Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Incarvillea arguta

Family: (Bignoniaceae)

(A,TP) to 2′. Himalayan Gloxinia. China. Bobbing, pale pink, fluted flowers bloom throughout the summer. Attractive glossy, lacy foliage too. Produces many persistent, long, slender, leathery, seedpods. Alas, not hardy for us. We lift ours for the winter and well worth the effort. Well-drained soil. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Lepechinia hastata

Family: (Lamiaceae)

Tender subshrub to 6′. Americas. The specific epithet hastata is descriptive of the large, arrow-shaped, velvety grey-green leaves for which this tender subshrub is grown. Of equal value are the ten-inch long flower spikes adorned with numerous, one-inch long, rosy purple flowers of classic “Lamium-esque” form, sitting upon smoky purple pedicels. A striking specimen for a sunny spot in your home. Blooms on and off throughout the year. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Libertia ixioides

Family: (Iridaceae)

(TP) to 2′. New Zealand. “A desirable and elegant plant” (GST**), producing in summer graceful panicles of delicate, white open flowers followed in the autumn by colourful orange-yellow seed capsules. The neat clumps of dark green, Iris-like leaves look good when grown in pots. Well-drained soil. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Melasphaerula ramosa

Family: (Iridaceae)

Tender corm to 12″. Fairy Bells. South Africa. Slender, loosely branched flower stalks with many delicate, long-lasting blooms on threadlike pedicels give the plant an airy appearance. Blooms are pale yellow with a fine, darker line along the centre of the pointed tepals. Fans of delicate, Iris-like foliage disappear during summer dormancy. Grows well on a warm window ledge out of direct sun. So easy to grow and incredibly adorable. April to June. Well-drained soil. Partial shade. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Narcissus serotinus

Family: (Amaryllidaceae)

Tender bulb to 10″. An autumn-flowering Mediterranean species with a white perianth and a minuscule, golden yellow corona. Light citrus scent. We grow it in our Pit House where it blooms for Thanksgiving. Charming and easy to raise from seed. Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Albuca bracteata (syn. Ornithogalum longibracteatum)

Family: (Asparagaceae)

Tender bulb to 3′.  Pregnant Onion.  South Africa.  Beautiful spikes of white striped green, star-shaped flowers.  The smooth, green bulb becomes very large and produces many bulbils attached to the sides of the mother bulb.  These bulbils become flowering size very quickly.  The foliage is two inches wide and a smooth, glossy green.  An easy and fascinating houseplant.  Sun.  3 & T3, then may need 40º for 2-3 months.

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Puya chilensis

Family: (Bromeliaceae)

(TP) to 13′. An easy, “must-have” native to the arid hillsides of Central Chile. Dense, basal rosettes of pale green leaves reach up to three feet in length, and are amply equipped with hooked, leathery, marginal spines. In the wild, the flowers appear on stalks up to 10 feet tall atop which sits a three-foot long flowerhead. These prominent flowers have strident, green-yellow sepals, chartreuse petals, and bright yellow anthers. Our greenhouse specimen reaches a respectable five feet. Sun. 4 & T2, keep moist

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Tibouchina urvilleana

Family: (Melastomataceae)

(TP) to 12′. Princess Flower, Glory Bush. Brazil. The silky, saturated purple blooms are the best. These showy, five-petalled flowers appear on terminal, three-forked panicles and display long, purple stamens. Fresh green, ovate, and acute leaves have prominent, parallel veins and are felted with soft, white hairs. Cool temperatures cause the leaves to change colour to blushed peach to red. We have a handsome specimen in a warm greenhouse and we love adding smaller plants to the flower beds, and grow many in pots. Moist soil. Sun. 3 & T2

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