leaves 1/16-1/8" wide, flowers purple with darker nerves. This allium from West China has many flowered umbels and like many of our more RARE alliums came originally from England Herb Farm -- the owner, Yvonne, is an allium connoisseur! 

Soil: Rich, well-drained        H: 12-16"  W: 10"       B/M: Purple/ Summer 

$7.49 Qt. 

Allium thunbergii 'Ozauwa'    Ornamental Onion    Zone: 3-9  

From Japan. Thin foliage with bright red-violet, pendant flowers in late fall. Provides an eye-catching display when little else is in bloom. Slender bulb clustered on a rhizome. Formerly classified as Allium japonica 'Regal'.   This Allium blooms very late for an alliums and just blooms and blooms and blooms.  You generally don't think of Alliums as 'impulse' purchases but when they're blooming, they're so fabulous and beautiful, that people who never even thought of buying a lowly allium can't resist!  Not rare, really, but just one of the best.  I wouldn't' garden without this plant!  The species is a RHS Award of Garden Merit winner and this one is even nicer!

Soil: Rich, well-drained       H: 24" W:12"        B/M: Red violet/ 10-11 

Just want to let you all know that the plants arrived today in great shape!   Thanks so much for the wonderful manner in which you've handled my order.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the "personal touches" you take in dealing with customers as well as the obvious care you take with the plants.  You guys are great!  Wishing you all the best for your business in the future.                       

Bill in Rockville, MD

$6.99 Qt.  

Allium tuberosum   Garlic Chices    Zone: 3-9  

Clear sparkling white flowers. Unusual flat-leaved, chive with a strong garlic and onion flavor. Nice in borders. A must for salads & great in stir-frys. Repels Japanese beetles. Seed heads are attractive in dried arrangements & should be removed after you admire them for awhile but before they set seed. 

Soil: Rich, well-drained        H: 10-20" W: 20"       B/M:  Clear white/ 8-9 

Why we don't list our plants by Common Name:  Alstroemeria has these common names:  

Peruvian Lily, Parrotlily, Parrot Flower, Red Parrot Beak, New Zealand Christmas Bell!  

But only one Botanical Name!  Whew!  Thank goodness!

New 2008

$13.99 Qt.  

Alstroemeria 'Freedom' PP#9393   Peruvian Lily   Zone: (5B)6-9   if cool,

This vigorous and very heavy blooming new introduction from Dr. Mark Bridgen at Cornell University.  Blooms, up to 20 per stem and up to 2" across, are a blend of peachy rose to pink highlighted at the tips of the upper petals with white speckled with maroon and bloom from June to September and last in a vase for up to 3 weeks.  Much more clump forming than A. psittacina and stands up better without leaning or flopping.  Superb new introduction.

Soil: Cool, moist but well-drained    H:30"   W: 12"+    B/M: Shades of rose/6-9

New 2-19

$7.99 Qt.  

Alstroemeria psittacina (pulchella)      Peruvian Lilly     Zone: 5-10       

Beautiful, exotic 1" long red flowers tipped w/ green. Gorgeous! Zone 5 w/ protection. (Cover w/ dry bracken or leaves in north. Plant deeper; against southern wall is ideal). May go dormant after flowering. But worth the extra trouble it takes to grow this TREASURE. Florida native that's quite hardy here in Zone 6 & 7. 

Soil: Well-drained, rich         H: 15-36" W: Indef.         B/M: Red w/ green/ 6-7   

$8.99 Qt.

Alstroemeria psittacina 'Mona Lisa'   Peruvian Lily     Zone: (5)7-10Aj-

Brighter, larger and more abundant blooms than the species.  While it lives in warmer areas, it does go dormant when soil gets around 70 degrees, so mulch well in warmer