Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Polanisia dodecandra

Family: (Capparaceae)

(A) to 2′.  Red-whisker Clammyweed.  Central and eastern North America.  Resembling in flower its cousin, the familiar cottage garden favourite Cleome, this easy annual makes a great filler plant in areas with lean soil and full sun.  Sticky, moist glands cover the leaves and stems and explain its common name, Clammyweed.   The pinnately compound leaves are made up of three, one-inch leaflets. The flowers are borne in a cluster of about 20 atop the stem. The individual flowers are one inch long with four, white, heart-shaped petals.  The calyx is divided into four triangular sepals that are reddish purple.  The 8 to 12 strongly exerted stamens are reddish purple and rather unequal in length, like red whiskers.  At the base of each flower is a gland that secretes a conspicuous spot of bright red nectar.  Blooms in late June and early July, followed by slender, three-inch, upright, fuzzy, bean-like capsules filled with many small, dark seeds.  Self-sows.  4 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Sinningia sellovii

Family: (Gesneriaceae)

(TP) to 2′.  Brazil. Long terminal panicles of pendant, swollen tubular flowers from bright red to dark salmon-pink.  Several long, arching upright stems arise from a woody, tuberous base.  Pairs of soft textured elliptical, minutely toothed leaves occur along the stems.  An unusual Gloxinia that would make an attractive houseplant for a sunny window.  Blooms late summer to fall.  Sun.  4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Tulipa tarda

Family: (Liliaceae)

Hardy bulb to 8″.  Central Asia.  A delightful and petite Tulip producing three to six, star-like blooms per stem.  Each broad petal is cream with a bright yellow base and a brownish red exterior.  Lustrous green leaves are almost prostrate.  Great growing up through groundcover.  Easy to grow.  Well-drained soil.  Sun.  3 & T1 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Cistus x incanus

Family: (Cistaceae)

Tender shrublet to 3′.  Cretian Rock Rose.  South Europe, North Africa.  Stems are upright with small, oval, grey-green, finely pubescent leaves.  Solitary flowers are 2 inches in diameter, formed by five tissue-paper-like petals of a pink-lavender, marked yellow at the base.  The central boss of yellow-orange stamens catches the eye.  Buds are covered in fine hairs.  Teas made from Cistus are credited for having a variety of healing powers.  Sun and well-draining soil for pots.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Ammobium altatum

Family: (Asteraceae)

(A) to 3′.  Winged Everlasting.  Although a perennial in Australia, we treat this tender perennial as an annual.  The pure white, stiff, papery ray florets are short and layered and surround bright yellow, central discs. Unusual greyish green stems are flat and winged along the edges.  Flowers are in abundance throughout the season.  An interesting and easy to grow annual that dries beautifully.  Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Penstemon hirsutus

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 2′.  Hairy Beard-Tongue.  A very hardy Penstemon that is native to eastern North America.  Lovely, dusky, pale purple flowers with white lobes add a subtle presence to the spring garden.  Leaves are lanceolate and acute.  Both leaves and stems are covered by very fine hairs.  Sun/partial shade. 3 & 6 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Salvia coccinea 'Brenthurst'

Family: Lamiaceae

(A/TP) to 2.5′.  A cool-coloured cousin of the red bedding Salvia with numerous spikes of bicoloured,  lipped blooms.  The pale whitish pink upper hoods and three lobed, deeper pink lower lips contrast nicely against the dark tinted calyces and stems.  Blooms late summer and lasts until frost.  Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Phuopsis stylosa

Family: Rubiaceae

(P) to 12″. Caucasus and Northern Iran.  Noted for its characteristic pungent scent (“Phuopsis – smells like foxes!”), this unusual perennial forms spreading patches of whorled Galium-like foliage covered with striking heads of pale pinkish, five-petalled, tubular, star-faced blooms in mid to late summer.  Definitely provides a conversation piece in the garden!  Well-drained soil.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & T2

This seed is either sold out or unavailable

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Nepeta parnassica

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 5′.  Tall Greek Catmint.  Albania and Greece.  Truly the biggest and most impressive Catmint we have ever seen.  Although native to the dry, rocky meadows of the Balkan Peninsula it seems to luxuriate and thrive in our fertile garden soil.  The strong, upright stems bear fragrant, greyish green foliage and produce dense whorls of rich lavender-blue flowers in crowded, elongated spikes.  This is a “sturdy item,” that does not need to be cut back halfway through the season.  Blooms mid-summer onwards and will add stature, colour, and fragrance to the late summer garden.  Sun, well-drained soil.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Marrubium vulgare

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 2′.  White Horehound.  Europe.  Rounded, wrinkled, downy, thyme-scented leaves in opposite pairs along a stiff stem.  Clusters of white hooded flowers in the leaf axils.  Very accommodating.  Self-seeds.  Sun, well-drained soil.  3 & T1