NEW PLANTS FOR YEAR 2002 Free Spirit Nursery in Langley, B.C. (see our listing under Nurseries and Garden Centers) are very pleased to present the following recommendations for new plants for 2002.
Agastache 'Purple Haze' - A great new Agastache with the usual upright habit lending great vertical accent to the border. It grows up to be about 100 cm tall and branches our profusely. These side arms are almost totally clothed in dark, purple-lilac flowers. Full sun in any well draining garden soil. Zone 5.
Anemonopsis macrophylla - One of the royalty of the woodland garden. Much sought after, a bit slow to establish and a plant that is not the easiest to site; a position sheltered from wind in dappled shade and a moisture retentive soil. You will be rewarded with clusters of waxy, nodding, lilac flowers atop 50 cm tall stems in July and August. Zone 6.
Aster 'Little Carlow' - This Aster shows great elegance with masses of violet-blue flowers covering the plant in September-October. It will grow up to a height of 120 cm and requires a spot in any good garden soil in full sun. Zone 4.
Chelonopsis yagiharana - A rarely encountered late blooming perennial for part or full sun. The tubular pinkish-red flowers are borne along stems that grow about 60 cm tall from mid-August until the frost. The bushy habit makes for a tidy and undemanding plant. Zone 5.
Helleborus foetidus mix - This caulescent species has come a long way and has brought a great variety in leaf shape, leaf color and growth habit to the garden. The common name, stinking hellebore, is probably to blame for the absence of this wonderful plant in many gardens; they are virtually of no maintenance and bear great foliar interest throughout the year. These plants are grown from an excellent seed mix that we received from Will McLewin a number of years ago. Besides the wonderful dark green specimens, you will find forms with a silver or blue cast over the foliage, red stems, red buds, reddish leaf margins, deeply cut and very narrow foliage. Plant in full sun or part-sun in a spot where you get to enjoy it's stature and early flowers from the inside of the home or along a frequented pathway. Zone 5.
Meum athamanticum - A delightful and easy umbellifer with bright green ferny foliage and bright white flowers with sometimes pinkish tinged buds in early summer and summer on stems to 35 cm. For a well drained spot in full sun. Zone 4.
Nepeta govaniana - This very sought after soft yellow flowering catmint that will bloom for a very long time from July through September will also be happy under part sun conditions. The bushy 100 cm tall plants will need no staking. Zone 5.
Persicaria polymorpha - This giant, clumping knotweed has been mentioned, deservedly, by Wolfgang Oehme as the plant of the 21st century. So what's stopping you? Maybe the size would be its only drawback for the smaller garden but even so ..... With a mere 240 cm (8'+) in height on moisture retentive soils and a diameter after some years of 5 feet, this plant makes for a stunning specimen. Creamy white plumes appear from June onwards into August. For full sun or part sun in any soil that does not dry out in the summertime. Zone 5.
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau' - A wonderful grass that we have admired for a long time but have never been able to find here true to name until some six years ago when I discovered a clump between my socks returning home from a trip to Europe. It has taken some time but finally we can offer this for sale. This is the shortest of the Deschampsias, reaching only about 70 cm in flower and will also flower considerably later than the other forms; July-August. This grass creates a delightful golden haze when in bloom and will turn a wonderful golden brown over the course of the summer and fall. It stands up well to our rainy climate and prefers a spot in dappled shade or full sun. When the old flowerstems and a third of the foliage are clipped back in late fall, the clumps will go crisp and green into the winter. Also a favorite in flower arrangements. Zone 4.
Clematis campaniflora - This charming species is native to Portugal and South Western Spain. In our garden it shows great vigor, growing up into a Cornus nuttallii and displaying the small, dainty bell shaped flowers with recurved tips from late August to October. The color is a white, flushed with blue. Although not a showy species it exudes great charm. Prune back to a strong pair of buds about 50 cm above soil level every 2 or 3 years in late winter. Zone 5.
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